The latest from Royston & Lund: Property News

First up we are pleased to share a two of our most recent sales, both of which were only on the market for less than 3 weeks, take a look below.

Next, we share the latest property news. As we enter Autumn we are in a tremendous position with property market activity surging with Sales and Mortgage approvals at a 13-year high. We share some of the best top tips for a stress-free moving experience. Before finally looking at the key reasons that make October 2020 an exceptional time to buy during the sales market boom.

If you have any questions about your property circumstances please contact us.

Richardson Gardens, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford

A small development of only four Brand New detached properties built by Swallow Hill Homes overlooking the Nottingham Forest training ground.

We're holding an open day for the last 2 remaining homes for sale on a small development of 4 properties.

OPEN DAY Saturday 22nd February 2020 (by appointment only).

Richardson Gardens, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford

Guide Price from £500,000 to £525,000

The properties are built to a high specification over two and three floors and are offered to the market with completion on plots 3 and 4 early Autumn 2020.

Swallow Hill Homes have been creating homes since 2005 and are a local company based in Beeston who employ their own team of builders. Building 5-10 properties a year, they ensure high standards and focus on constructing good quality houses using high quality materials.

On this development they are building using Staffordshire blue bricks on the ground floor, render on the upper floors, and slate grey windows & roof tiles for a crisp modern vernacular.

Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to purchase one of these fantastic houses in such a sought after location.

For more information about this development, please contact our sales team on: 0115 981 1888 or sales@royston-lund.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty

Thursday 20th - Saturday 22nd February

Click here to read Sleeping Beauty.

Celebrating Shakespeare

Monday 24th February - Saturday 7th March

Click here to read Celebrating Shakespeare.

Rushcliffe 10k

Sunday 1st March

Click here to read Rushcliffe 10k.

Richardson Gardens, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford

We're holding an open day for the last 2 remaining homes for sale on a small development of 4 properties.

OPEN DAY Saturday 22nd February 2020 (by appointment only).

Richardson Gardens, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford

Guide Price from £500,000 to £525,000

The properties are built to a high specification over two and three floors by Swallow Hill Homes.

On this development they are building using Staffordshire blue bricks on the ground floor, render on the upper floors, and slate grey windows & roof tiles for a crisp modern vernacular.

Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to purchase one of these fantastic houses in such a sought after location.

For more information about this development, please contact our sales team on:

0115 981 1888 or sales@royston-lund.co.uk

Have you seen us on social media?

Did you know that we're always active on social media! We have a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts where we love to share our passion for property with you all!

We use our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share a bundle of information to support you in your property journey. You'll find:

The latest property market news
Our local insights
Event updates
Top tips
Property guidance
Coming soon spoilers
Featured properties
New listings
Properties back on the market

There's lots happening so don't miss out! To be transported to our pages please follow the links below:

Our West Bridgford Sales Department have welcomed two new experienced Sales Negotiators to the team!

Since the property market “re-opened” on the 13th May, we have witnessed the market bounce back in a way we could not have imagined. Enquiries and transaction have continued to increase as the market has continued to grow. In order to assist with the high volume of clients looking to buy and sell, we are delighted to have recently welcomed both Deborah Unwin and Kirsty Marcer to the team.

Deborah and Kirsty have been working in the property industry for many years and will bring an abundance of experience to Royston & Lund. With a combined total of almost 40 years experience between them we know that our newest team members will be fully competent in aiding you with your next property sale or purchase.

If you are considering bringing your home to market you are sure to achieve a quick sale in the current market conditions. You can contact Deborah or Kirsty on 0115 981 1888 or by emailing sales@royston-lund.co.uk

Foxfield Way, West Bridgford

2 or 3 Bedroom Semi Detached Homes

Shared Ownership £120,000

Shared Ownership option of 35% - 75%

Two or three bedroom semi detached houses developed by Linden Homes, located in West. Multiple plots are available - please call us for further information.

Click here to read Foxfield Way, West Bridgford.

Caudale Court, Gamston

2 Bedroom Apartment

Shared Ownership £80,000

Shared Ownership option 50% - 100%

A spacious two double bedroom apartment situated in the sought after Gamston development close to the centre of West Bridgford.

Click here to read Caudale Court, Gamston.

Hornbeam Close, Edwalton

3 Bedroom Terraced House

Shared Ownership £96,250

35% - 75% Shared Ownership Option Available

A three bedroom house developed by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes. Designed with family living in mind, providing the calm of the countryside and the bright lights of the city.

Click here to read Hornbeam Close, Edwalton.

Wenlock Drive, West Bridgford

2 Bedroom Apartment

Shared Ownership £155,000

50% Shared Ownership Option Available

A well presented two bedroom second floor leasehold apartment situated on the sought after "Square" development in the desirable suburb of West Bridgford.

Click here to read Wenlock Drive, West Bridgford.

Top tips for a stress-free moving experience

Buying a new property has the potential to be stressful, and we get it! To help you out, we have put together this guide of helpful tips, based on real buyers’ experiences.

1. Planning

It might seem obvious, but lack of preparation can be the biggest hurdle for homeowners and buyers, with two-thirds of viewers forgetting to bring pre-prepared questions when taking a look around a new property.

Put together a criteria of your non-negotiables and the features or items that you’re willing to compromise on, and make sure you’re spending your time wisely. A thorough search online will give you a good starting point finding suitable properties, but you can also reach out to agents directly, as they may have similar properties you’ve overlooked.

2. Understanding the process

Next, it’s about ensuring you have set realistic time expectations and have set aside the required amount needed for the deposit.

Not everything will go according to plan every time, so make sure you’re aware of potential blockers that could get in your way.

Market conditions are strong right now, but for buyers to take full advantage of the recently announced stamp duty holiday, they need to be going through the process right now, as increased demand could mean you face delays further down the line.

Likewise, you don’t want to under-plan for your budget. Take into consideration average fees for surveyors and conveyancers so you don’t overstretch yourself.

3. Build connections

Another great idea is to get to know the seller and their agent, as this has the potential to make them favour you as a trusted buyer.

Similarly, talking to neighbours when viewing a property is invaluable. You can obtain information about the local area, as well as inside knowledge about potential problems about the property.

Along the same lines, checking local broadband speeds, phone signal and parking permits is a great way to be prepared prior to your moving date.

4. Preparing your own sale

If you’re looking for a quick sale, staging your house correctly is extremely important.

Freshening up paintwork and completing any repairs or improvements will add tremendous value to your home.

Well-staged homes have been proven to sell for higher prices than for those that are not. So before having your house photographed, make sure each room is captured in its best light, and avoid having any seasonal decorations up, as this could date your listing.

5. Moving in 2020

Since the market reopened, we’ve seen phenomenal levels of activity as those living under lockdown rush to buy somewhere with more space, a bigger garden and an office.

The best way to reduce stress when buying or selling this year is to make sure you’re completely comfortable with the pandemic measures that have been put in place by agents.

This includes any measures to limit human contact, as well as remote processes and online marketing strategies to reduce the number of people meeting you in-person.

To find out how we’re safely conducting sales and lets this month, contact us.

Property market boom continues

There are a number of key reasons that make October 2020 an exceptional time to begin your next property transaction. Here are just a few examples to take your pick from:

- Stamp duty savings worth up to £15,000

- Mortgage approvals and sales at a 13-year high

- 5% annual property price growth – as reported by Nationwide

- Buyers are keen to act immediately, leading to increased levels of accepted offers

Across the UK, many of us are experiencing restlessness with our living situations.

We’ve spent all summer cooped up, so it’s no wonder that as we head into October, we’re seeing a rising sentiment amongst buyers and sellers that now’s the time to take your property plans off pause and get moving again.

After their House Price Index revealed a four-year high price growth, Nationwide conducted further research to establish which regions are seeing the strongest levels of interest from Brits.

As the below research tells you, one in five homeowners (17.7%) are currently considering moving, with a further one in ten (9.9%) well on their way to completing on property transactions in 2020.

Table for homeowners who are either in the process of moving or are currently considering it as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Region	Considering moving	Moving
London	25%	17%
South West	21%	11%
West Midlands	20%	11%
East Midlands	23%	8%
South East	18%	9%
North West	16%	11%
Yorkshire and Humberside	18%	9%
East	14%	11%
Scotland	17%	7%
Wales	12%	10%
North East	11%	5%

With the market showing no signs of slowing down, what can you do to speed up your sale and ensure you are able to take full advantage of current market momentum?

An important part of the process is choosing who will represent your interests.

As the local property experts in your area, we’d hope you’d think of us first for your property interests, but there’s also the matter of finding the right solicitor or conveyancer.
Here are our tips for a seamless experience with your legal representative.

Respond quickly and clearly

We get it – receiving a request for different bits of paperwork can be off-putting.

After a long day at work, the last thing you’ll want to do is wade through files to find the right answers or items being asked for.

However, failing to respond promptly will only hurt your sale or purchase. Taking a week or two to respond can delay the whole process and risks pushing your transaction to the back of the line.

So, if at all possible, make sure you’re getting back to your solicitor within a couple of days.

Prepare before every call

There will be dozens of questions that occur to you along the way, so to maximise your time and build an efficient dialogue with your solicitor or conveyancer, prepare a list of questions before each phone call.

That way, you can avoid missing something crucial.

Be flexible

Having a fixed timeframe in your head can be a useful way to visualise and track your progress towards the finish line.

That said, it’s important to balance your wants and expectations with what is actually realistic.

A good agent will be able to help you determine this from the beginning.

For more information on how we help homeowners navigate the local market, contact us today for your valuation.

Housing market activity strong in recent months

Nationwide’s most recent House Price Index has uncovered a four-year high price growth in the UK – meaning that your home could be worth more than ever.

Analysis from their report shows that average property values grew by 5% annually in September and 0.9% monthly, taking the national average to £226,129.

This is the highest annual price growth we’ve seen since September 2016.

The South West was the strongest performing region (5.5%), closely followed by Outer Metropolitan (5%),

Outer South East (4.8%), Yorkshire and Humberside (4.6%) and London (4.4%) – which all made the top five in terms of price growth.

Average prices in the capital have now hit a record high of £480,857, which is 57% above their 2007 levels.

Meanwhile in the rest of the UK, price growth has been reported as follows: North (4.2%), East Midlands (4%), Wales (3.8%), West Midlands (3.1%), North West (3%) and East Anglia (2.7%).

Whilst all regions have shown an annual increase, the areas demonstrating the smallest growth percentage are Scotland and Northern Ireland at 2% and 1.5%, respectively.

What can we take away from these findings?

“Housing market activity has recovered strongly in recent months,” comments chief economist at Nationwide – Robert Gardner – who suggests that behavioural shifts are a key contributing factor as people reassess their housing needs in 2020.

Whilst Iain McKenzie, chief executive of The Guild of Property Professionals, claims that: “the current rise in housing prices shows a short-term spike with it returning to a more fluid marketplace in the next two or three months.

“The housing market has been resistant for a number of years despite having to contend with things such as Brexit and now the pandemic.”

For this reason, McKenzie predicts that although there will be bumps down the road, he suggest that “if there is a decline in the future, it will be a short decline and the market should bounce back very quickly because of positive consumer sentiment and pent-up demand."

Have you made the decision to sell your house this year?

During an updated market appraisal, we will assess how your home will perform on market, as well as what price you can realistically expect to achieve in light of recent demand and price growth.

For the full report, visit: www.nationwide.co.uk/about/house-price-index/headlines