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Northern Ireland is happiest place to live
Posted on Feb 06, 2017
Northern Ireland continues to be the happiest place to live in the UK, according to a survey released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) today. Northern Ireland continues to have the highest personal well-being ratings when compared with the other constituent countries of the UK. Ratings of life satisfaction, worthwhile and happiness in Northern Ireland are higher...
Read MoreWhat does Brexit mean for Northern Ireland house prices?
Posted on Jun 25, 2016
This morning it was confirmed the UK has voted to leave the EU but what does this mean for the Northern Ireland property market? Steve Rea, Director of Stephen Rea Estate Agents and property consultants, provides his view. “This morning the world woke to the news that Great Britain and Northern Ireland has made the decision to leave the EU. It's now lunchtime and so far...
Read More1000 New Build Homes For Newtownards in County Down
Posted on Apr 27, 2016
Plans to build about 1,000 homes on a 100-acre site on the edge of Newtownards, County Down, have been announced by developer Fraser Houses. The project, which has planning for an initial 100 houses, will probably take 10 years to complete. Housebuilders in Northern Ireland are beginning major schemes for the first time since the property crash. Last month, Lagan Homes said it...
Read MoreNew stamp duty takes effect
Posted on Apr 17, 2016
From April this year stamp duty tax has increased for all buy to let and second home purchases. A 3% surcharge will be applied and a new £40,000 threshold will be introduced. The change aims to free up housing for buyers, it also means anyone owning a second property that isn't their main residence and buying another or replacing the one they...
Read MoreHousing Market still has a long way to go
Posted on Apr 17, 2016
Richard Ramsey, Chief Economist NI at Ulster Bank, analyses the latest PMI Report, and comments on the improvement within the local housing market. See link below. https://ulstereconomix.com/2016/02/24/housing-market-recovery-still-a-long-way-to-go/
Read MoreNew Mortgage Tariffs
Posted on Nov 22, 2015
It has been a major concern for mortgage borrowers for the past number of years that they could be paying unnecessary mortgage fees without knowing, but now the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) and the consumer group Which? have jointly launched a new tariff, which spells out mortgage fee in a simple and straight forward format. The move comes a year after Which? warned customers they...
Read MoreLetting Services in Newtownards
Posted on Nov 16, 2015
The number of Northern Ireland tenants who are seriously behind on their rent payments has risen to its highest level in two years according to Stephen Rea Estate Agents. Recent data highlights that there are over 70,000 private sector tenants that owe more than two months’ rent. (*) Steve Rea, Managing Director for Stephen Rea Estate Agents says: “While...
Read MoreEstate Agents Newtownards
Posted on Nov 15, 2015
It has just been confirmed this month that house prices have risen across all parts of the UK for a thrid consecutive month in October 2015 whilst Stocks and Shares continue to fall. The recent RICS report suggests house prices are to rise by 4.5% each year over the next five years, which equals an approximate cumulative increase of around 25%. RICS' report also claims that new...
Read MoreNewtownards Festival of Light
Posted on Nov 12, 2015
Following the recent sucess of over the past two years, Mount Stewart will be once agin hosting a magical light display however this year there will be a Christmas theme. Thanks to all the support recevied from Newtownards Tourism office, the festival of Light will open from 20th Novemeber and run for Nine days. Based on the Son et Lumiere shows that originated in France, This years...
Read MoreHouse prices to keep on rising as supply drought continues
Posted on Nov 12, 2015
We're now into the middle of November, so in the next few weeks people will begin reviewing what has happened in 2015 and setting new year resolutions. Due to the nation's obsession with house prices and how much our homes are worth, the property industry is one awash with forecasts at this time of year. Staying true to form, then, we thought we would draw your attention to...
Read MoreMake sure you choose the right Estate Agent!
Posted on Nov 10, 2015
As we know, the property market in Northern Ireland has, in recent years, experienced the uncertainty of recession with its unprecedented fluctuating values, longer selling times and limited availability of mortgage finance. It is a well established fact that the average value of a home in this area fell to around half of what it was at the height of the market in the summer of 2007,...
Read MoreMoving House? Heres 8 Top Tips for a Stress-free Move
Posted on Nov 10, 2015
I’ve read numerous articles and heard so many stories that moving house is stressful. I’ve read reports that it is one of the top three most stressful events that can happen in somebody lives. Is it really? There are many more stressful life events out there. Can we put things into reality? Is moving house more stressful than losing your job?...
Read MoreWe're now called Stephen Rea Estate Agents!
Posted on Oct 31, 2015
In September 2015 SPR Properties shared we were rebranding and changing our company name to Stephen Rea Estate Agents. However after almost 8 weeks of hard work i can confirm we are almost complete. As you can see from our website, we have changed our domain name from sprproperties.co.uk to stephenreaestateagents.co.uk and changed our email address from info@sprproperties to...
Read MoreSPR Properties Estate Agents are Rebranding!!
Posted on Sep 10, 2015
SPR Properties were established in Newtownards in 2012 by Steve Rea who strived to be an approachable, down to earth and friendly face of local Letting Agents. Since then SPR Properties have grown significantly with now offering a full range of Estate Agency services such as Residential Sales & Lettings, Commercial Sales & Lettings, Mortgages and Finanical Advice. Due to no...
Read MoreDo I need a For Sale Board
Posted on Sep 07, 2015
Every week without fail, somebody asks must I have for sale board? There are various reasons for asking this, ranging from not wanting to upset the neighbours, through to the fear of somebody knocking on their door directly. Each time I always answer no. If somebody really does not one, I will not force it upon them. However before you decide against a board, let me tell...
Read MoreWhy buy a new build property
Posted on Aug 27, 2015
Have you thought about buying a new build home? Buying a new build house can present many opportunities such as picking your own décor, access to incentives and much more. There are many advantages to buying a new build home such as: It is unlikley to require any big repairs or redecorating as everything will be brand new Most new builds come with a 10 year warranty...
Read MoreWhat would the new Monopoly look like?
Posted on Aug 27, 2015
The London version of the famous board game Monopoly was introduced back in the 1930s. The London property market has since completely transformed, with property prices soaring and buyer demand increasing it has created a plethora of new property hotspots. According to SPR Properties Estate Agents Research, the following changes would have to be made if the Monopoly board were to be...
Read MoreNorthern Ireland Family's opting for multi-generational living
Posted on Aug 18, 2015
Elderly parents moving in with their adult children is nothing new or uncommon. What is relatively new, however, is adult children moving back in with their Eldery parents. According to the Office of National Statistics, the number of 20 to 34-year-olds living with their parents has increased by 25 per cent over the last decade. In 2013 there were 3.3 million 20-34...
Read MoreFirst Impressions Count
Posted on Aug 17, 2015
As the old saying goes 'you only have one chance to make a first impression as the first impression is always the last' and this is absolutely the case when it comes to selling property, especially when a potential purchaser is coming around. Potential buyers will not 'see through the mess' and it will most definatley impact on their desire to buy your...
Read MoreA Renters Guide: Advice for Tenants
Posted on Aug 14, 2015
So, you have now found a property you want to rent. So what happens next? This guide will provide you with all the information and advice you need to clinch the deal and become a tenant. Step 1 - Securing that property you want to rent You should begin by putting down a holding deposit in order to state your intention to rent the property and get the...
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