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| Buyer numbers increase |
- We’ve seen 22% more sales in the first quarter of 2009 than in the same period last year.
- Despite buyers increasing in numbers, it’s clear that they’re still very cautious and price sensitive.
- As a result, we don’t expect an immediate rebound in prices.
- In Q1, our customer service centre (open ‘til 9pm weekdays and all day Saturday & Sunday) took over 4,000 buyer and seller enquiries.
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Peter Coles, Managing Director
pcoles@romans.co.uk
01344 753 104
romans.co.uk |
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| Glowing testimonial from Punch |
- "Romans Surveyors & Valuers have a passion for getting things right," comments Stephen Allen, Punch Taverns' Head of Facilities.
- "They are fair and open, their flexibility and attention to detail is terrific, and they have a great ability to cope with tight time schedules," he adds.
- We have worked with Punch on several very large scale projects over the last eight years, for example inspecting 7,000 premises for English licensing and recently inspecting 800 premises nationwide in a two month period.
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| Positive signs in lettings market |
- Q1 - we received more instructions to let property than in the same period last year.
- We saw an increase in the number of rental transactions completed.
- There are positive signs that rents are stabilising as supply starts to meet demand.
- We predict more investors returning to the market as a result of increasing yields.
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Peter Fuller, Lettings Director
pfuller@romans.co.uk
01344 753 155
romans.co.uk |
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| More expert witness reports |
- There are more enquiries for expert witness reports as this difficult economic period sees litigation cases increase.
- We’ve noted a threefold increase in residential valuation and survey enquiries in the South West.
- This strongly indicates that buyer interest is returning to the market.
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| Commissions for HP architects |
- After gaining planning approval for 246 homes in Carshalton, Sutton and Merton PCT have commissioned HP architects for two more applications.
- A scheme for 55 homes in Hastings was submitted in March, to be followed in early June by one for 44 homes in Mitcham.
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Nigel Rose, Principal Architect
nigel.rose@hp-architects.com
01344 753 209
hp-architects.com |
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| 87% sales success |
- With lowest ever interest rates, buyers are recognising that property at the right price is a good long-term investment.
- This is shown by our average sold success rate of 87% during Q1, beating the national average of 74%.
- Auction opportunities are appealing to both professional and private buyers, who can generate excellent yields from affordable stock.
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| More s106 renegotiations |
- With the credit crunch biting, site viability has become a real issue with clients.
- Lennon Planning is becoming more involved with renegotiating s106 agreements for clients who want to reduce or defer contributions.
- Negotiations have been tough but persistence with local authorities has shown they will be flexible.
- Residential developers are revisiting sites for development potential.
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Andrew Williams, Lennon Director
awilliams@lennonplanning.co.uk
0208 843 8212
lennonplanning.co.uk |
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| EPCs take off |
- We provide nationwide coverage.
- We've supplied Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for a variety of clients including Punch Taverns, Little Chef and Trust Inns.
- In the first quarter of 2009 we have undertaken over 190 inspections on commercial premises nationwide.
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| CIC sales advice from flower IFA |
- FSA research identifies a 'grey area' in client perceptions of advised sales for Critical Illness Cover.
- Key misunderstandings are with illness coverage.
- Report concludes that insurance distributors are failing to disclose necessary policy details - but advisers fare better.
- flower IFA only offer advised sales, so clients receive the best advice for their circumstances.
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Greg May, flower Director
gmay@flower-ifa.co.uk
01344 753 172
flowerifa.co.uk |
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| Visitor levels strong |
- We're seeing strong visitor levels – but buyers are still hesitating if prices are too high.
- More first time buyers are active, encouraged by developers' incentives.
- More developers are launching previously mothballed sites.
- Our early stage involvement helps ensure that the sites meet current market place demands.
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| Education expertise |
- HPBC have recently been instructed by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to carry out building control inspections on new facilities.
- We are already working for Imperial College, University of London, London Business School, University for the Creative Arts at their Epsom Campus, and Ely School in Cambridge.
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Rob Burrows, Director
rob.burrows@headprojects.com
0207 936 9322
hp-buildingcontrol.com |
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| Realistic valuations needed |
- It’s clear that at the moment buyers are leading the market – they are price savvy and they expect a bargain.
- The increased buyer activity needs to be matched by better availability of mortgages – the lifeblood of the property market.
- Valuations have to be realistic – lenders won’t grant mortgages unless a property is priced sensibly.
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