Paul Adams says:

"A few weeks ago Simon from ‘The BestOf Market Harborough’ came to see me for our regular monthly chat about, 'where we’ve been on holiday’, 'have we got over our man-flu/cold etc?’ and, inevitably, ‘How’s business?’ 

It’s at this point I go off on my usual rant about everything currently affecting my particular market, from government legislation to Brexit, to local competition!

When he eventually managed to get a word in edgeways, the response was ‘You should write a blog!’ So this is my first attempt!  Please forgive the limitations of vocabulary and Shakespearian style phrasings caused by scraping through GCE English O Level over 45 years ago!


I should firstly explain how I may be qualified to offer an opinion on the local market, if not the national housing market.

I have been duly employed in the residential estate agency sector in Market Harborough now for just over 30 years.  In that time I have progressed from humble beginnings, trying to hammer muddy ‘For Sale’ signs into rock hard snowy ground in my smart suit (another great corporate estate agency cost cutting measure!) to being chairman of Leicestershire branch of National Association of Estate Agents for three years, and managing my own two branch estate agency for eighteen years now. 

In that time I have seen two recessions come and go, interest rates rise to 16% and the epic fall from grace of the banking sector!

So what of this latest challenge, and do I even dare mention the ‘B’ word!? 

There is no doubt about it that, ever since the shock announcement that we would be leaving the European Union two and a half years ago, the market has been challenging.  Whether a leaver or a remainer,  I don’t believe anybody would have believed the process would be so challenging and lengthy as it has been.  Even now, after millions of pounds has already been spent attempting to come to a clear cut deal, there is still uncertainty, and, as you will often hear ‘markets do not like uncertainty’.

You may be surprised to hear that my advice to anybody potentially looking to buy property is to 'DO IT NOW!'

 
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you, Market Harborough has an awful lot going for it, indeed it has just been voted in the top 20 towns to live in the UK.  There are some great independent shops and schooling, and the surrounding countryside is beautiful and still relatively undiscovered. 

People want to live here, much more than some of our neighbouring towns, and this is reflected in the amount of re-development proposed  over the next twenty years.
 

So why buy now?

At the moment, people are delaying buying due to the prospect of uncertain change but the fundamentals will remain the same.  We need more housing to deal with the growing demand.  When a final decision on Brexit is made, whether you agree with it or not, I believe that that certainty alone could result in us seeing a considerable surge in buyers to the market, causing shortages in certain areas and resulting in price increases. So, my message is clear, if you are in a position to buy now, do. 

Prices have changed very little over the past year and motivated sellers will be more open to consider offers.  There are also some exceptionally good mortgage deals available at the moment with many banks and building societies keener than ever to lend.

I trust, now that you’re all falling over yourselves to go out and buy properties, that when Simon next comes in and asks me to write a blog I can turn around and say ‘Sorry Mate, I’m far too busy selling houses!"

Paul Adams

Adams & Jones Estate Agents
9 St Mary's Road
Market Harborough.

If you'd like to speak with Paul or one of his team, call in or reach them on: 01858 461888

(Please mention reading this article when calling)