Format: News
Engel & Völkers to recruit 2,000 new agents
German behemoth Engel & Völkers has announced a plan to hire 2,000 new real estate agents in a giant global recruitment drive.
Green Party pledges to cut VAT on housing repairs
The Green Party has offered up one of the property industry's most-demanded policy changes: a cut to VAT on housing repairs and renovations.
Crown Estate creates new Head of Central London role
The Crown Estate has appointed a new Deputy Head of Urban & Head of Central London.
Final approval for Mount Pleasant scheme
One of the most controversial projects in the capital - the proposed transformation of a massive Royal Mail site in Clerkenwell - has bagged final approval.
Shopping Around: Waitrose’ 12% house price premium (and Aldi’s 3% discount)
A local Waitrose adds 12% to neighbouring house prices, claims Lloyds, while a handy Sainsbury's is worth an extra 10%. Lidl and Aldi, on the other hand, apparently push prices down by 2% and 3% respectively.
Chinese buyer splashes $70m in NYC’s biggest sale of 2015 so far
An unnamed Chinese buyer has shelled out $70m for an apartment at the Sherry Netherland building in New York. It's thought to be the highest price paid in the city so far this year.
Kiss & Sell: Why super-prime estate agents make ideal bits on the side
"There has been a sharp rise in estate agents bringing their mistresses to show houses, both for fantasy house shopping and bedroom rendezvous," reports a naughty website, flagging up one Bishops Avenue…
Prime country house price growth overtakes central London, but £5m+ values tumble
Prime country house prices increased by 0.9% between January and March, says Knight Frank, taking the rate of annual price growth down from December's +3.4% to a more modest +2.
New prime central London property search manager for LCP
London Central Portfolio has hired a new property search manager to track down "the best on and off-market properties" in prime central London.
Peer-to-peer mortgage lender backs developer-centric property portal
The world’s biggest peer-to-peer mortgage platform, LendInvest, has announced a "strategic alliance" Plentific.com, a property portal aimed at the renovation/investment/development market.
Loan Stars: West One hits £80m in Q1
Short term lender West One Loans has reported a pretty big start to the year.
Harrods Estates continues PCL expansion with new Kensington office
Harrods Estates will be throwing open the doors to its new Kensington base at the end of the month.