Author: Benjamin

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Lee Cooke eXp UK has today announced one of its most notable hires to date, as Lee Cooke joins the business from Connells Group. Cooke, who served the brand for over 22 years, was recognised in 2023 for his outstanding contribution to the business, winning the Stephen Shipperley Estate Agent of the Year Award. He first joined the Connells as a branch manager from Your Move in late 2002, working at the Wolverhampton branch, before working his way up the ranks to senior local director. In his time at Connells, Cooke…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Adam Day UK estate agents facing heightened competition, with the estimated number of estate agency businesses having risen by almost a quarter since 2017. The latest research by eXp UK has revealed that the estimated number of estate agency businesses has increased by 24% since 2017, with this figure expected to keep climbing over the coming years. eXp UK analysed ONS data on the number of real estate agencies registered across the UK and how this level of competition has changed since 2017. The analysis shows that there were some…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: FCS Compliance will host the latest in its series of free anti-money laundering (AML) webinars aimed at property professionals today. ‘Protecting your reputation – How anti-money laundering legislation can win you clients – or lose them’ will aim to demonstrate not just the safeguards to your business by being AML compliant, but the tangible benefits as well. Hosted by Stephen Williamson, lead AM consultant of FCS Compliance’s property division, this hour-long webinar takes place at 11am. He said: “We all know that meeting AML obligations is essential. …

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Average mortgage rates on the overall two- and five-year fixed rates have continued to fall, albeit by smaller margins. The latest Moneyfacts UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report data reveals the overall average two- and five-year fixed rates dropped by 0.06% and 0.01% to 5.12% and 5.09% respectively. The overall choice of mortgages fell slightly alongside a drop in the average shelf-life of a mortgage. The average two- and five-year fixed rates were last lower in September 2022 (4.24%) and November 2024 (also 5.09%) respectively. At the start of June 2024, the…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: LRG has acquired Easthams & Co, an independent residential lettings and property lettings agency based in Preston, Lancashire. The estate agency was first established in 1984 by Sam Eastham, the father of the current owners, Matt and Ed Eastham. Its coverage extends across Preston, the Fylde Coast, South Ribble and beyond. The inclusion of Easthams in LRG’s ever-expanding portfolio of estate agency brands forms part of LRG’s strategy to expand into all corners of England and Wales. Matt and Ed Eastham will support the business during the transition, ensuring a…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The sale of new build houses just outside the village of Wretton, near Downham Market, has been put on hold by a court after the housebuilder behind the project failed to make a cash contribution towards local infrastructure and services. King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council obtained the order over the non-payment of £118,00 of Section 106 finance. It follows the construction of eight properties by EAM Developments, which has been approached for comment. The council said it had obtained an interim High Court order last month which was…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Rightmove is celebrating the work of estate agents, acknowledging their expertise, and showing how they play a pivotal role in the housing market, as part of their latest marketing campaign. The property portal has selected six agents recognised for going above and beyond for home-movers, chosen by a panel of judges to front its new ‘Game Changers’ marketing campaign, which seeks to emphasize how agents are crucial in helping people navigate the complex world of buying, selling, and renting properties. The campaign aims to brings to life real examples of…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The latest results from Knight Frank’s long-running Estate Staff Salary Survey suggest that rural estates are continuing to face recruitment and retention challenges, despite a decade of steady pay increases and near-universal annual reviews. Despite a decade of steady wage increases across rural roles and nearly universal annual pay reviews, 87% of estates say it is becoming harder to attract good staff, while almost 60% say retention is also becoming more difficult. “Employing the right people has never been more important,” said Alastair Paul, partner in Knight Frank’s rural consultancy.…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Tom Bill Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, says that anyone familiar with the prime London property market will have found the conclusions of a study last week into non dom tax reform unsurprising. One key finding by former Treasury economist Chris Walker was that the government relied on a flawed analysis of how many non doms would leave the country if the system was scrapped. The report also warned of a tax shortfall if enough non doms left the UK and underlined how new inheritance…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer The prime minister has announced that planning permissions will be sped up as the government rolls out a new AI tool which can scan hundreds of files in seconds. Speaking at London Tech Week, Sir Kier Starmer announced the launch of “Extract” – an AI assistant for planning officers and local councils, developed by government with support from Google. For the first time, this technology will help councils convert decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes – and will power new types…