01 June 2019
Last year the leading manager and developer of retirement communities, McCarthy Stone, launched its own dedicated in-house Resales Service to boost the local housing choice for older people in Suffolk looking to downsize.
With an in-depth understanding of the unique lifestyle benefits that being part of a McCarthy Stone community offers, the team has built a successful track record when it comes to matching sellers with purchasers in Suffolk to achieve quick and stress-free results.
The Resales team finds buyers for pre-owned properties built and managed by McCarthy Stone. Over 200 sales have been agreed in its first year, averaging around 28 sales per month, with new instructions achieved daily – currently over 360 individual retirement apartments are advertised on the Resales website, and successful completions are concluded quickly and seamlessly.
Resales Manager, David Gabriel, explained: “Throughout the last year, McCarthy Stone Resales in Suffolk has gone from strength to strength, and we are seeing rising demand from retirees looking to realise the benefits of a pre-owned retirement property.
“Combining the market expertise of a dedicated estate agency team in Suffolk that thoroughly understands the retirement sector, with the local knowledge of McCarthy Stone’s network of exceptional House Managers, means that we can offer existing retirement property owners access to a unique selling service; while those contemplating a purchase are supported through every step of what could otherwise be a daunting process.”
McCarthy Stone’s retirement communities provide over-60s with the opportunity to enjoy an independent lifestyle in a low maintenance, privately-owned apartment
When instructed on a sale, its new Suffolk resales team takes care of everything, from the initial guide price valuation, through to marketing, finding a buyer and progressing the sale through to completion.
Properties for sale appear on the dedicated McCarthy Stone Resales website, as well as on Rightmove, and sellers also stands to benefit from the company’s access to more specialist routes to market via links to industry groups such as the Elderly Accommodation Council.
“What McCarthy Stone Resales offers over traditional estate agents, is that we truly understand the importance of a positive retirement lifestyle,” David continues.
“Each development has its own uniquely created community, where practical support and companionship go hand-in-hand. From the provision of specialist caring services to packed social itineraries, homeowners at a McCarthy Stone development are free to enjoy an active and fulfilling retirement, without worry.
“When talking to prospective buyers of a previously owned apartment, as well as ensuring a fair financial deal, the team focuses just as much on the benefits retirement living brings. By doing so, they often open the eyes of potential buyers to a whole new world of possibility.”
McCarthy Stone’s dedicated House Managers are another important part of the all-round Resales team effort that delivers real results and happy homeowners.
“Each House Manager is uniquely positioned,” David explained. “They know their developments better than anyone and are ideally placed to convey all the lifestyle benefits of retirement living to prospective purchasers who may be considering downsizing for the first time.”
House Managers and the Resales team work together to ensure both sellers and purchasers get what they need; and the results so far have been very encouraging, with the majority of resales properties achieving more than their original purchase price.
David Walker, who used McCarthy Stone Resales to sell his parents’ apartment at Martin Court in Grantham, explained how the service is helping to tackle common resales barriers: “Due to some negative experiences with our two previous agents, we’d lost all confidence that we were ever going to sell my parents property at Martin Court.
“When the property went on the market with McCarthy Stone Resales, we were astounded by the level of activity we received almost immediately. Within the first week we had had more viewings than we ever had before. We were in regular communication with Georgia our property consultant, who kept us updated with feedback from all potential buyers.
“The House Manager, Sally, did a fantastic job of showing people round the development; explaining entitlements and lifestyle benefits, as well as the social scene at Martin Court. She was also able to introduce potential buyers to current homeowners and give them a tour of all the communal areas, including the guest suite. She knows the development better than anyone and was able to give visitors a greater insight into day to day life at Martin Court.
“Thanks to the expert negotiating skills of Georgia we were able to secure full asking price on the property within three months from instructing the Resales team.”
Currently listed on the McCarthy Stone’s Resales website, Clarkson Court in Suffolk has a one bedroom apartment priced at £159,950.
For more information about McCarthy Stone’s Resales Service, please call 0345 556 4104 or visit: www.mccarthyandstoneresales.co.uk.
