Buying a home in Scotland is cheaper than renting, according to Bank of Scotland. For a three-bedroom house, the typical mortgage payment in the region amounted to £510 in December, or 6% less than the monthly rent of £540 for the same type of property. According to the lender’s research, average home buying costs have [...]
Scotland
Buying 6% cheaper than renting
Buying a home in Scotland is cheaper than renting, according to Bank of Scotland. For a three-bedroom house, the typical mortgage payment in the region amounted to £510 in December, or 6% less than the monthly rent of £540 for the same type of property. According to the lender’s research, average home buying costs have [...]
Mortgage payments most affordable in 14 years
Mortgage payments for new borrowers have almost halved as a proportion of disposable income, down from a peak of 48% in the third quarter of 2007 to 27% at the end of 2011. According to new Halifax research, repayments for both first-time buyers and home movers are swallowing up the smallest proportion of disposable income [...]
Mortgage lending livens up in Scotland
House purchase lending in Scotland increased by 8% in the third quarter of 2011, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). There were 12,400 loans taken out (up from 11,500 in the previous quarter) of which 4,600 were advanced to first-time buyers. Home movers took out 7,800 loans, and there were [...]
Scottish house prices forge ahead
House prices in Scotland rose for the third consecutive month in September, putting on 0.8% and easing the annual rate of decline to minus 1.5% (August: minus 1.9%). According to the latest LSL/Acadametrics survey, the average house price in the country rose to £147,546 as wealthier buyers continued to take advantage of the cheap mortgage [...]
Inverness leads city house price inflation
Inverness has leapt ahead of all other UK cities when it comes to long-term house price inflation, according to Bank of Scotland research. Awarded city status in 2000, the cost of a typical home in Inverness has increased from £68,141 in 2001 to £169,257 today. However, Scotland accounts for nearly half of the UK’s best-performing [...]
Scottish housing market manages seasonal spurt
House purchase lending in Scotland rose by more than the UK as a whole in the second quarter of 2011, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). Scottish home buyers secured 11,300 loans worth £1.3 billion, with the figures up 36% and 42% respectively, compared with the first three months of [...]
House prices falling in all but London & South East
Latest figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) show UK house prices increasing by 1.2% during March, compared with February. However, at £205,565 the value of the typical home was down 0.5% in the first three months of the year, following a fall of 0.4% over the previous quarter. The research also [...]
House prices up 1% so far in 2011
Nationwide has reported a mixed picture for the UK housing market, with prices rising in eight out of 13 regions in the first three months of 2011. Overall house prices increased 1%, to an average £162,379, but the rise was not sufficient to prevent the annual rate of change slipping to -0.3%. Yorkshire and Humberside [...]
Scotland’s most expensive addresses revealed
Scotland’s most expensive streets have been named, with 15 of the top 20 located in Edinburgh.
Belmont Drive heads the list with an average property price of just over £2.3 million, a Bank of Scotland (BoS) study shows, followed by Ettrick Road in Merchiston, where a home is likely to cost about £1.9 million.
Meanwhile, residents of [...]
Housing market sees stronger regional variations
The UK housing market is experiencing strong regional variations, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
London was the only region to record a positive reading for house prices in February, while outside the Capital 26% more RICS members surveyed saw prices fall, rather than rise, with the East of [...]
Over 55,000 Scottish households impacted by housing benefit cuts
In April, over 55,000 households in Scotland will be given nine months to either deal with a cut in their housing benefit or move out of their homes, warns Alex Neil, Scotland’s housing and communities minister.
New caps on housing benefit will affect households that already pay the average rent in their area but may be [...]
CKD Galbraith offer Edwardian villa with Loch views on Arran
AYSHIRE, SCOTLAND – CKD Galbraith and Arran Estate Agents are marketing a most impressive and well appointed Edwardian House enjoying a superb waterside setting, lying in the heart of Lochranza on the North Eastern coast of the Isle of Arran, Scotland.
Benvaren is a superb family residence dating back to 1911. With delightful gardens, the villa has superb views set amid spectacular scenery. The accommodation includes 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen, utility rooms, 2 bathrooms and 2 shower rooms. The beautiful wood panelling in the Reception Hall, together with feature fireplaces, cornicing and picture rails all show a style typical of Edwardian Houses.
A former laundry and toilet, together with former maid’s room have Planning Consent to convert to a one bedroom annex.
The mature and well kept gardens, which are a particular feature of the property, provide a wonderful backdrop slopping gently down towards the shore of the loch.
The village of Lochranza is truly stunning, lying snuggled in a sheltered valley along the edge of the loch, against an imposing backdrop of the surrounding hills. The nearby 17th century ruins of Lochranza Castle were once a royal hunting lodge and an earlier castle on the same site is believed to be where Robert Bruce stayed on his arrival from Ireland in 1306.
Often referred to as ‘Scotland in Miniature’, the Isle of Arran has the best of all the many characteristics of Scotland. From a rugged and mountainous interior in the north, green rolling hills and woodland in the south, the beautiful coastline with pretty villages and sandy bays benefits from the warm climate of The Gulf Stream. A ferry service from Lochranza provides a Summer link to the Kintyre peninsula, known as Arran’s “back door”, whilst a further regular service to the mainland operates from nearby Brodick.
Offers Over GBP485,000 are being sought for Benvaren. For further information please contact the selling agents.
CKD Galbraith
7 Killoch Place
Ayr KA7 2EA
Ayrshire, Scotland
Contact: R A Cherry BSc MRICS
Tel: 01292 268181
Fax: 01292 292300
E-mail: bob.cherry@ckdgalbraith.co.uk
Web: http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/
CKD Galbraith is one of Scotland’s leading independent property consultancies, with expertise across a broad spectrum of property-related services.
CKD Galbraith operates from 12 offices across Scotland, bringing the firm’s clients a wealth of experience in:
* Residential property sales and lets
* Commercial property sales and management
* Estate, farm and forestry sales and purchases
* Estates, farming and land management
* Building surveying
* Forestry
* Sporting holidays
* Holiday homes
The Christmas Decorators have arrived in Scotland!
The Christmas Decorators do exactly as the name suggests.
Decorate commercial and residential properties both inside and outside.
Not a florist or events company; we operate the Christmas business 365 days a year, which is why we are so good at it!
Over the years we have decorated properties all over the UK and have quite a prestigious client list including royalty, celebrities of the screen, music industry, sport stars as well as some of the UK’s most renowned hotels and restaurants.
Decorate commercial and residential properties both inside and outside.
Not a florist or events company; we operate the Christmas business 365 days a year, which is why we are so good at it!
Over the years we have decorated properties all over the UK and have quite a prestigious client list including royalty, celebrities of the screen, music industry, sport stars as well as some of the UK’s most renowned hotels and restaurants.
We take the hassle out of decorating your home or business premises with a luxurious selection of beautiful decorations that are sure to impress friends, family and visitors.
Our team of professional Christmas decorators will design and install a selection of elegant Christmas Trees, banister/dooryway garlands, festive floral displays and table centre pieces. When Christmas is over we’ll return to dismantle and safely store away your decorations until next Christmas.
About Us
The Christmas Decorators also specialise in creating perfect winter weddings and fabulous themed parties.
We are the only company of its kind in the UK and have offices spread around the country offering our services to most towns and cities. Our installation teams are thoroughly professional and dedicated to ensuring that our service exceeds all client expectations.
Our suppliers in China and across Europe create the very highest standard of product and are leaders in their fields producing many exclusive designs. We also manufacture our own bespoke designs.
Over the years our client list has grown to include some of the UK’s top hotels, restaurants, prestigious venues as well as some of the most stunning residences in the country.
The Scotland office is based near Edinburgh and the installation team is led by the “bonny” Sandra Byrne.
Sandra loves Christmas and her professionalism and attention to detail offers you a unique service of bespoke displays for residential property, business premises and party venues.
She will weave her magic to help create your own personal display with colours to match and compliment your own decor.
Sandra looks forward to the opportunity of discussing your requirements for the forthcoming festive season and making your Christmas special.
Further info:
Please check out the web site – you will be amazed!
For further information please contact:
- Miss S Byrne
- The Christmas Decorators
- Tel: 01383 732521
- Mobile: 07917821770
- The Christmas Decorators website »
Scotland Office
The Christmas Decorators Scotland
47, Tirran Drive
Dunfermline
Fife
KY11 8JG
sandra@thechristmasdecorators.com
Stewart Milne – King’s Gate, Arbroath Launches Next Weekend
Stewart Milne Homes’ latest development in Tayside will launch next weekend (28 & 29 November) with the first release of properties at King’s Gate in Arbroath.
As of 11.00am on Saturday, eager buyers will have the chance to secure their very own part of this widely anticipated project. King’s Gate offers a selection of family homes in an ideal location and has proven a popular development having gained a significant amount of pre-launch interest.
Once complete, King’s Gate will comprise a variety of properties, including three-bed semi detached homes and three and four-bed detached villas with prices starting at £139,995.
Situated in a stunning coastal setting, King’s Gate provides the perfect location for family living, with excellent commuter links to both Dundee and Aberdeen and a range of local amenities, including schools, shops, pubs and restaurants.
King’s Gate will open Saturday 28 November, from 11am until 5.30pm. Thereafter, the marketing suite will be open Thursday to Monday. For further information call 01224 747 400 or visit http://www.stewartmilnehomes.com.
Press Release Contact Details:
CM Porter Novelli 45 Hanover Street Edinburgh EH2 2PJ 0131 470 3400
“What House?” Award won by Stewart Milne Homes
Stewart Milne Homes has achieved a national What House? Best Interior Layout award for its collection of townhouses at Greenwood Manor in Newton Mearns.
The housebuilder picked up the award on Friday 20 November, surpassing a host of UK-wide competitors.
John Slater, Stewart Milne Homes, group managing director, said:
“Winning this award is a great coup for Stewart Milne Homes. The collection of townhouses at Greenwood Manor is a real showpiece for the company, illustrating our excellence in building the highest quality, stylish product that is designed to meet the needs of the modern buyer.
“The award for Best Interior Layout recognises the level of innovation and flair demonstrated in these designs and rewards the expert combination of imagination and practicality offered by each home, particularly our approach to space and flexibility.”
The What House? Awards are considered to be the Oscars of the housebuilding industry and showcase some of the UK’s most exciting and dynamic new developers as well as highlighting the innovations of the industry’s major players. This year’s awards mark an even greater achievement for house builders who have successfully sustained quality of product despite the economic downturn.
John Slater continues: “Despite these challenging times, we have remained committed to delivering the same quality products and service that our reputation has been built on. This national award for Greenwood Manor is a superb recognition of this, especially as we continue the company’s drive into England.“
The award-winning townhouses at Greenwood Manor bring a whole new class of property to the newbuild market. Interior layouts combine traditional design features with key elements of modern living to offer practicality with style. Spread over three floors, each layout makes the very most of the space, whilst maximising light and offering flexibility. Designed to make an impression, key property features include grand entrance halls with oak staircase, exceptionally large living rooms with twin sets of windows providing elevated views of the garden, and spacious open-plan breakfasting kitchens. Additional spaces include an entrance vestibule, separate dining room, utility room, allocated storage and integral garage.
The townhouses also incorporate exclusive attributes such as a top floor master suite with private balcony, walk in closet, and luxurious ensuite. Combined with a ‘platinum’ specification and highest quality finish, these homes are effortlessly set apart in the newbuild marketplace.
Greenwood Manor four bedroom townhouses are priced from £425,000. For further details, contact the showhomes and marketing suite on 0141 639 9990, open Thursday to Monday from 10.30am until 5.30pm. Alternatively, visit http://www.stewartmilnehomes.com
Press Release Contact Details:
Debbie Standen CM Porter Novelli 45 Hanover Street Edinburgh EH2 2PJ 01314703400
Buy-to-let fraud hits thousands
Detectives are investigating one of Britain’s biggest buy-to-let schemes in which large numbers of investors have seen their savings wiped out.
They fear thousands of people who sought to cash in on the buy-to-let dream during the boom years of 2004 to 2007 may turn out to have been victims of organised fraud.
The Sunday Times – David Leppard
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is investigating alleged scams that have cost government-owned banks such as Northern Rock, Royal Bank of Scotland and Bradford & Bingley millions of pounds on loans that should never have been made.
Senior police officers said the full scale of the buy-to-let scandal was only beginning to emerge in the wake of the credit crunch and the collapse of house prices.
One chief constable said: “We can expect to see one or two of the same type of [scheme] emerging in every major city.”
The SFO said last week it was investigating two alleged buy-to-let frauds, involving properties in Leeds, Cardiff, Nottingham, Derby, Liverpool, Hull, Newcastle upon Tyne, Glasgow and London. Police in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and West Yorkshire are also involved in the inquiries.
At the centre of one of the biggest police investigations is Morris Properties, which specialised in student new-build flats and refurbished homes in Leeds and the northeast. It sold 1,000 properties before going bust last summer.
The firm was established by Simon Morris, a local developer who built up a £69m fortune by selling buy-to-let properties.
Morris’s firm lured investors with promises of substantial “discounts” on flats that were allegedly overpriced, and guaranteed rental income, which in many cases failed to materialise. Investors, drawn in by the mirage of ever-increasing house prices, were easy prey.
With property prices now falling in some areas by as much as 50%, many of those investors are facing ruin. The victims include doctors, nurses, teachers and builders who have seen portfolios worth hundreds of thousands of pounds vanish. Many have had their properties repossessed or been forced to sell at knockdown prices.
A whistleblower who once worked for Morris and fell into debts of £500,000 after making buy-to-let investments with the firm said he had received threats after helping the police. Morris denies any wrongdoing.
Last week Morris was accused by lawyers representing 133 of his former clients of overseeing a scheme in which flats were sold to innocent investors for as much as 100% above their real value.
Hammad Ahmad, a solicitor with Max Gold Partnership, said his clients would launch a group legal action in the new year against the Morris companies and several conveyancing solicitors and valuers involved in the sales.
