Estate Agent Talk

A guide to help you stop reducing your agency fees

 

Even if you have qualified your landlord or house seller correctly, there are still times when your landlord or house seller asks for a reduction in your fees. How do you cope with that? How do you keep your fee up and still get the landlord/house seller to use your lettings/estate agency ? It really…

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Christopher Watkin

‘What are your fees?’ .. is this the worst question to be asked as an agent?

 

For letting and estate agents the number one question that strikes fear, terror and trepidation into their heart is, “What are your fees?” Especially when the punter (aka Mr Landlord of Mrs vendor) waltz’s into your offices before you’ve established any sort of relationship with the said landlord or any sort of value of what…

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Christopher Watkin

converted loft

3 cost effective ways to add value to your properties.

 

There are many articles, blogs and people saying that they know the best way to add value to a property. From a simple dust to an extension, I have been working hard for the benefit of all the landlords and property managers to narrow it down to the best way to make more from your…

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Estate Agency – Work Hard Play Hard or Lifestyle Choice?

 

With growing demand for improved work / life balance, rapid changes in technology and consumer awareness what does the future hold for the traditional work hard, play hard property industry? With estate agency activity historically focused around their high street offices and as a result tied to core office hours is there really any scope…

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Alex Evans

NAEA Student grade – what’s it all about?

 

Becoming an NAEA Student will help you build your career in estate agency, with the full support of the Association as you develop and learn. Designed as a pathway into full NAEA membership, Student grade comes with many benefits, including access to vital industry information, discounts on the study material for the accepted qualification for…

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Setting the right expectations for today’s property transactions

 

The conveyancing market has changed. To avoid future complaints it is important to set customers expectations correctly regarding timescales as all too often unrealistic expectations are not met. Take a look at our Consumer Guide to Conveyancing. Consumer Guide – Conveyancing

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Consumer Protection Regulations – embrace, panic, avoid?

 

In this short article, I give some background and information about one of the seemingly myriad of new or updated regulations and suggest that agents wake up to their responsibilities and obligations before they find themselves in potential hot water. Consumer Protection Regulations (CPRs), or to give their full title – the Consumer Protection against Unfair Practices…

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Money Laundering Regulations – embrace, panic, avoid?

 

In this short article, I give some background and information about one of the seemingly myriad of new or updated regulations and suggest that agents wake up to their responsibilities and obligations before they find themselves in potential hot water. Money Laundering Regulations have been around since 2007 but have risen to the top of…

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Real Estate is Sexy. Real Estate Tech isn’t.

 

On twitter, the #realestate hashtag trends on a weekly basis. Lots of talk of interiors, amazing properties you aspire to one day live in and stories of crazy tenants/landlords. Advertising dollars from real estate agents are the last bastion of revenue for many print publishers. In the UK, the Evening Standard makes hay every Wednesday…

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The Next Generation of Estate and Letting Agents

 

We were pleased to hear this week, that a dedicated course is being run for school leavers, interested in working as an estate or letting agent. This course will help younger agents, follow the correct procedures within the industry and give younger agents, extended knowledge of the industry, before they even begin as an agent….

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Protect yourself against Immigration

 

As a property professional, it is vital to be aware of not just your employee’s immigration status but the tenant’s themselves. Managing immigration can be difficult and can prove costly if not correctly applied. That’s why we have put together some detailed information on how to monitor tenants and employees immigration status. It is vital to…

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EAN Content

The Importance of an Inventory

 

The Importance of an inventory should never be underestimated. Having a detailed inventory prior to a tenant checking-in and an equally detailed report at the check-out provide crucial evidence to the content and condition of the property’s fixtures and fittings. You may think creating an inventory is a quick and easy task, especially with unfurnished…

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EAN Content

Deposit Protection Schemes: How to Correctly Issue Them

 

A Deposit Protection Scheme is required to be issued by all landlords and letting agents, for all shorthold tenancies, in England and Wales. When a deposit is taken, it must be protected within a 30 day calendar of receipt by the landlord. This aims to ensure tenants who have a paid a deposit, are entitled…

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EAN Content

The Cooling-Off Period Regulations: Explained

 

At VTUK, we have a passion for great client relations. We work hard each and every day to provide all of our clients with a total solution. We are writing this post to inform all of our clients and property professionals, about the change in cooling-off period regulations, effective from this Friday 13th June. By…

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EAN Content