Residential Property

Majority of first time buyers get help from parents

Majority of first time buyers get help from parents

According to new research by the Council for Mortgage Lenders, 64 per cent of first time buyers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK got financial assistance from... Read more

Half of second steppers can't afford to move

A survey by Lloyds TSB has revealed that 55 per cent of second steppers; existing home owners wanting to move to another property, cannot meet the deposit requirements. While government incentives... Read more

Interest rates remain frozen at 0.5 per cent

Interest rates will continue at their record low of 0.5 per cent following the last meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) chaired by Sir Mervyn King, who has voted... Read more

MPs propose Right-to-Buy house sales on eBay

A committee of MPs has proposed that council house tenants should be able to purchase their property under the "right to buy" scheme on popular online shopping sites, such as... Read more

NI only part of UK to see drop in first time buyers

First time buyers in Northern Ireland are falling behind their UK counterparts in terms of activity in the property market. In the first quarter of 2013 there was an increase in... Read more

Call for first time buyer stamp duty exemption

The HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) is calling for a permanent exemption from stamp duty for first time buyers, as well as other changes to the property tax system, which they believe... Read more

3 in 5 NI houses are bought by first time buyers

Three out of every five properties sold in Northern Ireland are being bought by first time buyers according to new figures. The statistics released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders in... Read more

Report shows increase in NI house sales

The latest government statistics reveal that there continues to be an increase in property sale transactions in Northern Ireland, and while there is a varying performance of house values across... Read more

20 per cent increase in first time buyer mortgages

There was a 20 per cent increase in the number of first time buyers taking out a mortgage in the month of March, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. The... Read more

Investors driving the NI property market

There has been an increase in purchases of lower priced properties in Northern Ireland according to research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), but it is thought to... Read more

£25k fine for building house without permission

A Northern Ireland man who built a house without any of the appropriate planning or building control permissions has been fined £25,000, his third fine in respect of the unapproved... Read more

Interest rates remain frozen at 0.5 per cent

As expected, the Bank of England has today confirmed that interest rates will remain frozen at 0.5 per cent - good news for mortgage borrowers and would-be house purchasers. Many commentators... Read more

NI property report shows signs of stabilisation

Northern Ireland property buyers are waiting anxiously for the headlines that house prices are on their way up again, but for now they will have to settle for reports that... Read more

Guide to Northern Ireland house value performance

Below is a quick glance guide to house value performance in the different regions of Northern Ireland based on the latest survey from the University of Ulster, produced with the... Read more

New mortgage approvals up in March

There was an increase in the number of new mortgage approvals for home purchasers and remortgagors in the month of March, though February's five year low was always going to... Read more

Mortgage borrowers favour 5yr fixed deals

Mortgage borrowers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are turning to 5-year fixed products, with a 73% increase in the past year. Home buyers and remortgagors have traditionally... Read more

No confidence in Northern Ireland property prices

While the rest of the UK responded to a survey with growing confidence in the property market, not one person in Northern Ireland predicted any increase in house values this... Read more

Lending to first time buyers at 5yr high

New figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders suggests that lending to first time buyers in January and February reached a 5 year high. There was a 3 per cent... Read more

First time buyers are more optimistic

A new survey has revealed that first time buyers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are slightly more optimistic about getting their foot on the property ladder. The... Read more

Survey suggests NI property prices steady

The latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) survey presents a very positive picture of the Northern Ireland property market, with the majority of those surveyed saying house prices had... Read more

Mortgage rates to fall in next quarter

The Bank of England expects mortgage rates to fall over the next three months, having already dropped for three quarters in a row. The fall in mortgage rates is thought to... Read more

Even hobbit houses need planning permission

Property owners in Wales have learned that it is one thing to build a house that is friendly to the environment, but it also has to be friendly to the... Read more

Mortgage borrowing down in February

Mortgage lending to fund house buying and remortgaging in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK was down in February according to the latest figures from the The British... Read more

2013 Budget tax announcements at a glance

Chancellor George Osborne has today delivered the 2013 Budget. Here are some of the key points in respect of tax: Income Tax From April 2013 the personal allowance will increase to £9,440 By... Read more

County Armagh castle sold for £1.19m

Killeavy Castle in County Armagh has been sold at auction for £1.19million, more than its guide price of just under £1million.The castle is a Grade 1 listing building, and after... Read more

Mansion tax defeated in House of Commons

The Labour party proposal of a "mansion tax" on properties in the UK worth over £2million has been defeated in the House of Commons. The proposal was criticised as being a... Read more

NI developers to be forced to complete sites

A power under the Planning Order to require developers to complete developments they have begun work on in Northern Ireland is being tested for the first time. There are a large... Read more

Survey suggests end to NI property price decline

Over a half of the estate agents and surveyors who took part in the latest Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) poll said that property prices in Northern Ireland had remained... Read more

First-time sellers stuck on property ladder

The UK preoccupation with property shows no sign of abating, and all the monthly reports and statistics have us well familiar with the plight of the first-time buyer, but a... Read more

Liverpool City Council sell houses for £1

Liverpool City Council has come up with a bold initiative to tackle a problem with derelict housing in some of its' streets. The Council offered up 20 houses for a... Read more

NI is region with most negative equity

New figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders show that 69,000 houses in Northern Ireland are in negative equity, making it the worst effected region of the UK. The Northern Ireland... Read more

NI first time buyers paid 20 pc deposits in 2012

The average deposit paid by the 5,100 first-time buyers who purchased a house in Northern Ireland last year was 20 per cent of the total property price, according to figures... Read more

NI house prices dropped 13 per cent in 2012

Another report has emerged in respect of the Northern Ireland property market, with the Land and Property service figures showing that houses lost 13 per cent in value over the... Read more

NI property activity up at lower end of market

The latest University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index reveals that 69 per cent of property purchases in Northern Ireland involved houses costing £150,000 or less in the last quarter... Read more

Northern Ireland house price guide

The latest University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index has been released with statistics on the Northern Ireland property market in the last quarter of 2012. Below is a list showing... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices still falling

Northern Ireland property prices are still falling according to the most recent report from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyers and Ulster Bank. On a positive note, there has been an... Read more

NI house prices to increase by 6% in 5 years

Property prices in Northern Ireland will increase by 6% over the next five years according to a new study by the think tank, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The... Read more

First time buyers put January borrowing at 4yr high

New figures produced by E.surv suggest that mortgage borrowing reached a four year high in January of this year, with first time buyers using high loan-to-value mortgages said to be... Read more

Farmer can seek damages over land development delay

Court of Appeal judges have paved the way for a farmer to claim up to £400,000 damages against consulting engineers that delayed his housing development by 15 months, with the... Read more

Interest rates remain frozen at record low

As expected, the Monetary Policy Committee has today announced that interest rates will remain frozen at 0.5 per cent, which will mean that next month will see the completion of... Read more

Wilson Nesbitt commits to CA consumer pledges

Wilson Nesbitt has committed to support and uphold Conveyancing Association consumer pledges which are designed to make the process of buying a house smoother and more efficient for our clients... Read more

Belfast property owner loses NI vesting case

Joel Kerr, who was left with no property and a mortgage shortfall of £50,000 after his house was vested by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), has lost his attempt... Read more

Bank of England maintains interest rate freeze

The interest rate will remain at 0.5% for the 46th consecutive month, on course to reach four years in March 2013. As expected, the Bank of England monetary policy committee (MPC)... Read more

Decision on Belfast vested houses case today

A decision is expected today from the Land Tribunal in respect of the case brought by the Belfast homeowners who had their properties vested by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive... Read more

UK mortgage approvals continue to increase

The number of new mortgage approvals in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK in November increased to a three year high according to new figures from the Bank... Read more

NI house prices fall back to 2004 values

Property prices in Northern Ireland fell by 1.4% in the last quarter of 2012, resulting in an overall 8.2% decrease for the year, which takes values back to the levels... Read more

5 year high of first-time buyers in 2012

The number of first-time buyers entering the property market in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK reached a five year high in 2012, according to a new report... Read more

Average first time buyer deposit 27k

A new report by Halifax suggests that the average deposit put down by first time buyers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK in 2012 was £27,239. The number... Read more

New Years resolutions more finance orientated

The past couple of years have seen a change to the most popular New Years resolutions made by people in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. While dieting, exercise... Read more

Homeowners opt to reduce mortgage debt

The number of new mortgages taken out in November was marginally up on the month before, but down on the same month last year. Homeowners in Northern Ireland and the... Read more

Mortgage arrears and repossessions lower than forecast

The number of mortgage borrowers in arrears by the end of this year is 22 per cent lower than forecast at the start of 2012, and repossessions are also lower... Read more

CML predicts increased house sales in 2013

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) is predicting an increase in house sales in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK in 2013 as a result of the government... Read more

First time buyers to save 10 yrs for a deposit

A quarter of first-time buyers say it will take them 10 years to save the money required for a deposit to complete a house purchase, according to a new report... Read more

NI house prices to continue falling in 2013

A new house price forecast by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) suggests that Northern Ireland property values will continue to go down in 2013, while the rest of... Read more

Equity release by parents reducing inheritances

New figures suggest that an increase in equity release among older property owners is resulting in fewer and smaller inheritances. The statistics produced by Remortgage.com point to the availability of mortgages... Read more

NI house prices dropping at a slower rate

Property prices in Northern Ireland may be starting to fall at a slower rate according to a new report, with the average house in Northern Ireland now said to be... Read more

Cheaper to buy a house than to rent

A new survey by Zoopla.co.uk suggests that it costs £1,080 less each year to purchase a house than to rent one in 90 per cent of towns in Britain. The average... Read more

Car parking spaces sell for over £50,000 each

While most property related headlines deal with the rise, or mostly fall, of house prices, in one resort in Cornwall, it is car parking spaces that are attracting headlines for... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices by region and type

House prices in Northern Ireland dropped in the third quarter of this year according to the latest University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index, with apartments in particular experiencing the... Read more

Buying a house is bigger commitment than marriage

A couple of interesting surveys have emerged over the last weeks showing a curious relationship between property and marriage. Over 25 per cent of people in Northern Ireland and the rest... Read more

Mortgage lending increased in October

Mortgage lending reached an eleven month high in October, with a £12.9billion worth of new mortgages borrowed by people in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The number of... Read more

Home ownership down in NI but higher than UK

The percentage of people in Northern Ireland who own a home has fallen but still remains higher than the overall UK average, according to new figures released by the Home... Read more

Government too focused on first time buyers

A House of Lords select committee has been warned that the government is focusing too much on first time buyers, and neglecting other house purchasers in attempts to stimulate the... Read more

NI most affordable region in UK to buy property

Northern Ireland is the most affordable region of the UK to buy a property with regard to the house price to earnings ratio, according to new figures from Nationwide. That has... Read more

Co-ownership gets £50million boost

The Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association (NICHA) has received a £50million cash injection from the Bank of Ireland and Barclays, to help more first time buyers get on to the... Read more

NI property buyers turn to auctions for bargains

An increasing number of Northern Ireland property purchasers are turning up at auctions hoping to pick up a bargain, and many are walking away with a property deal that has... Read more

Northern Ireland's negative equity problem

New research by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) suggests that negative equity could soon just be an issue for Northern Ireland property owners. Negative equity occurs when a homeowner has... Read more

End to 10 year dispute of over-repaired building

A ten year legal dispute over a derelict cottage that the council said was over-repaired has come to an end. In 1992 farmer Robert Burrough, aged 62, purchased farmland which included... Read more

First time buyers borrowing from family doubles

A report by the Yorkshire Building Society has revealed that the number of first-time buyers turning to family for help purchasing their house has more than doubled in the last... Read more

Remortgaging and house buying down in September

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) have reported that mortgage lending in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK was down in September. The number of new mortgages taken out... Read more

1.6m would-be house buyers living with parents

Over 1.6 million would-be house purchasers aged 20-40 are having to live with their parents because they can not afford to buy a property, according to a new survey by... Read more

Mortgage borrowers preferring 5 yr fixed deals

New mortgage borrowers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are preferring five-year fixed deals, as property owners try to make the most of the record low interest... Read more

Increase in Mortgage lending in August

There was an increase in the number of house buyers approved for mortgages in the month of August according to the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). There... Read more

New lending scheme expected to boost house sales

Property sales in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are expected to increase over the next quarter according to a survey carried out by the Royal Institution of... Read more

Labour propose two year stamp duty holiday

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls is to propose a two year stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers purchasing a property worth £250,000 or less. Mr Balls will outline the proposal at the... Read more

Lib Dems propose pension-from-property scheme

Nick Clegg has announced a Liberal Democrat proposal to introduce a 'pension-from-property' scheme which would allow parents and grandparents of first-time buyers to use a portion of their pension to... Read more

Tribunal hearing over Belfast vested houses

A land tribunal will consider the case of property owners in south Belfast whose properties were vested by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to create space for development. Homeowners in south... Read more

Drop in mortgage deposit requirement for FTBs

The percentage deposit required to be put forward by a first-time buyer in order to get a mortgage for a house purchase has dropped below 20% according to new statistics. The... Read more

First-time buyers expect to buy at 40

A new study has revealed that first-time buyers don't expect to be in a position to purchase a property until they reach the age of 40. Approximately 600 would-be first-time buyers... Read more

Drop in pace of NI house price decline

The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) suggests that Northern Ireland house prices are dropping at  a slower rate since April this year, and RICS suggests... Read more

Northern Ireland land valued at £75m sold for £4m

A site of land outside Ballymena, Northern Ireland, that was once valued at £75million has been sold for £4million, and to make matters worse, a £50million offer to purchase was... Read more

Purchaser of Belfast house ordered to complete

A purchaser who entered into contract to purchase a house in Malone Park, Belfast, has been told he must complete the purchase after he attempted to withdraw from the agreement. Nicholas... Read more

Labour consider permanent Mansion tax

Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has said in an interview that a future Labour government may introduce a permanent wealth tax, or mansion tax. The Liberal Democrats have previously proposed a... Read more

Northern Ireland house price guide

The latest University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index estimates that the overall average house price in Northern Ireland is currently £139,633. That figure does not include houses sold at... Read more

Report suggests NI property market stability

The latest University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index suggests that there are signs of stability returning to the property market in some regions of Northern Ireland. The overall average sale... Read more

Grants for NI homeowners to upgrade heating

Northern Ireland homeowners can apply for a grant of up to £1000 to replace old inefficient boilers. The Northern Ireland Executive has pledged £12million in grants to help property owners upgrade... Read more

Increase in home buyer mortgages in July

There was an increase in mortgages approved for house purchasing in the month of July, with 47,312 new mortgages granted compared to 44,124 in June. Despite the slight increase, mortgage approvals... Read more

Bank of Ireland pledges £200m mortgage funds

The Bank of Ireland is hoping that a £200million mortgage fund pot will spark borrowing activity in Northern Ireland. Mortgage lending in Northern Ireland fell in the second quarter of this... Read more

Increase in fraudulent mortgage applications

A new report by Experian suggests that fraudulent mortgage applications increased by 22 per cent between April and June, as would-be house purchasers get increasingly desperate to get their foot... Read more

1000 NI homes sold each month last quarter

Approximately 1000 Northern Ireland houses were sold each month in the second quarter of this year according to the official Residential Property Price Index. The report is published by the Land... Read more

5000 empty properties in Northern Ireland

There are 5000 empty residential properties in Northern Ireland - the fruit of a property boom, and sudden market collapse, that forced builders to abandon new developments half way through... Read more

House sellers need to be realistic on price

House sellers are being told they need to be more realistic when pricing their property if they want to secure a purchaser. The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered... Read more

Increase in first-time buyers in June

New figures released by the Council Of Mortgage Lenders (CML) reveal that their was a 9.1% increase in the number of mortgage loans to first time buyers in June compared... Read more

Fall in UK house repossessions

The number of properties being repossessed in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK has fallen by 1100 in the second quarter of this year. There were 8,500 repossessions from... Read more

High Court urges swift NI law reform

A High Court judge has warned of the need to expedite Northern Ireland law reform, saying the current proposals before the Assembly should not be allowed to "gather dust". Mr Justice... Read more

Launch of scheme to increase bank lending

A new initiative to increase bank lending to homeowners, home purchasers, and businesses, has been launched, with some of the biggest lenders already cutting the cost of some of their... Read more

Property prices drop in July

Property prices dropped again in July according to one of the first reports to emerge on the performance of the property market last month. The figures released by Nationwide building society... Read more

NI new build house prices down 9 pc

New build houses in Northern Ireland dropped in value by 9 per cent over the last year according to the Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin. The average new build property sold for... Read more

Fewer remortgages and house purchases in June

There was a decline in new mortgage lending in June, with fewer first time buyers, home movers, and people wanting to remortgage to a different loan deal. The Council of Mortgage... Read more

House buyers in negative equity before moving in

Such is the extent of falling house prices in Northern Ireland, and throughout the UK, that some first time buyers are said to find themselves in negative equity before they... Read more

Northern Ireland property prices down

Northern Ireland house values are continuing to decline according to the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Of the surveyors in Northern Ireland responding to the survey,... Read more

NI house prices drop furthest in June

Northern Ireland property prices declined more than any other UK region in the month of June according to new figures. While the latest Nationwide quarterly report speaks of a growing gap... Read more

Drop in first time buyer mortgages in April

There were 48% fewer mortgages taken out by first-time buyers in the month of April compared to the previous month according to the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage... Read more

Over 1m young to be locked out of purchasing house

Approximately 1.5million would-be first-time buyers will be forced into private rental by 2020 according to a new study produced by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF). The study suggests that 18 to... Read more

Northern Ireland house price decline to continue

House prices in Northern Ireland will continue to fall over the next three months according to the latest Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and Ulster Bank housing market survey. The report... Read more

Charity warns homeowners against complacency

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) has warned young homeowners against falling into complacency when it comes to their ability to pay their monthly mortgage payments. The CCCS confirmed that there... Read more

Plan to build budget apartments in Belfast dropped

In September last year developer Alan Fraser announced a novel plan to build low-priced unashamedly small 'pop-up' apartments in Belfast city centre. A preview of the apartments revealed a small area... Read more

NI house prices down 11 pc since 2011

The latest University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index shows Northern Ireland prices down 11% compared to the same time last year. There is some regional variation but the average property... Read more

Plans for Northern Ireland tenant deposit scheme

The Department of Social Development (DSD) are currently drafting legislation which would include a scheme preventing landlords from withholding tenant deposits without good cause. They hope to have the draft... Read more

Increase in new mortgages in Northern Ireland

There was an increase in new mortgages to fund house purchases in Northern Ireland in the first quarter of 2012, with first time buyers being the most active in the... Read more

Northern Ireland property values at pre-2005 levels

Nevermind Northern Ireland properties being worth a lot more during the height of the property boom in 2007, the latest Residential Property Price index shows they were even worth more... Read more

Mortgage borrowers delight at continued rate freeze

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee has announced that there will be no change to interest rates this month, as expected, meaning rates stay at 0.5% as they have... Read more

Northern Ireland property market sees activity

The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS) suggests that there was a slight increase in the number of house purchases in Northern Ireland, but property values... Read more

First time buyers losing ambition to purchase

New research from MoneySupermarket.com has revealed that a large number of first time buyers are giving up on the idea of owning a property, with 41 per cent of those... Read more

Northern Bank mortgage lending increased in 2011

New figures released by Northern Bank show that there was a 39% increase in mortgage approvals in 2011 despite the largely negative portrayal of the property market and the willingness... Read more

Road adoption dispute facilitates burglary

The owner of a home in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, says burglars took advantage of poor lighting in the area to break into their home while his family was sleeping and... Read more

Belfast apartment purchasers freed from contract

Two men who entered into a contract to purchase an apartment in Belfast's James Clow building during the height of the property boom have been allowed to pull out of... Read more

Stamp duty holiday end rush boosts Feb mortgage lending

The latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows that mortgage lending increased in February across the whole of the UK by 4% compared to January, and 17%... Read more

Continued decline of Northern Ireland house prices

The latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) housing market survey shows that property prices in Northern Ireland are still falling, and are now below the half of their value... Read more

Interest rates stay at 0.5 per cent

The Bank of England has announced that there is to be no change to the UK interest rates, making it three years that the rate has been at 0.5%. It... Read more

Derry is 2nd most affordable UK city to buy a house

New research has revealed that Londonderry in Northern Ireland is the second most affordable city in the UK to purchase a house, taking into account house prices compared to salaries.... Read more

Corporate trustees exempt from 15 per cent stamp duty

The changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) announced in the Budget speech last week included a 15 per cent rate of tax on the purchase of properties over £2million... Read more

NI homeowners to pay Republic household charge

People who live in Northern Ireland who own properties in the Republic are being urged to pay the controversial Household Charge before the deadline passes in just a few days. The... Read more

Improved ability to buy for NI first time purchasers

New research suggests that first time property buyers in Northern Ireland have seen the most improvement in their ability to get on the property ladder of all the regions of... Read more

New rate of stamp duty for properties over £2m

Chancellor George Osborne has announced that a new 7% rate of stamp duty will be applied on the purchase of property for more than £2million. Mr Osborne also announced that a... Read more

NI house prices decline as transactions increase

A new study by the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that Northern Ireland house prices have fallen further, and are estimated to be now 65-70% less than... Read more

Purchasers race to beat end of stamp duty holiday

House purchasers throughout Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are at an 18 month high as the end of the stamp duty holiday approaches. Since early 2010 first-time buyers... Read more

Belfast apartment buyers ask court to scrap contracts

Over 20 property purchasers who entered into contract to buy apartments in a Belfast city centre development have brought a joint action against the developer seeking to get the agreements... Read more

3 years of frozen interest rates

The announcement by the monetary policy committee (MPC) that interest rates will remain at 0.5% for another month means that they have now been frozen at the record low rate... Read more

Bargain house purchases at NI property auction

A property auction in Carryduff was packed full of prospective buyers, and just 20% of the lots failed to sell - not surprising when you read the discount house prices... Read more

No mortgage safety net for NI borrowers

Homeowners in Northern Ireland will not have the same safety net to protect them as other borrowers in the rest of the UK in the event that they face the... Read more

NI only UK region to see increase in new mortgages

New data published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows that Northern Ireland was the only region of the UK to see an increase in the number of new... Read more

Property market recovery vital to NI economy

Chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Michael Hannaway, has indentified the property market as one of the most important factors to getting the Northern Ireland economy back... Read more

Record low interest rates continue

The latest Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting resulted in continued good news for home owners and first time buyers, as it was announced that interest rates will... Read more

Fall in Northern Ireland property prices

According to the latest University of Ulster 'Quarterly House Price Index' house values in Northern Ireland have declined by 11% compared to this time last year, with the average property... Read more

UK repossession levels at 4 year low

The continued interest rate freeze and a willingness among Lenders to patiently deal with mortgage arrears are thought to be responsible for bringing house repossession levels in Northern Ireland and... Read more

First time buyers better off during recession

According to the Ability to Buy Index produced by the Royal Bank of Scotland, it was easier for first time buyers to purchase property during the recession in 2009 than... Read more

New borrowing shunned in favour of debt repayment

The Bank of England has confirmed that £400million of unsecured loan debt was repaid in the UK in the month of December, the time of year normally associated with excessive... Read more

NI homeowners targeted by scam 'move out' letters

Northern Ireland house owners are being advised to contact police if they receive a letter purporting to be sent by Northern Ireland health minister Edwin Poots, and asking them to... Read more

NI borrowers struggling to meet mortgage payments

A new report by the Consumer Credit Counselling Service suggests that a third of Northern Ireland borrowers who signed up to mortgages between 2005 and 2010 are now struggling to... Read more

New Northern Ireland homes drop in price

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

Getting a mortgage to become harder

The Bank of England has warned that obtaining a mortgage to purchase a house could become even more difficult over the next quarter, as lenders react to the worsening economy... Read more

NI property price drop highest in UK

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

Mini property boom before stamp duty holiday end?

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

2012 - 'Less new mortgages and more repossessions'

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

Repossessed properties sold in Belfast auction

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

Northern Ireland house prices at 2004 levels

A new report by Halifax suggest house values in Northern Ireland have declined down to 2004 levels, and now stand at a half of what they were worth during the... Read more

NI housing market shows improvement

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

Northern Ireland first time buyers trapped by negative equity

A new report released by HSBC bank reveals that first time buyers in Northern Ireland are the worst affected by negative equity as a result of steep house value drops... Read more

Interest rates remain frozen at 0.5%

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

Drop in new mortgage approvals in September

  The number of mortgage approvals in September dropped slightly compared to the previous month, though still remains within the six month average. The drop however does confirm that the property market... Read more

Pilot scheme to help NI first time buyers

A new scheme has been created to help Northern Ireland first time buyers get over the hurdle of saving for a deposit and on to the property ladder. Social development... Read more

New powers proposed to protect listed buildings

A new power has been proposed at a Northern Ireland heritage crime summit which would make developers responsible for the rebuilding of any listing buildings they damage or tear... Read more

Remortgages and house purchases up in August

A breakdown of the mortgage approvals for August reveals that the number of people who remortgaged their homes increased by 10%, while there was also a 6% rise in mortgages... Read more

Co-ownership give property buyers boost in October

The Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Association (NICHA) has announced important changes to its scheme in the month of October that will be welcome news for first time buyers, and second time... Read more

Micro-apartments planned for Belfast

One Northern Ireland developer thinks he may have the perfect solution for a property market that has gotten out of reach for many first time buyers. Alan Fraser of the... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices fall in August

The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that Northern Ireland house prices have fallen to their lowest levels since November 2010. The survey also showed... Read more

Estate agent property sales at 2 year low

The latest survey conducted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has revealed that estate agents averaged 14 house sales each in the three months up to August. That average... Read more

Deposit criteria remain high as mortgage lending falls

New figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders show that first-time buyers are still having to come up with deposits averaging 20% of the purchase price in order... Read more

Negative equity could affect a third of NI homeowners

Financial outsourcer HML has warned that nearly a third of Northern Ireland homeowners could find themselves in negative equity if the property market continues to decline. They predict that... Read more

No change to UK interest rates

As expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has today announced that there will no be change to the current record 0.5% rate of interest. The decision to continue... Read more

First 100 per cent mortgage enters the market

A 100% mortgage is now available for the first time since the credit crunch, though first-time buyers thinking they can now purchase without having to rely on family should read... Read more

Cheaper for first-time buyers to buy than rent

New research by Halifax suggests that the monthly cost of buying a new home for first-time buyers is over £100 a month cheaper than renting a property. The findings unfortunately will... Read more

Call for government action on lack of houses

The National Federation (NHF), a body representing housing associations in England, has called on the government to act now to tackle what it describes as a "chronic under-supply of homes"... Read more

Average age of first time buyer up to 35

New research by Post Office Mortgages shows that the average age of a first time buyer in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK has climbed to 35 years... Read more

No sign of increase in mortgage lending

New figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show that mortgage lending fell slightly in July, down 1% compared to the previous month, and 6% down on July 2010. A... Read more

Lender tolerance of arrears creating fools paradise

Director of Obligo.co.uk says that the record low interest rates and "remarkable forbearance" by lenders have together "created a fool's paradise, where people's mortgage payments are comparatively low and lenders... Read more

Low interest rates keep repossessions down

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) says that the number of cases of mortgage arrears and repossessions have been kept in check by the continuing record low interest rates. Figures show... Read more

Another NI property firm in administration

Newry firm, KB developments, has joined the growing list of Northern Ireland property firms to go into administration over the last year. According to the last filed accounts of the... Read more

Nearly a million householders in negative equity

New figures produced by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) in respect of the first quarter of this year suggest that nearly a million householders in Northern Ireland and the... Read more

New survey shows increase in NI house sales

The most recent University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index shows an increase in the number of property sales in Northern Ireland, albeit as a result of a drop in... Read more

Interest rates remain at 0.5 per cent

As widely predicted, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted in favour of maintaining interest rates at the record low of 0.5 per cent. Few economists are predicting... Read more

Construction halted on 5000 NI homes

As many as 5000 new homes in Northern Ireland have been left unfinished according to new figures released by the Housing Executive. The decline of the property market and the general... Read more

Property firm had £83m debt before administration

A report compiled by the administrators of the Northern Ireland property firm, the Carvill Group, reveals that the company had debts totalling £83million before it went into administration in May... Read more

70 per cent of properties listed in 2011 unsold

New research by property website Rightmove suggests that as many as 70 per cent of houses listed for sale in 2011 have still not been sold. Over-valuation by sellers is... Read more

House price decline much worse in NI

The extent of disparity in the recovery of the property market in Northern Ireland as compared to the rest of the UK was highlighted with the publication of the latest... Read more

Interest rates remain at record low

Interest rates will remain frozen at their record low of 0.5% for another month after the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting today. Despite continuing high inflation which... Read more

NI homeowners improving rather than moving

A new survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) suggests that Northern Ireland homeowners are opting to improve their property rather than sell-up and move. The report suggests... Read more

Homeowners continue to increase equity share

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

Increase in homeowners renting out a spare room

New research by Santander Mortgages has revealed that an increasing number of homeowners are helping to supplement their income by renting out a spare bedroom in their house. One in ten... Read more

House repossessions increase by 17 per cent

New data published by the Financial Services Authority shows that house repossessions increased by 17% in the first quarter of 2011. It is the first time the number of repossessions... Read more

MPC minutes show reduced vote for rate increase

With 27 consecutive months of an interest rate freeze by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the monthly announcements have become somewhat predictable, albeit set against a murmur from a small... Read more

Estate agents average one house sale per week

A new report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has revealed that estate agents in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are only selling on average one... Read more

UK interest rates freeze continues

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

DOE triples fines for damaging listed buildings

Under the new Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the DOE can now fine developers three times as much as before - up to £100,000, if they knock down a listed... Read more

New survey reveals first time buyer pessimism

A survey carried out by Halifax has revealed that two-thirds of first-time buyers believe they have no chance of purchasing a property because of tight lending criteria and the need... Read more

Half of rental tenants fall into arrears

New research by the National Landlord Association (NLA) has shown that 52% of landlords have received late rental payments from their tenants over the last 12 months, and expect the... Read more

Mortgage lending down in April

Figures released by the British Bankers' Association (BBA) show a drop in mortgage approvals for house buyers and existing home-owners wanting to change to a different mortgage product. The extended bank... Read more

3 NI construction companies in administration

The survey published last week by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) showed that the Northern Ireland construction sector had reached a new low. That pessimistic evaluation of the... Read more

Northern Ireland construction sector in further decline

A new survey released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has confirmed that the construction sector in Northern Ireland has declined to a new low. The stagnant residential... Read more

NI sees large increase in mortgage debt problems

Northern Ireland charity, Housing Rights Service (HRS), has reported a 30% increase in homeowners requiring advice to deal with mortgage debt. The most recent Northern Ireland court figures also show... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices still falling

House prices in Northern Ireland are still on the way down according to the latest University of Ulster quarterly price index released today. The value of properties has dropped on average... Read more

Belfast rental rates up by 4 per cent

The private property rental rates in Belfast, Northern Ireland, have increased by 4.2% in the last year according to new figures released by letting agent Citylets. The rise means that... Read more

Property repossessions on the increase

New figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) reveal that the number of property repossessions in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK increased by 15% in... Read more

Remortgages up due to interest rate increase fears

There was a 16% increase in remortgage loans in March according to the Council Of Mortgage Lenders (CML), and it believes that a fear of an iminent increase to the... Read more

Northern Ireland property sales on the increase

A study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that there has been an increase in the number of property transactions in Northern Ireland over the last... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices drop 10.8 per cent

New figures have been released showing the changing fortunes of house prices in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK over the 12 month period up to the end... Read more

First time buyers to save 5 years for deposit

New research by Santander Mortgages has revealed that just under a quarter (23%) of first time buyers anticipate that they will have to save for five years in order to... Read more

No change to UK interest rates

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has again voted to maintain interest rates at their record low of 0.5%, in a move which was widely predicted by economists... Read more

Property buyers paying in cash have doubled

Figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show that the number of property buyers funding a purchase without a mortgage has doubled since 2005. In January of this... Read more

Plans for Belfast city centre apartments submitted

Village Homes (NI) has submitted two planning applications to construct apartments in two separate areas of Belfast city centre. One application proposes a build of 75 apartments at Queen's Square,... Read more

No change to MPC member votes on interest rate rise

Every month the minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting are anticipated with as much interest as the actual decision announcement on interest rates at the start of the... Read more

Who bought the UKs most expensive residential property?

With a reported price tag of £136million, the penthouse at One Hyde Park would be the most expensive residential property ever purchased in the UK. While rumour has been speculating for... Read more

Next generation more likely to rent property than buy

A new report by Legal & General Mortgage Club concludes that the many of the next generation are more likely to be tenants rather than property owners. The report shows how... Read more

First time buyers pay 558% more than parents did

A study conducted by SHIP has revealed that the current crop of first-time buyers will have to pay 558% more than their parents paid for their first house in order... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices to decline more

A report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Ulster Bank suggests that Northern Ireland property prices will continue to decline over the next three months and possibly... Read more

Home-owners unaware of effect of interest rate increase

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

Calls for preliminary binding property contracts

A meeting of estate agents and solicitors hosted by E-Homebuying Forum included a debate about the introduction of preliminary contracts in the house buying process in England in order to... Read more

Borrowers increasing mortgage repayments to cut debt

The last quarter of 2010 saw home-owners paying off their mortgages at a record rate according to figures released by the Bank of England, with mortgage debt being reduced by... Read more

UK interest rates remain at record low

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have decided to keep interest rates at the their record low of 0.5% for the 25th consecutive month despite mounting speculation that... Read more

Mortgage arrears to increase says Debt charity

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

Northern Ireland property market weakest in UK

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

Landlords deterred by housing benefit cuts

A significant number of private landlords have said they are being forced to stop letting properties to housing benefits tenants because of the government's new lower rates. They argue that... Read more

New stamp duty rules to improve rental market

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

Rush to remortgage over interest rate fears

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

No new MPC member votes for interest rate hike

Minutes of the March meeting of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have revealed that there was no change to the February voting dynamic of 6 votes against... Read more

Budget speech 2011 - Property

The budget speech today contained confirmation from Chancellor George Osborne that the mortgage interest scheme concessions will run on to January 2013; a one year extension to the original end... Read more

Inflation revives interest rate hike speculation

News that inflation rose to a 28-month high of 4.4% in February immediately rekindled speculation that the Bank of England will have to increase interest rates. The economy has been... Read more

Private tenancy cannabis farms on increase

Private landlords who have invested in buy-to-let properties know only too well of the difficulties when searching for good tenants. One problem that is seemingly on the increase, that landlords... Read more

Large drop in mortgages for house buyers

New data by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has revealed that there was a 29% drop in mortgages for house buyers in January compared to the previous month, and... Read more

Northern Ireland construction decline continues

The Northern Ireland Planning Service has released figures which suggest that the decline in the construction sector is continuing and may in fact have gotten worse. The number of planning applications... Read more

Interest rates remain frozen despite speculation

Despite mounting speculation that interest rates could be due to increase very soon, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee  (MPC) have opted to maintain the record low rate of... Read more

Baby boomers first generation to die with large debt

A new report by Aviva has shown that one in seven of the baby boomer generation currently entering retirement will never be debt-free. They were the first generation to experience... Read more

Council house tenants install large swimming pool

A housing association has found itself in the unlikely position of having to investigate the construction of a large swimming pool at the rear of one of their properties by... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices still falling

According to the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Ulster Bank, Northern Ireland property prices are still in decline, though it is expected that there... Read more

'First time buyers will be 40 before purchasing'

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

Borrower rush puts fixed-rate mortgages at a high

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

Taggart brothers to pay bank £8.5million

The High Court in Belfast has ruled that Michael and John Taggart, the two brothers whose house building business came apart during the recession and ensuing property crash, have been ... Read more

Audit office criticises DoE listed building protection

A new report compiled by the Audit Office heavily criticises the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's protection of listed buildings, citing poor organisation, lack of management of contractors, and no system... Read more

Third Bank of England policymaker voted for rate hike

The minutes of February's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting have revealed that Spencer Dale became the third policymaker to vote for an increase in interest rates. Andrew Sentance and Martin Weale... Read more

New NI law grants protection to caravan owners

The passing of the Caravans Bill at Stormont means that the law in Northern Ireland concerning the rights of caravan owners has now been brought into line with that of... Read more

First time buyer deposit requires year's salary

According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) first time buyers are now having to save the equivalent of more than a year's salary in order to afford a deposit... Read more

NI housing market could bottom out in 2011

Alan Bridle of the Bank of Ireland has suggested that the Northern Ireland housing market could bottom out in 2011 in the face of "further headwinds" in the next year. House... Read more

Green Party say new planning form has caused bungalow blight

MLA Brian Wilson of the Green Party has blamed a change in rural planning policy for putting a "hacienda on every hillside", with the success rate for planning applications for... Read more

Asking prices cut by 4 in 10 property sellers

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

Interest increasing among NI property purchasers

A new report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Ulster Bank reveals that the number of house purchasers in Northern Ireland making enquiries and offers is on... Read more

Failed property developers serve writ on bank

Michael and John Taggart, the two brothers behind one of the biggest property companies in Northern Ireland to go into administration in the aftermath of the recession, have turned the... Read more

Purchasers encouraged to consider 'take-away' homes

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

Failed property company's site dropped 90% in value

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

Failed Belfast flat purchasers to pay developer damages

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

Lenders to explain refusal to lend to first time buyers

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

Mortgage approvals down 10% in 2010

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

Controversial Belfast build backed by planners

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

Worlds most expensive apartments on sale

The most expensive residential apartments in the world have gone on sale with a starting price of £6.5million for a simple one-bedroom flat, rising to £140million for one of the... Read more

Northern Ireland first time buyers still struggling

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

Northern Ireland house price decline continues

While the latest Nationwide building society house price survey contained good news for homeowners in many regions of the UK, Northern Ireland house prices were said to have had the... Read more

Apartment purchaser to pay £67k for not completing

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

Coroner calls for NIHE gas monitor installation

Coroner Brian Sherrard, speaking at the inquest for a woman who died as a result of gas poisoning, has called on the Housing Executive to consider changing its policy on... Read more

UK interest rates held at 0.5% by Bank of England

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

First time buyer to purchase £66.5million home

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

Reforms to return planning control to councils

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

Mortgage approvals decreased in October

The British Bankers' Association (BBA) has released figures showing that the total number of mortgage approvals declined last month, though net mortgage lending did increase compared to the same month... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices at 5 year low

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

Homes at risk due to debts as small as £600

The office of Fair Trading (OFT) has vowed to clap down on lenders who are encouraging borrowers to pledge their homes against unsecured debts, after finding that some home-owners were... Read more

Northern Ireland construction sector decline continues

The Construction Market Survey released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors shows that construction activity in Northern Ireland experienced a substantial drop in the third quarter of this year,... Read more

Buy to let landlords warned about silent killer

Buy to let landlords have been receiving advice from the National Landlords Association (NLA) on the dangers presented by gas appliances that they supply in their rental properties. Monday saw... Read more

Buy to let landlords warned about silent killer

Buy to let landlords have been receiving advice from the National Landlords Association (NLA) on the dangers presented by gas appliances that they supply in their rental properties. Monday saw... Read more

Lenders say FSA mortgage proposals bad for borrowers

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) say that the rules proposed by the financial watchdog, FSA, as part of a move to deal with irresponsible lending will in fact make... Read more

Lenders say FSA mortgage proposals bad for borrowers

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) say that the rules proposed by the financial watchdog, FSA, as part of a move to deal with irresponsible lending will in fact make... Read more

Northern Ireland pays lowest average stamp duty

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

Homebuyers consider remortgage option

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

Northern Ireland house prices to fall further

Northern Ireland house prices are expected to keep falling into the start of the new year according to a survey carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). House... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices to fall further

Northern Ireland house prices are expected to keep falling into the start of the new year according to a survey carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). House... Read more

Property owner devastated at £1 house valuation

Businessman Paul Rooney, aged 42, purchased his end-of-terrace house for £86,000 in 2007 and has since spent £10,000 on a new kitchen and conservatory, only to have his house valued... Read more

Property owner devastated at £1 house valuation

Businessman Paul Rooney, aged 42, purchased his end-of-terrace house for £86,000 in 2007 and has since spent £10,000 on a new kitchen and conservatory, only to have his house valued... Read more

House owners predict fall in property values

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

Northern Ireland rental prices increase

Demand for rental property in Northern Ireland has increased consistently over the past year, despite the fact that house prices have fallen and first-time buyer interest is as high as... Read more

Belfast Titanic apartment counter-claim launched

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

First-time buyer deposit hurdle grows higher

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

FSA checks delay Tesco plans to offer mortgages

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

Homeowners shun spending to increase home equity

Statistics from the Bank of England have shown that home owners' equity rose by £6.2billion in the second quarter of this year. From July 1998 to March 2008 home owners... Read more

Slight rise in Northern Ireland house prices

According to the Nationwide building society property prices in Northern Ireland rose by 1.6% over the last three months, making it the best-performing area in the UK over that period,... Read more

Landlord and private tenancy scams on the rise

The collapse of the first time buyer market created a gap that had to be filled by private tenancies and has been cynically exploited by bogus landlords. Based on figures... Read more

August Mortgage lending at ten year low

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

Court upholds Belfast apartment contracts despite delay

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

36 consecutive months of falling NI house prices

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

Interest rates remain at record low

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

Interest rates remain at record low

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

Survey highlights 'erratic and uneven' NI property market

The latest survey by the University of Ulster for the second quarter of 2010 highlights the "erratic and uneven behaviour of the current housing market" in Northern Ireland. While average... Read more

Public sector cuts make NI housing market vulnerable

Northern Ireland has been identified as being one of the UK's most vulnerable areas for a property market decline as a result of the impending public sector cuts. Simon Rubinsohn,... Read more

Court refuses to force completion of Belfast apartment contract

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

1.1million trapped in homes they can't sell

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

Coleraine house prices up as UK cities profit from new students

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

Mortgage market dip predicted by Lenders

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

Northern Ireland construction at 10 year low

Construction in Northern Ireland has fallen to its lowest level since the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) began their survey 10 years ago. The latest survey shows a reported... Read more

Long absence from home could void insurance policy

An analysis of house insurance policies with top providers in the UK has revealed that leaving the property unoccupied for more than 30 days could result in the policy becoming... Read more

NICHA remove applications quota for 2 months

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

Debt causes 1 in 3 Pensioners to dip into home equity

Research carried out on behalf of the charity Age UK has revealed that 1 in 3 retired property owners are choosing to use equity release to clear debts. The other... Read more

NI property market suffers due to fear of public spending

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

Interest rates remain at 0.5 per cent

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

Life-long rights to be removed from Council house tenants

The current Council housing system gives tenants the right to live in the property for their lifetime regardless of how their circumstances might improve, and that right can be inherited... Read more

Belfast rents increase by 4 percent

Rents in Belfast have increased on average by 4% in the second quarter of 2010 according to analysis by lettings company Citylets. It is thought that the continuing threat of... Read more

Belfast historic building at risk of demolition

A Victorian building in Belfast is the subject of a renewed bid by developers to be demolished to make way for a large retail and residential development. The developers, Carlisle Property... Read more

Mortgage refused because of a busy road

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

Lack of loan products for first time borrowers

Research carried out by Thelendingwizard.com, an online consumer tool to search and apply for loans, has revealed that first time borrowers are still struggling to find mortgages as the number... Read more

Purchasers of mansion sue sellers for lack of privacy

A couple have launched a High Court battle against the previous owners of the £1.7million country mansion because of a road which they say has cost them their privacy. Nicholas and... Read more

PSNI tell Northern Ireland landlords to check tenants

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is advising all private landlords to carry out thorough checks on their tenants as more and more organised crime gangs use rental properties... Read more

Ex-burglars warn of Facebook/Twitter risk to your home

The first research among reformed burglars has been carried out by MORE TH>N to warn householders of the things they do that can increase their likelihood of being robbed. The ideal... Read more

Government cuts could sink construction sector

A new report by insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor has said that the number of construction companies in the UK that are experiencing financial trouble is at an historically high level,... Read more

Interest rates in UK remain at record low of 0.5%

Despite growing support for an increase to interest rates to curb inflation, the Bank of England has kept the UK interest rates at their record low of 0.5% for the... Read more

N.Ireland least confident about house price increases

A survey carried out by property website zoopla.co.uk has revealed that people in Northern Ireland are the least confident of an increase in house prices over the next six months.... Read more

Social Housing waiting lists 'breach of human rights'

The amount of people on the waiting list to receive social housing in Northern has increased since devolution, and lawyers at Queen's University in Belfast now say that the waiting... Read more

Public could be charged to view planning files

Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, has said that he is considering the implementation of fees for any member of the public wishing to view planning files. Speaking to the... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices 'still falling'

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

Landlord creates tenant blacklist to counter one-sided laws

Landlord Paul Routledge of Cadogan House Investment Properties in Weston super Mare has decided to fight back against what he describes as 'one-sided legislation against landlords'. Mr Routledge has created www.landlordreferencing.co.uk... Read more

Ex-Boyfriend gets half of house 17 years after split

The Court of Appeal has made a ruling that should sound a warning to unmarried couples who are buying a house, or who already own a house. The case involved a... Read more

Lowest proportion of first time buyers since 2007

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

Most private renters unlikely to buy home in next 5 years

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

Housing Association apartments built without Planning Permission

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

'Capital Gains tax hike will kill buy to let sector'

The proposals before the government to increase the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) are predicted to result in a mass sale of properties by landlords throughout Northern Ireland and the rest... Read more

Fold Housing partnership delivers jobs and houses

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

New Planning policy for Northern Ireland countryside

Environment Minister for Northern Ireland, Edwin Poots, has published a new planning policy statement (PPS21) which deals with rural development in the country. The statement, which was approved by the assembly... Read more

Moderate rise in Northern Ireland house prices

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

Funding gap causes mortgage lending to fall

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

?38million redevelopment plan for North Belfast announced

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

'DIY jobs gone wrong' lower house values

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

More house buyers could get mortgages than realise

New research by unbiased.co.uk suggests that more property buyers could obtain mortgages than currently realise. The survey results show that the public perception of the UK mortgage market is much... Read more

Buy to let landlord jailed as tenant nearly burns to death

Landlord Michael Billings has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for failing to provide the most basic protection for his tenants. A fire at one of his properties left a teenage... Read more

Ulster Bank lower rates and say they have substantial funds

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

Northern Ireland property market worst performing in UK

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

Property market in limbo due to election

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

'Mortgages should be sold with a health warning'

Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), a national debt charity, has called for an overhaul in how buyers are informed about mortgages, saying they should be made to pass an exam... Read more

4.9 tenants vying for every rental property as prices go up

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

Lack of buyers causes housing market to slow

Houses going onto the market for sale at a faster pace than new house hunters are emerging meant that the housing market slowed again this month. According to property research group... Read more

Lenders warn of ?300billion hole in funding

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has sounded a new warning about the £300bn hole in funding which may stall the improvement in the property market for some years. The... Read more

Houses for sale outnumber purchaser enquiries

  The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has revealed that the number of sale properties on the market has hit its highest level since May 2007, and that there are... Read more

Target of 2,000 new homes for Northern Ireland next year

Margaret Ritchie, the Social Development Minister, has said that she is hoping to deliver 2,000 new homes to Northern Ireland over the next 12 months. She had surpassed her 1,750 target... Read more

Number of houses for sale at 20-month high

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

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

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

Mortgage Repossessions Bill looks set to become Law

Labour MP Brian Iddon's Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants) Bill took one step closer to becoming law today when it had a second reading at the House of Lords today... Read more

Rents increase as more 'accidental landlords' exit the market

Results from the latest FindaProperty.com Rental Index show that asking rents increased in March by 0.7% - averaging £16 per calendar month more expensive. A drop in the supply of properties... Read more

Stamp duty changes 'major victory' for campaigners

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

Chancellor axes stamp duty on homes under ?250,000

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

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

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

Small increase in house sales and prices in February

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

Buy-to-let tax break would be ?grossly unfair to first-time buyers?

A consultation paper published by the Treasury in February included plans to increase the supply of private rented housing by giving a tax break to property speculators who buy-to-rent. One... Read more

New NHBC Technical standards come into effect on 1st April

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

Lenders soften approach to buy-to-lets

'Let Assured' have suggested that Lenders are now taking a more favourable approach to buy-to-lets in terms of the deposits required and the loan-to-value rations of their products. Borrowers will still... Read more

Many SVR mortgage holders 'unaware of interest rate'

A number of the UK's standard variable rate (SVR) mortgage holders are not aware of the interest rate that applies to them at present, new research suggests.This may be the... Read more

Government scheme to help make houses energy efficient welcomed by landlords

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has said that private tenants and landlords would benefit greatly from the Government plans to encourage home owners to make their houses more energy efficient. The... Read more

Increased speculation on when mortgage rates will go up

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

February 'saw decrease in UK house prices'

February saw a decrease in UK house prices, according to Nationwide, with the firm recording a one per cent monthly fall.The organisation believes that the four-week period witnessed an average... Read more

Energy efficiency 'may play greater role' in mortgage market

Energy efficiency might have a major impact on people's ability to gain mortgages in the future, according to one expert.People could be required to demonstrate their commitments to eco-friendly house... Read more

Housing recovery put on ice by bad weather

Bad weather is being blamed for keeping house hunters away in the month of February as house prices declined for the first time in 10 months. The latest monthly survey... Read more

Santander offers 90% mortgages to first-time buyers

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

Economic downturn 'forcing people to rent for longer'

It is inevitable that many people in the UK are having to rent for longer periods of time, due to the effects of the economic downturn.That is according to the... Read more

'Buy to Let sector becoming over-regulated'

The recent outline by Government housing minister, John Healey, of new potential measures to improve the standards of rental property has been met with concerns that the buy to let... Read more

Estate agents to move out of the shop and on to the internet

New research carried out by Movewithus has revealed that 1 in 3 estate agents want to move out of their high street shops and focus on their internet presence. Of... Read more

Buyer loses legal battle to win back apartment deposit

A buyer who entered into a contract in 2007 to purchase an apartment at 'The Bakery', on the site of the former Ormeau bakery in Belfast, has lost in his... Read more

Average estate agent 'saw rise in house sales last month'

On average, British estate agents saw a rise in the amount of homes that they managed to sell in January, according to one organisation. Last month saw six properties sold... Read more

Figures show buyers rushed to beat Stamp Duty in December

The Council of Mortgage Lenders have released figures showing that there was a clear rush by purchasers to beat the end of the stamp duty holiday in December 2009. There... Read more

'Google Real Estate' to be launched in the UK

Google is widely rumoured to be on the verge of launching its online property search market in the UK. The service, called 'Google Real Estate', has already been successfully launched... Read more

Good news for first time buyers as 90% mortgages start to return

January saw mortgage rates on tracker deals reach a record low according to figures released from the Bank of England. The lower rates are however offered to those with larger... Read more

NI housing market sees price reductions ease

The rate of house price reductions in Northern Ireland eased over the course of 2009, new figures have shown.University of Ulster's latest House Price Index reveals that between the beginning... Read more

PRS 'could help meet UK housing demand'

The high demand for housing in the UK could be addressed with the support of the private-rented sector (PRS), according to one political figure.It has been announced that a government-backed... Read more

Health of the housing market may have been 'overstated'

A monthly survey produced by Hometrack based on information gathered from 1,800 estate agents provides some perspective to the current confusion on the health of the property market. Just last... Read more

Demand for GB coastal properties 'will stay strong'

The large demand that exists for coastal properties across the British Isles has been emphasised by one expert.According to iammoving.com's partner relationship manager Jon Brown, it is likely that such... Read more

UK House prices rise 1.2% during January

The property market continues to recover at a faster pace than the rest of the economy with yet another month of house price increases recorded in January. The strong 1.2%... Read more

Renting 'can complement modern working life'

Renting can provide a useful solution to many people in the UK thanks to the flexibility it offers, according to one expert.People seeking properties in Northern Ireland and other areas... Read more

House build applications in Northern Ireland on the increase

The National House Building Council (HHBC) has released new figures showing an increase in applications to build new houses in Northern Ireland. They received 906 applications to build new houses... Read more

Demand for UK rental property 'has increased'

Increasing numbers of people are now looking to rent properties in the UK, research has found.Figures published by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) have shown that as many... Read more

Mortgage lending reaching stability

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

Terraced properties 'popular with many landlords'

Terraced properties are proving popular with a number of UK landlords because they can offer cost-effective options, an expert believes.According to LandlordZONE's Tom Entwistle, the kind of tenants that such... Read more

1 in 10 landlords plan to buy more houses in next 3 months

Research from Paragon Mortgages has revealed that 1 in 10 landlords advised they hope to increase their portfolio of houses in the first quarter of 2010. Terraced houses are favoured by... Read more

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

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

Many UK landlords 'wary of regulation'

Regulation is a concern for a number of the UK's landlords, new research suggests.According to figures published by Paragon Mortgages, as many as 58 per cent of those landlords questioned... Read more

Tall building developments 'may offer benefits to Northern Ireland'

Northern Ireland cities may benefit from an increase in tall building developments, according to one expert.The director of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) in the country Ben Collins... Read more

But to let landlords confident of strong year in 2010

58% of private landlords polled by Upad are more confident of the buy to let market in December than they were the previous month, with confidence levels expected to increase... Read more

Surveyors predict lull in house sales in Q1 of 2010

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

West Belfast ?25m housing scheme to get under way in March 2010

A major family housing scheme to be built on the site of the old Bass Brewery in West Belfast has been given the go ahead, with an estimated 200 jobs... Read more

Mortgage advances highest since December 2007

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

Chancellor confirms end of VAT and stamp duty breaks

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

Good news for landlords as rents expected to rise

Those landlords who have survived the difficult past two years of the rental market may soon see a reversal of fortunes according to FindaProperty.com. According to their November Rental Index, the... Read more

Google property service to be launched in Britain next year

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

MPs put pressure on Government to extend stamp duty

A group of backbench Labour MPs have given their support to an Early Day Motion issued by Lindsay Hoyle on the matter of Stamp Duty, urging the Government to extend... Read more

Research shows property price increase for fourth month in a row

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

Research shows property price increase for fourth month in a row

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October Mortgage approvals doubled compared to last year

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

October Mortgage approvals doubled compared to last year

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

People 'should not be dissuaded' from home ownership

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

People 'should not be dissuaded' from home ownership

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

UK rental property market 'starting to stabilise'

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

UK rental property market 'starting to stabilise'

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

'Confidence rising' in residential property market

Levels of confidence in the UK's residential property market are on the rise, according to new research.Moneysupermarket.com has claimed that the proportion of customers using its service to seek out... Read more

House buyers in NI facing legal action from developers

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

House buyers in NI facing legal action from developers

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

Property asking and selling price gap grows

New figures have suggested that the gap between residential property asking and selling prices in Northern Ireland has increased.The UK-wide study by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) found... Read more

Third of property owners 'holding firm on asking prices'

Over a third of residential property owners in the UK and Northern Ireland are not prepared to drop their asking price, new research has revealed.The study by Co-operative Bank Mortgages... Read more

House prices continue to rise

New figures from Nationwide have revealed that average residential property prices in the UK are continuing to rise.The latest findings from the building society have revealed that the value of... Read more

House prices continue to rise

New figures from Nationwide have revealed that average residential property prices in the UK are continuing to rise.The latest findings from the building society have revealed that the value of... Read more

Property sellers 'accepting of reduced valuations'

An expert has claimed that those looking to sell residential property in the UK and Northern Ireland have become more accepting of the drop in their homes' valuations. Jane Marr,... Read more

Property sellers 'accepting of reduced valuations'

An expert has claimed that those looking to sell residential property in the UK and Northern Ireland have become more accepting of the drop in their homes' valuations. Jane Marr,... Read more

Average property deposit 'reaches ?32,000'

People who are looking to climb up the first rung of the residential property ladder in the UK and Northern Ireland need to save up to £32,000 as a deposit,... Read more

Average property deposit 'reaches ?32,000'

People who are looking to climb up the first rung of the residential property ladder in the UK and Northern Ireland need to save up to £32,000 as a deposit,... Read more

Property buyers 'move closer to asking prices'

New research has revealed that residential property buyers in the UK and Northern Ireland are moving closer to meeting asking prices.According to figures from the National Association of Estate Agents... Read more

Property buyers 'move closer to asking prices'

New research has revealed that residential property buyers in the UK and Northern Ireland are moving closer to meeting asking prices.According to figures from the National Association of Estate Agents... Read more

UK house prices hit by small drop

The price of residential property in the UK and Northern Ireland fell slightly during June, according to the latest figures from Halifax.Average house prices fell by 0.5 per cent over... Read more

Belfast property deal close, developer says

A deal to buy the former Stinson Seafood property in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is close, it has been reported.Village Soup reports that developer Arthur House has almost sealed a deal... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices continue to fall

The price of property in Northern Ireland is continuing to fall at a more significant level than in any other part of the UK, it has been claimed.Nationwide's latest figures... Read more

Residential property costs 'fall'

New research has revealed that the cost of both running and owning a residential property in the UK and Northern Ireland has dropped in the past 12 months.According to the... Read more

Property asking and selling price gap 'narrowing'

The gap between residential property asking and selling prices is narrowing in the UK and Northern Ireland, according to new figures.Research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) found... Read more

Consumers lose faith in buy-to-lets as lending drops

Investments in the buy-to-let market in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are going to make a loss this year, according to nearly a third of Brits who... Read more

A 'good contract' vital for those going into rental market

People in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK contemplating renting out their properties in order to raise extra money should seek advice from an expert such as a... Read more

Good news for homeowners as house values rise in May

Property investors in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK have received some positive news following the publication of data showing house prices rose in May by 1.2 per... Read more

Homeowners considering letting as recession continues

The recession is forcing an increasing number of homeowners into being reluctant landlords and nearly five million have considered walking down this road according to professional advice website Unbiased.co.uk.People in... Read more

Affordability increases as house values decline further

The month of April continued to bring good news to first-time buyers in Northern Ireland as house prices sustained their downward slide, according to new data from the Nationwide House... Read more

Landlords urged to protect themselves as tenants default

Residential property owners dealing with rental stock in Northern Ireland (NI) may want to discuss with their solicitors options to protect themselves in light of rising unemployment among tenants.Figures from... Read more

CML data shows shift from remortgaging

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

CML data shows shift from remortgaging

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

Bank of England freezes interest rates

Bank of England freezes interest rates As widely expected by experts, the Bank of England has frozen interest rates at 0.5 per cent as it continues with its quantitative easing programme,... Read more

March registers property price increase

Spring brought some good news to the property market as house prices increased by 0.9 per cent in March, breaking a long cycle of decline, the Nationwide House Price Index... Read more

Mortgage arrears up 31 per cent last year

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

Ulster Bank has a 'solid future', chief reassures customers

The head of the Ulster Bank has expressed his confidence that the institution has a "solid future". Coming as solicitors in Northern Ireland deal with a massive rise in cases... Read more

Affordability improves for property buyers

The latest figures show first-time buyers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are increasingly having property affordability improve as prices continue to decline.Data from Nationwide indicates house... Read more

Communicating with lender can ward off repossession

Solicitors in Northern Ireland can help their clients in the rental sector avoid repossession by advising them to let their lender know about whether their properties are let.Informing a lender... Read more

Homeowners abandon properties as repossessions soar

New figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show that the number of properties repossessed last year hit a 12-year high as a total of 40,000 homeowners lost their... Read more

First-time buyers need support

More needs to be done to help aspiring property investors in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK as they are crucial not only to the housing market, but... Read more

Enquiries rise but property transactions remain stagnant

Solicitors in Northern Ireland with residential property clients may be interested to hear that people are keen on buying but mortgage scarcity may be preventing them from doing so.This is... Read more

Regulation for sale and rent-back schemes introduced

Sale and rent-back schemes, which have prompted some home owners to contact their solicitors after being cheated out of their properties, are to be regulated.The government has announced that the... Read more

Aim to buy below market value, investors urged

Buying below the market value should be one of the main areas to focus on when buying property in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK, solicitors in Belfast... Read more

How to survive the downturn

Solicitors in Northern Ireland with commercial or residential property clients who have rental stock may want to ensure the investments are in the best possible condition if they are to... Read more

First-time buyers urged to get advice

It is vital for first-time buyers in Northern Ireland to talk to experts such as a solicitor or a mortgage advisor before committing to a mortgage product, it has been... Read more

Further price correction recorded in January

New data from Nationwide Building Society shows that house prices continued to fall in January bring bad news for homeowners but good news for those interested in buying.Solicitors in Northern... Read more

Understand your market, property owners told

Commercial property investors in Northern Ireland with residential property investments will be better placed to survive the current economic downturn if they are flexible, it has been stated.Solicitors in Northern... Read more

Early 2009 a 'reasonable time' to invest in property

Country vendors are becoming more "realistic" with their property pricing, making this year ideal for investment for those who are interested in expanding their assets, it has been stated.Solicitors in... Read more

Affordability 'has greatly improved' for first-time buyers

Declining values in the property market have now made it possible for first-time buyers in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK to get onto the property ladder, a... Read more

Be realistic about prices, investors urged

Property sellers in Northern Ireland have been advised to be more realistic about asking prices of their properties if they wish to see an increase in the number of properties... Read more

Buy-to-let investors not planning to sell

Buy-to-let investors not planning to sellNew figures have shown that property investors with residential rental stock are taking a long-term view on investment and most expect to hold their properties... Read more

Belfast still pricey despite decline

Belfast is still the most expensive part of Northern Ireland (NI) to invest in property despite a property price decline of 33 per cent since last year, figures from Nationwide... Read more

Government measures will only benefit 'a small percentage'

Property investors struggling with mortgage payment in Northern Ireland may still need the services of solicitors as the latest government measures to help them will leave many in the cold,... Read more

'Desperate' sellers on the market

Property savvy investors in Northern Ireland may want to seek the opinions of their solicitors before taking on heavily discounted properties from desperate sellers, said to be in abundance in... Read more

Homeowners in Northern Ireland overvaluing properties

Homeowners in Northern Ireland have been told to become more realistic in the asking prices they are wanting for their properties.Tom McClelland, Northern Ireland housing spokesman for the Royal Institution... Read more

'More should be done' to promote mortgage lending

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

Northern Ireland property market drawing interest

Figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) show that property investors in Northern Ireland are showing signs of returning to the market, solicitors in Belfast may be interested... Read more

Choose 'financially worthy' tenants, investors urged

Commercial property investors with buy-to-let investments in Northern Ireland should put in place a strategy to deal with expected rent arrears in coming months, it has been stated.According to David... Read more

Repossessions can create 'ghettos'

Mass repossessions by mortgage lenders have the potential to ruin pleasant neighbourhoods, solicitors in Northern Ireland with commercial and residential property clients may want to know.Speaking out against repossessions, the... Read more

Six-month grace period for struggling homeowners

In news that may be of interest to solicitors in Northern Ireland, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has taken a stand on repossessions that may bring in a new... Read more

Property prices fall 'moderately' in November

November saw property prices register a 0.4 per cent drop, bringing some good news to property investors, commercial property solicitors in Belfast may want to know.According to Nationwide Building Society,... Read more

New measures to help struggling homeowners announced

Solicitors with clients who own property in Northern Ireland may be pleased to hear that the government has announced new measures to help struggling homeowners through the downturn.In his pre-Budget... Read more

Understand the law, 'reluctant landlords' told

Northern Ireland homeowners who have been forced into being landlords due to the credit crunch should find out from their solicitors about the rules and regulations of the lettings sector,... Read more

Homeowners 'flood' letting sector

Homeowners in Northern Ireland have been turned into unlikely landlords as a result of the credit crunch, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).Solicitors may be interested to... Read more

Stamp duty should be abolished, NAEA says

The residential property market in Northern Ireland can be saved from further decline if the government uses its Pre-Budget Report to intervene, an association has said.Thousands of first-time buyers are... Read more

Property owner sets ingenious plan to sell home

The current instability in the property market has made a property owner near Belfast come up with an innovative way to sell his property.Alan Cooke, the owner of a two-storey... Read more

Northern Ireland house prices decline sharply

New figures have shown that house prices across all regions of the UK continued to fall in October further threatening many with negative equity.Northern Ireland, the east of England and... Read more

Do research before investing in current market

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may soon face a barrage of inquiries from clients interested in taking advantage of distressed residential property sales.This follows revelation from a property expert that the... Read more

Winter likely to throw up problems for property owners

Solicitors in Northern Ireland with commercial property developers and buy-to-let investors as their clients may want to advise their clientele to ensure all tenants are equipped with the right information... Read more

Quick sales possible in current market

Solicitors in Northern Ireland should advise their clients to keep their property prices competitive and realistic, if they wish to make a quick sell, according to an expert.Homeowners wishing to... Read more

Empty properties may attract mortgage fraudsters

Solicitors in Northern Ireland should advise their clients against leaving their properties unoccupied for long periods or they risk having them targeted by mortgage fraudsters, according to the Land Registry.The... Read more

New recommendations for rental sector

Solicitors of investors in residential property in Northern Ireland may want to know that major recommendations to improve the private rented sector have been published.The recommendations from an independent review... Read more

Mortgage crime on the rise due to ID theft

The number of mortgage crimes committed in the UK has doubled and analysts predict that as many as 60,000 properties including those in Northern Ireland may have been acquired through... Read more

Thousands falling into negative equity every month

Thousands of homeowners in Northern Ireland may find themselves in need of the services of solicitors following revelations that two million UK homeowners face repossession as negative equity creeps in.According... Read more

Amendments made to takeover deal

Changes have been made to the takeover terms in the deal between Lloyds TSB and HBOS, but the plan will still go ahead to save the crumbling HBOS.Following the bailout... Read more

Government decision gets mixed response

A decision by the government to extend its deposit guarantee scheme to include a number of foreign-owned banks which have branches in Ireland has been questioned by an expert.Now, Ulster... Read more

Housing boost welcomed

A move made by the Bank of Ireland to make private home ownership more achievable has been welcomed by social development minister in Northern Ireland Margaret Ritchie.The Co-Ownership scheme will... Read more

Irish government must amend banking plan

The Irish government have been told to amend a recently announced bank guarantee plan as it breaks European Union rules regarding state aid, reports the Irish Times.Neelie Kroes, EU competition... Read more

EU Commission to investigate government pledge

The European Commission has announced it is to investigate whether a decision by the Irish government to guarantee deposits and lending in six of Ireland's banks and building societies is... Read more

Irish government will guarantee six banks and building societies

The Irish government has said it will guarantee all deposits in Irish banks as well as all money borrowed by the banks from other financial institutions, it has been reported.Following... Read more

Buying abroad 'may prove popular'

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

Minister urges public to speak up over proposals

Northern Ireland Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has asked members of the public to respond to government consultations on the domestic rating system, it has been reported.In news that might interest... Read more

'Lower house prices mean lower divorce rates'

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

Lack of Hips 'breaking law'

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

Ministers try to solve housing problems

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

Northern Ireland property 'more appealing'

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

Environment minister opposes climate law

Sammy Wilson, environment minister, plans to vote against the government's draft climate change bill, according to the Belfast Telegraph.He says the changes proposed by the bill have not been thought... Read more

NI house prices down 18%

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

Remortgaging sector 'bouyant'

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

Super-rich 'still hunting for NI property'

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

Buyers on look out for environmental homes in Northern Ireland

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

Supply and affordability "challenges" for borrowers in Northern Ireland

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

Supply and affordability "challenges" for borrowers in Northern Ireland

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

House prices fall by 2.4% in a month

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

Plan to help Northern Ireland homeowners in danger of repossession

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

A quarter 'trapped' in their current homes

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

Mortgage approvals at record low

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

House prices falling at 1990s levels

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

Empty property in Northern Ireland 'should be taxed'

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

Northern Ireland houses to need energy certificate

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

Weak housing market benefiting buy-to-let

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

Increased demand for five-year fixed-rate mortgage

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

Mortgage lending dealt with by Northern Ireland solicitors on the up

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

Endowment mortgage shortfall expected

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

Personal bankruptcies 'could rocket'

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

Government announces help for first-time buyers

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

Eco-homes welcomed by consumers

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

'Surprising' speed of housing downturn

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

Gloomy picture for Northern Ireland property market

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

Interest rates decision 'disappointing' for homeowners

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

Interest rates kept at 5%

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

UK market may slow but 'recession unlikely'

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

House prices in Northern Ireland 'set for big drop'

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

Conference to consider housing issues in Northern Ireland

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

NI builders 'hardest hit' by credit crunch

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

Government 'working to support' mortgage holders

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

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

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

Solicitors in Northern Ireland can advise on housing choices

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

Huge house price rises in NI over the last ten years

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

UK property 'dependent on mortgage crisis'

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

Property development planned for Belfast

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

Growth fund set up for SMEs

One major bank is showing its confidence in Northern Ireland's small businesses by setting up a fund dedicated to providing money to promote growth. Bank of Scotland (Ireland) is to... Read more

Northern Ireland sees property market ?stabilise?

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

Commuters drawn to Belfast property prospects

Solicitors and other professionals who normally commute to Belfast have been giving up their cars in favour of moving to the Northern Irish capital, it has emerged.Property experts attribute the... Read more

Northern Ireland housing plans going ahead

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

Buying property among top ambitions

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

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

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

Property in Northern Ireland 'a buyer's market'

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

Solicitors in Northern Ireland 'should recommend house purchases'

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

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

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

Seven of top ten highest house price growth towns in NI

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

Budget failed first-timers, conveyancing firm says

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

NI house price growth dips

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

Stamp duty cuts 'will not benefit everyone'

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

Long-term mortgages 'misjudged and misinformed'

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

Buy-to-let buoyant

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

CML reports mortgage lending drop

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

Stamp duty doubling for FTBs

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

Fraudsters target movers

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

'Mortgage budget' could help FTBs

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

Fraudsters target movers

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

'Mortgage budget' could help FTBs

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

Student digs 'getting posher'

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

Student digs 'getting posher'

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

Fall of 100% mortgage 'bad for FTBs'

Solicitors are even less likely to see first-time buyers (FTBs) in Belfast and Northern Ireland able to afford a mortgage now that 100 per cent-plus deals are disappearing.With house prices... Read more

Mortgage holders feel 'out-of-control'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could be forced to pursue more mortgage holders for debt this year, as many admit that they feel out-of-control of their repayments.According to the... Read more

Fall of 100% mortgage 'bad for FTBs'

Solicitors are even less likely to see first-time buyers (FTBs) in Belfast and Northern Ireland able to afford a mortgage now that 100 per cent-plus deals are disappearing.With house prices... Read more

Mortgage holders feel 'out-of-control'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could be forced to pursue more mortgage holders for debt this year, as many admit that they feel out-of-control of their repayments.According to the... Read more

Property owners in debt to government

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see the government in need of debt recovery services, after the Belfast Telegraph revealed that ratepayers in the province owe them over £140... Read more

'No relief' for mortgage holders

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

'No relief' for mortgage holders

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

Northern Rock 'should have been a clue'

Despite the credit crunch, solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland have still seen buy-to-let investors taking out mortgages, but one expert says perhaps they have been unwise.Solicitors will remember the... Read more

Portfolios 'help with future purchases'

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

Sale and rent back a 'solution to debt interest'

Solicitors could have to pursue fewer people in Belfast and Northern Ireland for debt if they take advantage of a sale and rent back scheme.Unfortunately solicitors in Belfast and Northern... Read more

Portfolios 'help with future purchases'

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

Mixed opinion on housing plans

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

Surge in tracker mortgages

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see more people taking out tracker mortgages after this type of deal is growing in popularity.Although only around a quarter of homebuyers in... Read more

Singletons squeezed out of property market

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are very unlikely to see singletons buying property after experts have warned that a single wage will not be enough to fund a house... Read more

Mixed opinion on housing plans

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

Ritchie unveils cheap housing plan

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

Ritchie unveils cheap housing plan

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

Younger buyers stumble on property ladder

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

Eco-friendly buyers retain their green

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland will see more environmentally-friendly clients accommodated after a bank in the province has launched a discounted mortgage for people who install solar power in... Read more

Younger buyers stumble on property ladder

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

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

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

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

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

Bridging loans 'aid quick property purchase'

If homebuyers in Belfast and Northern Ireland whose finances are stretched were to take out a bridging loan, it could mean less people being pursued by solicitors for debt.However, bridging... Read more

NI property 'hit a brick wall'

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

Negative equity warning in Northern Ireland

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see fewer people willing to sell up property that they bought last year as these homeowners could be facing negative equity, experts warn.People... Read more

NI property 'hit a brick wall'

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

Negative equity warning in Northern Ireland

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see fewer people willing to sell up property that they bought last year as these homeowners could be facing negative equity, experts warn.People... Read more

NI property 'hit a brick wall'

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

More parents helping children buy homes

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

More parents helping children buy homes

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

More parents helping children buy homes

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

Buyers returning to NI market

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

Landlords 'still confident'

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

Landlords 'still confident'

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

Landlords 'still confident'

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

Professionals offered more in a mortgage

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

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

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

Professionals offered more in a mortgage

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

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

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

Professionals offered more in a mortgage

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

Lenders 'still supporting' new buyers

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

Lenders 'still supporting' new buyers

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

Lenders 'still supporting' new buyers

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

Landlords 'put off selling by logistics'

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

Landlords 'put off selling by logistics'

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

Older homeowners strike gold

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

Older homeowners strike gold

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

Older homeowners strike gold

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

Student debt 'won't restrict FTBs'

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

Student debt 'won't restrict FTBs'

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

Student debt 'won't restrict FTBs'

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

Student debt 'won't restrict FTBs'

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

New tax for holiday homes?

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

New tax for holiday homes?

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

New tax for holiday homes?

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

Belfast is 'extremely unaffordable'

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

Belfast is 'extremely unaffordable'

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

Belfast is 'extremely unaffordable'

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

'No panic' over commercial property slump

Accountants and solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland may have seen investors in commercial property funds trying to withdraw their money, but experts warn against panic selling.While solicitors in Belfast... Read more

More homes for first-time buyers

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

More homes for first-time buyers

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

More homes for first-time buyers

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

£8m estate up for sale

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

£8m estate up for sale

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

December saw house price drop

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

December saw house price drop

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

Housing market to be revived?

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

Housing market to be revived?

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

Overseas property investors 'need solicitors'

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

Overseas property investors 'need solicitors'

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

Solicitors 'essential' for co-buyers

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

Solicitors 'essential' for co-buyers

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

NI property to 'thrive' in 2008

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

NI property to 'thrive' in 2008

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

Mortgage payments rise by 20%

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

Mortgage payments rise by 20%

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

Mortgage payments rise by 20%

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

IHT planning 'should start early'

Inheritance Tax (IHT) need not be a burden and though it is advisable to start planning early, it is never too late to begin, financial advisers have said.For homeowners in... Read more

£60k saving for remortgaging

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could see more of their clients looking to remortgage after a lender has claimed that this could cut as much as £60,000 off their... Read more

NI house prices face 4% fall

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

NI house prices face 4% fall

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

Stability the hallmark of New Year property

Solicitors in Northern Ireland will be likely to see more first-time buyers as well as commercial property investors securing their dream deal, as experts claim that prices in 2008's market... Read more

Good year for new buyers

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

Good year for new buyers

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

Joint mortgages offer a helping hand

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

Let-to-buy mortgages 'suit slowing market'

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

Joint mortgages offer a helping hand

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

Let-to-buy mortgages 'suit slowing market'

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

Joint mortgages offer a helping hand

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

Let-to-buy mortgages 'suit slowing market'

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

Consumers to be hit by repossessions

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

Rent 'may be the only option'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are unlikely to see too many first-time buyers wanting to seal a property deal next year, as experts claim that renting may be the... Read more

Consumers to be hit by repossessions

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

Christmas could see increase in NI debt

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could be forced to pursue more people for debt in the New Year after financial advisors have claimed that Christmas spending could push consumers... Read more

Four-fifths of NI houses drop in price

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

Four-fifths of NI houses drop in price

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

Belfast professionals attract landlords

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

Belfast's Victoria Square a sellout

Belfast solicitors will face a glut of clients looking for conveyancing work on luxury apartments after the first round of opulent flats at the new Victoria Square development sold out... Read more

Belfast professionals attract landlords

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

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

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

Young consumers 'risk financial suicide'

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland could be forced to pursue young borrowers for debt after a report revealed that young people rely a lot on credit.Researchers found that young... Read more

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

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

Double-edged sword for homebuyers

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

First timers going for a fix

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

Double-edged sword for homebuyers

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

First timers going for a fix

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

Builders cosy up to homebuyers

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

Rate cut could boost NI property

The monetary policy committee's (MPC) decision to cut interest rates by a quarter point could mean that solicitors in Northern Ireland see more clients making property purchases.If experts are to... Read more

Builders cosy up to homebuyers

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

Commercial mortgage 'not only option'

Small businesses buying a commercial property in Northern Ireland should visit their solicitors for advice on funding, as a commercial mortgage is not the only answer, experts have claimed.Northern Ireland... Read more

Ditching 11-plus could boost NI property

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

Ditching 11-plus could boost NI property

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

Housing slowdown 'not helping' FTBs

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

'Best time' to buy a house in NI

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

Housing slowdown 'not helping' FTBs

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

'Best time' to buy a house in NI

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

Housing slowdown 'not helping' FTBs

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

Lenders seek rate cut

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

Lenders seek rate cut

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

Lenders seek rate cut

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

Share-to-buy 'a lifeline' for divorcees

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

FTBs pushed out of Belfast

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may be dealing with clients moving into houses they don't really want to, if analysis is to be believed.The unaffordable property prices in Belfast may see... Read more

Share-to-buy 'a lifeline' for divorcees

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

NI to improve social housing

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

South Belfast 'saturated' with HMOs

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

NI to improve social housing

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

South Belfast 'saturated' with HMOs

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

NI house prices 'still out of reach'

Key workers in Northern Ireland are still unable to get a foothold on the property ladder because prices are so high, an expert has claimed.The News Letter reports that there... Read more

Credit crunch squeezes lending market

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

Credit crunch squeezes lending market

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

Belfast development wins award

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

New bathrooms boost house prices

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

Credit crunch squeezes lending market

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

Belfast development wins award

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

New bathrooms boost house prices

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

Buy-to-let 'not as doomed' as thought

Northern Ireland solicitors who worried that landlords would be put off purchasing property due to some analysts predicting a gloomy future for the buy-to-let market may have their fears allayed... Read more

New buyers 'should do homework'

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

New buyers 'should do homework'

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

Investors 'should consider' foreign property

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

NI property prices top quarter of a million

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

Investors 'should consider' foreign property

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

NI property prices top quarter of a million

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

Experts urge mortgage-payers to shop around

Financial advisors have urged people in Britain and Northern Ireland to consider switching their mortgage provider, after a survey revealed that many borrowers had never reviewed their deal.A poll by... Read more

First-time buyers enjoy gap in housing market

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

NI housing market sees battles

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

First-time buyers enjoy gap in housing market

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

NI housing market sees battles

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

First-time buyers enjoy gap in housing market

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

NI housing market sees battles

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

Obel offers homebuyers the high life

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

Obel offers homebuyers the high life

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

Bank holds base rate

The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold for the fourth month in a row on Thursday.The bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) voted to keep the base rate... Read more

Buy-to-let 'preserve of the rich'

The buy-to-let market in Britain and Northern Ireland is increasingly becoming the preserve of the rich as property prices put them out of the reach of most people, it has... Read more

NI property 'to slow'

Solicitors in Northern Ireland might notice a reduction in the number of people coming through their doors looking for properties as the property market is expected to see a slowdown.Research... Read more

Belfast highlighted as a city on the rise

Belfast in Northern Ireland has been highlighted as one of the main boom areas for property in recent times.Solicitors in Belfast have seen rapid rises in house prices over recent... Read more

Northern Ireland boosted by regeneration

Solicitors in Northern Ireland have seen a major increase in property sales over recent years and one of the main reasons for this has been the regeneration of the region,... Read more

Northern Ireland property prices boom

Northern Ireland solicitors have been busy dealing with the paperwork for sales of properties in Armagh with new figures showing prices have increased there by 188 per cent over the... Read more

NI economic growth means property still popular

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

NI economic growth means property still popular

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

NI still set to outperform UK on property

House prices in Northern Ireland are expected to do better than those in the rest of the country over the months ahead, according to Knight Frank.The estate agent has forecast... Read more

Affordable mortgage most important for buyers

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

Affordable mortgage most important for buyers

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

Affordable mortgage most important for buyers

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

Curtailing of mortgages 'won't affect house prices'

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

Curtailing of mortgages 'won't affect house prices'

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

Curtailing of mortgages 'won't affect house prices'

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

Huge interest in Titanic flats

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

Huge interest in Titanic flats

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

Co-buying a solution to the first rung?

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

Co-buying a solution to the first rung?

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

Co-buying a solution to the first rung?

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

NI property prices leapfrog UK

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

NI property prices leapfrog UK

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

Self-cert borrowers 'should seek advice'

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

Buy-to-let investors 'must be mad'

Solicitors in Northern Ireland could see fewer buy-to-let investors, unless they are very wealthy, as the interest rate precludes landlords making a decent profit, experts warn.According to Firstrung, landlords in... Read more

Self-cert borrowers 'should seek advice'

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

Self-cert borrowers 'should seek advice'

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

Property developer tempts buyers with free car

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

Property developer tempts buyers with free car

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

Property developer tempts buyers with free car

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

NI sees 'negative' house price growth

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

NI sees 'negative' house price growth

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

NI mortgage lending tails off

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

NI mortgage lending tails off

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

NI mortgage lending tails off

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

Darling pledges inheritance tax cut

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

Darling pledges inheritance tax cut

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

Life changes fuel endowment sales

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

MPC 'made interest rate mistake'

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

Life changes fuel endowment sales

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

MPC 'made interest rate mistake'

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

Life changes fuel endowment sales

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

MPC 'made interest rate mistake'

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

Northern Ireland property prices 'remain buoyant'

New figures have shown that property prices in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, have remained strong over recent months.As the property industry across Great Britain and Northern Ireland shows signs of... Read more

Northern Ireland property prices 'remain buoyant'

New figures have shown that property prices in Northern Ireland, including Belfast, have remained strong over recent months.As the property industry across Great Britain and Northern Ireland shows signs of... Read more

Record-breaking rent good news for landlords

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are likely to see more landlords needing legal advice on commercial property as spiralling house prices in the province have forced more people to rent.Belfast solicitors... Read more

Record-breaking rent good news for landlords

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are likely to see more landlords needing legal advice on commercial property as spiralling house prices in the province have forced more people to rent.Belfast solicitors... Read more

Record-breaking rent good news for landlords

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are likely to see more landlords needing legal advice on commercial property as spiralling house prices in the province have forced more people to rent.Belfast solicitors... Read more

Stamp duty doubles in Northern Ireland

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

Stamp duty doubles in Northern Ireland

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

Rates rebate urged by charities

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

Rates rebate urged by charities

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

Property developers lend buyers a hand

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

Property developers lend buyers a hand

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

Property developers lend buyers a hand

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

Property price stagnation predicted

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

Property price stagnation predicted

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

Property price stagnation predicted

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

Buy-to-let gaining strength

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

Buy-to-let gaining strength

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

Buy-to-let gaining strength

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

Debt likely to escalate

After the latest interest rate hike and another predicted to be on the way, mortgage-payers in Britain and Northern Ireland could face more debt judgements.Following the spate of interest rate... Read more

Lending fell by 6% in August

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

Buy-to-let mortgages safe as houses

Commercial investors in buy-to-let property in Britain and Northern Ireland should not be affected by a drop in tenant numbers, despite the housing market continuing to cool, experts have said.According... Read more

Lending fell by 6% in August

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

Lending fell by 6% in August

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

Buy-to-let mortgages safe as houses

Commercial investors in buy-to-let property in Britain and Northern Ireland should not be affected by a drop in tenant numbers, despite the housing market continuing to cool, experts have said.According... Read more

One in 10 victims of gazumping

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

One in 10 victims of gazumping

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

Housing boom 'set to end'

The housing boom that has been enjoyed in Britain and Northern Ireland looks set to come to an end, one of the world's most respected economists has predicted.Alan Greenspan, former... Read more

NI property prices drop

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

NI property prices drop

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

NI property prices drop

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

Sisters 'treated worse than lesbians'

Two sisters are taking an inheritance tax claim to the European court of human rights, claiming that the law in Britain and Northern Ireland offers them worse protection than if... Read more

Land law could cripple countryside

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

Land law could cripple countryside

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

NI housing market still healthy

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

NI housing market still healthy

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

NI housing market still healthy

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

Rate rises push up repossessions

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

Rate rises push up repossessions

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

Rate rises push up repossessions

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

NI property market hardly cooling

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

NI property market hardly cooling

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

NI property market hardly cooling

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

Belfast rents on the rise

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

Belfast rents on the rise

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

FTBs spaced out

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

FTBs spaced out

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

FTBs spaced out

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

University cities bolster property prices

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

University cities bolster property prices

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

University cities bolster property prices

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

NI property prices break records again

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

NI property prices break records again

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

NI property prices break records again

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

NI sees less mortgage debt

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

NI sees less mortgage debt

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

NI grads can't buy homes

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

NI grads can't buy homes

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

NI grads can't buy homes

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

Property 'still ripe for investment'

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are still likely to see plenty of budding property investors coming to them over the coming months, it has been claimed.New research has suggested that the... Read more

Northern Ireland sees house prices slow

House prices are finally beginning to slow down in Northern Ireland, meaning solicitors may begin to see more first time buyers able to afford properties in the near future.While the... Read more

Mortgage fees soar as property prices rocket

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are likely to have seen their customers suffer massive increases in mortgage fees over the past two years, as property prices have grown considerably.Northern Ireland has... Read more

Love not legally binding

With the trend for people in love to live together and even have children without being married increasing, it is vital that people get their financial arrangements sorted out through... Read more

NI hotter property than London

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

NI hotter property than London

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

Rocketing property prices cripple NI incomes

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

Mortgage misery as MPC hikes rate

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

Rocketing property prices cripple NI incomes

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

Mortgage misery as MPC hikes rate

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

Rocketing property prices cripple NI incomes

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

NI waiting longer for social housing

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are unlikely to see many new buyers as clients for conveyancing work, as soaring house prices in the province have led to fewer first-time buyers and... Read more

Offset mortgages see growth

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has announced that there has been a substantial growth in offset mortgages in the past year.According to new figures, offset mortgages accounted for seven... Read more

Northern Ireland continues to see rapid house price increases

House price inflation in Northern Ireland has continued to grow at breakneck speed, according to new research.A study from the Department of Communities and Local Government has found that house... Read more

Bank warning on further rate rises

There is every likelihood that interest rates will rise again in the near future, householders across Britain and Northern Ireland have been warned.Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England,... Read more

New laws allow access all areas

Prospective landlords with a commercial property in Britain or Northern Ireland will be forced to build ramps and lifts to accommodate disabled tenants under new legislation.Both new and existing landlords... Read more

Dissolution to solve selling distress

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

Dissolution to solve selling distress

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

First-time buyers forced out of NI market

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are far more likely to see people for remortgaging than they are to have new clients, as the number of first-time buyers in the province is... Read more

First-time buyers forced out of NI market

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are far more likely to see people for remortgaging than they are to have new clients, as the number of first-time buyers in the province is... Read more

More laws than ever during Blair years

Solicitors in Britain and Northern Ireland will have had their work cut out for them over the past decade as statistics show that Tony Blair has passed a record number... Read more

NI homebuyers offered fewer mortgages

Despite the thriving housing market in Northern Ireland, where prices are still rocketing and demand is high, people in Northern Ireland have less choice when it comes to mortgages, research... Read more

NI homebuyers offered fewer mortgages

Despite the thriving housing market in Northern Ireland, where prices are still rocketing and demand is high, people in Northern Ireland have less choice when it comes to mortgages, research... Read more

Northern Ireland mortgage-happy

Homebuyers in Northern Ireland are among the most likely to take out a larger mortgage on their property, according to research by credit reference agency checkmyfile.The province also reports one... Read more

Northern Ireland mortgage-happy

Homebuyers in Northern Ireland are among the most likely to take out a larger mortgage on their property, according to research by credit reference agency checkmyfile.The province also reports one... Read more

House prices continue to rise

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

House prices continue to rise

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

Solicitors seeing more unusual cases

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

Northern Ireland sees continued property price rises

Properties in Northern Ireland continued to grow in value between February and March, a new report has found.Despite the Bank of England raising interest rates four times since last August,... Read more

Repossessions drop in spite of spiralling prices

Repossessions as a result of people defaulting on their mortgage payments have dropped in Northern Ireland during the first quarter of 2007.Although people are taking out larger value mortgages due... Read more

Solicitors seeing more unusual cases

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

Mortgage approvals expected to fall

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

Mortgage approvals expected to fall

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

Interest rates rise again

The Bank of England has raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point.Solicitors in Northern Ireland can expect a rise in the number of people coming to see them regarding... Read more

Mortgage approvals fall as rate rises kick in

The amount of mortgage approvals for new house purchases has decreased by 12 per cent in March compared to this time last year. The Bank of England's rise in interest... Read more

Buyers risking 'timebomb' homes

According to new research, homebuyers in Britain and Northern Ireland could be sitting on a timebomb, as they rarely invest in thorough checks when it comes to purchasing a new... Read more

NI property crowds top ten for inflation

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

NI property crowds top ten for inflation

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

NI property crowds top ten for inflation

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

Buyers warned of subsidence risk

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

Buyers warned of subsidence risk

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

Noisy neighbours on the increase

Homebuyers in Northern Ireland should check who their new neighbours are before heading to the solicitors to seal the deal on a property purchase, according to a new study.The Office... Read more

NI property inflation still leading the field

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

NI property inflation still leading the field

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

Splits cause pressure on housing market

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

Splits cause pressure on housing market

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

Bank says UK demographics ensure boom will not lead to bust

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

Stamp duty makes its mark on moving costs

The cost of moving house has tripled over the past decade, according to Propertyfinder.com, bringing the average cost of relocation to £9,486, up from £2,925 in 1996.The rocketing cost of... Read more

Bank says UK demographics ensure boom will not lead to bust

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

Bank predicts NI's high house price inflation to continue

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

Bank predicts NI's high house price inflation to continue

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

Seek advice before embarking on buy-to-let

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

Seek advice before embarking on buy-to-let

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

Seek advice before embarking on buy-to-let

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

Further interest rate rise concerns

Mortgage repayments could suffer in the near future as it has been suggested a further rates rise could be on the cards.New figures have revealed that inflation once again surged... Read more

CML sees lending jump

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has reported that borrowing rates in the UK have reached a new high in February.According to the CML's latest figures for February, mortgage lending... Read more

House prices 'show signs of cooling'

New figures have suggested that property prices in Britain and Northern Ireland are beginning to cool.Despite recent data revealing that Northern Ireland's property market continues to grow at a fast... Read more

Belfast property market 'on the up'

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

Belfast property market 'on the up'

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

NI students benefit from property boom

Solicitors in Northern Ireland are seeing a major increase in demand for property and enterprising students are turning the region's property boom to their advantage.It has been reported that an... Read more

Empty housing rules needed

It has been claimed that new powers should be provided to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to tackle the problem of empty properties.According to a report by University of Ulster,... Read more

NI property prices risen most in the last decade

Prices of properties in Northern Ireland have grown more than any another region in the UK, bar London, over the past ten years, according to a new report.Halifax estate agents'... Read more

Interest rates frozen

It has been announced that interest rates will be locked at 5.25 per cent for the second consecutive month.The decision had been widely anticipated by economists, although experts have warned... Read more

FSA investigates banks' retaliation against complaining customers

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has been forced to step in after two financial service providers shut down accounts of customers who complained about potentially illicit lending fees.Involving two of... Read more

Homebuyers warned to check foundations

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

Homebuyers warned to check foundations

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

Conflicting opinion over stamp duty rises

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