Take something simple like the weather- for someone, a cloudy sky with some sunshine will be considered nice, for another, anything other than clear blue skies is bad! Our beliefs act as a filter between us and reality.

So perhaps you are now wondering if we can ever access reality? My answer is no. All events pass through our ‘filters’. Only a majority can bring you a safe reassuring position of ‘reality’. If the majority feels something is bad, then it is bad.

The interesting point about the relativity of reality is precisely around what is it that really that happens around us? What really happens in the world despite what we are told by TV, news and presenters? How manipulated is our view of the World? According to the news the human race is on a desperate downward spiral and our planet is in jeopardy.

I decided many years ago to distance myself from this information. It’s not that I don’t want to know or that I want to bury my head in the sand, I just don’t want to be intoxicated with one way information, making me lose faith in human nature.

We know that looking at nature during a wet and miserable winter’s day can be depressing! However, a closer look, and all nature needs is a bit of sun to explode into blossom and give us tender green leaves. So, looking at the World, what is your position? Do you add to the generalised idea that things have never been so bad or do you keep up your hopes and faith?

It is up to us to make a conscience choice and decide for ourselves, not only through TV but through our own perception, intuition and critic sense. Do we want to add to the omnipresent darkness or take distance and be at least a neutral actor of the human play? We often forget that we are actors of this play, every day, at all times, acting and reacting to others, making choices about what our contribution to the world is.

What do we want to improve, to do better? What are we going to try today to make a difference with what we did yesterday? What the world is today is not only the result of powerful companies and governments but the actions of billions of individuals going through their lives with a certain level of consciousness. What we do is not without consequences and if we do improve our behaviour and contribution to the world, we make a difference around us and for all people in touch with us on a daily basis. Every little helps- really!

This article was provided and written by Denis Gorce-Bourge of www.gblifecoching.com

August continued in this vain and, for many, has been a record breaking month for lettings business. We had our best month ever as a company in August, smashing our previous best by almost 15%, and all revenues came from Letting & Property Management and the related services we offer.

The problem, however, with excellent months is that it decimates your stock levels. Since launching back in 2004 we have always been able to boast a strong portfolio for a small independent agency averaging 75-100 available lettings listings at any one time. But where has our record month left us- we are currently advertising just 25 properties….just 25-33% of our usual stock levels.

I know we are not the only ones. Speaking to many agents across East London, the increasingly busy last 4 months have continued to reduce general stock volume.

So what does this mean for Tenants and Landlords alike?

Well for Landlords this is great news! Limited stock means short marketing times, maximum rents and (usually) the ability to pick the Tenants you want rather than having to take whatever is on offer. If your flat is currently on the market and available during September get a good agent on board and enjoy the rewards. If you are lucky enough to own a 3+ bedroom property then you are currently sitting on a gold mine with enquiry levels currently standing at AT LEAST 10 parties for each property.

For Tenants, this can be really frustrating. Viewings are hard to arrange, agents are so busy they rarely call you back (sorry we are not ignoring you we are just busy out on the road) and flats go faster than Gucci handbags in a 90% discount sale. The only advice I can give you is this- act fast! See properties as soon as possible after they come to the market. Make sure everyone that needs to see the property to make a decision does- if one of you goes and it is a nice flat I almost guarantee it will be gone by the time the others get down there to see it. If you like a flat, and don’t want to risk losing it, don’t offer- pay full asking price, pay a deposit and be confident that this will (usually) secure you the property…….although don’t blame me if you end up in an increased price bidding war if it is something spectacular.

Simple; two words- ‘without prejudice’.

Let’s take an example- A Tenant has called you and advised that the bed is broken and needs replacing. You know that, whilst the bed was a few years old, it was in good sound condition and should not have broken through ordinary wear and tear. You want to resolve this quickly and would therefore like to propose you split the cost 50/50 HOWEVER this is only an offer you are prepared to make on the basis this is agreed now. Otherwise you want the full price paid by the Tenant.

This can be simply addressed. When writing to your Tenants, or indeed any correspondence that may have legal implications with regards to a judge and a small claims court, you can have two types of communication.

The first is the official response. This is any form of document (print or digital) that can be provided as evidence in court (if necessary) to support a sides claim. These should be carefully worded and should be very clear about liability/responsibility of the matter in question.

The second is ‘without prejudice’. As long as any offer you make is made ‘without prejudice’ and is in a separate document this can never be shown to a judge as evidence. This is a confidential communication providing that you have kept this correspondence/offer confidential since issuing it! This can also work against the Tenant- should a Judge decide that each party should, indeed, bear the costs 50/50 and you can provide a copy of your offer to this effect the Landlord may penalise the Tenant with a Costs Order as this could have been resolved out of court and saved everyone time and money. ‘Without Prejudice’ can only be used in a genuine dispute and must be a genuine attempt to resolve an issue.

In a world where Tenants are so well protected, it is good to know both as an Agent and a Landlord, that 2 simple words and some careful filing can offer you strong protection is dispute resolution with unreasonable Tenants.

Traditionally, of course, the summer months are quieter months due to the holiday season….maybe this is all it is. We will soon know by mid October!

Of course, some also blame the abolition of HIPs. Hated by Agents and public alike for so long, Agents have come to realise one good thing about them- you knew Vendors were serious about selling. Very few Vendors would be willing to shell out £300 just to ‘test the market’. With the departure of HIPs, we are back to the days when listing a property costs nothing (at least not to the Vendor if you user an Agent). This has meant that a gluttony of property has hit the market, far too much of it at over-inflated, un-sellable prices, softening the market with over supply.

Of course, over time, it will adjust….but this is not doing anyone any favours!

The rental market on the other hand has had its foot on the accelerator since early May and has no intention of slowing down. Demand is constantly climbing, and prices with it, much to the delight of Landlords and Letting Agents all over the City.

Of course, we are in the Letting Boom Months now and every Agent will be madly scrabbling to secure every deal they can before October arrives.

Why before October arrives? Quite simply- because none of us know what will happen as we climb back in to the winter months. With December and January traditionally very quiet due to festivities and the expense of the time of year, deals are usually thin on the ground. Could this year be different?

Who knows, we all have to just wait and see! But if you are a Landlord, the market is great right now- give your local agent (or me) a call….you might be surprised how much better rents are than last year!

Has there been a decline in demand? Quite the opposite! Every year we have more and more groups register on our books desperately searching for that elusive larger rental property.

The outcome? Tenants in the area of the market are usually left with 3 options- split up in to smaller groups renting other properties, take a property they don’t really like or in an area they don’t really want or pay a premium.

Those last three words should have got the attention of every Landlord in this sector- pay a premium you say?

This, of course, is not guaranteed. Area and condition/presentation of the property is a factor. However, if the property is marketed at the right time (Aug/Sept) and is marketed in the right way (sorry, can’t give away ALL my secrets) then you should be getting an absolute premium for your property every time!

The simple fact remains, when demand outstrips supply (which it does every year for this sector) then there is money to be made. If you are no happy with the rent you are currently getting on your property then you simply aren’t using the right agent!

As an independent company, I constantly re-iterate to my staff that if a Landlord loses 10%- so do we! This can’t always be avoided but, in this property sector, you should get a premium time and time again.

If you are not happy with the rent you are getting- shop around. If you don’t know who to call, call me- we have people already queuing round the block for 4+ rentals.

Either I contact 3-4 companies, provide details and shortly receive detailed quotes, in writing , within 24-48 hours of the request. These are then sent off to my client, along with my comments and recommendation, and I await a decision. Works are booked and job done- hooray!

Or……….well, simply put- how do these companies survive? Case in point- I am currently trying to compile quotes to have a small metal fence and gate made and installed at a property we manage in Lewisham. The local kids are continually climbing all over the current one and breaking it and the Landlord is fed up of paying to repair it every 3-4 months.

A local search quickly reveals a list of 5 companies all within 3 miles of the property and I promptly set about contacting them for quotes. A description of what is needed given along with the address so they can do a drive by survey.

The quotes were requested/arranged on 15^th June today is 30^th July- how many quotes have I received to date? One- and even that came back wrong and had to be sent back.

Each company has been called at least 6 times to little avail- recently one even turned around and advised me that their gates and fencing weren’t very good quality so would probably break/bend if kids climbed on them (impressive). They then gave me details of another company that produced higher quality fencing and would happily do the job. I have called three times, left three messages and am yet to hear a word from them.

The point of the article is two-fold: Don’t take for granted what a good Managing Agent does for you. If they do their job right you should rarely know of the hassle they go through to deliver the results you expect and deserve. Secondly, if you are looking to set up your own business and don’t know what to do I recommend setting up a company doing Fencing in and around Lewisham- as long as you answer the phone you should make a killing!

Today, science is going far beyond this notion. Quantum physics specifically affirms that we can’t be only observers in this world but contributors. This notion changes everything. The universe would not exist without consciousness and our own mind is building reality. Is that hard to believe?

We can’t look at something without influencing it and it seems that we are part of a gigantic Universal computer. Depending on our beliefs, we allow different kinds of events to happen in our lives, exactly like a program allowing you to open some documents. It actually makes perfect sense. Our beliefs are framing the territory of possibilities and if you don’t believe in the magic of life, it does not mean that it does not exist but that you can’t access it.

Our beliefs change our environment and health. The placebo and nocebo effects are well known and obviously important in the way we can either improve or damage our health. What is interesting is that all the double blind studies conducted for new molecules are showing an increase of the placebo effect. It is as if the program for self-healing is getting stronger.

Our beliefs seem to be a major factor in the whole process. If you want to make a presentation and you don’t have Powerpoint on your computer, it is much more difficult. In the same way, without the right beliefs, you cannot access certain levels of reality where, for example, your own inner power can heal you efficiently.

Don’t try to convince someone of anything. If the person does not have the right program, it will be almost impossible to believe you, because the reality of the person does not include this possibility.  The famous St Thomas quote: “I believe what I can see”. Do you see electricity, do you see air, viruses, energy..?

Because we are the architects of our life and environment, our beliefs are creating our life and vice versa. If I see the glass half empty, my life is unfolding according to this belief. So I have every reason to keep believing the same thing and to reject the ‘half full’ notion. In other words, changing beliefs is a gamble and needs strong commitment and faith to succeed.

The only hope, seeing how someone else’s life is different, is for some people to question their beliefs. What is he/she doing differently to obtain this result? Too often the notion of “they’re just lucky” gives an easy reason not to questions your own beliefs and patterns. Exemplarity is the only way to perhaps make people move on from the half empty position.

The only advice that I can give you is to stay as open as you can in order to be able to download more programs allowing you to have a wider range of experiences. And what if the all notion of beliefs and programs is true- do you believe it?

It is all up to you.

This article was written and supplied by Denis Gorce-Bourge of www.gblifecoaching.com

Proper footwear can potentially prevent, reduce and/or treat mechanical factors associated with injuries to the lower extremities and the lower back. The foot provides dynamic stability for a person’s entire body weight, while simultaneously maintaining flexibility for shock absorption and propulsion along uneven surfaces. As a result, there are unique biomechanical demands on the foot.

One of the body’s adaptations to these demands is through specialized movements in the foot, such as Pronation. Unless there is a severe, acute injury, pronation develops as a gradual biomechanical distortion. Several factors contribute to developing pronation, including tibialis posterior weakness,  ligament weakness, excess weight, flat feet, knock knees, subtalar aversion, or other biomechanical distortions in the foot or ankle.

Tibialis posterior weakness is one of the primary factors leading to pronation. Pronation primarily is controlled by the architecture of the foot and eccentric activation of the tibialis posterior. If the tibialis posterior is weak, the muscle cannot adequately slow the natural pronation cycle. This can become a contributing factor to lower back pain and lower extremity disorders, such as plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries, foot pain, shin splints as well as various knee and hip injuries.

Back pain due to foot pronation

The inward rotation of the leg that occurs as the foot pronates causes the pelvis to lean forwards (anterior tilt) and drop. This increases the curvature of the lower spine (see picture below) and the muscles become tight and sore. If the foot pronation occurs more in one foot than the other, this will cause the pelvis to become uneven. The leg will become shorter on the more pronated side and the lower spine may tilt in the opposite direction to prevent leaning. As a result, muscles and joints become painful and walking becomes less efficient. Pronation usually is corrected with orthotics, which are especially designed shoe inserts helping to restore the natural position of your foot and/or strengthening exercises for the tibialis posterior.

Here are some strengthening exercises for the Tibialis Posterior:

1. Use a ‘theraband’ or the inner tube of a bicycle-

Place two fingers on the outside of your knee to stop it moving to the side.

Now contract the Tibialis posterior muscle by letting the ankle pull against the rubber tubing, trying to lift the foot arch off the floor by rolling the ankle outwards. Here, it is still only partially raised off the ground.

Note that this is the situation in a healthy, fully functional lower leg and foot. In the situation for an already over strained and insufficient tibialis muscle, the foot arch would not lift even this much.

2. Form foot arch as seen above.

Place the fingers inside of the knee, and encourage the knee to move to the side.

The femur thus laterally rotates to catch up with the lateral rotation in the tibia, and the knee is no longer twisted.

Note how the foot arch fully lifts by combining the twin strategies of contracting the Tibialis posterior muscle and moving the knee laterally.

Also, Deep Tissue Massage treatments can relieve myofascial trigger points in the tibialis posterior, and other muscles, and address any resulting neuromuscular dysfunction in the leg or foot.

Do I need Orthotics?

Many foot symptoms ranging from general aches to painful bone and foot problems such as heel pains, bunions, calluses and knee or back pain, can be caused by collapsed and fallen arches.

Orthotics are especially designed shoe inserts which help to restore the natural position of your foot and realigning the joints within the foot in order to relieve the various symptoms. Left foot is corrected with a casted orthotic.

Do I wear Orthotics all day?

Orthotics, like glasses, work only when you use them. They do not change the structure of a foot, but help realign its joints to improve posture and function and relieve foot pain.

All day use of your orthotics is generally recommended to control or reduce pain or fatigue.

This article was written and provided by Barbara Brunner of www.brunnertraining.com

Why didn’t you call us?????

Despite the best of efforts, it can be difficult to stay in verbal contact with all your clients every month. No matter how hard you try, particularly in busy months, allocating the time to call them up can simply be impossible.

We, like many agents,  make every effort to stay in contact electronically with emails, newsletters and a host of social networking sites but, whilst these bear some fruits, the reality is verbal communication is king. Everyone likes to hear a voice at the end of the phone and to feel special and valued.

Landlords- not getting regular calls from your agent is not a failing but often down to just simple logistics, especially when dealing with a smaller independent agent and not some vast corporate behemoth. If an agent works well for you remember to stay in contact with them- ultimately it is in your best interest.

Yes, we are the ones you pay fees to and therefore make money from you but if your flat sits empty, or rents for less than it should or you get bad Tenants, then you are the one that suffers as a result. Why risk any of this on an agent you don’t know or, worse still, that has performed badly for you in the past?

If you have a good agent- remember them! Keep their details on your phone, in your  filofax, in Outlook- wherever it is you go when you need to contact someone about your property. This also means they are to hand if any friends or contacts ask if you can recommend a good agent- at the very least the agent will appreciate this immensely but can sometimes mean extra benefits!!

With natural light a problem in so many properties in London, particularly many of the new builds in close proximity to one another and with smaller windows, this is a great opportunity to show ‘bright spaces’. Light fills most properties at this time of year and late in to the popular evening viewings ensuring every inch of the property can be clearly seen.

Of course there is a downside to this- if your property is looking tired and worn or dirty or you have grimy windows there is no longer any hiding place.

Summer, at least for Lettings, has long been the busiest time of the year. Due to the high level of demand from students, graduates and professionals alike and the weather, it can be an excellent time to let out your property and maximise your rent return.

Just make sure YOU are making the most of this period. It is absolutely vital at this time of year that properties are, where possible, shown clean and tidy. Make sure any minor maintenance issues are dealt with prior to marketing and that items like windows are given a good clean in & out. Clean, bright windows make an excellent impact on any viewer- grimy ones can leave a property looking dull and an applicant deeply uninspired.

Of course, you have to gauge this along with your tenants- if they are messy and dirty then these works may be money wasted whilst they are still living there. With good tenants this often spurs them to make an extra effort in presenting the property during the last couple of months s they see you are investing in preparing and presenting it.

Don’t miss out- whether you take the task to hand yourself, hire professionals or have your lettings/managing agent sort it for you this can be money well worth spending!