Halifax Courier

Agent sees hope in online market

- Abigail Kellett

ESTATE AGENT, Dacre, Son & Hartley, has revealed that tens of thousands of people have visited its website during the current Covid-19 lockdown, suggesting that time spent at home could be encouragin­g people to consider making a move when lockdown restrictio­ns are relaxed.

In a six week period, spanning March and April, approximat­ely 47,000 people clicked into www.dacres.co.uk and viewed more than 230,000 of the site’s pages. A good proportion of people were visiting the website for the first time.

The company’s 20 North and West Yorkshire offices includes a branch in Elland. Patrick McCutcheon, head of residentia­l at Dacre, Son & Hartley, said: “Although only a small number of property sales are completing at the moment due to social distancing and lockdown restrictio­ns, the number of enquiries we’re currently receiving, from potential buyers and sellers wanting to talk through a sales strategy, is encouragin­g. We have also engaged with sellers who have requested virtual valuations, and that pricing advice means we already have a good number of instructio­ns ready to launch once Government movement restrictio­ns are lifted.

“We’ve spoken to several people recently who are considerin­g moving as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, some wanting to downsize and others wanting more outside space or a more rural location, and it’s also clear that some homeowners are using the time to complete home improvemen­ts and get their homes ready to sell once the market starts moving again.

“Although there’s uncertaint­y at the moment, it’s clear that people are comforted by the low interest rates and we believe that the market will adjust and adapt, and people will start moving once Covid-19 is under control.”

“We believe that the market will adjust and adapt” Patrick McCutcheon

ONLINE: For more local news visit www.halifaxcou­rier.co.uk

 ??  ?? LOCKDOWN: Dacre, Son & Hartley, has revealed that tens of thousands of people have visited its website.
LOCKDOWN: Dacre, Son & Hartley, has revealed that tens of thousands of people have visited its website.

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