http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk Daily Mortgage Adviser News Copyright 2007 Estate Agent Today http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18957128&type=news_feed One of the UK's leading housebuilders has announced it has a very positive outlook for 2009.Persimmon Homes Anglia has reported an increase in the number of sales in the final two months of 2008 compared to the same period 12 months earlier, with 15 more homes sold over the eight... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18957125&type=news_feed The property market in Northampton is showing promising signs, according to one estate agency in the town.Recent figures from the Land Registry showed that property prices in the area dropped by 12.6 per cent throughout 2008 and Mario Bartella Estate Agents claims they had increased sales figures in December year-on-year.The... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18957123&type=news_feed Three successive months of steady interest rates will help the housing market improve, according to one Edinburgh-based estate agent.Warners has said such steady rises will result in people "looking to buy" property and also a market where buyers are attracted by the prospect of further cutsScott Brown, a partner at... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18954819&type=news_feed The government has been "completely paralysed" by the current mortgage market, according to a leading MP.Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, has said that the collapse of market lending is resulting in borrowers "holding back" on house purchases.He added: "Ministers should consider promoting a simple, standardised... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18954817&type=news_feed Over the last decade, more people moved to the south-east of England than any other region, according to new figures.Research by Halifax found that 2.2 million people moved to the area between 1998 and 2007.This figure was found to be 39 per cent higher than those moving to London during... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18954814&type=news_feed Estate agents were "working off scraps" in 2008, according to one industry professional.Richard Greener, from Greener Estate Agents, has told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo the figure from leading lender Halifax, which found that house prices dropped by 16.2 per cent during 2008, was "in line" with his firm's experience.He... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=1423&type=news_features Five days into the New Year, a number of agents could have held back from renewing their paid-for property portal contracts. Henry Pryor, who has been co-ordinating the Estate Agent Buying Group, a syndicate of agents looking to negotiate membership costs, claimed that towards the end of last year, the majority... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=1422&type=news_features Yorkshire-based agents Hunters confirmed yesterday that they are now looking to launch 1,000 franchises nationwide by 2015. While some will be traditional high street models, like its latest opening in Sheffield, most – around 75% – will be their personal service or ‘work from home’ model. The Yorkshire-based business launched the... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=1420&type=news_features      Last year, virtually everyone got their forecasts wrong. Step forward the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, with its prediction of a year of two halves (the second half was going to be a lot better than the first). Ah well … Small wonder that very few of the usual commentators... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=1419&type=news_features A Halifax survey which has apparently shown that first-time buyers are now finding homes increasingly affordable has been shot down in flames. The lender published its First-Time Affordability Review, which said first-time buyers could now afford to get on the housing ladder in 57 local authority areas, as opposed to 18... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=1418&type=news_features House prices fell 2.2% last month, according to the Halifax, meaning the average home is worth £37,000 less than a year ago. The average home value now stands at just under £160,000. Figures also show mortgage approvals at a new low. The Bank of England says that just 27,000 were recorded... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=1417&type=news_features As unemployment reaches the highest level in 11 years, insurance providers are advising agents to ensure their landlords’ rental income is properly protected. One insurer, HomeLet, is anticipating the number of rent guarantee claims it will pay out will rise sharply in 2009, in line with increasing redundancies and lack of... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=1416&type=news_features As the Government prepares for a probable second bail-out of banks, one of the country’s leading estate agents, Peter Rollings, managing director of estate agent Marsh & Parsons, has called for the Government to stop talking and start acting over the continuing mortgage drought. He said: “The numbers keep getting worse... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18952626&type=news_feed A veteran estate agent from South Wales has warned the current economic downturn in the property market could hit record levels.Saul Magrill, aged 94 and thought to be the oldest working estate agent in the UK, told the South Wales Echo the slump will be worse that those experienced in... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18952623&type=news_feed Homeowners will see the value of their properties nosedive during the next 12 months, according to one estate agent.Christian Slade, from CB Slade Estate Agents in Swindon, has told the Swindon Advertiser that his firm is predicting further price drops of up to ten per cent during the course of... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18951102&type=news_feed Estate agents in London sold on average less than one property a week in September, according to new figures.The Land Registry states that just 4,651 homes were sold in the capital during the month – a two-thirds decrease on last year's figures.According to thisismoney.co.uk, there are an estimated 5,000 estate... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18951100&type=news_feed Established Colchester estate agency Boydens is celebrating its 40th anniversary in the run up to New Year, it has been reported.According to the Gazette, the firm, which was established in 1968, has witnessed many changes in the region.David Boyden, managing partner and son of Desmond, who opened the company, told... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18949512&type=news_feed A large number of estate agents in the UK are planning to expand their businesses in 2009, according to new research by the Times.The paper found that many firms recently made plans to grow despite the ongoing economic downturn and predictions by analysts that both property prices and sales volumes... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18949505&type=news_feed An estate agent in Cardiff has reported a pre-Christmas rush in sales and rentals, according to the Western Mail.Thomas George, which is based in Cardiff city centre, had an unexpectedly busy period during the last quarter of the year, the paper states.According to the company's head of lettings Kate Hayden,... http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/News/Story/?storyid=18947844&type=news_feed The National Association of Estate Agents believes the housing market recovery could be as swift as its decline.According to the association's chief executive, Peter Bolton King, 2009 could be the year when house prices start to bounce back and he believes the recovery could be swift.Mr Bolton King claimed that...