Property Features

Is the end of the property slump in sight?
After 18 months, there is no sign the steep decline in house prices in Britain is near an end - although a "consensus of hope" suggests the floor could be reached sometime during 2009.
Is the end of the property slump in sight?
After 18 months, there is no sign the steep decline in house prices in Britain is near an end - although a "consensus of hope" suggests the floor could be reached sometime during 2009.
Continued declines expected in 2010

Tighter hips rules could damage housing market further
With turnover in the housing market barely a quarter of levels seen in the peak in some areas, fears are growing that tighter rules on vendors from April 5 will further cut the supply of homes on sale.
Signs of recovery in the new homes sector?
Would-be bargain hunters forgot about Father Christmas and headed for new housing developments in December, says a new analysis of the housing market which shows a pick-up in site visitors and reservations on the previous month.
Early signs of stabilisation
The surprise claim from Britain's biggest lender that average house prices bounced back upwards in January could alarm many buyers who have been advised by agents to slash prices to catch a falling market.
Could rules and red tape threaten homes recovery?
The number of new homes to be completed in 2009-2010 could be around 80,000 - less than half the level of recent years and barely a third of the target set by Gordon Brown when he called for an extra three million new homes by 2020, says a new survey.
Buy or rent?
Even potential first-time buyers who manage to save the 15% deposit often required for a mortgage would be better off renting a home for the first half of 2009 in most areas of the country, says a new market analysis.
Credit crunch could free up land for self-builders
If housebuilders 'mothball' sites and lay off staff in the face of severe recession, some of their land could be re-zoned by planners for self-builders ready and willing to build for themselves, says a new report.
Is the bottom of the market close by?
Believe it or not, there are lots of reasons to feel good about Britain's housing market! And with prices possibly bottoming out by spring, buyers are waiting in the wings, looking on the Internet rather than at agents' High Street offices.