Elated

A team representing local group 4agreenhouse completed 2012 Swimathon in aid of Marie Curie on Sunday, and are on target to raise £500 for the cancer charity. Richard Baker (David Baker & Company), Ben Mott (Motts Insurance) Wesley Drew and John Colderley (both 4agreenhouse) took part in the swim and completed the 5km distance in just over 40 minutes will aim to take part in more events over the coming months for local charitable causes. Donations can still be made here http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=389063&langPref=en-CA.

March may have seen an increase in buyers looking at houses in Wales but estate agents are not optimistic about the future of the market.
 
A report released today tues by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) suggests the unusually warm weather and a rush of first-time buyers trying to beat a stamp duty deadline gave the housing market a boost last month.
 
New buyer inquiries edged up in March, with 4% more estate agents in Wales reporting increases rather than decreases in demand.
 
RICS chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: “Demand saw a slight boost in March as many first-time buyers looked to beat the stamp duty holiday deadline.
 
“There has been a gentle increase in activity across the market in the early part of the year but it remains to be seen whether this can continue, given the changes in the Budget and ongoing problems affecting the economy.”
 
David Baker of David Baker & Co Ltd, in the Vale of Glamorgan, told RICS: “The market is improving, we had more viewings and sales over the last four weeks than for a number of years, and more houses coming onto the market.
 
“[There are] very good signs of an improvement happening.”
 
Estate agents in Wales were also reporting an increase in people putting their homes on the market, with 3% more estate agents in Wales reporting increases rather than decreases in new instructions.
 
Surveyors in Wales are now reporting the highest levels of stock with an average of around 108 properties each, up from around 95 two months ago.
 
However, new enquiries and new properties on the market may not have translated into sales, with 4% more estate agents seeing levels of newly agreed sales fall over the past three months, with an average of around 14 sales per surveyor in Wales over the past three months.
 
Realistic pricing was seen as the key to selling a property in the current climate.
 
Delyth Davies, from Clee Tomkinson Francis, Carmarthen, said: “Reality is dawning with some vendors – realistically priced properties are attracting good interest and sales are being agreed. Long may it continue.”
 
Prices appear to still be on a downward trend with 19% more estate agents report prices falling than rising, although this a much smaller gap than in previous months.
 
Estate agents in Wales are most likely to be pessimistic about future sales, with 8% more thinking they are going to fall than rise, a much more downbeat assessment than the previous two months where rising sales were predicted.
 
Around 24% more estate agents are predicting future price falls than anticipating rises, with the lack of lending by the banks attracting the blame for the slow market.
 
David K Jones, of Jones & Redfearn, in Rhyl, Denbighshire, said: “Unlike petrol stations we haven’t got people queuing up to buy houses but this is not because they don’t want to, rather because as for the last two years banks are still hoarding their money.
 
“Nonetheless, activity in general is increasing through realism from sellers.
 
“First time buyers still need help with deposits and until then the market will remain as lukewarm as a non-VATable pasty.”
 
Kelvin Francis from Kelvin Francis Ltd, Cardiff, agreed the lack of first time buyers was causing problems.
 
He said: “[There is] still strong demand for traditional three-bedroom semi-detached properties, but the difficulties first-time buyers in particular are having, is holding back the market.
 
“General optimism among buyers is good but the recent budget was disappointing in ways to stimulate finances for the market.”

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/04/10/estate-agents-remain-pessimistic-despite-rise-in-house-sales-last-month-91466-30724715/#ixzz1riKmoiMv

David Baker & Company and Foxy's Deli have joined forces to give new homeowners a true local welcome. Customers who buy a house from the Penarth Estate Agent will receive a welcome hamper from Foxy's Deli containing a selection of locally sourced treats. The first recipient was Sharon Vye-Parminter, and Sian Fox, owner of Foxy’s Deli hopes that many more will follow. ‘It’s such a perfect way to introduce people, who have moved to Penarth for the first time, to the great local suppliers the area has to offer, and it’s always worth reminding those who have lived in the area for years. We include a range of produce that we have available at the deli, along with a copy of the Penarth Times and a Shop In Penarth loyalty card.’ David Baker agrees, adding ‘as someone who feels strongly about supporting local suppliers, I was very keen to form this link between ourselves and Foxy’s and I think this is a lovely way to start people off in their new home.

David Baker & Company are reporting a busy festive period, reporting fifteen agreed sales in the last nine weeks to 2nd February, more than any other Penarth agent.

The results reflect a busy period in general for Penarth in a time that would traditionally be seen as quiet, with seventy registered sales agreed across all agents. As suggested by David Baker last week 'This is a good time to buy whether you are a first time buyer or wanting to buy a bigger property as the family grow up. Buying a property is still one of the best investments you can make'.

Confidence in the business remains high for a stable local property market in 2012.

The news article below comes from the Press Association as the Land Registry report a 1.3% decline in average house prices. Penarth continues to remain stable however and we are confident that the market will continue in this manner in 2012.

House prices fall 1.3% year-on-year

Official figures have revealed a fall in house prices and the number of sales

There were further signs of deterioration in the housing market on Monday when official figures revealed falls in prices and the number of sales.

The Land Registry said the average price of a house fell 1.3% to £160,384 last month compared to the same period a year ago, although the figure was unchanged from November.

And it also revealed a 6% decline in completions in October, the most recent month for which figures are available, bringing to an end two months of rises. There was a 10% fall in the number of million-pound properties sold. The figures will fuel fears that the weak state of the economy and banks lending less money were hurting the market.

London, which has been supported by strong demand from overseas buyers, was the only part of the UK to avoid an annual decline in prices, with a rise of 2.8% to £345,298.

The North East saw the biggest annual decline, of 7.1% to £99,464, compounded by a 1.9% fall between November and December. There were also significant annual falls for Wales, the North West and West Midlands, while the South East saw a decline of just 0.2%.

The figures come after a study by property analyst Hometrack revealed that house prices have failed to record any monthly increase for a year and a half.

House prices remained flat in January, following a 0.2% decrease in both December and November, the survey of 1,500 agents and surveyors found. It reported a slow start to the year generally, with 10.5% fewer new buyers registering with agents compared with December, 5.4% fewer properties listed and 14.3% fewer sales agreed.

Howard Archer, chief economist at IHS Global Insight, believes prices will fall 5% in 2012 amid low wage growth, rising unemployment and "major concerns over the economic outlook".

He predicted that banks' ability to lend may be hit by difficulties in money markets but said the squeeze on consumers' incomes should start to ease in the second half of the year as inflation falls, which could help prices stabilise towards the end of the year.

He added: "However, unemployment is likely to rise appreciably further and wage growth looks set to remain muted so the overall environment will still be very tough for households."

The recognisable David Baker & Company sale boards are about to undergo a change to bring them into line with the new company branding. The change is part of a long line of rebranding that began in December 2011 and will give us a fresh new look. The boards and branding have been designed by local design agency Celf Creative and we believe they reflect the professional and honest service we offer in every aspect of the property business in Penarth, Sully, Llandough and Dinas Powys.

Look out for them when you are out and about in the area!

We featured twice in local publications this week, with a news story in the Penarth Times and a double page spread in the Penarth View. Thanks to both publications for supporting local businesses, and if you havn't seen the story yet, here it is....

Richard Baker joins David Baker & Company

Penarth Estate Agent David Baker & Company has welcomed a new member of the team with the appointment of Richard Baker, son of company founder David Baker. Richard joins from his previous Marketing position at Brains, Wales’ leading independent brewer and hospitality retailer. He will be combining his new role at David Baker & Company with completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Surveying from the College of Estate Management over the next year and a half.

‘I’m delighted to be on board, I’m new to the industry and having been at Brains for 10 years I’m going to have to find my feet pretty quickly. We’ve had a good couple of months and I’m looking to build on that, and the excellent reputation David Baker & Company has for honesty and professionalism. There is a great team in place here and there are a few initiatives I’ll be looking to implement in the business over the next few months. We are now operating on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, have enhanced our packages on Rightmove and the Guild of Professional Estate Agents and are also refreshing our copy and photography for houses we have on the market. I’m excited for what the future has to offer and look forward to working with Liz, Claire, Craig and my father.’ Richard Baker

David Baker, founded in 1969, offers over forty years of experience and maintains a personal but professional service for anyone looking to buy or sell a property, in all parts of the property market.
‘It’s good to have Richard on board to compliment our young and efficient team. He is well versed with new technologies and advertising opportunities and having been brought up in Penarth he has a good knowledge of the area. I’m looking forward to him adding some fresh ideas to our growing business.’  David Baker

Independent Expertise

As Independent Estate Agents, we are experts in your local area and are an integral part of the communities we serve. We are best placed to advise you about the local environment, provide you with accurate valuations and notify you of specific market trends affecting local property prices and sales. Our businesses really do succeed or fail by the quality of the service we provide, and be our ability to successfully deliver sales at the best possible price.

We understand that choosing the right Estate Agent, pricing your home correctly and ensuring your home is presented in the best possible light can really help to sell your home quickly and effectively.

London & International Market

Not all of your buyers will be from the local area! Many London and International buyers are interested in second homes or investment properties around the country and you may have just the property they are looking for!

Guild Members are able to provide you with access to the lucrative National and International market through our prestigious showrooms on London's Park Lane using state of the art technology to display your properties professionally.

High Quality Marketing

Guild Members are committed to regular, widespread, high-quality marketing, that enhances the location and character of your home, whilst providing a wide selection of property for sale to the National market place. Giving you the best chance of achieving the result you want in the shortest possible time.

Code of Conduct

Members of the Guild are ethical, professional and adhering to a Code of Conduct - providing you with quality assurance of their service, a valuable reassurance.