Government pledges to build more homes

Property is once again a hot topic of conversation this year, whether it is amongst the politicians or across the family dining table.
Stuart Goff of Hunters Estate Agents.Stuart Goff of Hunters Estate Agents.
Stuart Goff of Hunters Estate Agents.

The government has pledged to build more houses, enabling more people to own their own properties; first by looking to build more affordable homes and second by reforming stamp duty to investors and second home owners, giving the first time buyers a financial advantage. 

With interest rates remaining stable and predicted to do so for the foreseeable future, mortgages will remain affordable. However, the strong demand for properties matched with a lack of supply only means one thing; that we will see a further increase of property prices in 2016 and our prediction is that it will be similar to last year’s national average growth of 6-7 per cent.

The year has started as predicted with people choosing bricks and mortar as a good way to invest their money, whether it be a first time buy, an investment buy to let property or extending the current mortgage and moving up market. Our advice for all buyers and sellers is to do your research first, seek good mortgage advice from an independent advisor, prepare yourself and your property before going on the market and seek advice on all the stages involved in selling, letting and moving from a reputable high street estate agent like Hunters who have almost 200 branches.

This gives the security of dealing with a large organisation but as the offices are franchised there is a local owner dedicated to giving the best possible service to every client as their reputation depends on the quality of that service.

Over 96 per cent of Hunters’ clients would recommend them which is much greater than the average estate agency obtains with the service level being the key to such a large number of recommendations.

All staff are trained at the Hunters Training Academy in York which is the only estate agency training accredited by the ILM City & Guilds.

As well as hunters.com, properties are advertised on the two largest property websites Rightmove and Zoopla whereas several agents have dropped one of these major portals thus giving poorer coverage. Hunters offer No Sale No Charge and nothing to pay in advance. The only payment made is usually via the solicitor on completion of the successful sale.

Estate Agency fees in Sheffield are amongst the lowest in the country yet we occasionally carry out a valuation where the client is considering an internet only agent who advertises on TV but has no branches at all. Often their charges are not much lower than ours. But with them you do not get an excellent local branch service.

Give Hunters a call on 0114 266 6626 if you want any advice on selling or letting a property.