The property market around Warrington and Cheshire is as busy as ever despite the pandemic, according to a conveyancing solicitor at a leading law firm.
Chris Illingworth, conveyancing solicitor with Watsons Solicitors says Cheshire is experiencing the same trends seen at a national level when it comes to the types of property people are looking for.
According to Zoopla, more people have been searching property websites using keywords such as ‘annexe’ ‘detached’, ‘rural’ more often than previously.
With both internal and external space becoming ever more important to people, particularly those with children having to be schooled from home, there are signs that fewer people are choosing to purchase flats and are instead opting for houses with greater outdoor space, or trading up for a new house with scope for an extra bedroom to be converted to an office.
Mortgage approval rates recently hit a 13-year high according to the Bank of England, showing that those house moves put off during 2020 and lockdown periods are now being brought forward.
And in a change compared with the first lockdown in March 2020 when sales dropped significantly, in-person viewings of houses are currently permitted.
The housing market has been further stimulated with stamp duty for homes in England sold up to £500,000 suspended until the end of March, saving buyers up to £15,000.
Chris, who has more than 20 years’ conveyancing experience in the Warrington and Cheshire area, said: “In terms of the volume of quotes that we are giving out for conveyancing work, we are as busy as ever.
“We are definitely seeing fewer people buying flats at the minute, but then with that sort of property not making up a large part of the housing stock of Warrington, this is hard to judge as natural fluctuations can have a big effect.
“We know that mortgage approval rates are through the roof, so there is definitely demand for buying as well as remortgaging, which is all working its way through the system now.”
Watsons Solicitors, which has been established for more than 60 years, specialises in family law, employment law, wills and probate, personal injury and conveyancing.
The team of experienced solicitors each hold various accreditations and memberships of professional bodies relevant to their expertise, while the firm’s partners oversee all areas of work.
For more information, visit www.watsonssolicitors.com
If you are interested or require any information on any of our services then please get in touch for an appointment on:
Watsons Solicitors is determined to continue delivering excellency after earning the Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS) accreditation. Issued by the Law Society, the esteemed title signifies best practice for providing wills and estate administration advice and evaluates staff expertise, communication skills, and standardised processes. Employees must complete online training provided by the Law Society […]
Megan Bentley is the latest fresh face to join Watsons Solicitors’ family law department as she seeks to advance her career. Since starting her role as a paralegal in February, the Skelmersdale-native has been working closely alongside the team drafting orders and C2 applications, while also managing legal aid applications. The 19-year-old brings with her […]
“We can prove with numbers the impact Watsons Solicitors has had but it’s the long-lasting connections, smiles, and laughter that’s difficult to quantify.” This is just some of the overwhelmingly positive feedback from Warrington Wolves Community Foundation CEO Neil Kelly following support from Watsons for its health and wellbeing community programmes. Alongside the charity, the […]
A Cheshire-based family law solicitor believes that January being dubbed ‘divorce month’ is primarily down to the strains of domestic life. Danny Hudson, partner and a member of the family department at Watsons Solicitors, says his team sees an increase in couples filing for separation at the start of each year. However, he’s acutely aware […]
Watsons Solicitors is a trading name of Watsons Solicitors Warrington LLP a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales registered number OC386012 whose registered office is 13 Bold Street, Warrington, WA1 1DJ.
Watsons Solicitors Warrington LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority number 598547.
Watsons Solicitors
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1DJ