UK Property Blog, Housing Market News and Articles

After the government bail out of the UK banking system in 2009, there is a now 50% tax levy on all future bonuses. Traditionally we enter “bonus season” in Q2, we expect to see buyers to start investing from this point and despite the new tax constraint the majority of banks have announced their intent to assign significant bonuses.

However, it is estimated that the bonus payments will be lower than in previous years and a larger proportion of payments will be made in shares and other types of investments. Looking to 2010, it is yet to be apparent what extent this will negatively affect sales volumes. In essence, bonus money will continue to play a central factor in the housing market and many cash rich individuals will still invest in the UK and abroad.

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Since the economy entered into recession what seems like an age ago, the knock on effect to private landlords has been felt across the whole country.

According to telegraph.co.uk the number of Buy-to-Let repossessions doubled over the last year as tenants experienced difficulties in keeping up with the monthly rental payments.

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Nationwide Building Society has announced that it is cutting the price of many of its fixed and tracker rate mortgages by up to 0.50%. This comes as welcome news as the banks and building societies have held what some have described as inflated rates.

With effect from 4 August 2009, will include the following:

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Nationwide building society have announced a 125% LTV mortgage in a shock move considering the current financial situation. However, the pre-requisites of the mortgage deal are quite limiting to the large majority of people searching for a mortgage and the building society have been keen to down play the ‘new’ mortgage product.

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Recently it was reported that industry professionals are recognising the benefits of Home Information Packs (HIP). This is against the general negative slant the main stream media seem to want to promote.

HIP-Consultant.co.uk have been providing Home Information Packs for over 18 months and have witnessed numerous situations where Home Information Packs have benefitted the home buyer, home seller and the process itself. Without Home Information Packs; sales would have quite likely fallen through and at best would have held up proceedings to an extent the majority of people would be very unhappy with.

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With a move clearly designed to inject some life into the housing market, state owned bank Northern Rock has announced that it will resume lending 90% mortgages.

Currently the chances of getting a mortgage of more the 75% are very slim and this move could be seen as a government approved display of intent. Quite how relevant it is remains questionable and many have pondered whether the announcement is more publicity stunt designed to bring back consumer confidence rather than a definite assurance of impending lending.

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Mortgage rates are at the lowest rates for years which many home owners are benefiting from, however are we forgetting about the large number of savers?

Amidst the slashing of interest rates from 5% since October last year to 1% which has largely been reported on in regard to home buyers, many savers are seeing their income from their nest eggs almost disappear.

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As the financial climate tightens knowledge becomes power when it comes to securing the credit deals you want. The best start is by understanding the impact your credit history and rating has on the type of offer you may receive and whether you will receive an offer for credit at all.

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Early December saw the UK Government promise a guarantee to homeowners that find themselves in trouble with their mortgage repayments in an effort to stem the expected tide of repossessions that many see as a result of the current economic crisis.

The scheme is aimed at those who find themselves redundant with a mortgage to pay, as such individuals are expected to become more numerous with companies going to the wall thanks to the ‘credit crunch’ that is sweeping the country.The details of the proposal are quite specific, and will only be available on mortgages below a £400,000 limit.

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Many people are reluctant to consider the option of re-mortgaging given the current financial crisis, but it is something that everyone should keep in mind as there can be considerable savings to be made. Here are some thoughts when considering re-mortgaging:

1: Plan ahead – for those on a fixed term deal, keep in mind when your current package comes to an end and begin looking for alternatives a few months in advance. Securing a mortgage can be a lengthy process and making tracks in advance can be advantageous in making sure you get the right deal and at the right time.

2: Shop around for the right deal – The rise of comparison websites allows easy access to view a large number of varying types of mortgages and their specific terms and conditions. Remember that what looks like a very small percentage difference can amount to a very large monetary difference over the term of the loan – make sure all the information is given to you in plain and simple, and easy to understand, terms.

3: Once you find the right deal, make sure you secure it as the recent turmoil in the financial industry has seen lenders resort to withdrawing deals at very short notice.

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