By Steve Hatch
On your marks, get set…
I have learned to effectively filter the ‘same old’ media reports that the property market is still doomed. These stories, tweets and retweets, just do not tie in with what is ‘actually’ happening in our North London branches. The reality is a good levels of buyers registering, strong sales figures, and in many cases, above asking price offers. However, there is a shortage of quality property instructions and ‘financially organised’ buyers are acutely aware of this.
It doesn’t help when…Potential vendors seem to think that the prices are going to magically go up overnight when the 2012 Olympics are here! Like all good estate agents we obviously follow up on our valuations to find out when they are likely to want to sell. There is a growing trend of people thinking that their prices are going to be higher when the 2012 Olympics are here. More and more people seem to be holding back.
And my answer has been… Yes, all eyes will be on London (for a couple of weeks) and yes I think confidence will be up, BUT mortgages are still going to be difficult to obtain for the vast majority of people wanting to buy, thanks to the lovely banks and their new found ‘responsible lending’ (AKA ‘Cherry Picking’).
The reality is a good levels of buyers registering, strong sales figures, and in many cases, above asking price offers. However, there is a shortage of quality property instructions and ‘financially organised’ buyers are acutely aware of this.
So… if everyone puts their house on the market in 2012 and there are only so many buyers out there you could effectively get less for your house… It’s just a thought!
Forget the starting pistol… and don’t shoot yourself in the foot! If you need to move, why wait?
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Hello - My name is Steve and i'm one of the directors here at Castles. I have been valuing properties in Harringay, Hornsey, Wood Green, Turnpike Lane, Tottenham, Stamford Hill and South Tottenham in North London for nearly 20 years... needless to say, I am getting a few grey hairs coming through now!
Property shows - The Press - and Lovely Clients - We have met and helped so many wonderful people whilst doing what we do, and love best, day in and day out. As a result of this we have appeared on some of the most popular TV property shows - this has involved:
Negotiating extremely hard with Kirsty Allsop on Location Location Location, in order to secure a decent price for our clients property in Alexandra Park N22
Helping Sarah Beeney on Property Ladder to come up with a valuation figure for a flat above a betting shop in Crouch End N8
Helping the energetic, and lovely, Lucy Alexander on Homes Under the Hammer to place a value on an unusual two bedroom property in Harringay N4
And off-screen we pop up in national newspapers as the so-called property experts every now and then... Whilst it's often challenging but fun doing these things - helping people move in the best financial way possible is our real 'passion' - the day job - and we've been doing that successfully for a very long time.
As a company we enjoy matching the right buyers with the right properties. - We have had the same team of professionals in our branch for the past 19 years - for estate agents this is virtually unheard of and probably makes us a little different to any other agent in the area, I guess it also explains why people want us on their side.
So... What's the Castles 'Property Blog' all about? - In a word 'sharing'
How's this for a deal... We share our local knowledge and experience and... if you like anything you read you can take a second to share it with others - That's fair enough isn't it?
Follow @SteveAtCastles
