September was a little quieter than normal. Could that be Brexit? We see no hard evidence that that is influencing vendors’ decision to bring properties to the market. It used to be said that once the schools go back that market starts to move; maybe it’s when the children go back to university now!

Nevertheless, the old adage stands good, well presented and correctly priced properties sell and that continues to be the case with a number of completions in recent weeks.

The last quarter has been extremely busy and shows no sign of abating.  The nature of the rental market is changing subtly in that the supply of properties is slowing slightly which makes the market ever more-fast paced.

It is not uncommon for multiple applications to be submitted on properties and we have to give all applicants a fair opportunity to secure a property, but ultimately a decision on who gets a property may lay with the landlord.

With new properties coming to the market every day, our advice to tenants would be to keep a close check on the property portals / Renown website and book viewings at the earliest opportunity.  Sometimes, it is a case of being in the right place at the right time.

The rental market continues to be busy.  Very busy.  With the ever-increasing legislative burden being put on landlords along with the continued strong demand for rental properties, we have experienced an usually hectic period which is likely to continue in the run up to Christmas and the end of the year.

Well presented, good quality properties in good locations are usually snapped up quickly if priced correctly with 3 bedroomed properties always seeing strong demand.  There remains an over-supply of flats on the market, but the same applies – well maintained and presented ones tend to go.

We see no slow down in the rental market with small rent increases being achieved during 2019 in areas / properties where demand is the strongest.  The lower end of the market remains the most difficult to let and/or secure rent increases within.

The raft of new housing estates is clearly impacting the Cramlington market, but nevertheless, it creates opportunities for the savvy buyer as people bring their properties to the market. 

Older properties usually come with the benefit of better proportioned rooms, less estate density and properties free from ‘hidden’ covenants, whilst over the short to medium term, probably represent better value for money. 

With all that in mind, we’re finding realistically priced and well-presented properties still attract good levels of interest and are well worth buyers’ serious consideration.