Hannah Ricci
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How to negotiate on a house price
Filed under: Property, House and Home
If the latest house price report that prices are set to fall this year holds true, it looks set to be a buyers' market for some time to come.But even when the market is flooded with properties and buyers have the upper hand, it pays to do your homework and get prepared to negotiate in order to secure a good deal.
What not to say when showing your house
Filed under: Property, House and Home
In the midst of our tough housing market, sellers need to pull out all the stops to attract potential buyers. This means sprucing up the garden, hiding the clutter and preparing what to say when showing your property.
Of course, what you don't say is just as important as what you do, so what should you consider before opening your mouth?
Stop: when not to buy a house
Filed under: Mortgages, Property, House and Home, Insurance
If you've ever purchased property, you'll know that it is an incredibly emotional experience. We tend to get attached to houses for aesthetic reasons like a beautiful period features or a cool kitchen, and it's easy to overlook the really important issues like the structure and condition of the house.But the are some warning signs to look out for when viewing a property, that signal you should walk away or put your haggling hat on for some serious negotiation.
Girls, should your handbag be insured?
Filed under: Insurance
While men get by with a wallet and house keys, most women carry their life in their handbag. Phone, purse, camera, iPod, occasionally the laptop – the handbag is stuffed to bursting point and they would would be seriously gutted if it got lost or stolen.Yet most women don't have their handbag insured. So how do you go about it?
Renters more vulnerable to money problems
Filed under: Property, House and Home
The new Financial Services Authority proposals announced last week provide support for borrowers, but what about tenants?Renters are equally at risk of over-stretching themselves financially, according to payment protection provider, British Insurance, but are far less likely to get help.
NS&I pull popular savings accounts
Filed under: Saving
National Savings and Investments pulled its most popular savings products yesterday, and cut rates on others to stem the flurry of investment over recent months.The Government's savings arm has seen an influx of deposits, with savers attracted to the potentially higher returns of NS&I's index-linked savings certificates, and the security of its fixed-interest products. The cut is a serious blow as we're faced with fewer and fewer choices to earn a decent return on our savings.
House price growth could be wiped out by year end
Filed under: Property
With the constant barrage of house price reports it's hard to keep track of exactly what is happening throughout the UK, but if the latest one is anything to go by, prices now look set to fall.New sellers have dropped asking prices in July for the first time this year, as properties continue to flood the market, which means the gains made in the first half of 2010 could be wiped out by the end of the year.
Holidaymakers stung by Goldtrail collapse
Filed under: Travel
Thousands of holidaymakers have had their plans wrecked following the collapse of tour operator Goldtrail.The tour company, which operates to Turkey and Greece, ceased trading on Friday afternoon, causing havoc for passengers already on holiday and those booked to travel over the coming months.
How to save money at farmer's markets
Filed under: Food and Drink, Budgeting & Planning
There's been hype surrounding farmer's markets for some time now, and rightly so, I love them. They're great way to buy fresh and affordable quality produce and support your local farmers.However, if you've been to one expecting to pick up your usual weekly grocery list, you may have ended up spending more than at the supermarket. So how can you save money at a farmer's market?
New graduate tax could end student loans
Filed under: Taxes, Loans, Work & Careers
Student loans to pay university tuition fees could be scrapped in favour of a new graduate tax, under proposals introduced by business secretary Vince Cable yesterday.In what could be the biggest shake up the higher education system has seen in a generation, graduates could face a tax based on their earnings instead of the current system where a set rate is repaid for student loans once graduates start earning more than £15,000.
