Consumers expect house prices to rise
45% predict the average UK house price will rise in the next twelve months according to the latest Halifax Housing Market Confidence tracker. Only 12% felt prices were likely to decline. The survey revealed that the headline House Price Outlook balance (the difference between the proportion of people that expect house prices to rise rather than […]
New approach to qualifying approved
The Legal Services Board has approved a new route to becoming a chartered legal executive. Currently, to become a chartered legal executive (also known as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives – CILEx), applicants are judged on an outline they provide of their examinations and work experience, normally supported by a reference […]
Law Society of Scotland Sep Rep video
We reported in March that the Law Society of Scotland had voted on the issue of separate representation. Following discussion at their AGM on 22nd March, they voted in favour of introducing mandatory separate representation for borrower and lender. The Law Society of Scotland has published the video of that debate online. The video is […]
Valuations at post 2007 high
The total number of residential valuations conducted in March rose for the sixth consecutive month, taking them to a level not seen since March 2007. According to the latest Housing Market Activity Report by Connells Survey & Valuation valuations were up 24% from the same time last year. John Bagshaw, Corporate Services Director of Connells […]
House prices continue to increase
According to the latest LSL House Price Index over the last year prices have risen by an average of £6,700. The majority of this increase can be attributed to significant increases in London. If London was taken out the picture a more modest increase of £1,117 would be seen. Prices fell in only one of […]
Myhomemove announces conference line-up
Myhomemove, have announced the agenda for their conference to be held at the Heritage Motor Centre on 17th April. The event will include a line-up of guest speakers sharing cutting-edge industry knowledge, a gala dinner and a charity auction in aid of The Estate Agency Foundation. Confirmed speakers include; Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive at the […]
Majority of home owners think home valued correctly
70% of UK homeowners believe the current price of their property reflects its actual value. The Legal & General quarterly Mortgage Mood survey found that 5% of those surveyed believe their current house price is actually above what they might expect. These survey looks at the attitude of British homeowners and first-time buyers on a […]
79% hope to own house within 10 years
The Council for Mortgage Lenders have published the results of an extensive YouGov survey into attitudes to home ownership. The survey found that 79% of British adults would like to be home-owners in 10 years’ time. This is one of the lowest figures from the last 30 years and down significantly from a year ago […]
Making properties tradable – part 2
‘Anything can be made to work if you fiddle with it for long enough’ Now, where did we get to in the first part? Oh yes, we looked at some history, looked at the notion of caveat emptor and how it is out of date, and finished on the subject of MOTs. In this part […]
Transactions increase in March
According to the March RICS survey, both sales per surveyor and newly agreed sales have risen over the last month. Sales per surveyor rose by 3.4% on the month to 17.4, the highest level in three years. March saw an increase in new buyer enquiries following a subdued start to the year, although instructions remained […]
Survey reveals worrying lack of PII knowledge
As many as a quarter of all law firms making professional indemnity insurance (PII) applications do not know whether their insurance broker has full access to all insurers prepared to insure their firm. A Law Society-commissioned study found smaller firms in particular were found to be unaware of the extent to which individual brokers are […]
Blacks Connect launch free buyer protection
Blacks Connect have launched an insurance policy that will reimburse many of the costs of moving home if the purchase falls through. The service will be offered free of charge to customers. The announcement comes a week after The Source announced the launch of a fixed price buyer protection policy. The Blacks Connect buyer protection […]
Searches UK Welcomes a Dynamic new Team Member!
The exciting news is that Lisa Summerton has joined our team as Sales and Marketing Director. Lisa’s previous experience includes all sales and product functions within the property industry and implementing new initiatives into companies and the market place. Lisa has a strong track record in sales management and business development within the legal sector […]
Panels: Common mistakes that may cost you a spot
I am regularly contacted by firms asking advice about how to get back onto a lenders panel once they have been removed. Unfortunately by then the damage is done. Often I listen to the facts and think; well if I were a lender I wouldn’t want this firm on a panel I was running either. […]
Baroness Thatcher’s conveyancing legacy
Today many will remember different aspects of Margaret Thatcher’s politics. It seems appropriate for us to consider the impact that she had on the conveyancing profession. Whatever you think of her politics, Margaret Thatcher’s policies of home ownership and economic liberalism shaped the conveyancing market in which we all work today. Right from her early […]
SLC events coming up
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has announced a number of regional events which will cover a number of key issues impacting the profession. The half day road shows will commence on the 16th April in Leicester, with subsequent events taking place in Newport, Brentwood and York. The events will cover topics like; the importance […]
CLC consultation on standalone licences
The CLC has launched a consultation on the issue of standalone licences. Currently the CLC is only able to issue licences extending the scope of reserved legal services provided (such as probate or litigation services) to licensed conveyancers (authorised to provide conveyancing services). They believe this system does not fit with the reforms introduced by […]
Richard Pickles joins Conveyancing Data Services Ltd.
Conveyancing Data Services Ltd has announces the expansion of its sales team, with the addition of Richard Pickles as a National Sales Manager. Mr Pickles was previously the Sales Director at MDA/Transaction Online where he managed the development and launch of TransAction Online and also MDA Advantage. CDS said that he was exactly what they […]
Gaining a competitive edge: Free seminar
Oyez are offering a free seminar entitled “Gaining a Competitive Edge in a Changing Legal Marketplace.” The seminar takes place on the morning of the 23 or 30 April at The Tower Hotel, St Katherine’s Way, London, E1W 1LD. Attendees will be able to hear industry leaders discuss their thoughts on current issues including the […]
Land Registry Update: Registration of company charges
The Companies Act 2006 (Amendment of Part 25) Regulations 2013 came into force yesterday, the 6 April 2013. From this date charge information can be filed electronically with Companies House. The change will also affect the way you lodge an application to register a charge with Land Registry. Companies House will now; provide an electronic certificate […]