J'AIME JULY 2020

P R O P E RTY
Advice from the agent
IT’S BEEN JUST OVER A MONTH SINCE ESTATE AGENTS WERE ALLOWED TO REOPEN THEIR OFFICE
AND RESUME THEIR APPOINTMENTS. SOPHIE BULLOCK, OF ASTON KNOWLES ESTATE AGENTS AND
CHARTERED SURVEYORS IN SUTTON COLDFIELD, REFLECTS ON THE CURRENT HOUSING MARKET
AND ANSWERS SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON WHAT IT’S LIKE TO MOVE HOME DURING
THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS
For a lot of local and independent
businesses, keeping in touch with
current and potential clients has been
paramount during lockdown. Aston
Knowles has used the online tools
available, like social media platforms
including Instagram and facebook
as well as video tours, to stay present
and keep clients up to date. We have
released compelling video tours for
some of our most premium properties,
which have all been uploaded to our
YouTube channel and can also be
viewed on the major property portals
like Rightmove and Zoopla as well
as our own website. Video tours have
proven to be an incredibly helpful tool
during lockdown; a huge advantage of embracing
video marketing is giving your potential buyers access
to the home 24/7. They help create user awareness
far from that of static photography. Prospective
buyers who view the tour are transported into the
scene and can fully immerse themselves in the
details. They can get a real sense of the space within
a property, so they can determine whether it is the
right home.
THE ASTON KNOWLES OFFICE, ON SUTTON
COLDFIELD’S HIGH STREET
ESTATE AGENCIES REOPENED FOR
BUSINESS JUST OVER A MONTH AGO
The post-lockdown housing market
Since reopening on May 13 after closing our doors
for lockdown seven weeks earlier on March 24, it
has been reassuring to see the demand for premium
properties both for sale and to let has remained,
despite media speculation suggesting otherwise.
It’s been especially encouraging to see Rightmove
and Zoopla release new reports in the last few days
confirming there has actually been an increase in
demand from buyers, evident in the volume of calls
and online leads being received and leaving
us hopeful for the coming months.
Rightmove reported more than five million
visits the day after the market reopened and
had their busiest ever day on Wednesday
May 27, exactly two weeks after estate
agents were allowed to reopen. They
surpassed six million visits for the first time
and visits were up 18 per cent from the
same Wednesday in May of the previous
year.
They also reported a record level of email
and telephone leads from their website,
which were also up 18 per cent from the
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