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