London house price boom to end as buyer’s market returns November 23, 2018 The London property market is slowly returning into the hands of buyers, as the days of house price growth outpacing the rise of inflation look set to come to an end. Industry analysts and economists polled by Reuters over the last week have predicted house prices in the capital will fall 1.7 per cent this [...]
Norges moves up on rival Sammy Tak Lee after upping its stake in Shaftesbury Group November 22, 2018 Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) has upped its holding in West End landlord Shaftesbury for the second time in a fortnight, escalating a power tussle between the sovereign wealth fund and rival shareholder Sammy Tak Lee. The Norwegian fund increased its holding in the FTSE 250 group from 22 per cent to 23.15 per cent [...]
Ashley hits out at politicians and landlords ahead of committee hearing November 22, 2018 Mike Ashley today lashed out at politicians for failing Britain’s beleaguered high streets, as he demanded an audience with MPs in Westminster next month. The retail billionaire and Newcastle United owner, who has recently acquired House of Fraser and Evans Cycles, called on both politicians and landlords to do more to help struggling retail outlets. [...]
FTSE investor CLS Holdings strikes confident tone as occupancy rates improve November 22, 2018 Commercial investor CLS Holdings posted a fall in vacancy rates this morning, striking an upbeat tone in the wake of new leases and lower debt costs. The FTSE 250 firm said that the vacancy rate across its markets fell from 5.7 per cent to 4.3 per cent during the trading period between July and November. [...]
How Brexit could help mortgage prisoners break free November 22, 2018 In the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, lenders were dishing out large mortgages and asking for tiny deposits in return. Property values were rapidly outpacing wage growth, and buyers were being allowed to borrow eight times their annual salary. For many homeowners, the problems started after the crash when the regulators forced [...]
Retail estate landlord New River Reit posts drop in asset value as high street woes worsen November 21, 2018 Real estate giant New River Reit saw the value of its assets dip in the six months to September, in a further sign of the tough challenges facing landlords on the high street. Net assets totalled £864m in September this year, marking more than a three per cent drop from March, while funds from operations [...]
London house buyers report growth in gazumping despite wider UK decline November 21, 2018 Roughly two in every three London buyers has been ‘gazumped’ on a house purchase in the last year, according to a new poll which underlines the growing frustration within the capital’s housing market. Gazumping, which is the process of agreeing to a person’s offer on a property and then selling the house to another buyer [...]
Focus On Woolwich: This soon-to-be Crossrail hub will see its population increase by 58 per cent by 2026 November 20, 2018 Last month, the Woolwich Ferry made its final voyage across the Thames. For many, it was an emotional farewell as locals had watched it transport cars and people from one side of the river to the other for the last 55 years. Though the Ferry is no more, the service resumes in December with two [...]
Interiors: Why you should go the extra mile this Christmas and make your own wreath November 20, 2018 As golden leaves flutter and fall, it’s time to get all fired up about decorating for the festive season. From a stunning wreath on the front door, to scented table pieces, to traditional garlands snaking their way up the bannisters, it’s the stylish and fragrant way to add seasonal cheer, and chuck the potted cacti [...]
New homes: Our pick of the new builds going on sale in London this week November 20, 2018 New developments on the market this week Erith Baths, Bexley From £77,875 for 35 per cent for a one bed flat (fmv £222,500) Part-buy, part-rent these new homes in an up-and-coming part of south east London. Eight one and two bedroom Shared Ownership apartments are on sale with housing association L&Q as part of a [...]