Zoopla property news (February 2012)
Latest property news
London 'set for super-sized flats'
There is set to be an increase in the number of so-called 'super-size' flats in the English capital as the demand for larger property in London rises, it has been predicted. Stephen Dyer, an expert in UK property , said that this can safely be predicted because developments that are being planned are already being purchased and it is simply a matter of developers ...
15th Feb 2012
Conservatories 'can boost home values'
People wanting to boost the appearance of their property or keen to increase its value will find that adding a conservatory to the building can achieve both of these things, it has been noted. Graham Lock, director and co-founder of House Network, said that there are a number of ways to boost home values but the main thing to remember is that first impressions are ...
14th Feb 2012
Property news archive
Long-term mortgages 'may increase in popularity'
The popularity of long-term mortgages may be set to increase, according to one expert who has predicted these may be easier to secure in the coming months. Ben Wilkie, editor at What Mortgage, acknowledged that long-term fixed-rates have never been that popular in the UK, but in other parts of the world they are and Brits are beginning to look at these models as viable ...
14th Feb 2012
Location and security 'can lower home insurance premiums'
UK property owners searching for a way to lower their home insurance premiums have been advised to think about the location of their property and its security system. John Portwood, personal lines insurance broker at Portwood & Co, said that there are a few ways that people can avoid paying higher policies, such as increasing the excess on the policy, which means the ...
13th Feb 2012
Offset mortgages 'the way forward'
The future of the property finance market is likely to revolve around offset mortgages, according to one expert on the subject. Paula John, editor-in-chief at Your Mortgage, said she is "staggered" that so few people in this country take advantage of offset mortgages. "They certainly are the way forward and everyone I know in the mortgage industry has got one ...
10th Feb 2012
House prices expected to rise
A significant proportion of UK homeowners expect house prices to rise in the UK this year, according to the latest Halifax Housing Market Confidence Tracker. It shows that nearly a third (29 per cent) of Britons think that house prices will rise rather than fall in 2012, compared with 22 per cent who predict a price decline over the same period. As a result, the headline ...
10th Feb 2012
UK mortgage approvals surge
There has been a significant rise in the number of mortgage approvals in the UK, which have reached their highest level since December 2009. The latest Mortgage Monitor from e.surv chartered surveyors shows that loans for house purchases surged to 58,610 in January, mainly thanks to an increase in lending to borrowers with small deposits. It represents an 11 per cent ...
9th Feb 2012
London property prices 'set to rise' in 2012
The reduced amount of central London property expected to be placed up for sale in 2012 could cause upward pressure on prices, according to one source. Naomi Heaton, chief executive at London Central Portfolio, said that many investors who are already holding real estate in prime London central do not see a better place to "park their money". This is because they ...
9th Feb 2012
Improving UK housing stock 'is important'
It is very important that the efficiency of the UK's existing housing stock is improved, but challenges still exist, according to one sector body. Daniel Green, chief executive at HomeSun, noted that well over 20 per cent of the UK's emissions are coming from homes, so it is important that the country delivers on reducing that. "In terms of the country, it is ...
9th Feb 2012
Bank of England 'may cap mortgage ratios'
It is possible that the Bank of England could intervene and cap the maximum mortgages available to borrowers in order to stop another credit crisis, it has been claimed. The potential move was announced by chancellor George Osborne, who said the Financial Services Bill would give a new Bank of England committee powers to alter the maximum loan-to-value ratios in mortgage ...
8th Feb 2012