The Christmas edition of our local paper looked unusually slim. Unlike some of the pictures therein of our local estate agents. Recognising, perhaps, that advertising revenue was going to take a pounding over the Christmas hols, some bright spark of a journalist came up with the idea of a "Property Special: Out with the old year ... what does 2009 hold?" and asked 'a number of leading agents four key questions on how the market stands and what the future holds.

The agents were predictably quick to blame the national media for the lack of market confidence. And quick to drum up some soundbites such as:

1) "Vendors and purchasers need to remember you buy and sell in the same market";
2) "the love affair with property is still there, the relationship has just gone through a sticky patch";
3)"Prices seem to have bottomed out and there are some exceptional mortgage deals out there to be had alongside some very realistically priced properties";
4)"any prospective purchaser is in an excellent position to negotiate a good sale price"; and - my favourite -
5)"money is cheap at the moment, and, with some very competitively priced property available it is a good time to buy" (providing a miracle happens and you can sell your own property).

But the purpose of this post is not to malign estate agents, and their contribution to the housing problems in this country. No, despite the fact that is my personal belief that if ever an industry needed to be regulated within an inch of its fat, gluttonish arse, it is that one. Nor is it to mock the photos of the chosen few for the distinct lack of credit crunch effect upon their business-lunch glowing looks.

Instead, I am jumping on the back of opportunity and praying that their words of housing-comfort wisdom will filter through to whom it may concern, as I have a des res to flog....... a perfect, clean, semi-detached property with excellent views, built by none other than my husband's clumsy fair hand..... complete with inbuilt-feather bed.
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Blue tit\'s nest

I hope our family of blue-tits don't return next Spring expecting to find their deluxe residence. We've followed instructions and cleaned it out but it is a shame to throw away such a perfect little home.

Any takers?

It's going for a song!