About HOME FRONT with Russell Quirk A SASSY+ Production
Cut through the noise and unlock the secrets of the UK property market with HOME FRONT, your complete property intelligence briefing. Hosted by Russell Quirk, one of the UK's leading property experts and commentators, who transforms complex property matters into clear, actionable insights. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, first-time buyer, landlord, or property investor, each episode delivers breaking property news, interviews with industry leaders, in-depth analysis of market trends and policies, practical advice for navigating buying, selling, renting, or investing, and innovative solutions to tackle the ongoing housing crisis. HOME FRONT is your ultimate guide to property success.
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Going, going… gone wrong: How digital auctions could fix the UK’s broken property Market
Philip Farrell, CCO and Founder at Offr.io, discusses with Russell Quirk how digital auctions modernize the UK property market by increasing speed and transparency.
24 Jul 2025
Rogue Builders & The £14 Billion Scandal: How to protect yourself from renovation ruin
Brian Berry and Iona Stewart-Richardson from the Federation of Master Builders discuss the pervasive issue of rogue builders and provide a 14-point checklist to help homeowners avoid renovation disasters in this interview.
17 Jul 2025
The Dubai Property Boom: Everything you need to know about buying in the UAE
Estate agent Lucy Parker discusses Dubai's booming property market with Russell Quirk, exploring tax benefits, off-plan investments, and the lifestyle attracting wealthy Brits to the UAE in this interview.
11 Jul 2025
The Secret to Selling Smarter: How One Agent Is Changing the Property Game
Russell Quirk interviews Steve Wayne, founder of Benjamin Stevens Estate Agents, about the UK housing market, including the impact of local schools on property values and the problem of empty homes.
4 Jul 2025
Pets, Politics & Property: The Renters’ Rights Bill Unpacked
CEO Ben Beadle of the National Residential Landlords Association and Russell Quirk discuss the Renters’ Rights Bill, including no-fault evictions, pet permissions, and the potential landlord exodus in this interview.
27 Jun 2025
How to know what your mome is really worth in today’s market
Property expert Charlie Lamdin discusses the illusion of a single housing market, the prevalence of overpricing by estate agents, and the dominance of first-time buyers, in an interview with Russell Quirk.
20 Jun 2025
Looking to buy in 2025? Here's what you need to know first
Lucian Cook, Head of Residential Research at Savills, joins Russell Quirk to analyze current housing market trends, including price fluctuations and mortgage regulations, offering insights into potential buying opportunities in 2025 in this interview.
13 Jun 2025
What you really need to know before applying for a mortgage
Mortgage advisor Jane King informs host Russell Quirk about critical factors for mortgage applications in 2025, including credit scores and deposit sizes, in this interview.
6 Jun 2025
Are New Build Houses Smaller Than They Were in the 1970s?
Host Russell Quirk interviews Andy Morrison, Director at UK Property Development Ltd, about the challenges of building 300,000 new homes annually, land banking, and whether new builds are smaller than homes from the 1970s.
29 May 2025
Agents in the Firing Line: 73,000 Complaints Later, Why Property Complaints Are Exploding
Property complaints mediator Julie Ford discusses with Russell Quirk the surge in property complaints, exploring communication breakdowns, consumer rights, and potential solutions within the estate and letting agent industry in this interview.
23 May 2025
Coffee Shops, Hairdressers & House Prices: Clues to the Next Hot Property Spots
Marc von Grundherr analyzes London's property market as a stable, long-term investment, while Russell Quirk examines UK rent increases and a first-time buyer's journey in this interview episode.
16 May 2025
What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know About Conveyancing
In property news this week:
The Bank of England cuts base rates to 4.25%, offering relief to mortgage holders and optimism to homebuyers—what does this mean for you?
Knight Frank boosts its UK house price forecast for 2025 to an increase of 3.5%, thanks to improving interest rate conditions
Sadiq Khan plans to build on parts of London’s Greenbelt to tackle the capital’s deepening housing crisis
Russell is joined this week by conveyancing power duo Lorraine Richardson (https://www.conveyancing-matters.co.uk/) and Stuart Forsdike (https://www.pcslegal.co.uk/stuart-forsdike), and it’s a deep dive into what really happens between “offer accepted” and “here are the keys.” They talk about covenants, easements, and why it’s neverjust a paperwork exercise. From boundaries to bizarre planning issues, they break down why you need a good conveyancer — and what happens when you don’t.
Plus, they answer the crucial question: what can buyers and sellers actually do to speed up the process and reduce the risk of a fall-through?
And in his Diary of a First-Time Buyer, Gareth Butters is finally getting some answers from Hackney Council... but after a long wait, it turns out the searches are missing some key info. So, flood reports or indemnity insurance — what’s the safer bet?
If you’ve got any property questions you’d like answered on the show, get in touch: Homefront@radionewshub.com (mailto:Homefront@radionewshub.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
8 May 2025
Hidden housing wealth, stamp duty surges – and why UK renters are paying 358% more in one postcode
In property news this week:
Homeowners over 60 now hold an astonishing £2.89 trillion in net housing wealth
March stamp duty receipts jumped 63% year-on-year, hitting £1.4 billion
Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire tops the list as the UK’s most expensive rental postcode – with tenants paying 358% above the national average
Russell is joined this week by Lynda Clark from First Time Buyer Magazine (https://www.firsttimebuyermag.com/) to ask: is it still possible to get on the property ladder without a miracle? They talk through the pros and cons of shared ownership, why new builds are often the easiest way in, and how first-time buyers can avoid common mistakes. Plus, how much difference does skipping a daily coffee habit really make when you’re saving for a deposit?
And in his Diary of a First-Time Buyer, Gareth Butters has been studying his surveyor’s report — and now he’s discovered Hackney Council’s average search time is longer than he expected!
If you have any property questions you need answered on the programme, send them to: Homefront@radionewshub.com
[00:04:20] – Buying is now cheaper than renting
[00:05:57] – High rents make saving almost impossible
[00:08:14] – Why new builds are ideal for first-time buyers
[00:10:29] – Huge demand, not enough homes
[00:13:38] – Your first home won’t be your last
[00:14:23] – Always speak to a mortgage advisor first
[00:20:41] – Stamp duty is easy to forget
[00:27:06] – The Bank of Mum and Dad is booming
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
1 May 2025
Major UK property portal rumoured to be readying the FOR SALE signs. Plus, all of this week’s property news and stories.
In property news this week:
April mortgage news – lenders now offering 7 x your income (with caveats)
Sub 4% mortgages now available
The HMO (houses in multiple occupation) market is worth £78bn
Russell has an exclusive story this week, about one of the major UK property portals. Nigel Lewis from TheNegotiator.co.uk (https://thenegotiator.co.uk/) joins him to discuss this and other property news.
And in his "Diary of a First-Time Buyer," Gareth Butters has been studying his surveyor's report!
If you have any property questions you need answered on the programme, send them to: Homefront@radionewshub.com (mailto:Homefront@radionewshub.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
24 Apr 2025
Your own island, for a guide price of £25m plus buying and selling advice from a top estate agent
In property news this week:
Property transactions were up 50% in March, according to Barclays
Mortgage rates are going down plus advice on looking out for fees
The meaning of mortgage "affordability" is changing
One of England's only private islands is on the market, Russell talks to the agents Ed Casson and Simon Pelling (https://www.fineandcountry.co.uk/mid-and-south-essex-estate-agents) about the 380 acres that could be yours for £25m
Plus Nicholas Court from Court & Co Estate Agents (https://www.courtco.co.uk/) with advice for buyers and sellers across the country
And in his "Diary of a First-Time Buyer," Gareth Butters discovers how what happens in Washington is affecting his house purchase in London.
If you have any property questions you need answered on the programme, send them to: Homefront@radionewshub.com (mailto:Homefront@radionewshub.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Apr 2025
Do you need a Homebuying Agent? Plus, the diary of a first-time buyer, week 4.
In property news this week:
The latest house price data — are prices going up or down?
Daniel Clarke is a buying agent, but what does a buying agent do? Is he an estate agent – or not – and what's the difference? Daniel explains the ins and outs of searching for a home, the difference between "off" and “on-the-market” properties, and what a "pocket listing," means.
In his "Diary of a First-Time Buyer," Gareth Butters is looking for a home in Islington, North London. Hear his latest update as he negotiates the highs and lows of home-buying. This week, it’s all about the money!
If you have any property questions you need answered on the programme, send them to: Homefront@radionewshub.com (mailto:Homefront@radionewshub.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Apr 2025
Everything you need to know about home ownership. Plus, the diary of a first-time buyer, week 3.
In property news this week:
· The latest data on private rents and an update on the Renters’ Rights Bill
· How many new homes have been built so far this year?
· Landlords beware—especially if you live in Salford, where some have been fined £45,250
Paula Higgins is the founder and CEO of Homeowners Alliance. In this episode, why Brits are obsessed with owning property, and why homeownership is decreasing. Plus, some thoughts on affordability for first-time buyers
Is it better to buy or rent now, financially, and what are the pros and cons of both options? Also, why landlords are selling up and how this could be good news for first-time buyers. In his “Diary of a First-Time Buyer,” Gareth Butters is looking for a home in Islington, North London. Hear his latest update as he negotiates the highs and lows of home-buying.
If you have any property questions you need answered on the programme, send them to: Homefront@radionewshub.com (mailto:Homefront@radionewshub.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
3 Apr 2025
How do we solve the social housing crisis in the UK? Plus, the diary of a first-time buyer, week 2.
In property news this week:
· There’s no sign of a drop in demand for mortgage approvals.
· The latest house price data from Nationwide, one of the largest lenders in the UK.
· Everything you need to know about the changes in Stamp Duty, as of April 1st.
Oli Reid is the CEO of Living Redefined. With over 150,000 people in temporary accommodation, what does the government need to do to solve the problem, and where is the money going to come from?
In a wide-ranging conversation, Russell and Oli discuss Britain’s housing crisis and the huge challenges facing the government.
Plus, Gareth Butters is a first-time buyer, looking for a home in Islington, North London. Follow his journey through the cutthroat world of property viewings and appointments as he negotiates the highs and lows of home-buying in his "Diary of a First-Time Buyer."
If you have any property questions you need answered on the programme, send them to: Homefront@radionewshub.com (mailto:Homefront@radionewshub.com)
04:23 What do we mean by social housing?
06:53 How many people are living in temporary accommodation in the UK?
08:21 Is there enough social housing in the UK, and how many people are on waiting lists?
17:08 How will the social housing problem be fixed, and where will the money come from?
21:02 The number of empty homes in Britain, and who owns them?
25:50 The Diary of a First-Time Buyer – Has Gareth found his dream home yet?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
27 Mar 2025
Episode 1: What do estate agents actually do and should they charge more? Plus, the diary of a first-time buyer.
In property news this week:
The latest UK government statistics on housing affordability
Halifax and Nationwide have released the latest house price index
Renting a one-bedroom flat is now unaffordable across half of England for key workers
Ben Madden is a director of estate agents, Fine and Country. First-time buyers have rarely had it so good, claims Russ. Does Ben agree? How do estate agents really make their money and is there an argument that they should be charging higher fees? The estate agency fee is on average less than 1% of sale price, lower than most countries in the world. Russell and Ben discuss whether estate agents get a raw deal and whether the estate agency model needs fixing. Plus, are specialist buying agents worthwhile when you're searching for a home? Ben provides some fascinating insights into how estate agents work and how you can work with them to sell your property or find your dream home.
Gareth Butters is a first-time buyer, looking for a home in Islington, North London. Follow his journey through the cutthroat world of property viewings and appointments as he negotiates the highs and lows of home-buying in his first "Diary of a First-Time Buyer."
01:16 Houses are more affordable, according to the latest data
02:35 How long does it take on average to buy and complete on a property?
06:15 Why do estate agents get such a hard time from the media and public?
12:02 What does an estate agent do, exactly, for their fee?
18:37 How long does it take on average to buy a property?
24:18 What is a buying agent and how do they work?
28:00 How should estate agents improve their reputation in the UK?
30:27 First-time buyers have rarely had it so good, does Ben agree?
34:28 The diary of a first-time buyer with Gareth Butters
Get in touch if you have any questions: homefront@radionewshub.com (mailto:homefront@radionewshub.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on HOME FRONT with Russell Quirk A SASSY+ Production
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Philip Farrell
Brian Berry
Iona Stewart-Richardson
Lucy Parker
Steve Wayne
Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100
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