Edward Hartshorne, Blenkin and Co. estate agents

Estate agents who have been comfortably riding the waves of the market during the good times will find themselves crashing out of contention as upcoming challenges expose their weaknesses.

Precision marketing will be needed more than ever, and estate agents will need to refine the presentation of property in order to create an instant impact. Expecting to conclude a deal after casually listing a property on Rightmove will rightly be designated to the past.

We are now in uncharted territory where every power at our disposal has to be brought to bear in order to conclude a sale. During difficult times, the need to keep on the front foot is paramount.

Many corporates will be dismayed by dwindling sales figures and it’s likely that their focus will be on where to make redundancies in a declining market. In contrast, we and other motivated independents will focus on opportunities to go against the grain and find ways of taking the marketing to new levels.

I suspect that much of the action next year will be focused on homeowners scaling down from their long-term family homes in the country to buy still sizeable houses with easy-to-manage gardens and low running costs, convenient for amenities. Downsizers are proving to be committed buyers and their sense of urgency will certainly keep the market in the best towns and villages buoyant.

The upper end of the lettings market will continue to perform very strongly with demand significantly outstripping supply. Landlords will increasingly seek the help of specialist lettings agents as they are confronted with continued legislation changes.