One could be forgiven for thinking that there are very few properties being sold currently in these extraordinary times we live in. Whilst post Covid stock levels are undoubtedly lower than for many, many years, the private market has been as active as we’ve ever known in 25 years of agency. By this we mean selling without a public marketing campaign or using the internet and advertising. In many cases a brochure is still prepared but we offer the property to our hot buyers and contacts first.
The level of demand from buyers has been unprecedented for all the reasons that have been well documented, and they are extremely eager to hear about fresh houses. So far this year 70% of our country sales business has been conducted off market and there seems no let up – it has been a very popular route to market for many vendors.
A recent article in The Sunday Times highlighted “secret sellers” and so we are not alone in experiencing this increasing popularity. We regularly find that it is an exceptional way of achieving the best price in the current market and both buyers and sellers enjoy the discretion in equal measure. If you would like to find out more, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
CS April 21.

A particularly attractive & impressive Victorian family home in a rural village setting with beautifully presented accommodation, extensive grounds & an outbuilding with conversion potential

A handsome Georgian style modern edge-of-village home with high quality fittings and superbly presented & versatile accommodation with marvelous views of the Nadder Valley countryside

A quintessential elegant period residence of classic proportions offering versatile family accommodation and situated in a lovely setting overlooking the village pond & the countryside beyond

Having lived in the countryside for much of our lives, it seems that there has never been such an urge to tread the wild green open spaces of rural Britain. There is a real “Rural Renaissance” going on and we are as busy as I can remember taking calls from buyers and tenants searching for their dream home.

The market is currently in very short supply of quality property and history tells us that when this is coupled with significant increased demand, as is the case at the moment, there is likely to be upward pressure on prices – great news for sellers !

Not all new buyers registering with us are from big cities, there is an awful lot of moving going on generally throughout the UK with many families picking this as their moment to upsize or downsize or simply change the balance of their lifestyle. It is very likely that for many, working from home in some capacity is here to stay. In addition there are always job moves happening and ex-pats returning from abroad which adds some healthy competition too.

Here on the Wiltshire/Dorset border, we have perhaps previously taken where we live for granted but not anymore. The area offers a fantastic lifestyle with plenty going on for all ages whilst still being within easy reach of London for those needing to travel there whether on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

The last few weeks have seen a healthy level of exchanges which gives us good confidence going forward. Yes, the market has been buoyed up by the stamp duty holiday but if this expires at the end of March as scheduled, we do not believe demand will dry up.

Do get in touch if you would like an informal conversation about public or private marketing – we would be delighted to hear from you.

CS February 2021