Financial news related to property

Bank drama continues

Last week was a dramatic one in the world of banking and finance. As was widely reported, the Bradford & Bingley has been part-nationalised, with its £50 billion mortgage and loan portfolio now under public ownership.

Minimum wage increased

Amid the economic gloom, there was some good news for the less well-off last week, with a substantial increase in the national minimum wage coming into effect.

Savings safety net to widen

Following the Irish Republic's decision to offer unlimited guarantees to financial savers should their banks fail, it looks as if the UK will increase the level at which bank deposits are secured.

Scottish housing targets in danger

The ambitious plans set forth by the Scottish Government regarding new housing appear to be under considerable threat, according to a series of economic recovery scenarios produced by Homes for Scotland.

Glasgow 6th best in UK

According to a new report from Cushman & Wakefield, Glasgow is the sixth best place in the UK for locating a business, the highest placed Scottish city ahead of Edinburgh.

One in five plan extensions

With the housing market cooling, many people are looking for alternatives to putting their property on the market. One favoured way of adapting an existing property to suit your requirements more adequately has always been through structural changes.

Rescue deal expected to go ahead

The massive $700 billion intervention in the financial markets proposed by the US Government has run into opposition in Washington amid critical comments from voters that ordinary American taxpayers would be paying to rescue profligate and wealthy bankers.

Builders get clean bill of health

Britain's home builders are competitive and nine out of 10 buyers are satisfied with the quality of their new home; that is the conclusion of a year long study into the industry by the Office of fair Trading (OFT).

First time buyers still aim to own

First time buyers still want to become home owners, but they have become more cautious about how quickly they will be able to get their first foot on the property ladder and what they can buy.

Sharp slow down for Scottish economy

The Scottish economy is experiencing a sharp slow down according to the latest Lloyds TSB Scotland Business Monitor.

Don’t lose your licence

A new campaign has been launched by the body responsible for collecting the BBC licence fee, reminding home owners in the process of moving house that their licence is not transferable.

Market mayhem - but does it matter?

The last seven days or so have seen some dramatic events in the market. But do they really matter and are things as bad as they seem, at least as far as the average homeowner is concerned?

Mortgage lending stablises

Mortgage lending stablised in July according to figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

US government boosts UK lenders

UK lenders were given a massive helping hand last week by the US government when it effectively nationalised what everyone knows as Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp).

Landlords doing well

Figures from the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) says that the sharp rise in rental demand has been the cause of an increase in rental returns.

Hopes of rate cut boosted

Hopes for an early cut in interest rates were boosted by news that factory gate inflation - the price of goods as they leave the factory - is falling at its fastest rate since records began in 1986.

Homes selling faster in Scotland

Scotland may not be immune to the impact of the credit crunch, but homes here are still selling faster than elsewhere in the UK.

Parents ready to pay for homes near good schools

A quarter of parents are willing to pay up to £50,000 more for a property to secure access to a top rated state school.

Interest rates held again

For the fifth month in succession, the Bank of England held interest rates at five per cent last Thursday.

Stamp duty suspended under £175,000

There was some much-needed good news for the housing market last week, with the long-awaited announcement of a stamp duty suspension.

News related to new homes

Everything to Ain for

In many ways, Ainslie Square encapsulates the architecture which has made central Glasgow and Helensburgh (among others) timeless examples of well-planned settlements.

Great Scot(stounhill)

Discreetly positioned along Crescent Road in Scotstounhill, Crescent Grove marks the inaugural appearance on these pages of SAFI homes.

Feeling Dickie

It doesn't take a leap of imagination to figure out what Dickie Homes @ Robroyston is all about. This collection of 25 four and five bedroom detached villas has been a resounding success.

Brae area

It's always the sign of a nearly completed development when the show home is placed up for sale, and that's certainly the case at Mactaggart & Mickel's Cochno Brae development in Clydebank.

Property articles

1. How to Sell your Glasgow Property Quickly

2. Sell your Glasgow West End property Online as a private seller

3. Checking Out Property in Glasgow West End

4. Financing your New Home in Glasgow

5. Finding your Dream Property in Glasgow West End

6. Investing in Rental Property in Glasgow or Anywhere: Is it Worth the Risk?

Property news: Glasgow property, mortgage and financial news from GSPC