EU Referendum – 67.9% of Walsall Voters Vote With Their Feet…

EU Referendum - 67.9% of Walsall Voters Vote With Their Feet...
EU Referendum – 67.9% of Walsall Voters Vote With Their Feet…

As most of the polls suggested a Remain Vote, it came as a surprise to most people, including the City. The Sterling has dropped 6% this morning (at time of typing article), after the City Whiz kids got their predictions wrong and MP’s from the Remain camp are using words like “challenging times ahead”.

.. and now the vote has been made .. what next for the 67,280 Walsall homeowners especially the 33,748 of those Walsall homeowners with a mortgage?

The Chancellor in the campaign suggested property prices would drop by 18%. Using Treasury estimates, their method of calculating this was tenuous at best, but focused around the abrupt and hasty increase in UK interest rates, which in turn would raise the cost of mortgages, and therefore lower demand for property, causing a drop in property prices.… and I would agree and say, yes .. that will probably happen.

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1 Bedroom House, Wareham Close, Walsall, WS3 With Yields Of 7.42%.

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A one bedroom on a popular part of the Coalpool area in Walsall. The area’s profile has been raised substantially since major redevelopment and is now a popular choice for rental. The property is well presented and the spec is just what the doctor ordered. I would urge a viewing on this one as soon as possible. The location benefits from being within easy reach of all the major road networks, services and other amenities lending easy access to Walsall, Bloxwich, Pelsall, Willenhall town centres.

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Has the Walsall Property Market bubble finally burst?!

Has the Walsall Property Market bubble finally burst?!
Has the Walsall Property Market bubble finally burst?!

A number of landlords, first time buyers and investors have approached me recently, asking about the Walsall property market.  The common thread in these conversations is the question around all these headlines of massive increases in property values in the UK.  Should we be worried we are about to have a price crash?

I’m not going to proclaim that everything is now hunky dory with our economy but it is now actually looking a lot healthier (compared to the doom and gloom of 2008), and there are signs we are seeing more green shoots confirming an actual recovery after several false starts.

I am of the opinion that over the last few years, whilst mortgages have been a little more difficult to obtain than the last decade of the 2000’s, this lack of mortgages has produced some pent up demand for property.  Now we appear to be on the other side of the financial crisis, and the banks are more willing to lend, this is why sales, prices and first-time buyer numbers have improved so rapidly.    

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3 Bedroom Terraced House, Villiers Street, Walsall, WS1. With Yields Of 6.25%.

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A 3 bedroom terraced house on Villiers street, Walsall, WS1. The property is being marketed by Homepoint (01922 321 043). Unfortunately, the listing lacks photos of the kitchen, bathroom, one of the bedrooms and the rear garden. Of what I can, see the decor needs changing desperately, but I have no idea what state the kitchen or bathroom are in. But as I always say, “That’s what viewings are for”. Marketed at offers of £95000.

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“Great Spec” 2 Bedroom Terraced House, Norfolk New Road, Walsall, WS2. With Yields Of 6.60%.

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A two bedroom terraced house, Norfolk New Road, Walsall, WS2. A great spec on this one and ideally positioned in the Reedswood area of Walsall, close to the Reedswood Way Retail park. There are a large selection of schools locally and many are within a mile distance including the Reedswood E-Act Academy and Castle Business and Enterprise College. Healthcare amenities eg doctors, dentists etc are also nearby. Transport services are very good with bus routes and major road networks adjacent lending easy access to Walsall, Bloxwich and Willenhall. Junction 10 of the M6 is literally about a mile down the road.

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“Fine and Dandy” 2 Bedroom Terraced House, Dandys Walk, Walsall, WS1. With Yields Of 6.00%.

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A traditional two bedroom terraced house in the Caldmore area of Walsall, WS1. A pretty nice spec, however, there will need to be some changes to the decor. The asking price is about average for the type and area. The location is ideal for local schools and the Blue Coat Academy is just a quick walk round the corner. Healthcare amenities such as doctors, dentists and chemists are also within easy each. Transport services are very good with bus routes and major road networks nearby with Walsall town centre on your doorstep. There is double glazing, gas central heating and parking is off-road. I would urge a viewing sooner, rather than later.

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Walsall Letting Agency Fees – Cheap as Chips..??

Walsall Letting Agency Fees - Cheap as Chips..??
Walsall Letting Agency Fees – Cheap as Chips..??

I went out to a rental valuation a few days ago in Parkhall, Walsall and, as I always do, did my preparation on the property, the area and suitable tenants.  I introduced myself but, before I could begin speaking, he said “How much then? What are your fees?”.  Now don’t get me wrong, the subject comes up pretty much most of the time but not usually that quickly!

It got me thinking about landlord fees and how landlords perceive agents.  Lots of agents advertise ‘Free fee deals’ – we have in the past!  Do they work?  No!  But why don’t they?

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**Update** 2 Bedroom Terraced House, Lime Street, Walsall, WS1. With Yields Of 6.00%.

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I think this is noteworthy and worth further examination. Here’s why? This property is now on sale by two agents, Bairstow eves (01922 312 791) and Redstones (01922 321 052). Now, I don’t know if that means anything to you, but to me, that is a sign that the seller is a bit desperate to sell and asap. The thought process being that if they put it with as many agents as possible, then surely it must get the widest possible exposure. I understand that way of thinking and it makes sense…However, it made sense when Dinosaurs roamed the earth and I consider it to be outdated thinking. In this day and age when we have so much information delivered to us as efficiently and as swiftly than ever before, everything is just a mouse click away. In property, there are literally only two sites that matter and they are Rightmove and Zoopla. If your property is listed on both then you already have the widest possible exposure, engaging another agent isn’t adding anything else to the mix. So, back to my original point. This one deserves your attention because the seller is likely to take a reduce price and you will get a bargain! Get your skates on, it won’t be there forever, contact the agent…Oops…agents…errr…see how confusing it is? Just pick one and make an appointment to view!

Here’s all the info (Telephone numbers above): http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/40413031http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/40496967http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59406587.htmlhttp://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41978772.html

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“Stonkingly Good” 2 Bedroom Terraced House, Oakeswell Street, Walsall, WS10. With Yields Of 6.63%.

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When I was looking for a buy-to-let deal I came across this one and I almost didn’t click on the link because I think you will agree, it doesn’t look much from the outside? However, take a look on the inside and you will see how “Stonkingly” good the spec on this one is. Wow!  Not even billed as an investment opportunity by the agent, however the spec clearly makes a statement that it is! I would urge a viewing immediately on this one as you don’t get to see many properties of this calibre for the price. A little over the average for a terraced house in this area, but as long as everything else stacks up, it will be worth every penny. The only downside that I can see is that it is only partial double glazing, so it would be wise to take a look and see which windows need the upgrade. Parking facilities are also not mentioned. There are a large selection of schools locally and many are within a mile distance including the Stuart Bathurst High School College Of Performing Arts and the Wood Green academy. Healthcare amenities eg doctors, dentists etc are also nearby. Transport services are very good with bus routes and major road networks adjacent lending easy access to Walsall, Wednesbury, West Bromwich and Walsall centres. Junction 9 of the M6 is literally about a mile down the road and adjacent to it is the Axeltree Way Retail Park for a bit of retail therapy.

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Can Empty Properties in Walsall be the Solution to our Housing Crisis?

Can Empty Properties in Walsall be the Solution to our Housing Crisis?
Can Empty Properties in Walsall be the Solution to our Housing Crisis?

Easy problems should have easy solutions  – shouldn’t they?

Problems like Walsall’s housing crisis, where we have a rudimentary numerical problem of too few homes for too many people… the answer is clearly to build more property in Walsall – but that, unfortunately for those desperately seeking to purchase or let a property, takes a lot of time and huge amounts of money.  So what of other solutions?

Whilst at the first BBQ of the ‘summer’ with friends recently, the subject of property was mentioned, as it usually does when I’m around!  During this particular conversation, someone mentioned empty properties as the solution to the problem.  On the face of it, it seems so obvious.  It got me thinking so, the next day; I did some research on this topic to see if this was a plausible potential solution.  The results of which are very interesting indeed…!

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