Estate Agent Talk
The Secret to Instructing a Great Agent
When it comes to instructing an estate agent for our most important asset – our home, I regularly have conversations with homeowners who are getting themselves in a spin. “Is it any wonder?” they all say. From their perspective, estate agents all look the same, say the same and claim to do the same for…
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Estate Agency Fees: A race to the bottom?
During the last 6 months, I have had the pleasure of being introduced to some of the best independent estate agencies and come to mention it, agents, across the UK. I have travelled from Cornwall to Dover, across the South and London, Midlands to Manchester and Liverpool, through Wales, up across the Lakes and over…
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It Really, Really Shouldn’t Happen to an Estate Agent…
Black cats and accident prone agents
Jerry Lyons
Why Buying in London is Always Safe, even Post Brexit.
For anybody ever considering buying a property in London there is never a shortage of property ‘experts’ who will tell you it’s a really good/ bad idea and that prices are about to soar/ crash and you should definitely buy/ wait. 2016 has been particularly gruelling for polarised, contradictory opinions, about the probable or likely impact of Brexit on…
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Estate agents to modernise their services in order to stay relevant:
Matthew Dendle, Head of Architecture, Dezrez “Over the weekend, news broke that the number of first-time buyers taking out mortgages has reached its highest level since 2007. This growth will of course mean an increased reliance on estate agents. Typically aged between 23 and 40, these tech-savvy first-time buyers will no doubt expect their estate…
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If selling a business, can its social media accounts form part of the assets?
A recent question from one of our clients regarding selling their business which primarily evolved round their Instagram following made me take a look in to this relatively new subject – Buying and selling social media accounts. I saw this coming I must say, back in the dark days of social media where abuse was…
Christopher Walkey
Garden Village and Towns – An Alternative View
Following the Government’s statements that it plans to build 14 garden villages and 3 garden towns across England a leading land and new homes expert has urged agents to be positive and pro-active. Contrary to some negative industry reaction to the announcement Kevin Ellis, founder of the Land and New Homes Network, which works with…
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Russell Quirk: Up In Smoke – This Is Where Estate Agency Is Heading
Ever the man to share exactly what he thinks, Russell shares with us his thoughts on Estate Agency and where it is heading: The die of inevitability is cast. 2016 bore witness to further growth in ‘new’ estate agency and cemented it as a movement that is not going away. Market share is growing as…
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To Vet or not to Vet….stupid question?
The process in which you vet a prospective tenant, if you vet, has an impact on your business, your vendors and the speed of letting. I don’t presume to tell any agent how to run their business, but if I could put an idea out there into the ether to be accepted or rejected according…
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What New Year’s resolution should the government make?
Repeal tax measures against buy-to-let, say landlords. The number one New Year’s wish from landlords is for the government to keep buy-to-let tax relief on mortgage interest payments, according to a new Landlord Voice poll conducted by Simple Landlords Insurance. The survey revealed the planned tax increases are the top concern for landlords in 2017,…
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Estate Agents: A Necessary Evil in London
I read an article a while ago about why the BBC felt that, due to social media and Government regulation, estate agents would soon become a thing of the past. Having initially fallen into it via a friend of a friend, I worked as an estate agent in and around central London between 2002 and…
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Brexit, Trump and London Property in 2017
In 2016 we have seen 2 massive blows in the Western world to the perceived ‘establishment’ and self-declared ‘elite’, the full consequences of which will only become clear in the years to come, long after those crying about a second referendum and recounts have been forgotten. While David Cameron and CNN couldn’t see either of…
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Which property markets in the UK are predicted to see slower growth in 2017?
A falling pound is great news for international buyers looking to diversify and eager for a slice of the UK’s profitable housing market. There are all kinds of opportunities from new-build developments (particularly ones which stand to benefit from the infrastructure upgrades promised in the Autumn Statement), to looking for property restoration projects to the old staple of buy to let.
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The Twelve Days of Christmas – Property Style
I’m afraid finding your ideal home and lifestyle might just take a bit longer than twelve days, but let’s dream it doesn’t! This is how it might go; On the First Day of Christmas You have a dream. Every home move starts with an inkling of an idea, maybe just a touch of disquiet about…
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Why estate agents could do without sounding like estate agents
“God this is going to be a long journey.” “These people are blathering corporate knobs.” “I am seriously considering throwing myself out of this moving car.” “The conversation is so painfully dull I want to put my head out of the window and start screaming help!!! I can’t take it anymore.” These were a series…
Jerry Lyons