Can you repay your interest-only mortgage?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is concerned that many of us with interest-only mortgages may not be able to meet shortfalls in our repayment plans. In other words, we may not be able to pay off the loan when the interest-only deal ends. As a result we could be made homeless.

According to the FCA, one in five of us has an interest-only mortgage.

It recently carried out a review into the fair treatment of existing interest-only mortgage customers. The review found that, although mortgage lenders are writing to customers prior to their mortgage maturing, borrowers are not contacting lenders to discuss repayment options.

If you have an interest-only mortgage that is maturing and you haven’t been in touch with your lender about repayments, now is the time. Maturity of this type of mortgage is peaking now among customers who are approaching retirement.

Jonathan Davidson, executive director of supervision at the FCA, said: “We are very concerned that a significant number of interest-only customers may not be able to repay the capital at the end of the mortgage and be at risk of losing their homes.

“We know that many customers remain reluctant to contact their lender to discuss their interest-only mortgage for a variety of reasons. We are very clear that people should talk to their lender as early as possible as this will give them more options when it comes to the next steps they can take.”

There are currently 1.67 million full interest-only and part capital repayment mortgage accounts outstanding in the UK. They represent nearly a quarter of all outstanding mortgage accounts. Over the next few years increasing numbers will require repayment.

The FCA has produced a handy leaflet which outlines your options. You can access it here.

Get out into the garden

January is coming to an end, and as February heaves into sight Spring is just around the corner.

As the days start to lengthen, bulbs are stirring into life. Early flowering daffodils and snowdrops are coming into flower to bring a splash of early colour. With the renewal of life in the garden it’s time to get out there!


Here is a list of jobs that you should be thinking about tackling now:

• Start getting your vegetable seed beds ready.
• Chit seed potatoes ready for planting – especially those first earlies.
• Divide any bulbs that need planting and get them in the ground.
• Prune hardy shrubs, climbers and evergreen hedges.
• Keep an eye on the lawn. Brush away any worm casts and keep an eye out for moles. If the weather is warmer you may need to cut the grass. Mow only when the grass is dry with your mower set to its highest setting.
• Start edging your lawns to bring back that crisp appearance.
• Dahlia tubers can be brought back to life by leaving them in a light warm place to sprout. As soon as they have sprouted you can plant them.
• Hardy annual flowers can be sown now.
• Keep on top of weeds in the flower beds.

There are plenty of other things that you can be getting on with. Visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s website for more.

Time to replace the telly - the UK's top 10 TVs

This Saturday marks the date 102 years ago when Scottish inventor John Logie Baird demonstrated his new television machine to members of the Royal Institution of Great Britain in London.

Some of those present suggested that his invention could one day provide every home with a substitute for the cinema.


Luckily that didn’t happen. ‘The Pictures’ are still popular – just check out this year’s round of Oscar nominations. And box office takings are still breaking records.

But, as the cost of a night out at the cinema continues to rise, TV is clearly more prevalent. And things have moved on a bit since Logie Baird’s presentation to the institution’s members.

Most TVs today are smart and can be hooked up to your broadband and include apps for streaming services like Amazon and Netflix.

There’s a bewildering array of choice. The latest 4K ultra high-definition screens have a four times greater resolution than hi definition TVs. There’s precious little 4K content being broadcast but it’s on the way. But built-in up-scalers in UHD televisions make conventional HD pictures look almost as good.

There are two kinds of 4K TV available: OLED and LED LCD.

OLED (organic light emitting diode) means each individual pixel is lit separately, so the screens are much better at contrast than LCD. OLED is not as bright as LED and is much pricier to boot, but it’s probably the best picture quality you can currently buy.

Here is a list of the top 10 tellies currently gracing UK living rooms according to buying advice website Techradar.

• LG OLED C7
• Sony XBR-ZD9
• LG Signature Series OLED W7
• Samsung Q9F QLED
• Sony Bravia A1 OLED
• LG OLED E7
• Sony Bravia XE90 Series
• LG OLED B7
• Philips 9002 OLED TV
• Sony Bravia XE93 Series

Enjoy the long winter evenings curling up on the sofa with a cup of cocoa and a box set of your favourite TV programmes.

The top three pet choices for modern families

ITV recently had a poll to discover which breeds of dogs we Britons prefer. The top 10 as voted for by the British public were:

1. Labrador
2. Mixed breeds
3. Jack Russell
4. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
5. Border Collie
6. Cocker Spaniel
7. Cockapoo
8. German Shepherd
9. Springer Spaniel
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

So, they’re popular. But which are the best breeds around the house?

This handy online breed selector will help you choose a breed of dog based on a series of choices that best match your lifestyle.

Most busy families tend to be out of the house for much of the day. In this case it’s best to look for a breed that will be OK to be left on its own for lengthy periods of time throughout the day.

There aren’t many – most dogs don’t like being on their own for extended periods of time. However, a quick look at the Pets 4 Homes list brings up some interesting choices:

• Basset Hound
• Bedlington Terrier
• Bullmastiff
• Chow Chow
• English Bulldog
• Schnauzer – miniature and giant
• Lhasa Apso
• Mastiff
• Newfoundland
• Norwich Terrier
• Otterhound

Of course, this all depends on space. If you have plenty of room and you’re near open space our favourite is the Mastiff. It’s a breed that is friendly and good with kids. But its size and bark will make intruders think twice. If space is at a premium, then perhaps the Lhasa Apso would be a better option.

According to most online polls though, fish and cats both outstrip dogs in the pet popularity stakes.

Neither of these pet choices will interfere with busy lifestyles. Depending on the breed you choose they are relatively easy to care for. And they can tolerate being on their own while your family is out at work and school.

Visit http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pet-talk/pet-care-fish# for advice on keeping freshwater fish and http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat-care-advice/cat-health-centre for keeping tabs on your cats’ health.

We still think a Mastiff is a great pet choice, especially if home security is a concern. What's your favourite pet?

Hosting the perfect Burns' Night supper

January is traditionally a month of celebration – even after Christmas and New Years’ have passed into distant memory. There are several traditions from around the world that we can enjoy at home to brighten up a dreich January evening. One which has spread from its Scottish heartland to the rest of the UK and beyond, is a Burns’ Night supper.

Typically held on January 25th, the night is a celebration of Scottish culture. The traditional meal consists of cock a leekie soup (made with leeks, chicken and barley) haggis (oats and spiced sheep’s offal wrapped in a stomach lining) served with tatties (potatoes), neeps (mashed swede) and a whisky sauce. If this doesn’t sound appealing there are vegetarian options available. Finish with the traditional Scottish pudding, cranachan, made with layers of cream, raspberries and oats with whisky and a cheeseboard followed by coffee.

As well as whisky to serve to your guests you will need to keep the beer and wine flowing. There will be lots of toasting during the evening.

We doubt you’ll go to the hassle and expense of hiring your own piper – unless you or someone you know plays the bagpipes – so set the mood by popping some traditional Scottish music on the CD player.

Before the meal the host – known as the Chair – will welcome the guests then recite the Selkirk Grace:

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.

When you bring in the haggis it’s time to pipe it in while a guest recites the address to the haggis – a rendition of Burns’ poem To a Haggis.

As the meal progresses there could be entertainments – recitations of Burns’ poems or songs and traditionally a speaker will provide a witty discourse on The Immortal Memory – the life of Burns and his achievements. There should also be a playful toast to the lassies and an opportunity for the women present to get their revenge in a reply to the toast. Between the toasts during the final course of the meal a second entertainment will feature more recitations from Burns.

Finally, at the end of the meal the host will stand – if they can, after all the whisky and wine – and thank those who have contributed to the evening and then invite all present to stand and join in a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Lighting ideas to beat the winter blues

Beat the winter blues and give your home a cosy glow with some new lighting. There is also a trick or two you can do to maximise your existing lighting.

First and foremost, make the most of the natural light coming into your home. Keep blinds and curtains open. Hang a mirror on the wall opposite the window to reflect more natural light into the rest of the room.

We have said this before, but candles and other ‘natural’ light sources like coach lamps and lanterns bring a warm, cosy feeling to your home – they create a similar lighting effect to a real fire on dark evenings.

Spread more light about the house using floor and table lamps. They don’t need to be bright, just warming. You can use low-wattage bulbs and dimmer switches to create a positive mood.

If you enjoy curling up on the sofa with a good book, make sure you have a reading lamp to give yourself plenty of light to read by. There’s nothing worse than squinting at print that you can’t see in the gloom.

Chase the gloom out of any dark corners in your home by using floor lamps to brighten your space and make the room feel bigger and warmer.

Brighten up meal times with more powerful bulbs in your dining area.

Make the most of positive colours in different rooms around your home. Use full-spectrum light bulbs that are closer in colour to natural light to boost your mood.

Wall lights and light diffusing lamp shades can scatter light around the room to enhance mood and create a positive atmosphere.

Mix things up a little and enjoy the winter evenings. And when you are visiting one our showhomes don't forget to ask about lighting options.

An inspirational day out

You might be thinking about renovations, home improvements, new gardens or simply re-decorating a tired bedroom. Whatever you’re planning on doing in and around the home over the coming months, don’t make any final decisions until you have been to the Ideal Home Show in Olympia, London, from 17 March to 2 April.


A day out in London is always fun. Combine that with a visit to the Ideal Home Show and you will come back brimming with ideas for your home.

There are sections on interior design, home renovation, gardens and style. You can shop to your heart’s content and there are plenty of places to get some food and something to drink.

The show is on for 17 days so there’s loads of time to go along and get some 'renovation inspiration'. As well as the latest products, you can gain inspiration from renovation-themed show attractions.

There is also a Renovation Advice Hub where you can get expert advice to give your project the professional touch it deserves. This is the DIYers chance to learn from the experts.

It may seem a long way off but things have a way of creeping up on us. The Allison Homes team will keep an eye on the latest news and trends coming up ahead of the show and bring you more information as it approaches.

Magnificent seven receive cash from Allison Homes

At Allison Homes we’re always looking to give a helping hand to worthy causes in the areas where we have developments. It’s a pleasure to be able to help communities to develop and become more cohesive.

That’s why, along with our sister company Larkfleet Homes, we helped to set up the Larkfleet Homes Community Fund.

So far, the fund has donated nearly £50,000 to community groups and ventures across the country which support our vision of integrating new developments into the community.

The fund is meant for community groups which focus on activities that enhance or develop local communities. It has recently welcomed applications from groups that promote the environment, support residents or bring communities together. Via the fund we have just made grants of up to £10,000 to each of seven projects that have a positive impact within the area.

Applicants were invited to send their proposals which were then reviewed by a judging panel. The panel is managed by the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation which administers the fund.

The successful groups were awarded money for a range of projects and our congratulations go to:

• Thorney Parish Council, for a zip-wire, trampolines, outdoor gym and swings for the older children of Thorney.
• Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, for wood-working equipment for retiree volunteers to produce signage for interpretation and education.
• Donington Parish Council, to provide a garden shed and equipment for herb and wild flower beds.
• Families First Peterborough CIC, to continue an arts and crafts workshop for young people and adults who are leaving care homes to make their own way in the community.
• Sawtry and District Bowling Club, to provide ramps which will improve access to the club’s facilities.
• Moulton Chapel Youth & Community Centre, to build a playground including inclusive play equipment for children of all abilities.
• Somerset Sight Limited, to reduce isolation and loneliness by providing six additional outings for 12 sight-impaired adults.

Our CEO Karl Hick, said: “It’s really important to us that when we build new homes for people, we actually develop communities. Being able to support the fantastic charities and volunteer groups in the areas we are working in is vital. These groups are very often the backbone of the community and the support which the winners of this round of funding offer to the people who use their services is immeasurable.

“Thank you to everyone who contacted us about the fund. We really look forward to hearing over the coming months how the donation has helped your group.”

Karen Leader of Sawtry and District Bowling Club told us: “As a club we’re really passionate about bringing together a wide range of different people from our community. It helps reduce isolation for some and encourages people to take part in physical activity which is fantastic.

“By successfully being granted money from the Larkfleet Homes Community Fund, we’ll be able to make our club even more inclusive by improving access to the bowling green and club house. People of all abilities will be able to take part. We are so grateful, and I know it will help make people happier, healthier and feel more connected for years to come.”

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation manages The Larkfleet Homes Community Fund on our behalf. If you are part of, or know of, any community or voluntary group that wants to find out more about the fund visit www.tiny.cc/larkfleet-fund, telephone 01223 410535 or email info@cambscf.org.uk

The latest art trends for your home - and where to find them

We don’t know about you, but we think staring at blank walls is pretty dull.

Brightening up your new Allison Homes home with art works that match your décor is a great way of adding interest to your home and stamping your personality on your living space.

Taste in art is clearly a very subjective thing. But there are identifiable trends that influence general taste. Most of us may not be art experts but we know what we like when we see it. We just need a bit of inspiration to help us choose.

Art is often considered to be expensive, but adorning your walls need not cost the earth. Here are a few tips to help you get some artwork that you like, that fits with your own interior design and reflects your personality - but won’t break the bank.

Three trends for 2018

1. The Pantone colour of the year is ultra-violet, so expect shades of lavender, lilac and purple to feature in a lot of contemporary artwork.
2. Creative collages will gain in popularity according to Deposit Photos’ Visual Trends 2018.
3. Images from nature blended with human imagination into intense, almost psychedelic, imagery may well come to the fore in the work of many contemporary artists.

So where can you find art? Here is our brief list of likely locations.

Art fairs
Art fairs are a great place for art fans to look for original items to adorn your home. There are likely to be fairs in your area, so keep an eye on local listings. If you want to travel a bit further and make a day of it why not try the London Art Fair at The Business Design Centre? The fair brings together 100 galleries which showcase museum quality contemporary art – sculptures, paintings, photographs and ceramics are all on display.

Galleries
Outside London, lots of tourist spots and atmospheric market towns like Stamford and Oakham have art galleries. Take a day trip and browse to your heart’s content.

Online
There are a number of emerging online galleries where it is possible for first time art buyers to get something original from established and emerging artists for as little as £80. Try ArtFinder, Artsy or ArtSpace . You could also try larger online markeplaces like Ebay or Etsy.

Craft fairs and country shows
If your taste is more traditional, why not visit one of the many craft fairs or country shows up and down the country?

Flea markets and charity shops
Always worth a look. You never know what you might turn up!

Three home tech trends for 2018

Now that Christmas and New Year celebrations are out of the way many of us are turning our attention to refreshing our homes. Decluttering and redecorating, new furniture and carpets are often top of the list. But what about some new technology?

If you’re stuck for some ideas, the Consumer Electronics Show currently on in Las Vegas is showcasing the next must-have home technology that we will be all be clamouring for in 2018. The Allison Homes team has picked three trends that could become big in 2018.

Smart Home networks

More and more Wi-Fi audio visual devices are becoming available. To support the growing list of Wi-Fi connected products in your house, hybrid home Wi-Fi systems will develop. They automatically connect users to the fastest hotspot and frequency to ensure a strong and reliable signal throughout the entire house, so you can catch a movie, surf the net or listen to music anywhere in the house without fear of dropping a connection.

And we all want to save time on our household tasks. Switch off lights, turn on heating, start the washing machine or dishwasher, open the curtains, close the garage door. It is going to be possible to do this using artificial intelligence (AI). Launched at CES, Viaroom Home can anticipate daily household tasks, learning habits to automate lights, heating, doors and so on without human input.

Television and voice assistants combine

Manufacturers such as Samsung are incorporating voice assistants into their TVs to enable you to search for movies, search for TV programmes, play Spotify or check the weather. With Bixby, Samsung is bringing its personalized intelligence service to more devices. In 2018, select Samsung Smart TVs and new Family Hub refrigerators will have voice control via Bixby to make everyday tasks easier.

LG will be using Google Assistant to automate TV use and allow users to turn off the TV once a specific programme has finished and allow voice control via the TV’s remote.

Voice

Artificial intelligence activated using voice will gain more ground in the home automation market with products being connected via the Internet of Things including connected speakers, appliances and smart home gadgets. Conversational voice interfaces represent the next shift in how we interact with the devices around us and the user behaviour of speaking to things will become more integrated into our daily lives – at least according to the tech companies.

Declutter the garden in January

On the Allison Homes blog, we have talked a lot about decluttering the house and making a fresh start for the New Year. But we have neglected the garden.

As the winter weather starts to bite it’s worth getting on top of the gardening jobs you have been putting off. This will stop them mounting up to the point where you have a long list!

Although January is often the coldest month, there will be dry, clear sunny days when you can get outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Prune roses, shrubs and fruit trees. Keep lawns clear of leaves. If it’s dry, put your lawnmower on a high setting and run it over the lawn to hoover the leaves up.

Worm casts on the lawn can be unsightly and cause a build up of moss or weeds. When it’s dry take an inverted wire rack and disperse the casts by sweeping the rake from side to side over the lawn.
You can tell worm casts as they are soft sludgy deposits on the surface of the grass.

Don’t forget to get rid of your old Christmas tree. Shred it and add it to the compost heap as a mulch. Also, remember to put out water and food for the birds. Fat balls, nuts and seeds are great. Leave some areas of the garden uncut to provide shelter for small animals and birds during the worst of the weather.

Tidy up a bit. Get rid of any patches on your patio by scrubbing with a broom or jet washing. Scrub pots and planters

When the weather gets too bad, take to your arm chair and plan for the coming season. If you have a vegetable plot, plan your crop rotations for the coming year to avoid overuse and the development of pests and diseases.

While you’re on the plot, harvest any parsnips and leeks. Dig over any vacant areas and consider planting perennial vegetables such as asparagus, artichokes or rhubarb.

It’s also the right time to think about what you’re going to plant. Check the catalogues and get your seed orders in now. There are plenty of good ones out there – Thompson & Morgan and Suttons are two good examples.

As the days start to lengthen the garden will start to grow so get these jobs under your belt sooner rather than later.

Getting floored in 2018

One of the things that can sometimes be overlooked when we are thinking about redecorating our homes is the floor.

We walk on it every day but don’t give it the attention that is deserves. There are plenty of options for you to consider. The Allison Homes team has pulled together some trends covering most of the options you could consider.

Carpeting
Colours and patterns can be vibrant and warming. A good carpet will pamper your feet and bring a sense of comfort to any room in your home.

Pantone recently announced that its colour for the year is PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet, a dramatic purple that it says communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us towards the future. Interiors are often influenced by Pantone's predictions so look out for sumptuous bluey purple fabrics and accessories. Deep shades can transform a room with a bold statement, or can tone down a room as a subdued pairing.

In terms of material, comfort is king, and wool is making a comeback as a natural material of choice that has excellent properties for comfort and durability.

Ceramic and stone
Wood-effect tiles laid in chevron or herringbone patterns will be popular. ‘Rugging’ – using a patterned design with a plain surround in complementary colours – will make bold statements in formal room settings.

Tiles incorporating reclaimed wood or industrial concrete patterns will also be trending.

Hardwood floors
Expensive, but worth it. Pamper your feet. This year hardwood flooring design is tending towards greys and whites. In terms of natural finishes, the clever money is on warmer, lighter tones.

There are plenty of finishes available, such as various oils, wax, brushed finishes and rougher 'farmhouse' finishes. They all look great.

If you have the space, you could use wider planks, which look great in big rooms.

Vinyl floors
Luxury vinyl flooring manufacturer Amtico has singled out comfort as an exciting trend in home décor. It says that its focus is on a ‘mature’ colour palette with classic designs and earthy colours that add warmth and sophistication to interiors.

Printing technology has improved so much that quality vinyl flooring can rival hardwood.

Whatever flooring you choose, it looks the overarching trend is comfort and warmth. Have a great 2018!

10 New Year's resolutions every homeowner should consider

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year? Perhaps you are thinking about losing some weight, cutting down on alcohol or giving up smoking? Maybe you want to get out and take more exercise?

Whatever your resolutions there is a likely chance that you didn’t think about some TLC for your home.

Well, there is still time to have a think about some ideas and put them into action.

To help you, the team at Allison Homes has pulled together our Top 10.

1. Top of everyone’s list is decluttering. There is a great feeling to be had when you get extra breathing space from getting rid of all the old stuff you no longer need or use from the shed or garage.
2. Likes and dislikes – have a look around you home. Decide what you really like – and what you don’t. Keep what you like and get rid of what you don’t. Sounds obvious, but you would be surprised about how more positive your home will feel.
3. Watch your spending – resolve to by only the things you really need for your home, not those dodgy kitchen gadgets that will end up at the back of a cupboard or cluttering up the work surface after just one use.
4. Do treat yourself – use fresh flowers to brighten up the place or get some nice smelling candles. You could also consider saving for a bigger treat like an expensive work of art for example.
5. Ban shoes – get your family and visitors to remove their shoes before they come into your home. That will stop the carpets getting dirty or your hardwood floors getting scuffed. Make it easy for them by having a shoe rack by the front door.
6. Go energy efficient – Get insulated. Switch your normal lighting to low energy or LED bulbs. Investigate installing solar energy, ground or air-source heat pumps. Traditionally built Allison Homes often have solar PV installed already.
7. Safety checks – Check smoke and carbon dioxide detectors function properly. Ensure all your electrical items are safe and consider having a PAT – a 'portable appliance test' that ensures appliances and other electrical equipment are safe to use. Check gas appliances too.
8. Mortgage payments – if you can, increase your mortgage payments if you have some spare income. You will shorten the period of your loan. Shop around – look around for better deals and consider switching your mortgage provider if you can get a better rate and the terms of your current deal allow. Don’t forget to do the same when your home insurance comes around for renewal.
9. Community volunteering – why not think about putting something back into the community? Things to consider are setting up a community garden or neighbourhood watch scheme.
10. Learn DIY skills – ever thought about how much time and cash you could save if you could just sort out that leaking tap or re-wire that plug? You can do the job quickly and you don’t need to pay someone. There are courses at local adult education colleges like this one.

What will be trending in home design in 2018?

With the New Year many of us are thinking about a fresh start in 2018. Whether you are planning a new kitchen or redecorating the lounge, we’ve got a few ideas that could help you stay on trend.

According to the home decorating and renovation website Houzz there will be several traditional schemes making a comeback for home decoration in 2018.

Houzz, the go-to website for home decoration ideas, professional tips and a source of professional contractors, released a list of the top 10 design trends it expects to see next year based on the opinion of its network of professional and consumer users.

• Colourful kitchens – More colour will be used in kitchens to make the room feel warmer and make it even more like the hub of family life. Plum and warm pinks like Dulux’s Heartwood colour of the year.
• Rich colours – To match the use of colour in the kitchen, richer colours throughout the home will add a warming and cosy feel.
• Say goodbye to stainless steel – In the kitchen unconventional materials for sinks will come to the fore. Materials like stone, concrete, granite and copper will start to gain ground.
• Go floral – Flowery prints and chintzy patterns will start to make a comeback. Designs will use bold contrasting colours.
• Go vintage – Vintage accessories will become popular. Vintage lighting fixtures will gain popularity. There could even be an industrial theme in terms of metal and enamelled pendant lighting.
• Open sinks and baths – Deeper trough sinks will become popular. They will be open with chrome and brass pipe work and traps.
• Concrete it over – Well-established as a building material, concrete may become more popular decoratively – specifically in the form of kitchen worktops.
• Go for wood – Painted wooden walls, once popular in kitchens and bathrooms could become more common in other rooms around the house.
• Tiles – Intricate designs and patterns will become popular to counterpoint bold, warm colours.
• Minimalist bedrooms – Colours and designs of bedrooms will become uncluttered and calming.

For more ideas for what to do with your décor in 2018 visit www.houzz.co.uk