Although the government remain coy on precisely when the UK economy will be relieved from lockdown measures, many cabinet insiders have intimated that estate agents and the property sector will be amongst the first to Read More
Wednesday I was hopeful that a sale of an empty property I had would complete on Friday. One completion was better than none, and as the filing cabinet empties of those clients who could move Read More
By Simon Farthing, Commercial and Marketing Director, LexisNexis Enterprise Solutions The CLC may have challenged the industry to make conveyancing a fully electronic process by 2030, but COVID-19 has become the catalyst for digitalisation that no Read More
Tuesday I am so glad that I can go into my office every day; I unlock my front door and go into my office. It is quiet but I have always arrived early so am Read More
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced small business loans relief last night which could help many businesses in the property sector, including construction. Small businesses impacted by Covid-19 and social distancing measures are now able to Read More
The world of UK property has changed profoundly since the early year optimism and increased transaction volumes. Following this brief market buoyancy, the spread of Covid-19 and the consequent social distancing regulations have brought the Read More
With all of the new difficulties hindering property sales at the moment, it is encouraging to see that a recent online property auction achieved an 86% sold rate. Auction sales may represent a good way for Read More
Thomas Quirke, Managing Director of SearchFlow – the UK’s leading provider of conveyancing search solutions –responds to the UK House Price Index that has been released for February 2020: “While the UK House Price Index has Read More
Monday I had two successful completions on Friday – but they were interesting in that how I expected them to proceed was not how they happened. One couple were buying an empty property. The seller had Read More
Research could suggest that the property market has already hit its lowest levels in recent weeks. After six weeks of strain, could the market be transitioning into a steady upward trajectory? According to data from Read More
Boris Johnson was warned the public that the UK is at maximum risk of a second spike in Covid-19 if social distancing restrictions are relaxed too soon. In his first official speech as prime minister Read More
Friday I was quite excited about today – I had three completions, all purchases of empty properties. What a busy day! However, only two completed. The third proved to be difficult. The reason was somewhat unusual Read More
The conveyancing sector has been severely impacted by the government imposed lockdown and property market freeze at the end of March. Anecdotally, many firms have taken advantage of the government’s Job Retention Scheme by Read More
Thursday There are times when the reality of the times in which we live hit you hard. Today, that happened. I have a lovely client who is looking to move into an empty property and Read More
One of the UK’s building heavyweights, Taylor Wimpey PLC, is set to reopen its construction sites on a phased return in less than two weeks. The house builder has pledged to conform with all Read More
Firstly, and most importantly, we hope you are staying well and safe in these troubling times. We are all aware that the property market is still facing some serious challenges but it is encouraging to Read More
Wednesday Although conveyancing practices are still open, albeit on a reduced staffing level and with many working remotely, estate agents were one of the first businesses to be told by the Government to close their Read More
Lockdown has prompted more people to review their leasehold contracts with leaseholders increasingly researching their enfranchisement options. The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP), has reported a significant rise in homeowners reviewing their leasehold extension Read More
Tuesday So following on from yesterday, I was thinking about what will happen when the restricted movement restrictions are lifted. I have always marvelled (although that is probably not the word I want to use Read More
The Guild of Property Professionals has written a letter to the government urging them to include estate agents in the first wave of essential services to be released from lockdown. The letter stresses that lifting Read More