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Area: About
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A big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
And don't forget Primelocation's very popular iPad app, which offers just about the most fun it's possible to have searching for a property with your clothes on.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse
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Let's end the week by giving thanks... a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
And don't forget Primelocation's very popular iPad app, which offers just about the most fun it's possible to have searching for a property with your clothes on.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate |
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The Rat and Mouse is officially on holiday. (I can tell, because I've a burnt ankle, where I "missed a bit".) But that doesn't mean there won't be anything to read. Encouraged by good feedback from last summer's experiment, I've arranged another series of interviews. We'll be chatting with an entrepreneur setting out to prove there's never a bad time to launch a good property-related business; a top name at Channel 4's 4homes; an expert in the area where new media meets the property business; a property film-maker, no less; and one of the country's most controversial and compelling economics journalists and more. Stay tuned.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate |
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Let's start the week by giving thanks... a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
And don't forget Primelocation's very popular iPad app, which offers just about the most fun it's possible to have searching for a property with your clothes on.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse
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A big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
And don't forget Primelocation's very popular iPad app, which offers just about the most fun it's possible to have searching for a property with your clothes on.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse
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A kind-hearted Rat and Mouse reader made it for us and sent it over an embarrassingly long time ago. We've finally installed it, and we think it's rather nice. (See above, before the web address.) He didn't want any publicity, so we'll just leave it at "thanks". You know who you are.
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A big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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A big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
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I'm off, now (heading to a wedding in Northern Ireland), until Tuesday... so have a great Easter Weekend.
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It's time to say a bit "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com, for both continuing to support this labour of love, and providing a very useful property search function to the Rat and Mouse. We're hope you're using the box (top right) and coming here to get your daily dose of property news, gossip and opinion, before searching for bricks-and-mortar.
Plans for the Rat and Mouse in the coming weeks? More guest blogs, from people either working right on the property market front line, or those with the data/access to provide Rat and Mouse readers with interesting and original views and offers. If you think that might be you, please get in touch.
In fact, why don't you just get in touch. Either by email, or chat with the Rat on Twitter, with any ideas for what you'd like to read this spring. In the meantime, have a hip, but not too hip, weekend.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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It's time to say a bit "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com, for both continuing to support this labour of love, and providing a very useful property search function to the Rat and Mouse. We're hope you're using the box (top right) and coming here to get your daily dose of property news, gossip and opinion, before searching for bricks-and-mortar.
Plans for the Rat and Mouse in the coming weeks? More guest blogs, from people either working right on the property market front line, or those with the data/access to provide Rat and Mouse readers with interesting and original views and offers. If you think that might be you, please get in touch.
In fact, why don't you just get in touch. Either by email, or chat with the Rat on Twitter, with any ideas for what you'd like to read this spring. In the meantime, have a great weekend.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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A big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
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We just couldn't cope with the mighty Renter Girl, but came a respectable second, which is why I'd like to thank the (more than 1,500) readers who bothered to click through and vote. It's truly appreciated. While I'm at it, January was a record month for traffic, with the Rat and Mouse serving 234,149 pages. So thanks for that, too. Keep reading.
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First of all, a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
In the meantime, have a great weekend, and don't believe everything the statisticians tell you.
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First of all, a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
In the meantime, it's never too late to get out there and have fun. Have a great weekend. X
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I've been traveling a lot. On trains. In the far north of England. During a weather "emergency". And my dongle's just not been working the way it should. Things will get better.
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So who would have thought that day before Christmas Eve, 2009, would be all about London house prices soaring and mortgage approvals rising and estate agents profiting and bullish Scots? Not me. But there you have it.
The Rat and Mouse will be silent until December 27, when it will return, wearing a tasteless sweater, and provide property news running up until the New Year (and our annual house price predictions post). Until then, we wishhhhhh you a happy Christmas, and thank you for supporting the Rat and Mouse in a year that's seen record traffic (a record for us, not for, say, the BBC or Google) and no end of property market drama. Seriously, have a wonderful holiday. B x
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From the Primelocation blog:
Calling all property bloggers… We want to celebrate your brilliance.
We are announcing the launch of our very first blog awards – and we’re looking for your nominations.
The categories are:
Best blog
Best blog post
Best newcomer (for a blog that started in 2009)
Users’ favourite blog
We're about to get busy nominating... but (although we've been told we can) we don't feel like nominating ourselves. It just doesn't feel right. Which means... we'd really appreciate your support. If you come here often, you enjoy what you find or it's useful to your life in any way, here's a quick and easy and (most importantly) free way to say thank you. Email editorial@primelocation.com with your nominations, and do it right now before you forget. Thanks! Read more here.
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First off, a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
In November, the Rat and Mouse once again broke all previous records with a new traffic high. If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
In the meantime, don't do anything stupid this weekend. X
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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First off, a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
In October, the Rat and Mouse once again broke all previous records with a new traffic high. If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
In the meantime, look sharp this weekend. X
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A new week, and about time I said a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
Last month the Rat and Mouse broke all previous records with a new traffic high. If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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A new week, and about time I said a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
Last month the Rat and Mouse broke all previous records with a new traffic high. If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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A new week, and about time I said a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
Last month the Rat and Mouse broke all previous records with a new traffic high. If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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A new week, and about time I said a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
Last month the Rat and Mouse broke all previous records with a new traffic high. If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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I'm packing up for the weekend, but before I go I want to say a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
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I'm packing up for the weekend, but before I go I want to say a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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I'm packing up for the weekend, but before I go I want to say a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
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... leaner, fitter, tanner, sadly not richer. This year's interview series experiment was a success, I think. Generally, it all happened smoothly (apart from last Friday's, which appears to be missing, somewhere, in transit, but which we'll bring you shortly). Thanks to everyone who emailed, thanks to those who wished me a happy holiday, and thanks, in particular, to those who agreed to be interviewed and provided such interesting conversations. There'll definitely be more.
I'd intended to drop by once in a while, but Internet access - even BlackBerry access - proved trickier than I'd expected. So what did I miss... apart from a Halifax House Price Index that proved (yeah, right) that the Brits are about to party like it's 2006/2007?
Regular posts will continue throughout the day.
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I'm packing up for the weekend, but before I go I want to say a big "thank you" to our sponsor, Primelocation.com. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Next week, the Rat and Mouse will be trying something new, so be sure to come back on Monday to see what's happening. Have a great weekend.
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Before we go... a big thanks to our sponsors for continuing to support the Rat and Mouse. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
That's all the housekeeping for now. Be yourself this weekend.
Technorati Tags: London, property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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A big thanks to our sponsors for continuing to support the Rat and Mouse. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links.
For instance: this - on the winner of Channel 4's I Own Britain's Best Home - or, more to the point, I Used To Own Britain's Best Home, because, as Primelocation has discovered, the Norfolk eco-mansion is for sale.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
Technorati Tags: property, property TV, real estate |
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Before we go... a big thanks to our sponsors for continuing to support the Rat and Mouse. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. An example? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
That's all the housekeeping for now. Get out and cut loose this weekend.
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Before we go... a big thanks to our sponsors for continuing to support the Rat and Mouse. Remember, Primelocation.com isn't just about searching properties listed by 4,000 leading estate agents, the website's a mine of useful advice, information and links. This week's favourite? Go here to search up-to-date real life completion prices for UK property. Snoop on your neighbours. Do the maths before making an offer. It's useful, it's free... you need to register, but it's quick and easy. If you've feedback, let us know and we'll pass it on with pleasure.
If you want to know more about advertising opportunities on the Rat and Mouse, drop me a line. Or if you just want to chat with the Rat, we're on Twitter here, or email us tips here.
That's all the housekeeping for now. Move smooth this Bank holiday weekend.
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It's up there... see it? Top right... just underneath the very funny faux-dictionary definition box that explains why the Rat and Mouse is the Rat and Mouse. That clever box allows you to search directly for UK sales and rental and even international property from the comfort of your favourite blog's front page. It's powered by Primelocation.com, who list property from more than 4,000 leading estate agencies, carry a mine of useful information, tips and advice across their portal, and who keep the Rat and Mouse going by kindly sponsoring the website. Thanks to Primelocation. Please use the box.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse, or if you've creative ideas about how we might work together, drop me a line.
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It's up there... see it? Top right... just underneath the very funny faux-dictionary definition box that explains why the Rat and Mouse is the Rat and Mouse. That clever box allows you to search directly for UK sales and rental and even international property from the comfort of your favourite blog's front page. It's powered by Primelocation.com, who list property from more than 4,000 leading estate agencies, carry a mine of useful information, tips and advice across their portal, and who keep the Rat and Mouse going by kindly sponsoring the website. Thanks to Primelocation. Please use the box.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse, or if you've creative ideas about how we might work together, drop me a line.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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Kudos to our sponsors Primelocation.com for combining both Microsoft Virtual Earth's "Bird's Eye" and Google's "Street View", to give two different perspectives on a neighbourhood. Click through to a property from your search results, click local information and maps and then choose from Microsoft's view or Google's, to drill down into the neighbourhood. We like... and we thank Primelocation for continuing to help us bring you the daily London property news headlines and more.
If you want to know more about how you can advertise on the Rat and Mouse, and why it's a great idea, email me here for more information.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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Kudos to our sponsors Primelocation.com for combining both Microsoft Virtual Earth's "Bird's Eye" and Google's "Street View", to give two different perspectives on a neighbourhood. Click through to a property from your search results, click local information and maps and then choose from Microsoft's view or Google's, to drill down into the neighbourhood. We like... and we thank Primelocation for continuing to help us bring you the daily London property news headlines and more.
If you want to know more about how you can advertise on the Rat and Mouse, and why it's a great idea, email me here for more information.
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Kudos to our sponsors Primelocation.com for now combining both Microsoft Virtual Earth's "Bird's Eye" and Google's "Street View", to give two different perspectives on a neighbourhood. Click through to a property from your search results, click local information and maps and then choose from Microsoft's view or Google's, to drill down into the neighbourhood. We like... and we thank Primelocation for continuing to help us bring you the daily London property news headlines and more.
If you want to know more about how you can advertise on the Rat and Mouse, and why it's a great idea, email me here for more information.
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Before we go and start ushering in the weekend with the help of a couple of daiquiris and some dips, there's just about time to once again express our gratitude to our sponsor. Primelocation offers buyers and sellers an international reach, and its portal is a mine of useful information, including useful guides for homeowners, landlords and movers. It also, of course, features property from 4,000 leading estate agency firms. The Rat and Mouse needs the support of forward-looking organisations like Primelocation if it's to continue bringing you your daily dish of property news and gossip, so we hope you'll support them in return, by using the search box in the top right hand corner.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse, or if you've creative ideas about how we might work together, contact me here.
In the meantime, remember... the economic news might be bad, but it's never the wrong time to slip into something white, and dance with the ladies. Love to love you baby. See you Monday.
Rat and Mouse in the times' top twenty personal finance blogs [January 23, 2009]
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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Primelocation offers buyers and sellers an international reach, and its portal is a mine of useful information, including useful guides for homeowners, landlords and movers. It features property from 4,000 leading estate agency firms, and the voice of Terence Stamp in its ads... which makes me happy. The Rat and Mouse needs the support of forward-looking organisations like Primelocation if it's to continue bringing you your daily dish of property news and gossip, so we hope you'll support them in return, by using the search box in the top right hand corner.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse (stop press: 200,000 page impressions in December), or if you've creative ideas about how we might work together, contact me here.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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Primelocation offers buyers and sellers an international reach, and its portal is a mine of useful information, including useful guides for homeowners, landlords and movers. It features property from 4,000 leading estate agency firms, and the voice of Terence Stamp in its ads... which makes me happy. The Rat and Mouse needs the support of forward-looking organisations like Primelocation if it's to continue bringing you your daily dish of property news and gossip, so we hope you'll support them in return, by using the search box in the top right hand corner.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse (stop press: 200,000 page impressions in December), contact me here for more information.
Rat and Mouse in the Times' top twenty personal finance blogs [January 23, 2009]
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Primelocation offers buyers and sellers an international reach, and its portal is a mine of useful information, including useful guides for homeowners, landlords and movers. It features property from 4,000 leading estate agency firms, and the voice of Terence Stamp in its ads... which makes me happy. The Rat and Mouse needs the support of forward-looking organisations like Primelocation if it's to continue bringing you your daily dish of property news and gossip, so we hope you'll support them in return, by using the search box in the top right hand corner.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse (stop press: 200,000 page impressions in December), contact me here for more information.
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Take new research by PropertyFinder.com that suggests a year of falling house price has quickly closed the rungs at the bottom end of the property ladder more than anywhere else, enough to provide affordable opportunities for one-bedroom property owners to trade up into something bigger. A second bedroom now costs, on average, an extra £31,000, compared to £41,500 just a year ago. A further £58,500 (compared to £66,000) will add a third bedroom. Good news for growing families? Perhaps, if they managed to buy a decade ago and have let the equity in their current properties grow untouched (or they’re that rare breed of growing family with giant reserves of cash in the bank).
Our publisher asks whether anybody can profit from improved affordability in the housing market, in his weekly column, for Citywire.
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That's it from the Rat and Mouse until Monday December 29... unless, of course, something extraordinary happens... like a giant freeze-up in credit, or a major investment bank collapsing, or the property market entering free-fall. But what are the chances of something like that happening?
In the meantime, I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays. I don't say if often enough, but I appreciate you visiting. In the course of the year, we've watched Rat and Mouse traffic break through the 200,000 pages a month mark... not a giant deal to News International, perhaps, but something of an achievement for a two-man band. I've enjoyed your comments and (most of) your emails. Please keep them coming in 2009, and don't be shy about suggesting things you'd like to read or see on the page.
Finally, a big thanks to our sponsor, Primelocation.com, who provide the search box above and to the right. Use it... it's good. And visit the site. Read all their great stuff too.
[photo by Caro's Lines]
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Primelocation offers buyers and sellers an international reach, and its portal is a mine of useful information, including useful guides for homeowners, landlords and movers. It features property from 4,000 leading estate agency firms, and the voice of Terence Stamp in its ads... which makes me happy. The Rat and Mouse needs the support of forward-looking organisations like Primelocation if it's to continue bringing you your daily dish of property news and gossip, so we hope you'll support them in return, by using the search box in the top right hand corner.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse (stop press: 205,000 page impressions in November), contact me here for more information.
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Primelocation offers buyers and sellers an international reach, and its portal is a mine of useful information, including useful guides for homeowners, landlords and movers. It features property from 4,000 leading estate agency firms, and the voice of Terence Stamp in its ads... which makes me happy. The Rat and Mouse needs the support of forward-looking organisations like Primelocation if it's to continue bringing you your daily dish of property news and gossip, so we hope you'll support them in return, by using the search box in the top right hand corner.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse (stop press: 205,000 page impressions in November), contact me here for more information.
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Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed a few changes to our front page. We're thrilled and delighted to welcome leading property portal Primelocation on board, not only as sponsors, but as search partners, too. Primelocation offers buyers and sellers an international reach, and its portal is a mine of useful information, including useful guides for homeowners, landlords and movers. It features property from 4,000 leading estate agency firms, and the voice of Terence Stamp in its ads... which makes me happy. The Rat and Mouse needs the support of forward-looking organisations like Primelocation if it's to continue bringing you your daily dish of property news and gossip, so we hope you'll support them in return, by using the search box in the top right hand corner.
If your firm is interested in advertising on the Rat and Mouse (stop press: 200,000 page impressions in October), contact me here for more information.
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Furthermore, according to Steve Cox, operations director at Spicerhaart Financial Services and, for the purposes of this column, the man with the interesting, contrarian statistic, buy-to-let’s been picking up in recent weeks. Monitoring mortgage activity through the brokerage, he’s seen a 58% rise in buy-to-let mortgage business in September, the biggest increase in over 12 months. Should we be surprised by this? The buy-to-let sector comes with a built-in hedge. When house prices fall, yields rise.
Our publisher examines a contrary view of buy-to-let, in his weekly guest column for Citywire.
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If you believe the wider media, the credit crunch is directly responsible for this novel approach to property sales, and behind the Wilshaws of Devon and the Bawtrees of Cheltenham are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of desperate vendors, with barely a sniff of a viewing to show for months on the market, kneeling on the lounge floor, hugging each other and cutting lottery tickets.
But, the property raffle wasn’t invented during the credit crunch. Over at the Rat and Mouse property blog, we watched with interest as several schemes, came, talked the talk (‘a house for a fiver’, ‘a really great way for first-time buyers to get a foot on the rung’… really!), failed to sell enough tickets to meet the minimum figure necessary to release the deeds (always check the small print), and went… a portion of the takings handed over to the winner, the rest pocketed to cover ‘expenses’.
Our publisher tackles the numerical and legal uncertainties of the property raffle, in his guest column over at Citywire.
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Completingchain.com encourages multiple estate agents to bring together buyers and sellers to form links in a chain that will be sustained and nurtured by everybody involved. Assuming (correctly) that it’s often the very bottom of the chain that causes its demise, the system will make life easier for credit-limited first-time buyers by encouraging everybody further up to discount a little to help subsidise that first-rung purchase. The higher up the chain, the less (proportionally) it will cost to keep things moving. The longer the chain, the more the burden’s shared. It’s clever, but it will depend on agents signing up.
Our publisher, on some ingenious chain management systems, in his weekly guest column for Citywire.
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So all is good in real estate’s Second Life at least? Not necessarily. In an eerie anticipation of offline troubles, Second Life began 2008 with a bank run. Enterprising individuals had established banks in Second Life, luring players to deposit money in virtual accounts in exchange for promises of rates to beat those in the real world. When many failed to make good, Linden Labs responded to complaints by shutting the entire banking sector down. Virtual queues formed outside virtual banks, virtual 'no-withdrawal' notices were posted on virtual ATMs. Real money – and nobody seems at all sure as yet how much – has really been lost.
Our publishers looks at property in Second Life, in his weekly guest column for Citywire.
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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]
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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]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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That's it from me until Tuesday. Have a great extended weekend. Just don't go anywhere.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate, theRatandMouse |
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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.
Technorati Tags: property, real estate |
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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.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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Apologies for the technical difficulties this morning. Our extreme popularity was our undoing. Normal business will resume shortly.
Technorati Tags: theRatandMouse |
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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!
Technorati Tags: property, real estate |
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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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I've had a handful of emails this morning, asking... "Where are you?" And the honest answer was, I have no idea. But whatever the issue was has been speedily resolved by the Rat and Mouse's friends at Tag4, and we're back up and running. If you emailed... thanks!
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Regular Rat and Mouse readers... we don't ask much (anything) of you, usually, but just this once... if you like what we do... why not consider heading over to the Bloggies page, where you have until the end of Wednesday, January 10, to nominate your favourite London property weblog in the UK category?
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We're informed that John D Wood, estate agents, had 545 visitors to their website on Christmas Day, doubling their 2005 traffic. Obviously, that's good. Just not quite as good as the 1,756 Christmas Day visits to the Rat and Mouse. Which is why some Rat and Mouse readers should seriously consider advertising on the site. Currently, I'm putting together a small (four, maybe less) syndicate of non-competing sponsors who can benefit from a presence on the front page. Since the blog is read by both property vendors and movers and media shakers, there will be a modest monthly fee for the privilege, which will be re-invested in the website, so I can put in place some of the new and interesting changes and features I have planned for 2007. If you're interested, email me here.
Meanwhile, to read why advertising on niche websites is more effective, go here.
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... to all Rat and Mouse readers. Expect a few changes to London's property blog during 2007... more details to follow in the coming weeks. In the meantime, thanks for your continuing support.
Rat and Mouse readers - we love you [November 2, 2006]
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That's it until Wednesday. When we come back, we'll have a round-up of 2007 property price predictions, and a look back at what the experts were predicting for this year... plus, a little about what the Rat and Mouse has planned for 2007. Thanks for reading, thanks for subscribing, thanks for your emails. The Rat and Mouse wishes you all very Happy Holidays.
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 The guys at Nestoria, one of the UK's most advanced property search engines, are long time Rat and Mouse readers. A few days ago, they contacted to me with a series of questions about the London property scene in general and property search in particular. Somewhat flattered, and always keen to talk houses... I answered them. Find the interview here.
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Some of you may have noticed I had a spot of extremely rare server trouble this morning. It's fixed, the Rat and Mouse is back, posts to follow immediately. (By the way, if you emailed the Rat and Mouse between 8am and 2pm today, you might want to re-send... apologies.)
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We don't say it enough, but at the Rat and Mouse we appreciate our readers... all 2,500 of you who visit us each and every day (except, for some reason, Sundays... when it's apparently decreed that roughly 1,000 of you must rest and not look at property porn or read property gossip for a full 24 hours). We especially appreciate those readers who get involved. Every email, every comment (except these, because we have reason to believe they're all posted by one very sad actor person)... we appreciate them, and we want more of them. We know that sifting through the world's press (so you don't have to) for the best London property stories of the day is useful, but it's not enough for us. We enjoy ourselves most when we're being more of a "hub". And we can't be that without you. So - let's share this evil obsession. We want:
- Property development tips. New development in your area? Post us a pic as one building goes down or another goes up.
- Property news opinion. Boom or bust, tax and legislation... we want your views.
- Your impressions of your neighbourhood, real insider knowledge from each and every London postcode.
- Calls for property-related help - we'll post 'em, with pleasure - you monitor the comments.
- Your photographs... porn-worthy properties, new developments, extraordinary viewings... phone-snaps welcome.
- Estate agent tales - as a buyer, as a vendor, hell, as an agent. We want to hear the estate agents' side of things, too.
Frankly, we want to get to know you. Here's how it works... you email us here. We assume you'd prefer to remain anonymous and under no circumstances share or publish your name or email address... unless you specifically tell us it's okay. That's it. And thanks - as always - for reading.
Ben
The Rat and Mouse - it's about your house
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Ed, over at property search engine Nestoria, reveals the Top Five Misspelled London Place Names. It follows last week's list of most popular search areas. Inspired, I checked out some Rat and Mouse stats to see what search terms are sending new readers our way - something I ought to do more often. All the obvious ones are there... "rat and mouse", "london property blog", "property porn". I'm not entirely positive how readers found us searching "emma bunton", "freddie ljungberg" or "candy davis pics"... but find us, and in quantities, they did.
The Rat and Mouse interview - the Power of Search [July 10]
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... we want your property porn. Thanks to everybody who's responded so far. Please keep them coming. |
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Due to the combination of some unexpectedly necessary tinkering at the server/database end of things and the loss of my broadband service here at home (what timing, eh?) I've been experiencing what's technically known as a headache. The server's sorted (thanks Tag4!) - but my broadband isn't (thanks BT!)... so I'm still struggling a little. Normal service will resume shortly. |
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At the end of this week I'm taking a fortnight's holiday... heading, with family, to the coast to celebrate the onset of autumn in style - gusty wind, drizzly sand, stone-grey skies, the traditional British holiday. My internet connection will, like the answer, be blowing in the wind, so I think it will be the perfect time to do something that's been at the back of my mind for some time. I'm looking for extraordinary London properties currently on the market, and I'm appealing for your help. I want listings that tug at the heart strings. They don't have to be expensive, or big, or in a grand location. They just need to have a uniqueness about them, a sense of character, that makes you imagine living in them. Over the next five days please send me links, and (if you like) some comments about the property, what it is that appeals to you. And if you're an estate agent, you're very welcome, too. No names or email addresses will be published. Send your tips here, and please try to get them to me by Friday. |
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We've watched our daily visitor numbers hit the thousands and keep on growing. We've also been consistently informed and entertained by the emails sent in each day by readers. So - as you might have noticed - we've decided it's time to tweak the system and place greater emphasis on reader comment and contribution. We want the Rat and Mouse to be a community as well as a blog - a place to argue, discuss and ask and answer questions. So - a few days ago - we switched on the blog's comments facility. Now, we're testing out a forum, and if things take off, we'll import our membership into something a bit neater, and host it with the Rat and Mouse. I really hope you'll join up and make extensive use of the place. The Rat and Mouse has forged some good relationships with professionals right across the property industry, and I'm also hopeful that some of these people will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions. (If you're a property professional - please feel free to drop by and introduce yourself in the plug in section.) I don't - and you shouldn't - expect a busy, thriving community to develop over night. Forums (fora?) have a necessary gestation period. But unless a few of you break the ice... it won't happen. So I'm counting on you.
In the meantime, I've moved an interesting (and perhaps surprising) comment thread over from the blog before it drops off the front page. It's about the second-homes debate - you'll find it here - please let us know your thoughts. |
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It's a Bank Holiday here in the UK, and I'll shortly be leaving to do "family stuff". But first I want to draw your attention to this - our brand new forum. I'll be back tomorrow to explain more - the reasoning behind it and what we'd like it to become - but for now I'd just like to say... please visit, please join, please say hello. I don't expect our little Proboards home to become densely populated overnight, but I do feel that London househunters and movers, those involved in the London property business (and beyond) and anybody interested in the vagaries of the housing market (here and abroad) could use a place to argue, share knowledge, ask questions and make friends. More tomorrow. |
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 Those of you who have written to us in recent months asking why there isn't a "comment" facility on this blog will know that I eventually admitted the truth... I didn't know how to switch it on. But now - after less than six weeks of fiddling, futzing and whatever else - we've found the button, pressed it, and the Rat and Mouse should accept comments from this moment on. I really hope you'll take advantage of it and that some of the lively and informed arguments and criticism I've had the pleasure of receiving via email will now start to appear publicly and perhaps spark off further debate and comment. And that's not all. There's another exciting Rat and Mouse feature just a day or two away. I don't want to spoil the plot right now... but keep checking back.
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You see how this happens? You write one lousy story about toilets, and suddenly Googleads covers your entire front page with ads for toilet stores. Including ones with unfortunate domain names:
That's it for us, now, until Tuesday. Have a truly wonderful Easter weekend. |
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We had a few server difficulties. If you emailed us this morning - and you can be bothered - a "re-send' would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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The Telegraph reports on Cliffe Cottage, Redcliffe Mews in Chelsea, apparently the only house in London (apart from the Queen's) to not carry a number. The story is that the house was built after the rest of the mews had been developed. and all the good numbers had already been taken. It's said to be with Lane Fox, at £1.7 million... but we can't find any reference to it at the website. For what it's worth, the Telegraph page starts with an upbeat story about estate agents John D Wood who reported 261 users visiting their website on Christmas Day, as evidence of a turn in the property market. The Rat and Mouse can confirm the Christmas Day property frenzy with visitor figures of, well, let's just say treble that number and add some more. So if you want to consider advertising on the Rat and Mouse... email to discuss. |
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So... it's time now to say goodbye for a few days, wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas, and pretend we're not obsessing about London property for just a few days. I've been purposefully ignoring all, or at least most, of the 2006 house price prediction during the last few days, with the intention of gathering them together for a last post of the year next week. So stay tuned for that. Otherwise, I'll be away Monday and Tuesday, and back with the occasional story from Wednesday. MERRY CHRISTMAS, and thanks for reading the Rat and Mouse. |
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The Rat and Mouse gets readers... more than we dared imagine we'd get when I joined forces with an ace web designer to set this thing up. And that's fine. But we'd really like more of your stuff... that's your tips, your stories, your opinions, your favourite property porn and particulars, favourite property TV, least favourite estate agents, your own London property-related stories, your photos from the city streets. Estate agents - and we know you're reading this because your IP addresses say it's so - we want your stuff, too. I know it's a tough business, and your clients are no angels. Tell us about it. It's time to get interactive. We don't pass on email addresses (to be honest, we're not organised enough to hold onto them ourselves.) And we'll never reveal your identity. Unless, of course, you insist. So come on... more interaction, that's what we want, now and in 2006. You know where to find us. |
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 We're one thousand posts long... one whole thousand snippets of mainly London property-related news and opinion and gossip and porn. And we're looking forward to the next thousand. If you want to know more about the Rat and Mouse, why you should consider advertising with us, sponsoring us, sending tips to us or just continuing to read us... there's more shameless self-promotion after the jump.
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 First off - a huge apology for the recent unreliability of the Rat and Mouse's email addresses. If you wrote to us in the last fortnight and we didn't reply... we really weren't being deliberately rude. Now - thanks to a little corrective surgery by the ever-wonderful Tag4 - we're guaranteed to read your message. So, please, try us again... here for tips, here for me, here for advertising or if you want to know more about the Rat and Mouse's influential readership.
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I'm taking a holiday. Yes, clearing off for a whole two weeks. It will be the first time I've left the Rat and Mouse to fend for itself since May 2004... which is why I've decided not to let the Rat and Mouse fend for itself. Say "hi" to Rat and Mouse stand-in blogger Gilbert Gazunder, who will be posting in my absence. I know for a fact that he's very keen that Rat and Mouse readers share their grubbiest property porn with him - so don't be selfish with the smut, send your favourite particulars to the usual address and make a sick man very happy. |
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If you're one of our London readers, you're probably aware by now that the city's in chaos, with a series explosions reported in various locations. If you're reading this from afar, please be patient with us, as we wait and see how this develops before deciding on what posts will continue today. In the meantime, go here for breaking news. |
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Some facts:
- each day, the Rat and Mouse sifts through scores of daily London property stories so its readers don't have to. The most interesting, newsworthy and important, along with exclusive tips (sent to tips@theRatandMouse.co.uk) appear on the website.
- the Rat and Mouse received more than six million hits in 2007, and serves more than four thousand page impressions a day. Its reach includes home sellers and buyers, the industry itself and an important and informed media readership, who regularly consult the Rat and Mouse when looking for interviewees.
If you’re a real property gossip addict, there’s a site which will become the centre of your life: www.theratandmouse.co.uk... its wealth of intelligence and curtain-twitch information about London property stuff makes it a snooper’s must see. (Financial Times)
- The Rat and Mouse has been featured in the Sunday Telegraph, quoted in the Guardian, the Times and the Financial Times, by the BBC (online and on the radio) and Bloomberg, and it's been consulted by ITN.
- The Rat and Mouse is one of the very few British blogs to be quoted and linked to by America's powerhouse blog networks (including New York's Curbed and Gridskipper, of Gawker Media-fame).
- The Rat and Mouse was named one of the world's top five property/construction-related blogs by Building magazine and one of the world's top 50 business blog by the Times newspaper.
- The Rat and Mouse syndicates a branded column to The Resident, extending its reach to a further 60,000 homes a month, and a weekly column to Citywire.co.uk, one of the financial world's most respected news sources.
Advertising on the Rat and Mouse is a cost-effective way to reach a highly targeted readership of homemovers, industry players and journalists. For more information, email Ben.
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