UK mortgage approvals hit six-month high – industry reaction
A third consecutive monthly increase in mortgage approvals demonstrates that market momentum continues to build
News Archive
Downsizer enquiries return to pre-pandemic levels
Jackson-Stops estimates that UK downsizers aged over 55 are sitting on £2.9trn in property equity
One in thirteen new homes built in flood zone
Crucially, homes built post-2008 are not covered by reinsurance scheme, Flood Re
Over a third of agents saw rents rise in December
The supply-demand imbalance in the market is placing upward pressure on rental prices
Two thirds of first-time buyers team up to get on housing ladder – Halifax
Some 63% of first-time buyer mortgages taken out between January and December 2023 were in joint names, involving two or more people
Estate agents should not need A-Levels to sell properties – Russell Quirk
Russell Quirk criticises MPs after an ‘astonishingly intellectually vacant’ amendment to the government’s Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was tabled by the shadow housing minister
How are 60% of agents surviving on less than four listings a month?
Data shows that just 40% of estate agents listed more than an average of four homes for sale per month last year
Comings & Goings
Snippets of industry news: Savills announces three key director appointments; Hamptons recruits three senior executives; SBK strengthens senior team;
Two estate agencies re-join Relocation Agent Network
By establishing mutually beneficial relationships within the network, the estate agents anticipate increased growth and business opportunities
Collaboration key to success of the Renters Reform Bill
More than half of local authorities in England have not had a landlord forum since 2021
Next government must increase spending on affordable housing – BPF
The British Property Federation wants to see an extra £14bn invested into affordable homes to ensure 145,000 are built annually
Sharp rise in number of over-50s buying their first homes
Growth in first-time buyers over the age of 50 comes as home-ownership levels in the UK have declined as a result of reduced housing affordability
Building more homes is key to ‘keep prices and rents in check’ – Zoopla
Zoopla’s Richard Donnell says the days of first-time buyers taking on large mortgages, stretching themselves and hoping it turns out alright are well and truly over
Property industry reacts to Zoopla House Price Index
Estate agents reflect on the Zoopla House Price Index for January, which was released this morning
Estate agents would be forced to finish higher education under Labour plans
All estate agents would require to have at least one A-level and all directors of estate agencies must have an undergraduate degree under Labour’s tabled housing reforms
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urged to scrap stamp duty levy on additional homes
The chancellor is under pressure to do more to tackle the housing crisis in the run-up to the general election
Are you familiar with upcoming Right to Rent changes?
Agents and landlords must prepare for a significant change to Right to Rent checks coming into force next month
Ambitious duo complete acquisition of well-known estate agency franchise
Under new management: The estate agency will continue to operate from their existing five branches
Significant rise in new sales agreed as housing market conditions improve
According to Zoopla, it has been a positive start to the year with all key measures of housing activity higher than a year ago
Majority of housebuilders would like to see Labour win next general election
Labour’s ambitious housing plans seem to be wooing housebuilders and appealing to their immediate interests