The AnswerBank Articles

Almost Half Of The UK Interested In Foreign Property

Many of us have dreamt about owning a holiday home. Perhaps we found a beautiful location whilst away and would love to visit more often. Or maybe it is an investment for retirement to a warmer climate. Or simply an escape from the dreary British weather.Nearly half of the British public are interested in buying or l...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Most Landlords 'Keep The Tenants' Deposits'

Whilst many of us own our own homes there is still a large proportion of the population who do not and are in rented accommodation. This has its benefits as well as it detriments. Tenants and landlords both have legal rights in agreements set up and should make sure they know what they are as it seems some property-own...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

DIY Benefits 'Not In Kitchens And Bathrooms'

People looking to add to the value of their home may be interested to hear that a bathroom or kitchen renovation is not necessarily the best way to go about it, a finance company has claimed. In fact the top three modifications homeowners opt for - combined - would not increase the value of a home by as much as an esta...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Youth 'Choosing Housing Over University'

Young people are choosing to save up to buy a house rather than go to university, it has been reported. The fear of massive debt after graduation, combined with ever-rising house prices, is proving a powerful deterrent to higher education. One third of 18-24 year olds are calling for a cut in college tuition fees so th...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

ABI Calls For More "Resilient" Homes

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has called on the government to ensure that new homes are less likely to be affected by inclement weather conditions. Following recent flooding, which saw many people in affected areas making claims on their home insurance policies, the ABI's director general said that althoug...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Equity Release 'No Longer A Last Resort'

Consumers' perceptions of equity release schemes have changed, according to one expert, who suggested that people no longer see it as a "last resort". A spokesman for the charity which commissioned the research said that many people are now choosing this kind of option to free up money in later life. "...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Redecorating 'Higher Priority Than Legal Changes'

When viewing prospective new homes, many of us are shocked at the apparent taste of the current owners, but we are always able to look past the awful wallpaper to the true value of the house. However, it seems that we cannot live with the old decor for long and redecorating is one of the first things we do on moving in...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Home Contents Cover Should Be Monitored "Throughout Year"

Home insurance is not the most exciting topic of conversation; we would rather be talking about sport or the kids. However, it seems that more of us should be paying more attention to this subject. People should make a continuous effort to keep an eye on the worth of their home contents, according to a home insurance b...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Bedroom 'Most Important In House For One-In-Four'

An Englishman’s home is his castle they say. Well it seems that in that castle many of us think one of the rooms we spend the least amount of time in is the most important. A quarter of people in Britain consider the bedroom to be the most important room in their house, according to new research. Findings from ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Kitchen Found To Be Place To Keep Valuables

Your car keys, wallet, and handbag – these are some of the most valuable items in your home but isn’t it always the way that they are often treated as less than that. Slung into corners and abandoned these items should really be treated with more respect. Apparently many of us even keep such things in the k...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

First-Time Buyers 'Prepared To Pick Up Haunted House'

Most people looking to take a step onto the housing ladder would even buy a house said to be haunted, it has been claimed. Research from a leading high street bank has found that more than half of first-time buyers would pick up a property despite it already having residents of a paranormal kind. It added that two-fif...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

More assistance for first-time buyers

With the property market slumping many first time buyers are wary about stepping on to the property ladder, and those looking to make their first big move may have to rely on family members for extra cash to secure a house. "People are likely to increasingly rely on help from their families when looking to g...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Toddlers Costing Homeowners Millions In Damages

We love them dearly, of course, but children can cause much heartache. Not least of which when they have inadvertently knocked over mum’s cup of tea or broken the TV remote. Apparently this is a much bigger problem in UK homes than first thought. Parents in the UK pick up a combined bill of £122 million ea...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Home Insurance Need 'Highlighted By Earthquake'

Home Insurance is something that most of us take for granted but is everything we own really covered It is worth checking your policy for unusual situations. People in the UK have been reminded of the need to take out home insurance after earthquakes shook parts of Britain recently. According to a leading high street...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Property 'Key Goal For Under 30s'

Owning your own home has been identified as a major priority for Britons under 30, according to a new study. Alliance & Leicester research has found that more than half of 18 to 29-year-olds believe buying a property is an achievable goal before they hit 30. Getting married was another big priority picked out by c...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

DIY Disasters - The Real Story

Instead of moving house, many people are now doing up their existing home in an attempt to beat the credit crunch. As an additional saving DIY has become more popular, yet there are problems with this DIY revival. DIY may not be the saving it seems as it is claimed more than half a million people in the UK have their h...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Homes 'May Be Damaged By Planting Trees'

Many of us find trees a lovely sight in this ‘green and pleasant’ land. And what better way to appreciate them then to have a few in the garden. Some people are planting trees to offset their carbon foot print and do their bit for the environment. Whatever the reason it is clear from new research that we ne...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

UK Households 'Full Of Unfinished Business'

Whether it is putting up that shelf, fixing that leaky tap or something more adventurous it seems that our houses are full of DIY jobs that are half finished. The research revealed that 1.7 million households have been living with an unfinished DIY or home renovation project for more than two years with bedrooms accoun...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Auctions 'Could Be A Good Option For House Buyers'

People considering taking out a mortgage to buy a house may want to consider attending property auctions, according to Savills. A spokesperson has said the majority of the buying public is probably unaware of many sales where new homes were going under the hammer. However, he stated it may well be something people shou...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Tenants 'Need To Be Realistic'

Tenants should be realistic if they intend to haggle with a landlord over the price of a rental property, it has been claimed. According to a finance specialist firm, the market is strong at the moment with plenty of demand for houses. This means there may not be much room for negotiation. However, it added if a prop...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010