Talking it up!

Welcome. To kick things off, here is a great response by Rob to a Press Release made earlier today.

From: rob@

Subject: Re: Assetz: Comment on Nationwide house price index

Date: 27 August 2009 12:26:06 GMT+02:00

To: S.L@

With all due respect, do you inhabit the same Universe as the rest of us??

The figures you're looking at are based on historically tiny numbers of transactions. If you know

anything about statistics, the smaller the sample, the larger the distortions. So what seems to be

happening here is that you're reading current tiny-sample trends, comparing them to large-

sample trends from two years ago, and seeing the mythical 'green shoots'.

The other thing you're failing to take into account (or perhaps ignoring) is that there has never,

ever been a V-shaped recovery from any recession in recorded history.

Then there's the continued toxicity in the banking system, massively low interest rates

subsidising us all, a possible devaluation of the dollar, etc. etc. etc.

I'm surprised you guys are not being a bit more responsible in what you put out.

Regards

Rob

On 27 Aug 2009, at 11:08, Sarah L wrote:

For immediate release - 27 August 2009

Stuart Law, Chief Executive of Assetz, comments on Nationwide's August 2009

House Price Index, released today:

"The doom mongers can no longer deny that all the evidence is pointing to a

recovery in the housing market, with Nationwide's figures showing the annual rate of

decline now standing at just -2.7% year on year.

"With these increasing signs of house price stability we should see more lenders re

entering the market and improved loan-to-values over the remainder of the

year. Overall house prices are poised for a return to positive annual growth by the end

of 2009, with a possible rise of 5% or even higher, as the shortage of homes grows

more severe and the competition among buyers for existing properties increases. "

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

About Assetz plc

Assetz plc heads up a group of well-known and successful property investment and

development companies, delivering carefully selected UK and overseas property as well

as property funds, financial planning, education, finance and after-sales service. Assetz

offers expertise and peace of mind whether a buyer is seeking an investment or a

residential property.