Despite the Bank of England keeping their rates on hold, High Street banks are raising their costs to boost their profits.

Several major high street lenders increased the rates on their fixed rates deals following the Nationwide Building Society raising costs up to 0.86 per cent, despite the Bank of England keeping interest rates at just 0.5 per cent.

This has come as a major blow to the Property Market and house moves, after finally reaching a turning couple months ago. Melanie Bien, of mortgage brokers Savills Private Finance, said:

“Home owners who are on a cheaper standard variable rate should hang on where they are while the rate is low.”

Jonathan Cornell, of mortgage brokers First Active Finance, said:

“If you move onto an SVR, you are probably going to have a cheaper monthly payment than if you fix now“

He then added:

“Fixed mortgage rates are going up and while you might enjoy being on an SVR for the next six to nine months, the whole experience is going to become more painful as we see interest rates begin to rise after that.”

We at Woltons Removals say you should ‘Get in there quick!’, thats literally and metaphorically. There are still Fixed Rate Deals to be had…

‘Cheltenham & Gloucester at 2.5 per cent. Halifax’s SVR is 3.5 per cent and HSBC’s is 3.94 per cent.’ – The Telegraph, 16th June.

And these can be secured up to two months before you need the mortgage, so get moving by securing your mortgage and house removals quote with Woltons Removals.

The number of people looking to move house is at the highest level in a decade according to Estate Agents, report the Telegraph. The research also indicated that the property market prices rose for the third successive month.

According to the latest property market survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, new buyer enquiries have risen at the fastest pace since August 1999. The survey also suggested that the rebound in enquiries is feeding through into increased sales, with the number of properties selling over three months edging up from 10.6 in April to 11.8 in May.

RICS member based in Durham City, Keith Johnson said: “While the House Market is still somewhat erratic and very price sensitive there are good signs of recovery.”

RICS member Richard Sayer, based in Northumberland said: “This is an excellent market for many buyers and sellers to be testing their options.”

This improvement in the property market makes moving house a more attractive venture; we at Woltons Removals have seen the trend in house removals moving up over the last three months which means people are confident the recession is nearing an end. We have also seen an increase with our man and van hire due to the increase in purchases of large items, indicating an end to the economic gloom is near.

Alistair Darling moved house four times to four properties in four years to make the most of the flexible parliamentary expenses system.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling was reimbursed for thousands of pounds for food, furniture, mortgage interest payments, water rates, council tax, stamp duty, carpets, service charges, refurbishments and also charged taxpayers more than £1,400 for accountants to complete his personal tax returns, suggesting that even he found them too complex to complete by himself.

During the year of 2004-05, Mr Darling claimed £10,910 in mortgage interest payments on the family home, which he and his wife had owned since 1998, he also claimed £2,250 on food and £2,556 on council tax and water bills. The list over the years goes on.

Unbelievable – some would say, but if Alistair Darling wants to keep moving house, we at Woltons Removals Bedford would be happy to help, whether he moves to a flat or requires a quote for a house removals, we can help.

If he chooses to buy another chaise longue from Ikea, costing £765, more kitchenware, bed linen, vases, tea towels, and an oven mitt (As before and charged to the taxpayer according to The Telegraph June 1st), Alistair could use our Man and Van Hire.

However, after the recent bad publicity, Alistair may have had his wings clipped!