Helping Innovate Property (HIP) – Blog, Housing Market News and Articles

In the intricate tapestry of the UK housing market, the delicate equilibrium between supply and demand plays a pivotal role in shaping its dynamics. As a property expert, it is imperative to delve into the nuances of this balance, dissecting the multifaceted factors influencing both supply and demand, and elucidating their interplay within the broader economic landscape. This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the supply and demand balance in the UK housing market, shedding light on its complexities and implications for stakeholders across the spectrum.

Navigating Rising Prices and Mortgage Rates

The UK property market has been a dynamic arena, shaped by various factors such as economic conditions, housing supply, and buyer demand. In recent times, affordability constraints have emerged as a critical issue for potential homebuyers. This article delves into the challenges posed by rising prices and higher mortgage rates, offering insights for both buyers and sellers.

Understanding the Current Dynamics

The UK housing market has been a topic of keen interest, especially given recent shifts in supply and demand. Let’s delve into the details and explore how these factors are shaping the market.

As a seasoned property expert, you’re well aware that the housing market is a complex choreography. House prices waltz, tango, and occasionally breakdance, leaving investors and homeowners alike pondering their next move. Today, we delve into the intricate steps of price volatility—a dance where supply, demand, and economic forces twirl in harmony. So, tighten your bowtie, and let’s explore this captivating performance.

In part 2 of our property conveyancing guide we look at what is involved in the closing stages of the home buying and selling process. You may wish to read Part 1 of the Property Conveyancing Guide here.

Signing the contract

Once your lawyer is satisfied that all of his enquiries have been dealt with; he has seen satisfactory search results and he is in possession of his copy of the formal offer of mortgage you will be invited to sign the contract and various other papers. This will either be in person or through the post. You should also receive a report, often called a “property report” at this stage which will set out any salient points arising from the searches and enquiries.

What is “conveyancing”? – Simply, it is the legal process of transferring ownership of land and property.

Instructing a lawyer

Once you have decided on a property, made an offer and had that offer accepted it’s time to instruct a lawyer. This can be either a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer. You should try not to pay over the odds for property conveyancing work. When obtaining a quote you should be given a fixed fee but ask for a list of any additional fees charged for different aspects of the transaction.

Some firms might charge an extra fee for completing the SDLT1 form for example, even though this will not need to be done in every case. These additional fees can really push up the final bill. An average bill for professional fees only (i.e not including addtional search fees, land registry fees etc) would probably be around £300-£400 at the moment.

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The Mayor of London has an ambitious target to make London a zero carbon city by 2030. One of the ways to meet this goal is to decarbonise all of London’s 3.5 million homes by upgrading and retrofitting – improving existing homes for high energy efficiency.

The London Assembly Housing Committee has been investigating the operational, financial and physical challenges of retrofitting in London. The Committee has also investigated the energy efficiency initiatives already established by the Mayor.

The number one reason for landlord and tenant deposit disputes is cleaning. Currys PC World asked Lynsey Crombie aka the ‘Queen of Clean’ for her top cleaning tips that could help you secure getting that end of tenancy deposit back that no one wants to lose out on.

Are you planning to fix up your home this springtime? It’s a great time to do it as you can open the windows without freezing the place but the temperatures are also not too hot to work in. The trouble is that when a lot of people want to renovate at once, prices of materials can be higher. How can you make your renovation more affordable?

To the uninitiated, buying property with a view to letting it out can seem like a very easy way to make money, but like most things in life, when you take a closer look it is rather more complicated.  Being a landlord is an excellent way to generate a regular income and has the bonus that the rental property will always increase in value, however, it is not money for nothing. 

With a brand-new majority government, the Conservative Party now has the mandate to carry out some sweeping reforms and this could well include an overhaul of stamp duty.