By Ian DeLorean, Senior Partner, Robinson-Jackson Bexleyheath

It hasn’t been the coldest of winters and the local housing market hasn’t been as dark and gloomy as you would be led to believe. The scaremongers have time and time again predicted a ‘crash, bang, wallop’ with property prices but there is no sign of it yet. There has been some adjustment in asking prices over the past few months to tempt the would-be buyers, who seemed to be sitting on the fence after the Northern Rock fiasco and the sub-prime mortgage situation in the States, but all-in-all the outlook into spring is blooming.

The Central Bank in America recently reduced its base rate by .75% and then again by .5%, bringing the base rate to 3% and early indicators predict the Bank of England will reduce the base rate here, as to how much we will have to see. Even so with the base rate currently at 5.5%, this is still pretty good. Look back to the early eighties and you were paying near on 15%. Our advice is to be prudent when taking out a mortgage, budget sensibly and allow for an increase in your figures. Many mortgage companies seem to be fixing for five years rather than two, which makes sense, but the important thing to remember is not to overstretch your selves.

Ian DeLorean FNAEA FPCS, Senior Partner at Robinson-Jackson in Bexleyheath comments, ‘From the middle of January the team and I have been really pleased with the levels of activity. Sellers are selling if they are sensible on price and buyers are buying because, as always, bricks and mortar is a sound investment. The interest rates are still pretty low and come February we will see a lot more confidence in the housing market. There is a good selection of homes for sale at realistic prices and I can see that with the demand increasing as the weeks go by, property value is bound to go up. Not crazy but steady.’

He continues, ‘Some properties are still selling in days, some in weeks, and those that are not are having to go back to the drawing board, make some changes and start a fresh which bring in the results’.

‘Our board presence in the area speaks volumes and the hard work and expertise of the staff, along with our honest advice, is allowing buyers and sellers to move quickly. We offer everything under one roof such as Free Valuations, Free Mortgage Advice, State-of-the-Art Technology, Extensive Marketing, No Move No Fee Conveyancing, Various Options on HIP’s, Removals, the list goes on’.

‘What gives us the edge in Bexleyheath is a no-nonsense service, a combined team experience of over 136 years, the strength of the Robinson-Jackson brand, with it’s 50 year history and a network of over 30 branches and departments, and working late seven days a week from the Medway Towns through to South East London. Also, all of our Estate Agency Partners, who know the business inside-out, are on-hand in branch leading by example’.

Ian and his team would be happy to hear from you if you are looking to sell or buy property in the Bexley Borough. Call 020 8298 7000, pop in to 124-126 Broadway Bexleyheath.