June 9, 2023

The Times says families ‘lost £3 billion’ on resales of leasehold retirement flats, while developers and freehold speculators made millions

The Times today suggests that families have lost £3 billion on the resale of leasehold retirement flats between 2001 and 2015 in a series of articles that add up to a devastating investigation of the sector. Some 80 per cent of the properties sold had fallen in value, with an average loss of £38,846, the […]

Seven months after buying our retirement flat, we have put it up for sale

– Couple deeply regret hasty decision – Why did they not RENT instead? – Churchill satisfied with sales procedures A couple who bought a one-bedroom retirement flat deeply regret making the hasty decision and were desperate to sell up – only seven months later. Evelyn Matthews, 78, and her husband Stan, 94, bought the one-bedroom […]

Will hedge-funders clean up in £500 million float for McCarthy and Stone?

Both the FT and the Sunday Times are suggesting that the hedge-funders who took on the debt at McCarthy and Stone could be in for a killing if it floats next year for £500 million. Both papers report that says hedge fund owners pumped £367 million of equity and a five-year loan to slash borrowings.