Welcome to the Richard Butler Creagh blog. Richard is founder of Henley Finance, which is a bridging loan company based in Henley. Working alongside professional property developers and investors, we have years of experience analysing the UK property market. Here is a synopsis of what Brexit and the housing crisis may mean for UK property in the future from Richard Butler Creagh.

If all the three million European Union migrants went back to Europe and the one million Brits came back here, that could mean an immediate solution to the housing crisis!  Although this isn't likely, less immigration is bound to reduce the pressure on the housing shortfall.  It sounds good at first, but this along with other indicators like a weaker pound deterring foreign investors could mean the housing market slowing to an unhealthy rate, which we certainly don't want.
 
This post-Election, post-Brexit world where "uncertainty" rules the day is the government's opportunity to prioritise the property industry and do something positive and noticeable.  Since the EU referendum, decisions were put on hold relating to speeding up planning and housebuilding, namely the Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill.  This is close to our clients' hearts, here at Henley Finance.  Many of them come to us for a loan while planning applications are going through.  Every month they have to wait, makes the project a little less viable.  Delayed planning decisions are often the downfall of promising ventures.  These people are the bread and butter of the property industry, making homes liveable in areas where people want to live, and these guys as well as the big developers could really use the assistance right now.
 
It could be said to be understandable the Property Industry has been put on the backburner after the snap election and terror incidents around the country but assisting with these relatively simple solutions, in the most part, well underway and near to completion.  In doing so, the government would show strong leadership and underpin not only the future of the industry but the wider economy too.  This will keep general confidence and strong market as we go forwards to the Brexit future.

To find out more about how bridging loans can help you, visit the Henley Finance website today. You can also keep up to date with the latest finance news on the Richard Butler Creagh Twitter page, and connect with Richard Butler Creagh on Linkedin to join his professional network now.

Despite Nationwide releasing its quarterly figures this month showing that for the third consecutive month they had declined for the first time since the financial crisis, houseprices are still on the increase.  Something that we are very aware of at Henley Finance. Here are some tips from bridging finance expert Richard Butler Creagh. 
 
According to Nationwide’s not ‘seasonally adjusted figures, if houseprices continue at this rate for the next year, property prices will still rise by 2.1%. This is still healthy growth.  Other trends in the economy point towards the strong trend continuing in the housing sector.
 
The employment rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were in work) was 74.8% in May as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS): the highest since comparable records began in 1971.  This might have been reported as the job market being “Uber-ised” ‘The Guardian, 17th May 2017) but the ONS still reports that in real terms, wages on average are the same compared to last year.
 
At Henley Finance we are in a perfect position to observe the effects of short supply of housing.  There is still fierce competition for prime residential sites.  Purchasers use us to fall back on in order to clinch the deal.  They know that they have to move quickly in this market place as there are many prospective purchasers around who will get the property if they don’t.  Property hotspots are still evident in London, the South East and fast emerging cities like Bristol.
 For more information or bridging finance advice, contact Richard Butler Creagh here. Connect with Richard Butler Creagh on Linkedin now.