20th April 2007 10:14
According to research by the Halifax, Brighton is the UK’s top property market in terms of house price growth. The annual House Price Per Square Metre Survey shows that, of the 62 cities scrutinized, Brighton has experienced the highest growth in property prices based on an average price per square metre.

At the end of 2006, house prices in Brighton were up 13% and in the last quarter alone, property prices have risen again by 1.8% according to the Land Registry. The average property price in Brighton in 2006 was £187,309 with detached houses selling for just over £350,000. The average property in Brighton now costs £213,566 (up to £248,000 according to Halifax figures) with detached properties selling for over £400,000. The national average stands between £177,000 and £228,000.

Property price growth has averaged 11.7% over the last five years, exceeding the national average and growth in earnings. Sustaining this level of growth will depend on investment by developers and local authorities. However, pressure of homeowner finances and rising interest rates have led experts to predict a cooling off of the property market.

Unaffordable housing for key workers - According to recent research from the Halifax, property has become unaffordable for the majority of Britain’s key workers, who include the police, nurses, teachers, social workers, and health care assistants. - 24th April 2007 09:58
"Inheritance tax is here to stay", reports NAEA - According to The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), Gordon Brown’s announcement that inheritance tax will remain until at least 2011 indicates that the tax is becoming increasingly “main stream” and is likely to be a permanent fixture. - 13th April 2007 12:30
Brown resolves confusion over property tax abroad - For buyers wanting to invest in property abroad but avoid restrictive inheritance laws in countries like France, the idea of buying property through a company seemed to be the perfect solution. - 11th April 2007 10:24
Warmer weather, cooler property market this spring - According to Nationwide’s monthly property market report, inflation in March was down by 0.9% from February to 9.3%, indiacting a cooling property market after the Bank of England’s recent interest rate rises. - 2nd April 2007 10:03
Moving house costs triple in 10 years - The cost of moving house in the UK has risen dramatically in the last ten years. - 28th March 2007 10:24
Mortgage lenders achieve record month - The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has this week announced the highest borrowing figures on record for February. - 23rd March 2007 17:34
HIP initiative confirmed - In spite of protests from the NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) to the proposed Home Information Packs scheme, the Department of Communities and Local Government confirmed that HIPs will become law on 1st June 2007. - 21st March 2007 10:19
Brits spend £20bn on overseas property - According to a report published in the Financial Times, Britons spent nearly £20billion on overseas property in 2006, with the average purchase price at an equivalent of £98,167. - 14th March 2007 10:17
Demand for property outweighs supply in the South - Demand for houses in the South of England is outstripping supply, putting pressure on the property market and forcing house prices to rise considerably. - 8th March 2007 10:08