Visible Improvement in 2008

Following the worst month for property sales since 1995 it does appear that things have improved markedly in January.  We have seen the level of viewings on properties for sale increase dramatically as has the number of visitors to our website which are currently averaging 5,000 per day.

The number of people seeking valuations has also increased significantly and our Valuers diaries are full.

So if houses are being valued, viewings are increasing along with web traffic are we on the up?  Unfortunately not.  Properties are selling but only at the right price.  Property overpriced by 10% is very unlikely to attract a viewing let alone a sale.  In this difficult market, my advice is as follows:

• Be realistic on your asking price.
• Do not be dismissive of offers below that asking price.
• If your property is empty imagine the interest you will gain from having the money in the bank for the sake of what might be a relatively small reduction in price.
• If you are buying and selling in the same market you will not be loosing out.  You may sell for less than you would have done at this time last year but you will almost certainly be buying at less than you were buying last year.  Swings and round-a-bouts really! 

Dawn Lavelle
Manager
Manning Stainton Wakefield

T: 01924 234 888
F: 01924 234 880