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Newsletter 3
Welcome to the Summer 2008 edition of the Independent James Quarterly Newsletter!
This quarter, I will again be taking a look at the housing market climate (health warning included!), together with practical steps for managing your finances during the forthcoming economic downturn and also tips on how to protect your identity from HM Revenue & Customs.
As well as our regular features, we are asking you to give your feedback via our new Questionnaires, enabling you to help us better tailor our services to your needs.
All questionnaires received before 1st August will be entered in to a prize draw for dinner for two at a chic urban restaurant.
If you do have any family, friends or colleagues whom you feel would benefit from our services, or, if you have any feedback or questions, please do Contact Us.
Main Story – Housing Market Update
“Come gather round people wherever you roam…..For the times, they are a changing.” (Bob Dylan)
Unless you’ve been on a deserted island since the last IJ quarterly newsletter, you will all be aware of the changing climate and impending downturn in the economy, much of it led by the deteriorating housing and credit markets.
In this section, we hear the views of the chief economists from Bristol & West and HBOS, and look at the UK mortgage market with IJ’s principal, James Carter. Read More.....
Case Study #1 –IJ Top Tips – Practical Steps to take during a Downturn
Here, we give you some practical suggestions of what you can do moving forward in the worst-case scenario of a housing market and economic downturn. Can you afford your mortgage at the standard variable rate? Do you know how much your property is worth and the effect this will have on you when coming to remortgage?
In this Case Study, we provide our Top Tips, including practical steps you can take to shield yourselves as much as possible and ride out the storm. Read More.....
Case Study # 2 – How to Protect Your Identity
HM Revenue & Customs should know a thing or two about protecting personal data and despite having recently mislaid a couple of CDs (I’m sure they’ll turn up in that old Fleetwood Mac sleeve one day!) they provide excellent guidance on phishing scams.
This case study looks at the recent rise in identity theft and fraud and what you can do to protect yourselves. Read More.....
HOT TOPICS - Rental Income on the up as property values fall
We take a look at the latest monthly bulletin from specialist buy-to-let lender Paragon Mortgages. As property values have fallen for investors, conversely, rents have risen as more people look to rent instead of buy.
Taking into account both the rental income and capital gain of a property purchase 12 months ago, the average return has been 16%. There is still money to be made from property for the astute investor. Read More .....
WIN Dinner for 2 at Grille or Room Restaurants*
As part of our ongoing commitment to the Financial Services Authority’s “Treating Customers Fairly” initiative, our customer survey can be completed by new, old and potential customers alike. You are our greatest asset and we would love to hear how we’re doing.
All completed Questionnaires returned by 1st August, will be entered into a prize draw for dinner for two at your choice of either Grille or Room Restaurants.
As always, don’t hesitate to Contact Us with any questions regarding this newsletter or any other matter. Please also contact us to let us know about changes to your personal details.
The content of these articles does not contain sufficient information on which to base any personal financial decisions and must not be relied upon as such.