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Higher rates of Stamp Duty on second property may impact wider property market
Thursday, February 25, 2016
According to a recent estate agency survey, the proposed increase in Stamp Duty Land Tax on purchases of second and subsequent residential properties, may impact local property markets. In a national survey conducted amongst its members, Relocation Agent Network found 74% of respondents indicated that the proposed increase in Stamp Duty on purchases of second residential properties, may impact their local property market.
The forecast is bright for landlords
Monday, February 15, 2016
It may be wet and windy outside and there are changes ahead in the rental market but the forecast is still bright for landlords in the South East. Investors looking to profit from buy-to-let can take heart from signs that the boom is far from over. House prices are still on the up and demand for rental properties is still outstripping supply. Whilst these two factors remain, buy-to-let represents an attractive long-term prospect, offering potential for capital appreciation as well as a steady rental income.
Home is where the heart is
Friday, February 12, 2016
If you are mid-property search for your ideal home and not finding your perfect property, its worth looking at things afresh and remembering that home is where the heart is, and with a little love and inspiration you may just find it’s closer than you think. Look again at the properties you’ve viewed. What did you love or hate about them? Could you keep the part you love and change the bits you hated? Is your best option not to move but to stay and improve? Here’s some great ways to rediscover the heart in your home
The Crossrail effect
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
House prices in the capital have increased to the point where homeowners are finding themselves priced out of the property market and looking to surrounding areas for affordable options. Living outside London can easily save commuters around £400,000 on the price of a 4 bed semi so it makes financial sense even when you factor in the cost of a rail season ticket.
2016 – The property year ahead
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
January figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed that UK house prices increased by 7.7% in the year to November 2015 with a figure of 9.8% in the South East where prices benefit from proximity to London, prime commuter catchments and educational options. Average monthly rentals (excluding London) also rose by almost 5% in 2015 accompanied by a raft of changes in legislation for landlords and lettings agents. So what is 2016 likely to hold for the property market, for residential sales and lettings? Without consulting the crystal ball, here are a few predictions for the year ahead.
Are you ready for “Right to Rent”?
Monday, February 1, 2016
In 2015 The Home Office announced that from 1 st February, the government’s “Right to Rent” policy would come into effect across England. So, from today, all landlords letting property in England are required by law to check the immigration status of prospective tenants (and take a copy of evidence of their “right to rent”) in a bid to make it harder for people to live in the UK illegally. Landlords will need to see original documents (and take copies) proving that the tenant has the right to be in the UK. Acceptable documents include UK or EEA passport, Home Office immigration status document or certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen. Landlords who don’t make the checks could be fined up to £3,000 per tenant or even face a prison sentence. So are you ready for “Right to Rent”?
