Archive for May, 2010

The ‘meat’ in the sandwich:

May 31, 2010 by StraightTlkr · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Estate Agents, House Price Valuation 

If the housing sector is to become an integral part of the main UK economy, there have to be root and branch changes in the way houses are firstly valued, and then sold.
If these changes are not made, the status quo will simply continue, i.e. booms followed by slumps in house prices on a cyclical [...]

Whose afraid of the stripy-suited estate agent – Mr Government?

May 25, 2010 by StraightTlkr · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Estate Agents, House Price Valuation, Moving Experiences 

I thought I’d take the liberty of writing to The Government recently about the current suspension of HIPs. (My initial contact email was sent on of 17th May )
The reason for my concern is to question whether HIPs are being mistaken for red tape? Many argue that they are in fact beneficial and not [...]

The rising level of house prices simply cannot be supported

May 25, 2010 by StraightTlkr · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Estate Agents, House Price Valuation 

It seems strange that only a month ago, agents were reporting that it was a shortage of instructions from sellers which was causing prices to rise, as the relatively few buyers in the market, rummaged through what was available. Now, the opposite is being reported with loads of sellers leaping onto the market, hoping for [...]

HIPs have been suspended and legislation to abolish them is planned to follow

May 21, 2010 by StraightTlkr · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Estate Agents, House Price Valuation, Moving Experiences 

HIPs have been suspended today, and legislation to abolish them is planned to follow.
This means anyone can now put a house up for sale without first having to obtain a HIP.
However, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are still the responsibility of owners to provide and these remain mandatory. It is therefore important that these are [...]

Why would anyone want to sell direct?

May 3, 2010 by StraightTlkr · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Estate Agents, House Price Valuation, Moving Experiences 

Firstly, you have no choice but to sell direct, if you want to try and correct the anomalies in the housing market caused by estate agents having the innate desire to exaggerate house prices.
“Boys; its no good trying to blame the owners for this problem, when it is actually you who misquote what sales have [...]