As we head into the festive season, sprinkle some extra magic in your home this year with these key Christmas trends for 2023
homeowners
Could Homeshare help you live better in your own home?
Homeshare UK is an organisation that aims to tackle loneliness and social isolation among older people, while providing affordable housing solutions for younger people and those on low incomes. So we've invited them to explain how their programme works.
Why gas safety should be on your new home checklist
Most properties have at least one gas appliance. Here's how to check the gas safety of your new home.
Can you avoid paying more for a ‘Help to Buy’ property?
We all know you pay more for a new build home. It's the same principle as when buy a new car. But latest research shows first-time buyers using a Help to Buy can pay up to 22% more. We take a look at this research and how you can avoid paying over the odds...
Will your payments rocket when your fixed-rate mortgage deal ends?
Do you have a two-year fixed-rate mortgage that is about to end? Then you need to act NOW to avoid the risk of seeing a huge jump in the amount you pay for your mortgage each month.
Mortgage boost for zero hours contract workers
Workers on zero hours contracts will find it easier to get a mortgage thanks to new changes made by a major lender
Is now the time for a tracker mortgage?
We’re living in turbulent times politically and it’s tempting to choose a fixed-rate mortgage deal to get financial security for the years ahead. But could you save money by taking out a tracker instead?
5 things to know about investing in student property
If you've got a child moving away to university, investing in student property will be tempting. Here's what you need to know
Family Springboard mortgages explained
Want to buy your first house but don’t have a deposit? Then a family springboard mortgage may be the answer. Here's what you need to know.
Reforming surveys, what’s your view?
Want to have your say about surveys? Then you’ll need to act quickly as the consultation for a new approach to house surveys closes this month
Homebuyers misled into buying mortgage protection
Homebuyers are being wrongly told they can only get a mortgage if they buy income protection cover or life insurance, an investigation has found.
More than 8 in 10 homes are selling for less than the asking price
Some 81% of homes sold in May failed to make their asking price. We look at what this means if you're buying and selling at the moment.
New build completion delay: What can you do?
You paid your reservation fee and exchanged on your new home months ago – but it's still not ready. New build delays are common but the impact can mean undue stress and huge additional costs. Here's what to do to avoid new build delays and your options if it happens to you.
Sales falling through due to inconsistency from lenders on leases
Mortgage lenders need to standardise their policies in relation to lease length in order to stop sales falling through, say experts.
John Lewis to start building home extensions
John Lewis and Partners has moved into the construction industry and will offer customers home extensions.
Nearly a third of people who challenge their council tax band are successful
The number of Brits who successfully challenged their council tax band has increased in the last year, according to new figures. Should you challenge yours?
Poor WiFi costs UK households £2.2 billion in extra mobile data fees each year
New research by WiredScore and HomeOwners Alliance reveals 85 per cent of British homeowners and renters face WiFi connectivity issues and failing services resulting in £2.2 billion a year, across the UK spent on additional mobile data fees.
CMA to investigate mis-selling of leasehold properties
The competition watchdog has launched an investigation over the mis-selling of leasehold properties by house-builders.
First-time buyer ‘spending tactics’ to get on the housing ladder
More than half of UK homeowners made tactical changes to their spending habits in order to get on the housing ladder,
‘Mortgage pain’ felt by most self-employed
Nearly three quarters of the UK’s self-employed population believe their employment status makes it harder to get a mortgage, a new study has found.
Downsizing pensioners should get a stamp duty break
There is a stamp duty exemption for first time buyers, so why not last time buyers? Older people who want to downsize should be allowed one stamp-duty free move to encourage them to downsize, says a new study.
What does a conveyancer do?
If you’re buying or selling property then you’ll need a conveyancing solicitor to help you with the legal transaction. But how do you find one and what do they do?
1000 homes a week bought with Help to Buy, but there’s confusion over Help to Buy ISAs
Help to Buy hit the headlines this week for good and bad reasons. We look at the growing popularity of the scheme and pitfalls with the Help to Buy ISA which left many having to call on the bank of Mum and Dad
Remortgage and save £4,000 a year
In this week’s mortgage round-up we look at remortgaging could save you £4,000. We also reveal why 2019 is the year first-time homeowners should get a new mortgage and how low-deposit mortgages are booming.
10 ways to settle into your new neighbourhood
Moving to a new area can feel isolating but there are lots of things you can do to settle into your new neighbourhood and become a part of the local community.
Four reasons your gender is stopping you from buying a house
We’ve come a long way since women weren’t trusted to own property. But it is still not a level playing field. Here’s how your gender is curtailing your ability to buy a house.
How to declutter like Marie Kondo
Since Marie Kondo’s show landed on Netflix in January the nation has gone declutter mad. So, how can you tackle the mess in your own home?
1 in 5 suffer moving day delays, costing homeowners over £15 million
Thousands of homeowners across the UK have to cancel their moving day as a result of delays, losing hundreds of pounds in the process, a new survey has revealed.
Is the ‘Waitrose effect’ set to backfire?
If living near a Waitrose can boost house prices, what happens when the high-end supermarket leaves your area?
Do homeowners and buyers have enough protection? Have your say
After countless homeownership horror stories, the government has woken with a flurry of consultations into how to go about fixing property related problems. Here we look at the latest review of redress schemes aimed at helping consumers to help when things go wrong.