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A UK property selling survey conducted by the National Association of Estate Agents found that divorce, debt, death and a new job were key reasons for people selling a property.

The survey also found that the majority of people looking to move home did so to get a bigger property 1000 estate agents were asked to find the top three reasons people gave for wanting to buy or sell a home. 41% of estate agents said needing to repay debt was a major factor forcing homeowners to sell their property, while 39% were buying or selling a home following a family death.

A Question For You!

I wonder if the reasons for selling a home is the same worldwide. The UK survey seems a little obvious what other reason top the list in your area?

Why People Lose Their Homes

See:5 Stupid Ways To Lose Your Home

When it comes to the housing market and the Internet the UK presents a strange situation. All research indicates that 80% of buyers go to the Internet to find their next home. The figures for those selling online are dramatically lower with only 2-5% max selling online. So why the big difference? It could be said that maybe the Brits are very conservative and don't trust online estate agents. Others may suggest that the UK estate agency industry is so strong that new models cannot break into the maket.

I feel that the UK is virgin territory for new online real estate services that will help you sell your home and at the same time provide a service from a realtor.

Online agencies are not for sale by owner operations but more like a centrally based companies that can provide most of the services a traditional estate agent can supply but at a fraction of the cost. Lower overheads and a lack of fancy offices means many operate on a fixed cost basis

Is this model the future of real estate?

See examples of online estate agency in action here : Online Estate Agencies

The city of London UK has always attracted the super rich with buying power beyond the reach of your average millionaire. In the eighties oil rich Arabs bought into the London housing scene the nineties saw the Russians move in with shocking wealth. Now it is the time of the Chinese who have untold riches and who are splashing out on a little bit of London town.  

A Hong Kong Billionaires has spent £33 million (USD$49,521,484.78) on a London property confirming that the new international property rich are coming from China. The purchase will have London estate agents seeking new ways in attracting the Chinese to their property portfolios that is for sure. 

The latest purchase n was made by Chinese Billionaire Joseph Lau, who has a £2.5 billion fortune. He bought a six-floor mansion in Eaton Square, Belgravia(above). The white stucco house has its own cinema, a swimming pool, and gym and servant quarters.

House purchaes like this mean only one thing London property prices will be on the up and will not represent the rest of the UK. London will be like an island of unreal property prices within the UK

Related : Housing Market news

What does it mean when a housing market has an increase in second home ownership? The number of second homes in England rose by 2.6% in 2009 following a contraction in 2008 of -0.4%. This rise, which equated to 6,212 additional second homes, pushed the total to an all-time record of 245,384. Does this indicate further investment in second homes to let or an increase in wealth? Low mortgage rates in the UK could also be a factor as well as favorable currency exchange rates.  On the down side it  could be interpreted as difficulty to sell a second home with a lack of buyers seeking a typical second home.

From a social perpective does second home ownership mean real estate stock laying empty when others could do with a home. Does second home ownership push up house prices making it even harder for people to get a foot on the housing ladder?  

Liam Bailey, head of residential research at Knight Frank, comments: "The number of second homes in England has been steadily rising over recent years. The recession and credit crunch saw this trend falter in 2008 - when the total fell by 912 (or 0.4%). The recovery in 2009 - with an additional 6,212 English second-homes, marked a return to long term growth.

More figures here : Second Homes Increase In England

A new way to buy property is in its infancy in the UK, buyers and the general public are not fully aware of this brand new option called Rent To Buy.

It's an exciting concept and I am not sure where else in the world people Rent To Buy  and the experiences that they have had. For me as an observer of everything real estate it seems like the silver bullet for those that cannot afford the huge deposits that are required today.

I believe that the Rent to Buy option is set to change the way buyers finance a purchase of their home and is set to take off in the UK, pundits are saying it is oneof the best ways to get on the property ladder .

So Why Rent to Buy?

The credit crunch has resulted in lenders becoming more stringent with their lending criteria. This has resulted in many people without large deposits or squeaky clean credit history unable to buy their own homes with a mortgage.

The Advantage of Rent To Buy

Makes the rent you pay turn into a worthwhile lump sum

Great for first time buyers

Ideal for those struggling to saving a deposit

Suitable for new Resident to the UK

Good for people with poor credit history or no credit track record

So what are the downsides?

Its difficult to find the disadvantages unless you know of any would be good to hear your comments

Note: Rent to buy is also known as  Rent Now Buy Later, Rent2Own,Rent-to-Own, Try Before You Buy,Rent and Own,Own Now Pay Later,