Remain positive, if you’re prepared to remain realistic! This is the message that I am continually telling all my potential new vendors as well as our current vendors who are yet to sell. With shades of positive light seeping through from the media and the Government with all their so called professionals latest statistics being ever so slightly more positive, it appears that the confidence is beginning to return to our local area and the country in general. It has been a bit of battle for estate agents over recent months and years with so much negative publicity about the property market on all media avenues, when the reality is, and always has been, that if clients are prepared to live within their means, not overstretch themselves and budget carefully and cautiously, then buying a new property is still very much a possibility and perfectly feasible.
We have certainly seen a more positive start to the year, than we have experienced in the last two or three years, with a better number of properties selling in the first quarter of 2012 than previous years. With a larger number of properties coming to the market, applicant registration and viewing levels increasing, the general activity levels we are experiencing are much improved.
However this must not be misconstrued as a property boom, houses are not selling like ‘hot cakes’ and there are a number of properties that are being marketed at an inflated price, either by vendors reluctant to price realistically or by estate agents with unrealistic and unachievable valuations, with these properties continuing to struggle to attract interest. Ball & Percival remains committed to offering a professional yet honest service, giving people the realistic advice that gives them a great chance of selling.
Coupled with the confidence I believe the public is beginning to realise that no matter how lovely they believe their own property to be, no matter if it is “the biggest in the road” or “has parking for 6 cars”, that if they price themselves out of the market they will struggle. With this realisation hitting home, we are finding that in particular new vendors to the market are accepting the realistic prices we are recommending, thus resulting in sales being achieved at a speedier rate.
It must be stressed that this does not mean the general public must give away their property in order to sell, far from it. This misconception that if we put a cheap price on, we will achieve a quick sale is not right. We, as a professional estate agent with over 100 years’ experience, find the ideal balance between offering a price that remains competitive and realistic for purchasers whilst also maximising the price the vendor will receive for their home.
Our clients have grown to trust our advice through our honesty and professionalism, and it this trust and by building relationships, not only with vendors but also prospective purchasers, that has enabled Ball & Percival & the whole Venmore Group to ride the negativity around the property market and come out the other side in stronger position than ever before. The company continues to move forward with plans afoot for the future development, we are excited for the remainder of 2012. With the combination of continued hard work, a pro-active approach to selling and a vibrant, enthusiastic and professional approach to selling, we would invite any prospective client who wish to sell, buy or rent to join us now and be part of the success story that is Ball & Percival (The Venmore Group).
