Recent data has shown that house prices in the UK are falling at the fastest rate since 2009. After hitting an all-time high in November 2022, house prices across the country are now declining, and some experts fear that this decline could last for the foreseeable future as interest rates on mortgages have increased. While a complete crash is unlikely, homeowners are still likely to be affected if house prices continue to fall.

The Nationwide House Price Index showed that average house prices decreased by 3.8% annually based on July’s data. The falling prices mean that the average UK home is now worth 4.5% less than in August of last year. While this might sound good for those looking to get on the property ladder, the drop is actually caused by potential buyers being unable to afford mortgages as interest rates rise.

How Homeowners Can Minimise the Impact of Falling Prices

The issue that most homeowners are now facing is that their mortgage payments have increased significantly. While the loss of value of their homes might be an issue in the long term, it’s usually not felt unless they’re looking to sell. However, higher mortgage payments are already apparent and have left many homeowners across the UK feeling the pinch.

As a result of having a higher cost of living, many people in the UK have struggled over the past year. However, homeowners have been hit particularly hard. Homes still need regular maintenance too, which can be expensive. Thankfully, DIY projects can be very cost-effective, and it’s possible to use sites like RS to purchase high-quality tools such as self-tapping screws without blowing your budget.

Aside from reducing home improvement costs, homeowners can look to save money in other areas too. Reducing overall household spending is key, and if absolutely necessary, it could even be a good idea to rent out spare space if you have it. With house prices increasing, rental prices have also increased, meaning you could get good money from renting out a spare room.

Unfortunately, not everyone has a spare room, so it may be necessary to look at remortgaging or switching your mortgage to interest only. Remortgaging could help you reduce the cost of repayments, although you’ll likely need to increase the length of the mortgage. Switching to interest only will mean you reduce the payments but aren’t paying off the actual capital of the home.

The Future of the Property Market in the UK

While the news headlines may look bad, they’re not necessarily an indicator of a major crash or long-term falling prices. Provided interest rates come back down, we should see a steady increase in house prices once more as the market corrects. From time to time, property prices may fall, though it doesn’t always spell doom and gloom.

While the property market suffered a bad crash in 2008, this was mostly due to lenders giving our capital without proper checks in place. Since then, rules on lending have been tightened to ensure greater stability in the market. In addition, data shows that the number of people falling behind on mortgage payments hasn’t increased significantly over the past year, and the number of property repossessions is less than a tenth of what it was following the 2008 financial crash.

There are some that also feel as though falling prices could be a good thing. Property has become largely unaffordable for younger generations, and better supply-side planning could help the UK property market move away from a boom-bust cycle and instead remain stable. This would also help increase the number of new properties being built and allow more people to get onto the property ladder.

Marketing is an essential part of any business that wants to gain and retain clients. The real estate sector is no exception, and being a competitive industry where success depends on persuading potential buyers and sellers, effective marketing strategies can make all the difference. Here are 5 tips to help you effectively market your real estate business.

Use brochures to your advantage
Brochures are a simple, yet effective marketing tool that can help you showcase your properties and services. Whilst brochures are a traditional form of marketing for some industries, they’ve become evergreen in the real estate space because of how well they can visually display properties and subsequent services.

Brochures for company presentation and real estate marketing are an excellent way to give potential clients an overview of what you have to offer. Just make sure to use high-quality photos of your best properties when you print brochures. But, don’t waste all of the brochure space on detailed amenity descriptions of the property – save some space for information about your services. This will help give a call of action to convert leads into clients.

Leverage social media
Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, can be powerful marketing tools for any business. But, it’s an underused tool for real estate agents, in part because there’s a lack of engagement when positing boring and standard property listings.

Instead, use your social media more creatively. You can create engaging and unique video content (such as a well-edited showcase of a luxury property), using influencers, and even post about market news to show that you’re an authority within the industry. TikTok is currently king of engagement.

Furthermore, you can use social media to engage with your customers as a point of contact. Being readily available on Facebook or LinkedIn chat, for example, can improve customer service and satisfaction.

In addition to posting your own content, you should also make an effort to engage with your followers by responding to comments and questions, and re-sharing relevant content from other sources.

Invest in a professional website
Some services, for example a taxi service, can make do with an average website. Unfortunately, real estate is not one of them. Presentation is of the utmost importance when selling property, and having a well-designed website can help you establish credibility, showcase your properties and services, and provide potential clients with a convenient way to contact you.

When designing your website, make sure to include high-quality photos of your properties (but equally ensure they’re compressed so page speeds are optimal), as well as catchy copy. Don’t dive straight into showcasing properties, but when you do, make sure there are sufficient pictures and descriptions along with a call to action.

In addition to your website, you should also consider creating a separate landing page for each of your properties. This can help you market each individual property more effectively and provide potential buyers with all the information they need to make an informed decision. For example, linking to them with social media posts.

Email marketing
Email marketing can be a highly effective way to reach potential clients in the real estate sector. However, cold emails aren’t very effective, so make sure you’re using these mostly for existing customers.

And, real estate is perfect for email listings and reaching out to existing clients. This is because the process of buying and selling can take a long time – months, and sometimes years. Within this time, you have the chance to update clients (using their preferences and needs) on specific property listings or services they may be interested in.

By sending targeted emails to a list of interested individuals, you can showcase your properties and services, as well as provide valuable information about the home-buying process.

Most of your efforts at first should be spent on accumulating a large email list. You can do so by asking them to opt-in to marketing emails when creating an account on the website among other techniques.

Focus on local SEO
Local SEO, or search engine optimization, can be a powerful marketing tool for real estate professionals. By optimizing your website and online presence for local search terms, you can increase the visibility of your business to potential clients in your area.

The returns on SEO take a while to realize, but they’re long-lasting. Once you gain domain authority, backlinks, and site credibility, this isn’t going anywhere – all future pages will be easier to rank highly from here on.

To effectively optimize your local SEO, you should focus on including relevant local keywords on your website, such as the name of your city or neighborhood. But more than just optimizing listings and landing pages, you should consider creating a regular blog.

Finally, ensure you’re included in as many directories as possible. Let Google (and Maps) know your business and all subsequent information – and the same with online review sites.

Final word
In conclusion, marketing is an essential part of any real estate business. By utilizing tools such as brochures, social media, a professional website, email marketing, and local SEO, you can effectively showcase your properties and services to potential clients and stand out in a competitive industry.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Bellway Kent has given students at North Kent College a project, to design its new showhome in Ebbsfleet Garden City.

The students have been briefed to plan the interior of the four-bedroom Bowyer showhome at Alkerden Heights, off Castle Hill Road, which is due to open to the public in late spring next year.

The project has a £45,000 budget and the students will work alongside professional interior designers to finalise the scheme, as well as visiting the development to see work in progress, to bring to life the concept of creating new homes and preparing the students for the world of work.

Yasmin Graham, Sales Manager for Bellway Kent, was part of a team which attended the college’s Dartford campus on Wednesday 19 October to brief the students on the project.

Bellway Kent’s Technical Manager, Tom Jones, also asked the students to design a layout for the new sales office which is due to open when the development launches in November.

Yasmin said: “We are very excited about this link-up with the students at North Kent College. It was great to be able to be part of the team that went into the college to brief the students and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

“The students were very receptive and were incredibly engaged with the proposed project. The Bowyer is a beautiful double-fronted detached family home and it will be really interesting to see what these young designers come up with. There is a lot of space inside so there is the room for the students to get creative and imaginative.    

“As a socially responsible developer we are not only focused on delivering much-needed new homes but are also committed to creating local jobs as well as developing the skills and talents of the future workforce.

“This collaboration with North Kent College is yet another example of how we actively engage with and support the local community where we are building.”

Alkerden Heights will deliver 182 new homes on an 11-acre parcel of land within Alkerden Village, part of the former Eastern Quarry site. The development will feature 136 homes for private purchase and the remaining 46 provided as affordable homes available for local people through rent or shared ownership.

The first homes will be released for sale on 19 November, when the development launches to the public from an off site event at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel in Dartford.

Tom said: “With a space as relatively small as a sales office, you might not think that there is much thought that needs to be taken over its look and layout. But there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration, which include the provision of natural light and the effective use of available space, without losing sight of the fact that it must create a pleasing and welcoming environment for both the sales team working there and the customers who visit.

“It will be very illuminating and informative to see what the students will bring, with a fresh approach and novel perspective. We feel that we may be able to learn a good deal from them and look forward to their input.”

Ebbsfleet Garden City is a regeneration project that is set to provide 15,000 new homes and create more than 30,000 jobs on a huge area around Ebbsfleet International railway station.  

The Eastern Quarry portion of Ebbsfleet Garden City comprises Alkerden and the neighbouring villages of Ashmere and Castle Hill and will deliver around 6,000 of the total number of homes once complete.

For more information about Alkerden Heights call the sales team on 01987 640049 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/kent/alkerden-heights.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

All but 10 homes have now been sold at Bellway North East’s landmark new development on a former Ministry of Defence (MOD) site in Killingworth.

Once complete, Moorfields will feature a collection of 427 new homes on land off Whitehouse Drive.

The developer is delivering a range of three, four and five-bedroom houses for sale on derelict land formerly used as a depot by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

All five-bedroom properties have been purchased and there are now just a selection of three and four-bedroom houses still to be reserved.

The Killingworth development hit the headlines after it featured on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, with Bellway giving away a £260,000 three-bedroom home on the site to a deserving local family.

The house was the biggest prize the prime-time show had ever offered and saw the programme become the most-watched TV show of 2020 at the time, with an average audience of 7.3 million and a peak of 8.4 million viewers.

Emma Chesterton, Sales Director at Bellway North East, said: “This represents the last chance for buyers to secure a top-quality new home on this very popular development on the outskirts of Newcastle. There are just six homes currently available, with a further four properties including the showhome due to be released onto the market soon.

“These homes are ideal for growing families, people downsizing after they have retired or their adult children have moved out and for buyers who need extra space to use for working from home. Bellway has been awarded five-star builder status for the sixth year in a row, which means that house-hunters can be reassured that the properties we are selling offer high specifications and a superb finish.” 

As part of the planning agreement with North Tyneside Council, Bellway is contributing £683,000 to local schools, £120,000 towards road improvements, £61,000 to health facilities and £58,000 to local parks.

Emma said: “We are very proud of the fact that we have delivered hundreds of much-needed new homes to the local area and transformed a derelict brownfield site into a vibrant new community. In addition to this, our financial contributions of more than £900,000 to the local authority will provide a significant investment in local services and infrastructure for the benefit of new and existing residents.

“Moorfields is ideally located as it is just five miles from Newcastle city centre and has easy access to the A1 and A19. Families have been attracted here by the number of well-regarded schools nearby and the popular Lakeside Centre, which is just a five-minute drive away.”

Bellway has retained its five-star status with the Home Builders Federation (HBF) because more than 90 per cent of customers surveyed said they would recommend the housebuilder to a friend or family member.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Odevo, the property management group that launched in the UK earlier this year, has acquired Trinity Property Group as it continues its rapid growth trajectory.

Odevo was formed when leading UK managing agent Rendall & Rittner joined forces with Swedish based Nabo and SBC. UK-based Premier Estates and Finnish Companies MTR and STIO also became part of the group. Together they aim to challenge the industry and harness the power of technology and the highest standards of customer service to become the leading force in property management and residential services internationally. 

Trinity Property Group manages in excess of 95,000 homes across England and Wales with an additional 55,000 committed to management, making it one of the UK’s largest residential property management companies. Its annual revenue of £20 million and 320 employees brings the Odevo group annual revenue to £134 million and 1,700 employees. Together the Odevo companies manage a portfolio of more than half a million homes.

Odevo was created to improve the experience of property management for residents through better technology and customer service. Putting technology at the heart of its business and investing heavily in developing a platform tailored for the UK management market.

Jonathan Smith, CEO of Trinity Property Group, comments: “We are delighted to become part of the growing Odevo group, which will allow us to continue to improve service delivery for our customers and clients. Changes in legislation and advancements in technology and communication have placed a great deal of pressure on managing agents. At Trinity, we continue to invest in ensuring we keep up with changes in compliance to protect our end users, as well as improving our IT systems to make communication more efficient and user friendly. By becoming part of Odevo, we look forward to enhancing the customer experience further.”

Odevo aims to continue its strong trend of growth in the future, both organically and by attracting additional companies from Europe and worldwide to join the group. It is currently present in three markets in Europe – Sweden, UK and Finland – but has aspirations for future expansion worldwide, including into the USA. The group is backed by Swedish investment company Fidelio.

In the UK, founding partner Rendall & Rittner is already witnessing the boost that joining Odevo is bringing to its business. Reflecting its growing role in the Odevo group, the company has restructured its senior board with Duncan Rendall becoming Rendall & Rittner Group Chairman as well as Chairman of the Odevo UK board, and CFO Parimal Patel also becoming CFO for Odevo UK. Richard Daver becomes Rendall & Rittner Group CEO and a board member of Odevo UK, and Catherine Riva becomes CEO of Rendall & Rittner Ltd. 

Duncan Rendall, Group Chairman of Rendall & Rittner and Odevo UK Chairman, commented: “We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues at Trinity Property Group to Odevo, another like-minded business that can see the far-reaching benefits of harnessing technology to improve standards of service. Like them, we are a people focused business, and our investments in technology will significantly improve the customer experience and our support to clients putting us at the forefront of the industry. And as the Odevo group continues to grow, we will collaborate and drive change to make this industry stronger together.”

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Celebrating the best conceptual and eco-friendly construction ideas, the Kevin McCloud Green Heroes lead the way with innovative, useful, revolutionary gadgets and products. Personally selecting his top green heroes, Kevin has revealed his shortlist for 2022 with the winners displaying their products at Grand Designs Live at NEC Birmingham from the 5th to the 9th October 2022. 

Kevin’s new Green Heroes comprise innovations that conserve wildlife such as insects and bees, use recycled materials, and help to make eco-choices more affordable, and will be displayed throughout the 5-day show in a dedicated showcase. All entries on the shortlist are taking strides forward in developing products for the future that will have an impact on our lives, as well as the planet. 

Vestre Habitat Leaf 

‘Leaf’ is an insect hotel, designed for urban neighbourhoods. Its minimalist design has a sculpture-like character to sit within planters, flowerbeds or borders. ‘Leaf’ is part of the Vestre Habitats series, with products designed to protect and increase biodiversity in cities. 

Alvearium 

Handcrafted bee houses provide shelter for solitary bees. The design pairs a delicate aesthetic with a strong environmental function, with log discs creating nests for individual bees, protecting them from weather and prey. 

PepperSq – Bell pendant lamp 

A new collection of lights handcrafted from recycled cardboard. These elegant lamps provide warm, intimate, and functional lighting for any occasion or space. 

Lakeland paints 

Air Purifying Paint is a protective finish that dries to a hard, washable, durable film. Ideal for interior or exterior walls, furniture, and trim, including use in kitchens and bathrooms. This paint absorbs and neutralises chemicals, pollutants and VOCs for improved indoor air quality. 

Kelp Collection

Combining recycled fishing nets with wood fibre to create 3D printed chair designs. The products can stay within the same material ecosystem once they reach the end of their life-cycle. They can be ground down to create new bio-materials to be reused again and again, creating entirely new objects within a closed design loop. 

Snug Chair 

Designer Olivia Ricketts uses felt to express the beauty of aging within the chair design, this product encourages us to keep furniture longer. 

Teule 

Providing a modular roof tile system to make green roofs more accessible, affordable, and widely used. Made from coconut fibre, its installation is similar to a conventional tile.

Pureair 

A sustainable zero waste air purification system, harnessing the natural power of plants and activated substrates, maximising home working productivity. The designer is a recent Graduate at New Designers. 

Floc 

A recycled wool light, using hyper-sustainable recycled wool. Adding value to the fibres and promote the forgotten industry. 

Aura 

A light made of live mycelium, a sustainable and biodegradable material create from fungi. 

The showcase will also include a selection of Kevin’s favourite Green Heroes shown at Grand Designs Live at London Excel in May 2022: 

Bubble Shower by Kelda Showers – highly efficient showers using 50% less water, leading to energy and water savings. 

Heated Desk by OKOFORM – cost saving, energy saving solution to heat the desk user.

Acoustic Pulp by Baux – 100% bio-based material combining sound absorption, safety and durability with sustainability and modern aesthetics. 

For further information on Kevin’s Green Heroes visit https://www.granddesignslive.com/whats on/kevins-green-heroes 

Grand Designs Live is a must-visit for those looking to find information on and learn about the world of interiors, home design, self and custom build. Hosted by TV presenter and design guru Kevin McCloud and featuring a compelling line-up of industry experts, TV personalities and design experts, including James Strawbridge, Kunle Barker, Max McMurdo, and Jess Grizzle on the Grand Designs Magazine Theatre and the brand-new interiors stage.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Construction work has passed a key milestone at a Vistry Group location in Bexhill-on-Sea, where more than half of the new homes have now been built.

Vistry has so far completed 103 of the 200 new homes it is delivering under the Bovis Homes brand at The Gateway in Wrestwood Road.

When complete, the development will include 140 new homes for private sale and 60 affordable properties. The housebuilder has handed over 58 of the private homes and 45 of the affordable properties at the site.

Millie Groves, marketing manager for Vistry Kent, said: “Construction work is progressing extremely well at The Gateway where we have now passed the halfway mark.

“There has been strong demand from a wide variety of buyers which has seen us sell 96 out of the 140 private homes so far.

“The excellent progress in the building schedule has seen us compete 45 of the 60 affordable properties and all of these new homes have new residents living in them. We have also handed over the keys to 58 of the private homes where buyers have moved in.

“This is a very popular development and it is great to see a vibrant new community already taking shape. This organic process will continue as we welcome more and more new residents to the site.

“The buyers here have been a real mixture of local people and purchasers from further afield. People who already live in the area are delighted to be able to secure a new home without having to move away from family and friends. 

“We have also had a number of buyers moving here from the South London area. Many are people who are now working from home permanently, which means they don’t have to commute into central London each day. They are realising they can get more for their money here and are embracing the slower pace of life out by the coast.

“The two and three-bedroom homes have attracted first-time buyers and retiring downsizers while the four and five-bedroom properties are proving to be perfect for growing families who need more space. The proximity of a number of well-regarded schools nearby is important to parents while the fact that the beach is just a mile away is a plus point for just about everyone.”

Construction started at the development in autumn 2019 and is due to be competed at the end of 2023.

There’s currently a selection of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes at The Gateway available to reserve, with prices starting at £289,995.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Abode, award-winning designer and distributor of market leading kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps & showering solutions is excited to announce its Agilis Single Lever Mixer Tap has made the Product Innovation Shortlist at the esteemed Designer Awards 2022.

Part of the Contemporary Kitchen Taps Collection by Abode, the Agilis Single Lever tap is specially designed to transcend generations owing to its highly inclusive contemporary design, and alternative functionality options, which cater to a multi-generational home and lifestyle. Featuring a sweeping L shape body with knurled aerator collar, the Agilis handle is located on the front of the tap body to reduce reach and provide agile movement via a single lever. With just a flick of a wrist, users will be able to operate the water flow: ideal if you are prepping food, have dirty hands or suffer from dexterity problems.

The winners will be announced on 25th November 2022, at Old Billingsgate London as this year’s Designer Awards, and mark 20 years of showcasing the very best of residential and commercial kitchens, bathrooms, and architectural design projects from around the world.

Leanne Adamson, Marketing Manager at Abode adds, “Every member of the Abode family can see that our drive for excellence and desire to serve the KBB industry to the highest possible standards, is being recognised by the best of the best in architecture and interior design. It is fantastic to see that our unique and creative approach grounded in extensive market research, field trials and rigorous product testing is valued by end users and the design community alike.”

Paul Illingworth, Design Manager at Abode says, “Our commitment to innovation and practicality is at the heart of our design philosophy, delivering the ultimate in safe, user-friendly solutions which are attuned to the needs of today’s multigeneration homes. Inclusivity is therefore inspiring next-level product development in the kitchen, with focus on how a tap can deliver water more efficiently without compromising on style or user safety. In fact, there is now high demand for person-centered home experiences so products like our Agilis mixer tap continue to futureproof the wash zone and deliver all-inclusive design and maneuverability.”

Designed for ultimate ease of use, the Agilis reduces reach making it simpler to access the tap handle and key features include its unique, inclusive design, 120° tap rotation, minimum 0.75 bar pressure, single flow characteristics and 5-year warranty. Simply watch the Agilis informational video on the Abode YouTube Channel to find out more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7II8Lo6Bdk

Leanne adds, “We wish every brand, business and industry professional who is shortlisted at the Designer Awards the very best of luck and look forward to a wonderful evening!”

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Ashberry Homes has completed all 401 homes at its Elizabeth Gardens development in Rochford. Residents have now moved into the final completed properties following the conclusion of construction work at the site.

Located off Hall Road on the western edge of the town, the development includes a range of two, three, four, and five-bedroom homes.

It was delivered as part of a larger project that saw Ashberry Homes join forces with fellow homebuilder Bellway to deliver a total of 620 homes, of which 219 were built by Bellway at its Eastbury Park development next door.

Jenny Walker, Sales Director for Ashberry Homes, said: “This partnership has significantly increased the provision of housing in Rochford through the delivery of more than 600 new homes in the town

“There was a noticeably high demand for more housing in the area which was reflected by the large volume of enquiries received by our sales team. Such was the popularity of the development that the final homes for sale here were reserved off plan in March, several months ahead of construction work being completed.

“The varied mix of house types has enabled buyers at various stages of the property ladder to find a home here and this has helped to create a diverse neighbourhood with people of different ages and backgrounds. Now that the keys to all the homes have been handed over to their respective buyers, we can see a thriving community starting to bloom.”

As part of the planning agreement for the wider 620-home scheme, Ashberry Homes and Bellway have contributed more than £6.1 million towards education in the local area.

They have also provided around £395,000 for healthcare, £60,000 towards local conservation, £496,000 for highways, and £15,000 towards measures to improve air quality.

To find out more about developments being built by Ashberry Homes, visit ashberryhomes.co.uk.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Groundwork has officially started for the development of 36 affordable flats in Bellahouston by AS Homes (Scotland) in partnership with Home Group. Located at the former Bellahouston Academy site, the new development will see the transformation of the school’s former gymnasium and swimming pool facilities to build a mix of sustainable one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats. 

Spanning a 0.7 acre site, the vibrant new development has been designed to compliment the local surroundings and bring a fresh yet well-suited ambience to the area, including an on-site car park, cycle stores and a community playpark for families and children to enjoy.

The development has been Secure By Design Gold Accredited and modelled to accommodate varying occupier needs. Supporting the area’s wider net zero ambitions, the energy-efficient homes meet Glasgow’s gold hybrid standard for suitability. 

Kieran Sexton, Commercial Director at AS Homes Scotland, said: “My team and I are delighted to have been appointed to deliver 36 innovative new homes in Glasgow. Formerly used as an educational campus, this site has a lot of potential and we’re delighted that it is being used to bring more affordable properties to the area. As the demand for affordable housing continues to grow, it is important that we do our part to ensure that our homes are available to those in need. 

“We’re extremely optimistic about this project and the difference that it will make to the local area. It will be rewarding to see this development progress and enhance the local area as it nears completion.” 

Andrew Campbell, Development and Delivery Manager at Home Group, said: “It’s great to be working in partnership with AS Homes Scotland to add to our existing portfolio of affordable homes in Glasgow. This project will play a key role in further strengthening Bellahouston’s offering as an attractive and affordable place to live and we’re delighted that work is underway.”

The new development is due for completion in August 2023. 

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News