May 2007

'Masterly' advice from David

Sir,

I noted with interest David Perkins’ well-argued ‘HIPS Countdown Special’ headed ‘A timely warning — never miss anything’ article in the April edition of EAN.

Nowadays, I have absolutely no involvement in the estate agency business. However, in the past under my company name Quest Management Services, I wrote many articles on training and management and of course the Property Misdescriptions Act, right from issue number two on. I was also engaged in consultancy work with agents. I maintain an interest in the business.

I am therefore well aware of the poor standards which far too frequently are foisted onto a weary and sceptical public by the profession.

Fortunately, I have not moved house for many years.

However, I have listened with horror to the outrageous and numerous foul ups suffered by my son as he has moved around the country (agents in Peterborough and Earls Court in particular note).

When I look at the articles in the EAN month by month, it is not difficult to note that a large proportion of the content is really all about how to do the fundamentals of the job better.

One might have expected this to diminish over the years, not increase by a large proportion.That, however is where the business of agency stands.

Now you have Home Information Packs to further thicken the stew!

I thought that the argued positions and case studies laid out by Perkins regarding HIPS in the April issue was masterly.

However, I doubt that many agents have bothered to ensure that everyone engaged in the practice has read it let alone used this excellent article to form a central plank of specific training.

Believe me, if you look into other trade and professional journals you will need to look for a long time to find such essential information laid before you by an acknowledged expert. It simply does not happen.

I suggest, for what it is worth, instead of moaning about this new burden (opportunity), agents get cracking, sort out the training or, if not, then simply highlight David Perkins’ number in their file so that when they hit trouble they can get hold of him quickly!

PAT HOLLOMBY,
Portsmouth
(Full address supplied).