property surveys, property management, building design, moving house, project managment

21 Ways to Excel at Project Management - Free Practical Guide

2010-03-22T08:36:00.000Z

Project management is a skill that must be
learned and refined like any other. It takes
time and experience to become a good project manager, longer to become a great project
manager.

This free guide provides 21 practical tips to
help you become a great project manager.

Click here for your free guide

House prices Fall

2010-03-17T10:50:00.000Z

House prices fell by 1.5 per cent n February, the first decline since June 2009, the Halifax House Price Index has shown.

The seven consecutive months of increase mean the average price still remains eight per cent higher than the low reached in April 2009.

This equates to an average increase of £12,367, taking the average house price to £166,857.

Halifax has suggested that a low supply of properties has been a key factor in pushing up prices, with improvements in the market only recently encouraging sellers to enter the market but mortgage finance remaining difficult to secure.

Recent winter weather and the expiry of the stamp duty holiday have also hit the market, the Halifax said.

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors chief economist Simon Rubinsohn agreed with this.

"Nevertheless, the underlying trend remains more positive than some of the recent headline numbers would suggest," he commented.

Monthly sales should rebound, the expert predicted, with prices resuming a modest upward trend.

Management Checklist For New Developments – Free eBook

2010-03-15T08:32:00.001Z

This free eBook has been produced to help developers build new mixed -
tenure and mixed - use communities, in a cost effective, sustainable and
profitable manner with the help of their managing agents. The eBook
includes a comprehensive checklist of the issues to be considered for
new developments, such as:

The lease
Budgets
Section 106
Green issues
Specifications
Drawings, plans, diagrams
Listed buildings / conservation areas
/ tree preservation orders
Health & safety
Insurances
Action points

Click here for your free eBook

Why a survey is always a good idea #8

2010-01-21T10:56:00.000Z

Why a survey is always a good idea #7

2010-01-14T12:55:00.001Z

2010-01-07T11:04:00.000Z

Take a look at this:

http://www.reviewcentre.com/review584618.html

We are very proud of these testimonials!

Property Prices still too high?

2010-01-04T14:24:00.002Z

Take a look at this:

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3155668&c=1

Our take is that we do not expect to see any significant rise or fall in prices overall but that there will be pockets with growth and some pockets where we may see continued falling prices.

Do email for our opinion on a specific area.

Why a survey is always a good idea #5

2010-01-04T12:32:00.000Z

Why a survey is always a good idea #6

2009-12-28T12:34:00.000Z

Why a survey is always a good idea #4

2009-12-21T12:08:00.000Z

Increase in property supply fails to halt rising prices

2009-12-18T12:27:00.000Z

A modest increase in the number of properties coming up for sale is having little effect on the housing market as prices continue to rise, according to the RICS UK Housing Market survey published earlier this week.

For the sixth consecutive month, more chartered surveyors are reporting that the number of new instructions of houses for sale is increasing rather than falling.

However, demand is still outstripping supply with 28% more surveyors stating that enquiries from potential purchasers are rising rather than falling. This figure is slightly down on previous months, but still indicates strong interest from buyers.

However transaction volumes are the lowest for a number of years.

Meet Some of the Team

2009-12-17T17:40:00.001Z

From left to right

Olivia Gurr, Jenni Cole, Nicki Barton, Emma Glynn, Andrea Ruffles, Elaine Pickering, Dan Butt

now survey - surveyors training day

2009-12-16T11:05:00.001Z

The pictures above show the now survey surveyor training day held recently to update our surveyors on the new requirements of the RICS Homebuyer Survey.

After a number of years the RICS have decided to update the Homebuyers Survey and the new report format is now in its transitional period with full roll out and implementation due by the end of March 2010.

At now survey we will be trialling the new report during the next few months and hope to have the roll out complete by February of next year.

The new survey report differs from the current report in many ways, but most obviously it introduces the idea of condition ratings for elements of the building based upon a traffic light system making it far easier for potential purchasers to understand the significance of defects found during the survey inspection.

One of our surveyors, Claire Bayliss, spent two hours running through the changes in detail and provided examples of defects and how to rate them for our surveyors.

If you are interested in a survey report of any type have a look at our website -

www.now-survey.com/quotations.html

2009-12-11T10:45:00.000Z

Are interest rates alone enough to stop the rise in house prices?

take a look here to see.

My own view is that the very real lack of supply is pushing prices up and next year should see a levelling of price rises as a more usual level of supply returns.

But it is only my view!

2009-12-09T17:51:00.002Z

Pre-Budget report - Empty rates exemption extended

Chancellor Alistair Darling has extended the relief on Empty Rates tax for properties below the value of £18,000.

This is good news for our commercial property management team and clients and affects abput 70% of empty property.

for more visit this link

Why a survey is always a good idea #3

2009-12-08T16:15:00.000Z

Property Management

2009-12-08T11:13:00.000Z

Have a look at our new property management web site -

http://now-professionalpm.com

Why a survey is always a good idea #2

2009-12-01T13:13:00.000Z

Cash point fun!!

2009-11-27T13:12:00.000Z

Guide to choosing between surveys

2009-11-24T11:00:00.000Z

Good morning everyone

Please find below firstly a video which explains the differences between the types of survey available, together with a link to a PDF of our “Guide to Choosing Between Surveys”.

Link: http://www.now-survey.com/pdfs/choosingbetweensurveys.pdf

I hope you find these helpful. Remember any questions please do email us at info@now-survey.com or call the office on 0845 050 0022.

You can also get a quote for a survey here

Dan

You will like this

2009-11-23T13:54:00.001Z

I feel a bit like this some days!!

BEFORE YOU BUY A NEW HOME..................

2009-11-20T11:00:00.000Z

Before you buy your new home - some important points for you to consider ………………

This blog considers the importance of obtaining an independent survey report prior to purchasing a new home.

It would not be unusual when buying a second-hand car to have it thoroughly checked for hidden defects, perhaps by the AA or the RAC or a local mechanic.

The inspection may reveal a great little car that is likely to be good value for money and reliable or it could reveal the exact opposite, a vehicle which appears fine on the surface but upon closer inspection may need a great deal of repair!

Whatever the result the inspection gives the buyer peace of mind that the car that they are buying is in good working order or it enables them to either walk away or negotiate an even better price for the car to take into account the likely cost of any repairs.

Research, however, shows that when it comes to probably our greatest asset, our house, we are less likely to take the same prudent steps.

When purchasing a property most people rely solely on the basic mortgage valuation instructed by and for the mortgage lender.

Research recently conducted by the Bradford and Bingley proves that very often (in 71% of cases), an independent survey saves the client at least the cost of the report in reduction of the purchase price or through the vendor having remedial works carried out prior to exchange of contracts.

now survey has seen a substantial increase over the last few months in the levels of survey instructions, probably as a result of a slight recovery of the property market but may be also as a result in these toughened economic times of buyers wanting to be sure that they are obtaining true value for money and that they are not likely to be exposed to any future problems.

Most major lenders and solicitors do now suggest that their customers obtain an independent survey in addition to a basic mortgage valuation but astonishingly still only about 20% of the people actually commission a survey at a greater level than a mortgage valuation.

At now survey we are very aware that what people are buying from us is peace of mind and an “insurance policy” against defects being present in the property.

Many of our clients have walked away from purchases as a result of information that we have brought to their attention that they wouldn’t otherwise have had, or alternatively are able to negotiate a reduction in the purchase price to take into account defects or problems that are likely to have cost implications moving forward.

By far the vast majority of our clients however are very pleased to find that actually there are no issues with their property and they can proceed with the purchase safe in that knowledge.

For a quote visit our web site - http://www.now-survey.com/

A treat for you..............................

2009-11-19T12:00:00.000Z

What can I say?

Air tight buildings - but can they breathe?

2009-11-19T10:30:00.000Z

The increasing requirement of the Building Regulations for air tight buildings, in particular in compliance with Part L of the Building regulations has seen new problems emerge and issues surrounding “building health”. Often these issues are caused because of lack of care by on site contractors not as a result of inadequate design. Even small failures on site by the builders can result in extensive problems including:

Rot, damp and decay of timber materials
Condensation leading to mould growth
Corrosion and possible intermittent electrical faults
Health concerns from indoor air quality problems
Odours & staining

The causes are varied but can include:

Missing insulation
Thermal bridging
Poor detailing resulting in water or air leaks
Vapour and air barrier issues
Membrane and water proofing failures

Example: Buildings from Hell TV program

This recent TV program showed the typical problems associated with modern construction which resulted in significant decay and health issues from mould growth not to mention significant and loss of property value.

Click here to read an associated newspaper article

Don’t forget the importance of a survey before you buy!

For a quotation go here or call the team on 0845 050 0022.

Why a survey is always a good idea #1

2009-11-17T11:56:00.000Z

Landlord Forms, Documents, Agreements & Notices - Free Online Resource

2009-11-16T11:00:00.005Z

Buy to let landlord?

This free online resource provides a selection of forms, notices and other documents commonly needed during the course of tenancies. All are entirely free to download and use.

Other than prescribed forms, and legal forms in required format, letters and forms are generally suggestions and are available in Word format so that they can be edited and personalised to meet your particular circumstances.

Click here to access this free online resource

You can also direct any queries to our property management team - call them on 0845 050 0022

The potential of the wind

2009-11-14T11:00:00.002Z

Whilst in the UK wind power remains a largely untapped source (wind supplies only between 1 and 2 per cent of our electrical needs), other European countries already generate as much as 20 per cent of their electricity from wind farms.

This free guide explains the process of fitting a wind turbine to a domestic property or other building to supplement the local electricity supply, and includes:

The key benefits of using a wind turbine
6 steps to installing a small wind turbine
A wind turbine planning pack and site survey form

Click here for you free guide

Tell us what you want to know......................

2009-11-10T11:00:00.001Z

Got a property issue or problem you want us to blog about? Maybe an issue with a property defect or a problem relating to neighbours? Do you want some advice before you market your property or about buying a new home? Property management issue?

Email us here and we’ll respond to you personally and post the query and our reply so others can benefit.

now professional team
info@now-survey.com.

Updated Guide to Moving House!

2009-11-10T08:30:00.001Z

As part of our internet and web site updates we have recently updated our FREE Guide to Moving House – get your copy from our website here

now survey team
info@now-survey.com

Welcome to our new blog

2009-11-06T16:05:00.005Z

Welcome to our new blog. The purpose of the blog is to share our thoughts in relation to property matters and provide items of interest to our clients and others interested in property

We hope that you will be able to come here to find the answers to questions and helpful advice in relation to property issues. These might relate to:

moving house
surveys
commercial property management
residential management
block management,
building a property
property refurbishment.

Or it may be a technical query relating to
rent review
dilapidations,
building regulation
insurance valuations
fire risk assessment
energy performance certificates

If you cannot find what you are looking for please call the team on 0845 050 0022 or email info@now-professional.com

You will also find loads of useful advice on our web sites – see the links at the side

Regards

Dan