We've seen a marked increase in new instructions and property sales in Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Prestbury, Hale, Bowdon and the surrounding Cheshire towns and villages over the last few months - a result of several combining factors, culminating in an extremely busy period for our Cheshire estate agents.
 

Now that all of our staff are back in the office and safely attending market appraisals and viewings, we're as busy (if not busier) as we were before March 2020. Since lockdown, restrictions were lifted we've brought many new properties to the market - from rural country estates, family homes in Cheshire villages through to penthouse apartments in bustling towns and and period properties in sleepy villages. More and more properties are exchanging and completing and we've seen a large increase in the number of calls we receive from clients looking to sell or purchase a Cheshire home.

So, what's responsible for this increase? There's been a perfect storm of reasons and a real re-assessment of how we live modern life that has people reaching for property particulars and plotting a new life in a new home...

Pent up demand
Cast your mind back to March, when the property market was frozen due to coronavirus. Market appraisals and viewings stopped, deals paused and many people were left in limbo because of the new national restrictions. Those transactions still needed to take place and so of course we saw a revving up of current plans once restrictions were lifted.

Those who were putting off sellng or buying a home in early 2020 are now primed and eager to make a move, buoyed by the positive property market...and perhaps the realisation that they can live a different way.

Shifts in working practices
Profound shifts in working practices have led many people to consider working from home on a more permanent basis. With the vast majority of the working population forced to work from home from March, many began to consider this new normal as the shape of things to come. Those working in sectors such as information, communication, professional, scientific, technical, finance and insurance were provided with many more opportunities to work from home, and so were able to think about making the switch to home working more permanent.

A spare bedroom, dedicated study, office in the garden or a standalone office space or building on site began to take on new meaning, and a space to work from home has become a top priority for house purchasers.
 

83 Chapel Lane, Hale Barns beautifully lends itself to homeworking. It's a stylish, extended and refurbished six bedroom family house offering bright and well-proportioned accommodation. It's big enough to turn one of the bedrooms into an office/study and the generous garden is a peaceful setting for a break from work. Marketed by our Hale branch. Guide price £1,199,500.

Leaving the city
Changes to working practices are here to stay, so here begins the exodus! Plotting a move to the country became a major UK news story during lockdown, as people realised they could now move away from towns and cities in search of a more rural life...and still work in their present jobs. A rural life is no longer cut off from the world with bad broadband, and being able to complete one's work from an idyllic location is fast becoming a reality for a significant number of the UK population. No more astronomical transport costs or hours lost on commuting - the benefits of living in or close to the country are vast.

Stamp duty changes
The government's recent removal of stamp duty on dwelling purchases up to £500,000 (not including the additional 3% rate if that applies) until 31st March 2021 has resulted in a huge increase in enquiries, as buyers look to benefit from the savings and either simply move to a new house or purchase the second home or investment property they had been considering. It's estimated that 90% of individuals buying new homes before the holiday ends will not pay any stamp duty on their purchase.

Kermincham Manor, Kernincham, Holmes Chapel, is an outstanding, totally unique six bedroom country house with ancillary accommodation and extensive gardens, with stunning south-facing rural views, sitting in about 45 acres. It comes with a two bedroom cottage, three bedroom lodge and coach house - ideal for conversion. Marketed by our Alderley Edge branch. Offers in excess of £5,500,000.

Those who are buying over this value still stand to benefit from a saving of £15,000 – enough to undertake refurbishments or buy some new furnishings. The ability to buy a property with mixed use and benefit from a 5% stamp duty rate is still avaialbe and may be attractive to some buyers. And remember that if you're buying a mixed use property uou are no longer subject to the 3% surcarge if you own another property. 

School life
Like working from home, families across the UK felt the pressure during lockdown as children were schooled at home. September is a crunch time for the UK, with the possibility of further changes to the school timetable and additional home schooling.

Bankhall Lane, Hale is home to this stunning six bedroom detached period house standing in mature grounds within the South Hale Conservation Area. With a triple garage and studio gym/annexe, there's lots of room for brushing up on school work. Marketed by our Hale branch. Guide price £2,500,000.

Two Trees, Prestbury is a four bedrom family home with a study and cinema room - perfect for keeping the children entertained (and working!). It's a stunning and beautifully presented, contemporary four bedroom family house, set in mature and beautifully landscaped, elevated gardens, within walking distance of Prestbury village. Marketed by our Alderley Egde branch. Offers in excess of £1,000,000.

Having had to share the family home with folders of GCSE work, art projects and science experiments, lots of families are paying closer attention to properties that would smoothly facilitate another episode of home schooling - with the minimum disruption to family life.

Deciding to move home is a huge decision so it’s wise to ensure you have the right people on your side. As well-respected local Cheshire estate agents with decades of experience, we’re in a prime position to guide you through the sale and/or purchase of a new home.

Contact us for an informal discussion about your requirements: Alderley Edge - 01625 540340, alderley@jackson-stops.co.uk or Hale - 0161 928 8881, hale@jackson-stops.co.uk.

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