The Yorkshire Property Guide

09/09/2026

Conveyancing causes the most hold-ups but agents hardly escape criticism. Buyers and sellers are left chasing both, communication remains dreadful and transactions continue to take far too long.

As usual, nobody owns the failure. There's the real issue.

09/09/2026

The figures in this article are extraordinary, although the survey has one obvious weakness: it asks estate agents about everyone else.

95% say they have seen competitors give unrealistic valuations and 89% say they have lost instructions to an agent quoting a higher figure. Apparently almost everyone sees it happening and almost nobody owns it.

There is a serious issue beneath that contradiction. Sellers are encouraged to treat the highest valuation as the best valuation, while some agents know they can win the instruction first and discuss reducing the price later.

But a valuation that proves wrong is not necessarily dishonest and an ambitious asking price is not automatically an overvaluation. The real question is whether the agent genuinely believed the figure was achievable or simply used it to get the instruction.

Understand the risks of estate agents overvaluing properties and how it can affect your selling strategy.

09/09/2026

Mortgage approvals are a major driver of the housing market, so any significant rise matters. But approvals and completions are not the same thing. An unknown proportion of these mortgages will never be drawn down because the related property transactions will fall through. That missing conversion figure matters too.

The Bank of England has revealed an 11% increase in the total amount of home loans agreed this summer.

08/09/2026

'A house is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.'

Except it isn’t quite that simple. From valuation and asking price to negotiation, mortgage valuation and completion, there’s rather more to that old saying than you think.

Possibly the most famous, and certainly one of the most over-used, phrases in estate agency is: “A house is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.” Except even that isn't strictly true.

08/09/2026

Fit for the Future Update: End of Month Four 📆

Whisper it… the end of Phase One is nearly here 👀

Over the past four months, our contractors have been working incredibly hard through the summer heat to bring Phase One of our Fit for the Future project to completion - and we are now just a few weeks away! 👷‍♂️

By the end of September, we will be welcoming patients into 9 brand new en-suite bedrooms, alongside a beautiful new Garden Room and improved facilities. Meanwhile, work will move into Phase Two, transforming our remaining spaces and 7 bedrooms.

We can’t wait to show you the results of the last few months’ work - a once-in-a-generation project that will help ensure we can continue to provide the very best hospice care to patients and families across our community.

Thank you for your patience, kind words and support while this work has been taking place. 💚

Keep your eyes peeled for some exciting updates later this month!

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

There's a lot to be said for owning your premises.

Estate Agency Branch Set for Auction in Ipswich:

Explore the auction of a long-established estate agency branch with rental income. Discover investment potential at Electric House.

08/09/2026

Will this win more instructions?

Multi-branch agency sets eco-record for staff activity:

The emissions have been independently assessed – Multi-branch agency sets eco-record for staff activity

08/09/2026

'The company recorded an operating margin of 16%', puny compared to Rightmove's figure.

Mystery surrounds agent numbers signed up to Zoopla:

The portal simply says numbers "have remained broadly stable" – Mystery surrounds agent numbers signed up to Zoopla

08/09/2026

Another control mechanism no doubt (and revenue generator).

Launch date revealed for new short-term and holiday lets register:

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirms a short-term lets register will be launched in March 2027 but it is unclear what agents need to provide.