Savvy homeowners capitalise on current record low interest rates
As savings rates continue to offer poor returns, many people are turning to mortgage overpayments as a way to save money.
Monthly Archives: June 2010
Signs of a sustained recovery in 2010
European countries record a rise in house prices
Britain was one of the few European countries to record a rise in house prices in 2009 according to a report, giving further impetus to signs of a sustained recovery in 2010.
Low carbon homes
Government ratchets up green construction standards to tackle climate change and fuel poverty
Low carbon homes are more airtight than their conventional counterparts, with better insulation, and rely on renewable sources of power generation such as roof-top solar panels or community-scale plants converting food and other waste into energy. In more extreme examples of green homes, door-mounted letter boxes and fireplaces aren’t allowed because of the draughts these allow in.
Student buy-to-let
Sector remains strongly buoyant
While average buy-to-let rents across the UK may have fallen or remained stable over the past year, one sector that remains strongly buoyant is the student buy-to-let sector, according to the latest data from property investment specialist Assetz.
Protecting your mortgage payments
What would happen if you were unable to work?
Buying a home is probably the largest financial commitment you are likely to make. If you’re worried about what would happen if you were unable to work and couldn’t meet your monthly mortgage repayments, due to unemployment or an unexpected accident or illness – you can protect yourself against these events with a payment protection (or ASU) policy.
Opting for a fixed-rate or tracker loan
Predicting the movement of interest rates over the coming years
Few economists can agree when the Bank of England will choose to raise the base rate, which is why homebuyers and homeowners weighing up whether to opt for a fixed-rate or tracker loan face the near-impossible task of predicting the movement of interest rates over the coming years.
Signs of increased mortgage availability
Gross lending remains broadly in line with forecast
Gross mortgage lending declined to an estimated £10.2 billion in April, down 12 per cent from £11.6 billion in March and 1 per cent from £10.3 billion in April 2009, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). This is the lowest April total since 2000 (£9.3 billion).
Rental market to improve further over the next three months
Buy-to-let landlord optimism at its highest level since 2007
The planned increase in capital gains tax (CGT) is likely to put some potential investors off from purchasing a buy-to-let property. However the latest figures from the National Landlords Association, shows that buy-to-let landlord optimism is at its highest level since the fourth quarter of 2007.
Home information packs scrapped
Improving the home buying and selling process
Home information packs (HIPs) have been scrapped from 20 May, pending primary legislation for a permanent abolition, but sellers will still need to provide an official energy efficiency assessment of their property. Improving the home buying and selling process was a Labour manifesto pledge in 1997 and HIPs were designed to do this.