Social Media and the Property Sector
Rapid proliferation of various social media channels has taken the world by storm. It has not only provided additional channels of communication but has also affected consumer buying behavior in many ways. Where internet is a quick and easy way of seeking information, social media and social networking has taken it one step ahead where online users increasingly rely on word of mouth, referrals, participate in discussions on various blogs and forums, follow influential people online and seek advice from them. Since today’s consumer is quite well-informed thanks to the internet, marketers today are increasingly relying on alternate media channels to pursue customers online.
Social Media and internet have revolutionized the home-buying process – no need for the daily grind of going through various newspapers to look for properties. Property information, these days is just one click away. These mediums have not only benefitted a potential client, it has provided alternate media channels to estate agents for reaching out to the existing as well as the potential clients.
According to a social media website Soshable.com, 94% of all home buyers start their search online and it includes joining various social networks to see what existing clients are talking about. Research also suggests that estate agents using social media are at a huge competitive advantage over those who aren’t.
Now the question is why would an estate agent want to establish an online presence to connect with the clients? The answer is fairly simple: Social media provides a platform to personally connect with your clients, build relationships, provides two-way communication and gives an insight into the client’s needs and preferences. A website, on the other hand, does not provide the personalization factor although it provides the same amount of information but lacks in engagement and relationship building with the clients. Additionally, social media and social networks provide a platform to effectively manage and resolve client queries and issues. A number of property firms are now using social media as a preferred medium for customer service.
Another important aspect of property sector is conveyancing. Conveyancing is the legal process of moving property. Online conveyancing has provided an opportunity to clients whereby they can now save their time and cost. Arc Property Solicitors offers online conveyancing services which results in matters being dealt with quickly and cost effectively, with fewer problems. The time and cost saving is then translated into cheap conveyancing services without compromising the quality of the work.
Top 10 tips for saving a deposit
The cost of buying a home for first-time buyers is more than £100 cheaper a month than renting says the Halifax but The Sunday Times warned homebuyers that they will find it increasing difficult over the next 10 years to buy property. This comes after a recent report published by the National Housing Federation predicted that home ownership in England will drop to 63.8% making it the lowest since the mid 1980’s.
The report claimed that strict lending criteria, shortage of properties and high deposits were responsible for the 8.7% decline in home owners since 2001.
Buying a New Home IS Cheaper Than Renting
New research published by Zoopla.co.uk shows that buying a home in 45 out of the 50 largest towns across Britain is cheaper than renting.
If you are currently renting then you will more than likely be paying 13% more on average than a house owner with a mortgage. Even in London the average monthly rental costs are 28% higher than the cost of ownership.
With house prices dropping in the run up to Christmas and low interest rates some would argue that it’s never been a better time for first-time buyers to get into the property market.
So, where are the best places to live if you are looking to buy?
First-Time Buyer Mortgage Options
Figures from unbiased.co.uk show that searches for first-time mortgage advice accounted for 41% of all enquiries in the sector during August making them the single largest contributor to activity in the mortgage market.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders also released figures this month (September) which noted a sizeable 10% increase in mortgage lending since August 2010 – the highest it’s been since July 2009.
First-time buyers looking to secure a mortgage will be pleased to hear that some lenders have cut rates on their first-time buyer mortgages. Abbey for Intermediaries recently announced a series of cuts to its mortgages aimed specifically at first-time buyers…
Is this The Death of Traditional Conveyancing?
Guest Blog by: Nikki Allen @nikki82allen
Trainee conveyancer/paralegal
So the excitement begins you have either made an offer on a property or someone has made an offer on your property. So the next step is to find and instruct your conveyancer. In the Home Moving Trends survey 2010, 93% of home movers start their search online. However, from past experience as a client, I have always opted for the conveyancing solicitor who has dealt with my family property sales and purchase.
From my recent family’s experience, in selling a property with vacant possession and the buyer already having the funds in place for the purchase. From this experience the traditional way of conveyancing would appear not to have been the speediest and stress free way to complete this transaction. Even though having completed the fixture and fittings and property information forms well in advance.
The Conveyancing Process Explained (purchase)
The conveyancing purchase process can seem quite complex so we’ve created a simple flowchart to illustrate what happens at each stage.
Please note: there is no guaranteed time scale for a completion date as each case is different. However, on average the process will take around 6-8weeks.
If you are interested in finding out more about any of the processes or services involved with online conveyancing visit the Arc Property Solicitors website.
The Conveyancing Process Explained (Sale)
Arc Property Solicitors are often asked by potential clients ‘How long does the conveyancing process take?’
We are committed to helping our clients understand the conveyancing process so we have created a simple flowchart to explain how a typical sale will progress.
Please note: there is no guaranteed time scale for a completion date as each case is different. However, on average the process will take around 6-8weeks.
If you are interested in finding out more about any of the processes or services involved with online conveyancing visit the Arc Property Solicitors website.
Free Conveyancing Discount Code
How much do you ‘like’ Arc Property Solicitors?
Do you like us enough to join the Arc Property Solicitors facebook page? Well that’s all you have to do to get an extra £50.00 off our standard conveyancing service.
So, to redeem your £50.00 off voucher follow these simple steps;
- ‘Like’ our facebook page
- Make a note of your voucher code
- Give us a call on (freephone) 0800 612 9097
- Quote your code to our sales team
- Receive your conveyancing quotation
It’s as simple as that! Plus if you join our facebook page you will get the latest news about everything property related from energy prices to i-phone apps as well as fantastic competitions and giveaways!
Terms & Conditions: You must request your quote by telephone using our freephone number: 0800 612 9097. Offer entitles the individual to £50 off our standard web quote (£275.00)
Improve UK Economy? Just Build More Homes!
Last week Barack Obama unveiled his plan to kick start America’s economy by investing $300 billion (£190 billion) in a bid to revive America’s unemployment crisis.
Many think America leads the world and others follow so could we see a ripple effect here in the UK?
David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation asks: Is the answer to improving the UK economy simply to build more homes?
In 2010 only 105,000 new houses were built, the lowest since the 1920’s and yet there are not enough properties in the UK to meet the growing UK population. There are plenty of buyers out there that can’t find homes and house price affordability apparently the best it’s been in 12 years (Halifax) – so why aren’t we building more homes?
There has been some criticism that those who are buying property already own a home and are seeking additional dwellings as investment properties to capitalise on those un-able to afford their own home at present therefore reducing the number of affordable homes available to those in a position to buy.
Housing and planning minister Grant Shapps commented in a recent BBC Radio 4 interview that the Governement were doing all they can to increase the amount of housing in England, with measures such as;
- Releasing government land
- A billion pound ‘New Homes Bonus’ scheme
- Reforming the planning system
- First Buy scheme
- Lower interest rates
However he could neither deny nor confirm any plans to significantly increase the number of new homes being built.
So, if the answer is to build more homes, the next question is – where? With many communities heavily opposing plans to develop housing on ‘Greenfield’ land where does the compromise between building more housing to meet supply and demand and conserving Greenfields lie?
Let Arc Property Solicitors know what you think!
Arc Listed in Top 200 Law Firms (UK)
We have some very exciting news that we’d like to share with you all…
This year, for the first time ever, Arc Property Solicitors will appear in The Lawyer UK Magazine’s Top 200 largest law firms report. Every year the magazine publishes a revenue table featuring the top 200.
Earlier this year (23rd May 2011) The Lawyer Magazine wrote an article about Arc’s explosive success establishing ourselves as leaders in the conveyancing field. Despite being in a recession we managed to increase turnover from £1.5million in 2009 to £10.7m in 2011.
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