Promising Start
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Coventry and Warwickshire’s property market made a promising start to 2012 – according to a leading city estate agent.

Shortland Horne, which has offices in the city centre, Walsgrave and Earlsdon, is reporting an increase in activity compared to same month last year.

Footfall is also up and the company says those sellers taking sensible, professional advice are seeing their properties sold across its three branches.

Andrew Moss, director of Shortland Horne, said: “In our experience, those vendors who are pricing their properties sensibly are achieving sales through Shortland Horne.

“The market is showing signs of improvement and now is a very good time to put your property up for sale – whether it’s a one-bedroom apartment or a large country residence.

“We are seeing strong sales and enquiries right across the board and, in many areas of the city, we have such high levels of interest that properties are being sold very soon after they are put on the market – again, if the price is right.”

Shortland Horne’s positive start to 2012 comes on the back of figures from HMRC that said house sales had fallen by 11 per cent in 2011.

Moss added: “People hear the national figures and it can put them off making a decision of whether to buy or sell, but the simple answer to that is property is still a very wise investment and now is an excellent time to make the move.

“The national figures from last year reflect what was happening here in Coventry and Warwickshire but the tail-end of 2011 and the start to 2012 have certainly seen a marked improvement.

 “The ability to access mortgage finance improved before the end of last year – particularly for first-time buyers – and that plays a major role in getting the market moving.

“That is all reflected in our good start to January as we look forward to spring.”

For more information on buying or selling a property, contact Shortland Horne on 024 7622 2123.