10 May 2016 Author: Stephen Breen 2016 has seen a string of deaths amongst well-loved celebrities including Terry Wogan, David Bowie, Victoria Wood, Paul Daniels, Ronnie Corbett and Prince. Some of these deaths seem untimely – Prince was just 57 for example, while Victoria Wood just 62 and David Bowie just 69. When people we […]

9 Jun 2016 Author: Stephen Breen What’s happening to house prices Recent surveys have shown house prices are still on the rise, fuelled by low interest rates, low mortgage rates, rising employment and a lack of supply. However, the last few weeks have seen a decline in price growth, and concerns around Brexit have fuelled […]

13 Jun 2016 Author: Stephen Breen The Government’s Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee scheme is due to close its doors on December 31st of this year but the success of the scheme has helped to revive the market for low-deposit mortgages – and this is unlikely to change. The scheme was launched in October 2013 […]

8 Jul 2016 Author: Stephen Breen The long term effects of the Referendum result will not be clear for some time. Borrowers considering taking a new mortgage – either for a new home or for their existing property – may be wondering which deal would best suit them with the uncertainty that lies ahead. Should […]

4 Jul 2016 Author: Stephen Breen The housing market is rife with uncertainty following the referendum with almost one-in-three house sales falling through between April and June. Although nobody can be sure of the future, there are ways you can take advantage of the market as it is: Negotiating discounts Discounts of 30 or 40 […]

21 Jul 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Buy-to-let was once an exciting investment prospect, but thanks to a spate of Government measures, it has now become an expensive and risky game. The increase in stamp duty on second homes and the phasing out of mortgage tax relief has meant that some landlords will struggle to make […]

28 Jul 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Although more than a month has passed since the referendum, there is still a huge degree of uncertainty in the housing market. On one hand, PwC has predicted deceleration in house price growth although no major crash – while on the other, the French bank Société Général has estimated […]

10 Aug 2016 Author: Stephen Breen At some point during your lifetime, you may need to find a carer – either to help you manage in your home, or for an elderly relative. Having a carer help in the home is far cheaper than residential care which can cost as much as £36,556. Of course, […]

10 Aug 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Historically, the availability of good mortgage deals for the over sixties have been poor. But as lenders wake up to the fact that we’re living longer, older borrowers are seeing more options on the market. In 1980, the average life expectancy in the UK was 73.68 years. By 2012, […]

17 Aug 2016 Author: Stephen Breen The quality of care you will receive for dementia depends where in the country you live, according to official data – with dramatic variations in quality up and down the country. Figures released on Tuesday showed that in some areas, patients can go more than a year without their […]

19 Aug 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Since the Bank of England cut its base rate earlier this month, mortgage brokers have seen an increase in borrowers opting for tracker mortgages. The rate of interest on a tracker mortgage follows a particular rate – usually the Bank of England’s base rate. The Bank dropped its base […]

31 Aug 2016 Author: Stephen Breen The rules relating to inheritance tax are complex and it is always worth seeking expert advice. Many people in particular are, understandably, struggling to get to grips with the new main Residence Nil Rate Band which comes into effect on 6th April 2017. Under the current inheritance tax rules, […]

5 Sep 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Could you commute from the coast? For many of us, owning a holiday home next to the coast is a retirement dream. But some have found a way to combine the joys of a holiday retreat with their daily working life by setting up home next to the sea […]

7 Sep 2016 Author: Stephen Breen What are legal implications of a contract race? If a number of buyers are interested in purchasing a property, a seller may decide – rather than accepting one particular offer – that they will exchange contracts with the first buyer that is ready to do so. This is known […]

9 Sep 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Help: The buyer of our house pulled out! When a buyer pulls out of purchasing a property, this can cause significant expense for the seller. They will have to remarket the property and may not achieve the same price they sold it for the first time round. It can […]

12 Sep 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Which offers the best investment? There is a divide between those who believe pensions are the best investment for retirement, and those who believe property is where your money should go. The Bank of England’s Chief Economist Andy Haldane recently said that property was the best investment – a […]

23 Sep 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Today’s economic climate means lenders are more cautious about accepting mortgage applications. Here, we set out what you need to do before you submit your application, to give you the best possible chance of success. 1. Avoid best buys unless you’re squeaky clean Best buy deals are intended for […]

25 Sep 2016 Author: Stephen Breen According to research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), more than half of all small businesses are suffering as a result of unfair terms in contracts they hold with suppliers. 52% of the small businesses surveyed have admitted signing up to contracts with inflexible and unclear terms, costing […]

3 Oct 2016 Author: Stephen Breen Many people think of their Will as the final say on what happens to their estate when they die – but an increasing number of inheritance disputes show this is not always the case. More children than ever before are using the courts to challenge the contents of their […]