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Leading land brokers Aston Mead have criticised the plans announced by the Chancellor in the Government’s latest Autumn Statement.

In his speech on Wednesday, George Osborne announced an additional three per cent stamp duty on buy-to-let properties and second homes, which would raise an extra £1bn by 2021. He said that this money would help pay for 400,000 new homes and new ‘help-to-buy’ initiatives, with up to £60m going to help home-buyers in places where holiday homes have forced up local prices.

Aston Mead Director Charles Hesse said: “On the face of it, these changes may appear to be

Sutton Kersh looks set to sell close to £40 million of property during 2015, pointing to a sturdy recovery in the City Region market.

So far this year the auctioneers have sold more than £33million of property with one auction left, on December 10th.

Cathy Holt said: “The figures for property sales this year point to a confident market, with lots of properties changing hands and considerably more investment in property during 2015. So far this year we've sold 415 properties, and with one auction left to go we look set to reach a total of £40 million in property sales.

“Our final auction of the

Purchasing a house or flat at auction can be a great way to bag a bargain. As well as being a quick and relatively hassle free way to buy a home, no driving around viewing endless houses, no negotiations, and no last minute fall through if the house sellers get a better offer, the auction process is easy. You simply look through the auction catalogue, find a property you like, arrange a viewing and do some research, and show up prepared on auction day – here’s a few tips to help you on your way:

1. Find auction houses that sell properties in the area you’re looking in. London auctions have

Allsop, the UK’s leading auction house, raised £71.2m selling 175 lots at their 29th October residential sale.

• High value lots selling well as buyers and sellers accept and factor in new stamp duty thresholds. Auctioneer Richard Adamson comments, “The appetite for properties located in central London is still as strong as ever, but as always this is price sensitive. It would also seem that both buyers and sellers are more accepting and comfortable with the new stamp duty thresholds. There were a number of properties that fell into this category, with the most notable being Lot 21 in

The high-yielding Meakstown Shopping Centre in Finglas, Dublin 11, is one of the most notable investment properties going for sale at Allsop’s final commercial auction of the year at the RDS on December 9th.

A reserve price of €2 million-€2.4 million has been set for the centre which comprises five retail units, a creche, bar, restaurant and a gym. The nine units extend to 2,821sq m (30,364sq ft)and are all occupied, with the exception of the gym.Tenants include Boyle Sports, Hickey’s Pharmacy, Macari’s and Eurospar, with a weighted unexpired average lease term at 12.69 years.

Although the

GRAZING land in Stretton has exceeded its guide price and sold for more than £53,000 in an online property auction.

John Pye Property sold the seven acres of land off Dovecliffe Road in its online property auction.

The land had previously been used for grazing animals but the owners had decided to sell the site through an auction.

Richard Reed, head of property at John Pye Property division, said the piece of grazing land proved to be a hit with buyers.

"The land is in a prime location close to Burton and Derby in a rural area – perfect for equestrian use or camping subject to planning.

"We

Has your property been on the market for ages? Or are you just needing to sell quickly? Selling your property at auction is cost effective, simple, fast and stress free, so get the ball rolling and give us a ring!

We offer a free, no obligation appraisal to identify suitable properties and their worth, and if you decide to progress, then our auctioneers will advise you on everything that you need to know including setting the right reserve price, managing the viewings, and advising you on how to complete the legal documents, etc.

What are some of the benefits of selling at auction?

• The

The Land Registry’s latest figures indicate that the average price of a home in London rose to £499,997 in September.

Property prices have been rising consistently, and the typical value is likely to reach the half a million mark this year.

House values throughout England and Wales rose by 5.3% in the year to the end of September, the data also reveals, with the average home at £186,553.

London prices recorded the fastest annual rise in September, at 9.6%, the Land Registry said. Values rose by 1.8% between August and September.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, house prices in the North

It's important that you view a property before you bid for it at auction. There are so many things to consider and often the most important questions are forgotten.

Ask the relevant questions by taking our helpful checklist with you on your viewing. It may also be useful to take along the property details supplied by the auctioneer to ensure that their information is accurate.

Also check the property for signs of subsidence and confirm that the exterior is in good condition especially the roof and drainage. Double check the boiler, electrics and plumbing in the property and make sure they are

If you’re moving house, the first thing to do is finalise your moving date, and then you can start ticking things off your checklist. Use our guide below so you don’t forget anything:

Four weeks before you move house:

• Book a removals company as soon as possible. This will guarantee you get the date and the company you want. Keep in mind that weekend moves are likely to be more expensive.
• Check your home contents insurance policy to see what cover you have regarding moving home. Your removal company may provide this if you are not covered.
• Arrange for parking of the removal van