Regional Round-up
April 2019
High levels of employment and near-historic low-interest rates would normally be enough to guarantee a sunshine-market, characterised by rising property prices and business owners spending much of their time plotting expansion.
Instead we find ourselves in a period of massive and rapid change; politically, legislatively and operationally within the market.
As I write this article, industry colleagues have sent through pictures of closed offices, which is always sad to see. If anyone affected by this is in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or access the wide range of services and resources available through Propertymark.
Looking forward, I am convinced there is a bright future for our industry. Agents are well placed to harness new technologies and new ways of working. We also have unrivalled knowledge and experience of buying and selling, which can be used to help shape changes to the way that property transactions take place, which are long overdue.
In East Anglia, much of the economy is to do with tech, food production and exports, all of which are in a good state of health. The region has world-class educational establishments and, with a high percentage of the population in work, employment has stability.
With some encouragement, now is a good time for people to move home, by taking advantage of low fixed-rate mortgages which make ownership costs predictable through the short-term political turmoil.
With all of the above in mind I am delighted that Propertymark, through its workshops and conferences, is providing members with a wide range of training and advice, along with industry knowledge, innovative ideas and introduction to suppliers who can help you. It would be great to meet you at any of these events and hear from you about your ideas for Propertymark and our industry.
Ian Harris MNAEA, MARLA
NAEA Propertymark Regional Executive