Expert View: Increased demand in the local housing market
Nick Hill, Aitchisons - Credit: Archant
Demand is growing in the local housing market says Nick Hill, Head of Town and Country at Aitchisons - despite the recent weather!
A large number of buyers and sellers are already active on the websites – internet activity always shows a sharp rise in hits and clicks after Christmas, and there was another increase at the beginning of March.
Initially this demand was in the background, as people started to fact find and get a sense of what is available. This winter encouraged many to do their browsing at home – by the fire! Viewing levels in the town have been high throughout the period, and enquiries for village and country locations have risen (as usual) since mid-March.
Many prospective buyers will be sellers as well, and discussions with those about marketing and arranging for valuations and photography stepped up in the approach to the lighter, longer and warmer days of the Easter to Whitsun period, when houses and, particularly, gardens begin to present at their best.
On the demand side, Aitchisons are already in touch with numerous prospective buyers (across all price ranges to £3m-plus) looking for properties of all descriptions in and around the city.
Younger professionals and more senior downsizers are looking for flats and cottages with the easy access to the city centre and Thameslink that the central and conservation areas provide. In particular, we have noticed activity amongst established families who have specifically asked to be kept in touch with houses within easy walking distance of their favoured local school.
Aitchisons are in touch with owners of numerous properties in village and rural locations in preparation for the spring market, all across south - and west Herts and the nearby Chilterns.
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We also put our clients in touch with good advice from 217 established and independent agents’ offices in most parts of the UK through being part of The London Office network.
If you are wondering about testing the market this year, please call Nick Hill or Nick Doyle on 01727 855556 to arrange for a free market appraisal, or simply to have a confidential discussion about the market and forecasts.