Marc Da Silva speaks to Shane Barclay of Goodfellows.
Name and business title: Shane Barclay, Managing Director, Goodfellows Land & New Homes.
Where is your firm selling new homes? Our core areas of operation are greater London through to Surrey primarily left of the A3 corridor across to the A22 encompassing the South London Boroughs of Kingston, Merton, Sutton and Croydon with a further stretch then to the periphery of the M25 operating in such areas as Reigate, Banstead, Oxshott and our home in Epsom.
What types of properties are on offer? We sell a variety of homes, more diverse in nature than many agents to include government backed FirstBuy and shared ownership properties through to brand new urban and suburban mansions.
How much does a new home cost to buy? Less than you may think! New build homes no longer command significant premiums in price and as such most buyers are unaware they could afford the luxury of buying brand new.
What makes a new home stand out from the crowd? Attention to detail and manicured landscaping catch the eye. Once inside a show home one's imagination is brought to life with beautifully designed interiors and all the comforts that one could wish for without needing to lift a finger, not forgetting that most new builds come with a building warranty too.
Have you noticed any particular buying trends recently? It is very common nowadays to find buyers being gifted significant deposits by parents in order to buy the right property in the best possible location. The general trend is that the purchase of a new home is viewed as a longer term act than previously with buyers typically thinking they will occupy their home for five years or more.
Is your company currently offering any incentives or discounts to homebuyers? The mortgage market has significantly affected incentives which can be offered by developers. An excellent way into home ownership is via an ‘equity loan' scheme where the buyer receives an interest free loan towards their deposit that frequently is repayable within 10 years, giving in most instances buyers the opportunity to build additional equity.
Which new homes development potentially offers the best property investment prospects? With 20 of 22 apartments sold since April, we have a development by Shanly Homes in Banstead, Surrey that has attracted a number of investors with excellent yields based upon realistic purchase prices.
What is Goodfellows' USP? Our people create our uniqueness within the market place with individuals offering a wealth of life experience that many "long term career agents" do not have.
Have any of your clients ever won a What House? Award? I believe so. Our client database is extensive having run as a dedicated Land and New Homes operation for over eight years.