Buying slows as house prices fall in October November 6, 2014 THE HOUSING market is slowing down as high prices and strict mortgage regulations put off buyers. The average house price fell by 0.4 per cent in October, according to figures released yesterday by Halifax. Monthly data can be volatile, but growth in the three months to October also slowed to 0.8 per cent – the [...]
Mansion tax fears and stamp duty changes send the world’s super-rich to London’s rental market December 7, 2014 Anxieties over the outcome of the 2015 general election and new stamp duty reforms are persuading the world’s super-rich to rent property in London rather than buy it outright, according to a new report. London’s lettings market has benefitted from a huge bump in prime rentals, with as much as 21 per cent of [...]
Retired workers should be allowed to sell their pensions to the highest bidder, says minister Steve Webb January 4, 2015 Retirees may soon get the right to sell off their savings for a lump sum, according to pensions minister Steve Webb. Liberal Democrat Webb said that he wanted to go further than the reforms outlined by George Osborne at the last budget, which, from this April, allow workers to trade their pension savings for [...]
London house prices drop £30,000 in a month: Which borough was hit hardest? December 15, 2014 The housing market in the UK cooled by its highest amount (in pounds) on record, according to data from Rightmove. Greater London was the region that suffered most, with a drop of -5.1 per cent between November and December 2014. It may not be the biggest percentage drop (that was East Anglia with -5.7 per cent) [...]
Stressing out: Britain’s lenders will be ticked off by the Bank of England as new tests bite December 14, 2014 If you happen to stroll down to Threadneedle Street in the early hours of tomorrow morning and find a hive of activity do not be alarmed – it’s just the start of the Bank of England’s inaugural stress tests results. While most of London slumbers at 5am, prudential regulation authority (PRA) officials will be locked [...]
This £45m mansion could have just netted the government £5.3m in stamp duty December 18, 2014 A 19-bedroom Mayfair mansion that's just been sold with an asking price of £45m may have just made the government £5.3m. Seven Balfour Place from the outside The 13,000 sq ft mansion, on Balfour Place, also comes with seven reception rooms, six kitchens, 17 bathrooms and a roof terrace. The company in charge of selling [...]
Pensions: How you can find the right adviser March 24, 2015 Don’t be put off by the maze of reforms – pay someone to help PENSIONS are undergoing the most significant reforms in a generation, but don’t squander your savings – seek professional help. The new rules are intended to give savers more freedom, as the requirement to buy an annuity at retirement has been scrapped. [...]
Autumn Statement 2014: The big stamp duty shake-up December 3, 2014 Stamp duty will be cut for millions of house buyers but hiked on the most expensive properties as part of a radical shake-up of the system announced by George Osborne. The chancellor claimed some 98 per cent of buyers will see a cut in their stamp duty bill as a result of the move, seen [...]
Barratt, Taylor Wimpey and Bellway among 16 national house builders to sign up to government’s Starter Homes initiative December 15, 2014 Some of the UK's biggest property developers have signed up to a new government scheme designed to help first-time buyers get a foot on the ladder. Avant, Barratt, Taylor Wimpey and Bellway are among 16 house builders to have put their name to the scheme, which offers first-time buyers under the age of 40 [...]
Car review: The Volvo XC90 is still one of the best March 23, 2015 Around 15 years ago Volvo hit the jackpot with its first full-size premium SUV, prompting a stampede of “active” families to dealerships seeking seven seats, upmarket looks and a lofty driving position. The XC90 combined thoughtful detailing with the usual Volvo attributes of rock solid build and impeccable safety. It sold so well that the [...]