News & Legal Updates

I don’t usually use this blog to promote my firm’s initiatives, however, I am particularly excited about the launch of our new web-based client interaction area.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, I’m confident that technology will play an increasingly important role in the marketing of a property, and the data that can be … Continue reading "Technology, technology, technology"

Is the property market as seasonal as it once was?  My answer to that question is ‘no’ – it has been much flatter and steadier during the past 12 months.  However, there are still some key points in the year which may be of interest to you. At the end of January/beginning of February there … Continue reading "A seasonal property market?"

I watched with interest the BBC Panorama investigation in respect of private Will writing companies which has also lead a Scottish Government Minister to call for protection throughout the whole of the UK.  The Scottish Government is legislating to offer greater protection to the consumer in respect of Wills which will come into effect next year.  … Continue reading "Where there’s a Will, there’s a way – Part 2"

Following a recent discussion with a client who was selling his property,  I was reminded of how much technical information and data is available to selling agents and how useful this can be when planning a marketing campaign for a property. The client’s property had been on the market for some time but had generated little interest.  I had a meeting with our Estate Agent who was … Continue reading "Using technology to sell your property"

One of the questions that I am frequently asked is how much prices have gone up or gone down in the last couple of years. My trite response is “how long is a piece of string?”. Each property needs to be dealt with on its own merits and that’s where getting proper advice comes in. … Continue reading "House Prices: How long is a piece of string?"

The previous post on the future of estate agency has caused a few people to ask me what I would recommend that they look for when choosing an estate agent.  The first thing I would stress is that cheapest is not always best.  Make sure that you get a written estimate of fees and outlays … Continue reading "The future of estate agency: part 2"

A frequent frustration of mine is the lack of advice given to buyers and sellers in the property market. I regularly hear that we are in a difficult or bad market and I am concerned that because of a lack of advice not all opportunities are being fully explored and investigated. To combat this Blackadders has … Continue reading "There is no such thing as a ‘bad market’ – only a ‘different market’"

I deal with property transactions throughout Scotland and I’m always interested to see the differing approaches by agents in terms of receiving offers.   This approach differs from area to area, agent to agent and the most marked difference is between the solicitor estate agents that I deal with and independent estate agents.  Whilst the purpose … Continue reading "The future of estate agency"

I have been asked a few times over the last couple of weeks about when Home Reports in Scotland are being abolished.  As you may be aware the Coalition Government have now abolished HIPs in England and Wales.   This does not affect Scotland. My information is that the Scottish Government is still very much committed … Continue reading "Home Reports: An update"

Readers will know that a theme of previous blogs has been the problems faced by first time buyers.  I was very interested to read the annual Shelter Affordability Index which shows that despite the impact of the recession on house prices and historically low interest rates, becoming a home owner in Scotland is 75% harder … Continue reading "First time buyer pain"