Property Market Review June 2019
SUBDUED Q1 FOR SCOTTISH COMMERCIAL PROPERTY During the first three months of the year, commercial property sales in Scotland totalled £763m, this is a decrease of 21% (£203m), when compared to Q1 2018. The research from the Scottish Property Federation (SPF), has identified that the fall can primarily be attributed to fewer high value transactions, […]
The impact of mortgage overpayments
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth making overpayments on your mortgage, then new research1 could help you decide. The data shows the benefits of a monthly £10 overpayment with interest rates at their current low level and illustrates that even modest overpayments can make a difference to the day when borrowers become mortgage free. If […]
Spouses paying tax on inherited ISAs
Data1 shows that six out of seven bereaved partners could be paying tax unnecessarily on ISA savings they inherit. Since April 2015, bereaved spouses or civil partners have been entitled to an extra ISA allowance. This is achieved by what’s called an Additional Permitted Subscription (APS). If the investor died before 6 April 2018, the APS […]
Property Market Review May 2019
CALLS FOR A COMPULSORY ‘SNAGGING RETENTION’ ON NEW BUILDS A recent survey by New Home Review has revealed that more than nine out of 10 new-build homes in the UK have defects and almost 40% of new builds fail to meet their original deadline. Following on from this, the HomeOwners Alliance have launched a campaign […]
Are the best things in life free?
Recent research1 shows that many of life’s most enjoyable events come with a hefty price tag. The research calculates that going to university, buying a house, getting married, having two children and then retiring could, on average, add up to £566,659 over the course of a lifetime. This is a huge sum and illustrates the need […]
Investment commentary
Economic Review – May 2019
UK GROWTH BOOSTED BY STOCKPIILNG The UK economy benefited from a sharp one-off boost to growth in the first quarter of the year