The property market in the borough of Barnet is proof that property prices will not decrease during 2010, according to Chris Crook, managing director of the house-building division at Countryside Properties. He has spoken out against recent reports that house prices will decrease in 2010, arguing that a housing shortage will prevent prices from falling and cites Barnet as an example of a location where the shortage is already acute.

On a former RAF site in Ickenham, Middlesex, CALA Homes is building a “village-style” development, Ickenham Park. Over the next three years, CALA will construct a range of homes here, including four- and five-bedroom family houses, as well as two-bedroom apartments and mansion-style apartments, in an established landscaped setting, with many mature trees. CALA has appointed Stanmore-based Preston Bennett as agent.

The property market in the borough of Barnet is proof that property prices will not decrease during 2010, according to Chris Crook, managing director of the house-building division at Countryside Properties. He has spoken out against recent reports that house prices will decrease in 2010, arguing that a housing shortage will prevent prices from falling and cites Barnet as an example of a location where the shortage is already acute.

On a former RAF site in Ickenham, Middlesex, CALA Homes is building a “village-style” development, Ickenham Park. Over the next three years, CALA will construct a range of homes here, including four- and five-bedroom family houses, as well as two-bedroom apartments and mansion-style apartments, in an established landscaped setting, with many mature trees. CALA has appointed Stanmore-based Preston Bennett as agent.

Property auctioneers had it tough in 2009. While admitting that 2010 may offer an end to recession variously described as “corrugated” or “W-shaped”, they face the year with renewed vigour and cheer. The bumpy ride in 2009 included a continuing slowdown in property transactions, the collapse of the residential housing market, price falls of 40 per cent in the commercial sector and banks unwilling to lend to each other as the LIBOR remained high, putting the cost of borrowing at home beyond many private investors.

After more than 30 years of use, the Brady Maccabi Youth & Community Centre in Manor Park Crescent, Edgware, Middlesex, is now being sold.

During this time, the building has echoed with the fun and laughter of generations of boys and girls enjoying the extensive benefits of the club. These included a well-equipped sports hall, theatre and auditorium, cafeteria and kitchen, offices and meeting rooms for educational, sport and social events.

Two silver awards have been presented to Octagon for its grade II listed converted mansion at Wall Hall, in Aldenham, Hertfordshire. The accolades, from What House?, were for best luxury development and best renovation. Each of the seven converted homes in this castellated manor house is a one-off. They range from a 1,100 sq ft two-bedroom second-floor apartment to a 6,000 sq ft, three-storey baronial-style wing, with two reserved car spaces each and invaluable lock-up storage rooms in the secure underground car park.

Surveyors expect to see rent rises in the New Year as the number of rental properties coming on to the market fell for the first time since January 2008. That’s the conclusion of the latest lettings survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The recent pick-up in the housing market seems to have led to a drop in the number of rental properties, particularly houses, being made available and, as a result, surveyor optimism has increased for the first time since July 2008. Some 22 per cent more surveyors expect rents to rise rather than fall in the next three months.

House prices in the UK will continue to rise throughout 2010 and beyond. That’s the conclusion of the Chesterton Humberts/CEBR forecast. Most reports have predicted a slight drop in 2010, but Chesterton Humberts believes prices will rise more than four per cent in London and two per cent in the rest of England and Wales.