I just saw this story on the web and I couldn’t help commenting on it.

As part of their ‘Hidden Homes Scheme’, Wandsworth council and Notting Hill Housing have teamed up to help convert a disused car park in Putney into 10 spacious apartments. Their reasoning? To help first time buyers find an affordable route onto the property ladder. Read the rest of this entry »

As an investor it is always important to offer your rental properties the best possible mortgage deals, but as banks are now proving, this task could soon be a lot harder.

In the last week, Moneyfacts has reported on average rises of 0.16% on 2 year fixed rate deals, with 5 year deals quickly following suit at 0.21%. Read the rest of this entry »

It is incredible how far down people’s lists of priorities their own pensions lie. I was reading an article on BBC News this morning, and they revealed that 50% of UK adults aged between 20 and 60 years old have put aside no funds for their pensions. Read the rest of this entry »

I have to admit that even I was shocked to read about the rising number of mortgage fraud cases. I knew it was possible, but I was still surprised to read that 2009 has already surpassed figures released in 2008.

Handed out by the Financial services Authority, in the last 5 months they have handed out fines totalling £302,445 and have already banned 9 individuals/brokers from the mortgage industry. Read the rest of this entry »

I can’t describe how refreshing it was to watch a property television show that accurately portrayed all aspects of the property market. After reading negative story after negative story in the press, ‘Property Watch’ managed to introduce a balance where all sides got equal coverage. Read the rest of this entry »

I admit I have always been fascinated by the draw of renting out buy-to-let properties to students, and today is no different. Whilst I was researching this morning I came across an incredible article in the Financial Times about the CBS’s plans to invest £20m into discounted residential properties. Read the rest of this entry »

I always find it interesting to see which mortgage lenders homeowners are choosing to opt for. It helps to develop an inpression of what buyers consider to be great mortgage deals and what they don’t. Saying this I was still surprised to read the BBC News report on Northern Rock. Read the rest of this entry »

If like me, you have been left feeling disappointed by the increasing limitations of low LTVs mortgages and huge deposits, then this piece of news Will interest you.

In the last few weeks, new and exciting mortgage deals have been re-appearing on the lending market, bringing with them the promise of great interest rates, affordable LTV’s and easy accessibility. Read the rest of this entry »

I personally have always preferred the notion of investing in just the UK – especially in the current financial climate. I admit foreign properties do have their own appeal, in terms of affordable commercial properties and holiday homes, but when it comes down to financial security, I prefer the UK. Primarily, as I know exactly what I am entering into when I make an investment. Read the rest of this entry »

You probably hear the phrase all the time that ‘now is the best time to invest and set up a property deal’ – it is the slogan on the lips of every successful property invester around. But if the Birmingham Post’s recent story on mortgage rate cuts is correct, then this phrase could in fact be truer than ever before. Read the rest of this entry »