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Housing grant to help banks cross red line
BusinessDay - South Africa
In a bid to encourage financial institutions to lend more money to the lower end of the market, government said yesterday it would contribute to the down payments of house buyers earning between R3500 and R7000 a month.
BusinessDay

Watchdog slams mortgage advisers over poor service
Leeds Today - UK
A consumer magazine today hit out at mortgage advisers for the poor standard of service they gave the public. Which? said just three out of 39 mortgage advisers it went to as part of a shopping exercise gave acceptable advice to researchers posing as first-time buyers.
Leeds Today

Namibia: Key Land Reform Element in Place
AllAfrica.com - Africa
A key element in the Namibian government's land reform exercise, the valuation of commercial farmland, is nearing completion.

The valuation of commercial farms is critical to the implementation of a new Land Tax, which is meant, in part, to fund the state's acquisition of agricultural land for the purpose of resettling thousands of "land-hungry" and previously disadvantaged Namibians.
AllAfrica.com

The deeds that mean a transfer of title
Newsday - USA
"A warranty deed is one in which the seller, when transferring the title to you, warrants that he owns the property free and clear of all liens."
Newsday

My children have a home at last
Independent Online - South Africa
"I can now die in peace, knowing that my children have a home."

This was the reaction on Thursday of 80-year-old Lettie Johnson, who was told that, after renting her house for 25 years, she would finally receive the title deed for the property in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg.
Independent Online

Review of house-buying ruled out despite claims of "sharp practice"
The Scotsman - UK
A review of Scotland's house-buying system has been ruled out by the Scottish Executive despite claims that the system is "ripe for reform" and amid increasing reports of sharp practice in the market.

Hugh Henry, the deputy justice minister, said there were "no plans to review conveyancing law in Scotland".
The Scotsman

Sri Lanka to re-impose property tax on foreigners
Business Day - South Africa
Colombo - Sri Lanka's parliament approved Tuesday a law restoring a 100% tax on foreigners buying land in the palm-fringed island as part of a drive by the Marxist-backed government to stop a sell off of beach property.
Business Day