Property market seems very quiet?

[julyjulyjuly]

Lots of houses in my local area (London burbs) have been coming onto the market and selling like hot cakes. One popped up on Rightmove only last week and was under offer three days later!

But the area I’m hoping to move to (Kent) seems very quiet - there’s just not a lot of stock coming onto the market! Is this because of the pandemic - are people holding off selling until lockdown is over?

We’re thinking of listing our place soon but I’m worried that we won’t find anything to buy!

Very quiet where I am too

A friend, who is an estate agent, says their particular agency is avoiding visiting properties for valuation at the moment due to Covid risks. They are busy enough processing all the current sales.

Thanks both. I’m sure it must be lockdown putting people off listing - unless you needed to sell quickly for whatever reason, you probably would wait until spring when the weather is better, more people have been vaccinated and lockdown has lifted, wouldn’t you?

I’m just feeling a bit impatient!

We’re seeing the market has gone quiet in our London ‘burbs area ever since Christmas. I think it’s a combination of lockdown and the fact that a lot of propel ‘rushed’ to move before the stamp duty holiday deadline. We’re still going ahead with selling our place in the hope that more comes on soon, and we’re thinking in the worst case scenario we can go into rented.

I know personally I wouldn't want people coming to view my property given the current situation, so I wouldn't sell at the moment. I also wouldn't want to go and view other properties - and would never trust an online tour. With so much uncertainty, and the fact we're unable to get family support (it was a huge family effort last time I moved and we wouldn't be able to do that) it's not surprising. Plus a lot of people are financially stretched at the moment so the costs of a move wouldn't be welcome at all.

That all sounds fair Linda.

When will things pick up again I wonder - hopefully spring?