Author: Benjamin

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Moveli, the fast growing self-employed estate agency, has announced that it is now also listing property prices in Bitcoin (BTC) on its website, making it one of the first estate agencies in the United Kingdom to do so. This move allows potential buyers and crypto-enthusiasts alike to view the value of listed properties in BTC, reflecting real-time cryptocurrency exchange rates. While transactions will still be completed in GBP, this new feature offers an engaging and modern lens through which to view property values. “Whether you’re a BTC advocate or just…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The Castledene Group in the North-East has announced that it has re-branded to Casa Group. With 11 branches stretching from North Yorkshire to Northumberland, the company, founded in 2008, is one of the largest estate agents in the region. Casa, meaning home in several languages, was chosen as the ideal name for the estate agency group, which continues to expand its services across the region, with dedicated teams across several locations specialising in residential sales, plus lettings and property management. Adele Wright, managing director of Casa Group, said:…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Ralph Sayer bolsters senior team with double hire Louise McLaren (left) and Kimberley Mackay Ralph Sayer, the Edinburgh-based solicitors and estate agents, has announced the appointment of two senior members of staff. Kimberley Mackay has joined as a partner to head up a new private client division of the business, while the team has been further bolstered with the arrival of Louise McLaren as legal director. Mackay began her career with Georgesons in Wick, Caithness and joins from Edinburgh legal firm Gillespie Macandrew where she was an associate, having previously…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Paul Smith Spicerhaart has signed some unusual recruits – 10 avatars which will be used to share the company’s property expertise and market insight. The company commissioned AI video technology leader Synthesia to put together a bespoke package including hyper-realistic avatars and advanced content generation tools. The avatars will front a range of video content, from insightful local market updates for customers, to comprehensive training modules for the Spicerhaart Academy Training Centre. The estate agency group, which recently unveiled its new video app, is using the avatars to free up…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Jon Hunt Jon Hunt, founder of Foxtons, has moved up the Rich List – The Sunday Times’s annual examination of the finances of Britain’s most affluent individuals and families. This year – the 37th edition – sees Hunt rank 114th richest person in the UK, up from 120 a year ago. Hunt, who sold Foxtons to City investment firm BC Partners for £375m in 2007, is now reputed to be worth just over £1.4bn. Hunt featured in the news recently after it emerged that his efforts to make major improvements to…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: There has been notable drop in the share of new homes sold off-plan, new figures show. Most regions have seen 10-20% falls in the share of new homes (flats and houses) sold off-plan since 2016, as investors continue to shy away from locking in purchases two or three years before they’re built due to the expectation that prices may not be higher by the time they’re complete. This is a reversal of 2016 trends, when investors were keen to lock in sales when prices were rising quickly. Hamptons’ annual off-plan…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Despite an improving interest rate outlook, asking prices this spring will need to reflect the wide choice on offer for buyers, according to Knight Frank. The estate agency nudged up its  2025 UK house price forecast to 3.5% from 2.5% last week, thanks in part to cheaper mortgage borrowing rates. Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, said: “It was a marginal increase [in projected house price growth] considering how much the interest rate outlook has improved. Markets expect a bank rate of about 3.5% this time…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has warned that the government is failing to acknowledge the true state of the court system and its lack of readiness to handle possession cases following the end of Section 21 evictions. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Justice, the average time for landlords to regain possession of a property through the courts has increased yet again. In the first quarter of 2025, the average time between a landlord submitting a claim and regaining legitimate possession was over seven months (32.5…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: A new 100% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage for buyers with no deposit has been launched.  The product, which is likely to prove highly popular with purchasers struggling to raise a significant deposit, has been launched by April Mortgages and is available on 10- and 15-year fixed terms.  Targeted at buyers with reliable incomes and good credit histories but no access to the widely used ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’, loans are available up to 4.49x income with no early repayment charges for moving and redeeming or redeeming from own funds.  Designed…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Knight Frank, which primarily focusses on the market in London here in the UK, has signed a new three-year deal with Zoopla. Knight Frank has a footprint in over 50 territories and 740 offices worldwide. In the UK, this translates to 62 residential offices in prime locations across England and Scotland. All of these offices will list their properties for rent and sale on Zoopla. Knight Frank, one of the founding members of OnTheMarket, set-up to challenge the likes of Zoopla, will continue to use the property website’s suite of products, including…