What Is Driving Property Demand?

If you are looking at the property market and wondering why there is so much activity and demand for homes, we are here to help you. While the UK is in a recession, there is a significant level of demand from buyers, and there is a greater number of vendors entering the marketplace.

At Williams of Petersfield, we are pleased to say we can help you understand the housing market. We have a considerable level of knowledge and expertise in the local area, and we work closely to ensure all our clients understand, and benefit, from what is happening in the national property market.

The housing market is currently buoyant

There has been considerable activity in the housing market since it re-opened. Some experts believe this is a temporary measure, but it has lasted until September, and there is no sign of slowdown.

The stamp duty holiday has changed the market

The stamp duty holiday, in place until 31st March 2021, provides buyers with the chance to save up to £15,000. This is a significant saving for many buyers.

Rightmove’s property expert Miles Shipside said: “This move will help to keep the nation and wider economy moving because keeping the current momentum going will help prevent destabilising falls in property prices as unemployment grows, and enable a quicker economic recovery. Lockdown prevented 175,000 would be sellers from coming to market so we hope this Stamp Duty holiday will provide the spur for those missing movers to come to market.”

We know that many people have questions about the market, and how they should progress next. If you are looking to sell your home, we can arrange a property valuation for you. We believe a property valuation is the ideal starting point for anyone looking to sell their home, and we are here to assist you connect with buyers, and make an informed decision.

Miles Shipside also said; “Home-movers will be grateful that the changes come into effect straight away so they don’t have to delay their plans, and what we could see now is people rushing to get a price agreed before some sellers put their prices up in the hope people will be able to pay more because of the tax savings.”

Some people wish to move before a second wave of the pandemic

There are fears about another wave and associated lockdown. If this was to happen, many people would prefer to be settled in their new home by this point. Therefore, a lot of people are looking to move home soon.

Jacqui Harley is the Head of Conveyancing at JMP Solicitors, and he said; “Whether you’re looking to get on the property ladder, move home, buy another property or add to your portfolio, now is a good time to get moving in the current climate as the housing market is particularly buoyant. We have compiled a list of top reasons to move now, to outline what is available in the current climate for those who act swiftly to make the most of this window of opportunity.”

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.

Demand Is Sustained In Property Market

The introduction of the stamp duty holiday has been welcomed by many people in the housing sector. There is no denying many people are considering making a move, because of the substantial saving on offer. With vendors encouraged by the number of buyers in the market, there is a great deal of activity in all aspects of the housing market.

This is something we have seen in and around Petersfield, and it is something we have noted nationally. If you are looking to sell your home in Petersfield, please get in touch. At Williams of Petersfield, we are pleased to say we have assisted many local homeowners connect with buyers.

A property valuation helps sell your home

One of the most important tasks in selling your home is arranging for a property valuation. As local agents, we are perfectly placed to ensure you connect with buyers and sell your home. If you need any guidance or assistance in selling your home, please get in touch with us today.

Information provided by the property group Andrews for July 2020 suggests:

  • Viewings rose by 29% compared to the previous months’ viewing figures
  • Physical viewings increased by 45% in comparison with the previous month
  • In July 2020, there was close to 6,000 viewings, which equates to around 200 viewings per day
  • In April 2020, the average was 20 viewings per day
  • There was a rise of 12% with respect to offers made and accepted by vendors in July 2020

David Westgate, is the Group Chief Executive at Andrews Property Group. David said; “What a difference four months makes. In April viewings and instructions across the industry fell off a cliff as the country was gripped by coronavirus and the Government asked us to stay at home. But the rebound has been swift as lockdown eased and the Chancellor’s stamp duty announcement at the start of July gave the market a timely boost.”

We can help local buyers and vendors

We know most of the focus has fallen on buyers, but the stamp duty holiday should be viewed as a positive factor for vendors too. If you need assistance in selling your Petersfield property, we are here to assist you.

David also said; “Buyers and sellers alike have shown renewed vigour in the past six weeks. With a lengthy window of opportunity to purchase before the stamp holiday comes to an end, we expect buyer activity to remain buoyant over the coming months. And we saw an immediate uplift in valuations and instructions since stamp duty was frozen, with sellers keen to take advantage of motivated buyers and more confidence to list thanks to stable house prices.”

While there will be many challenges to come in the housing market, we are here to help.

David Westgate also said; “It won’t be all plain sailing from here, but the Government has shown how important it sees a healthy and stable property market for the general wellbeing of the overall economy. And house prices have proven to be extremely resilient in the past when faced by strong economic headwinds, which suggests the market is well placed to cope with some potentially heavy bumps in the road ahead.”

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.

Vendors Must Keep In Touch With Buyer Demand

While vendors should focus on what they want to achieve when selling their home, there is a lot to be said for being aware of what buyers are looking for. If you can tailor your home or offer to better meet the needs of likely buyers, you will find it easier to connect, hopefully assisting you in the sales process.

At Williams of Petersfield, we are keen to help buyers and vendors connect. We know the local market, and we know what buyers are looking for. With our help, Petersfield vendors can connect with buyers, and enhance their chances of selling their home.

NAEA Propertymark figures offer insight into house hunters looking for homes

There has been a lot of information and statistics issued in the housing market since it re-opened after lockdown, but some bodies and organisations are more highly regarded than others. When NAEA Propertymark issues information, people listen. This is because it provides realistic information from estate agents across the country.

Some of the leading statistics revealed by the organisation include:

  • The number of house hunters registered per NAEA branch member increased by 7% between February and May
  • The number of house hunters registered per NAEA branch member rose from 322 pre-lockdown to 344 post-lockdown
  • In May, 70% of properties sold at a price that was lower than the initial asking price
  • The average number of properties available, per branch as of May 2020, was 35
  • This figure is a fall from the figure of 41 per branch recorded in May 2019
  • The supply of homes, based on year-on-year, figures fell by 15% between March 2019 and March 2020
  • Sales to first-time buyers in May stood at 32%, increasing from the 22% sales to first-time buyers in February

Mark Hayward is the Chief Executive of NAEA Propertymark, and he said; “It’s great to see the market up and running again, bringing some much-needed confidence back. With estate agents following new socially distanced protocols and the demand for viewings soaring, we are set for an exciting summer.”

Mark continued by saying; “It will be interesting in the coming months to see if the lifestyle changes triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic will have an impact on house sale locations, especially in and around commuter towns.”

More support for first-time buyers?

There have been calls from MPs for more to be done to support first-time buyers looking to step onto the property ladder. Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols said; “The Government must be proactive in ensuring that the banks assist first time buyers rather than wealthy landlords to access homes on the market. Too many young people are losing life opportunities to the Covid-19 pandemic, and this must not be another instance of that. I have written to the Secretary of State for Housing to ask what measures will be taken to support first time buyers.”

Eleanor Williams is a Finance expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, and she said; “First-time buyers are a vital part of keeping the mortgage market moving, and so it comes as great news that lenders are again starting to relaunch products in the higher LTV tiers. Concern has been raised about the possibility of house price falls and consequential potential negative equity situations, making lenders understandably more cautious about lending in these higher-risk circumstances.”

Eleanor continued by saying; “Lenders have also found though that they have been overwhelmed by the level of demand for these brackets of products, resulting in some needing to withdraw deals only recently relaunched in order to manage their workload. Consumer demand is clearly evident, and the re-introduction of more deals for those with a 10% deposit, or even less, by more lenders would hopefully provide prospective purchasers with the choice they need to move forwards with buying a home.”

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.