The last few weeks have been as busy as ever despite my promising to take a step back for the month of August!

Personally, I managed to enjoy some downtime including a wonderful day spent at the Rewind North festival held at Capesthorne Hall near Macclesfield. The highlight for me was seeing Jason Donovan (my childhood crush) plus amazing sets from Belinda Carlisle, Midge Ure, The Human League, Chesney Hawkes and Soul II Soul. The family then spent a week ‘house sitting’ on a farm for a relative and then we flew out to Malta for a sunshine filled 11 night break – pure bliss!

This was the first time I had been away for such an extended period as a small business owner and I learned there is no such thing as ‘getting away from it all’.

Whilst I managed to speak to every buyer, seller and prospective client prior to departing, I remained available throughout and even launched two properties to the market from over 2,000 km away (the joys of tech!). With 15 sales going through and issues arising daily, there really is no rest for the wicked!

Two issues I am seeing constantly at the moment are in relation to the expiry of mortgage offers and the speed at which conveyancing solicitors are dealing with matters.

If we look back six months, interest rates were stable and it was fairly easy to get a mortgage. If you were waiting for a specific property, you could quite easily renew the mortgage and you would pretty much be guaranteed the same rate. Fast forward to today and the mortgage offer you had a few months ago based off a much lower Bank of England rate is no longer available and at 1.75% today, your monthly payments could be hundreds of pounds more than before; and this could mean that the property you had originally thought you could afford, is now out of reach.

This means that anyone with a mortgage offer due to expire in the next couple of months is now in a position where they may lose their property and so they are piling on the pressure with the other people in the chain and conveyancers.

Conveyancers were already working at maximum capacity and with clients needing them to work faster, this is compounding the issue.

Despite the difficulties, we have completed on three properties in the last four weeks and it has been an absolute joy to see some truly lovely people moving on to the next chapter in their lives. Congratulations guys!

This month we have launched two properties to the market and here’s a bit more about them.

Manor Road, MARPLE

As soon as I set foot in to this property I fell in love. The house itself is so attractive and the rooms are such a great size but my favourite part is the garden. Southwest facing and private with a vast expanse of lawn (and a gorgeous plum tree). What also struck me is the share potential of the property with plenty of room at the back for a rear extension and the potential to build up into the roof; I could just imagine building a master suite with a super luxurious ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe to die for. There are some amazing views to the front and the location is just perfect.

Carlton Avenue, MARPLE

This is the third property I have been asked to sell on this wonderful road in the centre of Romiley. These Edwardian semis are just so gorgeous and each one is quite unique with changes made over the years. Number 5 Carlton has been extended to the rear and bedroom two has A balcony with views over Romiley Park.

Unusually we launched with just one photograph as my seller client is still making some home improvements prior to viewings starting.

I can’t wait to get in to see what they have done.

Just one more thing, if you are hoping to move by Christmas (eek, I said it!) you really need to get on the market NOW! If you or anyone you know is thinking of moving or struggling to sell, get in touch today and let’s chat about getting you to where you want to be.