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New estate agents who aren’t fazed by the housing slump
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
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Two Belfast property experts have joined forces to form Northern Ireland’s first new estate agents in a year, it was revealed today.
And despite the current economic gloom, another estate agent was also launched recently in Donegal to cover the north west of Ireland.
Bennett Lisk opened its first office at BTW Cairns’ former east Belfast branch on the Upper Newtownards Road earlier this week. BTW Cairns will now co-ordinate its east Belfast business from its North Down branch in Holywood.
And the new estate agent says he isn’t fazed by the current housing market slump, claiming local house prices have bottomed out: “In east Belfast prices have gone as low as they can go,” said Karl Bennett.
”We have had our hurt which happened very quickly here compared to Great Britain where prices have dropped by single digit figures each month.”
The new business, which employs three people, will be run by Karl Bennett, formerly of MCW Residential and David Lisk, previously of McQuitty Lisk.
The two estate agents have combined their respective portfolios of properties for sale and rent at the new east Belfast base. McQuitty Lisk’s office on Lisburn Road and Bennett Estate Agent on Connsbrook Avenue will now close.
Meanwhile, another new estate agent has set up shop in Donegal.
FASRE in Ballybofey claims to offer a one-stop-shop for everyone from house-hunters to investors covering energy assessments, mortgage and insurance services.
“We offer an innovative solution to the current stagnant property market, which is not available anywhere else in the North West, by offering a Rent2Buy option,” said FASRE manager Karol Ann Gallagher.
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How many times have you heard EAs saying "house prices have bottomed out"!? Thats an absolute joke! What exactly is going to keep house prices from dropping further? We are currently at the start of the worst recession in decades and unemployment is rapidly rising, with no sign of recovery for years - yet EAs are saying houses wont drop any more! I want them to back up their claims with reasons why! But they cant because it's absolute rubbish!
Any poor sod that believes them is in for a nasty shock! EAs have a lot to answer for!
Posted by Richard | 07.01.09, 19:30 GMT
I see there's still some BTLr's out there to F.U.B.A.R. the housing market!
Posted by Chuffer Dandridge | 07.01.09, 14:23 GMT
This seems like a poor attempt to put a positive spin on job losses and office closures.
Posted by Peat | 07.01.09, 10:30 GMT
Prices levelling off at the start of the worst recession for decades! Fubar, you crack me up!
Posted by Dave | 07.01.09, 09:53 GMT
I feel the markets on the turn. I'm not saying prices are going to shoot up but are leveling off.
I myself have put in place a few buy to let mortgage deals and am looking to pick up a few properties while there is still a good selection on the market.
Posted by Fubar | 07.01.09, 09:36 GMT
Karl Bennett says "In east Belfast prices have gone as low as they can go”
So, Karl, you reckon that right at the beginning of a recession, and with prices still on a par with Southern England, house prices in East Belfast are miraculously going to stop falling? Maybe even rise?
Fancy a wee wager? I say they'll crash another 25 %.
Posted by Dave | 07.01.09, 06:42 GMT