Richard Blake Header
We are very pleased to report a busy start to the spring housing market although there is still a shortage of property coming to the market. From all the reports that I’ve read and conversations with other agents nationally, the shortage appears to be countrywide. A recent survey suggested strong prices but quite a dramatic drop in the turnover of property transactions and sales.
The unexpected announcement of a general election in June came as much of a shock to us as everyone else. We’ve had to put up with elections of one form or another for the past few years now. The run-up to such an important vote can be tricky for the housing market. This may be only short term but we hope it doesn’t spoil one of the best selling months of the year.
There are certain bodies in the property industry that are reporting a slowdown generally across the country although we are yet to see that materialise here in the South West. A lot of the reporting tends to be Greater London biased where prices have risen unsustainably over the last few years. Of course the slowdown in London could have a knock on effect for the rest of the country but, as we head towards early summer, the prospects for the housing market in Dartmouth I believe are excellent. Stock levels do, however, need to rise to meet the demand.
On the strength of our optimism in the local property market we are investing and expanding our business. So it really is a case of putting your money where your mouth is.
Rarely is there a shop premises in Dartmouth that remains empty for too long and this has been born out recently with premises on Foss Street selling and renting very quickly to new owners and tenants. This is also an encouraging sign with plenty of other people willing to invest their money locally.
Fist published By The Dart magazine May 2017 issue
