Lynne Lancaster gives some important advice for all those rushing to buy or sell a property by 31st March next year.

When time is short, as it now is in relation to a property sale or purchase completing before the end of the stamp duty tax holiday – March 2021.

Sadly, four months is not very long in property sale and purchase terms. Finding a property and a buyer, arranging searches, drawing up contracts and sorting out finance all mop up a great deal of time. Not to mention any chain which may be involved. So if you are looking to try and meet the deadline then it needs careful planning and execution.

There are particular measures you can take to speed things along: hire the A-team.

Choose a great estate agent: not just one who will find a buyer, but one who will do all they can to see the sale through, using their experience, tenacity, patience, charm, persuasion and sheer stubborn determination that estate agents deploy in order to ensure a sale gets to exchange and completion.

Choose a great solicitor. In our digital age it is, perversely, taking longer to complete a property sale and purchase than ever. So, on a scale of effectiveness with an unmotivated, inexperienced conveyancer against a local lawyer who regularly pulls extra hours to get things done then you want/need to lean towards the latter.

Choose a great mortgage broker. Of course you can arrange a mortgage yourself, but in a race against time a broker will know where to go to speed things up and how to push things along.

An A-team might cost you a bit more. But it could be a drop in the ocean compared with the savings in tax if you beat the deadline.

Moving can still be stressful, especially when working to a crucial deadline, but put the right team in place now and your worries will be fewer and your chances of success greatly improved.

Lynne Lancaster, Head of Estate Agency. 

At the start of the coronavirus lockdown those with second homes in the countryside were quick to relocate to take advantage of the increased space and greater freedom the countryside has to offer.

As lockdown eased, this translated into significant demand for rural properties. According to Rightmove, enquiries increased by 126% during June and July of this year, particularly for those looking to make the move from larger urban areas to the countryside.

With the demand for larger rural properties increasing, prices have risen due to limited supply, with even more modest country homes being highly desirable. Rural properties with paddocks or a field will be particularly desirable as they can attract a mixed-use stamp duty saving. And for those not able to move to the countryside, the demand for homes with good sized gardens will increasingly attract a premium.

Relocation to the countryside offers many benefits, including the opportunity for a better work-life balance with increased possibilities for flexible and home working meaning it is no longer a key requirement to live within easy commuting distance of a place of work.

Cumbria and the Lake District are perfectly placed to strike this balance, with an outstanding natural environment and excellent transport links to larger urban centres by road and rail.

At PFK we are experts in our local market and supported by in-house expertise in planning and land agency, we are perfectly placed to make your rural property dreams a reality.

There has never been a better time to escape to the country!

James Harrison, Carlisle office sales negotiator. 

Here are a few of our best rural properties currently on the market with our Carlisle office…

https://www.pfk.co.uk/property/40-bank-end-thursby-carlisle-cumbria-2199809/

https://www.pfk.co.uk/property/the-cottage-wigton-wigton-cumbria-2266338/

https://www.pfk.co.uk/property/kelora-longtown-carlisle-cumbria-2274906/

https://www.pfk.co.uk/property/plot-4-kings-view-north-end-burgh-by-sands-carlisle-2109541/

https://www.pfk.co.uk/property/ravenswood-kirkbride-wigton-cumbria-2325505/

https://www.pfk.co.uk/property/27-coopers-close-high-hesket-carlisle-cumbria-2103533/

As the second wave of Covid-19 affects lives, Paul Doyle, Manager of our Carlisle Estate Agency office looks at what’s forecast for the property market.

One thing that has proved to be resistant to Covid19 is the property market, which has if anything fed off the pandemic.

Looking back at the spring lockdown, it seemed to act as an incubation period as coronavirus fuelled people’s desire to move to larger homes, often in more relaxed locations.

Now we are faced with an open-ended second lockdown that will affect individuals, families, many businesses and our way of life. The question is what will happen to this bull property market that, according to Nationwide, has seen prices growing at their fastest rate for five years?

One area of public and commercial activity not to have been locked down this time is the property market. So, the answer seems straightforward; it will be business as usual – with all the necessary social distancing measures adhered to of course.

We know that these extraordinary market conditions can’t last forever. But these second-wave precautionary measures might even act to further fan the flames of the current market.

Completion by Christmas is often the aim when buying or selling property in the autumn. But now there is another target date, March 31st: this is the day the stamp duty relaxation measure is due to end. Buyers will be racing to find properties and complete purchases to avoid extra expense – money they could use for deposits or improvements to their new homes.

Of course, the Chancellor may postpone the cut-off date, or best of all discontinue this unpopular and opportunistic windfall tax altogether. But if he does neither strap yourself in – it’s going to be a hectic five months.

Fortunately, if there is one thing we learned how to do during the initial lockdown it was to work successfully in a highly unusual and demanding property market. Now we will continue to use that experience to ensure that our buyers and sellers can move, not just when they want to but also when they need to.

The housing market and Estate Agents will continue to operate during lockdown. PFK will continue to work and help our customers buy, sell or rent. Full guidance is still being clarified however safety has and continues to be our number one priority in order to look after our staff and customers.

Contact us if you have any queries

As a precautionary step to protect our staff and customers, we have temporarily closed our Cockermouth office due to a positive COVID-19 test in line with government advice and guidelines.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. You can contact our staff who are working remotely by phone or email.

Cockermouth: 01900 826205 – cockermouth@pfk.co.uk

Whitehaven: 01946 695535 – whitehaven@pfk.co.uk

PFK will continue to provide the best service possible at all times, therefore if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.

Take care and stay safe.

Many people think Estate Agents just put their property on Rightmove and bobs your uncle, but it’s so much more than that.

Here at PFK we take pride in every property we put on the market, from the first initial photo taken to create your perfect property listing. We have a dedicated admin team that work hard behind the scenes to prep you a flawless Rightmove and website listing along with a bespoke brochure for your home. We also have an in-house marketing team that make sure your home is in front of as many eyes as possible on social media and other digital platforms.  Our bespoke videos are second to none and admired by one and all.

The sales team are on hand to help guide you through the process, arranging viewings, negotiating the deal to get you the best price possible and It doesn’t end there once your home is sold. We have a dedicated sales progression team that follow your sale through to completion making sure everything is on the right track for you.  During these current times that Is more Important now than ever before.

We also have experts in Planning, Land Agency and Surveys who can also advise you on any questions you may have.

Making property simple Is our mantra and we are here to guide you every step of the way.

Lynne Lancaster, Head of Estate Agency. 

Julia and Tony Porter recently found themselves needing to secure a rental property quickly. PFK managed to secure a suitable property for Julia and Tony and they have left us this great review:

Our time at the property was invaluable, there is a long list of things we will miss including the brilliant little garden, plenty of car parking and glorious walks from the doorstep. The views are incredible! Bird watching, sunsets and early morning mist, every moment from those big windows was astounding. A cosy and attractive property which we loved. A big thank you to PFK Property Management for their friendly service and continuous support, a pleasure to deal with.

If you need any advice or want to know more about the services we offer, please click here – https://estates.pfk.co.uk/…/10/Your-guide-to-Lettings-.pdf