The housing market in north Cumbria, where H&H King operates, remained fairly stable throughout 2017 with sales on a par with the previous year.

There was, however, a drop in the number of new properties coming to the market but this fell in line with the national picture.

The government is still pushing forward with new-builds to stimulate the economy and this has also caused a smaller pool of available properties.

Most agents are carrying a smaller stock portfolio than usual which promotes a healthy competition among us. This in turn is good news for the customer as we all work hard for the new business.

Properties are also selling more quickly when priced correctly but sales have been slowed by delays in the conveyancing process.

The lettings market continues to be buoyant with properties being let in just a few days in many cases.

Once again stock is the issue but monthly rental amounts remain fairly stable but have shown a slight increase over the last 12 months.

In a vote of confidence for the future of high street estate agents, last month we relocated our Carlisle offices to a more high-profile corner position in the city centre.

As a company, we strive to keep abreast of changing trends and to link this to the local market. We view this move as doing just that, providing the highest levels of experience to the area.

Competitive rates, a personal approach and regular client contact are the cornerstones of a successful and productive property business.

We have an in-depth understanding of the housing and property market across northern Cumbria and have established a sound reputation across the north west of England for quality service and extensive knowledge.

Outlook for 2018

We are confident the local market should continue to grow heading into 2018 following the traditionally quiet Christmas period.

Brexit will continue to rumble on and we are finding our customers are not letting this affect their decision-making at present.

Although interest rates have had their first rise in 10 years, rates are still extremely low for buyers.

Banks and building societies have some tempting offers as long as you’re prepared to shop around.

The early spring is also the ideal time to market your property and we are happy to carry out free valuations as the first stepping stone to selling your house.

We are thrilled to have moved into our new premises at the top of Lowther Street in Carlisle and hope this demonstrates our commitment to the local market – we are here to give the best advice possible backed up by a wealth of local knowledge.

The rental market should also remain strong throughout 2018 with no shortage of willing tenants. We have a dedicated adviser at our Lowther Street branch to assist with any inquiries.