A very happy new year to everyone and welcome back to the Coleface for 2012.

I generally start each new year with a review of the previous and thoughts for the year ahead.

2011 was an extremely challenging year for most business sectors, and the property industry was certainly no different. At Imagine we endured our own ups and down, although by the end of December we had much to be positive about.

Our hardest point last year was being forced to move out of our office by the Harlequin centre two months before the new branch was ready to move into. It was a tough couple of months in March as we all squashed into the Bushey office.

Having said that, it really made us appreciate the new office even more when we finally did cross the threshold. The feedback from all those who’ve visited our new home in Watford has been universally positive.

Our biggest achievement was winning the best agent award at The Times Sponsored Estate Agency of the Year Awards in December, ensuring we finished the year off on a real high.

As always, and even more motivated by our award, I’m full of new ideas and ways to take things forward in 2012. Do watch out for some exciting changes we’ll be unveiling in the first quarter of the year. Here are just 4 of them...

A fresh look for Imagine.

A brand new website to match our new look.

The opening of a branch in St. Albans.

An Olympic-themed charity challenge.

That should keep our competition on its toes! Undoubtedly we’re in for another tough 12 months, but for hardworking, dedicated, focused businesses like ourselves, this is also a time of opportunity. A chance to increase our market share and prove that there is an agent who is making every effort to make our clients moving experience a remarkable one.

In terms of my property market review, the results for 2011 showed some interesting local variations between Watford and Bushey. Please visit www.imagine-group.co.uk for a full breakdown of those variations, together with a review of the local property prices in 2011.