Rightmove say today that 26% of those looking to buy a property are first time buyers. In July it was just 22% of all buyers and so confidence at the all importnat bottom end of the market is improving.

This is on the back of a third of those those buying for the first time expecting prices to be lower in a year's time according to the property website's latest market survey which involved 25,000 respondents in October.

We've been instructed to LET three properties this week. Two of them have been with other letting agents for a while, unsuccessfully.

Far be it from us to take issue with the quality of the listings that other firms produce but suffice to say that Russell Quirk & Co treat a lettings listing just like a sales listing.

Numerous colour photos, room measurements and floor plans always come in handy for prospective tenants 'even' if you are renting rather than buying. That's why we do them as standard.

It's amazing that some don't bother.

We're delighted to have been approached by the BBC's Escape to the Country programme today.

They want to feature our thatched cottage in Shenfield on a forthcoming show.

We're happy to help put Brentwood on the map on a TV show that isn't that 'other' TV show for once ;-)