Open Market Information Summer 2009

SpUpbeat thoughts as Summer approaches

Budget, 50% tax, credit crunch, stock markets – isn’t it about time we started to talk about something else?
Whilst we wouldn’t want to be flippant about the state of the economy there is little doubt that if we don’t start looking up instead of down it is going to take even longer to start the recovery we are all seeking.
So, we are going to be upbeat at every opportunity. Although there is little doubt that far fewer properties have been sold so far this year the point is that there have been sales and with dogged determination and a wonderful, committed staff we have been instrumental in carrying out a large percentage of them (both local and open market).
With the general rumble of disapproval coming out of the UK after the proposed tax hikes for higher earners which formed part of the April Budget we have seen a slight upturn in interest from people looking to move offshore. Even those from the Continent are reassessing their timetable in the light of the strong showing of the euro against sterling thus making Guernsey prices more palatable and interesting.
The movement of people already living within the Island also seems to have picked up with their interest being piqued by a sudden flurry of new instructions and a second look at the extremely good variety of homes already being offered. If the constantly busy switchboard and negotiators dashing in and out of the office is anything to go by surely there is a possibility that things, albeit slowly, are on the move.
So, in our upbeat mood we are looking forward to better times ahead, seeing more than a few fresh new faces joining us in our Island home and a general move towards positive thinking!

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