Digging deep

So what do I want to know about estate agents? I need some form of decision criteria.I’m not keen on being kept waiting, so time is important. It would be nice if they were pleasant people, especially as they will be selling our house. Useful if they understand the market and didn’t start in the job last week.Perhaps scores out of 4 for· Punctuality – the time thing· Presentation – am I happy to let them into my home?· Confidence – would I buy from them?· Product knowledge – it’s a complicated house, how would they sell it?· Market knowledge – what other info do they have?Have I missed anything? Perhaps it's time to start telephoning and checking the responses._uacct = "UA-1692047-1";urchinTracker();

HIPs

How could I possibly blog about moving house and ignore the HIP factor?The government u-turned yesterday and announced that the introduction of Home Information Packs will be delayed until 1st August - when they will be brought in for sales of homes with 4 bedrooms or more.The packs are said to contain information that will be useful to any potential buyer, includingCopies of title deeds any recent planning permission or building consent given on the propertylocal area search an energy performance certificate Any good solicitor would gather all of the above, with the exception of the energy certificate, when going through the contract. As for an energy performance certificate this is pretty hopeless for a house built 200 years ago. The loft is insulated, but there’s no cavity wall, no double glazing, no gas in the village so we all use oil and those prices have increased - but look at the tax on fuel. As for low energy light bulbs, does anyone know where you can get attractive looking candle bulbs for 25 light chandeliers?And what if we did have the light bulbs and took them with us when we moved?Another key change announced by the government yesterday is that house sellers will not have to a HIP in place before putting their property up for sale. This means we can start marketing the Village House and then obtain a HIP. If we don’t buy a HIP we get a fine. Cost of HIP said to be around £500 and the fine is £200. I wonder which we should go for?