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Michael Day

Managing Director

2035 Profile Views

About Me

Straight talking, no-nonsense business mentor, adviser, trainer and coach to over 600 property industry clients.

Away from business - family man with a wife, two children and six grandchildren.

Watford FC supporter and shareholder.

Guitarist, singer songwriter and wanna be rock star!

my expertise in the industry

Forty plus years in the residential property industry (I started when I was three!). Fellow of RICS and NAEA and hold an MBA from Reading University. 3 x ESTAS winner. Shortlisted Finalist in Negotiator Awards for last five years - 2013-2017. Rated Exceptional and overall Bronze Award winner in Estate Agent Supplier of the Year 2018 supported by the Property Academy. Was a Partner at A C Frost & Company, Regional Director at Prudential Property Services and a Director at Connells and Conveyancing Direct. Founded Integra Property Services in 2003.

Michael's Recent Activity

Too many rotten apples and skeletons in cupboards. Perhaps Tim found out more than he was meant to and didn't want to tarnish his reputation. The board need to make a clear statement ASAP - a problem of an organisaton supposedly led and governed by the volunteer board but, in reality , largely run by the paid executive. The PR handling of all of these situations has been appalling - probably trying to protect people but consequently creating more speculation and conjecture.

From: Michael Day 17 February 2021 13:14 PM

Not impossible but difficult to police as nothing “registered” at exchange of contracts and possibly open to dates being changed on paperwork.

From: Michael Day 16 January 2021 09:48 AM

I wish Tim well but I think RICS with its royal charter and global experience of training, standards and regulation might take issue with his comment that only Propertymark can provide professional accreditation. As a Fellow of RICS, NAEA and ARLA I broadly support the aims of ROPA but I remain to be convinced that the routes to, as yet, undefined qualifications, will serve the industry well. Vocational as well as academic testing needed. IMO the essential element to higher standards is enforcement and licensing. The vast majority of rogue activity or lousy service delivery will not change because of qualifications but via policing and enforcement of a licensing regime.

From: Michael Day 16 January 2021 09:44 AM

I wish Tim Balcon well. He has a significant task to both demonstrate and persuade the industry that Propertymark is really fit for purpose and to be trusted as the “voice” of a fragmented industry. The organisation has still, over decades, failed to “cross the divide” between being a trade body promoting its members and a professional and, in the eyes of consumers, regulatory organisation. The potential offered by a future implementation of ROPA is significant but, IMO, Propertymark will need to significantly improve if it is to be considered as the “voice of the industry” and as worthy of being its regulator.

From: Michael Day 15 January 2021 08:05 AM

I didn’t think the holiday should have been introduced in first place but it has achieved its objective of stimulating the market but it has to end at some point. Every similar Government intervention in history has created an element of boom and bust. Transactions have, in the main, simply been brought forward and squeezed into an artificially short timeframe. The current lockdown will inevitably see reduced levels of new transactions and so gives a greater chance for current pipeline transactions to go through. I personally don’t think the Government will extend but if they do it is likely to not be announced until after the February half term review. We are living in fast moving and challenging times. Lot of talk of the £15000 “saving” but, nationally, the average sale price is £250,000 and so the average “benefit” of the SDLT “holiday” is significantly lower. Whilst there may be some renegotiations I don’t see the “wholesale” aborting of huge numbers of transactions. People basically don’t buy property for short term gains or reasons. The feel good factor of defeating the virus will have a far greater impact on the market than any short term stimuli.

From: Michael Day 09 January 2021 09:54 AM

Qualifications have always been useful and exams results are a measure of learning and knowledge but are certainly not a judgement on integrity or good practice. Governments have, since not introducing section 23 of the EAA 1979 (competency requirements), always preferred competition over competency. There is plenty of legislation governing the industry and its practices - it is robust enforcement that is needed. I’m in favour of raising standards but mandatory qualifications without licensing and enforcement will be a missed opportunity. I think we are at least 4/5 years away from ROPA (needs a syllabus, exam structure, regulatory body, licensing, time to implement etc) so many have time to develop their exit strategies if they wish to call it a day.

From: Michael Day 31 October 2020 09:43 AM

Rule 3.18 of the ASA/CAP Code states “Quoted prices must include non-optional taxes, duties, fees and charges that apply to all or most buyers. However, VAT-exclusive prices may be given if all those to whom the price claim is clearly addressed pay no VAT or can recover VAT. Such VAT-exclusive prices must be accompanied by a prominent statement of the amount or rate of VAT payable”. It is built into various codes of conduct that any agent should therefore quote fees to consumers as inclusive of VAT as, in the main, they are unable to reclaim it. Sadly, some agents do verbally quote a headline fee without mentioning VAT - for example, 1.5% which should be 1.8% inclusive of VAT. I also do still occasionally see written terms of business that mention VAT but exclusively not inclusively. In this respect for this survey to suggest people get a shock when they get the bill is a nonsense although, as material information (as defined under Consumer Protection Regs, an agent should be making consumers aware at the earliest opportunity and certainly before any transactional decision has been taken. Having said the above, I do not have any evidence or support the view that agents are "trained" not to mention VAT.

From: Michael Day 28 August 2020 08:24 AM

Rightmove undoubtedly has the key weapon in the portal wars and that is consumer recognition and reach. The No to campaign made a lot of noise but it’s only real weapon was to leave and, as yet, that hasn’t happened in any meaningful quantities. Rightmove has played a “war of attrition” game which it probably feels it is winning. It’s share price has risen 20% in last 3 months but OnTheMarket’s has actually risen 124% in the same period. Lots of new entrants about to muddy the waters with better technology offerings but currently zero consumer reach. I expect some early consolidations or failures.

From: Michael Day 08 August 2020 10:54 AM

Seemingly disingenuous comments from Mr Riley to which Chris Watkin and Kenny Bruce have responded. My views is that you can have anything you want in life if you just help enough other people achieve what they want. There is no compulsion for anyone to interact with Agents Together but the offer of help is there for any who wish to take advantage. With the exception of the foundation CEO, none of the other mentors are being remunerated and are giving their time because they care and believe in what is being set out to be achieved. Early feedback has been fantastic from those that have already engaged. Is Agents Together a Sales Funnel for something else? The answer is no and, if it was, I would not be involved as a Founder Member. Will it possibly generate positive PR for those involved and giving up significant time to the cause? We'll see? I hope so as it will mean the aims of the foundation are being met!

From: Michael Day 25 June 2020 10:24 AM

For me, the most interesting stat from the survey was that 67% of business owners saw no change yet less than 30% of employees feel the same way. That is a huge disconnect and one that is likely to cause considerable grief and disruption in the weeks and months ahead as we come out of the current crisis.

From: Michael Day 20 May 2020 08:38 AM

Interesting interview. I have the utmost respect for Trevor although this would increase if his actions matched his words. He espouces not needing three portals and the benefits of OTM vs Rightmove and Zoopla yet Glentree continue to list on all three, presumably because commercially it makes sense to do so.

From: Michael Day 20 May 2020 08:35 AM

The letter from Simplify, MAB and landmark was dated 15th April so I believe it was well ahead of Countrywide's correspondence and made a much more powerful argument than Paul Creffield's "plead" as it took an industry wide view not just an individual business's perspective. Of course there is lots of other "lobbying" going on across the sector (and, of course, other sectors). Why was the Countrywide letter published in full yet the Simplify, MAB and Landmark letter only paraphrased?

From: Michael Day 05 May 2020 09:28 AM

The devil will clearly be in the detail here. Lots of the newly "self employed" will simply not have traded long enough to qualify or will not have been making "profits" Those of us who are effectively self employed but have limited companies and take earning via PAYE and dividends seem at risk, We can't furlough ourselves as Directors. £50,000 of profits - what type of profits - gross, net? Looks like a few hours will need to be spent pouring over the detail but, well done to the Government on continuing to try and support people through this unprecedented time.

From: Michael Day 26 March 2020 18:31 PM

How can transaction prices compete with the open market when they buy at circa 15% of open market value? Comment misleading at best. There is however a market for certainty and a transparent below market value option will suit some but not all. Nested’s proposition apoears clever in that it attracts well motivated sellers whilst providing the “backstop” of a purchase if needed - which it often isn’t.

From: Michael Day 26 March 2019 19:30 PM

OkayLah! Yawn! I didn’t spend more than a couple of minutes but no listings in Greater London, Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds - I gavd up as would a seller or buyer.

From: Michael Day 01 February 2019 08:45 AM

Excellent news following a tragic and sad passing of one too young. Jordan’s family can hopefully take some solace in knowing that their son has given the gift of life to so many others.

From: Michael Day 23 October 2018 07:45 AM

A 200 word response piece? Krystjan will have to be at his most succinct and punchy to tell one, let alone several, positive stories with such limited copy. Good luck.

From: Michael Day 24 May 2018 14:51 PM

Congratulations Graham. It was good to see you at the awards night. Top man!

From: Michael Day 17 May 2018 07:36 AM

OTM may have gained some initial appeal with many agents with its "break the duopoly" strategy but unless it starts to win the hearts, minds and pockets of consumers, they could offer it free to agents and it will fail to provide value. In the meantime, Zoopla expands and grows through other channels, data capture and service delivery and Rightmove laughs all the way to the bank!

From: Michael Day 16 January 2016 09:55 AM

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