A season for (house) lovers
Article Abstract:
Houses are selling extremely rapidly in some parts of the UK, with estate agents unable to meet demand from potential purchasers. However, demand remains weak in other parts of the country. In Feb 1999, mortgage approvals rose to their highest level since Jun 1998, but lending was still lower than the 88,000 loans made in the previous year. House purchasers should be aware that the bottom of the interest rate cycle has been reached or is approaching, so it is worth taking advantage of the cheap mortgage deals currently available.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1999
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Is the Widow in the bag?
Article Abstract:
Mutual life insurance concern Scottish Widows has confirmed rumours that it is reviewing its mutual status. This development has attracted strong interest from people seeking to open policies in the hope of obtaining a share in any windfall payments. Many people have already made considerable sums of money from opening accounts with building societies that subsequently abandoned mutual status. However, this process is not as easy with insurance companies, which have complex membership rules.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1999
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The great mortgage swindle
Article Abstract:
The UK Treasury has initiated a consultation process which is likely to culminate in new laws on mortgages. The Treasury is seeking the views of the country's 10 million borrowers and of mortgage lenders. Complaints against mortgage lenders about matters such as the inflexibility of endowment mortgages have reached record levels, but so far mortgage lenders have managed to almost completely avoid any damaging scandals.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1999
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