Category: Property Market

Barratt Offer Unique Deal to Southampton Landlords

Posted on 24th February 2012

A developer has offered any potential landlord the chance to own a new Southampton home which comes with a rental income that is guaranteed for six months. Barratt are offering landlords the chance to own a two-bedroom apartment for £155,000 with a promise that they will then immediately rent it back from the landlord for £650 per month.
Barratt feel investors are starting to return to the local property market and believe the area has not seen this level of demand from buyers outside of London […]

Less homes coming on the market but still no increase in prices

Posted on 30th January 2012

As the rental market goes from strength to strength, more gloomy news from the housing sales market promises yet more opportunities for the ambitious landlord.
A report out today by property analytics outfit Hometrack suggests the housing market is no nearer a recovery and in fact average house prices in the UK could see a reduction of around 5% in 2012. The news, although bad for sellers, could signal even better pickings for property investors looking to buy landlord insurance on new projects.
The latest monthly figures […]

Homeowners becoming reluctant landlords as property market stagnates

Posted on 9th January 2012

The number of “reluctant landlords” is on the increase as the amount of properties coming into the rental sector simply because they cannot be sold is threatening to flood the market.
ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) say that during the third quarter of 2011, almost half (49%) of members surveyed reported a noticeable increase in the number of unplanned lettings as property owners are turning to the privately rented sector because they are unable to sell their home. In England, this trend was more […]

Landlords should ensure their investment is sound

Posted on 29th December 2011

In the rush to make cash out of the booming rental market some landlords are risking their businesses by making rash decisions, according to a leading group of surveyors.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors is warning landlords that when it comes to buying new properties they should surround themselves with protection. Not only should they make sure they have adequate landlords insurance on the property but they should take steps to ensure the home is a sound investment before they conclude the deal.
The warning comes […]

Number of empty homes in Boston is increasing each quarter

Posted on 28th December 2011

Latest statistics show that the borough of Boston has 411 long-term empty properties, with 295 of them being empty for at least twelve months. The high number is yet another reason for the deepening housing crisis in Boston, which has seen many people unable to either afford a home or move up the boroughs housing waiting list.
Most mortgage lenders are still looking for a deposit of at least 20%, meaning the average first time buyer in Boston will face seven years of scrimping and saving […]

Poor to be hit hardest by size criteria scheme

Posted on 16th December 2011

Poor families living in social housing that is protected by landlord insurance look set to be penalised for staying in a property that the Government deems too large for their needs. The Coalition had previously claimed that the families would lose an average of £620 but now that is set to rise to £1400 a year.
The new “size criteria” scheme has come under attack by the NHF (National Housing Federation) who are worried for the huge number of families who are going to struggle with […]

New service offers savings for landlords

Posted on 13th December 2011

At a time when property investors are experiencing higher rental achievements than ever before, a new service set to be launched in January offers to save them even more cash when it comes to advertising their properties.
Movestart.co.uk is an online letting service which promises to be of interest to any property investor with a need for landlord insurance. The website is offering to advertise rental property for just £49 which includes a tenant referencing service in the price. The backers of the website believe the […]

Work starts on renovation project

Posted on 12th December 2011

A regeneration scheme that is costing over £200million has at last got under way. Bulldozers started demolishing empty properties as residents gathered to watch the start of work that will see six-hundred homes demolished to make way for new housing.
Residents expressed their joy at seeing the first steps of the huge project begin and all of them firmly believe the new development will make their area a much more pleasant place to live. New homes will be built in place of the demolished houses, with […]

Colchester to benefit from massive investment

Posted on 7th December 2011

Developers Mersea Homes and Countryside Properties have unveiled their detailed plans for a huge housing development in Colchester. Together they intend to build 1,800 homes, a new shopping precinct, a new community centre and much needed new secondary and primary schools.
The development will cover one-hundred hectares of land and the developers have insisted that much of the countryside will survive, with a further thirty-four hectares remaining untouched. Colchester Council had planned to use the land themselves in 2008 to build 2,200 homes but the decision […]

Landlords encouraged to close down empty properties carefully as the winter weather rolls in

Posted on 6th December 2011

As the winter weather at last begins to show its face, landlords across the UK are being warned to ensure empty properties are protected from the harsh weather.
Although 2011 has been a bumper year for landlords, many property investors will find themselves with empty properties in the winter period. Holiday lets in particular will be empty at this time of year and the seaside tends to attract some of the most inclement weather. Already Scotland and the North of England have experienced snowfall this week […]