In the current economic climate, it’s easy to feel disheartened and fed up with your current home; but moving, in many cases, is simply not an option. That’s why many people have turned to loft conversions, an effective way of not only creating much needed additional space within your home but adding value to your property as a whole.
Time to convert your attic space and create a loft room?
July 26th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Home Improvements, Property Market 2 Comments »
Understanding Money Laundering Requirements in Conveyancing Transactions
July 18th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Legal, Property Conveyancing, Property Market 5 Comments »
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 solicitors, along with other professionals, are under a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure that their firms’ client accounts are not used by criminals for the purpose of laundering money earned through illegal activities.
Lender Assisted Sales to Avoid Repossession
July 9th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Mortgages, Property Market Comments Off on Lender Assisted Sales to Avoid Repossession
With a combination of falling house prices and rising unemployment, conditions are ripe for another sharp spike in repossessions. Only low interest rates are keeping repossessions in check at the moment but a rise of even a couple of percentage points, which is surely inevitable in order to control inflation, and a large number of families will begin to default on mortgage repayments. When they do, many will find they can’t sell their way out due to negative equity (they owe more on the property than it is worth).
The 7 Steps to Buying Your Next Home
June 27th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Mortgages, Property Market 7 Comments »
The 7 steps to home buying infographic, brought to you by Halifax, features useful home buying hints and tips.
The infographic works well with their new free app which makes finding a home easier.
Are Deposit Protection Schemes Essential ?
June 21st, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Insurance, Landlords Comments Off on Are Deposit Protection Schemes Essential ?
Housing charity, Shelter, have revealed that complaints from tenants about problems with rental deposits have soared by 86% in the past couple of years. Shelter have explained that one out of every 20 calls to their helpline in 2011 were concerning tenants’ deposits. This comes despite the introduction of compulsory tenancy protection schemes in April 2007.
Dealing with Negative Equity – What to do?
June 11th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Financial Products, Mortgages, Property Market 2 Comments »
The spectre of negative equity first appeared on a significant scale during the housing market crash in 1990s when interest went up so high that no one could afford to pay or take out a mortgage. The problem is now back and is worse than ever.
Are Estate Agents Fees Excessive ?
June 7th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Estate Agents, Property Market 4 Comments »
I will always be in favour of a free market economy and therefore I would never advocate only one approach to business. Competition and alternative methods are a healthy way of ensuring optimum performance and client focus. However, I do feel that the estate agency profession is ripe for review, reassessment and even stricter regulation.
Searching for a Rental Property in London
May 30th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Landlords, Property Market 3 Comments »
The London rental market can be fast moving, a real blink and you’ll miss it market, and for those searching for a new home to rent in the capital preparation is crucial.I have only had to search for a rental property in London once, luckily I stayed in the property for three years once moved in, but I did not make the most of my options for searching and at that time was not well prepared!
Downsizers Driving Sales of Reasonably Priced Homes in London
May 29th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Press Releases, Property Market Comments Off on Downsizers Driving Sales of Reasonably Priced Homes in London
Families have the opportunity to purchase large family homes close to central London at reasonable prices due to an increasing number of downsizers putting their properties on the market. According to Rightmove, downsizers are the driving force in today’s market, with trading down now the single biggest reason given for selling
Where are the Burglary Hotspots in the UK?
May 18th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Insurance, Landlords Comments Off on Where are the Burglary Hotspots in the UK?
Landlord insurance experts Just Landlords have recently released a new infographic which highlights the top 10 burglary hotspots in the UK and some interesting facts about burglaries.
It is clear from the infographic that the 2 places to avoid are London and Yorkshire which both have multiple locations that make it into the top 10, including Wood Green in London, Bramley in Leeds and Apperly Bridge in Bradford
Selling Your Home – Checklist for Property Sale
May 15th, 2012 HIP-Consultant.co.uk Posted in Property Market, Top Tips Comments Off on Selling Your Home – Checklist for Property Sale
Just because you have instructed a conveyancer to act for you in a purchase doesn’t mean that you are able to abdicate responsibility altogether. Of course your conveyancer will carry out the legal work however there are still some things you need to be aware of and take responsibility for, after all it is your sale and it is in your interests that it goes smoothly.
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