Regional round-up
Looking back at the 2020 NAEA Propertymark National Conference which so many of you attended, ‘secure your own oxygen mask before helping others’ was the advice given by one of the keynote speakers Paul Mcgee, referring to training and development. Who could know how the year would turn out! Can I take this opportunity to thank all at Arbon House for their great work in keeping all the training and meetings running virtually, along with all the other support, lobbying, and liaison with Government, which has been so important in getting the housing market open and keeping it open and bringing about the Stamp Duty Holiday to stimulate activity.
“Thank you” also to those who complete the monthly Housing Market Survey – it recognised the pick-up in activity very early, reporting “demand for housing was seven per cent higher than recorded pre-lockdown”, from the data you submitted covering the period 13 to 31 May. If you don’t currently complete the survey – please consider doing so. It helps Propertymark create an even more accurate picture of the market “at the coal face” and gives you an opportunity to look at your data for yourself.
Land Registry Data for September is now out, reflecting the activity you generated post lockdown and it will surprise no-one to see prices on detached properties in the countryside rising by around 7 per cent, whilst flats/apartments in the fine cities and major towns, have dropped by 2 per cent or so, commensurate with people working from home and not being able to use hospitality and entertainment venues, temporarily removing many of the reasons people usually have when moving to a major city or town. Let's hope the vaccine helps us toward more normal times in 2021.
The Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) remains on the agenda and presents another massive opportunity for the professionally minded agent. Getting everyone up to Level 3 standard and PPDs up to Level 4 now will make a massive difference to every Propertymark agent when compared with the unaccredited and unqualified competition in your location. It will also help you to be RoPA ready, while the competition is distracted trying to get qualified close to the deadline when it comes.