Come on Andy!!

A busy start to the week for me with Directors 6 month reviews and the 2 Area Meetings taking place.

The market is definitely warming up a bit and my main focus is to ensure everyone remains 100% focused on exceptional customer service to make the most of the improving situation. If we make sure we deal with people well with careful attention to detail allowing every customer a little more time to make sure we get their requirements right and give them a service they will be pleased with then we will continue to enjoy good business levels. Up until now most property pundits have been hesitant to mention that we may be starting to see a recovery in the property market but now the sun has come out and Andy Murray has won Wimbledon it's going to happen for definite according to the RICS so thank god for Andy and the sunshine!

 

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group

The price is right?

I am preparing for tomorrow's Board Meeting and it promises to be a very interesting one. Lots of performance analysis, will the stronger sales hold up? when will the exchanges ever take place? how are the conveyancing results going? and future marketing in tune with the changing world and market! We are still getting plenty of instructions but price is deadly critical so that's the challenge for our instruction takers at the minute. If the property is priced correctly it will sell but a few K too much and it is stuck and will eventually sell for less. I think July will be a very important month in our year, if we maintain the current levels of sales then the year will be a good one as I expect the activity will then continue right through. If sales drop off in July then I guess the rest of the year may return to being a bit tougher.

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group

Its all the Lawyers Fault!

On Friday I attended Marketing Live in Bristol. We arrived just after 8.00 so wide awake after the drive up from Cornwall. The event was well supported by the region's leading agents and it was good to hear that the picture and issues are very similar all over the region. Sales are up but exchanges are slow and there was a unanimous condemnation of lawyers for causing the bottleneck! I really do think something has to be done. Sellers want to sell and buyers want to buy but as soon as the agreed sale hits the legal process it comes to a halt and in some cases never gets going again. That is just wrong but it is becoming more common where one side or another pulls out because they have lost the will to live. My advice if you are buying or selling is to spell out your expectation to your solicitor and make sure they work to your timescales. Many facts were shared on Friday and the most interesting was how the shift in research has gone online and away from newspapers along with the amount of time someone researches before deciding to move and where they research. At Bradleys we are right on top of the game with a new website about to launch and great on-line coverage. I guess that's why we are selling well in what is still a challenging market.

 

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group

Is the buyer still King?

Rightmove have today said that house asking prices have hit an all-time high. That may be so and with a little more raised enthusiasm about the market as a whole I can understand how some vendors and perhaps less experienced agents may become a little carried away!

In Bradleys we are seeing increased numbers of transactions but without exception the only properties selling are the ones with the correct price. There is still plenty of choice for a buyer today and therefore the buyer is still king and if a vendor seriously wants to sell then they must pitch the price correctly as advised by their experienced agent and make the most of high quality marketing through a variety of new ways.

I personally have a very Exeter centred week this week in HO tomorrow before visiting the offices in St Thomas and Exeter in the afternoon. Wednesday I am in HO all day and then again on Thursday HO in the morning to get an update from Jonathan on the progress with our Commercial Department before going back to Exeter for an update on Consumer Protection Regulations from the President of the National Association of Estate Agents.

 

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group

The Price is Right!

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have released a press report that says sales are up but prices are down.  I was contacted yesterday by the Western Morning News to ask for my opinion on that report and confirmed it was exactly as I see it at Bradleys right now.

 

We have just experienced our best sales week for years and May was our best month for new sales for years as well. Very interestingly though the only properties that are selling are those where the asking price is right. The market is still showing that to attract a buyer the price must be correct in comparison to all others on the market at the same time and in line with those that have previously sold.

 

This is what we have been telling our vendors for some months now and is the reason we are able to find buyers the property they want when they are in a position to proceed.

 

Have a look at the Western Morning News today to see the full story.

 

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group

I'm not going to say I told you so, but...

Remember you read it here first when I forecast that the new Help To Buy scheme would create a demand and also start to increase prices as supply failed to keep up with demand. As predicted the market has started to rally already and with 7 months before the help to buy comes into effect, I strongly urge anyone who is thinking of buying not to wait if you have your deposit right now then take advantage whist there is still good choice in the market and before prices rise.

 

At Bradleys we have just recorded one of our best sales months for several years and long may that continue after such a long period of stagnation in our industry.

 

On Friday I wrote we were celebrating Bradleys 21st Birthday on Friday night. Our BBQ at Head Office went well, the weather was kind and everyone had a very pleasant evening. There was an excited air about the place as many of our best people have already sensed an improvement are looking forward to a good year.

 

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group

Bradleys - Celebrating 21 years in Estate Agency

It's a very exciting day in Bradleys today. Tomorrow is our 21st Birthday so this evening we are having a 21st Birthday Party at Head Office which will continue right into our birthday tomorrow!

These are exciting times in Bradleys with our updated branding launching properly today  and you could say Bradleys have officially 'come of age'

The market has been good through May and hopefully this evening I will be announcing some good figures to get the party off with a swing. The sun is shining and I am looking forward to seeing everyone from our offices all over Devon and travelling up from Cornwall and down from Somerset.

Francis Marshall FNAEA
Managing Director
Bradleys Group