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I felt I should blog a general update today as I won’t be able to blog on the 29th February for another four years! 

Our ‘show home event’ went well at the weekend which is excellent news and we’re really pleased.  There was a really good attendance of potential purchasers at the three participating developments (namely Foxgloves in Bransgore, Heathlands in Hordle and Infinity in Milford on Sea) and the event proved very worthwhile.  On the strength of the interest over the weekend we have decided to run another open weekend (this time at The Halyards) on Saturday and Sunday 10th / 11th March 2012 (which no doubt I will remind you of nearer the time). 

I was particularly pleased to be able to make a couple of site visits during the latter part of last week.  As a ‘celebrator of people and achievement’ my Line Manager was kind enough to take me to our Strata and Denley Rise sites, both in Canford Cliffs.  I had visited Strata previously at the same time as our Arnewood School visit and as they are due another visit in a couple of weeks I know they are really going to find it interesting.  I will try and get some pictures when the pupils make their next visit and report via the blog then.

I have to say I was really very impressed with our Denley Rise site in Alington Road.  The development comprises three, luxury detached 4/5 bedroom houses, which I can already see will be breath-taking when complete, even at this early stage!  I was able to look round Plot 3 (the 5 bedroom unit) and was so impressed with the standard of finish so far and the attention to detail.  The properties have what an agent would class as ‘kerbside appeal’ which I am sure will prove as popular with potential purchasers as it has with the neighbours.  Our Site Manager John Weiler has reported receiving numerous compliments for the development from neighbours and passers-by who are pleased to see traditionally built quality houses for sale in Canford Cliffs.  The gardens are being landscaped by ‘Chelsea’ award winning designer Rob Redcliffe and his team and Plot 3 is already taking shape nicely.  The kitchen and bathrooms suites are to be custom designed and you can already get a feel for just how fantastic they are going to look.  I think you can tell that overall, Penny was very impressed!  I’m a bit cross with myself not to have taken photographs to post on the blog as I think this could be an interesting feature for readers, so watch this space for future blogging.

Happy Leap Year

I was interested to read the positive news released yesterday by Rightmove!  As the website advertising property for over 90% of all UK estate agents, Rightmove is in a unique position to identify any immediate changes in the market and reports a strong ‘Spring bounce’ in new seller asking prices for February 2012. 

As I have mentioned previously, I personally believe that any positive reports on the property market are beneficial for both buyer and seller confidence so this news was greatly received by me.  Rightmove report an increase of 4.1% in ‘new sellers average asking prices’ this month which they say is the highest monthly increase since April 2002!  Although they report in their findings that the figures are partly fuelled by cash-rich market sectors where demand exceeds supply, they also report more evidence of increasing housing market confidence throughout the UK which is what we all want to hear. 

So it seems from the rise in activity seen on their website during January 2012 that people are adjusting to ‘the new norm’ and there are signs of a ‘pent-up desire to move that out-weighs the uncertain economic outlook’.  They feel this price jump is a sign that people are accepting the current market and those who can afford to move are choosing to ignore the repetitive gloomy news and deciding to get on with it.  There are a number of good mortgage deals out there at the moment, including an increase in the number of products available with 10% deposit (which are up a third on a year ago) which will obviously go towards helping market recovery. 

We at Pennyfarthing are continuing to receive a raised number of enquiries for property for sale in Dorset and Hampshire after our fantastic start to 2012 and the dramatic increase in sales.  To this end we are having an Open Weekend Event at three of our developments (Infinity in Milford, Heathlands in Hordle and Foxgloves in Bransgore) with all available properties able to be viewed (without the need for an appointment) on 25th and 26th February between 10.00am and 5.00pm. 

So if you have the Rightmove ‘pent up desire to move that out-weighs the uncertain economic outlook’…. why not pop into one of our developments this weekend!  For further information please contact James or Janet in our Sales Department. 

So the first month is over already and another show-home has been launched!  The Gables in Ferndown officially opened on Friday 3rd February at 10.00am.  The show apartment will be open from 10am – 5pm Fri – Sun each weekend and we are very pleased to introduce Sarah Wilson who will be assisting our Sales Department from Site. 

So we’re already in February 2012 and I just don’t know where January 2012 went!  Apparently February is always reported to be one of the most depressing months of the year.  With everyone trying to keep their New Year resolutions, everyone a little bit tight for cash after Christmas, long cold winter evenings… need I say any more? 

What with that and the ever increasing pessimistic news reports on how difficult the economic climate is (in particular the housing market), it’s any wonder anyone would even decide get up in the morning let alone move house.  Well I’m happy to say that the doom and gloom doesn’t seem to be affecting the market along the South Coast.  Although the market is not as buoyant as everyone would like, it certainly does not seem nearly half as bad as the press make out!  I was speaking to an independent local Agent only last week who agreed 20 sales in one New Forest town alone during January 2012 with several more in the running for February. 

Pennyfarthing can also report receiving very positive signs for the property market during 2012.  We were delighted with the turnout and positive feedback from our visitors at our launch of both The Halyards in Poole and The Gables in Ferndown.  There is already a unit reserved at The Halyards and sales were agreed on 25% of the units at The Gables by the end of the launch weekend!  This is an excellent result and a big well done should go to everyone involved.  I can’t deny that the good news made me feel pleased we have property for sale in Dorset and Hampshire, if only to help meet demand!

So I have decided to remain positive in my work and my blogging efforts, hoping this will ‘rub off’ on everyone else and help to extinguish any negative effects the press may have on confidence!