One
expert says that house prices will rise next year and then continue to do so
for some years to come. Another says that house prices are 30% overvalued and
will fall. Meanwhile prices are soaring in central London, are stable in other
places and still losing ground in a few more.
But
should we care so much about what is going on in general across the UK? And how
useful are their comments in helping to keep the wheels of the property market
turning? Certainly I don’t think we need to heed these market pundits too much
when they are commenting on such a broad basis. What I am fairly certain of is
that many of these people often don’t fully understand what is happening in
Sandbanks and the south coast right now. There is a big difference between the
media experts who talk about the market and the estate agents who actually have
to deal with it. It is easy for the media to make grand over-arching
pronouncements and predictions but estate agents have to move people whatever
the market conditions.
And
estate agents know how to do this because they are dealing with these matters
every day. We understand how national, regional and even local financial issues
affect our own local market and we work constantly to find ways of dealing with
these conditions - whatever they may be.
Prior
to 2007, when the market was storming away, it was much easier for owners and
estate agents to sell property – of course it was. But now it is not. Yet
despite this there is an active market bubbling under the lugubrious surface.
There are always buyers about whatever the market. Well-located property, in
good order and at a sensible market price, will find a buyer – it always does.
The skill here is in getting the best price. For other property, perhaps where
the years haven’t been so kind, which is less pleasing on the eye or not in
quite such a sought-after location, things get a little more tricky - but far
from impossible.
Personal
circumstances do not dance to the tune of the property market. It is when the
chips are down and one really has to sell and move on - even in an adverse
market - that sellers find out who their real friends are. A market commentator
in those circumstances won’t be a lot of use. On the other hand an effective
estate agent could - surprise, surprise - become a very good friend indeed.
