Promising Start to 2006

Created: 16/02/2006

Local estate agent, Perry Bishop and Chambers has seen a promising start to 2006 from all its offices across the Cotswolds. 

The residential sales business was strong in January with listings and sales higher than a year ago.  In January, the company arranged sales on a higher number of properties than the monthly average during 2005.  In addition, applicant numbers were very high, indicating a confidence in the market with these potential purchasers. 

Phillip Bishop, Director, explains: “The year has started with a good level of viewings, leading to good offers.  Vendors still need to be flexible with their asking price, but we are certainly seeing that the gap between asking price and offer price is closing.  However a key factor is getting the asking price right at the start.  We always aim to give good advice and sensibly price houses, so that, along with excellent presentation of the property, our vendors will sell in a quicker timescale.”  He continues: “However, given this good start we must not be complacent.  We are still seeing a property market in neutral and generally feel that the mood is optimistic but cautious.”

Across the company, the Cirencester office had a record month in January, and this follows the company’s move to new premises in Silver Street in May 2005, having outgrown its previous offices.  Staff numbers are at an all time high with some 70 people across the company, up from just under 50 at the same time last year.

The Faringdon office is seeing a high number of First Time Buyers entering the property market, as they perceive the market is as low as it is going to get and currently stable.  This in turn has an impact on the number of properties available at the lower end of the market.  In Faringdon, one property in this bracket was sold (subject to contract) in a day to First Time Buyers.  Their importance should not be under-rated. 

The Lettings market has also gone off to a flying start in 2006.  Some of the offices have been taking record viewings and have a large, healthy portfolio of properties to let with a record number of lets agreed.  There is a good choice of property for tenants available, of a good standard and well maintained.

In addition, the Survey Department continued to expand during 2005 and now has a team of seven covering Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. 

Perry Bishop and Chambers is an experienced, well-established estate agency offering Residential Sales, Lettings and Management, Land and New Homes and a Survey Department. Perry Bishop and Chambers prides itself as being ‘the agent who keeps you informed’ and has offices based around the Cotswolds in Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford, Cheltenham and Faringdon.

Back to news