Despite a slowdown of the property market in many parts of the UK, there are always areas where competition for properties is more intense. London is the obvious example but there are others – anywhere with tight planning restrictions and where owners tend to hang onto their properties rather than selling them and ‘moving up the ladder’. If you’re looking to buy in one of those locations, you need to put a little effort into making sure you don’t pay any more than you need to for your new home.
Last year 14,000 people built their own home. Where should you start if you’re a self build novice?
If you’ve only ever attempted some minor DIY before, the idea of building your own home may be rather daunting.
Prices for building plots are down by around 25% since 2009 and labour costs have also fallen, which is good news if you want to build your own home. But it’s harder to get a mortgage than it was before the credit crunch and there are plenty of pitfalls for the unwary. Moving into a house that’s the result of your hard work (or at the least built to your specifications) is very rewarding, but you have to know what you’re doing and where to turn to for advice if you're thinking of building your own home.
The number of women buying property overseas is increasing, according to one leading mortgage broker.
Wherever you’re buying, location, location, location is important. But so is getting the right finance in place.
Women are becoming increasingly active as buyers in the overseas property market, according to one leading mortgage broker. Over he last few months, Savills Private Finance has seen an increase in the number of women are buying property overseas. For some women, an overseas property is a bolthole or holiday home whereas for others the aim is to provide a rental income. The Euro zone remains popular, especially France, Spain and Italy.
