Wealden Times | WT179 | January 2017 | Health & Beauty supplement inside

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Making the right move in 2017
Professional property finder Mandy Bissell discusses why the early months of
2017 could be the best time of year to purchase your next property
For many people the New Year is a
special time filled with resolutions and
hopes for the year ahead. As activity in
the property market returns as ‘normal
life’ resumes a surge of new properties
enters the market, which in turn creates
fresh buying opportunities. Being both
aware of these seasonal trends and
organised with your moving plans, is
essential when making plans to move.
Ahead of the crowd
Many people incorrectly assume that
the property market does not really offer
much in the way of opportunities until the
spring and may therefore hold back with
moving plans for several months. Whilst
this assumption may have held true
several years ago, there is overwhelming
evidence to suggest that this is no longer
the case. Property portals experience
some of their highest levels of visitor
traffic at the start of the year; a trend that
keeps rising yearly, with Rightmove alone
recording a staggering 31 million page
visits on Boxing Day last year!
There are numerous reasons behind this
profound shift in buyer activity, which all
combine to underline that buyers need to
be alert to the fact that if they wait for the
spring market, they may miss some of the
best buying opportunities of the year.
The hidden market
Over the last 12 months transaction
volumes in the local Kent market have
Mandy Bissell GARRINGTON
been more subdued as a consequence
of the volatility and concerns caused
by significant political and economic
events seen in 2016. However, with
no such events on the horizon in 2017
there is every reason to believe that
this latent demand will now filter
through this year to support a more
buoyant property market.
A number of sellers are known to already
be considering selling their homes and
in discussions with selling agents. The
early months of the year can be some
of the busiest in terms of ‘off-market’
activity, as discreet sellers explore
whether there is a sales opportunity
available to them, without the need for a
full scale marketing campaign.
Locations to consider this year
As the market becomes increasingly
value sensitive, some buyers are
exploring more locations to ensure they
get the best possible property for their
budget. Other buyers that have a fixed
criteria of requirements will be looking
in ever popular locations.
For the commuter, Sevenoaks remains a
firm favourite location with its excellent
rail-connection links to London,
particularly London Charing Cross.
Regular train services run every hour
from these locations, with a journey
time of around 48 minutes.
The village of Otford remains a hotspot
and a hidden gem for many potential
buyers. A quintessentially English
village, popular for its easily accessible
local amenities and train station links
to London Victoria, Charing Cross
and St Pancras, Otford has become
a favourite for families selling their
properties in London – yet still wanting
to be in commuting distance.
In addition, demand to live in Tunbridge
Wells looks set to further increase. With
good transport connections and an
array of excellent grammar and private
schools, family buyers are likely to be
out in force.
Buying with confidence in 2017
Despite the New Year offering fresh
opportunities, there are nonetheless
fresh challenges for buyers wanting
to move in 2017. Given how complex
the local market has become, a full
understanding of what’s really going
on in different locations and prices,
together with the right connections
are pre-requisite to making a well
informed and successful property
purchase in 2017.
If you are thinking of moving in 2017 and would like further information on how Garrington can
save you time and money finding the right property, please contact Mandy Bissell:
Tel: 01892 882892 | info@garrington.co.uk | www.garringtonsoutheast.co.uk