MAY 2020 Market Comment

VIRTUALLY TOGETHER

The housing market has been put “on pause” in Wales and thereby indirectly an obvious casualty of the Coronavirus lockdown. We will soon know if the lockdown is to be extended in Wales or, if some form of “restrictive” movement will be allowed that will hopefully lead us to the new normal way of conducting business.

Our lockdown enquires prove that the desire to move is strong, once the decision has been made. 

Indeed, as soon as the government announced that people could once again move house in England, Rightmove buyer enquiries doubled within 24 hours. They were even higher than the same day last year!

One issue the market may have moving forward is that this demand may not being matched by properties coming to market in this area. As estate agents we have generally not been able to list new to market properties over the past couple of months and the tight social distancing regime will continue to be a challenge. 

However, we have been amazed at how flexible and innovative local homeowners have been. Many, keen to prepare for the deluge, have provided us with some very clear and often entertaining virtual walk-throughs which have given us a pretty good indication of the type of property we’ll be preparing to market. 

Time has been a gift for many sellers – nothing has needed to be rushed and full preparations can be made – that touch of paint, garden tidy, garage clear, etc have all had their place and we have been impressed how sellers have adapted to our new norms!

We all hope I’m sure that when the lockdown is lifted, it will be in a timely manner, safe to do so and people will continue to follow guidance to do all we can to make sure the virus doesn’t re appear.

We’re expecting momentum to build over the coming weeks and months, especially as there is unlikely to be any summer holiday lull this year! 

Those whose plans have been unaffected by the pandemic are leading the charge here, but there will of course be virus-related moves as well, which could help fuel the market. For example, additional sales may be created as a result of:

1.  Job losses (sadly), prompting people to consider moving as they pursue other opportunities. 

2.  New jobs being created as businesses reappraise their efficiencies and locations. 

3.  People realising that working from home has worked well for them – but a bit more space would really help. 

4.  Frustrated family members, pulling their hair out under lockdown, deciding to buy a place of their own

5.  Buyers locking-in a low interest rate before any potential hike

Certainly, space to work from home may now command a premium – even potentially replacing proximity to transport links as a must-have attribute! 

So please don’t wait “until the coast is clear” (it may never be)! If a move is on the cards please do call us to talk through how we can help you take advantage of this unexpected increase in demand over supply. 

Together, let’s secure a safe, satisfying sale or letting.

Regards

The Team at Williams & Goodwin The Property People Ltd

Local Offices in North Wales at:

Holyhead 01407760500

Llangefni 01248751000

Bangor 01248355333

Caernarfon 01286677775

Auctions 01248753939

Property Management 01248724040

To find out more, please visit: www.tppuk.com

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