Harrison Murray estate agents were among the 180 runners who helped to make the first Watermead Challenge charity run in Syston a resounding success.

The five-mile run and three-mile run/walk at Syston’s Watermead Park was organised by The Rotary Club of Wreake Valley, and sponsored by leading independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray.

Around £1,500 was raised for deserving local good causes; the St John Ambulance, local youth groups/clubs and the Richard Engelgardt Trust Fund.

Richard is now wheelchair bound following an injury sustained playing for Birstall Rugby Club at the start of the 2009/10 season.

Chris Battye, director of Harrison Murray’s Leicestershire-based survey department, was one of the event organisers.

He said: “The turnout was great and our thanks to everyone who took part and who supported the runners and walkers along the route. We are delighted with the amount raised and are sure the local charities and good causes will be equally pleased.”

A number of Harrison Murray staff from around the county’s offices took part, with Syston branch partner Richard Bocock presenting the trophies.

Picture: Syston branch partner Richard Bocock presents a trophy to Matt Gore (13) winner of the three-mile Fun Run.

Being at the height of summer, the warm weather and those balmy evenings create an all-round feelgood factor.

But if you want to sell your home before the onset of autumn, leading independent estate agents Harrison Murray have some advice to ensure that you don’t rely simply on sunshine and pretty gardens to attract a buyer.

Commercial director Nick Salmon said: “While we may be in the middle of the selling season, and seeing more properties coming onto the market, consumer confidence among buyers is   fragile – particularly in view of very low levels of mortgage lending.

“However, there are buyers out there, and sellers can adhere to some simple but highly effective tips to warm up their chances of a summer sale.”

Top Tips:

Ensure that windows are sparkling clean both inside and out. Draw curtains well back so that buyers can take in the views of your carefully tended garden.

Show off every room to it full potential and original purpose. Although you may be        using the dining room as a playroom, clear away the toys and set the table to show how many people can be seated. Likewise, temporarily move the filing and home office equipment out of the spare room.

Let the fresh air in - musty-smelling rooms will have potential buyers running back to the front door. Summer allows you to open window without fear of making the house feel chilly.

Lighten up rooms that don’t benefit from natural light by adding table lamps, and also ensure that light switches are wiped clean.

De-clutter. Firstly, make the entrance hall inviting by removing coats and shoes and turn your attentions to the rest of the home – clearing away any unnecessary clutter. Likewise, ensure the carpet is clutter-free to give the whole home a feeling of space.

Keep your lawn in order. Summer-dried brown patches ruin the effect of a pretty garden, so keep your grass as green as possible. If you cannot avoid the problem, some strategically placed garden furniture may help! Regularly water summer containers and baskets to prolong their blooms.

Pet hates. Although your cat or dog may be the cutest thing ever, dishes of pet food or whiffy pet beds can be a complete turn off (particularly if the new owner doesn’t have pets of their own) so ensure bowls are clean and /or put out of sight. Some people are very nervous of dogs of any size, so it’s best to get your partner or neighbour to take the animal for a walk while the viewing takes place.



 

Harrison Murray estate agents are among those rushing to help industry colleagues – seriously injured during a charity bike ride in the United States – to complete their fundraising target.

The UK estate agency industry has this week been shocked by news of a serious accident that almost claimed the lives of Midlands-based Sean Newman and James Golding during their quest to raise £100,000 for cancer charities.

Now leading independent estate agency, Harrison Murray, with branches stretching from St Albans to Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire has pledged to donate £1 for every viewing the company arranges in the week commencing Monday 26 July.

The company expects the total to top £1,000.

Disaster struck the 3,500-mile charity ride by Sean and James last Sunday morning as they were attempting to cross 3,000 miles of America when they were hit by a 70mph truck in Louisiana about 45 miles west of New Orleans, some three-quarters of the way into their marathon attempt.

Both men are alive but badly injured. Mr Newman has a broken back, broken pelvis and both his legs are broken. He was rushed into intensive care after the smash but is now understood to be in critical care.

He has already undergone one operation and is believed to be undergoing further surgery now, on his pelvis. More operations will be necessary as surgeons assess the damage to his spine.

Mr Newman is a veteran charity campaigner, having completed several marathons, Iron Man challenges and the infamous Marathon Des Sables.

Mr Golding contracted cancer two years ago when doctors found a large tumour between his spine and his kidney. He originally had just a five per cent chance of survival, but was then given the all-clear almost exactly a year ago.

Harrison Murray’s commercial director, Nick Salmon said: “Our thoughts are with Sean and James and their families and we wish them a speedy recovery from this awful accident.

“During the week of July 26 our staff will be making an extra special effort to encourage buyers to book viewing appointments to see properties and we look forward to making a substantial contribution to the pair’s charities.”

The worlds of estate agency and Hollywood-style movie-making merged during a recent property photo shoot. 



When the St Albans branch of independent estate agent Harrison Murray needed some stunning photography to show off the location of one of its client’s properties, they turned to hi-tech gadgetry more often found in the world of films.



A pair of sophisticated radio-controlled model helicopters carrying state of the art digital cameras whizzed up into the skies above Napsbury Park, Hertfordshire, to capture unique images of the stylish development and its parkland surroundings.



To get the photographs, Harrison Murray’s commercial director, Nick Salmon, called in father and son team, Steve and Stuart Marsh of SKM Photography in Hemel Hempstead.



They were joined for the shoot by Jolyon Bambridge whose near-legendary expertise at remote control helicopter flying has led him to work on blockbuster films including 007 James Bond’s Goldeneye, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day; Lost in Space, and Mission Impossible.



Jolyon also happens to be the man who operated little R2D2 in Star Wars – The Phantom Menace.



While one operator flies the helicopter by remote control to the required height and position, a second operator dons digital spectacles that link via radio to the viewfinder of the on-board camera and they are able to pan, tilt and roll the camera mounting to line up the very best shots.



Nick Salmon said:  “We often use SKM to take photos of our properties from the top of their portable 15 meter mast and these images already cause a real stir among our sellers and buyers.



“However, for this venue we needed to get even higher and so were delighted when SKM told us that they have these amazing helicopter camera platforms that can operate almost anywhere. It’s quicker, infinitely cheaper, and just as effective as hiring a full size aircraft to obtain the images – and our clients love it!”



The property being sold by Harrison Murray St Albans is a high-specification, two bedroom, ground floor apartment with direct access onto the communal grounds. The price tag is £329,950  and more details are available from 01727 863114.



Pic - A bird’s eye view of the stunning Napsbury Park



 

Harrison Murray’s Kameron Hutchinson has become the company’s latest estate agent to gain the industry’s NAEA Technical Award for the Sale of Residential Property.



It follows months of hard work by the Leicestershire-based 20-year-old valuer and sales negotiator – who is believed to be one of the youngest agents in the country to gain the qualification. Kameron, who joined Harrison Murray three years ago following the completion of his A-levels,  has now successfully completed all four parts of the qualification. 



The National Association of Estate Agents is the leading professional body for estate agents, and membership of the Association can only be gained by passing the Technical Award exams. The award signifies that the individual has a sound grasp of the basics of residential property law, construction and all aspects of estate agency practice.



Kameron said: “I’m thrilled to have achieved this qualification, which has taken a great deal of time and hard work. It has certainly helped me to further my overall knowledge of the industry and build my confidence, all of which will ultimately benefit the customer during our service to them.”



As part of its on-going commitment to excellence in customer service and the career development of staff, Harrison Murray runs a sponsorship scheme to enable employees to study for and qualify in the various awards.



Harrison Murray development director Jackie Scotten said: “We strive to give an excellent professional service to our clients and sponsoring our staff to take the Technical Award demonstrates our commitment to provide that service. We are delighted for Kameron, who has really embraced the whole process – and is the youngest ever member of Harrison Murray staff to gain the qualification.”

 

Harrison Murray are long-standing members of the NAEA and the Property Ombudsman scheme.

 

Harrison Murray customers Raith and Amanda Perry got more than they bargained for when they sold their Northamptonshire home through the agents – a £5,000 luxury holiday.

The family won the amazing holiday after choosing Harrison Murray’s Duston office to sell their home, and were then entered into a free prize draw.

There were smiles all round at Harrison Murray’s Northampton head office when the Perrys and their children, Maddison and Liberty, were presented with their prize during a champagne reception - travelling from their new home near Birmingham to collect the £5,000 voucher and £1,000 spending money. 

All sellers who instructed one of Harrison Murray’s 15 branches between November 2009 and April 2010 were automatically entered into the draw and the Perry’s name came out of the hat.

It was Raith who initially took the call from Harrison Murray’s commercial director, Nick Salmon, telling him of their win. “I was numb, I thought you were joking and I couldn’t believe it!”

The holiday destination has not yet been chosen but Florida is top of the list. Raith added: “When I heard we had won I went straight down to the travel agent and came back with a pile of holiday brochures!”

The Perry’s chose Harrison Murray as their estate agent because they had bought and sold through the company twice before and received an excellent service. Amanda explained: “We’ve been really spoilt throughout our dealings with Harrison Murray. There’s no hard sales pitch, unlike other agents who try to push you to use their services. It’s the little extra things that Harrison Murray does that make the difference. Our negotiator, Daniel Travill was always really helpful – he even called us from his home although he was off work with a broken his ankle!”

Nick added: “This is the first draw of its type we’ve done and it’s been really worthwhile. The winter months are normally when activity levels fall, but the holiday promotion meant that many sellers chose Harrison Murray over other agents.”

Pic cap:

Holiday smiles! Left to right: Su Snaith, Harrison Murray branch partner; Raith Perry; Liberty Perry; Amanda Perry; Maddison Perry; Paul Scinaldi, Harrison Murray branch partner in Duston and Nick Salmon, Harrison Murray commercial director. 

 

The champagne corks have been popping at Harrison Murray’s Wigston and Halford Street branches - with staff celebrating industry exam success.



Wigston branch manager Jennie Andrews and Leicester lettings manager Clark Gordon are the latest employees to be recognised in their respective estate agency fields. Jennie has been studying for the NAEA Technical Award for the Sale of Residential Property for the past six months, and has recently completed all four parts of the qualification. 



The National Association of Estate Agents is the leading professional body for estate agents, and membership of the Association can only be gained by passing the Technical Award exams. The award signifies that the individual has a sound grasp of the basics of residential property law, construction and all aspects of estate agency practice.



Meanwhile, Clark has passed the National Federation of Property Professional (NFOPP) Technical Award in residential letting and property management – the industry standard for all agents working in this area. It is also the required qualification for entry to the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA), which is the UK’s only professional, self-regulating body specialising in the private rented sector.



As part of its on-going commitment to excellence in customer service and the career development of staff, Harrison Murray runs a sponsorship scheme to enable employees to study for and qualify in the various awards.



Harrison Murray development director Jackie Scotten said: “We strive to give an excellent professional service to our clients and sponsoring our staff to take the Technical Award demonstrates our commitment to provide that service. We are delighted that a substantial number of our employees have chosen to follow this process through, and have qualified as true property professionals.”



Harrison Murray are long-standing members of the NAEA and the Property Ombudsman scheme.

Although the icy weather is showing little evidence that spring is officially just weeks away - now is the time to think about moving your home out of the winter blues if you are serious about selling. There is some evidence that more properties are coming up for sale, and in the coming weeks competition among sellers wanting to move could become fierce.

But how can a seller have the edge over the neighbouring For Sale board and attract prospective buyers to their property?

The home makeover TV shows give advice in abundance, but with a little commonsense, a clear mind and the goal of selling your home – a virtually cost-free mini makeover could make all the difference.

Clutter control

Spring is the perfect time to de-clutter your home and make some space (or at least give the illusion of more space). Not everyone may share your taste for ornaments or family photos. In preparation for viewings, pack away any items that may make your home look crowded. Potential buyers will want to imagine themselves in the property with their belongings. Ensure any drying laundry is hidden from view, and if you use part of your home as an office, clear away any paperwork.

Looking good – inside and out       

As well as considering a neutral look for the interior of your home, with an all over lick of magnolia or something similar, think about the exterior of your property. Check and repair any garden gates or fences, paint window frames and clean window panes, clear paths of weeds and make the entrance to your home inviting with some freshly planted pot plants. Giving your home kerb appeal is the first step to engaging with a buyer.

Keeping it simple

Less is more, as they saying goes – and you don’t have to spend a fortune to be on trend when it comes to interiors. A few strategically placed throws and rugs to tone down patterned sofas or carpets will bring older interiors up to date. Create some optical illusions by placing furniture at angles around the room.

Points on pets – and unusual hobbies!

Your pet may be your pride and joy, but eliminate doggy or pet odours, and give carpets and sofas a quick hoover to get rid of any pet hairs – and get someone to take the dog for a walk if you are expecting a viewing. Likewise, any hobbies you may have could also impact on how viewers see your home. If for example you repair motorbikes or cars, keep spare parts out of the house - the same goes for those home-growing mushroom kits!

Garage Storage

If like the majority of homeowners you use your garage for storing everything apart from the car, keeping it clutter free will give viewers an idea of how much space there is. They may have their own ideas for garage use – so keep tools, Christmas decorations and other items stored in boxes or hooked on the wall. Don’t hide this vital space under a pile of ‘junk’.

Outdoor Areas

Spring is a great time to get your outdoor entertaining area ready for those sunny days. Clean the patio and outdoor furniture. Whatever the size of your garden, this is  vital outdoor space. Do some basic landscaping repairs to the lawn, shrubbery, and plants – and mow the grass for an easy on the eye appearance. If you’ve cleaned the windows inside and out buyers can make the most of the view.

Help and advice on how to make the most of your home for sale is available at your local Harrison Murray branch, or visit the website www.harrisonmurray.co.uk. You can also read and comment on this article at blog.harrisonmurray.co.uk

So, you’ve decided to sell your house, had several estate agents round to value it, and now the moment has come for you to instruct one them. Before you put your signature on the marketing agreement, make sure you read the small print - because if you don’t it could cost you a lot of money.

There are a several things to watch out for.

- If you are buying your Home Information Pack (HIP) through the estate agency for what seems like a ‘cheap’ price do they insist that you use their conveyancing service as well? Have you taken a close look at how much that conveyancing will cost? Is it really competitive or have they loaded the price to pay for the HIP?

- Is the HIP cost a small upfront payment with the balance to be paid by you when the property sells? What happens if the agent doesn’t sell it and you want to instruct another firm? Check very carefully how much the first agent will charge you to take the HIP away from them – you don’t own it until you’ve paid for it. There are some national firms who are charging clients almost £500 + VAT for their packs if the property is withdrawn from them.

- Will the agent make a charge if they don’t sell the property and you want to disinstruct them? Again, several national firms will make you pay around £150 for the privilege of taking the property away from them. Be aware that it doesn’t make any difference if the period of your agency agreement with them has expired. The small print makes it a ‘rolling contract’ and you can’t get out of it without paying their withdrawal fee.

If you’ve recently signed up with one of these agents, realise you are now liable for these charges, and don’t like it, you might be able to cancel the contract.

By law, if you signed the agreement in your own home when the agent brought the document to you (not if it was posted separately) you have a seven-day cooling off period during which you can change your mind without financial penalty. The agent should make you aware of this before you sign. You can choose to forego the cooling off period by signing a separate waiver document and this means the agent can get on with their job straight away, rather than waiting for seven days to elapse.

If you signed a waiver or signed the agreement in the agent’s office there is no cooling off period.

There’s nothing illegal about estate agents charging high prices for HIPs or for taking your property off their books but it is something that potential clients should be totally aware of when they sign up to these firms.

At Harrison Murray we often have clients coming to us wanting to take their property away from these national firms and they are livid when they realise they’ve got to pay them off before we can take the instruction. Our policy is not to charge withdrawal fees and clients who buy our HIPs own them outright from Day One. Our agency agreements are clearly worded, as brief as we can possibly make them, and there are no hidden charges, so clients can see exactly what they are signing up to.

 

With just under a month to go before the end of its ‘win a luxury holiday’ competition, estate agent Harrison Murray is gearing up for a last minute rush in instructions.

Since launching the promotion at the start of the year, Harrison Murray has seen an increase in the number of sellers instructing its 18 branches – in the hope of snapping up a £5,000 Thomas Cook holiday voucher plus £1,000 spending money. The knock on effect of this has been a greater choice of properties for potential buyer, a win win situation all round!

However, time is running out for homeowners to enter the free draw and stand a chance of winning the fabulous prize.

Sellers instructing any of Harrison Murray’s 18 branches in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire until 31 March 2010, for a minimum of 12 weeks sole agency, will receive automatic entry.

Harrison Murray’s commercial director Nick Salmon said: “At a time when many estate agents have been struggling to simply stay in business this terrific promotion is a major statement of our stability and confidence.

“Someone is going to win this brilliant holiday and to be in with a chance they only have to instruct Harrison Murray. If you are choosing between estate agents, it’s a no-brainer to pick the one that could lead to the £6,000 prize!”

Full details of the draw, together with terms and conditions, are available in Harrison Murray branches, or at www.harrisonmurray.co.uk

 

They say that the stress of home selling and buying is comparable with that of bereavement, job loss, or divorce and there is no doubt that the process could sometimes test the patience of a saint.

Part of the problem is that until seller and buyer exchange contracts there is nothing to bind one to the other. Either party can pull out of the deal without any penalty. This leads to tremendous uncertainty between an offer being agreed and the point where commitment is made and sends stress levels through the roof.

It is a well known that legal wheels grind exceedingly slowly, sometimes for no other reason than a timescale of four to six weeks to exchange and four more weeks to completion has become established as ‘normal’. Home Information Packs were supposed to speed up this process but in practice they have made little material difference. Depending on circumstances the usual timescale may suit a lot of people but it does leave open a dangerously wide window of opportunity for the sale to fall through – which it does in 20-30 per cent of cases. The most common reason for a failed sale is the buyer changing their mind or finding another property that they like better.

Some solicitors are excellent at dealing with conveyancing but there are still too many out there who appear locked in the era of the quill pen and who prefer to take things at a sedate pace. I’m not suggesting for a moment that any corners should be cut in carrying out the legal work in a sale or purchase but in the age of Internet and emails there is little excuse for the delays that do occur. It may surprise you to know that if everyone is able, agrees to it, and the correct legal documents are available, there is nothing to prevent an exchange of contracts taking place 24 - 48 hours after the offer is accepted. I have seen contracts exchange in less than one day during the height of boom markets.

Sellers often lull themselves into a false sense of security by believing that the acceptance of an offer means the buyer is now their new best friend who would never dream of reneging on the deal. Sadly, this just isn’t so. Estate agents send email and text alerts to the buyers on their books, the Internet is alive with property search sites, and it is very probable that between offer and exchange of contracts the buyer will still be getting daily news of properties coming on the market or having price reductions. A tempting prospect might just lead to a change of heart. It is therefore in the seller’s best interest to push for an exchange of contracts in as short a time as possible. Remember, getting the exchange is the critical point in the transaction. The completion date can be set to suit everyone and sometimes it can be much longer than the standard four weeks. So for sellers who have not yet found their onward purchase it still makes sense to try for an early exchange and a delayed completion.

At Harrison Murray we take sales progression very seriously indeed. It’s the unsung part of selling a property but it’s where a good agent really earns their money. With the co-operation of the solicitors for the buyer and seller we can help to tailor the transaction timescale to suit everyone, gently but firmly moving the buyer to the point where they can sign on the dotted line. Sometimes it isn’t possible to get a quick exchange because the buyer has a property to sell or because the mortgage lender drags their heels but for deals where everyone is able and willing to proceed we can help to narrow the period in which the transaction is at risk.

And that does wonders for the blood pressure of our clients

Estate agents around the country must have issued a collective groan when the New Year Big Freeze took hold.

Having anticipated that early January would see a lift in housing market activity, the arrival of a blanket of snow was the last thing anyone wanted and it would have been reasonable to assume that many buyers and sellers would postpone doing anything except the clearing of supermarket food shelves and trying to stay warm.

At Harrison Murray’s 18 branches we were therefore pleasantly surprised when the phones kept ringing and we found ourselves busier than ever. Hardy souls were prepared to brave the blizzards to go and look at properties for sale and a substantial number of potential sellers wanted us to come and value their homes. As a result there is every reason to expect that in the next week or three there will be an increase in sales stock. This is very good news all round because until now there have been a lot of people wanting to move but unwilling to put their own on the market until they could see something that they wanted to buy. This caused the market to be relatively stagnant and resulted in very low sales volumes throughout 2009. If the current wave of valuations turns into properties for sale there will be a much better choice for everyone.

An increase in the supply of properties for sale may have the effect of holding possible price rises in check but it remains the case that there are still more buyers than there are sellers and if mortgage funding continues its recovery there is every reason to expect a modest rise in values during 2010. My advice to sellers is, ‘By all means be optimistic with your asking price but don’t be too greedy – and get on the market before the general election is called.’

 

Now is the time of year when many people decide it is time to make a move.

Choosing the right agent will be the key to selling your home so it pays to do a little homework before deciding who to appoint. Buying or selling a property is one of the most important milestones in our lives – both emotionally and financially. So be sure to select the agent that will go the extra mile to help you achieve your goal.

As well as the correct valuation on your home, there is the marketing, negotiating and progressing of the eventual sale to think about.

“Choosing the right agent is paramount if you want a stress-free a sale as possible,” said Nick Salmon, commercial director at Harrison Murray independent estate agents and valuers.

“We all know that the industry is sometimes the subject of controversy, but reputable agents, like Harrison Murray, who adhere to professional codes of practice are scrupulous in their dealings with buyers and sellers.”

Harrison Murray is a long-standing member of the National Association of Estate Agents and of the Property Ombudsman scheme.

Working with your agent and listening to their professional advice can lead to great results.

Tips from Harrison Murray:

- Look for the sold boards in your area, always a sign of an agent is achieving results.

- Choose an agent which takes its code of conduct and professional responsibilities seriously, as members of industry and government-approved bodies.

- Ensure your property looks the best it can – both inside and outside.

- Hand over a key to your agent so they can carry out viewings on your behalf. Buyers sometimes want to look at very short notice!

- Listen to your agent’s advice on pricing your property realistically in the current market.

- Ask if the agent will give you prompt feedback after viewings.

 

Nick added: “For far too long, a few agents with a poor reputation have given the industry a bad name.

“Membership to industry and government-approved bodies gives our sellers and buyers confidence in the professional, thorough and reliable service that we offer.”

To further monitor and improve its services, Harrison Murray invites buyers and sellers from across its 18 branches to complete a customer satisfaction questionnaire.

Nick added: “These give us an accurate picture of the service we provide. We may believe we are doing a great job but it is all down to what our customers think of us and I am delighted to say that we continually first-class feedback to all our operating branches.”

There’s an added reason get on with selling.  If you instruct a branch of Harrison Murray before the end of March there’s the chance to win a prize draw for a £5,000 Thomas Cook holiday voucher plus £1,000 spending money. As Nick says, “Some lucky Harrison Murray seller is going to win this, and it could be you!”

 

At this time of year many estate agents speculate about how the property market will behave in the coming year. I hesitate to join in as the only thing that is certain about next year’s market is its uncertainty…

The end of 2009 has seen a rash of rises in house price indices, driven by too many people chasing too few properties. However, from the large number of valuations we have been carrying out in recent weeks we know that many sellers will be coming to the market in the early months of 2010 – many will be wanting to win the Harrison Murray draw for a £5,000 holiday voucher and £1,000 spending money!

The effect of more properties coming up for sale is that there will be a far better choice for buyers and it is likely that price rises will moderate. Without the driver of easy mortgages for first time buyers (or anyone else for that matter) the market will continue to be almost entirely dependent upon what is really a rather artificial supply and demand. Things won’t be helped by the ending of the stamp duty holiday which will make this iniquitous tax payable on purchases over £125,000. What a shame that the Chancellor’s greed outweighed the common sense of leaving the stamp duty entry level at £175,000. VAT is also going back to 17.5% so that’s another unwelcome burden on all our spending.

Despite these downsides I am quietly confident that 2010 will prove to be a steady market for property. Nothing spectacular in terms of prices rising or falling, but perhaps a healthy increase in the volume of transactions, which have been at all time lows for the last two years.

So, the good news is that if you want to sell there will be a reasonable market from January – but do get on with it because the General Election is looming and, when called, it will cause a lot of people to pause.

The teams in the Harrison Murray branches join me in wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year. We’ll be very pleased to help you with your home selling in 2010.

 

In years gone by it was expected that the property market would go relatively quiet during the months of high summer and deepest winter.

Sellers expected that fewer buyers would be around and so they delayed putting properties up for sale. However, in recent times the traditional dips in activity have all but disappeared and property transactions carry on at a pretty consistent level all year round.

In fact there is an argument to say that the buyers who are out and about when the nights are drawing in and the weather is at its foulest are very serious in their intent. The time-wasters have gone into hibernation leaving the hardy and committed purchasers a clear field to find their dream home.

With Christmas looming on the horizon you might be thinking about a sale in the new year but for a couple of good reasons my advice is to get on with it now.

Firstly you’ll catch those serious buyers but more importantly there is no telling what may happen after the turn of the year. At the moment there are plenty of people wanting to move and many of them are in a position to proceed, with the money in the bank, but there is no telling how long they will be around.

Some time soon the General Election will be called and if past experience is anything to go by there is every chance that the property market will immediately come to a grinding halt. After the election, regardless of who wins, I reckon we’ll see a lot more bad economic news being revealed as the new government gets to grips with the legacy of the recession and credit crunch. What that will do to confidence and spending power is anyone’s guess but I doubt that it will be comfortable.

So the best bet is to get on the market now and get sold before it all happens!

 

The East Hunsbury branch of independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray has welcomed back one of its most popular members of the team. James Vanstone is now back at the office in Butts Road, where he is working as senior negotiator.

James had worked for Harrison Murray for three years, working his way up from negotiator to assistant manager – a post he held until the time of his short break from the company last summer.

He said: “I am really thrilled to be back working with Harrison Murray, and grateful to them for giving me this opportunity in what have been challenging times.

“Working with the East Hunsbury team again is great, and I’ve already had some encouraging messages from customers and other colleagues.”

Su Snaith, senior branch partner added: “On behalf of myself and the whole team, I am delighted that James has rejoined us. We have certainly missed him, and so have our customers.

“With the market showing some really positive signs of improvement, and with James back on board, we are gearing up for a busy future.”

 

We are always being told that first impressions count – whether for a job interview, first date and of course when selling a property.

Your home may look palatial and spotlessly clean and tidy inside but potential buyers won’t see that if you don’t get them through the front door.

While TV property guru Sarah Beeny has just issued her own top 10 list of what she believes makes a property aesthetically pleasing, estate agents Harrison Murray have their own tips on how to bring the wow factor to your front door – quite literally!

Commercial director Nick Salmon said: “We are all aware of the on-going challenges within the housing market and the stiff competition among sellers to get the best price for their home.

“Winning over the viewer or potential buyer with something that is pleasing to the eye makes all the difference. Attention to detail is so important, even if it is your 10th viewing.”

Simple kerb appeal tips that won’t break the bank:

- If you’ve got a wooden front door, give it a lick of paint or varnish. Not only will it spruce it up, but will offer extra protection through the winter. The same applies to gates.

 

- Clear cobwebs from the porch area – a strategically placed conker will deter spiders from visiting.

- Lighting is important, particularly as the days get shorter. Invest in a good outdoor light, keep it clean and fit an energy-saving bulb.

- As summer planting is getting past its best, cheer up doorsteps and porches with a container of bright autumn bedding to last through the next few months.

- Clean windows regularly.

- Have the number of your house clearly displayed – buyers hate having to search for your home! If the numbers need replacing or updating, consider shiny new chrome ones.

- Make sure the doorbell works.

- Ensure that buyers aren’t put off by broken down vehicles parked outside your home, and move wheelie bins out of sight.

"These are all simply yet highly effective ways to make the best possible first impression,”added Nick.

 

Potential buyers are being urged to act now or face a huge bill when the Government’s stamp duty holiday ends.

The warning has come from independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray, as exemption on paying stamp duty on a property costing £175,000 or less comes to a halt on December 31 this year.

Last September, the Government announced axing stamp duty on properties costing between the previous level of £125,000 and £175,000 for one year – later extending the exemption until the end of 2009.

However, as it takes approximately three months to buy a home from start to finish, people wanting to take advantage of the higher threshold need to act fast.

Harrison Murray development director Jackie Scotten said: “Stamp duty is charged at one per cent of the property’s price on homes between £125,000 and £250,000. This will mean for example that someone buying a £175,000 house after December 31 will face a £1,750 bill.

“Buyer demand has increased over the last few months as house prices have begun to stabilise. We have already seen thousands of buyers benefitting from the stamp duty holiday, which has brought some much needed relief for the property market and first time buyers in particular.”

Jackie added: “Harrison Murray recognises that potential buyers will want to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, but urge them to act now to avoid a large bill come January.”

Harrison Murray estate agents are inviting customers across Leicester to pop into their branches for a cuppa later this month, and help raise money for a worthy cause.

The annual Macmillan Coffee Morning – which aspires to be the biggest fundraising event of its kind in the world – will be held on Friday September 25.

Harrison Murray’s branches in Leicester, Enderby, Wigston, Syston and Western Park will be putting the kettle on throughout the morning, giving colleagues and customers the chance to join them for coffee, tea and cakes!

Last year, more than 45,000 people held coffee mornings around the UK, raising a staggering £7.5 million for the cancer care charity.

Harrison Murray development director Jackie Scotten said: “There are so many good causes that is it sometimes difficult to choose one in particular to support.

“However, the Macmillan Coffee Morning is one of the most popular, and is a great way of involving everyone – both at the office and our customers.

“We look forward to welcoming our customers with a cup of tea or coffee on September 25, and collectively raise a lot of money for such a worthwhile cause.”

Would-be property sellers often miss a vital bit of homework when preparing to come on the market.

They tidy the home, clean up the garden, get the estate agents in to give valuations and have a squint at the internet to see if there is anything around that they’d like to buy – but they don’t give much thought to their finances. They will have a rough idea of how much their property will sell for, a rather more woolly idea of how much is outstanding on the mortgage, and probably not a clue about what they can actually borrow for the onward purchase.

At Harrison Murray’s eighteen branches we make a point of tackling these financial questions with the seller when we put a property on the market because our mission is not only to sell their property for the best possible price but to make their onward purchase as smooth as possible. To do that we need our clients to be fully aware of their financial situation.

Calling on our team of independent financial advisors we arrange for the client to talk confidentially about how they will fund their cost of their new home, what type of mortgage is best for their circumstances, where the best deals can be had among lenders, and how much they will be able to borrow in the current climate of tight mortgage lending criteria. It is amazing how often the client finds that the reality of their situation is better (or unfortunately, sometimes worse) than they thought. Even simple things, like finding that it is possible to ‘port’ or transfer their existing mortgage to a new property, can make all the difference to their thinking.

With these questions out of the way we can get on with selling the property and when a buyer appears we carry out a similar process of establishing their ability to actually purchase.  We want to know exactly what their financial position is so that we can advise our client, the seller, about whether it is wise to proceed with a sale to this person.

These simple but vital procedures for sellers and buyers ensure that a transaction through a Harrison Murray branch has a greater likelihood of completing successfully than if, as some estate agents do, everything is left to chance.

 

The champagne corks have been popping at Harrison Murray’s Wigston branch, with staff celebrating an excellent sales month during June as well as individual exam success.

Branch manager Jennie Andrews and negotiator Kameron Hutchinson are the company’s latest employees to achieve the first stages of the NAEA Technical Award for the Sale of Residential Property.

The National Association of Estate Agents is the leading professional body for estate agents, and membership of the Association can only be gained by passing the Technical Award exams.

The award signifies that the individual has a sound grasp of the basics of residential property law, construction, estate agency practice, and the appraising of property values.

And as part of its on-going commitment to excellence in customer service and the career development of staff, Harrison Murray runs a sponsorship scheme to enable employees to study for and qualify in the award.

Jennie said: “Both Kameron and myself are grateful to Harrison Murray for giving us the chance to work towards this award, and we are now gearing up for the challenge of the next stage which will involve law relating to individual property sales.”

Harrison Murray development director Jackie Scotten said: “We strive to give an excellent professional service to our clients and sponsoring our staff to take the Technical Award demonstrates our commitment to provide that service

“We are delighted that a substantial number of our employees have chosen to follow this process through, and will be qualifying as true property professionals in the coming months.”

Harrison Murray are long-standing members of the NAEA and the Property Ombudsman scheme.

Picture - Shows branch manager Jennie Andrews and negotiator Kameron Hutchinson with their NAEA award certificates.

 

 There's an interesting change developing in the residential property market. That’s ‘interesting’ as in the old Chinese curse, ‘May you live in interesting times’. The pendulum of supply versus demand is swinging and pretty soon we could see a very unhealthy stalemate situation where many want to buy but few want to sell.

On the demand side there are those who have readily available funds, either because they have sold a property and are living in rented or because they have savings in the bank (which are earning them the thin end of nothing); and first time buyers who have scraped together a deposit and have a mortgage arranged. On the supply side we have a limited number of sellers who have a need to sell because of a job move, bereavement, divorce or other imperative.

But there is an even larger group – the people who would like to move but only if they can get what they consider an acceptable price for their existing property and can find something they want to buy. It is this group that holds a key to the recovery of the property market, particularly in terms of the volume of sales, which is presently at a low level compared to pre-credit-crunch years.

At Harrison Murray’s 18 branches we are often called to valuations where the client tells us, ‘We can’t find anything to move to…’ They hold back from putting theirs up for sale and in consequence deprive others of the opportunity to buy.

Others say, ‘We will put ours on the market when prices improve’. That’s hardly a logical approach as it is almost inevitable that as theirs goes up in value so will the one they want to buy. Do a deal at today’s lower values and the amount of mortgage you’ll need could be less than when prices have gone up again - and that will be a saving when interest rates rise, as they inevitably will.

It is in everyone’s interest that people who would like to move be brave and put their properties up for sale. That way overall supply will improve, everyone will get a wider choice, and we’ll get some fluidity back in the market. Which would be a Good Thing all round.

 

You've seen the house of your dreams - but a delay in putting your own property on the market means you’ve missed out because someone else has snapped it up. Likewise, kicking your heels over organising a viewing of a potential new home could also lead to disappointment. 

 

This is a scenario independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray see on a daily basis.

However, with forward planning and the right instruction, potential sellers need not miss out on selling their own property.

“Quite often, sellers and prospective buyers inadvertently create something of a stalemate situation – with the seller not putting their property on the market until they have seen something they would like to buy. In turn, this can mean less choice for prospective buyers, therefore halting their decision to move,” said Harrison Murray development director Jackie Scotten.

Buyers are currently in an excellent position - but by sticking to realistic asking prices and taking the time to prepare their home for viewing, vendors can also reap the benefits of the current trend.

Jackie added: “On a daily basis, people walk into the offices advising us they have no intention of placing the house in the market until such time as they have found a suitable property.

“This is a self-defeating prophecy. Realistically, the minute that their dream house becomes available, it’s going to appeal to those buyers who are ready, willing and able to proceed- who have sold subject to contract or who are currently living in rented accommodation.”

“Likewise, our advice to prospective purchasers who have seen a property they would like to view is to act immediately.

“The reality is that several people may be interested, so to get in first with a viewing puts them in the driving seat.

“It may sound like a cliche – but it is very much a case of view it or lose it.”

 

When Zara Laxman took her first tentative steps on the estate agency path she admits to not knowing the difference between a semi-detached and detached property!

However, that was a decade ago – and now Zara is celebrating success at the helm of Harrison Murray’s flagship Halford Street branch in Leicester.

Zara has notched up 10 years of service with the company and continues to run the branch she first started work at as a Sunday assistant back in 1999.

“I had two young children and hadn’t worked for a while, let alone attended an interview,” said Zara. “Although I had worked as a manager in a shoe shop I had no estate agency experience. I wanted to get back into the workplace on a very temporary basis and Sunday working suited me fine. I wasn’t expecting much more than that.”

However, Zara’s Sunday hours soon turned into holiday cover for colleagues and before long she took on a more substantial negotiator role, which fitted in with school hours. Promotion to assistant manager followed and Zara (38) has held the position of branch manager for the past four years.

“Harrison Murray have been so supportive and I can’t thank the company enough for all the training and their belief in me,” said Zara. “No two days are the same. The team here is exceptional and I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else. Apart from spending a few weeks overseeing the opening of a sister branch I have been at Halford Street from day one.”

She added: “We have a lot of repeat business and I like to think of myself as a people person. Our customers are very loyal.”

Harrison Murray development director Jackie Scotten said: “I am immensely proud of Zara and what she has achieved during her time with Harrison Murray so far. She is an asset to the company and the fact she has done this on her own merits – as a successful woman, and working mum, in what is still a male-dominated industry – is commendable.”

 

The best description I have ever seen of this nation’s obsession with house prices appeared a few years ago when a journalist on the The Standard newspaper described it as ‘property porn’.

For a decade or so, the more house price inflation increased the more the public salivated lustfully over the alluring figures.

A property was no longer just to live in; it became a route to near-instant financial gratification. The present recession threw a large bucket of cold water over the market but there are signs that the porn-pushers are peddling their wares again.

The media are reporting every tiny twitch in the house price index as if property is the only barometer of the health of the economy. Certainly property forms a very substantial proportion of the wealth of the nation’s individuals but price indexes only tell a small part of the story.

Far more important to most people is the volume of transactions - and these remain at historically low levels.

This summer is going to be interesting for the property market. There are fewer properties coming up for sale but demand remains high - for the moment.

In the short term the effect is to slow the rate of house price deflation. The bulk of the demand is coming from those who have cash savings. At Harrison Murray’s 18 branches, we have a steady and substantial number of these applicants registering every day.

But it won’t last forever. Eventually the cash-buyer demand will be met and then everything will depend on whether mortgage lending has improved because fundamentally it is mortgage-borrowing first time buyers who start the chains that build sales into the higher price ranges. If they cannot get finance the market will stall again.

So for now, if you want to sell, there is a good chance that you will be able to do so and you’ll have a reasonable choice of properties to buy. But I suggest that you don’t delay as by the late autumn the picture could be rather different – and it may not be quite as seductive as you’d like it to be…

 

Long ago I stopped being surprised at the number of home owners who put their property up for sale without really committing to a process that should lead to a transaction involving their single biggest asset, often worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

I’ve lost count of the occasions when we’ve had a red-hot buyer in the office asking to see a place right away and the seller says ‘Oh, we’re just going out shopping, could they come tomorrow?’. Chances are that by tomorrow that buyer will have found something else.

If you’re serious about selling you need to do your homework in choosing an agent; prepare the home to show at its best; accept that you - and the property - are ‘on parade’ for the duration of the marketing period; make a decision about the figure you will accept when an offer comes in; plan what you will do if a buyer wants to move quickly; brief your solicitor to prepare the contract package; and, odd as it may sound, treat the relationship between yourself and the estate agent as a partnership in which you are both playing for the same team.

To choose your agent, talk to friends and neighbours, scour the local papers, visit agents in the area to get a feel for their style and professionalism, see if they deal with your type of property.

Don’t necessarily pick the one that suggests the highest value for your home and don’t pick the one offering the cheapest fee. There’s a good reason behind the expression ‘pay peanuts and get monkeys’.

Get the house de-cluttered, tidied, and cleaned and spruce up the garden, especially at the front because that’s where the buyer will form their first impressions. Steel yourself to the fact that the property has got to stay looking its best and that viewings may be asked for at short notice. Always be prepared to immediately say ‘yes’ every time unless it truly isn’t possible.

Next, if you are buying on and need a mortgage, talk to a ‘whole of market’ independent mortgage adviser; we have them available to talk to at Harrison Murray branches.

Don’t rely on internet sites to find what you can borrow and be wary of advice from mortgage advisers based in the national ‘corporate’ estate agencies because they generally only have access to a limited panel of lenders.

The reason you’re doing this now is so that you know exactly how much you can afford to let your property go for when a buyer makes an offer. Of course the price you have to pay for the next property is a key factor but if you have worked out your sums the decision about an offer for yours can be made on the spot.

Too many times I see sellers getting an offer on a Friday evening and saying ‘We’ll think about it over the weekend’. By Monday that elusive buyer may well have found something they like better. Strike while the iron is hot!

Let your solicitor know you are coming on the market and have them prepare the contract. Just last week we had a client who nearly lost a sale when their solicitor took a month to send a contract to the buyer. There is no justification for such delay, which can cause a buyer to lose patience and pull out.

And finally, develop the relationship with your estate agent. At Harrison Murray we are here to act in your best interest and unless there is an ongoing dialogue between us then vital things can be missed.

Going on holiday? Tell us and let us have a key. You’d be amazed how many sellers just swan off without notice and wonder why their house hasn’t sold when they get back. Tell us the figure you’ll accept because we may be able to persuade a buyer to look at your property even though it appears out of their reach.

Sellers who show they’re sensible and keen will always be at the forefront of the agent’s mind. If you really want to engage the attention of the agent work out an incentive deal whereby if they get you a certain price you’ll pay them a bonus on top of their commission. Doing this will put your property at the top of the pile and you’ll be rewarded by the extra effort they’ll put in to finding you a buyer.

Selling a property needs real commitment from the seller and as any professional estate agent will tell you, too often with a rueful smile, ‘We are only as good as our clients!’”

 

Harrison Murray is reporting an increase in properties to let in Northamptonshire, as landlords opt to use the agent’s range of services available to meet all needs.

The lettings team of the independent estate agents and valuers says the range of properties is growing daily, as is the number of landlords – which in turn is boosting the number of new tenants.

Louise Wootton is Harrison Murray’s lettings supervisor, covering Northampton Town Centre, Duston and East Hunsbury. She said: “In the current market we are finding that rents are becoming increasingly competitive as more properties come on to the market. To secure a tenant, landlords are finding that they have to become competitive with rents to ensure that they gain tenant interest.

“We are seeing an increase in properties coming on to let. People who are re-locating for example may now choose to rent a property out for six to 12 month so that they can try their new location.”

Louise recently joined Harrison Murray from another local letting agent, and has helped to secure a new wave of business for the company. Making up the successful team is Louise’s assistant, Max Rhodes, a fully qualified RIC surveyor; and department administrator Anna Facer.

Louise has several years of lettings experience, having started as a repairs clerk for a neighbouring local authority, dealing with council tenant repairs. She said: “The job is fulfilling and it is my life - every day is a new challenge and it is rewarding to help our tenants find the home they want and for our landlords to know we are pro-active in letting their properties out. We provide an excellent service to both parties. 

“We feel the secret of our success is to always exceed the expectation of the customer. The proof of that is that we have many happy customers!”

Harrison Murray is a member of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Picture shows: Harrison Murray lettings supervisor Louise Wootton and valuer/viewer Max Rhodes at the Town Centre branch in Northampton

A NEW anti-Home Information Pack petition has been launched on the Number 10 Downing Street website by estate agent Harrison Murray’s commercial director, Nick Salmon.

Nick, who also head of the SPLINTA campaign (Sellers’ Pack Law is Not the Answer), is calling for the restoration of ‘First Day Marketing’.

Until April 6 this year, home sellers could have their property marketed as soon as the Home Information Pack (HIP) was ordered - but since then it has become necessary for the pack to be largely completed before any marketing can take place.

Estate agents are reporting that this loss of ‘First Day Marketing’ is detrimental to sellers, buyers and the property market in general. The need for the seller to fill in a seven page ‘Property Information Questionnaire’ (PIQ) is also causing difficulties, according to Nick.

He said: “One example I have been made aware of, is the case of a lady who has had a stroke. She needs to go into a home but has to sell her flat - and quickly. Telling her that the property could not be marketed before the HIP is compiled and that the PIQ must be completed first has caused great distress at a time when she could certainly do without it”.

The SPLINTA campaign is supported by over 2,000 firms of estate agents, surveyors and solicitors who believe there are better ways than HIPs to improve the home buying process and that the consumer is being disadvantaged by the legislation.

Nick added:  “Pre-HIPs, good estate agency practice was to alert potential buyers to a property at the earliest opportunity and when appropriate to arrange viewings prior to full marketing. Was the buyer or seller disadvantaged by this? Of course not.”

Members of the public can join the property industry in signing up to the petition on the Downing Street website. The link is: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/restorefdm/

With housing among the key areas of focus of today’s budget – Chancellor Alistair Darling has pledged an estimated £1 billon into getting the housing market back on its feet. While this means good news for many, leading estate and valuers Harrison Murray says it wishes the Chancellor had listened harder.

Despite the budget proposals to extend the stamp duty holiday for homes up to £175,000 to the end of the year – Harrison Murray claims this will continue to leave sellers out of pocket.

Nick Salmon, commercial director, whilst welcoming the Chancellor's budget announcement on the Stamp Duty Land Tax, has expressed regret that Mr Darling ignored calls to suspend or fundamentally amend the SDLT laws.

He said: "As we have come to expect, the Chancellor has failed to listen to property industry experts who have said that SDLT is a brake on the property market. It is regrettable that he has missed the opportunity to deal with this iniquitous tax on moving."

Other housing budget key announcements include:

A scheme to guarantee mortgage backed securities to boost lending.

Stamp duty holiday for homes up to £175,000 to be extended to end of year.

Extra £80m for shared equity mortgage scheme.

£500m to kickstart stalled housing projects.

£100m for local authorities to build energy efficient homes.  

£50m to upgrade housing for the armed forces.

 

Ahead of next week’s Budget, Nick Salmon, commercial director of leading independent estate agency, Harrison Murray, is calling on the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, to amend the rules on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

At present, the tax is paid on completion by the purchaser of a residential property.

One per cent is payable on purchases between £175,000 and £250,000; three per cent on a purchase between £250,000 and £500,000; and four per cent over £500,000.

Nick Salmon, a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents explains that the nature of the tax is causing home sellers to lose thousands of pounds during negotiations and in some cases is blocking potential transactions from being agreed.

“The problem is that the tax is not incremental. For example, if you pay a pound over £250,000 you pay three per cent on the whole of the purchase price. That’s £7500. Pay a pound less than £250,000 and the tax is only £2,499. Purchasers know this and in consequence any property on the market at between £250,000 and about £280,000 is blighted. Many buyers will not offer more than £250,000 because they don’t want to pay the higher rate of tax. It is iniquitous that this is causing such hardship in an already fragile market.”

Salmon believes that SDLT should either be scrapped or fundamentally amended.

“It is not only home sellers who are losing out. The Government is shooting itself in the foot by losing revenue from abortive transactions that would otherwise take place, and also losing out when sales are negotiated into a lower tax bracket. Ideally SDLT should be abolished as it is nothing more than an iniquitous tax on moving but the most pernicious aspect of the scheme is the banding which causes such a massive hike in the amount buyers have to pay if they step over the threshold of each level.”

“SDLT should be payable in incremental slices. Using the current percentages a buyer purchasing at say £255,000 would pay 0 per cent on the slice up to £175,000; a per cent on the amount between £175,000 and £250,000; and three per cent on the last £5,000.

“They would end up with a tax bill of £900 instead of the £7,650 they pay under the current scheme. If this were the case many more people would be prepared to pay a lot more for a suitable property. Alistair Darling has been called on many times to revise SDLT but probably has no real idea of what a brake on the market this tax is.”

Nick added: “Harrison Murray’s 18 branches, together deal with thousands of property sales each year and we are telling the Chancellor loud and clear that this issue must be addressed if he is serious about helping to bring this country out of recession. The property market is an engine of the economy and SDLT is one of the factors holding back the recovery.”

 Now please don’t stop reading if I tell you that the property market has dramatically improved in most areas over the last few weeks.

I really am not talking things up for the sake of it or in some vain hope that my words will instantly persuade you to decide to buy or sell a property, but the fact is that all Harrison Murray branches and some other agents have been very busy of late.

A lot of people have sensed that whilst we may not be right at the bottom of the property price slide we are getting very close to it and if they delay they fear missing out. The recent burst of spring sunshine has certainly made everyone feel a lot happier and we are registering more buyers than at any time in the last 12 months.

Home sellers are finding that if they price sensibly they will begin to get viewings and offers. Life is still tough for agents (please, no violins) and sellers but the breath of activity is a welcome relief for everyone.

Unfortunately silver linings usually have a cloud and this one is no exception. We can foresee that if the rate of sales continues at its present rate it will not be many months before there is quite a serious shortage of properties on the market for sale. It remains the case that most owners won’t come to the market unless they have a really good reason to sell and that group is not sufficiently numerous to satisfy overall demand. In ‘normal’ times we could expect that a lower supply and steady demand would result in rising prices but that is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future for one simple reason – restricted mortgage lending.

Unless and until the banks and building societies start oiling the rusty wheels of the property market by putting more money into mortgages, the ability of would-be buyers to fund their purchases is limited and that puts a brake on any price rises.

There’s no telling how long the current activity will last. Some people think it might be like taking the cap off a bottle of fizzy drink – the bubbles foam up out of the top and then subside. Others believe we really have turned the corner and the only way is up. I think the latter view is over-optimistic.

The credit crunch, general lack of consumer confidence and rising unemployment all have some way to go before it would be wise to shout ‘Recovery!’ but if you do need to sell it is my pleasure to report that you stand a much better chance of doing so than at the back end of last year.

Changes to the Home Information Pack (HIP) regulations on 6th April will mean that no marketing of a residential property can take place until a substantial proportion of the controversial pack is complete.

At present the marketing of a home can commence as soon as the HIP is ordered. Estate agents will now be prevented from doing the best for their clients. To achieve a sale as soon as possible an agent should be able to begin marketing a property immediately after receiving instructions from the seller but from 6th April it will be impossible to begin marketing until the major part of the pack is physically complete. A private seller also gets caught by the legislation and could face a £200 fine if they don’t comply.

A new 7 page document, The Property Information Questionnaire' (PIQ) will have to be in the HIP from 6th April. This form, completed by the seller, asks questions about their property such as rights of way and building works.

The government claims potential buyers will want to see this information before even viewing a property but the experience of most estate agents is that only a handful of buyers ever ask to see the pack. Nick Salmon, Commercial Director of Harrison Murray’s 18 branches says, 'The HIP is of no interest to buyers and most estate agents are not asked for the HIP until after an offer is accepted.' The seller does not have to sign the PIQ, so there can be no check on who completed the form or whether the answers are truthful, and a disclaimer tells buyers that the PIQ is not a substitute for legal documentation.

On top of all this, the price of Home Information Packs is set to rise as Local Authorities are being obliged to provide more documents for the pack and are allowed to charge for doing so.

Harrison Murray is urging sellers who are thinking of coming on the market to instruct the firm before the April 6th deadline.

Nick Salmon advises, ‘If clients want to avoid the extra red-tape and delays to marketing that will inevitably occur when the new rules come, and avoid the likely extra cost of the pack due to the changes, they should contact their local Harrison Murray branch without delay.’

An open day to showcase a range of contemporary key worker properties to rent has been hailed a success, with more than half being let as a result.

Harrison Murray, appointed as agents of the apartment development in the Abington area of Northampton, are expecting additional interest now that the properties are being made available to the general public.

All the properties are available under a 12-month tenancy and competitive rental, and customers currently have the choice of two locations –The Bank at Pytchley Street and Talbot Road. All boast fitted kitchens, and while they vary in styles and layouts, all offer the best in modern living and come complete with double-glazing and central heating. 

Harrison Murray branch manager at the Northampton town centre office, John Latimer, said: “We had massive interest in the open day, and have since let 20 of the 36 properties.  “As well as key workers, the apartments are now available to members of the public – and we expect addition interest following this announcement.” 

John added: “One and two bedroom apartments in Abington have historically always been popular, so we advise anyone who is interest to come and talk to us sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.”

The properties are located in Abington, one of Northampton's most sought after locations, with the surrounding properties are predominantly Victorian with a variety of smaller terraces and grand town houses.

Harrison Murray is marketing the new homes project on behalf of Pathmeads Octavia Hill.

 

In the current challenging market conditions, customer satisfaction is paramount - and estate agent Harrison Murray has gained exceptional marks in a seller and buyer survey.

The leading independent estate agent has just released the results of its latest customer satisfaction survey for six months, with the company’s18 branches maintaining very high levels of approval from customers.

For the last two years, Harrison Murray has asked all buyers and sellers to complete a comprehensive questionnaire when the sale of a property is completed. Previous results have shown that the company scores exceptionally well in giving satisfaction to customers - and in the six months from September 2008 to February 2009 this high standard has been maintained.

In terms of overall satisfaction, 99 per cent of respondents said they were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the service they received and in answer to the question, ‘Would you recommend Harrison Murray to friends and colleagues?’ 97.4 per cent said ‘Yes’. In addition, 96.3 per cent said they would consider using Harrison Murray again in the future.

Although the overall performance of the company was excellent, several of Harrison Murray’s branches and staff stood out as exceptional performers. 

The East Hunsbury and Duston branches in Northampton, and the Syston branch in Leicester scored a 100 per cent approval rating among buyers. Sellers gave top scores to St Albans, Duston and Melton Mowbray.

Top individual scores went to Mandy Digioia at Melton Mowbray and Daniel Travill at Duston. Both negotiators have received gifts from the company recognising their outstanding commitment to customer service.

Harrison Murray’s commercial director, Nick Salmon, said: “Our mission at Harrison Murray is to make home buying and selling as efficient and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved.  “There are bound to be times of stress during a transaction but this is when our well-trained and professional staff come into their own. Estate agency is a people business, and every branch works as a team to advise and guide the sellers and buyers. It is very gratifying that customers recognise the dedication of the staff involved in helping them.”

In the current challenging market conditions, customer satisfaction is paramount - and estate agents Harrison Murray has gained top marks in a seller and buyer survey.

The leading independent estate agent has just released the results of its latest customer satisfaction survey for six months, with the company’s 18 branches maintaining very high levels of approval from customers.

For the last two years Harrison Murray has asked all buyers and sellers to complete a comprehensive questionnaire when the sale of a property is completed. Previous results have shown that the company scores exceptionally well in giving satisfaction to customers and in the six months from September 2008 to February 2009 this high standard has been maintained.

The East Hunsbury and Duston branches in Northampton stood out as exceptional performers, scoring a 100 per cent approval rating from buyers who all said they would recommend the company to friends and colleagues.

Among sellers, Duston also gained a 100 per cent approval rating - and negotiator Daniel Travill picked up an award for being the staff member most often mentioned by customers as giving exceptional standard of service.

Branch partners, Su Snaith and Paula Scinaldi were delighted by the results. Su said: “We congratulate Daniel, and are very grateful to our customers for this brilliant vote of confidence. All our branches will go on striving to be the best of the best.”

Harrison Murray’s commercial director, Nick Salmon, said of results: “Our mission at Harrison Murray is to make home buying and selling as efficient and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved. “There are bound to be times of stress during a transaction but this is when our well-trained and professional staff come into their own. Estate agency is a people business and every branch works as a team to advise and guide the sellers and buyers. It is very gratifying that customers recognise the dedication of the staff involved in helping them.”

In the current challenging market conditions, customer satisfaction is paramount - and estate agents Harrison Murray has gained top marks in a seller and buyer survey.

The leading independent estate agent has just released the results of its latest customer satisfaction survey for six months, with the company’s 18 branches maintaining very high levels of approval from customers.

For the last two years Harrison Murray has asked all buyers and sellers to complete a comprehensive questionnaire when the sale of a property is completed. Previous results have shown that the company scores exceptionally well in giving satisfaction to customers and in the six months from September 2008 to February 2009 this high standard has been maintained.

The Syston branch in Leicestershire stood out as an exceptional performer, scoring a 100 per cent approval rating from buyers and sellers who all said they would recommend the company to friends and colleagues. 

Branch Partner, Richard Bocock expressed his delight at the result and said: “We are very grateful to our customers for this brilliant vote of confidence and we shall go on striving to be the best of the best.”

Harrison Murray’s commercial director, Nick Salmon, said of results: “Our mission at Harrison Murray is to make home buying and selling as efficient and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved. “There are bound to be times of stress during a transaction but this is when our well-trained and professional staff come into their own. Estate agency is a people business and every branch works as a team to advise and guide the sellers and buyers. It is very gratifying that customers recognise the dedication of the staff involved in helping them.”

Estate agent Mandy DiGioia, negotiator with the Melton Mowbray branch of Harrison Murray, has been given the thumbs up by home sellers for her exceptional customer service skills.

For the last two years Harrison Murray has asked all buyers and sellers to complete a comprehensive questionnaire when the sale of a property is completed. Previous results have shown that the company scores exceptionally well in giving satisfaction to customers and in the six months from September 2008 to February 2009 this high standard has been maintained.

Mandy scored a 100 per cent approval rating from the branch’s clients who singled her out as the person who deserved special recognition for the help she gave them during their sale. As a result Mandy has been given an award by Harrison Murray. The Melton branch also came top in team performance with every buyer and seller responding to the satisfaction survey saying they would recommend the branch to their friends and colleagues.

Branch partner Mike Ford is delighted with the result. He said: “Since opening two years ago we have worked really hard to make this branch the top performing estate agency in the area and it is really gratifying to see that customers approve of what we do. We all strive to go the extra mile for our buyers and sellers and it’s great to have that recognised.”

Harrison Murray’s commercial director, Nick Salmon, said of results: “Our mission at Harrison Murray is to make home buying and selling as efficient and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved. There are bound to be times of stress during a transaction but this is when our well-trained and professional staff come into their own. Estate Agency is a people business and every branch works as a team to advise and guide the sellers and buyers. It is very gratifying that customers recognise the dedication of the staff involved in helping them.”

Harrison Murray has been appointed as agents of a new homes/ apartment development close to Northampton town centre.

Located in Abington, the range of 34 contemporary properties to rent are aimed at key workers, giving those working in the public sector extra assistance in stepping onto the housing ladder. All the properties are available now under a 12 month tenancy and competitive rental, and customers currently have the choice of two locations – which they can see for themselves during an open day on Saturday, February 28.

The first is The Bank at Pytchley Street – which offers a mix of houses and apartments - while the nearby Talbot Road project is primarily made up of apartments. All boast fitted kitchens, and while they vary in styles and layouts, all offer the best in modern living and come complete with double-glazing and central heating. In addition, Harrison Murray anticipate marketing a further 30 apartments at The Print Works on Stimpson Avenue in the near future.

Harrison Murray branch manager at the Northampton town centre office, John Latimer, said: “After dealing with a similar local development last November, we envisage there being huge interest in these properties. The Abington Gardens development was fully let within three weeks, and we expect the first phase of apartments to be snapped up within a similar time frame. The popularity is sure to be high as the rental prices are so competitive in today’s market. This, along with the current economic climate, is sure to make these apartments attractive.”

John added: “One and two bedroom apartments in Abington have historically always been popular, so we advise everyone to come to the open day to avoid disappointment.”

The properties are located in Abington, one of Northampton's most sought after locations, with the surrounding properties are predominantly Victorian with a variety of smaller terraces and grand town houses.

Harrison Murray is marketing the new homes project on behalf of Pathmeads Octavia Hill. Property manager Verity Webb said: “We are really looking forward to working the team at Harrison Murray to release this great new product, and giving key workers in the Northampton community the opportunity to secure a high calibre home in such a tough economic climate.”

 

TWO statistics about the property market recently caught the headlines. Property portal, Rightmove, revealed that asking prices for properties on their website increased by 1.2 per cent in February, whilst Halifax announced that prices based on their mortgage approvals increased in January by 1.9 per cent.

Some might be tempted to latch on to these figures as the sign of a new trend, but they are such insignificant percentages that they don’t really amount to a germinating seed, let alone a green shoot of recovery. It is also very dangerous to rely on percentages when we don’t know the actual numbers involved. Mortgage lending is at such historically low volumes that the Halifax figures are probably based on relatively few transactions. It is also worth noting that 1.9 per cent on a £200,000 price is just £3,800 so don’t get too excited.

What is significant is that in some parts of the UK estate agents have seen a marked increase in buyer enquiries since the beginning of January. At the 18 offices of Harrison Murray, from St Albans up to Leicester and over to Cambridgeshire the activity has leapt up since the turn of the year, and I have no doubt that this will translate into more sales in the coming weeks.

I have been saying for two months now that the sentiment in the market is changing from the gloom of 2008 and everything points to this new trend continuing. There is a growing sense among home hunters that now is the time to jump in and buy. Although the lack of mortgage lending is strangling the volume of sales because many would-be buyers cannot afford to put down 25 per cent or 30 per cent deposits, there are very significant numbers of people able to finance the entire purchase.  Those who sold up a year or more ago, put the money in the bank and have been living in rented accommodation since are now out looking. First time buyers with a big deposit provided by their parents now see renting as more expensive than paying a mortgage. Cash-rich investors unable to get a decent return on their High Street savings or from the stock market are now acquiring property in the expectation of far better returns from rental yields and long-term capital growth.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that with all these buyers around property prices must be going up. Sorry, they are not.  A number of factors are holding prices in check. There’s a lot of property up for sale, some of it having been on the market for a long time, so there is a good choice for buyers. Secondly, these buyers are extremely well informed about values and are out to drive a hard bargain.  They do their research to see what similar homes have sold for, they trawl the property websites and estate agency offices, and they view lots and lots before making an offer.  And that offer will likely as not be 15 per cent or 20 per cent below the asking price – which owners will accept if they can get a similar amount off their ongoing purchase. Thirdly, the lack of mortgage lending reduces the overall number of buyers.  Lastly, there is the nagging concern about the state of the economy and the potential for more bad news and job losses which, taken together, sap some buyers’ confidence.

Barring unexpected and dramatically bad news leaping onto the newspaper front pages I believe we may near the end of the beginning of this particular property market cycle. Estate agency tipped into the downturn much earlier than the general economy – we felt the first effects of the crisis as long ago as September 2007 – and it is just possible that the industry is leading the economy onto the bumpy surface at the bottom of the recession, where it will remain for some time before those green shoots become a reality. It all points to a helpful increase in sales volumes but I cannot see prices doing anything other than continuing to moderate in the next six months. 

The good news is that if you need to sell and are prepared to be realistic and not greedy with your asking price the chances of getting a sale have considerably improved when compared to the last months of 2008.

With Spring just around the corner – estate agent, Harrison Murray is advising home-hunters to act now if they are looking to move in time for Easter.

As the housing market shows some early signs of improvement, Harrison Murray anticipate a flurry of activity in the lead up to the next wave of school and public holidays.

“Act now if you are seriously looking to sell your home and move in time for Easter – traditionally a busy time in the estate agency calendar,” said Harrison Murray commercial director Nick Salmon.

“Many people tend to have knee jerk approach to putting their property on the market – waiting until they see a For Sale board on a home they like, and then hoping to sell their own. “However, the danger is that the property may be snapped up by someone who doesn’t have anything to sell – and we are seeing more and more of that these days.”

Nick added: “A delay in putting your own home on the market could lead to the house of your dreams being sold to someone else. If you want an offer taken seriously, it is vital that you have a buyer for your own property – and that will only happen if you get it on the market.”

Harrison Murray’s 18 branches across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and the Home Counties offer a one-stop-shop to guide customers through the journey – from valuations and listing the property to progressing the sale, independent mortgage advice and conveyancing.