Ready for a Bounce Back in the Residential Property Market

Right Move recorded its busiest day on ever on Wednesday 27 May 2020, surpassing six million visits. Many estate agents and removals companies have recommenced business also indicating that the property market may make a swift bounce back.

Caroline Walton, Partner and head of Blanchards Bailey’s residential property team, confirms that “We are already receiving new instructions, with many clients wanting a speedy completion. My team were remotely working throughout lockdown, enabling many transactions to be advanced ready for exchange and completion as soon as it was possible for clients to move house safely. Most of those transactions have now completed.”

A client praised the firm’s residential property team last week for their continued work in such difficult and unprecedented times, stating “Thank you for all your hard work and for going the extra mile in making sure I got my new home in the desired time period. I understand from the agent that where other firms in the chain furloughed most staff and were slow in responding, you retained your staff, were proactive and key in getting all to complete. I am particularly grateful for this.”

Tying in with the resurgence in residential instructions, Matt Collis, solicitor, joined the residential property team on 1 June 2020 and will be based in Blanchards Bailey’s Shaftesbury office. Matt has previously worked at firms in Bournemouth and Christchurch and lives near Blandford, so is familiar with the local area. Matt acts on behalf of first-time buyers, property investors, property developers, executors, attorneys, and clients wishing to move house. When asked what makes Matt tick he replied “Providing excellent customer service is my key objective. I aim to be personable, approachable, and to provide concise legal advice without unnecessary jargon. This has certainly helped to develop good relations with clients, which I feel is important if I am to understand their property needs.”

Matt’s can-do approach and expertise are endorsed by Caroline: “We are very excited about Matt joining our team. We are proud to be bucking the trend by employing staff now and employing qualified, dynamic individuals to carry our residential conveyancing. Matt’s knowledge and years of practice will add to our team, which is already fairly large and very experienced, in assisting clients and agents alike. Matt’s appointment comes two months after Luke Roper, who works across our Poundbury and Weymouth offices and is due to qualify as Chartered Legal Executive shortly, joined the department.”

Luke has previously worked in the conveyancing departments of both regional and national law firms. He said that “I always aim to find practical solutions for challenging problems and am rewarded from knowing that I have helped my clients.”

Caroline confirmed that “throughout the lockdown, our lawyers have kept working so that we could process client’s work quickly and effectively and were available to answer any queries raised by clients, the other side or agents. Looking forward, with the valuable additions of Matt and Luke we are ready and able to advise clients and assist agents coming out of lockdown, no matter the level of demand.”

The conveyancing department at Blanchards Bailey now boasts 11 lawyers, backed by a highly knowledgeable and skilled support team including two experienced fee-earning assistants undertaking training towards professional qualifications. Although the offices remain closed to walk in appointments for the time being, property lawyers are working in all offices across the firm daily.

With residential property moves now on the increase, Blanchards Bailey is by your side and ready to see “property done properly”.