Realistic rental valuations can help to avoid bidding wars in a pressurised market…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
Local agents should be in tune with the market, says Belvoir
Realistic rental valuations can help to avoid bidding wars in a pressurised market…
Whilst dramatic rental increases and tenant demand in London are said to be increasing the pressure on the private rental sector, and with further rent rises predicted by Christmas, Belvoir Lettings insists that realistic valuations and specialist knowledge of local markets can help to prevent bidding wars and fulfill landlord expectations.
Belvoir MD Dorian Gonsalves says: “Belvoir has over 140 offices nationwide and I think it is important to get a sense of what is going on in regions beyond the M25 corridor. Across the country we are seeing a modest rather than dramatic increase in rents, which is improving yields, but house prices are continuing to fall and there is a clear demand for rental properties from tenants who are choosing to enter or remain within the private rental sector because of lack of access to mortgage facilities or insecurity about jobs.
“The latest statistics from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) show that more than 17% of English property stock, or one in every six homes, is now within the private rented sector (PRS) - an increase from 16.4% in 2009 and up 229,000 in number. Since 2000, the number of properties in the PRS, which currently stands at 3.9 million, has risen by 1.8 million, reflecting the shift in housing tenures that England is currently experiencing.
“However, it is not always the highest rent that is the driving force for landlords. A recent survey showed that the majority of landlords would be happier to take a slightly lower rent and retain good quality tenants rather than risk someone who may not look after their property, or pay the rent on time etc.
“A good local agent should be in tune with the demands of the local market, which can fluctuate from month to month, and in doing so accurately predict how much tenants are likely to pay. If an agent under-estimates the valuation they are likely to get a long list of people after the property, but by getting it right they should avoid a bidding war, which may not necessarily be in the landlord’s best interests.
“I would always advise anyone that is considering buying an investment property to seek the advice of a specialist lettings agent prior to purchase so that they can gain free, impartial and expert advice on where property hotspots are, what realistic rental valuations are likely to be and what types of tenants the property is likely to attract.”
ENDS
If you are interested in acquiring a Belvoir franchise telephone:
01476 570000, email franchising belvoirlettings.com or visit www.belvoirfranchise.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
• Belvoir was founded in February 1995 by Mike and Stephanie Goddard. Its Central Office is in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
• Mike was chairman of the bfa for three consecutive years and is currently Director of International Affairs. He also sits on the board of the Property Ombudsman.
• Belvoir is recognised as one of the largest specialist lettings agency franchises in the UK, with 140+ franchises nationwide and aims to have 200 franchises in the next three years.
• Belvoir was officially awarded the Best Lettings Agency Franchise – Gold Award at the 2010 Lettings Agency of the Year Awards in association with The Sunday Times & The Times and, in recognition of the company’s continuing high standards, won Silver at the 2011 Awards.
• Belvoir was named as Brand Builder of the Year at the bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards 2011.
• Belvoir won the Best Marketing Campaign of the Year at the Franchise Marketing Association (FMA) Awards 2011.
• Mike Goddard was named as Business Leader of the Year at the Negotiator Awards 2009 and Belvoir MD Dorian Gonsalves has been shortlisted as a finalist in this category at the 2011 Awards.
For further information, or to request an interview with Dorian Gonsalves, please contact
Andrea McHugh at Headlines Journalism, tel: 01476 567438/07940 930 331
or email: andreaheadlinesjournalism.co.uk | 
