What’s happening to the Basingstoke property market? It is a question everyone is asking in the wake of the Brexit vote and, as always, the answer depends on who you speak to and what you read.
In terms of transactions, January 2017 was very productive at Barons and whilst we cannot report for our competitors we saw an increase in sales levels by 55% and this trend has continued throughout February and March resulting in us being 19% up from the same period last year. With the addition of two new staff members, the figures may represent more of a development within our company opposed to considerable increases in market activity as viewing numbers are down from the same period. Open days have traditionally been the ‘go to’ method to sell your property for the last two years and whilst we are still having success with them, the 30 or 40 viewing we generally expected for a sensible priced family home has now turned in to a more steady 10 to 15 on average.
With the above in mind, a sensible and evidence based valuation is becoming even more critical and something we strive to achieve and which will result in our clients moving within sensible time frames. If you have doubts about an estate agents valuation you are within your rights to ask what evidence suggests the advised priced, after-all this will be used in order for your buyer to obtain a mortgage and fund their purchase.
Barons are also proud to announce that as of January 2017 we have an in-house financial advisor, Mark Jones. Mark has a wealth of experience in the financial services industry and he has built up an array of knowledge in not just mortgages and protection insurance but also pensions, savings, investments and Will writing to name a few. He also likes golf and dislikes making cups of tea…. With the lack of tea making aside, he is a great guy and is fitting in well within our company and is performing better than we could have hoped for, so well done Mark.
As reported earlier in the year we have sponsored a number of charities and events this year and the latest addition to that will be Kevin’s epic Ark challenge leaving from the Ark Cancer Centre in Basingstoke and cycling to Portsmouth before getting the overnight ferry to Caen in aid of Bike 4 Cancer and the Ark Cancer Centre Charity. Kevin will then spend a further 3 days in the saddle cycling from Caen to Alencon and then onto Evreux finally finishing in Paris! For more information or to donate please visit http://www.arkriders.co.uk/team/kevinp/
That’s the end of our report for this time around but we all hope you have a great spring and summer, and of course, if you have any property related questions or queries then please get in contact with us.
