Get me thinner

A while back I mentioned a man who came to look at a house to rent and told me he could shoo spirits away if they were hanging around too long. Well I bumped into him at the leisure centre (I wasn't there doing sports I can assure you - we go there to buy chocolate when the other shops are shut!) and he told me he thought he should pay me a visit becuase I was looking tired.

Anyhow he popped in to my office the other today to give me a consultation becuase he is also a herbalist and reiki healer. From having a good look at me he thinks I must have a lot of stuff trapped in my colon.. I though I was just a bit fat! Never mind, I also need to use my name as it was given to me GREGORY not Greg. I had a thought that maybe I need MORE name so how about a middle name (my parents couldn't think of one apparently) something like T - for Trevor? Or TM Trevor Milo? Gregory Trevor Milo Simpson?????

The cure for my sticky colon is a box of goodies which arrived this morning. Guaranteed to increase the number of toilet visits in any one day and needs a few days at home to sort out. I won't be doing that any tome soon as I can't always be sure of being close to a bathroom.....

There is other stuff in the box though incuding green liquid chlorophyll which smells like mint sauce but tastes very greeeen and some other pills to calm my nerves. The kids tested my nerves before and after taking a pill and pronounced no difference but we will see how it goes over the next week and I will update you.

I received another box this week which was much more exciting becuase it was filled with pens. I am on such a strict budget at the moment that I am reduced to buying stationery from eBay to satisfy my longing for something new and shiny. New Porsches are some way off but pens to keep me going. This box had a couple of those cartridge pens that were popular in schools in the 80s. Did you have one too?

It's Friday!

Well the week went by and I've only just found time to post.

What a week! Happy tenants, frustrated and frustrat-ing landlords, appointments here there and everywhere and then the government manage to cock up the whole Hips thing. Who'd have thought it? Maybe they had a busier week than me and lost their minds!!! And the estate agents will get the blame for sure. Here in Abingdon I can't tell you how many 'Beat the Hip' type promo leaflets have been pushed through our door. I wonder if the agents who were offering £250 off their fees on instructions before 1st June will be extending their offer?

There are so many properties for sale this month that buyers can afford to be really choosy. A birdie tells me that sales are falling through because all of a sudden buyers are seeing something they like more than the one they had agreed to buy. Greedy, green eyed buyers? Surely not!

Look out for all those 3 bedroom houses with study, painting studio and upstairs lounge for sale in August. Seriously though this only makes not selling your property even more attractive doesn't it? Who knows what wheeze they will think up next?

Lost Weekend

I have to admit that although I know bluedoor will take over the world soon and other agents will be wondering where their market share has gone - I really, really miss weekends and I am really, really tired.

Part of the blame for the tiredness lies with my lovely baby daughter who is not so much cuddly baby as a constantly moving dirt spreader and part is to do with running this giant looking business on my own and being all things to everyone.

Some landlords are recommending me to their friends which is great and some are buying more properties and want me to let them which is also great but both those things mean more properties, more viewings and more tenants. Which is fantastic but everyone wants a piece of me! I need a fake me to take some heat for me!

And who are those guys who are paid to call me and sell me space on their charity calendar, or sell me a new telecoms system, or advertising space on now-you-see-it now-you-don't crappy websites? Do they never rest?

I did make it to visit friends on Saturday afternoon then another friend on Sunday but I can tell they are wondering why I haven't bought a bigger house, a smart new car and why my trousers have what looks like mushed up biscuit around the knees. I'm calling my current look "eccentic entrepreneur" but I really want one of Thomas Mahon's suits and I can't wait to be back to sartorial elegance soon and my girlie won't be sticky fingered forever....

So here I am at the start of the week again. Lets see what it brings.

Are you thinking of Buying to Let?

TOP TEN TIPS FOR NEW BUY-TO-LET INVESTORS

Like any investment, buy-to-let comes with no guarantees, but for those who have more faith in bricks and mortar than stocks and shares the following tips from The Money Centre can help ensure your buy-to-let investment is a success.

1. DO set aside money for the unexpected - such as a void period in rent or a boiler breaking down.

2. DO keep an open mind about what and where to buy. Talk to as many experienced landlords as you can and learn from their mistakes and successes.

3. DO think carefully before buying a property with maintenance issues. Money you save buying it may be lost by it being empty while you’re renovating or improving the property.

4. DON’T indulge your own taste in design and style of the interior or exterior of the property, as it’ll restrict its appeal. Keep it neutral and safe.

5. DO be cautious about buying properties off-plan. You need to stick to a specific timeframe in order to maximise your return and developers may not guarantee a finish date.

6. DO beware of companies offering cheap conveyancing. If a few pounds saved on conveyancing means a slow service you may lose the property.

7. DON’T skimp by finishing your buy-to-let property with second-hand furnishings, fixtures and fittings. If they don’t meet health and safety regulations you could find yourself in trouble.

8. DO be aware of the specialist insurance you need. Standard domestic insurance policies do not cover many of the eventualities that landlords face.

9. DO think carefully before leaving the management of your property to relatives or friends. Buy-to-let properties need experienced management to maintain tenant occupancy and maximise returns.

10. DON’T abuse the relationship you have with your tenants. Give plenty of notice before you visit and make sure maintenance problems are addressed quickly. Tenants are an essential part of your business plan and the relationship needs to be managed in a professional way.

From The Money Centre

If you need advice about buy to let just give me a ring. I can talk to you about good properties to buy, how to go about making offers to agents, what I can do for you in terms of our services and give you some ball-park figures for income and yield.

In fact, I can talk the hind leg off a donkey so I'll ring you back to save your phone bill! All my advice is free and you are under no obligation of course.

I'd really like to help you buy a fantastically lettable property so that it all goes smoothly for you. I feel awful when landlords come to me with a property that I know will be difficult to let and probably won't make them as rich as they had hoped.

Happy tenants make good tenants

Hi Greg

Thanks again for your really amazing service and professionalism and going the extra mile with helping us get into the house so effortlessly and quickly. Service of the levels you gave us is something which is badly lacking in South Africa, so made my move to the UK that little bit easier and less stressful.

RH

We DO make people feel happy!

"Unusual Agent - more like unique!"

Just wanted to say that your service is second to none, we had been renting with Blue Door for a year now and have found Greg to be polite friendly and most importantly quick to act on any problems that may have occurred. He clearly has not only ours but the landlords interest at heart which is really all you can ask for but he does seem to go that extra mile when needed.
Thanks again for all the support and help"