As 2022 roars ahead and the prospect of new properties coming to the market is waited on with bated breath, we looked into what buyers are wanting from their homes and their estate agents to top their figurative wish list.

Topping the buyer’s wish list is speedy sales, as well as homes that have gardens and garages.

Gardens

Ever since the onset of the global pandemic and lockdowns during the covid waves, buyers have seen the importance of garden space.

Outdoor space provided additional space for workouts and fresh air during the lockdowns, yet following the ease of restrictions, people began to see the additional potential for more luxurious space for barbecues, outside jacuzzi and additional space for home-based working during the summer months.

Today, the garden remains a key consideration for homebuyers with 45% wanting a larger garden space for outside activity with their families.

Garages

The large majority of homebuyers top a form of parking at their intended home as an essential, with 94% of today’s homebuyers wanting it as part of their decision-making process.

This includes either a garage or driveway access instead of a communal or shared parking area with other residents of the street. This can also be because of the positive drive for EV vehicles in the future requiring a charging point that can be situated inside of a garage connected to the house. Once again, homebuyers are looking to what the future looks like to buy property in Stockport and this consideration is now more serious than ever.

Speedy Sales

Speed of sale remains the biggest factor in what a buyer wants from estate agents Stockport.

The biggest factor is that many want a more independent service that has more of an overall area focus instead of a national agency with monthly sales figures on their mind, preferring an individually tailored service over one that has a broader concentration on sales.

Contact the team at Joules estate agents today for buying a property advice, guidance on how to sell a house and advice on renting a house in the Stockport area.

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In the 2020s, it can be one of the most overwhelming experiences in selling your home – not to mention a challenge in knowing where to start and how to navigate the entire process with so much uncertainty around the market.

The biggest challenge to hit you is whether it is financially viable to do so, especially if you don’t yet have another home to move to. In today’s market, you will need an independent voice to help you determine what the market is currently like, what property in your area can sell for and the costs associated with moving – or even downsizing.

Whilst many national estate agencies will provide several partner solutions that benefit them, your best friend in the decision and benefits of your move will probably be more independent estate agents Stockport – able to provide a vastly more informed and far-stretching approach to how to sell a home.

Who Will Sell Your Home?

There are many different avenues you can choose to sell your home, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Among the best of them is selling via a local and trusted independent estate agent.

The skills and expertise of an estate agent enable a smoother process, helping you to sell faster, conveniently and at a preferred or better price. Local knowledge goes a long way towards selling a property, and with independents having a greater emphasis on knowledge and connections of the area, they can provide a more tailored service in comparison to a national company.

Trust and Reputation

Among the strongest reasons people choose to buy property in Stockport from a local estate agent is because they will have stronger relationships with businesses and residents within the area.

They will most probably have helped residents and businesses within the area find their ideal location for a good, smooth price and transaction. This extends to helping assist in selling a property also, giving confidence that people automatically trust. When your property is listed by a trusted business, people automatically take notice of either their own needs or those of friends looking for local property. Good word spreads fast, and you will be surprised just how many enquiries are made in quick succession – helping you to find your ideal sale.

Local relationships are not just about shops and bus stops around the area – they are about all aspects of living in the area and people looking to stay within it but upscale their homes.

Contact the team at Joules estate agents for selling your home with confidence that you will be treated right and get the right service.

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New homeowners who realised their dream to buy property in Stockport should be aware of cold calls from scammers advising on speculated stamp duty refund claims.

HMRC revealed that a recent spate of stamp duty refund claims failed to meet very specific criteria.

Familiar Patterns

Much like the Research and Development Tax refunds popular a few years ago, this has been the work of rogue tax agents calling new property owners after finding them through land registry records and property search websites.

The promise of money back through unrealised overpayments on stamp duty is an attractive draw, with over a third of claims for ‘multiple dwelling relief’ refunds being incorrect. HMRC are raising enquiries into the claims, but many are done after the agent has taken their fees – leaving the homeowner facing the pickup of the difference and repaying the interest from incorrect refund claims as well as a potential penalty.

The Hollow Promises

Recently, one homeowner was informed he had overpaid as much as £60,000 worth of stamp duty, claiming that the home may have been designated as two properties despite it being just one.

Other false submissions claim that bedrooms are classed as separate dwellings and in consideration for a ‘multiple dwelling relief’ claims due to the en-suite and built-in wardrobe which could double as a kitchen if simple things like a microwave or kettle were put in.

Another case involved a new homeowner with a six-bedroom home who claimed the property was not residential due to having an office above their detached garage.

Don’t Get Caught Out

Throughout HMRC investigations into these spurious claims, the majority of these claims do not succeed – however, they do lead to unnecessary bills that fall onto the unsuspecting customer. If you do talk with one of these agencies, it is always worth motioning to them that they are responsible for any fines or payments associated with the claim in writing – but that may not protect you.

The No Win, No Fee basis that these agents work with may sound too good to be true, and that is mainly the case. With many new homeowners looking to get as much money as they can during the cost-of-living crisis, promises of easy money must come with real caution.

If you have been approached about a stamp duty refund, it is best to take independent advice – including from your estate agent Stockport.

If you have any questions or queries concerning how to sell a house or buy property in Stockport, contact the team at Joules today.

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If there is something consistent with the current uk housing market, it is that it is continuing to be inconsistent with the outlooks that many people have. The property market at this very moment is starting to get hit by certain price cuts and slower sales times.

Positive News

There is positive news from the research, however, with new supply shown to be up 7% on the five-year average. However, the total stock remains down 37%.

Demand is also 61% above the five-year average, which intensifies the balance lacking when it comes to supply. This has helped average sold values in reaching a new high on the house price index by being up 8.4% annually, but down 9% in March.

The warning comes that the rate of growth will slow further and potentially hit 3% by December. The price cuts signal an increase in buyer resistance to higher prices and an indication that price growth may hit a natural ceiling – even within the high levels of demand.

High Levels

High levels of buyer demand for those looking to buy property in Stockport means that the market continues to move quickly, but the time to sell – between listing a property and agreeing on the sale – is starting to rise across the majority of property types.

This measure may continue to rise during the remainder of 2022 as buyer demand levels will start to slightly fall, punctured by changing sentiment related to the current costs associated with living and personal financing scenarios across the nation.

The current uk housing market is buoyant enough that should a property come to market competitively priced, a multi-bid scenario is likely to unfold with final offers going over the guide price. Despite mortgage rate hikes, they remain cheaper than those of 2015 and demand remains stoic for accurately priced family homes.

For more information on how to sell a house or want to buy property in Stockport, contact the team at Joules Estate Agents Stockport.

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