First cut in Bank Rate in over four years The Bank of England has reduced Bank Rate for the first time in more than four years. The rate is now 5%, having been held at 5.25% since August 2023, after 14 consecutive increases. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) marginally voted in favour of reducing Bank […]
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Commercial Property Market Review – August 2024
Latest from RICS The commercial property market remained relatively flat in Q2 of this year, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) survey. Tenant and investor demand were both largely stable as headline occupier demand stayed at a net balance of +4% – the same reading as the previous quarter. Investment enquiries […]
What you need to know about behavioural investment
Have you ever made an irrational or impulsive purchase you’ve later regretted? We all make decisions based on our emotions or personal biases, but when it comes to investing, such mistakes can be very costly. What is behavioural investment? Behavioural investment is an approach that acknowledges how our emotions and our biases can sometimes make […]
Buying a new build – what to consider
Are you thinking of buying a new build? The good news is there are more regulations than ever that protect buyers of newly built homes. It can be difficult to keep up with these changes, so here’s what you need to know. Codes of conduct Most developers are signed up to a code which lays […]
Financial wellbeing has many facets
According to research1, 81% of the UK’s wealthiest individuals are ‘stressed’ about their finances, suggesting financial wellbeing is about more than just the totality of your wealth. So, virtually everyone has concerns about what their financial future will look like. Planning for the future The prime concerns for individuals centred around future planning and retirement, […]
Home Finance – In the news
Location, location, location Homeowners are willing to pay more for convenience, as a short walk to a town centre or high street could boost a home’s value by more than £80,0001. In England, homes that are close to a town are worth 27.6% more than the average property. Interestingly, proximity costs an extra 14.2% in […]
Your bonus, your pension?
Receiving a bonus at work as a reward for a job well done is highly satisfying, but with bonuses subject to Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions, you face losing a significant portion of your hard-earned money. A bonus may even push you into a higher tax band, meaning that you receive an even smaller […]
Economic Review – July 2024
UK growth stronger than expected Figures released last month by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the UK economy grew faster in May than had been predicted, while survey evidence points to a more recent post-election pick-up in business activity. The latest gross domestic product (GDP) statistics revealed that economic output rose by 0.4% […]
Money – In the news
Financial goals fall by the wayside A poll has found that 57% of adults had money-related goals for 2024, such as reducing debt and wanting more disposable income1. However, two-thirds (67%) had given up on achieving their financial aims by the end of Q1; 16% said this was due to having unrealistic expectations, and 10% […]
The motivations of equity release customers
According to a lifetime mortgage lender, one in five of their new equity release plans in Q1 were taken out by homeowners with properties worth over £550,0001. When asked why they were releasing equity, 22% of customers said they planned to spend the unlocked cash on improving their home. Less than 20% of borrowers wanted […]