Issue 6


14/02/2008

WELCOME TO THE SIXTH ISSUE OF THE MAP NEWSLETTER

HOMESCORE LAUNCHES

As a company at the forefront of quality and innovation MAP is proud to announce to the market “HOMESCORE”. Homescore is a brand new survey product exclusive to MAP.
The report is designed for maximum simplicity to ease the home-buying process for buyers, sellers and all professionals involved in the process. Homescore cuts away a lot of the complicated elements sometimes associated with property analysis, leaving an uncluttered score-based reporting system which can be understood in a very straightforward way. Homescore leaves clients able to make informed decisions quickly and easily. With improved speed of delivery and cost savings available, Homescore is set to radically improve the survey element of the buying and selling process.

HIPS SOLUTIONS

Since December 2007, the provisions of the Home Information Pack (HIP) legislation have been implemented to incorporate all residential properties being brought to market.

Communities Minister, Iain Wright, is recently quoted as having said that the introduction of the new legislation will allow purchasers to obtain clear information on how they can save hundreds of pounds on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions too. Grants of between £100 and £300 are available for energy-saving improvements like loft insulation to home owners from energy suppliers as part of their legal obligations introduced by the Government to improve energy efficiency. Consumers can access details of grants available by accessing the Energy Saving Trust’s website and using
their postcode.

Here at MAP Surveyors, our team of Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) have already undertaken numerous Energy Performance Certificates in accordance with the legislation on behalf of intending purchasers, and have encountered a wide range of different types of property. Our experienced
team of chartered surveyors have also been able to offer a wealth of invaluable experience to our team of DEAs, which in several cases has eased the task of energy calculation on some of the more unusual
properties inspected.

With over 100 years of surveying expertise, the company is well positioned and experienced to provide a very high level of service distribution of Energy Performance Certificates, as well as forging strong links with estate agents throughout London and the Home Counties. In some cases, we are able to provide a referral fee direct to the estate agent for every Energy Report undertaken by MAP.

This is in addition to a range of professional affiliate referral schemes operated by MAP. Schemes are available to both companies and individuals and those interested are encouraged to contact Dorothy O’Rourke on 020 8300 1144 or via email : dor@mapsurveyors.co.uk.


ANOTHER KEY APPOINTMENT BY MAP

In another major development for MAP, Paul Thompson has now joined the team.
Paul entered the residential property profession straight from school as a trainee with a small local company of surveyors and estate agents in SE London and NW Kent and gained experience mainly in mortgage valuations and building surveys, estate agency, small works projects and residential and commercial property management.

He qualified in 1979 and quickly specialised in the residential surveying aspects of the profession. Moving on in 1983, he became a staff surveyor with Abbey National working out of South Norwood and Bexleyheath and subsequently moved to Nationwide to run their staff surveying
operation at Dartford.

In 1994, he joined one of the country’s leading corporate residential surveying practices, working from various locations mainly in West Kent, successfully managing three offices in the process and eventually being promoted to Assistant Regional Director for the SE region and contributing fully to the
management of a large number of offices and over 150 surveyors and support staff.

Along the way, Paul has earned a reputation for being a hard-working and highly competent surveyor with an eye for detail and a real desire to service all clients as quickly, efficiently and accurately as possible. He has excellent experience in dispute resolution matters and has acted successfully on a
number of occasions as an expert witness before Arbitrators and the Courts. Paul is looking forward very much to the challenges presented by MAP and has every intention of playing a full part in its expansion and development. He feels invigorated by the prospects following well over 20 years in the
corporate world.

Kings Hill, near West Malling in Kent, is located on the site of an airfield which existed from about 1930 and which became prominent during the Second World War. A few notable buildings have been preserved but otherwise redevelopment has occurred with offices, shops and quality housing up to and
beyond £1,000,000 in value.

On 17th September 2007, MAP opened its new Kent Office under the management of Paul Thompson, FRICS. The new office serves clients both new and old over a large part of Kent, including Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Maidstone, the Medway towns, Gravesend, Sittingbourne, Faversham
and Ashford.

Paul and MAP Director, Garrett O’Hanlon, are busy promoting the company and the services which it offers, in particular residential property valuations for all purposes, Homebuyer and Building Survey Reports for prospective purchasers and the unique new MAP product, the Homescore Survey. Paul
also specialises in Expert Witness work on property matters, particularly in the field of surveyor negligence, and is already acting in this capacity for some of the larger corporate organisations.

In November 2007 MAP’s official new office launch event took place with many local estate agents, solicitors and mortgage brokers in attendance. From this, good contacts have been made and business relationships are developing well. It is increasingly noticeable that the MAP name is being recognised and associated with the high levels of professionalism and customer service which are of such importance to the business.

At present the office administration is overseen by Vicky King who joined the company at the beginning of September 2007 with a specific brief to administer the new Kings Hill office.

Given that the total number of postcodes covered is approaching 40, Vicky’s task of arranging all the appointments within the clients’ required short timescales is certainly no easy one. The excellent results so far, however, show that she and the team of surveyors are meeting and indeed already exceeding client expectations. It is anticipated that the office will expand in due course, to align with market
conditions. There is no doubt that there is a real demand for the services which MAP can offer from Kings Hill, and all concerned are looking forward to a bright and increasingly successful future.