You see, property values didn’t stop dropping in Walsall until January 2013, so after a strong run over the last 20 months, the ever upward drive of house price rises has started to turn with increases now at an almost standstill for the first time since the start of 2013. Now it could be said this easing of the housing market in Walsall can be attributed partly to the time of year (last year property values in Walsall dropped by 0.8% in November but recovered by 0.9% in December), it is obvious that estate agents in Walsall are wary about the direction of the market as a result of the not as strong demand and fewer house sales.

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Prices up, prices down, prices stable… the newspapers are full of good news, bad news and indifferent news about the Brit’s favourite subject after the weather… the property market.

The thing is, the UK does not have one housing market. Instead, it is a patchwork of mini property markets all performing in a different way.  At one end of the scale is London, which has seen average prices grow in the last twelve months by a shade under 19% (and again that is an average because some Borough’s in London have risen by 26%) whilst in the land of daffodils, by contrast, Wales, only saw a 2% increase in property values, although in the Merthyr Valleys they dropped by over 11%!

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If I had a penny for the times I have been asked this question….well here goes.

A recent survey of over 400 schools, indicated that families are putting education, in particular state school education, as a priority when buying a home. With many moving just a few miles away to enter the catchment area for their desired school. Studies show that an estimated 60% of families move to secure a quality education for their young. Proof in the pudding folks as we watched a 3 bedroom detached property in Walsall let within hours and it let over the asking price. Yes, you guessed it, the family wanted the primary school!

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Over the course of the years we have been in business (nearly 10 years), we have acquired a few clients who are best described as professional landlords. I call them professional landlords only because they approach the market differently to the majority who have one or two properties. These property magnates are constantly evolving their portfolio, always looking at areas of improving their annual yields and capital gains. Where is the next up and coming area to invest in? How can I get in on the action and get myself a slice of that cake?

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