“If you do go ahead with changes to your home, make sure they can be used afterwards.
“If you’ve added another bedroom, bathroom or living space, then once your parents or children have moved out, can you convert it into something you want?”
Rising house prices fuel pressure tactics
“Gazumping is on the rise, sellers know that if they don’t see action from the buyer, such as booking a survey, there are plenty of other potential purchasers willing to jump in.
“As a buyer, the best way to protect yourself is by moving quickly and not giving the seller an excuse to look elsewhere.”
Property news roundup: Price dip or just a blip?
“With prices levelling out and even tailing off a little in the past month, we could be seeing the first signs of resistance from buyers who are not prepared to pay what sellers are asking. However, this may just be a blip rather than the beginning of a downwards trend in prices.”
Property prices fall marginally, reports the Land Registry
“The increased availability of mortgage finance at higher loan-to-values is finally making it possible for many frustrated first-time buyers to take a step onto the ladder. The real challenge is finding a property you can afford to buy and being able to secure it in the face of stiff competition before prices move higher still.”
House prices up by 8.5pc
“With prices levelling out and even tailing off a little in the past month, we could be seeing the first signs of resistance from buyers who are not prepared to pay what sellers are asking.
“If buyers are being sensible and refusing to pay over the odds because they can’t afford it, then that is a good thing. While interest rates are low at the moment, they won’t always be and working out whether you can afford your mortgage when rates do rise is a reasonable strategy.
“However, this may just be a blip rather than the beginning of a downwards trend in prices. Prices still rose on the quarter and on the year. And while the market may be adjusting, there are pockets of the London housing market where it is still crazy busy while in other parts of the country talk of a bubble is laughable. A national average house price is not at all helpful, as regional variations tend to be significant.”
House prices down in April, says Halifax
“With prices levelling out and even tailing off a little in the past month, we could be seeing the first signs of resistance from buyers who are not prepared to pay what sellers are asking. If buyers are being sensible and refusing to pay over the odds because they can’t afford it, then that is a good thing. While interest rates are low at the moment, they won’t always be and working out whether you can afford your mortgage when rates do rise is a reasonable strategy.
“However, this may just be a blip rather than the beginning of a downwards trend in prices. And while the market may be adjusting, there are pockets of the London housing market where it is still crazy busy while in other parts of the country talk of a bubble is laughable. A national average house price is not at all helpful, as regional variations tend to be significant.”
Halifax reports fall in UK house prices for second month running
“If buyers are being sensible and refusing to pay over the odds because they can’t afford it, then that is a good thing,
“However, this may just be a blip rather than the beginning of a downwards trend in prices. Prices still rose on the quarter and on the year. And while the market may be adjusting, there are pockets of the London housing market where it is still crazy busy while in other parts of the country talk of a bubble is laughable.”
March house prices up 5.6% – Land Registry
“With London house prices up 12.4% in the year to March, according to the Land Registry, the capital’s housing market doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
“While parts of the country are starting to see a slowdown in price rises, with Wales witnessing a significant fall month-on-month, the capital defies the odds. Pressure to buy is still considerable with many buyers competing via open houses and sealed bids for a limited amount of stock.
“The increased availability of mortgage finance at higher loan-to-values is finally making it possible for many frustrated first-time buyers to take a step onto the ladder. The real challenge is finding a property you can afford to buy and being able to secure it in the face of stiff competition before prices move higher still.”
House sales up by 46%
“The capital’s housing market doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. While parts of the country are starting to see a slowdown in price rises, the capital defies the odds. Pressure to buy is still considerable with many buyers competing via open houses and sealed bids for a limited amount of stock.
“The increased availability of mortgage finance at higher loan-to-values is finally making it possible for many frustrated first-time buyers to take a step onto the ladder. The real challenge is finding a property you can afford to buy and being able to secure it in the face of stiff competition before prices move higher still.”
London housing bubble shows no sign of bursting
“The capital’s housing market doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. Pressure to buy is still considerable with many buyers competing via open houses and sealed bids for a limited amount of stock.
“The real challenge is finding a property you can afford to buy and being able to secure it in the face of stiff competition before prices move higher still.”
