Sellers Holding Firm In Housing Market

With high demand for homes, it is fair to say many properties are selling quickly, and at a good price for the vendor. As buyers know they have significant competition in the market, they’ll often move quickly, and with a significant offer.

However, what of the homes that aren’t selling quickly? A study by Homesearch finds 52% of property which has been on the market for a minimum of 10 weeks haven’t been reduced in price. If vendors know the value and worth of their home, and are confident they’ll achieve this, it makes sense for them to hold firm while they can.

We help you in the local housing market

Sam Hunter, chief operating officer for Homesearch, says: “Despite recent speculation that the housing sector would slow as a result of rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, our data shows that the market remains buoyant and sellers are confident of securing the highest possible price. The agents we speak to are reporting that many homes are still being agreed at, or above, asking price, well within the first few weeks of going on sale. This is largely due to the ongoing lack of supply which is keeping prices strong, though the desperate need to move appears to have left the market.”

Sam Hunter continued by saying; “Prices are more sensitive now than they have been over the last two years. A more balanced market is great news for the high-performing agents out there. If, as an agent, you’ve had a property for sale for over 10 weeks and not had a conversation about price then you are at risk of losing these instructions to competitor agents who do broach the subject.”

How are house prices in Petersfield faring?

According to Rightmove, as of the end of July 2022, the Petersfield housing market can be described as follows;

Properties in Petersfield had an overall average price of £423,472 over the last year.

The majority of sales in Petersfield during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £249,290. Terraced properties sold for an average of £411,998, with detached properties fetching £672,790.

Overall, sold prices in Petersfield over the last year were 15% down on the previous year and 5% down on the 2019 peak of £445,153.”

On paper, the drop in house prices in Petersfield over the past year might sound alarming, but this isn’t the case. There are many reasons for significant movements in the housing market, and as we all know, the last few years have been far from typical when it comes to buyer behaviour.

The current market in Petersfield is in excellent shape, and there is significant demand for homes in the local area. If you are looking to buy or sell, rest assured we are more than happy to help you achieve your goal in the Petersfield property market.

Contact Williams of Petersfield for all your 2022 housing market needs

At Williams of Petersfield, we aim to support the Petersfield community as much as we can, and we know this is an extremely trying time. A lot of people are looking for support and guidance, and if you have any property or housing related questions, we are more than happy to assist you, so contact us today.

Petersfield Property Owners – Declutter And Sell In 2021

With 2021 starting with another lockdown, it is likely many people have spent a lot of time at home. If you are looking for an activity or project to fill your time while at home, have you considered decluttering your home?

Spring cleaning time is fast approaching, and this is an ideal opportunity to transform your home. There is a great deal to be said for freshening up your home, and if you are looking to create more space, this is a hugely effective practice.

Of course, at Williams of Petersfield, we believe the decluttering process is crucial when it comes to selling your home.

Decluttering your home before listing it for sale delivers the following benefits:

  • Your home will look larger, which should make it more attractive to prospective buyers
  • The process adds perceived value to your property
  • A decluttered home offers fewer distractions to prospective buyers
  • A decluttered property helps prospective buyers imagine themselves in the home

All homeowners can benefit from decluttering

However, you don’t need to be in the process of selling your home to benefit from the decluttering process.

A study in 2019 asked people what motivates them to declutter their home, and give their house a spring clean. The following answers were recorded:

  • To reduce stress or act as a mood booster – cited by 35%
  • To create a minimalism style at home or to help build sustainability – cited by 21%
  • More space was needed around the home – said by 19%
  • To refresh the property for the spring season – listed by 12%
  • To increase productivity – named by 6%
  • To find and then sell unused items – cited by 6%

Decluttering might change your shopping behaviour

If you are looking to change your shopping behaviour, you might find decluttering is of benefit to you.

The same study also uncovered people’s thoughts on their shopping habits after the decluttering process:

  • 5% of respondents said they stopped shopping after decluttering their home
  • 34% of respondents said they shopped less often after decluttering their property
  • 30% said they shopped more mindfully after decluttering their house
  • 30% said there was no change to their shopping behaviour after decluttering their home
  • 1% of respondents said they shop more now after having decluttered their property

Lizzie Grant, is the founder of organisation site Declutter on Demand and self-proclaimed professional organiser. She spoke about decluttering as a great way to start the New Year or start a spring clean.

Lizzie spoke to the Independent, saying; “A wardrobe is a good place for many to start as it’s sometimes easier to pull out things to get rid of that are too tight or old. Make sure you sort them into piles and put into bags straight away. Create a ‘keep’ pile, one to donate (or sell) and then a recycling one for old clothes. Stick to this so that you don’t fall into the trap of deliberating and dithering over times.”

Lizzie also recommends tackling your ‘junk drawer’, saying; “Let’s be honest, everyone has one where items that don’t have an official home get shoved. Try getting everything out and throwing away things that are no longer useful to create a ‘useful drawer’ instead.”

At Williams of Petersfield, we aim to support the Petersfield community as much as we can, and we know this is an extremely trying time. A lot of people are looking for support and guidance, and if you have any property or housing related questions, we are more than happy to assist you, so contact us today.

Connect With Buyers And Sell Your Home

At Williams of Petersfield, we know the clock is ticking with respect to the stamp duty holiday. If you are looking for guidance and assistance in making the right move, get in touch, and we will be more than happy to help you.

There is increased buyer demand for homes, and if you are thinking about selling your home, now is the ideal time to make your move.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of Property Data, said: “Increased competition for second-stepper homes has pushed prices to a record this month for those looking to take the next step up the ladder. Needing more space has always been the most popular reason for moving house, but now there’s a new urgency for extra space to be able to work from home, which means that there are different sets of buyers competing for the same type of property.”

Tim continued by saying; “At the start of the year a fourth bedroom was very much a luxury for buyers trading up, but it’s now emerging as a must-have for those who are able to take that step. With overall asking prices just a few hundred pounds shy of July’s record, and buyer demand at an all-time high, those currently looking for their next home are likely to find that only offers close to the asking price will be considered, especially for larger homes.”

Do you know what buyers are looking for?

If you want to connect with willing buyers, you need to give them what they are looking for. If you aren’t sure what buyers look at during the viewing process, help is at hand.

An innovative study carried out by comparethemarket.com offers insight into what prospective buyers look at, and test, when viewing a prospective property. These might not be the factors which make or break a buyer’s resolve to make an offer, but if problems arise, a buyer might not be inclined to follow up their initial interest in the property.

Some of the most commonly considered points include:

  • The quality and condition of radiators
  • Access to a garden space
  • The level of water pressure
  • Cupboard doors
  • The comfort of beds
  • How well the oven works
  • How light switches work
  • The accessories which add a touch of personality to the property

Mark Gordon, head of mortgages at comparethemarket.com, said: “UK house prices are currently on the up and with the stamp duty holiday prompting more buyers to get on the property market, it’s a competitive time for homeowners looking to sell their home. We conducted this experiment to determine the areas of the home buyers look at most to help sellers maximise their chances of a sale. Some sellers may not have considered these factors when preparing their homes for viewings, so we hope our insight will help them focus on the areas they should check and freshen up.”

At Williams of Petersfield, we aim to support the Petersfield community as much as we can, and we know this is an extremely trying time. A lot of people are looking for support and guidance, and if you have any property or housing related questions, we are more than happy to assist you, so contact us today.

 

Petersfield Vendors – Stage The Outside Of Your Home And Sell It

With buyers placing even more importance on garden space and the outside of homes, vendors need to tailor the way they present their home. Many homeowners are more than happy to stage the inside of their home to attract buyers, and given the increased level of demand on garden space, we believe vendors should consider staging the outside of their home.

At Williams of Petersfield, we are pleased to say we have assisted many local homeowners to connect with buyers. By knowing how to make your garden more appealing, you can enhance the chances of selling your home quickly, and for the best possible price.

The demand for outdoor space is obvious

The first monthly market survey report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) since the housing market re-opened provides a number of reasons why vendors must focus on the outside of their property.

The RICS survey collects opinions of agents across the country, so it offers useful insight into what property market professionals expect to see in the industry. The survey reported:

  • 81% of agents predict an increase in desire for homes which have a garden or a balcony
  • 74% of respondents predict an increase in demand for homes located close to a green space
  • 68% of respondents believe properties with privacy and less communal space will be in greater demand

Simon Rubinsohn is the Chief Economist at RICS and he said; “There are already signs that those looking to buy a house are responding to the conditions created by the pandemic by seeking out properties with gardens or balconies and nearer green space. These and other similar features are likely to increasingly command a premium over higher-density urban locations, according to respondents to the survey.”

Gardens matter for property buyers

There has also been backing for these predictions from one of the leading property portals in the United Kingdom. Their studies suggest that while gardens have always been a popular search term for buyers, there has been an increase in prospective buyers looking for outdoor space in their next home.

Rightmove’s housing market analyst Miles Shipside said; “During lockdown people have been re-evaluating what their must-haves are, and both buyers and renters are craving a home with its own outside space rather than a flat. Usually home-movers tell us the kitchen photographs are the most important when they’re looking at a property advert, but now agents should consider giving greater prominence to pictures of gardens and outdoor spaces to attract the attention of prospective renters and buyers.”

There is consensus that outdoor space is important. Of course, when outdoor space becomes a common feature in the market, there is a need to ensure your garden stands out for the right reasons.

This is why staging outdoor space is going to become a critical feature in the property market.

Consider these areas when staging outdoor space to sell your home

  • Always start with the decluttering and cleaning process, as this creates space and makes the area look more attractive
  • Carry out repair work, focusing on paths, property walls and property doors and windows
  • Create borders around different types of plants and flowers
  • Mow the loan and ensure all borders are tidy
  • Ensure all border barriers, such as fences, are in good condition
  • Consider adding lighting to the outside of the property as this will enhance security, safety and functionality
  • If you have space for people to gather, consider adding garden furniture

At Williams of Petersfield, we aim to support the Petersfield community as much as we can, and we know this is an extremely trying time. A lot of people are looking for support and guidance, and if you have any property or housing related questions, we are more than happy to assist you, so contact us today.