Spot the Muppet!

I am late writing my weekly blog which means I have been busy. I am not the only one who has been busy, the Government in their wisdom have decided to repeal the property Misdescriptions Act and replace it with some legislation which allows Intermediary Agents only not to comply with Estate Agents legislation and therefore not be responsible for the statements they make about the properties they offer. The idea is supposed to be greater competition in the market place and lower cost to the consumer but the reality is the government have just legalised conning people. How will customers know if they are dealing with someone who has to tell the truth about what they are selling or someone who can make anything up and lie without consequence or recourse. The Property Ombudsman has today reported that buying a house could become like buying a second hand car from a dodgy second hand car dealer! If the Ombudsman is not happy surely the Government must see they have made a massive mistake. But hey, they also think abolishing the need for planning permission will help the economy and the property market.

As you can see there are a few things going on that are annoying me and will hinder our recovery from recession not aid it. The man behind the changes is Vince Cable and all I can say is what a Muppet! Although I think he has proved that on other occasions previously.

In Bradleys we had a decent sales week last week with a few more buyers showing their faces and despite the very best attempts of our Government to ruin our industry I very much hope the current momentum continues for the rest of September and on into the Autumn.

You haven't heard much about my house build recently so the update is we are getting close to moving in which is considerably different to getting close to finished but I am very pleased with how it is turning out and Will be painting over the weekend.

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group

Good Service Counts

Firstly apologies about the lack of blogging over the last few weeks, I’ll try to keep up the weekly blog whilst juggling Ante-natal classes and midwife appointments, but more on that later.

 

I have always been a big believer in providing an excellent customer service, no matter  where I have been employed over the years, and I’m pleased to report that the company MD has signed Bradleys up to a website called All Agents. This is a trip advisor for Estate Agents if you like, where you can leave your reviews, both good and bad, for all to see. Have a look for yourselves and check out some of the reviews for the Brixham Office www.allagents.co.uk/bradleys-estate-agents/.

I’m pleased to report that the market in Brixham seems to have returned to some of its seasonal normality after the hectic sporting summer that we have just experienced with a good number of sales booked in September. It is shaping up to be one of, if not, the best sales month the office has ever had, something I put down to good customer service.

Elsewhere my wife Jodie has entered her third trimester and we are now both experiencing Ante-natal classes for the first time – which have been a bit of an eye opener to say the least! But I’m sure we’ll learn a few handy tips for when the day arrives.

Chris Mitchell

Manager

Homes are for nesting, not investing...

The summer of Sport is drawing to a close and we wonder about the the winter ahead and the prospects for all businesses not just our own. I read over the weekend that the lack of confidence of buyers has been a self-propelled prophesy which is something I have believed for a long time. Buyers need to get on with their lives, mortgages are available at very reasonable costs and it is no good wondering if the market will fall 1% or rise 2% in the next year. One famous analyst once quoted 'homes are for nesting, not investing' and that is still the case today, so if you want to buy your first home or move up or down, just do it, because if everybody just did it then there would be no problem!

Last week was the Monthly Board Meeting, this week we have Area Managers Meetings to pass on the decisions and direction from the Board. I look forward to the Area Meetings as it gives me the chance to catch up with everybody very quickly. I have a meeting with a company who want to give Bradleys some alternative conveyancing options on Wednesday and that will be interesting I am sure.

Finally more flooring was laid over the weekend so I am having trouble walking today but not too long to go now.

 

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group

One month closer to Christmas!

And another month passes. We didn't sell as many houses as we would have liked but then we exchanged contracts on more than we thought we would, so its swings and roundabouts again in the market. There is a popular feeling among the Bradleys Managers that things are going to get a bit busier in September. I haven't got a clue what that is based on but do hope they are right as it would be really nice to have a few better sales weeks! My feeling is that we have seen a larger slow up than normal through this summer with all the various goings on and distractions and I think we generally do experience an uplift in Sales from the middle of September through to the end of October. Hopefully this year will have a bit bigger uplift to make up for the slightly larger than average slow up!

I spent the whole week in Head Office last week which was excellent for catching up with everybody and everything. This week will be dominated by the September Board Meeting where we will tweak our plans for the end of the year to ensure we are all doing as well as we can be. Today I am in Head Office with the end of month figures and they will look quite reasonable when complete as good exchanges always help.

I am very pleased to see us continue to climb the Allagents rankings which is the public's ranking system for the effectiveness of estate agents. Bradleys are now independently ranked as the 17th best agent in the country and with our continued good service to our customers I very much hope to see us continue to climb those rankings. If you are a customer of Bradleys and reading this please go onto Allagents and see what has been written about us. If you then feel inclined then give us a review of your own, it would be much appreciated.

Not much to report on the house build this week, just a bit of painting and then a friends sons christening on Sunday which resulted in a good celebration afterwards!

 

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group