Monday, 21 December 2009
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Google Property Finder For Estate Agents
Google has yet to formally announce its intentions, but according to the BBC Britain is about to get a property service similar to the one Google is currently running in Australia and parts of the USA. Launching next year, Google will allow estate agents to list their properties in a layer on Google Maps complete with Street View pictures and detailed listings. Prospective buyers and renters can then browse properties from the comfort of their own homes.
Already happening in Manhattan, Miami Beach Florida and San Francisco Civic Centre (to view click here) where you can find houses currently on the market, search nearby for schools, restaurants and public transport, see the property in Street View to explore the neighborhood and find directions between the property and your favourite places.
Sarah Beeny of Channel 4’s property ladder said: “If it does what Google says it will, then it brings the buyer and seller closer together and that could mean removing blocks in the way, and that could mean no longer having to pay extortionate fees to estate agents.”
However, only Estate Agents are able to list their property for sale or rent on the site and properties are listed for free, with pictures taken from its Street View service and listing details on a map. And haven't prospective home buyers been able to view properties from the comfort of their own homes for years? Any good Estate agent will have an easy to negotiate web site with an up to date data base of property listings. In much sought after areas the use of Facebook and Twitter to alert prospective buyers of a new instruction brings the estate agent right at the forefront of new marketing technology.
So rather than viewing the new Google Property sites as a competitor, it seems likely that a good Estate Agent will embrace it, incorporating it into their marketing strategy, for the benefit of all.
Already happening in Manhattan, Miami Beach Florida and San Francisco Civic Centre (to view click here) where you can find houses currently on the market, search nearby for schools, restaurants and public transport, see the property in Street View to explore the neighborhood and find directions between the property and your favourite places.
Sarah Beeny of Channel 4’s property ladder said: “If it does what Google says it will, then it brings the buyer and seller closer together and that could mean removing blocks in the way, and that could mean no longer having to pay extortionate fees to estate agents.”
However, only Estate Agents are able to list their property for sale or rent on the site and properties are listed for free, with pictures taken from its Street View service and listing details on a map. And haven't prospective home buyers been able to view properties from the comfort of their own homes for years? Any good Estate agent will have an easy to negotiate web site with an up to date data base of property listings. In much sought after areas the use of Facebook and Twitter to alert prospective buyers of a new instruction brings the estate agent right at the forefront of new marketing technology.
So rather than viewing the new Google Property sites as a competitor, it seems likely that a good Estate Agent will embrace it, incorporating it into their marketing strategy, for the benefit of all.
Monday, 14 December 2009
Hampstead Lettings and Estate Agents: 2010 London Evening Standard New Homes Awards; Call for entries
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Electric Shuttle Bus For John Lewis Customers
An electric bus shuttle service for shoppers at a West End department store in London was unveiled this week. The service is designed to cut down on congestion in the city centre as thousands flock to the capital to do their Christmas shopping.
The sleek electric coaches, said to be worth around £150,000 each, have been finished to an exceptionally high standard and are described as being like an “executive jet” onboard. John Lewis will run a door-to-door service from its department store on Oxford Street to customers’ homes at a cost of £5 each way.
The scheme has been backed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, as it intends to help reduce congestion and CO2 emissions in central London by discouraging people from travelling into the busy shopping area using their own transport.
The electric bus service is being trialled on routes to affluent residential areas in London such as Primrose Hill, Holland Park and St John’s Wood. The reason for this is because John Lewis found that it was these kinds of customers who were most likely to use their own car to travel to the store, and it is hoped the electric shuttle bus service will offer a convenient alternative for these individuals.
Special electric power points have been installed outside of the John Lewis store so the electric buses can re-charge in between journeys. If the service proves a success, John Lewis hopes to have 20 of the luxurious electric buses in operation in London next year.
The sleek electric coaches, said to be worth around £150,000 each, have been finished to an exceptionally high standard and are described as being like an “executive jet” onboard. John Lewis will run a door-to-door service from its department store on Oxford Street to customers’ homes at a cost of £5 each way.
The scheme has been backed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, as it intends to help reduce congestion and CO2 emissions in central London by discouraging people from travelling into the busy shopping area using their own transport.
The electric bus service is being trialled on routes to affluent residential areas in London such as Primrose Hill, Holland Park and St John’s Wood. The reason for this is because John Lewis found that it was these kinds of customers who were most likely to use their own car to travel to the store, and it is hoped the electric shuttle bus service will offer a convenient alternative for these individuals.
Special electric power points have been installed outside of the John Lewis store so the electric buses can re-charge in between journeys. If the service proves a success, John Lewis hopes to have 20 of the luxurious electric buses in operation in London next year.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Friday, 30 October 2009
Mortgage Approvals Rise in September
The number of mortgage approvals in September rose to levels last seen in early 2008, the British Bankers Association (BBA) said today, in a further boost to the UK housing market.
The number of loans granted for house purchase rose to 42,088, a 76.8 per cent rise on the same month last year and a 3 per cent rise on August.
However, the number of loans approved for remortgaging dropped by 10 per cent, down from 23,506 last month to 21,282.
The BBA said that remortgaging was less likely in the current environment, where reverting to lenders’ standard variable rates was often seen as more attractive than alternative mortgage deals.
Times Business
The number of loans granted for house purchase rose to 42,088, a 76.8 per cent rise on the same month last year and a 3 per cent rise on August.
However, the number of loans approved for remortgaging dropped by 10 per cent, down from 23,506 last month to 21,282.
The BBA said that remortgaging was less likely in the current environment, where reverting to lenders’ standard variable rates was often seen as more attractive than alternative mortgage deals.
Times Business
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Primrose Hill Property For Sale, London NW3
Elsworthy Rise, Primrose Hill, NW3 Freehold: £1,250,000
3 Bedrooms
1 Reception Rooms
2 Bathrooms
Set behind electronic gates, a very attractive mews house with parking for two cars and a roof terrace set within this impressive development of only four houses. The well presented accommodation is set over three floors comprising on the ground floor a spacious fully fitted kitchen/dining room and reception room. The first floor comprises a master bedroom suite with dressing area and en-suite shower room, a further bedroom and bathroom and on the top floor a stunning reception room or third bedroom (with plumbing for en-suite)leading to a very pretty roof terrace with open views. Located in this very quiet setting within close proximity to Primrose Hill, Belsize Park and Swiss Cottage.In accordance of section 21 and the estate agency act of 1979, we declare there is a personal interest in the sale of this property. The property is owned by a relative of one of the partners.
Elsworthy Rise, Primrose Hill, NW3
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