Homes & Gardens

Young families locked out of home ownership for years

A young couple with a child would have to save for over fourteen years before they could afford to buy a home in the South West, Shelter says today.

Research for the housing charity looked at average wages, house prices, rents and spending on essentials to show the challenge faced by those trying to save for a home of their own in the region.

It found that couples without...

Make a resolution to fit a smoke alarm

With the New Year underway, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are asking people to make one of their resolutions in 2015 to check that their smoke alarms are up to date and are in the right place to protect their home.

Many people see January as an opportunity for a fresh start, and safety should be no exception. So this month we are encouraging everyone to make sure they...

Private house building fuels growth in SW despite rise in skills shortages

Construction workloads increased in the South West in the final quarter of 2014, albeit at a slightly slower rate, and private housing saw the strongest growth despite the shortage of bricklayers reaching a record high.

Over a third (36% net balance) reported that workloads in the construction sector had grown in the region in Q4 2014 with 57% more respondents saying that the private...

One in nine people fear missing rent or mortgage payments

Thousands of rent or mortgage payers across the South West might be facing a not-so-happy new year, as new research reveals one in nine are worried they will be unable to make payments this January.

Research from Shelter and YouGov paints a bleak picture for many this winter, with 65% of rent or mortgage payers in the South West revealing they are already struggling to keep up with...

Last houses available at Duchy of Cornwall site

Award-winning Dorchester-based developers C G Fry & Son Ltd, announces there are the last few new homes for sale on Phase 3 at Tregunnel Hill with the Duchy of Cornwall located on the edge of Newquay.

C G Fry & Son has received numerous regional design and quality awards throughout the South West for developments including the internationally renowned and Poundbury development...

SW landlords least at risk of rent arrears

Landlords in the South West are least at risk of rent arrears, according to research from the UK’s leading landlord association*.

Those in the South West were found to be less at risk with a quarter (25 per cent) of landlords experiencing rent arrears in the last 12 months, compared to 29 per cent of landlords in the South East.

The research shows that a typical landlord in the...

SW house prices to increase by 2% in 2015

House prices in the UK will see an average increase of three percent over the course of next year, bolstered by recent changes to Stamp Duty, continuing demand and lack of supply of property, according to the RICS housing forecast for 2015. The forecast looks ahead to the next 12 months, across all parts of the housing market, from house prices, sales, rents and housing starts and repossession...

New loans for affordable housing in Plymouth

You can now apply for an Affordable Housing Loan if you are a Registered Provider within the Plymouth Housing Development Partnership, Cooperative Housing Groups, or Community Land Trusts.

The new initiative was approved at the Full Council meeting on Monday 24 November 2014.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Cooperatives, Housing and Community Safety, said: “The...

Burglars looking to cash in on Black Friday

Burglars are looking to hit the jackpot as Black Friday bargains and Christmas presents boost the value of home contents by more than a third this weekend, home security experts have warned.

Millions of pounds will be spent buying Christmas presents this weekend as most of the UK gets its monthly pay-cheque today and scoops up Black Friday bargains in readiness for Christmas.

...

Colliers instructed to sell park home estates

Colliers International has been instructed to sell four established holiday and home parks in the South West on behalf of Barton Park Homes.

The instructions are part of a nationwide mandate for Colliers to sell Barton Park Homes’ entire UK portfolio; an established group of eight holiday and home parks located in various locations across England. The parks are being put on the market...

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