Reflection & looking forward to 2015………
It is that time in the calendar when we look back at the past twelve months and look forward to the next twelve.
2014 has been a good year for the local property market. The recovery, which gathered pace in 2013 continued into 2014 with house prices increasing, bringing more people out of negative equity or enabling them to accumulate a larger deposit to move on again. However, the second half of the year saw prices stabilise and the year draw … Continue Reading…
Buy to let boom continues with new mortgage highs
The buy to let sector is at its strongest for six years according to data released by the Bank of England.
Lending for buy to let mortgages jumped to a whopping £8 billion in the third quarter of this year – the highest quarterly lending volume since 2008 and up from £5.9 billion in the same period of 2013.
These are just the latest figures to show the private rental sector going through a boom.
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders lending … Continue Reading…
Seven great property ideas that never caught on
A few innovations that have belly-flopped, delivering something less than their publicists promised at the outset.
Good on the property industry for trying new things but here are seven reminders that this year’s heavily-funded great idea might just be next year’s embarrassing turkey.
1. City Centre Living: It’s over a decade since the property industry forecast that so many people would want to rent in regenerated city centres that an infinite number of buy-to-let apartments could be built (almost all of them, … Continue Reading…
Sellers! Don’t Wait for the New Year
Many think buyers stop looking at houses during the Christmas period and as such, would-be sellers often choose to put their property on the market in the New Year. However, 89% of Relocation Agent Network member estate agents, who responded to a December survey, recommend that prospective sellers go to market before the Christmas break…
Why? Well the Relocation Agent Network survey found two key reasons:
1. 41% of Relocation Agent Network agents said that it was the increased activity in online … Continue Reading…
Stamp Duty Reformed
It has been needed for many years, but today the chancellor George Osborne has announced in the Autumn Statement that Stamp Duty is to be reformed from midnight tonight. The old stamp duty created problems with sale prices close to the thresholds of 1% and 3%. The new rules are as follows:
Stamp duty to be reformed. The “single-slab” rate will go, and instead it will be levied at a more gradual rate.
98% of buyers will benefit.
The reform will cost £800m … Continue Reading…
Which homes are exempt from council tax?
Depending on circumstances, some homes are exempt from council tax. This can be homes that are either occupied or unoccupied. Whilst the property is classed as exempt there will be no council tax bill to pay.
Which homes will be exempt from council tax?
The classes of exempt homes and the exempt periods are shown below.
Class B
A home which is unoccupied and owned by a charity will be exempt for 6 months from the day it was last occupied.
Class D
A home which … Continue Reading…
Richard James Named Best Agent In Central Region By Relocation Agent Network!
We are delighted to announce we have won Relocation Agent Network’s prestigious 2014 Best Agent Central Regional Award at the Network’s annual National Conference, held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London on Friday 14 November. This is the fourth successive year we have won this acclaimed award.
The annual prize gives the winning Network member the title of ‘Best Agent in the Central Region’ and is awarded on a number of criteria measuring the agent’s overall contribution to Relocation Agent … Continue Reading…
We Return From National Estate Agency Conference
The Richard James team have just returned from another fantastic and informative Relocation Agent Network National Conference. The day was packed with top tips, business recommendations and innovative ideas that we can’t wait to put into practice here in Wellingborough & Irthlingborough.
Taking place on 14 November at London’s Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, we heard from business experts including, digital media expert, Andrew Davis; one of few who predicted the economic crisis, Roger Martin-Fagg; and Jamil Qureshi, a top motivational speaker … Continue Reading…
Does your estate agent really know your home?
An interesting article written by J D Gallagher Estate Agents based in Lancashire.
Just recently I got engaged. It happened in New York which unknown to me at the time is the diamond capital of America. Having burst into tears (and of course saying yes), John and I went in search of the perfect engagement ring. I’m not going to bore you with my full story however some rather interesting events happened which I can relate to in the world of … Continue Reading…
Richard James Looks Forward To National Estate Agency Conference
The Richard James team will join fellow estate agents from across England, Scotland and Wales on 14 November to attend a National Conference in London. Hosted by Relocation Agent Network, the event is exclusively for its members (including us!) and a great opportunity to find out the very latest innovations and industry recommendations.
Taking place at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, the Conference will include a trade exhibition and expert keynote speakers including… digital media expert, Andrew Davis; one of few … Continue Reading…