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SCOTT RAMSEY Manager at Stags Estate agents
Scott Ramsey became manager of Stag’s Dartmouth branch earlier this year. Here he talks exclusively to By The Dart about his agency and reflects on the health and trends in the local property market:
Where are you from? I was born and raised in Poole, Dorset and have worked for many years in estate agency largely in the Canford Cliffs and Sandbanks areas of Poole (both waterside markets). I moved to join Stags in Totnes about two years ago before moving here to Dart- mouth. I live just outside Halwell so I enjoy my easy commute!
What surprised you about the local market? I was surprised by how many proper- ties are second homes and the spread of where people live around the UK who own them. I can understand how people fall in love with Dartmouth as it’s absolutely stunning here. I don’t have to sell the area as such, just explain it! i.e. living here is different to being on holiday. Dartmouth being ‘alive‘ all year round is important to buyers especially as we see more sec- ond home owners buying with a long term view to retiring to the area.
How does the market look from Stags viewpoint? Currently, 70% of stag’s home sales are as second homes. This is probably a typical ratio for many local estate agents whereas agencies across other parts of Devon show a different pat- tern with more predictable seasonal peaks and troughs in activity. The Dartmouth market can be significant- ly impacted by external factors such as broader macro-economic confi- dence e.g. Brexit, the election etc. Many second home vendors let their homes as holiday homes. In a sluggish market, they might hold out longer for their desired price as they can still earn an income from the
home. Buyers who are looking for a second home don’t have the same urgency to buy because of changed family circumstances or perhaps a new job. They too will hold out to buy the right property for them at the right price. These two pressures can slow up the market considerably particularly at certain price bands and when there’s a degree of general uncertainty.
Currently, 70% of
Stag’s home sales are as second homes.
In Dartmouth, having a sea or river
view, good parking either as a garage or space at the property or nearby or being able to offer easy level-access to the centre of town can all have a disproportionate impact on price and demand and ultimately how easy they sell. These special factors don’t weigh so heavily on the local villages where you’ve seen us putting in more effort recently – there’s plenty of buy- ers looking for something more rural yet still within easy reach of the town and its lifestyle. That said villages with a shop, post office and pub etc will always be more popular. There’s much interest in Kingswear
– for us, it’s a hidden gem and we’d like to do more transactions - there are many bonuses for someone who wants to be close to the town but can easily ‘escape’ back across the river.
What are Stags’ unique selling points? Stags is the longest established agent in the area with the biggest regional network and a London presence. We have positioned ourselves as
FOR SALE
waterside specialists (e.g. offer a tar- geted special magazine for waterside properties). Our London office gives us direct access to many potential buyers and the wide agency network across the South West will often drive referrals to the Dartmouth office. These might be second home buyers in London looking for a place by the sea anywhere across the South West or perhaps clients of our Exeter office looking to move out of the city to the coast after retiring. Our local knowledge and service is
Strete
key to our business. Buyers often look to us to help educate them about the area. If they’re looking at using their home as a business e.g. as a holiday home, or looking to retire here, then there’s a lot we can do to help them evaluate what’s best for them. We see a high number of buyers that will want to leverage their new property as a holiday let and we can help them review if that will work well.
FOR SALE
Dartmouth
A 1920’s former detached vicarage w a family bathroom, 4 reception rooms Panoramic views over Start Bay. Outs swimming pool, double garage, and o Guide Price: £975,000
s T
What do you think are the propsects for the local market? We have had less property coming on to the market this past year because of economic uncertainty be it Brexit or the election. Some vendors are adopting a wait and see approach of- ten because there may be no external imperative to sell or they want to hit a certain price point. This lack of supply has been a constant feature through- out the year but the buyers are still out there. Many are cash buyers and, for those that can afford it, it’s never been cheaper to borrow. The internet has created alot of market transpar- ency so both buyers and vendors are much more savvy nowadays. We have sold property across the
Guide Price: £339,950 LET Blackawton
A south facing attached character of town. This two bedroom propert gardens and garage and views over D
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