Stamp Duty

Finally those that can did!  It has always seemed to me that if changes were to be made in the stamp duty area then to specifically target first time buyers would be a sensible thing to look at. 

Great news at last, however with the mortage market seemingly having ceased up again taking a step back to the locked door attitude finding any reason not to lend, even to the brightest of clients. This doesnt seem much of a give away to me - until the lending attitudes ease a little.  I am not for one minute expecting the open doors and lax attitude of the past however sealing up the exits and withdrawing all to the vaults is going to stall the whole economic recovery.

Sensible attitudes, heavy handed goverment encouragement and money to lend is key to this measure helping anybody.

This is a good step in reviewing the Stamp Duty thresholds and how they work - perhaps the next government will be able to grasp the unfairness of the system and make it work more effectively and fairly.

We can but dream!

Tracey Khalil

Foundations turning For Sale into Sold - watch this space!

Doors

Have you ever noticed doors.  There are so many styles but my favourites are in the side streets of Cromer.  Such grand entrances to such small houses and cottages?

SPRING

Dare we believe that spring has arrived.  Blue skies, sunshine and the early signs of soon to be golden verges of daffodills.  Dare we hold our breath and think at last this long and horrible winter is behind us, a distant memory in the hope that we have a long bright spring leading into the hottest summer on record.

Hope is eternal! 

As far as business is concerned, there are people looking and a trickle of valuations coming through on a daily basis, there are deals to be done it just sometimes takes a little thinking out of the box to bring them together.  Thats why I like being my own estate agent, I dont have to reach silly targets, or stick to random and unnecessary company rules, or have so much on my registers that my clients are but a photo, price tag and file in a drawer. 

Personal knowledge of each property, a good background of information and knowing the needs of the vendor and tying it to a buyer is so much easier for us than the large chains and groups.

I love this business - it is so much nicer when the sun is shining!

WANTED - THIS ESTATE AGENT NEED YOU!

This estate agent needs you on reviewing my mailing list and anaylising its needs there are definite gaps in the stock.

Its very interesting to look at these things from time to time and even more interesting to see how the purchaser trends are changing.

Its very much a small holiday home market 100,000 to 150,000 flats or cottages close to coast and facilities or 2/3 bedroom bungalows up to 180,000 to 200,000 - if this is what you are selling the buyers are around in good numbers.  Most of whom can go ahead.

What is surprising is that this doesnt really change in wanted requirments just the price range according to the market at the time. 

I think therefore I should concentrate on bungalows and little flats and specialise in a small proportion of the market, however of course that cant happen in a small town and I would be terribly bored if i didnt get to see lots of lovely property outside this range. 

So in reality this exercise only told me what I already knew and instead of being bogged down in anyalising I should just get out and leaflet drop!

Tracey

stop, look, listen

Good advice, crossing Cromer Church Street is like waiting for paint to dry, its very cold out there and not a single car wanted to let me cross. Obviously i,m either not young and glamourous or anceint enough to merit the consideration.  Finally, crossing and reaching my destination for a 2 minute visit I have to retrace my steps and do it all again. Back in the office, cold, grumpy and feeling the need to moan!

BLUE SKIES AND HAPPY DAYS

Well the sky is blue again, the offspring are in their designated educational institutions, husband is enjoying the wide open spaces of the British Roads in a trip to Heathrow and I'm in the office.

Full crew this morning, Steve is obviously keen to keep himself busy having already spring cleaned the office this morning, dusted off the hoover and re-arranged the furniture.  Must find him some landlonds as if you are accustomed to my office you will know that neat freak is not the normal state of mind.  Bev is clicking away on the keyboard with annoying speed and regularity, its like a tune being played lovingly and adeptly - her challenge today, find mortage lender who wants to lend and a client who can actually borrow, willing to pay the extortinate fees and has a whooping great deposit!

Me I'm off to rephotograph all those properties with a big blue Norfolk sky in the background, a drive by valuation, and order new boards.  Remail Forresters, its been reduced from £275,000 to £250,000 its such a lovely rural cottage with a real 'Good Life Feeling about it'. 

CROMER PROPERTY NEWS

Another spring day and here we are wishing for more blue skies and dry days to help sell those properties.

Check out the New house on the market - great village cottage, unusual and well maintained. Good location for the coast, Cromer, Holt and Sheringham. Lovely village school. Viewing recommended. href="http://www.foundationsestateagents.co.uk/si.cmsx?itemID=1355&propertyID=905237&searchType=map">