Robinson Jackson News

Buyer demand soars

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:46:14 +0000

New buyers registering with Robinson Jackson are up a massive 20% compared to this time last year. This is fantastic news for anyone considering selling their property. There has been a rise in young families looking to move into the area, where property is good value-for-money compared to central London prices.

Very encouragingly, a growing number of first-time buyers are also active. In fact, Dartford was named the 2^nd most popular first-time buyer hot spot in a recent report by Experian. Impressed by this, BBC Kent actually interviewed Dartford’s Branch Manager Robert Browning to find out more – click to hear his live interview.

John Browning, Senior Partner at Dartford says that demand has been growing for some time: “In some cases our branches are reporting five to ten families chasing a particular property and even rumours of ‘sealed bids’. If you have been thinking about selling for a while but are not sure if the market is active or not, our experience suggests it is! Sellers are benefiting from a constant stream of viewings and many find offers are being put forward within a week.”

Sellers should also be encouraged by news that first-time buyers are back, as they are the lifeblood of the property market. They keep chains moving and allow people to trade up to bigger houses. The Experian research revealed that several of Robinson Jackson’s areas are first-time buyer hot spots. Dartford was the second best place, followed by Bexleyheath (9), Orpington (58) and Woolwich (86), which is amazing when you think there are approximately 2,000 towns in the UK.

John continues: “We have been championing our neighbourhoods as first-time buyer havens for many months and it is great to see some authentic statistics backing up our claims.” If you’re thinking of selling and would like to know about the registered buyers looking for a property like yours, contact your local branch.

Robinson Jackson sells more homes than the average agent

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:38:06 +0000

During the first quarter of 2012 almost every one of our branches across the Robinson Jackson Group sold more homes than the national average. In fact, over half of our branches sold twice as many homes as the average, and in some cases, three times as many. On another positive note, property sales for the first quarter were up 13% when compared to the same period of last year, which is great news for local residents looking to move. Our news comes off the back of the National Association of Estate Agents’ (NAEA) February 2012 report, which found the number of sales made per month by the average estate agents is seven.

Alan Robinson, co-founder of Robinson Jackson, is delighted that the company’s figures surpass the average cited by the NAEA: “This news sends two clear messages to anyone thinking of selling their property. Firstly, this shows there is a buoyant market out there, with serious buyers looking to move home. Every month we are seeing an increase in buyers registering with our branches. Secondly, the fact that we’re selling two and even three times more property than the national average shows how committed we are to helping people realise their property aspirations. Robinson Jackson is a trusted name in South East London and Kent, and now our figures show just why 6,000 happy movers use us every year.”

Alan continues, “We take great pride in hiring and training the very best staff and this does not go unnoticed. From the senior partners right down to the administrators, everyone within the Robinson Jackson Group strives to help each buyer, seller, landlord and tenant that comes to us. Sheer grit and determination delivers these amazing figures. You only have to watch our testimonials to find out just how much our staff are appreciated.”

Momentum building this Spring

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:32:08 +0000

Spring traditionally sees a peak in the property market and this year is no exception. Momentum is gathering and already we’re selling more homes than we did last year – in fact we sold 10% more homes during the first 3 months of 2012 than we did in the same period of 2011. Demand is continually strong, with growing ‘hot lists’ of buyers at every one of our 30 branches and departments. Clients who have tried to sell their home in previous months (and even years) are now suddenly being overwhelmed with viewings and offers within a week of coming on to the market with us.

Choosing a good estate agent is imperative in order to capitalise on this busy Spring period. Look out for a professionally accredited agent with a longstanding reputation and presence in your local area – points on which we pride ourselves on. In addition, our dedicated marketing department makes sure every property stands head and shoulders above others, and our skilled staff and local expertise allows us to price your property attractively to secure serious viewings and offers.

You should be busy this Spring making sure your property is presented to the highest standard possible. First impressions count, so don’t disappoint any buyers your agent has worked hard to secure. Read our tips for selling your home here. In addition, The National Association of Estate Agents has released some excellent advice on how to attract as many purchasers to your property as possible. We agree that sensible and attractive pricing is the best selling strategy but you might like to consider the following:-

1. Street appeal – concentrate on how the exterior of your property looks, including your front door, driveway and facade.
2. Take a buyer’s perspective – try and be as critical and impartial as possible. Place as much unnecessary personal items and clutter into storage as possible.
3. Neutral decor & plenty of natural light - repaint key rooms to freshen the look, clean your windows and take down nets to let natural light flood in.
4. Repair & revitalise - do those small DIY jobs – replace broken tiles, repaint grubby walls, change blown light bulbs and remove mouldy grouting.

Budget 2012: Our comment

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:29:56 +0000

Reflecting on the Budget announcement this March, Alan Robinson, co-founder of the Robinson Jackson Group, says the Chancellor missed an opportunity to help ordinary people realise their home moving dreams. Failure to extend or improve the stamp-duty holiday for first-time buyers and no encouragement for lenders to make mortgages with smaller deposits available has left the masses feeling overlooked. Alan Robinson, comments: “I find it particularly galling that so little of the Budget statement relates to helping ordinary people buy a decent home, especially those who are trying to take their first step on the property ladder.

Our staff are working exceptionally hard helping buyers and sellers - we’re taking on more properties and selling more homes due to our sheer determination and innovative marketing but more decisive help from the Chancellor could allow us to help even more people in South East London and Kent.

George Osborne could have inspired a whole generation towards home ownership - that whole raft of young people resigned to a life in rented accommodation. We would have liked stamp duty removed on all properties under £200,000 regardless of the purchasers’ situation - helping those looking to move up the housing ladder, as well as first-time buyers. And a firm directive to banks to make more 90% and 95% mortgages available would really have helped the financial market.

The Budget has left most people better or worse off by a couple of hundred pounds at most - small fry in the grand scheme of things - and most of the Chancellor’s measures cancel each other out. This is a missed opportunity to really help the masses who are looking to own their first property or make the next step up the property ladder.

Strong property market emerging

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:00:09 +0000

Positive property news continues, with reports of a strong market and good financial conditions flooding national newspapers. Michael Utchanah, one of the Senior Partners within the Robinson Jackson Group, comments that the agency’s own figures point to a resurgence in buyer confidence:

“We’ve just had our sales figures in for the first two months of 2012 and the initial signs are very encouraging. There’s been a year-on-year rise in transactions – with an average of 25% more homes in London and Kent being sold across the Robinson Jackson Group when compared to last year.”

Mortgage lending was up 10% in January 2012 when compared to the same month last year and first-time buyers made up a quarter of property buyers in January 2012, report the National Association of Estate Agents. Adding to the optimism are both Rightmove and the Council of Mortgage Lenders, who both say there are signs of underlying improvement in the property market.

“It’s also great to welcome first-time buyers back to the market as buyers at the lower end normally have a positive knock-on effect throughout the property ladder,” says Michael. For more information contact one of our local branches.

Improving conditions for first-time buyers

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:21:50 +0000

Research from two different sources has shown that confidence among first-time buyers is increasing. The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) reported an increase in loans to first-time buyers towards the end of 2011.

There were 18,700 home loans for first-time buyers in December 2011, up 7% on figures from November 2011. The annual trend is also positive, with 14% more first-time-buyer mortgages in December 2011 than in 2010.

Elsewhere new figures from mortgage monitor e.surv showed that loans to borrowers with a deposit of less than 15% rose from 7% of the total in January 2011 to 13% in January 2012. If you’re looking to buy your first home and need mortgage advice, contact your local Robinson Jackson branch to make an appointment with its in-house mortgage advisors.

Buy-to-let booming

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:28:11 +0000

We are currently experiencing the best buy-to-let conditions for years. The favourable conditions are being powered by a growing number of new tenants, better buy-to-let mortgage availability and lower rates of interest on buy-to-let mortgages.

Finance website moneyfacts.co.uk reports there are 100 more buy-to-let mortgage deals available now than 12 months ago, and rates of interest on buy-to-let mortgages are down from 5% this time last year to 4.79%*, making the prospect of becoming a property investor more attractive.

Yields are also attractive. London and the South East are the best performing areas, with yields topping 10% in Greenwich and returns are the best nationwide since 2003ˣ.

Peter Jackson, founding partner at the estate agency, comments: “Every single one of our letting centres and departments has a growing list of qualified tenants looking for all sorts of property to rent. Our in-branch mortgage advisors have access to the best buy-to-let mortgage deals and our letting teams offer a full management service - from collating references to rent collection. Prospective landlords can read our landlord section for more details, and anyone with a property ready to let can contact us directly.

ˣ Source: findaproperty.com

Going for Gold in the Olympic Year

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:30:00 +0000

If you are thinking of moving or investing in a buy-to-let property in 2012, then you are making the right decision. 2012 is a very special year, with the prospect of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics setting an optimistic tone for the next 12 months.

Some may enter this year full of caution but there’s every reason to be enthusiastic, says estate agency Robinson Jackson, which has 30 branches and departments in London and Kent. They’re a company who had a fantastic 2011 and have started 2012 with a bang, brimming with enthusiasm that will help their thousands of clients who depend on their service every day.

So while some lick their wounds having suffered an average year in 2011, Robinson Jackson is optimistic. Co-founder Alan Robinson comments: “When we look back at 2011, with so much reported on the state of the economy, our sales figures bucked the national trend showing more success in 2011 than in 2010. This can only offer us and our client’s confidence for 2012. The stable market in London and Kent versus the national picture has certainly helped but the determination shown by our sales teams have been the over-riding factor in our success.”

“15 properties sold or let every working day by the Robinson Jackson Group cannot be ignored,” Robinson continues. “Our branches are reporting double the number of sales per month than the national average as stated by the National Association of Estate Agents. Professional experienced staff working closely with our clients was the successful formula behind every ‘Sold’ and ‘Let’ board we were able to put up in 2011.”

“We’re finding local residents are very resilient, and are not put off by doom and gloom headlines. There is an understanding that ‘bricks and mortar’ remain a sound investment in the long term - we’re reinforcing the message that people need to make the most of the market and their personal circumstances. Many of our clients have actually found the market has worked in their favour; being able to trade up to affordable larger properties using mortgages that are at an 8 year low. Even first-time buyers are benefiting from low deposit, 95% mortgages” says Alan.

Early indications suggest that 2012 could be a winning year. Peter Jackson, co-founder, observes: “It is early days but buyers are already making very positive steps to purchasing early in 2012 – possibly in an effort to be settled by the summer, ready for the Olympics. In fact while most agents’ offices were closed over the festive Bank Holiday, our offices were open till late and receiving offers - one property sold in the first 20 minutes of the New Year!”

“The current atmosphere in all our local branches is brilliant – there’s an infectious enthusiasm amongst staff. No doubt there will be pessimists who drain the energy from the property market but we won’t let that effect our clients’ aspirations. You can trust us to be defiant and work harder and longer, as we have always done. Slowly easing into a New Year has never been Robinson Jackson’s style; it certainly doesn’t help sell property for our clients.

We want to continue offering the very best level of service so we’re investing heavily in our staff, the branches and our resources. We believe this improvement to our services will have more buyers and tenants coming to Robinson Jackson and viewing the properties we market than anyone else – certainly across London and Kent.

In a market where every seller wants to attract the buyers’ attention, our presence in places such as the local press and Rightmove will be stronger than ever - we are focused on making our clients’ properties stand out from the crowd. We’re going to be more innovative when marketing our clients’ properties to deliver added value where we can.” Jackson concludes.
For more information about the services offered by Robinson Jackson contact one of their branches, they are available 8pm, 7 days a week.

Top tips for Winter viewings

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:01:07 +0000

The National Association of Estate Agents recently issued its guide to selling a property in winter. Here are some of their top tips, as well as our own useful advice. For more information contact your local branch.

Keep your house warm – not only does it make viewers feel comfortable, it also displays that your heating system works.
Check your outside lights – make sure any porch and exterior lights work for visibility and security reasons. Also turn on garden lights so viewers can see your outside space in the dark without having to go outside.
Think about running an open house day – some viewers won’t want to visit after dark in the cold, so an all-day event allows them make a viewing during the warmer daylight hours.
Offer a warm drink – this will put viewers at ease and break the ice with them, especially if you’re conducting the viewing yourself.
De-ice and grit – if the temperature drops make sure you keep paths free of ice and snow so people can walk easily to your door safely.
Light any gas, coal or wood-burning fires – they really do create an inviting environment.

Mortgages most affordable for 14 years

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:42:16 +0000

Mortgages as a percentage of disposable income are at their lowest level since 1997, claims new research from the Halifax. In the fourth quarter of 2011, typical mortgage payments stood at 27% of disposable earnings. Mortgage payments have in fact halved since the third quarter of 2007.
Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, commented: "The prospect of an exceptionally low Bank of England base rate over the foreseeable future should maintain affordability at favourable levels in 2012. This should support the market over the coming 12 months." To find out about how much repayments would be on a property you wish to buy, contact our in-branch independent mortgage advisors.