From Love Rats to Rogue Buyers: Why the Right Agent is Your Best Defence

You might think that estate agents just sell houses. But there’s much more to it than that.

When you’re selling your home, a good estate agent will look out for your interests every step of the way.

A recent story in the press reminded us just how important it is to have a real duty of care to our customers.

Estate agents in Cambridge smelt a rat when a lady approached them to sell her home, then told them she was moving to … Continue Reading…

January Market Update

The first month of the year has gone by in a flash and the normal busy New Year start to housing market has begun. We are experiencing very high volumes of valuation appointments and viewings, but a far lower percentage of these appointments have resulted into actual business. Sometimes it does take time for people to make definite decisions so we are hopeful the momentum will carry into February and see more confirmed sales and new property listings.

The uncertain last … Continue Reading…

August Market Update

It’s been a tough summer for the housing market with little improvement since the Bank of England interest rate reduction in early August. It seems further rate reductions are required to encourage more buyers, particularly first-time buyers to enter the market. Chains are not being generated whilst buyers stand on the side lines.

It doesn’t feel like people are fearful of buying a property, it is more a case that they are still concerned about the economy and world events which … Continue Reading…

Three Easy-to-Do New Year’s Resolutions with a Difference

If you want to reset or refresh your life in the year ahead, why not make some property resolutions?

New Year’s resolutions like losing weight or joining the gym are so last year. This year, why not do it differently? Make some New Year’s resolutions for your home.

Here are a few to put on your list:

Resolution No. 1: Brighten up your life – brighten up your home

Now the Christmas decorations are due to come down (or maybe already have), it’s a … Continue Reading…

Christmas Toy Appeal 2024

For the past two decades, Jeanette, as Mother Christmas has been delivering joy to Northamptonshire’s most disadvantaged children.

Jeanette, who grew up in care, knows the joy a brand new gift can bring a child who feels unloved, neglected or forgotten. She has tirelessly worked since 2002 to bring joy to these disadvantaged children. She is asking for your help with the annual Christmas gift appeal by donating presents to be passed on to local children who are in need this … Continue Reading…

September – Market Update

September is normally a month when the housing market resumes to some normality following the summer holiday season and the return of the schools. This September has been slightly different with moderate levels of activity. It feels that many potential house movers are enquiring and looking but not actually committing.

Many potential house movers are concerned there could be some changes introduced in the budget on 30th October which could impact the housing market.  The Prime Minister has made it clear … Continue Reading…

Market update

The events of the last month have certainly disturbed the flow of the recovering housing market. Confidence, activity and sales have been higher in the first half of this year compared to 2023 but July has seen a general election, speculation of an interest rate reduction and rare summer warm weather.

Activity has dipped through July; we always predicted the end of June and the lead up to the general election would calm activity. Since the election the main topic of … Continue Reading…

Market Update – May 2024

We now approach the traditional summer period with the month of June normally being a good one for the housing market, however the announcement of the general election is a bit of a curve ball.

It is fair to say the general election date is far sooner than expected as the economy is still recovering and it was expected that the current government would have liked mortgage borrowers to have experienced lower interest rates and a feel-good factor before going to … Continue Reading…

Market Review – 1st Quarter

We are already a quarter way through the year and Q1 has been a bit stop and start. The beginning of the year started particularly well with more activity from both sellers and buyers than in recent years. Nationally, January saw more sellers coming to the market than in any of the previous 8 years and sales were up over 17% against 2023.

However, February was a bit of a contrast, generally activity was down and confidence was lower, possibly because … Continue Reading…

February Market Review

After an encouraging start to the year with more enquiries, more viewings and stronger sales than in recent years, this month the market has simmered down with sales slightly declining. Nationally, January saw a 23% increase in sales agreed compared to January 2023 and the number of new properties coming to the market was the highest for eight years.

In the first two weeks of January many mortgage lenders reduced rates which brought more activity to the market as the cost … Continue Reading…