Making Sense of the Mixed Messages in the Alfreton Property Market
With the Bank of England raising interest rates and inflation high, what is happening in the Alfreton property market? What types of properties are selling in our local area? What is happening to house prices in our patch? If you are a homeowner or landlord in the Alfreton area , read this article to find out what is happening to your property..
Here are a few of the most common questions that we are being asked by local homeowners and landlords;
• With the Bank of England raising interest rates and inflation high, what is happening in the Alfreton property market?
• Are properties selling in Alfreton? If so, what type of properties are selling?
• What will happen to the value of my Alfreton home?
As we enter February, the local and UK property market is certainly full of mixed messages.
Whilst the Bank of England increased the base rate nine times in 2022, meaning they are now at 3.5% - 3% higher than 12 months ago - mortgage rates are now actually dropping.
The Alfreton property market rocketed over the last few years because of the imbalance of the number of properties for sale versus the demand, with many more people looking to move home than there were properties available. Basic laws of supply and demand.
Now, as we are over the first month of 2023, we are experiencing a steadier Alfreton housing market, where homebuyers have the time and opportunity to ensure they find the right home for them.
The days of 50 viewers per property on the first weekend of marketing, frenzied buyers outbidding each other by increasing their offers over the asking price has become the exception and not the norm.
Our team often get asked their thoughts on the Alfreton property market and pass on these questions which enables me to produce these blog articles. At this time of year, we get asked about forecasts for the year ahead.
Available properties v Selling properties
One big thing that I have noticed is the imbalance of what is coming on the market for sale versus what is actually selling.
For example, 38.2% of properties that came on the market nationally in November and December 2022 had an asking price of £250,000 or less, yet 45.6% of the properties sold subject to contract since 1st January 2023 have been £250,000 or less.
That doesn't sound like a lot, yet it makes a massive difference to the property market.
However, it’s very easy to look at national averages, regional averages and, of course, Alfreton averages. Yet the property market is just one market nationally, as there isn't just one local property market.
However, the same pattern is seen in the higher-priced properties in our local area. These higher-priced properties are selling more slowly than the lower-priced properties. Therefore, the need for those larger properties to be more realistic in price is paramount to stand out from the crowd, especially with the next point.
Evidence suggests there is a growth of local buyers, who are looking to find a home before putting theirs onto the market. This was unthinkable last year, yet as the property market returns to normality, this will be seen more and more.
Here's what I think....
Firstly, the time scale of how long it will take to sell an Alfreton home. I expect to see the time it takes to sell an Alfreton home increase from 40 days in 2022 to a more 'normal' housing market of round 65 days.
Secondly, the imbalance of the Alfreton property market. A greater number of larger homes are coming on the market because of the higher number of mature homeowners looking to downsize. This is because these larger homes have become much more expensive to heat, and as many of the occupants are on fixed incomes with their pensions, many are downsizing to cut costs.
Thirdly, that brings me to talk about energy efficiency. Many buyers have started to ask about a property's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. We recommend to Alfreton homeowners considering moving in the spring or summer to have an EPC done on their property now, as there may be points that could easily be rectified and improved from one EPC rating band to another.
This would mean you will get a lot more interest and a better price for your property. If you need any help or guidance in organising an EPC on your Alfreton property, even if you are not selling for six/twelve months, do not hesitate to me give us a call.
So, what is happening in the Alfreton property market in terms of new properties listed and what is selling?
58 properties have sold (STC) in the DE55 postcode area since 1st January 2023.
However, it's essential to look at what is selling in Alfreton, and the most active price range is the £150k to £200k range, where 13 properties have been sold subject to contract (representing 22.4% of sales).
Looking at what is coming onto the market in the same time frame …
66 properties have come onto the market in DE55 since 1st January 2023.
Interestingly, the price range with the most listings is the £100k to £150k range.
This means Alfreton is bucking the national trend where nationally, the lower to middle property market is where the sales are, but the properties coming onto the market are slightly higher in price, yet it’s the other way round in Alfreton.
Any Alfreton homeowners with properties in price ranges that aren’t selling so well need to be ‘on point’ to stand out from the crowd regarding their marketing, be spot on regarding their pricing compared to the growing competition of other larger homes for sale and now more than ever, their EPC rating - especially if they are on the cusp between two EPC bands.
Before I conclude, you might wonder why I have not mentioned Alfreton house prices.
Well, what will happen to Alfreton house prices in 2023 is something I am not sure of. Yes, I know that level of frankness is strange coming from an estate/letting agent!
I know the prices being achieved for homes in Alfreton in the spring of 2022, when everyone was out bidding each other, are not being achieved today. It all depends how you look at it. Are house prices dropping or are they just returning to normal? I would say the latter.
However, looking at house prices as a ‘barometer’ for the health of the Alfreton property market does have its flaws.
Many economists and property market commentators believe that the number of properties sold gives a more accurate and truthful indicator of the property market's health than just house values alone. The reason is three-fold.
Firstly, most people also buy a home when they sell their own, so if Alfreton property values drop by 10% or rise by 10% on the one you are selling, it will do the same on the one you are buying - meaning to judge the health of a property market on house prices is very one dimensional.
Secondly, as most people move up market when they do move home, if the price of the one they’re selling might not be as much as they would've achieved in 2022 (if they drop), the price that they will pay on the one they want to buy will be lower. Thus, it will cost them less to move upmarket!
For example; last year, your home was worth £400,000, and the one you wanted to buy was £750,000. Let’s say house prices did drop 10% in 2023; your home would be only worth £360,000. Yet, the one you want to buy would now be worth £675,000. So last year, it would have cost £350k to move, but if Alfreton house prices drop 10%, the move would cost £315k, 'saving' you £35,000!
Third and finally, moving home is a human thing. Property habitually delivers a robust emotional connection with homeowners - a connection that few would attribute to their other investments like their stock market investments or building society savings passbook.
Moving home could be described as a human journey, moving from one chapter of one’s life to another. Therefore, when people do move home, it shows they are moving forward in their lives, which gives a great indicator of the property market's health.
It’s going to be an interesting year for the 2023 Alfreton property market.
My opinion. Do what is best for you, your family and your finances.
Ignore the newspapers and look at the facts in hand and if you want a frank chat about the Alfreton property market, irrespective of whether you want to sell or not, call our team. Our Sales Manager, Simon Kelsey, has over 30 years experience in our local property market so knows a thing or two.
He might not tell you what you want to hear, but he will tell you what you need to hear. Call him on 01773 749972 or directly on 07932 792825