News
Welcome to our news page, here you'll find out the latest property news as well as news about Grays and Co. We hope you find these articles useful.
A staggering 90% of respondents have seen an increase in the number of buyer enquiries and instructions in January 2012 compared to December 2011. In fact, the majority of members surveyed (38%) said that they have seen over 50% more instructions; suggesting, that as we progress into 2012, lots more people are deciding to enter the sales market.
Survey results also indicated that over half (51%) of respondents reported the trade up purchaser as the most common buyer type at the moment. This would appear to indicate that despite the challenges in the mortgage market, stable property prices are attracting those who have the ability to purchase. Also cited by a fifth of member respondents as the most common buyer type was the buy to let purchaser - great news for prospective tenants who are currently outnumbering landlords in the UK rental market.
So whether you’re buying, selling or renting, get in touch with us. As members of Home Sale Network, we’re part of a national network of handpicked, independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales and are your Local Expert for buying, selling and renting property in Beverley & Driffield..
A recent survey conducted by Home Sale Network amongst its members indicated that the number of buyer enquiries and instructions in December 2011 increased when compared to November 2011.
72% of the Network’s survey respondents saw up to a 20% increase in the number of buyer enquiries in December 2011 compared to the previous month. During the same period, 71% of respondents saw up to a 20% increase in the number of instructions and a further fifth (20%) of responding members saw up to a 40% increase.
As a national network of specially selected independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales, Home Sale Network is able to provide a good indication of the number of buyer enquiries and instructions in the current market.
Andy Graves from Grays & Co, the member of Home Sale Network in Beverley said, “It’s encouraging to see that the majority of Network members reported a monthly increase in the number of buyer enquiries and instructions in December 2011. And indeed, here at Grays & Co we’re seeing that positive market activity continuing into 2012 as well with very strong levels of activity in January as well.
“If you’re thinking of moving then contact Grays & Co today. As a Home Sale Network member, we are Beverley’s Local Expert and can help you find the right property.”
Home Sale Network Predicts a Happy New Year for Sellers (And Urges First Time Buyers to Get on the Ladder Now!)
Despite the current economic climate, there’s at least some good news for buyers and sellers this Christmas, with a recent survey carried out by Home Sale Network amongst its members indicating that the New Year is a good time to sell. Bah Humbug?? Not according to the vast majority[1]of Home Sale Network estate agents, who took part in the survey.
Due to the continuing low interest rates, 95% of Network estate agents state that early 2012 is a good time to sell your property. Indeed, ALL survey respondents believe that interest rates will continue to remain low during the first quarter of next year, so if you’re thinking of selling, contact Grays & Co www.graysandco.co.uk.
And for all those first time buyers out there...make sure you don’t miss out on the Stamp Duty holiday that is due to end on 24 March 2012. Giving first time buyers a reprieve from the 1% levy on properties purchased for £250,000 or less, the holiday is a good way to save a few pounds when buying your first home.
So whether you’re buying, selling, relocating to another part of the UK, or just thinking about entering the market, contact us today. As members of Home Sale Network, we’re part of a national network of handpicked, independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales and are your Local Expert for buying and selling property in Beverley and Driffield.
[1]95% of survey respondents indicated that early 2012 is a good time to sell property.
² Subject to meeting the HMRC’s qualifying criteria
Weeks to Christmas Remain a Proactive Time to Buy or Sell - Says Home Sale Network
1st December 2011
A November 2011 Home Sale Network survey amongst its members has found that buyers and sellers continue to enter the property market. Indeed, 95% stated that buyers and sellers active in the UK property market at this time of year are ‘serious about moving home’ and therefore it remains a proactive time to buy or sell.
Despite the traditionally quiet time of year in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the vast majority[1]of survey respondents recommend that sellers list their property as soon as possible with a further 78% expecting to continue to see activity in the market over the next few weeks. Indeed, with the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday set to end in March 2012, many more buyers will be entering the market to take advantage of the Government tax break.
A specially selected, national network of independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales, Home Sale Network is able to provide a good indication of the current trends in the UK property market.
Chris Ray from Grays & Co, the member of Home Sale Network in Beverley & Driffield said, “With 95% of our member agents indicating that now remains a proactive time to buy or sell, we encourage anyone thinking of entering the property market to contact us today. Indeed, if you’re a first time buyer, you only have until March next year to take advantage of the Stamp Duty holiday!
“We’re seeing a lot of activity in the Beverley and Driffield areas and as the Local Expert we can help sell your property and find you the right home.”
[1]93% of Home Sale Network respondents recommend that sellers list their property as soon as possible.
LANDLORDS AND PROSPECTIVE TENANTS SHOULD CONTACT
HOME SALE NETWORK
3 October 2011
A September 2011 Home Sale Network survey amongst its Network Members has found that prospective tenants continue to enter the rental market as current stock levels struggle to meet demand.
In the three months to September, it was found that more than 40% of survey respondents have seen up to a 10% decrease in the number of rental properties available on the market. This can be attributed to rising tenancy demand and indeed the survey results show that the vast majority of Network members have seen the number of potential tenants increase by up to 20% in the same three month period.
The supply-demand imbalance is also affecting rental prices, with the majority of respondents reporting up to a 5% increase in prices in the last three months.
A specially selected, national network of independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales, Home Sale Network is able to provide a good indication of the current trends in the UK rental market.
Chris Ray from Grays & Co, the member of Home Sale Network in Driffield said, “The increase that we are seeing in tenant registrations means that we welcome any potential landlords who have quality properties to let. If you are considering or currently let a property, contact your local Network member. We understand lettings services and would like to hear from anyone who can help us meet this current high demand.
“If you’re looking to rent, we have many quality properties available and as Driffields’s Local Expert we can help find the right home for you.
A recent survey conducted by Home Sale Network amongst its members reports that 97% of Network respondents achieved an average 93% of a property’s asking price in June 2011 – demonstrating the calibre of estate agent we have on our Network.
Handpicked to join Home Sale Network, Grays & Co makes sure all of their customers are prepared for that summer sale with a sensible asking price, professional property photos and excellent presentation. Here are their handy hints for preparing your property for summer selling…
- Make the most of your summer garden – trim your lawn and use bright flowers and shrubs to create a welcome entrance (front garden) or relaxing getaway (back garden).
- Let that summer sun light up your home – pull all your curtains back when prospective buyers are visiting the property to create a light, airy space.
- No one likes a musty room, so in rooms that are rarely used, ensure you open windows to let the fresh air in.
- Windows are typically a room’s focal point and many prospective buyers will be looking out of them, so make sure they’re clean and welcoming.
Chris Rayfrom Grays & Co, the member of Home Sale Network in Beverley & Driffield said, “As a Home Sale Network member we are well positioned to help you sell your property in this challenging market. With expert local knowledge and the ability to market your property on our national property website – www.home-sale.co.uk - contact us today.”
Grays & Co launch their new, ‘virtual’ office window.
Local estate agent, Grays & Co, have launched a new website to build upon their digital marketing offering and further improve the service they offer to clients. The company’s investment is recognition of the continuing and growing importance of web presence to both buyers looking for a house and vendors choosing an agent to act for them.
The new website at www.graysandco.co.uk, developed in association with web designers MAMOO Creative, was launched on 19thJuly and is already proving popular. With an improved search facility, an ability to register and amend personal property requirements, news section, staff profiles, area profiles, Twitter and Facebook links there is plenty of content for the casual and regular visitor. Director, Chris Ray expands “We are really pleased with the look that Matt (Moorhouse of MAMOO) has achieved, particularly the sliding local photos on the home page, which immediately confirm what part of the world we are in.” There is value to be had as well, with a facility to request a valuation through the site that rewards the homeowner with a valuable 10% reduction in fees. Other features include a link to the Home Sale Network site with an ability to search other parts of the country and a link to bidonmyhouse, Grays & Co’s online auction partner.
Andy Graves, Chris’s fellow director explains “In a world where property portals hold so much sway we have been delighted with the traffic our old site attracted on a daily basis. We were on target to achieve 50,000 visits for the year and expect the new site to significantly increase that total.”
Jon Sheppard and Darren Hodgkinson who are partners in the Driffield and Pocklington offices respectively are both looking forward to the advantages the new site will bring: “Communication has changed a lot in the last few years and whilst the phone will always be our preferred method the new site, Twitter feed and Facebook page are all important enhancements to our already considerable service” says Jon. “For those really active or interested in the market, our twitter feed with news of instructions, reductions, and sales will be a great resource.” continues Darren.
The company are keen to point out that Facebook and Twitter along with the Contact page are all great ways of telling them whether they have got it right. They are keen to hear views and suggestions of how things might be improved further. The site can be found at www.graysandco.co.uk.
A recent Home Sale Network survey has found that first time buyers continue to enter the UK property market.
When asked whether there was an increase in first time buyers in 2011 compared to the end of 2010, over a third (35%) of respondents indicated that they had seen an increase.
A specially selected, national network of independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales, Home Sale Network is able to provide a good indication of the number of first time buyers around the country that are currently entering the UK property market.
62% of survey respondents named a lack of mortgage deposit as the biggest influence in preventing more first time buyers from entering the market. A further third of Network members reported that it was a lack of mortgage availability that was preventing some first time buyers from home purchase.
Chris Ray from Grays & Co, the member of Home Sale Network in Beverley & Driffield said, “Our survey suggests that although the mortgage market continues to be a challenge to first time buyers, many are finding new ways to be able to afford their first home, whether it’s buying a property with a friend or a family member and so now is a good time to get on the property ladder.
“If you are a first time buyer then contact Grays & Co today. As a Home Sale Network member, we are Beverley & Driffields’s Local Expert and can help you find the right property.”
A recent survey conducted by Home Sale Network reports that getting a property’s asking price right is essential to selling your home. Indeed 83% of survey respondents indicated that the asking price remains key to achieving a successful and quick sale in the current market.
Half of Network respondents also reported that it was ‘critical’ for sellers to set the correct asking price as soon as the property comes to the market.
On average, the majority (57%) of Network members reported that the percentage of the initial asking price achieved was between 90% and 94%, with more than a third (36%) stating that they had achieved between 95% and 100% of the asking price.
Chris Ray from Grays & Co, the member of Home Sale Network in Beverley & Driffield said, “As our Home Sale Network survey indicates, with the increased demand in the market at the moment, it’s essential that sellers set realistic asking prices as soon as their property comes to the market.”
“If you’re thinking of moving, then contact Grays & Co today. As a Home Sale Network member, we are Beverley & Driffield’s Local Expert and can help find the right buyer for you.”
Following the Budget speech announcement (23 March) that there will be a £250 million shared equity scheme within the UK - designed to help first time buyers purchase a new-build home on selected properties - a recent survey conducted by Home Sale Network discussed the scheme’s potential affect on the property market landscape.
The year-long programme, called FirstBuy, will provide interest-free loans for the first five years to first time buyers, if they fulfil the eligibility criteria, including a household income below £60,000.The first time buyer would have to commit 5% of the property price, whilst the Government and home builder construction firms would contribute 10% each with the policy expected to reach just over 10,000 first time buyers.
From its survey, Home Sale Network, a national network of independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales found that over 70% of its members welcomed the introduction of a new shared equity scheme for first time buyers although given that it is in the early stages, the majority* of Network respondents indicated that the scheme had so far not made an impact on the numbers of buyers entering the market.
Chris Ray from Grays & Co, the member for Home Sale Network in Beverley & Driffield said, “We welcome any new policy the Government introduces to boost the property market and we will watch this scheme with interest. If you’re thinking of moving then contact Grays & Co today. As a Home Sale Network member, we are Beverley & Driffield’s Local Expert for this area and can not only help you to sell your current home but assist you in finding the right property.”
*99% of Home Sale Network respondents
A recent survey conducted by Home Sale Network highlights that competition amongst potential tenants continues to increase with 68% of survey respondents indicating that they have seen up to a 50% increase in the number of potential tenants in the last year.
According to the survey, the vast majority of members (83%) cite two to three bedroom houses as the most in demand property type in the current rental market and 62% of respondents indicate the typical length of time the average tenant remains in the property is between a year to 18 months.
James Danbury, Lettings Managerfrom Grays & Co, the member for Home Sale Network in Beverley said, “With the increase we have seen in tenant registrations we are continually looking for quality properties to help meet the demand. If you are considering renting your home or indeed currently have property available to rent, contact Grays & Co, we know and understand lettings and would like to hear from you.”
The first winner of a meal at the Michelin star winning Pipe & Glass Inn at South Dalton has been drawn. The prize draw run by local estate agents GRAYS & Co was launched in January and is being run on a monthly basis.
The first winner drawn by James Mackenzie of the Pipe & Glass Inn is a Beverley resident who recently visited the office in the town to receive his prize. Mr Hudson asked for a market appraisal of his property without even being aware of the prize draw so was delighted to find out he’d won. Anybody requesting market appraisal from GRAYS & Co during the month is entered into the draw with the prize on offer being a voucher for £100 to be used at the renowned pub restaurant. GRAYS & Co Director Chris Ray says he has been delighted by the response: “We’ve seen increased levels of market appraisal requests in all our offices compared to last year and many home owners have mentioned the draw specifically when contacting us.” The directors expect it to continue to have a positive effect on enquiries throughout the year.
The company believes that there are already many reasons why they should be included in the agents asked to provide advice on valuation on marketing but hope the opportunity makes them stand out even more. “We believe absolutely in what we do and have to offer.” says Chris. “If you think you have something special to offer and want the best for your business and staff you need to be imaginative in how you promote it. It is also appealing to be promoting another successful local business at the same time.”
GRAYS & Co aim to run the draw on a monthly basis throughout the year and, if it continues to prove popular, develop on the theme later on in the year. If you want to be entered and are thinking of selling or letting your property all you need to do is arrange for a free market appraisal with a GRAYS & Co office.
