Property market experiences post-election surge
With a coalition Government now in place and the election period over there is a reclaimed sense of stability in the housing market which has led to a surge of property coming onto our books.
It seems that confidence is returning with people no longer postponing their decision to buy and sell.
Since the formation of the new Government we have also experienced a flood of phone calls to our branches, plus a large increase in traffic to our website.
In particular, we are seeing a flurry of web-driven activity during the lunchtime period and between 7pm and 9.30pm. When we surveyed our customers recently, they told us one of the reasons they chose us to sell their property was because they can talk to us up to 10pm during the week.
Even the uncertainty over the future of Home Information Packs is failing to dent interest. Although the new Government has confirmed it will be scrapping them, it hasn’t yet announced the timescale to do so.
With the election behind us and the summer ahead, sellers now need to focus on smartening up their properties and making them stand out from the crowd.
For buyers, there are some good mortgage deals available and, with property prices rising again, it has never been a better time to get on or move up the property ladder.
Labels: buy-to-let, Darlows, estate agent, Felicity J Lord, haart, Haybrook, house prices, housing market, London property market, mortgages, property market, Spicer McColl, Spicerhaart
Property shortages in best areas drive up prices
A shortage of properties for sale in popular areas is leading to rapid price increases.
At £162,038 the average UK house price has now risen for six consecutive months but at the same time there are fewer houses on the market than at any time in the last year and a half.
We’re really encouraged to see prices continuing to rise month-on-month. But the lack of houses for sale is really making the current situation a sellers’ market.
This is particularly true in popular areas. These are often areas with things like sought-after schools, a selection of period properties or good transport links. Here we’re seeing sellers being able to demand even higher prices as the lack of properties for sale increases demand.
This is encouraging news for the housing market. We traditionally see extra activity in the run-up to Christmas and then a lot of movement in the Spring. We’re hoping this increase in demand for houses in popular areas will really help strengthen the market and improve confidence.
Labels: estate agency, estate agent, estate agents, haart, house prices
Opportunities for buyers increase as mortgage approvals rise
Figures have shown a steady rise in the number of mortgage approvals from the UK’s major banks over the last six months, which means now is an ideal time for buyers to capitalise on lower house prices.
With rising demand for rented accommodation and increasing competitiveness within the lettings market, exiting that market to become a homeowner is now even more appealing.
The rising number of mortgage approvals are a strong signal of future activity in the housing market, which is particularly good news for first-time buyers who have been negotiating the poor market conditions for months, trying to get a foot on the first rung of the ladder.
Ownership brings security and for this reason, will always be sought after. The increase in mortgage approvals will show buyers that despite the downturn, they are able to buy and lenders are willing to lend.
Now is the perfect time to take advantage of low property prices and invest in your future.
Labels: estate agency, estate agent, house prices, housing market, mortgages
