With news that the housing market recovery has started to spread across the UK, property developer and investor Eric Richford has just purchased two exclusive Redrow villas in Lytham, Lancashire.

With impressive views over the Ribble Estuary, The Villas at Lytham Quays is a luxurious gated development of just ten individually designed homes priced from £1.24 million.

Eric built the last home he shared with his wife Jan, and had intended to do the same again before they found and fell in love with The Villas.

"I had been looking at land in the Prestbury and Alderley Edge areas of Cheshire, with a view to self-building another property for us to live in," explains Eric, "but after discovering Lytham and The Villas we realised that this was home for us!"

Each detached villa offers around 4,500 sq ft of living space, made up of plush living areas, a high-quality kitchen, five bedrooms, several en suites, and balconies - surrounded by landscaped gardens. The split level design of the homes creates a flexible, multi-functional lower ground floor area that could be used as a gym with shower room adjoining, a cinema room, or a home office.
Before their move, the Richfords had lived in the south for many years, but with Jan originally from Chorley they were keen to move up north to be closer to friends and family.

Jan suggested the vibrant town of Lytham as a possibility, a placed she had visited and loved as a child, and they were both impressed when they went to explore there. After discovering The Villas development, they were so impressed by the views, and the style and high specification of the properties, that they decided to buy not just one but two villas there - with the second as a high-end buy-to-let investment.

"The first thing that struck us when we came to view Redrow's properties were the fantastic views, they really are second to none. Being in the property development business, the location was a major plus point as we know there is no possibility of further development at the rear of the properties and the views of the estuary will remain unspoilt."

Other factors that influenced their decision to buy there include the fact that the properties are low maintenance, and are set within a secure, gated enclave - offering peace of mind when they are away.

Eric's own expert knowledge of the housing market also provided him with added incentive to purchase there. "Having been in the property development business for many years, I've built up many contacts within the industry, including estate agents, and all were saying last year that house prices were set to move. This year many have experienced the best few months since even before the downturn, so it felt like the ideal time to invest."

Today sees the launch of the first two editions of the new WhatHouse? regional property newspapers. Royal Mail starts distribution of the tabloid-size property papers today, with each edition being delivered through the letterbox of 100,000 homes over the next few days.

The South East edition covers Kent, East and West Sussex and addresses in the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley. The Southern edition is delivered to an audience in Surrey, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight in addition to parts of Croydon, Richmond and Kingston in the capital.

If you can't wait to find your copy on the doormat this week, or don't live in these areas, you can take a look at the digital versions here:

South East edition	Southern edition

Two more regions of the WhatHouse? newspapers will be launched in January 2014 - an Eastern edition covering Essex, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, and a West Midlands edition for Staffordshire, the West Midlands conurbation and Warwickshire. These two editions will be distributed to 150,000 homes each month.

"It's great to have the WhatHouse? name back in print," says editor Keith Osborne. "We were a monthly magazine publication for many years but have been online only since 2006. We're returning to the WhatHouse? heritage.

"These newspapers have a mix of general property articles with a high proportion of targeted news, features and advertising for each specific region. Keeping in line with our expansion of the Whathouse.co.uk website in January 2014, we are covering every aspect of house-hunting and homeownership, so the newspapers will be of interest to owners and buyers of new-build and resale property, renters and landlords."

Call 020 7940 1070 to find out more about editorial and advertising opportunities.

Whether you prefer exploring the iconic cathedral or heading out to the picturesque Durham Dales for some peace and quiet, the city of Durham has plenty to offer. With cobbled streets, boutique shops and traditional markets, historic Durham perfectly aligns with the modern university city it is known as today.

Over the course of a month, house prices in the northeast have decreased by over 3%, so now may be an ideal time to purchase your dream home. Whether you are search of a modern city centre apartment or a traditional family property, Durham has plenty to offer, and here's a quick guide to some of the best properties currently on the market.

We begin with a two-bedroom apartment close to the city centre, priced at £186,000 with RSB Lettings and Sales. This smart top-floor home features a large living/dining area with patio doors leading to a private balcony. With two good-sized bedrooms, a modern bathroom, a fitted kitchen and allocated parking, this home is sure to be popular with buyers.

Rise Sales and Lettings lists a three-bedroom terraced home within a few minutes walk of the city centre, priced at just £165,000. This newly refurbished home is located on a quiet residential street and features a brand new kitchen with integrated appliances, two double bedrooms, a spacious living room and a yard garden.

We now move on to Merryoaks, one of Durham's most prestigious residential addresses. Here you will find a spacious four-bedroom detached family home, priced at £380,000 with Robinsons. This well-presented property boasts a large master suite with an en suite bathroom, a dual-aspect lounge, family dining room and an integrated kitchen. Outside, you will find a double garage and a sizeable lawned garden.

We finish with a five-bedroom, three-storey townhouse in a popular development in central Durham, priced at £359,950 with Rise Sales and Lettings. This immaculate home features four double bedrooms, a spacious kitchen/diner, two reception rooms, two en suite bathrooms and an integral garage.

To find more properties available to purchase now in Durham, you can search our listings here.

The government must do more to boost the supply of much needed new homes in this country, including affordable homes, in order to help alleviate the mounting housing crisis, according to Kim Vernau, chief executive officer, BLP Insurance, a housing warranty provider.

Commenting on the outlook for property and construction in 2014, Vernau said: "We urgently need to provide additional housing to meet the increasing demand that we are seeing for property in the UK."

In order to boost help met growing demand for housing, Vernau insisted that it was "vitally important" that developers build new homes that are "both sustainable and cost effective".

"Producing housing that fails to meet these criteria is not a solution as it becomes a problem over time," she added.

Vernau believes that the solution to the shortage of new homes lies with government and the need to cut planning red tape to make it easier for housebuilders to develop more much needed properties.

She continued: "This starts from the planning stage in terms of the quality of the build. Furthermore, we need to consider the effects on local communities and ensure that new housing developments have the right infrastructure available to support them and provide residents with enough schools and hospitals.

"A considered and effective neighbourhood plan with buy-in from all affected parties is key to the success of such development."

Reflecting on the current lack of available land, Vernau acknowledged that this was a problem, but said that BLP Insurance endorse the government's initiative to enable communities to improve their local area by giving them the right to ask that under-used or unused land owned by public bodies be brought back into use.

Camden Council has awarded planning consent for the construction of 900 new-build homes across the London Borough of Camden in North West London.

The new homes, which will be developed as part of Camden's 15-year plan to invest much-needed money in schools, homes and community facilities, will go a long way to plugging the widening supply-demand gap in the region.

The new residential property schemes will include the regeneration of Agar Grove Estate, creating new more spacious and energy-efficient homes for residents.

The Agar Grove project will deliver 513 new homes, including refurbishing and remodelling Lulworth, the existing tower block. The scheme will replace 249 existing homes which are in need of significant investment.

Councillor Valerie Leach, cabinet member for Regeneration and Growth, said: "Despite a £200m cut in government funding we are still able to deliver significant investment and improvements in schools, homes, community facilities, and employment opportunities in the borough through our innovative Community Investment Programme.

"We have taken a major step forward in delivering the programme, and by approving key schemes such as Kingsgate and Agar Grove we are tackling some of the pressing issues in Camden such as relieving pressure on school places, and increasing and improving the supply of housing."

With the party season in full swing, what could be more pleasant than inviting friends, family or colleagues around for a lively get-together? Much more personal and a lot less fraught than an external venue - all your home comforts, no extortionate bar prices and no random strangers spoiling the atmosphere.

If you love to be the host - or hostess - with the most, take your pick from these terrific new-builds, on the market right now and waiting for the right party-loving buyer.

Grosvenor Waterside from St James, London SW1

Paul Hopkins, managing director of St James Group explains: "The largest apartment available for sale is 1,377 sq ft in size and boasts an expansive 42-ft private terrace. The huge open-plan living space is a key feature of the apartment (21ft x 23ft) which has been cleverly designed to include key dedicated zones. A comprehensive fitted kitchen is located at one end, which blends seamlessly into a formal dining area; with a further area to accommodate sofas and chairs for relaxing. Such multi-functional open-plan spaces will really come into their own during the festive season providing a superb and sociable space for entertaining."

The Quadrant at Queen Mary's Place from St James, London SW15

The Quadrant is the final phase of five-bedroom townhouses at the highly sought-after development in Roehampton, SW15. The homes boast a ‘super-room' on the ground floor - an expansive 21ft x 20ft open-plan living space perfect for entertaining, which incorporates a kitchen / dining / living area. Houses at The Quadrant start at £1.685m.

Swan Lake View from Bloor Homes, Yateley, Hampshire

Backing onto Yateley Lakes and close to the village centre, all the homes benefit from spacious, contemporary, high-specification interiors. The ‘Tundra' is a stunning six-bedroom detached home. The ground floor features an open plan kitchen/breakfast/family area with French doors leading to rear garden that runs the whole width of the house; with a further separate lounge and dining room, utility room and cloakroom which are accessed via the hallway. The ‘Tundra' is priced at £920,000 as available to purchase off-plan.

The Riverside Collection at Kingsbrook Park from Berkeley Homes, Canterbury, Kent

The Riverside Collection is the latest phase at Berkeley Homes' Kingsbrook Park and contains some of the most sought-after properties in the stunning city of Canterbury. Each property comes with its own private balcony and many benefit from views of the ancient cathedral. The generously proportioned open-plan living area has been maximised to allow ample room to accommodate a large dining table for hosting a dinner party plus a further area for seating in which to relax. Apartments are priced from £244,950.

Shaftesbury Gate from Crest Nicholson, London SW11

Crest Nicholson London's new phase of four-bedroom townhouses at Shaftesbury Gate in Battersea has been constructed with home entertaining at its core. On the ground floor, the 17ft kitchen extends effortlessly into a generous open-plan living/dining room, positioning the ground floor as the hub of the house. The architectural design affords hosts the optimum platform from which to show off their culinary skills while simultaneously remaining attentive to guests. The living/dining area has the capacity to accommodate luxurious sofas alongside a substantial dining table, making it the perfect environment in which to spend the Christmas period, whether opening presents, feasting over lunch or relaxing in front of a film. Four-bedroom townhouses are available from £1.2m.

With housing market conditions rapidly improving, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) estimates that mortgage lending levels will continue to increase next year as more people look to buy property.

The CML is forecast that gross lending will rise from an estimated £170bn in 2013 to £195bn in 2014, increasing further to £206bn in 2015. The CML also anticipates that net advances are likely to rise from £10bn this year to £15bn next year and £20bn in 2015.

Peter Williams of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) is not surprised to see CML projecting further growth in the mortgage market, and actually thinks that its forecast of £195bn in gross mortgage lending for 2014 may be a rather "conservative estimate".

"It would be no surprise to see the annual total exceed £200bn next year, with over one million transactions a given and an increasingly important role for brokers," he said.

The CML also forecast that the volume of mortgages at 2.5% or more in arrears is likely to stay stable next year at around 150,000, but rise modestly to 160,000 in 2015. The number of repossessions is expected to fall from around 30,000 this year to 28,000 next year before returning to 30,000 in 2015.

Bob Pannell, CML chief economist, remarked: "Gross mortgage lending climbs above £190bn next year, its highest level since 2008. While this is largely on the back of the continuing revival in housing market activity, we also expect to see a meaningful turn-round in remortgage activity."

Are you thinking of remortgaging? If you are on your lender's standard variable rate (SVR) then now could be the perfect time to take advantage of a fixed-rate deal. That's the view of a leading expert after new data from the Bank of England shows that the gap between fixed and variable rate deals is widening.

The gap between the average 75% two-year fixed-rate mortgage and the average standard variable rate has grown from 1.27% at the start of 2013 to 1.88% now.

New data from the Bank of England has found that fixed rates have fallen much faster this year than lender's standard variable rates.

Since the start of the year, the average rates on a two-year fixed-rate mortgage with 25% equity or deposit have fallen by 0.63 percentage points to 2.48%. Five-year fixed rates have fallen by 0.34 percentage points over the same period from 3.71% to 3.37%.

However, during the same period standard variable rates have fallen by just 0.02 percentage points to 4.36%.

Keith Osborne, editor of Whathouse.co.uk, says: "Over the past year the cost of fixed-rate mortgages has fallen sharply while lenders have broadly maintained their SVRs at the current level. As the economy starts to recover there is only one way that your lender's SVR is going to go - and that is up. So, it could well pay to take advantage of a low-cost fixed rate now."

SVRs likely to increase fast when the base rate finally rises

The Financial Times reports that the Financial Conduct Authority recently wrote to banks to warn them that they had to treat customers properly when considering further changes. "We recognise that mortgage lenders may want to vary their SVRs or other terms in their contracts, but we are concerned that the factors driving changes to SVRs may not always be transparent to consumers," said the letter.

This warning comes after two lenders - Bank of Ireland and the West Bromwich - recently used clauses in their terms to raise rates for buy-to-let customers.

Osborne adds: "When interest rates start to rise I have no doubt that lenders will try and increase their standard variable rates by as much as they possibly can. I expect many of these to rise by more than any base rate increase which could make taking a fixed rate now even more beneficial."

Click here to find out more about how Whathouse.co.uk can help you find the right mortgage.

Katie Hunter, senior new homes manager at Waterfords estate agents, is the latest senior industry figure to take time out of her busy schedule to answer the questions posed by Marc Da Silva.

What regions do you cover? We sell new homes in Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey.

What are housing market conditions currently like in those areas? The market in these areas is extremely buoyant, with demand outstripping supply in a big way. At the moment, we are actively encouraging developers to sell off-plan which is a huge change in mindset from this time last year. The general shortage of properties in our area has also been driven by a surge of prospective buyers looking to take advantage of the Help to Buy scheme. This has really helped to encourage first-time buyers back to the marketplace thus increasing the middle and upper ends of the market to move things forward.

What types of property is your firm selling? We sell everything from single units provided by individual builders, through to large multiple unit developments by major housebuilders such as Bellway Homes.

The areas within which we operate such as Camberley, Sunningdale and Ascot, are highly affluent locations, so the majority of our properties tend to start at the mid-range, upward. One- and two-bedroom homes are in less demand in these areas.

How much does a new home offered by Waterfords typically cost to buy? Our prices currently start from £300k increasing to our largest instruction which is £7.5m.

At present, our cheapest property is a three-bedroom mid-terrace at Mayborne Gardens, in Sandhurst, Berkshire, priced at £320,000. We are currently dealing predominantly with the premium end of the market therefore averaging above the £1m mark. This has been supported by the instruction of an impressive crescent of 17 luxury townhouses in Sunninghill, prices start from £1.2m. We have sold out of all of our mid-range housing between £500,000 and £800,000.

Why should more buyers consider buying a new-build home as opposed to older property? New-build homes offer so many advantages. New homes are well insulated and include double glazing as standard, making them cheaper to run than older homes. They offer a blank canvas for the purchaser to put their own stamp on everything, from the kitchen worktops to the type of flooring, and this can be very appealing for some. With no property chain the process is much more likely to be hassle-free and unlike years gone by, prices of new-build properties are now far more in line with the re-sale market, meaning it's possible to get new homes for almost the same price. This is because surveyors will value as a re-sale property for mortgage purposes so that buyers don't pay a premium. New homes also come with a 10-year warranty from providers such as Premier Guarantee or the NHBC.

Is it worth buying property during the off-plan stage of construction? The advantages of buying off-plan are that you can pinpoint the best plot for you, have choice over garden size, parking space and, depending on the builder, potentially alter the internal layout to suit your requirements, e.g. open-plan or not.

You can also have a say in the final specification and choice of fixtures and fittings and this is one of the big selling points from a builder's point of view.

With new-build homes in greater demand than we have seen for some time, this is certainly a growing trend, but with more and more houses being sold off-plan, buyers really do have to get in there early to secure the one they want.

What is Waterfords' USP? Waterfords New Homes is a dedicated department specialising solely in the marketing and management of new-build developments.

For a small independent agency we feel we have built a comprehensive New Homes department unrivalled by any other agent locally. Since launching the department just two-and-a-half years ago, we have worked alongside major housebuilders such as Antler and Bellway, as well as smaller local companies and individual builders, with some impressive results. To date, we have sold every unit that we have been instructed on sole agency and our only limitation is the level of new-build properties coming to the market.

We put our customer service at the core of everything we do, provide one on one support and have been instrumental in providing developers with an in-depth viability appraisal of potential development sites. As a result, we can provide evidence of where our local knowledge has impacted the planning of sites to ensure the building of homes which we know, from our experience, will be met by sufficient demand.

Which of the developments Waterfords is currently selling do you think stands the best chance of winning a What House? Award? Whilst each of the developments we are actively marketing are designed specifically to meet the needs of those they have been built to target, I think Claremont, a crescent of 17 luxury four- and five-bedroom townhouses in the Berkshire village of Sunninghill, would have the greatest chance. In particular, plot 2 which is the show home, ‘Marlborough House'. This is a stunning semi-detached five-bedroom townhouse set across 3,030 sq ft over four floors with split levels, which means the property has so many interesting spaces to it. It has been finished to an extremely high standard and has a guide price of £1.395m.

The city of Newcastle is one of the most vibrant places in the UK. From the famous Angel of the North to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the city is dotted with iconic landmarks. In the bustling city centre you can enjoy the very best of sporting, cultural and entertainment attractions, while nearby Gateshead is the perfect place for those who love exploring the outdoors.

There are lots of great properties currently available to rent in and around the city centre, and here's a guide to some of the best.

Fabulets lists a two-bedroom flat in the Bar development, at the heart of Newcastle City Centre. Priced at £800 pcm, this property is available fully furnished in early February 2014. Inside, you will find two double bedrooms with an en suite to the master, a spacious living room with access to a private balcony and a modern integrated kitchen.

We now move on to a loft apartment in Kennilworth House, located within easy walking distance of the Tyne Bridge and Quayside. This stylish property is finished to a very high standard and features a fitted kitchen, living room with a separate dining area and a floating staircase leading to a stunning master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and dressing area. This home is available immediately for £1,100 pcm with Absolute.

If you're in search of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, look no further than a penthouse property in Low Friars, priced at £1,650 pcm. This exclusive property is ideally located for the city centre and features two double bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and living area and a large terrace with a Jacuzzi. Available fully furnished, this home is fitted to a high specification and boasts stunning views over the city.

Groves lists a three-bedroom property in High West Jesmond, priced at £1,250 pcm. Spread across three floors, this substantial home features two en suite bathrooms, a stylish lounge and dining room, an integrated kitchen and secure parking.

We finish with a four-bedroom townhouse in a stunning Victorian building in Jesmond, priced at £1,500 pcm with Groves. This home is located within walking distance of the city and boasts a first floor lounge with a balcony overlooking a courtyard, a large breakfast kitchen, a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and secure parking.

To find out more about renting a home in Newcastle, you can search our listings here.

A retired widow who has spent time in locations all over the world has finally found the perfect spot in which to settle down - at David Wilson's waterfront Riverside Meadow development in Shrewsbury.

Mrs Dorothy Par, now 77, has decided to put down roots in the historic market town after living in various locations around the world - including the Middle East and East Africa. She bought off-plan at a competitive price in May 2012, purchasing not only a home for herself but also a second investment property, which she plans to let out.

Just a two-minute walk from the town centre, Riverside Meadow offers a range of two-bedroom apartments including luxury penthouses, plus four-bedroom townhouses. Every property has either a balcony or a terrace to enjoy the surroundings, and prices range from £153,000 to £500,000.

Mrs Par purchased a penthouse for herself after friends said how happy they were with their David Wilson home in Stratford-upon-Avon. "I have a friend who is a builder," Mrs Par explains. "They have bought a David Wilson house and recommended I have a look at Riverside Meadow. If a builder says the houses are good then you tend to listen as they know what they're talking about."

So impressed with the quality of build, Mrs Par then decided to buy a second apartment on the same development. "I was able to cash in some long-standing bonds and thought it would be a good investment," she explains.

The benefits to buying off-plan include the opportunity to have input into fixtures and fittings, from carpets and wardrobes to kitchens. "David Wilson Homes have shown me nothing but kindness and have been so helpful throughout the entire process. Even when I asked for a door to be taken out of the kitchen and more units put in, all done with a smile."

Donna Salmon, sales manager for David Wilson Homes, says there are a variety of schemes available at Riverside Meadow to help house buyers move there.

You can find out more by calling 0845 388 6353.

It was launched with a fanfare three months ahead of schedule but a new survey has found that a third of first-time buyers still don't understand how the government's flagship Help to Buy scheme works.

The initiative is aimed at people looking to get onto the property ladder or to move home and who only have a small deposit. However, new research published in the Daily Telegraph suggests that the people at whom the scheme is aimed simply don't understand it.

34% of first-time buyers don't understand Help to Buy

A new survey has found that 34% of people considering buying a home in the coming months do not understand the new phase of the Help to Buy scheme. The initiative was launched in October and offers state-backed mortgages to borrowers with deposits as low as 5%.

The Daily Telegraph reports that "some housing market pundits have put the confusion over Help to Buy down to the fact that two schemes which work very differently have been launched under the Help to Buy banner".

Keith Osborne, editor of Whathouse.co.uk, explains the differences between the two schemes. He says: "The first part of Help to Buy is aimed at people looking to buy a new-build home. This provides an equity loan to a buyer looking to buy a brand new house as their main residence.

"The second part of the scheme allows borrowers to take out a high loan-to-value mortgage. Here, the government provides a guarantee to the lender in order to encourage them to offer low-deposit mortgages. This is available to both first-time buyers and home movers on both new and pre-owned properties."

More needs to be done to address Help to Buy confusion

The survey of 44,000 people also found that even among those first-time buyers who claimed to understand the new phase of Help to Buy, nearly one quarter (23%) wrongly thought the scheme can be used only for new-build properties and one third (34%) believed it was just an extension of the equity loan scheme.

42% of home movers wrongly thought the second phase of the scheme was only for first-time buyers.

Miles Shipside, director of the company that carried out the research, said: "There's clearly a lot more that still needs to be done to make sure the maximum number of people who could benefit directly from the scheme or its knock-on effects can do so.

"To give first-time buyers more of a chance to get on the property ladder, and help give potential movers higher up the chain the confidence to move again, the confusion needs to be addressed."

Click here to find out more about how Whathouse.co.uk can help you find the right mortgage.

With the announcement, via an unnamed source, that Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan and her ubiquitous reality television star fiancé Mark Wright are set to purchase a £2m mansion in Wright's home village of Chigwell in Essex, we take a look at the local property market to see what you could buy for that price.

The source told Mirror.co.uk that Keegan and Wright are on the brink of buying a mansion with six bedrooms, three bathrooms and 40-ft garden, just three months after getting engaged.

The couple, both 26, certainly won't be needing assistance from the Help to Buy scheme. Keegan reportedly earns a six-figure salary from her role on the soap, while Wright has saved up his part of the deposit from a career that has encompassed semi-professional football, several series of the popular The Only Way is Essex show and a number of TV and radio presenting jobs. He already owns a property in Chigwell, a testament to all his hard work to date.

First up in our search is a detached property in Meadow Way on the sought-after Courtland Estate. With around 4,000 sq ft of accommodation, space is abundant, with an impressive open-plan kitchen/breakfast room, five double bedrooms, four bathrooms, four reception rooms and a heated swimming pool in the back garden. The property also comes with a double garage and is priced £1.99m through Savills.

Five bedrooms not enough? What about a newly built seven-bedroom home in Manor Road? For just £1,65m, you'll find electric gates, seven large bedrooms, four bathrooms, a fully fitted kitchen with utility room and three reception rooms. Enquiries through Ellis & Co.

Savills is also listing a characterful six-bedroom home in nearby Buckhurst Hill. The great views of Epping Forest from the sizeable plot are just the start at this £1.95m home. Its opulent interior has many impressive design features as well as an abundance of space. In addition to six bedrooms and four bathrooms, this luxury home also has a cinema room and a gym that comes complete with its own sauna. A double garage completes the home.

Finally, if you can stretch your budget to £2.45m, what about a detached home on a stunning golf course (pictured)? Dreampad is marketing a five-bedroom home on a ¾-acre plot on the Woolston Manor course that is centred on a wonderful kitchen/breakfast room. This property has secure gated access and comes with two reception rooms and three en suites, plus a double garage.

Wales is famous for its awesome coastline - from rugged cliff-top paths above wild and remote beaches to gentle sandy coves and traditional seaside resorts. People lucky enough to live on Wales's stunning coastline will never be far from a fantastic beach - and several housebuilders currently have new homes in superb coastal locations for buyers planning to relocate there.

This is just a small selection of the current developments available across coastal Wales, moving up from the south to the north:

Just a couple of miles from the centre of the coastal city of Swansea in South Wales, Barratt Homes has a range of contemporary one-, two- and three-bedroom houses and apartments at Copper Quarter. Priced from £107,500 to £152,995 and set in a pleasant riverside spot, the development incorporates outside living areas, parking courts and riverside walks. The development has a convenient location close to schools, shops and leisure facilities, and with good transport links nearby, including the M4 and public transport, placing the Welsh capital of Cardiff within easy reach.

In Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales, a mile and a half outside the sizeable town of Milford Haven in a rural spot, Persimmon Homes has created The Fairways. Ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses priced from £107,995 upwards, the development offers attractive country views and if buyers can commit before Christmas they will enjoy prices of up to £10,000 less than they would pay in January.

Set in pretty countryside near the coast in northeast Wales, Charles Church Developments has released new homes at Alltami Heath on the edge of Buckley, a quaint yet lively town in Flintshire. Situated on the A549, with the larger A55 passing close by, the popular seaside town of Rhyl is 26 miles away, while commuters easy access to Chester (12 miles away), Birkenhead (20 miles), Liverpool (21 miles) and even Manchester (47 miles). Offering two- to four-bedroom homes from £129,995, Alltami Heath is close to Buckley's many shops and amenities including a leisure centre, independent businesses, a supermarket, dentists, doctors, a library and pubs. The housebuilder is offering 100% part exchange at this development, as well as a shared equity scheme.

Just a few miles down the road from Buckley in Oakenholt, Persimmon Homes has another new development due for release this winter called The Oaks. Offering a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, potential buyers can register for updates online.

Macbryde Homes has a range of three-bedroom townhouses and four-bedroom detached properties at Victoria Park in Llandudno Junction, on the edge of lovely countryside yet just minutes from the A55, offering easy access across North Wales.

Coming soon just outside the lively university town of Bangor, Redrow has a brand new development called Goetre Uchaf - including two-bedroom starter homes, three-bedroom family homes, and four-bedroom executive houses. Set apart from the busy town centre, it is in a superb spot for commuters and has sports and leisure facilities nearby. The A55 trunk road is minutes from the development, offering easy access to Holyhead in 30 minutes, Conwy and Colwyn Bay in around 20 minutes, and Chester in just over an hour. Bangor's town centre has the longest High Street in Wales, while the station offers direct services to Chester, and services to London in just over three hours.

With forecasts of an 8% rise in house prices over the next 12 months and private rents predicted to rise by 10% in the same time frame, first-time buyers and those looking to buy-to-rent are seeking out bargain mortgages to secure their dream new home.

Among the lenders providing new deals for would-be homeowners are Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank. As well as products for those looking to take their first step on the property ladder, there are a number of mortgages fixed for two and five years which come with £500 cashback and no arrangement fees on selected products.

Until 16 February 2014, both banks are offering a three-year fixed-rate mortgage for residential customers looking to borrow at least £25,000 with a rate of 3.99% at 90% loan-to-value (LTV) or 4.99% at 95% LTV. The banks' five-year fixed-rate deal at 90% LTV is now 4.59%. Loans up to 60% LTV, with £500 cashback, are at the new rate of 2.69%, fixed for two years or 3.59% fixed for five years.

Alternatively, lower-rate mortgages are also available with no cashback and fees of £999 including a two-year fixed rate at 2.19% at up to 60% LTV and 3.89% at up to 90% LTV. Five-year fixed-rate deals are available at 3.39% at up to 70% LTV and 4.29% at up to 90% LTV.

Andrew Pearce, retail director for Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, says: "We understand that people have different needs so we have extended our range of mortgages to meet these varied demands. We have fixed rate mortgages for two and five years as well as a number of products with no arrangement fee. There is also the opportunity to benefit from a £500 cashback on selected products depending on individual requirements and circumstances."

first direct has introduced a new 65% LTV 1.99% offset mortgage on a two-year fixed-rate with £1,499 booking fee. In addition, the bank has reduced the rates on the majority of its mortgages by 0.2% allowing borrowers with 25-35% deposit or equity to take advantage of these lower rates, which are offered with and without fees. All existing offset mortgage rates will reduce by 0.2% no matter what LTV or term.

Other deals include a two-year fixed-rate repayment mortgage at 1.99% for loans up to 65% LTV, with a £499 fee, or at 2.29% fixed for three years. The lender's Repayment Tracker mortgage is currently 2.29% at 65% LTV and its Base Rate Tracker at 2.79%, both with £499 fee. For those looking for up to 90% LTV, first direct offers a two-year fixed-rate deal at 3.59% with £1,499 fee and Life Tracker at 3.99%. Both of these 90% LTV deals attract fees of £1,499.

Virgin Money buy-to-let deals, available exclusively via intermediaries, have had their rates reduced. Their two-year fixed-rate is now available at 2.89% at 60% LTV and 3.19% at up to 70% LTV, both with a £2,495 product fee. Direct customers can get deals of 3.25% at 60% LTV with fees of £1,995 and 4.59% with no fees. Virgin Money's direct buy-to-let three-year fixed-rate mortgage is reduced by 0.9% to 4.69% at 60% LTV. Virgin Money is also offering buy-to-let investors with a 40% deposit a reduced two-year tracker mortgage rate of 3.55% with a £995 product fee, a reduction of 0.20%, or 2.89% with a 2.5% product fee - a reduction of 0.10%. A £750 cashback is available to many of Virgin's buy-to-let mortgage range, excluding exclusive intermediary deals.

Anthony Mooney, director of financial services at Virgin Money, says: "We are delighted to announce the launch of our new range of competitive buy-to-let products, which underlines the importance we place on this segment of the market."

Click here to find out more about how Whathouse.co.uk can help you find the right mortgage.

Colchester in Essex is Britain's oldest recorded town and provides the perfect mixture of history and modernity, with a thriving town centre complementing iconic sites such as Colchester Castle.

Whether you prefer shopping, dining, exploring or family fun at the zoo, Colchester offers something for everyone. The town and its delightful surroundings boast a range of great luxury family properties, and here's a quick guide to some of the very best.

For £590,000, buyers can purchase a new-build five-bedroom detached home on an exclusive waterside development within walking distance of the town centre (pictured). This stunning home is located on a development of just seven properties and boasts views across Castle Park and the River Colne. Inside, you will find a kitchen/diner offering views over the river, a master suite with a waterside balcony, double bedrooms throughout and a walled rear garden with a decked area.

We now move a few miles east to the village of Fordham, where Carter Jonas lists a unique five-bedroom detached home for £799,950. This family home is set across three acres of land, with delightful gardens, paddocks, stables and a heated swimming pool among the highlights. Inside, you will find three reception rooms, a conservatory, a study and a kitchen/breakfast room.

If you prefer to be at the heart of everything, look no further than a six-bedroom townhouse within easy walking distance of the high street, available now for £600,000. This stunning home in the Dutch Quarter boasts a 60-ft garden, two reception rooms, a classy kitchen, huge cellars and spacious double bedrooms.

We finish with a six-bedroom detached Grade II-listed farmhouse in the village of Ardleigh, available now with a guide price of £935,000. () Dating from the 16th century, this home boasts a range of great period features including beamed ceilings. This property includes a double-aspect drawing room with two fireplaces, a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and dressing room and spacious gardens.

To find out more about luxury homes available now in Colchester, you can search our listings.

Melissa Toomey, head of marketing and communications at the Hastoe Group, a leading affordable housing provider and rural specialist, takes time out of her busy end-of-year schedule to answer Marc Da Silva's questions.

What types of properties does Hastoe offer? We develop homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and a small number of units for open-market sale.

Where is your firm developing new homes? We provide housing across the south of England.

In terms of homes for sale, Hastoe provides two models of affordable shared ownership - standard non-restricted and rural 80%-restricted. The rural 80% restricted model means the purchaser must demonstrate a local connection to the area. In terms of non-restricted schemes, we are currently advertising Roussillon in Chichester, West Sussex. As Roussillon is non-restricted it means that it is available to anyone deemed eligible by a Help to Buy agent.

How much does a Hastoe home cost to buy? This varies greatly between developments. We develop across 62 local authorities and house prices differ from one area to the next. We undertake a financial assessment on all potential buyers to determine the amount of property share they are able to buy. This ensures that our buyers are able to make the repayments over the coming years. We have homes from £60,000, requiring a minimum deposit of £3,000 which represents a 30% share of £200,000 full market price.

What makes a Hastoe home stand out from the crowd? Hastoe provides homes in areas where there is an identified need. Our homes are built sustainably, with attention to detail, thoughtful architecture and they are light, airy and spacious. The external design of our homes is always tailored to reflect the local style of houses in the area we are developing in. This means that our developments fit seamlessly into each village or town.

Have you noticed any particular buying trends recently? We've seen an increase in those registering for the shared ownership scheme, as first time buying becomes out of reach for a number of people. With a rise in the percentage of deposit required on the open market, shared ownership has become the only option for many trying to get on the property ladder. This has become particularly apparent in rural locations with a shortage of affordable housing and the growing problem of fuel poverty. We are trying to address these issues by building in areas with an identified housing shortage and by developing eco-friendly housing solutions such as Passivhaus. Our first Passivhaus development at Wimbish in Essex has been very successful with residents reporting an up to 90% reduction in fuel bills annually.

What is Hastoe's USP? A rural specialist, Hastoe has developed over 5,000 homes in more than 200 villages across the south of England. Hastoe is committed in responding to the needs of residents in a pro-active and personal way. This is what gives us the edge, as we're big enough to be innovative but not so big that residents lose the ‘personal touch'. We're the Homes and Communities Agency's leading investment partner in rural development and a member of the Rural Housing Advisory Group. We were also a founder member of the National Housing Federation's Rural Alliance.

Hastoe has an instinctive understanding of the needs of rural communities and a strong track record in delivering high-quality developments that focus on environmental sustainability. This focus has meant an ever-expanding portfolio of quality homes to at least Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3; two award-winning Passivhaus developments with a further four in the pipeline; a ground source heat pump retrofit programme and a new straw bales scheme. By retrofitting existing homes and installing ground source heat pumps we are also helping to tackle our carbon footprint and fuel poverty for our residents.

In terms of design specifics, Hastoe ensures that each of its developments follow the requirements of the area developed in and our schemes always fit within the style of the local area developed in. Our approach is based on providing the type, style and size of homes that local people say they need and in a variety of tenures that suit the financial capabilities of those people. In this way, our homes work as hard as possible for the communities that have supported their development.

If dramatic coastal scenery, vibrant communities and easy access to Edinburgh and Perth are what you desire in a place to live then look no further than the Kingdom of Fife. Buyers hunting for a new home in Fife have plenty to choose from in terms of both property type and the kind of area they live in. From bustling towns to picturesque villages, there is something to suit everyone.

Rosemount is a Campion Homes development of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties in the seaside town of Leven. The site has something to suit everyone with a good mix of apartments and houses. Prices start from £100,950 for the ‘Aster', a two-bedroom apartment featuring an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area and an en-suite to the master bedroom. At the opposite end of the scale, £205,000 will buy the ‘Hydrangea' four-bedroom house type with a spacious lounge, open-plan kitchen and dining room, fitted wardrobes, en suite to the master bedroom, ample storage and a garage.

A choice of 11 different house types is available at Bellway Homes' Birchwood development in Cowdenbeath. The site is located close to primary and secondary schools as well as the local supermarket and a range of shops. The ‘Islay' is a townhouse costing £139,995 and set over three storeys. On entering the home the breakfasting kitchen is to the left while the living room takes up the rear of the property. There is also a downstairs WC. Two bedrooms and the family bathroom make up the middle floor and the master bedroom with en suite and a second bedroom complete the top level.

Situated in the Duloch area of Dunfermline, David Wilson Homes'Admiral Way development is perfectly located for commuters. A selection of three-bedroom properties currently remains available at the scheme with prices ranging from £154,995 to £173,995. Depending on the house type chosen, benefits include open-plan designs, en-suite shower rooms and private parking spaces.

Buyers looking to purchase a new home in Burntisland should act quickly as just one house remains on the market at Bett Homes'Waterside development. Priced at £292,000, the ‘Eames' is a five-bedroom detached family villa with lounge, dining room, kitchen/family area, two en suites, utility room and a double garage.

Barratt Homes'Oakfield Gait development is located in the charming coastal town of Dalgety Bay and boasts a range of three-bedroom terraced and four-bedroom detached family homes. For example, the ‘Aberfeldy' is priced from £159,995 and includes a lounge to the front of the property, an open-plan kitchen and dining room, cloakroom, master bedroom with en suite and two further bedrooms.

New figures have revealed that 2013 was a better year than expected for the UK's mortgage industry. According to data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), lending has been higher than anticipated but has yet to reach the levels seen in the run up to the credit crunch.

Experts believe that it will be a number of years before the UK sees mortgage lending hit 2007 levels with the landscape of the industry having changed significantly over recent years.

UK far from reaching pre-credit crunch levels of mortgage lending

The latest figures from the CML show that lending in the UK in 2013 has been around 9% higher than forecast but is still less than half the peak reached before the global financial crisis.

CML chief economist Bob Pannell says: "Gross lending for 2013 looks set to reach £170bn - higher than the £156bn we originally forecast, but still a far cry from the £363bn experienced at the height of the lending boom in 2007."

According to experts, the UK is far from returning to pre-recession levels of mortgage lending. Keith Osborne, editor of Whathouse.co.uk, says: "Changes to the mortgage market and new regulations mean that lenders remain much more cautious than they were five or six years ago. While mortgage lending is increasing there are more stringent affordability checks, fewer high loan-to-value deals and no ‘self-certification' products. This means that it is harder to get a mortgage today than it was in the boom years and that means the market has a long way to go to reach 2007 levels.

"Mortgage lenders still have a lot of work to do to innovate and to help first-time buyers. However, there is clear evidence of a recovery and the government's withdrawal of key schemes suggests they want the market to grow under its own steam."

Risk-averse approach "deeply ingrained" in the mortgage market

Peter Williams, executive director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, believes that a responsible, risk adverse approach has now become deeply ingrained in the culture of the mortgage market. He says that this can be evidenced by greater lending volumes but falling mortgage arrears and repossessions.

He says: "Today's CML figures and analysis show how far the mortgage market has changed in 2013 buoyed not least by a clear commitment from the highest levels of government to make getting a mortgage a far more realistic proposition than during the recession. With the new rules under the Mortgage Market Review coming into force in April 2014 it will be important to retain the balance between tighter controls and the real and still unmet homeowner ambitions that remain across the UK."

Click here to find out more about how Whathouse.co.uk can help you find the right mortgage.

The ancient market town of East Grinstead is surrounded by the beautiful rolling countryside of the High Weald in West Sussex. The town offers a wealth of places to eat and drink as well as all of the usual shops along its 800-year old High Street. It boasts an award-winning museum, and the iconic Bluebell Railway has recently been extended and now runs steam trains into the town.

Within a five-mile drive from East Grinstead are Lingfield Park racecourse and a range of National Trust properties offer an enjoyable day out.

East Grinstead enjoys excellent road links to the M23 and M25 motorways, and railway journeys to London's Victoria and London Bridge stations take a little under an hour. Gatwick Airport is ten miles to the east, and the ferry port of Newhaven 30 miles to the south offers frequent services to Dieppe.

The villages around East Grinstead provide a wealth of beautiful places to live that are popular because they lie deep in the beautiful countryside, yet close to the commercial centre, entertainment, shops and services of the town.

Ashurst Wood

Ashurst Wood is a small village one mile outside of East Grinstead. The village has all the usual amenities, including a church, school, post office, pubs and a general store. This little community of 1,700 residents sits alongside the main A22 London to Eastbourne road, offering a direct connection with the M25 motorway 12 miles to the north. The village has a thriving tennis club, football club and youth club, as well as an annual Christmas Market at the Village Centre, annual Summer Fair and Summer Sports Day.

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Crawley Down

Crawley Down is four miles outside East Grinstead and is a popular retreat for those looking for a slice typical English village life. A relatively new addition to the West Sussex countryside, Crawley Down first appeared as a village on the map in the 19th century, though there is evidence of Roman and Saxon settlements as early as 43AD. Now, the village has many newer bungalows and houses alongside the original Victorian buildings.

Village life is centred on the Haven Centre and Village Hall, both providing a place to meet and participate in a wide variety of clubs and associations, including a theatre club, allotments society and WI. Villagers benefit from a local pharmacy, fish bar, village shop and various health services, and the Sussex Polo Club and Effingham Park Golf Club are just two of the many excellent local sporting facilities.

Click here to view property for sale in Crawley Down

Hartfield

The village is typical of this part of East Sussex, with its narrow streets and mix of architecture from timber-frames hall houses, white weather-boarded terraced homes to barn and oast conversions and new-build brick houses just off the old High Street. The village, eight miles from East Grinstead and central to the nearby hamlets of Hammerwood, Holtye and Marsh Green, lies at the junction of the B2110 and B2026 roads. Home to the tall-spired Parish Church, three pubs and a Spar store, Hartfield enjoy easy access to the Ashdown Forest and River Medway. Author AA Milne lived here, and Pooh Corner shop in the village is dedicated to Winnie the Pooh stories while Pooh Sticks Bridge at nearby Coleman Hatch is a popular local tourist attraction.

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West Hoathly

Five miles to the south-west of East Grinstead is the pretty hill top village of West Hoathly. The village is within easy reach of East Grinstead and only 25 minutes from Gatwick. Set in the beautiful Wealden landscape, West Hoathly is home to a wealth of medieval farms and houses, including the preserved Kingscote railway station, which was build around a 14th-century timber-framed Wealden hall house, typical of the area, and more modern half-tiled brick houses. Another local landmark is the 15th-century Priest House, in the centre of the village opposite St Margaret's Church, from where visitors can get marvellous views across the Weald.

The village has a range of sporting clubs, including the cricket team which has been playing locally since 1624, the football club, which started in 1902, a bowls club on the edge of the village, and it is a popular starting point for ramblers and walkers in the nearby Ashdown Forest. The 16th-century Cat Inn provides food and rooms for visitors, and the village primary school and village hall are at the heart of village life.

Click here to view property for sale in West Hoathly

Lingfield

The larger village of Lingfield lies to the east of the A22 main road, 23 miles from London and five miles from East Grinstead. Rail services from Lingfield station take 50 minutes to London, making Lingfield a popular area for commuters. Home to Lingfield Racecourse, the village has a number of llsted buildings including the Grade I SS Peter and Paul Church, the Old Town Hall and many Tudor period houses. With a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants, Lingfield provides a good alternative for villagers wanting to avoid the busy town centre of East Grinstead. There is a range of local activities and clubs, including a Silver Band and the Domansland Rifle Club. The village hall is home to many societies, and there are local employment opportunities at Felcourt Farm and Business Park.

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Withyham

Withyham sits nine miles to the east, midway between East Grinstead and Tunbrdge Wells. The surrounding Weald hills are home to a number of golf course, and places of interest, including Groombridge Place and Buckhurst Park, home to the Earl De La Warr. The parish of Withyham is home to some 2,000 people, though the village itself is very small, comprising a few homes, the church and the white-walled village pub, The Dorset Arms, set along the B2110 road which runs through the area. Newer homes and the village school sit a mile or so from the centre of the old village.

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Turners Hill

Four miles west of East Grinstead along the B2110 is the llttle village of Turners Hill. Set around the village green are The Crown pub, Bay Tree restaurant, Central Village Store, hairdressers and Post office. Local bus services provide access to East Grinstead, Three Bridges station and Crawley. The Parish Council and Community Centre are central to village life, and, alongside the cricket and football teams, offer a wide range of activities for villagers. Many buildings, particularly in the Lion Lane area south of the village green, are from the 17th and 18th centuries, and listed, and the centre of the village is a designated conservation area.

Click here to view property for sale in Turners Hill