Currently the Homebuyers Survey and Valuation (HSV) is the only RICS branded survey product available to the residential property buyer. Described as an economic report it was designed to focus on defects and problems which require urgent attention and/or which have a significant effect on value. Most consider the HSV, whilst perhaps not perfect, to be an extremely good product which is both user and consumer friendly. From the 1st April, however, the HSV is to be replaced by the new Homebuyer Report (HBR), an elemental report which is based around condition ratings. Watch this space.

Undoubtedly 2009 is going to be a difficult year for most of us. Many commentators are predicting further falls in property values during the coming months, as well as the inevitable steep rise in the number of properties being taken into possession. However, there is optimism in some quarters, suggesting that just as soon as the market has "bottomed out" - which hopefully will be sooner rather later - then confidence will return and we will see a steady and sustained growth once again.

A Happy and Optimistic New Year to you all.

Don't hesitate to call. You can get a competitive quote for a survey on-line and if you telephone it may well be possible to negotiate a reduction in the fee quoted. Business has been far from brisk in recent months and all the evidence suggests that 2008 is going to be a difficult year. However, I have now qualified as a Home Inspector and, whilst I do not forsee there being any call for Home Condition Reports in the immediate future, I am receiving instructions on a fairly regular basis to prepare Energy Performance Certificates.

The end of the summer has seen a significant downturn in the market and business is now very slow. The main reason for this must be to do with the current state of the financial markets but I think is also associated with the introduction of the Home Information Pack, now a mandatory requirement when marketing not only four bedroomed property but three bedroomed property also.

The recent alteration to the proposed Home Information Pack, making the Home Condition Report a voluntary rather than a mandatory inclusion, has been seen by many to be an inevitable consequence of poor planning and inadequate consultation. Whilst there are those in the industry who consider the HCR to be a long overdue benefit to the consumer, there are many others who condemn it as something that, far from easing the housebuying process as intended, is more likely to prolong it further. Whether or not the voluntary scheme proves successful remains to be seen.
Despite the uncertainty, I am at present still intending to complete my training as a Home Inspector and hope to qualify within the next few months.

Many of you, I am sure, will have heard something of the Government's intention to introduce Home Information Packs, in an effort to reduce abortive costs in house purchase and to speed up the house buying process generally. Included in that pack there is to be a Home Condition Report on the property, undertaken by a qualified Home Inspector. Controversy continues over how useful and how effective these HCRs are likely to prove and many commentators have also expressed doubts that the 7500 Home Inspectors required to prepare them can be recruited and trained in time.
Anyway, despite my own scepticism I have now enrolled on a training course for Home Inspectors and I hope to qualify within the next few months.
I will keep you informed of progress.

Welcome to the new website which has just gone on line this week. I hope you find it informative and easy to use. If you have any comments to make or any suggestions as to how the site might be improved then please feel free to email.