Category: Estate Agents

Compete With Online Only Estate Agents

How do some industries embrace change and others fight it tooth and nail? Where I meet estate agents, there is this huge fight and backlash against online-only estate agents. And the alternative offering they bring. On The Market used as one if it’s main selling points the fact that they wouldn’t allow online-only estate agents… Continue reading Compete With Online Only Estate Agents

A Lack Of Housing Stock: What Will The Government Do?

This is an article from 2014, but the problem hasn’t gone away. A lack of housing stock is an issue that hits all of us – estate agents, homeowners, home buyers. I’ve moved away from the narrower issues regarding Estate Agency this week. It’s for a quick look at a much wider issue that needs… Continue reading A Lack Of Housing Stock: What Will The Government Do?

Complaints Against Estate Agents

Complaints to the ombudsman about estate agents rose 25% in 2014 – come on, guys, you can do better than this. Complaints against estate agents should be reduced. The article suggests two areas of complaint that can be easily rectified. These are for the good of customers, individual agents and the industry as a whole.… Continue reading Complaints Against Estate Agents

An Appraisal Is More Than The Asking Price

I have worked with a lot of Estate Agents – particularly valuers – who think that being able to get the asking price correct at the appraisal appointment is the be-all-and-end-all of their role in estate agency. It’s not. Personally, I would rather not even talk about the asking price – it’s largely irrelevant in… Continue reading An Appraisal Is More Than The Asking Price

Estate Agents: Is A High Street Presence Necessary?

I was just reading an article on the Century21 UK website about the added marketing value of having a High Street presence and the “estate agents window.” And in a previous blog, I looked at maintaining a presence in a town or City centre when most commercial units in centres are designated for retail or… Continue reading Estate Agents: Is A High Street Presence Necessary?

Have The Banks Changed Since The Meltdown?

Lord Adair Turner tells policymakers to be radical in their thinking. He analyses the current financial climate and the danger of returning to the dark days of the economic meltdown of 2008. Although a little short on detail, his speech hits the right notes in terms of discussing what exactly has happened and where we… Continue reading Have The Banks Changed Since The Meltdown?

Is Buy-To-Let Harmful To The Property Market

An article from back un 2014, but the rules of the game stay the same. Is buy-to-ley harmful for the property market? In May 2014 there were 16,000 buy-to-let loans worth £2.2bn (according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.) In 2013, buy-to-let accounted for 14% of all mortgage lending. Mortgage Market Review rules may mean… Continue reading Is Buy-To-Let Harmful To The Property Market

Top 20 Property Turn-Offs And How The Estate Agent Can Help

I found this list published online recently and it itemises the votes that people have cast in respect of their Top 20 property turn-offs. The results are- Damp patches, stained walls or ceilings – 67% Poor state of repair, rotten windows – 60% No parking – 55% No garden – 54% Bad smells (pets, damp, food,… Continue reading Top 20 Property Turn-Offs And How The Estate Agent Can Help