I think its safe to say that a lot of us have some additional free time on our hands during the current climate, with some businesses workloads grinding to complete halt. With so much uncertainty about the future, we have been having catch-ups with local business owners and market leaders, to get their take on the whole ordeal. With this in mind, here are a few words from John Palmer, Managing Director over at Palmer & Partners:

It’s difficult to believe what is happening at the moment and how solitary we have been all forced to become, we will bounce back though once we get through this, we are intrinsically social animals so at some point we will be back out meeting friends and families and eating out, and viewing houses!

Here at Palmer and Partners we still have 50% of our lettings staff working running the portfolio, accounts and sorting urgent repairs.

With regards to residential sales, we have furloughed around 80% of our staff, and have our partners taking sales leads, our sales progressors are running our pipeline and still effecting exchanges on the sales that were legally close to exchange. As a business its a really frustrating time, but when you consider what others going through and how hard our NHS is working it pales into insignificance.

I think our government have been really effective in supporting business with the Furlough scheme and the help with business rates. All the measures they have taken will help the economy get back to some sort of normality over the coming months although of course there will be tough times ahead for everyone.

I do think though, with all the pent up demand that the market has missed out on, over the last few months the market will return, all be it with a different dynamic. The market will be active once we can get back to the offices, for example, our Ipswich office has responsibly held back 70 people that all want to make viewings on our properties, and that’s just one office!

I also believe that many people that have been self-isolating in London will really reflect on their lifestyles and environment and want to move out to the countryside and a less built-up environment.

So therefore locally, I’m optimistic about the market when we return, but in the meantime, I will carry on sorting out the flower beds etc etc etc.

Stay safe
Best wishes
John Palmer M.A.R.L.A. Managing Director