Source:  Kent News (Nov 2012)

The awards aim to identify, reward and celebrate industry excellence and promote best practice.  Our particular award is noteworthy as it concentrates on businesses that have opened against a background of general economic and housing market slowdown.  The judging panel were quick to recognise this and how we had adapted to the changing property market.  They were impressed by the way we had ‘bucked the trend’ of many agents by not only increasing turnover and profit but increasing market share whilst delivering excellent customer service.

The judging process involved a rigorous examination of many aspects of our business including our business plan, website, marketing methods and even mystery shoppers.

We are now naturally delighted to have won such an award at such a prestigious event.  This success is a testament to the professionalism and innovation of both our sales and lettings businesses, not to mention a real recognition of the passion and excellence of our staff. 

We had an excellent evening and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  The evening was hosted by comedian, Mark Watson and concluded with a charity casino, where we were not quite so successful!  Please feel free to browse out photo album of the evening and our respective trophy is proudly displayed in the office window for everyone to see!

The Negotiator Awards is the most prestigious event in the residential agency calendar, where agents and agency experts gather to recognize, award and celebrate industry excellence in our continued bid to help raise industry standards.



The ceremony is once again being run by the leading residential agency magazine, The Negotiator, in association with Digital Property Group for the fourth consecutive year, in the glamorous Ballroom at London’s Hilton Hotel on Park Lane on November 9th. Fellow sponsors including AMR, Endsleigh, Home Move Box and The Property Jungle.
The host is award-winning comic, author and sports pundit, Mark Watson.


So fingers crossed for 9^th November 2011!  Visit http://www.the-negotiator.co.uk/leading-lights/6517469.article for more information.

Only two regions in England and Wales experienced increases in their average property value over the last 12 months: London and the South East (see below). The capital was the region with the highest annual price rise at 5%, and it also experienced the greatest monthly rise with a movement of 3%. The North East experienced the greatest annual price fall with decrease of -8%, as well as the most significant monthly price fall with a movement of -1.7%.

The most recent figures available for completions show that during February 2011, the number of completed house sales in England and Wales decreased by 10% compared to previous year, to 38,336 (from 42,515 in February 2010). However, the number of properties sold in England and Wales for in excess of £1 million increased by 14% between over the same period, from 399 to 454.

For vendors, the underlying message is that if you want to move quickly, pragmatism in pricing your home is essential. Some agents may try to tell you what you want to hear (to win the instruction), but the best guide to what your home is really worth is the latest statistics on what actually sold, and not what remains stale on the market!

Source: The Guild Of Profesional Estate Agents

This highlights the increased levels of competition within the mortgage market, according to analysis from moneysupermarket.com.

Fixed-rate mortgages have steadily fallen over the last couple of years, with the rate on the average two-year product now standing at 4.25%.

This compares with an average of 5.59% in spring 2009.

Three-year fixed rates are at their lowest since December 2010 while five-year products are at their lowest rate since January 2011 at 4.80% and 5.27% respectively.

Fixed rates may have fallen but the rates on the leading tracker mortgages have also dropped and remain popular among borrowers who believe base rates will remain low for some time.

The average two-year tracker rate is 3.58% - its lowest level since January 2011. The base rate would therefore have to rise by 0.60 percentage points over the next two years for the tracker to equal the average two-year fixed rate.

The rates on three-year trackers have also edged downwards, with the average now 4.05% - its lowest since February 2011.

Clare Francis, mortgage spokesperson at moneysupermarket.com said: "It's great to see fixed-rate mortgage rates coming down and we are now seeing average rates falling to their lowest levels in several years. Many borrowers are worried that high inflation will result in base rate rising in the not too distant future and for these people it's obviously great news that they can protect themselves from this eventuality by locking into a fixed rate at a lower level than they'd have been able to do a few months ago.

"However, with no one knowing when base rate will start rising, and a number of economists saying it could be next year at the earliest, some borrowers will be happy to take a gamble and go for a variable tracker mortgage in order to benefit from lowest repayments now.

"Interest rates will start rising at some point though, so anyone considering a variable rate deal needs to make sure they'll be able to afford monthly repayments."

Source: NFOPP Weekly Newsletter

He confirmed that over 100 housebuilders will take part, and together with the Government will offer a 20% equity loan, which alongside a 5% deposit from the buyer will enable them to take out a 75% mortgage on the rest of the property.

Source: NFOPP Weekly Newsletter