Sponsored Editorial by Aldo Sotgiu, managing director of Wards

Something that we’re finding ourselves asked a lot in our conversations with customers at the moment is 'is now the right time to move?'.

Now, there’s no denying that over the last few months we’ve seen a shift away from the supercharged property market which somewhat bizarrely was borne out of the global pandemic.

However, Liz Truss’ ill-conceived mini budget, back in September, led to the cost-of-living crisis which hit the industry hard as many were forced to re-evaluate their decision to move. This caused real uncertainty around the Bank of England interest rates and resulted in a significant rise in monthly mortgage payments for anybody in the process of buying a new home and for those who were remortgaging or on variable rates.

There is a lot of noise surrounding this in the news but, in spite of that noise, the number of new people still searching for their next home is strong and surpassing predictions. This demand is being driven by the increasing number of new properties coming onto the market.

The number of available homes for sale is way up compared to the same time last year, giving more choice for buyers. Plus, with prices starting to reflect pre-Covid levels we can look forward to a more balanced market for all to enjoy.

Over the last few years, we heard the term 'the new normal' so often but everything I’m seeing at the moment tells me that we now find ourselves in something that looks a lot closer to the old normal - and that’s not a bad place to be.

IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME?

The honest answer is that you’d have likely secured a faster sale, at a higher price, 12 months ago but, it’s important to bear in mind that, the last three years were a complete anomaly, unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my 40 years in the industry.

If you are thinking of selling, there is no sense in waiting for house prices and demand to return to those kinds of levels because the factors that led to the supercharged market, hopefully, won’t ever be replicated again.

Instead, if it is time for you to move forward, it’s important that you find an agent who not only understands the current market but has the experience and the tools to get your home sold in this new-old property market as well.

Wards has been on the high streets of Kent for over 100 years and, in that time, there isn’t a market we haven’t seen.

And, with more properties available, it’s important that your home looks its absolute best, stands out from the competition, and reaches the widest possible audience.

With our specialist departments, dedicated to capturing your home in the best light, and our unique promotion strategy (including an exclusive offering with the top property websites, not available with other agents, and a tried-and-tested open house launch) we can help you secure the best possible price for your property.

What’s more, looking ahead to your move, if, like many, you previously struggled to even view a property before a sale was agreed, it is a really exciting time to move as there are now some fantastic opportunities with a large selection of properties to choose from.

There are lots of good estate agents out there but, in this ever-changing market, it’s critical you find yourself a great one so - when the time is right for you to move, Wards is here to help you do it right.