Author: Benjamin

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Island Escapes has been acquired by UK-based Sapphire Holidays. The Isle of Man holiday lettings agency, which manages more than 150 properties across the island, will continue to operate under its existing brand and with all staff retained. The company will remain based in Castletown. Family-owned Sapphire Holidays, a Cornwall-based group, manages more than 2,500 properties across the UK through brands including Classic Cottages, Aspects Holidays, Boutique Retreats and Unique Hideaways. Simon Tregoning, Sapphire’s chairman, told the press: “Our company was founded on professionalism and excellent service,…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Ivan Ralph Expanding Edinburgh estate agents and solicitors Ralph Sayer has moved to a larger headquarters in the city as it prepares to welcome a dozen new members of staff in the coming weeks. The firm has been growing rapidly since launching in October 2022, the new influx taking the head count to 42 with the business having started out with 15 personnel. Among the arrivals will be two highly experienced paralegals, a PA, an estate agent, a purchase negotiator, two trainee solicitors and four modern apprentices. The new office…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Welcome to the 21st UK Property Market Stats Show of 2025, your go to weekly ‘TV show’ on the UK property market. This week, I am joined by Toby Martin, as we delve into the key property market headlines for 21st week of 2025 ending on the 1st June 2025. Don’t forget that all numbers are down from the previous week’s (week 20) as it was late May Bank Holiday.   ✅ Listings (New Properties on the Market) 31.9k new listings this week (last week 41.3k) YTD 5% higher than Week…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The best bit of the steak wasn’t the steak. Don’t get me wrong, Flat Iron serves up a mean piece of meat. But what really stuck in my mind from a recent visit with my wife wasn’t what was on the plate. It was what came after the bill. Two silver tokens, placed on the table with a little flourish. “These are for free ice creams,” the server said. “You can use them whenever you like.” Reader, we did not wait. We practically sprinted. Despite the fact it was freezing.…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Street Group has launched a new feature designed to give agents greater control over their online bookings, whilst identifying further opportunities for revenue. The new customisable pre-viewing qualification tool allows agents to set their own questions and rules for applicants booking viewings online, helping them vet enquiries automatically, cut down on admin, and focus time on proceedable applicants. Integrated directly into Street’s online booking system, the feature makes it easy for agents to ask questions upfront and decide who can book a viewing straight away, and who should be reviewed…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Thinking about expanding your estate agency career by taken over an existing franchisee? You are not alone – many estate agents see franchising as a logical next step to running their own business – although it is not for everyone. Those of you potentially interested in joining an established estate agency franchise may be interested to learn that Winkworth is looking for a new owner to take over an existing territory in the south-east of England. A Winkworth spokesperson says: “The current franchisee is looking to retire from a Winkworth…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Nationwide has reduced mortgage rates by up to 0.12% across selected two-, three- and five-year fixed rate products with the new offers effective from today. Nationwide’s new lowest lending rate now stands at 3.9%, with reductions also made for those remortgaging to the Society. Rates for existing customers switching, which are not changing, already start from 3.84%. Those buying a property with at least a 40 per cent deposit will now be able to secure a two-year fixed rate at 3.9 per cent with a £1,499 fee. For those purchasing…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Amy Shields (Smart Compliance), Chris Buckler (TAUK), and Wendy Peterman (Petermans Estate Agents) join me and and this week’s co-host, Harry Truman (President of ARLA Propertymark and Group Lettings Director at Andrews).  In a freewheeling, high-energy discussion that veers from hen-dos to hang gliders, with some property insights thrown in for good measure, this raucous game show-style episode features banter, bold opinions, and some brilliant one-liners. From faux dissertations on feminism in Bond films to dating disasters on ski slopes, this episode is as wildly entertaining as it is unexpectedly revealing.    …

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a bank had a duty to investigate whether a woman was under the undue influence of her partner when she took out a mortgage that would be used in part to pay her partner’s debts. The case was brought by homeowner Catherine Waller-Edwards who, according to the ruling, started a relationship in 2011 with Nicholas Bishop, a property developer and builder. According to the ruling, she was emotionally vulnerable at the time. She was, however, also financially secure and owned her own home mortgage…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The Renters’ Rights Bill is now in report stage in the House of Lords, but almost half – 48% – of UK landlords have made no preparations, new research shows. Typically, small landlords are more likely to be unaware of the Renters’ Rights Bill and less likely to have made any preparations than professional landlords, according to flatshare site SpareRoom, which carried out the study. SpareRoom survey of 821 UK landlords in May 2025: Landlords Plan to leave the rental market Plan to reduce portfolio Plan to invest in holiday…