5
Nov
SENSIBLE PRICING IS KEY TO SUCCESSFUL SELLING
I am pleased to say a number of excellent buyers have re-entered
the market, satisfied with the readjustment of prices in the past
three months, taking a pragmatic view and reflecting that home
purchase should be based on a medium to long-term basis and would
rather get on with life rather than leave it on hold indefinitely.
This attitude of purchasers has been complemented by sellers, who
are increasingly accepting current conditions and taking the
opportunity to make things happen, correcting the price of their
home to encourage potential purchaser’s off-the-fence.
Although my crystal ball is as much use as anyone’s, I feel
an air of confidence and acquiescence amongst both buyers and
sellers. Quoted figures in the national press suggest a 1/3 of
buyers do not require a mortgage, and in our recent experience over
50% of our buyers are in this fortunate position, some commenting
how content they are in putting there money in bricks-and-mortar
rather than banks or shares. One could be so bold to say now has
never been a better time to buy into property. Amidst the turmoil
of the financial sectors and global recession we have experienced a
surprising increase in activity over the past weeks. August,
September and particularly October have been exciting times with an
unpredictably excellent level of sales transactions. We realise
this is the exception rather than the rule and are not assuming
this buoyancy to be the norm through winter; however, it is
reasonable to suggest that with a sensible initial price,
aggressive marketing campaign and ‘good old fashioned agency
work ethic’ a deal can be brokered. Creativity in agency is
necessary to succeed in times like these; part-exchange,
delayed-completions and house-swaps are all common practices in the
continuation of house moving. Experience within the company spans
decades through good times and the bad; this level of knowledge and
understanding has been key to our success in past months and will
be the foundation on which we will continue to build upon. You
can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Emmerson E Dutton MNAEA