House prices hit by the big freeze February 26, 2010 HOUSE prices fell back in February for the first time in 10 months as poor weather deterred would-be househunters. Nationwide’s latest monthly survey revealed that prices fell by 1 per cent to £161,320 during the month following a 1.4 per cent rise in January – the largest for five months. Economists warned that although the [...]
Fresh Irish bank bailout nears end game March 22, 2010 The Irish government is expected to present bank recapitalisation plans on 30 March, sending shares down on worries they would have to raise more capital than earlier thought. The finance ministry is thought to be preparing to present bank recapitalisation plans next week and give an update on the price the bad bank will pay [...]
Sort out all your currency needs before you jet off May 27, 2010 EXCITEMENT about the World Cup is starting to reach fever pitch and many football fans are heading to South Africa either with tickets in hand or simply to soak up the atmosphere. England fans are expected to spend around £135m during the World Cup, according to a recent study by accountants Grant Thornton. However, restrictions [...]
House prices start 2010 with a lift January 28, 2010 HOUSE prices jumped bye 1.2 per cent in January compared with the previous month, according to figures from the Nationwide Building Society. The average UK home costs £163,481, following the ninth monthly property price rise in a row. Nationwide’s chief economist, Martin Gahbauer said figures which showed the UK economy had come out of of [...]
Mortgage approvals on the slide March 1, 2010 THE number of mortgage approvals in January plummeted by 17 per cent in January compared with the previous month, according to official figures. Data from the Bank of England revealed that the number of home loans approved for house purchases in January fell by 17 per cent compared with the previous month. However, the 48,198 [...]
CURRENT MORTGAGE DEALS March 11, 2010 LENDER FIXED/FLEXIBLE RATE UNTIL STANDARD RATE APR MAXIMUM LOAN (PER CENT) (PER CENT) (PER CENT)TO VALUE (PER CENT) First Direct Flexible 2.39 Term 3.69 2.9 65 Market Harborough BS Flexible 2.48 2 years 5.49 5.1 75 HSBC Special Flexible 2.49 Term 3.94 2.7 60 Yorkshire BS Flexible 2.49 To Mar 2012 4.99 4.7 75 Nationwide [...]
Redrow on way to profit April 26, 2010 HOUSEBUILDER Redrow expects to return to profitability in the second half of 2010 as market conditions continue to improve. The FTSE 250 group says it has been “encouraged” by sales activity since the start of the calendar year. It is likely to legally complete more than 2,500 homes this year with sales rates per outlet [...]
Business lending in January slumps at fastest annual rate since records begin March 18, 2010 LENDING to businesses fell at its fastest annual rate in January since records began more than a decade ago, figures from the Bank of England (BoE) showed yesterday. The flow of net lending fell £6.5bn in January, nearly twice as fast as in December, the BoE said in its Trends in Lending report. That pushed [...]
First-time buyers hit by rising house prices in January March 16, 2010 FIRST-time buyers were faced with house prices 8.9 per cent higher in January than the same month last year, according to figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The department said average prices paid by those buying their first home was £149,924 in January. This was up 0.2 per cent against December [...]
Interest rates frozen again March 4, 2010 THE Bank of England continued to sit tight in March as fears of a double dip recession diminished. Interest rates were left at a record low of 0.5 per cent while its quantitative easing programme, which finished last month, has been put on ice. However, the Bank has left the door open for further action [...]