31/12/2009 by bill.

The Nationwide House Price Index Report published today shows that UK house prices increased again in December by 0.4% with the average price now 5.9% up on one year ago.

The quarterly report shows that prices increased in the fourth quarter of the year throughout the UK except in Northern Ireland.

Prices continue to rise faster in the South - especially in London which experienced a quarterly increase of 3.4% - than in the North.

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30/12/2009 by bill.

The Land Registry data for November shows that the monthly change in England and Wales stands at + 0.9 per cent, which brings the average house price in England and Wales to £161,554.

The data shows an annual house price change of -0.3 per cent. This is the seventh month in a row in which the annual rate of decline has decreased.

The data shows that more transactions are being completed, transactions averaged 55,520 sales per month in the months June to September 2009. In the same period the year before, the average was 50,187 sales per month.

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22/12/2009 by bill.

In the light of the recent Supreme Court Ruling, the Office of Fair Trading has announced that it has dropped its investigation into unfair bank charges including overdraft fees. This is a further blow to the millions of bank customers who have lodged claims.

The Financial Ombudsman says that having considered the Supreme Court’s decision – and its implications – very carefully, its view is that the legal ruling means it will not generally be able to help with cases that involve “template” or “standard letter” complaints about unauthorised overdraft charges.

But in keeping with its usual approach to complaints that are referred to the Ombudsman, it will review each case individually – to see whether there are any one-off circumstances that may apply. For example, it would expect current-account providers to deal positively and sympathetically with a consumer in financial hardship – including where bank charges had added to their difficulties.

So, any bank customer suffering hardship as a result of overdraft charges should contact their bank for help as soon as possible and lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman if they are not satisfied with the reply.

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14/12/2009 by bill.

There is still time to but ethical gifts on line and get delivery for Christmas.

Ethical Superstore has a great range of gifts for her, for him and for kids. Today is the last day to order to qualify for super saver delivery but you can order up to 22nd December if you opt for express delivery.

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12/12/2009 by bill.

Its not too late to buy Christmas gifts online. But always check whether the items you are purchasing are in stock and delivery times, as Christmas gets nearer you may need to pay extra for express delivery.

Amazon UK is offering free delivery with no minimum purchase and has daily gift ideas up to Sunday 13th December.

Amazon UK Deals of the day

Netbooks and Digital Photo Frames are popular gifts this year and PC World UK has a great range of Netbooks at just £249 and a selection of Photo Frames at up to half price.

For jewellery look at Goldsmiths or Purely Diamonds both have some great deals on Christmas gifts.

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09/12/2009 by bill.

The Stupid Show is part of the Copenhagen 24:7 stream and plays each night from 9th December at 8pm cet for 20 minutes.




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09/12/2009 by bill.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the level of VAT to 15% will revert to 17.5% from 1st January meaning that prices of taxable goods and services going up by about 2% on average.

However some retailers may be expected to absorb the increase during the January sales.

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09/12/2009 by bill.

American Express has launched a brand new range of travel insurance products, offering real value for money, as well as enhanced benefits.

Competitive premiums, based on age and travel destination, can be further reduced by having a European Health Insurance Card, excluding baggage, or applying online.

New prices start as low as £10.45 for Single Trip and £25.65 for Annual Essential Cover. Policies can also be personalised with the additions of Winter Sports, Special Sports and Activities, Excess Waiver, Golf Cover and Stranded Traveller Assistance.

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09/12/2009 by bill.

The government temporarily raised the threshold for stamp duty on property sales to £175,000 but the Chancellor today confirmed that this will on 31st December when the threshold is expected to revert to £125,000. So anyone in the process of buying a home costing up to £175,000 needs to ensure that the sale is completed before 31st December to avoid paying 1% of the total sales value in stamp duty.

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08/12/2009 by bill.

According to the laytest House Price report from the Halifax, UK house prices increased by 1.4% in November. This was the fifth successive monthly rise with prices more than 4% higher over the first eleven months of the year.
House prices in November were 1.6% lower on an annual basis. The annual rate of change (measured by the average for the latest three months against the same period a year earlier) has improved significantly from a low of -17.7% in April.
The recovery in house prices since the spring has been driven by increased demand for property, largely due to the improvement in affordability for existing homeowners and first-time buyers who can raise the necessary deposit.
Somewhat higher demand has combined with a low level of properties available for sale to push up prices. Further ahead, the prospects for the market will depend on how the UK economy evolves and whether there is a significant increase in the supply of properties for sale. Overall, the Halifax view is that house prices will be flat during 2010.

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