Car Insurers Debate Over Future Profits

UK car insurers have been running an unprofitable business for 14 years. Independent market analysts, Datamonitor, say 2009 looks to be a profitable year despite the doubts

March 13, 2008

Budget Report Expectations

Chancellor Darling's Budget Report is expected to raise taxes on alcohol, fuel emissions, flights and many other issues concerning the economy. Tax burdens expected to increase on poorer families

March 12, 2008

Card Fraud Rises Again

Card fraud has increased over past year. Whilst chip and PIN technology has been successful in the UK, criminal activity overseas has increased 77 per cent

March 12, 2008

Tax Cuts Needed To Restore Confidence

Appeals for corporate tax cuts are submitted to the Treasury as it prepares its Budget report this Wednesday. Business and banking sectors are worried about the direction of the UK economy

March 10, 2008

First Time Buyers Take Hit From Stamp Duty

Stamp duty tax has not kept up with the rate of increase in house price inflation over the past decade. Yet another hurdle first-time buyers must leap over to get on the property ladder

March 10, 2008

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Market Looking Up For The Buy To Let Market

The vacancy periods for buy-to-let properties fell in the face of a recent surge in tenant demand. The report claims that 30% of landlords take less than a week to find new tenants, while 40% take between one and two weeks. The decrease of landlords who take more than two weeks to fill a vacancy dropped from 42% to 28% in the last quarter, according to research by Mortgage Trust.

John Heron, Mortgage Trust managing director, commented: "Much has been made recently of the problems investors have finding tenants for new build flats - and this has frequently been interpreted as being symptomatic of a decline in tenant demand for private rented property generally. But speculative gambling on properties with no proven appeal to tenants is not representative of the buy-to-let market. The vast majority of professional landlords know their local area well and have a good understanding of the level of appetite for rental properties within it - they invest wisely and make good returns.

"All our research, and indeed research from other bodies such as RICS, shows that there is very strong tenant demand for the right properties - particularly family homes and terraced houses. Reports that landlords are selling off properties are also wide of the mark. In fact tenant demand remains strong and void periods are low and getting lower. With property prices moderating, I expect yields to rise over 2008 - this is a good environment for the professional landlord to expand his portfolio."

The number of borrowers are decreasing as potential home buyers are prepared to rent until the housing market continues the tailspin that has seen house prices decrease as much as £22,000 since August 2007.

Buy To Let Mortgages - Compare Best Deals Instantly!

Published on January 11, 2008

Darling's Budget Report Highlights

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March 13, 2008

Lending Falls Again Says CML

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March 12, 2008

10 Tips To Improve Your Credit

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March 7, 2008

Interest Rates Kept At 5.25%

Yesterday, 6th March, the MPC decided to keep the base rate at 5.25 per cent. This decision was to be expected as the Bank focuses on the pressures of rising inflation and a slowing economy. Analysts are predicting another cut to 5 per cent to happen in May unless economic conditions weaken substantially. Whilst some feel the MPC shouldn't wait too long before the next cut, many agree with yesterday's decision... Read More
March 7, 2008

20 Per Cent Of Homeowners Fear Repayments

The UK's financial watchdog, the FSA, published a survey of over 500 mortgage holders which revealed 1 in 5 are worried about being unable to keep up with their mortgage repayments. It is estimated that 1.4 million fixed-rate or discount deals will expire this year raising monthly repayment amounts. Twenty five per cent of those surveyed admitted they had no contingency plans to meet these costs... Read More
March 6, 2008