The Guardian reports:                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                        The number of mortgages approved for house purchase has risen to its highest level for nearly two years during October as buyers continued to return to the market, figures have shown.

Around 42,238 loans were approved for people buying a property during the month, nearly double the number seen in October last year and the highest level since January 2008, according to the British Bankers’ Association.

Net lending, which strips out redemptions and repayments, also held firm at £3.1 billion.

But unsecured lending remained subdued as consumers instead focused on paying down their debts and building up savings.

At  Wolton Removals we too have also seen a big increase in business over the same period last year, especially  in our ‘Man and van’ hire service. We  have noticed people are moving but are looking for the best value service which we believe our ‘Man with van’ service offers. If you are thinking of moving and don’t mind helping with some of the lifting why not check out our prices http://www.removalsbedford.co.uk/man-and-van-hire/

Now the housing is market showing signs of recovery, buying a new home remains a sensible investment. But the critical issue of knowing exactly when to buy, is still the fundamental key to getting a maximum return.

With great deals and incentives on new homes, prices at their most affordable for years, househunters are now realising that buying conditions are perfect.

Marie-Claire Travis, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey South West Thames, comments:
“It’s important that buyers don’t allow themselves to get confused by the almost constant stream of data and news surrounding house prices. The bottom line is that house prices have reached their lowest for years and are now showing signs of growth again. This means that for almost all types of movers – whether first-time buyers or those with a current home – this is a prime time to grab a foothold on the property ladder or move to a bigger home.”

Taylor Wimpey, which also builds new homes under the Bryant Homes, Laing Homes and George Wimpey brands, has seen a steady increase in buyers investing in property, particularly parents securing first homes for their children, and more ‘off-plan’ purchases for homes months ahead of them being completed.

“According to the Land Registry, average house prices in England and Wales are around 11.7% lower than they were a year ago, but rose 1.7% in July – the biggest increase in five years.

For example, Taylor Wimpey can arrange valuations and market the customer’s existing home; pay their estate agency fees; assist with Stamp Duty and legal fees; provide a Home Information Pack (HIP) and/or free house removals.

“This summer we have helped increasing numbers of second-time buyers to sell their existing home in as little as a month, as well as offering quick and simple part-exchange deals on selected new properties.

“Whatever circumstances people are in, the situation is very positive and those who haven’t yet taken advantage of the lower cost of purchasing a home should make sure they don’t miss out.”

If you need help with moving to a new home, contact Wolton Removals for a competitive quote and great service and if this is your first house, then why not enquire about our man with van hire

A report from Rightmove suggests house prices have risen by 0.6 per cent this month, the online estate agency warns that lenders’ caution and poor stock levels continue to threaten the market, report The Independent.

Rightmove’s monthly housing survey, based on asking prices rather than on completions, reveals the value of properties across the UK are continuing to fall. While overall prices in England and Wales have risen during September, only three areas of the country saw gains, East Anglia, London and the South-East of England, with the North of England, in particular, registering disappointingly lower prices.

Miles Shipside, commercial director of Rightmove, said that the biggest restraint on the market was the high deposits now required by most mortgage lenders.

“The recession appears to have hit prices harder in the North, and this is compounded by lenders’ more conservative attitude to risk,” Mr Shipside said. “Lenders quite naturally prefer to lend to lower-risk borrowers in better locations, with better job security, larger deposits and more resilient property values.”

Mr Shipside added that he believed the market had reached a crossroads. “Confidence is up, stock is down and the number of people searching is high – there are lots of positives, but too few buyers can put down the 40 per cent deposits that are needed in order to secure the best mortgage deals,” he said.

“Finance greases the wheels of the property market and it is anybody’s guess when we might see the necessary level of competitive funding return.”

Wolton Removal report September 2009 as being the best months trading this year. House removals are definately on the increase as confidence grows in the economy.

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!