Scottish property boom – the 3D effect
The reopening of the Scottish property market on 29 June has caused a post-lockdown housing boom, with homes in Glasgow and Edinburgh selling faster than anywhere else in the UK. According to Zoopla1, Glasgow properties sold within just 16 days between 13 May and 13 August this year, with Edinburgh hot on its heels at […]
Mortgage market recovery in Scotland
At the height of lockdown, dire predictions of economic disaster, huge job losses and a deep property market slump were relentless. It seemed there was no good news to be found. While uncertainty still prevails, sparks of hope are beginning to creep in. The July Residential Market Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors […]
Titanic disaster led to historic life insurance payouts
When the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912, life and accident insurance companies lost $3,464,111, according to a contemporary article published in The Shore Press. The accident led to some of the largest insurance payouts ever, with the beneficiaries of business magnate John B. Thayer receiving a total accident insurance payout of […]
Age 20 or 50+? – Maintain your retirement focus
Research1 has revealed that almost a fifth of people aged 50 or over believe their retirement will be affected by the pandemic. Of these, a quarter say they have not been able to retire due to their finances, a fifth have had to use some of their retirement savings whilst out of work and a […]
‘Astonishing’ recovery for mortgage market
At the height of lockdown, dire predictions of economic disaster, huge job losses and a deep property market slump were relentless. It seemed there was no good news to be found. While uncertainty still prevails, sparks of hope are beginning to creep in, though infection rates started to rise in early September. New data from […]
Are you on your best investor behaviour?
In uncertain times, where we’ve witnessed periods of stock market volatility, it’s easy to let emotions influence investment decisions, but a good strategy for investors to adopt is not to react hastily. Human instinct is to be responsive, so traversing these behavioural biases can be challenging, but once mastered, resisting the urge to flight can […]
Where now for the global economy?
With the release of Q2 data over the summer, the full extent of the impact COVID-19 has had on the global economy became apparent, as a succession of countries reported record falls in output, with lockdowns causing inevitable and acute economic disruption. Although uncertainties surrounding the pandemic are still inflicting economic stress across the globe, […]
The post-lockdown trends ruling the property market
The property market is gradually recovering. After an interesting few months, clear trends are now emerging that look set to dominate the market for some time. Pent-up demand speeds up sales With the property market open once more and buyers galvanised into action by pent-up demand and incentives such as the temporary Stamp Duty holiday, […]
Pension withdrawals – Consider your options
The latest data1 on flexible payments from pensions shows that in Q1 2020, almost £2.5bn was withdrawn from pensions – a 19% increase on Q1 2019 withdrawals, and the highest recorded Q1 of any year since pensions freedoms began. Although the average amount withdrawn per person was £7,100 (down 3% from Q1 2019 £7,300), the […]
Happy street name – more valuable home?
Do you fall into the 92% of people who aren’t bothered about the street name when they are looking for a new home? If so, newly published research might make you change your mind. According to a new study1, this seemingly insignificant characteristic has the potential to seriously impact your property’s value. In fact, streets […]