800,000 UK properties lying empty...

According to the Empty House Agency (EHA) that it the approximate number of British properties that are boarded dwellings!

Here's another BIG number 700,000 - the number of people waiting for affordable housing. These empty houses could be used to house those in desperate need of a home.

If you know of an empty house visit RentEmptyHomes.com This website draws attention to this housing problem through which anyone can report empty or boarded up houses in to a local authority. Currently serving regions in England there's talk of expansion.


Boarded up properties could solve the housing shortage for a fraction of the cost of a new-build!

Labels: , ,

Links 0 Comments email


sale-and-lease-back guide

Sale-and-lease-back property schemes are 'a disaster waiting to happen' according to Citizens Advice Bureau

We've got people who are vulnerable trying to stay in their home being enticed into an industry that has no controls on it at all at the moment and that is a disaster waiting to happen, says Peter Tutton, of Citizens Advice Bureau


At it's best, it offers a lifeline for people having to leave their homes because they can't keep up with mortgage re-payments.

Operators buy houses below market value and lease the back to owners, who might otherwise face repossession. Giving homeowners a quick sale and the opportunity to stay in their homes while they sort their finances out.

Sale-and-lease-back is important because thousands are facing repossession as the mortgage bills rise beyond their means. The government has mentioned it is a possible short-term solution for those facing eviction.

There are some sharp operators in the market. All too often, excessive rents, long contracts and missleading advice from unscrupulous firms can cause hard-ship.

People are being ripped off. We are seeing people who are getting only 50% or 60% of the value of their homes instead of the 70% to 90% they should be getting, says Adam Sampson of housing charity Shelter

In the current economic climate The Office of Fair Trading wants the FSA to introduce statutory regulation. Until there is proper regulation, it is a case of seller beware.

Labels: , ,

Links 0 Comments email


Is now the time to rent?

Thousands of Buy-to-let landlords face negative equity
It's common knowledge amongst estate agents, that First Time Buyers fuel the real estate market. With mortgage providers tightening their lending restrictions, Buy-To-Let investors who purchased residential property in the last few years are seeing Capital Growth & Rental Yield plummet as rental income falls and mortgage rates rise.

Private landlords consider increasing their potential market
More than 23,200 people with 100% mortgages could owe more than their home is worth, the BBC learns. But the forecast isn't all doom & gloom. Smarter investors are looking at multi-lets as a way of increasing rental yield and reducing vacant periods. Whilst Buy-to-let landlords in suburbia are considering niche property markets such as 'pet-friendly-rentals' which increases your potential market.

Landlords search for tenants
The smartwaytorent.com recently reported a strong increase in demand for rental property in the Thanet area of Kent, which is an encouraging sign for landlords with property to rent in Thanet

Whilst demand is still strong in The City
With all the national news focusing on the downturn in the property market, London Property Consultants, Callum Roberts are finding an unexpected upturn in rentals in The City and The City fringe areas of London.

*Source: hotpropertywebsites.co.uk/propertynews...

Labels: ,

Links 5 Comments email



Home