Knight Frank Stratford upon Avon ends year on a high

James Way, partner and head of the Stratford upon Avon office comments: “This is a great result for the office given that the market is traditionally slower towards the end of the year. Overall we sold 13% more houses last year than in 2008 and figures like this demonstrates that buyers are in the market for property which is realistically priced and marketed. “

The properties sold are a mixture of town centre, village and rural properties, from Listed houses to farms and contemporary apartments.

Way believes that if you are considering selling, now is definitely the time to put your house on the market. “Most prospective purchasers appear confident that we have reached the bottom of the market and this was reflected by a 20% increase in the number of new buyers registering with us in 2009. Buyers want to get on with their lives and this has been reflected in the activity we’ve seen this year. Enquiry levels are good, viewings are up more than 50% compared with the same period last year and we're selling properties.”

Fashionable areas such as the north Cotswolds and the villages around Stratford, Warwick and Banbury are seeing the strongest demand. Buyers are returning to the areas towards Evesham, around Redditch and north of Rugby and Coventry, but are more tentative.

Way comments that vendors need to be realistic in terms of guide prices. “The key to recovery is a realisation that prices have to adjust to market forces. With a quality property, shrewd marketing and an experienced team, a good result is possible, “ he adds.

For further information, please contact:

James Way, partner, Knight Frank, 01789 297735, james.way@knightfrank.com
Jo Holdback, marketing manager, Knight Frank, 01789 297735, joanna.holdback@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank LLP is the leading independent global property consultancy. Headquartered in London, Knight Frank and its New York-based global partner, Newmark Knight Frank, operate from 207 offices, in 43 countries, across six continents. More than 6,340 professionals handle in excess of US$886 billion (£594 billion) worth of commercial, agricultural and residential real estate annually, advising clients ranging from individual owners and buyers to major developers, investors and corporate tenants. For further information about the Company, please visit www.knightfrank.com.

source : Knight Frank