Sold In Spite Of

About the Book

The author is a recently retired career estate agent whose buisness life spans the period between 1959, when he joined a multi branch West Surrey firm as a trainee chartered surveyor to 2006 when he finally called it a day and retired in the general direction of the golf course. Between his first day and his last he held just about every position conceivable in the world of estate agency from Tea Boy to Chairman and finally self employed founder of what is now a sizeable independent firm of thriving estate agents. It is interesting to note that the first office opened in as big downturn in the market as is evident now in 2008. Amongst other things, the book deals with all the scams and dodgy practices perpetrated by the less noble brethren in the fraternity which the author has had a great deal of experience having been appointed Compliance Officer of the local governing regulatory body, the West Surrey Association of Surveyors Auctioneers & Estate Agency Agents (WSA). The book will make an interesting read for anyone involved with or contemplating, buying or selling a property which encompasses the majority of the population at some stage in their lives. It will give valuable insight as to what can happen to the uninformed buyer or seller and enable them to keep their guard up in what can truly be described as a minefield in todayÕs uncertain world.

About the Author

Born in the middle of the Second World War James Golightly attended Wolverhampton Grammar School followed by the Royal Grammar School, Guilford in Surrey, hi father, a solicitor, having been appointed Secretary of the London Electricity Board precipitating the move south. Training initially as a charted surveyor he switched into residential estate agency and after many years as a director of what became, and still is, the largest firm in the country, co-started his own firm, Seymours, in January 1992. There are currently nine branches in and around the Guildford area. He has to date written two childrenÕs books which have been published entitled Witch Snatchit & Mr Grabbit and More Adventures of Witch Snatchit & Mr Grabbit. He currently lives in retirement on the banks of the river Wey in the village of Old Woking in West Surrey.