Trends & analysis
Strutt & Parker experts reflect on the
nationwide property picture Getting
stronger
T
he country house market
has weathered the worst
of the recession and
although last year’s 2% rise in
stamp duty did have an impact,
James Mackenzie, Head of the
Country Department at Strutt &
Parker believes that this was a
just a blip. ‘People take these
things on the chin and move on,
Regional particularly when you’re talking
growth about buying a family home.’
And while the hard winter of
C 25%
ost considerations, lifestyle Guildford in particular. ‘These key 2012/13 did little to encourage
choices, local economic regional centres are seeing more buyers out into the country,
factors and government growth in residential value than of Strutt & Parker Mackenzie believes the market
efforts to kick-start the housing their rural counterparts, although vendors outside is making up for lost time.
market are creating a complex there are hotspots around the UK London are looking ‘It’s heading back to where it
UK residential property picture, where different economic factors to move to smaller should be, with the potential
according to Michael Fiddes, Head affect the marketplace,’ says properties to get stronger over the next
of Agency at Strutt & Parker. Fiddes. ‘An example is around 12 months.’
words Dave Flanagan illustration Dennis Carrier / Synergy
‘There’s definitely been a Aberdeen, where the oil industry Little regional variation exists
stimulus at the bottom of the
market because of what the
creates a massive number of jobs.’
A complex market then,
up to 32% – it’s all about properties and
prices – but the robust London
of London buyers are
government’s sought to do for but one in which Strutt & Parker market remains a key driving
planning to move to
first-time buyers,’ says Fiddes. remains best placed to negotiate, factor, with buyers recognising
the country
‘Secondly, while more people with the interests of clients the potential that city budgets
are selling up in London and always paramount. have beyond the capital. Equally,
benefiting from fantastic value ‘When people are moving international and expat interest
outside of the capital because house, they’re usually dealing remains steady and it’s here that
of the large price differential, with their most valuable asset, Strutt & Parker’s relationship
buyers are becoming much more something that’s going to have with Christie’s International Real
conscious of the costs such as one of the greatest effects on Estate comes into its own.
commuting, property maintenance their lives,’ says Fiddes. ‘Selling ‘Many more international
and heating, and education.’ a house is about getting the best buyers are being pushed in our
Lifestyle choices, too, are possible deal for the client, but direction,’ explains Mackenzie.
resulting in more people living also about helping them on a ‘Our auction house colleagues
in an urban or suburban journey. We always endeavour to are also helping introduce
environment beyond London. look after them and proactively potential sellers to Strutt &
That’s been good for Oxford, make things happen, rather than Parker. It’s simply a much bigger
Cambridge, St Albans and merely hoping they’ll happen.’ playing field for us now.’