Latest INDUSTRY News and Information

UK agents running scared - (Industry)
Thousands of UK Estate Agents could end up on the scrap heap this year... ... more

The five worst places to invest overseas - (Industry)
Some of the worlds most popular destinations are apparently also the worst places to invest... ... more

Buyers prefer to be close to home - (Industry)
Living close to our ?nearest and dearest' is becoming a top priority for house-hunters... ... more

Fixies a safe bet for the future - (Industry)
Fixed rate mortgages are around for the long haul, according to the CML... ... more

CML research sees future for long-term fixed rates - (Industry)
New CML research and analysis looking at long-term fixed-rate mortgages suggests that there is a reasonable consumer appetite for such products... ... more

Sydney The worlds favourite city brand - (Industry)
Sydney is the strongest city brand, but London has the highest future potential... ... more

Baby-boomers hogging NZ market - (Industry)
FTBs are being squeezed out of the housing market by 'baby boomers' cashing-in... ... more

Fly-to-let investors bolt to Berlin - (Industry)
Germany is achieving its goal of becoming one of 2007's hotspots for overseas investors... ... more

Brits escaping in record numbers - (Industry)
The NAEA is advising homebuyers to think carefully when considering a move abroad... ... more

Hungary set to stagnate - (Industry)
The Hungarian government's austerity measures could negatively impact on mortgage lending... ... more

Government risks missing CO2 housing targets - (Industry)
The Government is at risk of failing to meet CO2 targets on new housing, reports Jon Land in www.24dash.com... ... more

Property Investor Show starts today - (Industry)
The Property Investor Show will be taking place from Friday 21st September to Sunday 23rd September at ExCel London... ... more

Rent holds keys to the City - (Industry)
The British Property Federation has welcomed a new housing plan from the Mayor of London to create a wide ranging private rented sector... ... more

New proposals to boost house-building - (Industry)
Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has unveiled a major £500m package of proposals to accelerate the building of the homes families and first-time buyers desperately need... ... more

Call for new regulator to protect residents - (Industry)
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has called for the role of a new regulator to ensure all residents in affordable housing are protected to the same degree... ... more

Property is no longer a mans world... - (Industry)
New research by Bradford & Bingley has finally banished the stereotype that female property involvement only goes as far as choosing paint colours and soft furnishings... ... more

Rising rates dent mortgage take up - (Industry)
The latest statistics from the Building Societies Association (BSA) show that mortgage lending was down in June, as consumer confidence in the housing market collapses... ... more

House prices drop for first time in 2 years - (Industry)
House price growth turned negative in August as demand slowed sharply, reports the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors... ... more

Montenegros amazing growth potential - (Industry)
Experts have predicted that property prices in Montenegro will soar by 50% in the next year... ... more

Czech investors should get in now - (Industry)
Huge VAT rises scheduled for 2008 will hit potential Czech Republic investors hard... ... more

Lenders cleaning up act on mortgage exit fees - (Industry)
The Financial Services Authority is working to ensure that borrowers don't receive any nasty surprises when they try to redeem their mortgage... ... more

Controversial HIPS defy critics doubts - (Industry)
Pack providers have defied the critics, turning around real-time orders for Home Information Packs (HIPs) in under 48 hours, reports the Association for Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP)... ... more

Greening new build around the world - (Industry)
With the world feeling the effects of climate change, developers around the world are becoming ever more aware of the need reduce their carbon emissions... ... more

UK housing slowdown to last into 2008 - (Industry)
Savills residential research department is predicting that the slowdown in the UK mainstream housing market will last well into 2008 leading to a period of low turnover and house price growth... ... more

Homeowners in flood insurance warning - (Industry)
Homeowners should seek advice before dealing with third parties over flood insurance... ... more

Brits battered by nondom elite - (Industry)
An international elite is pricing British citizens out of the housing market... ... more

Time to invest in German property - (Industry)
After over a decade of being left out in the cold, recent media reports would suggest that the German property market is now one of the hottest prospects on the investment block... ... more

NZ agents face crackdown - (Industry)
NZ Government proposals attempt to clean up the property industry... ... more

Interest in New Zealand reaches boiling point - (Industry)
Interest in New Zealand from visitors to TheMoveChannel.com has really hotted up over the last month, bringing the country up from a simmering 19th position to the boil in 8th place in the Top of the Props chart. But what's all this heat about? ... more

Cape Verde hits tourism hole in one - (Industry)
With plans for five new multi-million pound golf resorts, Cape Verde is set for a tourism and investment boost, reports PropertyShowrooms.com... ... more

Panama Canal in billion dollar facelift - (Industry)
The Panama Canal is set to undergo $5.2 billion worth of modernization, reports Escapes2.com... ... more

Baby boomers hogging NZ property market - (Industry)
First time buyers are being squeezed out of the housing market by baby boomers cashing in on property for their retirement, reports the New Zealand Herald... ... more

Slipped Hip agents to see probing questions - (Industry)
As the government's home information pack campaign gets into top gear, agents should not get left behind, says Hips association... ... more

Home builders merge to make biggest UK group - (Industry)
George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow have agreed to merge in a deal that will create the UK's biggest homebuilder, worth about £5bn... ... more

Poland tops the table - (Industry)
Poland has come top of Assetz Property Investment Tracker as a premier investment hotspot for this quarter... ... more

5 sizzling hotspots for summer 2007 - (Industry)
Rightmove Overseas explain their top five overseas property hotspot choices to look out for this summer... ... more

Property boom gives estate agents bumper bonus - (Industry)
Some estate agents could see City-style million-pound bonuses after bosses announce record profits... ... more

Minister cold-shoulders home info pack meeting - (Industry)
Property industry experts have accused government of failing to take their concerns about the introduction of home information packs seriously... ... more

Shortage of energy assessors refuted - (Industry)
Despite rumours to the contrary, research among leading training companies show the required number of energy inspectors will be achieved for the mandatory introduction of Home information packs... ... more

NZ property prices double in a decade - (Industry)
New Zealand's national residential property median price has exactly doubled in ten years, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand's 2006 Annual Review... ... more

Pre-Hips rush expected by agents - (Industry)
London estate agents are expecting a pre-Hips rush to end the property shortage currently holding the market firm... ... more

Thailand property market overview - (Industry)
The Thai property market continues to thrive with sophisticated destinations like Phuket leading the way... ... more

Years biggest property show this weekend - (Industry)
With only three days to go until the launch of this year's Homebuyer Show (2-4 March) at ExCel London, the property industry is gearing up for a weekend of superb property deals, exciting investment opportunities and invaluable knowledge gathering... ... more

New website to predict house prices throughout US - (Industry)
A new website which forecasts housing markets in all 50 U.S. states has been launched, providing forecasts for more than 250 local housing markets... ... more

European property investment reaches record levels - (Industry)
Direct investment into real estate in Europe reached record levels in 2006 with total transaction volumes of 242 billion for the full year, according to Jones Lang LaSalle... ... more

Lenders want home info pack schedule shifted - (Industry)
The Council of Mortgage Lenders has asked the government to delay the mandatory introduction of home information packs... ... more

99 days for agents to understand Hips - (Industry)
Take-up of optional items within home information packs after the mandatory introduction in June is predicted to vary greatly across the country, ?confusing? the house market... ... more

Big Berlin investment signals beginning of boom - (Industry)
After fifteen years of stagnation the Berlin property market is finally starting to stir as foreign investors snap up property in the city, reports Assetz... ... more

Paris named top European investment market - (Industry)
Paris once again leads this year's list of top real estate investment markets in Europe, according to a highly regarded real estate investment report... ... more

Eurozone interest rates remain at 3.5pc - (Industry)
The European Central Bank has opted to keep interest rates on hold at 3.5% this month... ... more

Home info packs in eco-unfriendly claim - (Industry)
The government proposal to include the home energy certificate with sellers' details is branded ?carbon-irresponsible? by anti-pack protestors... ... more

Interest in German property goes into overdrive - (Industry)
Interest in Germany from visitors to TheMoveChannel.com went into overdrive in January, as it raced into the Top of the Props Top 10 for the first time... ... more

Italy to introduce REITS by July - (Industry)
The Italian finance ministry's decision to introduce REITs by July 2007 has given Italy's property market a much needed boost, reports Property Investor News... ... more

Enhancement to online stamp duty service - (Industry)
Online certificate takes the hassle out of stamp duty land tax... ... more

Pre-June home info pack rollout areas trebled - (Industry)
Home information packs are becoming a reality for an additional 12 locations across the UK... ... more

Will Spain and Morocco get their own Chunnel - (Industry)
The governments of Morocco and Spain are currently in talks about constructing an underwater tunnel to connect the two countries, reports Craig Whitlock of Washington Post Foreign Service... ... more

Third of over-50s planning to buy abroad - (Industry)
A third of people aged over 50 are considering buying a holiday home abroad according to a report by over 50s specialists Saga... ... more

Canadian sales activity soars but price rises slow - (Industry)
Sales of existing homes in Canada's major markets reached the second highest annual level on record in 2006, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)... ... more

Air Malta seeks a new generation of travellers - (Industry)
Air Malta has launched a new campaign to enliven the image of historic Malta, and to increase the number of young Australian visitors to the tiny Mediterranean nation, located just south of Sicily... ... more

Benefits of cheaper overseas mortgages at risk - (Industry)
Interest rate benefits of overseas mortgages can risk being wiped through uncompetitive currency transfers, warns HiFX... ... more

VAT set to rise in Czech Republic in 2008 - (Industry)
Foreign investors interested in buying property in the Czech Republic need to act soon if they are to avoid the large increase in VAT scheduled for the beginning of 2008, reports PropertySecrets.net... ... more

Last-minute call for estate agent training - (Industry)
Halifax makes a last-minute call for hardening of estate agency licensing rules... ... more

Hungarian market to stagnate says watchdog - (Industry)
The Hungarian government's austerity measures could negatively impact on mortgage lending, the Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority has warned, reports Porfolio.hu... ... more

Fiji property market upbeat - (Industry)
Realtors in Fiji say they expect investor confidence to lift now that the Interim Government is in place, reports The Fiji Times... ... more

Golf in Portugal to get 50 million Euro investment - (Industry)
Portuguese tourism officials have recently announced a 50 million investment in promoting golf throughout Portugal... ... more

Home info packs get crucial changes - (Industry)
Timescale relaxations to home info packs have been announced by the government in the light of trials taking place, but estate agents will get heavier fines if they fail to meet criteria... ... more

High Asian housing costs criticized - (Industry)
According to the Global Property Guide, exceptionally high tax, transaction and other costs discourage the provision of housing in Asia... ... more

Surplus public land data should be revealed - (Industry)
The government should reveal how much surplus public land is available to provide more affordable homes, according to a planning campaign charity... ... more

Atlas expands into the Greek Islands - (Industry)
Atlas International has expanded into the Greek Islands... ... more

Estate agents launch anti Hip petition - (Industry)
The estate agents' association is urging the government to repeal the Hips section of the housing act, due to come into effect this June... ... more

Bangkok property outlook dented by surprises - (Industry)
The prospects for the Bangkok property market are not looking quite so rosy after several recent "surprises" including bombings in the capital on New Year's Eve and government proposals to tighten up the Foreign Business Act, Jones Lang LaSalle reports... ... more

Fly-to-let buyers flocking to Berlin - (Industry)
With its recovering economy, growing consumer and business confidence and strong rentals market, Germany is set to become one of 2007's property hotspots for overseas investors, MRI Overseas Property reports... ... more

NAEAs top tips for people moving abroad - (Industry)
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is offering advice to homebuyers to ensure that dream of moving abroad doesn't turn into a nightmare... ... more

Code of practice for home info packs launched - (Industry)
Consumer confidence in home info packs is to be supported by a code of practice and regulatory body... ... more

Montenegro prices to rise 50pc in next year - (Industry)
Experts at the Homebuyer Show have predicted that property prices in Montenegro will soar by over 50% in the coming year... ... more

700 home info packs issued in trials to date - (Industry)
Consumers are welcoming Hips, with many packs commissioned within the first month of the launch... ... more

Investing in Morocco - (Industry)
Paul Staines, Director of Saffron Villas speaks with Adam Samuel of Nubricks.com to give his insider information on purchasing property in Morocco... ... more

New budget flights to Larnaca from March 2007 - (Industry)
Budget operator Monarch Airways has announced that it will begin scheduled flights from Luton to Cyprus from March, reports InvestinCyprus.com... ... more

Deposit protection scheme delay warning - (Industry)
The long awaited tenancy deposit protection scheme due to come into force on 6th April may again be delayed... ... more

Mortgage advisers warned over poor advice - (Industry)
Firms selling mortgages need to improve the advice they give to home buyers, the UK's finance watchdog warns... ... more

Canada ripe for investment - (Industry)
With almost 10% growth in 2006 and a budding rental market, Canada is ripe for investment, claims Assetz... ... more

Amberlambs top investment tips for 2007 - (Industry)
Independent property investment experts Amberlamb have released their complete 2007 international property investment prediction series covering 25 of the most exciting property markets worldwide... ... more

New performance-based UK property advertising - (Industry)
TheMoveChannel has kicked off 2007 by launching a new range of property listing services aimed at UK estate agents, developers and property companies... ... more

More building societies to merge in 2007 - (Industry)
2007 will see at least five further mergers among the UK's building societies, according to Deloitte, the business advisory firm... ... more

Hips association gets membership boost - (Industry)
The Association of Home Information Pack Providers has revived a boost in membership as more companies recognise the need for a proactive role ahead of the June deadline... ... more

Canadian rental vacancy rate inches down - (Industry)
The average rental apartment vacancy rate in Canada's 28 major centres decreased slightly by 0.1 of a percentage point to 2.6 per cent in October 2006 compared to last year, according to the Rental Market Survey released this month by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)... ... more

New home starts inch higher in Australia - (Industry)
The number of new home starts in Australia barely changed in the September 2006 quarter as new housing demand continued to struggle against poor housing affordability, reports HIA Economics Group... ... more

Australian growth and inflation picking up - (Industry)
The last 4 weeks in Australia have proved frustrating and fascinating. The cricket has been depressing but the chance to see most of East Coast Australia has been a revelation, writes Douglas McWilliams of the Centre for Economics and Business Research... ... more

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