What do you expect to see on Rightmove rental properties ?  Recently Rightmove asked its followers that question.

It’s good they are taking feedback from Facebook followers. The full questions was “If you were looking for a rental property on Rightmove, what information would you want/expect to be included from the agent advertising it?” It seems that floorplans and photos are providing the biggest feedback. So we hope these will be considered on the next site update.

Rightmove has over 300,000 properties to rent throughout the UK.

But the listings don’t always have a all the details needed for rightmove rental properties.

Here are the top 10 missing items on Rightmove rental properties

1. As many photos as possible including interior and exterior photos.
2. Room dimensions and a floor-plan.
3. Specific details on fees and special terms of contract
4. Whether pets are allowed or not in the property
5. Council tax band  on every property
6. Who will be responsible for maintenance of the property
7. Whether there are any restrictions on the property.
8. Information about accessibility.
9. Reference check fee and registration fee if applicable
10. Local broadband speed available – Could Rightmove link up with BT and Virgin to document the available broadband speeds?

Rightmove have the widest range of property types and styles, from studio apartments to detached family homes.

Whether you are a student, young professional or a family, Rightmove is the tool of choice.

Have you found rightmove rental properties have some details missing?

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1. Rising Rental
2. Zoopla Vs Rightmove App Round 2
3. Rightmove hit as Google enters UK housing market

Don’t you just love Phil and Kirsty, and there back again for another new series.
Catch the new series of Location, Location, Location on Wednesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.

Phil and Kirsty, like a favourite Aunty and Uncle they almost row in front of the nation on the great show
Property experts Phil Spencer and Kirsty Allsop were asked for advice on beating the house price slump. They are famous for their down to earth approach and no nonsense understanding of the UK house market. Below are there Top 10 Tips for beating the house Price Crash.

Phil and Kirsty Top Location Location location Tips

Phil and Kirsty from Relocation Relocation

1. Take Your Time

The advice we’d give in this market is largely the same as we’d give in any market. If you’re selling your house, don’t rush into buying. Take your time, even rent for a few months while you look to make sure. Any purchase in this OR ANY market should be for the long term, so it’s important to get it right.

2. Sit Tight

Here is some good advice in a recession from Kirsty Allsop.
Don’t engage with the market if you don’t have to. Unless you HAVE to move house, sit tight and wait it out.

3. Get A Good Deal

Phil from Relocation Relocation suggest you haggle hard when buying – bear in mind the house may soon be worth less than you paid for it – the market always has troughs and peaks.

4. Make Money from a Room

Rent out a room in your house. If you are struggling to make repayments on your mortgage, consider taking in a lodger to lighten the load.

5. Get a Kerb Appeal

The biggest challenge as a seller is getting people through the door – pay close attention to the exterior of your property.

6. Be Realistic

Phil and Kirsty often speak of  being realistic. It’s all relative  – remember, when house prices fall, you may take a hit on your own sale, but you can make this up when buying as the drop hits the whole market.

7. Sort Your Mortgage –its Costing You

For most people, their mortgage is their biggest debt – and in a credit crunch you want to limit your debt as much as possible. If you’re on an interest only mortgage, lessen your chances of negative equity by changing to a repayment. Before you do anything, though, seek professional advice from an independent financial advisor.

8. Take Advantage Of Rate Cuts

If you are already on a repayment, consider if you can take advantage of recent interest rate cuts to pay a little bit more of the capital each month. The more you pay, the faster you run from negative equity – and the quicker you’ll own your home outright.

9. Look After Your Property

Even if it’s not with a new bathroom or kitchen – keeping paintwork fresh, boilers regularly serviced and gardens well maintained can work wonders. And it’s cheaper to fix little problems rather than wait until they’re big ones.

10. Look For Innovative Ways To Get A Good Deal

Kirsty Allsop suggests house swaps are a good way to beat the stale market conditions. And for many types of people, like first time buyers, key workers or those in social housing, there are government and commercial schemes to help you get on the property ladder.

UPDATE: It seems Phil and Kirsty are really on form in the latest series on Channel 4

Related posts:

1. Revealed : The real Phil and Kirstie from location location.
2. How to negotiate like Phil and Kirstie
3. Location Location Location is back

The big news after the Bank Holiday weekend is based on the recent report from the National Housing Federation regarding Home Ownership going down, while the cost of renting and Buying continues to spiral out of control.

They predict the number of home owners will drop to just 64% as house prices soar, compared to 73% in 2001.

David Orr, Chief Executive, National Housing Federation told reporters, “Home ownership is increasingly becoming the preserve of the wealthy”.

Home Ownership down - Cost of Buying and rental going Up

Due mto rising costs of renting and buying added to the huge deposits and a tightening of lending criteria are causing the property market to head back to the eighties. In addition to the confidence being low, there is also a shortage of properties as lees than predicted number are being built.

Rental market

The report also predicts prices in the rental market will increase sharply as people struggle to own their own home.
The group, which represents housing associations in England, says a shortage of homes in the UK is also to blame.

House Prices set to rise

Across the UK,  home ownership is expected is presently 67% of the UK population are owner-occupiers.

Oxford Economics which produced the forecasts for NHF, predicts the average house price in England will rise by over a fifth in the next five years from £214,647 in 2011 to £260,304 in 2016.

Related posts:

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2. Buying a New Home? Beware!
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According to Nielsen who monitor web site traffic, Zoopla has established itself in the UK on-line Housing market as the number 2 portal.

The study was based on unique visitors to the UK’s property portals.

Zoopla Climbs the Housing Portal Ladder

In less the 3 years Zoopla has moved from zero to hero. The resent surge in TV advertising has now helped cement it as the alternative choice to Rightmove. Zoopla went live in 2008. Founded by Alex Chesterman who has already been responsible for several successful on-line businesses including Lovefilm, Zoopla.co.uk attracted 1.81m unique users in March, behind Rightmove (3.46m) but ahead of both Findaproperty (1.57m) and Primelocation (1.03m). Zoopla.co.uk has now been ranked as the UK’s second most-visited property portal website.

Zoopla claim the rise towards the top is based on their mission  to provide the most useful online property experience. The aim is to display property listings along with value and price trend information. Provide rich property data and local market information in one place. Enable users to search for property in a variety of customised ways. Allow users to engage with professionals via our tools like AskMe, and build relationships between home owners and local estate agents.

Whatever you say, it seems to be working for Zoopla.

Unique visitors to the UK’s leading property portals

Source: Nielsen (MediaTel/UKOM)

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2. Zoopla Vs Rightmove Apps
3. Zoopla Vs Rightmove App Round 5

If you do your sums, you will find that renting is costing the average person £100 more a month than they would be for a buying and paying a mortgage.

Halifax released a report this week claiming homeowners spend an average of £600 on mortgage payments compared to £700 in rent for the same size property, making buying 14% cheaper. The fall in the cost of buying compared to the average rent has been significant.

The reversal follows a massive fall in the average mortgage rate for new borrowers – from 5.82% in March 2008 to 3.59% last month, cutting monthly payments by around 39%.

Buying 14% cheaper than Renting

Two issues that make it a little challenging for first time buyers are the need for a substantial deposit and the ability to get a mortgage approved. These two factors alone have taken away the choice, and dictated the renting option only.

The Halifax claim marks a considerable turnaround from 2008, when buying cost 43 per cent more than renting. A low Bank of England base rate of interest, combined with falling house prices, has driven the cost of mortgages down, making buying a more affordable option.

The average mortgage rate for a new borrower has fallen from 5.82 per cent in March 2008 to 3.59 per cent last month, cutting monthly payments by around 39 per cent.

Related posts:

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2. Home Ownership down – Cost of Buying Up
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Zoopla.co.uk are showing they really mean action in the app world today by adding a property app for Android users

After successfully launching a powerful app on the iPhone in July 2010. This had 50,000 downloads in its first two weeks and has proven to be a very useful tool.
(Read Zoopla iphone battle with Right move)

So we asked Zoopla what set this new Android app apart from the others. Below are the main points of difference from existing property apps:

• 16 million sold prices
• first to launch with AR
• more than just property for sale or to rent – research and search
• lists every UK home (as well as hundreds of thousands of property for sale or to rent) – free instant values on all
• Map-led search as well as list view and Augmented Reality
• local market data including average home values by area

Android App from Zoopla

The Zoopla Android app, much like its iPhone counterpart, is packed full of features that make it the UK’s most comprehensive property market app. With hundreds of thousands of property listings, over 16 million sold prices dating back to 1995 and free instant value estimates for every UK home all in the palm of your hand, the new Android app is set to become a must-have resource for anyone interested in the property market.

And, having been the first property website in the UK to make use of Augmented Reality technology in its iPhone app, Zoopla has replicated this popular functionality in its new Android app, which lets the user point their phone at any property using camera view to display any relevant information such as whether the property is for sale, how much it last sold for or what it is valued at today.

You can download it now from the Android Market on your mobile or visit zoopla.co.uk/android

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2. Zoopla Vs Rightmove App Round 5
3. Zoopla Vs Rightmove App Round 3

SimplyBusiness.co.uk report on the Changing Face of Britain’s Landlords

New analysis from SimplyBusiness.co.uk indicates a significant change in both the age and gender of private landlords in the UK. It seems as though the face of the archetypal British landlord is changing; and there is a younger breed of landlord entering the private rental market.

SimplyBusiness.co.uk have been offering landlord insurance since 2005; and their analysis is based on the 19,851 Landlord Insurance policies sold by SimplyBusiness.co.uk in 2010 versus the 6,234 policies sold in 2006.

When reviewing comparative data of landlord insurance policies sold by SimplyBusiness.co.uk in 2006 versus 2010, a marked increase in landlords aged 18-34 can be seen.

Lasndlords Age 18 to 34

Female Landlords

Perhaps surprisingly, the types of property being insured have not changed significantly since 2006, and terraced housing still accounts for the largest proportion of private rented accommodation.

So it seems that people still think that there’s money to be made in property.

Julian Watson, landlord insurance product manager for SimplyBusiness.co.uk said:

“There is a great opportunity within the rental market at the moment, as the ongoing financial instability sees first time buyers struggling to get a foot on the property ladder and remaining in rental properties for much longer than planned. However, landlords also need to be aware of the impending housing benefit cuts which may present a challenge, as well as an opportunity to the savvy property investor.”

Types of property

If you are thinking about investing in a buy to let, SimplyBusiness.co.ukwould suggest thinking about the following:

1. Budget – Figure out what you can afford before you start viewing property. Before you make an offer make sure the figures stack up and that you can make money out of renting out your chosen property. Remember to consider all purchase costs including stamp duty, legal fees etc and any costs for renovation and decoration.

2. Save and/or Have a Contingency Fund -Remember you might need to fund the mortgage payments yourself if your property is unoccupied; and you’ll also need to cover maintenance costs etc.

3. Regulation – Keep up to date with the latest regulations and make sure you understand how future regulation may affect you as a landlord.

4. Finance – Make sure you’ve got the right mortgage for you and you can afford the repayments – you may have cover them yourself if your property is unoccupied for any reason.

5. Tenants – Think about what sort of tenants you’d like to attract and make sure your property, the internal decor etc will work for them. Always be sure to seek references.

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2. 5 Easy Ways to Become a Successful Landlord in a Recession
3. Property Listing Sites

Monopoly Helps Property Developers - Literally

Start slow and then build up:

Constantly look for great deals:

Related posts:

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Monopoly will help you in the real world of property development – that’s a growing view that is taking on a lot more meaning during this current recession amongst many developers!
Surely not. Monopoly is a game of luck rather than skill, and I would never win second prize in a beauty contest unless only two entered!

But when you start to consider Monopoly as a business model and have in mind it was invented during The Great Depression of 1934, you wonder whether it is worth taking seriously. Some insist that using strategy and skill, Monopoly can be won, and certainly you can increase your odds of success by following some fundamental truths found in the real world of estate agents and property development.

So we took a look in detail and drew some interesting parallels.

Listen to your statistics:

Monopoly is a game of numbers and statistics and these stats are well documented.
For example, which three spaces are landed on most frequently?
1st Trafalgar Square
2nd Fenchurch Street Station
3rd The Go square

How many dice rolls will it take to break even on your investment when three houses are placed on the suggested Bow Street, Marlborough Street and Vine Street set? 9.5.
How about Mayfair with no houses? 120.52.
On average, how many rolls does it take to navigate around the board once? 5.
What percentage of rolls results in doubles? 17%.
To win at Monopoly regularly, one must know the maths.

Property Developers Lesson:
The same is true in property investing. When evaluating a property, know the numbers and statistics.
When we evaluate a potential purchase, we find comparable rents and sales. We also know how certain property features will impact rents and our ability to rent the property quickly. For example, we’ve learned that a fenced yard and basement are very important to many renters. And we have a good idea of the difference in rent between a three bedroom and four bedroom single family home. We consider expenses, such as property tax, insurance, and estimated maintenance and vacancy costs. We check current interest rates and calculate financing costs. From these numbers, we can estimate cash flow. Knowing these numbers cold is critical to getting the most out of your investment.

Below are percentages for landing on any of the squares of the monopoly game.
The figures also have to take into account the probabilities for visiting jail and being in jail. (Hopefully this part won’t reflect the reall world application for you!) Each square shows the percent chance that a player will land on it after a single roll of the dice. The statistics are based on how it works out in the long run, so dont get to concerned on a one off throw.

These numbers indicate the percent chance that you will “end up” on each square after a roll, not just land on it. This is the reason the Chance and Community Chest probabilities are low. These figures take into account being sent to another square because of a Chance card.

Long Term Probabilities for Ending Up on Each of the Squares in Monopoly

Location, Location its all about location:

If you could start a game by buying a set of properties of your choice on the board, which set would you pick?
Many would pick the Mayfair and Park Lane set, because you can charge the highest rent when some one lands on your property. Others would pick the Regent Street, Oxford Street and Bond Street set because rents are still high and you own three properties, thus increasing the chance of collecting rent.
Both options would be a strategic mistake though as the best group to own is the Bow Street, Marlborough Street and Vine Street set. Why? Because rolling a 6 or 8 from jail lands a player on these properties, in other words its a fact, they receive the most traffic on the board. Although the rents aren’t as high as other properties, neither is the cost to buy or improve them. This is where it’s about the long term ROI (return on investment).

Property Developers Lesson:
Location is critical to the real world of investing in property. Even within the same neighborhood, similar houses can vary significantly in value and rental income potential. studying the area where you invest and keeping updated on new developments is critical to successful investing. The best rental investments are not in the least expensive areas like Old Kent Road and Whitechapel Road or the most expensive areas like Mayfair and Park Lane. The real world shows that the best rental values are in nice, safe middle class neighborhoods and in decent school districts.

Collect more than £200 as Monopoly Helps Property Developers

Don’t over improve your property:

Once you have a set, and are able to build houses you will need cash to make improvements. So what is the best way to add investment and improve your property? You shouldn’t add four houses and then a hotel just because you can afford it? Over improving a property in monopoly can deplete your cash and make it almost impossible to ever break even on your investment. And how much you improve a property will vary from set to the next. The best choice depends on the cost of improvements and the potential return. For the Bow Street, Marlborough Street and Vine Street group, it’s best to add 3 houses on the properties. The cost-benefit analysis doesn’t justify a fourth house or eventual hotel.

Property Developers Lesson:
The same is true in the real world. When you buy homes that need work and improvement, you don’t want to over improve the property for the area. Just look for improvements that increase the home’s value or rents or that help rent the property more quickly. If an improvement does neither then it may be best to hold the investment.

More ways Monopoly Helps Property Developers tomorrow

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2. Property Listing Sites
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Today we look at the Global Property Guide website.
A web site for individuals who want to invest in property abroad, but need an independent guide before making a commitment.

We took time out to review this unique site. The site is set up for investors who may already know what countries they are interested in and what type of house they want to buy. The site guide provides finer details on the unknown, such as the rent you might earn in another country and what you’ll be taxed or what the landlord and tenant law is in the country.

Site Usability
The site is a “magazine style layout” and was particularly easy to use as a world map on the top left hand corner provided the top navigation into the various “Continent sections”. This made navigation considerably fast and intuitive.
Potentially the site could be confusing because it is huge and could of hit a disaster with so many documents in so many countries, yet the map navigation works so well, within two clicks I was in the correct section of the country of interest.

The Global Property Guide Site Reviewed

Site Features
Each section provided regional statistics, an overview, price history, rental yields, taxes and costs, tax on rent examples, buying guide, landlord and tenant guide, country statistics and a lot more detail. There is a regular monthly newsletter to subscribe to and of most value was the Country Investment Ratings section (Peru, Lima is the best place for long term return on investment at the moment). Registration took no time at all and enabled the Newsletter subscription process at the same time.

Matthew Montagu-Pollock, the Global Property Guide publisher told us, “Our site is quite different from most property portals. First, we genuinely provide objective analysis, completely uninfluenced by advertising. Second, we are investment-oriented, rather than second-home focused. We figure out which country and which city, at any time, offers the best rental returns and the best chance of capital gains, taking into account taxation, landlord and tenant law, and all other considerations. What’s more we present this to the reader entirely free, and with no need to sign up. It’s the most information-rich site in overseas property”.

Conclusion
If you really want an information rich guide for investing abroad, but want it without the cost, then this is a super site, full of reports and statistics, constantly updated, and one to bookmark.

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com

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