Phil Spencer. Phil Spencer.

Expert Panel About: Phil Spencer

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Date Published:
27/06/2008

When Phil is not running his highly successful Property Search company, Garrington Home Finders, with his business partner and co-presenter, Kirstie Allsopp, he presents the Channel 4 property series Location, Location, Location, Relocation Relocation and Location Revisited.

As a recognised and respected property professional, Phil’s experience of business and presenting, coupled with a warm and engaging manner, have also made him a popular corporate choice with clients including British Gas, HM Land Registry, and Norwich Union.

Phil also writes a property column for London agents South Magazine, has appeared in Home Buyer magazine and Night & Day in the Mail on Sunday and has a monthly column in The Sunday Times.

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  1. Phil has a lot of great advice to share and the Channel 4 property series Location, Location, Location, Relocation Relocation and Location Revisited was always a favorite of mine. Just reading the comments below shows how much of an asset Phil is.
    Posted by Chris Builder on 20/09/2009 11:34:32
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  2. Hi Phil, I have a question about mortgages. Lenders often refer to the loan to value ratio when deciding what rate they're offering. Is the "value" part of this the value of the property (i.e. what a surveyor values it at), or the amount that you have (or will) pay for the property? Thank you! Kate
    Posted by Kate on 11/09/2009 13:16:21
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  3. Hi Phill, I'm a first time buyer looking to buy a flat in East London with a minimum of two beds as I would like to rent a room out to help with the mortgage. I'm torn between two areas which I like equally: Mile End and Dalston/Shoreditch and after much searching am still undecided. I would like to make the most of my investment and think that buying a flat in Mile End would be a good move as the property prices are likely to go up due to the Olympics development however the East London line is being built through Dalston/Shoreditch which I also think is likely to increase the value of the property in the next few years. Which area do you think would be the best investment? Any other advice you can give me to help decide over these two areas would be very much appreciated!! Thanks so much!! Lisa x
    Posted by Lisa on 15/05/2009 08:57:19
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  4. Hi Phil. Im in need of some help. Id like to move to the brighton area next year but havent a clue where to start. I own my 3 bedroom house in Luton and would like to move to a smaller property. Hope you can help me or at least put me on the right track. Anything would be helpful!!!! Thank you Marie
    Posted by marie on 26/04/2009 15:40:54
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  5. Hi Phil, I am hoping you may be able to offer some advice on a property issue we have. We have been wondering what to do with my grandma's house since she passed away last September I(2008). The first point to make is that, financially we don't need to sell it but are wondering what the best next steps are. To give some background. It's a 2 bed bungalow in a very pretty part of the Forest of Dean, it's got some great views.It's in a small village just outside Lydney and has it's own garage which is over the other side of the road. A plot of land next to this is also on the market for 70k. My grandad actually built it when he and my Grandma got married (probably about 75 years ago). One issue is that since my grandad died in 1975 the house has not been updated much and does need some work. Mostly cosmetic I think, it does have central heating and recently had double glazing put in. Having been on the market since Sept 2008 the feedback from viewings is that it's a really good location but just needs too much work doing (admittedly if I was going to live there I would have to gut it and start from scratch - a typical probate situation I would imagine). Since being on the market the price has been dropped once and they are thinking of reducing it again (it's gone from 199k to 175k now to 149k). As we don't need the money right now we need to think what the best solution is. Do we keep the house, leave it as it is and enure it's general upkeep and look to sell if the market picks up? Do we just sell for what we can and be done with it? Do we invest some time and money into it and try and rent it out (although it is quite a rural location)? Or do we look to turning it into a holiday let (don't know anything about this one would work)? No body in the family would want to live there and we're not that sentimental about the fact that it was grandad that built it. We just want to make sure we make the best decision. If you have any advice for us that would be greatly appreciated. If you would like any further information that may help please let me know. Yours hopefully Harriet
    Posted by Harriet Preest on 01/03/2009 18:48:56
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  6. Hi Phil, We have been offered a good price for our house (feb 2009), only ?5000 less than our highest estimate in late 2007. If we sell, it would provide us with very good equity, over ?50,000. We're thinking about taking it, and renting at an affordable price, whilst we see what happens with the housing market; with the hope prices continue to fall. Aiming to secure our equity I guess. What would be your view on this?
    Posted by Martyn Austin on 24/02/2009 10:28:07
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  7. Hi Phil, We need some advice about the property market. We live in East sussex and have sold our house which puts us in a good position. However we are not sure if we should hang on for a while to see if the prices come down, or buy now. The market is so unpredictable(hope that's spelt right). We need some advice on how to make some profit on a future house. We have a large deposit and a new mortgage is in place. How can we tell what the housing market is doing?
    Posted by Kerry Taylor on 15/02/2009 16:38:26
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  8. Hello! I'm looking to rent my 3-bedroom house in North West London. How could I find out which estate agencies are the best. Also, are there any agencies that would rent the house only for months at a time rather than a whole year? I will be living abroad and so I would like to be able to have a base whenever I return here. Many thanks
    Posted by Maria C on 10/02/2009 16:04:12
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  9. Dear Phil,I hear you have just returned from Mt.Tamborine in Autralia....wish we had know you were here!!We have a rambling historical queenslander that we shall sell to buy a place(semi)In London and a beach house in Ibiza..I filled in your application form then it crashed on the download picture page!!!Groan. We are retiring and we are keen to find help in this gigantic move!Thankyou!!Tanya
    Posted by Tanya on 31/01/2009 08:19:32
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  10. Same comment as Karen van De Ven below - would love to have some advice about relocating from Southampton to Basingstoke - but don't want details all over the web. Please help - many thanks and regards Alison
    Posted by alison on 11/01/2009 22:46:57
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  11. January 9, 2009 I do not see your TV program these days. I really miss it. It was excellent!
    Posted by Naomi Wilton on 09/01/2009 11:31:59
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  12. The people in the flat above me have laminate flooring(it is social housing),the council say they can do nothing about this but it is driving me to distraction.They are constantly dropping things which gives me a fright.I would move but cannot afford to.Advice would be appreciated,thank you
    Posted by Lizzie on 08/01/2009 09:07:00
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  13. Hi, been watching your TV shows for a few yrs now and best I have seen. I am living in Canada and would like to know Kirstie if you had boy or girl. You and Phil make a cute couple. Just love to watch you together. What did you name your baby. Love all the nice coats you wear also. Keep up the good work. Love seeing the country side and cities.
    Posted by marg gale on 06/01/2009 17:39:59
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  14. Is there any way I could obtain some advice from you without my problem being spread all over the website!! Kind regards Karen
    Posted by Karen van de Ven on 07/12/2008 15:57:46
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  15. Do you think Location, Location, Location and/or relocation relocation, relocation will ever venture overseas to New Zealand? If you ever consider visiting down under we would love to have your advice re: finding a rural property for family and dogs. Best wishes Cheryl
    Posted by Cheryl Wootten on 04/12/2008 20:18:30
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  16. Hi hope you can help, we have been with our current estate agents for a 1yr now and although i know it is a slow market we don't feel they have done much for us or communicated much with us , they have prob rang us 3 times over last yr just to tell us market is slow as if i didn't know!We are under a sole agent agreement with them which they have explained on contract in small detail that if a purchaser buys the house under their period of agency or a buyer introduced by another agent under their period of agency then we pay them commission, which is right. But we now feel we want to terminate our contract with them and go to another agency, the problem is on the next page of the contract under 'payment of sale fee and disbursements'they have put 'in the event of a sale taking place after termination of the agency to a party introduced by them or with whom they negotiated during the period of the agency the full commission fee is payable' Does this mean if we go with another agency, that in 6 months time the one person that did make an offer which we declined, came back and put in another offer, that we accepted that we would be liable to pay the first agents commission just because he put in the first offer through them? The person who made the offer knows our neighbour and actually was told about the house by them and he only contacted agent to view once and then put in an offer they have done no negotiating with him. We feel like we are now stuck now with an agency who has done nothing for us just in case the man comes back and makes us another offer, we know through neigbours he is still interested, so are we stuck with them in case the he comes back with another offer? Its so frustrating!!
    Posted by Helen P on 26/11/2008 16:36:27
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  17. I am trying to sell my 4 bed house in newbury. 3 estate agents have valued the house. two are quite close together at around the 450000 and the other is a national agent who valued it for 495000 to get 480000. The national agent wants £450.00 vat to produce the brochure which I do not want to pay out but if they achieve the 480000 I will be very happy. What do you think I should do? thanks mark
    Posted by mark grieve on 22/11/2008 21:47:18
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  18. Really emjoyed your programme in which you help a couple find a property in Bolleaux ? Bollier in France. (they were the couple that retrained as an electrician and plumber) I can't locate the village Bolleaux in France. Please give me the correct spelling and information to locate this beautiful location. Many thanks Clive
    Posted by Clive Rose on 22/11/2008 21:24:05
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  19. Hi Uni Sorry, we can't advise on personal financial situations. You need to contact an INDEPENDENT financial advisor. Good luck!
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 18/11/2008 19:52:48
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  20. Hi Phil We are considering buying a modest two bed property in London to let noe for when our daughter goes to uni, she could take a part share in the property when she starts working. Uni will be in approx four years time. We currently own a Cambridge house with a 25% mortgage. Do you think this is the best investment option to aid her onto the housinge ladder, and our potential heritance tax situation? we have approx £100K to spend on this (mortgage), which parts of London would be the best?
    Posted by Uni on 16/11/2008 21:48:45
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  21. hello Phil, I am a First Time Buyer and my wife and I caught our eye on a new built detached 3 bedroom house. Since we have never bought a house before and there is so much information on the web I was hoping you could answer this question. Do we need to do a Homebuyer report or a Building report. My guess is that a Hombuyers report will do since it is brand new, but just to be on the safe side I would like to ask for your expertise. Thank you very much
    Posted by Thijs on 30/10/2008 10:58:27
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  22. Hi Lyn No, we can't recommend insurers, sorry, that's not something we're allowed to do!
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 08/10/2008 21:21:52
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  23. Hi Chris Speed humps - the answer to that is, no, it won't affect the value of your home.
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 08/10/2008 21:20:42
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  24. Hi Beverley Yes, it does sound very expensive for a bathroom refit. I'm not sure entirely the extent of the job, but I think you need to get alternative quotes - try local companies, ideally recommended by friends and neighbours.
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 08/10/2008 21:19:43
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  25. Hi Phil, I need some advice. I'm relatively new to the buy to let business and I have been approached by a relation to look into the possibility of initially investing £1M into properties in the London area (Wandsworth preferably) which will be easy to rent out etc. He'd like me to possibly target the repossessions market in the coming months due to the current UK economic climate. Possibly target properties under £250,000; Obviously we'd like to acquire these properties at their lowest possible market prices. I have already been told that I can obtain a buy to let mortgage of BASE RATE plus 1.5% (60% Loan to Value). I'm a home owner living in Esher and my cousin is a multi-millionaire living in California but he also owns property in Maida Vale and Wimbledon as well.....He also doesn't want to be a SLUM LORD!!! I have been offerred property portfolios in Batley and Middlesborough (Possible Slum Areas!)but I really need your advice as I need to generate a live-able income from this business venture for myself and also deliver profitable results for my partner who is investing the cash. Cash is King in a market like ours but can you help? Kind regards Rammie Vive
    Posted by Rammie Vive on 02/10/2008 11:56:03
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  26. Hi, I would like to know how much is a fair price for refitting and designing a small bathroom. The entire suite is being replaced with a new modern one but everything is remaining in the same place. I have opted for bathroom specialist to come and give me quotes and they have ranged from £4,500 to £7,000 for a very small room. I am also having my kitchen done and the labour for the kitchen which requires the moving of pipes etc, installing gas where there was no gas etc has come in below the above quotes. Are these bathroom fitters trying to rip me off? What's fair and where or who should I be getting quotes from. Any suggestions? I live in E7 which will I'm sure effect pricing?....
    Posted by Beverley Chiesa on 11/09/2008 18:29:07
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  27. Phil, The local Council put temporary speed humps on our road as it was going to be used to divert traffic from a road that was being re-constructed. These were supposed to be removed on completion of the road works but now they want them to remain. Do you think this will have a detrimental effect on the value of my house? Thanks
    Posted by Chris Ahern on 11/09/2008 14:24:17
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  28. Dear Phil, I own a Villa on the Greek island of Corfu and need to insure the building for £158,000. There are so many insurers around, how do you know which are sound and reliable. Can you recommend any to me. With many thanks, Lyn
    Posted by Lyn Edwards on 11/09/2008 11:50:40
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  29. Hi Phil I have a property in Worthing West Sussex which I want to sell through Auction. As I live in Oxfordshire I am finding it difficult to locate an aution house. Can you give me some idea as to how to go about choosing the right Auction house and is there a listing anywhere of names, addresses and contact numbers for Property Auctioneers? Your Help is gratefully appreciated. Regards Frances
    Posted by Frances Thomson on 08/09/2008 16:59:53
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  30. Hi Gemma FINDING A NEW HOME If you'd like to take part in the show, you need to go to www.channel4.com/takepart. Good luck!
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 02/09/2008 21:29:23
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  31. Hi Phil Phil Spencer is abit tied up at the mo', so I'm answering for him. I'd suggest the simplest thing to do is to get yourself along to the best estate agents in the high street and ask them about their recruiting policy and requirements. Good luck!
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 02/09/2008 21:27:44
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  32. Hi Phil, myself my partner and my 6 month old daughter are hoping to get on the property ladder next year sometime. We are currently thinking of maybe Barnhurst in Kent as its not a bad for working in London for my partner who has to drive into london everyday!! We are looking at houses with 3 bedrooms for around 160k that have gardens. We are currently in islington rated your 7th worse place to live and at the moment i feel like its the 1st!! Have you any ideas on other areas where we could get the same value for money or better in an area with good schools and close enough to london for working and far enough out to feel like we are away from London. Would also love to take part in your show if you are looking for people. Your both brill. Regards Gemma
    Posted by Gemma on 31/08/2008 19:58:46
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  33. Hay phil, i was woundering if you could give me advise on how to become a property finder or an estate agent, baring in mind im 18. Ive always had a strong interest in property and i would love to work in the property area, so your advise and experiance would be very helpful. Please get back to me. Thank You
    Posted by Phil Hulbert on 26/08/2008 20:11:17
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  34. Hi Andrew It's a buyer's market at the moment, so I suggest you start with what you can afford and see what happens. You sound as if you are in a very good position - you have nothing to sell, are renting nearby and are ready to go. If a seller is desperate, you may just be the buyer they are looking for. I'd say that 20 per cent off would be rejected out of hand, but never say never - why not try it and see what happens. More realistic, is 10 per cent off, so if 20 per cent gets rejected, come back with 15 per cent off and underline again how good your position is. If that fails, try 10... Good luck and let us know what happens!
    Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 19/08/2008 12:05:10
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  35. We have recently sold our house in Scotland and we are living in rented house near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire. We visited a few houses last year before we sold our house and we are now looking and visiting them again. Most are still for sale from last year. To sell our house we dropped nearly 20%, although this is a higher priced area than we have come from how cheeky should we be with our offers i.e. 20% off, or will this just insult them. Our price didn't drop straightaway we ended up dropping and dropping until we sold. How should be best approach this with the estate agents and vendors.
    Posted by Andrew on 18/08/2008 23:19:12
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  36. Hey Phil! Love the show, we are huge Canadian Fans. We watch it everyday at 4 pm here in Niagara Falls Canada. We have a cuppa tea and watch the show. We love Kirstie too! Thanks for keeping us entertained!
    Posted by Linda Ollis on 15/08/2008 21:44:01
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  37. Hi Kay Sadly, only you can make this decision. What I would say is that it is not a good time to sell at the moment - mostly because there is such a lack of buyers around. It's also likely currently that people will be waiting to see what happens with the stamp duty issue over the next weeks. Have a look here: http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ask-the-experts/phil-spencer-answers-your-property-questions-08-06-26_p_1.html to see what Phil says about the property market at the moment - it may help you make up your mind either way. Good luck
    Posted by 4homes Ed on 11/08/2008 14:39:27
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  38. Hi Lesley Check out our new Bathroom section which will hopefully answer all your questions. http://www.channel4.com/4homes/design-style/design-byspace/bathroom/ Good luck!
    Posted by 4homes on 07/08/2008 10:20:21
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  39. Hi How much room do you need to add an en-suite bathroom. Thank you
    Posted by Lesley Walton on 05/08/2008 20:49:26
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  40. Dear Phil As a first time buyer I bought a 2 bedroom flat on a shared ownership scheme 5 years ago. This was the only way I was able to get onto the property ladder. I have now been thinking about upgrading and am searching for a bigger property. However, on a single salary am unable to afford a home in London and therefore am considering moving out of the capital. Therefore, should I sell my current property and split any profits with the housing association and then search for a property out of london (which I may be able to afford and then potentially own outright) OR should I stay in this scheme with the housing assoication given all the problems in the current climate; my concern here is that long term I am not going to make any real money as they will take half of anything that I may make in the future on this flat. Also, it will mean that I have no real prospect of upgrading as I cannot afford to staircase and purchase the other half of this flat.
    Posted by Kay on 05/08/2008 12:55:54
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