There was a time when spring was the perfect season to put one’s property on the market. There were charmingly simple reasons for this. In May the trees are newly in leaf and everything seems fresh, the days are warmer and longer, and buyers often like to move in by the summer holidays or before the start of a new school year. Yes, spring has always been a perfect time to enter the property market.
Nowadays however, although the above still hold true, there are many additional and sometimes less charming reasons to trigger a sale and purchase. So why could an owner benefit by selling this spring rather than later in the year?
Kyiv might be over 1300 miles from London, but what is going on there and the longer-term ramifications of the war with Russia mean the future is uncertain. Energy and food price rises mean we can’t predict the future cost of living, and escalating interest rates mean our mortgages will be higher, but by how much? The way we work is changing. Many employers are eager for workers to get back to the office, so the five-days-a-week work-from-home idyll isn’t as much a given as it was. Covid is still a worry.
So whichever way you cut it we are surrounded by uncertainty, and the property market like any other market hates uncertainty.
The only thing we do know is what is happening today. So, if you are sitting on the fence waiting for a sign, let this be the sign. You might not have anywhere to move to yet and, yes, currently there are few properties for sale. But that is because everyone else is sitting on the same fence. However, it’s incredible how things can open up once you have made the first move. One thing is certain though, nothing will ever open up unless you do make a move.
So, is spring 2022 an excellent time to sell? It is a brilliant time to sell. First, there are all the traditional reasons to sell at this time of year. But now we think this is probably the top of a bull market, and so do most other leading estate agents. Prices could fall back a little and there probably won’t be the buying frenzy we saw last year. There will be more property on the market with which to compete. If anything should get you off the fence it’s when all the selling stars are aligned - and they are now.
About John Couch The Estate Agent
Being an Estate Agent may start with property, but that is only the beginning, we are passionate about property and our aim is to provide a level of service beyond expectations. Under John's watchful eye, we have become one of the leading Estate Agents in the South West, our reputation allowing us to open the doors of many of the areas finest homes.
MEET THE TEAM
Beverley Masey - Sales Negotiator
Beverley is a sales negotiator and has been with John Couch for over thirteen years. She is also responsible for producing the floor plans we use when marketing property. Beverley enjoys the variety of her role, both in and out of the office and describes her greatest achievement as having originally been “headhunted” by John. One of Beverley’s career stories is that whilst out handling a viewing, the property owners dog got out of the house. Beverley spent hours handing out “missing dog” leaflets and posting them around the area. The property owner then went out and bought a new puppy only for the original dog to return safely a few days later! In an earlier career, Beverley used to be a fishmonger and claims to be able to fillet any fish. As a valued member of our team we certainly believe she knows her plaice! Beverley is happily married and leads an active life away from the office involving squash, racket-ball, surfing and kayaking. She is a member of the Torquay Squash and Leisure Club and has been the Devon Ladies Doubles Squash Champion. Together with her partner and a rottweiler called Pyper, Beverley lives on the outskirts of Torquay. A “bucket list” ambition is to buy a camper van and travel around Europe.
Claire Stahlmann - Social Media Manager
Claire joined John Couch in 2015 after a year in Canary Wharf in London.
Her funniest moment in estate agency to date was finding a couple in an intimate situation when on a viewing. She says she rings the bell and knocks more loudly on the door now!
An artistic lady she has a degree in drama and theatre arts, has performed with Bonnie Tyler (who still talks about it!), is an excellent mimic and has won awards for the bridal headpieces which she makes in her spare time.
Recently married, Claire and husband George enjoyed a wonderful Greek wedding and live in a cottage by the harbour. In her spare time, Claire enjoys long walks with her husband and their dog, Pickle.
Her favourite places visited are China and Thailand.
Eileen Lovering - Sales Progressor
Eileen has worked with John Couch for twenty-seven years and fulfils the vital role of sales progressor, working hard to ensure that all parties achieve the sales and purchase outcomes they desire. Eileen particularly enjoys helping clients and customers move on to the next chapter in their lives with as little stress as possible. Her funniest moment in estate agency was when she entered what she thought was an empty property, shouted hello and got a reply back ‘Hello!’ – it was a parrot! Eileen lives in Torquay and nothing makes her happier than being with her grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, going to the cinema and seeing family and friends. Her secret claim to fame is that she was once on stage with Billy Fury and, continuing the showbiz theme, was at her brother’s wedding with Frank Carson and is friends with the Krankies who are Torquay’s resident celebrities.
Geoff Gooding - Sales Negotiator
Geoff enjoyed a successful career spanning 25 years in Asset Finance before moving effortlessly into the world of property which is something he had held a strong interest in for many years. Initially buying, improving and selling on his own account and then becoming more involved and hands on with his good friends here at John Couch. Initially Geoff was focused on specific projects but more recently his role has extended to all aspects of estate agency. Having lived in Torquay for many years, Geoff has excellent local knowledge and clients and customers, who frequently become friends, seek his advice on many aspects of living locally and property matters, long after they have bought or sold.Away from the office, Geoff enjoys Formula 1 motor racing and spending time in London.His secret claim to fame is knowing effortlessly how to get from A to B which, together with his love of London, makes us wonder if he was a taxi driver in a previous life and has done the knowledge!
John Couch - Founder
John has been in the property industry for nearly fifty years and, together with wife Susan owns and runs the business.Property is John’s passion and he always has a story to tell with a perfect memory for people and places. With so much experience of Torquay and its property market, John gets considerable pleasure from meeting the hundreds of sellers and purchasers that he has helped over the years. Still driven and ambitious, John continues to set high standards in order to maintain the position of Torquay’s leading estate agent. When asked for his favourite property tale his answer was, ‘Wait for the memoirs!’ An accomplished musician of both wind and stringed instruments, John also likes getting away on holiday with Susan and their son and family. A secret claim to fame is that as a Royal Artillery Bandsman John marched at Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965.
Lesley Clayton - Administrator
Lesley has been with John Couch for over fifteen years having worked for another estate agency previously. As secretary and PA, Lesley plays an important role handling administration for the team. She is extremely honest and says that one of the things she enjoys most is that, handling all the administration, she doesn’t have to go out in the cold and wet like her colleagues and can stay in the warm cosy office! Lesley is happily married and enjoys walking and playing with her German Shepherd (we are assured this is her dog!) and taking holidays. A mean quiz player she is also an expert at making coffee cake which is another reason that makes her extremely popular with her colleagues!
Susan Couch - Office Manager
Reliable, supportive and fun, Susan has been with John Couch for thirty years (she says she started when she was five!) and is a partner in the business and office manager. She lives in Torquay and is, of course, also married to the man himself! Susan enjoys the diversity, challenge and satisfaction of being part of a successful team. Her funniest moment in estate agency to date was suggesting viewing upstairs having forgotten that the property on offer was a bungalow! Susan describes her greatest achievement to date as her 29-year-old son and watching him become the man he is today. Susan has a passion for travel, particularly in France and she also loves musical theatre. This latter passion has seen Susan chaperone over 100 performances of the professional tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. When asked about future ambitions, Susan didn’t hesitate in giving two answers (1) Never to lose enthusiasm for my role and (2) to be French, rich and skinny!
