Your August 24 Spread the Word is here! Now that we have a new Prime Minister, find out how this impacts the housing market. Plus, there is information about getting a mortgage for blue-light workers, including nurses, paramedics, and people in the armed forces.
Julian KICKS OFF HIS one million steps challenge!
On July 1st, Julian began his One Million Step Challenge fundraising for Diabetes UK. He's set himself a mission to walk one million steps—that's over 10,000 steps per day, every day, before the end of September. He’s been pounding the streets of Banbury and trekking through the Oxfordshire countryside, joined by his faithful four-legged friend, Rolo, the dog!
Five million people in the UK live with diabetes, including Julian's youngest daughter, Betsy, who has had Type 1 Diabetes since 2015 and received amazing support from Diabetes UK.
Here is Julian's fundraising page. All donations are very gratefully received. Every penny counts 🫶 THANK YOU
⚽️ Thanks to everyone who entered our EURO2024 Sweepstake competition. We hope you enjoyed playing along. So many of us were bitterly disappointed when England lost in the final, all except Christine Roberts who had Spain in the sweepstake and won a £50 Amazon voucher 😆
mortgage NEWS & UPDATES
Since we opened our doors in 2019, we’ve been privileged to arrange over £425 million in mortgages for our clients. With all that experience, you’re in good hands with the Stratton Thorpe team. We’re here to help anyone needing a remortgage, looking at investing in property, considering taking their first steps on the housing ladder or with any other mortgage or protection query. Get in touch today and book a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
Labour election reaction: Build, build, build
The property industry is urging the Labour Party to deliver on its pledges on planning reform and more house building after its landslide election win.
The City's reaction to Keir Starmer’s victory was positive. On the FTSE 100 index, Persimmon, Vistry Group, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Developments are among the top risers, rising between 1.7% and 2.5%. The UK housebuilders’ index rose around 2%.
Analysts say they expect the new government to restore mandatory house building targets, streamline the planning system and increase the amount of social and affordable housing being built — as it bids to build 1.5 million houses over five years.
Barratt Developments chief executive David Thomas says: “The country urgently needs more new homes, of all types and tenures.
“We look forward to working with the new government to help them build 1.5 million homes across the next parliament, unlocking planning and helping first-time buyers access affordable finance, ultimately helping more families own a high quality, sustainable, new home.”
SOURCE: MORTGAGE STRATEGY
Mortgages for Blue Light Workers
Getting a mortgage as a frontline worker can be tricky. We see and hear it all the time. But it doesn’t need to be the case. Nurses, doctors, midwives, healthcare assistants, those in the armed forces and emergency services, paramedics, firefighters and police officers may get resistance from lenders due to overtime, timesheets, shift allowances and bank staff complexities. Many of our clients are in these frontline professions and blue light workers. We’re experts at unravelling the intricacies to help you secure a straightforward and stress-free mortgage. We offer flexible, out-of-hours appointments to suit your busy shift patterns.
Sellers cut prices to beat summer slump: Rightmove
Average asking prices dropped by 0.4% to £373,493 this month as home sellers seek to cut through the summer’s distractions and catch buyers’ attention, according to the latest index from Rightmove.
The property website says the fall is bigger than normal for this time of year as the General Election, Euros and Olympics mean that many buyers may be less focussed on the housing market.
It says that market activity remained steady throughout the General Election campaign.
Although some buyers may be holding off for the Bank of England to cut interest rates, most are forging ahead with moving plans.
The number of sales agreed is 15% above the same period a year ago, when mortgage rates were approaching their peak. The number of new sellers coming to market is 3% above last year
SOURCE MORTGAGE STRATEGY
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