Welcome to our weekly update giving you the key stories, breaking news and topical analysis from the past week up to today, 12 October 2018.
This week, the UK government announces plans to introduce a stamp duty on property investors from overseas, but interest from China is on the rise. Forty-year mortgages might become the norm, NIMBYism may be on the wane, semi-detached houses more popular than terraces, and more…
1. Stamp duty plans for foreign investors outlined
Plans have been announced for a new stamp duty on property investors from outside the United Kingdom. Read the full story here.
2. First-time buyers helped by rise in 40-year mortgages
First-time buyers struggling to get on the property ladder might find it easier as 40-year terms become ‘the new normal’ according to some mortgage lenders. Read the full story here.
3. Brits back building on their home patch says new survey
The results of a recent British Social Attitudes Survey have identified a change in mindset among those surveyed, confirming that more Brits are supportive of new housing being built locally than they were six years ago. Read the full story here.
4. Regional cities lead way as Chinese interest in UK surges
Chinese interest in UK residential property has reached record levels, according to a new report. Read the full report here.
5. More choice for landlords requiring larger buy-to-let loans
The buy-to-let and specialist lender Fleet Mortgages has launched fixed-fee mortgages across its standard, limited company and HMO/multi-unit block sectors. Read the full article here.
6. Semi-detacheds overtake terraces in popularity for first time in 2018
The Land Registry reports that in the latest batch of registrations for August, semi-detached homes beat terraced properties as the most popular for the first time this year. Read the full story here.
7. Fewer young adults are owning property, opening up UK’s buy-to-let market
Over the past 10 years there has been a 10% fall in young people owning property in the UK, raising the importance of the rental sector. Read the full story here.
