When things go crazy, we need someone with a calm and businesslike approach to steady the ship – and while the experienced property experts at Thomas Connolly Estate Agents are finding the current housing boom has got them working hard and fast, they’re more than ready for the challenge.
Lockdown may have put the brakes on the housing market in the short term, but the aftermath of the pandemic, particularly with the Stamp Duty holiday that was designed to, and very much did, kickstart the market has seen demand in go sky high.
Two factors have been key in driving activity. Firstly, those who were undecided about moving or buying were encouraged by the savings available while Stamp Duty was suspended, giving the market the impetus it needed. Secondly, the change in working practices has, for many people, seen a change in lifestyle that means London living isn’t quite the draw it once was, and making areas with quick and easy commutes into the capital when they’re needed a very attractive proposition.
Milton Keynes is one such area, and that’s part of the reason the Thomas Connolly team have seen activity on a scale not experienced for many years.
Thousands of home buyers have taken advantage of the enormous Stamp Duty savings to relocate or increase the size of their property and in some cases, expand their property portfolio.
Managing Director Neal Butler said:
“It has gone absolutely crazy recently, which is brilliant for the market but has meant we’ve had to up our game and make sure our clients get the best possible deal while maintaining our integrity and impartiality. And it’s not always an easy balance.
“To paint a picture, we have just a situation where three houses came on to the market four days ago, we’ve done 62 viewings in total and received 30 offers. The fact is that 27 people are going to be disappointed, and while we have to get the deal our clients want, we also have to be open and transparent, remain impartial and make sure everything is done within the rules.
“We’ve never been an agency that would encourage practices like gazumping. We put the facts in front of our clients and we help them make a decision, then hopefully once they’re happy the sale can proceed. But getting to that point at the moment is taking a phenomenal amount of work from the team and sales are going through in 24 to 48 hours. People are desperate to get the house they want, and the phones just haven’t stopped ringing.”
Thomas Connolly Estate Agents is trusted name in Milton Keynes, a locally owned independent estate agent employing 24 full time staff, all of whom live within Milton Keynes, offering an unrivalled knowledge of the area through experienced staff.
As one of the few estate agents that remained open and operational during lockdown, Thomas Connolly Estate Agents are well placed to continue to perform well in the prosperous property market that has emerged.
Over the past year or so, the firm has expanded, going from a shared office space to taking over the entire unit in The Hub, Central Milton Keynes and has witnessed a record year in residential sales, new home sales and residential lettings.
Neal Butler added:
“The Stamp Duty situation helped boost the market but we also have a workforce now that doesn’t have to be near the office, that can choose to leave the likes of Islington and its high prices behind and move away. They need a laptop and a desk and they can work perfectly well from home some or all of the week. Not only do they have the flexibility to move further afield, they are benefiting from the more reasonable prices or rentals outside of the capital.
“We have been through some tough times but we are very excited about the way the market is going at the moment. We’ve barely got time to stop and take a breath but it is fantastic to see a buoyant market and feel the optimism and expectation.
“The weather is getting better, the leaves on the trees are turning green, we’re all out and about more and feeling much more positive – it’s a very exciting time.”
If you are thinking of buying, selling renting or letting a property, contact Thomas Connolly Estate Agents on 01908 774422 or email info@tcmk.co.uk
