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Rents in Scotland have crept up to an all-time peak, despite an overall cooling in annual growth this year, according to the latest buy to let index.

The average residential rent in Scotland now stands at £539 per month, the highest level on record after a 0.2% rise in November, says the data from Your Move, one of Scotland’s largest lettings agent networks.

But on an annual basis, rent rises are stabilising after a slowdown in growth. Average monthly rents across Scotland have climbed 2.2% over the past year, consistent with the annual growth recorded last month. The average monthly rent has

So 2015 has dawned and we're very excited about the first auctions of the new year!  Our auction calendar will soon be filled with dates throughout the UK for next month - and the first catalogues of the year should start to be released from the middle of next week.

Now, if you decide on a property that you want to bid on (and have everything in place in order to attend the auction), then in the run-up to the auction do remember to keep an eye on the ‘guide price’ (this is the price listed in the catalogue). Before the auction, contact the auction house just to make sure the property is still

A property auction can be a thrilling way to buy property, and snap up a bargain. 

They aren’t just good for buying repossessed homes, it’s now possible to buy all kinds of properties at auction. However it is essential that you do your homework before trying to buy a property at auction, and you need to put a number of important things in place before you go. It does’t matter what your reason for buying at auction is, the key to success is preparation. Before you go to auction to buy a property there’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be done. A good place to start is by making a list of

Homeowners planning to sell in the new year may find themselves the victims of a property website battle sparked by the arrival of an alternative to Rightmove and Zoopla.

On 26 January, a consortium of big-name estate agencies will launch a property listings website, Onthemarket.com, in an attempt to break what they describe as the “duopoly” of the two big property portals.

However, agents that sign up with the site will be forced to choose between its two rivals, which means sellers could see their homes delisted from one of the sites, which between them get 100m hits a month. As a

Happy New Year everyone!  We hope that you had a thoroughly enjoyable break and looking forward to 2015!

Latest analysis of the property market has suggested that this year is THE year to buy property, either to live in or for investment, and auctions are going to be a tempting option for many people due to a number of advantages.

People buy at auction for lots of reasons. They may want to move quickly or they could be looking for a plot of land to build on, a repossession, or quite simply they want a quick purchase without the risk of gazumping. Also, many buyers looking for investments buy

UK house prices rose by an average of £16,000 - or 8.5% - in 2014, according to the mortgage lender Halifax.

The research, based on data from its own lending, suggests prices in Greenwich in south east London surged by almost 25%.

Policymakers have warned of the dangers of a housing bubble developing.

The government insists the Bank of England has the tools it needs to prevent such a problem.

The Halifax says the average UK home now costs £209,428, although data from other lenders and official sources differ.

It says nine out of the 10 areas with the biggest rises this year are in London. The

A new investment trust is set to launch, which allows you to place buy-to-let property investments directly into your pension.

The Mill Residential REIT, launched by the Mill Group, is the first to invest solely in UK buy-to-let residential property. Mill Group claims that this trust has been designed for investors keen to gain exposure to buy-to-let property, without taking on the risks and hassles of becoming amateur landlords.

So what is a REIT? And is this a smart way to get some property in your pension?

Since 2007, UK investors have been able to invest in commercial property via

Leading estate agents Aston Mead are advising house-hunters in Surrey and Berkshire to snap up a property in the first few months of 2015.

Managing Director Adam Hesse says that canny buyers should consider purchasing a property in the months between January and the general election.

He explained: “The market has been somewhat off colour since last summer – and with the election coming up in May, we are more than likely going to have subdued conditions until the result is announced. The rules of supply and demand mean that fewer buyers at this time of year will lead to prices being suppressed

The most desirable place to live in the UK has been named as Hart in Hampshire.

The district's residents were found to be the healthiest and live the longest, with a high employment rate.

Surrey's Elmbridge and Winchester in Hampshire came second and third on the annual Halifax quality of life survey's top 50 list.

It was dominated by areas in south east England, and Hambleton, Yorkshire, was the only place in northern England to make the list at number 50.

The survey looked at factors including life expectancy, crime rates, education and weather.

It is the fourth year in a row that Hart has

Just a quick note to wish you a very merry Christmas, and we hope that wherever you are and whatever you're doing, you have a thoroughly enjoyable day!

Off to put the turkey in the oven now!