THE eighth Evening Standard Homebuyer Show - at ExCeL, Royal Victoria Dock, London, from February 28 to March 2 - is expected to attract more than the 22,000 visitors who attended the 2002 show.

It features more than 150 exhibitors including house-builders, estate agents, financial advisors, mortgage lenders and a wide range of property services.

Admission is £6 on the door. For ticket details visit the website on www.homebuyer.co.uk.

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A CAREER as a plumber, bricklayer or carpenter is looking increasingly attractive, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The institution's latest construction survey shows that the construction industry is continuing to outshine every other UK sector despite the prevailing economic gloom.

While other sectors of the UK economy such as financial services and manufacturing are suffering, the last quarter of 2002 saw the biggest increase in labour shortages since the RICS construction survey started in 1996.

Shortages of bricklayers are most acute, followed by plumbers and plasterers.

David Tuffin, RICS South East chairman, said: "In the current climate a career in construction is looking increasingly attractive. RICS is working hard to ensure that opportunities and working arrangements within the sector continue to improve."

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SIXTY lots are on offer at Ward & Partners' next auction on February 12 at the Ramada Hotel, Hollingbourne, at noon.

These include a detached ragstone property at Maidstone. Requiring improvement, this two-bedroom property has a guide price of £140,000-plus.

An orchard is just part of the appeal of a detached three-bedroom house for improvement at Hartlip, near Rainham. Nestling in grounds of about five acres, the house, which is being sold on behalf of the power of attorney, has a guide price of £300,000-plus.

In the heart of the Kent Weald at Biddenden and offered on behalf of the National Trust, is a detached three-bedroom double fronted bungalow for renovation. Offering views over farmland, it has a guide price of £150,000-plus.

A period property with six acres in Dover is being offered on behalf of Kent County Council and has potential for redevelopment. An application has been submitted for

demolition and redevelopment of the site with a scheme for 53 flats. It has a guide price of £500,000-plus.

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HOUSE builder Bryant Homes claims that our properties have become the ultimate status symbol. It commissioned a survey which showed that 64 per cent of home owners, believe their house says more about them than their clothes or their car. Women in particular believe that their homes are important in creating the right impression.