Spring into May
Welcome to May’s edition of Mortgage and Property Investment Magazine where once again we will aim to bring advisors and brokers up-to-date with all the latest developments in the property market as well as presenting news ideas, from industry professionals, that may help you gauge an understanding of where the sector is heading next.
As much as the weather may be trying to convince us otherwise, spring is well and truly underway and with that there have been some major developments in the market as we head towards the halfway point in the year.
However, this month’s magazine has a housing crisis focus, with our team of guest writers evaluating the issues facing first time buyers and how the prospect of a looming election may provide a solution. There is also a nod to the mortgage advice process at the back of the magazine where the importance of advising clients on surveys is delved in to.
In this month’s issue…
First up in this month’s edition of Mortgage and Property Investment Magazine, a report from the Building Societies Association (BSA), entitled ‘First time buyers; age old problems, modern solutions: a roadmap for change’, is evaluated. The article calls for the fixing of a broken housing market and finds that significant changes are required if we are to help prospective first-time buyers get onto the property ladder.
A further critical look at the housing market is the focus of the next article as Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners, pens a letter to our next government. With housing being the “centre of the election battleground”, Daniel asks for decisive action surrounding the lack of properties available for rent and sale.
Finally, Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS) reveals research that finds that fewer than 1 in 10 homebuyers instructed a home survey with their recent property purchase. In the article CSS highlights why this is such a worrying statistic as well as how advisors can play a role in ensuring their clients are protected when purchasing a property.
IFA Talk Mortgage & Property Special
Last month saw a double billing of M&P IFA Talk specials as Coventry’s Jonathan Stinton and Countrywide Surveying Services’ Mathew Cumber both made an appearance.
First up, Jonathan Stinton looked at the “Beyond the Bricks” report which looks in detail at what a green housing market really would look like as well why the Green Agenda is so important to the market as a whole.
Then more recently, Matthew Cumber followed up CSS’ look at the lack of uptake in surveys from buyers with a discussion around why they are so important and how advisors can provide the best client outcomes by highlighting the need for a survey when buying a property.
Both conversations were intriguing and educational so be sure to tune into both podcasts via our website or through any podcast provider and keep an eye out every Wednesday for a new episode.
Alex Sullivan
Managing Partner,
Mortgage and Property Investment Magazine