A popular device among novelists is to take the hero of the story down a tortuous road and then dribble misfortune after misfortune on his head, until the reader really begins to wonder “whatever next”? Over the last 20 years, it feels as if we have staggered from Dot-com-bomb, Russian debt … [Read more...]
Should I stay or should I go?
Market Comment, Autumn 2015 As I write this in October, it seems clear that the Indian summer of the last few weeks is finally over and, as the joyful colours of autumn spread across the countryside and six months after the election, it would seem like a good time to reflect on the prime country … [Read more...]
One of the most important parts of our job is understanding the psychology of the seller
Jonathan Harington’s ‘stiff-legged terrier’ syndrome My first boss said, ‘we are not agents we are nannies’ and forty years on I can safely say he was not far wrong. Understanding the psychology of both the seller and buyer is vital to make a deal happen and helps prevent what I have always called, … [Read more...]
Where do you find your properties?
Saul Empson, Director at Haringtons explains his property finding sources People often ask where we find our properties and, without wanting to sound evasive, the straight answer is anywhere and everywhere we can; towards the lower end of the market price-wise, a high proportion will be on the … [Read more...]
What ever happened to the property auctions at the top end of the market?
...and why we dislike ‘best and final offers’ In our view the best and most transparent form of sale is an auction. Everybody can see what is going on: the contract is exchanged so the buyer goes home knowing he has bought a property with no danger of a gazump. Sadly, however, modern day selling … [Read more...]
Protecting Our Client’s Privacy
Confidentiality is an essential art form when it comes to property. Says Jamie Freeman, Country House Buyer at Haringtons Keeping secrets has to be a stock in trade for a premium house buyer. Everybody values their privacy; you don’t have to be a celebrity to want to keep your personal … [Read more...]