Estate Agent Talk
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…
EAN Content
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…
EAN Content
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,…
EAN Content
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…
EAN Content
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.
EAN Content
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…
EAN Content
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
PROPERTY – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EMOTIONS!
Buying and selling a property has long been known to be one of the most stressful things someone can do in life. In fact, it ranks alongside death and divorce. Part of the reason why property negotiations can feel so stressful are that we have to navigate through a series of time sensitive situations, which…
EAN Content
JUDGE AN ESTATE AGENT ON SALESMANSHIP ALONE AT YOUR PERIL!
In this fast paced, instant access, target driven world we live in, so much emphasis is often placed on salesmanship. It doesn’t matter whether you are involved in potatoes, prosecco or property, the principles behind selling and selling techniques are commonly thought of as being the same across most business sectors. Arguably, estate agents have…
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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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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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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…
EAN Content
A very merry Christmas. Weeks of staff sickies ahead
For some estate and lettings agents, Christmas is just a bit too merry and new research shows that the next few weeks, as we count down until Christmas Day, will be full of employees calling in with the infamous _dodgy tummy_. To give you an illustration of what lies ahead, tech start-up company The Attest…
ARPM
Is it Spring time for Online/Hybrid Estate Agents and Autumn for High Street Agents?
OK, so I have used an attention grabbing title that some would say sparks ‘I disagree with annoyance’ and feelings of ‘less than amused’, intrigues others and simply passes by overhead with the remanding community… But have I simply highlighted what many are at least thinking? Let me clear some facts first as our blogs do get good…
Christopher Walkey