Singaporean developer snaps up City tower in £385m deal October 26, 2018 Singaporean-listed City Developments Limited (CDL) has acquired a 26-storey tower overlooking the Bank of England for £385m from Blackstone Group. The deal, announced today, represents one of the largest single asset sales in Canada this year. The property at 125 Old Broad Street occupies a site of 0.7 acres directly overlooking the [...]
No-deal Brexit would hit house prices – but not as hard as the financial crisis, says Moody’s October 24, 2018 UK house prices could tumble in the event of a no-deal Brexit, but would not fall as far they did during the financial crisis a decade ago, rating agency Moody’s said. There would be “outright declines in house prices nationally” if Britain crashes out of the European Union without a deal next March, analysts said. [...]
Mortgage approvals fall to six-month low in September as experts warn of ‘fragile’ housing market October 24, 2018 Mortgage approvals fell to their lowest value in half a year in September, according to the latest data from UK Finance, meaning every month of 2018 so far has dropped against 2017 approval numbers. Lending amounted to £21.5bn for the month, the lowest since the £20.6bn recorded in April and a drop of 1.2 per [...]
The power of choice: Why May must back flexible right to buy October 23, 2018 He may not be well-known now, but former MP Noel Skelton probably had one of the most profound impacts on the guiding philosophy of the Conservative party. His series of pamphlets in the aftermath of the First World War explained clearly how the expansion of education and political rights, without the same expansion of economic [...]
Europe ramps up property investment in central London October 22, 2018 London's appeal as a major hub for overseas investors was underlined by fresh figures today, which showed that the proportion of foreign money being injected into the capital’s commercial property market has hit an all-time high. A resurgence in demand from European buyers has helped drive central London’s booming office space market in the last [...]
Focus On Borough: Huge change is coming to the ancient part of central London. Is it time to buy? October 19, 2018 In many ways, Borough is typical of London. Some parts of it are eye-wateringly old, like foodie haven Borough Market, which celebrated its 1,000th birthday this year. Other parts are tediously touristy, like London Dungeons. Other parts are so recharged, they’re unrecognisable, like Hays Galleria or anything within 100m of The Shard. It’s a muddle, [...]
Interiors: We learn about Ikea’s new retail strategy behind the scenes of its first store on the UK high street October 19, 2018 What, no meatballs? The opening of Ikea’s first foray into the UK high street, which has just opened on Tottenham Court Road, is a new concept for the uber retailer. The Swedish brand’s familiar blue and yellow sign now reigns over the former Multiyork site just along from Goodge Street station. It’s Ikea, but not [...]
Legal Q&A: I want to extend the lease on my flat, and have been reading about changes to leasehold legislation. Will the changes benefit my situation or should I wait? October 19, 2018 The Law Commission has recently published a Consultation Paper on proposals for a major overhaul of the existing leasehold regime, where people who own property on a long lease may extend their lease or buy the freehold. Among the proposals are several which could benefit you as a leaseholder looking to extend your lease, including: [...]
Opinion: Would a People’s Vote inspire investors to take a punt on London or would it just cause more uncertainty? October 19, 2018 This weekend sees the People’s March come to London, with thousands of people set to take to the streets to demand a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal. As a buying, I’m often asked about the impact of Brexit what the prospect of a People’s Vote could have on the prime London property market [...]
Holiday Homes: We visit a resort in Greece that lets you design a villa, grow your own olives and make a boutique wine October 19, 2018 They say it’s location, location, location, but who caresif you’re out in the sticks if you can grow and harvest your own olive oil? Brits have long harboured a Mediterranean dream but it’s no longer enough to buy an identikit white villa – it’s all about lifestyle when you get there. These bespoke villas in [...]