Here we are again, Christmas – we keep asking ourselves where this year has gone, but what an exciting one it has been. The property market has seen some dramatic changes in the last eleven months, notably that property prices in the Basingstoke region have increased by a staggering 10% (we have even seen some prices increase as much as 15%). From January through to August the property market was red hot, with most property being sold at open day over the asking price – we have certainly seen this cool towards the tail end of the year but we are still on track for another buoyant year in 2015 with gradual increases expected throughout the year and reports in the national media suggesting the same.
November 2013 and 2014 and have been very comparable months at Barons Estate Agents, with only a -5% decrease in property sold this November and the same amount of property actually completing this year in comparison to last. However, we have been invited to value 200% more property this November compared to November 2013, and the general feedback has been that people are waiting until January to market their property. We are anticipating a very busy January and February market once the seasonal holidays and festivities are over. Make sure you are registered with us as an active buyer to be sure you are contacted first.
As a member of the general public you have probably heard little about a New Property Website that is being launched on the 26th January 2015. It is all very secretive at the moment but what we can say is that the website will be a lot more user friendly than the other famous household names. It will offer the general public the same functions as the big names but without advertising on the site from third party companies, a much more user friendly interface and is THE only portal to be endorsed by both NAEA and ARLA. As it is governed by high street estate agents properties will be added exclusively to this site before any other portal has them listed – we aren’t 100% sure but there are rumours that major players such as Savills & Knight Frank will solely and exclusively advertise on this site. As stated the website won’t be launched until the 26th January but we encourage all potential house hunters in 2015 to visit www.onthemarket.com and register on the site to be kept up to date with related news.
As I am sure you are aware Barons Estate Agents have undertaken a major rebrand and refit this year and the final stage has been completed, the extended light wall. Having had some really positive feedback from buyers and sellers at how properties were being presented we decided to extend the light wall the entire length of the office, it certainly shines bright at the top of Sarum Hill, illuminating the high street. We would love to see you in the office over the quiet December period and if you are thinking of marketing your home in the New Year then why not pop in and see what we do differently to every other agent in town.
Thank you for reading this report and we hope you have a fantastic Christmas holiday and we look forward to hearing from you in the 2015.
Report By Matt Rawlings.
