"Swallow Homesearch property relocation"

Government introduces measures to boost the UK housing market.

2008-09-08T12:33:00.003+01:00

From 3rd September 2008 the government introduced temporary measures aimed at boosting the UK residential housing market.
Stamp duty land tax is paid by the buyer as a percentage of the purchase price of the property. The 0% SDLT relief has been increased from £125,000 to £175,000 for one year.
If it's more than £175,000, you pay between one and four per cent of the whole purchase price.

For more information visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/TaxOnPropertyAndRentalIncome/DG_4015918

Relocating? Who's there to help?

2008-04-09T15:45:00.005+01:00

Swallow Homesearch has been approached by the property website Houses for sale in Monmouthshire to contribute an article on who’s there to help when relocating. To read the full article go to www.housesforsaleinmonmouthshire.co.uk.

New railway link for South East Wales

2008-02-12T17:04:00.000Z

A new railway link has opened today, from Ebbw Vale in South East Wales to Cardiff. The route which was closed down 46 years ago has undergone a £30m investment which also included the construction of six new stations, at Ebbw Vale Parkway, Llanhilleth, Newbridge, Crosskeys, Risca, Pontymister and Rogerstone.
It is hoped that the new route will ensure a prosperous future for the Blaenau Gwent Valleys and their communities. 6/02/08

£100m marina for Pembroke Dock

2008-01-25T16:22:00.001Z

A £100M marina development described as one of the most innovative in the UK has been given the go-ahead for Pembroke Dock in Pembrokeshire. The Martello Quays development will contain hundreds of new homes, a multiplex cinema, a hotel and even a casino.
The development, named after the town’s Martello Tower, will be located opposite Neyland on the Cleddau Estuary between Hobbs Point and the ferry terminal to Ireland.
It will see the construction of a new sea wall and a new quay wall and house a gallery, pubs and restaurants, which is expected to create hundreds of new jobs and generate more than £10m a year for the town’s economy.
A marina with pontoons for up to 260 berths will also be created, along with 146 houses, 304 apartments, a hotel, a clubhouse, a boat workshop and multi-storey car park.
Initially, the structural phases are scheduled for completion by the end of 2009, with houses being built in phases until 2013. 9/01/08

Tax advice guides

2007-10-19T23:11:00.000+01:00

Swallow Homesearch has teamed up with Taxcafe to bring you a variety of useful resources to help you pay less capital gains tax, inheritance tax & other taxes.
These unique range of plain English tax advice guides are all written by top experts showing how they can help you pay less tax. There are also interesting, informative and topical tax articles written by top tax experts. You can find the Taxcafe under the resources link.

Film studios coming to South Wales

2007-08-15T13:25:00.000+01:00

Building work has finally begun on a £330m development which will bring 12 film studios capable of providing facilities for recording anything from a quiz show to a big screen blockbuster. The project is planned for the 760 acre former Llanilid opencast site next to the M4 between Llantrisant and Bridgend and was originally given outline planning permission in 2003 but has been delayed by problems caused by sewerage issues and bad weather.
Oscar-winning actor and director Richard Attenborough who is the project chairman said that “the scheme would build studios that have not been seen for decades throughout the world”. Organisers say that the sound stages and TV studios will make South Wales a centre of the UK film industry and could create around 1,700 jobs. 13/08/07

HIPs are here to stay

2007-08-14T12:13:00.000+01:00

Changes to the way we buy and sell residential properties in England and Wales came into force at the beginning of August 07. A Home Information Pack (HIP) will now be required when a property with four or more bedrooms is marketed after August 1st 2007 This is a phased introduction with three beds being included on September 10th and smaller properties being introduced later once enough energy assessors have qualified.
The compulsory part of the HIP will contain evidence of title, standard searches, a sale statement, and an energy performance certificate. The optional items that could also be included are a home condition report, a legal summary, a home use/contents form and any other documents related to the sale.
The government is hoping that the packs will improve the house-buying process and limit the number of sales that fall through. Also the energy performance certificate will fall in line with an EU directive on home energy assessments due to be mandatory by 2009.
The seller will be responsible for the costs of a HIP and it will be required for most residential properties that are either being marketed privately or when using an intermediary. They can be provided by an estate agent, solicitor, specialist provider or compiled by the seller themselves. Prices for HIPs are likely to vary, but should be around £300 - £600.
For more information go to: www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk 1/08/07

Changing face of Swansea

2007-07-04T13:23:00.000+01:00

Swansea is experiencing major growth in its property market according to local estate agents. Property values vary from the east to the west side of the city with the western side towards the beaches achieving as higher values as anywhere in Wales. It is the waterfront where much development is funded by European investment that is the real up and coming area. Plans for a new town centre and the SA1 docklands development are really changing the face of the city. 27/04/07

Market town's exclusive postcode

2007-07-04T13:11:00.000+01:00

The Halifax has compiled a report on post codes where the average price of a home is above the current £300,000 threshold for inheritance tax. Homes in the CF71 postcode are the only ones in Wales where the majority fall into this bracket. This includes the popular market town of Cowbridge, in the Vale of Glamorgan which hosts a variety of niche shops and restaurants. 24/02/07

£14 billion investment comes to St Athan

2007-07-04T13:01:00.000+01:00

St Athan in The Vale of Glamorgan is to become the home of a new UK defence training academy, after winning a £14 billion Ministry Of Defence investment brought together by the Metrix consortium. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain described it as “the largest single Government investment Wales has ever received”. With thousands of people involved in the multi billion pound project, there is bound to be increased demand for housing throughout the Vale. Estate agents in the area have commented on the likely increase in house prices. 17/01/07