Estate Agent Talk
VTUK Take on the Color Run: 16th August 2014!
We believe whoever you are in the world, it’s important to fight against cancer. Currently 1 in 3 of us will suffer from cancer in our lives. This means that every one of us will be affected by this disease. We don’t just believe it’s important to fight against canSer, we feel it’s vital to…
Our guide to the TPO changes 2014: Part 2
From August 1st 2014, the Property Ombudsman is revising its code of practice for all sales and letting agents. To make this transition easier for agents, we will be summarising each section of these changes within this post. This is the second part to our summary of the TPO code of practice. To read the first…
Alex Evans
VTUK’s guide to the TPO changes: Part 1
From August 1st 2014, the Property Ombudsman is revising its code of practice for all sales and letting agents. To make this transition easier for agents, we will be summarising each section of these changes within this post. General Provisions This section of the changes clearly state how all agents and their staff, must comply with the…
Agents … are you impatient?
Yesterday I was in Northampton for my sins in the Midlands giving some ‘landlord farming’ training to ten agents from the area. I stood up at the start of the day’s training and said, ‘I guarantee that if you adopt the principles of landlord farming, in 12 months time your turnover will be 20% to…
Christopher Watkin
Q2 2014 Rental Index
The private rental sector looks set for continued growth with both private and institutional landlords attracted by improving yields and strong demand. However, landlords are finding that very little market data is available to help make informed investment decisions, or to fully evaluate the performance of their property portfolios. Accurate valuation and the ability to…
Q2 2014 Market Review
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…
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…
Christopher Watkin
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…