According to analysis from Experian, further interest rate rises, combined with a March’s rise in consumer price inflation to 3.1%, could lead to an increase in bad debt and repossessions.

According to Experian’s MD of economic forecasting, DR Neil Blake:

Not only will interest rate increases have a dampening impact on economic growth and inflation but there will also be a likely knock on impact on bad debt. More »

A broken property chain is one of the most stressful and annoying experiences for people looking to buy or sell property.

In many property deals, the various buyers and sellers are linked to each other, with one transaction often dependant on another. If one buyer or seller backs out of a deal, it can have disastrous effect on the whole chain. More »

The number of new mortgages dropped slightly during March, which may be an indication of a slowing housing market, according to the Bank of England.

The total value of mortgages in March was £9.9bn, compared to the adjusted figure of £10bn for February. 111,000 new mortgages were approved in March, compared with 117,000 the previous month. More »

Nationwide is predicting another interest rate rise in May, due to the robust growth of house prices in the UK this month, though it points out the underlying trend towards a cooling of the market.

Nationwide latest monthly survey reveals that house prices rose by 0.9% in April, compared with 0.5% in March. This represents the highest monthly increase since December 2006. More »

London property market continues to grow, with the latest indication being the fact that there are now over 1,000 homes in London which are on the market for more than 2m.

The growth in London house prices is being driven by foreign buyers attracted by the City financial and business status.  Added to a shortage of properties in prime locations, this has triggered bidding wars which have pushed prices up further. More »

Homeowners have been warned that a slowdown in the housing market could lead to a crisis in the sub-prime mortgage sector, and the threat of repossessions.

Standard & Poor’s, a credit rating agency, expressed concern about the British sub-prime industry, which provides mortgages to people with poor credit histories who have been unable to get mortgages from more well-known lenders. More »

If you have inherited some property, there are a number of decisions to be made you may wish to live in the property yourself, rent it out, or sell it. There may be taxes to be paid on the property you inherit, or you may have jointly inherited the house or flat with others.

It is important to get organised here, and ensure that any outstanding debts or taxes or paid up. In addition, it is important to decide what you want to do with the property. More »

17,000 homes were repossessed last year, the highest number for five years, with further rises predicted for the coming year by the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

A rise in repossessions means that one group of people will be kept busy bailiffs so what can you do to stop the bailiffs coming to your house? More »