The legal complexities of property ownership often cause problems on separation, divorce or at probate time. Married couples have automatic rights which protect their occupation. To cover a situation arising when a marriage goes through a difficult time it is quickest and cheapest to issue a simple notice with the Land Registry that will ensure [...]
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European Housing Market Update
The problems and presures of our housing market sometimes seem to be insurmountable and we feel we are all alone with our UK problems. This is not the case. What is happening beyond our UK shores to the European housing markets. France and the French Housing Market House prices have been in an expanding bubble [...]
Double Dip House Prices
Economic woes seem to be piling up for the government and our UK economy which may be passed on to the housing market. The current double dip recession may be thought by some to relate to the poor quality of the statistic (which wouldn’t surprise us). Equally it may be a further slide or downturn [...]
How to Save on Council Tax
The Government introduced the Council tax in 1991 and had homes valued into bands dependent on a assessed value. Since 1991, there has been no revaluation or rebanding. The effect is that many houses that were incorrectly banded are still in that situation. You can still appeal about your band and there are surveyors who [...]
London Residential Asset Class
I liked the phrase ‘London Residential is now a recognised asset class’ used by Savills’ chief executive Jeremy Helsby. The upmarket estate agent was announcing good profit and revenue growth on the back of prime London properties during 2011. This overall growth was despite lower commercial property transactions, losses in Europe and a slow down [...]
Downsizing or Rightsizing
Why do governments want to tell people how to live their lives. Why should older homeowners be encouraged to sell up or move out to smaller properties. There are better reasons for downsizing than pressure from others and you should consider the pros and cons before embarking on such an exercise. Do not rush into [...]
Bellway Statistically Speaking
Bellway’s share price has increase4d approximately 10% in the last 4 months. A spokesperson for the housebuilder just before Christmas said “Notwithstanding the current backdrop of global and domestic economic uncertainty, Bellway is well positioned to continue its three-pronged strategy of volume, average selling price and operating margin growth,” the company said in a statement. [...]
Yorkshire Flower Fund Homes
Yorkshire is known for its involvement in social welfare, the Co-operative movement and the foundation of many Building Societies. The county seems to be the center of the Rotary Club initiative to build retirement homes under the charity banners of Flower Fund Homes. Bradford Flower Fund Homes This is a registered charity founded in 1957 [...]
Upsides of Investing in Property
There are many downsides to investing in property but you also need to consider the risks of alternative investment strategies. Property prices may have further to fall in the short term and funding a buy-to-let purchase may be hard or impossible but it may be worth the effort. Property Investment Up Sides It is a [...]
Study Housing Bubbles, Bankers and Busts
There is a flow of new and recent publications that provide a slant on the profligate housing finance that contributed to the economic woes of the western economies over the last half decade. Two tomes from USA and one from Ireland are worth seeking out in your university or business library. A new format for [...]