A turbulent start to 2014
After a busy and successful 2013, all expectations leaned towards a continuing improvement during 2014. It is fair to say that dreadful weather and media reports on flooding have had a damaging effect on the property market in Dartmouth through January and into February.
There are now signs that more property will be coming to market shortly although buyers are taking cover from the continuous line of storms coming in from the South West Approaches. Dartmouth’s property market relies heavily on buyers from out of the area, much more than the larger towns and cities in the South West of England, where there is more of a local market.
I do feel confident that once conditions improve, buyers will be back in bulk. All the reports I am getting are that the market is still strong elsewhere and the number of enquiries for our properties is steadily rising. March and April are likely to be the months where the market gets back to more buoyant conditions and the long term forecast shows some considerable improvement with our stormy weather moving northwards.
Although the past six weeks have been slower than we hoped, we have had a number of sales that have gained considerable interest with multiple offers in excess of asking prices on certain properties with development potential.
There are some simple changes that owners can make to increase saleability during these darker winter months. By incorporating a few simple tips, sellers can enhance their property’s looks and feel and increase their chance of attracting an offer.
Simple things such as ensuring the home is warm and well lit can improve saleability. First impressions really do count and winter can often make front gardens and paths look dull and uninviting. Ensuring that these are clean and clear of leaves and dirt can often improve the attractiveness of the property. Making sure the front door has a fresh coat of paint will also help to give a great first impression to buyers.
Richard Blake 01803 832288 www.richard-blake.co.uk
First published By The Dart March 2014
