Category Archives: News

Interest Rate Rise – Market Comment

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has just announced a rise in the Bank of England base rate of 0.25% – the first increase in over a decade.

The base rate is the figure on which mortgage rates in particular are based and a whole generation of aspiring homeowners will be wondering what to make of it. Well panic not – although the base rate has effectively doubled, 0.25% remains a very small increase and simply returns us to the … Continue Reading…

Thomas Becomes Relocation Agent Specialist

Thomas York from our Irthlingborough office is celebrating after becoming an accredited Relocation Agent Specialist.

The accreditation was awarded by Relocation Agent Network and is achieved by completing a comprehensive online training programme, The Importance of Service.

A national network of independent estate agents (of which Richard James is a member), Relocation Agent Network introduced the training programme to ensure each of their members provides the very highest customer service to those relocating around the UK.

To be successfully accredited, participants must complete … Continue Reading…

Richard James proud to support Rushden & Diamonds U14’s

At Richard James we’re proud of the fact we like to give something back to the communities which we work and live in.  We are thrilled to be able to support Rushden & Diamonds U14’s squad with some smart new long sleeve training tops! Richard Taylor, Director at our Rushden office, popped along last Sunday to see them kick off their new season with a friendly. Good luck to the team for the season ahead!

Market Comment – October 2017

There is a very different vibe to the property market from last month, with a number of reports suggesting that the market is rapidly changing from being a sellers’ market to what is starting to look a lot like the beginning of a buyers’ market in some areas (although nobody has told our office yet…shhh!)

The latest survey by the RICS reports a 20% increase in the number of their members who reported a fall, rather than a rise, in buyer … Continue Reading…

Richard James Shortlisted For 2017 Best In Central Region Award

We are pleased to announce we have been shortlisted by Relocation Agent Network, a national network of selected estate agents, for the 2017 Best Agent Central Region Award.

The winner will be announced at a black tie evening Awards Dinner held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London on Friday 17 November. The Awards Dinner closes Relocation Agent Network’s annual National Conference and Exhibition, and this year is hosted by well-known comedian and TV presenter, Sue Perkins.

Relocation Agent Network’s 2017 Best Agent Central … Continue Reading…

Market Comment – September 2017

The market is stirring. The holidays are now becoming a distant memory, schools are back and anyone who intends to move in time for the New Year is beginning to think about doing so.

Although nationally activity levels remain unexciting, and, as a consequence, prices are remaining high, there is an indication that this could be about to change, led as ever from London, where, according to Savills, prices have fallen by 3.2% since the beginning of the year.

We can see … Continue Reading…

We’re Part Of An Award Winning Network!

We’re delighted to share the news that Relocation Agent Network – of which we are members – has been crowned the 2017 Best Estate Agency Supplier. This is a fantastic achievement for the Network and all of its members, including us!

The award was announced at the EA Masters Awards Dinner, held on Friday 22 September at the O2’s InterContinental hotel, London, organised by Property Academy and hosted by well-known TV presenter, Gabby Logan.

The Award

The 2017 Best Estate Agency Supplier is … Continue Reading…

Home

“Moving House” may be the term we commonly use, but moving HOME is surely a better description for one of life’s more stressful experiences. Few changes in life, other than a relationship, can stir such emotions.

As estate agents, we are effectively “agents of change” and whilst our natural focus might be to help people move in a practical sense, we find we can be most effective when we really empathize with our clients.

It would be callous to think that a … Continue Reading…

Market Comment – August 2017

August is a tricky time to comment on the property market. The market is usually understandably subdued during prime holiday season, but this is often a self-fulfilling prophesy.

This is because those sellers who would have liked to have entered the market during the summer delay doing so, in the belief that the hottest spring buyers have probably found somewhere by now, or are on holiday.

This is one of the greatest faux-pas a seller can make. Serious buyers are serious buyers, … Continue Reading…

We should have sold by now?

We are often asked to look at properties that really should have sold, but haven’t, and we understand the disappointment of vendors whose experience of the sales process has fallen short of their expectations.

This disappointment can sometimes be the result of simply not knowing where you stand. We find that enthusiasm and good communication must be maintained throughout the sale if you are to enjoy peace of mind. Of course a steady flow of buyers also helps!

So if you find … Continue Reading…