Property news roundup – 16/03/12

The National BIM Library will launch at Ecobuild 2012
The National BIM Library, from NBS (National Building Specification), is a “platform-neutral free to use library of high quality generic and proprietary BIM objects designed for use in the UK”. More details at the joint RIBA/NBS stands at Ecobuild (S1630 and S1640). The Library will be accessible online and free of charge.

haart launches new service to search for property by text
Using GPS technology, househunters can text ‘haart’ to 84840 and the service will use their current location to text details of the five nearest properties for sale or rent. Each text provides property details and price plus directions to the property itself and the option to book a viewing directly with the branch.

Estate agents call on Chancellor to guarantee no new property taxes
In advance of next week’s Budget, president of The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) Wendy Evans-Scott said: “Property in the UK is already over-taxed compared to our European neighbours, and the market is struggling to recover from the economic slow-down. The heavy tax burden on homeowners as well as a lack of housing supply is stifling the market. Concerns amongst potential buyers about the size of deposits needed, mortgage availability, levels of stamp duty and the stability of the market means that home ownership is at its lowest level for 20 years.” The NAEA is calling on the Government to prioritise building more homes to increase supply, and comprehensively reform Stamp Duty.

House price optimism?
Expectations for future house prices were more optimistic during February and transaction levels edged upwards, according to the
latest RICS UK Housing Market Survey. This is the first time since May 2010 that respondents have not been predicting further price declines. Prices across the UK continued to dip during February, at the slowest rate for over 18 months. Regionally, London was the only part of the country to see prices increase. Surveyors reported that problems gettiong affordable mortgage finance is continuing to hinder many first time buyers. New instructions saw a slight upturn with nine per cent more surveyors reporting instructions rose rather than fell.

Olympic lets
Booking enquiries for London properties in July and August in 2012 have increased by 695% compared to the same period last year say HomeAway.co.uk who expect London homeowners will see an even greater number of enquiries as tourists from around the world look to finalise their travel plans. On HomeAway.co.uk the top ten source markets for London booking enquiries for July and August 2012 are the USA, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Spain, Canada and Belgium. Hamptons International suggest rental properties in both Stratford and Prime Central London are likely to attract premiums of between 50 and 240 per cent during the Games, with prices depending on where the home is situated. Hamptons sayd the Japanese team will be based in Mayfair close to its Piccadilly embassy and will pay the highest average rent per week for a two bedroom apartment (£4,221), a 110 per cent premium when compared with average long let rental prices. The USA team will be based in SW7.

Useful web sites for more information

• Independent Property Search Engine
• Independent House & Home section
• Workhubs Network

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