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Commentators predict that residential house prices will begin to climb again in 2014, making this year possibly the last chance to pick up a recession bargain. http://www.egi.co.uk/news/article.aspx?id=760546 “We believe growth will accelerate beyond 2014, with house prices set to rise 8.8 per cent in 2015,” explains Tom Cann of BNP…

Abacus is pleased to announce that valued member of the team Hannah Vachre, has now qualified as Solicitor. Hannah joined Abacus LLP back in 2010 having graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2008 with a 2:1 LLB (Hons) and having completed her LPC in 2009. Hannah has gained invaluable experience…

It was reported by Inside Conveyancing this week, that there was an estimated 12% increase in the number of first-time buyers in 2012, according to the 2012 annual Halifax First-Time Buyer Review. There were around 216,000 first-time buyers (FTBs) in 2012, up from 193,000 in 2011 – the  highest annual total…

According to Inside Conveyancing this week, the HSBC is marking the start of 2013 with new competitive mortgage rates for customers with a 10% deposit. The rate changes launched on January 2nd include: 90% LTV 2-year-fixed - 4.19% 90% LTV 5-year-fixed - 4.69% 90% LTV tracker - 4.19% above base rate…

According to a recent article published in the Telegraph, unmarried women who give up successful careers to bring up their children are risking a midlife financial crisis if their relationship comes to an end. A growing number of women who gave up work to become “full-time mothers” are approaching middle age…

The emotional consequences of poor service can be devastating and make homebuying more stressful, says Legal Ombudsman Adam Sampson. http://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/reports/conveyancing/ The ombudsman highlighted certain practices in the selling of conveyancing services. Often conveyancing services are marketed on the basis of "no sale no fee", and yet the ombudsman reports one…

HM Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs have published draft legislation for the Finance Bill 2013, on 11 December 2012. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget-updates/11dec12/complete-draft-legislation.pdf The draft legislation puts more bones on the intention to charge an ongoing tax (Annual Residential Property Tax (ARPT)) on non-natural persons (NNPs) holdingUKresidential dwellings valued at over £2…

A hoarder who has filled his flat with thousands of newspapers, magazines and books is facing eviction because he is a 'fire hazard.' Former salesman, Brian Clenshaw is facing eviction by his landlord in Kent because the clutter he is hoarding presents a ‘fire-hazard.’ Brian believes he suffers from a…

The new electronic Document Registration Service (e-DRS) is a faster and more cost-effective way for submitting and receiving applications. The new e-DRS will make the application process easier, reducing the average end to end processing times and will create and audit trail, helping to prevent fraud. Applications made electronically can be…

With all the talk of the NHS in the headlines, it seems only right to report on the lack of confidence the British people appear to have in its Health Service. For years, patients and their families have highlighted the lack of care and the poor practice within our hospitals…