House sales surge means Wolverhampton estate agents is able to create jobs

Director Lee Cooke said 22 people were now working from the Connells branch offices in Darlington Street in Wolverhampton.

New social distancing measures have been put in place for the offices, which are open Monday to Saturday.

Mr Cooke said that all members of staff were now working at their desks again.

He said that the boom in house sales post lockdown was helping the business.

“I’ve been a director for more than 20 years and we are experiencing the busiest market ever.

“We have also been recruiting while lots of people are making redundancies.

“We have taken on three more staff because it has been so busy and we are also trying to find mortgage advisers as well,” he explained.

“We are snowed under with business.”

Wonderful

Mr Cooke said that his office was getting multiple offers for some houses and the market was even attracting buyers from London.

“Prices here compared to London are a lot lower and we are literally seeing people fighting to buy houses with some bidding over the asking price by several thousands of pounds.

“We are having to go to the best offer to give everyone an opportunity to get a property.

“We have never achieved the asking price or above on so many properties at one time,” he added.

Mr Cooke said Connnells branches across the country were having a similar experience.

Before the lockdown pries were high because of a lack of property coming to market, but because of low interest rates and the withdrawal of Stamp Duty lots more houses were coming up for sale and there were more buyers.

“With Help to Buy coming to an end early next year it means first-time buyers are looking to buy and demand for new houses is rising as well and people are upgrading.

“There are so many good reasons to buy a home at the moment in Wolverhampton. It is wonderful for the city.”