not your average bear

I have recently done the same myself after STR 2 years ago, took the 10yr fix from the Woolwich at 4.67 and will hopefully pay it back in 10 years. After taking into account my rental payments for a hypothetical period say the next 3 years until the bottom of the crash it would be more than an equivalent 20% loss on the purchase price so it potentially works out being the same.

I would have thought this would be because of Oracle's recent aquisitions that they are shedding these jobs.

Can someone tell me then is this good or bad news? Does it mean the ftb and btl'ers returning to the market or prices are falling?

I was thinking on the same line myself but thought that perhaps Richmond is dear perhaps because of the river, a lot of the areas around Heathrow are fairly dire. I'm just concerned as I have recently moved from St Albans to Harpenden (renting with consideration to by) but am quite concerned about the expansion, however I am still keen to stay. They are planning a new runway a mile south of the existing one large enough to handle 747's and airbuses and such and where I am it's already fairly noticable.

Does anybody have an idea what the proposed expansion a Luton Airport will have on prices in St Albans / Harpenden?

We had a 3 hour outage last night between 6 and 9 in Harpenden in Hertfordshire. Not sure how many were affected but it seems that my whole town was at any rate.

Why is it in the US they see higher house prices as a threat that needs to be contained for the general well-being of the economy and that and if house prices drop then its inevitable as per todays article from Reuters regarding recent statements from the Fed. http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/...1019&ID=5205354 However here in the UK it seems the general opinion is that if the unsustainable HPI slows or even worse goes negative that would bring the economy to it's knees. Instead of the fact high house prices and low interest rates is one of the main reasons of the consumer slowdown, as few people can now afford to go out and spend money because they are servicing so much debt brought on by an accomodative fiscal policy.

No, its reasonably nice, it's just completely insane pricing. £695,000 for a 3 bed flat http://www.primelocation.com/uk-property-f...ils/id/LFHN611/

My fault it was £519,995. I had just been looking at an equally hilarious property on at £530,000 and muddled them in my fit of laughter.

This distinctive home offers all the accommodation one would expect from a larger home, but with less bedrooms And check out the price £530K http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-475...pa_n=6&tr_t=buy

Its Harpenden in Herts, here is a link. Well worth £630K http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-458...pa_n=5&tr_t=buy We wanted our family around us to enjoy/grow up with the kiddies.

I found the site thgough Google, as I had a feeling that things in the housing market are just insane. I have been lurking here for quite a long time and not posted however I have learned a lot for which I would like to thank everyone. We sold to move abroad 18 months ago but the move did not materialize due to an addition to the family. I really feel a sense of depair about buying again as the town I live in (well outside the M25 in the SE) 3 bed flats are on the market at over £600K