How many bloggers find that it's only something they do when they have found some time to fill, for whatever reason? I admit that there are companies and individuals who will write something for me on a regular basis, but my feeling is that it needs to be authentic and my 'voice'. When I get back to my keyboard to do this it makes me worry that the market may be changing and we'll need to start adapting again to new circumstances, new problems and constraints.
The dreaded COVID has not gone away, just adapted itself. My wife Janet managed to pick it up from her 93 year old father after spending several hours with him coughing and sneezing on the way back from a trip to Wales. Her first time contracting it since the pandemic began and it's been 4 days now since she tested positive. My results are negative. I told my colleagues that's because I'm a 64 year old Teflon coated estate agent! But then, who knows when a variant particularly targeted at the property flogging community will appear as it appears to be just as adaptable as us.
July is coming to an end and sales-wise (subject to contract) it's been a good month, despite the 2 day heat wave. The sales have in the main come from new listings so it's still a 'hand to mouth' existence. The sales pipeline is growing nicely but it is a bit like squeezing a toothpaste tube with the lid firmly screwed on in terms of getting contracts exchanged. I'm not going to 100% blame solicitors, although some seem to operate in the same way they were at the height of the pandemic: office doors closed, communication by email only or no communication at all. Have lenders introduced a new way of slowing the inflow and outflow of funds? Let's ask even more idiotic questions just so our boxes can get ticked.
Some commentators are talking about sales falling through due to cost of living rises: fuel, electricity/gas, mortgage rates etc. We've seen competitors remarking properties that have been sale agreed for up to 9 months plus. Far from it being economic pressure I think it's more to do with buyers getting fed up with waiting and being enticed by new listings to the market and frustration with their purchase not progressing. As we keep telling people it's not just agreeing a sale, it's progressing that deal and keeping everyone informed and updated. Our software has a a system built in called 'Propertyfile' that sellers and buyers can register on. This will keep them posted with the latest marketing activity, viewing arrangements made, feed back and sales progression. Having said that there is still no substitute for a phone call and a chat.
The market also still seems to be sustaining a Righmove/Zoopla obsession. People have alerts set up that send them an email when a listing goes live. They hit their email response straight away as Fomo sets in and their anxiety and blood pressure rises. They are doing this at 9pm in the evening but they are on the phone at 9:02am to ask if we've organised their viewing yet? The other problem seems to be they don't actually read what's on the portal or look at the floor plan. I raised this with Rightmove as they have a very pale link that says 'Read more' at the end of the initial description and bullet points. 8/10 seem to miss this and don't see the Council Tax band, EPC rating, tenure, brochure link, full description with dimensions. I asked Rightmove if they could make the link to this information bigger and bolder or even a button to click. Apparently their developers will look into it at some point. In the meantime we'll field dozens of enquiries and viewing requests from people who aren't really interested at all. Perhaps the resistance to do anything about it might stem from its potential impact on their click-rate!
Our new homes are selling well and we have some new developments about to go live to the market.
- 9 large detached bungalows in Fordham Road, Isleham
- 4 detached homes in Wilburton backing onto farmland
- 6 terrace/end terrace 3 bed houses in Newmarket.
- 9 properties in Wicken (2 houses and 7 bungalows)
- 4 new homes in Ely Road, Littleport.
- 5 detached 4 and 5 bed houses at Kirtling
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| Plot 1, Wilburton |
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| Plot 3, Kirtling |
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