Residential Property
Mortgage borrowers delight at continued rate freeze
10th May 2012
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee has announced that there will be no change to interest rates this month, as expected, meaning rates stay at 0.5% as they have... Read more
Northern Ireland property market sees activity
9th May 2012
The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS) suggests that there was a slight increase in the number of house purchases in Northern Ireland, but property values... Read more
First time buyers losing ambition to purchase
23rd April 2012
New research from MoneySupermarket.com has revealed that a large number of first time buyers are giving up on the idea of owning a property, with 41 per cent of those... Read more
Northern Bank mortgage lending increased in 2011
19th April 2012
New figures released by Northern Bank show that there was a 39% increase in mortgage approvals in 2011 despite the largely negative portrayal of the property market and the willingness... Read more
Belfast apartment purchasers freed from contract
17th April 2012
Two men who entered into a contract to purchase an apartment in Belfast's James Clow building during the height of the property boom have been allowed to pull out of... Read more
Stamp duty holiday end rush boosts Feb mortgage lending
16th April 2012
The latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows that mortgage lending increased in February across the whole of the UK by 4% compared to January, and 17%... Read more
Continued decline of Northern Ireland house prices
11th April 2012
The latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) housing market survey shows that property prices in Northern Ireland are still falling, and are now below the half of their value... Read more
Interest rates stay at 0.5 per cent
5th April 2012
The Bank of England has announced that there is to be no change to the UK interest rates, making it three years that the rate has been at 0.5%. It... Read more
Derry is 2nd most affordable UK city to buy a house
3rd April 2012
New research has revealed that Londonderry in Northern Ireland is the second most affordable city in the UK to purchase a house, taking into account house prices compared to salaries.... Read more
Corporate trustees exempt from 15 per cent stamp duty
28th March 2012
The changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) announced in the Budget speech last week included a 15 per cent rate of tax on the purchase of properties over £2million... Read more
NI homeowners to pay Republic household charge
26th March 2012
People who live in Northern Ireland who own properties in the Republic are being urged to pay the controversial Household Charge before the deadline passes in just a few days. The... Read more
Improved ability to buy for NI first time purchasers
26th March 2012
New research suggests that first time property buyers in Northern Ireland have seen the most improvement in their ability to get on the property ladder of all the regions of... Read more
New rate of stamp duty for properties over £2m
21st March 2012
Chancellor George Osborne has announced that a new 7% rate of stamp duty will be applied on the purchase of property for more than £2million. Mr Osborne also announced that a... Read more
NI house prices decline as transactions increase
13th March 2012
A new study by the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that Northern Ireland house prices have fallen further, and are estimated to be now 65-70% less than... Read more
Purchasers race to beat end of stamp duty holiday
13th March 2012
House purchasers throughout Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are at an 18 month high as the end of the stamp duty holiday approaches. Since early 2010 first-time buyers... Read more
Belfast apartment buyers ask court to scrap contracts
13th March 2012
Over 20 property purchasers who entered into contract to buy apartments in a Belfast city centre development have brought a joint action against the developer seeking to get the agreements... Read more
3 years of frozen interest rates
8th March 2012
The announcement by the monetary policy committee (MPC) that interest rates will remain at 0.5% for another month means that they have now been frozen at the record low rate... Read more
Bargain house purchases at NI property auction
6th March 2012
A property auction in Carryduff was packed full of prospective buyers, and just 20% of the lots failed to sell - not surprising when you read the discount house prices... Read more
No mortgage safety net for NI borrowers
5th March 2012
Homeowners in Northern Ireland will not have the same safety net to protect them as other borrowers in the rest of the UK in the event that they face the... Read more
NI only UK region to see increase in new mortgages
27th February 2012
New data published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows that Northern Ireland was the only region of the UK to see an increase in the number of new... Read more
Property market recovery vital to NI economy
21st February 2012
Chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Michael Hannaway, has indentified the property market as one of the most important factors to getting the Northern Ireland economy back... Read more
Record low interest rates continue
10th February 2012
The latest Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting resulted in continued good news for home owners and first time buyers, as it was announced that interest rates will... Read more
Fall in Northern Ireland property prices
10th February 2012
According to the latest University of Ulster 'Quarterly House Price Index' house values in Northern Ireland have declined by 11% compared to this time last year, with the average property... Read more
First time buyers better off during recession
6th February 2012
According to the Ability to Buy Index produced by the Royal Bank of Scotland, it was easier for first time buyers to purchase property during the recession in 2009 than... Read more
NI homeowners targeted by scam 'move out' letters
31st January 2012
Northern Ireland house owners are being advised to contact police if they receive a letter purporting to be sent by Northern Ireland health minister Edwin Poots, and asking them to... Read more
NI borrowers struggling to meet mortgage payments
27th January 2012
A new report by the Consumer Credit Counselling Service suggests that a third of Northern Ireland borrowers who signed up to mortgages between 2005 and 2010 are now struggling to... Read more
Getting a mortgage to become harder
5th January 2012
The Bank of England has warned that obtaining a mortgage to purchase a house could become even more difficult over the next quarter, as lenders react to the worsening economy... Read more
Northern Ireland first time buyers trapped by negative equity
15th November 2011
A new report released by HSBC bank reveals that first time buyers in Northern Ireland are the worst affected by negative equity as a result of steep house value drops... Read more
Drop in new mortgage approvals in September
28th October 2011
The number of mortgage approvals in September dropped slightly compared to the previous month, though still remains within the six month average. The drop however does confirm that the property market... Read more
Pilot scheme to help NI first time buyers
20th October 2011
A new scheme has been created to help Northern Ireland first time buyers get over the hurdle of saving for a deposit and on to the property ladder. Social development... Read more
New powers proposed to protect listed buildings
12th October 2011
A new power has been proposed at a Northern Ireland heritage crime summit which would make developers responsible for the rebuilding of any listing buildings they damage or tear... Read more
Remortgages and house purchases up in August
30th September 2011
A breakdown of the mortgage approvals for August reveals that the number of people who remortgaged their homes increased by 10%, while there was also a 6% rise in mortgages... Read more
Co-ownership give property buyers boost in October
28th September 2011
The Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Association (NICHA) has announced important changes to its scheme in the month of October that will be welcome news for first time buyers, and second time... Read more
Micro-apartments planned for Belfast
19th September 2011
One Northern Ireland developer thinks he may have the perfect solution for a property market that has gotten out of reach for many first time buyers. Alan Fraser of the... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices fall in August
13th September 2011
The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that Northern Ireland house prices have fallen to their lowest levels since November 2010. The survey also showed... Read more
Estate agent property sales at 2 year low
13th September 2011
The latest survey conducted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has revealed that estate agents averaged 14 house sales each in the three months up to August. That average... Read more
Deposit criteria remain high as mortgage lending falls
12th September 2011
New figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders show that first-time buyers are still having to come up with deposits averaging 20% of the purchase price in order... Read more
Negative equity could affect a third of NI homeowners
9th September 2011
Financial outsourcer HML has warned that nearly a third of Northern Ireland homeowners could find themselves in negative equity if the property market continues to decline. They predict that... Read more
No change to UK interest rates
8th September 2011
As expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has today announced that there will no be change to the current record 0.5% rate of interest. The decision to continue... Read more
First 100 per cent mortgage enters the market
5th September 2011
A 100% mortgage is now available for the first time since the credit crunch, though first-time buyers thinking they can now purchase without having to rely on family should read... Read more
Cheaper for first-time buyers to buy than rent
31st August 2011
New research by Halifax suggests that the monthly cost of buying a new home for first-time buyers is over £100 a month cheaper than renting a property. The findings unfortunately will... Read more
Call for government action on lack of houses
30th August 2011
The National Federation (NHF), a body representing housing associations in England, has called on the government to act now to tackle what it describes as a "chronic under-supply of homes"... Read more
Average age of first time buyer up to 35
25th August 2011
New research by Post Office Mortgages shows that the average age of a first time buyer in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK has climbed to 35 years... Read more
No sign of increase in mortgage lending
18th August 2011
New figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show that mortgage lending fell slightly in July, down 1% compared to the previous month, and 6% down on July 2010. A... Read more
Lender tolerance of arrears creating fools paradise
16th August 2011
Director of Obligo.co.uk says that the record low interest rates and "remarkable forbearance" by lenders have together "created a fool's paradise, where people's mortgage payments are comparatively low and lenders... Read more
Low interest rates keep repossessions down
11th August 2011
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) says that the number of cases of mortgage arrears and repossessions have been kept in check by the continuing record low interest rates. Figures show... Read more
Another NI property firm in administration
11th August 2011
Newry firm, KB developments, has joined the growing list of Northern Ireland property firms to go into administration over the last year. According to the last filed accounts of the... Read more
Nearly a million householders in negative equity
8th August 2011
New figures produced by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) in respect of the first quarter of this year suggest that nearly a million householders in Northern Ireland and the... Read more
New survey shows increase in NI house sales
5th August 2011
The most recent University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index shows an increase in the number of property sales in Northern Ireland, albeit as a result of a drop in... Read more
Interest rates remain at 0.5 per cent
4th August 2011
As widely predicted, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted in favour of maintaining interest rates at the record low of 0.5 per cent. Few economists are predicting... Read more
Construction halted on 5000 NI homes
3rd August 2011
As many as 5000 new homes in Northern Ireland have been left unfinished according to new figures released by the Housing Executive. The decline of the property market and the general... Read more
Property firm had £83m debt before administration
29th July 2011
A report compiled by the administrators of the Northern Ireland property firm, the Carvill Group, reveals that the company had debts totalling £83million before it went into administration in May... Read more
70 per cent of properties listed in 2011 unsold
21st July 2011
New research by property website Rightmove suggests that as many as 70 per cent of houses listed for sale in 2011 have still not been sold. Over-valuation by sellers is... Read more
House price decline much worse in NI
8th July 2011
The extent of disparity in the recovery of the property market in Northern Ireland as compared to the rest of the UK was highlighted with the publication of the latest... Read more
Interest rates remain at record low
7th July 2011
Interest rates will remain frozen at their record low of 0.5% for another month after the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting today. Despite continuing high inflation which... Read more
NI homeowners improving rather than moving
6th July 2011
A new survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) suggests that Northern Ireland homeowners are opting to improve their property rather than sell-up and move. The report suggests... Read more
Increase in homeowners renting out a spare room
23rd June 2011
New research by Santander Mortgages has revealed that an increasing number of homeowners are helping to supplement their income by renting out a spare bedroom in their house. One in ten... Read more
MPC minutes show reduced vote for rate increase
22nd June 2011
With 27 consecutive months of an interest rate freeze by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the monthly announcements have become somewhat predictable, albeit set against a murmur from a small... Read more
Estate agents average one house sale per week
14th June 2011
A new report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has revealed that estate agents in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are only selling on average one... Read more
DOE triples fines for damaging listed buildings
7th June 2011
Under the new Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the DOE can now fine developers three times as much as before - up to £100,000, if they knock down a listed... Read more
New survey reveals first time buyer pessimism
31st May 2011
A survey carried out by Halifax has revealed that two-thirds of first-time buyers believe they have no chance of purchasing a property because of tight lending criteria and the need... Read more
Half of rental tenants fall into arrears
26th May 2011
New research by the National Landlord Association (NLA) has shown that 52% of landlords have received late rental payments from their tenants over the last 12 months, and expect the... Read more
Mortgage lending down in April
25th May 2011
Figures released by the British Bankers' Association (BBA) show a drop in mortgage approvals for house buyers and existing home-owners wanting to change to a different mortgage product. The extended bank... Read more
3 NI construction companies in administration
23rd May 2011
The survey published last week by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) showed that the Northern Ireland construction sector had reached a new low. That pessimistic evaluation of the... Read more
Northern Ireland construction sector in further decline
20th May 2011
A new survey released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has confirmed that the construction sector in Northern Ireland has declined to a new low. The stagnant residential... Read more
NI sees large increase in mortgage debt problems
20th May 2011
Northern Ireland charity, Housing Rights Service (HRS), has reported a 30% increase in homeowners requiring advice to deal with mortgage debt. The most recent Northern Ireland court figures also show... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices still falling
19th May 2011
House prices in Northern Ireland are still on the way down according to the latest University of Ulster quarterly price index released today. The value of properties has dropped on average... Read more
Belfast rental rates up by 4 per cent
19th May 2011
The private property rental rates in Belfast, Northern Ireland, have increased by 4.2% in the last year according to new figures released by letting agent Citylets. The rise means that... Read more
Property repossessions on the increase
13th May 2011
New figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) reveal that the number of property repossessions in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK increased by 15% in... Read more
Remortgages up due to interest rate increase fears
13th May 2011
There was a 16% increase in remortgage loans in March according to the Council Of Mortgage Lenders (CML), and it believes that a fear of an iminent increase to the... Read more
Northern Ireland property sales on the increase
10th May 2011
A study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that there has been an increase in the number of property transactions in Northern Ireland over the last... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices drop 10.8 per cent
9th May 2011
New figures have been released showing the changing fortunes of house prices in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK over the 12 month period up to the end... Read more
First time buyers to save 5 years for deposit
5th May 2011
New research by Santander Mortgages has revealed that just under a quarter (23%) of first time buyers anticipate that they will have to save for five years in order to... Read more
No change to UK interest rates
5th May 2011
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has again voted to maintain interest rates at their record low of 0.5%, in a move which was widely predicted by economists... Read more
Property buyers paying in cash have doubled
27th April 2011
Figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show that the number of property buyers funding a purchase without a mortgage has doubled since 2005. In January of this... Read more
Plans for Belfast city centre apartments submitted
27th April 2011
Village Homes (NI) has submitted two planning applications to construct apartments in two separate areas of Belfast city centre. One application proposes a build of 75 apartments at Queen's Square,... Read more
No change to MPC member votes on interest rate rise
20th April 2011
Every month the minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting are anticipated with as much interest as the actual decision announcement on interest rates at the start of the... Read more
Who bought the UKs most expensive residential property?
20th April 2011
With a reported price tag of £136million, the penthouse at One Hyde Park would be the most expensive residential property ever purchased in the UK. While rumour has been speculating for... Read more
Next generation more likely to rent property than buy
19th April 2011
A new report by Legal & General Mortgage Club concludes that the many of the next generation are more likely to be tenants rather than property owners. The report shows how... Read more
First time buyers pay 558% more than parents did
14th April 2011
A study conducted by SHIP has revealed that the current crop of first-time buyers will have to pay 558% more than their parents paid for their first house in order... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices to decline more
12th April 2011
A report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Ulster Bank suggests that Northern Ireland property prices will continue to decline over the next three months and possibly... Read more
Calls for preliminary binding property contracts
8th April 2011
A meeting of estate agents and solicitors hosted by E-Homebuying Forum included a debate about the introduction of preliminary contracts in the house buying process in England in order to... Read more
Borrowers increasing mortgage repayments to cut debt
7th April 2011
The last quarter of 2010 saw home-owners paying off their mortgages at a record rate according to figures released by the Bank of England, with mortgage debt being reduced by... Read more
UK interest rates remain at record low
7th April 2011
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have decided to keep interest rates at the their record low of 0.5% for the 25th consecutive month despite mounting speculation that... Read more
Landlords deterred by housing benefit cuts
1st April 2011
A significant number of private landlords have said they are being forced to stop letting properties to housing benefits tenants because of the government's new lower rates. They argue that... Read more
No new MPC member votes for interest rate hike
23rd March 2011
Minutes of the March meeting of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have revealed that there was no change to the February voting dynamic of 6 votes against... Read more
Budget speech 2011 - Property
23rd March 2011
The budget speech today contained confirmation from Chancellor George Osborne that the mortgage interest scheme concessions will run on to January 2013; a one year extension to the original end... Read more
Inflation revives interest rate hike speculation
22nd March 2011
News that inflation rose to a 28-month high of 4.4% in February immediately rekindled speculation that the Bank of England will have to increase interest rates. The economy has been... Read more
Private tenancy cannabis farms on increase
21st March 2011
Private landlords who have invested in buy-to-let properties know only too well of the difficulties when searching for good tenants. One problem that is seemingly on the increase, that landlords... Read more
Large drop in mortgages for house buyers
11th March 2011
New data by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has revealed that there was a 29% drop in mortgages for house buyers in January compared to the previous month, and... Read more
Northern Ireland construction decline continues
11th March 2011
The Northern Ireland Planning Service has released figures which suggest that the decline in the construction sector is continuing and may in fact have gotten worse. The number of planning applications... Read more
Interest rates remain frozen despite speculation
10th March 2011
Despite mounting speculation that interest rates could be due to increase very soon, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have opted to maintain the record low rate of... Read more
Baby boomers first generation to die with large debt
10th March 2011
A new report by Aviva has shown that one in seven of the baby boomer generation currently entering retirement will never be debt-free. They were the first generation to experience... Read more
Council house tenants install large swimming pool
9th March 2011
A housing association has found itself in the unlikely position of having to investigate the construction of a large swimming pool at the rear of one of their properties by... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices still falling
8th March 2011
According to the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Ulster Bank, Northern Ireland property prices are still in decline, though it is expected that there... Read more
Taggart brothers to pay bank £8.5million
3rd March 2011
The High Court in Belfast has ruled that Michael and John Taggart, the two brothers whose house building business came apart during the recession and ensuing property crash, have been ... Read more
Audit office criticises DoE listed building protection
2nd March 2011
A new report compiled by the Audit Office heavily criticises the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's protection of listed buildings, citing poor organisation, lack of management of contractors, and no system... Read more
Third Bank of England policymaker voted for rate hike
23rd February 2011
The minutes of February's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting have revealed that Spencer Dale became the third policymaker to vote for an increase in interest rates. Andrew Sentance and Martin Weale... Read more
New NI law grants protection to caravan owners
16th February 2011
The passing of the Caravans Bill at Stormont means that the law in Northern Ireland concerning the rights of caravan owners has now been brought into line with that of... Read more
First time buyer deposit requires year's salary
16th February 2011
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) first time buyers are now having to save the equivalent of more than a year's salary in order to afford a deposit... Read more
NI housing market could bottom out in 2011
15th February 2011
Alan Bridle of the Bank of Ireland has suggested that the Northern Ireland housing market could bottom out in 2011 in the face of "further headwinds" in the next year. House... Read more
Green Party say new planning form has caused bungalow blight
11th February 2011
MLA Brian Wilson of the Green Party has blamed a change in rural planning policy for putting a "hacienda on every hillside", with the success rate for planning applications for... Read more
Interest increasing among NI property purchasers
8th February 2011
A new report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Ulster Bank reveals that the number of house purchasers in Northern Ireland making enquiries and offers is on... Read more
Failed property developers serve writ on bank
7th February 2011
Michael and John Taggart, the two brothers behind one of the biggest property companies in Northern Ireland to go into administration in the aftermath of the recession, have turned the... Read more
Worlds most expensive apartments on sale
20th January 2011
The most expensive residential apartments in the world have gone on sale with a starting price of £6.5million for a simple one-bedroom flat, rising to £140million for one of the... Read more
Northern Ireland house price decline continues
31st December 2010
While the latest Nationwide building society house price survey contained good news for homeowners in many regions of the UK, Northern Ireland house prices were said to have had the... Read more
Coroner calls for NIHE gas monitor installation
10th December 2010
Coroner Brian Sherrard, speaking at the inquest for a woman who died as a result of gas poisoning, has called on the Housing Executive to consider changing its policy on... Read more
Mortgage approvals decreased in October
24th November 2010
The British Bankers' Association (BBA) has released figures showing that the total number of mortgage approvals declined last month, though net mortgage lending did increase compared to the same month... Read more
Homes at risk due to debts as small as £600
22nd November 2010
The office of Fair Trading (OFT) has vowed to clap down on lenders who are encouraging borrowers to pledge their homes against unsecured debts, after finding that some home-owners were... Read more
Northern Ireland construction sector decline continues
19th November 2010
The Construction Market Survey released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors shows that construction activity in Northern Ireland experienced a substantial drop in the third quarter of this year,... Read more
Buy to let landlords warned about silent killer
18th November 2010
Buy to let landlords have been receiving advice from the National Landlords Association (NLA) on the dangers presented by gas appliances that they supply in their rental properties. Monday saw... Read more
Buy to let landlords warned about silent killer
18th November 2010
Buy to let landlords have been receiving advice from the National Landlords Association (NLA) on the dangers presented by gas appliances that they supply in their rental properties. Monday saw... Read more
Lenders say FSA mortgage proposals bad for borrowers
16th November 2010
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) say that the rules proposed by the financial watchdog, FSA, as part of a move to deal with irresponsible lending will in fact make... Read more
Lenders say FSA mortgage proposals bad for borrowers
16th November 2010
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) say that the rules proposed by the financial watchdog, FSA, as part of a move to deal with irresponsible lending will in fact make... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices to fall further
9th November 2010
Northern Ireland house prices are expected to keep falling into the start of the new year according to a survey carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). House... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices to fall further
9th November 2010
Northern Ireland house prices are expected to keep falling into the start of the new year according to a survey carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). House... Read more
Property owner devastated at £1 house valuation
28th October 2010
Businessman Paul Rooney, aged 42, purchased his end-of-terrace house for £86,000 in 2007 and has since spent £10,000 on a new kitchen and conservatory, only to have his house valued... Read more
Property owner devastated at £1 house valuation
28th October 2010
Businessman Paul Rooney, aged 42, purchased his end-of-terrace house for £86,000 in 2007 and has since spent £10,000 on a new kitchen and conservatory, only to have his house valued... Read more
Northern Ireland rental prices increase
19th October 2010
Demand for rental property in Northern Ireland has increased consistently over the past year, despite the fact that house prices have fallen and first-time buyer interest is as high as... Read more
Homeowners shun spending to increase home equity
1st October 2010
Statistics from the Bank of England have shown that home owners' equity rose by £6.2billion in the second quarter of this year. From July 1998 to March 2008 home owners... Read more
Slight rise in Northern Ireland house prices
30th September 2010
According to the Nationwide building society property prices in Northern Ireland rose by 1.6% over the last three months, making it the best-performing area in the UK over that period,... Read more
Landlord and private tenancy scams on the rise
28th September 2010
The collapse of the first time buyer market created a gap that had to be filled by private tenancies and has been cynically exploited by bogus landlords. Based on figures... Read more
Interest rates remain at record low
9th September 2010
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
Survey highlights 'erratic and uneven' NI property market
1st September 2010
The latest survey by the University of Ulster for the second quarter of 2010 highlights the "erratic and uneven behaviour of the current housing market" in Northern Ireland. While average... Read more
Public sector cuts make NI housing market vulnerable
27th August 2010
Northern Ireland has been identified as being one of the UK's most vulnerable areas for a property market decline as a result of the impending public sector cuts. Simon Rubinsohn,... Read more
Northern Ireland construction at 10 year low
18th August 2010
Construction in Northern Ireland has fallen to its lowest level since the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) began their survey 10 years ago. The latest survey shows a reported... Read more
Long absence from home could void insurance policy
18th August 2010
An analysis of house insurance policies with top providers in the UK has revealed that leaving the property unoccupied for more than 30 days could result in the policy becoming... Read more
Debt causes 1 in 3 Pensioners to dip into home equity
11th August 2010
Research carried out on behalf of the charity Age UK has revealed that 1 in 3 retired property owners are choosing to use equity release to clear debts. The other... Read more
Life-long rights to be removed from Council house tenants
5th August 2010
The current Council housing system gives tenants the right to live in the property for their lifetime regardless of how their circumstances might improve, and that right can be inherited... Read more
Belfast rents increase by 4 percent
4th August 2010
Rents in Belfast have increased on average by 4% in the second quarter of 2010 according to analysis by lettings company Citylets. It is thought that the continuing threat of... Read more
Belfast historic building at risk of demolition
3rd August 2010
A Victorian building in Belfast is the subject of a renewed bid by developers to be demolished to make way for a large retail and residential development. The developers, Carlisle Property... Read more
Lack of loan products for first time borrowers
23rd July 2010
Research carried out by Thelendingwizard.com, an online consumer tool to search and apply for loans, has revealed that first time borrowers are still struggling to find mortgages as the number... Read more
Purchasers of mansion sue sellers for lack of privacy
23rd July 2010
A couple have launched a High Court battle against the previous owners of the £1.7million country mansion because of a road which they say has cost them their privacy. Nicholas and... Read more
PSNI tell Northern Ireland landlords to check tenants
22nd July 2010
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is advising all private landlords to carry out thorough checks on their tenants as more and more organised crime gangs use rental properties... Read more
Ex-burglars warn of Facebook/Twitter risk to your home
22nd July 2010
The first research among reformed burglars has been carried out by MORE TH>N to warn householders of the things they do that can increase their likelihood of being robbed. The ideal... Read more
Government cuts could sink construction sector
9th July 2010
A new report by insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor has said that the number of construction companies in the UK that are experiencing financial trouble is at an historically high level,... Read more
Interest rates in UK remain at record low of 0.5%
8th July 2010
Despite growing support for an increase to interest rates to curb inflation, the Bank of England has kept the UK interest rates at their record low of 0.5% for the... Read more
N.Ireland least confident about house price increases
6th July 2010
A survey carried out by property website zoopla.co.uk has revealed that people in Northern Ireland are the least confident of an increase in house prices over the next six months.... Read more
Social Housing waiting lists 'breach of human rights'
2nd July 2010
The amount of people on the waiting list to receive social housing in Northern has increased since devolution, and lawyers at Queen's University in Belfast now say that the waiting... Read more
Public could be charged to view planning files
1st July 2010
Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, has said that he is considering the implementation of fees for any member of the public wishing to view planning files. Speaking to the... Read more
Landlord creates tenant blacklist to counter one-sided laws
30th June 2010
Landlord Paul Routledge of Cadogan House Investment Properties in Weston super Mare has decided to fight back against what he describes as 'one-sided legislation against landlords'. Mr Routledge has created www.landlordreferencing.co.uk... Read more
Ex-Boyfriend gets half of house 17 years after split
21st June 2010
The Court of Appeal has made a ruling that should sound a warning to unmarried couples who are buying a house, or who already own a house. The case involved a... Read more
'Capital Gains tax hike will kill buy to let sector'
3rd June 2010
The proposals before the government to increase the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) are predicted to result in a mass sale of properties by landlords throughout Northern Ireland and the rest... Read more
New Planning policy for Northern Ireland countryside
2nd June 2010
Environment Minister for Northern Ireland, Edwin Poots, has published a new planning policy statement (PPS21) which deals with rural development in the country. The statement, which was approved by the assembly... Read more
More house buyers could get mortgages than realise
17th May 2010
New research by unbiased.co.uk suggests that more property buyers could obtain mortgages than currently realise. The survey results show that the public perception of the UK mortgage market is much... Read more
Buy to let landlord jailed as tenant nearly burns to death
14th May 2010
Landlord Michael Billings has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for failing to provide the most basic protection for his tenants. A fire at one of his properties left a teenage... Read more
'Mortgages should be sold with a health warning'
29th April 2010
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), a national debt charity, has called for an overhaul in how buyers are informed about mortgages, saying they should be made to pass an exam... Read more
Lack of buyers causes housing market to slow
26th April 2010
Houses going onto the market for sale at a faster pace than new house hunters are emerging meant that the housing market slowed again this month. According to property research group... Read more
Lenders warn of ?300billion hole in funding
21st April 2010
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has sounded a new warning about the £300bn hole in funding which may stall the improvement in the property market for some years. The... Read more
Houses for sale outnumber purchaser enquiries
14th April 2010
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has revealed that the number of sale properties on the market has hit its highest level since May 2007, and that there are... Read more
Target of 2,000 new homes for Northern Ireland next year
7th April 2010
Margaret Ritchie, the Social Development Minister, has said that she is hoping to deliver 2,000 new homes to Northern Ireland over the next 12 months. She had surpassed her 1,750 target... Read more
Mortgage Repossessions Bill looks set to become Law
30th March 2010
Labour MP Brian Iddon's Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants) Bill took one step closer to becoming law today when it had a second reading at the House of Lords today... Read more
Rents increase as more 'accidental landlords' exit the market
29th March 2010
Results from the latest FindaProperty.com Rental Index show that asking rents increased in March by 0.7% - averaging £16 per calendar month more expensive. A drop in the supply of properties... Read more
Buy-to-let tax break would be ?grossly unfair to first-time buyers?
16th March 2010
A consultation paper published by the Treasury in February included plans to increase the supply of private rented housing by giving a tax break to property speculators who buy-to-rent. One... Read more
Lenders soften approach to buy-to-lets
10th March 2010
'Let Assured' have suggested that Lenders are now taking a more favourable approach to buy-to-lets in terms of the deposits required and the loan-to-value rations of their products. Borrowers will still... Read more
Many SVR mortgage holders 'unaware of interest rate'
8th March 2010
A number of the UK's standard variable rate (SVR) mortgage holders are not aware of the interest rate that applies to them at present, new research suggests.This may be the... Read more
Government scheme to help make houses energy efficient welcomed by landlords
8th March 2010
The National Landlords Association (NLA) has said that private tenants and landlords would benefit greatly from the Government plans to encourage home owners to make their houses more energy efficient. The... Read more
February 'saw decrease in UK house prices'
1st March 2010
February saw a decrease in UK house prices, according to Nationwide, with the firm recording a one per cent monthly fall.The organisation believes that the four-week period witnessed an average... Read more
Energy efficiency 'may play greater role' in mortgage market
26th February 2010
Energy efficiency might have a major impact on people's ability to gain mortgages in the future, according to one expert.People could be required to demonstrate their commitments to eco-friendly house... Read more
Housing recovery put on ice by bad weather
26th February 2010
Bad weather is being blamed for keeping house hunters away in the month of February as house prices declined for the first time in 10 months. The latest monthly survey... Read more
Economic downturn 'forcing people to rent for longer'
25th February 2010
It is inevitable that many people in the UK are having to rent for longer periods of time, due to the effects of the economic downturn.That is according to the... Read more
'Buy to Let sector becoming over-regulated'
24th February 2010
The recent outline by Government housing minister, John Healey, of new potential measures to improve the standards of rental property has been met with concerns that the buy to let... Read more
Estate agents to move out of the shop and on to the internet
17th February 2010
New research carried out by Movewithus has revealed that 1 in 3 estate agents want to move out of their high street shops and focus on their internet presence. Of... Read more
Buyer loses legal battle to win back apartment deposit
16th February 2010
A buyer who entered into a contract in 2007 to purchase an apartment at 'The Bakery', on the site of the former Ormeau bakery in Belfast, has lost in his... Read more
Average estate agent 'saw rise in house sales last month'
15th February 2010
On average, British estate agents saw a rise in the amount of homes that they managed to sell in January, according to one organisation. Last month saw six properties sold... Read more
Figures show buyers rushed to beat Stamp Duty in December
12th February 2010
The Council of Mortgage Lenders have released figures showing that there was a clear rush by purchasers to beat the end of the stamp duty holiday in December 2009. There... Read more
'Google Real Estate' to be launched in the UK
10th February 2010
Google is widely rumoured to be on the verge of launching its online property search market in the UK. The service, called 'Google Real Estate', has already been successfully launched... Read more
Good news for first time buyers as 90% mortgages start to return
9th February 2010
January saw mortgage rates on tracker deals reach a record low according to figures released from the Bank of England. The lower rates are however offered to those with larger... Read more
NI housing market sees price reductions ease
5th February 2010
The rate of house price reductions in Northern Ireland eased over the course of 2009, new figures have shown.University of Ulster's latest House Price Index reveals that between the beginning... Read more
PRS 'could help meet UK housing demand'
4th February 2010
The high demand for housing in the UK could be addressed with the support of the private-rented sector (PRS), according to one political figure.It has been announced that a government-backed... Read more
Health of the housing market may have been 'overstated'
2nd February 2010
A monthly survey produced by Hometrack based on information gathered from 1,800 estate agents provides some perspective to the current confusion on the health of the property market. Just last... Read more
Demand for GB coastal properties 'will stay strong'
1st February 2010
The large demand that exists for coastal properties across the British Isles has been emphasised by one expert.According to iammoving.com's partner relationship manager Jon Brown, it is likely that such... Read more
UK House prices rise 1.2% during January
29th January 2010
The property market continues to recover at a faster pace than the rest of the economy with yet another month of house price increases recorded in January. The strong 1.2%... Read more
Renting 'can complement modern working life'
27th January 2010
Renting can provide a useful solution to many people in the UK thanks to the flexibility it offers, according to one expert.People seeking properties in Northern Ireland and other areas... Read more
House build applications in Northern Ireland on the increase
26th January 2010
The National House Building Council (HHBC) has released new figures showing an increase in applications to build new houses in Northern Ireland. They received 906 applications to build new houses... Read more
Demand for UK rental property 'has increased'
25th January 2010
Increasing numbers of people are now looking to rent properties in the UK, research has found.Figures published by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) have shown that as many... Read more
Terraced properties 'popular with many landlords'
22nd January 2010
Terraced properties are proving popular with a number of UK landlords because they can offer cost-effective options, an expert believes.According to LandlordZONE's Tom Entwistle, the kind of tenants that such... Read more
1 in 10 landlords plan to buy more houses in next 3 months
20th January 2010
Research from Paragon Mortgages has revealed that 1 in 10 landlords advised they hope to increase their portfolio of houses in the first quarter of 2010. Terraced houses are favoured by... Read more
Many UK landlords 'wary of regulation'
13th January 2010
Regulation is a concern for a number of the UK's landlords, new research suggests.According to figures published by Paragon Mortgages, as many as 58 per cent of those landlords questioned... Read more
Tall building developments 'may offer benefits to Northern Ireland'
12th January 2010
Northern Ireland cities may benefit from an increase in tall building developments, according to one expert.The director of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) in the country Ben Collins... Read more
But to let landlords confident of strong year in 2010
22nd December 2009
58% of private landlords polled by Upad are more confident of the buy to let market in December than they were the previous month, with confidence levels expected to increase... Read more
West Belfast ?25m housing scheme to get under way in March 2010
14th December 2009
A major family housing scheme to be built on the site of the old Bass Brewery in West Belfast has been given the go ahead, with an estimated 200 jobs... Read more
Good news for landlords as rents expected to rise
7th December 2009
Those landlords who have survived the difficult past two years of the rental market may soon see a reversal of fortunes according to FindaProperty.com. According to their November Rental Index, the... Read more
MPs put pressure on Government to extend stamp duty
3rd December 2009
A group of backbench Labour MPs have given their support to an Early Day Motion issued by Lindsay Hoyle on the matter of Stamp Duty, urging the Government to extend... Read more
Research shows property price increase for fourth month in a row
1st December 2009
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
NHBC confirms increase in number of new homes being built in N.I.
25th November 2009
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
24th November 2009
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
'Confidence rising' in residential property market
10th September 2009
Levels of confidence in the UK's residential property market are on the rise, according to new research.Moneysupermarket.com has claimed that the proportion of customers using its service to seek out... Read more
Property asking and selling price gap grows
3rd September 2009
New figures have suggested that the gap between residential property asking and selling prices in Northern Ireland has increased.The UK-wide study by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) found... Read more
Third of property owners 'holding firm on asking prices'
27th August 2009
Over a third of residential property owners in the UK and Northern Ireland are not prepared to drop their asking price, new research has revealed.The study by Co-operative Bank Mortgages... Read more
House prices continue to rise
30th July 2009
New figures from Nationwide have revealed that average residential property prices in the UK are continuing to rise.The latest findings from the building society have revealed that the value of... Read more
House prices continue to rise
30th July 2009
New figures from Nationwide have revealed that average residential property prices in the UK are continuing to rise.The latest findings from the building society have revealed that the value of... Read more
Property sellers 'accepting of reduced valuations'
21st July 2009
An expert has claimed that those looking to sell residential property in the UK and Northern Ireland have become more accepting of the drop in their homes' valuations. Jane Marr,... Read more
Property sellers 'accepting of reduced valuations'
21st July 2009
An expert has claimed that those looking to sell residential property in the UK and Northern Ireland have become more accepting of the drop in their homes' valuations. Jane Marr,... Read more
Average property deposit 'reaches ?32,000'
20th July 2009
People who are looking to climb up the first rung of the residential property ladder in the UK and Northern Ireland need to save up to £32,000 as a deposit,... Read more
Average property deposit 'reaches ?32,000'
20th July 2009
People who are looking to climb up the first rung of the residential property ladder in the UK and Northern Ireland need to save up to £32,000 as a deposit,... Read more
Property buyers 'move closer to asking prices'
13th July 2009
New research has revealed that residential property buyers in the UK and Northern Ireland are moving closer to meeting asking prices.According to figures from the National Association of Estate Agents... Read more
Property buyers 'move closer to asking prices'
13th July 2009
New research has revealed that residential property buyers in the UK and Northern Ireland are moving closer to meeting asking prices.According to figures from the National Association of Estate Agents... Read more
UK house prices hit by small drop
9th July 2009
The price of residential property in the UK and Northern Ireland fell slightly during June, according to the latest figures from Halifax.Average house prices fell by 0.5 per cent over... Read more
Belfast property deal close, developer says
3rd July 2009
A deal to buy the former Stinson Seafood property in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is close, it has been reported.Village Soup reports that developer Arthur House has almost sealed a deal... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices continue to fall
30th June 2009
The price of property in Northern Ireland is continuing to fall at a more significant level than in any other part of the UK, it has been claimed.Nationwide's latest figures... Read more
Residential property costs 'fall'
29th June 2009
New research has revealed that the cost of both running and owning a residential property in the UK and Northern Ireland has dropped in the past 12 months.According to the... Read more
Property asking and selling price gap 'narrowing'
17th June 2009
The gap between residential property asking and selling prices is narrowing in the UK and Northern Ireland, according to new figures.Research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) found... Read more
Consumers lose faith in buy-to-lets as lending drops
9th June 2009
Investments in the buy-to-let market in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are going to make a loss this year, according to nearly a third of Brits who... Read more
A 'good contract' vital for those going into rental market
1st June 2009
People in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK contemplating renting out their properties in order to raise extra money should seek advice from an expert such as a... Read more
Good news for homeowners as house values rise in May
29th May 2009
Property investors in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK have received some positive news following the publication of data showing house prices rose in May by 1.2 per... Read more
Homeowners considering letting as recession continues
18th May 2009
The recession is forcing an increasing number of homeowners into being reluctant landlords and nearly five million have considered walking down this road according to professional advice website Unbiased.co.uk.People in... Read more
Affordability increases as house values decline further
30th April 2009
The month of April continued to bring good news to first-time buyers in Northern Ireland as house prices sustained their downward slide, according to new data from the Nationwide House... Read more
Landlords urged to protect themselves as tenants default
21st April 2009
Residential property owners dealing with rental stock in Northern Ireland (NI) may want to discuss with their solicitors options to protect themselves in light of rising unemployment among tenants.Figures from... Read more
Bank of England freezes interest rates
9th April 2009
Bank of England freezes interest rates As widely expected by experts, the Bank of England has frozen interest rates at 0.5 per cent as it continues with its quantitative easing programme,... Read more
March registers property price increase
2nd April 2009
Spring brought some good news to the property market as house prices increased by 0.9 per cent in March, breaking a long cycle of decline, the Nationwide House Price Index... Read more
Affordability improves for property buyers
26th February 2009
The latest figures show first-time buyers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are increasingly having property affordability improve as prices continue to decline.Data from Nationwide indicates house... Read more
Communicating with lender can ward off repossession
25th February 2009
Solicitors in Northern Ireland can help their clients in the rental sector avoid repossession by advising them to let their lender know about whether their properties are let.Informing a lender... Read more
Homeowners abandon properties as repossessions soar
20th February 2009
New figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show that the number of properties repossessed last year hit a 12-year high as a total of 40,000 homeowners lost their... Read more
First-time buyers need support
16th February 2009
More needs to be done to help aspiring property investors in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK as they are crucial not only to the housing market, but... Read more
Enquiries rise but property transactions remain stagnant
10th February 2009
Solicitors in Northern Ireland with residential property clients may be interested to hear that people are keen on buying but mortgage scarcity may be preventing them from doing so.This is... Read more
Regulation for sale and rent-back schemes introduced
9th February 2009
Sale and rent-back schemes, which have prompted some home owners to contact their solicitors after being cheated out of their properties, are to be regulated.The government has announced that the... Read more
Aim to buy below market value, investors urged
6th February 2009
Buying below the market value should be one of the main areas to focus on when buying property in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK, solicitors in Belfast... Read more
How to survive the downturn
2nd February 2009
Solicitors in Northern Ireland with commercial or residential property clients who have rental stock may want to ensure the investments are in the best possible condition if they are to... Read more
First-time buyers urged to get advice
30th January 2009
It is vital for first-time buyers in Northern Ireland to talk to experts such as a solicitor or a mortgage advisor before committing to a mortgage product, it has been... Read more
Further price correction recorded in January
29th January 2009
New data from Nationwide Building Society shows that house prices continued to fall in January bring bad news for homeowners but good news for those interested in buying.Solicitors in Northern... Read more
Understand your market, property owners told
21st January 2009
Commercial property investors in Northern Ireland with residential property investments will be better placed to survive the current economic downturn if they are flexible, it has been stated.Solicitors in Northern... Read more
Early 2009 a 'reasonable time' to invest in property
16th January 2009
Country vendors are becoming more "realistic" with their property pricing, making this year ideal for investment for those who are interested in expanding their assets, it has been stated.Solicitors in... Read more
Affordability 'has greatly improved' for first-time buyers
14th January 2009
Declining values in the property market have now made it possible for first-time buyers in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK to get onto the property ladder, a... Read more
Be realistic about prices, investors urged
13th January 2009
Property sellers in Northern Ireland have been advised to be more realistic about asking prices of their properties if they wish to see an increase in the number of properties... Read more
Buy-to-let investors not planning to sell
12th January 2009
Buy-to-let investors not planning to sellNew figures have shown that property investors with residential rental stock are taking a long-term view on investment and most expect to hold their properties... Read more
Belfast still pricey despite decline
8th January 2009
Belfast is still the most expensive part of Northern Ireland (NI) to invest in property despite a property price decline of 33 per cent since last year, figures from Nationwide... Read more
Government measures will only benefit 'a small percentage'
7th January 2009
Property investors struggling with mortgage payment in Northern Ireland may still need the services of solicitors as the latest government measures to help them will leave many in the cold,... Read more
'Desperate' sellers on the market
7th January 2009
Property savvy investors in Northern Ireland may want to seek the opinions of their solicitors before taking on heavily discounted properties from desperate sellers, said to be in abundance in... Read more
Homeowners in Northern Ireland overvaluing properties
29th December 2008
Homeowners in Northern Ireland have been told to become more realistic in the asking prices they are wanting for their properties.Tom McClelland, Northern Ireland housing spokesman for the Royal Institution... Read more
Northern Ireland property market drawing interest
12th December 2008
Figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) show that property investors in Northern Ireland are showing signs of returning to the market, solicitors in Belfast may be interested... Read more
Choose 'financially worthy' tenants, investors urged
9th December 2008
Commercial property investors with buy-to-let investments in Northern Ireland should put in place a strategy to deal with expected rent arrears in coming months, it has been stated.According to David... Read more
Repossessions can create 'ghettos'
8th December 2008
Mass repossessions by mortgage lenders have the potential to ruin pleasant neighbourhoods, solicitors in Northern Ireland with commercial and residential property clients may want to know.Speaking out against repossessions, the... Read more
Six-month grace period for struggling homeowners
1st December 2008
In news that may be of interest to solicitors in Northern Ireland, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has taken a stand on repossessions that may bring in a new... Read more
Property prices fall 'moderately' in November
28th November 2008
November saw property prices register a 0.4 per cent drop, bringing some good news to property investors, commercial property solicitors in Belfast may want to know.According to Nationwide Building Society,... Read more
New measures to help struggling homeowners announced
25th November 2008
Solicitors with clients who own property in Northern Ireland may be pleased to hear that the government has announced new measures to help struggling homeowners through the downturn.In his pre-Budget... Read more
Understand the law, 'reluctant landlords' told
19th November 2008
Northern Ireland homeowners who have been forced into being landlords due to the credit crunch should find out from their solicitors about the rules and regulations of the lettings sector,... Read more
Homeowners 'flood' letting sector
18th November 2008
Homeowners in Northern Ireland have been turned into unlikely landlords as a result of the credit crunch, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).Solicitors may be interested to... Read more
Stamp duty should be abolished, NAEA says
11th November 2008
The residential property market in Northern Ireland can be saved from further decline if the government uses its Pre-Budget Report to intervene, an association has said.Thousands of first-time buyers are... Read more
Property owner sets ingenious plan to sell home
7th November 2008
The current instability in the property market has made a property owner near Belfast come up with an innovative way to sell his property.Alan Cooke, the owner of a two-storey... Read more
Northern Ireland house prices decline sharply
6th November 2008
New figures have shown that house prices across all regions of the UK continued to fall in October further threatening many with negative equity.Northern Ireland, the east of England and... Read more
Do research before investing in current market
5th November 2008
Solicitors in Northern Ireland may soon face a barrage of inquiries from clients interested in taking advantage of distressed residential property sales.This follows revelation from a property expert that the... Read more
Winter likely to throw up problems for property owners
4th November 2008
Solicitors in Northern Ireland with commercial property developers and buy-to-let investors as their clients may want to advise their clientele to ensure all tenants are equipped with the right information... Read more
Quick sales possible in current market
3rd November 2008
Solicitors in Northern Ireland should advise their clients to keep their property prices competitive and realistic, if they wish to make a quick sell, according to an expert.Homeowners wishing to... Read more
Empty properties may attract mortgage fraudsters
29th October 2008
Solicitors in Northern Ireland should advise their clients against leaving their properties unoccupied for long periods or they risk having them targeted by mortgage fraudsters, according to the Land Registry.The... Read more
New recommendations for rental sector
23rd October 2008
Solicitors of investors in residential property in Northern Ireland may want to know that major recommendations to improve the private rented sector have been published.The recommendations from an independent review... Read more
Mortgage crime on the rise due to ID theft
21st October 2008
The number of mortgage crimes committed in the UK has doubled and analysts predict that as many as 60,000 properties including those in Northern Ireland may have been acquired through... Read more
Thousands falling into negative equity every month
21st October 2008
Thousands of homeowners in Northern Ireland may find themselves in need of the services of solicitors following revelations that two million UK homeowners face repossession as negative equity creeps in.According... Read more
Housing boost welcomed
8th October 2008
A move made by the Bank of Ireland to make private home ownership more achievable has been welcomed by social development minister in Northern Ireland Margaret Ritchie.The Co-Ownership scheme will... Read more
Minister urges public to speak up over proposals
29th August 2008
Northern Ireland Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has asked members of the public to respond to government consultations on the domestic rating system, it has been reported.In news that might interest... Read more
Environment minister opposes climate law
8th July 2008
Sammy Wilson, environment minister, plans to vote against the government's draft climate change bill, according to the Belfast Telegraph.He says the changes proposed by the bill have not been thought... Read more
Commuters drawn to Belfast property prospects
28th March 2008
Solicitors and other professionals who normally commute to Belfast have been giving up their cars in favour of moving to the Northern Irish capital, it has emerged.Property experts attribute the... Read more
Fraudsters target movers
7th March 2008
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
7th March 2008
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'
5th March 2008
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
Fall of 100% mortgage 'bad for FTBs'
4th March 2008
Solicitors are even less likely to see first-time buyers (FTBs) in Belfast and Northern Ireland able to afford a mortgage now that 100 per cent-plus deals are disappearing.With house prices... Read more
Mortgage holders feel 'out-of-control'
4th March 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could be forced to pursue more mortgage holders for debt this year, as many admit that they feel out-of-control of their repayments.According to the... Read more
Property owners in debt to government
3rd March 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see the government in need of debt recovery services, after the Belfast Telegraph revealed that ratepayers in the province owe them over £140... Read more
'No relief' for mortgage holders
29th February 2008
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
Northern Rock 'should have been a clue'
29th February 2008
Despite the credit crunch, solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland have still seen buy-to-let investors taking out mortgages, but one expert says perhaps they have been unwise.Solicitors will remember the... Read more
Sale and rent back a 'solution to debt interest'
28th February 2008
Solicitors could have to pursue fewer people in Belfast and Northern Ireland for debt if they take advantage of a sale and rent back scheme.Unfortunately solicitors in Belfast and Northern... Read more
Portfolios 'help with future purchases'
28th February 2008
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
Surge in tracker mortgages
27th February 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see more people taking out tracker mortgages after this type of deal is growing in popularity.Although only around a quarter of homebuyers in... Read more
Singletons squeezed out of property market
27th February 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are very unlikely to see singletons buying property after experts have warned that a single wage will not be enough to fund a house... Read more
Mixed opinion on housing plans
27th February 2008
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
26th February 2008
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
Eco-friendly buyers retain their green
25th February 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland will see more environmentally-friendly clients accommodated after a bank in the province has launched a discounted mortgage for people who install solar power in... Read more
Younger buyers stumble on property ladder
25th February 2008
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'
22nd February 2008
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
Bridging loans 'aid quick property purchase'
21st February 2008
If homebuyers in Belfast and Northern Ireland whose finances are stretched were to take out a bridging loan, it could mean less people being pursued by solicitors for debt.However, bridging... Read more
Negative equity warning in Northern Ireland
20th February 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see fewer people willing to sell up property that they bought last year as these homeowners could be facing negative equity, experts warn.People... Read more
NI property 'hit a brick wall'
20th February 2008
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
Negative equity warning in Northern Ireland
20th February 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see fewer people willing to sell up property that they bought last year as these homeowners could be facing negative equity, experts warn.People... Read more
NI property 'hit a brick wall'
20th February 2008
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
19th February 2008
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
More parents helping children buy homes
19th February 2008
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
Landlords 'still confident'
7th February 2008
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
Landlords 'still confident'
7th February 2008
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
6th February 2008
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
6th February 2008
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
5th February 2008
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'
4th February 2008
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
31st January 2008
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'
30th January 2008
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?
29th January 2008
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'
28th January 2008
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
'No panic' over commercial property slump
23rd January 2008
Accountants and solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland may have seen investors in commercial property funds trying to withdraw their money, but experts warn against panic selling.While solicitors in Belfast... Read more
More homes for first-time buyers
22nd January 2008
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
18th January 2008
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
17th January 2008
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?
16th January 2008
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'
15th January 2008
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
14th January 2008
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
11th January 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%
9th January 2008
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
IHT planning 'should start early'
9th January 2008
Inheritance Tax (IHT) need not be a burden and though it is advisable to start planning early, it is never too late to begin, financial advisers have said.For homeowners in... Read more
£60k saving for remortgaging
8th January 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see more of their clients looking to remortgage after a lender has claimed that this could cut as much as £60,000 off their... Read more
NI house prices face 4% fall
7th January 2008
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
Stability the hallmark of New Year property
4th January 2008
Solicitors in Northern Ireland will be likely to see more first-time buyers as well as commercial property investors securing their dream deal, as experts claim that prices in 2008's market... Read more
Good year for new buyers
2nd January 2008
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
28th December 2007
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'
28th December 2007
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
Rent 'may be the only option'
21st December 2007
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are unlikely to see too many first-time buyers wanting to seal a property deal next year, as experts claim that renting may be the... Read more
Consumers to be hit by repossessions
21st December 2007
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
Christmas could see increase in NI debt
19th December 2007
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could be forced to pursue more people for debt in the New Year after financial advisors have claimed that Christmas spending could push consumers... Read more
Four-fifths of NI houses drop in price
17th December 2007
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's Victoria Square a sellout
13th December 2007
Belfast solicitors will face a glut of clients looking for conveyancing work on luxury apartments after the first round of opulent flats at the new Victoria Square development sold out... Read more
Belfast professionals attract landlords
13th December 2007
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
Young consumers 'risk financial suicide'
12th December 2007
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could be forced to pursue young borrowers for debt after a report revealed that young people rely a lot on credit.Researchers found that young... Read more
Buy-to-let 'could still be worth it'
12th December 2007
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
10th December 2007
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
10th December 2007
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
Rate cut could boost NI property
7th December 2007
The monetary policy committee's (MPC) decision to cut interest rates by a quarter point could mean that solicitors in Northern Ireland see more clients making property purchases.If experts are to... Read more
Builders cosy up to homebuyers
7th December 2007
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
6th December 2007
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
5th December 2007
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
5th December 2007
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
3rd December 2007
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
FTBs pushed out of Belfast
28th November 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland may be dealing with clients moving into houses they don't really want to, if analysis is to be believed.The unaffordable property prices in Belfast may see... Read more
Share-to-buy 'a lifeline' for divorcees
28th November 2007
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
27th November 2007
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
27th November 2007
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
NI house prices 'still out of reach'
26th November 2007
Key workers in Northern Ireland are still unable to get a foothold on the property ladder because prices are so high, an expert has claimed.The News Letter reports that there... Read more
Credit crunch squeezes lending market
23rd November 2007
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
23rd November 2007
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
23rd November 2007
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'
20th November 2007
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
19th November 2007
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
19th November 2007
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
13th November 2007
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
13th November 2007
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
12th November 2007
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
Bank holds base rate
9th November 2007
The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold for the fourth month in a row on Thursday.The bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) voted to keep the base rate... Read more
Buy-to-let 'preserve of the rich'
8th November 2007
The buy-to-let market in Britain and Northern Ireland is increasingly becoming the preserve of the rich as property prices put them out of the reach of most people, it has... Read more
NI property 'to slow'
6th November 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland might notice a reduction in the number of people coming through their doors looking for properties as the property market is expected to see a slowdown.Research... Read more
Belfast highlighted as a city on the rise
5th November 2007
Belfast in Northern Ireland has been highlighted as one of the main boom areas for property in recent times.Solicitors in Belfast have seen rapid rises in house prices over recent... Read more
Northern Ireland boosted by regeneration
5th November 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland have seen a major increase in property sales over recent years and one of the main reasons for this has been the regeneration of the region,... Read more
Northern Ireland property prices boom
2nd November 2007
Northern Ireland solicitors have been busy dealing with the paperwork for sales of properties in Armagh with new figures showing prices have increased there by 188 per cent over the... Read more
NI economic growth means property still popular
1st November 2007
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
NI still set to outperform UK on property
31st October 2007
House prices in Northern Ireland are expected to do better than those in the rest of the country over the months ahead, according to Knight Frank.The estate agent has forecast... Read more
Affordable mortgage most important for buyers
30th October 2007
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'
29th October 2007
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
24th October 2007
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?
22nd October 2007
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
19th October 2007
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'
17th October 2007
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
16th October 2007
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
12th October 2007
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
11th October 2007
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
10th October 2007
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
9th October 2007
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'
9th October 2007
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
Life changes fuel endowment sales
9th October 2007
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'
9th October 2007
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
Northern Ireland property prices 'remain buoyant'
5th October 2007
New figures have shown that property prices in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, have remained strong over recent months.As the property industry across Great Britain and Northern Ireland shows signs of... Read more
Northern Ireland property prices 'remain buoyant'
5th October 2007
New figures have shown that property prices in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, have remained strong over recent months.As the property industry across Great Britain and Northern Ireland shows signs of... Read more
Record-breaking rent good news for landlords
3rd October 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland are likely to see more landlords needing legal advice on commercial property as spiralling house prices in the province have forced more people to rent.Belfast solicitors... Read more
Record-breaking rent good news for landlords
3rd October 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland are likely to see more landlords needing legal advice on commercial property as spiralling house prices in the province have forced more people to rent.Belfast solicitors... Read more
Stamp duty doubles in Northern Ireland
2nd October 2007
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
1st October 2007
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
28th September 2007
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
26th September 2007
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
24th September 2007
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
Debt likely to escalate
24th September 2007
After the latest interest rate hike and another predicted to be on the way, mortgage-payers in Britain and Northern Ireland could face more debt judgements.Following the spate of interest rate... Read more
Lending fell by 6% in August
20th September 2007
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
Buy-to-let mortgages safe as houses
20th September 2007
Commercial investors in buy-to-let property in Britain and Northern Ireland should not be affected by a drop in tenant numbers, despite the housing market continuing to cool, experts have said.According... Read more
One in 10 victims of gazumping
19th September 2007
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
Housing boom 'set to end'
17th September 2007
The housing boom that has been enjoyed in Britain and Northern Ireland looks set to come to an end, one of the world's most respected economists has predicted.Alan Greenspan, former... Read more
NI property prices drop
13th September 2007
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
Sisters 'treated worse than lesbians'
10th September 2007
Two sisters are taking an inheritance tax claim to the European court of human rights, claiming that the law in Britain and Northern Ireland offers them worse protection than if... Read more
Land law could cripple countryside
7th September 2007
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
6th September 2007
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
3rd September 2007
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
30th August 2007
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
28th August 2007
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
24th August 2007
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
17th August 2007
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
14th August 2007
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
13th August 2007
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
30th July 2007
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
Mortgage fees soar as property prices rocket
17th July 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland are likely to have seen their customers suffer massive increases in mortgage fees over the past two years, as property prices have grown considerably.Northern Ireland has... Read more
Love not legally binding
13th July 2007
With the trend for people in love to live together and even have children without being married increasing, it is vital that people get their financial arrangements sorted out through... Read more
NI hotter property than London
10th July 2007
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
5th July 2007
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
5th July 2007
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
NI waiting longer for social housing
28th June 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland are unlikely to see many new buyers as clients for conveyancing work, as soaring house prices in the province have led to fewer first-time buyers and... Read more
Offset mortgages see growth
26th June 2007
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has announced that there has been a substantial growth in offset mortgages in the past year.According to new figures, offset mortgages accounted for seven... Read more
Northern Ireland continues to see rapid house price increases
12th June 2007
House price inflation in Northern Ireland has continued to grow at breakneck speed, according to new research.A study from the Department of Communities and Local Government has found that house... Read more
Bank warning on further rate rises
12th June 2007
There is every likelihood that interest rates will rise again in the near future, householders across Britain and Northern Ireland have been warned.Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England,... Read more
New laws allow access all areas
12th June 2007
Prospective landlords with a commercial property in Britain or Northern Ireland will be forced to build ramps and lifts to accommodate disabled tenants under new legislation.Both new and existing landlords... Read more
Dissolution to solve selling distress
8th June 2007
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
First-time buyers forced out of NI market
7th June 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland are far more likely to see people for remortgaging than they are to have new clients, as the number of first-time buyers in the province is... Read more
More laws than ever during Blair years
4th June 2007
Solicitors in Britain and Northern Ireland will have had their work cut out for them over the past decade as statistics show that Tony Blair has passed a record number... Read more
NI homebuyers offered fewer mortgages
30th May 2007
Despite the thriving housing market in Northern Ireland, where prices are still rocketing and demand is high, people in Northern Ireland have less choice when it comes to mortgages, research... Read more
Northern Ireland mortgage-happy
25th May 2007
Homebuyers in Northern Ireland are among the most likely to take out a larger mortgage on their property, according to research by credit reference agency checkmyfile.The province also reports one... Read more
House prices continue to rise
15th May 2007
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
Northern Ireland sees continued property price rises
14th May 2007
Properties in Northern Ireland continued to grow in value between February and March, a new report has found.Despite the Bank of England raising interest rates four times since last August,... Read more
Repossessions drop in spite of spiralling prices
14th May 2007
Repossessions as a result of people defaulting on their mortgage payments have dropped in Northern Ireland during the first quarter of 2007.Although people are taking out larger value mortgages due... Read more
Solicitors seeing more unusual cases
14th May 2007
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
11th May 2007
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
Interest rates rise again
10th May 2007
The Bank of England has raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point.Solicitors in Northern Ireland can expect a rise in the number of people coming to see them regarding... Read more
Mortgage approvals fall as rate rises kick in
1st May 2007
The amount of mortgage approvals for new house purchases has decreased by 12 per cent in March compared to this time last year. The Bank of England's rise in interest... Read more
Buyers risking 'timebomb' homes
1st May 2007
According to new research, homebuyers in Britain and Northern Ireland could be sitting on a timebomb, as they rarely invest in thorough checks when it comes to purchasing a new... Read more
NI property crowds top ten for inflation
23rd April 2007
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
13th April 2007
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
Noisy neighbours on the increase
11th April 2007
Homebuyers in Northern Ireland should check who their new neighbours are before heading to the solicitors to seal the deal on a property purchase, according to a new study.The Office... Read more
NI property inflation still leading the field
4th April 2007
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
3rd April 2007
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
Stamp duty makes its mark on moving costs
29th March 2007
The cost of moving house has tripled over the past decade, according to Propertyfinder.com, bringing the average cost of relocation to £9,486, up from £2,925 in 1996.The rocketing cost of... Read more
Bank says UK demographics ensure boom will not lead to bust
29th March 2007
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
26th March 2007
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
23rd March 2007
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
Further interest rate rise concerns
21st March 2007
Mortgage repayments could suffer in the near future as it has been suggested a further rates rise could be on the cards.New figures have revealed that inflation once again surged... Read more
CML sees lending jump
20th March 2007
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has reported that borrowing rates in the UK have reached a new high in February.According to the CML's latest figures for February, mortgage lending... Read more
House prices 'show signs of cooling'
14th March 2007
New figures have suggested that property prices in Britain and Northern Ireland are beginning to cool.Despite recent data revealing that Northern Ireland's property market continues to grow at a fast... Read more
Belfast property market 'on the up'
13th March 2007
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
NI students benefit from property boom
12th March 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland are seeing a major increase in demand for property and enterprising students are turning the region's property boom to their advantage.It has been reported that an... Read more
Empty housing rules needed
12th March 2007
It has been claimed that new powers should be provided to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to tackle the problem of empty properties.According to a report by University of Ulster,... Read more
NI property prices risen most in the last decade
9th March 2007
Prices of properties in Northern Ireland have grown more than any another region in the UK, bar London, over the past ten years, according to a new report.Halifax estate agents'... Read more
Interest rates frozen
8th March 2007
It has been announced that interest rates will be locked at 5.25 per cent for the second consecutive month.The decision had been widely anticipated by economists, although experts have warned... Read more
Homebuyers warned to check foundations
7th March 2007
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
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- Wills
- Wills, Trusts, Estates
- Work Related Injuries
