“The latest sign showing house price falls are coming soon”

Jul 18, 2022 | Housing market

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

Many would say that house prices have had their inflation bubble and more, and that the rest of the economy, and salaries, are on a much-delayed catch-up. If pay doesn’t stack up to cover mortgage payments, there’s no way prices can go up and up for ever. There has to be a bottom end, habitable houses which first-time buyers can actually afford, to support the top-end. And by ‘top-end’, I’m not talking zillionaire’s row, they’ll always, unless we tax them more, be able to keep buying. No, it’s the 5 bed detached, whose buyer moves from the 2 or 3 bed semi which they bought having sold their first flat. Real life, in other words, which never really goes away and outlives all the agents’ hype. In the end.

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“Reeves backs down on plans to cut ISA limit”

“Reeves backs down on plans to cut ISA limit”

So it looks as though Cash ISAs are safe for the moment (FTM – is that a thing?) Rachel has apparently ‘bowed to pressure’ from the banks and building societies and decided not to reduce the allowance to £4,000 for cash and to keep the £20,000 parity with Stocks and Shares ISAs. Bowed also to common sense, I’d say.

“Two thirds of adults are worried about care costs in later life”

“Two thirds of adults are worried about care costs in later life”

A dichotomy/dilemma here. Two thirds of adults are probably right to be worried about the cost of care, which is huge and getting more so. Many of those currently worrying will have had first-hand experience with their own parents, which will have focused their minds on their own possible future.

“Why most won’t need to worry about IHT on pensions”

“Why most won’t need to worry about IHT on pensions”

Many a government has made the point that only a minority will be affected by this or that tax change or tinker. It is, however, both perception and aspiration which are important, and they are what makes IHT the ‘most hated’ of all taxes – along with all the others, of course.