Estate agents urged to report dirty money
The Government has extended a campaign designed to increase the amount of suspicious activity reports (SARs), in a bit to limit the impact of money laundering. The Flag It Up campaign, which has already targeted solicitors and accountants, is now looking to estate agents to reduce the number of UK properties being bought with the […]
Millennials make huge sacrifices to get on the property ladder
People aged 18 to 34 are putting plans for romance, children and leisure on the back burner in a bid to get on the property ladder. That’s according to mortgage broker Trussle. A recent study of over 2,000 mortgage borrowers asked people about the compromises they have had to make to afford their own home. […]
Modern online auctions under scrutiny
The Homeowners Alliance (HOA) has looked at the potential pitfalls of buying and selling by auction. Commenting on the trend, HOA Chief Executive Paula Higgins said: “It is good to have new ways to help homeowners buy and sell their properties. However, we are concerned that estate agents and online platforms are using the modern […]
Government Urges Property Sector To Crack Down On Money Laundering
Property professionals are being urged to report suspicious activity if they believe that money laundering could be taking place when buying properties. A Government campaign designed to crack down on criminals aims to help people working in the sector to spot the signs of money laundering, while reinforcing their legal and moral obligations to report […]
Terrafirma launches The Assure, a low-cost pre-screening certificate for mining and ground stability hazards
– Environmental information and data intelligence provider aims to combat growing property search costs with the introduction of a reliable low cost option – In an aim to challenge growing property search costs Terrafirma, an expert provider of environmental information and data intelligence, has launched The Assure (2018) Certificate, a low cost pre-screening certificate which […]
The Autumn 2018 Budget Carries A Hefty Price Tag
Chancellor Philip Hammond potentially delivers the last budget before Britain leaves the European Union with an eye-watering £100 billion spend over 5 years. The spending taps are firmly back on again as Hammond says ‘the era of austerity is finally coming to an end’ and pledges billions into the NHS, social care and defence. The […]
Consumers Pushing For Technology In Conveyancing To Bring Transparency
Consumers are pressing the conveyancing sector for new technology that will give them better access to information, but according to a survey of conveyancers, only a small fraction of conveyancing firms are dedicated to innovation. Meanwhile, a leading property services business claimed conveyancers were “very close” to implementing technology which would bring transparency to the […]
Future Climate Info And Terrafirma Raise The Bar For Environmental Reports
Two innovative environmental data experts join forces to create unique offering Future Climate Info (FCI) has teamed up with Terrafirma to deliver the most comprehensive package yet of environmental risk data, protection and support for homebuyers. Available now, the all-new Premium Plus CON29M combines Future Climate Info’s Premium residential environmental search, with Terrafirma’s new official […]
Councils Struggle To Meet Residential Land Search Deadlines
Around 15% of councils are struggling to meet property search expectations. In some lucky cases, a search can take as little as a day; however, there have been cases of a 95 day wait for a completed search. Researchers from Move IQ analysed the figures from the 326 English local authorities and found a huge […]
Wales Release Autumn Housing Budget
There has been much speculation regarding the Autumn Budget and how it will impact the housing market in recent weeks. The Welsh Government have offered details that suggest strong support for housing professionals. Although the initial announcement indicated a significant increase in NHS spending, local authorities were left considering how they can support their services […]
Conveyancers Will Welcome Banks Fight Against Transfer Fraud
In a proactive move to eliminate transfer fraud, lenders will begin to check that names on transfers match the account in a bid to stop fraudsters in their tracks. Current lender practices mean they only check the account number and sort code on bank transfers. This allows fraudsters to convince customers to transfer money by […]
Increasing Housing Supply For September
The majority of house reports in the past two months have been depressing reading for those in the housing sector. However, the NAEA Propertymark Housing Report for September, offers a mixed bag with suggestions of an improving market in the future. The supply of property available to buy rose by 15% in September and the […]
Rental Prices Show Shallow Growth In September
Private rental prices paid by tenants is beginning to slow according to the recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) ‘Index of Private Rental Prices, UK: Spetember 2018.’ Although the average UK rent has increased by an average of 0.9% in the last 12 months, this is also unchanged from August’s figures. This slowdown has been […]
Difficult Market Conditions Halt SME Construction Growth
Growth with small and medium sized construction firms has slowed considerably this year according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Although the third quarter workloads have increased, the growth was considerably slower than quarter two data. Revenue and profit are being scuppered by rising material prices; 86% of SME construction firms have reported increases, […]
Searches UK Honoured In 2018 ESTAS Conveyancing Awards
Searches UK has claimed the bronze award for Supplier of the Year in the 2018 ESTAS Conveyancing Awards. The biggest awards event in the UK conveyancing sector, the ESTAS focus solely on standards of service received during the home moving process. Property expert Phil Spencer, presenter of Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location, hosted the event […]
Conveyancing Association Unveil Annual Conference And Dinner Details
The Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has today (25th October 2018) unveiled full details of its Annual Conference & Dinner which takes place for the first time at The Etihad Stadium, Manchester, on the 6th December 2018. This year’s Conference has the theme, ‘Embracing the digital future’, is headlined […]
Commercial Property Investment Is On The Rise
Many are speculating that stagnant wages and rising house prices have caused the housing market to hit an affordability ceiling point as price growth fell from 3.4% to 3.2% in September for residential property sales. Whilst residential property sales begin to decline, commercial property is beginning to boom. Simon Bath, CEO of digital conveyancing platform, […]
Landlords Hopeful Of Change In Upcoming Budget
It seems as though the market has focused on First Time Buyers to bolster a stumbling market in recent years to the perceived detriment of buy-to-let landlords. Although landlords will be hoping that their plight is considered with the removal of a 3% surcharge on stamp duty, a recent study by leading online letting agent […]
Mortgage Process Ranked In Top Three Most Stressful Situations
A study, by free mortgage broker Habito, in to triggers of stress has ranked acquiring a mortgage amongst the most stressful activities. Unsurprisingly, Millennials aged between 20 and 34 were the most stressed by the thought of the mortgage process. This sector of society are already finding the saving process for a mortgage unbelievably difficult; […]
House Growth in England and Wales At Five Year Low
It has been difficult to look at housing news over the past two months without reading about reducing prices and dwindling demand. Keeping with tradition, the most recent Your Move index corroborates the negative sentiments regarding the current housing market. The average price for England and Wales remains over £300,000 at £302,626 and has increased […]
