The number of repossessions in the first quarter of 2012 was 9,600, the same as in the first quarter of 2011, breaking the recent trend of year-on-year increases in repossessions, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

Repossessions in the first quarter were higher than the 8,700 that took place in the fourth quarter of 2011, but this represents a normal seasonal pattern.

With the spring and summer months being a traditionally popular time for sellers to secure a buyer for their property, the NAEA would like to remind homeowners to think about seasonal factors when placing their house on the market.

Wendy Evans-Scott, President of the NAEA, said:

Criminal landlords trapping vulnerable people in 'suburban shanty-towns' will get the justice they deserve, Housing Minister Grant Shapps has pledged.

He allocated a £1.8 million fund to areas blighted by so-called 'beds in sheds', to tackle the problem head-on and end this growing practice by ruthless landlords.

Activity levels in the construction sector edged upwards in the first three months of the year according to the latest RICS Construction Market Survey.

This result from the latest survey contrasts with the sharp fall in output suggested by the official data.  

As the trend for staycations continues and is predicted to remain buoyant into 2013 and beyond; is now the moment to buy a holiday home?

As the economic recession inevitably continues, the market for holidays in the UK remains uniquely resilient.  Sarah Wood of luxury holiday property agency Mulberry Cottages believes it is but says that there are some basic rules to follow to make the very best of your investment.

House price optimism is at its highest for seven quarters, Rightmove’s latest quarterly Consumer Confidence Survey of over 40,000 home-movers finds.

More than a third of respondents (35%) expect house prices to be higher one year from now, the highest level since the third quarter of 2010.

Households are spending an average 38% of their take-home income on rent, with those in London spending 71%, according to new figures from FindaProperty.com.

Its latest Rental Index, shows the average asking price for renting in the UK is now £868 per month - 1% up on the same time last year, but below the record high of £890 in September 2011.

It is cheaper to rent than buy a prime property in the UK, according to research by PrimeLocation.com's new Prime Rental Index.

The average cost of renting a prime property in the UK is £1238, some £369 a month less than the mortgage for the average prime property.

Research carried out by retirement specialist LV= reveals 80% of advisers new to the equity release market believe equity release will be considered a mainstream financial product in the next few years.

The majority of advisers (86%) consider equity release to be a significant future growth area for their business, with over half (52%) of advisers already reporting a recent increase in client interest in equity release products.

As the British obsession with garden improvements continues – creating an outdoor ‘room’ as an extension to our home remains a priority.

It seems that home improvements like new kitchens and bathrooms are giving way to sprucing up that extra living, entertainment, relaxation and personal space known as the garden!