The Property Sales People

There is something that I'd like to share with every reader of this blog article whether they are relatively young or very old: Make a will and 100% make sure you have created a lasting power of attorney (LPA). If you own a property and have even the smallest amount of savings you owe it to your nearest and dearest to organise things so that there is as little stress as possible. If you have a partner then each appointing the other is a good idea or your children may be the right people, or a brother or sister but you never know when you will be struck down in such a way that you are not capable of running your financial affairs and personal care. The national statistics for road accidents, heart attacks, strokes etc should serve as a pointer as to why this action is necessary. You may have guessed that I'm speaking from personal experience and indeed I am. My 83 year old mother finally ended up in hospital after worrying me for some time. Her condition was brought on by a seri...

Over the course of 2007 from June onwards HIPs (Home Information Packs) have been introduced to the UK property market and now every property marketed must have one. I have always been a supporter of HIPs (unlike a lot of estate agents) but in their original ‘pure’ form with compulsory Home Condition Reports as well as the domestic energy assessment and legal documentation. The purpose of this Blog entry is not to argue the rights and wrongs but to draw the public’s attention to the Tories’ ‘Home Buying Review’. They are anti-HIP but are looking at ways of improving the current process. This is an opportunity for everyone to have their personal say about the home buying and selling process. The review is being conducted by Grant Shapps, Kirstie Allsopp (from Channel 4’s ‘Location, Location, Location’) and Owen Inskip (a chartered surveyor and former estate agent) Among the areas where views are specifically sought are: · Professionalism of estate agents: should there be a requirement f...

I would hate to appear like HBOS, Nationwide and all the others making predictions about the house sales market in that they don’t agree and have conflicting views, but I do have my own opinion! I don’t believe we’re looking at a ‘crash’ in the same way that we had in the late 1980’s and early ‘90’s. I do believe that we will find it tougher than it has been and necessary to use every marketing tool available. Agents who have been used to just taking orders will need to relearn how to work at servicing those buyers that are out there to make sure they view and buy through them. Sellers will need to be kept closely in touch with how the market is reacting to their home and advised about how it is faring. Initial marketing price will be important and will need regular review as things develop. At David Clark and Company most of us have been through poor markets before and you can rely on our best advice. Happy New Year!