As an agency that believes in always telling the truth and keeping our customers informed, it would be highly disingenuous of us to say it’s business as usual.

 

It’s certainly not.

 

With interest rates rising and mortgage rates following suit, local home buyers and sellers are extremely concerned.

 

We’ve spoken with many clients, people, and friends currently buying and selling their homes over the past few days. Our advice to them has been simple.

 

Historically, the property markets have had significant ups and downs over the decades. But – if you look at it in ten to twelve-year cycles, property prices always tend to historically increase.

 

Media predictions of a property market crash are just that – predictions, or to seek a dictionary definition: an act of saying what might happen in the future.  Have they got the public interest at heart or do they have a hidden agenda or just want to sell newspapers?

 

In June 2016 – after the Brexit referendum, it was predicted that property prices would plummet by up to 33%. They didn’t.

During the years of protracted Brexit negotiations, it was predicted that property values would sink by 25%. They never.

And when the pandemic hit in March 2020, it was predicted that the housing market would come to a juddering halt for years. Instead, it stopped for a couple of months before seeing record price increases.

Of course, no one knows for sure, but some things do seem certain to happen.

 

It’s highly likely it will become harder to sell or buy a home over the next three to six months.

 

Harder, but not impossible.

 

Why?

When you choose an agent based on their expertise, support, marketing, negotiating skill, and ability, rather than a cut-price fee and fingers-crossed do-it-yourself approach, you give yourself the best possible chance of success.

 

And some people already with a sale or purchase in progress may be getting nervous.

 

This is totally understandable. 

But it’s worth considering this. 

If you agreed on a sale and onward purchase two to three months ago, you are in what’s called ‘a relative market’.

This means that the price you agreed then is relative to what the market was doing then.

You may not feel like you’ve gained something, but you certainly haven’t lost something.

 

And for first-time buyers thinking of pulling out of a deal in motion and returning to the market in, say, 6 – 12 months, remember, it’s a big gamble.

 

These questions need to be asked.

 

Will you get as good a mortgage deal in 12 months? (You won’t.)

What if prices remain the same?

 

What if they increase? (Think back to Brexit and Covid-19 property predictions.)

 

Have you factored rental costs into your decision? Is it better to start paying off your own mortgage now or continue paying off someone else’s?

 

The big picture

 

According to industry data, most people stay in their homes for 12 – 20 years.

So, it’s highly likely that your property will be significantly more valuable in the future if you buy it now, even with all the news swirling around the housing market.

And let’s not forget the lessons lockdown taught many of us.

That life is for living and not something we can put on hold.

If you want a new property or seek somewhere else to call home, start thinking five to ten years down the line from now.

Remember, a home is much, much more than a financial asset.

It’s the place your children grow up.

Where you enjoy your sunset years.

Where you grow the relationships that really matter.

Where you make memories that last a lifetime – not just an economic cycle.

At Cooke & Co Estate and Letting Agents, we’re here for home movers in Thanet now, more than ever.

 

Please Click Here to link seamlessly to hundreds of interesting community and property-related articles, videos, and pictures on our local blog/property insights page, Thanet coastal interactive tour, Up to date latest properties for sale and to rent, and much, much more.

Before you go we would love you to comment or like this article. Please feel to give your thoughts, helpful comments or even suggestions of articles you would like us to write about.

© 2022 Cooke & Co Estate and Letting Agents