Something To Talk About

For years, buy-to-let was seen as one of the safest routes into long-term wealth. A property, a tenant, a mortgage gradually paid down, and the comfort of a monthly rental income. But the landscape has changed. Across the UK, more landlords are reviewing their position, and many are deciding that the numbers no longer work in the way they once did. Recent market reporting suggests that hundreds of former rental homes are now being listed for sale every day, with Savills data

Fun Boy Three and Bananarama once sang, “It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it.” As someone who finds music a constant source of relaxation, fascination and inspiration, that line has always stayed with me. And strangely enough, it sums up estate agency rather well. Because, broadly speaking, most estate agents do the same core things from the first meeting with a client through to completion. Of course, there are a few things we do differently at Anderson Jones,

You may think a higher asking price gets you more money, but it actually loses you lots of money and time. Every home has a price window where it attracts maximum interest. Start too high and you miss the only moment that really matters. The first few weeks. Here is what the data shows from the respected property analysts Chris Watkin of TwentyEA, Simon Gates plus Rightmove analysing millions of UK house sales. FACT 1. You only have a 1 in 2 chance of selling your home. Yes

Small is more agile, more adaptable and quicker than the opposition. Look no further than Lionel Messi. One of the biggest strengths of being an independent estate agent is something that often gets overlooked — the ability to move quickly. In a recent article published by Property Industry Eye, Chris Webb explored “The Hidden Advantage of Being the Smaller Estate Agent”, highlighting how smaller agencies can often adapt faster than larger corporate businesses. Chris makes a

Mortgage affordability in the UK is showing real signs of improvement, offering fresh encouragement for hopeful buyers after years of stretched budgets. Recent analysis highlights that falling mortgage rates combined with rising incomes are easing the affordability squeeze that peaked in 2024. At the height of last year’s rate environment, mortgage payments were consuming nearly 50% of average gross monthly income - levels not seen since the early 2000s. As lending rates drif

There’s no escaping the fact that the UK has a housing shortage. Most people accept that more homes are needed, and that new development is part of the solution. Yet when building plans move from abstract policy discussions to real sites on the edge of villages or fields nearby, opinions and behaviour can change. Recent analysis reported in the national press suggests that in rural areas, this shift in perception can have a measurable impact on property values, particularly f

For many sellers, an open house is something an agent does not even suggest or is seen as a simple box to tick. A couple of hours, a few visitors, and then it’s over. But when done properly, an open house can be one of the most powerful moments in the life of a property, especially in those crucial early days on the market. At Anderson Jones, we don’t treat open houses as viewings. We treat them as events. Because homes don’t just sell on facts and figures. They sell on feeli

The mobile phone. A remarkable piece of technology. We could practically run our business on it. In fact we sometimes don't know why it's called a phone anymore. It's about the last thing a lot of people do with it. But when we are using it for its original purpose, in your contacts you'll obviously have your friends and family. And you'll probably have doctor, dentist, vet, optician. But do you have your “property expert”? So that if you have any property need - you've got s

The old perennial question has never really been answered. And likewise there has not really been a solution to the chicken and egg in property. Are you facing the classic dilemma of buying a property and moving home? You don't want to sell your own property, and then find that there's nothing for you to buy. And then you see a property that you would like but you're in no position to buy it because you're not even on the market, let alone under offer. Worse still, some agent

As we reflect on the local property market for December 2025, it's important to highlight both the trends and nuances that shape how we buy and sell homes in our community. The local areas of Farnham, Badshot Lea, Hale, and Heath End continue to showcase an evolving landscape in real estate, offering valuable insights for homeowners and prospective buyers alike. Over the last six months, we've been analysing data from 191 property transactions, revealing some interesting tr

Electronic online digital valuations have their place. They will give you a broad idea of a property's value but they cannot be treated and used when accuracy is important. This is ultimately needed when you are thinking of selling your home but also if you are considering other loans, investments or a remortgage. I know from having worked with the main research director at Zoopla that the data that feeds the valuation is exceptional. However, it will always be flawed. They h