Top of the Class

Everyone knows that selling houses is like shelling peas. Right? Estate agents have it easy. They just put up a board – that advertises themselves - and the property is as good as gone at its ambitious asking price. And estate agents charge a fortune. Right?

Wrong!

What about selling property at a time when not so many are interested in buying? When buyers are strapped for cash; when the lenders aren’t lending much; when the country is in the grip of a harsh austerity period and at a time of growing unemployment and public sector uncertainty. What about selling property when an owner may be demanding more than the market will stand? What about selling property when people have more pressing things to think about? And how about selling a property for someone whose personal circumstances – joyous, sad or desperate – crucially depend on an estate agent’s efforts, despite all the negative market conditions.

Then selling property is not quite so easy as many might suggest.

But, cometh the moment cometh the estate agent. Of course when the market is in spate it is easier to sell property. But now, in many areas, there is a drought and matters are more serious. Selling property in this market needs an estate agent with experience, with heart and foresight and skill and purpose. One with a steady hand who understands that moving home is often played out over two legs. There’s the home leg, selling, and the away leg, buying. This is a time to play the long game and to see and understand the bigger picture - and to be able to communicate this to anxious clients. There comes a time when selling property has to be put into the hands of someone who is seriously good at what they do. This is not the time to seek out the cheapest option and feel good about it. This is the time for hiring the top of the class.

If you want the cheapest agent or the one who – even against your own optimistic judgement – has valued way higher than every one else, do go ahead if that makes you feel good. But what will really make you feel good is selling your property and moving on. And for that, right now, you need a professional.

Red Adair, the famous oil well fire fighter said it perfectly, "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur!"

A Friend in Need

One expert says that house prices will rise next year and then continue to do so for some years to come. Another says that house prices are 30% overvalued and will fall. Meanwhile prices are soaring in central London, are stable in other places and still losing ground in a few more.

But should we care so much about what is going on in general across the UK? And how useful are their comments in helping to keep the wheels of the property market turning? Certainly I don’t think we need to heed these market pundits too much when they are commenting on such a broad basis. What I am fairly certain of is that many of these people often don’t fully understand what is happening in Sandbanks and the south coast right now. There is a big difference between the media experts who talk about the market and the estate agents who actually have to deal with it. It is easy for the media to make grand over-arching pronouncements and predictions but estate agents have to move people whatever the market conditions.

And estate agents know how to do this because they are dealing with these matters every day. We understand how national, regional and even local financial issues affect our own local market and we work constantly to find ways of dealing with these conditions - whatever they may be.

Prior to 2007, when the market was storming away, it was much easier for owners and estate agents to sell property – of course it was. But now it is not. Yet despite this there is an active market bubbling under the lugubrious surface. There are always buyers about whatever the market. Well-located property, in good order and at a sensible market price, will find a buyer – it always does. The skill here is in getting the best price. For other property, perhaps where the years haven’t been so kind, which is less pleasing on the eye or not in quite such a sought-after location, things get a little more tricky - but far from impossible.

Personal circumstances do not dance to the tune of the property market. It is when the chips are down and one really has to sell and move on - even in an adverse market - that sellers find out who their real friends are. A market commentator in those circumstances won’t be a lot of use. On the other hand an effective estate agent could - surprise, surprise - become a very good friend indeed.

2011 PSP Southampton Boat Show

Princess International are making a big splash at the 43rd PSP Southampton Boat Show with the world premiere of three exceptional new boats with MD Chris Gate personally launching  the magnificent 98' Motor Yacht in collaboration with Fendi part of the luxurious LVMH brand. The Princess V72 an exhilarating sports yacht and the dynamic Princess 60 will also be making their debut on the world stage at the show.  The company also intends to expand at the affordable end of the scale including the highly anticipated V39 which will launch in London next year.

Come and see our good friend John Watts on the Princess International Stand E56 / Berths M491-M502.

Founder of Sunseeker Mr Robert Braithwaite launched the Manhattan 53 incorporation with Armani/Casa. He was joined on board by ‘Mr Formula One’ Eddie Jordan who announced that not only would he be adding the Manhattan 53 to his fleet, but he also had his eye on one of the 155’ yachts that Sunseeker plans to build next year.

View the impressive new Manhattan 53 available on stand C040.

Welcome to our Blog

Our new blog is now live thanks to Make_Studio for their help in this and we're hoping to create a section here that will contain useful information that's going on in the industry, keeping you upto date with changes in legislation and anything of financial and property interest. We'll also be looking to make more of a local connection featuring events and news from the area, and possibly spotlight focus on upcoming projects and developers to help promote new endeavours.

So keep us bookmarked as we'll be building up the posts over the next coming months.