We hope you’re all well and have made it through to the end of a very different year!
It’s been a year to forget for several reasons! We now look forward to a more positive 2021. We hope for many people this will be a better year with less hardship and the survival of those businesses that we have grown to love. For the property industry it's been a topsy turvey time with some difficult weeks, but then also a period of boom. Be prepared for some pain nationally next year as businesses fail and people lose their jobs.
For North Devon there is a positive, as people from the cities yearn to live in our lovely countryside. We anticipate that demand to live in this area will not abate, as a result we predict a stable local market next year. The rental market will continue to boom as a shortage of rental accommodation has its effect. Rental prices will continue to rise. This is certainly unfortunate for those that don't wish to buy or are unable to buy.
Managing the office has been challenging with the COVID-19 social distancing, but we have coped well and have been able to get out to see clients and conduct viewings, with social distancing in place. All staff have stayed safe and well and to date we have avoided any illnesses.
On the positive we have been successful in winning Best Estate Agency in Barnstaple and Best Lettings Estate Agency in Barnstaple. We are proud of this as it shows to all our level of service that we aim to provide. We always aim to provide good service where we can. Several lovely reviews in recent months has reinforced this.
We sadly say goodbye to Steph Carter who has been with us for several years and wish her the best in her new job, closer to her home. We also welcome a new apprentice Oliver Stacey who is keen to learn the trade. We are confident he will be a good asset.
We wish everyone an incredibly happy new year and a positive 2021 from all of us at John Smale.
