Conflicting views of a challenging market
There is no easy answer to the classic question: "So, how's the housing market going?" Some may say it's going well, says Ben Roskrow, others call it grim. It depends who you are, what you do and where you operate
Fine margins from listed housebuilders
Steve Menary rounds up the recent batch of housebuilders' results and suggests that some are shy of trumpeting their recent profitable performance.
Zooming in on the industry's hot topics
Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris, says that the government is abandoning its scattergun approach to housing delivery and focusing on the hot topics facing the sector.
Hopeful signs from the conference season
HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley reports that the attitude to housebuilding from politicians and local authorities at the recent party conferences provides encouragement for the industry.
Home building at centre of economic recovery strategy
Before the 2010 general election, private home building looked set to be a victim of localism under a Conservative government. Today home building is centre stage in the coalition government's strategy for economic recovery. John Stewart charts the change in government attitude to the industry.
Nobody said it was going to be easy
Ben Roskrow argues that it is difficult to assess how the industry is currently doing. But challenging times could bring exciting opportunities.
HMI charts the vagaries of the industry
The Housing Market Intelligence conference on October 3 was the tenth staging of the housebuilding industry's favourite event. Ben Roskrow notes how the themes of each previous conference allow us to chart the fortunes of the industry at a glance
Tough calls on dividend payments
Barratt's share price fell on the day it announced profits were up 159%. Steve Menary looks at how decisions on dividends can affect housebuilders' stocks.
Lessons for all from London
Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris, says that the success of the London market still reminds us all that the key is to build the product in the right location.
Testing the deliverability of Local Plans
Viability testing of Local Plans presents local authorities with major challenges. But, argues John Stewart, it is essential to preparing deliverable plans.
