Lettings Market Updates & Property Advice!

Lettings Market Updates & Property Advice!


Welcome to the May edition of the Greenstone newsletter.

This month we discover:

- Homes are selling faster than ever before

- How can you find a property with a lot of potential in your local area?

- Mistakes to avoid when selling your home in St John's Wood and the surrounding areas

- Demand for chain-free homes is on the rise, but why is this?

We hope you enjoy this month's edition. We also provide property tips, insights, and updates on our social media channels, which you can click to follow at the end of our newsletter. As always, please get in touch if you have any property queries.

Best regards

Lewis Green, Director

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Your stamp duty and mortgage holiday questions answered

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King Henrys Road, Primrose Hill

Share of Freehold!- An exceptional lateral penthouse apartment (measuring approx 951 sq ft/88 sq m) within a prestigious period property in the heart of Primrose Hill.
 
Price: £1,100,000.00

Click here to read King Henrys Road, Primrose Hill.



Hall Road, St John's Wood

The apartment ( circa 664 sq ft / 61.7 sq m) is offered in excellent condition and offers a light and spacious reception with views over the communal garden, a separate fitted kitchen...
 
Price: £775,000.00

Click here to read Hall Road, St John's Wood.



Homes are selling faster than ever before

 
With demand for homes still outstripping supply, sellers can be confident they will find a buyer quicker than ever before. * 

On average, properties are spending just 33 days on the open market, compared to 2019 when the average time on the market stood at 67 days. As well as this, the huge decline in sale time means that 53% of property sales are now being agreed at a figure above the asking price, as buyers bid higher to secure their ideal home. * 

The large number of buyers continues to create a competitive market, ideal for sellers. Over 125,000 prospective homeowners took to the market in April to take advantage of the great seller’s market. *  

If you are looking for a quick sale of your property, start by booking a free property valuation here. 

 

 

*Rightmove 



Looking for a property with a lot of potential?

 
When flipping a house, it’s important to ensure that the renovations you are making will add a substantial amount of value to the property, in order to make it worthwhile. Investing in a renovation project typically works best when buyer demand is high, as it is right now.  

If you are actively searching for a renovation project or looking to flip your first home, you are in the right place. Our expert team has three questions that can help you spot a property with a lot of potential to add value. 

 

Does the property offer space for conversion? 

A decent-sized loft or basement is something that you should keep an eye out for. These empty spaces offer the opportunity to add another bedroom, bathroom, or living area, making the property more spacious and, in turn, more attractive to buyers when it comes to selling in the future.  

 

Can the layout be improved with a few tweaks? 

Try not to dismiss properties that are very segmented in their layout. Often, homes with very separate rooms can easily be transformed into an open-plan wonderland. Keep a close eye out for properties where there is a small kitchen next to a large dining room that could be knocked through, or a bathroom next to the main bedroom that could be transformed into an ensuite. 

 

Could energy-saving devices improve the property’s EPC rating? 

It is important to not disregard properties that currently have a low EPC rating. In fact, there is a lot of scope to add value, and following Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement in March, adding energy-saving devices to a property has never been easier. Now that VAT has been scrapped on a range of devices, making energy improvements to a property may be less costly than you initially thought.  

 

Wherever you are on your buying journey, our experts are here to help you. Contact us with your property related queries here. 

 



Avoid making these mistakes when selling your home

 
Selling your home can be a daunting process, from the valuation to the exchanging of contracts. If you are selling your property for the first time, you will want to avoid these mistakes. * 

 

Avoid unflattering photos 

With many potential buyers looking for homes online, it is incredibly important to make sure your house looks its best when the photographer arrives.  

Ensure all clutter is packed away and all spaces have been thoroughly cleaned to ensure that viewers can focus on the house. 

You will want to showcase your property’s best attributes to make it stand out from the crowd. Make good use of natural light to create the best possible first impression. 

 

Problems inside your home 

If there are any problems with the property, they will be uncovered during the inspection process. Therefore, you are left with two options: 

  • Fix the problem ahead of time. This will allow you to acquire your property’s full value. 
  • Price your home accordingly, taking the problem into account. 

We would always recommend discussing any known issues with your appointed estate agent. This way, you can ensure that you are making the right decision! 

 

Not thoroughly preparing for viewings

Failing to prepare your property for viewings could put buyers off purchasing your home. You want the viewer to imagine themselves living in the house. This means tidying up before viewings, eliminating unpleasant odours, and keeping a neutral tone in your house.  

 

Of course, one of the most important steps is picking the right estate agent. If you have any questions when preparing your home for sale, do not hesitate to contact us. 

 

 

*Investopedia 



Demand for chain-free homes rises

 
New figures have revealed that, in the past year, the number of chain-free properties sold has increased by a huge 29%. * 

A total of £28.8 billion was spent on chain-free purchases in the last 12 months. This is £8.7 billion, or 43% higher than the previous year and is reflected across every region, with increases in both the quantity and value of transactions. * 

It is easy to see the appeal of a chain-free purchase. The key benefit is that there is a much smaller chance of a sale being delayed or falling through. Statistics indicate that a chain-free transaction takes, on average, 60% less time to complete than when a property is in a chain. * 

The great news for sellers is that it seems homebuyers may be willing to pay a premium for a house that is not part of a chain.  

If you are thinking of selling your home, now is a great time to get a valuation. Book a valuation today. 

 

 

*Property Reporter