The weekender – property highlights from the weekend press

In this new weekly article we’ll give you a selected overview of the best property articles from the national newspapers over the weekend. We’ll spend our Sunday mornings with coffee and newspapers – so you won’t miss a thing!

House prices see biggest monthly rise in five years as sales of £1m-plus homes soar
The sales of houses worth more than £1 million more than doubled this month amid further signs that the recession may be coming to an end.
By Daniel Martin, Daily Mail

Prepare for a nasty shock as HIPs are used to push up taxes
Sebastion O’Kelly, property editor of the Mail on Sunday argues that Government will use energy performance ratings captured from HIPs to push up council tax and stamp duty.

Fee Free deals lighten the load for struggling first time buyers
Finance journalist Neil Simpson says at last a handful of high street lenders are offering fee free deals to first time buyers.

We’re heading to New Zealand for a better lifestyle and bigger home
Duncan Farmer explains why New Zealand emigrants are the happiest and that although average salaries are half that of the UK property prices are lower and emigrants from the Uk can expect better weather, and a higher standard of living.

Britons face big losses on holiday homes
By Claer Barrett, FT.com
British owners of second homes overseas are facing ruinous losses on their investments after plunging price drops in foreign markets wiped as much as £24bn from the value of UK-owned homes abroad, new research shows.

Eco houses: down on the eco farm
It is supposedly Britain’s most eco-friendly home, but there’s not a hint of a wind turbine or composting loo at Barnsley Hill Farm. In fact, the restored dairy farm looks rather like Liz Hurley’s spruced up Cotswold farmhouse across the field.

Mortgage approvals rise again but repayments outstrip lending
Number of approvals for purchase at a 15-month high, but mortgage holders pay back £418m more than was lent in July

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