Newsletter 1
Introduction
Welcome to the 1st edition of the Independent James Quarterly Newsletter!
Well, what a year it has been after the launch of IJ in January and thank you to everyone for your support in the 1st year of trading. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the Festive Season and here’s to a happy and prosperous 2008!
The aim of the IJ newsletter is to keep you informed of developments in the housing market and related areas. Below you will find extracts and links to Case Studies from the last 3 months, a Housing Market Update and Industry Hot Topics, with this issue featuring a comprehensive section on the controversial Home Information Packs (HIPS).
As always, if you have any feedback or questions, please do Contact Us
Main Story – The Housing Market in 2008
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” (Albert Einstein)
Oh to have a crystal ball! The recent Mortgage Business Expo @ London’s Earls Court gave us the opportunity to hear the opinion of 2 leading Economists for The Housing Market & Economy in 2008. Their views certainly provide us all with food for thought and in this article we will also look at what this means for you. Read More
Case Study # 1 – Buy to Let PLUS Free taxation guide
With the rapid increase in property prices in recent years, many Landlords are finding it challenging to obtain high Loan to Value Buy to Let Mortgages due to the Rental Income calculations used by lenders.
Whilst we are seeing a slowdown in the number of new enquiries from first time buyers, if people are not buying, then they are renting and subsequently we have seen an increase in Buy to Let activity.
This case study aims to show you scenarios which can assist you obtaining a property to let and alternatives when conventional lending methods may not be suitable. Read More
Case Study # 2 – Welfare Reform Act 2007 - Income Protection brought into focus
This Case Study explains the options in the Income Protection (IP) arena in the wake of the Welfare Reform Act 2007, including why you don’t have to be working to protect your Income, offsetting the costs for directors of limited companies and the tax free status of IP payments.
Behind all future financial planning – whether you realise it or not! - exists the assumption that moving forward you will receive your annual salary, whilst also assuming that it will increase each year. However, only 12% of the working population has IP cover! Read More
HIP HIP Hooray!
Full marks to the Government for trying to reduce the inefficiencies involved with the home-buying process. However, a report of ‘must do better’ is certainly the opinion of the industry at present.
Click here for a comprehensive outline of Home Information Packs, including what is a HIP, why they have been launched, whether you need a Pack and how to obtain one. If you’re looking to sell soon, read on to find out more… Read More
Women are more clued up than men…
According to research by Sesame, the UK’s largest provider of independent advice, Women are more clued up than men when it comes to taking out insurance to cover mortgage payments. Read more