Latest news with #property
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Inside half-built and abandoned £40m mansion ‘bigger than Buckingham Palace' & owned by a convicted criminal
A £40million mansion in Sussex once said to be the most expensive private house built in Britain for a century remains unfinished – 40 years after work first started. Hamilton Palace near Uckfield, in East Sussex, is owned by notorious property tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten and is bigger than Buckingham Palace. 5 5 5 Van Hoogstraten was once dubbed Britain's youngest millionaire and has been locked in a dispute with neighbours of the property for decades. But, 40 years after work on the enormous £40 million mansion began in 1985, it remains no more than a huge shell and has been dubbed the "Ghost House of Sussex." After work halted in 2001, the mansion was mostly abandoned, unfinished and is surrounded by acres of countryside. It's been the subject of immense investment despite the fact that no one has ever lived in it. But despite its scale, there is little to hint at its presence. It is hidden away off of an unassuming junction on the A22 south of Uckfield and the house is completely obscured by a thick wooded area. The closest glimpse you can get on foot is of a gated entrance onto the estate that gives nothing away, aside from a bricked unit and a large, white container. But there is a definite sense of unease. It has been reported that stuck on the gate is a sign, written in capital letters. It baldly states: "High Cross Estate, Private Property, Keep Out." If that's not enough, multiple other signs reportedly warn of "shooting in progress", "dogs running free" and CCTV being in operation. I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it The only recent photographs of the property have been taken by drones and older photographs taken on site apparently when work was still ongoing. Those photos show an an eerie building, shrouded in scaffolding and overgrowing foliage, with discarded containers, construction equipment and other items littered throughout the grounds. It doesn't look like anything has happened at the site for a long time. Few have been inside, but one reporter who did, in 2000, when it was said to be two years off completion, described a grand central staircase and reception hall, with lift shafts already installed and expensive stone balustrades and pillars. Who is Nicholas van Hoogstraten? Nicholas van Hoogstraten is a convicted criminal. He is now 80 and goes by the name of Nicholas von Hessen. A Sussex native born in Shoreham, he owns dozens of properties in the area. He is said to have started making money selling stamps as a teenager before moving into property and, by the age of 22, had 350 properties in Sussex alone. In the 1980s housing boom he acquired more than 2,000 properties and had sold 90% of them by the 1990s. Over the past couple of decades, he has been involved in widely reported disputes with neighbours over Hamilton Palace. Low-level lighting had been installed on the roof, where there was to be a garden, and there was space for a fountain below. One entire floor was due to house van Hoogstraten's art collection. Today, the domed roof of the main building still rises over the top of the treeline and remains visible from a distance from the nearest set of houses in the hamlet of Palehouse Common. Locals have previously vented about the large area being left unused and there was a row over a public footpath that ran through it that van Hoogstraten did not want to be used. In answer to those complaints, he was quoted as saying "even the most moronic of peasants would be able to see… that we have been busy landscaping the grounds of the palace so as to prepare for scheduled works". And he has also denied that the house is falling apart. He added: "Hamilton Palace is far from 'crumbling' and was built to last for at least 2,000 years. "The scaffolding only remains as a part of ongoing routine maintenance such a property would require until completion." It has been reported the estate is now owned by his children through the company Messina Investments. 5 5
Reuters
9 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
The Founder Story Behind Unlisted: From Neighborhood Curiosity to National Platform
DAYTON, OH, June 19, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Unlisted, opens new tab, the real estate platform focused exclusively on homes not currently for sale, was born from a familiar moment. Founder and CEO, Katie Hill, walked past a home and thought, 'I love that house; I wonder if it could be mine someday?' Unlike most, she acted on that curiosity — and Unlisted was the result. Unlisted's origin story began with a friendly conversation. Hill approached her neighbor who owned the house she admired and expressed her interest. The owner wasn't selling right then but was flattered, intrigued, and open to future conversations as he was planning for his retirement in the coming few years. Hill asked for a right of first refusal whenever the neighbor was ready to sell and he agreed. That moment of neighborhood curiosity inspired many questions in Hill's mind: These questions became the blueprint for Unlisted, a growing platform built to unlock the hidden layer of the real estate market: homes that aren't actively for sale but might be — for the right offer, the right timeline, or the right terms. Founded by Hill in 2022, Unlisted helps buyers express interest in any home, whether or not it's on the market, and gives homeowners a private, pressure-free way to collect interest and better understand the marketability of their property. Homeowners can 'claim' their home, control the way their property appears online, personalize its details and photos, and initiate conversations with buyers who join their Waitlist — all on their own timeline, and without committing to sell. 'We're not trying to push people to sell,' says Hill. 'We're giving them the option to see what's possible and make better-informed decisions.' Unlisted works selectively with vetted real estate agents with proven track records, ensuring that when buyers and homeowners align on a transaction opportunity they have access to the local real estate resources they need. 'Unlisted's technology is far-reaching and creates more opportunities but it still maintains the local, human connection that is so important in real estate.' explains Jason Rowland, licensed real estate broker with the Rowland Group at Compass in Chicago and a selected partner with Unlisted. 'I have deep knowledge of my local market and serve as a trusted resource for both buyers and homeowners on Unlisted who are exploring their options in the neighborhood. It's the best of all worlds.' Real estate requires that people make some of the most important decisions of their lives. Unlisted offers a new way to discover opportunities and information — helping both sides of the transaction achieve optimum outcomes. Learn more at opens new tab. About Unlisted Unlisted is an AI-powered real estate technology platform designed to reveal off-market property opportunities. By leveraging machine learning, the company creates more dynamic, efficient market opportunities for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals. For more information, visit Media Contact Sophia Jacometsophia@ ### SOURCE: Unlisted Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Property Finder welcomes Owen Wilson, CEO of REA Group, to its Board of Directors in a major industry move
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 19, 2025: Property Finder, MENA's leading property portal (or 'the company'), has announced the appointment of Owen Wilson, CEO of REA Group, to its Board of Directors. Wilson brings decades of executive and operational experience, including nine years at REA Group, where he progressed from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure he led REA Group, which operates Australia's #1 property platform, through a period of sustained growth and international expansion. Under his leadership, the business became widely regarded as the most advanced digital real estate company in the world. Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) with a market capitalisation of approximately USD $20 billion, REA Group, a former shareholder in Property Finder, is majority-owned by News Corp, the global media company founded by Rupert Murdoch. Wilson's addition to the Property Finder Board signals the company's ambition to accelerate innovation, underscore governance, and deliver even greater value to home seekers, buyers and partners across the MENA region. Michael Lahyani, Founder and CEO of Property Finder, said: "Owen brings deep industry expertise to our Board. His leadership at REA Group, shaping digital transformation, driving strategic M&A, and championing customer-first innovation sets a strong benchmark for the industry. As we continue our mission to change living for good in the region, Owen's insight will be instrumental in helping us deliver on our purpose and strengthen our position as the regional leader." Owen Wilson, Board Member, Property Finder, adds, 'I'm deeply passionate about creating personalised experiences that redefine how people engage with property. I've long admired Property Finder's bold vision and the transformative role it plays in reshaping real estate across the MENA region. Under Michael's leadership, the team's relentless focus on innovation, customer experience, and data-driven decision-making closely aligns with the values I've championed throughout my career. I'm excited to support Michael and the Board as the company embarks on its next chapter of growth and continues to shape the future of property search.' About Property Finder Property Finder is a pioneering property portal in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, dedicated to shaping an inclusive future for real estate while spearheading the region's growing tech ecosystem. At its core is a clear and powerful purpose: To change living for good in the region. Founded on the value of great ambitions, Property Finder connects millions of property seekers with thousands of real estate professionals every day. The platform offers a seamless and enriching experience, empowering both buyers and renters to make informed decisions. Since its inception in 2007, Property Finder has evolved into a trusted partner for developers, brokers, and home seekers and buyers. As a lighthouse tech company, it continues to create an environment where people can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the transformation of real estate in MENA. For more information, please contact: Gambit PR & Communications propertyfinder@
Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
‘We bought a house together six months after we met'
The first time Lorraine Feng and her boyfriend dared to discuss their salaries with each other was when they were applying for a mortgage. The couple had only met six months previously, but sky-high London rents had convinced them to pool together their savings and buy a new-build flat on the Northern line. 'We were paying £2,000 per month individually in rent. It was getting too much so we decided to commit,' says Feng, 32. 'The decision to buy wasn't impulsive. It came from a real need.' She and her partner, Tomasz Przytula, 31, are part of a growing generation of couples buying homes together soon after meeting – and, perhaps, before they are fully ready. A survey by Skipton building society found that 64pc of adults in relationships value getting on the property ladder over getting married. It is not difficult to see why. It takes the average single person 11 years of saving to get on the property ladder, according to estate agency Hamptons. This time is halved when buying in a couple is factored in. For Feng and Przytula, the frustration of handing over half of their monthly pay cheques to their landlords proved the tipping point. In January 2024, they paid a deposit of £57,000 on a flat in Barnet, London – 10pc of the apartment's total value. The property is held in joint ownership, with Przytula putting down a bigger percentage of the deposit. Neither Feng nor Przytula borrowed from their parents: 'Luckily, we are both quite frugal and we both agreed that paying rent was lining someone else's pockets. 'Tomasz does earn more than me, but we agreed to keep it simple and split the mortgage payments 50/50,' Feng says. She is a product analyst, while Przytula is software engineer. A year into home ownership, they both agree that they made the right decision to buy so early on in their relationship, and have no regrets. The couple have no agreement in place about how the property should be split if they need to do so. Battling a breakup But of course, love does turn sour for many, and those that have committed too soon have found the harder part of extracting themselves from a relationship is the mortgage that ties them together. Molly*, 28, and her military boyfriend, Rob*, 32, were desperate to get on the property ladder. They had been together for just under 24 months when they completed on the property, but had not spent much time together. Rob had been deployed for six months on tour, and was away with his job on and off throughout their relationship. 'We bought a starter home in Gloucestershire with a deposit in which I contributed 65pc and he contributed 35pc,' says Molly. 'The house was bought for £365,000. My deposit came from savings and family help.' In 2020, two years into living in their home, the relationship broke down. Rob moved back to military accommodation and Molly remained in the house. 'We both come from divorced parents so had the nous to draw up a deed of trust before we bought. Thank goodness we did because dividing the asset was harder than anything I have ever done,' she says. Added to this was a second mortgage they had taken out to cover the cost of a refurbishment, which made it more complicated. 'We used legal representation because I wanted to stay and he wanted to sell. We had three valuations – the house had risen in value in the two years we were there – we took the middle one,' she says. 'I'm quite stoic and try to keep a fair head on my shoulders but it was really hard. There were also animals involved and furniture to argue over, and in the meantime, we were carrying the burden of joint liability for the mortgage payments until he sold his share to me.' Ignoring the warnings Other couples who have wanted to buy with their partner have encountered resistance from friends and family who feel they are fast-forwarding their relationship too soon. Sophie*, 30, and her boyfriend Toby*, 33, have been dating for a year. 'One evening we ended up scrolling through houses online and saw one we liked, listed for £200,000 in Manchester. We viewed it and ended up putting in an offer – we were surprised and delighted when it was accepted,' Sophie says. They have faced warnings and negativity from loved ones driven by concern. 'My family have asked me to pull out of the sale because they are worried that it's too soon for us as a couple. We are yet to complete, but the whole process has felt negative because of what they have said.' Sophie and Toby are pressing ahead and, as to the thorny issue of what happens if things do go wrong, they say they will deal with it if that eventuality occurs. 'We haven't got a formal agreement in place outlining the split of the assets, but we hope that is not something we will have to face.'
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
I'm smack bang in middle age without any property, ageing knees and a scant pension portfolio
About once a month I set the parameters on my favourite property apps to 'maximum €100,000' and 'all of Ireland' and set off on a mildly hopeful but largely depressing scroll. Through various means – significant savings built up during the peak of my recent success as an author, some family help, and maybe a credit union loan – I figure I could buy a home outright for a hundred grand. Isn't that the dream, to be mortgage- and rent-free? It is for me, a minimally attractive mortgage candidate smack bang in middle age without any property to my name, ageing knees and organs, and a pension portfolio so scant that my accountant once asked me with his eyes closed what age I was planning to retire at. The sub-100k properties for sale around Ireland right now have several things in common. A huge number of them feature what I like to call 'the aul lad chair'. It's a high-backed fireside armchair upholstered in dusty pink or pale green velvet, or maybe a busy floral brocade. It has seen much, much better days. The arms are dirty or well-worn, the seat is sagging, and there's a definite indentation where the aul lad used to rest his weary head. The aul lad chair is almost always situated beside a vintage Aga, the type that would sell for seven grand in its reconditioned state but has already been lost to rust and disuse. Atop the Aga there might be an ancient enamel saucepan and above it a sacred heart lamp. Above the aul lad chair and indeed evident and encroaching every room in the house is the real reason the property is so 'cheap', the sinister presence of damp and black mould . Even the listings where only the corners of the rooms seem affected and my heart jumps at the prospect of a house that might be immediately habitable, the blurb always features the damning phrase, 'requires extensive renovation'. A closer inspection usually reveals a juvenile oak tree growing out of the roof and a life-threatening electrical situation. These houses depress me for several reasons. I mourn their previous inhabitants, especially the properties where more glimpses of their lives are evident – blankets on beds, newspapers scattered on floors, personal hygiene items in frigid, burgundy bathrooms. That they've fallen into such disrepair is shameful, yet understandable. They're usually rural and remote, and probably needed renovation and modernisation while their final occupants were still alive. Grieving or absent families aren't in a position to maintain these houses, and vacancy sounds a speedy death knell. READ MORE I wish I had it in me to buy a crumbling cottage for eighty grand and renovate it beautifully, but I don't. It's hard enough to pin down a tradesperson in Dublin, imagine trying to do so in rural Roscommon or Longford, which is where many of these properties are. On the rare occasion when there is a somewhat turnkey house advertised it's usually prohibitively remote. The listing will try to sell it as an 'attractive potential holiday home or investment property', compounding one of the reasons we're in this crisis in the first place. [ Mark O'Connell: The housing crisis could erode Ireland's middle class to a point of collapse Opens in new window ] Grappling with the sums of money bandied about on the housing market is difficult to grasp. Day after day I see properties for sale for two, three, four million and I wonder who the people with that kind of budget are. One-hundred thousand euro is at once an unimaginable amount of money and a meaningless sum. Imagine all I could do with it, and yet it is a drop in the ocean of house prices. A friend who bought her house a few years ago maintains that after a certain point, the numbers become empty. You become so desperate that an extra 10, 20, 50 thousand seems acceptable debt to take on. You're going to be paying it off for the next 30 years anyway. I have a couple of friends at the bidding stage of their home-buying journeys and the tactics and greed of both estate agents and sellers are truly sickening. Bid deadlines mean nothing as long as someone is still coughing up. Modest, former council houses are pushing seven and eight hundred grand. I'm now faced with paying a sickening amount for a one-bed apartment in a Dublin suburb to stay relatively close to my friends and community or move several counties away for a little more space but a lonely existence. And with more than 15,000 people homeless in our country, I'm lucky with that, I know.
