Home Commercial PropertyDemand surge prompts sellers to act

Demand surge prompts sellers to act

by LLP Editor
18th Jun 20 5:29 am

Supply has started to catch up with demand in UK property markets as the scale of pent-up demand encourages more owners to sell.

The number of new prospective buyers registering outside of London reached its highest total in more than nine years last week. Meanwhile, the number of new instructions to sell in the first fortnight of June outside the capital was 16% higher than the five-year average.

โ€œWe came out of the blocks flying, but it was all viewings,โ€ said Ed Rook, head of Knight Frankโ€™s Country department. โ€œWhatโ€™s pleasing to see is that viewings have translated into agreed deals and that has encouraged sellers to act. We are moving towards a more sustainable market.โ€

Property market activity was severely curbed during an eight-week period between the end of March and mid-May due to the global pandemic. However, momentum has been building since restrictions were lifted despite weak economic data and uncertainty surrounding the impact on unemployment as the government furlough scheme is unwound.

Either way, activity remains strong for now. The number of offers accepted outside of London reached its highest ever figure two weeks ago. Last week, the number climbed even higher.

โ€œIโ€™ve never seen a market like this,โ€ said George Bramley from Knight Frankโ€™s Country department. โ€œIt reminds me of when I worked in London in 2007. This is more than about people looking for a bigger garden. People have had three months to think about life and many have decided to live differently. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts.โ€

The picture inside London is similar. The number of new prospective buyers last week was 62% above the five-year average while the number of new instructions to sell was 11% higher. The number of offers accepted was the third highest figure this year.

โ€œThe taps have been turned firmly back on in Wandsworth,โ€ said Sam Sproston, head of the Knight Frank Wandsworth office. โ€œWe have six agreed properties in the last 12 days including small flats, large houses and weโ€™ve seen the return of the sealed bid.โ€

However, Andrew Groocock, regional head of sales for Knight Frankโ€™s City and East region, sounded a note of caution. โ€œEverything is pointing in the right direction and I am cautiously confident. However, while the economic impact is still unfolding, it feels like a fragile situation and some sellers will need to temper their expectations.โ€

This resurgence in demand is supported by the number of enquiries from the internet and social media, which reached its highest level in more than a year last week. The data covers listings portals such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket, all social media channels, emails sent via the Knight Frank websiteย and enquiries made via its chat function. It does not include any contact with individual Knight Frank offices.

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