Author: Benjamin

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Steve Lamb Spicerhaart has commissioned its own video app to help more buyers get a complete picture of their new home. Developed in the Ukraine, the video app for mobile phones empowers the estate agency group’s nationwide sales teams to film, edit, and upload professional-quality branded videos, including house tours, in minutes. Steve Lamb, chief information officer, said video house tours which can be viewed online were already an important part of the group’s sales offer. He explained: “Our high-quality photographs spark interest and drive enquiries – but video offers…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Connells Group has completed a double acquisition of The Property Store in East Kilbride and Campbell & Dean in Falkirk. Both businesses will rebrand into Connells Group’s Scottish brand, Slater Hogg & Howison, which already operates in Falkirk and East Kilbride, with new and existing colleagues joining forces to offer an elevated service and maintain trusted client relationships in each location. Campbell & Dean and The Property Store have strong local presence, and collectively add almost 900 properties to Connells Group’s significant lettings portfolio. Chris Rosindale, Connells…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: LSL, the parent company of Reeds Rains and Your Move, has issued a shareholder circular and notice of General Meeting as part of a proposed updated remuneration policy, designed to boost earnings for directors and senior executives at the company. Following the publication of LSL’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024, the board says it has been reviewing both the remuneration policy for executive directors and the broader remuneration approach to ensure it is effective. This comes just six weeks since the LSL announced it full year results to 31 December…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The Welsh government has committed to undertake a Welsh Housing Survey for 2026–27 in a move that has been broadly welcomed by the housing industry. In a statement, Jayne Bryant, cabinet escretary for housing and local government, said: “I am pleased to update Members of the Senedd that I have just approved a business case to undertake a Welsh Housing Survey in 2027-28 “The last survey – a national housing conditions survey, was delivered in 2017-18 and I know many stakeholders, including members of the Housing and Local Government Committee,…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The decision by National Trading Standards to withdraw Material Information guidance, designed and implemented to help support sales and letting agents meet their legal obligations under the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, has been deemed ‘regrettable and a backward step’. Initially introduced in late 2023, the guidance was introduced in phases to help bring standardisation within the sector and assist consumers in making more informed decisions by delivering unified base information regarding properties. However, all parts of the current Material Information guidance were withdrawn last week due to the new Digital…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Knight Frank has revised up its estimate for UK prices to 3.5% from 2.5% this year due to the improving rate landscape. The figures have also risen slightly over the following three years, taking the cumulative five-year total to 22.8% from 19.3%. November forecasts can be found here:   UK Greater London PCL POL Prime Country 2025 3.5% 3.0% 0.0% 3.0% 2.5% 2026 4.0% 3.0% 2.5% 3.5% 3.5% 2027 4.0% 3.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.5% 2028 4.5% 3.5% 5.5% 4.0% 4.0% 2029 5.0% 4.0% 6.0% 4.5% 4.0% 5 Year Cumulative 2025-2029…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Rightmove continues to see growth in membership numbers amid improving conditions in the UK property market, as listings hit a 10-year high on its portal. The company is still forecasting revenue growth between 8% and 10% this year compared with a year earlier, supported by growing membership numbers, as well as improving revenue per advertiser. Rightmove’s latest trading update, which covers the first four months of 2025, ending 30 April, shows a 5% year-on-year increase in new buyer demand. New property listings were up 9% compared with the same point…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Michael Antonio Michael Antonio has set-up his own estate agency in north London, powered by Keller Williams UK. The self-employed estate agent, who previously spent six years working at Knight Frank, will operate in and around Cuffley, Hadley Wood, Cocktosters and Brookmans Park. Antonio, who also briefly worked for Savills, said: “The key difference to competitors is that I have stepped away from the corporate agency and clients are instructing Michael Antonio directly, while getting the support of a global brokerage. “A client gets to instruct me, they get a…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Mortgage borrowing rates have continued their downward trend thank in part to the latest Bank of England rate cut. The average standard variable rate (SVR) has fallen further below 8% month-on-month and stands at 7.58%, down from 8.18% a year ago. Since May 2024, the average two-year fixed rate has fallen from 5.91% to 5.18% and the average five-year fixed rate has fallen from 5.48% to 5.10%; both are down month-on-month. These average rates were 5.32% and 5.18% respectively last month. On a 10-year fixed rate mortgage, the average rate…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: O’Riordan Bond in Northampton has continued to expand with the acquisition of Mike Neville Estate Agents in Rushden, which has long been part of the Beard Group, one of the largest independently owned property services providers in the region. Mike Neville, established in 1984, manages in excess of 400 properties and has 10 members of staff. The number of employees at O’Riordan has now doubled in just over a year, from 50 at the start of 2024 to 100 today. O’Riordan Bond currently has 13 offices, including five high-street branches…