Positive Energy to Carry Forward to 2022
Given the last 20 months, it’s easier to focus on the negative rather than the positive.
The speed with which 2021 has gone by is astounding as are the peaks and troughs of emotion and change that businesses have had to deal with. Yet, where there is negativity, there has to be positivity to counterbalance. We have been fortunate to experience so many positives we would like to share with our readers.
We would like to congratulate our learners who passed their Level 3 and 4 exams. They have been part of our successful 'Hybrid Learning Programme”. The commitment and dedication the students shown have shown has been very impressive when a Netflix boxset is often a much more attractive alternative.
As a proeprtyMark centre we have been working closely with many letting agents who are offering the Level 3 technical Award to their employees. We nominated Anthony Pepe for PropertyMark Qualification Employer Champion as a result of the deception the company has shown towards their employees ensuring that they are well-equipped to provide exceptional service to their client base.On the 6th December at the award ceremony, it was announced that they had won. Managing Director, Charlie Perdios expressed the importance of ensuring that the employees’ training programme forms a crucial part of business success.
The Housing Market is Vibrant
There has also been a flurry of acquisitions among our client base over the last year, as small portfolios are taken over due partly to the onerous piece meal changes in legislation landlords have to abide by, and of course, the knock on effect for some much smaller agents of Covid.
UK average house prices increased by 10.2% over the year to October 2021. The latest house price data published on GOV.UK by HM Land Registry for October 2021 show that average house prices in the UK increased by 10.2% in the year to October 2021, down from 12.3% in the year to September 2021 Because of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on both the number and supply of housing transactions, we might see larger revisions to the published House Price Index (HPI) estimates than usual.
The private rental prices paid by tenants in the UK rose by 1.7% in the 12 months to November 2021, up from 1.6% in the 12 months to October 2021 and private rental prices grew by 1.6% in England, 1.6% in Wales and 2.0% in Scotland in the 12 months to November 2021. The East Midlands and the South West both saw the highest annual growth in private rental prices (3.1%), while London saw the lowest (negative 0.1%).
We have also witnessed a much more innovative approach to business. Hybrid working has increased notably for those dealing with administrative tasks and once again, the use of technology within the sector continues to be one of the key changes adopted by agents especially in relation to property management, finance, valuations, and viewings.
We’ve realised how important human connections are and the impact that isolation has had on our mental health and whether it is in the workplace or in our personal lives. A recommended read is “Work Better Together: How to Cultivate Strong Relationships to Maximize Well-Being and Boost Bottom Lines” which highlights the importance of the human bond.
Acts of Kindness are Free
Acts of kindness have been at the forefront of life and long may it stay that way because being kind costs nothing and is most definitely contagious. Anne Frank said that “No one has ever become poor by giving.” and we have witnessed a huge amount of giving taking place from financial donations, to clothing, food and time.
We would, therefore, like to take this opportunity to highlight a tremendous person who has created something of worth through adversity. Stephen Brown, a trainer, well known to many agents in the UK, sadly lost wife his Sam, after a long terminal illness. Before Sam passed, Stephen set up a GoFundMe page (gf.me/u/zfwmbr) to raise funds for laptops for children who were being home-schooled and did not have the resources they needed. In Sam’s memory Stephen has continued to fund raise and to date has raised £92,171.00, with 716 laptops/tablets and 12 dongles being donated to schools nationwide.
Stephen would like to raise over £200k and help provide learning opportunities to many more disadvantaged children nationwide. Here's some comments on how his campaign is making a difference.
https://cardiganbayproperties.co.uk/2021/02/24/computers-for-schools/
GLM has raised £1,000.00 from training sessions in November and December, so a big thank you to our clients.
Anyone who has suffered loss and trauma will understand the challenges it brings and witnessing what Stephen has done in a time of great adversity will inspire us all.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year.
Susie Crolla – CEO