There's a dark side coming to the fore in estate agencies, overvaluing. While it’s nothing particularly new, the practice has now become rife and causes untold heartache and stress for sellers and results that can be seen in the percentage of properties that are being reduced a short time after listing. "Lets try a higher price for a short time, you never know!" "As long as we are there or thereabouts it won't matter!" "Lets try at the top of the suggested price bracket and if that doesn't work we can reduce it" "I know the offer is way below the asking price but we did say tha ..read more

Since May 2022 estate and letting agents have been required to provide “material information” when they’re listing a property for sale or rent.  These guidelines are designed to make sure agents provide the necessary details you need to make an informed decision. Let me explain...... The definition of material information According to The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs), material information is information an average consumer needs within the context of the product, service or, in the case of property, housing.  The scheme was brought about by th ..read more

Whether you’ve bought a house before or not, most people have heard the term ‘gazumping’ in one situation or another, but what is gazundering?  Gazundering is when a buyer unexpectedly lowers their offer just before contracts are due to be exchanged. This lesser-known but equally as frustrating term is highly criticised in the property world, however, you’ll be happy to hear this crafty tactic of trying to secure a cheaper price last-minute can potentially be avoided. Here’s how; WHAT IS IT? Picture the scene. You’ve accepted a buyer’s offer, determined the terms of sale and you’re ..read more

It’s a horrible situation to find yourself in. You want to move home, buy a new house and start afresh but the problem is, your house just isn’t interesting buyers.  There are countless reasons why this may be the case however, if you’re sitting there asking yourself ‘why isn’t my house selling?’ We've got some advice, guidance and potential answers for you. HAS YOUR HOME BEEN OVERVALUED? In the majority of cases, the reason a house won’t sell is down to its value. It’s probable that, if you’ve given the house a decent chance to sell, you need to consider reducing the asking price ..read more

​I'm often asked my thoughts on the market and below are some of the most popular questions..... WILL PRICES DROP OR RISE? It is famously difficult to predict house prices in anything but the short term but I’ll have a go anyway! We entered this year under a cloud of uncertainty as the fallout from the Autumn mini-Budget filtered through resulting in lower activity levels. There appears to be more calm and certainty heading into 2024, and the annual fall of 1.1% in asking prices highlights the market’s much-better-than-predicted resilience. With improved stability there are signs th ..read more

THE ANSWER IS MORE THAN YOU THINK SO READ CAREFULLY........ I'm writing this blog as I was appalled to realise that there is an agent signing people to sole selling rights without them really understanding the implications, I've come across this on numerous occasions with the same agency, hopefully this will give a better understanding...... An estate agent contract defines the terms between you as a vendor or landlord and the agent you are engaging to manage your sale or letting. But they can be complicated, especially if you’re new to selling or letting. Signing contracts is not something y ..read more

In the bustling estate agency market of Cornwall, one name that stands out among the rest is Homes Of Cornwall WEST. With a stellar reputation and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, Homes Of Cornwall WEST has garnered praise from numerous satisfied clients. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of Homes Of Cornwall WEST by exploring a selection of Google reviews, highlighting the experiences and accolades shared by their esteemed clientele. 1. "Outstanding Service and Expertise" - ★★★★★ A common theme among the reviews is the consistent praise for Homes Of Cornwall WEST ..read more

Call me an optimist but the latest news on the front line gives some hope for 2023. The frenzy of 2022 housing market has long gone and concerns about the cost-of-living crisis are undoubtedly having an effect, but the data shows a market that’s better than many expected. Housing market figures The latest figures are all compared with December so show the market returning after New Year, despite this, the stats are promising. Prospective buyers are up while the average number of viewings per property is also increased, in turn, the number of new for-sale listings is also rising – 80 per cent ..read more

Are you looking to buy your first home? Applications are now closed for the Help to Buy loan scheme in England but what other help is out there right now? We’ve taken a look at some of the other government schemes and legislation changes that aim to either help you to get on the ladder, or to buy your next home. WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH HELP TO BUY? The Help to Buy Equity Loan, set up to help first-time buyers purchase a home in England, has now closed to new applications. All homes being purchased via the scheme will need to have completed by the end of March next year. AND WHAT ABOUT HELP TO BU ..read more

Let’s be completely honest - as challenges go, estate agents are up against it trying to persuade reluctant vendors to take the plunge this autumn. Of course, there are always those people that have to move, but what are the incentives for discretionary sellers in the light of 10 per cent inflation, a cost-of-living crisis, mayhem in the city, mortgage rates rising, a European war and political uncertainty all around at home? Yet surprisingly, there really are some reasons why selling and buying right now makes sense. Firstly, not every potential buyer has a mortgage or needs one in future. G ..read more