Jamie Minors, managing director of property company Minors & Brady, displays on the previous yr.
Firstly, as I write this final column for 2020, I’d wish to want you all an incredible Christmas together with your households and a really merry festive interval – I believe it’s wanted after 2020!
It’s been a turbulent yr. We’ve had many tales of ‘home costs to fall’ and as a substitute they’ve risen over 5pc. We’ve had the dreaded Covid-19 virus, the complicated lockdowns; furlough was a buzz phrase and so was the ‘R’ price. We’ve all learnt loads I’m certain.
Sadly, many have additionally felt quite a lot of change and subsequent ache. Hopefully this vaccine might be rolled out and we will all transfer on and be taught from this rollercoaster of a yr.
As we see the excessive avenue going through large challenges, with massive companies going into administration, this may create a shockwave of change.
Areas will turn out to be empty, however then turn out to be gentrified; extra housing will turn out to be obtainable as these massive business models are transformed, and I consider components of the excessive avenue will completely bounce again if they’re keen to alter.
There might be an increase of unbiased retailers, smaller native companies that truly give a greater, personalised service. If we’re ordering off Amazon as a result of it’s handy, the excessive avenue has to supply an ‘expertise’.
Whether or not that’s in bringing again a private contact, remembering customers’ first names, making a area people once more or precise worth in going right into a retailer in particular person.
If I can go into a store and purchase the very same factor as on-line, and the store doesn’t make me smile, make me really feel particular or give me something further, then why would I depart my onesie on the couch? (Disclaimer: I do not need a onesie).
Usually talking, clients are blissful to pay somewhat further offering they see worth in what they’re shopping for.
This similar pattern can also be occurring with property brokers.
Some independents are rising by providing wonderful residence transferring providers, giving purchasers added worth, making them really feel particular and holding their hand all through their transfer. The fundamentals of enterprise are easy and this yr will train many people to evolve, enhance and adapt as a part of evolution.
As we head into the festive interval, the housing market remains to be transferring at full-pace, with the stamp obligation vacation below petition to be prolonged additional previous March 31, 2021. I simply hope for our purchasers’ and all different home-movers’ sakes they provide severe consideration to extending the interval and to permit all these households their stamp-duty-free transfer as they’ve deliberate.
No matter occurs in 2021, the identical guidelines apply within the housing market: consumers wish to purchase, sellers wish to promote, so offering there may be mortgage lending obtainable then we can have an lively housing market and it’ll nonetheless be a good time to maneuver.
This column is sponsored by Minors & Brady.