Tuesday 29 November 2011

Back To The Future

Cliff Hall reflects on the current market place;
Having been in property sales for some 30 years, the present market conditions take me back to the early 1980’s where neither buyer or seller were in ascendancy. For the majority of estate agents this is a market never experienced.
The buyer’s market that we have seen over the past few years has now been stabilised the availability of mortgages has freed up but stock levels remain historically at a low point meaning buyers do not necessarily have it their own way.
There are so many elements to a successful sale and it is certainly far more than a ‘one trick pony’ of pricing although this stands out as by far the most important feature. A tight organisation running effectively behind the sale is vital. All agents have access to internet property portals whether they be Primelocation, Rightmove or others, but there is much more effective marketing which involves high quality presentation, advertising, but as important enduring values on attention to details, response to buyer and clients alike and an inbuilt knowledge of how to handle tricky situations with delicacy and above all professionalism.

These are unsettled times with buyers and sellers constantly re-accessing their actions. As a good estate agent, reassurance, diplomacy, honesty and total transparency is key to a successful sale.

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Stocking Filler

Cliff Hall takes a look at the property market this December and suggests that this is just the time to pick up a seasonal bargain.

December can sometimes be a bit of a non-month in the estate agency year. People seem to have a lot more things to think about than moving, and the Christmas break seems to go on for so long nowadays. The weather is often far from ideal and most people who wanted to move before Christmas made their buying decisions by the early autumn.
But that is what makes December such a good month to go house hunting. There are not so many other homebuyers about, and as it’s so quiet some sellers can be only too keen to listen to the sort of offer they wouldn’t have considered a month or two ago.
In years past the market used to pick up in the spring. But in more recent times it has kick-started into life in January. With the financial world still in so much disarray there is great uncertainty about what will happen in 2012. But that is what helps makes this December such a good time to be prowling the market for property.
There are plenty of very good houses and flats for sale right now with owners anxiously looking for buyers. There are some first time buyers creeping into the market - especially now that it often makes more sense to buy a property rather than rent one. This helps second and third time buyers, and with lenders slowly starting to take the choke off mortgage availability there is movement in the market when property is properly priced and attractively presented.
So instead of hitting the shops so much this December in a pre-Christmas frenzy, or getting ready for the early sale bargains, why not hit the estate agents and grab a property bargain. Unlike so much we buy at this time of year a property is not just for Christmas it is for life. It is surely one of the best stocking fillers we could give our families and ourselves.

Thursday 3 November 2011

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Fireworks Fun

Remember remember the 5th of November! It’s that time of year again so wrap up warm and enjoy one of the many bonfire and firework displays in our local area.

Bournemouth

The Littledown Park
The Littledown Centre
Chaseside
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH7 7DX

Ticket Line – 0844 5764500
Tickets are also available to buy on the night at the gate but family tickets and discounts will not be available.

The gates to the firework display will open at 5.30pm

On the night, there will be a family funfair, Go-karts, an indoor family zone with under 18s disco and performing arts displays.

Corfe Castle

The Greyhound Inn
The Square
Corfe Castle
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5EZ

Tel: 01929 480205
Starting at 7.30pm firework display and BBQ. Families welcome.  

Poole

Poole Quay
Poole
Dorset
BH15 1HJ

A fantastic free fireworks display on the water at 8.00pm. The whole length of the Quay will be packed with entertainers and live music keeping the crowds entertained.