Highest level of sales on record to first-time buyers says NAEA

Press release today from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) headlines ‘Sales to first time buyers at highest level on record’.ÿ Mark Hayward, Managing Director, National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) comments on the findings: _This month_s report paints a positive picture for the UK housing market. Our findings over the last few months…

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Paragon Group report strong results in a transitional year

The Paragon Group of Companies PLC the specialist lender and banking group last week announced its full year results for the year ended 30 September 2016. Commenting on the results, Nigel Terrington, Chief Executive of Paragon, said: “I am pleased to report a strong set of results in which we significantly increased revenue, strengthened net…

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Top agents, based on genuine customer reviews, recognised with awards

The 2016 awards recognising the UK_s top estate agents for customer service have just been announced by raterAgent, the trustworthy, transparent estate and letting agent review site. Since its launch in April 2015, some 10,851 agents dissatisfied with existing review sites have signed up to the raterAgent scheme, which sets itself apart on the genuine…

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Hometrack report house price to earnings ratio breaks 14x.

Hometrack today released UK Cities House Price Index October 2016 headlined ‘London breaks 14x house price to earnings ratio’ In the report they state: City level house price growth holding steady at 8.4%. An 86% uplift in house prices since 2009 has pushed the price to earnings ratio in London over 14x, more than double…

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Houseviz to revolutionise property marketing in the U.K.

Revolutionary marketing experts Houseviz has launched in the UK to drive how forward thinking estate agents present properties to the market and attract new clients. Houseviz is the only company in the U.K.to offer smartphone enabled augmented reality (AR). A full range of innovative marketing services are also on offer to include professional photographers and…

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Craig Vile, director at ValPal, reacts to Autumn Statement:

_We needed some bold announcements on property from the Chancellor today but all we have seen are temporary sticking plasters to appease the market. In reality the ban on letting agent fees will not benefit tenants, the costs have just been passed over to the Landlords, which will in the end be passed on to…

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Sansfords Estate Agents & Hamilton Fraser react to Autumn Statement

Andrew Ellinas, Director, Sandfords (estate agent in Marylebone and Regents Park) “The news that the governmentÿis banning letting agents fees to tenants as soon as possible and that landlords should meet those fees, has left me struggling to see howÿthat’s fair. Granted there are some letting agents charging unreasonable fees, but on the whole tenantsÿhave…

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Countrywide report good progress despite tough market conditions

Countrywide PLc released their trading update yesterday 24th November headlined ‘Good strategic progress in a challenging market’. Commenting on the Group’s performance, Alison Platt, CEO said: “We have made good progress this year despite tough market conditions since the EU referendum, particularly pleasing is our growth in market share in both Sales and Lettings based…

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Belvoir Post Brexit Rental Index

Belvoir recently released it’s 3rd Qtr Post-Brext Rental Index. The Rental Index released on the 22nd November offers a view of the rental market from their 170+ strong network, covering all corners of the UK. Chief Operating Officer, Dorian Gonsalves said _This is Belvoir_s first post-Brexit rental index and the results, together with a survey…

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Housing announcements in the Autumn Statement

The Chancellorÿ announced yesterdayÿ in the Autumn Satement a new œ2.3 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund to deliver up to 100,000 new homes in areas of high demand and a further œ1.4 billion to build 40,000 additional affordable homes, also another œ1.7 billion by 2020-21 will be used to speed up the construction of new homes…

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Property Personnel slams Chancellor for not slashing stamp duty

The Managing Director of the UK_s longest-established estate agent recruitment consultancy has slammed the Chancellor for failing to reduce stamp duty in today_s Autumn Statement. Property Personnel Managing Director Anthony Hesse said: _Slashing the rate of stamp duty would have been Philip Hammond_s single most effective fix for UK finances. There is no more economically…

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Chancellor is set to announce a ban on letting agent fees

Press release today from ARLA commenting on the news that the Chancellor is set to announce a ban on letting agent fees in today_s Autumn Statement. David Cox, Managing Director, Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), comments on news that the Chancellor is set to announce a ban on letting agent fees in today_s Autumn…

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Rent Smart Wales – enforcement powers are now active

Since 23 November 2015, all landlords operating in Wales were required to become registered. ÿ Landlords had a year to comply with this new obligation, thisÿ requirement comes from Part 1 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014. The legislation made provision for those who needed to comply to do so within a year, without fear…

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