House Property Prices - What Should Buyers and Sellers do in 2011?

November property prices and volumes continue to show a 'depressed' picture from a 'national' perspective. The number of properties available for sale has started to slide slightly as potential sellers worry more about getting through Christmas rather than putting their properties on the market.

For the past, current and future house price indicators READ MORE

What Should Buyers and Sellers do in 2011?

READ MORE for regional property data.

Estate Agent Awards 2010

Most people enjoy taking the mick out of estate agents and they are often the butt of many jokes. It's a shame though, because if all those people who berate agents could have attended the Estate Agent Awards on Friday, 3rd December they would have seen how professional, forward looking and what an incredibly charitable industry estate agents are.

The awards were presented by James Cracknell, an amazing man who has won two Olympic Gold Medals, six World Champtionship Titles, rowed across the Atlantic and raced to the South Pole.

So who are the winning agents? READ ON to find out who the key winners are.

Estate Agent Awards 2010

Cap on Local Housing Allowance rates could cause problems if implemented

The Coalition Government have started to realise that their cap on the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) could cause major problems within areas such as London if implemented.

Due to private landlords having potentially to turf out LHA tenants to make ends meet, the government have agreed to delay the implementation of the cap until January 2012 for people that are already claiming the benefit.

Caps for new housing benefit claimants will be brought forward though and all be introduced in April 2011 (instead of April 2011 and October 2011).

For more information and full details of the new caps - READ MORE.

What’s happening in the Construction Industry?

According to the latest Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Market survey “The impact of government spending cuts and continued concerns over access to finance saw sentiment in the construction industry turn increasingly negative during the third quarter of 2010”.

Importantly for the residential market, one of the worst areas affected was public housing where the government announced a 50% cut in spending on affordable homes.

READ ON to find out more about what's hapening in the construction and property industry.

To Rent or Buy?

To Rent or Buy?

With the cost of maintaining our ageing housing stock on the rise, is now a good time to buy – or should you stay renting?

According to Zoopla, 80% of British cities/towns are now cheaper to buy in than rent a two bedroom flat in 50 locations throughout the UK. In some locations – not necessarily the ones you would expect – renting is more costly than buying.

Read on to find out whether To Rent or Buy?

Lack of rental properties could drive up prices

Housing Rental Market

Property rents continue to rise steadily across most of the UK and by Spring 2011 we are likely to see monthly rents reach their peak of April 2008.

Over the coming months, the housing rental market is likely to start highlighting the devastating lack of properties in the market. While people have 'stayed at home' for a few years following the recession, the next few years people will want to rent or buy. Due to a huge lack of funding for buyers and investors, there just won't be the stock available and inevitably this will drive up prices.

Lack of rental properties could drive up prices

Latest House and Local Property Prices

Latest House Property Prices and Local House prices

The property market continues to be subdued in the lead up to Xmas and is likely to go very quiet over the Xmas period.

For 2011, there is a real danger that the lack of properties for sale and a low number of buyers will end up with the market remaining very sluggish. A lack of properties for sale won't help 'kick start' the housing market. If sellers can't see a choice of properties to buy and 'doom and gloom' is constantly reported by the media, their incentive to up and move sticks is very low.

For a detailed property market report - READ MORE

Property Buying Guide Myth No.3

Estate Agents - You must talk to our Mortgage Broker or Advisor!


If you've looked for a property to buy, you'll no doubt recognise the phrase 'You must talk to our mortgage broker' which you may have heard when visiting the local estate agents. So, should you talk to an estate agent's mortgage broker or is this just another property buying myth?

Watch my latest property myth video here!

Property Buying Guide - Myth No.2

All Estate Agents are the Same


How many times have you heard the phrase 'All Estate Agents are the same'? So, are they 'all the same' or is this just one of many property buying myths? And, if you happen to be a first time buyer, this may also help you find a good estate agent and ultimately, your dream first home.


Watch my VIDEO here!

Property Buying Guide - Myth No.1

The perfect property IS out there!

For those of you who have already bought a property, you'll no doubt recognise the phrase 'The perfect property IS out there'. Well is it, or is this just one of many property buying myths? If you're a first time buyer, are you looking for that elusive 'perfect property'?

Watch my VIDEO here

Prices of Houses Sold - Media Reporting

July and August data shows that trying to report on the property market purely covering property prices is pointless. As with any market analysis, it's often the volume figure that is far more interesting.

For example, property sales' volumes started to fall in September 2007, for the Land Registry property price falls weren't recorded until NINE MONTHS later, in June 2008. Over those nine months, the number of properties sold fell by 49%, from 100,000 properties per month to just over 50,000.

READ MORE for my latest summary on the property market. Want to know what's happening to LOCAL HOUSE PRICES in your area, ignore the headlines, let me help you work it out for yourself READ MORE.

Mortgage Best Buys

If you're thinking of buying a property or remortgaging, to ensure you find the best mortgage for your circumstances, follow my Top Three Tips on how to choose a mortgage lender.

There are more mortgage products coming onto the market, and one company that has recently released some new mortgage rates is the Post Office. READ ON for some examples of their new lending rates.

Mortgage Best Buys

Is your house falling down?

So you don’t want to end up on Sarah Beeny’s new show ‘Help! My House is Falling Down’? Then it’s time to make sure you have a property makeover. Not the usual buy a new kitchen kind or painting the walls magnolia, more the practical, essential kind: get the roof fixed or sorting out the drains!

I know it’s not sexy, I know it’s not exciting, I know you can’t say to your friends ‘come round and see my fab new roof’. You can however sleep at night knowing that all the hard work you are either about to carry out as a buyer or already have as a home owner has been done.

Follow my Structural Survey Tips for Property Homeowners here!

Sarah Beeny’s New Property Show: Help! My House is Falling Down

For most property professionals, especially surveyors, Channel 4’s latest property show, Help! My House is Falling Down with the fab Sarah Beeny, is a god send. At last a TV programme which should ensure property buyers purchasing a home pay for an independent full structural survey from a local qualified surveyor!

Anyone that has watched the first couple of Sarah Beeny’s new programme now knows that mortgage companies are all too happy to lend money to unsuspecting buyers. You also find out canny ways vendors have of covering up property problems!

Find out more here!

Landlord Action Exposes Rogue Tenants on ITV's ‘Nightmare Tenants’

Landlord Action’s founder, Paul Shamplina, will be heavily appearing on ITVs programme ‘Nightmare Tenants’ tonight. Paul will not only be commenting on a number of ongoing cases where landlords are owed thousands of pounds relating to unpaid rent but will also be trying to expose these ‘rogue’ tenants in front of the camera to the nation.

The programme is set to highlight some of the financial issues that landlords can experience when they rent their property out to a nightmare tenant, and will be mainly doing so by using three cases that Landlord Action are currently acting on, including their biggest rent arrears case to date.

READ HERE FOR MORE INFO

How to sell a property in a falling market

Expert Top Tips to help you sell your Property in 2010

Selling your home in the current tough market conditions can be a difficult task, depending on how you approach it and how desperate you are to move. If you are trying to put your property on the market during the month of August 2010, then it's likely you'll have a tough time for the first few weeks unless your local market is unusually buoyant. To make sure your property sells during one of the worst property recessions we've ever seen, follow my top five tips!

Top Five Tips to Selling in a Tough Market

What to do if your home has been on the market for months or more

BBC Radio Nottingham - Property Market Update

Appearing on BBC Radio Nottingham with Frances Finn with my regular update on the property market around Nottinghamshire, which includes special features on Beeston and Newark.

For more information on the Nottinghamshire market, areas and properties covered READ MORE.

Is the Housing Market really Slowing?

Following June's data, the housing market definitely 'appears' to be slowing. However it is important to remember that much of this is due to a comparison of data this year versus last year, when the market starting showing signs of recovery rather than seeing a 'true' slowdown of the market.

Prices are still showing positive growth versus 2009, but that's against a poor performing year. Overall prices are still down on average by 10% from pre credit crunch levels. Meanwhile Hometrack data is reporting less buyers coming into the market, that it is taking slightly longer to sell a home and canny buyers are offering less for property against asking prices.

READ MORE for a complete analysis of the buying and selling market with up to date price statistics and regional performances.

Don’t rush into buying a property!

Shocking new research from ING Direct suggests that on average, a homebuyer in the UK spends just 21 minutes viewing a property before deciding to buy it!

This isn’t new news, and in fact is slightly better than the 15 minutes they used to take some years ago. However, it continues to shock me at the lack of time, effort and checks, and particularly planning and research, that buyers take when considering a new home.

Calling all Buyers: Don’t rush into buying a property!

Property Advice for Buyers and Sellers for the rest of 2010!

After a year of relatively “good news” for the property market, properties are now taking longer to sell while choice for buyers is starting to increase as more properties come onto the market for sale, the result being, recent property price movements suggests property prices are likely to slip in the second half of 2010.

What to do if you are a Seller

What to do if you are a Buyer

House Property Prices - June's Analysis

June's property market data shows a definite stalling of buying and selling a home. On average, the number of buyers looking to purchase is at best staying the same but in many areas demand is falling. Meanwhile the number of properties for sale is on the rise.

Sales volumes are up by over 50% versus last year - but still not as high as 2006 levels. Prices are 'in theory' up by 5-8% year on year, but most of this growth seems to be due to price rises in London and the increase in more expensive properties above £1 million.

For an indepth and full analysis of what's happening in the property market READ MORE.

Confessions of a Slum Landlord

We've all probably been wondering what the impact of the reduction in LHA is likely to do and this is a great article from Claer Barrett, which succinctly explains the ups and downs of LHA - Confessions of a Slum Landlord.

Why renting without using experts can leave you penniless and homeless!

Renting Property Guide - Why renting without using experts can leave you penniless and homeless!

With the enormous growth in the number of people renting a property rather than buying, there is a increasing problem with many tenants not asking key questions of landlords and/or letting agents prior to handing over any money.

Sadly, despite the previous government introducing some excellent legislation to protect tenants, many of them either have no idea about the rules and regulations that have been introduced or worse still, few bother to carry out any checks on their landlord or letting agent.

READ ON for key questions to ask a landlord/letting agent.

Prices of New Homes in UK remain steady

May's prices suggest a small rise year on year which Smart New Homes is getting quite excited about, however it's clear that prices are better than last year, but they aren't really moving forward at a pace.

To find out all the up to date new build analysis, headline statistics and regional performances, READ ON.

Summarised Lettings Market Trends at Lettings Live Awards

Presented some startling facts, figures and trends on the UK lettings market, highlighting key trends that letting agents (landlords and tenants) could look forward to and ones they needed to be wary of.

In summary, the key strengths for the lettings market was the fact that there had been a positive cultural shift in young people’s attitude to renting, such that according to research from Keynote, 19/20 16-19 year olds expected to rent in the private sector in the future. In fact, nearly one in two people under the age of 24 already do!

To find out the trends of the UK lettings market READ ON.

House Property Prices - Is the media causing optimistic asking prices?

May's property market looks like we are heading into a more stabilised market for the rest of 2010, so sellers need to sell this summer, or are likely to have to drop prices by September if not sold. Sellers are either pricing their properties fairly from the start and selling within eight weeks, or they are over pricing them and then sitting on the market for weeks on end.

Currently, there is a real danger that media 'stories' suggesting property prices are on the up (which are just verbatum reports from press releases from the likes of Nationwide, Halifax etc) are causing optimistic asking prices by sellers. BE WARNED, sellers that over price will sit on the market for months. In this market, opt for the auction model - price low, get buyers to compete for your property to get the highest price!

READ ON for my latest property market update and analysis.

Property Price News - Are we heading for the dreaded 'double dip'?

April's figures back up our forecast that the second half of 2010 will show house price growth curbed. To date, property price news reports have been comparing 2010 versus a poor performance in 2009, from April 2009, the property market showed signs of recovery. As a result, it's much tougher for the figures to show a growth versus last year as sales, prices and the number of buyers has clearly slowed down.

Does this mean we are heading for the dreaded 'double dip'? READ MORE to find out!

Mortgage Repossessions Remain Lower than Expected

Latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders shows the number of mortgages in arrears and the number of repossessions both fell in the first quarter of 2010. The number of repossessions was 9,800, down from 10,600 in the previous quarter and 13,200 in the first quarter of 2009, while loans in arrears fell from 206,800 at the end of the first quarter of 2009 and 196,400 at the end of last year to 186,300 at the end of the first quarter of this year.

However, we all know the major reason for the lack of repossessions during this recession is due to artificially low interest rates and mortgage support from the government.

Read on to find out more about the property market and mortgage repossessions for 2010.

Mortgage Deposit for a House Purchase

Saving for a mortgage deposit for a house purchase might seem like too much hard work, or indeed an impossible task. But you may well be able to do it, depending on how much you earn, how much you spend and how much you can save if you really put your mind to it.

Doing a budget is a pretty easy task. You’ll need your bank statements, your credit card statements and little book that you can write down everything you spend your money on.

Here are my top five tips on saving money for a house deposit ....

How useful is a Sold Property Price?

Did you know that you can now find out what price a property has sold for in the street you are buying or selling in? There are lots of websites that will let you have access to sold property price information absolutely free of charge!

Read on to find out if sold property prices can help if you are selling or buying?

How to Sell a Property in a Slow Market

Selling a property isn’t an easy task at any time, whether a good or bad market. It is a lot of work for you to prepare the property, keep it tidy for potential visitors and then there is all the nervous energy of waiting for the agent to call, and then the waiting to see if buyers will view again or make an offer.

Read more to find out the best way to sell your home in a slow market.

First Time Buyers Advice in the UK

Many first time buyers don’t know what advice is available to them in the UK, nor do they know what advice to trust from which property companies! That’s why Kate Faulkner, Managing Director of Designs on Property Ltd launched www.designsonproperty.co.uk to help first time buyers find out what advice you need and more importantly what questions you need to ask, who to trust and where to get help and advice on anything from who to talk to about mortgages to where to look for properties, and how and when to make an offer and what to do if things start to go pear shaped.

Follow Kate’s mini UK first time buyers advice to help you on your first steps to securing your new home!

Is the Post Office going to offer one of the Best First Time Buyers' Mortgages?

Could the Post Office be about to offer one of the best first time buyer mortgages on the market?

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson announced in March following the Labour budget a major expansion of the financial services offered by the Post Office, which considering over 99 per cent of the UK population lives within three miles of a Post Office branch could mean access to 90% loan-to-value ratio aimed at first-time buyers. The Post Office will also increase its lending substantially, aiming to double the value of its mortgage book in the financial year 2010/11.

For more details on the proposals, read on ......

Kate Faulkner featured on BBC Radio Nottingham with Frances Finn

Kate Faulkner feaatured on BBC Radio Nottingham with Frances Finn. Latest property market update for Nottingham by property expert Kate Faulkner revealed property prices and sales volumes not really improving versus 2009.

The figures show that the East Midlands and Nottinghamshire are behind the national trends, but mainly due to the great performance of London as opposed to the region not performing.

Find out what's happening the Nottingham property market.

URGENT: Planning permission required for renting property with three or more sharers!

Latest news from the government is a ridiculous, classic ‘ivory tower’ legislation that is going to cause chaos for local authorities, landlords and tenants.

The new rules are that from 6th April 2010, any property rented to three or more unrelated sharers, forming two or more households, may well require planning permission which can take up to eight weeks to secure!

Read on to find out my views on this latest regulation.

Housing market predictions and property sold prices - should we be getting excited?

It's not a time to get too excited over property sold prices as the market doesn't appear to be 'doing much' this year at all - apart from London which does appear to be doing well versus 2009 and may even catch up this year to 2007 levels.

For buyers, there may be a bit more choice as the number of properties for sale has increased. Hometrack have reported that "over the last six months of 2009 the supply of homes for sale grew by 1% while sales volumes grew by 20%". However, for sellers excited to see 'house price growth' in the headlines, be realistic, prices aren't going up everywhere, in fact any increases are very regional and prices are still over 10% less, on average than 2007 levels READ MORE.

For the full property market analysis and to find out what's happening locally READ MORE.

10 Ways to Exploit a Buyer's Market

A buyer’s market sounds ideal - lots of properties for sale to choose from and being in a position to make offers below the asking price – so you’ll really get the feeling that you can bag a bargain. But just how do you make the most of it?

10 Ways to Exploit a Buyer's Market

I Can't Pay my Mortgage!

For those who are still fighting to keep your home, it’s important to make sure you aren’t fleeced by some dodgy dealer trying to ‘secure your property for cash’ at a rock bottom price. The idea of getting the lender and the courts off your back might seem great at the time, but you may not need to sell at all as there is a lot of help to try and keep you and your family in your current home. This would give you the chance of holding on for a while. Being able to hold onto your home now may mean if you do eventually need to sell you can do so without owing lots of money and at a time more to suit you than the banks and building societies!

Struggling to pay your mortgage -read on!

Is this one of the best times to buy a new home?

If you have the money - and can get a mortgage for a new property - then the coming months is possibly one of the best times to buy a new home.

Unlike second hand home owners, who don't have to sell their property, developers do and are therefore offering some cracking deals to buyers!

But don't forget that it's not just good deals they offer, they are also typically 'A' rated homes on Energy Performance Certificates, which mean they are extremely energy efficient and should therefore have lower utility bills than an equivalent second hand home, which could save you a fortune at the moment! Deals Developers are Offering.

Property Investment is NOT a Passive Pastime!

I'm not usually downbeat about property investment, but I am concerned at the number and way in which some property investment companies are selling to novice investors.

Having spent over 10 years watching the property investment industry 'flourish' then 'collapse' and 'rise again' I'm sick and tired of the following property investment company claims and marketing spin!

Property Investment is NOT a Passive Pastime!

New Smart Deposit Solution for landlords and agents

New Smart Deposit Solution offers landlords and agents an alternative to Tenancy Deposit Protection Schemes.

FCC Paragon, part of the Paragon Advance group of companies, has launched a system called 'Smart Deposit Solution' which is a warranty product developed in recognition of the growing legislation which landlords have to adhere to and the increasing cost of living which may mean tenants can’t afford the upfront cost of a deposit. It is also very timely with the Tenants Deposit Protection Scheme having put their prices up by up to 1000%, increasing some agents and landlords costs from a few hundred pounds to £5-6k irrespective of how many disputes they have had.

Read on to find out more about the new Smart Deposit Solution.

National Landlords Association calls for TLC For Landlords

It was disappointing that there was nothing to encourage further investment in private residential accommodation in last week's budget. On top of no real incentives for Private Sector Landlords, we're having to deal with the over legislative threats currently hanging over landlords from Labour.

Find out what the NLA recommends for the future and my views .....

Labour? Lib Dems? Conservatives? Whose property and housing policies should you vote for?

With the election a matter of weeks away, it is amazing that so little information about housing policies and plans has been given by each of the parties.

Below are the key housing policies that the political parties are looking to follow post the election. However, be warned, there is nothing particularly exciting about the ideas and in fact I’m not impressed with the lack of detail and policies that each of the parties have put forward.

Hopefully as the election looms closer each party will offer more details about their policies and we’ll be able to analyse who has the best policies for you, whether you are a first time buyer, trading up or down, or looking to rent long term.

Key housing policies the political parties are looking to follow post the election.

New Consumer Code to Protect New Build Buyers

For all home buyers of new build properties on and after the 1st April 2010 (including reserving a plot and newly converted properties) a new Consumer Code will help ensure if there are any difficulties or disputes, buyers will have access to third party help.

The new Consumer Code was formed by an agreement between NHBC and MD Insurance Services Ltd (trading as Premier Guarantee and LABC New Home Warranty). However, builders and developers need to be registered with them for the Consumer Code to be adopted.

Read on to find out what the code does not cover .....

What's happening in the rental market?

Investigating what is happening seem to show that some areas and property types - as with property prices - are 'recovering' to a point where supply is just under demand, nudging prices up. As the figures reflect 'average' activity, sometimes poor performing areas dominate, so rents go down and at other times good areas perform, pushing prices upwards.

Buy to let borrowing is also improving, but tenants are still defaulting on landlords. New legislation coming in this year will add more costs to a buy to let business and legislation is almost at a level that will 'strangle' the industry and effectively cause those struggling to make BTL returns to leave the market altogether. READ MORE for the headline rental statistics.

Property investment clubs return with new sales pitch

Become a property millionaire!” screamed the advertisements, inviting investors to seminars to “find out how you too can retire early”. Fast-forward two years and those ads have disappeared, vanishing as house prices fell.

The property investment clubs and their founders have kept a low profile since then, but renewed confidence in the housing market and the prospect of future returns has brought some out of the woodwork.

Read on to find out more about protecting your money and investments.

House Price Market Update for February 2010

Well the doom mungerers are out in force this month! January's data suggested the market was 'wobbling' while February data suggests it's on the slide. The double dip everyone is questioning certainly looks that bit more likely - but that's only if you take the property price reports as a measure of what's happening in the market.

The truth is that the market reports are all basing their figures versus Feb 2009 which was when we had a real uplift in the market for the first time since 2007. So effectively we are comparing an 'average' month for Feb 2010 versus an above month of activity in Feb 2009, so of course it suggests that things are moving 'downward' when in fact it's just a comparison of a good month versus a 'not so good month'. READ MORE for all the latest BUYING AND SELLING STATISTICS.

What are the issues that we need to address if Buy to Let Mortgages are Regulated?

Regulating buy to let mortgages however, isn’t going to be straightforward and of course will incur costs, which for a lending business that is already suffering and only just getting back on its feet, needs to be thought through.

We’ve already seen tenancy deposit schemes coming into play which has cost the industry millions, hasn’t hurt or exposed any rogue landlords, penalises rather than rewards good landlords and letting agents and one of the companies has just put out invoices increasing costs by 1200%! Basically all of these extra costs will also just end up being passed onto higher rents for tenants. So, despite the costs of regulation, in this case it’s highly questionable as to whether anyone has benefited at all.

Read on to find out what issues need to be addressed ....

Why Should Buy to Let Mortgages be Regulated?

If buy to let mortgages are to be regulated, it would impact on lenders, mortgage intermediaries, the legal profession, those advising on personal wealth management and of course letting agents.

So I’ve consulted some of the people in the industry to find out what they think about regulation and in particular, whether they think it should or shouldn’t be regulated.

What Mortgage Regulation currently exists and how does it protect borrowers?

Currently mortgages are regulated in a number of ways for residential but the regulations do not cover BTL mortgages.

Find out what regulation is in place for residential borrowers and not BTL borrowers!

Should Buy to Let Mortgages be regulated?

When I was first asked this question, my initial response was ‘of course they should be regulated’. This was partly driven by the fact that I find far too many people investing in buy to let property without doing the level of due diligence on a property that they would if they were buying a home.

I also think that people often believe property is more likely to deliver an investment return than a pension or other financial investment. Personally, I love property and feel very comfortable in being sure it will give me a return, but I also take advantage of financial investment products, specifically investing in a pension due to the tax breaks I receive.

Read on to find out what I think about the regulation of BTL mortgages.

What you need to know about Buying and Living Abroad

Are you thinking of selling up buying and living abroad?

There are lots of legal differences that you need to consider when buying (and selling) a home abroad, not to mention the financial implications of buying and living in a different country and there are five main things you need consider with regards to financing a purchase or move abroad.

First Time Buyers Desperately Need Independent Advice!

So it’s not just Designs on Property that has received lots of requests for help and advice from first time buyers, now Unbiased has revealed that they too have been inundated with guidance requests about the complex task of getting a mortgage.

During the credit crunch, apparently over 40% of enquiries for Unbiased have been from First Time Buyers. For Designs on Property this figure is around 30%, with other people questioning whether it was worth trading up or not; how to find a property ‘below market value’ for investment purposes and whether it was worth selling up for a while and renting in the hope or expectation that prices go down further were other popular questions.

Read on to find out more about independent advice for First Time Buyers.

Kate Faulkner comments on the OFT Report on Home Buying and Selling

BUT ARE THEY RIGHT? According to the latest review on housing (one of many!) the OFT claim “A shake-up in how homes are sold, including updating legislation to allow new entrants into the market, could lead to a better deal for house buyers and sellers”.

Their main reason for this thought appears to be because the “housing market remains dominated by traditional estate agents with weak competition between them on price. As property prices rise during housing booms, so too do estate agents' fees”.

It’s an interesting conclusion and having worked in this market for over 20 years, my experience of estate agent competition is that it’s quite intense. So how exactly is the OFT claiming ‘weak competition’ on price and backing up the suggestion that selling through an agent is an ‘expensive’ process? Read on to find out!

Think you can trust lenders, mortgage advisors, surveyors and solicitors?

We constantly hear about horrendous things that estate agents and letting agents get up to, but the property bubble and resulting credit crunch has shown that the finance, legal and surveying professions I once took for granted I could trust, isn’t as squeaky clean as it should be.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe the majority of people and companies in the property and finance industry CAN be trusted. It’s just that we all need to do our due diligence as property is such as big expense and a big part of our daily lives, at the end of the day it’s our haven we come home to, the place we can be ourselves and relax.

So what’s happened since the credit crunch to these professions?

Will house prices fall by 50%?

This is a popular view that is often headlined by the media about the property market. Interestingly, when you look into the people and companies that give this prediction it’s worth bearing in mind that they are often financial speculators who invest in stocks and shares and other financial vehicles, or they are economists who see the property market very differently to the average buyer and seller.

So be warned when reading these reports, there is much bias around predictions that property prices will fall as there is from the property industry that prices will rise!

So what are the facts behind this prediction that property prices will fall by 50% and what are the chances that it WILL actually happen?

Why do you need a Building Survey?

Surveyors are an incredibly important part of buying and selling a home. Sadly the biggest problem caused when buying and selling a home is that few buyers pay for a survey, believing that the mortgage valuation buyers must pay for to their lender is sufficient to find out if there is something wrong with the property: it absolutely isn’t!

A good independent surveyor is an invaluable resource for buyers. Let me ask you this, would you buy a car without a valid MOT? Would you service a boiler yourself (hopefully not, it is illegal!)? Then whatever you do, don’t pay out hundreds of thousands of pounds on a building that you haven’t had thoroughly checked from top to bottom!

So here I explain why it is so important to get a Building Survey carried out!

It’s official: Buying a home is more stressful than having a child!

I have moved many times and as a result I don’t tend to find it stressful it anymore, which is why I set up Designs on Property. However, one thing I don’t have to worry about when I move is how the kids feel and all of their things that need moving.

Apparently though, according to latest research from Unbiased owning a home is now more stressful than having a child! Which even though I now completely understand the stresses and strains other people go through when they move, I still find it a little hard to believe!

Find out the results of the research here!

What is Buying at a Discount?

Buying at a discount - this is a term you may have come across in property investing, but do you know what it actually means?

Lets face it, we all want to buy at a discount, but the problem is few people want to sell a property for less than it’s worth!

So, What is Buying at a Discount?

Choosing an Estate Agent to Sell your Home

While the property market was booming, it wasn’t difficult to choose an estate agent to sell your home. Buyers were desperately chasing any property that came onto the market from any agent.

In 2010 it’s a different story. There aren’t the number of buyers there used to be and being honest, there aren’t the number of agents either! As the number of properties for sale has halved, many agents have gone out of business or turned to lettings to try and keep their business afloat.

To avoid wasting time and money, read on to ensure you choose the best agent to sell your home.

Also take a look at the Top Five things you need to know when choosing an Estate Agent to Sell Your Home.

What are the Pros and Cons of Selling Privately?

Thinking of selling your property but would like to save some money on estate agent's fees? Then you could look into selling it privately.

But before you get the tape measure and digital camera out, you really do need to know 'The Pros and Cons of Selling Privately'.

Has the Credit Crunch made Homes Affordable Again?

Affordability of property typically relates to how much the average property is worth versus what the average wage is. When this ratio is more than three or four, the statistical reports announce that ‘affordability’ is impossible for most people.

It is true that the cost of housing has increased in the UK and that despite the current circumstances, it is likely to increase again once the economy is on the road to recovery and people’s jobs seem more secure and the future more optimistic.

The big problem with affordability studies is that they take into account average statistics – which as anyone reading anything I’ve written on property before knows, this is rubbish. Read on to find out why!

Presented at the British Property Federation Conference in London

Debated whether the Buy to Let property market can - and should return to 'pre-credit crunch' levels at the annual British Property Federation Conference in London yesterday!

The future shape of buy to let debate, was be chaired by Rebecca O'Connor of The Times and as well as my views, there was input from Michael Coogan, CEO, Council of Mortgage Lenders and Alan Collett, Chairman of Allsop.

My Property Predictions for 2010

Many commentators are probably quite nervous about predicting this year’s property movements! And with just cause. We don’t really know whether the economy will continue to recover in 2010, whether the private sector can improve enough to cover the inevitable drop in investment from the public sector and pending job losses. We also don’t know quite when interest rates will start to increase and although everyone will know who they’d like in government, we don’t really know who it will be, or even if it’ll be a hung parliament causing further confusion.

On top of all this uncertainty, there is the further fear that the pound will slip further against the euro and the all important dollar and how much ‘leeway’ the international markets will give the UK to pay back our frighteningly high deficit.

Find out what my property predictions are for this year!

Summary of the 2009 Property Markets

Unlike many ‘so called experts’, I predicted that from April 2009 the market would start to stabilise – and was proved right. The main reason behind this was I didn’t believe that with all the ‘bad news’ and recession, sellers would continue to try and sell their properties. As such, supply dropped in some places lower than actual demand, which was what caused property prices to slightly increase last year.

The media often fall into a trap though of reporting ‘year on year’ data and of course comparing 2009 to 2008 was a bit pointless. What we needed to do was compare how 2009 performed versus the previously ‘successful’ market in 2007.

Read on for my Summary of the 2009 Property Markets.

Why do People Fall for Scams?

Why do people fall for scams, whether they are property related or not?

Take a look at this great article from Graham Norwood (Propertynewshound.com) and his take on the subject!

What to do if you are a Property Investor in 2010

Want to know what to do if you are a property investor in 2010?

Buying in a normal market as an investor is tricky, buying in a property/economic recession is much more difficult. It's easy to 'think' you are buying a good deal, but get INDEPENDENT and PROFESSIONAL verification of property values before you go ahead.

Here are my Top Five Property Investing Tips for 2010!

What to do if you are a Seller in 2010

Thinking of selling a property this year and not sure where to start, then follow my top five tips 'What to do if you are a Seller in 2010'!

What to do if you are a Buyer in 2010

Are you thinking about buying a property in 2010 and don't know what to do?

To secure the property of your dreams, follow my top five tips to buying a property this year!