Is This An Estate Agent Saying The Crash Is Nigh?

[Bathsheba Everdene]

I received a letter this morning, dated 'January 2007', from an estate agent in central London (based not far from Goodge Street/Tottenham Court Road), which begins:

'This is the perfect opportunity to capitalise, last week's interest rate increase and inflation figures indicating a possible future change in the market!'

The letter then continues:

'Take advantage of our exclusive register of red hot purchasers' and says that due to the massive shortage of properties in the area, the agent is achieving record prices. It offers a commission discount (unspecified) on sales and lettings, which it says is to mark its 20th anniversary, and says:

'With the current demand for residential property so high combined with our commission incentive, this is a unique market opportunity not to be ignored.'

The agent is reputable, well-established, and knows the local market well. I'd say they think the crash is imminent, and want to bank as much commission as possible before battening down the hatches.

BE

[Bidin'matime]

Reminds me of stories of the old ladies who would rob dying men on the battlefields of old, then sell the trinkets to the next lot of soldiers who came along - whether the punters are on the winning side or the losing side, there's always someone waiting to take advantage...