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The iconic royal, Diana Princess of Wales, would be 56 now. Diana was an inspiration to so many, and she was aptly dubbed the 'People's Princess' owing to her kindness and compassion. Although Diana sadly passed away 20 years ago, her legacy continues to live on through her children, William and Harry, and her grandchildren, George and Charlotte, of whom we are sure she would be immensely proud.  On what is likely to be a reflective day for our royal family, we also reflect on the wonderful life she led. Here, we look back at the most memorable moments that truly capture Diana Princess of Wales as a style icon, philanthropist, and - of course - a loving mother. 1. Princess Diana's Wedding in 1981 Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles in 1981 in what was called 'the wedding of the century'. Her memorably large dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Manuel, consisting of huge puffed layers of taffeta, topped with lace, sequins and tens of thousands of pearls. 2. Her first appearance with her son, William On June 21st 1982, Princess Diana appeared on the steps of St. Mary's Hospital to introduce the new heir to the throne, Prince William. 2 years ago, William welcomed his very own heir on the same steps, alongside Kate Middleton who also donned blue polkadots. 3. Diana's first major tour  In 1983, Diana accompanied Prince Charles and tiny baby William for her first major tour. The young royals visited Australia and New Zealand, meeting representatives of the Maori people. It was here that Diana first demonstrated her kindness to the people she met, leading to the nickname she held throughout the rest of her life of being the 'People's Princess'. 4. The birth of Prince Harry Just two years after the birth of her first child, Princess Diana welcomed Prince Harry to the world on September 15th, 1984. Today, Harry follows in his mother's footsteps as a philanthropic figure. 5. The Travolta Dress Princess Diana was quickly becoming a style icon, and her appearance at a White House Gala cemented her in this role. While visiting President Reagan, Diana wore a stunning midnight-blue evening gown designed by Victor Edelstein. The dress was dubbed the 'Travolta Dress', as she danced with American heart-throb John Travolta at the gala, and the pictures of them gliding around the room circulated widely. In 2013, the dress was auctioned for £240,000, making it the most expensive auctioned dress. 6. Her role as President of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Princess Diana was involved in many charitable causes, but one of her most notable was the work she did with children. In 1989, she became the president of the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, and she regularly visited the hospital and supported them in their new developments. 7. The Leonardo Prize In June 1995, Diana visited a children's hospital in Moscow that she had previously supported through her charity work. While in the Russian capital, Diana was awarded with the Leonardo Prize, given to the most distinguished patrons and people in the arts, medicine and sport. This was to be the first in a series of prizes rewarded to her for her philanthropic work. 8. Her work with AIDs victims In the 1980s and early 1990s, there was a huge stigma attached to those with HIV and AIDS, and they suffered immeasurably. Princess Diana played a huge role in de-stigmatising AIDS, first by shaking hands with an AIDS sufferer in 1987 when it was still unknown whether the disease could be contracted by physical contact. In 1989, she opened the Landmark AIDS Centre in South London, where she continued to work closely with the patients. Although this venture did not have the support of the royal family, her work continues to be recognised today as an act of extreme kindness and compassion towards a highly stigmatised group. 9. Her work with the Red Cross Among Diana's other notable charitable causes was the Red Cross, of which she became a patron in 1988. This role led her to travel the world in support of Red Cross projects. Here, she is pictured visiting the Red Cross centre in Nepal in March 1993.

Published: 24/02/2017Though we believe that prices will soften in prime central London, we still expect certain hotspots to experience price growth - though perhaps not at the level we’ve seen in previous years.If it’s an investment you’re after, it’s crucial you buy in areas that are undergoing gentrification or experiencing infrastructure investment, that offer healthy yields so mortgage repayments aren’t a problem.Areas in the outer Zones are likely to experience the best price growth this year. Zone 5’s East Croydon is becoming the capital’s next big property hotspot. It’s currently undergoing huge development, offers key train links and the Gatwick Express, Westfield Shopping centre will soon be arriving, plus it offers a mix of luxury and affordable living ideal for young professionals.Crossrail winner Forest Gate is also likely to experience further gentrification when the high-speed rail link arrives this year, which will keep house prices on their upward climb. Leyton is another east London pocket tipped for house price growth, and in fact, east London as a whole will be one of the best investment areas generally this year down to improving transport links and the fact that prices here are still “affordable” compared with the rest of the capital.If you want to invest centrally, Farringdon is a safe bet, again thanks to key infrastructure changes such as Crossrail and the fact that the nearby silicone roundabout is becoming a great area in which to live, work and play.

Published: 22/07/2021 The number of new homes being built in England hit a 21-year high in the first quarter of this year. And 81% of them are houses. The new homes industry got off to a flying start this year as it continued to recover from Covid-19 disruption. A total of 49,470 properties were completed between January and March, the highest level since figures were first collected in their current format in 2000.  Meanwhile, the number of houses in development accounted for 81% of all new builds, the highest proportion since 2000/01. There was also a steep jump in the number of new-build starts, with the first phase of construction hitting a near-15 year high, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Why is this happening? The housebuilding industry was hit hard in the early stages of the pandemic, when construction sites were forced to close during lockdowns. But the Government has since introduced a range of measures to enable building to continue, while also keeping workers safe, including allowing builders to negotiate flexible working hours on construction sites with their local council. The measures have led to a steady increase in the number of new homes being completed, since a low point in the second quarter of last year. Who does it affect? The Covid-19 pandemic has seen people undertake a once-in-a-lifetime reassessment of their housing needs, as they search for more space following successive lockdowns. The good news for potential buyers who want to purchase a new-build property is that 81% of homes completed during the first quarter were houses, rather than flats, the highest level since 2000/01. In regional terms, the proportion of new homes being completed was highest in the South East, East Midlands and East of England, while new-build starts were highest in the South West and East of England. The jump in new properties being built particularly benefits first-time buyers, who can use the Help to Buy scheme to purchase a new-build home with just a 5% deposit. What’s the background? It has previously been estimated that the UK needs between 240,000 and 340,000 new homes a year to keep pace with rising demand. Only 155,960 new homes were completed in the year to the end of March, 11% fewer than in the previous 12 months, as Covid-19-related disruption continued to impact figures. Before the pandemic struck, the number of new homes being built had been on a steady upward trend since 2014. But building new homes is only one way in which properties are added to the available housing stock. Residential properties are also created through the conversion of existing buildings, such as factories, offices and farm buildings into homes, or dividing large houses into flats. In the year to the end of March, applications for Energy Performance Certificates on new dwellings totaled 220,730, suggesting the overall increase in homes in England was significantly higher than just the new-build figures suggest. Article via Zoopla July 2021

DSP Rent Index Q2 Summary - Trends London In Q2 2021, London saw an £11 reduction (-0.83%) in average rents, down to £1,314. This trend is different to the rest of the UK, where average rents mostly increased or stayed around the same level. Over the last 12 months, London is the only region to have seen average rents fall, with a £31 decline (-2.30%). Despite this, it is still the most expensive region. With average wages at £41,017, renters in London can expect to spend 38.74% of their monthly income in rent, far above the national average of 30.90%. Semi-detached houses were the only property type in London to see a rise, increasing by £25 (1.49%) to £1,705. This is the second largest increase across the UK, after Yorkshire (£34, 5.24%). Detached houses saw the biggest fall, dropping by £29 (-1.62%), to £1,764. By county, rents in Outer London picked up by £4 (0.32%) to £1,250, whilst Inner London dropped by £15 (-1.09%) to £1,367.    South East The second quarter of 2021 saw average rents in the South East reach £937, an increase of £5 (0.54%) on the previous quarter. Year on year, we see a sharper rise of £51 (5.76%) from £886, which is the largest across all regions in the UK. After London, the South East is the second most expensive region for average rents, and three of its counties are among the top five most expensive counties in the UK: Surrey, Wokingham and Brighton & Hove. Interestingly, Kent showed the largest drop in the South East, down to £860 (£19, -2.16%), whilst the Isle of Wight, which saw a sharp decline in Q1, recorded the largest increase in this quarter to £702 (£34, 5.09%). With wages averaging £33,004, those in the South East can typically expect to spend 34.33% of their income on rent. Semi-detached houses saw the largest rise this quarter, with rents increasing from £1,165 to £1,181. Detached properties in the South East registered the largest decline from £1,438 to £1,419, which makes this the only region in the UK, apart from London, to register a decrease for this property type.    South West In line with the national trend, average rents increased in the South West, with a £7 (0.89%) quarterly rise from £797. With average wages standing at £29,529, renters in the South West can typically expect to spend 32.64% of their income on rent, higher than the national average of 30.90%. Bath and North East Somerset is the least affordable county for the whole of the UK in terms of percentage of wages earned, despite a £22 (-2.02%) drop in average rents this quarter, to £1,065. The City of Bristol and Swindon are the two other counties in the region declining the most in terms of average rents, with a drop of £8 (-0.85%) to £935 and £5 (-0.70%) to £708, respectively. While all property types in the South West saw growth this quarter, the rise in average rents amongst semi-detached properties was the sharpest in the region, increasing by £23 (2.53%) to £931.    East Average rents in the East remain the third most expensive in the UK. This quarter, they rose by £14 (1.65%) to £860. Average wages stand at £31,044, meaning that individuals in the East typically spend 33.5% of their income on rent, which is 2.6% higher than the national average. Hertfordshire, which recorded the most sizable increase in average rents last quarter (£22, 2.14%), has now dropped back (£5, -0.48%) to £1,047, but remains in the top five least affordable counties. Rents for all property types increased in the East in this quarter, and semi-detached properties saw the largest growth in the region, rising by £16 (1.63%) to £999. Detached properties saw the smallest increase across all regions (£3, 0.25%) to £1,191.    East Midlands After remaining stable in Q1 2021, average rents in the East Midlands increased this quarter by £14 to £626 (2.29%). This is the second largest increase in the UK, after Wales. With average wages at £29,102 in the East Midlands, renters typically spend 26.01% of their income on rental costs - 4.89% below the national average. By county, Leicester was the only area to drop back to £586 (£20, -3.30%), with Derby showing the largest growth, up £31 to £562 (5.84%). This is a reverse of the changes these counties experienced in Q1. All property types increased in the East Midlands in Q2 2021, with semi-detached and terraced houses recording the largest spikes to £714 and £638 respectively (£20, 2.88% and £19, 3.07%) and flats registering the smallest rise to £559 (£10, 1.82%).    West Midlands In the West Midlands, average rents have changed only marginally since last quarter (£2, -0.31%), standing at £645. Year-on-year however, there has been a £27 (4.37%) increase from £618. With average wages at £29,516 in the West Midlands, renters can typically expect to spend 26.43% of their income on rent. West Midlands and Worcestershire were the only two counties that recorded a decline in rent this quarter, after picking up in Q1 2021. The reduction is £33 (-4.93%) to £636 and £3 (-0.43%) to £690, respectively. Terraced houses saw an increase of £21 (3.19%) to £679 in Q2 2021, which is the 2nd largest increase for terraced houses, after Wales. Flats registered a £9 drop to £580 (-1.53%) which wis the second largest fall after the North East.    Yorkshire Interestingly, Yorkshire saw a relatively large increase this quarter compared to other regions, up from £549 to £562 (£13, 2.37%). Year-on-year the increase is £16 (2.93%), which is one of the smallest across the UK. With wages averaging £28,745, those in the Yorkshire region typically spend 23.64% of their income on rent, which makes Yorkshire the second lowest region after the North East. Semi-detached houses registered the largest growth in Yorkshire, with an average rent of £683 and a quarterly increase of £34 (5.24%). This is the largest increase across all regions, followed by London, where average rents for a semi-detached stand at £1,705 (£25, 1.49% increase on Q1 2021). Despite this, the City of Kingston Upon Hull is the least expensive county to rent in, with an average rent of £466 (£2, -0.43% compared to Q1 2021) and North East Lincolnshire takes third place.    North West In the North West, average rents dropped slightly (£2, -0.32%) to £627, but year-on-year the trend is different, with rents in fact rising £23 (3.81%) from £604. On average, wages stand at £29,558 in the North West, meaning renters in the region typically spend 25.65% of their income on rent. Halton saw the largest quarterly increase in average rents, rising by £49 (8.80%) to £606, whilst Merseyside is the only county dropping back to £580 (£1, -0.17%). All property types saw a rise in rental prices, but this remained small, with terraced and semi-detached showing the largest growth to £603 and £741 respectively (£5 or 0.84% and 0.68% respectively). Flats showed the smallest rise to £609 (£1, 0.16%).    North East The North East showed the largest decline in average rents across the UK, from £557 to £530 (£27, -4.85%) in Q2 2021. Moreover, two of the UK’s top five least expensive counties to rent in, are in this region: Hartlepool and County Durham. However, both counties recorded a slight increase in rent, £22 (4.88%) to £473 and £4 (0.81%) to £495, respectively. Those in the North East spend the lowest proportion of their income on rent when compared to the rest of the UK. Average wages in the North East stand at £27,856, meaning that renters typically spend 23.01% of their income on rent. Detached properties saw the largest rent increase to £767 (£10, 1.32%), and semi-detached also showed an increase to £602 - the smallest recorded across the UK (£4, 0.67%). Conversely, flats dropped more so in the North East, than in any other region to £523 (£29, -5.25%). Looking at the counties, Tyne and Wear showed the largest decline, falling to £563 (£23, -3.92%), whilst Hartlepool had the largest rise to £473 (£22, 4.88%).    Scotland Average rents in Scotland remained flat this quarter, with just a £1 increase (0.15%) to £650. With wages averaging £31,605 in Scotland, those in the region typically spend 24.87% of their income on rent. Of the top five most affordable counties in the UK, based on percentage of average wage, four are in Scotland: Dumfries & Galloway, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and Falkirk. In Q2 2021, Dumfries & Galloway rose to £512 (£9, 1.79%) and North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and Falkirk dropped back to £515 (£3, -0.58%), £519 (£24, -4.42%) and £521 (£11, -2.07%), respectively. Most of the main cities such as Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow registered a rise in rents. Edinburgh increased £26 (3.15%) to £852, £30 (5.40%) to £586 for Aberdeen and £40 (5.92%) to £716 for Glasgow. Flats in Scotland showed the largest increase across all regions in the UK, moving from £633 to £650 (£17, 2.69%), whilst semi-detached properties showed the largest drop in the region to £673 (£19, -2.75%) - the only drop for this property type in the UK.    Wales Average rents in Wales have seen a quarterly and yearly increase, now standing at £626 (£16, 2.62% on Q1 2021 and £42, 7.19% on Q2 2020). Despite this, Gwynedd remains one of the least expensive counties in the UK, with an average rent of £498 (£23, 4.84% on Q1 2021). With average wages at £28,125 in Wales, those in the region typically spend 26.92% of their monthly income on rent. Terraced properties registered the largest growth across all regions, with a rise to £641 (£38, 6.30% on Q1 2021), and there were no property types that registered a reduction in average rent. The County of Denbighshire showed the largest growth this quarter, with a £48 (9.01%) to £581 quarterly rise, though the sample size was too small to be conclusive.    Northern Ireland Northern Ireland remained flat this quarter, with a £1 reduction in average rents to £558 (-0.18%). But year-on-year there is a stronger upward trend, rising by £16 to £542 (2.95%). Northern Ireland is currently third lowest in terms of rent as a percentage of average wage. With wages averaging at £28,324 in Northern Ireland, those in the region can typically expect to spend 23.82% of their income on rent. Northern Ireland is also second lowest in terms of rent, sitting just above the North East. Article via DPS Online

Published: 18/11/2021 We are proud to announce two new properties available at Paul Simon Lettings!  Times have been hard recently but we are here to help find the right property for you Kings Road, London, N22 - £1700 PCM A rarely available unique two-bedroom house with private off-street parking on popular residential road. The property has been extensively refurbished and lovingly maintained by the current owners and now ready for first time rental occupation. The house comprises large ground floor open plan reception with contemporary kitchen and access to low maintenance private garden. Two well proportioned double bedrooms, main bedroom with en-suite shower room and modern fully tilled family bathroom.  The property is situated within a short distance to Wood Green Station (Piccadilly Line) & Bowes Park BR with excellent transport links to the city via train a bus. Located within proximity to Wood Green High Street and Green Lanes restaurants, shops and cinema complex. Ridge Road, London, N8 - £2000 PCM Prime location! Crouch End N8 - Stunning newly refurbished two-bedroom flat with sole use of charming well maintained rear garden, finished to a high quality. The property retains some character features, offering high ceilings and spacious feel throughout. Whilst offering all new mod-cons, fully fitted and equipped kitchen including dishwasher and open plan living area. Two bedrooms and luxury modern bathroom with three-piece suite. Further benefits include wooden flooring gas central heating and beautiful sunny south facing rear garden with patio and grass area.  The property is located off Ferme Park Road, in fashionable Crouch End with a vast array of popular shops, restaurants and bars a short distance away. Harringay BR connecting Finsbury Park Tube Station (Victoria and Piccadilly lines) Moorgate & City. Please call our lettings office for more details - 02088001155

Published: 22/09/2021 Demand soars for pet-friendly rental homes Are you among the millions of households across Britain sharing your home with a new best friend? The ‘pandemic pet boom’ has seen more than a third of UK households become pet owners since the first lockdown period in March 2020. We’re now seeing the rise in pet ownership translate to the rental market, with demand from tenants looking for pet-friendly properties up by 120% in a year. The significant increase in demand, which is measured by prospective tenants enquiring about properties via Rightmove, compares to total tenant demand rising by 13%. Our property expert Tim Bannister says this could impact the types of homes renters search for long-term.  He says: “Becoming a pet owner is a long-term commitment, so what’s really interesting to consider is the impact this could have on the rental market in the future, and it’s a signal to landlords that if they were to consider allowing a well-behaved pet then it may open them up to a bigger pool of potential tenants.” Ian Gibbs, Director of Neighborhoods at Get Living, agrees. “We’ve also seen a substantial increase in people looking for a home that allows cats or dogs. Get Living became pet-friendly across all its neighborhoods last summer, and one fifth of potential residents mention pets specifically as part of their requirements.” he says. Search for a property to rent here What tenants want Over the past year, with many home movers prioritising outside space, the demand for properties with a balcony has increased by 70%, while demand for homes with gardens has risen by 39%. Parking has also increased in popularity (+48%), and one of the most common requests from renters, for all bills to be included, is up by 38%.  Ten most popular terms used in Keyword Sort for renters 1. Pet friendly / Pets allowed 2. Balcony 3. Garden 4. Furnished 5. Garage 6. Bills included 7. Parking 8. New build 9. Terrace 10. Ensuite   Article via Rightmove September 2021

Published: 24/02/2022 Properties of the month! With the property marketed being tough for renters and agents at the moment. We have two new gems to offer for rent. Paul Simon only deals with the best, with both properties offering a modern touch and amazing locations for renters. Please do get in touch for any viewings or to register your interest.    Emerald Apartments Ewart Grove N22 - £1450 PCM One bedroom ground floor apartment with a large open plan living space, set within a modern constructed and stylish private gated development. The property comprises luxury bathroom, fully fitted modern integrated kitchen with dishwasher, dual ovens and double bedroom. Further benefits include hard wood flooring, video intercom, alarm system and external bike storage. Emerald Apartments is a development offered by the award winning Paul Simon Group. This contemporary luxury apartment offers style and luxury throughout. Located with easy access to Wood Green tube station (Piccadilly Line, Zone 3) & High Street with its numerous and varied amenities. Further access to Alexander Palace BR and Bowes Park transport links. The North Circular Road (A406) is situated is situated due north. Furnished. Available 18th April 2022.  Camden Mews NW1 - £3974 PCM Camden Mews - Stunning mews house created and designed by RIBA award winning architect. Refurbished to the highest of standards with fully integrated high specification kitchen with open plan living space and dining area. Three modern chic bathrooms, three good size bedrooms, walk in wardrobe, bicycle storage, various terraces, and private patio space. Great use of light within this cool & intelligent design with exposed brickwork and high ceilings, a truly unique urban space. The property is situated close to Caledonian Road Underground and Camden BR with excellent access to the city and Central London. A short distance to the vibrant and busy Camden market area with a vast array of shops, restaurants, and popular bars. Available 22nd April 2022.  

Rightmove - Inside the most viewed homes of 2020! It is that time of year for us to look back at the most viewed properties of 2020 and reveal the five homes the nation has been drooling over. We have seen many new trends unfold this year, but one thing that is remained constant is your curiosity to view the most amazing homes currently up for sale. And there is no mistaking that these five properties are the crème de la crème this year. So, without further ado, sit back and relax as we reveal the homes that have captured your imaginations over the past 12 months… The Surrey manor Set in an enormous 30 acres of beautiful parkland, this sprawling 10-bedroom mega-mansion has its own private, indoor two-lane bowling alley, complete with disco lighting. On the market for a cool £30million, the masterful property is approached via a sweeping drive to reveal a colonnade entrance and an iconic Georgian style façade. The £40million mansion This supremely extravagant home has a glass lift to each of its three opulently decked out floors and is up for sale for a whopping £40million. The 10-bedroom property boasts panoramic views over Hampstead Heath and beyond, with its two acres of land incorporating a tennis court and a phenomenal indoor swimming pool. The James Bond-style residence This beautiful five-bedroom home, found deep in the Essex countryside, is set in a whopping 52 acres of land and has its own Olympic-sized equestrian centre. The enormous mansion also boasts an impressive underground car port – big enough to accommodate a fleet of ten supercars – and is like something out of a Bond film. The elegantly luxurious five-bedroom property is also home to an incredibly swanky indoor swimming pool, complete with a waterfall and jacuzzi, as well as a sauna, steam room, cinema room, and a home gym.

Housing market on course for busiest year since global financial crisis The stamp duty holiday and the pandemic-led 'search for space' are set to lead to the highest level of homes changing hands for 14 years. The housing market is on course for its busiest year since the global financial crisis as the scramble for properties continues. More than 1.5 million homes are expected to change hands this year, a staggering 45% more than in 2020, according to our latest House Price Index. With the number of housing sales each year rarely exceeding 1.2 million over the last decade, this would mark the highest level of housing market activity since 2007. As well as breaking a recent record, 2021 looks set to be one of the top 10 busiest years since 1959. Meanwhile, the total value of homes sold in 2021 is expected to reach £461bn – up 46% or £145bn compared with 2020, and 68% compared with 2019. While this is largely being driven by the sheer volume of homes changing hands, it is also due to more expensive properties selling amid the pandemic-led 'search for space. What’s happening to house prices? House price growth has almost doubled during the past year to stand at 4.1% in April, up from 2.3% in the same month of 2020, as demand from potential buyers continues to outstrip the supply of homes on the market. House price growth is strongest in areas where affordability is greatest. Wales leads the way at a regional level, with house prices up 6.3% year-on-year, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber at 5.4% and the north west at 5.3% respectively. At a major city level, Liverpool and Manchester have seen the highest levels of house price growth for the fifth month in a row at 6.9% and 6.8% respectively – twice the level recorded in the more normal markets seen between 2017 and 2019.However, price growth is slower in southern regions where affordability is more stretched. London recorded the slowest regional rate of house price growth for the sixth month running at 1.9%, well below 3.5% seen in the south west and east of England. House prices in the heart of London are almost unchanged year-on-year. And a number of boroughs have actually seen price falls, reflecting the softening of buyer appetite in the capital during the peak of the pandemic. Property values are 2.5% lower than a year ago in the City of London, while in the City of Westminster they are down 2.2%, and in Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham they have dropped by 1.7% and 1.4% respectively. New from Zoopla 

Published: 16/04/2021 Newquay has the most in-demand property market in the UK right now, according to data from a property website. The Cornish town has been named the hottest sellers' market, with 82% of all properties put up for sale this year already sold, according to figures from Rightmove. It is followed by Newton-Le-Willows in Merseyside, where 81.8% of properties have sold, and Plymstock in Devon where 81.2% have sold. Newquay agent Bradley Start, partner at Start & Co Estate, said the area is seeing the worst property shortage for 30 years as out-of-town buyers fuel a demand for housing. He said: "The stock shortage is the worst I've seen in thirty years and there's just seemingly endless demand. "It's a mix of locals moving, people buying holiday homes and those relocating completely, which is leading to more out-of-town buyers than we would normally see." Asking prices in the top 10 seller areas have continued to rise since the market reopened in May 2020 following the first lockdown, with seven of these hitting a new record this year.  The demand is being helped by people looking to leave cities and relocate as working from home becomes the norm. As a result, the property market is much slower in city centres which have been hit hard by the pandemic - with many seeing just one in five properties on the market sold since the start of the year. Birmingham city centre has been named as the top buyers' market, where just 18.4% of properties have been sold. It's followed by Liverpool city centre where 22% have sold. Other areas in the top 10 buyers' market include affluent areas like Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire - where average asking prices are over £1m - and Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey with average asking prices over £500,000. The list is based on just under 300,000 properties that have come up for sale since the start of 2021. Rightmove said the easing of coronavirus restrictions has increased activity in an already busy housing market. Across the country almost two out of every three properties are currently sold subject to contract, and available property is down 26% on this time last year, the property website added. The number of new properties coming up for sale rose by 51% in March, but demand continues to outstrip supply. So far this year Rightmove has recorded 20 of its busiest days, with a new record set on 7 April when more than 9.3 million visits were made to the website.  Rightmove's director of property data, Tim Bannister, said: "Areas around the north and South West are the stand-out sellers' markets right now, and places in Cornwall and Devon are continuing the trend of a desire to move to the seaside and countryside. "Suburbs are also faring well as some people move further out from the centre of cities. Both sale and rental properties in city centres have been suffering over the past year as the usual appeal to live there has temporarily been taken away, leading to more stock than usual being available, but we may see these start to shift more quickly over the next few months as lockdown restrictions continue to be removed." Top 10 sellers' market areas by % of properties sold Newquay, Cornwall - 82.0% Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside - 81.8% Plymstock, Devon - 81.2% Hailsham, East Sussex - 81.1% Canvey Island, Essex - 80.5% Atherton, Manchester - 80.3% Quedgeley, Gloucestershire - 80.1% Willingdon, East Sussex - 79.2% Whitchurch, Bristol - 78.2% Melksham, Wiltshire - 77.9% Top 10 buyers' market areas by % of properties sold Birmingham city centre - 18.4% Liverpool city centre - 22.0% Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire - 29.0% Manchester city centre - 31.0% Sunbury-On-Thames, Surrey - 31.4% Langley, Berkshire - 31.5% Bushey, Hertfordshire - 31.8% Norwich city centre - 32.5% Witney, Oxfordshire - 33.2% Southampton city centre - 33.3%. Article via Sky News

Published: 04/03/2021 Stamp duty holiday deadline extended in Spring Budget The government has today announced that the temporary stamp duty holiday in England and Northern Ireland has been extended until the end of June. The news will hopefully come as a relief to those buyers and sellers who have been desperately trying to get their sale completed in time to meet the previous deadline of 31st March. What is the temporary stamp duty holiday?   The temporary stamp duty holiday, first announced by the government on 8th July last year, means that if you are buying a home up to the value of £500,000 you will not pay any stamp duty. The extension means you now have until 30th June to complete on the purchase to make the stamp duty saving. Then, to smooth the transition back to normal, the nil rate band will be £250,000, double its standard level, until the end of September. It will return to the usual threshold of £125,000 on 1st October. There hasn’t been any further update from Scotland on any extension to the Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) holiday, which is currently due to end on 31st March 2021. In Wales, temporary Land Transaction Tax reductions are also set to end on 31st March, but we’ll let you know if this changes.

As England and Scotland enter new lockdowns, the latest official guidance says that you are still able to move home throughout the period, as long as you follow strict safety guidelines. In this article we answer some of most common questions we’ve been asked by home-movers in England, Scotland and Wales about what the restrictions mean if you’re starting out on your search or are already in the process of moving. I live in England, can I move home? Yes, the government’s official guidance says you can still move home and estate agents have been told they can continue to work. In the latest guidance it says that carrying out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property are reasonable excuses to leave home. But the most important thing is that you follow the guidance to help everyone stay safe, and throughout last year agents changed how they operate to keep to these safety guidelines. If you are already in the process of moving, people outside your household or support bubble should not help you move home unless it’s absolutely necessary. Can I put my home on the market? Yes, you can put your home on the market and look for properties to buy or rent. However, if you or any member of your household is showing symptoms of coronavirus or is self-isolating, then estate agents and potential buyers should not visit your property in person. Estate agents can still visit to take photos of your property, but of course, they need to follow the appropriate safety guidance. As usual, you should also start to gather together the necessary documents to sell your home. To help prevent the spread of infection, the government recommends that you carry out initial property searches online, and only visit a property in person when you are seriously considering making an offer on it. If you’re planning to buy a new-build property, you should contact the developer. You should be able to make an appointment to view the show home or visit the particular plot you are interested in purchasing. Can I go on a property viewing? Yes, if you’re looking to move home, you can continue going to viewings during lockdown. But you should if possible ask for a virtual viewing first. It’ll reduce the number of viewings you have to go on, which will help minimise the spread of germs. It could also save you time, because you’ll have a better idea of whether a house is worth seeing or not. When viewing a property in person, make sure you wear a face mask, avoid touching surfaces, and wash your hands or use sanitiser before and after. There shouldn’t be more than two households within the property at any one time, and viewings should only be arranged by appointment, so ‘open houses’ aren’t happening at the moment. If you’re selling your home and are having interested buyers come around to have a look, open all the inside doors beforehand so they don’t have to touch the door handles. It’s recommended that you’re not in the property during the viewing, and that you disinfect all surfaces after. I’m a renter, can I still move home? Yes, renters can still look for properties and move homes. Cleaners are also still allowed to carry out work in your home, so if you need to bring in a professional cleaner before the end of your tenancy, you’re allowed to do so. Renters should follow the same safety guidance that applies to buyers during this period, such as doing online viewings first.