Alney has had a successful career in accountancy over the past 20 years. The experience that he has gained in this role has left him extremely organised and detailed-orientated. These traits have proven to be an invaluable asset to Gateway Homes over the past few weeks.

Maria particularly enjoys meeting with vendors and working alongside them to find the best financial solution for each individual. Maria’s customer orientated approach, coupled with Alney’s analytical background make them the perfect team for Gateway Homes.

Not only have Alney and Maria bought and sold properties in the UK, they have been fortunate enough to branch into the global property market. Together they have successfully worked with vendors in Brazil, Canada and Jamaica.

Alney says: “Having lived and worked in Essex for many years, we have a good understanding of the surrounding property market. Using this knowledge we are well equipped to offer the best possible service in the area.”

Due to government intervention in the property market, deals are getting cheaper and lenders will be making more credit available for house purchases – that is, of course, if they are fair in their rate adjustments.

The government’s Funding for Lending scheme was launched in August 2012 to offer lenders cheaper finance options, though many of the promised deals were criticised as they were not fully passed on by banks. However, the chancellor has since addressed the matter in the Budget and bolstered the scheme with the “Help to Buy” initiative.

According to the Bank’s data, availability of loans for home purchases has risen for the last nine months; the most impressive deals were accessed by borrowers taking out mortgages with loan to value ratios above 75 per cent.

Rightmove’s Happy at Home Index 2013, which uses 12 factors to measure how the British public responds to their immediate surroundings, places a firm emphasis on issues such as “property”, “home” and “community”, ultimately developing a “unique, nationwide insight into the emotive relationship we have with the place we call home”.

In the survey, it was also confirmed that people in Lincoln are the most house-proud individuals in the UK, while people living in the traditional military haven of Hereford perhaps unsurprisingly feel safest about where they live. Meanwhile, Swansea and Aberdeen were named the happiest places in Wales and Scotland respectively.

Miles Shipside director of Rightmove, said: “Rightmove’s Happy at Home Index looks to capture how the British public truly feels about ‘home’ and gives us a view of the happiest places in the UK as rated by those who know best – the people who live there.”

According to the latest research from the National Landlords Association’s (NLA’s) Landlords Panel, longer tenancies are on the rise and just 33 per cent of landlords have experienced vacancies in the last three months; this represents an impressive 13 per cent year-on-year fall.

Regionally-speaking, voids are most likely to happen in North East England, where 54 per cent of landlords report empty periods over the last 90 days. On the other end of the spectrum, only one in every five London property renters experiences voids over the same timeframe.

Chairman of the NLA David Salusbury responded to the findings, saying: “It is in every landlord’s business interest to maintain good, long lasting tenancies and avoid voids. At a time when demand far outstrips supply, it is imperative that empty properties are filled quickly, following any necessary maintenance and improvements.

“The private-rented sector affords tenants flexibility, so as tenants’ circumstances change, there are occasions when a property might be empty.”

The organisation’s survey of house purchasing consumers discovered that many of them are left with a home that has presented them with an average of £5,750 in repair bills.

Speaking to 1,017 buyers across the UK, RICS discovered that while consumers are aware of the need for independent advice, nearly one-third of them failed to seek it. As a result, many are left open to problems such as structural defects, subsidence, dry and wet rot, and a multitude of other factors.

Peter Bolton King, RICS global residential director, said: “Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions most people will ever make and yet many consumers are doing so blind to the facts.

“Serious faults are difficult to identify and costly to repair. By not being aware of them, consumers are risking a potential home-buying time bomb.”

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed in its General Lifestyle Survey that the proportion of people owning a house with a mortgage had also dropped from 40 per cent to 35 per cent. It also confirmed that the housing market in Britain had taken the brunt of the recession in 2008, producing a notably smaller percentage of new households able to successfully get a mortgage.

There were also a number of other interesting statistics that the ONS’ report discovered. For example, in 1972, just 37 per cent of houses had central heating, though this had climbed to 92 per cent by 2000. Meanwhile, the number of one-parent families had tripled since 1971, though had stayed constant since 1998.

It means that with more mortgages being repaid than taken out, the government’s plans to resuscitate the market for property buyers may have much bigger challenges to face over the coming months and years.

The BBA therefore confirmed a worrying trend – that lending had slumped by the biggest monthly amount in over 15 years. It went on to say that £7.8 billion worth of home loans were granted over February, while low interest rates had helped borrowers to make high capital repayments.

Speaking to the Guardian, banks analyst at Investec Ian Gordon said the findings were “absolutely dire” and continued: “Negative net lending in February of £982 million is the worst on record – ever – since BBA records began in 1997, and it is also the first time that net mortgage lending has remained negative for three consecutive months.”

In this week’s Herald, it was reported that Macdonald Estates Group, a property developer north of the border, claimed pre-tax profits of £2.1 million – described by the firm as a “major achievement” given the market’s general stagnation over the last couple of years.

In statistics obtained from an official filing with Companies House, it was underlined how profit had fell from £3.2 million in 2011, though chief executive Dan Macdonald had congratulated his organisation’s resolve in the face of some of the most difficult property conditions he had seen in his life.

Despite being heavily involved with development deals for supermarkets and other retail outlets, Macdonald has also started to work on a number of student accommodation projects, including a 230-bed student site in Glasgow that is expected to be ready by August 2014.

Mr Macdonald implied in his accounts that the residential and rental property sectors may be the best for the company’s future. He explained: “Commercial property development is now limited in its respect to generate great opportunity and it will remain so in Scotland for a number of years.”

In the latest publication by the analytics organisation, it was claimed that the trend was due to good performances in London, where prices rose by 0.7 per cent during the month – the biggest jump in the capital since February 2010. The highest house price growth outside of London was in South East England and East Anglia, where prices rose by 0.2 per cent.

The higher prices were reflected across the country in all but one region – North East England – meaning it was a marked improvement on January and February, when prices had dropped in four and three areas of the UK respectively.

In London, 60 per cent of postcodes experienced a price increase during March, while a fifth of those in the rest of England and Wales also improved – the highest figure for three years.

This is according to Federation of Master Builders (FMB) chief executive Brian Berry, who claimed that an individually-targeted “Budget for Housing” would be the best way to address the “acute shortage of affordable, energy-efficient homes in the UK”.

He underlined how Britain’s many small and medium-sized businesses are in dire need of help because of a number of years’ worth of dwindling workloads and heightened costs. According to over three-quarters of FMB members, the most important thing the government can do to boost home repair, energy-efficiency and maintenance markets would be to cut VAT.

Mr Berry added: “Small builders have so far seen little benefit from the Funding for Lending scheme, as a quarter of our members tell us they are having to turn down work as they still can’t secure vital financial backing from lenders to buy plant or hire staff. Unless it starts functioning properly, and as long as lenders continue to discriminate against those in the construction industry, our members will be unable to provide the jobs and output the Coalition needs private enterprise to deliver.”

Chief executive officer at the National Landlords Association (NLA) Richard Lambert gave a balanced reaction to the cuts and freezes proposed by the government, generally welcoming the “broader remit” of the Monetary Policy Committee.

He asserted that for property buyers and renters alike, the maintenance of a low-inflation economy – as well as “explicit forward guidance” – would offer more predictability for interest rates, meaning landlords can “better plan and manage the future direction of their lettings businesses”.

However, the NLA’s chief was concerned about other issues. He continued: “More targeted measures are needed to address the chronic shortage of housing across all tenures. We are disappointed that the government has decided against capital gains tax rollover relief for landlords as enabling capital gains reinvestment could have provided more housing for rent in an increasingly pressured market.”

Firstly, he said that any “favourite views” of your property’s exterior and interior ought to be conveyed to a photographer, as there’s the chance that these shots “will have similar appeal to your potential buyers too”. In these photos, if you think something doesn’t fit in with the surroundings – furniture, soft furnishings, etc – then move them before photography.

If any rooms have plastic bottles or other such items like washing-up liquid or shampoo, they move them out of the way – that is unless they’re an impressive or colourful brand that’s recognisable, said Durrant.

Obviously, it goes without saying that people ought to tidy away newspapers, post and so forth – though leaving occasional quality magazines and books may add appeal and a lived-in feel.

Finally, the use of props may be very beneficial. “For example,” the expert said, “colourful vegetables and tomatoes, or a cottage loaf and some cheese would work well in a country kitchen.” He also recommended “coloured glass or bottles with coloured liquids” as these can be “complementary to a contemporary, white or otherwise minimalist town kitchen”.

Homes are spending less time on the market – the average property is now sold within 80 days, compared with 90 days this time in 2012. Good returns are also boosting buy-to-let activity, with the lowest ever remortgage finance at around two per cent and average rental yield of nearly six per cent.

“Positive sentiment on the future direction of property prices is a vital element in motivating more people to buy including those looking to trade-up. If they feel confident that prices aren’t going to drop, some will take the plunge, while those who are predicting price rises often judge it wise to act sooner rather than later if they perceive delaying will mean they pay more,” said Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove.

David Newnes, director of LSL Property Services, said: “The rental market hasn’t yet burst into life, but we’re seeing more vitality than last year’s timid February market, when tenant demand was impacted by the rush to buy homes before the stamp duty deadline. However, this February has also seen a more vibrant sales market reduce the strain on the private rented sector during its sluggish off‐peak season.”

Property buyers saw total annual returns on a rental property rise to 6.2 per cent in February, representing an average return of £10,144 and the average yield on a rental property during the month was 5.3 per cent. The group predicted that if current trends continue, investors can expect a total return of 12.5 per cent per property over the next 12 months.

Over the past two years the number of small construction firms employing an apprentice has fallen, the trade association claims, despite there being a recruitment requirement of around 30,000 people each year.

Brian Berry, the chief executive of the FMB, said the number of younger apprentices taken on by UK homebuilders will not increase until employers are confident that the programmes are suited to their needs.

“We agree with the Government that in addition to the ‘core’ elements of any qualification, there should be ‘options’ employers can pick from,” he said. “In the construction industry, this would provide flexibility for multi-trade firms and benefit employers who want more say on the type of skills their apprentices learn at college.”

According to the organisation, global property deals are on track to exceed $1 trillion (£669.88 billion) this year for the first time since 2007. Reuters reported the statistics and went on to attribute the trend to growing confidence in North America and Asia, as well as “a greater appetite among sovereign wealth funds for real estate”.

Cushman & Wakefield predict that global investment volumes will rise by a further 14 per cent in 2013, following a jump to $929 billion in 2012. Glenn Rufrano, chief executive of the organisation, said: “2012 was a year of profound uncertainty in the global economy which impeded decision making and market activity.

“We anticipate there will be less uncertainty this year and in fact, a true change in market confidence and indeed momentum seems to have been confirmed in the early months of 2013 as major global risk factors are seen to be receding.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Emma Simon claimed that while borrowers are now able to fix their mortgage rates at less than two per cent for up to two years, experts have nonetheless branded this situation a “phoney price war”, as countless homebuyers are being turned away from the cheapest rates.

On top of this, fees that lenders are charging for individuals and families to take out these deals have skyrocketed, and have often led to homeowners paying much more overall, even if they take up these rates.

Banks have been given the chance to offer lower-priced mortgage deals because of funding from Bank of England via the government’s Funding for Lending scheme, though this has so far helped first-time buyers get hold of an affordable home deal, Ms Simon concluded.

According to the report, the number of residential valuations worked on by the organisation represented a monthly increase of 27 per cent, while the 12-month total grew by 23 per cent to register a fifth consecutive month of annual growth.

Corporate services director of Connells John Bagshaw said of the findings: “The wider economy might not be nurturing bright green shoots quite yet. However, for the housing market things are looking increasingly positive as a growing number of first-time buyers feed into overall activity.

“While more severe weather in January could have delayed some activity in February, sentiment among buyers is improving.”

Emma Simon of the Daily Telegraph said that London property may be, as an investment, the “nearest thing you can get to a safe bet” – prices in the capital keep climbing, in spite of wider problems in the housing market.

Referencing new data from estate agents Knight Frank, the reporter highlighted that the margin is growing more by the day – in fact, over the last five years, the London market has outperformed the national average and moved in the opposite direction. While house prices in London have jumped by six per cent during this time, elsewhere they have fallen by 11 per cent.

Lindsay Cuthill, the head of Savills Fulham, told the Telegraph: “It is the strength of demand from overseas buyers that has driven up prices in central London boroughs and underpin this market. Prime areas – like Chelsea, Westminster, Hammersmith, Camden and Fulham – have a relatively low correlation with the rest of London, let alone the rest of the country, suggesting they really are in a world of their own.”

The survey, released this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), has concluded that the proportion of people renting their property from private landlords jumped from ten per cent to 15 per cent between 2008 and 2011.

As part of the report titled the General Lifestyle Survey, it was also discovered that the proportion of people who owned a house dropped by the same five per cent margin, from 40 per cent to 35 per cent.

The ONS concluded that the British housing market had suffered since the beginning of the recession in 2008, and fewer new households were successfully getting hold of mortgages. However, it may not be as indicative of British attitudes as one may initially assume; just 7,960 households took part in the ONS lifestyle survey.

In a recent survey carried out by property consultant CBRE Group, fears over eurozone economic stability has pushed investors to go after less traditional neighbourhoods, as more recognisable cities and areas become too expensive. In fact, CBRE said that investors are this year more likely to put money into bricks and mortar that needs refurbishment.

In recent times, investors shunned riskier properties like older offices, instead putting money into places such as recognised capital cities like London and Paris.

Speaking to Reuters, Peter Damesick, CBRE’s head of European research, said:  “There is now significantly greater interest in opportunities further up the risk spectrum. The next 12 months could mark the beginning of a reversal of the strong polarisation that has characterised European property investment markets over the past two years.”

Claiming that banks are “actively discriminating” against construction companies, the FMB stated that the government’s Funding for Lending scheme is not supporting construction. As such, the organisation is urging the government to step in and encourage ministers to act, referencing its own survey of over 1,000 member firms that have overwhelmingly highlighted the on-going restrictions their smaller construction businesses face.

Well over 40 per cent of construction SMEs said that it has become harder to get finance over the last two years, while 43 per cent claimed that credit is more expensive than two years ago.

Brian Berry, FMB chief executive, concluded: “What we are seeing is that otherwise viable and successful firms cannot access suitable finance for business operations, including buying new equipment and plant. This is having a serious knock-on effect on jobs and growth in the sector.”

The Financial Times today revealed (March 5th) that civil servants with the tax authority are kick-starting a campaign that will ensure people who sell holiday homes and other such properties will have paid the right amount of tax on the proceeds.

Anyone who has unpaid tax to reveal will be given until August 9th to put forward any costs to HMRC, from whom they will receive “lenient treatment”, the newspaper explained. Meanwhile, those caught afterwards will be subjected to “more severe penalties”.

Commenting on the revelation, Chartered Institute of Taxation representative Gary Ashford said: “Property is always a hot topic for HMRC. The Revenue have clearly got their intelligence units up and running and are securing information via general or bulk data powers.”

Kevin has worked and lived along the south coast for over 30 years, so is well-acquainted with these territories. His background lies in the financial services sector, which he has worked within for over 25 years. During this time Kevin strived to find solutions to help individuals make the most of their financial situation. He believes that this experience will enable him to thrive in his new role as a franchisee for Gateway Homes.

Kevin says: “Gateway Homes has helped satisfied homeowners release cash tied up in their homes for over ten years, and I am proud to join them as a local agent for the South of England, not only because they are now one of the UK’s leading property purchasing companies, but because of their strong core values being; remaining customer-focused and understanding their needs.”

This is according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), which penned an open letter to the Chancellor on behalf of the industry and property buyers across the UK. Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, noted that by 2016, nine million British households could face the already-real prospect of fuel poverty.

He asserted that the measures would help Britain build further towards growth; according to independent economists, the investment of funds into a massive public-sector programme to upgrade energy efficiency in 26 million homes would boost GDP by 0.2%. It would also create no fewer than 130,000 jobs, the expert continued.

Berry added: “We also want ministers to rethink the unrealistic timeline for zero-carbon homes, which was set back in 2006 before the economic slump.

“Finally, we need to see a cut in VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent on home renovation and repair. Britain’s ageing housing stock is deteriorating as home-owners can’t afford to get work done.”

Due to high demand, the areas that we have left are selling quickly. For further information on the territories that are available – or if you think you have what it takes to join our team and share our success in the property industry – then contact us!

This has sparked worry with the National Landlords Association (NLA), which went on to highlight how the decision could have a bad effect on the LHA market, particularly as many local authorities are finding it difficult to meet the need for affordable housing.

The organisation went on to explain that private residential landlords are the backbone of the LHA lettings market, and if mortgage companies refuse to lend to landlords, the only real option for these tenants is if the landlord already owns the property outright.

Richard Lambert, chief executive officer of the NLA, said: “[I]t is essential that mortgage providers look to lend to landlords of all tenants, irrespective of where they derive their income.

“Moves such as this will obstruct landlords from investing in much needed affordable housing. Our latest Landlords’ Panel shows that the incidence of landlords letting to LHA claimants has fallen six per cent from quarter three to 28 per cent in quarter four 2012.”

Property buyers may see their current semi-detached home as a little bland – indeed, they may be unable to sell it for that very reason. However, the recent listing in Battle, East Sussex may not be around for long. Set in 1.5 acres, the house has an adjoining white windmill, which “originally dates from around 1810 and has been both extensively and sympathetically restored in more recent years”.

Meanwhile, a home near Milford Haven has a converted lighthouse built into it. The lighthouse itself is currently used as two holiday homes to provide owners with additional income, making it a good money-spinner – unless you wanted to live in it yourself!

Finally, for £115,000 there’s a fantastic detached bungalow – more like a beach hut than a house – on Mudeford Sand Spit. Nestled among other huts, the property has fantastic views of the beach, marshland and harbour, and could be the perfect family holiday home!

The Daily Telegraph reported how the organisation would carry over a charge to the parents’ home; to qualify for the mortgage rate, parents must have enough equity in their own property to cover at least one quarter of the purchase price of their child’s first home. A three-year fixed-rate deal is then given to FTBs, at 5.29 per cent. All applicants are now being “assessed carefully” to make sure they can meet repayments.

Speaking to the newspaper, Adrian Anderson of mortgage brokers Anderson Harris said: “The biggest barrier to home ownership is the deposit. A mortgage where no down-payment is required will be attractive to those who can’t face years of saving.”

However, the Telegraph went on to recommend that parents seek legal advice prior to signing the agreement, stating that while the guarantee is technically no cost, their home could be at risk should their child default on the mortgage.

According to the British Geological Society, there were record levels of rainfall in the UK during 2012 and this has markedly increased the risk of properties suffering from subsidence; the East Midlands, South East and London could be most affected.

Overall, rainfall levels were 15 per cent above average, and it is believed that no fewer than 6.5 million UK homes are at risk of subsidence. It has already cost UK property owners a whopping £3 billion over the last ten years.

Richard Hinton, business development director of property search provider Searchflow, told Property Wire that houses built on clay soil are most affected by the problem. He said: “If the UK has a very dry summer this year, it will certainly lead to a surge in subsidence issues for homeowners.

“Buyers should be asking their conveyancer to check the risks associated with subsidence. There’s nothing more precarious than making the biggest purchase of your life without all the facts in front of you.”

In a recent release, the organisation claimed that there needed to be better conformity to legislation to achieve consistently high standards throughout the industry, while also contributing to improved property buyer, renter and landlord confidence in the sector.

However, the NLA stressed that the government, industry and professional bodies needed to work together to produce a plausible strategy, notably regarding how to enforce standards on those who do not conform to regulations.

“The NLA believes that education is crucial to upholding standards,” it continued. “The NLA encourages a letting agent accreditation programme in the same vein as NLA Accreditation for landlords.”

It concluded: “In addition, clarity and transparency over fees and charges will only prove to benefit landlords and tenants who use the services of agents. While a dispute service to resolve any problems, such as those provided by tenancy deposit protection providers would be invaluable to ensuring all parties are treated fairly.”

In conversation with the Scotsman, CBRE claimed that last year was the weakest time for property buyers and sellers in the country since 2001, when it came to investment transactions. The total value of deals reached just £1 billion, representing a fall of 15 per cent year-on-year.

At only £190 million, retail transactions dropped by two-thirds over the course of the year, representing just 19 per cent of all purchases during 2012. Poor performance during the closing months of the year saw property transactions fall by 35 per cent to £212 million.

Putting a more positive spin on the latest figures, senior director at CBRE Scotland Aileen Knox said: “Despite the report revealing some negative figures for the final quarter of 2012, Scottish property did actually perform well compared with its UK counterparts. Looking ahead to 2013, it is expected that the market will not change dramatically and that conditions will be similar to that of 2012.”

This is according to the latest market research by Rightmove, which went on to tell potential property buyers that there are signs that other sellers will struggle to raise their prices beyond this total; the 1.2 per cent growth is the lowest recorded during this month for four years.

Compared to just one year ago, property coming to market is 8.4 per cent more expensive – an average of £37,638. There are signs that the increase rate is slowing down however, with the current average asking price just 0.7% (£3,181) higher than it was three months ago. The new record in London is £486,890, surpassing the previous high of £483,709 set in November 2012.

Miles Shipside, director and housing market analyst at Rightmove, said: “While London has been the outperform market of the UK and the first to recover from the credit crunch, there is a barrier to what people can afford to pay and, indeed, are prepared to pay.

“It remains to be seen whether sellers can achieve their record new price aspirations, which will require buyers to find the extra money and justify to themselves the higher prices being asked.”

According to the Irish Banking Federation (IBF), thousands of people rushed to take advantage of the government’s mortgage interest relief; overall, 3,724 first-time mortgage borrowers drew loans in the fourth-quarter of the year.

However, the most positive thing reported was the fact that first-time buyers accounted for more than 60 per cent of these mortgages drawn. IBF chief executive Pat Farrell asserted that the final quarter of 2012 presents the foundations for a more widespread recovery in the housing market – one that could be indicative of greater changes in Europe as a whole.

He said: “The Q4 figures were particularly strong and IBF members worked hard to enable customers to draw down their mortgages in time to avail of mortgage interest relief before the qualification period expired.

“The continued increase in the number of new mortgages drawn down by borrowers points to a market that is moving from stabilisation into recovery, supported as it is by a certain levelling of house prices, improved borrower sentiment and the increased availability of finance from lenders.”

Re-launching their message this month with the updated re-publication of Heritage Works, the organisations are highlighting the latest national planning policy guidance and new case study evidence to show how heritage-based regeneration can work, benefiting property buyers and sellers in these areas.

The printed offering gives a step-by-step guide for developers, local authorities, owners and advisers, while also ultimately giving a blueprint for the regeneration of historic environments and buildings.

Chief executive of English Heritage Simon Thurley said: “Heritage Works provides practical advice on what creates successful heritage-led regeneration. It shows that by applying some basic principles, developers are giving themselves and our important historic buildings a much better opportunity for success.”

Regional managing director at Morris Homes Chris Lilley revealed the latest findings from its study of property buyers and sellers across the UK, and confirmed that one-third of sellers are delaying a house move because of “won’t sell worries”.

There were several other major conclusions drawn in the report, including the fact that one in every three sellers will avoid putting their house on the market due to fears that they will not get enough money for it.

The most pessimistic homeowners in the UK can be found in the West Midlands, where one-quarter of them overestimate the time it will take to sell by as much as three months.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most ambitious homeowners can be found in London, where over two-thirds have confidence in the fact they can sell their home an impressive two months faster than the regional average.

According to a report from Reuters this week, the city is no longer almost unanimously seen as a safe place to put money. Over the last three years alone, property buyers’ interest has forced prices for central London offices to rise by 52 per cent – a statistic largely reflected in the luxury residential market, too.

The situation may be largely due to the safety in property elsewhere, and the possibility that costs are growing to unsustainable levels. Speaking to the news agency, Ben Habib, chief executive of First Property Group, said: “I cannot help but conclude that London is in bubble territory. The returns available are very low and capital values vulnerable to a shock.”

The policy and resources committee of the local authority has just approved three large-scale projects in Falkirk and Grangemouth, and will begin with a £6.23m plan to build 56 new properties in Grangemouth – as well as make £5 million worth of upgrades to Falkirk’s famous Leishman and Marshall Towers.

Additional work will be done to improve gas heaters in the area, while other money has been set aside to improve communal areas for property buyers in the region. It is understood that the project will start this month and be totally completed by May 2014.

Convener of policy and resources Craig Martin told the BBC: “The ongoing investment programme we have for the construction of new properties is providing families and individuals the prospect of getting an attractive and affordable home for rent.

“We are committed to meeting national standards by 2015 and our replacement programme that brings new central heating systems to over 500 properties will help us reach this ambitious target.”

According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, mortgage lending rose last year and was predominantly due to a major rise in first-time property buyers; a 12 per cent rise in this demographic over the 12-month period.

This trend in the market was reflected by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which carried out a survey to find that property sales climbed for the fourth consecutive month in January.

Peter Bolton King, global residential director of RICS, went on to claim that the “very worst” could be over. He said: “It is interesting to see that the number of completed transactions are on the rise, as confidence returns to the marketplace. While it is still very early days to talk about a comprehensive market recovery, activity levels are still encouraging and there is some optimism out there that things could continue to improve.

“That said, in many parts of the UK – such as London and the South East – high house prices and the lofty deposits required by many lenders continue to prevent many first-time buyers from getting a foot on the ladder, which is preventing any significant movement at the lower end of the market.”

The chartered surveying firm discovered from research of the market that mortgage approvals jumped by 17 per cent, climbing from 55,785 in December 2012 to 65,184 the following month. It effectively meant that property buyers are now enjoying the strongest month for home loan lending since way back in February 2008.

On top of this, lending to borrowers who put down a deposit of less than 15 per cent has grown by nearly one third in just a month, and one in eight of all mortgages in January went to high loan-to-value borrowers.

Richard Sexton, business development director of e.surv, said of the news: “After an inauspicious start last autumn, Funding for Lending has come good. It has flooded lenders’ balance sheets with cheaper funds which has encouraged them to reduce mortgage rates to record lows and roll out a much wider range of mortgages for high loan-to-value borrowers. It is helping clear the logjam in the first-time buyer market.”

In the report from s1homes, average prices in Scotland had dropped by more than one per cent, yet sellers were still being unrealistic with the numbers they were putting forward to potential investors.

The company explained that detached houses in particular were falling short of asking prices, though flats, semi-detached and terraced house sales were closer to expectations.

Ultimately, the average home in Scotland now sells for around six per cent less than the typical asking price – falling from five per cent in the previous quarter.

Managing director of s1homes Mark Smith said: “Selling prices are falling in the majority of areas and asking prices aren’t being reduced enough to close the gap.

“I think what this shows is the market has been much quicker to adjust at the lower end, while the market at the higher end is particularly entrenched with almost no change at all in the very substantial reality gap over the past 12 months.”

The Land Registry’s specially-trained staff  have offered to give people the correct advice on what to do, and are creating the line to deliver aid particularly to those who are experiencing higher levels of risk, such as empty, tenanted or mortgage-free properties.

It explained that other groups at a higher risk of fraud include people who do not live in the property because they reside abroad, or buy-to-let landlords. Those having treatment in a long-term hospital arrangement have also been shortlisted.

Director of legal services at the Land Registry Alasdair Lewis told the Independent: “Our Counter Fraud Unit works closely with the police and other agencies to reduce the risk of property fraud. Since September 2009, our measures have prevented fraud valued at £52 million but with an average indemnity pay-out of some £150,000, fraud is still a fundamental risk to our business.”

According to the high street bank, the value of the UK’s mortgage debt facing property buyers grew by 88 per cent between 2002 and 2012. Meanwhile, total mortgage debt rose from £675 billion to £1.27 trillion.

However, this is more balanced by the fact that the value of the UK’s housing stock climbed by 62 per cent during the same ten-year period. On top of this, the value of owner-occupied and private rented properties hit £4.2 trillion at the end of 2012 compared to £2.57 trillion in 2002.

Housing economist at Halifax Martin Ellis said: “The combined value of all privately owned houses in the UK is estimated to have exceeded £4 trillion at the end of last year.

“The increase in total housing value over the past decade is equivalent to over £71,000 per privately owned property. Aggregate housing equity held by UK households is in a healthy state with total housing assets worth nearly £3 trillion more than the total value of mortgage debt.”

It explained that in recent weeks, an agent went so far as to assert that a penthouse in Manhattan was sold not because of its prime location and phenomenal amenities, but because of a “strategically-placed poodle” – because this “helped to humanise a sterile city-centre apartment”.

This direction is supported by an increasing number of property sellers in the UK; one such animal lover was interviewed by the newspaper. Antonia Rowe, whose five-bedroom Georgian home near Truro is now on the property market for £925,000, said: “It wasn’t a conscious decision to include our black labrador in our brochure.

“But Lottie is such a big part of our lives that we didn’t want to move her when the photographs were taken. I think she helps buyers to imagine what it is like living in the house.”

So, if you want to shift a house fast, it may be worth looking no further than your four-legged friends!

With conditions for first-time buyers remaining difficult, many are being forced to stay in the rented accommodation, which is in turn causing a shortage of rental housing stock. However, Rightmove is expecting that shortage to ease in 2013 as new landlords enter the market.

Miles Shipside, director and housing market analyst at Rightmove, says new landlords are being attracted by the promise of high yields. “A marketplace where landlords are achieving satisfactory returns will relieve some of the supply pressure in 2013, though the task seems to be falling on the comparatively rag-tag army of private landlords rather than more strategic institutional investment,” he explained.

In addition, Rightmove believes that a large number of accidental landlords – those who were forced to rent out a home because they were unable to sell it – will decide to invest further in the rental market after enjoying the returns on offer.

The study suggested that UK mortgage approvals have hit their highest level since January 2012, highlighting the possibility that the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) could raise the amount of money being lent to home buyers.

The Bank claimed that mortgage approvals jumped to 55,785 in December, climbing from 54,011 during the previous month. This put the final numbers ahead of analysts’ expectations, and nearly matched the demand at the beginning of last year, when a government incentive boosted demand for first-time buyer mortgages.

In the coming months, the Bank hopes that the FLS will continue to boost credit flow to households and businesses – something that, up to now, has increased mortgage approvals by 8,000 since its introduction in August 2012.

The organisation explained that many highly-paid Premier League players will be ditching their old residences in favour of new pads to buy or rent as they relocate elsewhere in the country or world, giving plenty of opportunities for quick home sales.

To get hold of the latest breaking news, many fans watch the property market to see if their favourite stars plan on going elsewhere. Rightmove noted that Arsenal fans discovered that Robin van Persie had put his house up for sale ahead of his move to Manchester United, while Mario Balotelli’s not-too-shocking departure from Manchester City was preceded by a property listing on Rightmove last week.

Director of Rightmove Miles Shipside said: “Estate agents in footballer hotspots such Cheshire, Surrey and Hertfordshire will be on high alert to potential transfer market activity on Thursday.

“Big wages and signing-on fees mean footballers are both cash-rich and willing and able to transact on a property very quickly making them highly desirable customers for vendors and landlords of prime property.”

In a report for the Edinburgh Evening News, Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre (ESPC) explained that the market is finally “becoming more accurate”, as numerous experts have described Scotland as a “buyer’s market”.

Official figures claim that Edinburgh house prices fell by 5.8 per cent in 2012, meaning the average sale was £212,607. This is compared to the typical £215,300 paid for a home in East Dunbartonshire.

Neil Harrison, representing the ESPC, told the newspaper: “Buyers are using market conditions to their advantage to negotiate lower selling prices with sellers. Almost 80 per cent of homes sold during the last three months were secured for less than their Home Report valuation.

“It’s a buyer’s market out there now. There is still value to be found by those who are looking to upgrade as a 5.8 per cent loss suffered on a £200,000 house will be recouped when buying, say, a £300,000 house.”

It has been set up between Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Creative Sheffield, which is leveraging £15 million of funding from the European Regional Development Fund, according to Insider Media Yorkshire.

The £23 million will be poured into transport and property projects in the industrial and office sectors, creating many jobs and promoting business strength in the future.

LEP chairman James Newman said of the project: “We have been working very closely with our private sector colleagues in the construction industry and time and time again they refer to access to finance being a major barrier to development.

“This fund is a direct response to this barrier and whilst it will not solve every problem or be suitable for every development, it puts in place a significant financial tool to help stimulate the local economy.”

Online property agent Hometrack announced that its research discovered that 79 per cent of estate agents are happier about the market’s outlook this spring than one year ago. The Guardian argued that it could have a knock-on effect, as property buyer confidence could also lead to a boom in the sale of furniture and housewares.

Richard Donnell, director of research at Hometrack, told the press that despite a slow start, the housing market is now in “slightly better shape than at the start of the previous two years”.

He continued: “After the initial downturn in 2008 and the modest bounce-back in 2009/10, the housing market has been struggling to arrive at a point where pricing appears stable and there is broad alignment between what buyers are prepared to pay and sellers are prepared to accept for their home.”

Among the buildings now listed on the Find Me Some Government Space scheme are a former mortuary, a magistrates’ court, ambulance station, two observatories and a fire control centre, alongside a further 1,200 sites across Britain.

These disused public sector buildings are now being offered for sale or rent on the new government property search site, which was developed at a cost of £50,000 to provide redundant venues to the highest bidder.

Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith said of the plans: “Not only will this website help to save Government money, but we will see new opportunities, jobs and growth in local economies as new life is brought into empty, unused properties.”

This week, Lloyds revealed that it would be committing no less than £6.5 billion towards helping those looking to get a foot on the property ladder by the end of the 2013, effectively offering the largest sum by a single lender to help the demographic.

Lloyds operates Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Birmingham Midshires, and through these organisations it believes it will help around 60,000 people during the year, though still underlined how it would likely only lend its products at 90 per cent of the property’s value.

The announcement comes only a few days since industry data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed that the number of mortgages bought into by first-time buyers hit a three-year high in November, aside from March 2012 when people rushed to get a deal ahead of the end of the stamp duty holiday.

Furthermore, the availability of mortgages offering a loan-to-value ratio of 90 per cent or more – vital for helping first-time buyers without a substantial deposit to get in the market – has more than doubled in the last two years.

Not only are their more deals on offer, there is better take-up; the CML notes: “At the depth of the market contraction, only 26 per cent of house purchase loans were at loan-to-value levels above 80 per cent.

“But by the fourth quarter of 2012, the proportion had risen to 34 per cent. Within this, 13 per cent of all house purchase loans in the fourth quarter were for 90 per cent or more of the property value.”

The Daily Telegraph, in conjunction with Savills, selected a number of places across the UK that are expected to see prices soar for housing in the coming months and years. Dividing the country into ten regions, it then selected the specific places in these areas that would see the biggest boom.

Starting in the North-East, South Tyneside was a hotspot, notably South Shields – the town on the mouth of the River Tyne and due east of Gateshead. Meanwhile, in the North-West, Trafford in Manchester – home of Media City UK – scooped the honours.

Yorkshire and the Humber’s traditional capital of York was the unsurprising growth area of these counties, while Solihull and Leicestershire took the prize for house price rises in the West and East Midlands respectively.

For Wales, capital Cardiff presented the best investment opportunity; nearby Bath and North-East Somerset was the best place available in the South-West. Hertfordshire and Surrey were praised for their cost-effectiveness, while in London, Hammersmith and Fulham was touted as the most profitable area.

According to the lettings expert, the weekly run-rate of new property listings is now at 11,153 in January – a rise of 22 per cent on the 9,108 recorded during the same period last year. However, it is worth noting that things are nowhere near the levels they were at in 2008, when they were a further 37 per cent higher – the highest level recorded at the beginning of a new year.

Other positive changes for the sellers’ market are also being recorded; sellers raised their average asking prices by 0.2 per cent (£440), while new seller prices are also 2.4 per cent up (£5,369) year-on-year.

Commenting on the changes, Miles Shipside, director and housing market analyst at Rightmove, said: “Sensible pricing will help buyer affordability, one of the factors needed to help warm up the market and encourage a recovery from the credit-crunch freeze in transaction volumes.”

London headed the list, unsurprisingly. “Fears of a major bubble have so far proven unfounded,” it said. “Even conservative estimates think prices in the capital will continue to appreciate over the next few years.” A lot of this, the Telegraph added, is down to the strict planning laws that ensure that existing stock remains at a high price.

Stricter laws are, however, found in Paris – the number two on the list. Property may be good to buy here, as Francois Hollande’s new tax brackets are forcing higher earners to consider a move somewhere friendlier to their wallets.

Cannes and Cambridge joined their English and French property pals in three and four, while the rest of the list was populated by other hotspots including Gibraltar, Geneva, Florence, Sardinia and Corfu – certainly food for thought for those looking for an overseas adventure with benefits.

According to the latest research by housing charity Shelter, it was found that 28 per cent of people were struggling to rest comfortably in the knowledge that their rent or mortgage may not be fulfilled, while a further 27 per cent claimed that these problems were causing arguments within their family.

The situation may be forcing many owners to consider selling their house fast to find alternative accommodation, and avoid the possibility of payday loans – something that three per cent of people had resorted to.

Commenting on the worrying situation, director of Shelter Scotland Graeme Brown said: “These findings reveal the heart-breaking reality of over a million families and individuals living on a knife edge, worrying about paying their rent or mortgage.

“Behind closed doors they face stress, sleepless nights and strained relationships as they desperately struggle to afford their housing bills. With little or no chance of things getting better any time soon, our worry is that even more families will face the human tragedy of homelessness this year.”

The Land Registry statistics claimed that house prices edged up 0.9 per cent annually, yet sales slowed, highlighting less demand than the rises suggest. Furthermore, experts gathered by the Financial Times largely said that houses were overvalued.

And as this news came through from the FT, another report by estate agent Knight Frank said the average house price peaked at £183,959 in 2007 – and will be nowhere close to this figure until it is matched in 2019.

Head of UK residential research at Knight Frank Grainne Gilmore said: “Some five years after the start of the financial crisis, the housing sector in the UK still does not bear the hallmarks of a fully functioning market.”

With prices further expected to fall another two per cent this year, the 12-year recovery period could be the longest since records began – and may highlight the importance of selling your home fast to avoid any further falls in asking price.

Once a person has garnered the right level of interest, the organisation asserted that a well-presented property was integral to selling a home fast. “Buyers often struggle to see past the owner’s possessions so a clean, uncluttered space makes it far easier for them,” it continued.

Among the recommendations offered was the need to tidy up any weeds – something a lot easier with current weather killing large numbers of them – while guttering should be cleaned, a front door repainted and the lawns mowed. An eagle eye should always be left out for any litter that may find its way into a garden, while any shrubs or bushes ought to be pruned.

Carol Peett, a director at the County Homesearch Company, added: “Familiarity may mean you do not notice the weed-filled borders or dripping gutters but these will flag up warning signs to potential buyers and alert them to look for other signs of disrepair. If your house does not look clean, tidy and welcoming, tackle the problems.”

In The Economist’s latest summary of their tracked countries, it revealed that while things were looking good during the far-reaching house-price boom that occurred before the financial crisis, things have been a lot more variable since.

According to the news provider, the prices property buyers are paying for new homes has been increasing and dropping in equal measures. In Hong Kong prices have risen most, leading to the government taking measures to cool the property market. Spain has seen the greatest fall, with prices dropping by 9.3 per cent.

Overall, however, the trend is down as three of the countries with rising house prices are seeing the increase at a slower rate, compared to a year ago.

The two measures used to gauge whether homes are cheaply priced or not both compare current estimates against a long-run average which, The Economist explains, dates back to 1975 in most countries.

Two of the UK’s largest lenders, Barclays and Yorkshire Building Society, have both cut the cost of their mortgage deals. While some of Barclays’ fixed-term mortgage deals have been reduced by up to one percentage point, only people with at least 20 per cent equity or a 20 per cent deposit will be able to enjoy the cheaper rate brought about by these changes, the Telegraph reported recently.

Yorkshire Building Society, however, has reduced its mortgage deals by 0.35 per cent, and those with just ten per cent equity in their property can also access the discount. The lender’s cuts mean borrowers can now get a two-year fix for 3.79 per cent, the most competitive rate currently accessible at this loan-to-value.

According to Barclays, the Government’s new scheme called Funding for Lending has made it possible for such deals to exist. The scheme allows banks to gain access to cheap borrowing, the Telegraph explained, and was launched in August to give borrowing a boost.

Repainting woodwork, laying new carpets and changing the décor in a home were some of the fresh tactics employed by homeowners looking to sell a £1.1 million property, but these methods can help anyone struggling to sell their home.

The property owners in the Telegraph’s report chose to revamp their home with colours that are more popular today and invested in a new sofa and rug to make the house look smarter; this is a clever tactic as they can take these things with them when they move, but they serve their purpose in the meantime.

The publication suggests a few more handy tips to help owners attract property buyers to their homes, including changing estate agents, having new photos of the house taken and even taking the house off the market for a short while.

Avoid overspending

You need to spend less than you earn. If you need help, BMO advises making use of free online budgeting tools to help keep on top of everyday spending and saving

Address credit card debt

Focus on paying off credit cards with the highest interest rates first, and use a card with the lowest rate possible for purchases.

Consider investing to save

Setting up a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) or high interest savings account is a good way to set aside extra cash in case of an emergency.

Clear your mortgage

Increasing the amount of your mortgage you pay each month, or increasing the frequency of your payments can save you a fortune. Paying a lump sum if you can will also help you save on interest costs.

Have a back-up plan

Create a fall back plan in case you can’t meet your financial obligations. BMO advises this in case you suddenly experience loss of work or if your home or vehicle is damaged, for example.

For those who do find themselves in debt, a quick home sale could be beneficial in order to free up some cash.

The longest housing market recovery on record will mean that house prices in Wales will not recover fully for eight years, Knight Frank’s forecast says.

However, London property buyers will need to part with more cash sooner, the Daily Mail reported, as the capital’s prices are expected to hit their 2007 £303,739 average by next year.

Those set to wait the longest for the value of their homes to increase are people living in Wales, North Yorkshire and the North West, the data has indicated. It will be 2021 before Wales’s house prices meet their average peak of £154,696.

Gráinne Gilmore, Head of UK Residential Research said: “Some five years after the start of the financial crisis the housing sector in Britain still does not bear the hallmarks of a fully functioning market.”

The Run to the Hills player has decorated his home with garish murals of curvaceous women and Vikings, along with Gothic pictures that would fit well on one of the band’s album fronts, the Daily Mail reported.

The grounds are also home to an old-fashioned red telephone box, but perhaps most impressive is the full-sized football pitch with changing rooms for both home and away teams.

Potential property buyers, who will have to part with £6.75 million to make it theirs, have been informed by an estate agent’s listing that the abode is an “outstanding country house in a highly sought-after area”.

The Mail noted that sections of the structure date back to 1427.

Nationwide’s housing price report has revealed that property prices fell 0.1 per cent lower in December, and were one per cent lower over the course of the year, effectively undoing the rise seen in the same month in 2011.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist commented: “Given that the UK economy was in recession for much of 2012 a one per cent decline in house prices may be seen as a relatively resilient performance.”

However, he conceded that the fact the amount property buyers need to pay has declined even though employment figures have risen strongly implies that conditions are still “fragile”.

The data showed that the cost of an average home in Britain was £162,262 in December. This represents a 13 per cent drop compared to the peak seen in October 2007 of £186,044.

The number of first-time buyers increased however, rising by 12 per cent compared with figures from 2011.

As the Financial Times reported recently, 44 economists who said homes are overvalued mainly considered whether they were within reach of ordinary people who wished to become property buyers. Only 26 economists believed properties were not overvalued, the news provider revealed.

George Buckley at Deutsche Bank explained the problem: “Possibly the most worrisome statistic on the housing market is that affordability is still worse than average despite interest rates being at their lowest for more than 300 years.” He added: “If interest rates were ever to return to ‘normal’, we would soon realise how overvalued the housing market actually is. That does appear to be some time off, however.”

The Financial Times’s Sir Samuel Brittan believes that property prices are between ten and 20 per cent too high.

According to the lender, the market “remains more unclear than usual” but it is able to predict that property prices will remain within a -2 and two per cent margin until they end the year largely in line with figures from the current market.

The uncertainty comes after November presented a one per cent monthly rise while a year-on-year fall of 1.3 per cent was noted.

Halifax predicted that first time property buyers will struggle to secure loans, contributing to an enduring flattening of house prices in 2013.

Halifax’s housing economist Martin Ellis blamed a fall in the number of homebuyers on rising energy bills and stunted wage increases, commenting: “We expect continuing broad stability in house prices nationally in 2013. Prices are again likely to end the year at levels close to where they begin with the market continuing to lack any genuine direction.”

Vision 2020, as the Prime Minister’s plans have been named, also include the creation of an Expatriate Services Division (ESD) from 2013, which will aim to encourage immigrant workers move into Malaysia.

Neighbouring Singapore has provided inspiration to Malaysia thanks to its success in attracting top foreign talent and multinationals.

Najib Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, addressed one issue which may have been troubling locals. “Foreign talent will complement local talent and will not be taking away local jobs,” he said. “We see foreign talents helping the country’s dynamism and we can both move forward together.”

As well as the ESD, the relaunch of Malaysia’s Residence Pass Talent (RPT), a work permit which provides a ten year visa for expat workers and their families, will contribute to the plans.

Thousands of expats – who may well have sought a quick home sale to free themselves from property ties – already call Malaysia home.

After a surge in credit card applications, consumers in Australia are being warned to avoid “over-committing” to debt they cannot afford.

Credit reporting agency Veda recently revealed there has been a ten per cent rise in credit card applications in the four months to December every year for the past five years.

The agency said there has been a similar increase in the number of defaults, ABC News reported. One bank in Australia is so bogged down they are having to spend twice as long as usual processing applications.

Belinda Diprose, Veda chief executive, said: “We’ve done some research that looks into the last five years of credit trends, and we find that credit card applications peak in November.

“They’re often 10 per cent higher in those last three months of the year and we see people particularly taking out credit cards and this often leads them to, perhaps, over-committing themselves.”

Ms Diprose linked the debt to the festive period, saying that people get caught up in the Christmas rush in terms of buying presents then things start to pile up.

For those looking for a way to free up some cash in order to help clear debts, a quick home sale could be beneficial.

The hub of the fall in prices has been central London, where the cost of homes fell by 1.2 per cent.

According to property analyst Hometrack, the “brake” on London prices has come as a result of the stamp duty hike imposed by the Government in spring. The hike affected houses worth over £2 million.

Last week, Land Registry sales figures revealed that the capital’s property prices were 7 per cent higher in October than they were a year previously.

Director of research at Hometrack Richard Donnell explained that there has been an increase in the amount of properties coming on to the market.

“Rising supply and a new top rate of stamp duty have acted as a brake on house prices,” he said.

“This has been fuelled further by fears of an announcement in the forthcoming autumn budget statement of a possible annual charge on high-value homes.”

Rid your home of clutter

The design tips provider urges homeowners to throw out an old item in their house for every new item they buy. Too much furniture is top of the list of things to avoid.

Give every room a purpose

Got a room that seems to be there for storing clutter alone? Turn it into something useful that’ll add value to your home. HGTV suggests adding an armchair and lamp to a small space to create an instant reading nook.

Or do nothing!

Specialist property buyers are available to buy your house whatever its condition, so you could put the effort into looking for your perfect new home, rather than doing up your old one.

An interactive guide produced by the Guardian recently shows the top ten expat communities across the globe. It also gives the number of people who left the UK to make a new life for themselves each year from 1991 to 2010.

The guide, which also shows the prices of items such as a coffee, a flight to Heathrow and back, and the cost of a hotel room in the top ten locations, revealed that between 1991 and 1992 the number of Brits going down under was 48,000, while in between 2009 and 2010, 64,000 people made the move.

The map, which allows users to roll over locations to see the statistics, will appeal to anyone currently seeking a quick home sale in order to move abroad, or those interested in expat activity across the globe.

How much do you owe?

While burying your head in the sand may be tempting, this could lead to County Court Judgements and creditors coming after your property, This is Money advised. The best option is to take the time to work out exactly how much you owe. This way, you will know where you stand and you can move on to the next step.

Set yourself a budget

The Citizens Advice Bureau advises that you work out exactly how much you’ve got coming in, then how much you need to spend. The money you have left will be what you can afford to pay off your debts with. If this is not enough, their website offers information on how to spend less, with practical advice like cutting the cost of fuel bills and checking whether you are entitled to a council tax discount.

Assess your assets

Your home may be the key helping you free up some extra cash. A quick home sale and downsizing to a smaller home could improve your financial situation.

According to the Financial Services Authority, the current buy-to-let boom has seen banks issue the most landlord loans since records began, with one in eight home loans (approximately £1.5 million) being given for rental properties. But advice from the Residential Landlords Association has suggested that during this boom, would-be landlords have piled into the market without fully considering the potential risks, This is Money reported recently.

Chairman of the Residential Landlords Association Alan Ward said: “It is possible you can do well – but it’s vital to do your research first. We are finding that many of the people coming in are not prepared for the costs or for the legalities and responsibilities of owning a buy-to-let property.”

Mr Ward went on to give examples of a few scenarios which many of the buy-to-let owners he has come into contact with have not considered. These included a tenant vacating the property suddenly and unexpectedly, and the need to pay for emergency repairs.

Knight Frank’s Ski Property Index also showed that the supply of properties has remained tight, especially in the most exclusive resorts in Les Trois Vallées.

The report indicated that although the euro has been weakened, British, French, Ukrainian and Swiss property buyers were not put off investing in 2012.

While price growth was mostly stationary in the first six months of 2012, Méribel, a ski resort in the Tarentaise Valley, saw prices drop by around six per cent. According to Knight Frank’s summary, Courchevel, a neighbouring resort, saw prices hold firm at the top-end while its core market experienced some softening.

Property Showrooms’ report on the index put the inconsistency between the resorts’ success down to dented confidence in newer resorts due to the global financial crisis.

Four bidders went neck and neck in the auction room to win the property in which the Back to Black singer lived before her death in July 2011.

The four-storey house had been reduced from £2.7 million to a guide price of £1.8 million, and had been taken to auction in the hope of a quick home sale after those involved told press that “nosey time-wasters” had been an issue.

The semi-detached property, which covers 2,500 square feet, was initially put up for sale in May. It boasts three large bedrooms, a dressing room, a gym and a music room.

When a property needs to be sold fast after a death, auction is not the only route to take. Specialist property buyers can be used as they will purchase homes quickly.

Almost half of those seeking the organisation’s help are homeowners, and 43 per cent are suffering from mental health problems, the report stated.

Bob Stronge, chief executive at Advice NI spoke of the impact their advisers have seen as the continued economic downturn, rising debt levels and concerns over welfare reform affect more and more people.

“In the last year we dealt with an increase of 7 per cent in demand for our Debt Action NI service, with 2,200 people with nearly £55 million of debt being helped through a difficult situation,” he said.

On a positive note, Mr Stronge spoke of the organisation’s achievement over the last year: “Advice NI helped to secure £13 million for people, with over £7 million going to older people, across Northern Ireland, which was triple the amount generated in the previous year.”

For those in debt, seeking out a quick home sale could free up some cash to improve their situation.

Mr Barclay Macfarlane of Strutt & Parker noted that they are currently seeing the largest ever price difference between prime London prices and those in the countryside. Mr Macfarlane said the firm has seen property prices in Fulham increase by 30 per cent to reach 70 per cent in two years.

This is even more notable as it comes in spite of the recession.

According to Savills’ calculations, the Telegraph said, the price property buyers can expect to pay in prime central London has increased by 22 per cent since 2007. This rise has been fuelled by an influx of international money coming in to London during the same period.

Ms Yolande Barnes, director of Savills Residential Research said: “It became clear last year that the residential property market had polarised between prime London and the rest. This distinction has become increasingly entrenched.”

As Sky News reported recently, prices in the most sought-after areas of London are rising at a rate of double figures, and the availability of property is so low that multiple property buyers are bidding on the same houses in many instances.

House prices are in fact higher than they were pre-crisis in 2008, the news provider noted.

In other areas of the country, the situation is very different. Property slumps of what Sky calls “historic proportions” plague many regions as hundreds of thousands of people find themselves in negative equity.

Due to the market crash, property prices in the north-east have dropped by over ten per cent, while Wales has seen a 6.4 per cent fall.

According to Knight Frank, a recent surge in buying has seen their Stratford upon Avon branch take over £15 million of offers in one week, indicating that there is still time for property buyers to make their move.

Rupert Wakley, head of Knight Frank’s Stratford upon Avon office commented: “Figures like this just go to show that there are buyers out there for property which is sensibly priced and marketed.”

He spoke of the branch’s surge and suggested that it proves it is not too late and there are “deals to be done.”

However, the firm noted that the market is still short of high quality stock. Therefore it remains a challenge for buyers to find the right house.

Mr Wakley also stressed the importance of price for gaining a sale in the current climate.

“The market is incredibly price sensitive and prices have to adjust to market force,” he said.

According to Barclays’ analysis of 50,000 mortgage applications, homeowners in Wales who are looking to leave their two-bedroom home and settle into a three-bedroom property can expect to pay £36,528 on average, while the average for the rest of the UK is £61,659.

However, for a Londoner to go from two to three beds, an extra £154,097 would be needed. This is four times the national average.

For a fourth bedroom, property buyers in Wales can expect to spend an extra £94,323 on average, while the same jump in London would cost £259,652.

Head of mortgages at Barclays Andy Gray said: “It is a challenging environment for British homeowners to make their way up the property ladder and family support is so important in helping them handle the sizeable price increments involved in upsizing their properties.”

The European Commission plans to bail out BFA-Bankia, NCG Banco and Catalunya Banc, while Banco deo Valencia is to be sold to CaixaBank; the plan will inject almost €37 billion (£29.9 billion) into the country.

The situation may offer promising news for property buyers hoping to snap up a bargain, but those looking for asset growth in the short and medium term may suffer as property prices fail to rise to levels enjoyed before the market’s collapse.

Joaquin Almunia, the European Competition commissioner, said: “Restoring a healthier financial sector capable of financing the real economy is indispensable for economic recovery in Spain.”

It is hoped that once the economy picks up momentum, the property market will follow suit, as confidence should return to the sector.

The piece explains that while selling privately through an estate agent is the most conventional option, the majority of property buyers will want the property to be vacant before they make a move. The fact that tenants are entitled to a minimum of two months’ notice doesn’t create the ideal situation for a quick home sale, the publication says.

Another route to consider is sending your property to auction. However, the Independent warns that extra costs may crop up such as catalogue fees and the auctioneer’s commission. There is also a risk of your home not selling, meaning wasted money. Also, the property needs to be opened up for viewings which will mean providing tenants with enough notice to honour their tenancy agreement.

Another option suggested by the publication is to sell the tenanted property to a company that specialises in home buying. This option means no estate agent’s or solicitors’ fees and a quick contract exchange followed by a cash purchase. The article points out that with no chain, there is no danger of the deal falling through.

There are currently 127 flood warnings and 137 alerts still in place across England and Wales, Sky News reported today, and the EA have cautioned that rivers including the Thames, Trent and Severn are at risk of bursting their banks.

Despite teams working around the clock to set up flood defences and unblock clogged watercourses, it could take much longer for flooding to ease off, the agency has said.

Approximately 1,600 properties have suffered flooding since yesterday, the EA revealed, and a far-reaching and costly operation to clean up the damage is underway.

Those who were looking for a quick home sale may now find the flood damage a devastating blow to their plans, and may seek less traditional methods to find a property buyer, such as turning to companies who buy properties regardless of their condition.

The information comes from recent research by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, who said that the shrinkage of total consumer indebtedness, which dropped $74 billion (£46 billion) to reach $11.31 trillion (£7.08 trillion), represents a 0.7 per cent decrease compared with the previous quarter in 2012.

Donghoon Lee, senior economist at the New York Fed, commented: “The increase in mortgage originations, auto loans and credit card balances suggests that consumers are slowly gaining confidence in their financial position.”

He went on to predict that as consumers feel more comfortable with their financial situation, they may begin to make purchases that they had previously delayed.

The report revealed more people are becoming property buyers, with new mortgages totalling $521 billion (£326 billion) – creating the fourth consecutive quarterly increase.

A UK Expat’s Guide to South Africa discusses the merits of a country the news provider calls “paradise for animal lovers and adventurers”, noting the warm weather, fantastic beaches and the country’s popularity with expats.

The article explains the visa requirements for entering South Africa. It says that while it’s possible to visit for 90 days without a visa, proof of a means to support oneself for that time will be necessary.

Other information includes details of the local currency (the rand), the price you should expect for a hotel room (£114), and how much property buyers should be prepared to pay for a house – an average of £73,190 for a medium-sized property.

It’s not just the big things that are discussed: the price of a litre of milk is revealed (R9.5) along with the fact that a letter home will take about six days to arrive.

Mr Jackson’s debts totalled approximately half a billion dollars when he passed away in 2009, the magazine reported.

However, the Billy Jean singer’s enduring popularity and extensive fanbase made it possible for the debts to be settled; posthumous earnings have equalled $145 million over the past year.

Since his death, Michael’s concert film This Is It received a $60 million advance, and a new $250 million record deal was struck with Sony.

The Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour, which is a joint venture with Cirque du Soleil, has grossed $160 million in its first leg in America and is now set to hit Germany.

While Michael Jackson’s estate was left with substantial debt after his shock death three years ago, those currently in debt may benefit from a quick home sale to free up their cash. This will then allow them to downsize to a less finance-consuming property.

In a study by US estate agent web site Trulia, certain numbers cropped up again and again on property asking prices.

As reported by Yahoo! Finance’s The Daily Ticker, homeowners use nines in their asking price to make their home seem cheaper. This may be nothing new – 99p stores sound like they deliver a much better bargain than the £1 counterparts – but sellers clearly have their fingers crossed that this tactic will work for their properties. Trulia’s chief economist, Jed Kolko, said: “If a seller or their agent has decided to reduce the price of a home because it hasn’t sold yet, they’re more likely to throw a nine into that price to help signal the bargain.”

However, some prices seem to be beyond this trick: “When you get above a million dollars, there are a lot less nines in the prices,” Mr Kolko said. “Sellers clearly think that a buyer is not going to be fooled into thinking a $3,000,000 house is a deal if it happens to be priced at $2,999,999.”

Research by online debt advice community IVA concurs with this statistic, showing that 62 per cent of individuals with money problems have experienced severe relationships difficulties while in debt.

Founder of IVA and debt-councillor Andy Davie suggested that debt has such an effect on relationships because it can dramatically increases stress, anxiety and secrecy among couples, which can heighten feelings of isolation.

Mr Davie said: “For many and varied reasons, people may find it difficult to talk to their loved ones which in turn can cause problems. Even if issues are out in the open, the level of stress experienced by those in debt is high, making people short tempered, depressed and lose sleep all of which impact negatively on otherwise healthy relationships.

One potential solution to debt issues is to seek a quick home sale to free up some extra cash.

During the Games, landlords may have had great success with short-term lettings, but since they ended landlords have had problems finding replacement tenants, according to letting agents.

Max Slaght, a Director of London-based agents Domus Nova, said: “After the Games, we were just inundated by landlords wanting new tenants — and some of them were really desperate. That’s when prices started to fall.”

Mr Slaght added that the drop in rental prices is now sizeable.

A study by estate agent Knight Frank also noted a drop in rental prices in prime central London, which the firm puts down to job losses at companies like UBS, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank. These cuts have reduced demand and therefore prices at the higher end of the rental market, the firm says.

Make your kitchen the heart of the home

Emma Whitby-Smith, head of investments at Residential Land, advises that a good-sized kitchen should be used as a living space too: “Putting in a breakfast bar is helpful, and if you’ve got a small kitchen but a separate reception room, it’s an idea to knock through to create a bigger space.”

If you do not have the funds for that, simply making sure all the handles in your kitchen are in good condition, and that all the doors match, will make a big difference. Ms Whitby-Smith also advises that if you want to sell your home fast, you should check that any outside doors have sturdy locks and are rot-free.

Invest in your bathroom

As well as a decent kitchen, an attractive, good quality bathroom will help your home to be a hit with viewers. “They could add 25 per cent to the value, as these rooms are the most expensive to upgrade,” Ms Whitby-Smith says.

Making changes is not the only option, however: property buyers like Gateway Homes will buy your home no matter what its condition.

Asking prices, the number of inquiries and search activity had all increased compared with the same time last year, the Rightmove Index showed.

Since November last year, asking prices have risen by two per cent, translating to an increase of £4,617. The number of enquiries rose by 11 per cent, while the figure for search activity went up by 20 per cent over this period.

The Index has closely followed news from the Bank of England that mortgage approvals rose by 9.2 per cent over the quarter, the Independent reported. It also demonstrates that although new sellers looking for property buyers have needed to drop their asking prices by 2.6 per cent, this is the least dramatic drop in the month of November for the last three years.

Housing market analyst at Rightmove Miles Shipside said: “There are a number of positive trends that justify cautious optimism as the market enters its winter recess.”

According to LSL Property Services, rents are 3.4 per cent higher than they were at this time in 2011, now reaching a record level of £744 a month.

LSL released a regional breakdown of the increases: in London rental prices went up by 0.9 per cent, and the south east saw a 0.7 per cent rise. Of the five regions that saw falling rental costs, Wales (1.6 per cent) and the East Midlands (1.8 per cent) saw the biggest drops.

Director of LSL Property Services David Newnes said: “Rents may be rising but the good news for tenants is that the rate of increase is at its lowest in five months. Looking ahead, it’s difficult to see rents remaining stationary once the winter lull has passed.”

According to a report by overseas mortgage specialists Conti, France has been top of the list for British property buyers moving to Europe for the last four years. The report revealed a tendency for expats to buy in the more well-known areas of France, but the company noted that due to the worsening Eurozone crisis, properties in all regions of France are looking increasingly attractive to homebuyers.

The report showed that during the second quarter of 2012, French property sales were up 114 per cent, representing the largest rise in property sales to date.

Homeowners who are tempted by French property may wish to organise a quick home sale in order to start their new life as soon as possible.

In London, the price property buyers can expect to pay rose by 5.2 per cent in the year to September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. This increase is not mirrored in Northern Ireland however, as house prices fell by 10.1 per cent over the same 12 months. As a whole, UK property prices rose by 1.7 per cent in this time.

This overall increase included a 1.8 per cent rise in house prices in England, a 1.6 per cent rise in Wales and a 0.9 per cent increase in Scotland. Northern Ireland, on the other hand, displayed a drop of 10.1 per cent.

Figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) show that homebuyer demand increased across the UK, but did not in Northern Ireland and Scotland. However, in the three months ending in October, more surveyors noted a drop in house prices in England and Wales than an increase.

RICS housing spokesman Ian Perry commented on these figures: “The number of potential buyers going out and viewing property saw a welcome boost last month. That being said, overall activity is still very low in most parts of the country and what the market desperately needs is for this to translate into actual sales.”

The prices have been driven up by wealthy buyers seeking a place to safeguard their assets from the current financial crisis, a report by property advisory firm CBRE explained.

The cost of London’s prime homes have jumped up by 12.6 per cent in 2012 alone, meaning that some buyers are now prepared to spend between £2,000 and £6,000 per square foot to secure a so-called “golden postcode” in the capital.

Commenting on CBRE’s report, the firm’s head of residential property Mark Collins said: “London is very much the port in the storm, as wealthy investors around the world appreciate the capital’s stability when compared with other markets.”

He went on to explain that when wealthy individuals invest in property, they usually make their first house purchase in their home country. These property buyers then look to London for their second or third buy.

Mapumental Property finds out how far an individual is willing to commute to work, then shows them the properties available to buy in that time band. The site covers properties across Britain, and takes walking and all types of public transport into consideration when calculating the journey time.

The new website could also prove useful for those wishing to find a property close to another important location – their child’s school, for example.

The Independent notes that property hunters may find new, previously unconsidered possibilities as geographical distance doesn’t always draw a parallel with travel time.

Those wishing to minimise their commute by moving to another area may find the Mapumental site extremely useful, although they may wish to secure a quick home sale before settling on a particular property.

Figures from The Insolvency Service show there were 28,062 individual insolvencies in England and Wales between June and September – this figure represents an increase of 2.5 per cent compared with the previous quarter.

Although these figures are 7.2 per cent less than this period last year, the worst could still be to come. Experts believe there is usually a delay between a recession ending and a rise in the number of personal insolvencies.

The number of bankruptcies is not following this rising trend, however, and is at its lowest level since 2003. Compared with last year, bankruptcies are down 20.5 per cent, reaching 7,617 in the three months leading to September.

“Debt relief orders”, which are a type of insolvency targeted at those with modest debts but no real view to being able to pay it off, are more popular than bankruptcies for the first time, hitting 7,777 in the same three months.

People who are in debt and are looking for ways to access some finance may benefit from a quick home sale to dedicated property buyers.

Between July and September, the value of this type of mortgage was £4.2 billion – an increase of eight per cent compared to the three months to July.

Despite this increase, the Council has estimated that this year’s buy-to-let borrowing total will reach just over one-third of the peak it reached in 2007.

Paul Smee, CML director, said: “Buy-to-let lending is continuing to recover and to grow in line with expectations. As well as continuing to fund owner-occupation, lenders are contributing to the expansion of a strongly growing rental sector.”

Director of e.surv chartered surveyors Richard Sexton noted that banks are doing a “great job” of keeping struggling borrowers in their properties, the Independent reported.

However, for those who have seen debt become a real issue, property buyers who work quickly offer a solution to free-up some cash.

The value of the average home fell by £1,000 in October, and a report by estate agency Knight Frank predicts that property prices won’t return to their 2007 peak until 2019.

The report indicates that every region in the UK will be hit by the price drops, but Scotland and Wales will be among the worst off.

A price fall lasting for this length of time has not been noted since records began, so homeowners hoping to sell property fast will likely get less than they’d hope.

Knight Frank’s report explained that in 2007 property prices reached their peak at an average of £183,959, but the fall since then has been so dramatic, this high will not be met again until 2019.

A report released yesterday by mortgage lender Halifax said that for the last four months, prices have dropped, and last month the price drop rested at 0.7 per cent. This leaves the average price for a home at £158,426.

Halifax’s housing economist Martin Ellis offered a more positive view of the state of the property market: “Recent encouraging developments relating to the level of overall economic activity and conditions in the labour market […] may help to support demand and underpin house prices around current levels over the coming months.”

The measures have become necessary as a result of the increase in university fees, which has created a 12 per cent fall in the number of British and EU students attending university. The maximum fee chargeable has risen to £9,000.

The tightening of visa restrictions has also impacted the demand for student housing, property experts told the publication. However, property buyers who have invested in houses to rent out privately to students in London have not suffered the same fate; the weekly rent charged by private landlords has risen by 7.2 per cent between the 2011/12 and 2012/13 school years. According to consultant DTZ, the average rent per week now stands at £232 – almost 40 per cent higher than that charged by university accommodation.

Thanks to strong growth in the student rental market, this type of letting is generating returns that are into double digits, the new figures show.

Since the beginning of the year, student housing funds in the UK have generated returns that are close to 12 per cent, compared with the figure for all property – just 1.2 per cent. Equities have generated 8.2 per cent, while gilts have produced returns of 4.9 per cent, IPD revealed.

In a report on the data, the Financial Times noted that banks have been attracted to those who wish to borrow money to invest in student housing. This is because it is one of the few property types viewed by the lenders as low risk: approximate vacancy rates are low at just three per cent.

The majority of students who fall into arrears do so because of mismanaged funds (69 per cent) the research revealed, while a further 19 per cent blamed rises in student fees. With tuition fees rising, the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) advised landlord property buyers to seek amicable arrangements such as payment plans with student tenants who fall behind with rent.

“For landlords marketing their properties to current first year students who will soon be looking for second year accommodation, landlords should be clear about how the tenancy will be managed and what guarantors need to be in place to minimise the risk of rental arrears,” said ARLA.

While the decline is common to all UK regions, Scotland and the north-west of England have been particularly hard-hit, experiencing 51 per cent and 49 per cent drops respectively.

“The commercial real estate sector has been hit hard by the recession, and with CRE construction growth so closely tied to GDP, it’s not surprising that we’ve seen such a sharp decline in output values since 2007,” said Paul Greensmith, RSA’s director of risk managed business. “While a return to the pre-recession highs of 2007 may not be wholly realistic, what’s important now is that developers approach new investment opportunities sensibly and with sustainable growth in mind.”

Thrown eggs are the most common source of annoyance, affecting ten per cent of British homes, followed by damage to garden plants and fences. Fireworks, sparklers and items posted through the letter box also regularly cause damage each year.

“Halloween and Bonfire Night should be about light-hearted family fun, but unfortunately this can often bring with it accidents and anti-social behaviour,” said Richard Al-Dabbagh of Santander Insurance. “Much of the damage that occurs during mischief week is the result of seemingly harmless pranks like egg throwing, but the research also highlights an alarmingly high incidence of petty crime and threatening behaviour.”

“The current difficulties facing second steppers remain one of the key challenges in today’s property market, which needs to be addressed to avoid the traditional property ladder turning into something of a slippery slope,” said Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB.

Greater London had the highest proportion of areas recording a fall in second stepper sales, followed by the north of England and the north-west. According to a separate Lloyds TSB study, the average first-time buyer plans to stay in their first home for four years, meaning many of 2012′s second steppers would have bought near to the peak of the market.

Looking to the future, RLAM said businesses are likely to continue to struggle to become property buyers until there is a marked improvement in the economy – although businesses that are doing well will have more opportunity to negotiate favourable terms.

“The lacklustre economic conditions continued to feed through into the property sector, albeit that the impact was mainly felt outside London, as the capital seems to be enjoying greater immunity from the effects of the recession,” said Stephen Elliott, manager of RLAM.

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“One of the dangers with commercial property investing is that people often close their mind to supposedly poorly performing areas. We often see opportunities in these as we are able to identify mispriced properties with strong prospects. There are also opportunities where we can obtain a change of use or add value by refurbishing the site before letting or selling,” said David Wise, director of Kames.

Some local authorities are promoting alternative uses for town centres, including more residential and leisure amenities alongside retail units. Incentives such as cheaper or free car parking facilities could also help to revitalise shopping areas.

A large proportion of people in the 30-49 age group say they feel “trapped” in their current mortgage deal as they will be unable to switch when rates increase. This group spends the most on housing-related costs – £186 a week compared with the national average of £135, which may lead some to consider a quick home sale that would allow them to purchase a more affordable property.

“The housing market is failing not just one but two generations of consumers, with many mortgage prisoners trapped on their current deal and young people excluded from the housing market altogether,” said Richard Lloyd, executive director at Which?.

The unusually wet summer cost insurers more than £400 million in flood payouts and other claims, something the AA has said the industry must be prepared for more of in the future. “I am very concerned that no agreement has yet been reached in finding an affordable option to the statement of principles between the insurance industry and the government, which ensures that families in flood-prone properties can continue to obtain flood cover,” he said.

Mr Douglas added that flood defences are a vital investment, pointing out that the average cost of repairing a flood-damaged property is £20,000. In 2005, £38 million was spent on flood defences in Carlisle and although some properties in the region were flooded in summer, the new defences protected around 1,500 homes in the city.

The research found that children and grandchildren are the main beneficiaries of wills, while eight per cent wanted to donate money to charity and seven per cent to their pets. Among those who have not prepared a will, 30 per cent said they planned to make one when they got older, while 11 per cent believe their estate will go to the right people automatically. However, this is not always the case, and could lead to the proceeds of a fast home sale going to the wrong beneficiaries.

“People spend their lives providing for their loved ones, yet lack of action in planning their affairs for after they have gone could lead to a hefty inheritance tax bill, not to mention additional stress for the family and potential delay in distributing assets,” said Karen Barett, chief executive of unbiased.co.uk.

In Scotland, the average house price has risen by 69 per cent over the last decade. Edinburgh is the most expensive town for property buyers on a square metre basis, with an average value of £2,125 per square metre – 59 per cent above the national average of £1,339.

“Several towns in Aberdeenshire have seen significantly higher growth in average price per square metre than the UK average over the past decade. This, on the main, has been driven by the booming oil industry, which is a key part of the local economy,” said Nitesh Patel, housing economist at the Bank of Scotland.

Around half (45 per cent) of those who bought a property in the last year said they felt it was a good investment, and a similar proportion said they were motivated to buy because renting is a “waste of money”. Additionally, three in five said they set up a regular savings account for their deposit.

“It’s encouraging to see the proportion of first time buyers has actually begun to increase in this period and more people are seeing home purchase as a prudent financial decision,” said Chris Smith, group direct mortgage manager at Yorkshire Building Society.

Gold and jewellery are the biggest targets on Bonfire Night, with a 33 per cent increase in claims compared with the average in September and October, while there is also a 20 per cent rise in car damage claims.

“With darker nights and plenty of householders enjoying bonfire parties outside and away from their home there is a great opportunity for thieves to take advantage,” said Rob Townend, director of claims at Aviva. “The price of gold and silver has risen by over 100 per cent in the past five years, so it is not surprising jewellery is a prime target for thieves.”

Cities in the south of England, including Oxford, Winchester, Chichester and Cambridge, were the most expensive overall, while York is the most expensive city in the north of England with a square metre price of £2,125.

“House price per square metre is a useful measure for house price comparison because it helps to adjust for differences in the size and type of properties between locations,” said Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax. He added: “Not only has Westminster got one of the highest population densities per square kilometre among UK cities, but it also has a large proportion of properties that are flats.”

Buy-to-let property buyers as well as tenants are expected to benefit from the initiative, which will also see the two organisations making policy recommendations to raise standards in the private rented sector.

“With these increasing levels of demand, it is totally unacceptable that so many of our rented properties are still not meeting the basic standards families should be able to expect in their home.  At Shelter we see so many shocking examples of families forced to live in homes that are damp, in appalling condition or even unsafe to live in,” said Campbell Robb, chief executive officer of Shelter.

The NAEA recommends setting a realistic asking price, based on current market conditions, and researching micro-markets to help find the best possible deal. Factoring in the cost of moving house, stamp duty and agent fees when making plans will also ensure property buyers are not caught out by unexpected costs.

“Many would-be ‘second-steppers’ are finding they are still hamstrung by high deposits and prohibitive lending conditions,” said Mark Hayward, president of the NAEA. “Across the board, house prices are fairly flat, and this means that many owner-occupiers are unable to withdraw additional equity from their property when they decide to move.”

“Our data shows that the north-west is presently showing the highest return on rental investment. But these figures show the private rented sector is experiencing the same regional variations as the sales market, and therefore investors should move with caution,” said Ian Potter, managing director of ARLA.

ARLA agents also reported a steady rise in the number of landlords increasing their investment in the private rented sector, going from 21 per cent to 22 per cent in August. Over the past two quarters combined, ARLA members have reported an increase in the level of achievable rents across all types of property.

The research also found that the age at which homeowners consider downsizing is not confined to older “empty-nesters” – one in four are between 46 and 55, while five per cent are between 36 and 45. This suggests that a significant proportion of younger property buyers may be struggling to keep up mortgage repayments due to the tough economic conditions.

“Downsizers are now playing a key role in the housing market and as the study shows we are starting to see homeowners on different stages of the property ladder considering it as a sensible option as more and more families are looking at ways to save money,” said Stephen Noakes, mortgage director at Lloyds TSB.

However, university students in their second and third years were more optimistic, anticipating that they would leave higher education with debts of around £20,000. Student loans account for the most common debts, while a quarter borrow money from their families and more than a third are building up overdrafts.

“Whether living at home or moving away to study, students have to make major choices about budgeting and banking,” said Karen Broughton, a director at the Money Advice Service. “It’s vital to get the right advice before taking on debt and make plans to get a grip on money matters. Otherwise uncontrollable debts can become very expensive to pay off long after graduation.”

The ULI is a non-profit education and research institute dedicated to promoting the responsible use of land in creating communities around the world. The ABI represents the collective interests of the UK’s insurance industry.

Sir Robert Finch, chairman of the PIA, said: “I am delighted that the ULI and ABI are joining the PIA. Their membership will broaden and strengthen the PIA, enabling it to play an even more effective role in co-ordinating the work of the leading property industry bodies.”

Woodley in Berkshire and Chulmleigh, Devon also ranked highly on the table, and all of the top five were in the south of England. Local property and childcare affordability were also factored in when determining the results.

“Wokingham’s place at the top of our table reflects its combination of excellent school results, relative affordability for young families and low crime levels,” said Kate Moore, head of savings and investments at Family Investments. “Everybody has different ideas about what makes a great location to start a family and bring up a child and we have tried to be as comprehensive as possible in gathering information on the factors parents have told us are most important.”

In the last five years, economic turbulence has put the brakes on mortgage lending, particularly to high-risk groups. Between 2008 and 2011, the total value of first-time buyer transactions fell by nearly £2 billion. HSBC estimates that 18.7 per cent of these transactions would have been impossible without this help.

“Families have really stepped up to the plate – supporting relatives who want to buy their first home,” said report author Daniel Solomon, an economist at the Centre for Economic and Business research. “Now that so many first-time buyers are having difficulty getting the mortgages they would like, gifts and loans from families have become crucial to their financing mix.”

However, most property types have been falling in value since the financial crisis began in 2007. Bungalows have seen the smallest drop at 19 per cent, compared with detached and semis at 21 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.

“Prices of all property types have fallen over the past five years with the biggest declines for flats and terraced homes,” said Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax. “These types are particularly popular with first-time buyers and their sharper price falls probably reflect the difficulties that those looking to enter the market for the first time have been facing.”

Additionally, 35 per cent said they think estate agents should include broadband speeds in property adverts, and a third said they would be willing to pay two to five per cent extra for broadband coverage. This could add as much as £15,000 to the value of a property worth £300,000.

“In this digital age, a fast broadband connection is becoming more and more important for home-hunters. People don’t just rely on a good internet connection for browsing the web, but also television entertainment and working from home,” said Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove.

A further 49 per cent said they would consider downsizing to a smaller property, perhaps by arranging a fast home sale. However, nearly four in ten homeowners over 50 also believe their property has decreased in value over the last three years.

“The number of over 50s planning to use their home as their pension has remained stable when we compare it to our 2011 report,” said Vanessa Owen, head of equity release at LV=. “A property is often the largest asset people have, so it makes sense for them to see it as a way of helping to provide an additional stream of income for them when they retire.”

Additionally, 22 per cent said they would seek to borrow money from family or friends, while 17 per cent would need to increase their overdraft – potentially meaning they stay in debt for longer after leaving university, which could put those who want to become property buyers at a disadvantage.

“The rise in tuition fees will be a concern for a lot of students starting university this year and many will already be thinking about how they might fund their time studying,” said Jatin Patel, director of current accounts at Lloyds TSB. “With low average earnings, increased tuition fees may mean new students in particular face greater challenges in meeting monthly outgoings and this could affect their level of debt upon graduation.”

• Ensure they keep important documents, such as contact details for insurers, local authorities and utilities companies, in a safe place – preferably upstairs where they won’t be damaged if there’s flooding
• Listen to regular weather updates from the Environment Agency and prepare accordingly
• Secure items outdoors when high winds are expected, especially things like ladders that can fall over and cause damage

Nick Starling, ABI director of general insurance, said: “Insurers expect bad weather to strike anytime and have arrangements in place to minimise distress and inconvenience and help customers recover as quickly as possible. Anyone who has suffered damage should contact their insurer straight away to get their claim moving.”

Rural property values have performed better than their counterparts in towns since the financial crisis began, latest research from Halifax has found. In the last five years, the average price of a home in the countryside has fallen by 20 per cent, compared with 22 per cent in urban areas, leaving rural properties worth 17 per cent more than their urban equivalents.

However, the higher prices can make securing a home difficult for first-time property buyers. First-timers account for just over a third of all mortgage financed in rural areas, compared with nearly half in towns and cities. Conditions are hardest for this group in the south of England.

“For many of those tempted, the high prices put rural homes out of their reach,” said Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax. “First time buyers in particular are affected by high rural property prices, and consequently they account for a far smaller proportion of homebuyers than they do in urban areas.”

Nearly 14 million people in the UK borrow money every month to cover the cost of household bills, research from Santander has revealed. A total of £3.6 billion a month is being borrowed to meet gas, council tax, water and electricity bills. While some are using low-cost borrowing such as overdrafts, more than a million people are borrowing from payday lenders to cover living costs, something that can lead to a spiral of debt.

Other forms of borrowing included credit cards and standard loans. Anybody who regularly uses credit to pay their mortgage may consider a fast home sale to allow them to relocate to a more affordable property.

“In an ideal world, household bills should be one of the first costs to be covered when payday arrives, but as the research highlights, this isn’t always possible,” said Reza Attar-Zadeh, . “The cost of living is going up, driven in part by the rising cost of household bills, and as a result, millions of people are regularly borrowing money to make ends meet which cannot be sustained in the long-run.”

However, only a small proportion of those who were put off by the prospect of getting a mortgage had actually spoken to a lender, indicating that the problem may be partly down to perception.

“Although mortgage availability has undoubtedly reduced since the start of the financial crisis, some lenders such as building societies and other mutuals have actually increased their lending to all types of borrowers, including first-time buyers, over the last year or so,” said Paul Broadhead, head of mortgage policy at the BSA.

“The run-up to retirement is a time when people look at their finances carefully and start planning how best to use or pass on their wealth,” said Stephen Lowe, group director of external affairs and customer insight at Just Retirement. “Increasingly, for baby boomers who have benefited from rising house prices, that involves looking at how best to use the wealth tied up in their homes.”

Equity release is sometimes used to gain access to the money paid into a property while the homeowner is still living there. However, in cases where a homeowner needs a lump sum quickly, a fast home sale might be more beneficial, allowing them to relocate to a property that is more suited to them.

In contrast, renters can expect to pay £732 a month for an equivalent property: in the last year, the cost of buying has dropped by three per cent while the cost of renting has risen by five per cent. However, in spite of the improvement in affordability, the number of buyers entering the market is still falling.

“Those getting on the housing ladder still face challenges, most notably in getting a deposit, and this challenge, along with the considerable uncertainty regarding the economic outlook, is still contributing to subdued housing demand,” said Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax. “However, it is worth noting that once homebuyers are on the first rung, their monthly costs are notably lower.”

The showed a sustained upward trend in house purchase lending, following the drop in April this year that has been linked to the end of the stamp duty concession. Overall, a total of 49,500 loans worth £7.6 billion were advanced to buyers in July, a five per cent year-on-year increase.

“July’s figures show a gradual improvement in the market with lending approaching the sort of levels we saw at the end of the stamp duty concession,” said CML director general Paul Smee. “While overall market conditions remain tight, new initiatives such as Funding for Lending and NewBuy have the potential to help lending to continue to ease gradually.”

Predictably, the biggest barrier to first-time buying was found to be raising a deposit, followed by worries about not being able to afford mortgage repayments. Meanwhile, nearly a third of respondents said they would be more likely to buy a home if there was more government assistance available to them.

“The average age of a first time buyer has been creeping up over the past 50 years and a perceived ten-year wait to raise a deposit doesn’t help matters,” said John Willcock, head of Post Office Mortgages. “The sheer size of the deposit is the most daunting thing for would-be first time buyers, but it appears to be worth the wait if it works out cheaper than renting.”

This premium, which equates to almost three times the average private school fee for property buyers, puts these homes beyond the reach of many people on average earnings. The least affordable homes were found near the Henrietta Barnett School in Hampstead Garden, London, where properties cost £827,496 on average.

“The presence of a good school appears to help support property values in many of these locations as parents compete with other buyers and investors to land the property that gives their child the best possible chance to attend their chosen school,” said Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB.

“Having more useable space is generally thought to be consistent with better quality accommodation and people are prepared to pay for it,” said Robert Gardner, chief economist at Nationwide. “A ten per cent increase in floor space, other things equal, adds five per cent to the price of a typical house.”

The study follows a recently-announced relaxation of planning laws by the government, which will make it easier for property buyers to make extensions and other modifications to their homes. Under the plans, homeowners will have a year to be able to extend their properties without the need for full planning permission.

More than half of those who felt hard done by said the fees they paid were disproportionate to the cost or amount of work done by the letting agent. “It’s scandalous that some letting agents are creaming off huge profits from the boom in private renting, by charging both tenants and landlords fees that are totally out of proportion to the service they provide,” said Kay Boycott, director of campaigns at Shelter.

Letting agents, who act on behalf of property buyers who rent out their investments to tenants, are regulated by the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

The service, which can be found at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/mortgagereview, will provide free resources to those who will struggle to manage their finances when their rate changes. Additionally, there is an advice helpline on 0300 500 5000. According to the Money Advice Service’s own research, nearly three-quarters of mortgage customers do not know how an interest rate rise of one per cent could affect their monthly payments.

“It’s a good idea to review your mortgage at least once a year to check whether you should switch to a better deal,” said Jane Symonds, head of service delivery at the Money Advice Service. “Remortgaging can help you cut costs. You can save hundreds – perhaps thousands – of pounds by shopping around.”

Anybody who regularly struggles to repay their mortgage, even after looking for a better deal, may benefit from arranging a quick home sale to allow them to access the equity in their property and move to a new home that they can afford.

“It can often be frustrating when purchasing a product or a service online, to find out only towards the end of the transaction that the final price is much higher due to things like payment surcharges,” said Mr Lamb. “These proposals will stop companies from adding on these excessive charges.”

When the proposals come into force, they are expected to save money for consumers who regularly use their debit or credit cards, particularly when spending money online. This may help those who are having difficulty meeting other financial commitments, such as property buyers who are struggling to repay a mortgage or those with large amounts of credit card debt.

Meanwhile, the most common everyday personal finance and property trade-offs people make included cutting back on spending to save cash for the future, living in a smaller property to allow them to live in a nicer area, and overpaying on mortgages rather than putting money into savings.

“While offset mortgages-holders are still in the minority, and many people may not even know what an offset mortgage is, it appears that the vast majority of people enact some form of offset in their everyday lives.  They may not even be conscious that they are doing it, but they are instinctively weighing up their options and making a trade off that gets them the best deal and makes their money work hardest for them.

“It’s simply unacceptable that people are living in squalid, unsafe accommodation provided by landlords more interested in a quick profit rather than their basic responsibilities,” said Mr Shapps. “The actions of these rogue landlords are helping fuel illegal working and benefit fraud and creates a shadow housing market that carries dangers to people’s health as well as community relations.”

The new guidance aims to stop property buyers from misusing their investments in this way, and councils are encouraged to prosecute landlords who persistently let illegal property. The department said thousands of vulnerable migrants are being charged extortionate rents to live in cramped conditions, and a new taskforce has been set up between Whitehall departments, local councils, the police and the UK Border Agency to tackle the issue.

“The figures show that lenders, borrowers and debt advisers are working together to get through the current period of economic difficulty and keep mortgage possessions in check,” said Paul Smee, director general of the CML. ”Generally, when borrowers prioritise their mortgage commitments, lenders can provide help appropriate to their individual circumstances.”

Meanwhile, the number of mortgages in arrears remained mostly flat in the second quarter. The total number of repossessions for 2012 to June stands at 18,100, suggesting a lower trajectory than the CML’s predicted 45,000 for the year as a whole. However, the Bank of England’s growth forecasts indicate that the current pattern of stability may be disrupted.

However, there were significant regional variations, with rents in the north-west of England rising by the biggest margin, while rents in Wales were broadly flat. Gross yields increased steadily over the year, leading to fewer landlords deciding to sell their properties at the end of a tenancy.

“It is interesting to see that the huge growth we have seen in demand in recent years has started to gradually slow. While tenant interest is still riding high, what remains to be seen is whether many are willing to meet the increasing rents being demanded by landlords,” said Peter Bolton King, global residential director at RICS.

Additionally, under-35s have three times more debt than their older counterparts, which may make it difficult to repay mortgages or rent. Young couples who are struggling with debt may consider arranging a quick home sale if they are unable to meet their financial commitments.

“These findings show that there is a huge amount of money that couples are hiding from each other,” said Christina Blacklaws, director of family law at the Co-Operative Legal Services. “Many people facing relationship breakdown may be shocked to find out that they may have responsibility for their ex-partner’s debts, even if they were not aware of them, or may not have any rights to assets or property which they themselves may have invested into.”

The north of England saw the biggest deterioration in affordability over the past decade, while the south-east is the least affordable location overall. Lloyds TSB compared the situation to that of the 1990s, where falling house prices in the first half of the decade and weak price growth afterwards left low levels of equity.

“It is clearly very concerning that the challenges facing those attempting to take their second step on the housing ladder are the toughest for more than a generation. This follows the significant decline in house prices over recent years and the subsequent erosion of equity among those who bought for the first time at close to the peak of the market,” said Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB.

Tenants tend to think their landlord will not appreciate being pestered to switch energy suppliers, perhaps thinking that only property buyers are entitled to switch. The research also found that although Britain’s social housing is becoming increasingly more efficient, the same cannot be said for privately rented homes.

“With more and more people renting, it’s vital that people don’t feel that being a tenant means relinquishing the right to control their household bills,” said Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com. “The fact is that if your name is on the bill you have the right to shop around for a better energy deal.”

The number of 90 per cent loan-to-value products has also fall by a quarter to 244 in this time period, making it harder for more people to take their first steps onto the property ladder. Cambridge, Ipswich, Nottingham and Skipton building societies have all withdrawn 95 per cent mortgages in the last six months.

“Our analysis shows the continuing difficulty facing first time buyers and those with smaller deposits looking to find a suitable mortgage. Despite the launch of the Funding for Lending Scheme which was designed to encourage further mortgage lending by the banks, there appears to be few signs that the initiative is helping those with small deposits,” said Clare Francis, mortgage expert at MoneySupermarket.com.

Small-scale and “accidental” landlords are also suffering, with 16 per cent of landlords who have only one letting making a loss on their investment. The NLA advised its members to always carry out background checks on tenants to ensure they have a good history of meeting rental commitments, and working together with tenants who cannot pay to find a mutual solution.

As a last resort, the NLA reminded landlords that they are entitled to issue a Section 8 Notice to initiate possession proceeds if a tenant has not paid for two months.

Property buyers with homes near to the ground of Premier League champions Manchester City saw the biggest price increases by far over the last decade, with homes within Etihad Stadium’s postal district appreciating in value by 271 per cent. This is nearly twice that seen near Aston Villa’s home ground, the second best performer on the list.

“This partly reflects the local regeneration that typically takes place alongside the building of modern sporting arenas, including improved transport links,” said Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax. “The rise in property values does, however, come at a cost with home affordability deteriorating significantly over the last ten years for those hoping to live near their favourite football ground.”

This represents an increase compared with February and May’s figures, indicating that people are taking retirement planning increasingly seriously. People use a range of sources to fund their retirement, from pensions to equity from a quick home sale.

“In order to preserve our current standard of living, we need to make sure we have the right pension plans in place,” said Karen Barrett, chief executive of Unbiased.co.uk. ”And to make better, more informed decisions for your own future, it’s vital you seek advice. People who take independent financial advice benefit from a wealth of knowledge and experience to help plan for their retirement.”

“Average house prices are now 95 per cent of their peak of four years ago,” said Donald MacRae, chief economist of Lloyds TSB Scotland. “Although consumer confidence has become less negative during the first six months of the year, it still remains low with retail price inflation in excess of average increase in earnings continuing to squeeze disposable income. The rate of increase in consumer spending remains modest.”

Mr MacRae went on to say that the largest pick-ups in the market have been seen on the higher-value end, with transaction levels for detached properties increasing by 47 per cent compared with the same quarter a year ago.

Kim Rebecchi, sales and marketing director at Leeds Building Society, said the product is intended for people who have already saved for a deposit, but cannot afford to buy a property for themselves. “We are all well aware of the difficulties facing first time buyers buying a home. They can often struggle to meet the full asking price or their current income is insufficient to support a full mortgage,” she added. “This shared ownership product facilitates that first step, and provides a starting point to staircase up to full home ownership as earning potential increases.”

Last month, the building society reduced the rate on its two-year fixed rate buy-to-let mortgage to 3.99 per cent.

The price comparison site said there is no reason not to inform insurers as premiums will only be affected if the work significantly improves the value of the house – typically by £10,000 or more. Additionally, failing to do so can invalidate a home insurance policy.

“It will come as no surprise that every year, 200,000 of us carry out a loft conversion or the like to our homes,” said Hannah Mercedes-Skenfield, insurance spokesperson at MoneySupermarket.com. “I urge all those people carrying out home improvement work, whether it is a luxurious loft conversion or comfortable conservatory, to inform their home insurance provider as soon as the works are complete and the room is being used.”

Some 47,500 loans worth a total of £7.1 billion were advanced for house purchase in June, while remortgaging activity declined, possibly driven by expectations of falling borrowing rates in summer.

“Lending figures have see-sawed in the first half of the year, and we may see more fluctuations in the coming months as the effects of the Olympics and other special events in the UK this year are reflected in our lending numbers,” said CML director general Paul Smee. He went on to say that first-time buyer activity is showing some signs of resilience as the effects of the stamp duty concession recede.

The most recent figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders show that the number of homes repossessed dropped by 11 per cent in the most recent quarter of the year, the lowest figure in over two years. However, this figure does not take into account the number of people making quick home sales before a repossession order can take effect.

“While repossessions remain lower than anticipated, there’s no room to be complacent,” said Mr Shapps. “The advice and financial support is in place to prevent anyone from reaching that last resort measure of repossession. I would urge anyone feeling the pinch to take advantage, and seek help as soon as possible.”

These support options include the £20 million Preventing Repossession Fund, which will provide councils with the cash to offer short-term loans to those who are struggling to repay their mortgages.

However, tenants in London still pay the highest average rent by far – £1,287 per month, or 75 per cent above the national average. The lowest average rents are in the north of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and Wales.

“Whilst rental yields have remained steady over the past year, it should be noted that these figures do not take into account the time when properties are vacant – which can impact the average yields,” said Phil Rickards of BM Solutions. “Despite the encouraging figures, it’s still really important for any potential investors in the market to do their homework and seek expert advice first.”

However, Barings warned that the average UK inheritance is estimated at around £45,000 per person, meaning many people may be overestimating how far this will go towards funding their retirement. The number of people involving property in their plans, whether through the open market or a quick home sale to a property buying firm, has also risen slightly since the last survey in 2011.

Marino Valensise, chief investment officer at Barings Asset Management, said: “Overall, the most challenging finding is that nearly half of the adult UK population admit to not having a formal pension at all.”

“Frustrated first-time property buyers” have become the most common group of renters ARLA members are encountering, ahead of those who prefer to rent, those who have sold an existing property to rent and those who have had their homes repossessed.

“Renting offers significant flexibility, which can be vital for working professionals who need to move in order to find employment. However, with an increasing number of families with younger children also looking to rent, having a secure and stable home environment has never been more important,” said Ian Potter, managing director of ARLA.

Snowdonia had the biggest house price increases, at 111 per cent higher than its county average, while at £474,883 per property the New Forest is the least affordable of the 12 national parks surveyed. The study also found that the premium property buyers pay for living in a national park has risen by £31,342 since 2002.

Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB, said: “The quality of life benefits associated with living in the some of the country’s most scenic destinations resonate strongly among many homebuyers. Such destinations are also popular with those looking for a second property. As a result, properties in national parks typically trade at a significant premium to homes in neighbouring areas.”

Reactions to the database have been mixed, with some claiming it will make little difference to consumers in the long term, and could even increase the pressure on the most vulnerable homeowners, potentially leading them to require a quick home sale.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, professor of housing at the University of Ulster Paddy Grey said: “It is useful to have accurate, up-to-date information so that financial institutions don’t ever go down the route again of sub-prime lending … [but] some institutions may use the information to reassess loans that have been given to existing customers and use this as a means of increasing interest rates on those who [have] high loan to value ratios or those who are in negative equity.”

The company also had some advice for those heading overseas at the end of their working life. It recommends retirees get an estimate of their state pension and ask HM Revenue and Customs for further information about any UK taxes they may be liable for even when they are living abroad, as well as finding out what reciprocal pension agreements are in place with the destination country.

Andrew Tully, pensions technical director at MGM Advantage, said: “One often overlooked aspect of retiring abroad is what happens to your UK state pension. If the country you’re retiring to has a reciprocal agreement in place with the UK then the UK state pension will be paid and increased as normal. However, where there is no agreement in place, and that includes Australia and Canada, your state pension will be frozen and won’t increase.”

However, the document concedes that the “majority of letting and management agents provide an important service and act responsibly”. It adds that tenants and buy-to-let property buyers often have little financial protection and face “unjustifiably high charges” for services.

Ian Potter, managing director of the Association of Residential Letting Agents, said that the organisation has long campaigned for regulation of the private rented sector. “There are, in our opinion, some key features required to improve the consumer experience, including mandatory recognised qualifications, consumer redress using recognised ombudsman services, client money protection, and the ability to be banned from trading in a fair but robust manner,” he said.

Stephen Noakes, mortgage director at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “This commitment is not about paying lip service. It shows that we’re providing genuine solutions for people buying their first home. It’s important that we dispel some of the myths about first-time buyer mortgages. People can buy a home with a ten per cent deposit, or even five per cent through the NewBuy scheme. Getting things right at the bottom of the ladder has an important knock-on effect throughout the chain.”

Many people accept that their living circumstances will change as they get older, with some needing to make a quick home sale so they can relocate to a home that better suits their needs. However, nearly a quarter of respondents said they would be happy to go into residential care if they needed to.

“The attitudes of the older generations towards their own needs are changing and they are very keen to maintain their independence as they get older.  They do not want to have to go into a residential care home, but equally, they do not wish to become a burden to their children if they stay at home,” said Chris Horlick, managing director of care at Partnership.

“It’s only now that mortgages are starting to reflect this low rate, with the cheapest average interest rate on a fixed mortgage now around three per cent,” he said. “With many consumers struggling to pay off other debts and with many having seen little or no pay rises over the past few years, it’s hardly surprising there is a great deal of appetite for longer term fixed rate deals.”

Mr Ossei went on to say that as lenders compete to offer better long-term fixed deals, it may lead to fewer good value two-year products with free additional services on the market. He recommended that lenders begin to compete on fees and deposits as well as rates.

Paul Wootton, head of personal loans at Nationwide, said: “A static housing market means many people are unable to move home and are opting to make home improvements instead. Making major renovations to your home can be expensive and people could be spending much more than they need to if they fail to shop around for the best rate.”

The findings indicate a slow-moving housing market, which may make it difficult for people to secure quick home sales when they need to. This is backed up by the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, which showed a five per cent month-on-month fall in house purchase lending in June.

As a former franchise consultant with experience in marketing and technology, Sean is well-placed to ensure this aspect of Gateway Homes is operating as effectively as possible. As our franchisees are at the heart of our business, it’s in our interests to listen to them and continue recruiting the most talented and experienced people.

“Gateway Homes has a good team so I am looking forward to integrating into the team atmosphere and looking forward to the challenge ahead,” said Sean. He added: “My plan is to help build a strong franchise network and to help shape the way that Gateway Homes support the franchise network moving forward.”

Right to Buy has benefited from greater interest from tenants over the past few months, with Birmingham City Council receiving a total of 463 applications in the three months to June, compared with 219 during the same period last year.

“Our revitalised Right to Buy scheme has trebled the discount in many areas, and has led to a surge in interest from aspiring homeowners across the country. But our research clearly shows that too many tenants are still in the dark about what this could mean for them,” said Mr Shapps.

People in the south of England and Wales were the most optimistic about house prices, although more than half of respondents said job security and the challenge of raising a deposit are the main barriers to becoming property buyers.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, said the building society expects to see little change in sales and prices over the remainder of the year. “Confidence in the housing market has weakened a little over the last three months, reflecting the increased uncertainty regarding the economic outlook,” he said. “The public’s confidence in the housing market, however, has been very resilient so far this year. This is consistent with the broad house price stability experienced over the first half of 2012.”

“At my first meeting with the team at Gateway Homes, I quickly realised I had an opportunity to be part of something special. I have never met a more ambitious and driven management team with the vision and uncompromising strategy to become the market leader in their field,” said Ian Cockram, a franchisee and regional manager of Gateway Homes.

The new territories, which include Newbury, Swansea, Hereford and Lincoln, have now been made available. If you think you have what it takes to succeed in the world of property, please get in touch and secure your share in our fast-growing business!

Not everybody has managed to pay down their debts: the report also notes that over a quarter of British people who owe money have needed to increase their total amount of borrowing in the past year, and nearly one in four (38 per cent) are concerned about their debt levels. Those who are having difficulties paying their mortgage may consider a fast home sale to free up cash and allow them to move to a more suitable property.

“It’s encouraging to see consumers showing prudence and looking to pay down their debt,” said Tim Moss, head of loans and debt at MoneySupermarket.com. “However, with the economic outlook continuing to remain uncertain, many Brits are feeling very concerned about their current financial situation. Balancing the household budget is hard enough without being saddled with the additional pressure of debt repayments.”

Some of the most common things adults help their parents with include everyday food bills, bill payments, white goods and holidays. Parents with children under the age of 18 pay out on average £3,505 a year to support the generations either side of them. This extra expense may lead some people to reconsider their living arrangements and seek a quick property sale in order to relocate to somewhere more affordable.

“Compared with previous generations, the higher costs of housing, providing care for the elderly and everyday living, have resulted in a squeezed generation who are having to re-adjust their views of the lifestyle they thought they would have been enjoying at their age,” said Robin Taylor, head of banking at The Co-operative.

The improvement in affordability has helped to raise the number of first-time buyers over the past year, with approximately 114,000 in the first half of 2012 compared with 85,600 for the same period in 2011. However, the divide in north-south affordability has widened over the last year: just nine per cent of all affordable local authority districts were in the south of the UK.

“With first-time buyers forming a vital part of the housing market, it is clearly encouraging that the number of those getting onto the property ladder for the first time may well increase this year, albeit from a historically low level,” said Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax. “This partly reflects the substantial improvement in home affordability for first-time buyers since 2007, following the fall in house prices over the period.”

The number of first-time buyers in the market was up compared with April, and remortgaging activity also increased. Repayment loans continued to be the most popular type of mortgage by an overwhelming margin.

“Lending is similar to late 2011 levels and showing a healthy improvement on the same time last year,” said CML director Paul Smee. “However, the problems in the eurozone have not gone away. Economic uncertainty could affect both the supply of mortgage lending and consumer confidence and we still anticipate a challenging lending environment for the rest of the year.

The private sector has also seen the biggest fall in the proportion of properties with damp problems, falling from 21 per cent in 2001 to 13 per cent in 2010. However, in spite of the rising number of available properties, the RLA maintains that the UK faces a chronic undersupply of rental homes.

“Whilst the number of properties in the sector has increased by over a million in ten years, all the figures persistently show a chronic shortage of privately rented properties, denying tenants genuine choices over their housing needs, and serving only to drive up rents,” said RLA chairman Alan Ward.

Part of the reason noise complaints are becoming more common is the trend for removing interior walls to create more space, which also gets rid of a home’s noise barriers, Rockwool said. Managing director Thomas Heldgaard explained: “While trends towards open plan living and wooden floors may improve the aesthetic quality of homes, they also intensify the level of noise transference within the building and can significantly increase noise within flats, not only for the occupants of the apartment in question but also for their neighbours.”

The research comes as Rockwool and the Noise Abatement Society hold roundtable discussions to address ways to cut noise levels in construction and refurbishment work.

Increases in average earnings in these towns along with much more restrained house price growth have helped to boost affordability. The most affordable New Town is Peterlee in County Durhan, with an average house price of £86,427 – 3.2 times gross average annual earnings. The next most affordable are Skelmersdale, Newton Aycliffe and Runcorn.

Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB, commented: “Many New Towns are within easy commuting distance of major commercial centres, where housing is typically more expensive. This is particularly striking for New Towns in the south east, where the average property price is close to half, on average, compared to that in London.”

A law and business graduate with a diploma in legal practice, Clare moved into recruitment before starting her own property portfolio in 2005. Sourcing, refurbishing and letting properties for herself and for other private clients, Clare simultaneously educated herself in landlord and tenant law.

With a history of success in driving new businesses forward, Clare’s work as an account manager for the letting agent responsible for managing Gateway Homes’ vast portfolio of properties was impressive, and led to hear developing a strong relationship with us. She is now charged with continuing Gateway’s strong growth and business expansion as group manager.

Clare says: “I was delighted to accept the permanent role at Gateway at what is such an exciting time and again I will be working to grow the new businesses from inception, a territory I am familiar with.”

With seven years of customer experience, Kat spent 20 months as a management assistant in IT consultancy, developing strong skills in HR, marketing and accounts, before joining Gateway on May 8th.

As PA to the director, Kat is tasked with the administration of our office and overseeing customer support. Kat will also be organising company training sessions, assisting with marketing campaigns and playing a key role in future recruitment at Gateway.

Kat says: “I am excited to join such a great team, and look forward to being a part of Gateway Homes as they continue to grow and become a leading household brand.

“I’m also looking forward to progressing my career in the property industry.”

Taking on this new role is Ross Counsell, a trained chartered surveyor who has worked in the corporate recovery teams of Sanderson Weatherall and BNP Paribas Real Estate, as well as for Deloitte. With a total of ten years’ experience in property, Ross has been responsible for the acquisition of large portfolios across the north of England.

At Gateway, Ross’ new role will be largely based around developing new business for the company, including assessing portfolios, conducting due diligence and making offers on behalf of the firm.

Looking ahead to his role, Ross says he is excited to joining a firm which is pushing forward in the property market.

“It has been very successful through the last 11 years and whilst other property companies are suffering in the downturn, Gateway Homes has gone from strength to strength,” he explained.

“Gateway Homes are forward thinking and are always one step ahead of the market.”

This represents a 54 per cent increase from the £1.8 billion lent in May 2011. In the same period, lending from high street banks rose just eight per cent. In addition, the same time period saw mortgage approvals rise by 67 per cent, indicating qualification criteria for these lenders is loosening.

BSA director-general Adrian Coles notes that 24 per cent of this lending was to first-time property buyers, supporting a vital section of the housing market. “The mutual sector is giving a strong signal that it is open for business to all types of borrower whether buying a property for the first time or remortgaging,” he continued.

“Approvals by mutuals were up significantly in May both compared to last year and the previous six months, which demonstrates the mutual sector’s commitment to lend in the coming months.”

Data from receivers Templeton LPA shows that the number of tenants in severe arrears rose by eight per cent in the second quarter of 2012 to reach 100,400. This is a 24 per cent year-on-year rise and is the highest figure Templeton has observed since it started compiling these statistics back in 2008.

Paul Jardine, director and receiver at Templeton LPA, warns that with wages falling in real terms and rents continuing to rise in many areas of the country, the problem is likely to get worse in the short term.

“As the private rented sector grows, the number of tenants in dire financial straits is steadily climbing,” he noted.

“With the instability in the labour market and wider economy, and public sector cuts still to come, the section of renters in multiple months of arrears is likely to continue its expansion.”

In the last 12 months, the average Consumer Prices Index inflation rate for the whole of the UK has been 4.3 per cent, yet those living in the countryside have experienced a rate of 7.7 per cent. NFU suggests that for a year of everyday essential items, this equates to an extra £2,000 in spending.

The firm notes that there is a five to ten per cent “rural premium” on everyday goods, while higher reliance on heating oil and private transport also has a significant impact on finances for families in the countryside.

Richard Percy, chairman of NFU Mutual, said of the research: “Our findings show that, on the whole, people living in the countryside have a better quality of life than their urban counterparts, but that costs associated with this are becoming increasingly difficult to bear for families on lower incomes.”

The group’s flagship House Price Index has revealed that the typical property in England and Wales is now valued at £161,677.

Looking back over the previous 12 months, London has seen the highest increase in property values, with a 7.7 per cent rise, helped by a 2.6 per cent jump in May. The south east, the other traditionally strong growth area for the housing market, saw property prices rise 1.7 per cent over the year.

At the opposite end of the scale, the north-south divide in the UK housing market was further highlighted by an annual price fall of 3.9 per cent experienced in Yorkshire and the Humber. The north east was not far behind with a 3.5 per cent fall, while the north west saw a 2.8 per cent drop.

Initially being rolled out to borrowers in London and the south east, Metro Bank will work in partnership with top brokerage John Charcol to ensure that standards remain fair and consistent. As an initial product offering Metro Bank has launched a range of competitive mortgage deals, with rates starting from 3.09 per cent and loan-to-value ratios reaching 80 per cent.

Although it is a regional pilot scheme, Paul Marriott-Clarke, Metro Bank’s commercial director, insists the firm is committed to building an intermediary business which is successful in the long term.

He added: “We’re really pleased to partner with John Charcol on our initial programme. John Charcol shares Metro Bank’s commitment to long term customer relationships and outstanding customer service and convenience. We have a very exciting partnership ahead of us.”

The average price paid by first-time buyers rose by 4.3 per cent during the month, reaching a typical value of £127,493. In addition the loan-to-value rate obtained fell from an average of 81.1 per cent in April to 79.7 per cent.

David Newnes, director of LSL Property Services, says the data proves that there is still strong demand in the first-time buyer sector for those who can muster up a significant deposit.

“The market is now being driven by buyers with enough money to absorb the additional tax burden,” he explains. “While the number of tenants able to leave the private rental sector remains historically low, those that can are taking the opportunity to enjoy the currently highly affordable mortgage rates on offer.”

The consumer group found that, on average, banks and building societies have hiked the cost of arranging mortgages by 70 per cent in the last three years. In 2009, the average fee was £878, but now it’s £1,479.

In addition, the number of fees being charged has also increased, with some lenders now applying as many as 30 for arranging a loan. Reviewing the information, Which? noted: “The rise in mortgage fees has made it more challenging to choose the right mortgage deal, as picking a loan with the lowest interest rate could prove a false economy if the loan comes with high fees.”

This was the most common response when Brits were asked what type of home they aspire to own, with 16 per cent of those polled dreaming of a four or five-bedroom detached house in a coastal village.

In terms of the details within the property, top priorities are broadly similar between the sexes, with spacious living areas and good views highlighted as desirable.

Tom Stringer, head of AA Home Emergency Response, said of the results: “We are used to drivers dreaming about owning cars most of us are never likely to afford, such as a Ferrari.

“However, when it comes to houses, the research shows that we are much more realistic and that for many of us, our dream home is likely to be within our reach.”

While only a quarter of house buyers overall are aged between 20 and 29, this proportion rises to nearly half when looking solely at affordable housing. Halifax housing economist Martin Ellis says this shows the importance of affordable home-ownership schemes in propping up the housing market.

“Whilst shared equity and other affordable housing schemes have historically performed strongly, new schemes such as the government’s New Buy initiative will also play a role in meeting demand and helping to support first-time buyers,” he added.

Halifax, meanwhile, has launched a new initiative to assist first-time buyers, promising to refund valuation fees to the consumer if a house purchase falls through.

Barclays, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group have had their credit scores cut due to their exposure to the crisis in the eurozone. A lower debt rating makes it harder for the banks themselves to borrow, and these extra costs may be passed on to consumers.

Many property owners have been hit by mortgage rate rises in recent months, so the prospect of a further increase could leave many stretched households looking for a quick home sale in the face of unmanageable repayments.

Commenting on the downgrade, Which? executive director Richard Lloyd says banks have already been pushing interest rates higher through lack of competition. “This is why we cautiously welcomed the chancellor’s recent ‘funding for lending’ scheme. But we want to see strong safeguards in place to ensure that banks pass on this cheap credit to consumers,” he said.

Not only is this an increase of nearly a quarter on April’s £9.9 billion, but it represents a 13 per cent rise since May 2011. However, CML chief economist Bob Panell says the market is still “seesawing”, although there is promise in the government’s approach to the eurozone crisis. Mr Panell highlighted the ‘funding for lending’ initiative as a positive step to boost the mortgage market.

Yet he went on to warn: “Unfortunately, a number of one-off factors, such as the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, are set to distort market indicators over the coming months, and it may be the autumn before we can more accurately gauge the state of the market.”

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the cost of show homes rose by 1.1 per cent in April. This brings the year-on-year increase for new homes to 5.1 per cent, while the market for pre-owned homes was up just 1.1 per cent over the same period.

Newly-built homes are a traditional favourite of the first-time buyer community, and so rising prices places another barrier in the path to home-ownership. However, Howard Archer, chief UK economist at analysts IHS Global Insight, thinks the price bump will soon be reversed.

“We expect house prices to fall by around three per cent by the end of 2012 in the face of high unemployment, muted wage growth, and low and fragile consumer confidence,” he told This Is Money.

However, the results vary wildly from region to region. In the south-west of England, where rent is fairly cheap and property prices high, buyers save just £33,863 over 50 years, while their counterparts in London save a massive £396,049.

“The cost of stepping on or moving up the housing ladder can be a big barrier for many, but the long term benefits hugely exceed the initial expense,” said Andy Gray, head of mortgages at Barclays. “Not only will you save money by becoming an owner occupier, but you will also own a substantial asset once your mortgage is paid off, providing financial security for your old age.”

Most under-35s are currently renting or sharing a home with family or friends, but more than half of these (54 per cent) would like to become home-owners in the short term. Bob Pannell, CML chief economist, said: “We need to ensure that good quality housing is available in a variety of different tenures, and that the growing private rented sector represents an attractive choice for those who do not want, or cannot attain, home-ownership.

“However, we also need to recognise that for the overwhelming majority of people, home-ownership is still the ultimate goal.”

Unfortunately it can take months for a property to fully dry out, so homeowners were told not to be in a hurry to redecorate: insurers will usually be able to provide advice on what can be salvaged and what will need to be thrown away.

“Insurers know how traumatic and disruptive flooding can be and their priority will be to work quickly to help affected customers. Many insurers will be operating 24-hour claims lines and drawing in extra staff to man these lines,” said Aidan Kerr, head of property at ABI. “Unexpected events like these are why people take out insurance and customers should contact their insurer as soon as possible for help and assistance to get claims moving quickly.”

The research also found that the cost of trading up has increased almost threefold in the last decade, standing at an average of £41,000 compared with £14,000 in 2002. Those in the south-east of England face the biggest premiums to trade up, while those in Wales pay the least.

“We already know that second steppers face a number of tough challenges, and in many ways have been the hardest hit by the subdued housing market, so it is unsurprising that they are struggling to fund the gap needed to trade up to their preferred second home,” said Stephen Noakes, mortgage director at Lloyds TSB.

The research also showed that just over half of people (51 per cent) are planning to stay in their current property for the next 12 months, with 23 per cent saying nothing would encourage them to move. A further 30 per cent said they would only move out of necessity, such as a new addition to the family or a change of job.

“A mortgage is the biggest financial commitment that many people have and we welcome this research which shows that 11 per cent of people in the UK are focused on their mortgage arrangements,” said Steve Reid, retail director at Clydesdale Bank.

Malcolm Lindo, managing director of SafeDeposits Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have received our licence to operate a tenancy deposit scheme in Scotland. We now have our sights on the next milestone, July 2nd 2012, when we will be able to receive landlords’ property details and start protecting deposits.”

The SafeDeposits Scotland Trust will use any surpluses generated by the scheme to provide grants that benefit education, training and best practice in the private rented sector in Scotland.

Five AONBs, including Solway Coast in Cumbria and the Northumberland Coast, have seen house prices more double over the last decade, while Surrey Hills was identified as the priciest AONB with an average house price of £407,568. Overall, being located in beautiful surroundings was found to add nearly £15,000 to the value of a home.

“The value of homes within areas of outstanding natural beauty has risen substantially over the past decade. The relatively high property values in many of these locations reflect the quality of life benefits associated with living in some of our most idyllic beauty spots,” said Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB.

Homes worth £180,000 or less will be exempt from the tax altogether, in a move that is expected to encourage more first-time buyers into the market. The tax will come into effect from 2015 onwards.

David Melhuish, director of the Scottish Property Federation, described the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax announcement as a “promising start” on an important new piece of legislation. “Much detail remains to be identified including the rates and treatment of commercial leases, but in our view the consultation document sets the right direction for engagement with the property industry on how to replace SDLT in Scotland from 2015,” he added.

“There is only a handful of business premises that are closed wilfully, the huge majority are empty because of the economic climate. This measure clearly will not help that, and in fact it will have the opposite effect and could even tip some firms over the edge,” said Scottish Conservative local government spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell.

It follows news that the National Association of Estate Agents has called on the Scottish government to reform Stamp Duty in a bid to increase demand for homes in Scotland.

However, average repayments on a typical mortgage fare well at 31 per cent of take-home pay, the lowest level in a decade, mostly because of the record low rate of interest. Robert Gardner, chief economist at Nationwide, said house prices have remained relatively stable over the last 18 months, in spite of the challenging economic conditions.

“Demand for homes remains subdued on the back of weak labour market conditions, but the lack of homes coming onto the market is providing support for prices. This is in part a reflection of the low rate of building in recent years which has failed to keep pace with household formation,” he added.

However, the research also revealed some confusion about what home insurance is for. One-fifth of people think they can claim on their insurance to check or replace roofing, while one in ten wrongly believe they can claim on their insurance to treat damp on an interior wall.

Mark Holweger, director for Legal & General’s general insurance business, said: “Insurance brokers and intermediaries need to ensure their customers really understand the consequences of not doing regular checks or neglecting essential repairs. Not keeping a home in a good state of repair could result in bigger repair bills and could even see the value of the property drop substantially.”

However, property buyers were warned to make sure they have adequate cover to protect themselves against any mishaps during their parties. Damage to household items was caused during six per cent of house parties last year, according to Santander, while five per cent of hosts suffered a theft. Seven per cent of parties also ended with carpet stains.

“The Queen’s Jubilee weekend is a great opportunity to throw a celebration with your neighbours, family and friends,” said Colin Greenhill, director of Santander Insurance. “It’s good to see that so many people are planning some form of celebration; however given the prevalence of accidental damage and theft during party celebrations, we are urging people to review their policy cover and make sure they are adequately covered. ”

The announcement brings the government’s total investment in bringing empty properties back into use to £215 million. Projects planned with the funding so far include the House to Home scheme, which will see 100 empty properties returned to use in Gresham, Middlesbrough, using local labour to do so.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “Renovating empty homes is an opportunity for the government to get people off housing waiting lists and into ‘good as new’ homes; it will also save them money and reduce the burden off of over-stretched councils at a time when housing benefit is also being slashed.”

Additionally, the research found that the housing market has followed predictable patterns since the 1970s, with successive periods of price growth and decline. The latest boom, which lasted ten years, has been the longest period of rapidly rising house prices.

“House prices … have become prone to pronounced swings over the past 40 years and the rapid decline in the number of homes being built since the 1950s has contributed to the demand-supply imbalance that has characterised the UK housing market in recent years,” said Halifax housing economist Martin Ellis. “This is likely to continue to play an important role in determining the landscape of the UK housing market over the coming years.”

Meanwhile, 61 per cent listed property as one of their top three sources of income. “This research clearly shows that more and more people are considering using their property as part of their retirement finances. This might mean choosing to downsize, rent a room out or use equity release – or any combination of the above,” said Nigel Waterson, chairman of the Equity Release Council.

He went on to say that with such a heavy reliance on equity tied up in residential property, it is “vital” that homeowners receive accurate information on their options when it comes to releasing cash from their homes.

Meanwhile, nearly half (48 per cent) of first-time landlords said they expect to buy their second property within two years, up from 26 per cent a year earlier. Ian Andrew, managing director of group intermediary sales at Nationwide and The Mortgage Works, said although the volume of buy-to-let lending is still “nowhere near” the volumes seen before the credit crisis in 2007, last year’s figure reached more than £14 billion, an increase of 40 per cent from the previous year.

“The positive outlook of professional landlords is reflected in our findings that the vast majority of brokers predict they will buy more properties in 2012, indicating continuing demand in the sector. We can all be encouraged by this optimism, especially given that one in seven clients already have at least four properties in their portfolio,” he added.

The poll also showed the shocking frequency of crime people have experienced in the home, which may encourage property buyers to increase their focus on security. Some 17 per cent of those surveyed said they had been burgled, while 13 per cent have been assaulted by intruders. Londoners said they had experienced the highest levels of crime.

“Rather than putting themselves in harm’s way, when it comes to home security prevention is much better than cure. Householders can take a range of measures to make their homes less attractive to intruders,” said Mark Greening, head of home insurance at Gocompare.com.

The website advised fitting outside security lighting and protecting boundaries with walls and fences to make it harder for burglars to hide.

Additionally, the number of houses in the UK has nearly doubled since 1952, going from 14.1 million then to 27.3 million today, although the number of new homes being built ever year has in fact almost halved. Home ownership is another area where improvements have been made – some two-thirds of the UK are now owner-occupiers, compared with just a third 60 years ago.

“The housing market has changed a great deal under the current monarch, with the aspiration towards home ownership and the increase in house prices most dramatic over the second half of the Queen’s reign. There is no doubt that property has remained a sound investment over this period,” said Peter Dockar, head of mortgages at HSBC.

“In many parts of the country our members are seeing an unprecedented level of demand for rental homes,” said ARLA operations manager Ian Potter. ”However, although the rental market is highly competitive, it is still possible to find that ideal home – if the search is carried out in a thorough, well-informed and realistic manner.”

Those looking for their dream rental were advised to set in place key “deal-breakers” with their housemates before starting their search, and take a friend or family member along to the viewings so they can benefit from a second set of eyes. They should also be prepared to make a decision promptly, as desirable properties are often snapped up quickly – for this reason, it is best to prepare deposits and references well ahead of time.

“Last year we saw a similar springtime rise in searches for first-time buyer mortgage advice. This year, despite three months of consecutive falls in searches for first time buyer advice, April has seen the first rise in demand in 2012,” said Karen Barrett, chief executive of unbiased.co.uk. She added that in recent weeks, lenders have been raising mortgage rates and tightening their lending criteria, making it harder for people to get on the property ladder.

Ms Barrett went on to say that homeowners should seek guidance from a whole of market mortgage adviser to ensure they are aware of the best deals currently on the market, and how to mitigate the impact of any rate rises imposed by lenders in the future.

The advice comes during SAFE Agent Awareness Week, which aims to promote the value of ensuring property professionals are regulated by an independent organisation, such as the Royal Institution of Charterered Surveyors or Association of Residential Letting Agents.

“Anyone can set up a letting agency, however, and it doesn’t take long for them to be handling significant sums of rent, deposits and other payments,” said Ian Fletcher, director of policy at the BPF. “The cheapest agent might appear attractive, but landlords should examine whether that is because their agent is cutting corners and not offering the protections that a SAFE agent will offer.”

The survey also revealed that people are to spend an average of 95 days in their gardens in 2012, while over a third of households now use their garden to grow fruit and vegetables. Spending on landscaping has increased by ten per cent, although spending on luxury accessories such as barbecues and water features have declined by 67 per cent.

“2012 is set to be a memorable year with many households holding garden parties,” said Peter Dockar, head of mortgages at HSBC. “Britain has traditionally had a love affair with gardens but with households facing financial pressures, people have to make difficult decisions about where to spend their cash.”

Business minister Mark Prisk is set to announce the funding during a visit to the Building Research Establishment in Watford, where he will launch the GCB’s new apprenticeship programme and take a tour of its Innovation Park.

“The government is determined to maximise the opportunities for UK construction in sustainable development,” said the minister. “This money will enable the Board to take forward a large programme of activities through the voluntary contributions of many people from the industry, who are keen to engage with us regularly to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy.”

He went on to say that the additional funding will support specific tasks to ensure they are delivered more quickly and more in-depth than they would otherwise have been.

The number of buy-to-let mortgages in arrears fell slightly in the first quarter of 2012, and the arrears rate continues to be lower than in the homeowner sector, suggesting that landlords are having less difficulty meeting repayments than owner-occupiers. Meanwhile, the repossession rate in the sector remained almost unchanged for the fifth successive quarter.

“Even though buy-to-let lending is running at only around a third of its peak levels, the sector is continuing its gradual expansion. It has become an important part of the overall landscape of housing provision in the UK,” said CML director general Paul Smee.

The minister also said the government is committed to providing support for people who are in danger of losing their homes, offering an alternative to arranging a quick home sale. The £20 million Preventing Repossessions fund will allow councils to offer interest-free loans to those struggling to repay their mortgages, while the DirectGov website contains plenty of free advice and information.

“Even though figures today show that repossession levels are stable, now is not the time to rest on our laurels,” said Mr Shapps. “Just as the government is tackling the problem head on I would urge struggling homeowners to do the same - I would urge them to take action and take charge, get advice early and use the support on offer.”

Lettings to small and medium-sized businesses were even shorter at 4.1 years, while even the high street was not immune to the downturn. High street retail unit lease lengths dropped from 7.7 to 7.6 years.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the BPF, said it is “understandable” that occupiers are choosing shorter leases in uncertain times. However, she reassured property buyers: “The security of income that comes with a long lease helps our industry raise finance particularly for development projects and so there will always be a place for the longer lease to help support development and growth in our economy.”

“Using augmented reality means that all a house hunter needs to do is lift their handset to see the properties for sale in the streets around them,” said Stephen Noakes, mortgages director at Halifax. “Our aim is to provide house hunters with information and guidance to help them make sense of the residential property market and make better-informed property decisions.”

The building society said the way people search for properties has changed hugely over the last decade, and buyers are increasingly look for real-time information on the move. Six in ten people who bought a house in the last five years did their property search online, while the number of buyers using smartphones for their searches is expected to triple in the next five years.

With rising costs, a greater proportion of the ageing population may need to look at alternative methods to fund their care, such as arranging a quick house sale to release equity from their property. However, last year’s report by Andrew Dilnot on the future of long-term care also revealed that 31 per cent of people believe the government should fund the total cost.

Vanessa Owen, head of equity release at LV=, said: “The UK is facing an uncertain future on the funding of long term care. Low interest rates and living costs continually on the up, coupled with social care budgets being cut, creates a worrying financial backdrop for many, especially those in retirement.”

Meanwhile, just four per cent of people said they would use an insurance policy, and 24 per cent said they planned to use income from savings and investments. “Despite the downturn in the property market, the realisation that property is likely to be a key source of funding for any care costs is becoming more widespread. Estimates suggest that over 65s have unmortgaged equity of nearly one trillion pounds,” said Chris Horlick, director of care at Partnership.

“We’ve seen a number of lenders tighten their criteria for interest-only loans over recent months, but the Co-operative has gone one step further and will no longer offer them to new borrowers,” said Clare Francis, mortgage expert at MoneySupermarket.com. “This change is largely in response to the FSA’s Mortgage Market Review and it wouldn’t be surprising to see more lenders follow suit.”

The Co-op said it “remains fully committed” to its existing interest-only mortgage customers, who will still be able to switch to any open product for the same amount when their agreement expires.

These included moving anything of value, such as furniture, electrical equipment and valuables to upper floors and preparing an emergency kit including blankets, torches, waterproofs and first aid in case you need to evacuate suddenly. It is also a good idea to find out how to turn off the electricity supply in your home.

The flood warnings have come as an agreement between the government and the insurance industry that provides protection to thousands of homes is about to run out. If no solution is found and people find their homes have become uninsurable, the best solution may be to arrange a quick home sale and relocate to an area that is less at risk.

“Whilst the technical recession might have only just returned, unfortunately the people’s recession never really went away. Unemployment has been rising, earnings growth has lagged a long way behind inflation, and government spending cuts mean that welfare benefits have been squeezed,” said Joanna Elson, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust.

Mortgage repayments are usually the single biggest financial obligation for a household. Those who are having difficulty repaying their home loans may wish to consider arranging a fast home sale that would allow them to move somewhere more affordable.

The number of properties selling for over five million pounds rose by 22 per cent in 2011, further indicating that the property market is in fact stronger than ever at the very highest levels.

Suren Thiru, Lloyds TSB housing economist, said continuing demand from cash-rich buyers in the UK and overseas means the highest-end sector is “largely immune” from the problems facing the rest of the market. “The rise in the number of multi-million pound property sales over the past year compares to the weakening picture across the rest of the market, highlighting the strength at the very top end of the housing market,” he said.

The NAEA also said it is vital to keep all paperwork in order and make sure legal documents are in the names of all parties concerned. Drawing up a list of who is responsible for non-shared costs, such as furniture, decorating and repairs, will also help to improve clarity and determine who pays for what if somebody moves out.

“Splitting the cost of a substantial deposit, maintenance and mortgage repayments could make owning a home a more realistic aim for many would-be first time buyers,” said Wendy Evans-Scott, president of the NAEA. “I would, however, advise anyone looking to enter into joint ownership that a transparent relationship between all parties is imperative if the process is to go smoothly.”

This follows research by the Post Office, which found that one in eight people hope to buy their first property in the next five years. Nearly a quarter of these said they intend to buy next year, while one in seven of them expected to complete their purchase in 2012.

“First-time buyers are the life blood of the property market and our research shows that challenging stories about first time buyers and wider economic issues have not dampened aspirations to get on the housing ladder,” said Mike Cook, head of mortgages at the Post Office.

The study also found that an estimated eight million people do not intend to buy a property at all. Currently, the number of mortgage products available to first-time buyers is 1,337, 187 fewer products than there were last year and considerably down on the 14,940 prior to the credit crunch in July 2007.

Clare Francis, mortgage spokesperson at MoneySupermarket.com, said it is “understandable” that more people seem to be moving away from property ownership as a goal, particularly in the face of rising living costs. “Despite a stagnant housing market in many areas of the country, property prices remain exceptionally high. Coupled with this, mortgages remain hard to come by with the number of loans available to those with a small deposit well down on the pre-credit crunch days,” she said.

Haggling on rents is most prevalent in the north-east and south-west of England, and least so in London, according to the ARLA study. The situation also comes at a time when many landlords are finding their mortgage rates rising.

“This situation highlights just how important it is for both landlords and tenants to carry out thorough research and, where possible, checks before signing a tenancy agreement,” said Tim Hyatt, president of ARLA. “Our research shows that around ten per cent of tenants are asking for references on a potential landlord, but that is a relatively small proportion.”

“The slight drop in reported supply levels suggests some caution amongst sellers, who were waiting until the full facts of the Budget were established and how that might affect house prices. In addition, the recent move by some major lenders to severely limit the availability of interest-only mortgages is no doubt dampening the levels of supply in the market,” said Wendy Evans-Scott, president of the NAEA.”

It follows a report from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, which showed recently that the volume of mortgage lending to first-time buyers increased in February.

Mark Bodega, director at HiFX, said France remains a safe bet for Brits seeking sun and a more relaxed lifestyle, and buyers are now also able to get better value for money due to the weakening euro. “Spain continues to attract Brits who are hoping to take advantage of depressed property prices.  The average property price in the country is down almost 30 per cent since the market peaked in 2007, yet while there are discounts to be had buyers need to pick carefully,” he added.

“It is encouraging to see the continuing year-on-year improvement in house purchase lending,” said CML director general Paul Smee. “However, it is not yet clear whether the end of the stamp duty concession will lead to a falling off in first-time buyer numbers and how much this may be offset by the government’s NewBuy scheme, available to all buying a new build property.”

The news follows last month’s statistics, which found there were 23 per cent more first-time buyers in January 2012 than there were in the same month last year, suggesting that mortgages are becoming more affordable for those taking their first steps onto the property ladder.

The research also suggested that around two-thirds of people are likely to carry out the work themselves rather than employ a tradesman, potentially putting their home at risk. HSBC advised checking with local councils to see whether a permit is needed for large projects, as well as ensuring you have the right skills and knowledge before taking on a job.

“Insurance companies receive many claims involving DIY-related accidents,” said Richard Brown, HSBC’s head of insurance propositions. “Always make sure you plan well before attempting DIY and seek professional advice if necessary. Also check that your home insurance policy covers you for accidental damage.”

However, there are concerns that this practice is just storing up longer-term problems for the property market. Those who find their houses have become unaffordable may find it better in the long-term to simply arrange a quick home sale and move somewhere they can afford.

“People are switching to interest-only because it gives them smaller outgoings now, but it is storing up problems for the future,” Treasury Select Committee member Andrew Leadsom told the Times. “If you have a nice big five-bedroom home to trade out of at retirement you may get away with it. But if you have a modest-sized home, how will you realise enough capital to repay the mortgage? We need to avoid people being put in a position where they become homeless when they retire.”

Homeowners who do not have the money to pay for the extras will have to borrow it via the Coalition’s Green Deal and pay it back through higher energy bills, under the new rules drawn up by Communities and Local Government.

Tim Yeo MP, chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Committee, said: “If people are spending their own money on a new boiler, compulsory intrusion is not appropriate. Encouragement or information about the scheme is justified, but it should not be made an absolute requirement to have builders inside your home.”

“The overall level of housing market activity across England and Wales has weakened over the past year, reflecting the concerns over the outlook for the UK economy,” said Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB. “Additionally, consumers are experiencing difficulties in raising the necessary deposit, which is preventing many potential home buyers from entering the market.”

He went on to say that although many towns in the north saw a significant rise in home sales, these increases are from a historically low base and property prices in the north remain weaker than in the south.

Adam Phillips, chair of the consumer panel, said the FSA is right to bring forward stricter regulation of the mortgage market, but the panel is “concerned” that many people will find rises in their monthly repayments financially challenging. “These increases are inconsistent with the principle of Treating Customers Fairly and could be addressed if the FSA were to consider introducing a new rule as we suggest. Otherwise significant numbers of consumers stand to suffer detriment,” he said.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, said the underlying trend at play here indicates broad stability in the country’s house prices, while the more volatile monthly figures are fluctuating as a result of historically low sales volumes.

“Efforts by first-time buyers to beat the expiry of the stamp duty holiday at the end of March have probably increased sales in recent months and may have helped to support prices,” he said. “We continue to expect little overall movement in prices this year provided that the UK economy does not suffer a pronounced weakening.”

Ian Potter, operations manager at ARLA, said many of these properties are likely to be owned by “reluctant landlords” who are attracted by the flexibility of a short-term let. “Renting a home on a shorter basis can be a good option for anyone who has found a buyer for their home, but not found the right property to buy themselves,” he said.

However, new landlords should be aware of the risks associated with renting, and pre-agree bills with tenants before the start of the contract, as well as preparing the property for rent by putting personal effects into storage, advised ARLA.

Seven out of eight of the most affordable cities in the UK were in the north of England or Northern Ireland, with Belfast, Bradford, Lancaster and Durham all making the list. The least affordable city was Truro in Cornwall, which has average house prices of £250,489 – nearly ten times gross average earnings.

Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB, said while there home ownership has generally become more affordable in recent years, there remains a clear north-south divide. “The improvement in housing affordability within many of our major urban conurbations has been significant during the past few years and reflects the decline in house prices over the period,” he said.

The study, led by Dr Glenn Wilson, revealed that 35 per cent of potential property buyers said they couldn’t stop thinking about the house they had their eye on, while five per cent even felt physical symptoms when they thought of the house, including increased heart rate.

To people who have experienced these feelings towards a property, the chance to gain capital by selling their current property quickly could prove helpful in order to snap up their dream house.

It may come as no surprise that 41 per cent of those questioned said they felt frustration when their intended purchase fell through, but perhaps the most surprising revelation was that 13 per cent reported feelings akin to the upset at the end of a relationship.

Dr Wilson said: “Given the level of emotional commitment in buying a house, it’s not surprising people form relationships with their properties in a way akin to those with their fellow human beings.”

Regionally, house price growth slowed across most parts of the UK during the first quarter of the year, with London remaining the top spot in terms of growth, while property buyers in Northern Ireland saw values fall the furthest.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said the slowdown was to be expected, given the expiry of the stamp duty holiday, which had lent a temporary boost to house prices in early 2012. “This dampening effect on housing market activity and prices may fade over the course of the summer, especially if the wider economic outlook begins to improve and other policy measures, such as the government’s NewBuy scheme, are successful in supporting buyer demand,” he said.

The only home improvement to improve in value is a conservatory, which will add an average of £9,420 to the value of a home, compared with £8,233 last year. The survey also found regional variations in the values of renovations, with London recording the greatest price gains resulting from improvements.

“Homeowners should think carefully about the type and extent of any home improvement works they are planning,” said Peter Dockar, head of mortgages at HSBC. “Those which enhance the quality of life while retaining broad appeal should be favoured over more individually styled alterations.”

Ian Fletcher, director of policy at the BPF, said it is crucial for the government to respond to the review and present a “menu of recommendations” that investors and businesses can use to repair the nation’s shops.

“Our high streets need vision, trade and investment, and landlords therefore welcomed a key recommendation from the Portas report in December that allow property owners to match the funding that retailers put in to Business Improvement Districts – successful vehicles that allow traders to come together to plan and fund improvements in their area,” he said.

ARLA says first-time tenants should research their desired postcode to get an idea of average rental rates, and ensure their deposits are protected through a scheme like the TDS. Making a professional inventory, including photographs of any damage encountered at the start of the tenancy, can also help to resolve any disputes.

“Renting is often seen as a low-hassle, lower risk option when compared to purchasing a home, yet many people find the prospect of renting a home daunting, whatever their age or experience,” said Ian Potter, operations manager at ARLA. “First-time tenants – young or old – should remember to keep the process as focussed and simple as possible.”

Key rooms such as the lounge may need to be repainted in neutral decor to make them appealing to as many people as possible, and rooms should be well-lit with natural light if possible. Any broken fixtures or surfaces should be repaired before the buyers arrive.

“Although the housing market is struggling at the moment, there are people out there who want – or need – to sell their home,” said Wendy Evans Scott, president of the NAEA. “Sensible pricing is an absolute must to ensure a quick sale, but there are plenty of other small and inexpensive changes owners could make to their property to help it stand out for all the right reasons.”

Those who buy properties through overseas companies will also have to pay capital gains tax on their purchases, closing a loophole through which investors were able to avoid paying stamp duty by completing transactions through offshore firms.

However, Adam Challis, head of research at Hamptons International, said the move will have a disproportionate impact on the capital’s property market. “London’s economy relies on being an attractive place for corporate executives to base their businesses. The Robin Hood Addiction can’t go on forever without impacting London’s global competitiveness,” he said.

Rules that restrict REITs to companies that are listed on the London Stock Exchange are also expected to be changed, potentially allowing hundreds of landlords on smaller exchanges to convert their portfolios. This would allow some buy-to-let property buyers to take advantage of capital gains tax relief.

Meanwhile, there are suggestions that a higher tax may be charged on residential property, as currently only 154,000 homes in the UK are within the highest council tax band. Writing in the Guardian, real estate tax partner at Deloitte Phil Nicklin said that the introduction of a “mansion tax” on houses worth over £2 million has also been suggested for this Budget.

The reserve price for the property is £10,000, and if this price is not reached it will be auctioned in the traditional way on March 27th. If this happens, the address will likely be snapped up by a property buying firm that specialises in quick home sales for problem houses.

“It may not be the prettiest property you’ll ever see but it has huge potential,” George Robinson, principal at Robinson’s, told the newspaper. “This is a genuine once in a lifetime offer and would be great for a young couple starting out in life who couldn’t afford to get on the housing ladder.”

However, 56 per cent cited job security as a major barrier to property ownership, and stamp duty was mentioned by 12 per cent of buyers. Overall, 17 per cent of those surveyed said they were interested in buying property in the near future.

“I believe that both consumers and lenders are currently in a period of adjustment to a new normal,” said Paul Broadhead, head of mortgage policy at the BSA. “A market that will be characterised by broadly flat or slow price increases; one where transaction volumes are lower than over the past ten years; where saving to buy becomes commonplace and a proportion of the population prefers to rent.”

The bank also compared the responses of estate agents with first-time buyers, finding that agents were much more likely to ask the important questions about the condition of the house, documentation  and local community.

“While in the excitement of searching for their first property they may not like to think about the required maintenance or, the condition of items such as the boiler, these will be a concern if it is something that they have to pay to fix at a later date,” said Peter Dockar, head of mortgages at HSBC.

“The Olympic Park represents the most significant regeneration project of the next 25 years,” said Mr Pickles. “The government is ensuring there is a lasting legacy from the Games and the innovative and attractive architectural designs on display here highlight the commitment to that ideal.”

Further new homes and jobs are expected to be created in and around the Olympic Park in the future as the London Legacy Development Corporation continues to drive forward regeneration. “A key aim in delivering thousands of new homes in the Olympic Park after the Games is to ensure that local people benefit from the 2012 legacy,” said mayor of London Boris Johnson.

With the housing market remaining stagnant, homeowners may also find they are being trapped into paying a mortgage they can no longer afford. One way around this may be to agree to a quick home sale with a property buying firm, allowing them to move to a property that is more suitable for them.

“We need to do more to help those in our society who need debt advice and solutions.  We call on the Money Advice Service to do more to ensure that people struggling with their household finances are made aware of the free advice and support available from charities like ours,” said Lord Stevenson, chair of the CCCS.

Prices did dip overall in February, although at the slowest rate for a year and a half, while new interest from potential property buyers rose slightly, with three per cent more surveyors reporting rises in demand.

“With the recent upturn in activity brought on by the end of the stamp duty holiday, it seems that a renewed sense of optimism may be slowly returning to the property market,” said Alan Collett, housing spokesperson at RICS. “Chartered surveyors’ price predictions were more optimistic in almost every area of the country in February.”

Looking ahead, a net balance of 20 per cent more surveyors said they expect transaction levels to increase over the next three months.

“NewBuy will help thousands of people to meet their aspirations to buy a new home, freeing up the housing market and helping first time buyers and those unable to take the next step on the ladder,” said Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, which jointly designed the scheme in partnership with the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

According to property website Rightmove, nearly 40 per cent of first time buyers will be more likely to get on the housing ladder thanks to NewBuy.

Wendy Evans-Scott, president of the NAEA, said the gender balance in the industry has only recently begun to change, despite women often being the “ultimate decision-makers” when it comes to purchasing a home.

“There is a lot to be said for having a balanced agency in terms of male and female agents and many organisations are waking up to this fact. Others still have a long way to go,” she said. “On the plus side, the Board representing the NAEA is 38 per cent female – a figure that is well above the government’s 25 per cent goal for other UK businesses.”

“With many potential first time buyers having been forced into rented accommodation due to problems with obtaining affordable mortgage finance, rental prices have grown quickly across much of the country in recent times,” said Michael Newey, spokesperson for RICS. “However, it seems that tenants may be becoming less willing to meet increasing rental values.”

Demand for rented accommodation has remained relatively strong, with 19 per cent more RICS members reporting rises in interest from prospective tenants. Also noteworthy is the growing number of landlords who are looking to sell a property at the end of a tenancy, creating new opportunities for property buyers. Four per cent of landlords put properties on the market in the three months to January, compared with 2.6 per cent the previous quarter.

Epsom was found the be the most expensive spa town, with an average price of £339,231, followed by Tunbridge Wells at £326,753. The most affordable was Llandrindod Wells, the only town where average prices were below £180,000. Half of the 18 spa towns studied average upwards of £250,000.

“Homes in spa towns continue to command a substantial premium over their neighbouring areas with the quality of life benefits and sense of history that typically characterise such locations still resonating amongst home buyers,” said Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB.

ARLA has compiled a checklist of essentials for first time landlords to consider before putting their money into a buy-to-let property, including carrying out thorough research on both properties and tenants, finding a licensed local agent and assessing the competition before adjusting prices accordingly. Landlords-to-be should also ensure they take a full and accurate inventory of their properties, and arrange adequate insurance.

“Making sure that your investment pays off takes hard work and commitment, but can be rewarding in the long term,” said Ian Potter, operations manager at ARLA. “If you’re a first time landlord, it’s crucial that you look for a licensed local agent to promote your property, and potentially also manage it.”

One quarter of people did not know that they become the owner of a property when the sale has been completed, while less than half knew that it is obligatory to survey the house they are interested in to get a mortgage.

“Buying a property is likely to be the biggest financial commitment most people will make. A lack of understanding of the key terms used during the mortgage process could mean that people end up spending more money than is necessary,” said Martyn Dyson, head of mortgages at Nationwide.

The building society has created a number of resources to help first-time buyers through the process, including a video guide and online information.

The Green Deal aims to make it more affordable for landlords to transform their properties by removing the up-front costs associated with installing insulation, upgrading boilers and other measures designed to improve the sustainability of housing stock.

“Change is coming, and private rented sector landlords must rise to the challenge of retrofitting homes with energy efficient measures,” said Ian Fletcher, policy director of the BPF. “For the policy to really fly we hope the forthcoming Budget will support it with some fiscal incentives, and it would also really help landlords to have greater clarity about the minimum energy standards that will operate in the sector from 2018.”

However, in spite of these gains, the East End of London remains one of the most affordable regions in the capital, making houses there a tempting target for property buyers. The typical price in the 14 postal districts near the Olympic park is 22 per cent below the London average.

“Some areas close to the main site for the 2012 London Games have experienced a sharp rise in property prices, reflecting increased buyer interest as well as the regeneration taking place there,” said Suren Thiru, housing economist at Lloyds TSB. “However, some areas have yet to see as marked an improvement.”

However, Wales’ housing market is facing problems of its own, including a chronic shortage of housing and low activity levels since the onset of the financial crisis.

“In our first look at the mortgage market in Wales, it is particularly encouraging to see a positive picture emerging for first-time buyers,” said Peter Hughes, chair of CML Cymru. “They have been at the sharp end of a dysfunctional mortgage market but in contrast to the UK, Wales has seen a continuing uplift in activity at this end of the market – albeit from a relatively low base.”

“Middle Eastern investors have strong historic links to the London property market and have typically invested for the longer term,” said Ben Stroud, associate director of residential agency, development at investment at the consultancy. “We are definitely seeing increased interest both in terms of volume as well as the variety of locations that regional investors are interested in.”

This demand is partly driven by a lack of new supply, which in turn is exacerbated by the capital’s rising population. Properties with two bedrooms are seeing the strongest price growth, although the majority of Middle Eastern investors are seeking three or four-bedroomed family homes.

If the offer is accepted, Gateway will work to complete the transaction in a timescale that suits all parties, as well as taking care of associated costs such as solicitors’ fees and paying a further commission to the introducer.

Gateway’s buying criteria is typically 75 per cent of open market value, with two per cent of the purchase price paid on completion to the lead generator as an introductory fee. It’s an ideal way for people in the property industry to make extra money by simply sourcing properties, or converting unwanted estate into cash within a short time – visit our Become an Affiliate page for more details.

As well as the chance to discuss exciting new opportunities with Gateway Homes, the show will feature more than 70 seminars from industry experts and entrepreneurs, who will be on hand to talk about why franchising has seen so much success in the UK. These include accountant Mandy Bagot, who will host a talk on what women can get out of franchising, while entrepreneur Nigel Botterill will discuss the questions potential franchisees should put to businesses.

The Franchise Show 2012 will also run a series of one-to-one workshops on topics like business planning, reducing property lease costs and international operations. If you’re considering a new start, come to ExCeL this weekend and meet the Gateway team!

Martyn Boyle, a franchisee and our regional manager in Peterborough, said: “Gateway Homes are a company that constantly looks forward, investing the time and resources required to ensure that the business can evolve and continue to be a market-leading player.”

The 41 new territories available span the length of the country, from York, Harrogate and Scarborough to Taunton in Somerset. Anybody searching for a new opportunity with a dynamic, growing property firm is urged to get in touch – but places are first-come first-served, so act quickly if you don’t want to be disappointed!

The survey also revealed that many existing homeowners are being forced to give up homes they can no longer afford, and that the average age of the first time buyer, which stood at 25 in the 1980s, has now risen to 37.

Help could be on the way for aspiring homeowners, however, after housing minister Grant Shapps announced plans this month to build 80,000 new homes on government-owned land, as well as launching the NewBuy Guarantee scheme for buyers with a smaller deposit.

According to his architect, the flamboyant artist has a “horror of building anonymous, lifeless buildings” and aims to create “the kind of home he would want to live in”. A planning application will be submitted this summer and construction on the homes could begin as early as 2013.

Recently, Property Wire reported that research by Smart New Homes suggests that four in five property buyers now seek out energy efficient features in a new home, with three-quarters of these saying they want to reduce the cost of their energy bills. This trend is likely to continue as government legislation will force all housebuilders to construct zero carbon homes after 2016.

Companies also need to think about whether the surroundings of a property are suitable for residential use – for instance, some locations may be closer to shops and bars, but this means they will be noisier at night and may not be located close to other essential facilities such as schools.

“Commercial property owners are facing high business rates for buildings that no-one occupies,” said Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA. “Therefore, in the right circumstances, converting these buildings for residential use could have an aesthetic and economic benefit. However, such renovations are not simple undertakings.”

The advert sets out all the main points of Gateway Homes in a 30-second slot. It also raises awareness of the fact that we take care of all solicitors’ and survey fees for our customers, and provides a Freephone number to allow people to find out more.

We hope our ongoing TV campaign will bring the benefits of selling your property to Gateway Homes to more people than ever before, and generate more leads for our nationwide network of franchisees.

Glen has more than 30 years of experience providing IT consultancy services to Fortune 500 companies, and has also worked in the property market since 2004 helping expatriates to buy and sell property in Spain. Peter, Gateway’s other new Gloucestershire franchisee, also has a background in IT and property investment, and together they will use their local expertise to cover the urban centres of Gloucester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Cirencester, Dursley and the Forest of Dean.

“As Gloucestershire’s most forward thinking and innovative property consultancy I can offer a range of services that traditional high street property companies don’t or can’t offer,” said Peter. “Working with such a great company as Gateway Homes is a natural extension of what I already do and ensures I can offer the best service to you.”

Joe’s track record of success in the field, which includes sourcing and selling more than £8 million of buy-to-let properties, makes him ideally placed for his role at Gateway Homes, which recently moved up to a bigger office in Leeds. We intend to keep on building our team throughout this year and beyond to meet our ambitious expansion plans.

“I am really excited to move to Gateway and using my extensive property knowledge to progress my career to the next level,” said Joe. “Gateway is a fast growing dynamic company, and it is inspiring to join such a professional, positive team.”

The new 14,000 sq ft of space – considerably more than the 1,600 sq ft we currently occupy – will provide us with all the room we need to meet our ambitious expansion plans. Turnover, staff numbers and profitability have all increased in over the last year, and with our first franchise soon to celebrate its two-year anniversary, we feel this is a great time to underline our achievements by trading up to a much larger headquarters.

Gateway will be moving into the new premises in April/May 2012, putting us in a great position to start the financial year with a bang. We have many more exciting things planned for this year – watch this space!

Charges for stakeholder pensions are capped at 1.5 per cent for the first ten years and one per cent after that, but by negotiating a long-term 0.3 per cent rate, savers could improve their retirement income by 17 per cent, according to the research. The report also revealed that around one-third of people do not shop around for the best annuity.

“People who don’t get the best out of their pension could end up stuck at work for years longer than they planned,” said Joanne Segars, chief executive of NAPF. “Getting a good deal on charges and annuities can mean the difference between enjoying retirement and spending years more at the desk.”

Glasgow is the most-discounted city with average price reductions of 9.2 per cent, followed by Blackpool at nine per cent. Meanwhile, Stockport, Chesterfield and Rotherham have the highest proportion of discounted homes for sale.

“The current average discount of £19,580 is a new high indicating that sellers have come to terms with the market realities,” said Nicholas Leeming, business development director of Zoopla.co.uk. “Pricing correctly remains key when selling a home and whilst there is a shortage of sale stock currently, buyers are more discerning and more informed than ever before.”

The price comparison website advised homeowners to invest in a good home security system, including a burglar alarm and timer lights, which may also enable them to get a discount on their home insurance policies.

“No matter where you live there will always be an element of risk to the safety of your possessions, so it is vital to have adequate home insurance in place,” said Julie Fisher, head of home insurance at moneysupermarket.com. “Properties classified as being in a ‘high-risk’ area – whether that be for crime, or something like flooding or subsidence – could see the price of cover affected.”

Meanwhile, the cost of renting is expected to continue heading upwards in 2012, as just three per cent believe rents will fall. “The modest improvement in consumer confidence in the outlook for house prices reflects the resilience of the UK housing market over recent months in the face of a weak economic recovery and the deterioration in the outlook for both the UK and global economies,” said Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax.

Homeowners can avoid becoming a victim of this crime by registering their property – this way, if they are subject to fraud they will be compensated, and registration is now free if the owner does not live in the property. If they feel their home is at risk, they can enter a restriction  that requires a solicitor or conveyancer to certify that anybody trying to sell the property is the genuine owner.

“We have introduced a range of additional safeguards in the last four years and we also work closely with other organisations to do all we can to tackle fraud and identify and take corrective action when it has happened. But home owners must also be vigilant and play their own part in protecting their properties against fraud,” said Malcolm Dawson, chief land registrar at the Land Registry.

While buyers usually need a £40,000 deposit before getting a mortgage for a new build, the scheme will make it possible with just £10,000. Mr Shapps also said power will be devolved from Whitehall to Town Halls in a bid to end the long-running “tax on tenants”. The £19 billion deal will allow councils to keep the rents they collect and put the money back into the houses they manage.

“The pattern of the past has been to produce endless policies and initiatives that simply gather dust on Whitehall shelves and lead to inaction and inertia,” said the minister. “But with the Prime Minister putting housing centre stage on the road to economic recovery, I am determined that we shall not repeat these mistakes of the past.”

Meanwhile, Inverclyde saw the steepest fall in house prices at a 12 per cent drop on the year before, and West Dunbartonshire recorded the highest percentage rise at six per cent. There was also considerably more activity in East and West Dunbartonshire, with a 28 per cent rise in the number of property transactions in both regions.

“The strength of sales in the house market is having a levelling effect on the market as a whole and this is keeping the changes to Scotland’s property averages at under one per cent,” said Kenny Crawford of Registers of Scotland. According to research by the Bank of Scotland, buying a three-bedroom home in Scotland is now six per cent cheaper than renting.

Currently, flood-prone homes can be insured because of a subsidy agreement between the government and the insurance industry, but this is due to come to an end in July 2013. “Some insurers are telling us that flood-prone homeowners might not be able to renew their cover later this year, because their new policy will extend beyond 1 July 2013: with all the implications for property value and mortgage availability that this implies,” said Mr Douglas.

People who find themselves unable to insure their homes may be able to arrange a quick home sale with a property buying firm to get themselves out of their predicament, allowing them to gain access to the money tied up in their property and relocate to a lower-risk area.

“The latest Hometrack survey reveals a market dogged by uncertainty,” said Hometrack director of research Richard Donnell. “On a national basis house prices have not increased over the last 18 months – a theme carried over into January when prices were unchanged.”

However, there was some light at the end of the tunnel for people living in London, which was the only region in the country where prices increased month-on-month, and the market is expected to get a further boost later in the year as overseas buyers take an interest in the capital thanks to the 2012 Olympic Games.

The proportion of potential home buyers was highest in London by a long way, followed by the north-east, East Midlands and Scotland. Meanwhile, people in the East of England and Northern Ireland were the least confident about their ability to successfully purchase a home.

“Given the tough economic climate people are becoming more upbeat about their prospects of purchasing a new home this year,” said Phil Cliff, director of Santander Mortgages. “It’s been a tough few years for the property market overall, but prices have made a steady recovery so there’s every reason to feel cautiously optimistic.”

One-third of first-time buyers were aged under 25 and just under a third were between 26 and 30. Meanwhile, more than one in ten property buyers making their first investment were over 41, indicating that many people are still struggling to take the step to home ownership.

“We remain committed to supporting first time buyers and have a range of competitive products to help them throughout the process,” said Steve Reid, retail director for Clydesdale Bank. He added: “We are proud that we are helping buyers of all ages to buy their dream home and take their first step on the property ladder.”

Wendy Evans Scott, president of the National Association of Estate Agents, said anybody who is currently in a chain and waiting to complete their purchase should make sure that others in the chain are aware of the tax holiday as well, which could help to get things moving faster.

“First time buyers are key to a healthy property market. We hope to see the number of people completing the purchase of their first home continuing to increase through February and March, as many FTBs are keen to purchase their first home before the tax exemption deadline,” she added.

“Although prices were pretty much flat in 2011, they’ve shown tremendous resilience given the bleak economic backdrop,” Richard Sexton, director of e.surv, told Property Wire. “The upshot of flat prices is that high inflation is slowly making property more affordable.”

However, conditions will still be difficult for property buyers taking their first steps onto the ladder, who still need to build up large deposits before they can secure a mortgage. The economic downturn in Europe will also drive down the amount banks are willing to lend to riskier customers, making the situation even tougher.

“First time buyers will still enjoy a stamp duty holiday until April, but after that their numbers could decline sharply,” added Mr Sexton.

The document also examined the declining options on the property ladder for people in this situation, who account for 5.8 million households in the UK. Home ownership is a distant dream for many people because of rising prices and bigger deposits needed for mortgages, while wages have remained flat.

“With limited mortgage availability for first-time buyers, historically high house prices and stagnant wages, many in this group are finding themselves stuck in private rented accommodation,” said the report. Job insecurity and low pay are also a contributing factor, particularly in the south-east and north-west of the country.

“It is pleasing to see that prospective house-hunters remained determined to continue their search for a home, despite the slowdown we normally expect to see at this busy time of the year,” said NAEA president Wendy Evans-Scott. However, she added that the extra interest has not yet converted into higher sales, and the number of homes on the market per branch actually decreased during the month.

First-time buyers did see some improvement, with a higher percentage of sales made to this group in December compared with the previous month, although it was down on December 2010.

“The Hybrid is therefore the perfect product for those borrowers who want to take advantage of low variable rates now, while securing a fixed rate element at today’s historic low prices,” he said. Mr Collins also called for more lenders to make Hybrids available to stimulate the first-time buyer section of the market.

Meanwhile, 55 per cent of people with John Charcol went for a tracker mortgage and 34 per cent opted for a fixed rate in December.

According to the index, the average house price stood at £220,385 at the end of 2011, a monthly rise of just 0.2 per cent. David Newnes, director of LSL Prperty Services, said although transactions fell over the year, the last five months of 2011 actually saw higher activity as buyers rushed to take advantage of the affordable mortgage finance coming onto the market.

However, he warned that 2012 will not necessarily be an easy year for property buyers: “With the global economy in a parlous state, the size of mortgage advances, which rose in the last 12 months by 3.5%, could begin to decline. The stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers will end in April which means first-time buyers will have to stump up an extra £2,200.”

The nine-bed mansion is currently hired out for weddings and anniversaries, and even comes with its own butler, maid and serving staff. Property buyers with a few million to spare will also find the stately home has been renovated recently, which owner Amazing Retreats says is the justification for the price increase.

A local estate agent told the newspaper: “A programme as popular as Downton Abbey is bound to have an effect on the interest in these sorts of properties. Even at the higher end of the market, trends and fashion count.”

People looking for a quick home sale should be pleased to learn that January has seen record levels of search activity, with 44 million property searches in the first ten days of 2012 alone – more than a quarter higher than last year. However, estate agents are now marketing less than one new property each week per branch, the lowest figure ever seen.

Rightmove said the beginning of 2012 looks rosy for deposit-assisted first-time buyers, buy-to-let investors and next-steppers who have a lot of equity in their homes. Conditions appear to be tougher for those currently renting who would like to buy their first property and home sellers who are unwilling or unable to cut their prices.

That’s because the Knight Frank Global House Price Index, which tracks the performance of world housing markets, discovered that Ireland has suffered house cost drops of over 14 per cent, while Spain and Cyprus have dropped 5.5 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively. However, those planning a move to France or Turkey have been told that property values have risen over six per cent annually.

Knight Frank blamed the tumultuous time for property buyers in certain countries on the global economic hurdles that came throughout the year, particularly in the Eurozone. However, this has not stopped certain areas of the world; many have been sheltered from the brunt of financial fall-outs in the west.

Among these were Hong Kong (up 19.3 per cent), India (13.9 per cent), Taiwan (12.7 per cent) and China (8.9 per cent). Naturally, many of the top performers aside from the market leader have relatively low bases to work from, while others may suffer their own collapse after a long period of inflation as that seen in the UK prior to the recession.

According to a study by Lloyds TSB this week, over one-fifth of homeowners (21 per cent) have decided to take the hammer to their home in the past ten years, while many others simply decided to undergo a quick home sale in order to move to this type of home. A further fifth have decided to do the same.

The study of 2,000 people went on to claim that a quarter of today’s homes have a room especially reserved for utilities, compared to only one in ten houses that property buyers grew up in. Another one in 50 even had a gym.

Yet while a number of rooms are being lost, a raft of new ones have made their way into homes and are establishing themselves as go-to ideas for those designing their home. One of these is the kitchen-dining room, which became 50 per cent more popular in just a generation – three in ten homes now have one.

Simon Hamilton, the international director at the British Institute of Interior Design, said: “With our increasingly hectic lifestyles convenience and sociability have become key, which is why kitchen-diners and games rooms have grown in popularity. In the next ten years, the majority of houses will be designed in this style.”

These cash-rich landlords have been poaching properties that banks have been unable to lend for, as potential homeowners fall off the radar due to this lack of financial aid. This, combined with the lowest level of housing output since 1923, has aided increased rental demand.

Yolande Barnes, head of research at Savills, said: “The expansion of the private rented sector is the single most important issue in the UK property market at the moment.

“But, if you look at the investment logic for people getting into it, it tells you a lot about how the market has changed in the past five years. Buy-to-let used to be a pure play on capital growth, but now you are basically buying rental income with a pretty good guarantee that it will grow.”

In the report, it was revealed that renewed interest from property buyers helped prices to rise by an average of 0.8 per cent from just one month earlier – quite the surprise for a traditionally quiet month on the housing market. Prices now linger at around seven per cent higher than the previous peak in March 2008.

It meant that luxury-home values rose by an impressive 12.1 per cent in the year through to December, effectively bringing about the smallest 12-month gain in three months. On top of this, prices for homes in central London have truly boomed since the market low of March 2009, growing by an amazing 40 per cent.

Liam Bailey, head of residential research, said: “Demand for prime London property in 2011, despite uncertainty resulting from the eurozone debt crisis and ongoing global economic uncertainty, outpaced supply and led to strong price performance.”

Meanwhile, Halifax revealed that house prices in the UK on an overall level fell by 0.9 per cent in December to a 30-month low, highlighting how people are not selling their home as fast as they may have hoped to. Many market commentators have gone on to claim that it is now a renter’s market, as people struggle to agree private sales to potential buyers.

Research released today (January 9th) by Barclays highlighted how many property buyers may have looked to sell their home fast and get on a more reasonable fixed-rate or variable mortgage. After all, many people paid out 15.4 per cent of their take-home pay of the last 12 months to cover monthly mortgage payments, falling from a high point of 20.5 per cent of 2008.

Opinion research went on to claim that the majority of homeowners are more comfortable with current payment levels than they were last year. Furthermore, 83 per cent “have room for manoeuvre” should interest rates or other financial circumstances change. Most homeowners explained to Barclays that they have a plan in place for when interest rates rise, reducing lifestyle budgets to cover any fluctuations in the market.

Andy Gray, head of mortgages at Barclays, said of the news: “Barclays is urging homeowners not to be complacent with this affordability and to act early on in 2012 to secure good mortgage deals, as they may be able to cut their monthly mortgage payments further.”

This was compared with Greater London, which had the lowest rate of bankruptcies during the year at 11 people per 10,000. Dorset saw the fastest growth in its bankruptcy rate over the past ten years.

Delroy Corinaldi, external affairs director at the CCCS, said the high rate of insolvencies in the West Country is likely to be a result of high debt levels and fewer job opportunities in the region. “Another issue could be that people are waiting longer to seek debt help and are deeper into their debt problem when they do,” he added.

“City traders have tended to put their bonuses into property, either as an investment or via residential,” said Shehan Mohamed, a housing economist at the CEBR. “There is now a dual effect. Bonuses are falling and jobs are going. Obviously job losses are more powerful as they put people in an untenable situation.”

Meanwhile, estate agent Savills said London areas that are traditionally associated with City workers like Clapham, Richmond and Wimbledon saw lower levels of growth in the second half of 2011 as job uncertainties began to bite.

“The fall in housing equity withdrawal since the financial crisis is likely to reflect a fall in the number of housing transactions, with little sign that households in aggregate are making an active effort to pay down debt more quickly than in the past,” said the Bank in a statement.

Recently, estate agent Knight Frank predicted a five per cent fall in average UK house prices over 2012, due to the subdued economic recovery and tighter mortgage availability.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said in spite of the modest price growth seen over the course of the year in the UK overall, the figures are “surprisingly resilient” against the backdrop of weak economic growth. “Resilience was less evident in other areas of housing market activity in 2011,” he added. “For example, the number of mortgage approvals remained low, at just over half the long-term average.”

Just before Christmas, the Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index showed a small improvement in people’s hopes for the UK’s economic future, particularly regarding employment and household income.

“Low mortgage rates, along with the stamp duty holiday on properties below £250,000 and the modest boost provided by the government’s FirstBuy scheme, have all contributed to prevent larger falls in 2011,” he added. Meanwhile, Council of Mortgage Lenders figures show that lending increased by 9.8 per cent in the year to October, contributing to a rise in transactions in November, although the size of the deposits that lenders require has not decreased in any significant way.

However, the north-south divide shows no signs of abating, after a report from mortgage provider ING Direct revealed that the added value of a parking space in the Kensington and Chelsea area of London stands at £95,800 – more expensive than the average house in Middlesbrough.

However, this is against the backdrop of a subdued property market where transactions have been lower all year than they were in 2010. Low mortgage availability and sellers’ unwillingness to drop their asking prices have contributed to the decline in sales.

A recent product analysis from Mortgage Brain showed that this situation may be easing, after revealing that the total number of available mortgage products has almost doubled in the last twelve months. As of December, there have been 14,052 mortgages available from UK banks and building societies, compared with 7,519 at the same time in 2010.

Supply levels in the prime London sector are “significantly down”, the company said, with a knock-on effect on registrations, although Cluttons said anecdotal evidence suggests real demand levels are much higher as property buyers only hurry to register when a suitable residence comes on the market.

The Cluttons London View also showed a reduction in prime Central London rental values of 0.4 per cent, the first contraction since the fourth quarter of 2009. As a result, landlords are becoming more flexible in rent negotiations to reduce void periods.

James Hyman, partner for residential sales at Cluttons, said: “The incentive to buy in Central London remains strong with homes that come to the market in Prime areas generating immediate interest and usually selling for well above listed values, as long as they are correctly priced in the first instance.”

Under the 25 per cent cuts to housing benefit that the government is considering introducing in 2013, a family that is judged to be under-occupying a three-bedroom home will lose £20.70 a week, or £1,076 a year. The NHS says this could force some households into debt or even leaving their homes.

“This will have disastrous implications for a huge numbers of people already struggling to make ends meet in the tough economic climate, including foster carers, grandparents, disabled people and smaller families,” said David Orr, chief executive of the NHF.

On December 14th, the Times published a letter from Mr Orr on the issue ahead of a crucial vote in the House of Lords. The letter urged the government to reconsider the rules and make them more flexible to accommodate families in need.

A £1 million flat bought in November 2010 will has risen in value by just under £400 per day in the last year, according to the Knight Frank figures, while those with a property worth £5 million or more will have seen their investment grow by a staggering £2,205 per day. This is in spite of the weak economic recovery and problems in the wider housing market, which do not seem to have affected properties at the top of the scale.

Liam Bailey, head of residential research at Knight Frank, said: “Our analysis of market activity in the three-month period to November, compared to the same period in 2010 … [demonstrates] that the increasingly apocalyptic news headlines are not having a significant impact on the prime London market.”

People in the North of England needed the least time to save up a 20 per cent deposit at 10.4 years, according to the research, largely thanks to house prices being lower. However, buyers in Greater London, where prices are almost three times higher, are in for a long wait at an average of 19.6 years.

Graham Mannion, managing director and founder of InvestorBee, said there is a “misalignment” between what first-time buyers want to do and what they can actually achieve with their savings.

“By understanding what people can save, particularly those putting away a lot, it should give them the confidence to save more so that they can reach their goals sooner,” he added.

The affordable properties will comprise a mix of two and three-bedroom homes and apartments, including eight homes with wheelchair access and another eight designed for elderly people. They will also be energy-efficient and constructed to the latest building specifications.

“This is great news for people in the Queensferry and Kirkliston area who are looking to make that first step on the property ladder,” Norman Work, Edinburgh City Council’s deputy housing convener, told the newspaper. “I will be seeking assurances that Home Scotland prioritise these affordable units for local people.”

Edinburgh City Council recently set out its ambitious strategy to build at least 8,500 new homes between 2012 and 2017 in an effort to meet demand from the rising population. The Scottish capital is expected to rise from 472,000 people now to around 550,900 in 2033.

There are currently more than 253,118 homes with a value of more than £1 million in the UK, four in five of which are in the capital and 56 per cent in the Kensington area of London. Virginia Water in Surrey, where 30 per cent of homes cost £1 million or more, was the only region outside the capital to appear in the top ten.

Nick Leeming of Zoopla.co.uk said the data shows how differently the higher end of the housing market is performing in comparison with the rest of it. “Whilst most of the market is suffering from the impact of inflation, stagnant wage growth, the inability to secure mortgage finance and nervousness about the future of the economy, at the upper end of the market, cash and equity rich buyers are enjoying some of the lowest mortgage rates in recent history,” he added.

Anybody facing repossession should consider using Gateway Homes to sell their house quickly rather than waiting for the bank to foreclose on their property. As well as getting a guaranteed fast sale for a lump sum, they will also benefit from a clear credit record – something they wouldn’t have if they had undergone repossession.

CML chief executive Bob Pannell said in spite of the expected rise in arrears and repossessions, there is hope for the UK  housing market as long as the wider economy improves.

“If European leaders navigate a comprehensive and sustainable way through Eurozone problems, current financial market stresses could heal – and the previous pattern of gradual improvement in cost and availability of funds re-emerge – relatively quickly,” he explained.

The website expects prices in 2012 to be underpinned by a shortage of new sellers, at 1.2 million – down by around third compared with the pre-credit crunch levels of 2007. Meanwhile, mortgage availability will continue to put a strain on transaction levels.

“The market fragmentation caused by the credit crunch means that success in selling now requires a very careful and complex local market analysis,” said Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove.

“As always it involves location, but the number of mortgage-ready buyers you can attract is now dictated by the type and size of property that you are selling.”

Renting is 31 per cent more expensive than paying a mortgage in a comparable house in London, meaning tenants pay £6,888 more every year. Meanwhile, in Milton Keynes, buying was 36 per cent more cost-effective than renting a home.

Nicholas Leeming, business development director of Zoopla.co.uk, said: “The shortage of financing, especially for first-time buyers, has pushed demand for rental property through the roof.

“But for those lucky enough to be in a position to get a mortgage, there may never be a better time to buy.”

However, data from LSL Property Services recently showed that rents fell for the first time in ten months in November, offering some reprieve for tenants.

For instance, if a family who took out a 100 per cent loan to buy a house for £100,000 saw its value drop to £90,000 over the year, they would effectively owe the bank £10,000 if they sold up. Under the new guidance, they would be able to remortgage to a new property without having to pay the outstanding balance, instead moving their negative equity to the new mortgage.

The FSA will not be able to force banks to lend, but the move is hoped to send out a message that financial institutions need to support property buyers who have been locked out of the housing market. One in 12 homeowners, or around 827,000 in the UK, are estimated to be in negative equity, according to figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Most of these people put down small deposits of ten per cent or less.

The organisation has issued some advice for people in this situation, reminding first-time buyers to set aside additional money to cover fees to lenders, insurers, surveyors and other people involved in the process, as any late payment could delay the sale. They should also keep all the paperwork involved in an organised file, as well as notes about the property viewed and any repairs needed so they can budget properly.

“With many first time buyers trying to purchase their first home before the tax exemption deadline, our members will be working closely with those first time buyers who are able to purchase before March 2012 to guide them through a difficult and challenging market place,” said Peter Bolton-King, chief executive of the NAEA.

According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, mortgages for first-time buyers are now at their cheapest in eight years, although these buyers still need to find on average a deposit of 20 per cent.

Surveyors were also quizzed on the factors they felt were holding back the housing market, with the vast majority (89 per cent) citing uncertainty in the economy, while 70 per cent said availability of mortgage finance was proving a barrier to transactions.

“It is encouraging that buyer interest has edged upwards in the face of the endless diet of negative news from Europe and the turmoil in financial markets,” said Alan Collett, spokesperson at RICS.

“However, a meaningful recovery still seems some way off.”

He went on to say that the proposed mortgage indemnity scheme is likely to provide some assistance for the market, but its focus on the new build sector means it will inevitably offer support for only a “relatively small share of the market”.

“Low mortgage rates, along with the stamp duty holiday on properties below £250,000 and the modest boost provided by the government’s FirstBuy scheme, have all contributed to prevent larger falls in 2011,” he added. Meanwhile, Council of Mortgage Lenders figures show that lending increased by 9.8 per cent in the year to October, contributing to a rise in transactions in November, although the size of the deposits that lenders require has not decreased in any significant way.

However, the north-south divide shows no signs of abating, after a report from mortgage provider ING Direct revealed that the added value of a parking space in the Kensington and Chelsea area of London stands at £95,800 – more expensive than the average house in Middlesbrough.

“Ministers need to be bolder and go much further to fix the broken housing market and they can do it in a way that is effectively cost neutral,” said David Orr, chief executive of the NHF.

“A public investment of £1bn – matched by £8bn from housing associations – would build 66,000 shared ownership homes for people on low to middle incomes.”

To do this, the government should make brownfield sites available for free to developers building affordable homes for families who have found themselves unable to get a foot on the housing ladder in their local market, according to the NHF.

Speaking about the proposed Right to Buy scheme, Mr Orr added that there must be a “cast iron guarantee” that at least one new rented home is built for each one sold under Right to Buy.

The problem was particularly acute in London, where only half of homeowners had taken steps to prevent breakdowns as temperatures drop. Last year, some three million Brits suffered some form of property damage due to freezing, with damage to roofs the most common cause of complaint.

“In addition to checking that your insurance covers the cost of emergencies, taking a few simple actions such as lagging pipes and keeping your home well maintained will go a long way to limiting the damage winter weather might cause,” said Stuart Curson, head of Direct Line home insurance.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, younger people were the least likely to take precautions, while more than three-quarters of over-55s said they had looked at ways to prevent damage to their property this winter.

“It is good that the government is in listening mode about Support for Mortgage Interest, as there is much that can be done to improve it,” said Paul Smee, director general of the CML. While the government intends to encourage claimants to take more responsibility for their mortgage payments, Mr Smee said that it is “dangerous” to pay the benefit to claimants rather than lenders, as this could potentially reduce its effectiveness.

According to the CML, SMI should be paid at the actual rate payable by the individual mortgage holder rather than a standard rate. The body is also concerned about a similar system that is being introduced to pay housing benefit direct to tenants rather than their landlords under the new Universal Credit system, as this system could be open to abuse by some claimants.

It comes as Channel 4 begins broadcasting a new series, The Great British Property Scandal, which aims to highlight the lack of affordable housing in the UK and show some of the social problems that are caused by empty properties. The campaign group Empty Homes, which acted as an advisor to the series, said more needs to be done to help the two million families in need of a home.

“The country’s housing situation is at crisis point, but there has never been a better opportunity to use empty homes to meet housing need,” said David Ireland, chief executive of Empty Homes.

“New families are forming at twice the rate that new homes are being built. The country needs homes quickly, and the best place to start is with those that already exist.”

The campaign group also called on the government to begin publishing an annual report of the state of empty homes in the public sector.

Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove, said the public seems to retain its belief in the value of bricks and mortar, even as the nation’s finances deteriorate. “This is a clear message that the majority of consumers view the property asset class to be as ‘safe as houses’ in these times of economic uncertainty,” he added.

People in London were the most positive about their home’s prospects for the future, with 29 per cent expecting prices to be higher in 12 months, while Wales had the least optimism with 35 per cent predicting lower prices in a year. The majority of those who expected price rises put their view down to feeling more confident about the economic situation.

Those in Wales may have more cause to be optimistic than they think, however, after a report by real estate firm BNP Paribas predicted that properties in the country will rise in value by six per cent by 2016.

Over the last 25 years, properties built before 1919 have been greatest in Scotland, followed by Greater London and Yorkshire and the Humber. However, since the housing downturn began in 2007, pre-1920s properties have in fact performed the least well, with prices contracting by 30 per cent, which Halifax suggests may be due to a trend among property buyers for smaller houses.

“Modern properties, built since 1960, have their own pull, which is sometimes linked to convenience; whether it is location on a commuter belt or the fact little extra work is needed,” said Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax. He went on to say that house built between 1945 and 1960 tend to be smaller, contributing to their smaller price rise in the last 25 years.

The total amount owed on mortgages has now fallen by £92.9 billion since the peak of the credit crunch, marking a growing trend for homeowners to increase the amount of equity they have in their properties. While this is partly driven by consumer desire to reduce the amount of debt they owe, the bank suggested it is also a result of tighter credit conditions reducing the number of first-time buyers in the market.

“Housing chains lead to large equity withdrawals, so the lower number of housing market transactions, all else equal, will have led to lower equity withdrawals,” said Kate Reinold of the Bank of England’s structural economics analysis division.

Lender First Direct recently advised Brits who can afford to overpay their mortgages to do so rather than putting their money into a savings account, as the actual financial benefits will often be greater.

“An offset mortgage offers the best of both worlds, offering easy access to your savings while still helping you to reduce the overall interest you pay,” said Richard Tolchard, senior mortgage product manager at First Direct.

Just 16 per cent of overall house sales were to the FTB sector last month, compared with 22 per cent in September, marking the biggest slump since December 2008 when FTBs accounted for just ten per cent of the market share.

Wendy Evans-Scott, president of the NAEA, said latest figures show that despite reported increases in mortgage approvals by the larger UK banks in 2011, there is still a lending barrier facing those buying a house for the first time.

“To address this government could ensure that banks are given clearer incentives to offer mortgage finance to the UK’s embattled first-time buyers, and also extend the mortgage guarantee … beyond just new build homes,” she added.

The NAEA welcomed the government’s announcement earlier this month that it plans to support FTBs with a mortgage indemnity scheme, allowing them to borrow up to 95 per cent of the value of their home – dramatically reducing the amount of deposit they will need to save.

Property buyers in the east of England saw the biggest month-on-month price rises at 0.7 per cent, while those in Wales saw values fall by three per cent overall. Meanwhile, the north-east of England experienced a massive year-on-year drop of 7.2 per cent.

However, an ongoing shortage of new properties on the market is likely to reverse this trend and send house prices soaring by 15 per cent within the next five years, the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) recently revealed.

The price of the average three-bedroom semi, which currently stands at £176,184, will climb to £202,068 by 2016 due to dwindling stock and measures by the Bank of England to make it easier for people to get a mortgage, the research body forecast.

Douglas McWilliams, chief executive of the CEBR, said: “By 2016 we are forecasting 740,000 new mortgages a year – up from an estimated 560,000 this year but only just over half the peak 2006 level.”

In its latest Monthly National Housing Survey, Hometrack forecast a total of 840,000 sales for 2011 as a whole – nearly half the volume seen in 2007. The research also noted that house prices have fallen for 16 months in a row, although they are down just 2.3 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

Meanwhile, new property listings did not grow over the last quarter of the year, falling by 0.8 per cent in October; demand for property fell by 2.2 per cent.

Richard Donnell, director of research at Hometrack, said a mixture of low turnover and realism over pricing on the part of sellers are supporting the headline housing indicators.

“While demand may have fallen for the last four months in a row there has been no significant acceleration in price falls,” he added. “This is at odds with consumer confidence which over the same period, has fallen considerably.”

However, house prices in Scotland actually saw their first quarterly rise in a year in the three months to October, the latest Lloyds TSB Scottish House Price Monitor revealed.

RICS spokesperson Michael Newey said better access to mortgage finance will be crucial in bringing new homes to the market, particularly for first-time buyers, but cautioned that focusing on new build properties will not free up chains.

He went on to say that developers are likely to be pleased about the Get Britain Building Investment Fund, although steps need to be taken to ensure public land is freed up in the right places.

“RICS looks forward to continuing engagement with the government and the sector to deliver a sustainable housing market that delivers aspirations across all sections of the market,” said Mr Newey.

Earlier this month, RICS launched a consultation to ask find out its members’ views on how the housing market can be improved, with levels of home ownership falling and demand on social and affordable housing increasing all the time.

The feedback the organisation receives will be used to create a Plan for Action, which will be presented to the government in early 2012.

“A fresh approach is needed to meet this challenge and to deliver a housing market that operates in everyone’s interest at every stage of the process,” said RICS residential director David Dalby.

David Miles, of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, said the average age at which people buy their first home is likely to rise as high as the mid-forties in the years to come, as banks are still unwilling to offer large mortgages.

“It will take time for first-time buyers to accumulate larger deposits, so they will typically buy later and the share of home ownership will be lower,” he said.

Meanwhile, the percentage of people who own their own homes instead of renting is likely to fall to just over half, according to the expert.

The comments come as David Cameron this week unveiled a list of reforms designed to “unblock” the housing market, including the provision of money to developers to make new homes and incentives for those who want to buy their own council houses.

Zoopla says the average asking price reduction has reached its highest level in two years at £19,500, and two in every five UK properties on the market have been discounted to encourage a sale.

In London, traditionally a resilient area of the country, nearly one-third of properties were reduced in price, although Sunderland, Stockport and Wigan were identified as the towns with the greatest proportion of asking price reductions.

“With the current economic uncertainty and difficulty buyers face in finding funding, it is no wonder that sellers are having to reduce prices in order to encourage sales,” said Nicholas Leeming of Zoopla.

Meanwhile, a house price survey by the Halifax has revealed that house prices in Northern Ireland have fallen back to levels last seen in 2004, with the average asking price standing at £109,612 in the third quarter of the year.

The guide recommends planning out your packing well in advance, as well as giving your home a thorough clear-out. This not only ensures you are only taking what you need, but gives you a chance to consider whether all your furniture will fit in the new property.

If you’re downsizing your home, you may be surprised at how much you can get out of the space available if you plan where everything is going to go. The previous owners may have been using a bedroom for storage or a study.

Checking with the agent ahead of time will also allow you to get the details of the previous utility providers so that you can set up gas and electricity as soon as possible.

Finally, it is always a good idea to get the latest information from an estate agent, who may be able to advise on the local area and the best removals firms to use.

David Cameron said that young people were struggling to own their home, as others have found themselves having to sell their home fast due to problems with funding. Meanwhile, many others are finding it too hard to get hold of a loan because banks are asking for 20 per cent from first-time buyers.

Housing minister Grant Shapps spoke to BBC Breakfast this morning. He said: “The problem that we have is that lenders aren’t lending, builders aren’t building and people can’t get their deposits together to buy so we’ve got a triple problem in the housing market.

“What we want to do is make it easier for first-time buyers… who say the biggest problem we have is the amount of deposit that we have to get together – that is their biggest blockage.”

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) released a report entitled Unfreezing the Housing Market, where it said that boosting housing activity could be a “major game-changer for growth and economic recovery”.

The CBI demanded that the government rises to the challenge of helping property buyers with quick and effective measures in the short-term, as well as the addressing of structural failures to ensure long-term stability.

Among the short-term recommendations is the introduction of a Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee (MIG) insurance scheme, which will allow first-time buyers to take out low-deposit mortgages and use pension pots as a means of paying for their home, effectively lowering the chances of them having to sell their house fast.

Meanwhile, longer-term options include the reduction in regulations on house builders, providing a planning system that promotes growth. The CBI also asked for a review of stamp duty.

CBI director-general John Cridland said: “We have to do more to give our young people hope in the future and support their aspirations to be home-owners. While we would not want to see a return to overly-risky lending practices and unsustainable personal debt levels, it is important that we get credit flowing to those who need it most.”

Savings were the biggest financial concern for individuals across the UK, as two in every five Brits said this was the focus of their worries. Meanwhile, pensions accounted for the main concern of 29 per cent of individuals across the country, while long-term care bothered a further 16 per cent.

The property market continued to be the focus of a lot of tension among people in the UK, as mortgage arrangements worried 22 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds and highlighted the possibility of many feeling the need to sell their home fast.

Karen Barrett, chief executive at unbiased.co.uk, comments: “Given the economic climate over the last few years, financial planning should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Careful planning could make a real difference to both your current financial situation and also securing your future.

“Mortgages, pensions and savings for children are just a few of the pressures and considerations facing consumers right now and therefore imperative for people to get as much information and help as possible to get on track.”

Citizens Advice chairman John Gladwin addressed attendees at the event, asking more MPs to pledge: “I will do all I can to ensure that the Citizens Advice service has the funding it needs to continue providing vital and high quality advice and advocacy in my local community and across the country.”

Citizens Advice Bureau offices across the country help over two million people with as many as seven million problems, whether they need to sell their house fast or find a way to tackle debts. They also provide support to individuals with nowhere else to turn, working from over 3,500 community bases in the UK.

However, funding cuts currently threaten Citizens Advice. Stephen Lloyd MP said: “More people need advice than ever before and at the same time national government and local authorities are having to make tough decisions about public spending that pose a real threat to the Citizens Advice service. I know we all can agree that a really strong Citizens Advice service is absolutely vital for all of our communities.”

The banking group claimed that first-time buyers who bought a house in 2007 with a ten per cent deposit would have had £16,000 in equity; however, a lot of this will have been taken away from them with an average £11,000 fall in property value. Assuming they made capital repayments on the mortgage over the last four years, first-time buyers would have paid £11,000 off their loan, meaning they still have £16,000 equity in their property – nearly the exact same amount as when they started their investment.

However, to move up the ladder and buy the average home now, second-time buyers must raise £27,000 to cover the cost of selling their house fast, raising a ten per cent deposit and stamp duty.

Head of mortgages at HSBC Pete Dockar recommended: “Making overpayments on the mortgage is one way that these movers can help build up their finances to take the next step up the property ladder. This increases the equity in their first home, and bolsters the deposit available to them for their onward move.”

The TUC reveals that the number of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 unable to find work had increased in 196 of 202 local authorities since September of last year. The organisation asserted that this underlines an unworkable approach to youth joblessness.

There were just six UK local authorities where youth unemployment stalled; Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames, Kingston upon Thames, Reading and Warwickshire – the last being the only one not in the south-east. As such, many youngsters are unable to stave off the need to sell their home fast or cancel other long-standing debts.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “We’re facing the biggest youth unemployment crisis in a generation with close to one million of our young people unable to find work. With the economic outlook the gloomiest it’s been since the end of the recession the bleak prospects facing young jobseekers look set to be with us for some considerable time to come, unless the government changes course now and brings in immediate measures to support jobs and growth”

More than two in every five (43 per cent) say they’ve prioritised children, while a third opted to become property buyers. Meanwhile, as a sign of the times, marriage was rated as the lowest priority for couples choosing to do their first thing; just over one in five (22 per cent) decided on this option.

A lack of consistency in the market has reflected on the number of people getting married full stop, too; eight per cent of respondents say a lack of money has put them off marriage permanently. This is backed up by government figures, which have showed that the number of marriages in the UK is at an all-time low – just 266,950 marriages were registered last year, compared to 313,551 five years previously.

Matt Owen, spokesperson for Churchill Home Insurance, said: “Financial uncertainty has meant a lot of people have had to make difficult decisions about their priorities in their home lives. It appears that having a big wedding is a now seen as a ‘nice to have’, but starting their own family is what’s really important for many couples.”

According to the survey by independent financial research company, 36 per cent of people continue to seek professional advice to help find financial products. However, the fact remains that 49 per cent of respondents do not understand product features, underlining just how necessary it can be to make appropriate financial decisions.

Defaqto‘s survey spoke to 2,500 consumers involved in decision-making. It discovered that the number of people using professional advice increased by 11 per cent over the last year. While the report found that 94 per cent of people compare features when buying financial products, nearly half did not realise the risks involved with inappropriate investments.

Andy Leggett, Defaqto’s insight analyst for wealth management, said: “This highlights the importance of independent advice and information to support people in making the right decisions for their financial futures. We are delighted to be working with the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) – as a sponsor of Financial Planning Week 2011 – to highlight the importance of financial planning to consumers.”

Surveyors associated with the organisation went on to add that uncertainty in Europe was affecting property buyers in the UK, restricting mortgage availability and impacting on the market.

Prices continue to remain in negative territory, dipping slightly in October with 24 per cent of surveyors reporting prices falling instead of rising. Meanwhile, over half of all respondents said that prices had stabilised for those looking for a quick home sale; of those reporting a decline, almost three-quarters suggested the fall was between zero and two per cent.

“Regionally, London continues to be the only region recording rising prices at the present time; it is also the only area where the price expectations net balance is positive,” RICS stated. “By way of contrast, new buyer enquiries and sales expectations appear to be edging upwards across rather more of the country, with demand for property strongest in the south-east and the north-west.”

During October, it became easier for people to achieve a quick home sale, RICS revealed; eight per cent more chartered surveyors reported that newly agreed sales rose rather than fell, highlighting a major rebound in activity after the dip of three per cent in the previous month.

“Although still at historically low levels, this rise represents the best reading since April 2010,” RICS continued. “Some surveyors attributed this increase to growing realism from many sellers, who appear to be more willing to take offers in order to secure a sale.”

Completed sales rose to 15 per surveyor over the last three months, representing the strongest level since April. Respondents, however, noted that if buyers are trying to get hold of finance, banks are still taking plenty of time to agree lending terms.

RICS housing spokesperson Ian Perry said: “It is encouraging that activity levels appear to have edged upwards over the past month. Indeed, chartered surveyors are generally upbeat about the near term prospects for transactions.”

uSwitch.com explained that the average household now has an energy bill of £1,293 a year, meaning that the number of people facing fuel poverty has risen to 6.9 million. Forcing many to consider action as drastic as selling their home fast to deal with mounting pressures, this price rise misery could get worse if another cold winter is to follow. The comparison service explained that a whopping 89 per cent of homes will be rationing their energy use over this period.

Director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com Ann Robinson said: “We must all start thinking about and managing our energy usage and there are two key steps to this – use less energy by making your home more energy efficient and pay less for the energy you do use. By improving energy efficiency and ensuring they are on the most competitive plan for them, hopefully households can keep their winter fuel bills manageable without resorting to drastic and potentially dangerous measures.”

In the latest Halifax house price index published today (October 6th), statistics for the third quarter of 2011 show a slight rise in residential property prices – the first since the start of 2010. However, on a monthly basis UK house prices fell by 0.5 per cent in September.

The unpredictable activity of the UK property market as it stands may provide a challenge to people looking to sell their house fast who may instead opt for a quick property sale with a professional property buyer.

Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist, said: “This mixed pattern is consistent with a market where prices are lacking genuine direction.

“Greater uncertainty about economic and personal financial circumstances, together with pressure on householders’ finances from weak earnings growth, higher inflation and increases in taxes, are likely to be constraining housing demand,” he added.

In a report by Bank of Scotland published yesterday (October 4^th),  it is revealed that property prices in rural areas of Scotland were found to have risen by an average of £79,819 from £79,104 in 2001 to £158,923 in 2011 – the equivalent of £665 per month.

Homeowners looking to make a move to the countryside – especially those attracted by the prospect of a better quality of life – will likely desire a quick property sale to ensure the process runs as seamlessly as possible.

Nitesh Patel, housing economist at Bank of Scotland, said: “This idea for a life in the country has come at a cost with house prices doubling in value over the past decade in Scotland – more than in urban areas.

“However, for first-time buyers average price has risen by even more, limiting their prospects for getting on the housing ladder,” he added.

The Halifax Rural Housing Review found that the rural premium has increased by 35 per cent over the last ten years, rising from £20,000 in 2001. On top of this, average property prices in rural areas have risen more than urban areas over the past decade; it works out as a jump of £576 per month, or a jump from £127,146 in 2001 to £196,316 in 2011.

Housing economist at Halifax Nitesh Patel explained that living in the countryside is an aspiration for a lot of property buyers in the UK, who believe that it gives them the prospect of a better quality of life.

He continued: “The side effect of rising property values is that housing affordability has become an increasing concern in many rural areas, particularly in the south where in all areas those on average incomes will find it difficult to enter the market. This, in turn, is having an adverse impact on the numbers of first-time buyers in these areas.”

Research conducted by advice website Unbiased.co.uk suggests that 35 million Brits have money worries, with 13.5 million remaining apathetic and failing to address their financial troubles.

The poll also reveals that two in five consumers are currently concerned about their savings arrangements and a third (29 per cent) are worried about their current pension provisions – or lack thereof.

Those who are worried about their personal finances may want to take action such as realising assets. They may, for example, opt to sell their home for cash to a property buyer.

At present, many consumers seem to be avoiding taking action to address their problems, with the age group who are least proactive being 35 to 54 year olds; where 41 per cent have done nothing to address their financial concerns.

Money Advice Trust has reported a 84 per cent increase in the number of people calling their National Debtline for assistance with rent arrears since the start of the UK’s economic problems in 2007.

With people finding the chance to get on the housing ladder particularly difficult in recent years, many homeowners looking to sell their home fast may also struggle to find a suitable property buyer.

Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said: “It is clear high rent costs are becoming more and more difficult for people to meet. A few years ago many people in today’s rent market would be planning on buying their first home, but now it seems they are struggling to even pay the rent.”

Statistics released by the Bank of England today (September 29th) indicate that 52,410 mortgages were approved in August, this is nearly 3,000 more than the previous month and the highest level recorded since December 2009.

The level of equity released from properties by homeowners also rose. It was up by £0.6 billion in August; this corresponds with the previous six month average increase. There was also an increase in remortgage levels with these rising from 31,279 to 34,668.

These figures suggest homeowners may be looking to realease assets invested in their homes. Individuals considering these strategies may want to consider alternative ways of raising money including selling their home for cash to a property buyer such as gateway homes.

A review of sales statistics by Halifax shows that the average price of a terraced home has risen more than any other property type over the past ten years.

Despite those living in terraced homes sharing walls with their neighbours and on occasion finding they lack privacy in their garden as a result, the cost of this type of property has risen by an average of £118 a week over the past decade – making the typical price increase between 2001 and 2011 a significant 68 per cent.

In stark contrast, flats performed the most poorly in terms of value growth, with the value of a typical flat rising by 49 per cent over the period. This is thought to be due in part to a ready supply of this type of property in some parts of the UK.

Suren Thiru, Halifax housing economist, said: “Although all property types have recorded significant price increases overall during the past decade, terraced homes have seen the biggest growth. Demand for such properties is likely to have been supported by their relatively favourable levels of affordability over the period. The rapid house price rises during much of the 2000s priced many potential home movers out of the upper end of the UK housing market.”

National debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) has reported a significant increase in the number of people sharing information about their debt problems with their partners, rather than hiding them.

This could mean they are able to take preventive measures, such as selling their home fast in order to prevent events such as repossession.

According to CCCS, the number of people who contact them and state their partner is unaware of their debt problems has declined by a figure of over 3,000 between 2008 and 2010, falling from 17,477 to 14,071.

Delroy Corinaldi, CCCS external affairs director, said: “I think part of the reason for this new trend is that people think about very differently about credit and debt than they did before the credit crunch and economic downturn. It may be that people are more aware of the difficulties that debt can cause and therefore more willing to talk about any problems they may have.”

Research by the banking group shows that while the average first-time buyer in the UK is 29, up North the figure generally drops. Indeed, in Selby in North Yorkshire the average age is 25.

Further areas where property buyers are likely to pick up a good deal include Redcar and Cleveland in the North East, Bolsover in Derbyshire and South Ribble in Lancashire – where the average first-time buyer age is 26.

It follows that average house prices have a tendency to be lower in areas with the youngest first-time buyers.

Figures show that the average house price is 15 to 40 per cent lower in over half of the ten areas with the youngest buyers.

Patel, housing economist at Halifax, said: “There are several areas in the country where the average age of first-time buyers is three to four years below the national average of 29. Most of these areas are in northern England where house prices are typically lower both in absolute terms and in relation to earnings, helping to limit the size of the deposit needed.”

According to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), their members saw an increase in sales during August, which is a traditionally quiet month.

Statistics released by the group show the average agent sold eight properties per branch in August – up from seven properties in July, and also up one from 12 months ago.

In a sign of good news for those who want to sell their home fast, the number of house hunters also rose to an encouraging four year high. The average number of people registering to search for homes rose from 299 to 304 and levels of unsold stock also dropped back.

Wendy Evans-Scott, President of the NAEA said: “This Summer has seen the return of what you might call the ‘serious seller’ – those who price realistically because they have a strong imperative to sell.”

Research conducted by esure home insurance, shows that house-proud individuals are spending five hours each week on home improvement projects – amounting to nearly a year and a half over a lifetime.

A third of all respondents (32 per cent) cited TV programmes such as Grand Designs, The Home Show, Kirstie’s Homemade Home and Location, Location, Location as their decorating inspiration.

This work may add value to a home and could be of particular benefit to those who are looking to sell their home for cash. However, despite potential benefits, these projects also seem to be causing some tension with five per cent of Brits admitting they are so obsessed with keeping their residence ship-shape that they no longer invite people over – for fear that they might cause a spillage.

In a survey by the Buildings Societies Association (BSA), more than eight out of ten young people aged between 18 and 24 said they aspired to become a property buyer by the age of 30.

The quarterly BSA Property Tracker also revealed that among potential first-time buyers, 94 per cent would ideally like to have bought their own home by the age of 35.

Perhaps surprisingly given the current market, three-quarters of respondents aspired to buy a home in their twenties.

Deposit levels continue to be a barrier for those potentially looking to sell their home fast, with 69 per cent of those looking to buy a home citing this issue; this figure is up seven per cent since June.

Paul Broadhead, BSA head of mortgage policy, said: “It is encouraging to see that the aspiration to buy is still strong among young people. It’s clear, however, that consumer sentiment coupled with some perceived barriers is dampening activity in the housing market right now. Undoubtedly consumers have some fears over long term job security and unsurprisingly pressure on household budgets is also having a huge effect.”

Information published by the Intermediaries Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) today (September 20th) shows 34 per cent of intermediaries believe standard mortgage business levels will increase in the final quarter of the year.

In addition, over a quarter of those expecting business to increase thought it would do so by three to seven per cent, while eight per cent forecasted growth of over seven per cent.

Two thirds of intermediaries expect business levels to remain constant, with only two per cent anticipating a fall.

The buy-to-let sector is predicted to perform well, after half of intermediaries forecasting business growth in this area. This would suggest more property buyers will enter the market, which should be good news for those looking to sell their home fast.

IMLA chairman John Heron said: “This positive attitude from intermediaries is a reflection of the general improvement seen recently in the mortgage market. The pick-up is slow but market conditions are gradually improving, particularly in the buy-to-let and remortgage markets.”

Research from first direct shows the average house deposit rose almost tenfold since 1990 – from £6,973 to £65,924 in 2011.

Over the same period there has been much variation in terms of pay levels, but the bank estimates that on the whole, pay levels have only doubled in the same period. This lack of balance is continuing to make it hard for people to get the first rung on the ladder as property buyers.

Bruno Genovese, senior savings product manager at first direct, said: “Much has been made of rising house prices, but the average deposit needed in the first place has actually risen more than twice as fast as house prices and almost four times as fast as income. This is why we are seeing first time buyers getting older, with more and more people struggling to get on the property ladder.”

Those who are saving were found to put away an average of 6.2 per cent of their annual income. Because the average UK employee earns an average of almost £1 million over their working life, this means those who do not pay into a pension are missing out on an average of £15,000 in tax relief.

Vince Smith-Hughes, head of business development at Prudential, said: “Failing to save into a pension means not only having to rely solely on the state pension in retirement, but also missing out on the ‘free money boosts’ which come with pensions, such as tax relief and employer contributions.”

Failing to make adequate provision for retirement could lead to financial problems in the future when you may find you need to sell assets such as your home for cash.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has released a statement pledging to examine ways the organisation can assist communities when they take on additional responsibilities and powers.

In the response, RICS outlined 12 ways it can channel the expertise of the organisation and its members to give support to processes such as the building of community housing. They will also aim to provide guidance on how to value self-build homes, so they are correctly valued by lenders for homeowners and future property buyers.

RICS spokesperson Stephen Hill asserted that RICS is committed to the support of initiatives which enable expertise and resources to be used for society’s benefit.

He said: “The responses to the Land and Society Commission’s report highlight the work RICS already undertakes and details the new approaches for property professionals to help communities achieve their aims in the context of localism.”

New figures released by the Financial Services Authority today (August 13th) show commitments are up 13 per cent on the previous quarter, though three per cent lower than the same quarter last year.

The amount given over in new advances for the quarter totalled £37 billion. This is comparative with the same quarter in 2010, but shows an 11 per cent increase on Q1 of this year.

Lending for house purchases represented 59 per cent of new lending advances in the quarter and 61 per cent of new commitment – both of these figures include an increase from the previous quarter due to a decrease in the remortgaging business.

A statistic of interest to those hoping to enter the property market is the proportion of new lending done at a Loan to Value level of more than 90 per cent, which rose slightly. However, it still remains below two per cent.

Figures released by the CML indicate that 30,600 loans were advanced in July, an increase of four per cent on the previous month. In addition, the total value of the loans awarded was £5 billion, a boost of six per cent on the previous month.

The loans awarded to home movers amounted to an average of 69 per cent of the property’s value – down one per cent from June.
CML director general Paul Smee said: “The UK mortgage market is currently holding steady.”

He went on to sound a note of caution for those hoping to sell their homes fast, stating that: “August saw global financial turmoil and unrest closer to home and recent Bank of England approvals figures do not necessarily suggest a continuing upturn in lending in coming months.”

This data emerged from the new Savings Survey data from NS&I, revealing an information gap that results from a reticence among older generations to share wisdom. Over a third of those above retirement age do not want to act as consultants to property buyers that want to sell their house fast because they believe younger people don’t want to hear such advice.

It may be a shame, then, that NS&I concluded that one fifth of respondents to the survey said that older family members are in the best position to give guidance on such matters.

NS&I savings spokesperson John Prout said: “Our findings indicate a lack of communication between generations in some families. These are challenging times for all of us, and as younger people are often making financial decisions for the first time having the opinion of someone who has already been through these life stages can be invaluable.”

Lloyds TSB researched the creation of savings pots for children, discovering that a quarter (26 per cent) of parents opened their first child savings account before their youngster reached the age of two. Just under a fifth (17 per cent) of parents in Wales and the north opened their child’s primary savings account before the age of one, as did eight per cent of Scottish parents. Indeed, it could marginalise the risk of these people having to get out of debt when they grow older.

Greg Coughlan, head of children’s savings at Lloyds TSB, said: “It’s never too early for children to learn the value of money and that pennies will grow up into pounds, given the right encouragement and guidance. Having parents and grandparents focused on children’s savings not only helps to increase financial awareness, but also promotes great budgeting skills. These skills will serve them well as they reach adulthood.”

Property search engine Globrix.com carried out the survey and discovered that one quarter of property buyers would want a discount on a house if there was tangible evidence that a smoker had once lived there.

Those who rent could be putting even more pressure on the market as a whole, as 60 per cent of landlords in the research revealed that they would not consider letting their properties to a smoker. Half of landlords went as far as to claim they would increase the rent for a smoker, while one-third have held back deposits to cover cleaning costs due to damage from tobacco smoke.

Jennifer Warner, who represents Globrix, said in a piece reported on WalletPop: “It is no surprise that in today’s ultra-competitive rental market, landlords are coming down hard on smokers, penalising them with higher rental charges and in many cases refusing to let properties to smokers at all.”

A recent feature for FT Adviser revealed that multi-asset managers are turning towards property for the first time since 2007. The report explained that the asset class – commercial, primarily – “now appeals as a ‘safe haven’ investment due to risk assets such as equities remaining volatile”.

Nonetheless, multi-asset managers are still re-entering the UK property market with marked caution, with a primary focus remaining on areas such as London and the south-east.

Head of global asset allocation at Investec Asset Management Max King said demand for residential property continues to exceed supply in London and the local areas around it. He explained: “Investing in property does look positive. Commercial prices have come back a bit in the last month so it is a good opportunity to add to UK property holdings, but the hotspot is London.”

Stressing that planning was key, the group suggested researching elements such as removal options well in advance, as well as starting the process of packing as early as possible.

In addition, property buyers are advised to pack an essentials box full of items they will need straight away, checking who you need to pick up the keys from in advance and being aware of access points to the property in order to keep the transfer of goods flowing.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA, said: “Moving into a house should be an exciting time, but too many people leave preparation until the last minute, which often adds avoidable pressure and expense.”

Data collected by Credit Action published today (September 2nd) puts the average household debt for September – including mortgages – at £55,814. In addition, a home is repossessed every 14.6 minutes; this amounts to 99 new properties every day during Q2 2011.

Total secured lending on dwellings at the close of July 2011 stood at £1,242 billion.

On a daily basis, 1,688 people are also being made unemployed, with 838,000 remaining unemployed for 12 months or more.

On top of this, 334 people are currently declared insolvent or bankrupt every 24 hours. As a result, many individuals are struggling to pay off existing debts or avoiding building further debt.

As such, some homeowners may be considering options to ease the pain, such as selling a home fast in order to steer clear of repossession.

Data published as part of their monthly price index shows that houses declined by 0.6 per cent in August compared to the previous month; this represents a 0.4 per cent decline on the same month last year.

The average price of a house for property buyers here in the UK now stands at £165,914 compared to £168,731 in July.
Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said the slight house price decline seen in August “doesn’t change the picture of relative stability that has characterised the market over the past twelve months.”

He added: “Sluggish demand for homes, combined with only a gradual rise in the supply of available properties, has helped to keep property prices stable since last summer. We expect this trend to be maintained over the remainder of 2011, although downside risks have increased as UK and global growth prospects have weakened.”

Under the suggestions published for consultation, councils would be allowed more financial freedom to trade their assets and use receipts to improve existing housing as well as buying and building new properties.

The newly-tendered rules would allow local authorities greater discretion to use and improve council housing without having to seek permission from Ministers in every case.

According to Mr Shapps, these proposals come as a direct response from councils across the UK requesting that the current regulations and processes be streamlined.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: “If councils want to use their assets to improve the availability of housing for their local community, it is ridiculous that they are forced to ask a senior government minister for permission in every case. That’s why I am today proposing greater freedom for councils to enable the judicious sale of assets.”

Lending collectively by Santander, Barclays, Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland, Nationwide and HSBC is estimated to have made up 81.5 per cent of the total volume of loans in 2010, the CML revealed.

This means the big six gave around £111 billion in loans to property buyers, down from £119 billion in 2009.

Mid-market lenders did manage to increase their gross lending over the period, with those in the middle of the table of top lenders – between positions seven and 15 – awarding £19.6 billion in home loans last year. This is almost double the 2009 total for the same rankings.

Right at the top, Lloyds was once again the biggest lender in the country, with a market share of 22.1 per cent (£30 billion), ahead of Santander with 17.8 per cent (£24.2 billion).

The CML predicted a similar picture for next year’s lending table, stating that “mid-sized lenders seem likely to continue the 2010 trend of increasing their share of new lending”.

Stating that they believe the UK property market “remains stable”, the UK’s second biggest housebuilder indicated weekly sales were up four per cent since the end of June.

This may indicate that more property buyers are now coming to the market and more homeowners may now be looking to sell their house fast in order to move into brand new properties.

In the first half of 2011, the York-based group saw a period of decline with new home sales falling by five per cent compared with the previous year.

The group reported a dip in pre-tax profits of £40.5 million, down 41 per cent from the same period last year. However, this period in 2010 saw profits boosted by an increase in land value.

Meanwhile, the company reported an underlying profit of £59.7 million in the first six months of 2011, up more than 50 per cent on last year.

“The significant improvement in underlying profitability of the business has resulted from the combination of gross margin gains and a more efficient capital structure,” said Persimmon chairman Nicholas Wrigley.

The research also stated that 44 per cent of people feel more in control of their lives when their money situation is in order and 33 per cent of those polled also feel more confident when their finances are running smoothly.

According to the survey, an area Brits struggle with is talking about the topic of money, with only 19 per cent of those polled stating that they have someone they can trust or confide in about our financial situation. With this in mind, the Money Advice Service is launching a campaign to encourage people to talk about their finances.

Behavioural psychologist and author Professor Karen Pine said: “The findings confirm the strong link between people’s financial health and their emotional well-being. We do not live compartmentalised lives, when our finances are in good shape the benefits spill over into our general sense of well-being. It is worrying that only a fifth of us have someone to confide in about money matters.”

A survey of 617 mortgage intermediaries by the group revealed that almost one in five (18 per cent) say half of the clients they have seen in the last three months were seeking mortgage advice from a professional for the first time.

Furthermore, over a third of intermediaries stated that the level of clients visiting them who had never seen a mortgage broker before lay somewhere between the percentage of a quarter to a half.

This may mean that more potential property buyers are ready to take the plunge and become homeowners.

Charles Morley, head of sales at Kensington, said: “It is incredibly encouraging that so many intermediaries are seeing such a large proportion of clients who have never sought the help of an adviser before.”

These are the findings of new research conducted by Sandander Mortgages, which also reveals that buyers are willing to pay over £12,000 extra to reside within a good catchment area – great news for homeowners looking to sell their homes for cash who live in such an area.

Of those looking to buy a home within the next five years, 15 per cent stated that being within a school catchment area would be one of their main priorities.

Phil Cliff, director of Santander Mortgages, commented: “People are increasingly concerned about the value of a good education, and in some areas of the country, there is a significant amount of competition for places at sought-after schools. This has led to many parents trying to move to a particular area deliberately to improve their child’s chances of getting into their desired school.”

LCHO covers shared equity and ownership programmes that have been promoted by past and present governments. They were introduced to help families and individuals who would otherwise be unable to become property owners.

According to the Halifax review of LCHO, shared ownership and equity are the top choices for property buyers, representing 87 per cent of total transactions within this sector. This is up from 79 per cent in the period 2007 and 2008.

However, the recession has challenged the success of such schemes and the overall number of LCHO transactions fell by 44 per cent for the year 2009-2010 when compared to the previous year, as stated by those registered with the Tenant Services Authority.

Nitesh Patel, housing economist at Halifax, commented: “The sector has not been immune to the difficulties of an uncertain housing market, and there is still much work to do. However, schemes such as FirstBuy should have a positive impact, and we support efforts such as these to ensure that affordable housing is more readily available.”

According to Zoopla.co.uk research, property owners looking to sell their home fast have reduced the price of their home by an average of £18,500 or more. This suggests the property market continues to struggle, particularly as properties prices at £1 million and over have even been seeing more price reductions.

The luxury home market has been most resilient in recent times; despite this, 27 per cent of homes in this price bracket have seen price reductions. This compares to 25 per cent of properties being reduced three months ago.

Nicholas Leeming, business development director of Zoopla.co.uk, said, “Vendors continue to have to lower prices due to weak buyer demand. Sluggish economic growth has hit buyer confidence and tight-fisted lenders are currently making it impossible for swathes of would-be buyers to benefit from the price reductions.”

According to the statistics, costs for first-time buyers were 2.2 per cent lower on average in June than the previous year. Prices paid by buyers who had previously owned properties were also lower, with a decrease of two per cent.

The Index also indicates that prices dropped marginally over the quarter to June, by 0.5 per cent, marking a 0.6 per cent decrease over the month of June. The average mix-adjusted house price now stands at £204,981.

However, the cost of new properties rose; there was a 3.2 per cent increase in the price of new builds compared to an average decrease of 2.4 per cent in the cost of a pre-owned property.

A report released today (August 18th) found there to be as a marked increase in the number of house-hunters on the books of agents for the month. Although some regional differences can be noted, on average agents logged 299 people on their books for the month, up from 263 in June.

This is good news for homeowners looking to sell their home for cash as it marks the highest level of potential buyers in over two years.

There was also less competition for sellers in the marketplace, with supply levels decreasing slightly. NAEA agents recorded 70 properties available per branch; this is four fewer than the previous month.

NAEA president Wendy Evans-Scott said: “It is great to see that interest in property has reached a two year high, especially at a time when, traditionally, estate agents experience a lull in activity as people take a holiday abroad instead of house hunting.”

Calling the plans a “significant step forward in enabling the growth the UK requires”, the group has affirmed its belief that the changes could help deliver badly-needed employment and create affordable housing for property buyers.

RICS states that proposed reforms to the planning system should make for a more “workable” system for the local community and be “more responsive to public need”.

However, not all organisations have been pleased with the draft that aims to streamline the current system after Fiona Reynolds, director-general of the National Trust, warned the policy could lead to problems.

She told the Guardian last month: “The government’s proposals allow financial considerations to dominate and with this comes huge risk to our countryside, historic environment and the precious local places that people value.”

The latest Consumer Confidence Survey released on August 11th shows that consumer intentions to spend are at an all-time low; increasing bills, the economy and increasing fuel prices all cited as top worries.

In order to avoid debt problems, 71 per cent of consumers polled said they have changed the way they shop to try and cut household expenses, with 65 per cent moving to cheaper brands.

It is possible those with more serious problems may consider alternative strategies to raise their income, such as selling their home.

In addition to 60 per cent of Brits being concerned about personal finances, 73 per cent of those polled remained pessimistic about job prospects for the coming year.

British Retail Consortium director-general Stephen Robertson said: “The squeeze on disposable incomes is getting tighter. A third of people said they have no spare cash – a new record high. Weakness in the economy and rising utility, fuel and food bills top consumers’ concerns for the next six months. Even after paying out for essentials, households that do have spare cash are choosing to pay off debts and build-up savings rather than spend on the high street.”

The CML figures indicate the number or properties taken into repossession in the second quarter of 2011 was 9,000, only 100 down on the previous quarter.

With the number of repossessions failing to slow, Mr Shapps urged struggling home owners to prioritise asking for help before they are required to sell their home or lose it.

After taking the new figures into account the CML left their forecasted number of repossessions for this year unchanged at 40,000.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: “With today’s figures underlining how the worst recession for a generation has brought difficult times for Britain’s homeowners, my message to those homeowners is clear: the quicker you act, the more options you have to stay in your home.

“The Government is meanwhile getting on with the task of tackling the record deficit we inherited – to avoid the need for rapid increases in interest rates and keep the pressure off already stretched family budgets. I would also urge struggling households themselves to take immediate action to stay in their homes.”

A survey by moneysupermarket.com reveals that only a third of credit card users regularly think about the impact of a credit card purchase on their finances, as well as its potential of leading to mounting debts.

According to the research, £145 marks the threshold where most people start to consider the consequences of their credit card spending.

Consumers who find they relying on credit cards may want to consider pursuing other financial resolutions, such as realising their assets by selling their home.

Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com, said: “Using a credit card is a convenient way to pay for everyday goods, however it is easy for consumers to lose track of what they are spending, which could have potentially disastrous consequences.”

According to the latest RICS UK Housing Market survey (August 9th), 22 per cent of those surveyed reported that property prices fell for the month, giving a resulting net balance on June of -26, a small improvement from the previous year.

It would seem, however, that despite enquiries from new buyers rising by five percentage points, large deposit requirements are still putting off potential property buyers.

As a result, pessimism remains in the market, with 13 per cent of chartered surveyors expecting house prices to decrease further over the coming three months.

Commenting, RICS spokesperson, Ian Perry said: “The UK housing market continued to stall during July; prices edged lower and sales levels remained subdued. While the holiday season appears to have had some impact on the market, the continual problem of inaccessible mortgage finance is still preventing first time buyers from accessing the market. Unsurprisingly, with prices continuing to fall, many would-be sellers seem unwilling to lower their expectations and are reluctant to place their property on the market.”

According to the Halifax First Time Buyer Review released this week, the volume of towns and cities in the UK that are affordable regions for first-time buyers to live has now risen to a level last seen in 2003.

The data suggests the average price of a property paid by first-time buyers in June 2011 was affordable for someone receiving an average wage in almost half (48 per cent) of the local districts examined – the highest level for eight years.

However, the average deposit requirement tops £27,000, meaning the number of first-time property buyers remains constrained.

Stephen Noakes, commercial director of Halifax Mortgages, said: “The significant challenges in raising a deposit and widespread pessimism about the chances of being accepted for a mortgage are clearly preventing some potential first time buyers from even attempting to get on the ladder.”

According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), research conducted for their report for summer 2011 Employee Outlook: focus on pay shows that almost three in five employees have suffered a pay freeze since January this year.
Even worse off are the one in 20 workers who have had a base pay cut, with this group now potentially considering options such as selling their home fast to realise their assets.

Commenting on the report, CIPD performance and reward adviser Charles Cotton, said: “Even those who are lucky enough to get an increase in their pay will find it below the current cost of living, compounding consumer belt tightening. Inflation figures later this month will highlight growing pricing pressures, which is likely to continue for some time.”

He purchased the ten-bedroom home near the Hollywood Bowl for a reported $11.5 million (£7.19 million). The home was originally put on the market in 2009 by Ben and wife Christine Taylor, but was recently reduced in price after they failed to find a property buyer quickly.

Mr Statham was slightly more successful when it came to selling his home fast, as he managed to offload his own LA bachelor pad last week.

A real estate source commented on his new love-nest: “The house has a very macho feel to it.
“You can image that Jason would have felt comfortable there. The decor is sleek and modern. It’s an amazing place but Jason wants to move somewhere new that suits Rosie’s style as well.”

Research by the organisation has shown that a rise in rates will impact the majority of private landlords, with a rate rise of two per cent having a negative impact on 89 per cent of respondents. A further 53 per cent stated that the bearing would be significant.

Eight per cent of those surveyed said they would be forced to reconsider their future in the sector, while six per cent predicted they would need to reduce their portfolios or quit the private-rented market altogether.

This means in the future, people who are looking to sell their homes quickly could have fewer potential buyers from this sector.
David Salusbury, NLA chairman, said: “These statistics show how important it is for a landlord expanding their portfolio to construct a sound long-term business plan when considering buy-to-let properties.”

The poll also reveals that of those who are not saving, two-fifths have never saved at all. In addition, the average age savers begin to save is currently 25.

The level of financial worry for some is shown by 64 per cent of people who have never saved saying they didn’t know when, if ever, they would be able to start.

Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com said: “It comes as no surprise that with the rising cost of living, large numbers of people feel they have no cash to put aside at the moment. However we really do need to see an attitudinal shift among UK consumers and see regular saving become part of everyday household budgeting.”

The NAEA is reminding potential buyers of five key points when buying a property: to see the property at different times of the day; to check insulation and heating; to look for signs of damp; and to consider the ‘all year round’ aspect when viewing gardens.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA, said: “It’s easy to be swayed by warm weather living when house hunting in the summer, meaning cool living rooms, large windows and lots of space for barbecues can be attractive. Yet it is important not to forget how quickly the British weather can change.”

Data from the Land Registry’s flagship House Price Index, published July 27th , shows that the average house price in England and Wales now stands at £161,479. This indicates a decline of 2.5 per cent on the average price of a property compared to the same period last year.

There was good news for homeowners looking to sell their homes for cash in London, as the region was the only area in the survey to see an increase in the average property price over the last 12 months, with a rise of 0.8 per cent.

The latest figures also show that the number of competed sales in England and Wales fell by seven per cent in the year to April.

This fall may prompt homeowners to investigate other ways of selling their home – such as using professional property buyers.

The report published today (July 28th) reveals most countries witnessed growth in both occupation and investment from property buyers, with most countries reporting positive rental and capital value expectations.

More than three quarters of respondents also expected investment demand to grow over the next quarter – excellent news for those looking to sell commercial property quickly.

The quarterly RICS Global Commercial Property Survey provides a snapshot of market conditions based on information collected from leading international real estate organisations, local firms and other property professionals.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: “We would have expected our survey results to reflect some impact of the recent economic ‘soft patch’, but interestingly, it looks as though commercial property markets around the world remain strong, regardless.”

Between May and June, the average number of properties on sale to property buyers per branch rose from 68 to 74.

In other good news for those looking to sell their house fast, the number of agreed property sales also increased, from an average of eight homes per branch up to nine, suggesting the rise in sellers confidence is in line with an increase in demand.

Wendy Evans-Scott, president of the NAEA, said: “The leap in available housing stock suggests increased confidence amongst sellers. They think there is a much better chance that their home will sell. For house-hunters, this is welcome news as it offers a wider choice of properties to pick from.”

With the Games set to start nearly one year to the day (July 27th 2012), the NLA have issued some tips to prevent home owners wishing to make cash from their property through short-term letting falling foul of the law.

Aside from using a reputable registered letting agent and issuing a contract for holiday let or licence, the NLA stress the importance of taking an inventory of the property and ensuring that all rent is paid up front.

Home owners should also make sure the accommodation is furnished well and that all the basics such as beds, sheets, towels and appliances are provided for guests.

To maximise rent yield, the organisation goes on to advise home owners to make sure their property is finished to a high standard.

Home owners looking for other ways to make cash from their properties may also consider selling their homes to a property buyer such as Gateway Homes, who purchase houses in all conditions and locations.

Statistics from the British Bankers Association for the month of June show that the value of all home loans approved for the month fell by 11 per cent compared to the same month last year to £7.6 billion.

The number of new loans for home purchase was also down by six per cent compared to the same period last year.

The seasonally adjusted average value of loans for house purchases rose from £147,700 to £149,700 between May and June.

BBA statistics director, David Dooks said: “Banks continue to lend for house purchase but the weak mortgage market is self-evident, although some growth is coming from the buy-to-let sector to meet demand for rental properties.

“Personal deposits are growing only slowly as some people may be using savings to pay higher household bills.

“Businesses, as has been seen elsewhere, are concerned about the economic outlook and, in weathering difficult trading conditions, they are putting off expansion or investment plans and limiting borrowing.”

This Follows the MPs meeting with NaSBA earlier in the year when he requested input from officials on how barriers to self-build could be removed, enabling those who are looking to sell their home to consider starting their own home building project in the future.

In the meeting NasBa unveiled 15 separate proposals in response to this request, including a suggestion that more land should be made available for self-build and that revolving funds should be accessible via a self-build support group.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: “Self builders deliver affordable, greener and more innovatively-designed homes, and make a big contribution to the number of new homes built in this country. But there is still significant opportunity for growth in the sector which can only be opened up if Government and industry work together.”

Comparison site moneysupermarket.com, has found that the number of mortgages for those with just a ten per cent deposit is at its highest level since November 2008, with 312 mortgage products currently available with 90 per cent loan to value.

In addition, the average rates on 90 per cent mortgages have fallen by 0.53 per cent in one year, meaning those looking to sell their homes fast may see more interest from buyers.

Clare Francis, mortgage spokesperson at moneysupermarket.com, said: “There is a severe shortage of first time buyers at the moment and one of the reasons for this is down to the fact that it’s been so difficult to get a mortgage unless you’ve had a deposit of 25 per cent or more. It’s therefore encouraging to see an increase in the number of 90 and 95 per cent mortgages available.

“That said, we are still a long way off the number of products that were available pre-credit crunch and those with smaller deposits are still having to pay a higher rate of interest than those who are able to put down 25 or 30 per cent.”

Over the same timescale, almost 600 mortgage products were removed from the market, indicating the fast pace of change in a sector that influences the prospects of those who wish to sell their property fast.

Brian Brown, Defaqto’s head of consulting, said: “Providers in the banking sector are facing a number of significant challenges, including rapidly changing and crowded product markets and consumers with increasingly complex and individualised needs.

“The pace of change within the banking sector is phenomenal, particularly when it comes to mortgages. Banks need to stay ahead of the competition to capture and retain market share. However, there are significant challenges involved in putting the right type of product together.”

Nick Clegg made his comments to Andrew Marr of the BBC on his Sunday morning show (July 17th). He declared that he was “incredibly worried” that worsening financial problems in Europe – such as Greece – as well as America’s failure to tackle its debts. The public may be worried that this could filter down in a number of ways, leading to a number of British citizens considering selling their houses fast to cope with money difficulties, should they worsen.

Mr Clegg explained that many property buyers have the wrong outlook with Europe, asserting that just because the UK is not a member of the euro does not mean that economic tensions would not filter through. As such, we cannot simply “wash our hands of it”, he continued.

Meanwhile, financial problems in the United States continue, as they agree on a plan to cut the level of borrowing and reduce debts. Arguments in the Senate and Congress between the Democrats and Republicans have caused tension that could affect the global economy, which were also flagged by Mr Clegg.

The company explained that the number of unsold properties on estate agents’ books is reaching record levels, meaning people may look to sell a house quickly with an alternative organisation.

This so-called “muted demand” has been caused by competition rises, resulting in the largest fall in July since 2008. Seven out of every ten properties put on the market this year have yet to change hands among property buyers, meaning the average number of houses with estate agents now stands at 78. This is the highest-ever total for the time of year.

Director of Rightmove Miles Shipside said: “Summer sellers are more nervous about their selling prospects than the early birds who asked even higher prices during the first six months of this year.”

In analysis, published this week (July 12^th), PwC revealed that after inflation is taken into account house prices are still likely to be 12 per cent below their 2007 peak in 2015.

In addition, there is just a 53 per cent chance that house prices will be higher than pre-recession levels in 2020, suggesting that the property market might not be back on its feet for those looking to sell their house fast.

John Hawksworth, chief economist at PwC, said: “We expect average UK house prices to drift down further over the next year and then enjoy only a modest recovery over the next few years. This reflects the dampening impact of declining real income levels and continued tight credit conditions for first time buyers in particular.”

Prudential revealed that concerns about retirement pots may force people to find alternative sources of income, such as through a quick home sale. However, many pensioners were still taking a tax-free lump sum from their pension when retiring and 79 per cent of those drawing a company or private pension in 2011 took a tax-free lump sum.

Meanwhile, one in ten respondents went on to admit that turning down a tax-free lump sum is now a decision they regret.

Head of business development at Prudential Vince Smith Hughes said: “The days of buying a shiny new car or going on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday may be gone, to be replaced by making savings and investments with the lump sum to supplement retirement income.”

According to moneysupermarket.com, people are using their credit cards on an average of 21 days after payday every month as their current account runs low.

A quarter of Brits (11 million people) fall back on plastic as a means of keeping themselves afloat and avoid a quick home sale, though others may not have the option given factors in the market. After all, one in ten of those polled use plastic less than 15 days after being paid.

One in three told the comparison site that they use a credit card each month for everyday items like petrol and food, though remain confident that they can pay it back. A further third use a credit card for larger items such as holidays, and many say they cannot repay it immediately.

Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com, said: “Unless you plan this properly and know you’re able to pay off your balance, this can be a dangerous trap to fall into. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t pay off their card every month, you need to look at the steps you can take to reduce monthly expenditure before turning to credit products.”

The RICS Housing Market survey reveals demand within the market underwent little change in the month – much as it has been for the last six months.

According to the experts, conditions remain precarious and the only property buyers who have sway in the current market are those who have sold their property or agreed a mortgage.

Fewer properties also came onto the market, with a net balance of plus one per cent in June. This suggests homeowners are now putting potential house sales on hold.

RICS housing spokesperson Alan Collett said: “The housing market was pretty flat during June. Buyer interest in purchasing property remains relatively low across much of the UK and the volume of new stock coming to the market has slackened. With continued uncertainty over the jobs market and the economy, this subdued picture is set to continue.”

However, the CML was keen to stress that lending volumes were still weak on a historic basis; despite there being a monthly increase in house purchase activity, it still remains below the level seen in May last year.

Michael Coogan, director general of the CML, said that seasonal factors will likely push lending for house purchase further, adding that stable conditions should remain for the rest of 2011.

“Funding market conditions appear a little more positive, for example, recent securitisation deals suggest confidence has returned as investors regain their appetite to invest in bonds backed by mortgage assets,” Mr Coogan added. “Overall, this is a positive influence on mortgage market conditions.”

According to unbiased.co.uk, searches for whole of market mortgage advice hit 40 per cent in June 2011, a rise of four per cent on the previous year and a level not seen since April last year.

Potential property buyers also maintained interest in the buy-to-let market with nearly one in five consumers searching on the site looking for advice on this particular topic.

Karen Barrett, chief executive of unbiased.co.uk, said: “Our ‘find a mortgage adviser’ figures suggest that confidence in the mortgage market is returning; we are seeing quite fast-paced changes with a number of mortgage lenders having made their products more available by increasing the loan-to-value and offering attractive rates as the base rate remains historically low.

“This has led to an increase in the demand for whole of market mortgage advice from first-time buyers – it’s really good to see that they are looking for this type of advice to ensure they get a complete overview of all the products which are currently available to them and make the best choice according to their financial position.”

uSwitch’s research discovered that lower-income households and pensioners were being hurt by the prospect of fuel poverty, though the more-affluent middle class is now hurting from rising bills. The company said that if fuel poverty is re-defined to be calculated following housing costs, fuel poverty levels jump even higher to almost nine million people, or a third (33 per cent) of all households.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, was worried that people may be unable to keep up their payments on their house and, as such, be forced into a quick home sale.

She said: “Start to factor in housing costs such as mortgage and rental payments and we are left with the shocking image of a third of all British households living in fuel poverty. The sad truth is that consumers are paying a heavy price for this country’s disjointed, incoherent and unaffordable energy policy.”

Working from its latest report in conjunction with Nielsen, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed that overall shop price inflation jumped to 2.9 per cent in June from 2.3 per cent in May. Meanwhile, food inflation jumped to 5.7 per cent from 4.9 per cent and non-food inflation rose to 1.3 per cent – a climb of 0.5 per cent.

BRC director-general Stephen Robertson was adamant, however, that the high street’s price rises were not to blame for people looking for alternatives to escape their debts, such as a quick home sale.

He said: “Household budgets are under pressure. Real disposable incomes have dropped the most in 34 years but increasing petrol and energy bills plus low wage rises are the main causes.”

Mr Robertson added that shop prices continue to grow much slower than the Consumer Prices Index and added that the effects of the weak pound on import costs and higher VAT are “beyond retailers’ control”.

This is Money revealed the surprising statistics by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which underlines how many property buyers may be looking to sell their house fast and downsize. While official figures show living costs jumping by just five per cent a year, families desiring childcare typically have to raise gross earnings by four times to maintain living standards.

The foundation asserted that freezes and cuts in child benefits have forced the hand of families to look at other ways to cut corners to maintain a higher standard of living.

As a result, low-paid women may even struggle to earn enough to cover the cost of childcare. Research found that a couple with two children now needs at least £18,400 each, or £36,800 between them, to meet its measure of a good quality of life.

New research from Santander shows that closeness to work is the top priority for homebuyers, with 33 per cent of prospective buyers stating it to be the number one factor they consider when buying a home.

Being near a decent school was also on the list of desirables, as a good catchment area comes in second place on the list.
Good public transport links, having a garage or car parking space and having a south-facing garden were also cited as factors that made a winning property.

Understandably, living in a nice neighbourhood was also on the checklist and the average buyer stated they would be prepared to pay over £7,800 to move into a safer neighbourhood.

Phil Cliff, director of Santander Mortgages, said: “It’s fascinating to see the value that prospective buyers attach to different property features, and how these evolve as people get older and family situations change. Some of the most in-demand privileges, however, such as close proximity to the city or good schools, come with an expensive price tag.”

The research, published yesterday (June 30th), revealed that a quarter of all UK homebuyers fail to have a survey carried out on their property. As a result they are forced to make unplanned building works averaging over £1,800, with costs soaring even higher in some cases.

Now that more property buyers may be aware of this danger, those who are looking to sell their house fast might consider offering a survey up front to push their property sale along quicker.

RICS spokesperson David Dalby said: “In difficult economic times it pays to be prepared. Nobody wants to be left with a home that needs extensive repairs or one they can’t sell on. By having a survey you’ll be armed with information on the condition of the property which puts you in a stronger position to decide whether to proceed with the purchase, or negotiate a better deal.”

The building society claimed that while there may be a number of people wanting a quick property sale, the weak level of mortgage applications in recent months suggests that new buyer enquiries continue to be sluggish.

Robert Gardner, chief economist of Nationwide, explained that while there have been encouraging developments for households up and down the country, this hasn’t been enough to reinvigorate the housing market.

He continued: “Employment has been edging up and consumer confidence surged in May – although the latter may have had more to do with unusually warm weather and extra bank holidays, rather than signalling the arrival of any recovery-related feel good factor.”

Richard Banks, the chief executive of UK Asset Resolution (UKAR), has said that UK households need “tough love” to help them prepare for the looming rise in interest rates.

The UKAR are responsible for running the £80 billion mortgage bailout scheme introduced to help tackle the banking crisis.

In an interview with the Guardian, published this week, he said that the Labour government’s efforts to encourage lenders to keep families in their homes at the start of the crisis actually forced some homeowners further into debt.

Mr Banks sounded an alarm that the industry may have been too lenient with some customers and that stricter guidelines are needed to get the industry in a better position.

If these predictions take shape, some of those in debt may need to consider options such as a quick home sale in a bid to prevent repossession.

A survey of over 2,300 site users by price comparison site moneysupermarket.com found that one in three people are currently worried about the spiralling cost of running a home.

Other prominent concerns included the rising cost of motoring (13 per cent) and worrying about debts (12 per cent).

Another concern among those surveyed was upward by the Bank of England’s base rate (11 per cent), which could impact on homeowners and property buyers.

With the cost of living continuing to rise while disposable income reduces, it comes as no surprise that many consumers remain uneasy about their financial situation.

Clare Francis, personal finance expert at moneysupermarket.com said: “Many consumers are paying far more than they need to for their household bills and there are significant savings to be had by switching to a better energy tariff and making sure that you find the best deal when your car or home insurance is up for renewal – the savings can literally add up to hundreds of pounds over the course of the year.”

The Bank of England revealed last week that Lloyds Banking Group’s exposure to risky mortgages is more than double that of any of its top five rivals, leading the Financial Times to label the provider as a potential “ticking time bomb”.

Loans accounting for one in four of Lloyds’ mortgages are worth 90 per cent or more of the property value they are secured against, making it a questionable situation for a number of property buyers in the UK.

Just 12 per cent of loans covered by Royal Bank of Scotland and Santander have these high loan-to-value credentials. Nationwide, HSBC and Barclays have an even smaller proportion.

Ultimately, these kinds of loans more likely to fall into arrears if home buyers fail to contribute the right deposits, possibly setting Lloyds up for a rocky future should recessionary trends return to the UK.

Research conducted by Post Office Mortgages shows that more than 28 per cent of women aged between 18 and 34 are looking to buy in the immediate future, compared to just 20 per cent of men in the same age category.

With this in mind, home owners who want to sell their home fast may want to appeal to this new breed of property buyers who have been dubbed ‘FABs’ – or female and buying.

The survey also revealed that prospective buyers are lowering many of their expectations across the board in order to find an affordable property and get their foot on the first rung of home ownership.

Post Office head of mortgages Mike Cook said: “Our research shows that female first time buyers are happy to compromise on the more superficial aspects of property ownership because they see buying a home as a financial investment in their future.”

Corby was found to have the highest rate of homeowners at risk of losing their home, closely followed by Barking and Dagenham and Newham in London, Knowsley in the North West and Thurrock in the East of England.

The report published on Tuesday (June 21st) found a strong link between unemployment and rates of repossession orders and warns that as many as 45,000 repossessions could take place in 2012.

Campbell Robb, Shelter’s Chief Executive, said: “We know only too well that the combined pressures of high inflation, increased living costs and stagnant wages are really taking a toll on people.

“It is absolutely vital that struggling homeowners, in particular those at risk when interest rates rise, get help before things spiral out of control.”

The consumer champion went on to warn that a rate increase could leave thousands of property buyers in financial difficulty; a one per cent rise would add over £50 to monthly repayments if someone has a basic 20-year mortgage of £100,000.

Which? added that seven in ten people are worried about their mortgages, while a further two in ten fear repossession.

Chief executive of Which? Peter Vicary-Smith said: “Banks have enjoyed increased margins on mortgages for the last few years and when the base rate rises again, few lenders will be able to justify passing the full amount onto their SVR customers.”

The new FirstBuy programme will see over 100 housebuilders offer new-build homes to first-time buyers who may otherwise struggle to get onto the property ladder.

The government and housebuilders will work together to offer a 20 per cent equity loan, alongside a five per cent deposit from the buyer, which will allow the potential home owner to take out a 75 per cent mortgage for the property.

It is hoped the scheme will help up to 15,000 people across the UK within its first two years; the first wave of properties will become available in September.

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Housebuilders Federation, said: “FirstBuy will help first-time buyers, boost economic growth and provide a vital shot in the arm for the housebuilding industry. Our members have reacted decisively to support FirstBuy and recognise the scheme is an important first step.”

Based on the company’s own data, people in the best areas of the UK have seen the value of their homes rise by nearly £150,000 over the space of a decade, due to huge interest from property buyers.

The bank went on to explain that the average house price in the ten areas that recorded the biggest rise in economic activity in the UK between 1998 and 2008 rose by 219 per cent (£146,984), from an average of £67,178 to £214,162.

Edinburgh, Liverpool, London and Belfast were among the major growth areas, though large parts of the north stalled compared to southern rivals.

Housing economist at Halifax Suren Thiru said: “Unsurprisingly, house price growth over the past decade has been stronger in the areas that have seen the biggest increases in economic activity. The north-south divide that has opened up recently with the general outperformance of the housing market in southern England appears to reflect the stronger economic performance of these regions.”

The ONS study looked at the effects of taxes and benefits on income inequality in the UK from 1980 to 2009/10. It found that although richer households in the country pay a larger proportion of their income on indirect taxes, these taxes have been regressive over the last 30 years and therefore make little difference to income equality.

Although direct taxes have reduced inequality, indirect taxes – such as VAT and fuel duties – have increased inequality by roughly the same amount. As a result, inequality remains relatively unchanged.

Retirees and other low income earners have been hit hardest, leaving some to resort to a quick home sale and downsize to release equity in their property.

Data released by the group this week indicates there were 40,900 loans, worth £5.9 billion awarded for house purchase in April.

This figure is up from 37,900, worth £5.5 billion, in March but remains down from a figure of £6 billion, a year earlier indicating that house purchase activity is still below the level seen in 2010 – an on-going problem for those who wish to sell their homes fast.

For those who are looking to get cash by releasing equity in their home the fall in remortgaging could also signify a blow.

Remortgage lending fell in April from 24,700 loans set at a value of £3 billion compared to 34,100 loans the previous loans put at a value of £4.1 billion. However remortgaging remained marginally higher than April 2010.

Michael Coogan, CML director general said: “The market continues on a stable footing and the increase in house purchase lending is a good sign that the stability will continue throughout 2011. However, the economic outlook, coupled with Bank of England subdued approvals data for April, suggests a muted summer for mortgage completions so we do not expect further increases in lending over the coming months.”

Analysing latest statistics of the labour market, the TUC concluded that it could take as long as five years for the UK to restore its pre-recession employment rate, meaning more people will be out of work for longer.

The research looks through employment rates for working-age adults between February 2008 and February 2011. As it stands, it will be five and