By Greg Davies, branch manager at Philip James Wilson
With 2016 coming to a close, our sales team have been reflecting back on another fantastic year of finding dream houses for families who want to live in The Heatons. With our selling prices up 6% compared to 2015, this shows the SK4 area continues to be as popular as ever.
Over the past 12 months, our office in Heaton Moor sold more than £60m worth of property, achieving an average of 98.5% of the asking price. At the top end of the market, Philip James in Heaton Moor and Didsbury have sold more than one in three properties over £500,000, meaning we are in touch with more buyers than any other estate agent.
According to Property Industry Eye, properties in SK4 sell quicker than any other postcode in the North West, which we’ve certainly seen with our own eyes this year. In fact, we’ve sold many properties for more than the initial asking price due to the ever-escalating popularity of the area and the sheer number of buyers. As a consequence we have pioneered our weekend viewing events to boost marketing around prime properties. This ensures we are able to build up excitement around a new property coming on the market, and book in appointment slots across one weekend. Unlike an ‘open house’ viewing, it allows viewers to spend time viewing the property without being rushed or being in large groups. However, it also manages to create a feeling of competition and excitement for prospective buyers, enabling us to achieve the best price possible for our vendor.
Moving into 2017, it certainly doesn’t look like the desire to move to the Four Heatons is going to slow down any time soon. This beautiful leafy suburb – just eight minutes on the train from Manchester city centre – is the perfect place to put down roots, for families or young professionals.
With a number of excellent primary schools, the OFSTED rated ‘outstanding’ Priestnall School, and fantastic transport links with Heaton Chapel train station and East Didsbury Metrolink, this area really does have everything.
And that’s not all. This year in Heaton Moor’s village area, we’ve seen the much anticipated opening of Rock Salt Deli, watched as KRO bar became the very popular Tusk, cheered when Juniper re-opened after a re-fit and salivated as Damson opened La Cantina tapas restaurant. All of these successful independent businesses make this area more and more attractive for anyone looking to buy or rent in the area.
Additionally, the plans to pedestrianise Shaw Road next year will improve the retail area no end and is sure to encourage even more independent boutiques, cafes and restaurants, as well as being the perfect place for Heaton Moor market to operate.
2016 has also seen our team at Philip James Wilson continue to have close links with local schools around the area. We have just sponsored the football team kits at Priestnall School and have purchased five new kits for the boys’ and girls’ teams. In addition to this, we also ran a fabulous Halloween art competition with Norris Bank Primary School and Tithe Barn Primary School, which saw some very spooky pictures being displayed in our prominent windows on the corner of Heaton Moor Road and Thornfield Road.
More recently our office in Heaton Moor has been a drop-off point for the Key 103 Mission Christmas. Last year, the charity drive raised more than £2m in gifts and cash for disadvantaged youngsters across Greater Manchester. This year we want to help them raise even more to really make Christmas for children who might not otherwise receive any presents.
Despite this year’s political events, buyers are not holding back in these leafy parts of Stockport, so for 2017, we can see nothing other than more positive changes and high demand for all Four Heatons! We’re really excited about seeing what next year brings for us, and continuing to be part of such a fantastic community.
Do give us a call if you’re thinking of a move next year.
E: GregDavies@philipjames.co.uk
Call: 0161 431 5556