A question that we as estate agents are asked almost daily.
2023 has started steadily. The number of homes coming to the market is consistent with what we expect. House sales are below levels we saw in the first 25 days or 2021 & 2022, however, viewing levels are steadily increasing and a good number of deals have been agreed so far.
There are pockets of very high demand. Terraced houses in the Gorleston area are still receiving high and good viewing levels and countryside properties around our Stalham office are also proving popular.
There can be no doubt that as we move through 2023 activity will increase and we are here to get you moved!
Purchasing a home in England & Wales can be a lengthy process. However, there are things that you can do to make sure the transaction runs smoothly and without unnecessary delays.
Firstly, choose a solicitor who you have been happy with before or has been recommended to you. Ideally local to you which will help if you need to attend their offices at short notice to sign papers etc. Don’t be tempted by solicitors or conveyancers who offer cheap headline costs without looking at the overall fees as some will add additional charges through the process.
If you are buying with a mortgage apply for this as soon as possible. Even for straight forward applications the mortgage process can take three or four weeks to go to formal mortgage offer.
Get paperwork back to your solicitor promptly with any search fees etc they request. Local authority searches have been known to take up to eight weeks in some areas and if you are buying with a mortgage, you can’t exchange contracts without one!
Finally, be reasonable and flexible on completion dates wherever possible and communicate any dates you know you can’t do early in the transaction. This will help avoid stressful and last minute discussions with regards to agreeing that all important move date.
If you are thinking of selling a property that is unoccupied give us a call. We offer accompanied viewings including weekends and as most of our offices open until 4pm Saturday we are available longer than many of our competitors. Being open longer on Saturday also means we are available for people coming to the area from London to view who may not arrive until lunchtime.
You will also get detailed feedback on all accompanied viewings we carry out – usually within 24 hours.
As well as conducting viewings we can carry out inspections on your behalf. Many insurers require properties to be inspected weekly or fortnightly when empty and this is something we can offer if you are not local.
If you are thinking of selling an empty property call Aldreds today!
We will be closing 1pm on 23rd December for Christmas.
We will be open 9am to 4pm Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th December.
We will then close for New Year reopening 9am 3rd January 2023.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Aldreds are helping promote the Lowestoft Players Snow White Panto. Shows at the Marina Theatre January 2023.
Please support this fabulous pantomime tickets on sale at the Marina Theatre Box Office. 01502 533200
We wish Bernie Willimott a very long and happy retirement. Bernie of Architectural Drafting has rented an office from us in our Hall Quay premises for over 30 years. Although he has never worked for Aldreds he has always felt like one of the team. We wish him all the best for the future!
Over the past two decades technology, emails, social media and the internet have changed our profession.
Twenty years ago photos had to be sent of to be developed and we would get them back two or three days later. They would then be stuck on to paper sales details or photocopied in black and white.
The newspaper was the place of mass marketing. Our long retired colleagues would walk down the post box every night with two bags of full property details and correspondence.
Today we can email PDF sales details all over the world in seconds. Our photos are taken in digital form and professionally enhanced. Our website, property portals and social media give house buyers the information they are looking for and house sellers the tools to research the market before they list.
However, estate agency remains a people led business and that is what separates the amazing agents from the average. The difference our colleagues make every day and the sheer effort they put in to getting people moved is huge. The day to day feedback we get from our clients and customers coupled with our wonderful reviews are testament to their commitment and drive to get people in their new homes.
Katharine was a wonderful help to my mother in law when buying a property. She was always friendly, helpful and kept us updated along the journey. Any problems we faced she was there to help us through them and had excellent communication with us and the solicitor. We would definitely recommend her and Aldreds Gorleston.
Melissa has been amazing the whole way through my purchasing journey and a genuine asset to Aldreds. Her customer service is second to none and even replied to an email of mine on her day off. Thank you so much for your service, it has been a pleasure.
Would like to highly recommend using Aldreds in Gorleston, they are extremely responsive and such a friendly team. However, special thanks to Eleanor Meadows, who helped us with advice and support during our bumpy ride selling and purchasing our new home. She not only helped us during the purchase but also her after care was great. Thanks Eleanor you made a stressful experience that little bit easier with your professionalism, enthusiasm and kindness.
Today the chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that the stamp duty changes announced at the end of September will revert back. The date for this is March 2025! So it shouldn’t effect anyone’s current purchase but it is something to be mindful of.
All buyers currently pay no stamp duty up to £250,000 with first time buyers paying no stamp duty to £400,000
After March 2025 the stamp duty threshold will revert back to £125,000 with buyers paying 2% over this figure until £250,000 where the 5% rate kicks in. The first time buyer threshold will revert to £300,000.
Changes were also announced with regards to the reduction in tax free capital gains allowances. It will be slashed from £12,300 to £6000 April 2023 and halved again to £3000 in April 2024. This will mean higher tax bills for landlords disposing of buy to lets.
