Copy
If you can't see this email open it in your browser
January 2022


Going the extra mile: adding value to residential valuation 


Dear <<First Name>>


To mark the start of the New Year, we speak with experienced chartered surveyor Alison Steele, our recently appointed Consultant at Justin Mason Valuation Consultancy
 
As a key part of the team, Alison brings her strong reputation and many years of experience as a valuer in the prime and super prime market. She supports a range of projects at Justin Mason Valuation Consultancy including audit, best practice compliance, report development and training. 
 
Alison shares her insights into residential property and her keen interest in encouraging young people into the profession, as well as her love of problem-solving, yoga and collection of adopted pets. 

In other news, we valuers tend to shun the limelight, but I am so grateful to be listed in London Buying section of the Spear's 500 from Spear's Magazine (https://bit.ly/3rqh98R). Read more below.

Finally, we are currently preparing our 7th independent prime central London property update, which will be released this month. The report provides an independent prime central London update, with market commentary that presents the story so far. It can help with the real estate decision-making process and prepare you for a valuation. If you would like to receive a copy of the seventh update, please do email me: justin@justinmasonvaluation.com. All editions of our report can be accessed in the publications section of my LinkedIn page.
 
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022.

                                                       

                                                                                                  
                                            
Best wishes,
 
Justin Mason

020 3409 0894
justin@justinmasonvaluation.com

Going the extra mile: adding value to residential valuation 


Please can you share a bit about your background and how you got started in residential valuation?
 
I’ve been around the property industry from an early age; my father is a structural engineer and property developer and I used to accompany him on site. I was also interested in agriculture, although with very little practical knowledge. It was my A-level English teacher who suggested I might combine my interests (as well as enjoying a rather fabulous social life!) at The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester (now the RAU) studying Rural Estate Management. 
 
Having undertaken residential valuation work experience with Hamptons in Farnham, I was offered a permanent position and the opportunity to qualify, after which I ran my own business for a number of years before taking a break to bring up our three sons. It’s a small world and when I was ready to return to work I was delighted to find a number of old colleagues in the Residential Valuation and Consultancy team at Knight Frank LLP. I went on to become a Partner with the firm, heading up the Guildford team responsible for valuing prime and super prime residential property in Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex. Having stepped back from full-time employment, I now work as a Consultant for Justin Mason Valuation Consultancy.
 
What made you go down the route of skilled valuer as opposed to selling and letting houses?
 
The two roles are quite different although equally important. Good estate agents have a ‘tool box’ of skills, which shouldn’t be underestimated, associated with selling and negotiating, and then navigating a route from agreeing a deal to completion. Valuation surveyors provide formal independent valuations for a number of purposes which inform their clients’ decision making. It is not a transactional role and the advice is given in a considered formal report format which is more suited to my skill set and personality. 
 
Tell us more about your role with Justin Mason Valuation Consultancy.
 
My role with Justin’s firm is to complement his professional skills and business ethos. We share ethical values and I have the greatest respect for his exceptional expertise and dedication to client care. I echo his view that valuation reports enable clients to be proactive about, rather than reactive to, life’s milestones. On a day-to-day level, I look at best practice, training and compliance, and act as a ‘sounding board’. 
 
What are your top tips when buying a residential property?
 
If you are looking at a property that will be your primary home, buy with your heart; not every choice is necessarily financially driven. However, I would always advise some form of formal valuation; it’s ok to pay a premium but it is sensible to make an informed decision. 
 
Do you think the concept of a down valuation is real?
 
Not with the right experts! A good, professional valuation should be accurate and based on thorough comparable analysis, an understanding of market sentiment and a knowledge of the location and property sector. ‘Market Value’ is defined by the RICS and should not be confused with a Market Appraisal.
 
Has there been a particularly rewarding period during your career?
 
I count myself extremely lucky to have worked consistently with colleagues I hugely respect, both in agency and professional teams. They have been generous with their time and expertise. I have also had the opportunity to see some of the most interesting and beautiful residential property in London and the South East. The most rewarding and also challenging part of my career has been meeting a range of different people at critical moments in their lives. I have found it extremely satisfying when my work has helped clients solve a problem so they can move forward. 
 
What does a typical day look like for you?
 
I like to keep plenty of social and business contact and prefer to meet people face-to-face where possible. Obviously this has been challenging over the last couple of years and, like many others, I have become Teams techy, Zoom savvy and an expert in working from home in the company of our exuberant dog, grumpy rescue cat and inherited Zen fish. I have just completed my Yoga teaching qualifications and try to incorporate that philosophy into my daily life. In common with many others, my days are a juggling act between home, pets, work and family.
 
What or who inspires you?
 
My children, who are now young adults, inspire me. They have such a lot of energy, optimism and enthusiasm. Young people always see the glass as half-full, and it is an absolute pleasure to have worked with graduates over the years. I am so impressed with how hard young people work and how conscientious they are.
 
If you could invite three people to dinner – dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
 
I would choose Jane Austen because I think she is such a good observer of character and behaviour. Her writing is accessible and as relevant now as the day it was written. I would be slightly worried about what she might say about me though! The second guest would be David Sedaris, who is a comedian, author and radio contributor. He is laugh-out-loud funny and has many brilliant anecdotes. I can see them getting on well and sparks would fly! My third guest would be the African American composer and pianist Scott Joplin. His was a fascinating life and I love his music.
 

Our listing in The Spear's 500 guide 

 
We valuers tend to shun the limelight, but I am so grateful to be listed in London Buying section of the Spear's 500 from Spear's Magazine (https://bit.ly/3rqh98R). 

It’s for the second year running and comes at the fourth anniversary of the creation of the firm, proving that our focus on client care is at the heart of our success.

For those that haven’t come across it, the Spear’s 500 is the definitive, market-leading guide to the top private client advisers, wealth managers, lawyers and service providers for UHNW individuals and families. 

I am honoured to feature and would like to thank my clients and other supporters, and to congratulate others who appear in the 2022 guide.

LinkedIn
Website
Copyright © 2022 Justin Mason Valuation Consultancy, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Justin Mason Valuation Consultancy
Fifth Floor
24 Hanover Square
London, W1S 1JD
United Kingdom

Add us to your address book


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp