Should We Take House Price Data With A Pinch Of Salt?

Every month we are bombarded with statistics and data about house prices.

One month they are up 0.3%, the next they are down 0.9% and so on.

Is this data accurate?

The answer is, No!

First of all much of the data is based on sales put together by Estate Agents some months before. By the time a sale has completed and registered it can be four or five months after the price was originally agreed.

Furthermore two of the biggest mortgage lenders in the … Continue Reading…

A Happy New Year for Home Sale Network

A recent survey conducted by Home Sale Network indicated a promising start to the New Year. Over 91% of survey respondents saw an increase in the number of instructions in January 2011 compared to December 2010. Importantly 88% of respondents saw an increase in buyer enquires compared to the previous month with a quarter seeing more than a 50% increase.

When asked what was the most common buyer type, over half (54%) of Home Sale Network respondents saw more ‘trade up … Continue Reading…

Where’s the mortgage money?

This week saw “Project Merlin” put into force, an agreement for the largest UK banks to lend businesses £190bn this year.

There was no mention of more mortgage lending, why not?

Surely if the banks and lending institutions eased their criteria and lent more mortgage money to pent up homebuyers, this would act as a financial injection to many businesses instead of lending them money. Not only would estate agents and solicitors benefit from more proceedable buyers but so would many other … Continue Reading…

New Website Launch

Richard Fowler and Gavin Hills with web designer Hughie Wilmshurst

We re-launched our website on 1st February with many new features, including a blog, better quality photographs, more information for prospective buyers and a more contemporary overall look.

Northampton based web design company, in.house.media redesigned the site, this being the fifth generation site for us since our first in 1998. They have also designed our previous sites and have continued to support us in developing our technologies and … Continue Reading…

Home Sale Network Agents Exceed National Average For Customer Satisfaction

Home Sale Network, a national network of independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales has exceeded the national average for customer satisfaction, according to responses received following a recent survey conducted by The Property Academy amongst UK based estate agents. Continue reading →

Chris completes ten years’ service!

Senior Negotiator Chris Wise last week completed ten years’ service with the Richard James. Continue reading →