A record 31,000 viewings took place over the three days of Countrywide’s debut National Property Showcase campaign between May 19 and 21, the group has announced.
There were over 17,000 properties viewed, with a value of over £6bn.
Speakers at the showcase predicted that 2011 would be the fourth year of a ‘half market’, forecasting around 600,000 transactions.
Speakers also called for higher loan to value mortgages on new-build properties ‘to move the market’ – although they did not call for prices to be dropped.
The London event also included an auction, where 70% of lots were sold, and visitors could take advice from property and mortgage specialists.
Grenville Turner, chief executive at Countrywide, said: “We all need to be more innovative in order to deliver for our customers and drive a sustainable recovery in the property market.
“Our National Showcase campaign was a resounding success and offered sellers a unique opportunity to get their properties in front of serious buyers who were supported with expert advice on mortgages and surveys. There was also advice for those looking to let or rent.
“With over 31,000 viewings conducted over the weekend and thousands of offers made, we can see that there is a high demand for properties all around the UK.
“Mortgage lending continues to be the biggest hurdle to accessing the housing market. However, we believe these constraints are beginning to ease and will do so further by early 2012, contributing to a sustained market recovery.”
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Comments
Thousands of offers made has to be good ... perhaps 2,000? Countrywide claim to have 1,000 branches or so. About normal to get 2 offers after a weekend I'd have thought but great publicity.
I hope that Countrywide continue with these innovative activities, their clients & staff must love 'em.
ok now the question.......How many offers were receives and how many sales were agreed??
Never open Bank Hols or Sundays. We need a day off and vendors need a day they can relax.
Very occasionally we will carry out a viewing on a Sunday IF the prospective purchaser is ready to go.
Sunday viewings are what folks do when it's too cold/rainy for the car boot sale.
My guess is there weren't many offers or they'd have included that in their boasting.
Not staff cost effective to open on a Bank Holiday.
Very few 'money balls', in the main only casual lookers and those who wanted to take the weight off their feet for a while!
Staff returned rested and refreshed.
Did PRE-BOOKED viewings though
Hang on a minute. The Royal Wedding and Easter were used to excuse various low figures in the mortgage and housing market. Good to see an honest agent telling us the truth that the market should have surged with those extra viewing opportunities.
Bank holidays have always been notoriously rubbish - why view a house with an estate agent when you can be lazing on the common!? Curious to know how many offers came in out of their 31,000 viewings - 3?
31,000 viewings wow!
20,000 of those had no idea what they where viewing, 10,000 where not on the market owners to sell and 1,000 where bored stiff that weekend.
so what?
A record 31,000 viewings - over 17,000 properties viewed. That's less than 2 per property! The numbers look good but the viewings rate isnt.
Unless you know better. Post your thoughts.