The number of UK mortgages in serious arrears is at its lowest level since the global economic crisis of 2008. For lenders, buyers and homeowners alike this can only be good news; the housing market is recovering and people are regaining the financial stability they need to maintain their monthly mortgage payments. In the first quarter of 2014, there were 138,200 loans in arrears of at least 2.5% of the...
How often do you hear someone say, “I brought a brand furniture set the other day, I had to assembly it myself and it cost xxx amount”? I bet you probably hear it as often as I do, which means a lot! Now however, there’s a new trendy way of buying furniture and it doesn’t require hours of walking through a massive furniture store and self-assembly. Buying vintage furniture is one of...
US home sales are on the up, as consumer confidence in the improving economy helped to fuel demand from buyers. With limited supply in certain areas, prices are also climbing, creating good conditions for those hoping to fetch a healthy sum for their property. According to the National Association of Realtors, 40 per cent of homes sold in April 2015 met or topped their asking price....
When you are looking to buy a property, first impressions count. After all, if you see a house that looks shabby, you will be inclined to pass it by. So to make your property stand out, you will need to make it appealing to the buyer from the outset. How can you do this? Here we look at some simple ways to improve your curb appeal and make your home more marketable. Does Your Garden Need a...
Finding the perfect property is about discovering that sublime mix of affordability, needs met, and location. That makes it sound pretty simple. I’ll leave you to figure out the second and third points in that short list. What I want to discuss is the first one: affordability. The price you are able to pay (or shall I say, the price that you should pay) is not determined by the list price of your...
According to a study by Age UK, one fifth of people make alterations to their homes in preparation for old age. The main reason given for why these improvements were made was to maintain independence and remain in their home. The majority of people who neglected to make improvements said that they did not want to think about getting older, however planning ahead could save a lot of stress and...
If you are selling home, our step-by-step guides will ensure that you are more than familiar with the process of listing, advertising, viewing and pricing your property. But can you afford to sell? It may sound like a bizarre questions, but there are a number of hidden costs involved when selling your home. Before you start budgeting for buying a new residence, read our handy...
Over the last few years the civil engineering sector in the UK has seen an increase in activity, with more inspirational projects going on that ever before. Most of these civil engineering projects are focused on making the infrastructure around the UK fit for the demands of the 21st century. While the majority of the projects can be found around London (think the Olympics and Cross rail), other...
More and more savvy consumers are turning to DIY or private house sales when it comes time to sell their properties. While 20 years ago a DIY seller would have been forced to put an ad in the local newspaper and sit back and wait for potential buyers to pour in, the internet and technological advances have made it easier than ever before for anyone and everyone to reach a massive audience from the comfort...
Property portal The House Shop have been out and about in Wimbledon finding out what life is really like during the tournament for local residents. With the noise nuisance, crowds, litter, congestion and endless queues, the tournament can be both a blessing and a curse. The House Shop team spoke to numerous residents and businesses and found several residents that were not only happy with the...