Yesterday's announcement that HIPs are to be rolled out to one and two-bedroom properties from December 14 has been received with disappointment by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, who see the move as another blow to long-suffering first-time buyers. The Rat and Mouse has always been a little skeptical about the view that a £300-£500 HIPs fee would deter a homeowner from putting a £500,000 property - even speculatively - onto the market. But at this end - the ftb end - things could well be different. Especially when combined with a fear that prices might be sliding... For all the Rat and Mouse's HIPs coverage so far, go here.

Technorati Tags: property, real estate