May 18, 2020
Following recent Government announcements, in respect of re-opening the Housing Market, valuers are now permitted to carry out physical inspections of properties in England where government guidelines and safety assessments can be adhered to. Thankfully, this will now mean all those mortgage applications stuck on hold with lenders, because a physical valuation was required, can now progress and hopefully move to offer and completion. Colin, Director at Riviera Mortgages, said, “This is great news although I still expect the […]
May 12, 2020
The answer quite simply is YES you can. Whilst mortgage lenders are still very much open for business their ability to lend is hampered by the current Coronavirus situation and the obstacles to lending this creates, such as: Staff shortages With lockdown & social distancing restrictions in place all lenders are facing the problem of managing applications. Whilst lenders are still actively open for business such restrictions negatively impact a lender’s ability to underwrite and process an application promptly, […]
May 4, 2020
A survey of more than 4,000 Brits has found that the majority of us (61%) have started a home DIY project during the coronavirus lockdown. We liked this article from The Bolton News which lists 10 ways to improve your home during lockdown. With home improvements in full swing across the country, OnBuy.com asked 4,106 Brits about their DIY activity, including what projects they’re completing. The research found that more than half (55%) are painting walls, a third (32%) are landscaping their garden, […]
March 25, 2020
Over the last week the mortgage world I once knew has radically changed, coronavirus has had a massive impact on all our day to day lives. I am receiving bucket loads of emails by the minute from lenders updating us on what they are doing in light of coronavirus, just this minute I have received emails from both NatWest & Halifax stating all physical mortgage valuations are now on hold. Therefore any mortgage application submitted that requires a physical valuation […]
March 17, 2020
We are working FROM HOME! We have now temporarily closed our office and will be continuing to support our customers from our desks at home. This is a very concerning time and we hope you are all safe and well. Should you wish to speak to us please call 01803 500190 or email us here > (Please bear with us as we may not be able to answer immediately.) I want to reassure all our current and future clients we […]
February 18, 2020
If you’re a first-time buyer wondering what you need to buy a house or flat, you’ve come to the right place. This guide from The Money Advice Service takes you through the process of buying your first home, including saving your deposit and applying for a mortgage. How much deposit do I need to buy a house? Before looking at properties, you need to save for a deposit. Generally, you need to try to save at least 5% to 20% […]
February 18, 2020
Buying a home is a huge financial commitment and can be daunting – especially if you’re a first-time buyer. This timeline from The Money Advice Service is really helpful. Find out more about the steps to buying a home, including the process, key stages and what fees to expect. Stage 1 – Find a property you can afford Before you start house-hunting, it’s a good idea to work out what you can afford to spend on buying a house or […]
February 14, 2020
Buying or selling a home can feel like an endless merry-go-round for anyone caught up in a tortuous house move. In one £1.5m property in East Sussex, the fairground nature of many property transactions has been taken literally. The converted Victorian bathhouse is filled with funfair nostalgia. The home, which features a retro bowling alley, a basketball arcade game and a coconut shy above the sink, went on the market in 2019. It is not just the features which were […]
February 14, 2020
Mortgage approvals in 2019 climbed 7.4% compared to the previous year according to the UK Finance figures, with December approvals up 24% compared to December 2018. “This should feed through into to a very active first quarter of 2020 for home sales and completion,” predicted Mike Scott, analyst at estate agent Yopa. “These figures provide further evidence for a post-election surge in housing market confidence and activity,” he added. Information and image courtesy of BBC News
February 14, 2020
Property website Rightmove said it had its busiest-ever month in January with more than 150 million visits. The top five busiest days ever on the site were all between 21 and 29 January, with Wednesday 29th topping the list with more than 5.7 million visits, up 9% on the previous record set on 24 April 2019. “Home-movers have sprung into action in 2020, with a large number of agents telling us that sales and valuations have picked up significantly in […]