4 Home Loans

A new report suggests that the average Briton will spend £70 to demonstrate their affections on Valentine’s Day.According to PayPal, 23 million sweethearts in the UK will fork out a total of £1.6 billion, an average expenditure of £71.25.

Thirty-three percent say they will purchase gifts costing between £50 and £99. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, the number rises to 44 percent.

According to the survey, an additional 22 percent say they are prepared to spend between £100 and £249.

According to Cristina Hoole, spokeswoman for PayPal, love is in the air in the UK as Britons prepare to lay out £1.6 billion to woo their loved ones.

The Thrifty Scot suggests that homeowner loans may be a source of funds for those who have equity in property.

Consumer confidence in the UK is flagging as fear of increasing inflation mounts, according to new research.The number of people who expect interest rates to rise over the next twelve months grew by two percent last month, according to Lloyds TBS Corporate Markets most recent Consumer Barometer.

For the first time in six months, an increasing number of Britons are expressing concerns about inflation, according to the financial services provider.

It might not be enough to drop interest rates this month, according to chief economist Trevor Williams of Lloyds TBS Corporate Markets.

Consumers do not believe that interest-rate cuts will have a lasting impact, according to Mr. Williams. Nonetheless, a reduction in the rate will reduce interest payments and possibly stimulate economic activity.

uSwitch.com, the price comparison service, suggests that many Britons may find help with a debt consolidation loan.

The rental market promises to be good for landlords in 2008, according to an industry expert.Members of the National Landlords Association are optimistic about the potential for their industry this year, according to David Salisbury, association chairman.

A study released by Paragon Mortgages indicates that rents increased an average of 19.4 percent last year. The fourth quarter of the year saw an increase of 8.1 percent.

Mr. Salisbury says this data is encouraging for members of the industry.

The industry representative says he expects to see increasing demand for rental property in the private sector. He predicts that tenants and landlords alike will benefit from a well-managed portfolio.

The industry appears to be positioned for sustainable success over the next five years as more than one-quarter of landlords say they expect to expand their portfolio.

Moneyfacts, an independent financial information provider, suggests that people may qualify for homeowners loans backed by their equity in real property.

E.ON, one of the leading gas and power companies in the UK, is increasing its rates, and one price forecasting company predicts that the move will increase household bills for some customers.The average annual bill for a dual fuel customer with E.ON will rise from £913 to £1,063, according to uSwitch.com.

On February 8, the company formerly know as Powergen will begin to implement its price increase. It is the latest in a series of increases from UK power companies.

Scottish & Southern Energy has assured customers that it will not raise rates until March, says Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy for uSwitch. Other major suppliers have all increased rates in recent months.

Ms. Robinson points out that customers who comparison shop can set themselves up for savings of £325.

A report in the Observer suggests that more Britons could decide to take out debt consolidation loans this year.

People planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day abroad need to be aware that they may encounter unexpected costs when they use their cards, warns Nationwide Building Society.Credit card companies charged customers an additional £27 million last year, according to Nationwide.

They recommend that people steer clear of providers that charge an additional amount for charges made abroad. In some cases, it might be better to use a debit card for purchases.

In addition, they remind consumers that Dynamic Currency Conversion, which permits the customer to pay in sterling or local exchange, might actually wind up costing more since the retailer has the option to set the conversion rate.

Jeremy Wood, the divisional director at Nationwide, encourages couples who are planning a special trip out of the country this Valentine’s Day to pay attention to unadvertised and unnecessary charges, as they can add up.

Those who are struggling with a large burden of debt might consider a debt consolidation loan, advises Iain Wrenshall, director of Debt Help UK.