2020 was a year of unprecedented change and uncertainty for every sector in every industry. The property market was no exception, with estate agents having to close their doors and property viewings and valuations grinding to a halt during the first lockdown. But when restrictions lifted, the housing market came back with a bang, resulting in a 6.6% annual increase in average asking prices. Thanks to the ongoing stamp duty holiday, the number of active buyers was 66% higher than 2019, while September saw the highest number of sales ever agreed in a month.
As we look ahead to 2021, the Simpsons Group are confident that the housing market will stay strong through whatever the year may bring. Our directors, Andrew Simpson, Chris West and Mark Weekley, sat down to discuss the past year, and what could be in store for the following 12 months.
2020 was a difficult year for many people and businesses alike, leading to challenges to overcome that no one could have foreseen. While the first lockdown resulted in many estates and lettings agents having to simply close their doors for several weeks, with some prior planning Simpsons were able to implement a way of working even though our physical offices had to close.
“These plans not only enabled us to further progress sales to completion but also resulted in lining up a huge number of viewings ready for when we were once again allowed to carry them out,” reflected Mark of Simpson and Weekley. “This was one of the major factors in our Wellingborough and Rushden offices achieving the highest number of sales we have seen in nearly 11 years! We are now letting properties quicker than we can list them, and we are confident the year will continue in very much the same manner.”
After this strong end to 2020 and a continued high level of buyer demand, all three Directors are expecting the first half of 2021 to be as active as it usually is despite the current lockdown, making it the perfect time to get your property on the market.
“Since the new year, we have seen a very busy market in both sales and lettings, with a huge increase in buyers wanting to move into the area from towns and cities as people’s priorities continue to change,” Simpson and Partners’ Andrew Simpson commented. “Although we are experiencing tighter restrictions right now, we are ready to face an even more buoyant housing market when these are lifted.”
“The values still being achieved are pleasantly surprising clients, with sales often being achieved in just a number of days” added Chris of Simpson West. “Adopting the right value is highly important, which is why we would like anyone thinking of selling to contact us as a matter of urgency. With Simpson West having sold 120 more properties than our nearest competitors in 2020, we are well placed to have the best comparable evidence when deciding on the best price to market our properties at.”
Covering Corby, Kettering, Thrapston, Burton Latimer, Wellingborough, Rushden, and many of the surrounding towns and villages, the Simpsons Group is here to help the whole of Northamptonshire buy, sell, let or rent in 2021. Properties are selling and letting faster than ever before, and we’d love to hear from you to help in any way we can – begin your property journey today by browsing our properties for sale or rent, or get in touch on 01832 731222.