Budget demands, an update on Rise Hall and a TV star

DEBATE is raging about what will happen to house prices with Rightmove’s Tim Bannister flagging up some reasons to be more cheerful, while pointing out that the frantic market of recent years was unsustainable in the long term.

He says: “Our key indicators now point to a market which is transitioning towards a more normal level of activity after the market turbulence at the end of last year.

“Agents are reporting that they are now increasingly seeing buyers who have more confidence and more choice albeit with revised budgets to accommodate higher mortgage rates.”

A new Joseph Rowntree Foundation report on the other hand says we are facing a “worst of all worlds” situation as rising interest rates and high inflation create the conditions for a housing market freeze unless the Government acts quickly.

The JRF has come up with a wish list for the Budget on March 15 and it is laudable in its aims to tackle major issues faced by tenants and hard workers on low and middle incomes who are locked out of home ownership. See the story below.

We also bring happy news of the latest renovation work at Rise Hall, famous for its former owner Sarah Beeny who rescued the house and gave it new life.

Its latest owners, Daniel and Helen Gill, are just as committed to the enormous Grade II listed building as Sarah and her husband Graham were when they brought it back to life as a wedding and events venue.

Another reason to smile is our story on the brilliantly watchable Interior Design Masters series on BBC1, which will be back on our screens soon with a fabulous contestant from Yorkshire.

Joanne Hardcastle from Batley will do us proud, whatever the outcome, and of that there is no doubt. Her own home is an indicator that we can expect some surprises. Set your clocks for

8pm on March 7.