Ben13

Sorry I meant the EuroS ! http://www.paddypower.com/football/international-football/euro-2012-betting?ev_oc_grp_ids=225546 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012 Greece's last game in the group stage is on the 16 June. It's odd on they will go out of the Euros that day. It will be interesting to see with the public vote set for the following day whether a double whammy can be completed over the weekend! Anyone for an accumulator?

Called the local estate agent today to make an offer on a property (I must be mad). Property was clearly over valued (on the market last year for £625k, reduced to £560k at the moment). Suggested I'd be prepared to make an offer around £400k, however before I could finish my sentance he cut me dead and rudely said 'nah I wouldn't bother, they won't sell at that price'. Cheeky bugger! When will they get real? Didn't bother making the offer after that. After reading the Moneyweek article today I've thought about waiting for another 18 months but it's a lovely house and fairly unique for this area. What should I do now?

Are you absoultely sure you could afford a mortgage at £1,300 a month? This would leave you just £540 to cover your pension, council tax, food, bills, car etc. Tight even with interest at the lowest level for 400 years. And what if interest rates climb? For every 1% increase in interest you would lose another £180 off your £540 . If interest rates got anywhere near their long term average of 8% at any stage you would be absolutely stuffed. Of course you could fix for five years at the end of which you would have to either hope rates are no higher or that you've had a good pay rise. Don't forget you'd be spending that five year period or longer living on £540 a month - not something I'd chose. All in all there needs to be a cap on income multiples to manage these unforeseen risks that your forgetting / ignoring - interest rates, changes in circumstances (jobs, family), increased costs (inflation) etc. A cap will not remove the risks but ensure people are more likely to be able to cope if and when they occur.

I think you loafers should stop moccasin and put the shoe on the other foot - the business may be croc tonike but think for one moment about the tongues of poor soles who may be relaced from their jobs. Having outsoled the rest it's an absolute sandal that this business has been allowed to buckle.

Interesting to look at some of the previous sale prices on these. Most I've looked at are 50% down but look at this one... Flat 5, 22A Portland Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 Southport Flat Sold Sept 2006 - £275,000 Guide Price - £65,000

Unison still hasn't agreed the local government pay rise after the Government offered a below inflation 2%. Unison want 5% so I can see this one ending up in a serious dispute in the not too distant future. Winter of discontent anyone? On a separate note, if all the local government workers (2 million plus) haven't yet had an annual pay rise would this be temporarily holding inflation back?