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Area: About
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Recently news of a property portal launch, scheduled for autumn and masterminded by none other than the National Association of Estate Agents, has not only dented Rightmove’s share price but the confidence of an entire sector. But with Web 2.0 technology cheap and the Google-mapping experience tested on numerous other property search sites, wasn’t something like this inevitable? Weren’t our wily estate agents always going to opt for their own, free solution rather than pay for somebody else’s?
Our publisher, on Rightmove, the National Association of Estate Agents, and the rest of the competition for clicks, in his weekly guest column, over at Citywire.
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As you're probably aware, traffic costs, and right here is where the Rat and Mouse continues paying. Which is why we're encouraging advertisers who feel they might have something to gain from seeing their brand served up to homeowners, renters, landlords, movers, media shakers on around 4,000 pages a day. As part of the deal, you'll get a heartfelt thank you each and every week, which is why, tonight, we're saying thanks to...
... LandlordNanny, an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
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Not much to smile about, especially if you're working in the property industry, you'd think. And yet, over the past month, the media has been peppered with some surprising, some outrageous, examples of bullishness in the face of adversity.
There’s a neurological function – a release of endorphins – that causes a person otherwise under stress and pain to experience a kind of euphoria. Long distance runners know it. They call it “runner’s high”. Japanese Kamikaze pilots knew it. It was what got them out of bed on the morning of a raid, helped them eat their breakfasts and (somewhat illogically) put on their crash helmets. Call me a cynic, but I see a correlation, here.
Our publisher puts a damper on things, in his weekly guest column, over at Citywire.
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As you're probably aware, traffic costs, and right here is where the Rat and Mouse continues paying. Which is why we're encouraging advertisers who feel they might have something to gain from seeing their brand served up to homeowners, renters, landlords, movers, media shakers on around 4,000 pages a day. As part of the deal, you'll get a heartfelt thank you each and every week, which is why, tonight, we're saying thanks to...
... LandlordNanny, an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
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Bake bread, said the Traditionalists. The aroma of warm dough will subconsciously remind them that this is a home, not just a house, and homes sell at a premium. The Developers advised neutral colours; a blank canvas on which a buyer could paint their own picture, because there's nothing more disastrous than trying to impose your taste on somebody else. The Theatricals disagreed. The fine art of home staging demanded character, darling; you should see your house as a theatre set, where a supreme lifestyle performance will so move the audience they'll turn immediately to the agent and make an extravagant offer. They were, back then, all correct. In a frenzied bull market, you could hang a portrait of Hitler above the fireplace and - if the property were in the right location and south-facing - you'd get an offer.
Our publisher tackles the fine art of selling a home in a bear market, in his weekly guest column for Citywire, here.
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As you're probably aware, traffic costs, and right here is where the Rat and Mouse continues paying. Which is why we're encouraging advertisers who feel they might have something to gain from seeing their brand served up to homeowners, renters, landlords, movers, media shakers on around 4,000 pages a day. As part of the deal, you'll get a heartfelt thank you each and every week, which is why, tonight, we're saying thanks to...
... LandlordNanny, an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse? |
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Estate agents might find themselves entering a period of enforced downtime, but for the repo man it’s work, work, work.
Our publisher, on the rights, wrongs and pitfalls of buying a repo, in his weekly guest column for Citywire. |
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Basically, I'm not here. I know it looks as if I am... you're reading this, and everything... but that's the magic of technology. I'm on vacation, and (in what has become an annual tradition at the Rat and Mouse) I'm leaving you with a little festival of property, as recommended over the last couple of weeks by readers and agents. What's different this year is that you might also be reading some additional content courtesy of guest blogger Poppy Dinsey.
If you're an estate agent and you're upset that I've used one of your images... email me here, and I'll remove it the first opportunity I get. |
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As you're probably aware, traffic costs, and right here is where the Rat and Mouse continues paying. Which is why we're encouraging advertisers who feel they might have something to gain from seeing their brand served up to homeowners, renters, landlords, movers, media shakers on around 4,000 pages a day. As part of the deal, you'll get a heartfelt thank you each and every week, which is why, tonight, we're saying thanks to...
... LandlordNanny, an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse? |
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During the early 1990s, Emmanuel 'Toto' Constant was the feared and ruthless leader of the Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti, or 'FRAPH' to its friends. He’s widely accused of killing, raping, maiming supporters of the overthrown former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Now, he’s based in Queens, New York, and the good news is that he’s finally facing trial – except not for war crimes, or mass murder or mayhem. He’s facing trial for stealing money from institutional lenders by inflating the value of property. In other words, he’s on trial for mortgage fraud, the crime du jour.
Our publisher finds mortgage fraud everywhere, in his weekly guest column for Citywire. |
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Basically, I'm not here. I know it looks as if I am... you're reading this, and everything... but that's the magic of technology. I'm on vacation, and (in what has become an annual tradition at the Rat and Mouse) I'm leaving you with a little festival of property, as recommended over the last couple of weeks by readers and agents. What's different this year is that you might also be reading some additional content courtesy of guest blogger Poppy Dinsey.
If you're an estate agent and you're upset that I've used one of your images... email me here, and I'll remove it the first opportunity I get. |
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 As I mentioned recently, I'm about to head off for a short holiday. So now seems a good time to introduce the Rat and Mouse's new guest blogger, Poppy Dinsey. Not only is she a great blogger, she has an academic background in Eastern European economics and real estate (so she actually knows what she's talking about), she lives in east London, works in product development and blogs for innovative property search engine Zoomf. And - she tells me - she's a massive fan of cheesecake. I'm delighted, excited and grateful that she's agreed to drop by occasionally and add her expertise to London's property blog. Stay tuned.
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As you're probably aware, traffic costs, and right here is where the Rat and Mouse continues paying. Which is why we're encouraging advertisers who feel they might have something to gain from seeing their brand served up to homeowners, renters, landlords, movers, media shakers on around 4,000 pages a day. As part of the deal, you'll get a heartfelt thank you each and every week, which is why, tonight, we're saying thanks to...
... LandlordNanny, an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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As you're probably aware, traffic costs, and right here is where the Rat and Mouse continues paying. Which is why we're encouraging advertisers who feel they might have something to gain from seeing their brand served up to homeowners, renters, landlords, movers, media shakers on around 4,000 pages a day. As part of the deal, you'll get a heartfelt thank you each and every week, which is why, tonight, we're saying thanks to...
... LandlordNanny, an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
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Apologies for the continued technical glitches... we're working on it, and normal service should be restored very shortly. Cheers, Ben |
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Thanks for the emails. I couldn't post a response because... well... of technical difficulties. Normal service resumes now...
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According to the more bullish estate agents, it will all be over by Christmas. Perhaps. In a brand new Abbey survey 61% of agents believed the property price slowdown would end within a year; only 7% thought it would last more than three years. But if there’s one thing certain about an estate agent’s smile during a downturn it’s that, like Smokey Robinson’s, it’s only there trying to fool the public… It takes a brave property investor to buy British at a time like this. Elsewhere? It’s a mixed and very confusing picture...
Our editor tackles overseas property in his Citywire guest column.
On opportunities for self-build [July 9, 2008]
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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As you're probably aware, traffic costs, and right here is where the Rat and Mouse continues paying. Which is why we're encouraging advertisers who feel they might have something to gain from seeing their brand served up to homeowners, renters, landlords, movers, media shakers on around 4,000 pages a day. As part of the deal, you'll get a heartfelt thank you each and every week, which is why, tonight, we're saying thanks to...
... LandlordNanny, an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
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It's that time of year again. Regular Rat and Mouse readers might remember that, each summer, I like to leave home for a couple of weeks and go somewhere else to enjoy what my family calls a "holiday", or "vacation". Traditionally, I throw the blog open to readers... enthusiasts, estate agents, addicts, weirdos... and publish ten days of London property that's interesting, notable or just plain eye-candy, and that's currently on the market. In the past, it's gone very well, attracting the kind of traffic and emails that suggests it's been popular with readers and tipsters alike. This year we've an extra catagory... the price drop. So... let's see 'em. Whether you're a reader a vendor or an agent, we don't care, we just want your property suggestions... London properties with a good story, a good kitchen, a good location, a good price. Start emailing us links to the particulars now (the deadline: July 22), and look forward to a ten-day festival of extraordinary London property. Thanks, Ben.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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While the bottom drops out of the residential property market in what might or might not turn out to be the most ugly and undignified economic prolapse ever suffered by the great middle classes' hearthside economy, the self-builders, the frontiers-people of the housing market, the men and the women with a dream... these people are finding themselves in an uncharacteristically privileged position. After decades of being treated like wacky longhairs, suddenly they're getting the best tables and being offered the specials. Why? They don't need to turn a profit. Their profit's built into the build.
Our publisher, in his weekly guest column, for Citywire.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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The problem with the Games is that, as well as being excruciatingly boring, they’re an expensive gift that keeps on costing. In better economic times, the usual rules of property development apply. What isn’t recouped in kind by social intangibles (status, the tourist economy) can theoretically be snatched back in post-event sales and letting, if the project’s managed skillfully. But take away the skilful management and normal market conditions and you have… well… the 2012 Olympics: a financial crisis with a graffito logo.
Our publisher, in his guest column, over at Citywire.
Technorati Tags: London, Olympics, property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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As you're probably aware, traffic costs, and right here is where the Rat and Mouse continues paying. Which is why we're encouraging advertisers who feel they might have something to gain from seeing their brand served up to homeowners, renters, landlords, movers, media shakers on around 4,000 pages a day. As part of the deal, you'll get a heartfelt thank you each and every week, which is why, tonight, we're saying thanks to...
... LandlordNanny, an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
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My favourite Private Eye cartoon of recent weeks shows a woman reading a newspaper at the breakfast table. It has a headline is about falling house prices. 'I can’t believe', she says, 'that just last week we were worrying about global warming'. Soon, we’ll begin to see whether the green domestic revolution – windmills on houses, low-energy kettles – has the resilience to withstand new and chillier economic winds; or whether it was an aspect of the good times… a way for a consumer generation, which has learnt to express itself by buying things, to show appreciation for effortlessly increasing property wealth, and give something back.
Our publisher, and his guest column, for Citywire.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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Eagle-eyed Rat and Mouse readers might have spotted our brand new advertiser. They're called LandlordNanny, and they're an innovative, hi-tech, but simple-to-use, drag-and-drop online organiser for everything a landlord needs to remember, whether managing a single property or a giant portfolio. As well as providing a useful directory of recommended letting-sector professionals (accountants, mortgage providers, HIPs providers etc), they're a registered letting agent, which means that customers get to advertise properties on the large property portals, including Primelocation.com and Propertyfinder.com. Use of the basic service is free. Upgrade to a premium account (£99.95, but £49.95 during the current introductory offer) and you get access to legal documents, automated invoicing, web-based accounting software and more. In other words, the kind of things that would cost a great deal more than £99.95 if you handed them over to a lettings agent.
The Rat and Mouse's traffic is of a scale, now, which necessitates advertising to cover the costs of bandwidth (and for that, readers, we thank you). But we've made a decision to accept only the advertisers we feel have something genuine to offer our visitors. We believe LandlordNanny is an innovative and useful service, and we hope you'll head over and check it out.
A toot on our own trumpet [June 9, 2008]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
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The Globrix data reveals that 38% of us use the Internet to snoop on our neighbours’ properties. Forty per cent admit to regularly using the Internet to look at houses, 22% surf particulars for expensive fantasy homes, a hardcore 1% admitted to spending more than three and a half hours each week browsing property porn. But wait until it’s put into context. In the same poll, only 31% estimate spending more time on the mighty Facebook than on property websites; and property surfing also beats out holiday surfing, music surfing, and even conventional pornography. This reads like an obsession.
Our publisher, on addiction and property surfing, in his guest column for Citywire.
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It’s arguably a sign of our addiction to the property value game that we just can’t leave it alone, even when the market’s going nowhere. If we can’t move house or crow over theoretical riches brought by property market gains then we need to do something, even if it’s just to keep our hands busy. So the paintbrush acts a little like one of those fake fags. You fiddle with it to satisfy a craving.
Our publisher, on DIY and property values, in his guest column for Citywire.
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Head over to the Sunday Telegraph for a useful list of the 50 Best Property Websites, including:
Perhaps the most informed property enthusiast's website is www.theratandmouse.co.uk, a highly readable mix of fact and irony. It culls papers and magazines twice daily for property gossip, whether it is the latest legal action against a dodgy estate agent or the scoop on Bruce Willis buying in Marylebone.
Thanks for the kind words...
Rat and Mouse in Googlewhack triumph [February 15, 2008]
Times lists Top 25 Property Blogs... Rat and Mouse celebrates [June 29, 2007]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
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It’s probably safe now to speculate about how shareholders are feeling. Nauseous. As in kneeling over a bucket, clinging to the tattered remains of what – just a year ago – were meaningful investments, while being hard-sold more of the same, at a bargain, knock-down price of only just below market value; shares in an ailing company which they know they’ll nevertheless have to buy if they don’t want to received a kick in the dividends. (That’s if there are any dividends in the immediate future.)
Our publisher, in his guest column over at Citywire.
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The basics of the business are simple. You have managed to mortgage yourself right up to the shoulder. Your fixed term’s come to an end, mortgages aren’t what they once were and now you’re in arrears. The message you’re getting from your lender is on the lines of ‘if this continues, you – and your family – might want to consider packing.’ It’s at such times that the sell-and-rent-back company ‘comes to the rescue’. They will buy your property from you, quickly, in cash – but often at more than 20% less than its market value – and let you stay there at a rent you can afford. You don’t own the place any more but, let’s face it, you didn’t really before. And at least you stay in the property. They get a cheap portfolio and zero void. Cool all round. Except when it isn’t.
Our publisher, on sell-and-rent-back, in his guest column for Citywire.
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Brightsale’s Andy Etches tells me that listings on his website have risen 25% a month since February and that viewing levels are higher than in August 2007. He believes that vendors who would have used Brightsale alongside a traditional agent last year are happier to use the website alone, and even more people are considering adding Brightsale’s services to their high street representation. With low overheads built into the business plan, the company’s well positioned to deal with the current downturn.
Our publisher on estate agency 2.0, in his guest column for Citywire.
Technorati Tags: estate agents, real estate agents, theRatandMouse, Web2, web2.0 |
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Would the landlords – over-mortgaged into negative equity – start dumping properties on the market en masse, precipitating the crash of all crashes while they squealed like pigs drowning in a rough sea of schadenfreude? Plenty of tenants, sections of the media, and simply greed-repulsed bystanders have been lining up to wave at them on their way down. But, as yet, there’s little sign of a storm. Or is there?
Our publisher, and buy-to-let, in his guest column at Citywire.
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2007 was the year the ‘lifestyle farmers’ bought more land than actual raised-on-the-dirt farmers. If you read the Sunday supplements you know the type, migrating London fops inspired by Blur’s Alex James to add a little country rosiness to their families’ cheeks without going the whole ruddy, tractor-face mile. Then and bigger City investors with bonuses to burn who – apparently – tend to make their country purchases on the hush-hush. Lifestyle farmers grow vegetables and chop wood for their stoves, but allow local farmers to raise animals on their land while they stay out of the rain and knit chickens.
Our publisher, on the one property sector still booming, in his guest column for Citywire.
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‘Gazunder.’ He did his best Simon Callow impression. ‘That’s a quaint word.’ I explained, there’s nothing quaint about its meaning 1) n. a pot for lazy Brummies to pee into when it’s too cold to get out of bed 2) v. pretty much the same practice, aimed at a vendor during an ailing housing market. For the purposes of this column, we’re discussing the second. And gazundering is back.
Our publisher, on gazundering, in his weekly column for Citywire.
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The story of the UK housing market – the real story, the bit with the heroes and the villains – is, like the market’s indices and headlines, in a state of constant flux.
It’s a complex piece of drama, too; each twist and turn of the plot reflecting the players in a slightly different light; a whodunit in which few of us are wholly certain of the ‘it’, let alone the ‘who’.
Newcomers to the genre make the mistake of leaping to conclusions. Remember – the first suspect’s ultimately rarely guilty. The villains don’t wear black anymore, or ride the black horses.
Our publisher... in his guest column... over at Citywire.
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Welcome aboard the Foreclosure Bus Tour. According to local news reports in the US, the big orange bus has been spotted in Orlando, Phoenix, Detroit, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Pismo Beach, and Sacramento; and according to Foreclosure Bus Tours, there are scheduled stops planned for New Haven, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Ft Lauderdale and a host of other crisis housing markets.
The service is advertised as a way of finding ‘the pick of the litter’ - the best-tended, most lovingly cared-for homes, conveniently rid of down-on-their-luck owners (a few of whom might have been tempted into reckless debt before the crunch hit; a few of whom might have been forced to remortgage to pay medical bills or other unforeseen expenses) and now available to cash investors at fire sale prices.
Our publisher, and his guest column, over at Citywire.
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Owning a second home in the UK is a bit like owning fur. It’s perfectly legal, but not something you’d necessarily volunteer among thinking people. And yet in recent weeks, the customary reticence of the country or coastal cottage weekender has been replaced by a certain amount of public bleating on the letters pages. These are the letters that begin with the declaration that the correspondent’s own second home is ‘modest’, ‘tiny’ even, or was rescued and restored from Stig Of The Dump dilapidation, to the amazement and applause of grateful local straw-chewers. ‘We’re not hurting anybody,’ is the sub-text. ‘Please don’t hate us.’
Our publisher suggests they've little to complain about, in his guest column, over at Citywire.
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For every method of skinning a cat, there are 20 ways of measuring residential property prices. Few of them will relate, much, to your house.
The publisher's column, over at Citywire.
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That's it from me until Tuesday. Have a great extended weekend. Just don't go anywhere.
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Our publisher, on sell-to-rent, over at Citywire:
Last September, my adventurous, high-achieving friend Kate (not her real name, just in case she Googles her name "+high-achieving") sold her period, three-bedroom house on the right street in Clapham. It was – she’s positive – the top of the market. She hasn’t bought another home yet. When she does, she’d like it to be a period, three-bedroom house on the right street in Clapham. Her ideal home is the one she recently sold. Except cheaper.
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Why are we so bad at this? How have we managed to manoeuvre ourselves into an economic Catch-22, in which the giant price-drop necessary to guarantee affordable homes for our children will mean our own economic ruin when we reach pension age?
... our publisher's column, over at Citywire.
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The Rat and Mouse's publisher begins a new series of columns for investment news website Citywire today... which is fresh and beautiful from an exciting expansion and redesign. Check out the site, and read about interest rates, lenders, borrowers, Mervyn King and Dale Winton here.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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My favourite email to the Rat and Mouse so far this year:
Hi There, Just wanted to let you know that your site contains a Googlewhack (i.e. only one web result
returned when you enter the words shambolic degentrification into google).
Thanks, John. You've made me absurdly proud.
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Apologies for the technical difficulties this morning. Our extreme popularity was our undoing. Normal business will resume shortly.
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It's such a long time since I spoke with Gawker Media's lively NY-based travel blog, Gridskipper, about the least favourite London buildings, that I'd almost forgotten what I'd nominated. Quite out of the blue, the piece has appeared, and it's a fun read, with contributions by Sam Jacob, Ali Mangera, Tom Holbrook and Patrick Lynch.
Technorati Tags: architecture, London, property, real estate |
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An interesting email to the Rat and Mouse, headed "List of Top 100 Property Owners in London". Turns out it's not a list, it's a question:
I was just wondering whether there's such a list available. My guess is that the top 100 owners in London own nearly than 1000000 beds. My research has been vain until now and there appears to be no data available in the public domain. Thanks for your help guys in helping me crack the code.
That's a great question, and I'm damned if I know the answer. Surely that data exists somewhere. If you know... please drop me a line and I'll pass on all information to my correspondent.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate, the rat and mouse |
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The Rat and Mouse will be taking a break now until December 27, when we'll be back with the lead-up to the traditional and very exciting New Year's property price predictions. Until then, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas... Ben
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I've received a number of emails asking me whether I'm Ben Burnside, as well as Ben Brandt. Why? It started when, in an idle moment of web browsing, a HousePriceCrash blogger plugged in HousePriceRise.co.uk... and was rewarded with this:
Why would the Bank of England buy or use that domain name? They wouldn't, of course. Commenters on the thread have traced the address to a Ben Burnside. The plot thickens. His motivations are pretty hard to fathom, but I can assure anybody who's emailed me... not guilty.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse, Web |
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The Rat and Mouse comes to you live from office floor today. Yesterday, I was poleaxed by a slipped disc. It's just fortunate the Rat and Mouse central offices have a full typing pool today, so I can at least dictate copy from the lush and expensive carpet.
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... and even huger thanks to those who emailed pointing out the lack of R&M (some even offering to help). I honestly - and I really mean honestly - had no idea you cared.
We were down for almost 24 hours, thanks to the shock waves of yesterday's RICS figures causing actual, physical damage to the Rat and Mouse server. Our hosts battled valiantly to limit the carnage, but it was extensive. We're taking new measures - just in case of an actual prolonged property price downturn or, God forbid, a crash - including the introduction of panic-retardent enclosures and anti-negative equity chipsets.
Thanks - in all seriousness - to the prolonged and skillful efforts of our brilliant hosts for getting us back up and running.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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Thanks to the Rat and Mouse readers who emailed me about this. We're experiencing problems with our "comments" facility. We're working on it. In the meantime, feel free to email.
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That was fun. I thought Mike Carter and Mark Hopwood - while approaching the subject in very different ways - both spoke eloquently about what Web2.0 is and the opportunities and risks it presents for the property industry, and I enjoyed Andy Etches' robust case for a skilled, value-driven online agency business that can thrive alongside the the more traditional high street names. I have to admit... I'd been a little nervous about the event. I make very few public appearances... I normally send a stunt double. But with such a friendly and interesting panel, skillful chairperson and informed and eloquent crowd, I'm really glad I didn't miss this. Thanks to Zoomf for the invitation, and to any Rat and Mouse readers who showed up... and particularly those who came over and said "hello".
The gentleman from Knight Frank made an interesting and very valid point about the difficulty persuading the old guard running a 150 year old company that a corporate blog might be safe, never-mind desirable or useful. That's simply never going to be easy. But the reality is that it's probably not a question about blogging, Web2.0 or new media. It's a question about leadership and business culture, and it could apply to almost anything, from technology to dress-code. In any case blogging isn't new. And if the word itself is a problem, approach it as a company journal. If the Wokingham Conservatives are doing it...
If anybody wants to keep the conversation going, or for advice about blogging software/tools, feel free to comment or email.
Technorati Tags: blogging, property, real estate, Web, Web2, web2.0 |
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That's The Specials/Knight Frank's description of the London sub-£1m riverside apartment market this month, as reported in an interesting piece in the Times. It's a case of pre-bonus nerves.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate |
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... from a very relaxing and enjoyable vacation, thanks to all (two) of you who asked. Hope you enjoyed the ten days of properties. Sorry if you tipped a place and I didn't feature it. I intend to slot a few more properties in during the coming weeks.
So what happened while I was away? Did I miss much? A few people emailed to say there was some kind of stock market turbulence related to irresponsible mortgage lending, but I think it's just an attempted wind-up. I don't believe a word of it.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate |
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So, I'm on holiday. It happens occasionally. Last year, as an experiment, I threw the blog open to readers - civilians and estate agents - and encouraged you to send in links to interesting London properties. Not necessarily expensive properties, but interesting ones. The experiment was a success... data (and feedback) suggested readers enjoyed it. So - a week or so ago - I started inviting readers to submit listings to appear on the blog during my 2007 summer break. So here we go - ten days of properties. All interesting... this year, mostly expensive, which says something about the London market. If you're an agent and you're not happy seeing your photographs on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line here and I'll remove them. (It may take a day or two, because I won't have broadband on holiday.) |
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... the Rat and Mouse still needs your help. Keep that property porn coming.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate |
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So... soon, I'm going on holiday. It's always a problem. What to do about posting to the Rat and Mouse? The London property market doesn't stop just because the London property blogger's lying on a beach with matchsticks between his toes watching Charlie's Angels lookalikes pit his olives. So for a full 12 months I've been working secretly on... a device. A computerised, roboticised, fully-automated property-blogging device. I'm now in a position to announce that it still needs work.
Last year, as an experiment, I ran nine days of extraordinary property - daily listings of the great, the good, the interesting, the available. I expected a small drop-off in traffic... disappointed Rat and Mouse readers angered by my absence and voting with their browsers. In the event, readers arrived in droves. The experiment was a success, even if I was a little offended to see the traffic rise during my absence. No matter.
So this year, I'll be doing something similar. Which is where you come in. I need particulars... send me links to London properties that you think other Rat and Mouse readers might like. They don't have to be expensive... just interesting. You'll remain anonymous, unless you specifically request a credit. And estate agents (I know - for a fact - you're reading this)... you're welcome, too. You don't even have to pretend to be somebody else. I'm off in less than two weeks, so please start sending your links, now... here. Thanks.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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Thanks for your patience, and thanks to Tag4 for their customary hard work and all-round brilliance. Keep those emails coming.
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Okay, it would be dishonest not to admit I'm excited about being up there at the top...
... but I'm also having a lot of fun exploring this list. A New Build Diary, the architecture thread at MyNinjaPlease, and pingmag, in particular, are heading straight for the Rat and Mouse feed reader, and I'm continuing to explore. Thanks, once again, to the Times for the kind words. Get the full list here.
Rat and Mouse in Times Top 50 business blogs [June 13, 2007]
Why advertise with the Rat and Mouse?
Technorati Tags: blogging, Curbed, London, property, theRatandMouse, real estate, Web, Web2, web2.0 |
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This is partly to say "thanks" to those who have written in to let us know; but mostly to shamelessly blow our own trumpet. From the Times:
As the bloggerati continue to set the agenda Times Online provides the first full list of the 50 top blogs, corporate and anti-corporate alike.
... plus commentary on the madness of the market, the vagaries of the estate agencies and the filthiest property porn in the capital. We're genuinely grateful and delighted to have been included. Thanks!
Check out the other great blogs there, too. The Rat and Mouse feed reader is bulging.
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One of the really great things about being a property blogger - apart from the money and the drugs and the girls - is being your own boss. Basically, you can do what the hell you like... and it's a daily struggle not to let all that power and influence corrupt. So today - because I can - I'm declaring this Rat and Mouse tech Friday... expect a handful of tech and web-related property stories throughout the day. If you've a tip... send it in. Please.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, Web, Web2, web2.0 |
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Please email Ben for more information.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate |
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It's about time for a little linkback... thanks to some of the websites and blogs that have sent readers to the Rat and Mouse recently... (and if I've missed you out, let me know):
The Guardian
Darnell International
City Slicker
Curbed LA
Renthusiast
Metroblogging London
Orioren.com
Gold and Finance
Jonas Superblog (although I've absolutely no idea what this means)
Page 132
The Konsortium
Curbed
WorkinProperty
Elemental
Luxist
Londonist
Celebrity.LoveToKnow.com
Bloggerheads
Thanks!
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I realise it's a long shot, but as a previous reader tipper and fan of the site... any sister sites in Edinburgh? ... any hot tips for north of the border? I mean - we're doing our best to catch up with the London crazyness ;)
Murray - I remember you well. Hmm, a Rat and Moose? I don't know, but I'm always interested in special reports...
Technorati Tags: property, real estate |
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After this. Our favourite email, ever.
I know that you were not gloating about the Foxtons Mini... but you really should be careful... you never know what you can find in your parking lot... or just send this to all those real estate kids at Foxtons and say you can feel the pain... you've been there in a better ride.
It wasn't my BMW. But I can confirm it was one of the Rat and Mouse fleet (Belgravia office). I'm still trying to get to grips with the whole story, but I believe the car had been lent to an estate agent.
Technorati Tags: estate agents, Foxton's, Foxtons, London, real estate agents |
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The first in a series of new features we're planning for 2007, London's Property Blog now brings you property search, straight from the front page. Over the next few days, we'll be fiddling with the layout a tiny bit, fixing the odd "anomaly", and doing our best to offer Rat and Mouse readers the ultimate property addict experience... news, gossip, property porn and live estate agents' listings, all from a single address. In return, we'd really love some feedback... whether you like the idea, how the search works for you, how it all looks in your browser and what else we should be doing to make the Rat and Mouse the first portal of call in London property. As always, we're here.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate |
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