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The Wide Appeal of Weybridge and Why Now is a Good Time to Buy

Posted 12 September 2019 by Lizzie Leigh

Tim Firth, director of Jackson-Stops in Weybridge, tells us about the wide appeal of Weybridge in Surrey and shares why now is a good time to buy...

This week we find out how Tim Firth, director of Jackson-Stops in Weybridge, enjoys a role that encompasses meeting developers on a plot of land through to handing keys for a completed property to a happy buyer.

 

Can you tell us a bit about your day to day responsibilities as a director at Jackson-Stops in Weybridge?

I have the luxury of a multi-faceted role encompassing sales, new homes and land so every day is different. I tend to structure my diary to allow a focus on each area of the business every day. I would think that half of my day is spent dealing with current and ongoing business and the other half is pro-actively creating business. This can take a number of forms but always remembering we are a service industry and hiding behind emails does not beat a good old fashioned discussion on the phone!

 

Weybridge has a reputation as being home to the rich and famous, is that really the case or is there something for everyone here?

The ownership history in the private estates, especially St George’s Hill, has given KT13 its kudos, but the reality is that the location is sought after because of the fast access to London, the green spaces and the schools. Moreover, the plethora of smaller homes built in the town in the last few years has meant that first time buyers also have options; so it really is a town for all.

 

Do you tailor your services to developers for the different new build schemes that you market?

Yes, very much so, modern marketing methods and online advertising options have changed this markedly in the last few years. We are passionate about promoting schemes in the right way, no two developments are the same and so it helps us enormously to be brought in early on in the process to advise on the branding of the sites. Both pre- and post-launch we provide bespoke microsites and targeted Facebook campaigns; we also hold events at each scheme regularly to make sure we cater to as many different buyers as possible.

 

Which schemes are you marketing locally at the moment?

Too many to list, from Help to Buy one-bedroom schemes in Walton and Weybridge, to the 46 luxury apartments at The Landmark and higher end properties at Arawa and Mayfair Place and St George’s Road. We have new schemes coming up all over Elmbridge, at all price points and are excited about the next 12 months.

 

How's the local new build marketing performing as we head towards the autumn?

No-one is hiding from the strange times we are living in but Weybridge and Elmbridge home owners have always had a passion for new build. Well-built and well-priced schemes continue to attract strong interest.

 

How does it help buyers to purchase a new build home through an agent rather than directly through the developer?

As agents we are accountable to our Ombudsman. Developers are great at building property, we sell them for a living, it makes sense. Most developers are tied to an agent from when they buy the land so approaching them directly does not save the developer money and they would rather you go through their paid representatives; it is what we are here for.

 

What are the advantages of buying a property off-plan?

Depending on the property size and number of units available there are many: choice being the key one, with the ability to make changes another. If you wait until the property is built you have to buy what the developer thinks you want; if you buy early you can often re-configure or choose a kitchen or wall colour to better represent your needs and taste. It also gives buyers the opportunity to buy the best units in the development before they are snapped up.

 

How has Help to Buy helped people get onto the property ladder in your area?

There have only been four schemes in Weybridge with Help to Buy to date and we have been fortunate to be involved in all of them. Each of these sold extremely well to Help to Buy purchasers; probably 80% of buyers under £600k, it has certainly allowed for better sales even if it has slightly inflated prices.

 

What's the question you're asked most often by first-time buyers?

‘Is now a good time to buy?’ The answer is yes, house prices work in cycles and whilst we do not know the when prices will start rising more quickly, sure as eggs is eggs, they will do as some point!

 

And finally, what's the best piece of advice you can offer somebody who's looking to buy a new build property?

Check out the credentials of the developer, what have they done before? Also make sure you agree a snagging list before exchanging to make sure the property is handed to you in perfect condition.

 

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