Residential Conveyancing

New Northern Ireland homes drop in price

New Northern Ireland homes drop in price

Figures released by the Department of Social Development, and based on data from the National House Building Council (NHBC), have revealed that the average sale price of newly built residential... Read more

NI property price drop highest in UK

A new report released by Nationwide shows that property prices in Northern Ireland dropped the most in 2010 of all the regions in the UK. While the report shows an average... Read more

Mini property boom before stamp duty holiday end?

Figures released from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have revealed that property sales reached their highest level in 16 months during November, with some suggesting that first time buyers are... Read more

2012 - 'Less new mortgages and more repossessions'

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has made a bleak prediction for the property market in 2012, saying that there will be fewer property sales and remortgages, and an increase... Read more

Repossessed properties sold in Belfast auction

Belfast firm Osborne King has successfully auctioned off £1.2million of commercial and residential properties repossessed by banks in Northern Ireland. Auctions are proving a particularly popular method for banks to sell... Read more

NI housing market shows improvement

Results of a University of Ulster survey suggest that there has been a marginal improvement in the Northern Ireland housing market, with the number of property sales up and a... Read more

Interest rates remain frozen at 0.5%

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee has voted to maintain the record low interest rates at 0.5% - the rate originally set back in March 2009. There is to be... Read more

Homeowners continue to increase equity share

New statistics released by the Bank of England show that homeowners are continuing to increase their equity share in their properties by paying extra on top of their monthly mortgage... Read more

UK interest rates freeze continues

The monthly UK interest rate announcement had for some months been anxiously awaited by homeowners and would-be house purchasers throughout Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, eager to... Read more

Home-owners unaware of effect of interest rate increase

A survey by unbiased.co.uk has revealed that 3.5million people; 22% of all property owners, are not aware how an increase in the base rate would affect their monthly mortgage payments. While... Read more

Mortgage arrears to increase says Debt charity

Consumer Credit Counselling Service, a debt charity, have warned that the amount of home-owners who fall into mortgage arrears this year will increase significantly as a result of an increased... Read more

Northern Ireland property market weakest in UK

Northern Ireland continues to have the weakest property market of all the regions of the UK according to the most recent statistics compiled by Nationwide. While some areas of England were... Read more

New stamp duty rules to improve rental market

The changes to stamp duty rules that apply when more than one property is being bought have been welcomed by landlord groups as a positive step which should help address... Read more

Rush to remortgage over interest rate fears

Bank of England figures for February show an increase of 5% in mortgage approvals for existing home owners, taking the remortgage rate to a 26-month high, and 35% higher than... Read more

'First time buyers will be 40 before purchasing'

A survey by Globrix.com has revealed that 38% of first-time buyers believe they will not be able to purchase a property until they reach the age of 40, and 8%... Read more

Borrower rush puts fixed-rate mortgages at a high

A rush by borrowers wanting to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage has resulted in a nine-month high for the deals. Banks have been steadily increasing rates on their fixed deals,... Read more

Asking prices cut by 4 in 10 property sellers

According to Zoopla.co.uk, the site that markets properties for sale in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, almost 4 in 10 sellers have cut their asking prices at... Read more

Purchasers encouraged to consider 'take-away' homes

First time buyers and home movers are being encouraged to consider prefabricated homes as a cheaper viable option for getting on to the property market. A new report advises that factory... Read more

Failed property company's site dropped 90% in value

County Down property company, Olympus Development and Investments, bought a nine acre development site in County Roscommon with a Bank of Ireland loan of £732,000, and the administrator has now... Read more

Failed Belfast flat purchasers to pay developer damages

Six purchasers who failed to complete transactions involving seven new Belfast apartments have been ordered to pay damages of £433,000 to Northern Ireland based developer Fernhill Properties (NI) Ltd. The developer... Read more

Lenders to explain refusal to lend to first time buyers

Mortgage lenders are to appear before government ministers next month to discuss their continued refusal to approve mortgage applications of first time buyers in Northern Ireland and the rest of... Read more

Mortgage approvals down 10% in 2010

The British Bankers' Association (BBA) has confirmed that mortgage approvals for house purchasers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK fell by 10% in 2010 to reach the... Read more

Controversial Belfast build backed by planners

Planners have given their backing to the building of apartments by Big Pictures Developments Ltd on a site of controversial land at Nelson Street in Belfast. The land had been designated... Read more

Northern Ireland first time buyers still struggling

Research by Halifax has found that first time buyers in Northern Ireland face the greatest hurdle of all those in the UK trying to get on the property market. The... Read more

Apartment purchaser to pay £67k for not completing

The High Court has ordered Paul Mulgrew to pay £67,000 to developer Fernhill Properties Limited for agreeing to purchase a Belfast apartment at the height of the property boom but... Read more

UK interest rates held at 0.5% by Bank of England

As expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has announced that there will be no change to the current 0.5% interest rates, and that there are currently no... Read more

First time buyer to purchase £66.5million home

Most 22-year-old first time buyers face affordability problems and hurdles getting a mortgage and putting together an adequate deposit. Petra, daughter of F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, is not however your... Read more

Reforms to return planning control to councils

Environment minister for Northern Ireland, Edwin Poots, has released details of what he has called "the most sweeping reforms to the planning system for 30 years". The reforms include the... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices at 5 year low

A report carried out by the University of Ulster (UU) has calculated the average house price in Northern Ireland at £148,243; a five year low for the region, with the... Read more

Northern Ireland pays lowest average stamp duty

A report by Everest analysing Treasury data has found that Northern Ireland on average pays the lowest amount of Stamp Duty of all the regions in the UK, with an... Read more

Homebuyers consider remortgage option

The latest John Charcol Mortgage Index suggests that homeowners are beginning to consider remortgaging their homes again after what has been a significant lull in the housing refinancing market. The... Read more

House owners predict fall in property values

Property owners in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are predicting a drop in property values by this time next year, and at the very least they expect... Read more

Belfast Titanic apartment counter-claim launched

Property Developer John Taggart has launched a counter-claim to the action by Titanic Quarter Ltd trying to compel him to complete the purchase of a Belfast apartment. A number of... Read more

First-time buyer deposit hurdle grows higher

A report conducted by Glenworth Financial in conjunction with the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York has looked at the "wealth barrier" preventing first-time buyers from purchasing... Read more

FSA checks delay Tesco plans to offer mortgages

Plans for Tesco's new banking arm to launch mortgages before the end of 2011 have been shelved as the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has still not granted permission. Tesco had... Read more

August Mortgage lending at ten year low

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has confirmed that total mortgage lending in the UK fell again for the second consecutive month in August. Lending fell by 14% from £13.3billion... Read more

Court upholds Belfast apartment contracts despite delay

A married couple and private company have failed in their attempt to get out of contracts to purchase apartments costing £245,000 and £216,000 in the James Clow, Granary Building complex... Read more

36 consecutive months of falling NI house prices

The latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) report suggests that Northern Ireland has seen house prices fall every month for the last 3 years. The current decline in property... Read more

Interest rates remain at record low

The Bank of England has opted to hold the UK interest rates at 0.5% for the 18th month in a row. The move was expected but each month the record... Read more

Court refuses to force completion of Belfast apartment contract

The High Court has ruled that Neil Rowe of Belfast cannot be forced to fulfil his obligations under a contract to purchase an apartment in the Belfast's Titanic Quarter because... Read more

1.1million trapped in homes they can't sell

A study carried out by Santander has revealed that approximately 1.1million people have been trying in vain to sell their properties since June 2009. Homeowners putting their property on the... Read more

Coleraine house prices up as UK cities profit from new students

Analysis from Lloyds TSB has revealed that cities throughout the UK are recording increases in house prices as a result of a growth of the student population there, as students... Read more

Mortgage market dip predicted by Lenders

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) is predicting a drop in the mortgage market for the remainder of 2010 with activity in the market described as "subdued" compared to the... Read more

NICHA remove applications quota for 2 months

The Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association (NICHA) has advised that it will remove its' applications quota for the months of September and October of this year. The move has been welcomed... Read more

NI property market suffers due to fear of public spending

The Northern Ireland property market is being severely impacted by the fear among purchasers of public spending cuts according to a new survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors... Read more

Interest rates remain at 0.5 per cent

The Bank of England have voted to maintain interest rates at 0.5% for the eighteenth consecutive month; opting once again to ignore high inflation concerns and to continue the record... Read more

Mortgage refused because of a busy road

Mortgage Lenders have tightened their lending criteria so much that they are now often refusing to lend on properties that they were previously happy to use as security for a... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices 'still falling'

A survey by Nationwide building society has revealed that house prices in Northern Ireland are still falling and that the province has the weakest property market of the whole UK. The... Read more

Lowest proportion of first time buyers since 2007

The number of loans for first time buyers fell by 17% in April, making up the lowest proportion of total house purchasers since September 2007. The figures were revealed by the... Read more

Most private renters unlikely to buy home in next 5 years

Research carried out by the mortgage lender Kensington suggests that two-thirds of people living in rented accommodation do not believe they will be in a position to purchase a home... Read more

Housing Association apartments built without Planning Permission

A social housing scheme in Northern Ireland, funded by government money to the tune of £1million, and constructed by Helm Housing Association, has been revealed to have been built without... Read more

Fold Housing partnership delivers jobs and houses

A partnership between Fold Housing Association, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and The Department for Social Development has culminated in a £65million investment in social housing which is set to... Read more

Moderate rise in Northern Ireland house prices

The Quarterly House Price report produced by the University of Ulster, in partnership with the Bank of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has indicated a 4.9% rise in... Read more

Funding gap causes mortgage lending to fall

Lenders have urged the coalition Government to address the funding gap that is preventing Banks from lending as much as they would like, and which is said to be the... Read more

?38million redevelopment plan for North Belfast announced

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced that £38million will be spent on the redevelopment of nearly 300 houses in North Belfast.276 homes in the Upper Long Street, Parkside, and... Read more

'DIY jobs gone wrong' lower house values

New research by home insurer LV= reveals that many homeowners in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK have devalued their properties by badly carried out DIY renovations and... Read more

Ulster Bank lower rates and say they have substantial funds

After another announcement by the Bank of England confirming interest rates are to remain frozen at 0.5%, Ulster Bank, one of Northern Ireland's largest banks, has announced rate cuts on... Read more

Northern Ireland property market worst performing in UK

According to a survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Northern Ireland is the worst performing region of the UK when it comes to house prices. With almost... Read more

Property market in limbo due to election

Liam Bailey, Head of Residential Research at estate agents Knight Frank, believes that the housing market is in limbo as a result of the build up to the election and... Read more

4.9 tenants vying for every rental property as prices go up

Lettings agent and property services group Countrywide have released figures confirming a rising demand for rental property, and a steady decrease in supply. They confirmed that they had 48,332 tenants registering... Read more

Number of houses for sale at 20-month high

While house sales were down last month, the number of houses being put on the market for sale reached a 20-month high in February according to the latest Agency Express... Read more

Ulster Bank commits ?500million to mortgages in N.I.

Ulster Bank have confirmed that it will commit £500million to new mortgage lending in Northern Ireland over the next 12 months. The bank lent over £400million in 2009, including a... Read more

Stamp duty changes 'major victory' for campaigners

The dust is beginning to settle on the pre-election budget and the various announcements are now carefully dissected, critiqued, and talked up or down as good government or pre-election pandering.... Read more

Chancellor axes stamp duty on homes under ?250,000

Chancellor Alistair Darling aimed to please first time buyers and help re-ignite the faltering property market in his pre-election Budget today by getting rid of stamp duty on homes under... Read more

40% of young adults delay marriage because of high house prices

A YouGov survey commissioned by a housing campaign group, National Housing Federation (NHF), and involving 1,096 participants, has found that 40% of young adults say they are postponing settling down... Read more

Small increase in house sales and prices in February

According to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) there was an increase in the number of properties agreed for sale in the month of February. The increase is largely thought... Read more

New NHBC Technical standards come into effect on 1st April

Builders in Northern Ireland should make sure they are acquainted with the new NHBC Technical Standards 2010 which will come into effect on 1st April, and will be in force... Read more

Increased speculation on when mortgage rates will go up

Just as economists like to predict when a housing market will peak or fall, or boom, another favourite past-time is when mortgage rates will start to go up. And in... Read more

Santander offers 90% mortgages to first-time buyers

In a move to stimulate the lower rung of the property market, Santander is welcoming first time buyers of new build properties through its doors for the first time since... Read more

Mortgage lending reaching stability

A consecutive few months of good mortgage lending figures has prompted many analysts to speculate that the market is well on the road to stability. Gross mortgage lending rose by 3%... Read more

Cost of mortgage repayments for new properties hit 13-year low

November saw the cost of mortgage repayments of home buyers in the UK reach it's lowest in 13 years according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). On average, people... Read more

Surveyors predict lull in house sales in Q1 of 2010

Surveyors responding to a questionnaire sent out by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have overwhelmingly agreed that they don't expect to see an increase in house sales in... Read more

Mortgage advances highest since December 2007

Mortgages advances made to house purchasers has reached a two year high, with 55,300 loans taken out in October according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders; 43% more than the... Read more

Chancellor confirms end of VAT and stamp duty breaks

The Chancellor Alistair Darling has confirmed that VAT and stamp duty will both return to normal levels on 1 January 2010, despite much lobbying from business owners and industry experts... Read more

Google property service to be launched in Britain next year

Google is to branch out into the UK property industry according to plans outlined at a conference called Estate Agency Events last week, and a new story run by the... Read more

Research shows property price increase for fourth month in a row

Housing Intelligence group Hometrack has said that house prices rose by 0.2% in November 2009 across England and Wales. The group were careful however to temper the results of their... Read more

First-time buyers 'may benefit from winter property trends'

First-time buyers may be able to take advantage of the traditional winter lull in the UK's property market, an expert suggests.Katie Tucker, who acts as technical manager at the mortgage... Read more

NHBC confirms increase in number of new homes being built in N.I.

Statistics published by the National House Building Council (NHBC) in their quarterly booklet show that the number of registrations to build new homes in Northern Ireland and the rest of the... Read more

October Mortgage approvals doubled compared to last year

Mortgage approvals in October rose by 98% against the same month last year according to the British Bankers' Association (BBA). It should be remembered that this time last year approvals... Read more

People 'should not be dissuaded' from home ownership

More should be done to ensure that UK residents are not dissuaded from owning their own homes, according to one organisation.Research published by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)... Read more

People 'should not be dissuaded' from home ownership

More should be done to ensure that UK residents are not dissuaded from owning their own homes, according to one organisation.Research published by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)... Read more

UK rental property market 'starting to stabilise'

The UK's residential rental market may be showing signs of stabilising, new research suggests.According to figures published by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), the volume of new tenancies... Read more

UK rental property market 'starting to stabilise'

The UK's residential rental market may be showing signs of stabilising, new research suggests.According to figures published by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), the volume of new tenancies... Read more

House buyers in NI facing legal action from developers

House buyers in Northern Ireland are reportedly facing a tough choice between legal action and losing thousands of pounds on properties as developers start adopting increasingly tough measures on people... Read more

House buyers in NI facing legal action from developers

House buyers in Northern Ireland are reportedly facing a tough choice between legal action and losing thousands of pounds on properties as developers start adopting increasingly tough measures on people... Read more

CML data shows shift from remortgaging

Remortgaging companies in Northern Ireland are likely to feel the pinch as as new figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) indicate that remortgaging declined in February.The CML data... Read more

CML data shows shift from remortgaging

Remortgaging companies in Northern Ireland are likely to feel the pinch as as new figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) indicate that remortgaging declined in February.The CML data... Read more

Mortgage arrears up 31 per cent last year

The number of mortgage accounts in arrears rose by a massive 31 per cent last year, new figures from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) show.In news that is likely to... Read more

'More should be done' to promote mortgage lending

The government needs to follow the lead of banks and building societies and do more to encourage greater mortgage lending, it has been argued. With the Ministry of Justice recently... Read more

Buying abroad 'may prove popular'

Property investors may begin to look further afield if the housing market in Northern Ireland slows significantly, it has been suggested.The claim comes from Philip Orr of overseas property specialist... Read more

'Lower house prices mean lower divorce rates'

A reduction in the value of properties may mean a slowing in the level of divorces taking place in Britain and Northern Ireland, according to a new survey.Savills Research found... Read more

Lack of Hips 'breaking law'

A number of estate agents are breaking the law by failing to provide home information packs (Hips) to buyers, it has been claimed.The Law Society believes potential buyers are often... Read more

Ministers try to solve housing problems

The Northern Ireland deputy and first ministers have met with bankers to try to work out a way of making mortgages more available.Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson met six representatives... Read more

Northern Ireland property 'more appealing'

The decrease in prices seen in property in Northern Ireland is "good news" for those wishing to move to the province, it has been reported.According to property guru Phil Spencer,... Read more

NI house prices down 18%

House prices in Northern Ireland have fallen by an average of 18 per cent over the last year, a Nationwide survey has shown.According to the report, while the average house... Read more

Remortgaging sector 'bouyant'

The director general of the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) Michael Coogan has claimed that the British remortgaging market remains "buoyant".Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Coogan described... Read more

Super-rich 'still hunting for NI property'

The very wealthy are still on the look-out for new large luxury homes, an architect has claimed.Des Ewing said that interest in his homes is so high that he has... Read more

Buyers on look out for environmental homes in Northern Ireland

Potential homebuyers in Northern Ireland are on the look-out for environmentally-friendly homes in the province.The Carvill Group's green homes will make up Northern Ireland's first eco-village which is to be... Read more

Supply and affordability "challenges" for borrowers in Northern Ireland

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has said that the greatest challenge facing borrowers in Northern Ireland remains the affordability and supply of housing in the province.Solicitors are unable to... Read more

House prices fall by 2.4% in a month

UK house prices fell by 2.4 per cent in May and now stand 3.8 per cent lower than they were this time last year, according to the Halifax House Price... Read more

Plan to help Northern Ireland homeowners in danger of repossession

The social development minister Margaret Richie is due to announce a rescue plan for homeowners in Northern Ireland facing repossession.Over the past six years, repossessions through the courts have risen... Read more

A quarter 'trapped' in their current homes

Some 25 per cent of homeowners in the UK say they feel trapped in their current home by their financial situation.Research from Gocompare.com has revealed that the credit crunch has... Read more

Mortgage approvals at record low

Figures from the Bank of England have revealed that mortgage approvals in the UK have dropped to their lowest levels for 15 years.The total worth of the 58,000 mortgages issued... Read more

House prices falling at 1990s levels

The prices of houses in the UK are falling at their fastest rate since the early 1990s, new research has revealed.Nationwide Building Society's survey of the housing market showed that... Read more

Empty property in Northern Ireland 'should be taxed'

Northern Ireland finance minister Peter Robinson has proposed that extra rates should be imposed on empty properties in the province in a bid to encourage them back into use.The government... Read more

Northern Ireland houses to need energy certificate

Houses being sold by solicitors in Northern Ireland will need to have an energy performance certificate by July.The scheme is based on similar initiatives in England and Wales, the BBC... Read more

Weak housing market benefiting buy-to-let

Buyers being forced back into the rental market by the reduced availability of mortgages and a downturn in property sales are making buy-to-let investment more profitable, a survey has found.The... Read more

Increased demand for five-year fixed-rate mortgage

There is increased consumer demand for five-year mortgage products in the UK, including in Northern Ireland, according to new research. A report produced by Abbey found that up to 30... Read more

Mortgage lending dealt with by Northern Ireland solicitors on the up

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are seeing an increased demand for lending services as the gross mortgage lending increased in April, it has been claimed.The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has... Read more

Endowment mortgage shortfall expected

Some 86 per cent of homeowners holding endowment mortgages have been warned to expect a shortfall in their policies, solicitors and independent financial advisors have warned.People in Northern Ireland who... Read more

Personal bankruptcies 'could rocket'

There could be a huge rise in the number of personal bankruptcies, an academic has warned.Professor Nick Wilson, from Leeds University Business School, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that... Read more

Government announces help for first-time buyers

The government has launched a scheme to help more first-time buyers to get onto the housing ladder.It intends to make it easier for people to enter into shared equity schemes.Under... Read more

Eco-homes welcomed by consumers

Homebuyers in the UK have a positive attitude towards eco-friendly home improvements, according to a new report.Eco-homes: Economically Sustainable? found that there is an optimistic attitude towards green homebuilding among... Read more

'Surprising' speed of housing downturn

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has claimed that the recent slump in the housing market has occurred at a surprising speed and to an unusual extent.Speaking on BBC Radio... Read more

Gloomy picture for Northern Ireland property market

The property market in the UK is the worst it has been in 30 years, according to figures released today by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).Rics has revealed... Read more

Interest rates decision 'disappointing' for homeowners

The Bank of England's (BoE's) decision to hold interest rates at five per cent was "disappointing", according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). Michael Coogan, CML director general, said... Read more

Interest rates kept at 5%

Interest rates are to be held at five per cent, the Bank of England has announced.The hold is thought to be due to inflationary pressures which have been amplified by... Read more

UK market may slow but 'recession unlikely'

Mortgage lenders believe the economy will continue to slow but will avoid a full-scale recession, according to a survey by the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA).Eight out ten lenders said... Read more

House prices in Northern Ireland 'set for big drop'

The average price of a house in Northern Ireland is set for a steep reduction, according to a local economist.Richard Ramsey from the Ulster Bank told the BBC that the... Read more

Conference to consider housing issues in Northern Ireland

Housing management students from the University of Ulster are holding a conference to examine the future of the Northern Ireland property market.It will explore the issues facing housing in the... Read more

NI builders 'hardest hit' by credit crunch

Builders and tradesmen in Northern Ireland are losing more building work than their peers elsewhere in the UK, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).The FMB reported that builders... Read more

Government 'working to support' mortgage holders

The government and the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) have announced that they are working together in order to find ways to support mortgage borrowers struggling to cope in the... Read more

'Attractive yields' still available from the buy-to-let market

Fewer buy-to-let landlords are planning to sell their properties because of "slipping back" prices and attractive rental yields, according to research by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).The study... Read more

Solicitors in Northern Ireland can advise on housing choices

Taking a long-term view is important when considering the value of assets like property, according to a property advisory service.YourPropertyClub.com, which acts for property investors, has said that a number... Read more

Huge house price rises in NI over the last ten years

The latest figures published in the Halifax House Price Index have shown that Northern Ireland has seen the biggest house price rises in the UK over the past ten years.Property... Read more

UK property 'dependent on mortgage crisis'

The fate of the housing market in the UK depends on calming the turbulence in the mortgage market, according to a property consultancy.Head of residential research at Knight Frank Liam... Read more

Property development planned for Belfast

Property solicitors in Northern Ireland could benefit from new plans for a £90 million mixed-use development in Belfast.The Lighthouse scheme is set to include 180,000 sq ft of office space,... Read more

Northern Ireland sees property market ?stabilise?

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may have seen demand for property stabilise in recent months, according to one expert.Derek Wilson, mortgage expert at Ulster Bank, said that there had been a... Read more

Northern Ireland housing plans going ahead

Plans to boost the availability of affordable and social housing in Northern Ireland remain set to go ahead, it has been asserted.Margaret Ritchie, a minister at the Northern Ireland Assembly,... Read more

Buying property among top ambitions

New research has revealed that buying a property is among the key goals for people under the age of 30 in the UK.Coming in the wake of a report by... Read more

Solicitors in NI will be more in demand as equity release 'set for growth'

The use of equity release schemes in the UK is set to increase according to Safe home income plans (Ship).A recent report from the Council of Mortgage Lenders suggested that... Read more

Property in Northern Ireland 'a buyer's market'

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has reported that now is a good time to invest in property because reduced demand is meaning lower prices for buyers.According to NAEA,... Read more

Solicitors in Northern Ireland 'should recommend house purchases'

According to a property firm, times when the housing market are uncertain are a good time.Miller Homes said that as the property market has been the best investment over the... Read more

Changes in co-ownership rules may affect solicitors in Northern Ireland

The government has announced it is set to stop the co-ownership scheme for new applicants, the Belfast Telegraph reports.Co-ownership allows first-time buyers to buy homes by part-renting and part-owning their... Read more

Seven of top ten highest house price growth towns in NI

Conveyancers in Northern Ireland are among the busiest in the UK, according to a new poll, showing that seven of the ten towns which have shown the highest house price... Read more

Budget failed first-timers, conveyancing firm says

Alistair Darling's first Budget speech neglected the first-time buyer, a conveyancing specialist has claimed.On Wednesday, the chancellor outlined plans for changes to stamp duty land tax in shared ownership products.However... Read more

NI house price growth dips

Annual house price inflation in Northern Ireland fell by more than four per cent in January, new data shows.Latest figures for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) show... Read more

Stamp duty cuts 'will not benefit everyone'

Many first time buyers in Belfast and Northern Ireland will be no better off as a result of yesterday's Budget speech, despite some changes to the way stamp duty works.Alistair... Read more

Long-term mortgages 'misjudged and misinformed'

It appears that home buyers in Belfast and Northern Ireland will continue to seek advice from their solicitors when buying a home, as new government proposals for long-term mortgages are... Read more

Buy-to-let buoyant

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are likely to be approached for legal advice well into the future by buy to let investors as the market continues to expand.According to... Read more

CML reports mortgage lending drop

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland may notice a drop in the number of people approaching them for advice in entering the UK property market in light of new figures.... Read more

Stamp duty doubling for FTBs

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland may well see an increase in the number of first-time buyers (FTBs)seeking advice on getting onto the property ladder in the coming year as... Read more

Fraudsters target movers

While people in Belfast and Northern Ireland have enough trouble affording their new home, they could find themselves having to contact solicitors for a whole range of issues if they... Read more

'Mortgage budget' could help FTBs

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see more first-time buyers (FTBs) able to enter the housing market if the recommendations made by the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) are... Read more

Student digs 'getting posher'

The days when solicitors saw clients in Belfast and Northern Ireland sealing deals on squalid properties in order to rent them out to students could be gone, as experts say... Read more

'No relief' for mortgage holders

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are unlikely to see an increase in people buying property as most experts think the Bank of England monetary policy committee (MPC) will leave... Read more

Portfolios 'help with future purchases'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are likely to see landlords who already have a portfolio of properties finding it easier to get a mortgage than new landlords.While solicitors are... Read more

Mixed opinion on housing plans

Solicitors will have listened with interest to minister Margaret Ritchie's proposals to help lower income families in Belfast and Northern Ireland get onto the property ladder, but experts have reacted... Read more

Ritchie unveils cheap housing plan

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see poorer people able to progress on to the property ladder after social development minister Margaret Ritchie is set to create more affordable... Read more

Younger buyers stumble on property ladder

There is every likelihood that solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland will see fewer young buyers embarking on the property ladder after mortgage providers are withdrawing deals.Solicitors in Belfast and... Read more

Buy-to-let 'not pushing FTBs off property ladder'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland should not expect to see fewer first-time buyers (FTBs) able to afford property as a result of buy-to-let investors, experts claim.According to figures from... Read more

NI property 'hit a brick wall'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland will see clients sealing deals on property for considerably less money since the end of last year, new figures show.According to the latest University... Read more

More parents helping children buy homes

With property prices still remaining high in Belfast and Northern Ireland, solicitors could see more parents putting money towards helping their children to buy their first home.However, solicitors in Belfast... Read more

Buyers returning to NI market

Declining house prices could be encouraging buyers in Northern Ireland back into the property market, after new figures indicated further falls.A survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics)... Read more

Landlords 'still confident'

Despite the rising house prices in Belfast and Northern Ireland, solicitors in the province are more likely to see landlords buying additional property than they are to see investors selling... Read more

First-borns 'more likely' to be helped onto property ladder

Parents in Belfast and Northern Ireland are more likely to visit their solicitors with their first-born child to help them seal a deal on a property than with children born... Read more

Professionals offered more in a mortgage

While solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland will see many clients struggling to get onto the property ladder due to high house prices and tighter lending, solicitors themselves are favoured... Read more

Lenders 'still supporting' new buyers

After the global credit crunch has seen mortgage lenders withdrawing some of their products, experts say it may not be the case that solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland will... Read more

Landlords 'put off selling by logistics'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are unlikely to see landlords selling their property despite a slowdown in the housing market, experts have claimed.According to PropertyHawk website, solicitors in Belfast... Read more

Older homeowners strike gold

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see older people prepared to sell up their family home in order to release a massive amount of cash.People in their 60s could... Read more

Older homeowners strike gold

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see older people prepared to sell up their family home in order to release a massive amount of cash.People in their 60s could... Read more

Student debt 'won't restrict FTBs'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are unlikely to see any drop in the number of students purchasing property, after experts have reassured graduates that owing universities money will not... Read more

Student debt 'won't restrict FTBs'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are unlikely to see any drop in the number of students purchasing property, after experts have reassured graduates that owing universities money will not... Read more

New tax for holiday homes?

Solicitors in Northern Ireland could have to deal with a new form of tax, after it has been suggested that a levy should now be placed on holiday homes.According to... Read more

New tax for holiday homes?

Solicitors in Northern Ireland could have to deal with a new form of tax, after it has been suggested that a levy should now be placed on holiday homes.According to... Read more

Belfast is 'extremely unaffordable'

Although solicitors in Northern Ireland will know that house prices in the province are going through the roof, Belfast has been shown to be one of the most expensive places... Read more

Belfast is 'extremely unaffordable'

Although solicitors in Northern Ireland will know that house prices in the province are going through the roof, Belfast has been shown to be one of the most expensive places... Read more

More homes for first-time buyers

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland should see more first-time buyers come through their doors after extra money has been made available to build affordable homes.However solicitors are likely to... Read more

£8m estate up for sale

Solicitors in Northern Ireland will have to wait to find out who the buyers of an historic Ulster estate are, as it goes up for sale this week - but... Read more

December saw house price drop

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland saw a drop in house prices in December, with most properties falling in value by up to five per cent.According to the Royal Institution... Read more

Housing market to be revived?

Although solicitors will have noticed that house prices in Belfast and Northern Ireland are cooling to a degree almost as dramatic as the rocketing rates seen at the peak of... Read more

Overseas property investors 'need solicitors'

People from Belfast and Northern Ireland who are planning on buying a property overseas must contact their solicitors as soon as possible, experts have said.According to www.carolvordermanoverseashomes.com, as soon as... Read more

Solicitors 'essential' for co-buyers

With property prices in Belfast and Northern Ireland remaining high, many people may be tempted to buy a house with other people, but this should be entered into with caution... Read more

NI property to 'thrive' in 2008

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland may have worried that - given the high property prices in the province - people would stop buying homes, but experts predict a good... Read more

Mortgage payments rise by 20%

Clients of solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland will have seen an extra £135 on their monthly mortgage repayments, as borrowing has been shown to cost 20 per cent more... Read more

NI house prices face 4% fall

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are likely to see more people buying property this year, after experts predicted that house prices would fall by four per cent.Potential buyers in... Read more

Good year for new buyers

Solicitors should see more new buyers sealing a deal on property in Belfast and Northern Ireland after experts predict 2008 will open up the housing market.First-time buyers in Belfast and... Read more

Joint mortgages offer a helping hand

Solicitors in Northern Ireland could see more people splitting their mortgage between two or more parties, as experts say this may be the only way for first-time buyers to get... Read more

Let-to-buy mortgages 'suit slowing market'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see more people taking out let-to-buy mortgages, as industry experts have claimed they are useful when the housing market is slow.As property prices... Read more

Consumers to be hit by repossessions

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could be pursuing record numbers of people for debt in the New Year after experts predict that repossessions will be on the rise.Belfast solicitors... Read more

Four-fifths of NI houses drop in price

Belfast and Northern Ireland solicitors could see more first-time buyers in their offices in the New Year after property prices in the province have fallen.Despite solicitors in Belfast and Northern... Read more

Belfast professionals attract landlords

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland may be surprised to note a drop off in young professionals buying homes as the state of the housing market forces many to rent.While... Read more

Buy-to-let 'could still be worth it'

Northern Ireland solicitors may not see a drop-off in buy-to-let investors, after experts have claimed there is still a market despite the housing market conditions.Indeed Belfast and Northern Ireland solicitors... Read more

Double-edged sword for homebuyers

Solicitors in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland will see both costs and benefits for new buyers next year as experts predict a 'double-edged sword' in property in the province.According to... Read more

First timers going for a fix

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are more likely to see clients taking out longer-term fixed rate mortgages as these deals have proved "increasingly" popular in recent years.According to Mortgage... Read more

Builders cosy up to homebuyers

Solicitors in Northern Ireland could see many clients claiming to have found the ideal home, after housing developers desperate to get sales design properties with the buyer firmly in mind.... Read more

Ditching 11-plus could boost NI property

Solicitors in Northern Ireland could see clients battling for property close to local schools, thanks to the education minister's announcement that 11-plus tests will be scrapped.The government's decision could bolster... Read more

'Best time' to buy a house in NI

Solicitors in Northern Ireland could see a flood of people looking to seal a deal on their dream home after an estate agent has claimed there has never been a... Read more

Housing slowdown 'not helping' FTBs

Although a slowdown in the property market will provide "some opportunities" for buyers, solicitors in Northern Ireland are unlikely to see first-time buyers (FTBs) benefiting, according to experts.Although the choice... Read more

Lenders seek rate cut

Lenders in Britain and Northern Ireland are calling on the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) to introduce a cut in interest rates. Solicitors in Northern Ireland have seen... Read more

Share-to-buy 'a lifeline' for divorcees

Solicitors in Northern Ireland who help in divorce cases may see the same clients returning for share-to-buy house purchases, as the trend increases among those who would otherwise struggle to... Read more

NI to improve social housing

Solicitors in Belfast could see more people on lower incomes able to get onto the property ladder in Northern Ireland if the Assembly's ministers learn lessons on social housing from... Read more

South Belfast 'saturated' with HMOs

Solicitors dealing with house purchasers in south Belfast are more likely to be dealing with commercial landlords than people buying to get onto the property ladder after it has been... Read more

Credit crunch squeezes lending market

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may see fewer clients who are taking out adverse credit mortgages, after lenders have tightened their lending criteria or withdrawn mortgages for those with an impaired... Read more

Belfast development wins award

Solicitors in Belfast may find the happiest homebuyers in the city in those who have invested in Malone Square.Northern Ireland development and construction firm, the McGinnis Group, has won the... Read more

New bathrooms boost house prices

Solicitors carrying out conveyancing work in Northern Ireland may see a lot of new bathrooms being added to properties in the province of late, as the National Home Improvement Council... Read more

New buyers 'should do homework'

Despite the current slowdown in the province's housing market, first-time buyers are advised to do their homework, such as consulting solicitors in Northern Ireland, experts have advised.Solicitors can direct advice... Read more

Investors 'should consider' foreign property

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may see a fall in the number of people looking to buy property in the province after advisors have said investors may increasingly look abroad.Due to... Read more

NI property prices top quarter of a million

Solicitors in Northern Ireland will find the price of an average property in the province stands at more than a quarter of a million pounds, although prices have been slowing.After... Read more

First-time buyers enjoy gap in housing market

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may see a rush of first-time buyers squeezing onto the property ladder, as estate agents claim that the market is prime for new buyers in the... Read more

NI housing market sees battles

The chaotic situation in the province's property market means that Northern Ireland's solicitors will witness an increasing number of people turning to underhand methods to secure the best deals.While during... Read more

Obel offers homebuyers the high life

Solicitors in Belfast will be seeing new buyers considering a purchase in one of the city's highest buildings, as 64 new apartments become available at the Obel Tower.The Belfast Telegraph... Read more

NI economic growth means property still popular

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may see more clients than they had expected buying property in the province in spite of the market slowdown, it has been suggested.The recent dropping off... Read more

Affordable mortgage most important for buyers

The most savvy property buyers that solicitors in Northern Ireland will see will have chosen a mortgage that they can afford, as financial advisers Key Financial Consultants has said this... Read more

Curtailing of mortgages 'won't affect house prices'

Despite the fact that a number of lenders have withdrawn mortgage products from the market, solicitors in Northern Ireland are unlikely to find that their clients report any change in... Read more

Huge interest in Titanic flats

While Belfast solicitors may have seen a reduced number of clients looking to seal a deal on a property in the city, due to affordability pressures, a new complex has... Read more

Co-buying a solution to the first rung?

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may see an increasing number of strange alliances coming to them for conveyancing services, as co-buying becomes a more popular method for single first-time buyers to... Read more

NI property prices leapfrog UK

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may have noticed over the past year that the number of first-time buyers wanting conveyancing services may have dropped off as property prices in the province... Read more

Self-cert borrowers 'should seek advice'

Self-employed people in Northern Ireland who want to take out a mortgage but have no proof of fixed income could benefit from a self-cert mortgage, but should always visit solicitors... Read more

Property developer tempts buyers with free car

Solicitors in Northern Ireland will have noticed a big drop in the number of people buying property in the province, and it appears that property developers are feeling the squeeze... Read more

NI sees 'negative' house price growth

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may finally see more first time buyers trying to get onto the property ladder as most house prices are remaining static or have dropped in the... Read more

NI mortgage lending tails off

The number of new mortgages being taken out in Northern Ireland has dropped quite dramatically the BBC reports, which points to the final cooling of the housing market. According to... Read more

Darling pledges inheritance tax cut

Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced that inheritance tax will be cut in his first pre-Budget Report.Solicitors in Northern Ireland may see more clients looking to buy houses as the inheritance... Read more

Life changes fuel endowment sales

New research has shown that the most common reasons for selling an endowment policy in Northern Ireland are those which involve solicitors.According to aap, the endowment policy company, divorce settlements... Read more

MPC 'made interest rate mistake'

Financial experts have said that the monetary policy committee (MPC) probably made a mistake in making their last decision on interest rates and are now predicting a housing market crash.Capital... Read more

Stamp duty doubles in Northern Ireland

Latest statistics show that the amount of stamp duty paid by homebuyers has more than doubled over the past year in the province, meaning that Northern Ireland solicitors are likely... Read more

Rates rebate urged by charities

Environmental charities in Northern Ireland have called on the government to introduce rates rebates for homes which produce less carbon dioxide. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the WWF is appealing... Read more

Property developers lend buyers a hand

Commercial property developers in Northern Ireland have offered to pay stamp duty and mortgage costs for first-time buyers, as an attempt to get them onto the property ladder.According to the... Read more

Property price stagnation predicted

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may be seeing a few more first-time buyers for conveyancing services, as experts predict that prices in the housing market are likely to stagnate over the... Read more

Buy-to-let gaining strength

Given the fact that property prices in Northern Ireland have continued to remain high, solicitors are more likely to see commercial property investors than new buyers for conveyancing services.According to... Read more

Lending fell by 6% in August

Solicitors may have recently seen less people who were prepared to take out a mortgage, as gross mortgage lending fell by six per cent in Britain and Northern Ireland during... Read more

One in 10 victims of gazumping

One in ten home-buyers in Britain and Northern Ireland have visited solicitors to carry out surveys, only to find that another buyer gazumps them.According to research by Fool.co.uk, one in... Read more

NI property prices drop

Solicitors may be seeing more first-time buyers needing their services, as property prices in Northern Ireland are no longer in ascension, giving younger buyers a chance to step onto the... Read more

Land law could cripple countryside

Following a consultation, a review into the rural planning law PPS 14 concerning building limits in Northern Ireland's countryside will be published shortly. The findings of the review could be... Read more

NI housing market still healthy

Experts on the property market in Northern Ireland say they are still confident in "healthy" growth in house prices and have dismissed fears that recent acceleration in prices will lead... Read more

Rate rises push up repossessions

The number of repossessions in Britain and Northern Ireland has increased by 32 per cent since April, according to a new report.The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has revealed... Read more

NI property market hardly cooling

Despite the fact that analysts have predicted a cooling of the property market in Northern Ireland, solicitors will know that clients are still being squeezed, and new research has now... Read more

Belfast rents on the rise

While new buyers in Northern Ireland are being squeezed out of the housing market due to overinflated house prices, commercial landlords have been able to push up rents as youngsters... Read more

FTBs spaced out

There is an increasing trend towards first-time buyers (FTBs) purchasing smaller properties in an attempt to get onto the property ladder, research from GE Money Home Lending and the Future... Read more

University cities bolster property prices

Property prices in university towns cities are leading the increase in inflation of Northern Ireland's housing market, with Belfast topping the table for fastest rising prices.With Belfast offering two campuses,... Read more

NI property prices break records again

House prices in Northern Ireland have again gone through the roof, with increases in the cost of buying a home in the province breaking new records.According to a housing survey... Read more

NI sees less mortgage debt

Solicitors in Northern Ireland will be seeing fewer debt recovery cases that relate to mortgage repayments, as repossessions have dropped despite over-inflated house prices in the province.According to 4NI, figures... Read more

NI grads can't buy homes

Solicitors in Britain and Northern Ireland are unlikely to see graduates for conveyancing services, as research has revealed that more than half of university leavers can not afford to buy... Read more

NI hotter property than London

The price of an average property in Belfast has now grown to £300,229, even above the price of an average house in London, which would only set buyers back £292,409,... Read more

Mortgage misery as MPC hikes rate

Thousands of mortgage holders across Britain and Northern Ireland will be facing higher repayments after the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) announced that the interest rate would rise... Read more

Rocketing property prices cripple NI incomes

With the housing boom being felt most in Northern Ireland above all other countries in Great Britain, people in the province are feeling the effects on their wallets more than... Read more

Dissolution to solve selling distress

Proposals to change the law could result in easier transactions for people who want to sell their apartment in a development where the facilities management has a poor track record.Until... Read more

House prices continue to rise

New figures have shown that house prices continued to grow last month despite an increase in the number of homes on the market.Research carried out by the Royal Institution of... Read more

Solicitors seeing more unusual cases

Around two million people seek legal advice a year and although some cases will always be in a solicitor's daily remit, people are increasingly seeking advice for more unusual matters.According... Read more

Mortgage approvals expected to fall

Experts have begun predicting an end to the rapid property price inflation that has been seen in several parts of the UK in recent months, including Northern Ireland.Property prices have... Read more

NI property crowds top ten for inflation

Property in Northern Ireland has broken records again, with all of the top ten towns showing the biggest house price inflation annually being located in the province.Halifax's House Price Index... Read more

Buyers warned of subsidence risk

A warning has been sent out to homebuyers this week to check potential homes stringently for subsidence, after the number of claims has reached a new high.Halifax has provided some... Read more

NI property inflation still leading the field

Further confirmation of Northern Ireland's booming property market arrived in the form of the Nationwide Building Society's latest study, which reported another 14.6 per cent price rise in the first... Read more

Splits cause pressure on housing market

High divorce statistics and reduced marriage rates mean that an increasing number of people are living alone, adding pressure to prices in the housing market, according to the latest reports.Mortgage... Read more

Bank says UK demographics ensure boom will not lead to bust

Bank of England governor Mervyn King has said the current boom in property prices will not result in a market crash, despite another looming interest rate rise.Property prices in Britain,... Read more

Bank predicts NI's high house price inflation to continue

Economic experts at the Bank of Ireland have confirmed that they expect the property market in Northern Ireland to remain strong for 2007, after prices showed a 37 per cent... Read more

Seek advice before embarking on buy-to-let

New terms on buy-to-let mortgages could catch first-time borrowers out unless sage advice is sought from solicitors, warn experts.Borrowers taking up new buy-to-let loans on properties in Britain and Northern... Read more

Belfast property market 'on the up'

Solicitors in Northern Ireland can expect to see continued increases in the work from property transactions, it has been suggested.One estate agent believes that the property market inn Northern Ireland... Read more

Homebuyers warned to check foundations

Most homebuyers would get checks done on the main structure of their potential property, but few would think to dig a little deeper, where there may be latent, dangerous and... Read more

Conflicting opinion over stamp duty rises

Almost a quarter of postcode districts in Great Britain and Northern Ireland now qualify to pay the higher three per cent stamp duty rate, which applies to properties valued above... Read more