House market in toronto

THE odds are stacked against solo first-time buyers as house prices reach eye-watering highs. It's one of the main reasons why Zahraa Al-Afadi ditched plans to buy alone and bought a £426,000 flat in Brighton with her mum instead. Property prices have rocketed since the Covid crisis and the average home now costs an average of £283,496 - 12.8% higher since last year, according to latest Land Registry figures. A lack of houses on the market, the stamp duty holiday and high demand have fuelled growth over the past couple of years. Heftier price tags means bigger deposits - and single buyers can often struggle to afford getting on the ladder. Pharmacist Zahraa, 25, found she was priced out of the sort of home she wanted on her budget. Read more in Money ISA ISA BABY I lost £1,000 due to Isa loophole - how you can avoid it DRIVE ON We sold our car to help save up £20,000 deposit to buy our first home … [Read more...] about I’m 25 – astronomical house prices meant I had to buy my £426,000 first home with my MUM

THE auctioneer raises his gavel and calls for final bids. My finger is poised over my mouse – one click and I could be the owner of a three-bedroom house. Then, to encourage a last offer, the auctioneer drops the amount he is asking for. “I’ll let you have it for another 500 – can I tempt you, internet?” he says. The winning bid comes in and the gavel falls. The whole thing takes less than six minutes. ­Welcome to the world of online property auctions . Here I take a look at all you need to know about buying at auction. MODERN-DAY AUCTIONS TODAY I am sitting at my desk, headphones in, watching the monthly SDL Auctions property auction on my computer screen. READ MORE ON MONEY HOME SWEET HOME We cut £11,000 off deposit for £217,000 first home - and you can do it too COMPUTER SAYS NO Mortgage warning as FOUR lenders to stop processing applications I am one of more than 1,000 people watching to see around … [Read more...] about Buying a house at auction is a real rush – here’s our tips for purchasing online

The Commerce Commission will today release the draft findings of a study into New Zealand's residential building supplies market, as the cost of building or renovating a house goes through the roof. The competition watchdog is scrutinising competition in the industry, with a particular focus on concrete, plasterboard and structural timber, in a year-long market study similar to those done on the fuel and grocery sectors. Chronic shortages of plasterboard, timber and labour have crippled some businesses, with certain materials as much as 30 percent more expensive than they were 18 months ago. READ MORE: GIB and the competitive problems of plasterboard Shortage sees builders buy Gib board for six times retail price on Trade Me Building projects grind to a halt as dominant Fletcher freezes Gib orders Windows in, plumbing out - ComCom homes in on building materials concerns CBS Co-operative chairperson Carl Taylor said some firms had gone bust because of cash-flow … [Read more...] about Commerce Commission to reveal draft report on building supply market

Published 4 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The owner of a small boutique says she is "over the moon" after winning a trademark battle with High Street fashion giant Zara. Amber Kotrri, who runs Darlington-based House of Zana, had been told by the retailer her business was "conceptually identical". Zara had argued there was a "high degree of visual and oral similarities" between the two brands. But a tribunal found the link was "too insubstantial". She said the judgement was a "genuine weight off my shoulders". "It's been well over a year and very stressful on my home life, as a mum of three young children, as well as on the business as there's been hours and hours of preparing documents of evidence," she said. "My daughter's due date coincided with the time the last evidence was due so it hasn't been easy." Mrs Kotrri said she had … [Read more...] about House of Zana boutique owner wins trademark row with Zara

N orway has drawn up plans to ration electricity exports in a move that has heightened fears of energy shortages in the UK and Europe this winter. The government in Oslo on Monday announced new rules limiting the sale of power to foreign countries as heatwaves threaten Norway’s hydroelectric power generation. Experts said the restrictions threatened the UK’s plan to draw power from Norway this winter via the North Sea Link - leaving electricity supplies more stretched and risking even higher bills for consumers. The National Grid has already revealed that the UK is set to be more dependent than ever on the Continent for power, with interconnectors expected to provide up to 5.7 gigawatts of electricity at peak times. About one quarter of that total – or 1.4 gigawatts – is set to come from Norway. Kathryn Porter, an energy consultant at Watt-Logic, said the proposed restrictions “put at risk the ability of Britain to import from Norway this winter”. “National Grid ESO needs to … [Read more...] about Norway threatens to ration electricity in fresh blow for UK and European energy supplies

HOUSE prices have reached new highs this year and it's becoming increasingly challenging for those looking to buy and sell. The average property price now sits at £283,000 according to the Office for National Statistics . And house prices remain more than £32,000 higher than this time last year. Average house prices increased over the year in England to £302,000 (13.1%), in Wales to £212,000 (14.4%), in Scotland to £188,000 (11.2%) and in Northern Ireland to £165,000 (10.4%). We spoke to Chris Husson-Martin, a housing expert from Hamptons estate agent , to find out how you can add value to your home without breaking the bank. Chris said: "If you're looking to sell-up this summer you need to make sure your property stands out and you'd be surprised to know that it won't cost an arm and a leg." READ MORE IN MONEY COSTLY MISTAKE I'm an interior expert, the costly mistake people make decorating their home FRIGHTMOVE … [Read more...] about I’m a property expert – four easy tricks that will add £1,000s to the value of your home

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are preparing for a Tory leadership hustings hosted by The Telegraph from 7pm. You can watch live here – and read on for details of how you can get involved. But first, the headlines... Evening briefing: Today's essential headlines Tinderbox Britain | A regional drought in southern England is expected to be announced tomorrow, The Telegraph understands. The official status means the Environment Agency will more closely monitor water companies' plans to protect supply and add to pressure for hosepipe bans. It came after warnings of an "exceptional" wildfires risk amid an amber heat warning . With highs of 36C forecast this weekend, these are six ways high temperatures can affect your health – and this is what Britons can learn from their continental cousins about keeping cool . Twickenham | Trans activists crash England Women's training Isle of Skye | Father killed 'trying to save others from gunman' Travel | … [Read more...] about Thursday evening news briefing: Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to square off at Telegraph hustings

Vicky Ford says 'We cannot have more of exactly the same' SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Liz Truss is one of two remaining contenders in the running to replace Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative party , and could soon be on her way to No 10 Downing Street if she is chosen over her rival, Rishi Sunak . While a new residency at the famous Westminster address is a possibility for the current Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss will continue to live in her family home until a decision is made on September 5. Here’s a look into the home life and property of the Leeds-born cabinet minister. Related articles Truss to pull rug from under unions and forge new emergency law Meghan & Andrew are … [Read more...] about Where does Liz Truss live? How would be PM has ‘kind of boring life’ outside work

Mark Millar shares his tips for minimalist kitchens SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info With more choosing open-plan living and adding extensions to their houses, the kitchen has increasingly become central to the look and feel of homes. No longer a space to shut the door and forget about, your kitchen is a showpiece as well as a practical space to prepare meals and dine. Wine cooler experts elitefridges.co.uk have shared five luxury items that are sure to give your kitchen that "wow factor”. Related articles ‘Kitchen faux pas’ to avoid when designing space - ‘huge impact’ ‘Clever’ features that will add the 'wow factor’ to kitchens for less Although style and taste are subjective, these luxury … [Read more...] about Five kitchen items you ‘need’ to give your space the ‘wow factor’ – also ‘very practical’

Tax cuts will not solve the challenges facing the British economy, Lord Wolfson has warned. The Tory peer, who is chief executive of fashion retailer Next, said inflationary pressures that are eating away at household earnings can only be tackled by increasing the supply of goods and workers. Aside from helping the poorest in society, he said there is “nothing the Government can do” for the vast majority of families and that “printing money” would do little to help the situation. Lord Wolfson also predicted that while Britain was likely heading for a recession, the result was likely to be a slight decline in earnings rather than mass job losses, due to high levels of employment. His comments came as Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, defended the tax cuts proposed by Tory leadership frontrunner Liz Truss and insisted they would not drive up inflation. Asked about whether tax cuts were needed to boost the economy, Lord Wolfson would not be drawn on the contest for the next … [Read more...] about Tax cuts won’t solve economic crisis, says Next boss Lord Wolfson