Help to Buy (part one) going well despite the critics
The Help to Buy scheme has been dubbed "moronic" as detractors say it will fuel more boom and bust in the housing market. But Ben Roskrow argues that the signs…
Making your jv work
Richard Jones, group head of regeneration of growth at EC Harris, welcomes the increase in innovative joint ventures to deliver housing and reveals the keys to…
Rental proposals highlight supply crisis
Special measures to attract institutional investment into the private rented sector will bring short term benefits to home builders but they do not address the…
Treasury moves show signs of success
In stark contrast to five years ago, the government seems to have its attention fixed on housebuilding. And, says Ben Roskrow, Treasury's latest move – the Hel…
The Osborne bazooka
The chancellor must feel it is "damned if it does, damned if it doesn't" when it comes to his initiatives on housebuilding. But, says EC Harris head of residen…
Housebuilder margins rise as firms enjoy market recovery
Steve Menary gives the lowdown on the latest financial reporting season for the plcs, finding that margins are beginning to move up, shareholders are seeing th…
A turning point in our fortunes
The chancellor's Budget could prove to be a game changer in releasing demand for new homes. But there is also work to be done on the supply side, argues HBF ex…
Thatcher's housing legacy
The effects of Margaret Thatcher's policies to revive the private rented sector and withdraw the state from direct housing provision are still with us, but her…
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 a…
How many new housing starts in 2018?
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 governmen…
