Zoopla property news (November 2011)
Latest property news
UK property prices rise in November
UK property prices rose slightly in November, according to the Nationwide House Price Index report. According to the data, house prices increased by 0.4 per cent in November, with the price of a typical home now 1.6 per cent higher than it was one year ago. Commenting on the figures, industry analyst and property expert Jes Conway said the figures show that house prices are ...
30th Nov 2011
Student rental market 'is incredibly competitive'
The quality of student houses is not deteriorating at the moment, in spite of the tough economic conditions, one specialist has observed. Rental property expert Jonathan Moore said the student rental market is "incredibly competitive" for tenants, so no landlord wants to risk their property remaining vacant over the course of an academic year because of its poor ...
30th Nov 2011
Property news archive
New homes needed 'for many reasons'
There is a very strong need for more new homes to be built in the UK in the coming months, according to one expert. Steve Turner, spokesman for the Home Builders Federation (HBF), said that there have not been some "big profits" in the sector, with only some house builders returning to profit in recent times. He noted that the industry is running on a reduced ...
30th Nov 2011
Govt funding for empty homes 'is very welcome'
The government's announcement that a significant amount of money is to be apportioned to regenerate vacant housing areas in England is "very welcome", according to one sector body. David Ireland, chief executive at Empty Homes, gave his backing to housing minister Grant Shapps' announcement that more than £71 million will be allocated to help ...
29th Nov 2011
Landlords 'are confident' about portfolio expansion
There are signs in the UK that the amount of rental stock is likely to increase in the near future, according to one specialist, which is good news for landlords. Private rented sector expert David Lawrenson said there are signs that the amount of rental stock is likely to increase in the near future, with most reports indicating that landlords are "quite ...
29th Nov 2011
Family homes demand 'robust' in Scotland
The demand for family homes in Scotland is currently robust and likely to continue in this vein for the foreseeable future, according to one specialist. Dianne Paterson, an expert on Scottish property , said the total number of properties on the market is still around 40 per cent less than what would have been seen before the recession, while the number of people in a ...
29th Nov 2011
'Substantial' house price growth expected in the UK
There is expected to be a significant rise in the cost of buying a house in the UK over the next decade, according to one expert. Speaking at the Landlord & Letting Show in Birmingham, rental expert Ed Harris said it is realistic to expect strong house price growth over the next ten years, with analysts' predictions agreeing with this. He elaborated: "I think ...
28th Nov 2011
Private rental property 'cheaper than halls' for students
Students hoping to save money while at university may find that staying in private property to rent is cheaper than student halls, one expert has noted. Rental property specialist Jonathan Moore pointed out that, at present, student rents remain below the level of the mainstream market, but they have been rising. "In many towns, this may continue next year, as the ...
28th Nov 2011
Proportion of first-time buyers 'at lowest level in 3 years'
New figures have shown that the proportion of the housing market comprising of first-time buyers has fallen to its lowest level in three years. Research published by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has reported that in October only 16 per cent of overall sales went to new buyers, down from 22 per cent in September. The NAEA has described this as the biggest ...
25th Nov 2011
Govt's affordable housing plan 'whitewash'
The government's plans to encourage the construction of more affordable homes will not help to boost the number of people able to buy a new home. Paul Holmes, chief executive of Firstrung, claimed that the government initiative is a "whitewash" and does not address the fact that many buyers simply need house prices to fall. He said: "Looking for ...
24th Nov 2011