Property exhibitions are “top priority”, says property

The company has attended 'A Place in The Sun Live' since it was first ordained and is a regular on the property exhibitor circuit, attending the main UK shows in Birmingham and London.

At these exhibitions, the company offers visitors the opportunity to set-up meetings with a Knight Knox International representative and discuss their investment opportunities in detail. The sales team will also be on-hand to direct investors through an exciting portfolio of properties in Florida, Turkey, Thailand and the UK.

Events such as these allow the firm to further their reach and build relationships with potential investors; in the process strongly establishing the Knight Knox International brand.

The company's attendance at overseas exhibitions is just as strong, having already attended four overseas expos in 2013, including Fair Media in Sweden and two Second Home International expos in Holland and Belgium. As well as attending events throughout Europe, Knight Knox International also has a strong presence in Eastern Countries, with events in Hong Kong, China and Malaysia, already in the calendar for later this year.

"UK and overseas exhibitions carry the upmost importance to a global company like ourselves," comments Samantha Jones, Head of Marketing at Knight Knox International. "We realise the value investors place on the face-to-face assurances and consultations that we offer at UK exhibitions and travel to numerous international exhibitions, to offer those investors who are unable to travel to the UK the same service."

London West End rentals up by 110pc

This can only be encouraging for concerned landlords following a stagnant winter rental market, argues Javier Carrillo, Lettings Manager at LDG.

"It's encouraging to see an increase in the number of lets,” he comments, “however, rents are currently 3.63% below last year and in some cases, 6% below the highs of 2008, with tenants paying an average of £502 per week. This can only be attributed to the fact that supply is now outweighing demand, and unless landlords ensure their properties are presented in immaculate condition, as well as being realistically priced, they will not attract tenants.

"We're currently seeing a relatively equal split of nationalities across the West End of London market with 26% of tenants originating from the UK, 36% from the EU and 39% non EU. Previously, we have always seen a greater majority coming from abroad - the numbers have slightly diminished due to fewer foreign students this year and because some banks are recruiting fewer foreign expats. UK nationals are often forced out of Central London due to price, but with less competition and lower rents, they can afford to move back in.

"Our current statistics also demonstrate that 91% of tenants are single or couples compared to just 9% who are sharers (two or more). Additionally, 82% of our tenants are young professionals, 6% are students and 12% are corporate relocations. Consequently, the one and two bedroom flat market is the strongest of them all."

Building societies double mortgage market share

In 2009 their share of gross mortgage lending dwindled to just 12.9 per cent - the lowest in over a decade – as lending was restricted. But lending has now recovered strongly and is close to the 22.6 per cent achieved in 1999.

Analysis shows they are now dominating the mortgage best buy tables2, offering 83 per cent of the most competitive deals currently on the market.

Figures show 33 out of 40 mortgage best buy deals across fixed, variable and buy-to-let deals are provided by building societies – a staggering 83 per cent more than the 18 out of 40 best buy deals offered by building societies in 2008.

Average rates on building society best buy mortgages are currently 3.26 per cent compared with 6.2 per cent in 2008 and lower than the 3.81 per cent in October 2012, when Funding for Lending started to take effect.

Sean Oldfield, chief executive officer, Castle Trust said: “The strong recovery since 2009 means building societies’ market share is the highest since 1999 . They are competing strongly against bigger banks and are proving to be innovative and responsive to the demands of the market.

“Capital from the Funding for Lending Scheme is helping to energise parts of the mortgage market, but there remains a real need for further innovation to help unblock the housing market in support of Government schemes such as FirstBuy and HomeBuy.”

Building societies currently offering best buy deals include Hinckley & Rugby for remortgages, while Principality, Coventry and Leeds are competitive for fixed rates.  Hinckley & Rugby, Marsden and Mansfield are competitive for discounted rates and Furness and Coventry score well for variable rates.

Castle Trust’s Partnership Mortgages are for 20 per cent of the value of an owner occupied home alongside a repayment mortgage of up to 60 per cent from a traditional lender and a deposit of at least 20 per cent.  There are no monthly commitments on the Partnership Mortgage and Castle Trust will share 40 per cent of any profit made by the homeowner when they sell or at the end of the mortgage term.  The company also shares 20 per cent of any loss made on a home bought with a Partnership Mortgage.

Sean Oldfield continues: “Funding for Lending is helping the bigger banks compete for headline rates on low LTV mortgages, while building societies offer a wide variety of innovative mortgage products with a range of financing options for homeowners. Our Partnership Mortgage helps many good quality customers secure the mortgage they want.”

Funding for Partnership Mortgages comes through two investment products launched by the company, both of which can be taken out for terms of three, five or ten years, with investment from £1,000.  The Castle Trust Income HouSA tracks any change in the Halifax house Price Index and it also pays an annual income of between 2 per cent and 3 per cent, depending on the term of the investment.

The Growth HouSA provides a multiple of between 1.25 times and 1.7 times any increase in the Halifax house Price Index and limits the loss to between 0.75 times and 0.3 times any decline.

Boost for first time buyers and existing customers from Santander

Santander is building on its partnership with affordable housing providers to help support shared ownership. Borrowers make monthly repayments on the share of the property purchased and subsidised rent on the share they don't own to the Housing Association.  Santander is the only mainstream lender to support the Shared Ownership market with a 95% LTV product.

Santander is introducing a number of new deals for existing customers.  These are:

• a range of Fix and Tracker discounted rates for existing mortgage customers moving home
• a new 70% 2-year fix with a discounted rate and £995 fee for existing current account customers who are looking to move home or remortgage their property.  

In addition, Santander is also reducing rates on key Fixed Rate and Tracker products for new business homebuyer and re-mortgage deals.

Phil Cliff, Director of Santander Mortgages, said:  "Shared ownership helps first time buyers get a foot on the property ladder and plays a vital role in supporting the creation of more affordable housing across the UK.  Santander is committed to supporting the UK housing market by providing innovative products.  Whilst housing market conditions may not have improved overall, mortgage rates remaining low does help homebuyers."

Celebrity Homes: Will and Kate’s royal renovation plans

Anmer Hall, located on the Sandringham Estate, will be the main residence for the parents-to-be. But the 10-bedroom Norfolk mansion will undergo a raft of changes to be suitable for their new family, reports The Daily Mail.

The royal renovation includes a new garden room designed by Charles Morris, a pergola “made from stone columns with oak beams for plans to trail through” and the part-conversion of a garage into an “equipment room”.

Most drastic of all, though, is what will happen to the driveway: it will be moved completely. The relocated drive, which will be positioned away from the main road, will then be lined with new trees and bushes to increase the couple’s privacy and shield them from the public.

Even the church next door will not escape the royal renovation: a new entrance will be created for members of the St Mary’s congregation, leaving the existing entrance for the exclusive use of The Duke and Duchess.

The Sandringham Estate, of course, has belonged to the Queen since 1952, and to the Royal Family since 1862. But while they will leave at arm’s length from Will’s mum, the new family can expect significantly improved privacy: “Although much of the land is open to the public, the paparazzi are no longer allowed to photograph the Royal family relaxing there, making it even more attractive to the Duke and Duchess,” notes the Mail.

Photo credit: Mail Online