shiningliao

I cannot believe only few people happy to tax more from the rich! What else can we do? Tax more for average Joe like you and me? I don't like Labour government get UK into this economy mess but I still welcome Labour raise tax on those rich people.

Agree. Euro, Gold, USD all gone up, it's too late now. Hedge into another currency will cost you at least 5%. (Simply change your STR to USD and get it back immediately) Plus the interest rate you can get in UK is around 3%. That means, hedge your STR only if you believe it will soon lost at least 8%. Therefore, I am betting on pound will hold its value for at least next 12 months. UK economy is in bad shape now but there are many worse countries out there. For example, Iceland, Ukraine....etc. Those countries doesn't have hyperinflation so far. I cannot see why UK will have hyperinflation alone. Even if global hyperinflation become real... where else do you want to live? I will still stay in UK because other countries have higher probabilities of civil unrest. In conclusion, keep STR is safe bet to me.

Plus fees.... on every single letter they send to you.

When the magic inflation is high.... your mortgage interest rate is high as well. How does it work?

In some way, you found an excuse for me not to pay/worry the pension at the moment. On the other hand, you are absolutely right. ISA seems a good idea but ISA interest rate is much lower than the mortage interest rate. Therefore, paying off mortgage first is good choice.

Hay Sibley, you got sleepless night like me? There are too many people like these couple in the past, that's why property been push up so much... I am affraid they cannot downsize because it's in negative value. Oh... when price go up. That's when their child got into university. They can celebrate two things together.

EVEN if you are right, ASSUME it's bottom now. Why put the offers in now? It's definitely not going to shoot up. Either you believe it's bottom now AND the price is going to shoot up Or... you are Estate Agent who is trying to survive by encourage people to buy.

I think those employers who hire foreign workers (who requires work permit) shoud pay labour import tax! Work permit scheme meant to protect local workers but it end up only benefit the employer to drive down the labour cost. Charge extra labour import tax can resolve the real skill shortage problem plus benefit the whole nation (money goes to treasury). In this way, we can see if the shortage of skill is real or simply shortage of cheap labour.

The builder also sell the property with government's "Part-buy, Part-Rent" scheme. £50,000 to buy 25% share of the property. (Total price is £200,000 which much higher than current market value) For the 75% share of government fund, you have to pay £313 rental + £170 service charge (monthly!!!) I don't know how you guys feel, in my eyes, this is a con-man scheme for those who cannot calculate... I understand the builder want to make profit. But what is government try to do??? Put tax-payer's money on those who cannot calculate!? Sub-prime!? http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sa...0&minBeds=2

Auction property is good but only few people can access to it. You must have CASH in hand which is rare for most of people. I heard it might be possible to get a mortgage in some cases but still.... not usual. For most common people, you must have a rich daddy / relatives or friends to borrow the cash first. Once you get the bid, mortgage it and pay the cash back.... Anyway, I think the auction price is a guide. House price for sell through agency are unlikely to achieve that low in short term. Fortunately, the market is going down.... give it a bit time.

Grand Union Village at Northolt. New apartment built at the peak of the market - mid of 2007 2 bedroom flat for sell at the peak was around £220,000 Recently, a 2 bedroom flat just sold for the price of £148,000. That's a big drop for more than 30%! http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sa...0&minBeds=2 Another one for sell now with asking price £166,500 http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sa...0&minBeds=2 There are many others still insist for sall at the peak price... around £220,000 http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sa...0&minBeds=2