Homeowners hoping to move this spring should consider choosing a specialist agent, to ensure the best chance of a successful sale, according to Prestige director, Bill Linton. His advice comes as the UK's leading property website, Rightmove.co.uk, has said the proportion of unsold housing stock in Britain has reached a record high. "Homes are selling at the moment but at times like these it becomes more important than ever to make the right choice when signing up with an agent," he said. "It vital to choose a company that has specialist experience and true expertise at marketing property similar to your own. "The staff need to understand how to make the most of your home so it really stands out from the crowd, and to be experienced at selling in your geographical location and within your price range."

A Challenging Time
According to Miles Shipside, commercial director of Rightmove, many homeowners are currently being unrealistic about the prices they can achieve in the current climate, and this is contributing to higher than average levels of unsold housing. "Most sellers coming to the market seem to be ignoring the increased competition from other unsold properties and the challenge buyers now face in obtaining a mortgage," he said. "As many of these sellers are likely to be buyers themselves, they seem to be trying to bank a higher figure for their home but want a bargain when they buy. "It's human nature, but in the current market, sellers should price below their competition to achieve more interest now and avoid a larger price drop later in the year."

Choose the Experts
With lower levels of sales transactions, competition is growing, according to Rightmove. Average unsold property stock per branch in the UK has risen to 67 from 56 at this time a year ago (and from 64 last month). "In a situation such as this, it is the marketing and promotion offered by different agents and their knowledge of their sector of the property market that are the key ingredients to sales success," said Bill. "Those keen to sell need to choose an agent that can convey the unique characteristics and special attractions of their home." The marketing and sales package operated under the Prestige brand does just this for stylish, modern and executive homes, he continued. Its service is tailored to the promotion of such properties and as a result it sees high levels of successful sales.

A Winning Formula
The winning Prestige formula is due to the expertise of its team and its unique marketing techniques, Bill went on. Staff are highly experienced at setting guide prices. This ensures they set the highest possible price yet do not inflate to an unrealistic level causing the house to sit on the market and become stale. Prestige also uses glossy brochures featuring professional photography and editorials written by journalists, as well as attractive and eye-catching advertising in local and national publications and on the internet. "Prestige homes tend to be larger than most and on the whole are modern or recently built, well maintained and beautifully presented," said Bill. "We have introduced a personal touch through both the introductions to our brochures and the photography we use. Both buyers and sellers really seem to appreciate that."

A Higher Standard
Prestige is delivering the right result for more and more sellers as its reputation grows and its number of offices increases. "We began by offering the Prestige service from our city centre office, and after good early success opened a second office in Cringleford, and then a third on the North Norfolk coast at Burnham Market, near Brancaster, and a fourth in Dereham" said Bill. "We have always said that better quality houses deserve and require a higher standard of service, something better than the norm, more in keeping with their premium status and of greater appeal to the higher equity buyers being targeted. "Prestige is the brand designed and tailored to do this, and as such it is achieving great results throughout Norfolk. If you have a home you are looking to sell that could benefit from marketing through Prestige, then please do not hesitate to give us a call. "At times like these it is more important than ever to make the right choice before signing up with an agent."

*For more information on Prestige call the city branch on (01603) 761111, Cringleford on (01603) 251565, Dereham on (01362) 853100 and North Norfolk on (01485) 211955

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