Gone very quiet

[Digga]

The following would not only benefit all buildrs, but would IMHO disproportionately benefit the struggling SME sector:

• Planning
• Conveyancing - a ramp for useless solicitors right now
• Stamp Duty

There need be no 'incentives' or winner picking, just get the state the fk out of the way of the process.

Finally, social housing; yes, build it and there are 'lucky winners' wh oget new homes at reduced rent, but we have to begin somewhere and I am not wholly against this. Life is neither fair nor perfect, we just need things to change.

[DSLiverpool]

I’m in Scotland on work and whilst I’m an old git who’s seen a lot I’ve never seen 2 artic double heights loaded with soil sold on Amazon in a day.
Seems people are happy to spend on the garden.

Were putting in the tech to grow none Amazon business and it’s teaching me more about buyers and opportunities.

[Andrew[MG]]

Is there any research on the impact of what more people living alone has done to demand in the housing market? This is based on the assumption that more people move out of the family home and into their own flat, where they would have lived there until they were married...back in the old days. I could be very wrong on this, it's just an assumption.

[borcy]

Andrew[MG] said:

Is there any research on the impact of what more people living alone has done to demand in the housing market? This is based on the assumption that more people move out of the family home and into their own flat, where they would have lived there until they were married...back in the old days. I could be very wrong on this, it's just an assumption.

I did read somewhere we have one of the highest rates of single adults in housing in Europe. Double some European countries, that must add to the issue.

[RayDonovan]

Oh good, more housing chat.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

I'm sensing that a few people are starting to look around for better paid jobs. Lots of low paid (min wage) jobs not being filled for weeks and weeks. Plus more people touting for jobs. Ringing up out of the blue.

I pay way above min wage, just noting that there's an increase in shop assistant type jobs.

[Digga]

Conversely, I have two firms and, through both, am getting deluged with CV's for skilled or professional workers looking for jobs, every day.

[loafer123]

Very dependent on sector.

My sister's advertising agency are approaching their third round of redundancies.

[LuckyThirteen]

I've been offered 4 different moving and storage firms in the last five days.

Also been made aware of another that shut up shop overnight. Stunning as it was a very good and sizeable operator. A real old school well run firm with a great rep. Didn't even explore a sale. Just shut down the moving side there and then.

All reasons are the same. Recruitment is a nightmare, retention a nightmare. Allied to a lack of work. The purgatory of reducing the size of the business commensurate and then not having the skill, or ability to then repair the damage when the market turns. Or, keep resourced but lose money, week in, week out, for how long?

(It's a highly skilled job at the proper end)

All, including me now believe this downturn is worse than the recession (08-10) was. And we have the data to support it.

The absolute mess of conveyancing is having a major effect on morale everywhere. You just can't plan ahead, ever. It's soul destroying.

One a very good operator, owned building, financially solid. However depressed and miserable from the last 18months. 'had enough of house moving'

One about half the size of above, same reasons. We're starting due diligence on it tomorrow.

Two in the south west.
Both also thoroughly fed up. All the same reasons

Conversation with a mover yesterday, very different part of the country. He says he's hearing the same stuff every other day. Home movers of all shapes and sizes pulling the plug.

Not mentioned above but the week before a firm half-local also pulled the plug last month. Long established firm.

It's really starting to bite, hard

[J6542]

People maybe aren’t moving but they are still spending plenty on improving their houses. All the trades I know in my area, are still rushed off their feet with work, and being picky with what they take on.

[LuckyThirteen]

Could be a regional element.

Lady I work with has had zero issues at short notice sorting bathroom fitters (3 week lead) or carpets (2 week lead).

[Phooey]

There's a company local to me that has a couple of luton type vans that have for years done house clearances but have tagged onto the house removal business - albeit i suspect on a small scale and within the local area. But they are doing very well apparently - a mate used them and he said they were excellent, and cheap.

[Digga]

The housing market being so stagnant has huge ramifications for an economy. The fact that long established removals firms are closing indicates how severe this crisis has become.

[RayDonovan]

My local area used to be a real hotbed for house sales, even pre COVID there was waiting lists for 3/4 bed houses.

Now, dead. Only stuff selling are bungalows for retired older folk and really cheap 2/3 bed places that need alot of work.

[rowley birkin]

My son is an estate agent; he is very busy (Norfolk).

[Slow.Patrol]

Digga said:

The housing market being so stagnant has huge ramifications for an economy. The fact that long established removals firms are closing indicates how severe this crisis has become.

Unfortunately successive Governments rely on the housing market to drive the economy. We need to return to houses being a home and not an investment.

[Dr Interceptor]

Not sure if its just our area (Farnborough, Hants), or perhaps a lack of property on the market, but houses round here seem to be selling very quickly.

A family that live opposite my shop went up for sale a couple of weeks ago on the Thursday, had viewings Saturday, offers and accepted Monday.

The house next door to them sold the week prior, and a set of four being built round the corner are all sold off plan before being finished.

[r3g]

Dr Interceptor said:

Not sure if its just our area (Farnborough, Hants), or perhaps a lack of property on the market, but houses round here seem to be selling very quickly.

A family that live opposite my shop went up for sale a couple of weeks ago on the Thursday, had viewings Saturday, offers and accepted Monday.

The house next door to them sold the week prior, and a set of four being built round the corner are all sold off plan before being finished.

Yes very busy up here in Yorks and the sensibly priced removal companies also very busy, as are most businesses. I think the complaints from business owners saying it's "dead" and are having to shut down are self-inflicted mostly, because they made bank by putting their prices sky high during the covaids and have kept them at the same level which basically nobody will pay now. Like everything, if your product or service isn't selling then either a) it's too expensive and/or b) there is no demand for it.

[singlecoil]

Dr Interceptor said:

Not sure if its just our area (Farnborough, Hants), ...

Well done, people on this thread usual comment on what's happening in their area without mentioning where that is, and no clues in their profile

[Kerniki]

Sold one of ours in northampton, April - 1 week on market, 6 viewings, 2 full offers, yet to complete.