Residents living in two historic villages owned by the National Trust will be attempting to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and lower energy bills as part of a community-led programme.

The initiative, which is similar to the government’s Low Carbon Community Challenge, will show how major energy efficiency improvements are achievable in homes of any age - not just modern buildings - with savings possible from the biggest mansion to the average family house.

When a former hospital in magnificent Staffordshire parkland was being redeveloped, the builders were faced with what they regarded as a massive problem - what to do with something that looked like a folly and reached skyward like, well, a colossal sore thumb.

Developers have announced plans for a £2m subterranean property, which will be entered via an unassuming door at ground level and descend up to 50ft below.

Landlords have reported increased confidence in Q3 2009, although the continuing mortgage drought combined with the proposed regulation of the buy-to-let sector pose some cause for concern. www.yourmortgage.co.uk, 5 Nov 2009 According to the latest report on Private Rented Sector Trends compiled by specialist lender Paragon, most landlords expect the net value of their property portfolios to [...]

UK house prices rose by another 1.2% in October, the fourth monthly increase in a row, according to the Halifax.

Couples are more likely to leave a neighbourhood if the woman dislikes it than if her husband does. This is probably because the woman spends more time there, researchers say.

Borrowing option that had all but disappeared from the market is back – but it comes with a current account attached Lisa Bachelor – The Observer – Sunday 1 November 2009 First-time buyers who have struggled over the past two years to find a lender willing to sell them a mortgage have been offered a lifeline by [...]

More than 200,000 working families will gain about £1000 a year, thanks to new rules around Housing and Council Tax Benefits, making them an average of £20 a week better off. DWP – Monday, 2 November, 2009 From Monday, income from Child Benefit will no longer be taken into account when calculating entitlement to Housing Benefit and [...]

Building a home of your own is growing in popularity, but most couples who decide to start from scratch will end up spending about 30 per cent more than they bargained for and their project will take on average three months longer than planned.

Lenders have been making it slightly easier for borrowers to take out a mortgage, according to the financial information service Moneyfacts.

Lenders are making it slightly easier for borrowers to get a mortgage, says financial information service Moneyfacts.

The number of homes sold in the UK will continue to increase, Bank of England statistics indicate.

The number of mortgages approved for house purchase, but not yet lent, rose 3000 in September to 56,000.

This is the highest monthly figure since March last year and 68% up on September last year.

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The cost of moving has decreased by over a third in the last ten years, despite the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) and increasing house prices.

Research from reallymoving.com has found that the average cost of moving in 1999 was £2402 and is almost £800 less in 2009 at £1604.

London property search company Sourcing Property is predicting a busy 2010 if demand continues to outstrip supply, interest rates remain low and sterling remains weak.

Director Jo Eccles said: "The lack of supply, low interest rates and weak sterling, coupled with reports of house price increases, meant that the summer months were unusually busy, with a variety of active clients.

UK house prices were higher year-on-year in October - the first annual rise for 19 months, the Nationwide says.