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The most popular moving date is today, September 1, the Post Office has revealed. The two next

Prospective first-time buyers sink to new low
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The proportion of buyers expecting to buy for the first time in the next 12 months

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Net lending plummeted in July to the second lowest monthly figure since records began in 1993,

Henry Pryor Blog
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Welcome to a new monthly blog by Henry Pryor, estate agent turned entrepreneur, inventor and expert

Rightmove profits climb 39% as more agents sign up
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A rise in the number of agents and an overall willingness to pay more to Rightmove

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Six in ten mortgages are now for house purchase
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The proportion of mortgages being taken out for purchases, as opposed to remortgages, is at its

News Story

Phones go quiet for estate agents

Monday 27th April 2009

Fewer people are telephoning estate agents and mortgage brokers, reports the 118118 directory inquiries service.

It says there was a drop during the first quarter of this year across all parts of the residential property industry.

Calls for estate agents dropped 5%, for mortgage brokers 13% and – more curiously – for letting agents by 17%.

However, calls for surveyors and commercial property agents rose by 23% and 48% respectively, and for removals services by 12%, which suggests that some sales made it through.

However, by far the biggest rise in requests was for debt advisers: there was a 62% increase in calls.

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Posted By Justine J on Tuesday 28th April 2009 10:31:05

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Isnt if funny how looking at some figures from two different angles can make you think the market is either still nosediving or on the other hand the famous "green shoots" are showing even stronger.

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Posted By Mike Griffiths, Expert Agent on Monday 27th April 2009 18:56:21

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Here's the evidence. ExpertAgent's 1100 branches registered the following applicants:

Sep 2008 37121,
Oct 2008 44766,
Nov 2008 33121,
Dec 2008 25921,
Jan 2009 58043,
Feb 2009 62156,
Mar 2009 67294,
Apr 2009 68126, (so far)

But, to put it in context, 900 agency branches registered 72134 in Jan '07! Everyone I speak to is rushed off their feet - busier and no staff left to take up the slack. Lots more instant, live stats like this - maybe I should publish them!

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Posted By Taff on Monday 27th April 2009 14:54:39

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Interestingly, all 4 of the previous replies report an increase in calls - but not 1 reports an increase in sales, which is what we get paid for.

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Posted By Lee on Monday 27th April 2009 12:17:52

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Steve is right, who wants to spend loads of money on callin 118118 when they can yell.com for free?? or look in the local paper or FSB's. Been poistive down here the last few months lots more enquiries and intstructions are coming thick and fast!!

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Posted By clarky46 on Monday 27th April 2009 12:08:54

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Not had any problems with lack of phone calls? Could it be the web prescence and those big signs in gardens with phone numbers on?

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Posted By Jolly Hockey Sticks on Monday 27th April 2009 11:47:08

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I agree with Steve. Calls to agents' offices on Jupiter may have dropped off, but ours are much busier now. I suppose after last year when the tumbleweed was rolling down estate agent's row, any increase in activity will be very noticeable, but I'm pleased to report a lot more activity and offers coming in. At last!!

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Posted By steve on Monday 27th April 2009 11:40:46

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Thats because 118118 is so expensive! People look in the local paper or online for agents numbers, our phones don't stop ringing at the minute!! Its great!

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Editorial Contact Details - Rosalind Renshaw | rosalind.renshaw@estateagenttoday.co.uk | 01252 843 566.