Reasons for apositive outlook on the county property market

LESS than two yearsafter joining Savills as adirector,Peter Daborn has been promoted to the head of residential sales for Shropshire, Staffordshireand Mid Wales.

Born and brought up in Shropshire, Peter is aqualified Chartered Surveyor and the fifthgeneration of his family to be working in property within Shropshire, and has astrong knowledge of the county which, in his ownwords, is no longer the hidden gem it once was.

Commenting on his new role, he says: “I feel incredibly honoured to lead such an experienced and well-respected team in acounty that Inot onlylove,but onethat has become so popular in recent yearsthat it is not such ahidden gem anymore! Ihope that my knowledge of the area, coupled with that of the team’s, will continue to be of great benefit to those looking to maketheir next house move.”

Recent research from Savills predicted that the average house price will fall, but Peter believes thereare several reasons to remain optimistic for those still weighing up a move –citing apositive start to the year

“Muchhas been made of the predicted drop in average house prices this year –with our researchers forecasting falls of as much as 9% across the wider West Midlands region –but thereisplenty of room for optimism. While therehas been a slight reduction in activity therehas been no such drop in the level of demand we areseeing among interested buyers. We arestill launchingproperties that areattracting interest and offers. The keyhereisthat thereisgood traction when the property is priced right: so, price to sell, rather than price to test.

“Shropshireremains an incredibly popular relocation market that combines commutability, good schools, and highquality housing stock. In ourmost recent buyer and seller survey, the long-term commitment to move has increased since our previous survey with small towns, villages and country living maintaining its allureamong those looking to move

“Weare,understandably, seeing alot morebuyers paying far moreconsideration to their home’s running costs than they perhaps were previously, and it is the backdrop of rising interest rates and increased cost of living that will see amore needs-based housing market in the short term.

“However, the value gap between Shropshireand wider commuter markets will leavegreater capacity for growth and, as such, we expect to be one of thestrongest performing regions overthe four years to 2027.”

Peter,supportedbyanexperienced team, will be responsible for property sales throughout Shropshire, Staffordshireand Mid Wales.