Property research desk

Market notes, data checks & field commentary

Some notes on housing-market research, methodology updates, and source notes, built to show how the signals are interpreted and where the numbers come from. Best case, you find it interesting, worst, you killed some time whilst the kettle boils.

Do all mortgage lenders use the same affordability assessment?

Questions

April 1, 2025

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Do all mortgage lenders use the same affordability assessment?

Do mortgage lenders all use the same mortgage affordability assessment? This is a question from someone who was recently refused a mortgage by a lender.

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Guides

March 25, 2025

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Understanding the Retirement Annuity

Someone asked me today to explain an annuity. It was a fair question; He is approaching retirement, so will I soon. He asked because he looked and was immediately overwhelmed, and I am not surprised.

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When is the right time to switch to a new mortgage rate?

Questions

March 17, 2025

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When is the right time to switch to a new mortgage rate?

When is the right time to switch rates on a mortgage? That is the question that I have had by email. Unfortunately, there is no really simple answer, but you can decide what's best for you at any point in time

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What Are Bips? Understanding Basis Points in Simple Terms

General

March 14, 2025

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What Are Bips? Understanding Basis Points in Simple Terms

Everyone has heard of percentages, but what about bips or bps? What's the difference? Is there a difference and why confuse the world with so many different terms!

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LAFRA - Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act

News

March 8, 2025

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LAFRA - Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act

LAFRA is beginning to generate a lot of discussion in all parts of the industry, and support for it seems to be turning to opposition from what I am seeing. Some of the reasons are justified.

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