Hardly a week goes by without another launch of a new internet agent. They are all fighting each other for a very small slice of the market and are spread so thinly that they cannot possibly offer a service to rival office-based firms.

We are all online.

The difference in money terms between our respective charges is pretty small but the difference in service levels, local knowledge and expertise is massive.

One very significant difference is that we only charge a sale fee if we sell your house and believe it or not some of our customers don’t buy things through the internet.

I have used Renown several times over the years. Paul and his team provide an excellent service and have an unparalleled knowledge of the local housing market. Highly recommended.

Hello to you both,

What doesn’t seem that long ago, back in Nov 2005 we were very unsure about the wisdom of renting out our property, we were moving some distance away which meant having to leave it in the care of a property management company. If issues with the tenancy occur it would be inconvenient and costly to make trips back to the NE.

We decided to go with it and in a couple of year when the market picks up we can try selling again.

17 years later, having only had 2 sets of tenants, experiencing one hick-up at the end of the first tenancy which you controlled with good guidance and finally achieving a successful sale to our preferred buyer, there hasn’t actually been any problems to lose sleep over.

Via you and your teams professionalism our investment (house) was well cared for, the only effort from ourselves being a phone call or email to agree actions or maintenance repairs.

The biggest plus ~ we banked some money along the way.

In the unlikely event we find ourselves having to move back to the NE, Renown will be our first call.

Our sincere thanks for your support and guidance, good luck and good health to all.

Malcolm & Jacqueline Bone.

Property market news tends to emanate from London and the South east corner of England where, as you may realise, the picture is very different in each region, city, town and village.

Unless you’re moving to a different area, the national overview is of little use. It can show a general trend but can sometimes get things badly wrong.

A few years ago, when I was local chairman of the National Association of Estate Agents, I had a call from a BBC news reporter researching a report from Nationwide Building Society about a huge rise in house prices specifically  in Spennymoor, County Durham.

I have to admit to having very little knowledge of the midterm area so I rang a friendly agent I know in that area to get his take on it.

Turned out of there been very few sales in the town and there was a little concrete evidence suggesting that this report was anywhere near correct.

What you may like to know is that Cramlington house prices have increased by around 20% in the last year. Flats have fared less well with prices increasing between 5 and 10%.

Rather than buyers moving in and out town, more families are moving around the town as they  have put down roots and family  support networks have developed,  facilities are much better and, for many, moving out of the town is not an option and we buy houses from each other, unless we’re buying new.

The local market is complicated as there is little available stock. The number of homes for sale is at its lowest level for many years so  whether to sell and then look or wait until you found a house and then try to sell yours in a hurry  Is the dilemma

Best advice would be to get your finances sorted out, have your house valued and at least be ready to go to the market – this puts you in a much better position when the house of your dreams does turn up.

One issue that continues to worry us is the number of homeowners who still haven’t looked at buying the freehold of their leasehold house.

This is something people either don’t consider to be important or  leave until the last minute and believe us,  this will hold things up, sometimes for many months and can be a nightmare.

We are happy to help and our advice is always free. It’s probably best to make an appointment rather than just turn up but feel free to get in touch and ask any questions and we will try to give you the answer that is best for you.

If you’re in a leasehold home and on Facebook, then look up Cramlington Leasehold Campaign and follow us.

Well, 2020 was manic and whilst the latest lockdown has seen a slowing of the market – there’s a feeling that people are sitting tight for the time being – I’m sure things will pick up hugely once the current restrictions are relaxed.

Our main issue at the moment is lack of properties.  What we’ve had available has been let and we URGENTLY need new properties to bring to the market.  We’re permitted to trade during the current lockdown – subject to Covid related protocols – so if you have a property or properties that need let or managing, please give us a call.  Happy to have a no obligation visit to a property to discuss a landlord’s requirements and to discuss how we can help them.

Whilst the back end of 2020 was very busy – we had our busiest December ever – it’s safe to say that the lockdown introduced in January has seen the market quieten.  That’s not to say that the demand has dropped, we believe the underlying demand remains very strong, but there’s an element of people sitting tight for the time being.  This also leads to a lack of supply of rental properties and that has been a big issue for us in January – virtually every property we’ve marketed had gone.

I’m sure things will pick up as and when restrictions are lifted and it wouldn’t surprise us to see a repeat of 2020 when demand and activity soared after the relaxing of the first lockdown.  For tenants, advice would be to get their notifications set up on the portals and phone agents if and when you see a property of interest – often easier to get a viewing if you phone up rather than one of dozens of e-mailed enquiries!

January is traditionally a busy time for new valuations and instructions – people have considered their plans for the New Year and the first thing to do is arrange the free valuation.  However, we’re in lockdown again and whilst that has taken the edge of the market a little, we’re permitted to stay open and continue our business – subject to Covid related protocols which we have introduced.  It’s been a strange few weeks which has fluctuated between quiet to busy, but we’re encouraged with the new properties coming to the market and the interest being seen.

The top end of the Cramlington market has seen prices rising with certain hotspots like Barns Park and parts of Northburn attracting a lot of interest.  Whilst the Stamp Duty Holiday certainly fuelled that end of the market, those areas generally remain very desirable and that interest has dragged the rest of the market with it during 2020 and into the first few weeks of 2021.  Possible leasehold reform (intentions announced by the Government) has also seen a small increase in interest in flats too.

Whilst the uncertainty down to the pandemic remains, the market remains resilient and we are not prone to the valuation swings / hikes seen in many other parts of the country.  People will always need to move house and if you require a free valuation, then give us a quick call.  We’ll be respectful and conduct our business in accordance with the current protocols, but if you need to move, you need to be in a position to do so and that valuation is the first step.

Buyer activity remained reasonably good during November and early December with buyers having one eye on the Stamp Duty Holiday which is due to expire on 31^st March 2021*.  The start of the year coincided with the introduction of the latest lockdown and whilst we are permitted to keep trading this time – subject to Covid related protocols which we have introduced – it did result in a slight drop in enquiries.  One thing worth noting given the current lockdown is that most agents will only allow physical viewings to proceed if a buyer is in a position to move – sold subject to contract or not reliant upon a sale – as it just minimises contacts and the associated risk during these difficult times. 

January is traditionally a month which sees a spike in activity as people pursue plans for the New Year, so if you’re ready to move and we have properties of interest, give us a call and we’ll try and help.

* Ending of Stamp Duty Holiday subject to further parliamentary debate at time of writing.

The market continues to be very busy with demand still well ahead of supply and landlords having quite a list or prospective tenants to choose from.  Three bedroomed properties in particular continue to attract significant interest with dozens of enquiries being received with hours of putting a property on the market.

It must be very difficult for prospective tenants to secure accommodation as a consequence – especially for those with pets or poor credit, but there is no sign of demand easing at this moment. 

That all said, it remains important for landlords to present and maintain their properties to ensure they let and we’re happy to provide guidance and advice for prospective or existing landlords.  Give us a call … happy to help.

The market continues to be very busy with demand still well ahead of supply and landlords having quite a list or prospective tenants to choose from.  Three bedroomed properties in particular continue to attract significant interest with dozens of enquiries being received with hours of putting a property on the market.

It must be very difficult for prospective tenants to secure accommodation as a consequence – especially for those with pets or poor credit, but there is no sign of demand easing at this moment. 

That all said, it remains important for landlords to present and maintain their properties to ensure they let and we’re happy to provide guidance and advice for prospective or existing landlords.  Give us a call … happy to help.