By Rob Waugh Tech Correspondent For Dailymail.Com
18:00 25 Mar 2023, updated 18:25 25 Mar 2023
Real estate experts have revealed the safest places in the US to buy a property to survive a nuclear war — as Russia continues to make nuke threats after waging its war in Ukraine.
A report by top U.S. spy officials this month concluded that Russia’s losses of ground forces have ‘increased its reliance on nuclear weapons’ and, in recent months, Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric has brought home the reality of how many strategic nuclear weapons remain, targeted at American cities.
Russia is believed to have 5,977 nuclear warheads, including 1,185 intercontinental ballistic missiles, 800 submarine-launched ballistic missiles and 580 air-launched from nuclear bombers, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
So where is a safe place to buy property to survive a nuclear exchange?
DailyMail.com spoke to real estate experts and overlaid their recommendations with a map that highlights potential nuclear targets, including large population centers, nuclear reactors and military installations.
The map includes data from the Natural Resources Defense Council and dates back several years – including two scenarios, a 500-warhead exchange and a 2,000-warhead exchange.
Irwin Redlener of Columbia University believes that six cities – New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC – are more likely to be targeted due to their financial and government connection.
Real estate expert Andrew Ragusa, CEO/Broker of REMI Realty on Long Island, NY says that buyers who are worried about nuclear conflict should reconsider their usual priorities.
Ragusa said: ‘In the event of nuclear war the location of your home can determine your chances for survival.
‘What used to be important when purchasing a home such as great school district, close to shopping, and near public transportation, has now changed to warm climate, access to food, and access to water.’
Ragusa recommends rural parts of Texas, Florida and California (far from large population centres which might make attractive targets) as places to survive a nuclear exchange.
He says: ‘The reason why I picked these three states is because they are near water and have warm climates. If you’re near water you will always be near food and water that can be ingested after it has been desalinated.
‘Be sure not to move into densely populated urban centers such as Miami, West Palm Beach, Houston, or San Francisco. The reason being these are likely targets for a nuclear attack.’
Ragusa also suggests states along the Missisisipi, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
He said: ‘Obviously the further south you go, the warmer the weather, but being in densely populated areas is going to be a counter-survival scenario.
‘Some people can weather the cold in the winter and if you can tough it out and be a little bit more isolated your survival chances are better.
‘Something else to consider is if you are close to farm areas, you’ll be able to find cattle who are hopefully unaffected and reproducing naturally, which would give you access to more protein and a greater diversity in food options.’
North and South Carolina also offer attractive options, Ragusa said.
‘Great weather, close the water, farmland, it has everything that you need for food, water and shelter,’ he added. ‘Just make sure you stay away from densely populated urban areas.
In a post-apocalyptic setting, the surviving people who become desperate will be one of the most challenging parts of life.
I would look for a place to live that’s in isolation, maybe in a wooded area. It’s important now to learn survival skills that our ancestors used to know as a daily way of life. Or at least buy a book on survival skills and keep it handy.’
Rural is best, agrees real estate expert Jasen Edwards, Chair of the Agent Editorial Board.
Edwards, author of The Top Producer Life, says the best place to buy property to survive a nuclear war is the Rocky Mountains.
He said: ‘The best place to buy property in the United States in the event of a nuclear war would be in the Rocky Mountains. This is due primarily to the terrain, which is rugged, remote, and difficult to access, making it difficult for nuclear warheads to reach the area.
‘The elevation of the Rocky Mountains means that fallout would be dispersed more quickly and assisted by higher winds, which could help to minimize any radioactive material reaching the area.
He also recommends areas in the Midwest and southeast – particularly rural ones with access to fresh water and farmland.
He says, ‘Areas in the Midwest and Southeast are far away from major nuclear targets, and have plenty of access to fresh water, food, and supplies.
‘These areas are generally outside of major population centers, meaning there is less of a chance of fallout from a nuclear attack. These areas are often less expensive than other parts of the country, which makes it easier to buy a property and build a shelter.
He also tips Nebraska as a good choice. ‘Nebraska’s geographical location offers protection against nuclear fallout.’
The map shows potential targets in every state, with dense clusters along the eastern seaboard and in California. Particularly large clusters are also highlighted in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Active nuclear power plants are large targets. There are around 90 active nuclear plants in the United States, including plants in Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
The US has strategically positioned nuclear forces, which could be prime nuclear targets, far from population centers. There are ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile silos), naval and air force bases, and nuclear storage depots scattered across the country.
Estate agents were forced to take down an online listing for an ‘astonishing’ £160,000 two-bedroom property after home seekers saw what the inside looked like.
The ‘feral’ property, which is for ‘cash buyers only’ was mocked online for having no first-storey floor, an unfinished roof and plants growing inside it.
The optimistic listing of the terraced house in Shirehampton, Bristol, was being advertised on Rightmove as an ‘extremely exciting’ two-bed home.
Shocking interior photographs show the first floor – where it’s believed the bedrooms would be – is no longer even there.
Others show its bare brick walls rising to the unfinished roof that contains a giant hole covered with what appears to be sheets of corrugated plastic.
A lower section of the ceiling has browned plants dangling towards the dirty ground floor, which is simply one room from the ‘barn-like’ front door to its rear.
Estate agent Haart’s listing description claims planning permission has already been granted to turn the former coach house – which once housed horses – with ‘huge potential’ into a two-bed home.
It says they expect ‘the fantastic opportunity not to be around for long’ – despite the property still being on the market six months after the asking price was lowered to £160,000 in September 2022.
The former ‘fire station coach house’, which is only available to cash buyers, has been mocked online with almost 20,000 people viewing the images and one even joking it could lead to a ‘traumatic Grand Designs episode’.
Another mocked Haart’s optimistic Rightmove description, labelling it as ‘feral’.
After being alerted to the public ridicule on social media, the estate agents removed the listing from Rightmove.
One social media user wrote: ‘This takes the p**s. I wouldn’t even go so far as saying it’s a house. How the hell is this exciting? It’s a barn. Absolutely feral.’
Another commented: ‘I knew it was bad when I saw the barn door.’
One user saw potential in the ‘barn’ and commented: ‘Is it bad that I like it?’
The poster replied: ‘NO YOU DON’T.’
The user wrote: ‘All I see is potential and a traumatic Grand Designs episode.’
Haart estate agents declined to comment.
The listing on Rightmove wrote: ‘With this property being suited to cash buyers only, we expect this to be a fantastic opportunity and one that will not stick around for long!’
The listing goes on to say it was ‘historically the fire station when horses were kept there’ and proclaim it is for ‘cash buyers only!’.
Pauline Hanna and Philip Polkinghorne at an event in December 2018. Photo / Norrie Montgomery
The Auckland house where health boss Pauline Hanna was found dead in unexplained circumstances is back on the market after failing to sell almost two years ago.
It has now been taken over by a new agent, who says “vendor demands action”.
Hanna, 63, was found dead at the Remuera home she shared with her husband of 30 years, Philip Polkinghorne, on Easter Monday, 2021.
The multimillion-dollar Upland Rd property which is now owned by Polkinghorne and his sister was originally marketed by Ray White.
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It was taken off the market in July 2021 then picked up again by NZ Sotheby’s International Realty in June last year.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom Remuera house was expected to be worth more than $5 million. It was last sold for $1.025m in November 2002.
NZ Sotheby’s International agent Paul Sissons told the Herald the designer home that overlooks the Orakei Basin is sitting “quietly” on the market, but the starting price to sell will begin with a “6″.
In 2021 the July CV was $5.5m ($2.325m for the improvement and $3.375m for the 718sq m land).
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Sissons said the family home was unique. “The thing people like about it is the separation between the two sets of living areas with the kitchen in the middle.”
The agent wouldn’t be drawn into the history of the house in which Hanna died and where drugs were found.
“Our instructions are we are not to discuss the history of the house … with you. Yes, it has got a history but I‘m not able to comment any further.”
Ray White agent Gerard Charteris previously told the Herald on Sunday Hanna’s death and the drugs find hadn’t deterred buyers.
“I think there will always be some uncertainty in people’s minds, but we had good offers during the campaign,” Charteris said.
“It’s a very specialised house in a wonderful location; the master suite is amazing. The house has been blessed and deep-cleaned three times for drugs – there was substantially less than what is an acceptable level of contamination.”
To her friends and family, Hanna was an elegant, accomplished woman who worked hard for her community. The health executive was responsible for the Covid-19 response at procurement company Healthsource.
Last year staff at the Super clinic in Manukau had an intimate memorial service for Hanna. There is a photograph of the executive in the treatment clinic, which says, “Pauline Hanna. A cherished colleague, remembered for her leadership. Sadly missed. RIP 5 April 2021.”
A friend of Hanna’s said, “It’s totally appropriate that a photo of Pauline is there because her passion and her career was devoted to outpatient services, and she was strategically involved in the planning of services at Manukau Health Park.
“I think of Pauline often. I miss her positivity; her in-depth knowledge and it was nice being around an elegant, well-dressed woman.”
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Polkinghorne was charged with his wife’s murder in August last year and pleaded not guilty. His bail conditions allow him to live at his Remuera home and travel to his holiday home in the Coromandel.
In a statement, Polkinghorne expressed “shock” at being charged. “I am shocked that the police have charged me. I have recorded that I am not guilty immediately.”
Hanna’s friend is also appalled Polkinghorne is out on bail.
“If the accused was less privileged it would be a totally different bail situation. It’s been two years since Pauline died and we have to wait another year for the trial.”
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank could reverse interest rate trends in U.S. and Canada, potentially bringing down mortgage costsZoon Media
Here are The Globe and Mail’s top housing and real estate stories this week, with the lowest mortgage rates available in Canada today, commentary from our mortgage expert and one home worth a look.
What housing crash? What Canadian markets look like for the spring
Prospective home buyers held their breath in anticipation last year as real estate prices declined across the country, hoping to enter the market as prices would plunge. But the housing crash didn’t happen. A year after the Bank of Canada started raising interest rates, houses remain unaffordable, mortgages cost more, and homeowners are holding on to their properties, making real estate listings scarce. Erica Alini and Rachelle Younglai look at what to expect from the market this spring.
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank could reverse interest rate hike trends
The U.S. Federal Reserve was widely expected to raise interest rates at its next meeting on March 22, but the sudden failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) – the largest collapse of a U.S. bank since the 2008 crisis – has investors slashing their bets, Mark Rendell reports.
The bank’s failure is sharpening the tensions between fighting inflation and managing risks of financial instability, leading markets to believe the Fed will hold off on further interest rate increases to stabilize the economy.
Why the SVB collapse is the best news for mortgage renewals and homebuyers
The failure of SVB could ripple through the economy, but for now, fear is manifesting itself through a rush of money into government bonds. The rush to the market is raising prices and bringing down interest rates on bonds.
The cost of fixed-rate mortgages is heavily influenced by interest rates in the bond market, which makes this the best news in a while for anyone renewing their mortgage or buying a house, writes Rob Carrick. Plus, the fear of economic instability triggered by the bank’s failure could push central banks to lower interest rates sooner than anticipated.
Mortgage specials start arriving, just in time for spring
This week’s market news could lead mortgage rates to go on sale, writes Robert McLister.
Canadian home sales are up slightly as prices continue to fall in February
Home prices in Canada fell in February for the 12th month, but sales volume is rising slightly in a potential sign that buyers are adjusting to higher interest rates, reports Rachelle Younglai.
The Home Price Index, which adjusts for pricing volatility, reached $704,300 last month, a 1.1-per-cent fall from January and a 16-per-cent loss from last February, when values hit their record high, according to the monthly report from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA.)
Decoder: The hit to Canadian house prices is deeper than it seems
While February’s housing report contained signs that the market may be stabilizing, it also cemented this as the steepest house price correction at the national level in decades, reports Jason Kirby.
According to CREA data, the typical home price in Canada has fallen by $132,000 since February 2022, and the drop is actually worse once inflation is factored in. In real, or inflation-adjusted terms, national house prices have fallen nearly $168,000, a more-than-19-per-cent decline.
Home of the week: A Calgary home for the tech lover
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Home of the Week, 530 Crescent Rd. NW CalgaryZoon Media
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The Crescent area of Calgary, just a 15-minute walk to downtown, offers stunning vistas and a mix of more traditional and newly built homes. The lot size is 28.9-by-120 feet, and the entire house is oriented toward the view: a modernist building with 13-feet high windows – made in Belgium – and outdoor spaces with built-in fireplaces.
On the very back of the house is a screened-in back deck and an office workspace. Sitting in the office, you can turn around and look straight through to the front terrace and beyond. “The idea was, wherever you are, you have a view to the downtown,” the owner said.
What do you think is the asking price for this house?
a. $995,000
b. $1,899,000
c. $3,550,000
d. $2,350,000
a. The asking price is $3,550,000.
- EXCLUSIVE: Former Towie star Ferne McCann has put her luxury four-bed home in rural Essex up for rent
- The reality TV star, 32, broke down during interview about her infamous voice note ‘about acid attack victim’
Pregnant Ferne McCann wants to quit her home following her voice-note scandal – and has put it up for rent for £5,000-a-month.
The former Towie star, 32, has put her luxury Essex four-bed up for rent with estate agents Barringtons for £1,142 a week.
And publicity pictures of the available property leave little doubt of who lives there – as Ferne’s daughter Sunday’s name can be seen clearly on a toybox.
With another baby on the way it is possible that the model needs more space for her ever-expanding family.
Pictures of the house on the estate agent listing show off the life of luxury Ferne enjoys there.
There is lots of character in the property, including a rather unusual bed in one of the rooms.
The garden is one of the stand-out features and boasts an expertly manicured lawn as well as tidy patio.
There is also another outdoor space area for residents and guests to chill out in and enjoy a drink or bite to eat.
If you are more active, you no longer even need to step out of the door to get the rush from exercise.
The property boasts its very own gym, complete with a treadmill and a weightlifting bench.
One of the four bedrooms is decorated in subtle shades but has a fabulous view out into the countryside.
And even the loft has been utilised as an office space with a computer set up and a table to discuss business.
On Wednesday Fearne broke down in tears on This Morning as she discussed her leaked voice notes scandal.
The pregnant reality star, 32, described it as her ‘lowest moment’ and admitted she has been in therapy since the incident.
In November 2022, an anonymous Instagram account, called Lady Whistledown after the Bridgerton secret gossip sharer, posted a series of voice messages from a woman they claimed was Ferne.
One heard a woman’s voice label one of acid attacker Arthur Collins ‘ victims a ‘silly b****’ while another saw Ferne accused of body-shaming Sam Faiers.
Ferne, who is expecting her first child with fiancée Lorri Haines, 31, said that she was a ‘different person now’ and that the infamous recordings happened six years ago when she was in a ‘vulnerable situation’.
The former TOWIE star, who is already mum to daughter Sunday, five, was shown a clip from her ITVbe show First Time Mum, which documented the breaking scandal and aftermath.
Struggling to watch, Ferne said: ‘I wear my heart on my sleeves and I like to be transparent with my viewers’.
‘I have to let the cameras and it really is warts and all. I can’t just not include the difficult times.’
She went on to describe the incident as not her ‘finest hour’ and revealed she had attempted to contact those hurt by the incident.
‘It wasn’t my finest hour, it was a difficult time of my life.’
‘I need to take this opportunity again to apologise publicly again, and I have reached out to those people, but it is a criminal investigation so I can’t say too much’.
She continued: ‘The voice notes were from a time when I was in a very vulnerable situation about six years ago, I have been in therapy for six years since, I am a different person’.
In a bid to find some positive in the sad situation Ferne said: ‘I know my story will be able to help a lot of women and until then unfortunately I can’t say too much.’
Ferne previously revealed that her new series will ‘address’ the voice notes leak, but cannot reveal the ‘full truth’ due to legal reasons.
Speaking on This Morning she again referred to the ongoing investigation: ‘I understand that it is really confusing, and I have this burning desire to share everything that happened to me and why I said these things but I can’t, there will be a time when I can so I hope that people can be patient with me until then.’
Going on to praise her reality show as a distraction and focus during the uproar: ‘Of course, I was hurting it was some of my lowest moments, first time mum has been a lifeline for me.’
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It comes after filming on the series resumed following claims she made derogatory comments about ex-partner Arthur Collins’s acid attack victims.
It was claimed ITV bosses are backing Ferne amid her leaked voice note scandal.
A source told The Sun in November: ‘Ferne is resuming filming for First Time Mum and is heading to India.
‘She is booked to fly out of the country today and is taking a film crew with her.
‘Initially plans for filming were paused as the voice note scandal unfolded. However Ferne has the backing of her ITV bosses and filming will start in the coming days.’
Ferne previously faced calls for her show to be axed after an anonymous Instagram account leaked voice notes allegedly sent by Ferne , in which a woman’s voice labels one of acid attacker Arthur Collins’ victims a ‘silly b****’.
It has been claimed they were referring to Sophie Hall, who reached the final of a Miss England final 15 months after the sickening attack, baring her scars.
Collins is currently serving 20 years in prison after he threw acid in an East London nightclub in April 2017 and injured 14 people.
Ferne was blasted by acid attack victim Sophie Hall, 27, for her recent ‘insincere’ apology after calling her ‘ugly’ in the leaked voice notes.
Ferne admitted she was the voice in shocking audio files, but claimed she recorded them because she feared ‘serious harm and in the face of significant threats’.
Sophie has since demanded Ferne says sorry to her on camera while alleging she wasn’t able to read the statement since Ferne blocked her on Instagram.
She told The Sun: ‘To me her words feel so insincere. Ferne is simply trying to salvage her career. I don’t think she is sorry at all.
Ferne wrote in her online statement: ‘I am aware that people will have a number of questions about the voice messages being put into the public domain and purportedly sent by me.
‘I feel I have no choice but to address these (to the extent that I can as there are restrictions on me which I explain below).
‘Most importantly I want to apologise to all the victims of Arthur Collins abhorrent actions in 2017 that they have to relive that night and the pain that followed because this matter is again in the public domain.
‘In particular I want to apologise to Sophie Hall. I do not believe her to be ugly or stupid. She has been brave beyond belief.
‘Arthur Collins’ crimes created genuine victims so I am not trying to portray myself as one. I am unable to say much because there are important and significant legal proceedings that prevent me from setting the record straight at this stage.
‘What I can say is that the voice messages that are being released are manipulated; edited and taken entirely out of context.
Even so, I will have said things that are untrue and I did not believe – but I did so to protect my family and myself from serious harm and in the face of significant threats.’
The audio clips aren’t the first to circulate the internet, with the reality star previously accused of slamming and body shaming friend Sam Faiers.
In a statement shared with MailOnline, Ferne called the scandal a ‘harassment’ campaign against her, as well as offering her sympathies to those offended by the remarks.
By Stephen Johnson, Economics Reporter For Daily Mail Australia
02:49 17 Mar 2023, updated 04:20 17 Mar 2023
- Australia population grew by 1.6 per cent in a year
- The net annual immigration above 300,000 mark
House prices are set to recover once interest rates stop rising and some new immigrants opt to buy homes, as the influx fuels a rental crisis, experts say.
Australia’s net annual immigration in the year up to September 2022 stood at 303,700 people – a 15-year high – taking the overall population above 26.1 million.
This was the biggest overseas increase since late 2008, and includes skilled migrants, family reunions and international students.
The number of immigrants was also significantly higher than the October budget forecast of 180,000 for 2022-23, and the 235,000 level projected for 2024-25.
Tim Lawless, head of research with real estate data group CoreLogic, said higher immigration was likely to help housing values recover once the Reserve Bank of Australia stopped raising interest rates.
An overall population growth of 1.6 per cent was back to pre-pandemic levels, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed.
By comparison, New Zealand’s population grew by just 0.2 per cent during the same time frame while the U.S. population last year increased by 0.4 per cent, with an expert blaming a surge in international students for Australia’s rental crisis.
Mr Lawless explained that despite the issues an influx of immigrants could be causing, it may also help house prices recover as new migrants look to buy instead of entering the tough rental market.
‘The surge in permanent and long-term migrants could be another factor supporting the stronger market conditions,’ he said.
‘While most of the housing demand from overseas migration is likely to flow into the rental market, with vacancy rates so tight, we may be seeing a higher than normal portion of long-term or permanent migrants choosing to buy rather than rent.’
Westpac is now expecting the Reserve Bank of Australia to pause rate rises in April.
The bank’s chief economist Bill Evans is forecasting a 3.85 per cent cash rate in May, instead of a 4.1 per cent rate as financial market concerns worry the RBA.
‘The major change since the March RBA board meeting has been the adverse developments in global markets,’ he said.
Bob Birrell, the president of The Australian Population and Research Institute, said higher numbers of international students had caused the surge in Australia’s net annual immigration level, and was the major cause of a rental crisis in Sydney and Melbourne, in particular.
‘Just over 50 per cent of that migration in Australia ends up in Sydney and Melbourne, and they are going to be requiring rental accommodation,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘That’s a crucial factor in the rental crisis at the moment.
‘The Labor government is caught here: it’s expressing concern for the wellbeing of young Australians seeking rental accommodation but at the same time it’s adding a huge load to the demand for that scarce accommodation.’
The Sydney suburb of Randwick, near the University of New South Wales, has an ultra-low rental vacancy rate of just 0.8 per cent, SQM Research data showed.
Commonwealth Bank senior economist Belinda Allen said Australia’s population growth was back to pre-pandemic levels, with net immigration growing by 106,000 over July, August and September last year – setting a new quarterly record.
‘Given the flow of net long-term and permanent overseas arrivals, we are not a surprised to see a record lift of net overseas migration,’ he said.
Immigration was the key source of Australia’s population growth, because the birth rate fell and Covid deaths rose.
The net overseas migration figure of 303,700 was based on 536,900 permanent overseas migration arrivals minus 233,200 permanent departures.
Australia’s strong 1.6 per cent population growth pace occurred even though the natural increase – or births minus deaths – was 18.1 per cent weaker than the previous year.
Sydney’s property market is already benefiting from higher immigration with the median house price in February rising by 0.3 per cent, despite the Reserve Bank during that month raising the cash rate for a ninth consecutive month.
But prices are still 14.7 per cent weaker compared with a year earlier when the cash rate was still at a record-low of 0.1 per cent, with the median house value still expensive at $1,217,308.
The RBA raised the cash rate again for the tenth time in March, taking it up to an 11-year high of 3.6 per cent.
Despite that, Sydney’s property values in the first half of March were 0.5 per cent higher, while Melbourne and Perth values rose 0.2 per cent.
Queensland had Australia’s strongest population growth pace of 2.2 per cent, with 114,400 new residents moving there, including many from other states seeking better weather.
By comparison, 108,700 people moved to New South Wales which had a growth pace of 1.3 per cent, as high overseas immigration coincided with existing residents moving to other states.
Victoria attracted a similar number, or 108,400 new residents, but it had a higher 1.7 per cent growth pace.
Western Australia also had an above-average growth pace, with a population increase of 1.8 per cent as 50,400 people moved there.
Mortgage arrears rose sharply in January to a near three-year high, according to data from credit bureau Centrix. Photo / Alex Burton
- Ask your question in the comments section below – you’ll need to be logged in to your Herald Premium account first. Property editor Anne Gibson and personal finance editor Tamsyn Parker will join the chat at about 9.30am. Please abide by our House Rules – you can find them here.
If you needed proof that New Zealand’s housing market is cooling, insolvency expert Damien Grant has it.
“Building and construction liquidation numbers lead the pack over other industries, making up nearly a third
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- A £2.5million luxury home won in a prize draw last autumn is for sale
- The property is now on the market with a higher asking price of £2.65million
- The house is in Kingsdown, a village on the English Channel coast of Kent
A £2.5million luxury home that was won by a Midlands couple in a prize draw has been put on the market.
The couple won the property via a draw on the website Omaze in autumn last year, but have already put it up for sale.
They described the win as ‘beyond their wildest dreams’ and went on to say that it had changed their lives forever.
However, we can exclusively reveal that the couple have no plans to keep the property in Kingsdown near Deal as the property is now on the market for sale – but this time with a higher value.
The asking price for the house called The Gunnery is £2.65million, with estate agents Strutt & Parker handling the sale.
In its marketing literature for the house, the agents described the property as ‘unique’.
The unusual property was crafted from a former second World War gun emplacement.
The agent added: ‘The Gunnery is set in a commanding position with unrivalled 180 degree views of the Channel, looking over the charming village of Kingsdown to the east, towards the iconic White Cliffs to the west and France to the south.’
The high-tech property includes a heating and air conditioning systems provided by an air source heat pump.
The property boasts 1.5 acres of land, with an outdoor terrace running the full length of the house and there is a glass balustrade providing far-reaching views of the sea.
Kingsdown is a quiet seaside village that has well-regarded schools as well as a village store, a butcher and Post Office as well as three pubs.
The area also has plenty of outdoor pursuits, including coastal cliff walks, sailing, and three golf courses.
The average price of a property sold in Kingsdown during the past 12 months is £451,889. It compares to £349,985 for the country as a whole, according to property website Zoopla.
By David Wilcock, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline
17:03 15 Mar 2023, updated 17:40 15 Mar 2023
House prices are set to tumble by almost six per cent next year in another blow for homeowners.
The Office for Budget Responsibility said that a 1.1 per cent dip in prices expected this year would steepen in 2024 to a maximum of 5.7 per cent.
With interest rates not expected to fall much below 4 per cent for some time as economists seek to bring down inflation, it will add to pressure on mortgage-holders looking to refinance in the next 12-24 months.
The OBR said it now believed prices would fall 10 per cent from their high in the fourth quarter of last year, up from a predicted 9 per cent in November.
It also expects house sales to dip by 20 per cent as families decide to stay put and wait for prices to rise.
The Liberal democrats called for a Mortgage Protection Fund ‘to protect families and pensioners from the Government’s spiralling rates.’
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokeswoman Helen Morgan said: ‘For millions of families and pensioners this Budget is Jeremy Hunt’s house of horrors.
‘People are seeing their house prices tumble, yet support from the Chancellor is nowhere to be seen.’
In its analysis today the OBR said: ‘Our central forecast is that house prices fall by 10 per cent from their high in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 1 percentage point larger fall than in our November forecast.
‘Property transactions are expected to drop by 20 per cent relative to their peak in the same quarter.
‘Leading indicators from Halifax and Nationwide suggest that house prices have already fallen by 3 to 6 per cent between their peak in the middle of 2022 and February 2023.
‘Low consumer confidence, the squeeze on real incomes, and the expectation of mortgage rate rises to come are expected to contribute to continued falls in house prices and a reduction in housing market activity.’
Influencer called out over comments about Asian builders, criticism mounts on the Government’s welfare boost and how the country’s tracking 28 days on from Cyclone Gabrielle in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald
Tauranga’s average property value plunged by nearly $140,000 in the year ending February, OneRoof data shows.
The March property report shows the average value fell $137,762 to $995,667 in the city. In the Western Bay of Plenty the drop was not as steep but still fell by $98,933 to $1,353,800 over the 12-month period.
However, a data analyst said a lack of new housing stock could put the brakes on value declines as listing volumes across the country were falling.
No suburbs increased in value over the previous 12 months.
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However, values in Pyes Pā and Tauriko in Tauranga and Anongatete, Athenree, Ōmokoroa, Pukehina, Te Puke, and Waihī Beach in Western Bay of Plenty had increased in the past three months.
Tremains Bay of Plenty managing director Anton Jones said it was “tough” to get deals over the line.
“Buyers are shying away from properties with problems, consenting issues and leaky buildings given the number that is available. A lot of people are hanging out for the right thing.
“It’s interesting because as soon as the right thing comes out, it seems to be what everyone wants and that property will go pretty well because it’s presented and priced well and have all the boxes ticked.”
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Jones said people with properties on the market for a long time should make sure it was presented nicely and was relatively free of issues.
“That will be the first thing they look at, whether the property has any issues and how easy is that to resolve. Those with more issues tend to stick on the market for longer.”
REINZ regional director Neville Falconer said first-home buyers in Tauranga were beginning to make a comeback and owner-occupiers looking for properties at the top end of the market were showing the most interest.
”Salespeople throughout the Bay of Plenty say that this summer has caused much heartache for many people in the North Island and has impacted the entire country to varying degrees.
“People are now taking a hard look at the vulnerability of their properties in the Bay of Plenty.”
Data taken from the OneRoof-Valocity House Value Index on February 20 showed house values fell 7.7 per cent in Bay of Plenty since the market peak in February last year, but the rate of decline was easing.
The data also showed the number of new properties listed for sale in February down 25.9 per cent in Bay of Plenty year on year.
Head of valuations at Valocity, OneRoof’s data partner, James Wilson said the lack of new housing stock could put the brakes on value declines.
“Bay of Plenty’s average rate of decline appears to have stalled, as has Nelson’s and Southland’s, but not so lucky are Gisborne and Waikato, where the rate of decline has gathered pace in the last three months.
“Sellers, like buyers, are understandably worried about rising interest rates and will be hesitant about selling in the midst of a downturn.
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“The Reserve Bank has warned that monetary conditions will need to tighten further to get inflation back within its target range, and flagged a cash rate peak of 5.5 per cent.”
Wilson said to expect demand to drain from the housing market in the coming months, especially in areas hit hardest by recent extreme weather.
While the shortage of new listings would help prop up values in some areas, the glut of older stock was a concern with buyers likely to see further price declines in areas where there are more homes to choose from.
“Of the 1167 suburbs that recorded 10 or more settled sales in the last 12 months, 84 per cent were down year-on-year, compared to just one suburb a year ago.
Valocity senior researcher Wayne Shum said first-home buyers increased their share of purchases nationally month-on-month from 41.6 per cent in December to 43.3 per cent in January.
Investor purchases in January were up 1.1 per cent on last year at 20.8 per cent.
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Shum said interest rates were the “dominant force” in the market and with the Reserve Bank “laser-focused” on tackling inflation, they would be for the months ahead.
“However, the recent lift in the cash rate seems to have been baked into the major retail bank plans.
“There were no corresponding mortgage rate increases at the time of the Official Cash Rate announcement and the fact that some of the main banks have longer-term rates lower than their shorter-term rates may be a sign that the end of the tightening cycle is near.”