Believers and optimists in short supply
Despite all the government's efforts on the supply and demand sides of the new homes market, Ben Roskrow finds that property professionals are not predicting an output surge.
How many new housing starts in 2018?
<p>At a recent housing debate, not one member of the audience thought we would be building 150,000 homes a year by 2018. Ben Roskrow wonders whether the government is aware of such pessimism</p>
Private equity funds swoop into UK market
There is considerable activity in the UK housebuilding sector with a wave of private equity firms taking an interest in the market. Steve Menary reports.
Needed - a strategy, not new initiatives
Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris, says that the government announcing a series of initiatives does not a strategy make - and a clear and coherent path ahead is needed to boost housing supply.
Budgeting for the general election
The two Help to Buy Budget housing measures must have been influenced by electoral calculation, but John Stewart does not accept the almost wholly negative reaction of the media and housing commentators.
Budget rewards confidence of newindustry investors
A new wave of US and European private equity funds are investing in UK housebuilders, anticipating good times ahead says Ben Roskrow.
New investors rewarded by Budget boost
A new wave of US and European private equity funds have entered the UK housebuilding sector, judging that the time is right to invest. Ben Roskrow says that the Budget will have helped these funds believe they have backed the right horse
Sector specifics
The private rental sector is growing and the government is looking to encourage more homes to be built and let. Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris, argues that the time is right for growth in this area.
Redoubling our efforts on planning
Although there are mixed messages from the mortgage market at present, there are definite signs of optimism. All the more reason, argues HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley, to focus on key planning issues to reduce potential constraints on future supply.
City re-rating despite weak housing market
A sustained recovery in the housing market remains elusive and home building has fallen sharply, but City optimism has dramatically pushed up housebuilders' share prices according to John Stewart.
