Zoopla property news (January 2012)
Latest property news
Buy to let 'an attractive investment'
An increasing number of landlords are entering the UK buy to let market as it continues to appear an "attractive investment", one industry specialist has claimed. David Lawrenson, private rented sector expert, made the comments after the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (Arla) reported that the number of homes coming onto the rental market because they ...
10th Jan 2012
New homes creation 'will receive autumn boost'
The new homes sector is set to receive a boost in 2012, with many more new properties coming into the market, one industry body has predicted. Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said that although the economic situation is still tough, there is light on the horizon for the construction sector, as far as new property is ...
10th Jan 2012
Property news archive
'Really good' mortgage deals available in UK
There are currently plenty of good mortgage deals available for people looking to take their first step on the property ladder or move up it, it has been claimed. According to Catherine Hearnden, director at MyMortgageDirect, there are many people who want to move, but they are nervous about whether they are moving at the right time and also whether they are going to ...
9th Jan 2012
Struggling homeowners 'should talk to lenders'
Homeowners struggling to meet their mortgage payments at the start of 2012 should not suffer in silence and should instead consult their lender for advice, according to one sector body. Bernard Clarke, communications manager at the Council of Mortgage Lenders, issued the advice after Shelter recently revealed that almost one million people have taken out a payday loan to ...
6th Jan 2012
Prime London property 'will see growth' in 2012
The prime London property market looks set to see "very modest growth" in the months ahead, in spite of economic pressures, it has been claimed. Lucian Cook, director of residential research at Savills, forecast a slow rise in house prices in prime areas in the capital, largely on the back of a continuation of overseas wealth coming into the markets. His comments ...
6th Jan 2012
Empty UK property 'could be filled'
The thousands of empty homes around the UK could be filled if a few changes are made by the government, according to one sector body. Peter Bolton King, chief executive at the National Federation of Property Professionals, said it is "ridiculous" for property to be empty when the country has a shortage of homes in the medium to long term. "We know that there ...
5th Jan 2012
UK rental market 'is still strong'
The rental market in the UK is currently far stronger than many people believe, according to one specialist. Tim Morgan, a property market expert and partner at Emerging Real Estate, explained that the rental market in the UK is in a decent position, with the third quarter of 2011 year seeing rental properties being let in an average of 12.7 days. He noted that this is down ...
5th Jan 2012
Rental market 'set for big changes' in 2012
The potential departure of many accidental landlords from the rental market in 2012 could result in a "big change" for the sector, it has been asserted. That is the prediction of Alan Ward, chairman at the Residential Landlords Association, who said that there is a certain degree of unpredictability in the market this year. His comments followed the publication of ...
4th Jan 2012
Draught-proofing 'a cheap and effective home improvement'
One of the least expensive yet most effective ways of enhancing a property is to ensure it is draught-proof, one expert has commented. Andrew Leech, executive director of the National Home Improvement Council, explained that a good draught-proofing system which cuts out all the gaps in doors and windows can be one of the cheapest and most effective ways of improving the ...
4th Jan 2012
2012's interior design trends revealed
People thinking of preparing their home for sale or simply looking to spruce up their existing property have been advised about the key property design trends for 2012. Adrienne Chinn, director of AdrienneChinn.co.uk, said she is starting to see more bright colours coming in, as people are tired of taupe, grey and beige. Although grey has become the new neutral colour, ...
4th Jan 2012