Category Archives: News

February 2018 Market Comment

Winter may not be behind us yet, but, as far as the property market is concerned, spring is definitely in the air! The latest figures from Rightmove suggest a cautiously positive market.

Of the relatively modest 1.5% annual increase in the price of new-to-market properties on the portal, 0.8% of this occurred last month! This is very much in line with our own observations of very buoyant start to the year, with enquiries from both buyers and sellers on the up.

To … Continue Reading…

Why Overpricing May Leave You Out Of Pocket

As a seller, it is tempting to accept the highest estate agent’s valuation you receive. However, there are three sound reasons why you should avoid overpricing your home initially, as overpriced property often ends up selling for less than it otherwise might have.

Firstly, buyers buy by comparison. Why should they buy your house if it is more expensive than a similar alternative? This simply does not make sense, and your property is unlikely to sell until such time as any … Continue Reading…

Raising Funds For Prostate Cancer UK

We are all trying to raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK. This charity is helping to fight the battle against prostate cancer with over 40,000 men each year being diagnosed with this primary cancer which can spread to other organs.

I am running the Big Half in London on 4th March 2018, the 13.1 mile route starts on Tower Bridge and finishes at Cutty Sark. Although I am a recreational runner, I am trying to raise at least £100 for every mile, … Continue Reading…

Market Data – East Midlands

Does your land have lucrative development potential?

Daniel Morris – Land & New Homes Planner

At Richard James we know a thing or two about land and development consultancy.

If you have a large garden or own land which could form a ‘land assembly’ along with your neighbours our expertise is on hand to advise you about its potential for development.

The same applies if you own commercial premises or strategic land on the edge of settlement.
Or perhaps it’s a site with planning history.
The good news is there … Continue Reading…

Sell First or Buy? Chicken or Egg?

For homeowners wishing to sell their property and buy another, it’s the classic dilemma – which do you do first, buy or sell?

There is probably no all-encompassing answer. Typically, people initially investigate the market to find out what they can buy for their money. Inevitably, during this research they fall in love with the “ideal” property. As they have yet to sell, as purchasers, they find themselves in a weak position and are unlikely to have anything below an asking … Continue Reading…

Local Relocation Agent Specialists In Top 10% Of Estate Agency Network

James Rota, Hazel Loka and Amanda Smith from Richard James Estate Agents Wellingborough office have all received an ‘Advanced’ assessment as their company’s Relocation Agent Specialists. The 2018 assessment was awarded by Relocation Agent Network. It is achieved by going above and beyond in the relocation service, which individual staff members provide to relocating families moving either from or to the Northamptonshire area as assessed by Relocation Agent Network based on performance results.

Only 10% of Relocation Agent Specialists from Relocation … Continue Reading…

January 2018 – Market Comment

Is the property market up or is down? This month, more than ever, the answer depends on who you speak to.

For example, according to the Land Registry, a total of 850,281residential properties were sold during 2017, which is a clear 14.6% fall on 2016 (although still 30% up on the low-point of 2008). In respect of properties listed as flats, terraced, semi-detached or detached, London was hardest hit at -27% and so was Manchester, supposedly the new kid on the … Continue Reading…

How to Interpret a Survey

Buyers clearly need to make informed choices when it comes to deciding which property to buy and at what price, although only about one in five people in England and Wales commissions a survey (source: RICS).

However, we find that buyers can be unnecessarily disappointed by the survey report simply because they are not familiar with some of the terminologies used.

Increasing litigation and a massive rise in professional insurance premiums means that surveyors are understandably becoming very cautious as to how … Continue Reading…

Getting Personal Through Technology

The opportunities opened up by technology in estate agency have been enormous, yet many local agents simply use their website as a glorified shop window. Like any agency window, the properties displayed need to be regularly updated and presented in a way that inspires buyers to take things further.

But a good estate agency website is more than a simple property search tool. If that’s all it did, it would be a bit like only being able to get the news … Continue Reading…