Stock shortage is worst I’ve seen in 30 years, says agent
An agent in part of the UK with the strongest seller’s market claims the stock shortage is the worst he’s seen in 30 years – while demand seems endless. Bradley Start, a partner at Start…
Over half of buyers never visit an agent’s office, claims new survey
A new survey suggests 53 per cent of buyers never actually visit an estate agent’s office during the course of their transaction. Well over another third, 38 per cent, say they visit an office only…
Sellers must be “on it” and collate info upfront to help a smooth sale
A leading conveyancing industry chief says the one factor that would help improve the slow house buying process today would be the provision of upfront information. Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Beth Rudolf, director of delivery…
Chain-free properties boom as sellers rent ahead of next move
Data from Rightmove suggests a sharp increase in the number of chain-free properties on the market because sellers are increasingly willing to rent before their next purchase. The portal says 21 per cent of the…
Asking price/Sold price gap narrows thanks to stamp duty holiday
The stamp duty holiday frenzy has reduced the gap between asking and sale prices according to new research. Before the start of the holiday last summer, asking prices averaged £277,104 but buyers actually paid £248,102…
Turbo-charged housing market – prices still rising 7.5% a year
Another house price index shows a super-charged housing market with prices rising 7.5 per cent in the year to January according to the Office for National Statistics.Prices rose most starkly in Wales, up 9.6 per…
Quarter of agents set to recruit within the next year
A quarter of agents say they intend to recruit new staff in the next 12 months, following on from the surge in business thanks to the Stamp Duty holiday and other government incentives. One in…
Agents caught on camera – they call vendor’s house “disgusting”
An estate agency has apologised unreservedly for “most regrettable” comments made by two members of staff who described a vendor’s property as “disgusting.” The Daily Mail has run a story saying that a home security…
Stamp Duty deadline – here’s the last date to market a property in time
Agents in England are told that sellers should market their homes by March 23 – only 18 days from now – if they want to be sure of completing to benefit from the extended stamp duty…
Labour attacks stamp duty break as “a half billion pounds giveaway”
Labour says Chancellor Rishi Sunak “will give away half a billion pounds to second homeowners and landlords through the stamp duty holiday extension.” Thangam Debbonaire, the party’s Shadow Housing Secretary, says: “The Conservatives have shown once…