Busy September as Autumn Market Starts Early
By Steve Cook – Partner Clarke Gammon
Traditionally the Autumn has been a busy time in the property business, although in the last year or two, we’ve not seen the seasonal ebb and flow of the typical property market calendar. This year, certainly within the local market around Guildford, Haslemere and Liphook, at Clarke Gammon we’ve experienced a return to a more traditional seasonally-based market.
Although it still feels like summer in sunny Surrey and Hampshire, my early morning dog walks are feeling a chill in the air and dewy grass underfoot, and with the leaves slowly turning, Autumn is definitely on the way.
During these early Autumn months, as the children return to school and summer holidays are already just a distant memory, those who have the moving itch, begin to turn their thoughts to selling and buying a new home.
A Busy September
September has been a busy month across our offices, with many homeowners looking to get a head start and have their homes listed in readiness for the Autumn market. The launch of new property stock to the market has created a buzz with a surprising number of buyers viewing.
Whilst mortgage interest rates are a concern to some, the Bank of England’s base rate does look to be stabilising, and with fierce competition within the mortgage market, there are some good deals to be had.
The Return of the Cash Buyer
There have always been cash buyers, although both anecdotally from our own experience locally and more generally from the press, there has been a significant increase in the number of cash buyers. I read with interest a piece in the Financial Times last week which suggests that 34 per cent of UK homes sold so far this year have been bought with cash.
The reason, again anecdotally, is the increasing number of downsizers. With the still relatively high property prices, the ‘baby boomer’ generation, with kids long flown the nest and too much space to clean or gardens to upkeep, the prospect of a little cottage in the country or a bungalow, with no mortgage, is very appealing.
Undisclosed/Off-Market Listings
As we discussed in last month’s market update the ‘Resurgence of Off-Market Property Listings‘, September has seen further Off-Market listings.
What is an Off-Market Listing? Whether a property owner simply doesn’t want nosy neighbours knowing their business, or perhaps the property is vacant or a deceased estate and security is a concern or even that the owner is a sports personality or TV celebrity, sometimes people just want things to be kept private.
For these clients, we have a long-established Undisclosed Property Listing Service that enables owners to market their homes without the need to have them listed on the open market and visible across the world on the internet and Social Media.
Recent Off-Market listing from our Haslemere Office –
Guide Price – £1,600,000 – A beautiful and tastefully presented period house dating back to the 17th Century, tucked away in a private and desirable rural location on the outskirts of a popular village within the South Downs National Park. Call our Haslemere Office to register your interest.
If you are interested in listing your home as Undisclosed, please contact me at our Liphook office, discretion is guaranteed.
To register as a buyer for our exclusive undisclosed properties either call any of our offices or complete on online registration form.
Ready for the Autumn Market
The autumn market has already started to gear up with owners looking to make an early start with the aim of moving before Christmas…
Here are just a few of the properties recently listed from our offices in Guildford, Haslemere and Liphook –
House for sale in Hurtmore, Godalming – Guide Price £1,450,000
House for sale in Marley Common, Haslemere – Guide Price £1,795,000
Cottage for sale in Liphook – Guide Price £659,950
Detached house for sale in Marley Lane, Haslemere – Guide Price £625,000
House for sale in Bramshott – Guide Price £775,000
To see the very latest homes coming to the market, click ‘New to market homes’, this lists all of the very latest homes as they come to the market.
Or see more ‘Recently Sold Properties’.
Ready to move?
If you are thinking of buying or selling your property this Autumn, or need some help or advice on property-related matters, please give me a call at our Liphook office, I’m always happy to help.
Why not try our instant online valuation tool?
Steve Cook
Partner Clarke Gammon
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