In Property News this week:

• Mortgage approvals hit 64,000 in June—tracking with the 12-month average—signalling stable demand.
• Mortgage lending surges to £5 billion, the second-highest monthly figure since October 2022.
• Rents up again: The average UK monthly rent climbs 0.4% to £1,313, amid fierce competition and dwindling rental stock.

This week’s guest: Philip Farrell

Russell is joined by Philip Farrell, CCO and Founder at Offr.io, the company behind a platform that lets estate agents run fully digital auctions directly from their own websites.

With 30 years in estate agency behind him, Philip explains why the traditional house-buying process is stuck in the past—and how modern, tech-powered auctions could finally bring speed, transparency, and certainty to UK property sales.

• One in three deals collapse: Learn why buyers walk away—and why most of it comes down to poor visibility and paper-based delays.
• From cattle markets to click-to-bid: Philip busts the myths about auctions and explains how Offr.io is dragging the process out of the 1970s and into the 21st century.
• The future is digital: With 42% of offers now made outside business hours, estate agents who fail to modernise may find themselves left behind.

Have a question or comment? Email us at HomeFront@radionewshub.com

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In Property News this week:

• The UK’s average house price remains flat month-on-month at £296,000, with annual growth still tracking at 2.5%.
• Homes that won’t sell: New data reveals one in five properties on the market has been listed for over six months—prompting calls for sellers to price more realistically.

This week’s guest: Brian Berry – CEO, Federation of Master Builders

Russell is joined by Brian Berry and Iona Stewart-Richardson from the Federation of Master Builders for a sobering look at the true cost of rogue builders—and how to avoid becoming a victim:

• No licence, no oversight: Why anyone in the UK can call themselves a builder—without accreditation, training or regulation.
• Cowboy chaos: From unfinished kitchens to collapsing roofs, discover how innocent homeowners are losing life savings—and even their homes.
• Your builder checklist: Learn the 14-point vetting process used by the FMB, the red flags to watch for, and why a good builder will never be able to start on Monday.

If you have a question or comment? Email us at HomeFront@radionewshub.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Property News this week:

• Mortgage borrowing boost? Chancellor Rachel Reeves proposes allowing lenders to offer mortgages up to six times salary—a potential 33% increase in affordability.

• Valuation scandal exposed: A Panorama investigation reveals how some estate agents are accused of overvaluing properties—raising fresh concerns about industry practices.

This week’s guest: Lucy Parker – Keller Williams Real Estate, Dubai

Russell is joined by Dubai-based estate agent Lucy Parker for a compelling look at what’s drawing thousands of Brits to the UAE—and what it really costs to buy there:

• Why millionaires are flocking to Dubai: From tax breaks to total safety, Lucy explains why over 16,000 wealthy Brits are heading east.

• Off-plan gold rush: How buyers are doubling their equity within months—and why Dubai’s housing shortage is fuelling the rise.

• Golden visas & AI in schools: With 10-year residencies, world-leading education, and chilled pools in 50-degree heat, Dubai is reimagining modern living.

If you have a question or comment? Email us at HomeFront@radionewshub.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.