I read today that with the election pending we will soon no longer need HIP’s.  First of all that may be true if you are thinking of selling your home in 2012, but in 2010 with the world economic problems, two wars and cutting the cost of government are HIPs ever going to be a priority.

In any case what is wrong with HIPs?  The high cost argument is only because Agents have chosen to mark up the cost outrageously.  We only charge £199+VAT for a high quality HIP that the buyers solicitor can actually use.  I know of one person who was charged £900 ostensibly for the HIP, when she cancelled her agency contract.

We chose not to mark up the HIP price at all.  We provide all the questions and answers right at the start not just the required Property Information Questionnaire.  The reason for doing this is to maximise the information available to buyers before they commit to a purchase.  We do this to minimise risk.  Its ‘risk’ that reduces offer values and slows down the sales process.