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.
Lending a hand for a spring market thaw
Despite some detractors, the government's initiatives to ease the mortgage market are gathering momentum says Ben Roskrow.
Replacing the rungs on the Broken Ladder
Ben Roskrow says that despite having their detractors, government initiatives to ease the mortgage market are starting to gain momentum and at present are the best hope to tackle the housing crisis
Position of strength
Steve Menary looks at the first trading updates of 2013 and what the city and forecasters think.
Ten reasons to be cheerful - revisited
A year ago Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris, proposed ten "reasons to be cheerful" for housebuilding. As 2013 begins he reviews their progress.
