After a sustained downward plunge for many months now, statistical indices are showing that the UK properties market is stabilizing gradually – at least in the short term. I am particularly delighted at the latest figures churned out by the National Association of Estate Agent’s (NAEA) just a few days ago.

These new figures show that there is still hope in the industry, and that new home buyers would after all, find houses that match their pockets. The February report from the NAEA shows a year on year rise of 25% in the level of available housing stock. The report also shows that the percentage of sales made to first time buyers also increased slightly from 24% in January to 25% in February. This is absolutely great!

Be that as it may, the long term projections in respect to supply meeting demand as far as housing is concerned is not too bright. I am greatly disturbed about the government’s attitude towards housing policies. What is going to happen to the current labour force when they grow old; how many households would be available for social housing in a few years from now? Many questions begging for answers…

Frankly speaking, the answers are not too encouraging. A recent report shows that even under good economic circumstances – as compared to what we are seeing now, an additional 550,000 households will need social housing by 2025. The report says that without a new housing policy, this demand will not be met.

If around 4.5 million people are currently waiting for social housing, and only some 1.8 million households, equivalent to 8% of all English households can be available yearly, then the situation is quite critical. That would mean a staggering balance of 2.7 million people waiting on the queue; I tell you, if the government doesn’t change or modify its housing policy soonest, we may be facing an unprecedented housing crisis in a few years time from now.

Obviously, a serious gap looms between housing supply and demand. Our ageing population and rising expectations for living standards in the UK are going to drive up demand but if there’s no change in housing policy it will seriously hold back supply. I sincerely hope someone is listening!

The recent escalation in prices of foodstuff currently enthralling all parts of the world is a sure enough incentive for people to go back and till the land. Profits from farm produce are rising as basic food commodities have reached an all-time high. This has led to an unprecedented rise in the price of commercial farmlands.

The consequent rise in the price of farmland reminds me of my Basic Economics teacher; she would, at least once in a day mention this quote: ‘for a balance in the world, supply and demand must marry.’ True to that statement, there seem to be some magical forces that are pushing the price of arable land to never-before-seen-heights. Continue reading →

Statisticians all over the world relish in what and what is most expensive, glamorous, large, and what have you; little wonder the Guinness Book of World Records is such a big hit for many – including me! Be that as it may, data covering the most expensive street in the UK is not a one-way ticket, the fluctuation in the real estate market and lifestyle of the occupants generally determines which part of UK is crowned champion.

According to research, St Hilary in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales has an average house price of £789,000. Just a few miles west of Cardiff and a mile east of Cowbridge, this is one very quiet and fantastic area to raise kids and lead a peaceful and enjoyable life.
The second most expensive street in Wales is Gannock Park – with an average of £677,000 – in Deganwy, Conwy. Streets in Cardiff come next on the list, with Druidstone Road, £651,000, in the Old St Mellons area, Lake Road West, £644,000, and Westminster Crescent, £582,000, most expensive. Continue reading →

After 64 years the greatest sporting events in the world comes back to London; having hosted the 1904 and 1948 games with great successes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has seen London fit again to host these memorable games. I just can’t wait to get the games going!

The internet has been buzzing with Olympic ticket applications for a few days now, and would be till 26th of April, 2010. These sport loving “army” from all parts of the world are not just buying up the tickets they are also making serious arrangements on where to lodge during the one month sporting fiesta. Continue reading →

Today’s article completes the 3-part series on important checklists to consider before buying any property. Now you know what to do before any purchase. Good luck! Continue reading →

This is the second part of a 3-part series on vital things to look out for before buying any property. I really do hope people would put these tips to good use. Continue reading →

The sheer excitement of metamorphosing from a tenant to a landlord is enough to make most people lose sight of little, yet very important details to watch out for before signing on the dotted lines. I have, over many years in this industry seen many people end up with court cases and endless litigations after purchasing their choice property – residential or commercial.

Below is a list of important facts you MUST CHECK OUT before parting with your hard earned income. Because of the utmost important of this piece, I have decided to make it a 3-part serial so you can get the best out of it. Knowing these facts would save you from a lot of heartaches and help sustain your portfolio.

1. See the City planning office future projections. It is a very common phenomenon to see people sell their property when they realize it was all the while located on a government projected right-of-way such as pipeline, rail line, roads, airports, etc.  Also check whether there are any rights-of-way (e.g. for a neighbour) over the land and, if so, whether these are permanent or renewable. If you don’t have current knowledge of the city’s plans, you may fall victim during purchase; and guess what, your property would be demolished sooner or later causing you to lose thousands of pounds due to your lack of elaborateness – or naivety.

2. Confirm legal status. Make sure that the property you are purchasing is not on a list of collaterals for a previously awarded loan to the seller(s), or previously owned by a bankrupt company; ensure that the liquidator won’t reverse the sale and claim it for the creditors.

3. See tax records. Find out from the Council tax offices if there are any unpaid taxes such as property tax or other charges outstanding against your choice property.

.…to be continued!

Investors all over the world have, over many centuries, understood the power of divesting their capital into different sectors. But as far as I can remember (from history books, religious books, etc.), land has been the most steady and consistent investment option you can think of; even gold and other such commodities cannot compete here.

I always feel a thrill whenever I read of some of the greatest investors of our time; Donald Trump, George Soros, Robert Kiyosaki, Howard Hughes, and many others. These people have made a fortune buying land, developing them, and making billions out of rent and sales.

Investing in available properties is quite profitable, but buying land and developing the property is even more profitable with low risks and very high return on investment over a few years time. Land in the UK is very abundant as is every other part of the world; but buying in a commercial area like London or Liverpool can earn you a fortune in a short period in view.

The growing population in UK is a fantastic incentive for land owners and would-be investors in the acreage business. There is a lot of demand for residential and commercial property in the UK at the moment and statistics show that this would not change anytime soon.

Land organizations also give investors the opportunity to turn their bought properties into funds by giving them “buy back options”. This means that they can liquidate and bank their cash rapidly. So, the dangers are reduced even a lot more and boosts the chances of investors to get their capital back and make bumper profits.

Land can also be used as collateral for bank loans and other sundry loans. Indeed the benefits of investing in UK landed property are just enormous. So if you have some cash to invest and are in doubt of other investment portfolios, land might just be your best bet.

Date: Friday, April 29th, Venue: Westminster Abbey, Occasion: Wedding of the Year.

Where would you be on this historic day when Prince William says ‘I do’ to the lovely Miss Kate? Reports show that the last royal wedding before now recorded a historic 750 million viewers worldwide and brought in thousands to see the “royalness” of England; observers say this time would be bigger.

Enough talk, how do you plan to take advantage of this “massive opportunity” to make some cash from your property? Of the £100 million or thereabout up for grabs, how much do you intend to scoop? Crashpadder.com, the website that helps global travellers find spare rooms to rent, report a ‘massive spike in demand’ for a London bed over the wedding weekend.

Let me whet your appetite a bit: period townhouses in prime locations can command as much as £4,000 for the week (people from all over the world are booking already); some landlords are charging top hotel rates of £300-plus. Some are offering a bed space for between £30 and £150 per night for the period – and I bet you, there would be somebody willing to rent. You can cash in on this too.

All you need do is offer a spare room in your flat up for rent; you can place classified ads in the papers or better still take advantage of the internet. There are several sites dedicated to this type of “adventure”, one good site is Crashpadder.com.

For those with prime property or flats close to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham palace, or other tourist attractive sites not too far away from the venues, this is a golden chance. Findaproperty.com also reports that one in four Londoners are already contemplating “biting from this cake;” so it’s time to brace up and claim your share from “the wedding of the year”

Paying for mortgage in the UK has been a major headache for homeowners for quite some time now – at least the past ten years. 2011 brings great relief for this category of people who also hope that the good times would continue into the future.
I am quite delighted at this news because it would for once put things in order; imagine the ripple effect a low mortgage budget would have on a family; better meals, more investment in education for their kids, a little extra to save from the take home pay, and much more.

As a keen follower of the trend in the housing industry, my first reaction to the recent report released by Barclays was ‘hurray!’ the report is a culmination of a poll on 1,000 homeowners which shows that about 80% of the respondents are comfortable with the low interest rate and the amount of mortgage to be paid.

The trend, attributed largely to the low interest rate environment, is despite the average house price having increased by 68% over the same period and the average salary increasing by just 37%. These are indeed happy times; increased salary, low interest rates, and a low mortgage period.

Barclays warns however, that homeowners should brace up for a possible increase in interest rates in the near future. The implication of the trend since late 2010 indicates that homeowners would operate in a more relaxed atmosphere while planning ahead for any major change. Of the 1,000 polled, 71% say they have plans in place to take care of this possible shift.

It’s not all heartbreaking news in the housing industry after all; I sincerely do hope that these good times would last long and help homeowners plan their lives better.