Helping Innovate Property (HIP) – Blog, Housing Market News and Articles

The Help to Buy scheme is a new government initiative designed to help first time buyers and existing homeowners move up the property ladder. It is one way the government is trying to boost the economy after the recession and get homeowners moving again. This blog looks into the details of the scheme and how you may be affected by where you live in the country.

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It doesn’t matter whether you are moving down the street or across the country, the fact is, it is much less stressful when you choose the right removal company to move your belongings. Not surprisingly, as with any choice like this, it is not as straight forward as it may seem and you may be faced with options you didn’t even know existed. Read on to find out some of the things you need to consider, how you should prepare and what you should expect.

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In this day and age people are getting very creative with ways to save money, especially when it comes to extra luxuries like a holiday. Many people consider ‘House Swapping’ with other people in their chosen destination as the experience can cut the costs of accommodation from your holiday. Such agreements come with many positive and negatives that you need to be aware of before you embark on such an adventure. Read on to see what the pros and cons are of house swaps.

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Gas can pose a serious threat to any home and it is vital that you conduct regular checks on your gas appliances to ensure they are working correctly. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause serious harm or can even be fatal to you and your family. By ensuring to check your home sufficiently each year you can potentially avoid a serious risk to those in your home.

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Looking after your property when you don’t actually live in the building can be time-consuming and difficult, especially when you don’t live near the home. Whether you have a beachside home in Cornwall or a townhouse in a city centre that is rented out to businessmen visiting for long term leases, you need to set up a way for the home to be managed. Making the choice as to whether you have the time to commit to managing your home or whether you want to hire a company to do it for you usually comes down to money.

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The demand for property in London is soaring and new little nuggets of opportunity are popping up all over the capital as new transport links are opening up making it easier for commuters. If you have some money to invest, it is certainly worth keeping your eye on some of the following hotspots. The new infrastructure will see house prices leap up and you could make a quick penny or two on a home in the following places.

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Selling your home or buying a new home can be a difficult task to face and sometimes we feel like we need all the help we can get. Lucky for us, the Internet was invented and now we have a multitude of websites available to guide us in the right direction with advice, property and statistics.

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Downsizing to a smaller home can be a very stressful and emotional experience. You family home holds so many memories and letting go of that stage in your life can be heart-breaking. Making the experience as easy and smooth as possible is vital for your own sanity and this blog aims to help you with each process from making the decision to looking towards the future with a positive outlook. Take a deep breath and let’s talk about downsizing.

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Many people in the world have the same basic dream when they’re younger. They want to be successful, they want a loving family, and they want to live in a big, safe house with a nice yard, a picket fence, smack dab in the middle of a niche neighborhood. The home of your dreams is something you will undoubtedly try to make a reality at different points throughout your life.

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Property in the UK increased in value by an average of 3.1 per cent between October 2012 and October 2013. However, while the UK as a whole is witnessing signs of life, the property market in the North East is seeing a slow recovery.

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According to a survey carried out by high street mortgage provider, Halifax, as seen in The Guardian, house prices have risen by 6.9% since October 2012. This is said to have been fuelled by the early release of the Government’s Help To Buy scheme.

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