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David Clark

Director

1794 Profile Views

About Me

In estate agency and property generally since 1986, starting as a trainee sales negotiator with Ekins Dilley & Handley at the ripe old age of 21. Now a 60+ year old independent agent in my own right but basically still doing many of the daily tasks (plus a few others that didn't exist back then) I did when I started!

Staff of 6 plus 2 part-timers covering residential sales, lettings, land and new homes. Can't imagine what I'd do as an alternative.

my expertise in the industry

Residential sales, land and new homes sales.

David's Recent Activity

Because they aren't interested and are ideologically opposed to whatever anyone in the private sector says

From: David Clark 08 December 2022 09:35 AM

Why would developers build slowly? Only get their hands on the cash when they hand over a completed house so in a vibrant market they want to push sales/prices. When government puts the boot in and uses interest rates to slow things down ( "tackle inflation" ) then they'll slow down build to match sales. Why should a local authority have any say in the process of a commercial enterprise that they have zero expertise in? Look at the state of local authority development companies who couldn't make money in a boom market!

From: David Clark 21 November 2022 13:52 PM

Where did the stat of '8 - 12 weeks' come from. Certainly not our experience at the moment!

From: David Clark 15 November 2022 11:26 AM

Out of ideas as to where to get the cash back from! - select easy targets who will have no option but to pay. Don't target large corporations or companies as they have access to clever accountants and lawyers who will tie them up in knots. Over-generous Furlough Scheme helped dig the enormous financial hole and the cash, in the main, went to people like car dealerships who still managed to trade and make profit. Don't forget the fraudsters who also had their nose in the trough. I think you can rely on it being the property owning public who stump up the funds. Have a feeling they know they will be totally walked on at the next election so they don't care who they financially walk on now.

From: David Clark 10 November 2022 09:55 AM

ASHP fan/converters usually installed on the warmest side of the house- south side - where the ambient temperature of the air is warmer than other sides (heat pump doesn't have to work so hard). If they are within the roof space then does this mean that temperature is lower, but more constant, as loft insulation keeps the heat within the property below the ceiling and there is no warming effect from sunshine?

From: David Clark 14 October 2022 11:41 AM

So what happened to the Consumer Code for Housebuilders? This appeared to be sponsored by all the Warranty providers and Trading Standards.

From: David Clark 07 October 2022 14:39 PM

'Director of Risk & Compliance' hmmm, must go get me one of those, not.

From: David Clark 24 August 2022 21:53 PM

Why do MP's all behave with the maturity of spoilt children? If we had an election today I'd struggle to vote for any of them, whatever political persuasion. Politics of the playground!

From: David Clark 06 July 2022 12:57 PM

Lots of real detail missing from this. Shifting power out of Whitehall is all very well, if the local authority can be trusted to deal with it. Those that have created their own 'independent' trading and development companies will have even more freedom to abuse the system. Local authorities that have chosen to roll-back to Local Plans that are out of date, because they don't like what they are being told to implement is not exactly progress or levelling either. Locally we have CIL (community infrastructure levy) which is charged on all development except self-build (subject to period of occupation criteria). CIL is chargeable when the developer breaks soil or demolishes - so upfront charging . A charge on value when complete/sold might be preferable.

From: David Clark 12 May 2022 13:52 PM

What they say when asked in a survey and the reality are often 2 different things. We provide all manner of information up-front but it's rare for anyone to bother reading it. We can all get involved in sharing information and it's great if a solicitor is instructed on day one, but that still doesn't get the person who 'says' they are prepared to pay for information to read what's already there for free!

From: David Clark 27 April 2022 14:58 PM

Try and get a seller or buyer to provide their conveyancing solicitors details on the day you agree the deal! (let alone in advance) "I'm getting quotes", "My mortgage broker/lender is recommending", "My mate down the pub used someone last year he thinks are good" The list is endless and these days too many people stand to earn cash from recommending. Next thing you know someone is bleating that you are offering a property for sale when it's not available. Can we have a new term for this? ' Sold stc and when either party finds time to get a conveyancer'. Personally I know the conveyancing solicitor I'd use. If they cost me a few hundred pounds more than someone else then so what? I'm selling the most valuable asset I own - do I want to skimp on it?

From: David Clark 12 April 2022 08:44 AM

What about below 18m with no real proof of unsafe cladding that lenders are blacklisting and making unsaleable? EWS surveys log-jammed and surveyors understandably not prepared to investigate as there's nothing in it for them and there would still be a requirement for the EWS to keep everybody happy anyway! Frustrating is an understatement.

From: David Clark 10 February 2021 15:25 PM

The consultancy, Cebr, says Yorkshire and East Anglia are expected to be the hardest hit with prices dropping 16.5 per cent over the rest of 2019 because of the Coronavirus crisis. - That's good! It's already over

From: David Clark 14 April 2020 10:53 AM

I must be vegetarian- that turkey Easy Property was the final straw that took me out of the Guild!

From: David Clark 07 November 2018 07:38 AM

Before we know where we are we'll be clamouring for HIPS!

From: David Clark 12 October 2018 09:57 AM

Not seeing an '...absolute flood of properties on to the market' with online or High Street agents in our area (Cambridgeshire). I don't think you can ignore the effects of stamp duty, Brexit and the comments of Mark Carney in the overall mix of factors that affect a market. Markets everywhere work on confidence - that's markets for cars, clothes, shares - everything. Yes, the London / South East property values are high, but 'overvalued'? Property in London is not only sold to foreign speculators and interest rates are still relatively very low. People and the confidence to buy at whatever price make the market and values what they are. Suck out or undermine the confidence and people hesitate, put off buying or hedge their bets on how much they pay - so prices fall to attract them back in. Brexit and Mr Carney have their due share of the blame.

From: David Clark 11 October 2018 07:32 AM

If it’s about money laundering etc thats absolutely correct but don’t ‘dress it up’ as being for the benefit of UK homebuyers.

From: David Clark 01 October 2018 08:11 AM

All based on 3-year-old research?? Mrs May's statement is very patronising, to say the least, and the impact on the ability of the UK homebuyer to buy (hard working or otherwise) will be negligible. Nothing to do with the lofty claims, it's revenue raising by whatever means possible. If they could tax the air you breathe they would.

From: David Clark 30 September 2018 08:50 AM

The last part of your response is the main thing that’s stopped me getting off the High Street.

From: David Clark 28 September 2018 08:09 AM

Something else for the government to apply a tax to! Lots of the ER is being handed to kids to buy their first house - because they need such large deposits. Why do they need large deposits? Oh, that was government inspired too.

From: David Clark 01 September 2018 10:21 AM

Agree with James Long. Would have thought KPMG would have realised the difference. At least some of the independent 'bricks and mortar' firms have some profits to help navigate tougher market conditions - more than can be said for PB et al. The bigger agencies probably have the most to fear as cutting costs is always very difficult for them.

From: David Clark 20 August 2018 10:18 AM

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