Not just for Christmas

Nick Churton of our London Mayfair Office takes a timely look at a highly popular seasonal pastime - looking for a new home.

December is a month of two moods for those wanting to move home. For the first few weeks seasonal preparations can take over and, for a little while at least, moving may take a back seat. But when all the hoo-ha is over, family and friends have departed and fallen pine needles hoovered up from the carpet, thoughts may turn again to the benefits of a home that better suits one’s changing needs and lifestyle for the coming year.

So the end of December can be about getting online and window-shopping for a new home. It is also a good time to shop for an estate agent. Now, this is the important bit. Get it right and the sale of your property will certainly run a great deal more successfully than if you get it wrong.

A good estate agent may sound like an oxymoron to some but those who have benefited from employing a good one in the past will know that a tense and critical time can be made so much easier through an agent’s expert advice – especially if a good price has been secured through his or her skilled and experienced negotiation.

To help find the right estate agent, ask around. Get feedback from friends and neighbours in your area. Take a note of For Sale boards – or, more especially, Sold Boards. Look for experience, capability, a bit of humour - without flippancy - some youthful enthusiasm backed up with mature direction and lots of wisdom and kindness. These are all attributes of a good estate agent and can be found if you take a little time and trouble to look for them. It’s best to avoid the patronising, the ignorant, the arrogant and the pushy. It will be worth it.

Remember, a good estate agent is for the life of your sale not just for Christmas.

Please contact us on 020 8643 7777 or email at sales@christiesworld.com

www.christiesworld.com

Christies Market Review and House Price Index - December 2013

Huge rise in lending to first-time buyers - http://bit.ly/18pPXGr
  

House prices up but BTL yields down - http://bit.ly/18pPSCy  

Growing demand for holiday homes in Europe - http://bit.ly/18IrHVW 

Average UK property now sells 11 days faster than last year - http://bit.ly/18HcF0u  

Asking prices in the UK up every month so far this year, latest data shows - http://bit.ly/1h2ZKdu 

Gross mortgage lending in UK reaches five year high for month of October - http://bit.ly/1h2ZFqh 

Fewer mortgage arrears and repossessions recorded - http://bit.ly/1h2ZwDf 

Christies House Price Index - the market continues to steadily improve

The latest Christies House Price Index, uses the most up to date reliable data from the Land Registry, and also confirms that property in the local area continues to represent an outstanding investment.

Medium and long term gains are still exceptional. Based on past performance potential buyers will be very encouraged to see that prices have risen by 28% over the previous ten years and by an astonishing 52% over the previous 15 years.

What is perhaps even more impressive is that in spite of the much publicized down turn in the property market in 2008 prices are now 8% higher than they were five years ago.

The comparison is based on the average price of all local properties sold including flats, maisonettes, all types of houses and bungalows. Figures for November & December are not yet available - the Index will be revised as soon as the data is released so please check this page regularly for any updates.

Date..............Average Price.........Average Price Oct 2013.......YEARS............INCREASE 

Oct-98..............£104,924..........................£264,216.........................15.....................152%

Oct-03..............£206,262..........................£264,216.........................10.......................28%

Oct-08..............£244,949..........................£264,216..........................5.........................8%

Over the years, and particularly in recent times, demand for properties in Cheam, Sutton, Carshalton, Worcester Park, Ewell, Epsom, Banstead, Kingswood, Leatherhead and surrounding towns and villages has increased dramatically. Much of this demand is due to the location of the properties we sell, which are ideally situated on the fringes of London, bordering rural Surrey greenbelt countryside with picture postcard villages and market towns full of rich heritage and character.

Buyers flood into the area to take advantage of a wide range of leisure and shopping amenities. The local schools are nationally renowned and attract large numbers of enquiries, ensuring that property sale levels and prices have remained well above quoted national averages.

Cheam, Sutton, Carshalton, Worcester Park, Ewell, Epsom, Banstead, Kingswood and Leatherhead all enjoy flourishing local communities with many popular cafés, restaurants and varied independent shops and businesses; this, coupled with many high street names, creates an enviable mix of retail and food outlets. Combined with excellent road and rail links, demand for property remains constant and represents an exceptional investment.

Christies have an unparalleled understanding of the area and are dedicated to ensuring customers are always informed – not just on the property market and prices, but also the area and amenities. When looking at buying a new home, we believe it is imperative that our purchasers are fully informed about all aspects of the potential move.

Your estate agent should be able to answer any of your questions regarding this. We are proud to represent this area and convey that passion to anyone looking to move here.

Please contact either Cheam Office on 020 8643 7777 or Leatherhead Office on 01372 362555 to get moving.

Please contact either Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Richardson or Richard Killoughery on 020 8643 7777 to get moving or email us at sales@christiesworld.com.

www.christiesworld.com

Christies Market Review and House Price Index - November 2013

Mortgage market continues to improve - http://bit.ly/HGPeKD 

UK economic growth accelerates further - http://bit.ly/17Iaw4b 

UK house prices set to rise 17% by 2018 - http://bit.ly/17Iat8e

Land Registry shows house prices up - http://bit.ly/17IaokY 

House sales hit four-year high - http://bit.ly/1fEHBlP 

“Buying frenzy” in London - http://bit.ly/1bhpTz8 

Rents hit all-time high - http://bit.ly/1bhpPzh   

Christies House Price Index - the market continues to steadily improve

The latest Christies House Price Index, uses the most up to date reliable data from the Land Registry, and also confirms that property in the local area continues to represent an outstanding investment.

Medium and long term gains are still exceptional. Based on past performance potential buyers will be very encouraged to see that prices have risen by 28% over the previous ten years and by an astonishing 51% over the previous 15 years.

 

What is perhaps even more impressive is that in spite of the much publicized down turn in the property market in 2008 prices are now 7% higher than they were five years ago.

 

The comparison is based on the average price of all local properties sold including flats, maisonettes, all types of houses and bungalows. Figures for October are not yet available - the Index will be revised as soon as the data is released so please check this page regularly for any updates.

 

Date..............Average Price.........Average Price Sept 2013.......YEARS............INCREASE 

 

Sep-98..............£104,991..........................£263,222.............................15......................151%

 

Sep-03..............£206,406..........................£263,222.............................10........................28%

 

Sep-08..............£245,031..........................£263,222..............................5..........................7%

Over the years, and particularly in recent times, demand for properties in Cheam and Leatherhead and the nearby areas, such as Sutton, Dorking, Ewell, Epsom, Banstead and Kingswood, has increased dramatically. Much of this demand is due to the location of the properties we sell, which are ideally situated on the fringes of London, bordering rural Surrey greenbelt countryside with picture postcard villages and market towns full of rich heritage and character.

Buyers flood into the area to take advantage of a wide range of leisure and shopping amenities. The local schools are nationally renowned and attract large numbers of enquiries, ensuring that property sale levels and prices have remained well above quoted national averages.

Cheam Village & Leatherhead have flourishing local communities with many popular cafés, restaurants and varied independent shops and businesses; this, coupled with many high street names, creates an enviable mix of retail and food outlets. Combined with excellent road and rail links, demand for property remains constant and represents an exceptional investment.

Christies have an unparalleled understanding of the area and are dedicated to ensuring customers are always informed – not just on the property market and prices, but also the area and amenities. When looking at buying a new home, we believe it is imperative that our purchasers are fully informed about all aspects of the potential move.

Your estate agent should be able to answer any of your questions regarding this. We are proud to represent this area and convey that passion to anyone looking to move here.

Please contact either Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Richardson or Richard Killoughery on 020 8643 7777 to get moving or email us at sales@christiesworld.com.

www.christiesworld.com

Winter Wonderhome

Nick Churton of our London Mayfair Office looks at how to get the very best from your property sale during the winter months.

Spring is generally recognised as the best time to sell houses. But not everyone can wait until then. Our lives are not regulated by the seasons as nature itself is. It’s more complicated than that. So now the nights have drawn in here are some thoughts about selling in the coming winter season which will help you get the best results.

With gardens in hibernation and many people having to view houses and flats after dark it takes a little bit more imagination to make your property stand out from others.

First, you want potential buyers turning up in a good mood - not fed up, frustrated and late. Have you ever tried to find house numbers in the dark? It’s not easy, so make sure your number stands out and can be seen easily from a moving vehicle. It is also a very good idea to have a For Sale board outside as this will make your property much easier to find.

Once inside, the lighting and warmth are very important. Rooms should look and feel cosy and welcoming. So use subdued lights, and if you have an open fire then do light it. It will help to give the feeling of hearth and home.

Of course there are some points that apply to selling property in any season, things like making the interior look as uncluttered and spacious as possible. Also, making the price look more like a Christmas present for the buyer than the seller is the very best way to get a quick sale. We know the market is improving. But buyers are not silly – nor are bank or building society valuers - and a widespread urge to buy at any price seems a very long way off.

No property looks quite as good as when the sun is shining and the garden is burgeoning with lush green springtide growth. But with a little thought and some careful preparation your property can become a winter wonderhome to attract buyers.

Please contact either Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Richardson or Richard Killoughery on 020 8643 7777 to get moving or email us at sales@christiesworld.com.

www.christiesworld.com

Christies Market Review and House Price Index - October 2013

House price growth accelerates in September 

- http://bit.ly/15NIShI 

House prices rise 6.2% - http://bit.ly/15NIQ9x 

AFP: Eurozone recovery speeds up, activity at 27-month high - http://bit.ly/15NICPH 

Consumer confidence hits new high - http://bit.ly/1bHFAUj 

Home sales exceed 70,000 for second month in row - http://bit.ly/1bHFw71 

UK planning changes allow property owners to do more - http://bit.ly/1bHF5cA 

New ranges of buy to let mortgages launched in the UK - http://bit.ly/1bHF2O6 

Christies House Price Index

The latest Christies House Price Index, uses the most up to date reliable data from the Land Registry, and also confirms that property in the local area continues to represent an outstanding investment.

Medium and long term gains are still exceptional. Based on past performance potential buyers will be very encouraged to see that prices have risen by 26% over the previous ten years and by an astonishing 49% over the previous 15 years.

What is perhaps even more impressive is that in spite of the much publicized down turn in the property market in 2008 prices are now higher than they were five years ago.

The comparison is based on the average price of all local properties sold including flats, maisonettes, all types of houses and bungalows. Figures for August are not yet available - the Index will be revised as soon as the data is released so please check this page regularly for any updates.

Date..............Average Price.........Average Price Aug 2013.......YEARS............INCREASE 

Aug-98..............£104,158..........................£259,391.........................15.....................149%

Aug-03..............£205,837..........................£259,391.........................10.......................26%

Aug-08..............£258,330..........................£259,391..........................5.........................0%

Over the years, and particularly in recent times, demand for properties in Cheam and Leatherhead and the nearby areas, such as Sutton, Dorking, Ewell, Epsom, Banstead and Kingswood, has increased dramatically. Much of this demand is due to the location of the properties we sell, which are ideally situated on the fringes of London, bordering rural Surrey greenbelt countryside with picture postcard villages and market towns full of rich heritage and character.

Buyers flood into the area to take advantage of a wide range of leisure and shopping amenities. The local schools are nationally renowned and attract large numbers of enquiries, ensuring that property sale levels and prices have remained well above quoted national averages.

Cheam Village & Leatherhead have flourishing local communities with many popular cafés, restaurants and varied independent shops and businesses; this, coupled with many high street names, creates an enviable mix of retail and food outlets. Combined with excellent road and rail links, demand for property remains constant and represents an exceptional investment.

Christies have an unparalleled understanding of the area and are dedicated to ensuring customers are always informed – not just on the property market and prices, but also the area and amenities. When looking at buying a new home, we believe it is imperative that our purchasers are fully informed about all aspects of the potential move.

Your estate agent should be able to answer any of your questions regarding this. We are proud to represent this area and convey that passion to anyone looking to move here.

Please contact either Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Richardson or Richard Killoughery on 020 8643 7777 to get moving or email us at sales@christiesworld.com.

www.christiesworld.com

Christies - Monthly Market Update - 'Staging a Coup'

House price growth accelerates in September - http://bit.ly/15NIShI 

House prices rise 6.2% - http://bit.ly/15NIQ9x 

AFP: Eurozone recovery speeds up, activity at 27-month high - http://bit.ly/15NICPH 

Consumer confidence hits new high - http://bit.ly/1bHFAUj 

Home sales exceed 70,000 for second month in row - http://bit.ly/1bHFw71 

UK planning changes allow property owners to do more - http://bit.ly/1bHF5cA 

New ranges of buy to let mortgages launched in the UK - http://bit.ly/1bHF2O6 

'Staging a Coup'

With more people viewing properties now than in the last five or six years, it is extremely important that houses for sale look their very best to maximise their value potential. Nick Churton of our London Mayfair Office makes a few suggestions on how to start.

In the US staging – preparing a property for sale - is big business. Professional staging firms clean, de-clutter, furnish, re-furnish, hang pictures and even decorate to make sure that an individual property looks, smells and feels its very best. Getting a property ready for sale sometimes costs thousands but can add tens of thousands to a sale price so is usually well worth doing.

In the UK staging hasn’t really taken off - despite the TV property programmes that show just what a difference a fresh pair of eyes and a bit of imagination can make.

But while we may not feel the need for a stager we should be aware of that vital first impression which is influenced by the cleanliness, neatness and order of a well-maintained and well-loved home when it is shown at its very best.

As we come into the autumn property selling season now is a good time to think about how your property will appear to a buyer. Your home will look more spacious with fewer things in it. Surfaces should be cleared of clutter. Also it is surprising what a difference can be made by taking away just one piece of furniture from each room. Everywhere will look so much more spacious. Give your home a deep clean and if you don’t want to do it yourself get in a good cleaning company to do it for you. As the evenings draw in get the fire going if you have one. A fire in the home is one of the basic human needs and people always respond.

Telling a seller that the look or condition of their house is not actually doing them any favours can be hard for anyone including an estate agent. It is a highly personal subject. So make it easy on yourself - ask your agent what should be done. And then follow his or her advice.

Preparing a house for sale takes practice and the understanding that more of a blank canvas is preferable so potential buyers can build and decorate in their imaginations without the distraction of other people’s taste. So if you are selling this autumn choose an agent who is not merely going to put your home on the market but one who will help you stage a coup as well and make yours the one that’s most desired.

That is the real way to make more money from a sale - it won't come simply by adding a few thousand pounds to the asking price and hoping for the best.

Please contact either Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Richardson or Richard Killoughery on 020 8643 7777 to get moving or email us at sales@christiesworld.com.

www.christiesworld.com

Christies - Monthly Market Update & House Price Index

Mortgage lending at highest since 2008 - http://bit.ly/1e6mjeh 

Prime central London values grow 4.2% in three months - http://bit.ly/16QlZyX 

First-time buyers lending at highest level since 2007 - http://bit.ly/16Qm0Dd 

Property Connoisseur - The Best in International Property - http://bit.ly/17yQvdc 

Spain remains top choice for holiday home buyers - http://bit.ly/16QlTr2 

Landlords warned to purchase with caution - http://bit.ly/16QlSn7 

The latest Christies House Price Index, uses the most up to date reliable data from the Land Registry, and also confirms that property in the local area continues to represent an outstanding investment.

Medium and long term gains are still exceptional. Based on past performance potential buyers will be very encouraged to see that prices have risen by 25% over the previous ten years and by an astonishing 151% over the previous 15 years.

What is perhaps even more impressive is that in spite of the much publicized down turn in the property market in 2008 prices are now only a mere 2% less than they were five years ago.

The comparison is based on the average price of all local properties sold including flats, maisonettes, all types of houses and bungalows. Figures for July are not yet available - the Index will be revised as soon as the data is released so please check this page regularly for any updates.

 Date..............Average Price.........Average Price July 2013.......YEARS............INCREASE 

 July-98............£103,274..........................£258,723......................15.....................151%

 July-03............£207,315..........................£258,723......................10.......................25% 

July-08............£262,712..........................£258,723.......................5.......................-2% 

Over the years, and particularly in recent times, demand for properties in Cheam and Leatherhead and the nearby areas, such as Sutton, Dorking, Ewell, Epsom, Banstead and Kingswood, has increased dramatically. Much of this demand is due to the location of the properties we sell, which are ideally situated on the fringes of London, bordering rural Surrey greenbelt countryside with picture postcard villages and market towns full of rich heritage and character.

 Buyers flood into the area to take advantage of a wide range of leisure and shopping amenities. The local schools are nationally renowned and attract large numbers of enquiries, ensuring that property sale levels and prices have remained well above quoted national averages.

Cheam Village & Leatherhead have flourishing local communities with many popular cafés, restaurants and varied independent shops and businesses; this, coupled with many high street names, creates an enviable mix of retail and food outlets. Combined with excellent road and rail links, demand for property remains constant and represents an exceptional investment.

Christies have an unparalleled understanding of the area and are dedicated to ensuring customers are always informed – not just on the property market and prices, but also the area and amenities. When looking at buying a new home, we believe it is imperative that our purchasers are fully informed about all aspects of the potential move.

Your estate agent should be able to answer any of your questions regarding this. We are proud to represent this area and convey that passion to anyone looking to move here.

Please contact either Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Richardson or Richard Killoughery on 020 8643 7777 to get moving or email us at sales@christiesworld.com.

www.christiesworld.com

Ups and Downs

With all of the industry and financial indicators showing an upward turn, Nick Churton of our London Mafair Office looks at how this is affecting the property market.

According to Isaac Newton, what goes up must come down. Fortunately, in the property market at least, what goes down must also come up. At least that is what happened in the '70s, the '80s and the '90s after periods of recession. Now it looks as if history is repeating itself.

Estate agents are always glass-half-full people. But can anyone have failed to notice that things are on the up? High Street spending is up, employment is up, manufacturing is up, GDP is up, the service sector is up, lending is up and the property market is up. In fact the property market is back with a vengeance in most areas. Vengeance is such a bitter word but it is a correct one in this instance - the retaliation for something harmful. The recession was harmful to so many people. But the market is retaliating now.

Is all this a blip? It is now looking unlikely. The planets seem perfectly aligned for growth in the property market. This is a great time to buy or sell. Low interest rates, plenty of stock in many areas, keen buyers, less reluctant lenders – the market is set pretty fair.

But no matter how the market looks there are still some things we must watch carefully. If purchasing we need to keep an eye on interest rates – they also go up as well as down. If selling we must not get too ambitious and let our enthusiasm for achieving a top price blind us to reality – a glut of properties in the market means a lot of choice for buyers, and buyers never select an over-priced property when a sensibly priced one is available – would you?

This is a time for level headed buying and selling - remembering at all times the laws of physics and of the market.

Please contact either Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Richardson or Richard Killoughery on 020 8643 7777 to get moving or email us at sales@christiesworld.com.

www.christiesworld.com

Property Connoisseur - The Best in International Property

Property Connoisseur - The Best in International Property - http://bit.ly/17yQvdc 










Please contact either Andrew Richardson, Jeremy Richardson or Richard Killoughery on 020 8643 7777 to get moving or email us at sales@christiesworld.com.

www.christiesworld.com