Richard Blake Header
After the madness of the run up to the 1st April deadline when Stamp Duty for second and holiday homes increased by 3%, calm has ensued during April so far. There remains a shortage of stock although with the spring and warmer weather arriving, we hope that this will encourage potential vendors to go to market.
It will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of months with Dartmouth’s dependency on second or holiday homes especially in the town centre; there may well be a malaise while the market has a correction. There is lots to look forward to in the coming weeks with bank holidays and half terms as well as the Music Festival which is a great draw and fills the town.
I have in the last couple of weeks moved house myself and although I have moved many times in the past, I haven’t done so in the last 17 years. I must say it is a stressful time, I think every agent should do it to experience first hand the trials and tribulations of moving home in this country. It is not just the uncertainty of the whole procedure, it is the feeling of hopelessness because you have no control. Surely there must be a better system for all involved.
The closer we get to the European referendum, the more uncertainty will appear, potentially affecting not only the property market but the general economy. There always seems to be an excuse for a potential drop in market activity
Anyway, we look forward to another busy spring and summer in Dartmouth. As I am writing this article, the sun is shining and the town is looking beautiful. What more could somebody ask for as a place to live.
Fist published By The Dart May 2016 issue