James Foster

Embarking on a career in estate agency can be as thrilling as it is demanding. Here's my distilled wisdom for anyone looking to enter the property market: 🏠 Dive in with Passion: Estate agency is not just about transactions; it's about relationships and dreams. Show genuine enthusiasm for helping people find their perfect home or investment. 📚 Learn Continuously: The property market is ever-evolving. Stay ahead by absorbing knowledge - from market trends to property laws. This will not only boost your confidence but also your clients' trust in you. 🤝 Network Relentlessly: Relationships are the bedrock of this industry. Connect with peers, mentors, and professionals across related sectors. Every interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow your business. 💡 Embrace Technology: From virtual tours to CRM systems, technology is reshaping real estate. Use it to enhance your service and streamline processes, but never let it replace the personal touch. 🎯 Specialise Wisely: Consider focusing on a niche market. Whether it's luxury properties, first-time buyers, or commercial real estate, specialisation can set you apart as an expert in your field. 🔄 Adapt & Evolve: Flexibility is key. Be prepared to adapt to market shifts and client needs. This agility can be your greatest asset in a competitive landscape. Remember, your journey in estate agency is unique. Forge your own path with tenacity and integrity. Let's connect on LinkedIn and exchange insights. Together, we can navigate the intricacies of this vibrant industry. #EstateAgency #PropertyMarket #CareerAdvice

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Today’s Autumn Budget has delivered some seismic announcements that amount to a further £40bn in taxation for businesses and individuals to absorb. Business rates did not escape mention – several mentions in fact – with implications for any businesses with premises and another hit for the private schools’ sector. Here’s a summary: https://lnkd.in/ecERFpnK #budget #businessrates #rating #review

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A total of 456,902 properties came to market in Q3 2024 across the UK, with 51,684 of those being previously rented properties—the highest in 10 years. Could this be down to the pressures of the Renters' Reform Bill and the looming changes to Section 21, or perhaps rising utility costs and ongoing management headaches? It’s clear many landlords are choosing to exit the private rental market, but there’s another option. Social Housing. With long-term stable rental income, no Section 21 concerns and the added benefit of utilities and internal maintenance being covered. It’s a profitable yet ethical investment strategy that provides much-needed support to vulnerable communities. If you're a landlord looking for an alternative, social housing could be the answer. Get in touch to learn how it can benefit you! https://lnkd.in/eHv9jvMU

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Last week we got the latest SDLT data from HMRC. Very clearly shows the shifts in market conditions over the past five years and what changes in stamp duty rates & reliefs have meant for the Treasury....

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🌟 Exciting Opportunities Await! 🌟 Are you an estate agent with a flair for closing deals and a passion for property? Or maybe you're on the hunt for an agent who doesn't just meet expectations but exceeds them? If you're nodding along, then it's time we talked! I've built a career on the foundation of connecting exceptional talent with outstanding opportunities. Whether you're looking to elevate your career to new heights or you're a client seeking that top-tier estate agent who can navigate the complexities of the property market with ease, I'm here to help bridge that gap. 🏡 For Agents: I understand the hustle of the real estate world. If you're ready to take that next step, let's strategize your move together. With my network and your expertise, the sky's the limit. 🔍 For Clients: Finding the right agent is like finding a needle in a haystack. But worry not! I specialize in matching your specific needs with an agent's unique skill set, ensuring a partnership that's both productive and profitable. Let's not let another day pass by without making the connections that could define our success. Drop a comment, send a message, or simply hit 'like' if you're ready for a change that could redefine your future. Together, we can turn possibilities into realities. Let's make it happen! #EstateAgentCareers #PropertyProfessionals #RealEstateSuccess

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🚨 Cala Group Acquired in £1.35 Billion Deal 🚨 The sale of Cala Group to Sixth Street Partners and Patron Capital highlights investor confidence in the UK housing market and the drive to address the undersupply of homes. Cala, set to deliver 3,000 homes in 2024, will benefit from fresh capital and strategic support. From a sector perspective, this acquisition emphasises the role of institutional investors in promoting sustainable growth and tackling the UK's housing challenges. Sixth Street and Patron Capital are not just financing growth—they’re shaping the future of UK housing. #RealEstate #PrivateEquity #HousingCrisis #Investment #Growth

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Great to have chaired this session and looking forward to presenting a session on what’s happening in the market at AVD later this afternoon. #businessrates #IRRV #propertytax

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This is a brilliant take on a tough subject. A very old-school British attitude of "keep calm and carry on". The point around collaboration and community is vital, looking out for each other is so important. I'd also add technology as a key to navigating uncertainty and driving growth. Embracing technology will be game-changing for any business in a world where balancing the books is crucial. Digital innovation will enable smarter, faster decisions and drive greater efficiencies to help us adapt with agility. From automation to data-driven insights, tech is paving the way for sustainable, resilient growth and companies will need it now more than ever. Well done James Watt, I will raise an Elvis Juice to that! #TechForGrowth #Innovation #Collaboration #BusinessResilience

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Changes to Stamp Duty: What First-Time Buyers Need to Know. The clock is ticking for first-time buyers looking to take advantage of the current Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates. From 1 April 2025, thresholds will revert to pre-2022 levels, potentially impacting affordability for those stepping onto the property ladder. What’s changing? - The nil-rate threshold for first-time buyers will drop from £425,000 to £300,000. - Homes valued between £425,001 and £500,000 will no longer benefit from the reduced 5% SDLT rate. For more insights on navigating these changes, check out our latest Savills blog:

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Will Estate Agency Business Values Ever Return? The value of Sales businesses or the sales element of an agency business has fallen like a stone over the last decade as the appetite to be involved has declined. Historcially its been an industry that had attracted interest from institutions tempted to tap in to key databases of home movers and a steady flow of decent fees. But with mortgage lenders having been burned in their forray in to agency, its presently hard to see what other industry might be tempted to move in. Added to which the expectations on UK annual sales volumes in the future is well below past highs with the rental market having become a decision of choice for many more individuals. An agents sales business is at very best worth 1 * turnover. The only buyers are those already trading in agency looking to consolidate, which does create a market, but not as competitive as a business seller would want. And those buyers really just want to get at the Lettings businesses which fare much better at closer to 2 * turnover. Although you should be clear that to get that your portfolio had better be quality stock, a very decent size, immaculately accounted and professionally administered. Is it conceivable these values will ignite again at any point and if so what will be the spark? Will fees increase to a level that take agency profit margins more attractive? Would licensing do that? Will Letting business values increase further? It puts a question mark on new businesses coming in to the market place. Why would you start a business that will have minimal future value and therefore not much of an exit strategy? Unless you think you can secure a decent letting portfolio with decent letting fees which is really not easy done. Will agency become a lifestyle business for new entrants, in the way the Self Employed models are? They have almost no value because they dont do letttings, they are attached to the header brand (who will have a value) and the individauls business dies the minute that s/e person and their personal brand stops working. They have literally zero exit strategy. Maybe agency as a lifestyle is ok, but best you are making enough to put some decent amounts in to retirement planning otherwise we will end up with an octagenarian generation of agents still plying their trade to pay the bills. I'm one fo the lucky ones who set up lettings early doors and has rode that wave to secure a susbtantial portfolio we manage and therefore an inherent value. I really wouldn't want to be starting an agency again today. And that's sad for an industry that can be such a thriving and rewarding industry to be involved in. To end on a philosophical note, maybe it's just part of what comes with an ever changing world. #estateagents #lettingagents #estateagency #business #imaginemyhomr

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The leasing market has seen a continuation of the positive momentum from the second half of 2023 into Q1 2024. Take-up in Q1 reached 648,000 sq ft, showing a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2023, although it still remains 10% below the five-year average. Notable submarkets such as Maidenhead, Luton, Woking, Basingstoke, and Chiswick have experienced high levels of occupier demand in Q1 2024, surpassing their five-year average take-up levels. The Western Sector remains the most active, accounting for 48% of the total take-up in Q1. Despite the overall positive trend, there are still submarkets with limited occupier demand, with varying levels of requirements across different areas. Demand is expected to remain strong for Prime Grade A offices with high amenity offerings and strong ESG credentials. See more:

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Our seasoned developer clients are seeking a Joint Venture Partner or partners to assist with the equity required of circa £2m on either a profit sharing or interest only basis. Located in Kensworth, a semi-rural village on the edge of Dunstable Downs in Central Bedfordshire, the site is brownfield previously developed land measuring c.3.5 acres previously home to an orange juice manufacturing factory until it burnt down in 2015. Planning consent has been granted for the construction of 17 residential dwellings, with 5 of the units allocated for affordable housing with a deal in principle agreed with a Housing Association. The remaining 12 units are for open market sale. The developers have an offer in principle from a merchant banking group for a development loan that totals £6,840,000 which is to cover 100% of the build cost as well as professional fees and other sums relating to the development and interest cover. Maximum investment - £2,000,000 Minimum investment - £100,000 GDV - £11m Term - 24 months Exit/Repayment Option - Sale of units Contact me for further information including the detailed IM. Propconnection Limited only markets to self certified investors. The content of this promotion is for information only and does not constitute, nor must be deemed to be financial advice. Reliance on this promotion for the purpose of engaging in any lending activity may expose an individual to a significant risk of losing some or all of the monies lent. Propconnections Limited does not provide pension, investment or financial advice, which can only be provided by a regulated financial adviser. All investments marketed by Propconnections Limited are not regulated, illiquid and non-transferable and you may not receive back all of what you invested. All prospective investors should seek independent professional advice before investing. Your capital will be at risk if you invest. Propconnections Limited is not authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and clients who invest will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Propconnections Limited is registered in England & Wales, Number 14408027 Registered Office: The Old Manor, Rogiet, Caldicot, Wales, NP26 3UQ #jointventure #investmentopportunity #propertyinvestment #investment

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