South Somerset housing market on the move in 2012

Following a sustained tough period, many estate agents in the county are reporting movement in the housing market with a fresh wave of confidence among buyers.

And the message seems to be that if sellers remain realistic with their prices then buyers will be found.

With this upturn in mind, we’ve given our popular property pages a fresh new look to help home buyers seek out the best options. Check out the new-look Homelife section in the latest Chard and Ilminster News.

Minster Estates, Ilminster.

MINSTER Estates in Ilminster have started 2012 in a positively exuberant fashion with fresh properties coming on to the market and offers being accepted.

A spokesman said: “The number of properties being sold is still quite high across the board, which reflects the current market, but the message is simple: get the price right and properties are selling.”

Minster Estates believe that this part of South Somerset is a very desirable place to live and that Ilminster is a thriving market town with a strong infrastructure.

“We’re seeing many people moving from the Home Counties to retire here, and they’re enjoying the close proximity of wonderful countryside, the coast, and strong road and rail networks,” added the spokesman.

McKinlays, Ilminster.

MCKINLAYS Estate Agents in East Street, Ilminster, are the biggest dedicated lettings centre in the town and are busy with people looking to rent, and increasingly looking to buy.

The team in the office, which has a new look after a refurbishment, consists of Dan Tapper, proprietor, Sara Hassall, lettings manager, and Tracey Dunn, senior negotiator.

Dan said: “Rents are increasing in value, and we’re looking for two- or three-bedroom properties for the rental sector.

“Sales are stagnating, but there’s activity in the market.”

Optimism’s increasing thanks to clients who have sold properties in London and are looking to move to Somerset.

“They’re ready to buy, which, over the past two or three years, they haven’t been able to.

“They’ve got their properties sold, which enables them to come down here and buy.”

Greenslade Taylor Hunt, Chard.

RESIDENTIAL manager at Greenslade Taylor Hunt in Chard, Rob Beard, has said that there are “deals to be done” in the housing market.

Rob said that the Chard office of GTH had enjoyed a successful sales period in the second-half of 2011 although the property market is still “undoubtedly challenging” as compared to five years ago.

“The encouraging news in this kind of market is that where there is a committed vendor who prices their property in line with the current market, there are buyers who are willing and able to buy,” he said.

“A clear example of this is that 11 of the sales we have agreed from the Chard office since September 2011 have been at or above the asking price.

“We have also seen a number of properties achieve a sale within the first couple of weeks of marketing – all of these prove that there are still deals out there to be done.”

Greenslade Taylor Hunt, Ilminster.

THE Ilminster office of Greenslade Taylor Hunt is predicting a busy 2012 with indications pointing towards an active market.

The office’s residential partner, Andrew Perry, said they had started the New Year well with strong level of interest in all types of property.

“Already our viewings are up ten per cent on 2011 and we are expecting 2012 to be very busy,” he said.

“In the Ilminster Office we have a very strong sales team with over 70 years of experience in the local property market. We have found over the years that experience really does count, especially when the market has limited confidence.”

And Mr Perry said: “Choosing the estate agent for you is about having the right partnership and with Valentine’s Day just gone estate agents can be a bit like perfect sweethearts.

“It is always best to have someone by your side who values you, who will fight for you, who won’t answer back - too much!

“Of course there are good partners and bad partners. Selling property rests heavily on the partnership built up between seller and estate agent.

“A good agent will lovingly put your property on a pedestal and then negotiate fiercely to achieve the best deal for you.”

And Mr Perry said: “The trick is finding the right one at the outset. It’s a bit like finding the best boyfriend or girlfriend - they may look roughly the same but in practice they all act very differently.”

Palmer Snell, Chard.

PALMER Snell in Chard reports encouraging business in the past few months, and manager Emma Pike is looking forward to a vibrant future.

The last quarter of 2011 saw a big increase in sales to the local market which had continued in 2012.

“We had a busier than normal January and are definitely starting to see more applicants than we have for many years,” said Emma.

“Due to the success of the previous year we require more properties of various type and size to offer our ever expanding buyer database.”

Emma said sellers need to be realistic when setting a price – crucial to any sale.

She said: “Viewing numbers have increased already at the beginning of this year compared to 2011, which is a very positive sign, and we have more first time buyers being qualified for mortgages.

“Home owners may be surprised at the value of their property as the housing market has been perceived as stagnant for the past few years, so I’d advise them to contact us.”

Novahomes, Chard.

THE start of 2012 has seen terriffic demand from first-time buyers and investors looking to buy one- and two- bedroom properties in Chard and Ilminster.

For first-time buyers there’s still a strong desire to get their foot on the property ladder.

Mark Savill, of Novahomes, said: “First-time buyers have realised a house is a long-term investment, not a short-term one.

“In the long term the earlier you buy it the earlier you pay off your mortgage. Even better, you have the satisfaction of owning your very own home.”

For investors, the worry of inflation, low returns on savings and the prospect of a lower pension is driving them to property.

Jane Desforges, of Novahomes’ Crewkerne office, said: “A pretty town like Crewkerne also attracts a large number of buyers from out of area.

“We’re about to go into the peak time of year for that market, and are looking to build a register of detached and character homes which suit this type of buyer perfectly.”

Derbyshire's, Chard.

THE manager of Derbyshire’s estate agents in Chard says the office has just enjoyed the best January he can remember.

Chris Cherry said the mild start to the year had brought buyers out early in search of a new property.

“We’ve enjoyed the best January I can remember with competition for several properties,” he said.

“There’s now a shortage of quality stock available in the area, and my advice to anyone thinking of selling this year is to get on the market now.

“Activity has been pretty well across the board with larger detached properties attracting considerably more interest than last year.

“If it is well presented, in a good location and sensibly priced we have buyers waiting who can proceed.”

Derbyshire’s lettings manager Suzanne Richards also reports a busy start to the year with strong demand for two- and three-bedroom properties in Chard and Ilminster.

Tarr Residential, Chard.

JAMIE Tarr, director of Tarr Residential in Chard, firmly believes the existing housing market remains very much a “buyer’s one.”

Jamie says house prices appeared to level off in the past six months.

“Realistic pricing from agents and vendors, combined with more confidence from mortgage companies, has encouraged more first-time buyers, investors and the general public overall to move home,” he said.

“We’ve reported increased sales of 120% on this time last year, and with confidence increasing in the marketplace we’re predicting an overall increase in transactions in 2012.

“We’d encourage clients looking to sell this year to enter the marketplace sooner rather than later to capitalise on our recent success.”

Tarr Residential only re-branded its Chard office in January and reported one house sale every two working days in its first month of business.

TRG Lawrence, Chard.

TRG Lawrence in Chard believe things are looking up for first-time buyers in Somerset.

The housing market is a “litmus paper” for the economy and greatly affected by consumer|confidence, a spokesman said.

“House prices have reduced by about 15% in Somerset from the peak and there are promising signs that first-time buyers are again out looking, provided a|mortgage is available to them.

“The key factor in finding a buyer is price, and the most competitively positioned properties are once again attracting attention and selling.

“Remember that vendors who are buying and selling aren’t disadvantaged by the current reduced house prices.

“The spring market is approaching and now’s the moment if you’re considering a move.

“It’s also the right time to talk to an independent financial advisor to ascertain how much you can borrow and monthly costs for budgeting.”

Elder and Froy, Ilminster.

ELDER & Froy in Ilminster report good improvements in the housing market over the past few months.

Chris White, of Elder & Froy, said: “The market is showing good improvement in both sales and lettings with a lot of our stock now either let, under offer or sold.

“Property is moving quicker as many vendors are now more realistic on house prices than they were previously.”

“In the past two months we’ve seen an increase in people registering for properties, especially investment buyers.

“With stock levels now low, we require more town and village properties for waiting applicants.”