Let me start by just telling you what an incredibly bad idea that is. No, really - it’s the worst idea you’ve had, ever. Doing your own inventory for your property can only be compared to attempting skydiving without instruction, or attempting to fly a helicopter after a heavy absinthe binge - possibly even lion taming while blindfolded and wearing a meat coat.
Alasdair Melville, regular ‘Property’ contributor and managing director of Hawk & Chadwick sales and lettings, shares his experiences of taking part in the 2015 St Albans Sleepout, raising awareness for homelessness.
We’re often asked to speculate on where the market is going and amongst the professionals we work with on a regular basis, as well as the public, we hear the same statement-and-question combo: “House prices are still rising - how long can it go on for?”
It cannot be denied that there is a seemingly permanent bond between House Prices and Schools. The massive effect that a good school can have on property values in a given area is astonishing and creates an eye watering scenario for all parents who, naturally, want nothing but the very best educational environment and academic accolades for their children.
Today the Land Registry released its latest report on the House Price Index, that hallowed knowledge of all things property - the dread that fills the faces of clients when we start to mention it is palpable - the colour drains from their faces, but fear not! We bring good tidings.
The NLA Meeting at Three Rivers District Council in Rickmansworth was where we heard about the latest updates to the Deregulation Bill, the changes to Council stances on their ‘Easy Let’ program which operated as a council run Lettings Agent to house low income and vulnerable families and individuals, and an introduction to the Benefits system changeover from the current DWP cocktail to the all-encompassing Universal Credit.
The spectre of having potentially lost acres of equity in their home has the capacity to leave some owners sick to the stomach with worry.
