Improvements in the market
At the time of writing, we are three quarters of the way through April which has proven to be one of our best ever months. The local market has certainly shown signs so far this year of a marked improvement, although it is erratic and very price sensitive.
Recent research has shown that South West coastal towns have not seen the same price increases experienced by some of the towns on the Suffolk and Norfolk coasts. It is fair to say that the West Country properties are starting from a higher level and that the Norfolk and Suffolk had some catching up to do. Fewer London-based second homers has held back what has been a reasonably buoyant sales market. The idea of living by the water, however, still has a huge pull on buyers as many peoples’ dream home would be by the sea, so where better than the South Hams and particularly Dartmouth.
It is incredible how the weather has an effect on all sorts of business. The few days of sunshine seems to have turned the property market around completely. We have had month after month of dull, wet and cold weather, and then suddenly spring has sprung. There are plenty of house hunters in the area and this is probably one of the best times to sell that we have seen over the last six years or so. A typical town centre Fisherman’s cottage is in high demand with many sales being agreed this month.
The government incentives that have come into force could well give the market a further boost in months to come and agents working in cities throughout the country are also reporting brisk business. We need positive news on the economy and continued sunshine for what I am sure will become the best year the local property market has seen since the crash.
First Published May 2013 By The Dart
Richard Blake 01803 832288 www.richard-blake.co.uk/
