Posts Tagged ‘Chartered Surveyors’

PROinspect leader Stuart Parrett is defining a series of business systems, seminars and self-help aids that would be a godsend for aspiring residential market Chartered Surveyors and Home Inspectors wanting to create their own business.

Do you aspire to your own home based or small business venture? What is stopping you? Need help?

01 – What if ………….

I believe all of this is attainable.

I believe this is the way any sensible professional should work.

I believe professionals have been downgraded and down-valued by corporate big businesses.

I believe another way exists.

I believe, with our help, YOU could turn your whole life around so you earn more and live more.

02 – How BIG is the potential residential marketplace?

03 – Where might YOU fit in?

05 – What help can we provide for YOU to make that break?

06 – What is around the next corner?

RICS Website report extracts taken in January 2010

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Well done Scotland!

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Chartered surveyors are the only professionals by law able to carry out the single survey, valuation and energy report in the Home Report. A recent survey of home owners/buyers concluded that Scottish buyers and sellers are, without a doubt, benefitting from the Home Report – says RICS Scotland as the scheme passes its 1st anniversary (in December, 09).

Most properties being put on the market for sale require a Home Report by law, commissioned by and paid for by the seller. New builds are one of the few types of property that do not require a Home Report.

The average cost of a Home Report for an average property in average condition is around £430 plus vat. This is much lower than the £1000 suggested in 2008 by groups that were against the Home Report before and at its inception.

There is no doubt the Home Report has benefitted buyers and sellers over the past 12 months. The Home Report offers clarity to buyers and sellers about what the property is worth and what condition it is in right from the start and that’s what the Home Report set out to do. The Home Report was not intended to miraculously fix the housing market but as our survey of chartered surveyors shows, it has certainly not hindered the market.”

Graeme Hartley, director of RICS Scotland

These figures make clear why it is so important to have a Home Report. This simple tool, which doesn’t cost a fortune, has given would-be buyers – about to take the biggest financial leap of their lives – the best possible information upfront. And it has brought in its gift a host of other benefits. Buyers can now keep hold of their savings for deposits, without having to shell out for surveys on properties they don’t get to buy. There is also a much more clarity about the value of a house, with the virtual end to the unrealistic ‘offers-over’. For sellers it’s proving a great way to attract inquiries from potential buyers and guide them on how to prepare the property for sale. In the round, its good news for everyone.”

Alex Neil, Housing and Communities Minister

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Arts & Antiques outshines all!

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The rebound in the arts and antiques market continues to gain momentum. RICS publishes the results for the UK Arts & Antiques Survey Q4 2009.

Prices in the arts and antiques market continue to rise with silver and jewellery leading the way, whilst contemporary art came back into favour following a year of price falls, says the latest survey from RICS.

The all lot price balance continued to edge up in the final quarter of 2009, with 17% more surveyors reporting rising rather than falling prices, up from 14% in the previous quarter; this was the highest since the first three months of the year.

Silver and jewellery remain the strongest sectors with 50% and 37% of surveyors reporting rising rather than falling prices in these categories respectively. These are traditionally seen as safe havens for investors, but their continuing strength can be attributed to the increased scrappage value of precious metals towards the end of the year.

Reversing four quarters of falling prices, the contemporary art market experienced a resurgence during the final three months of 2009. The balance of surveyors reporting rising rather than falling prices was 6%, the first positive reading since Q3 2008, and up from -34 the previous quarter.

In the oil and watercolour subsector, 5% more surveyors reported rising rather than falling prices with the top end of the market fairing particular well. For lots over £50,000, the top bracket, 17% more surveyors recorded rising rather than falling prices. In contrast the balance was only 9% for contemporary arts, indicating that traditional pieces remain more popular for large investors.

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House prices continue to rise albeit at a slower pace

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House prices are on the rise albeit from a level level and geography is important – not all areas are showing increases.

In December, 30% more Chartered Surveyors reported a rise than a fall in house prices down from 35% in November. A significant majority of surveyors are still recording price increases in London, the South East, the South West and East Anglia. However, more surveyors in the North and the West Midlands are seeing falls in house prices indicating that the recovery in the market is less entrenched in some parts of the country than others.

For the seventh consecutive month, more Chartered Surveyors are reporting that the number of new instructions is increasing rather than falling. 17% more Chartered Surveyors reported a rise than a fall in new instructions. Fresh demand for property is still outstripping new supply but the gap has narrowed. 20% more surveyors stated that enquiries from potential purchasers are rising rather than falling but enquiries rose at the slowest pace since January 2009.

Other demand indicators are also losing some momentum, although they remain in positive territory. The newly agreed sales balance slipped to 22 from 24 while the sales expectations net balance dropped to 6 from 20.

Transaction levels were little changed in December. The number of sales per surveying firm is still hovering around 19 for the fourth consecutive month while the closely watched sales to stock ratio – a measure of market slack and a lead indicator of future prices- fell back slightly.

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London office availability no longer rising

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The amount of office space available to tenants in London declined for the first time in two years as the London economy started to lead the country out of recession.

Demand for business property increased in the fourth quarter of 2009 with office space and industrial property proving particularly popular but demand for retail space continued to decline.

Fourteen percent more chartered surveyors reported a rise in tenant demand, up from 8% in the previous quarter. This is the second successive rise in tenant demand and the first time that there has been an upward trend since early 2007.

I have inserted this reference page as much confusion reigns in the marketplace about what is, and who does, a detailed house valuation or survey.

Need a detailed House Inspection Survey? A Structural Survey?

It is easy to lapse into jargon that not everybody can understand. Also some clients ask for the wrong survey option EG: Many clients ask for a Structural Survey (a Level 3 product) but in fact they mean something else.

What the client wants is a Building Survey (a Level 3 product), perhaps with a Market Valuation (a Level 1 inspection product): somebody has told them that they need a full Structural Survey and so that is what is requested.

The key is to know what drives the need for a survey. This is why PROinspect place such high emphasis on one-to-one talking to all clients. If we understand why you need a report and what that report is going to be used for then we can recommend the best and most relevant survey product.

Many years ago House Surveyors did basically three services – Valuations (level 1), Homebuyer Reports (level 2) and top-of-the-range Structural Surveys (level 3). This became very confusing because Structural Surveys were also being completed by Structural Engineers, Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Building Surveyors, various differing forms of Engineer etc….. Often each version of a Structural Survey was completely different and the Public were highly confused.

The main Controlling Bodies eventually came together and decided enough-was-enough with the result that nowadays these Professionals offer the following services (related to House selling/purchase):-

Structural Engineers – Forsenic diagnostic reports on structural movement including load-bearing calculations. Often described as “you know you have a problem, now let’s analysis it”.

Chartered Surveyors (PROinspect) – House Building Surveys (condition reports) on the very large majority of UK housing. Can include Market Valuations.

Chartered Building Surveyors – Usually highly detailed Building Surveys but in circumstances where exposure of foundations etc… may be required (or other “further investigations”). Can include repair costings but generally cannot provide Market Valuations.

Various differing forms of Engineer – Without wishing to be too elitist such persons usually offer only a diluted or partial service.

Home Inspectors – Most cannot or could not complete a Building Survey or Valuation. These complete Level 2 survey products alone.

Most UK Buyers, Owners and/or Sellers use Chartered Surveyors for survey requirements.

By the way, don’t get confused about qualifications: the professional heavyweights have FRICS after their name. AssocRICS and MRICS are valid qualifications also but these persons may have limited experience compared with FRICS members of the Royal Institution (RICS).

You can check Surveyor qualifications at this website RICS.

Don’t think that you get decent advice in a full Building Survey. A well crafted level 2 Survey Product will give you what you want to know about the presence of defects and the effect they have on property value; what a level 2 product may lack is some of the finer detail in terms of extensive explanatory comments. Don’t forget you can always call your PROinspect Surveyor if you want additional advice: we don’t charge extra for talking to you!

NEED ADVICE?

Try the SEARCH Box facility (below, left), click on an Article Heading (below, left) or simply read on….

• BUILDING SURVEYS with or without VALUATION advice
• HOME VALUATIONS by an RICS Registered Valuer
  
• HOMEBUYER REPORTS or SELLER SURVEYS
• AUCTION or QUICK-WALK-THROUGH Appraisals
  
• Update your BUILDING INSURANCE SUM INSURED
• Is DAMP REALLY DAMP or actually CONDENSATION as a result of your lifestyle?
• Is that CRACK the beginnings of SUBSIDENCE?
• Divorce or Negligence Court-Compliant EXPERT WITNESS Reports/Valuations.

Hello, I’m Stuart Parrett. I am a truly independent, knowledgeable and experienced Chartered Surveyor and housing specialist. I am in the PEOPLE and HOMES Business where Information Discovery is all important.

I survey homes for faults and worth/value but it is not what I do but HOW that separates PROinspect from competitor surveyors.

THE HOUSE DOCTOR IS IN:

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

SOMETHING of VALUE for you —-

1-  Do you have a SEPTIC TANK DRAINAGE system?

NEW Environmental Permitting Regulations cover even old septic tanks, which may previously have escaped regulation, but are now controlled and must be formally registered with the Environment Agency by 1^st January 2012. Failure to register is a criminal offense. Click this link PrivateDrainageChanges2012 for an Environment Agency Brochure that explains all.

2-  CONDENSATION SEASON IS UPON US – have you looked in the back of the wardrobe recently or in “that corner”?

Cold = drop in dew point = cold surfaces will attract condensate: Quick Fix – create airflows and reduce the amount of vapour in the air. Longer Term Fix = Raise the wall temperature by lining it with XXXX; properly kill off mould spores; introduce sensors that apply venting or temperature changes to the environment. Simple.

What often works is opening the window for as long as possible during and after sleeping/baths/showers/cooking (this removes water vapour that then cannot condense on your clothes and walls). You loose heat during this process and so you need to learn how to achieve these goals intelligently without icicles forming on your nose.

For more information on me, my CV etc… – click here and scroll down. Alternatively, look me in the eye by watching a short VIDEO – CLICK HERE. TheHouseSurveyor at YouTube will also deliver several important messages for those looking to purchase or those you wish to become Residential Surveyors and/or Valuers.

Those who have kindly provided testimonials for me say that I can be considered a safe pair of hands, somebody who is a real communicator and a provider of detailed and robust opinions.

Good reasons for using me in the central south coast area include that I take the time to listen to you and then help you make the right choice of survey product and have it completed at the right time. After this I genuinely communicate with you and don’t simply mail a report to you and that is it. No, I am always available for questions and meetings because you need to be re-assured your purchase is both a wise investment and you are not buying a problem.

I protect the biggest investment you’ll ever make in your life – your home – and I work with you every step of the way…..

I’ve brought together a lot of valuable information to help you organise property problems, alterations, private surveys and other services surrounding ownership, maintenance, sales, purchases and Expert Witness Reports.

CALL ME for a free chat and advice on 078 3636 3040 —

• THE GOLDEN RULES OF SELF-PROTECTION DURING HOME BUYING =

1. When your “offer” has been accepted make sure you already have a loan deal secured in principle
2. Make sure you DO NOT agree to a combined Loan Valuation and Private Survey
3. Actually speak to a Surveyor (PROinspect down south) – do not accept an Assistant or a Secretary
4. Find out your Survey Product options, fee costs and the manner in dealing with any special concerns you have
5. Do not fall for quick deals or “linked” services often packaged by costly middlemen Agencies.

STUART PARRETT

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Browse the site and when you’re ready to ask for advice give me a call or fill in the Form on the right. To get the best out of us you need to be briefed as to your options, survey costs and a lot more. As a starting point be as specific as you can as to what you need from us – use the CONTACT FORM (top right on your screen): EG: Detached house – perhaps 50 years old – £400,000 agreed – Building Survey with Valuation needed – being sold by XXX Estate Agents.

PROinspect are led by Stuart Parrett who has an unrivalled pedigree as a specialist Home Surveyor of over 35 years Hampshire experience.

If you wish to read even more of my views on a host of house and survey matters go to ezinearticles.com by clicking of the above icon. Or follow me at Twitter (@SurveyAuthority).