A message from Peter Jones, the owner of P. A. Jones Property Solutions, formerly known as Bidwells:

The market today shows great signs of improvement after a difficult and uncertain 2012. I have chosen this moment in time to re-organise and rename the business for today's fast moving property market and have decided to place my own name above the door :

P . A . JONES PROPERTY SOLUTIONS

Residential Sales & Lettings

A successful independent agent needs to be adaptable and versatile in its' approach to selling and renting property. The internet plays a large part in attracting potential buyers; excellent photos, colour floor plans and honest, factual descriptions are vital to promote property for sale and to rent in 2013 and beyond. However, estate agency has always been a localised business, relying on many clients selling and buying within the same area. Knowing your local clients requirements when buying or renting is essential for an independent agent to be successful in a competitive market. My aim is to continue and improve my profile locally and to take the business forward into 2014 and into the next decade and beyond.

I have owned Bidwells since November 2004 and have gained vast experience in all types of markets both good and poor since 1987, when I started my career as an Estate Agent. I have worked within the Caterham, Chaldon, Coulsdon and surrounding area since 1994 and have become a respected and trustworthy Estate Agent in the area.

The residential housing market has seen many changes in the last 25 years which I have personally experienced, from the end of the double tax relief in August 1988, when many thousands of house sales were completed on the deadline day, to the depressed market in the early 1990's when a high percentage of property for sale and sold were repossessions.

I believe that the market in both sales and lettings will be very active for the foreseeable future. According to the new Governor of the Bank of England, low interest rates are here to stay until the economy improves further, inflation is reduced and unemployment is lowered. If the lenders continue to be encouraged to lend and financial incentives are in place to help buyers, such as the Government's 'Help to Buy Scheme', then in my opinion, a strong and active housing market will remain.

Over the next few weeks all of our boards will change, our signage will be renewed and our internet presence will be updated. I will continue to work hard to improve our customer service to all our clients, sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants to ensure that the business thrives so we can sell and rent as many properties as possible in future years beyond 2014.