Property sales on the increase!!

Property Sales are up but what is selling?

We talk to Wendy from Bates & Co.

How have you found the market in 2009?

It is true that we have seen a positive start to the year with sales reaching the highest that we have experienced over the last six months. It must also be said that the sales we are completing on are on properties prices lower than they were six months ago.

What would you contribute this up turn in sales too?

As with many industries we are finding the old maxim of the three P’s to be vital in the sale of any property we have on the market. Presentation, Price, Profile. Going back to the basics of what has made bates & Co so successful has really helped us make a difference.

Talk me through the three P’s.

Presentation:

For many years now I think it is fair to say that the property details produced by Bates & Co are considered of the highest quality. It is true that home owners are flatted by the effort we put into their creation but more importantly than that it is the response from potential buyers. The information is clear, dominated by large photographs while also containing a large amount of detail in the form of a key and floor plans. They have been designed and tested to ensure that a lot of information can be presented in a clear and easy format.

Price:

Well now more than ever it has been shown to be a buyers market and this understanding has enabled bates & Co to work closely with buyers to put sales together. In days gone by if an agent over valued a property the market would eventually increase and catch up, not so now. So it is again important if not the most important point to ensure your home is on at the right price.

Profile:

This is the marketing of your property. It is not by coincidence that Bates & Co are ranked at the top of Google for a variety of searches. How buyers search for property has changed and while we use Rightmove that alone is know longer enough is a computer search dominated market. Bates & Co send over 4,000 emails a week directly to active buyers and have launched Property Launch for just such a market.

Has the changing mortgage rate made a difference?

Any factors that help buyers obtain a mortgage or reduce home owners current payments must be a positive sign and while I am not prepared to say we are seeing the green shoots of recovery I am willing to say that it seems to be a good time to buy and for a modern proactive estate agents, a good time to invest in technology and people.

Wendy thank you very much.