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Marshalls are the independent Chartered Surveyors with offices in Oxford, Didcot, Newbury, Reading, Swindon and Witney.

Marshalls cover Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire and adjoining areas of Hampshire and Buckinghamshire.

Marshalls Chartered Surveyors are friendly, highly qualified professionals, experienced in all property types. We offer value for money, common sense surveys, written in plain English by experienced surveyors - not computers. Our surveyors pride themselves on giving exceptional service and will take time to fully discuss your proposed purchase.

80% of people buying a home do not get a professional survey - most buyers rely on a mortgage valuation, undertaken by their lender. However, this is only intended to give an indication of the value of the property and whether it is a good risk for the lender. It is not an indication of the condition of the property nor does it provide advice to the purchaser on the action they need to take to remedy any defects. Many mortgage valuations are now undertaken on a 'drive-by' or 'desk-top' basis and often the property is never physically viewed.

There are two different types of residential survey undertaken by Marshalls: The Building Survey (often called The Structural Survey), which is suitable for all property types. There is also the less detailed HomeBuyer Report, suitable for most property, from the late Victorian era to the present day.  This type of survey is also ideal for flats and maisonettes.

In both cases, the property will be subject to a thorough and detailed survey of all areas. The survey reports are detailed, but written in plain English and richly illustrated in full colour with numerous photographs. We will telephone you with an initial verbal report outlining our survey findings. The written reports will follow within hours - we aim to send HomeBuyer reports the same day.

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April 2008 -  The balance of Chartered Surveyors reporting house prices falls increased to an historical low in March. However, a lack of new supply is still preventing significant price falls despite rising stock levels, says RICS. 

The RICS house price balance dropped for the eighth month in succession. 78.5% more Chartered Surveyors reported a fall than a rise in house prices, an increase from 65.7% in February. This figure has exceeded the historical low of June 1990, when 64.5% more Chartered Surveyors reported a fall in house prices and is now the lowest figure since the survey began in 1978. 

Demand continued to weaken as new buyer enquiries fell further.  49% more Chartered Surveyors reported a fall than a rise in new buyer enquiries, up from 39% in January. Many would-be-buyers are either struggling to raise the necessary finance to precipitate a move or are exercising caution in the light of current economic uncertainty. With the official interest rate cuts not being passed on to the high street there is little expectation that demand will improve in the near term.  It is clear that price falls are being driven by the inability of many to secure finance rather than an influx of supply into the market.

The net balance of surveyors reporting new instructions to sell property fell further into negative territory, as the pressure to sell continues to be light given the still-strong employment picture. The ratio of completed sales compared to the stock of unsold property on the market fell to 24.8%, down from 26.3%, and is the lowest number since September 1996. Both sales expectations and price expectations fell. The net balance of surveyors expecting prices to rise is at the all-time low of -73%. Sales expectations moved back into negative territory, with many Chartered Surveyors turning pessimistic in the face of continuing financial turmoil.

RICS spokesman Jeremy Leaf said:

"Sentiment is at a very low ebb and will continue to remain depressed while the economy suffers from this unique liquidity blight. The slowdown in prices is directly attributable to a lack of available finance which has hit demand. However, until new supply increases dramatically a significant crash remains unlikely. The next six months will be a crucial period for homeowners. But would-be buyers with larger deposits may see this market as an opportunity to acquire property in areas to which they could not previously aspire as recently as the end of 2007."

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