Luvthecity Blog
MANCHESTER'S BIG BROTHER HOUSE


Thursday, September 15th, 2011
It's big, it's funky and it's got a wicked hot-tub! We take a look around Manchester's coolest house
Click here



CITY LIVING COSTS SPIRAL
Friday, July 29th, 2011
The high cost of renting has helped propel UK cities up the ranks of the world's most expensive cities for expatriates to live in. Aberdeen, Glasgow, Birmingham and Belfast have all jumped up the ranks in a new worldwide cost of living survey
Full story Click here



HOME OWNERSHIP FALLS 4% IN 5 YEARS
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
The property slump and recession has taken its toll on our love affair with home ownership, with the number of owner-occupied homes falling four per cent in five years
Full story Click here



FEWER REMORTGAGES AS INTEREST RISE FEARS FADE AWAY
Monday, June 27th, 2011
Fewer homeowners are seeking to remortgage their properties as fears of interest rate increases begin to fade. Banks reported a big drop in remortgaging activity after economists indicated they did not expect the Bank of England to raise rates soon.
Full story Click here



AU REVOIR HABITAT, HELLO LITTLE BLUE BIROS
Friday, June 24th, 2011
Bad news for fans of over-priced designer furniture with the news that Habitat has been bought by Argos. The central London stores will remain open but stores outside the Capital are on borrowed time and may close in less than six-months. We've bought Habitat furniture in the past and on the whole, the quality has been good but the prices can be eye-watering. Last week we were having a poke around the Trafford Centre branch and the prices seemed crazy - especially when TXMax's cleverly re-branded Homesense store next door sells better furniture at a third of the price. The guys at Dwell must be rubbing their hands in glee. One last thought... do you think Argos will introduce their Mini Blue Biro buying system? That will go down well in Tottenham Court Road!
Full story Click here



TERRACE OF THE WEEK
Friday, June 24th, 2011
There are plenty of great terraces in Manchester, but this one is a rarity. Located on the top of Dandara's 360 building in Castlefield, this large wraparound decked terrace has superb panoramic views of the city centre and the Beetham Tower. And it's attached to a huge 1,400sqft penthouse
Click here



NEW MPC MEMBER VOTED TO KEEP RATES ON HOLD
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Great news if you're a home-owner with a variable mortgage. The minutes from last month's Monetary Policy Committee meeting reveal that the group's newest member, Goldman Sachs economist Ben Broadbent, voted to keep rates on hold at 0.5%
Full story Click here



MORE AND MORE TENANTS PRICED OUT
Monday, June 13th, 2011
Growing numbers of tenants are finding themselves priced out of the market as strong demand and a shortage of supply continue to push up rents, research shows. More surveyors reported that rents rose rather than fell in the three months to the end of April, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Full story Click here



RATES TO STAY LOW UNTIL 2012
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
The Bank of England held interest rates at their record low for a 27th month, as the City bet a rate rise will not arrive until well into 2012...
Full story Click here




TIME OUT LAUNCHES MANCHESTER GUIDE
Friday, June 3rd, 2011
London-based Time Out magazine has launched a new iPhon App for Manchester. It follows the companies successful guides to other cultural cities including New York, London and Paris. It's free at the moment and it's full of tourist information and the best restaurants, bars and entertainment in Manchester
Click here



RENTS TO RISE 10%
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
Tenants expect further rent increases in coming months as demand for rented accommodation continues to go up. Landlords are expected to cheer the survey findings by property website Rightmove that give them a green light to jack up rents despite falling real incomes and persistently high unemployment. Many aspiring first-time buyers rent while they are saving up for the big deposits now required by banks. Search requests for rental property have risen by nearly two-thirds over the last two years while available rental property advertised on Rightmove's site is down by nearly a quarter over the same period.
Full story Click here



HOUSE PRICES TO CLIMB 16%
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
House prices will be 16 per cent higher by the end of 2015, as the lack of supply and build up in demand forces the market to return to its long-running growth path. The forecast from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) is the first optimistic prediction for many months
Full story Click here



FIRST TIME BUYER AGE TO REACH 38
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
Figures show buyers do not expect to purchase their first home until they are 38 years old as lenders continue to demand significant deposits. The average deposit is 23 per cent of the value of the property, according to the research by price comparison website Moneysupermarket, which equates to almost £35,000 on a home costing £150,000.
Full story Click here




MINOCO WHARF ARRIVES AT LAST
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
Like a Phoenix rising from the flames of one of Britain's worst property slumps, London's Minoco Wharf is finally coming to fruition. Located to the east of Canary Wharf, it's one of the capital's largest residential schemes with over 3,500 homes. Irish property developer Ballymore has submitted a planning application nearly 10-years after originally purchasing the site. With the first units scehduled to arrive in 2013, it's one of the first signs that London Dockland's battered property market has hit rock bottom and the only way is up...
Click here




THREE GREAT TERRACES
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
It may be raining today but summer's just round the corner and within weeks you'll be wanting to lay outside with a glass of Pimms and your Factor 30. So where better to relax than your own private terrace? And we've got three great new apartments, all with huge private outdoor spaces, from two cute balconies for just £87,500 in Manchester, to a large decked terrace in Salford and an impressive wraparound balcony in Leeds...

Wraparound Terrace in Leeds Click here
Tons of Decking in Salford Click here
Twin Balconies at a bargain price in Manchester Click here



ONE THIRDS OF BUY-TO-LETS AT RISK
Friday, May 13th, 2011
Nearly a third of buy-to-let landlords could be in negative equity by the end of next year if house prices continue to fall, a rating agency has warned. More than 30 per cent of buy-to-let borrowers could find themselves owing more on their mortgage than their property is worth by the end of 2012, if house prices drop by five per cent this year and a further five per cent next year...
Full story Click here



EYESORE TOWER TO BE REDEVELOPED
Friday, May 13th, 2011
Good news for residents of Ancoats, Manchester's largest regeneration zone. After 3-years laying empty, the unfinished Sarah Tower is to be redeveloped by UKLP with 166 apartments and some ground floor commercial units. The 12-storey tower has stood empty since developer Bashar Issa was declared bankrupt in 2008. Surely this is a sign that east Manchester is finally turning the corner?
Full story Click here



WHERE NEXT FOR HOUSE PRICES?
Thursday, May 12th, 2011
With inflation tipped to peak at the end of the year and an interest rate rise 6-months away, what will happen to house prices in 2011? Read our exclusive news round up...
Click here



MONEYWEEK: WHEN WILL RATES RISE?
Monday, May 9th, 2011
So, the decision is made. And it's what everyone expected. The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has left its key interest rate unchanged at its current record low of 0.5%. Recent economic news made it pretty likely that BoE governor Mervyn King and the 'low-rate majority' in the MPC would stick to their guns
Full Story Click here




LIVERPOOL'S ART DECO GEM REBORN
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
Liverpool's famous art deco Royal Court Theatre is being renovated and they're holding a public exhibition this week to preview the plans. The exhibition is running in Williamson Square from yesterday until Saturday 7 May and is open from 11am until 4pm
Full story Click here



2011 DOUBLE BREAK FAILS TO SPARK TRADITIONAL EASTER BOOM
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
The housing market barely moved in April, judging by both the number of For Sale and Sold boards and this morning's monthly report from Nationwide...
Full story Click here



CITY CENTRE STREET PARTIES
Thursday, 21st April, 2010
There's only one week to go before the Royal Wedding and we're on the lookout for city centre street parties. There are parties being held in Salford's Chimney Pot Park and Manchester's Northern Quarter, so if you're hosting a party send us the details and we'll promote it on luvthecity...




IS THIS MANCHESTER'S BEST VIEW?
Friday, April 15th, 2011
Dandara's St. George's Island development in Manchester's Castlefield district is one of the city's most popular blocks. The 1 and 2-bed apartments are great-value and you can walk into town in less than 5-minutes. But it's the large balconies that we like the most and check this one out; Located on the 11th floor it belongs to a standard 1-bed apartment but the views are fantastic...



St. George's Island Click here




THREE HUGE PENTHOUSES
Thursday, April 14th, 2011
The sun is out and the summer is well and truly here (we know, we're suffering from Hayfever already) - so there's no better time to live in a penthouse. Think about sunbathing on the private terrace or watching the sun go down with a cheeky G&T. We have three superb penthouses from Liverpool's tallest tower to one of the largest apartments in Leeds...
Fab views of the Three Graces Click here
One of Leeds finest Click here
Sweeping views of Liverpool Docks Click here



LONDON'S BUY-TO-LET BOTTLENECK
Thursday, 14th April, 2011
Estate agent Cluttons reports that 40 per cent of tenants in capital are now seeking property priced at between £250 and £400 a week. But with just 15 per cent of available stock priced under £400 there is a desperate rush by tenants to secure an apartment
Full story Click here



FALLING INFLATION WILL STALL RATE RISES
Wednesday, 13th April, 2011
The Bank of England's leading dove has predicted that inflation will tumble to 1.5% by the middle of next year as George Osborne's austerity drive and the underlying weakness of the economy stifle consumer spending
Full story Click here




THREE GORGEOUS PENTHOUSES
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
The sun is out in Manchester, summer has arrived and we have three fabulous city centre penthouses available new to the market today. Could life get any better?
Hot Tub at Hill Quays Click here
Chunky beams at Royal Mills Click here
More gorgeousness at Model Lodging House Click here



HSBC: LET SELLERS PAY STAMP DUTY
Monday, 4th April, 2011
A new and permanent reform of Stamp Duty would mean that the tax would be paid by sellers and not buyers. The call for reform has come from HSBC which found that 85% of non home-owning young adults (18 to 34-years-old) want to own their own home, but only 19% of the 85% expect to be able to do so within the next five years
Full story Click here




PROPERTY OF THE DAY
Tuesday, 29th March, 2011
Urban Splash's conversion of this landmark warehouse in the centre of Manchester's Northern Quarter was the area's first major residential project and it looks as good today as when it was first converted. King Sturge have just released one of the finest loft apartments in the Smithfield Buildings, it's on the third floor and has acres of exposed brick, solid iron columns and those lovely chunky wooden floors
Smithfield Duplex Click here



A BUDGET FOR PROPERTY
Monday, 28th March, 2011
Last week's budget was complicated and full of hyperbole - so if you want to know just the key points that affect the property market, check out the RLA's Budget Summary
Full story Click here


BRITAIN'S BLINGIEST PENTHOUSE
Wednesday, 23th March, 2011
With a 46inch 3D Television, Bluray Player, Bang & Olufsen sound system, remote controlled blinds, beer chillier and HD 70" Projection Screen, this 13th floor penthouse in central Liverpool has to be the country's most blingiest apartment. One Park West was designed by Cesar Pelli, king of minimalist design so heaven knows what he'd think of this somewhat OTT penthouse. But we love it. And so will all the WAGS in Liverpool. And every football player at Liverpool FC and Everton. Who wouldn't want a giant dartboard in their living room?



One Park West Penthouse Click here


HIDEOUS ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR
Tuesday, 22nd March, 2011
Looking for something cool to spice up your new interior-designed apartment? Then avoid this! It's only four weeks until the Royal Wedding and already people are coming up with hideous souvenirs. And now somebody has come up with a Royal Wedding fridge. It's enough to make you run for the hills
Will & Kate Fridge Click here




BALLYMORE TO BUILD RIVER CITY
Wednesday, 16th March, 2011
Ballymore has been granted permission to start work on a 10-acre site at the Leamouth Peninsula, opposite The O2. The proposal is to build in stages, but it is expected there be 1,700 new homes, offices and 'creative workplaces' in place within five years. It will be contained in 13 buildings ranging from three to 27 storeys in height



Full story @ Docklands24 Click here
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Click here
The location Click here




PEVEREL GOES BUMP
Tuesday, 15th March, 2011
After several weeks of speculation around the financial status and integrity of the billionaire Tchenguiz brothers' empire, part of that empire, Peverel, has gone into administration. The larger they are the harder they fall and Peverel is no exception. As the holding companies behind the largest property management company today failed to meet demands to repay £125 million and were forced into administration.
Full story @ Property Drum Click here
Party is over for Tchenguiz Click here




KITEMARK ON THE WAY FOR LETTING AGENTS
Tuesday, 15th March, 2011
The National Approved Letting Scheme has become the first organisation to welcome the SAFE kitemark inititiative spearheaded by a group of agents. Under SAFE, agents who have client money protection in place will be able to display the kitemark...
Full story Click here




EAST MANCHESTER COULD BE OLYMPIC
Tuesday, 8th March, 2011
Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council, has said the announcement last week of a development framework for East Manchester could be of greater long-term significance than the Olympics
Full story @ Insider Media Click here




40 IS THE NEW 30
Monday, 7th March, 2011
Nearly two-fifths (38%) of aspiring first-time buyers anticipate being 40 or older when they buy their first home. And a further one in 12 believe they will never buy their own home...
Full story Click here



MANN ISLAND REVIEW
Friday, 4th March, 2011
After 10-years of planning, Liverpool's most iconic contemporary building is ready to take its first set of residents. Luvthecity was given an exclusive tour of the building, from the glass exterior, through the nightclub-style foyer, across the central atrium and into the apartments
http://www.luvthecity.com/mannisland2011.aspx


NORTHERN ROCK'S 90% MORTGAGE
Wednesday, 3rd March, 2011
Northern Rock is preparing to offer 90 per cent home loans in a return to the risky lending that saw it implode in 2007. The nationalised bank revealed plans yesterday to roll out super-size mortgages of up to £450,000 in return for deposits of only 10 per cent
Full story Click here



CORONATION STREET MASTERPLAN
Wednesday, 3rd March, 2011
Drivers Jonas Deloitte, Aecom and Jones Lang LaSalle have drawn up a development framework for land owned by ITV, Big Yellow and Crosby Lend Lease around the Water Street area of Manchester. The framework outlines plans for the proposed development after ITV relocates to Media City and the Coronation Street set is rebuilt on Trafford Wharf
Full story Click here



MANCHESTER'S 25,000 EMPTY HOMES
Monday, 28th February, 2011
More than 25,000 homes are standing empty in Greater Manchester – despite 100,000 people being on the waiting list for housing. The Manchester Evening News reveals today that there are 8,139 unused properties in Manchester alone. Hotspots include the city-centre – which has 564 empty properties...
Full story @ Manchester Evening News Click here



ONE MILLION EXTRA RENTAL PROPERTIES
Monday, 28th February, 2011
Almost one in six homes is now a private rental property, as both home ownership and social housing decline. The English Housing Survey from Communities and Local Government shows that the number of households renting privately has gone up by one million in the last five years.
Full story Click here



BARRATT BECOME PRIVATE LANDLORDS
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
If there was ever a sign the buy-to-let market has a rosy future this is it. Barratt Homes are creating a private landlord business - but what does it say about the future of private buyers?
Click here



WORK FOR US!
Wednesday, 9th February, 2011
Luvthecity is expanding into classifed sales and we're looking for an experienced Telesales Executive to help us achieve our goal. This is a renewable short-term contract with great O.T.E. and based in Greater Manchester
http://www.luvthecity.com/WORKWITHUS.aspx


BOOTHS COMES TO SALFORD QUAYS
Tuesday, 8th February, 2011
A proper full-blown supermarket is coming to Salford Quays... at last! Local mini-supermarket Sovereign Food & Wine has served Salford Quays pretty well over the years but a large supermarket is long overdue. And we're delighted that it's not coming from Tesco or Waitrose but the North-West's finest, Booths. They're putting their money where their mouth is and opening a huge 23,000sqft store in MediaCityUK... this will give the London naysayers something to think about (and something to eat!)
www.booths.co.uk



MANCHESTER & BRISTOL TO LEAD PROPERTY REVIVAL
Friday, 4th February, 2011
Outside of the South East, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow are the UK cities best placed for a full return to a healthy property market. That’s according to Drivers Jonas Deloitte’s (DJD) “Prospects for the UK 2011” seminar held in Manchester.
Full story @ Insider Media Click here



LIVERPOOL'S WEST TOWER IN ADMINISTRATION
Friday, 4th February, 2011
The business behind West Tower, the tallest building in Liverpool, has been placed in administration. The 40-storey building was completed in 2008 by developer Beetham and stands on Brook Street, overlooking the city's waterfront.
Full story @ Insider Media Click here



CITY CENTRE CRIME STATISTICS
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
A new police crime website reveals Manchester as one of the most crime-riddent city centres in the UK and Liverpool as one of the safest...
http://www.luvthecity.com/crime.aspx


SIT BACK, RELAX AND SAVE THOUSANDS OF POUNDS!!!
Friday, January 28th, 2011
With a higher rate of tax, spiralling inflation and bad news on the job horizon we can’t spend money like water any more - so Clare Whitehead from Vivo Interiors is looking at ways to save money
http://www.luvthecity.com/vivoblog.aspx


IS NOW THE TIME TO BE A BUY-TO-LET LANDLORD
Thursday, 27th January, 2011
Stagnant house prices and increasing demand from tenants could provide a good opportunity for landlords. With many potential first-time buyers unable to get on the housing ladder, demand for rented properties is high. So would-be landlords with plenty of capital have the chance to snap up a bargain...
Full story @ Daily Mail Click here



AUTHENTIC NORTHERN QUARTER LOFT
Wednesday, 26th January, 2011
Today's favourite apartment in located opposite the Buddhist Centre in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter. This authentic loft has exposed brick walls, stripped wooden floors and high ceilings. And at uust £134,950 it's a great way to get on the property ladder in Manchester's coolest district
Turner Street Loft Click here



HIGH STREET AGENTS DROP BY 9%
Tuesday, 25th January, 2011
The number of high street estate agents tumbled 9.2% in the two years between October 2008 and October 2010, according to Ordnance Survey. Covering 27m high street addresses, the OS data also shows that the number of building society branches has fallen 28.2%, recruitment agencies are down 13.4%, and town centre pubs and bars are down 4.7%.
Full story Click here



5 TENANTS FOR EVERY PROPERTY AS SUPPLY SHRINKS
Monday, 24th January, 2011
New tenant applications rose 37% last year compared with 2009, Countrywide has reported. In contrast, the supply of properties available to let fell 29%. Figures from Countrywide’s mortgage division also show that the biggest growth area of lending growth in 2010 was applications for buy-to-let mortgages: they rose 22%. Grenville Turner, chief executive of Countrywide, said: “The continued challenges faced by home buyers to gain mortgage finance is likely to see more people turning to the private rental sector this year. Despite the increase in buy-to-let lending, supply remains significantly lower than demand, with an average of 4.5 tenants vying for every available property in 2010.
Full Story Click here


THIS WEEK'S 10 BEST PROPERTIES
Saturday, 22nd January, 2011
This week Phil & Kirsty brought Location, Location, Location to Manchester city centre with mixed results. Their buyers thought The Lock Building felt like Alcatraz but they loved Chimney Pot Park in Salford. In the end they opted for Brussels (?!) and pulled out of Manchester so if you want to buy the house they didn't want you can grab it here - or alternatively choose from our selection of the week's best properties, from converted Georgian ballrooms in Leeds to 50th floor cocktail bars in London...



BIRMINGHAM
Fantastic terrace with Tesco underneath! Click here
GradeII-listed Gothic 2-bed loft Click here

LEEDS
Stunning converted Georgian ballroom! Click here
Tallest penthouse in Leeds Click here

LONDON DOCKLANDS
Apartment with cinema + 50th floor cocktail bar Click here
Converted schoolhouse seconds from Canary Wharf Click here

LIVERPOOL
Huge One Park West Penthouse Click here
Cheapest 1-bed in the city-centre Click here

MANCHESTER
Buy the house Phil & Kirsty wanted Click here
Lovely penthouse loft behind Piccadilly StationClick here



MORTGAGE LENDING DROPS TO 2000 LEVEL
Saturday, 22nd January, 2011
Mortgage lending dived to its lowest level for a decade during 2010 as the property market failed to to revive. The Council of Mortgage Lenders said a total of just £136.3 billion was lent during the year, the lowest level since 2000, and 5 per cent below 2009's figure, which was the lowest total for nine years.
Full story @ Daily Mail Click here



LIVERPOOL WATERS EXHIBITION
Friday, 21st January, 2011
Peel Group, the owners of Liverpool Waters are holding a public event to present its plan for the 150 acre development of Liverpool's northern docklands. The event takes place on Monday 31 January from 6pm to 9pm at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Princes Dock. For further information contact Naomi Peck on npeck@peel.co.uk
http://www.liverpoolwaters.co.uk/content/home.php


LIVERPOOL'S TOUGH MARKET IS HERE TO STAY
Thursday, 20th January, 2011
Estate agent City Residential review the final quarter of 2010 and explain why tough times are here to stay for the Liverpool city centre property market
http://www.luvthecity.com/liverpool2010.aspx


GORGEOUS NEW YORK-STYLE LOFT
Tuesday, 18th January, 2011
Today's favourite apartment in this gorgeous New York-style loft, tucked behind Oxford Road station. Very few apartments in Manchester are as authentic as this one; check out the chunky wooden floors, acres of exposed brick and the lovely glossy-white railway station-style tiles in the bathroom. Plus there's a small study too (if you can't afford an iPad to sit beside you on the sofa!)
Lincoln Place Loft Click here



PRICES DOWN 1.6% LAST YEAR
Monday, 10th January, 2011
House prices fell by 1.3% in December, contributing to a 1.6% decline over the whole of last year, according to figures released by the Halifax this morning...
Full Story @ The Guardian Click here


FOUR GORGEOUS BIRMINGHAM PENTHOUSES
Tuesday, 11th January, 2011
Four of Birmingham city centre's most glamourous penthouses are now available to rent. If you're looking for a fab new home for the new year these four apartments will leave your mates foaming at the mouth with jealousy! And with prices from just £1150 you can live on top of four of the city's coolest towers from the Orion Building next to New Street Station, to the landmark Beetham Tower...



Curved Iconic Penthouse @ The Rotunda £1150pcm Click here
Huge Terrace @ Centenary Plaza £2500pcm Click here
Level 23 Glamour @ The Orion £2950pcm Click here
Amazing Views @ Beetham Tower £3250pcm Click here



THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 APARTMENTS
Friday, 6th January, 2011
If freezing weather, Swine Flu outbreaks and VAT rises are putting a downer on your first week of the New Wear, why not take a break and check out this weeks' Top 10 Apartments on Luvthecity?! From Conran-designed lofts to luxury penthouses there's something for everyone. Every Euromillions winner that is...



BIRMINGHAM
Grade-II Listed Schoolhouse Click here
Penthouse @ The Orion Click here

LEEDS
Cute Conran-designed Loft Click here
2-bed + Private Terrace under £130K Click here

LONDON DOCKLANDS
London Bridge Loft Click here
Stunning South Quay Penthouse Click here

LIVERPOOL
Beetham Plaza Penthouse Click here
Ability Penthouses overlooking Chavasse Park Click here

MANCHESTER
Art Deco Penthouse Click here
One for new BBC staff Click here



MANCHESTER FIRE STATION'S FINAL CHANCE
Wednesday, 5th January, 2011
Property developers have been invited to a Q&A session with senior planning officers in Manchester to discuss the redevelopment plans for Piccadilly's London Road fire station. Opened in 1906, this beautiful Edwardian masterpiece has sat empty for 25 years, despite (and some may argue because of) English Heritage awarding it a Grade II* status in 1974. In 2010 Manchester City Council slapped a CPO on the building's owner, Britannia Hotels, and now after a long battle by supporters, the building may finally get the treatment it deserves. Planners are favouring a 4* Hotel or "event destination" (whatever that means) - but we're crossing our fingers for a high-quality residential development...
Full Story @ Placenorthwest Click here
London Road Firestation Click here
Sneeking inside the building Click here



BE PREDATORY TO MAKE MONEY OUTSIDE THE M25
Tuesday, 4th January, 2011
It'll be hard to go wrong buying property within the M25 and there will be money to be made outside it too, if you are predatory...
Full Story @ Guardian Click here



THE LDDC AT 30
Monday, 3rd January, 2011
The London Development Corporation was formed 30-years-ago and to celebrate, Luvthecity is taking a look at some of Dockland's landmark 1980s and 1990s developments. This week we're focusing on Cascades, the LDDC's first major residential project...
http://www.luvthecity.com/cascades.aspx


BAH, HUMBUG!
Friday, 24th December, 2010
Happy Christmas from everyone at Luvthecity! We're turning off our laptops, opening the half-used bottle of Port and putting our feet up in front of the telly. We suggest you do the same. Go on, stop surfing the net and we'll see you in the New Year. But before you go have a little sing-a-long to our favourite Christmas song!



2011 LENDING COULD HIT 30-YEAR LOW
Wednesday, 22nd December, 2010
Fresh warnings have added to worries over next year's housing market. The Council of Mortgage Lenders has predicted that net lending in 2011 will fall to a 30-year low...
Full Story Click here


PRICES TO DROP 2% NEXT YEAR
Wednesday, 22nd December, 2010
A prolonged stagnation in the property market will see house prices drop by 2% over the coming year, the body that represents estate agents predicted today. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said the number of transactions would remain flat at about 900,000 in 2011 amid continued constraints on the availability of mortgages.
Full Story Click here



MANCHESTER'S 2ND TALLEST SKYSCRAPER ON ITS WAY
Tuesday, 21st December, 2010
Those eagle-eyed people over at PlaceNorthWest have spotted a new crane in the city centre - proof that Manchester's second-tallest skyscraper is finally on its way...
Full Story Click here
Property Details Click here



ROONEY THROWN OUT OF CITY CENTRE ESTATE AGENT
Wednesday, 15th December, 2010
Earning millions at Manchester United doesn't automatically mean you can rent any propery you like - especially in the case of Wayne Rooney. Estate Agent Today reports how Rooney and team-mate Alan Stubbs were asked to leave upmarket London estate agents Kinleigh, Folkard & Hayward after being mistaken for "scallies on the rob". Staff failed to recognise the pair who were wearing tracksuits, trainers and chewing gum, and thought they had come to London to case some big houses...
Full Story Click here



RAYMOND BLANC HEADS TO LIVERPOOL
Tuesday, 14th December, 2010
Following Marco Pierre White's move to Birmingham (see below) another celebrity chef is opening a landmark restaurant outside the capital. This time it's Raymond Blanc who has confirmed the opening of Brasserie Blanc at Mann Island in the centre of Liverpool...
Full Story @ Place North West Click here





DROP PRICES 5% TO SELL
Monday, 13th December, 2010
Homesellers will have to slash the asking price of their property next year to find a buyer, a report warns today. In a further blow, it predicts that just 600,000 people will manage to sell, a massive drop on the boom years when around 1.7million homes changed hands every year.
Full Story @ Daily Mail Click here



THE 20TH CENTURY TERRACE
Thursday, 9th December, 2010
On the 50th anniversary of Corrie we take a look at a 20th century version of Britain's most famous street...
Full Story Click here



PRICES FALL, DEMAND RISES
Thursday, 9th December, 2010
Demand for property increased for the first time in four months during November as price falls tempted buyers back to the market, research indicated today. The average estate agency branch had 241 house-hunters on its books during the month, up from 218 in October, according to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).
Full Story Click here



MARCO PIERRE WHITE TO OPEN THE CUBE
Tuesday, 7th December, 2010
Marco Pierre White is set to launch a Steakhouse Bar and Grill on the 25th floor of the recently completed Cube development in the heart of Birmingham. The new restaurant, which will take the entire 14,000 sq ft top floor of the scheme and will sit more than 70 metres above the city...
Full Story @ Birmingham Post Click here
Studio Apartment @ The Cube Click here



THOUSANDS PRICED OUT OF LONDON RENTAL MARKET
Monday, 6th December, 2010
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said this week that rents are growing at their fastest pace for years, while the supply of new flats coming on to the market is shrinking.
Full Story @ Guardian.co.uk Click here



RENTS TO RISE, SAYS R.I.C.S
Wednesday, 1st December, 2010
A falling supply of new property to the rental market coupled with increased demand led to a rise in rents in the three months to the end of October, says the latest RICS Residential Lettings Survey.
Full Story Click here



WIRRAL WATERS GETS GO AHEAD
Tuesday, 30th November, 2010
The £4.5bn Wirral Waters scheme, the biggest planning application in the UK, has been given the green light by the government. Wirral Council gave the go ahead for the Peel Holdings scheme in August, but the plans had to be scrutinised by ministers in Whitehall.
Full Story @ Insider Media Click here



A NATION OF RENTERS
Friday, 26th November, 2010
In less than five years’ time, 17% of households will live in privately rented accommodation, it has been predicted. The proportion would be up from 14% at present, according to Capital Economics. The proportion of households in private rental accommodation has been growing steadily, after standing at 10% in 2001.
Full Story Click here



CONSTRUCTION AT LOWEST LEVEL IN 20 YEARS
Monday, 22nd November, 2010
Construction activity has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years, highlighting the impact of the recession on property companies and the continuing malaise in the private sector construction industry...
Full Story @ The Telegraph Click here


ARE WE BETTER OFF RENTING?
Monday, 15th November, 2010
For generations, we've aspired to be home owners. But evidence shows we'd be better off renting – both individually and as a nation. In Germany and Sweden, the rental market is credited with making people wealthier and happier, and with creating more attractive cities. So, is it time to sell up?
Elizabeth Day @ The Observer Click here



OCTOBER RISE, NOVEMBER FALL?
Friday, 12th November, 2010
House prices rose margi