A leading Plymouth estate and letting agency has invested in a new office after the city’s property market enjoyed a record year for house prices.
Lang Town & Country, formed in 2015 following the merger of two of the city’s longest established property firms, has relocated to new premises in Mutley Plain, close to its former Mannamead Road home.
It comes after Lang Town & Country sold 465 homes in 2021, more than 50 more than any other agent, it said, making it the city’s leading agent for the third year in a row.
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The relocation also came off the back of a busy year for the Plymouth property market with more and more people looking to move, competition for properties hit an unprecedented level.
Despite the impact of Covid-19, record numbers of Plymouth homes sold for above their asking price. According to Dataloft, the average sale price of a home in Plymouth during the past 12 months was £219,468. That is 9% higher than the previous year.
Estate agents in Plymouth think this figure is actually closer to 12%. In the PL3 postcode alone, properties have increased by 15%.
Matt Minett, land new homes manager at Lang Town & Country, said: “Plymouth and the surrounding areas saw one of the busiest market places in living memory in 2021.
“Among the main factors behind this was the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday. More than a million people saved money on buying a property since the scheme was announced in July 2020.
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“Even after the holiday finished, house-hunters’ demand for quality homes in Plymouth remained high. We also saw people wanting or needing to work from home. And there was an increase in demand from buyers moving to the South West for a different lifestyle in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Demand was no different in the lettings sector, where increasing numbers of people are seeing property as a long-term investment. Richard Rabin, director at Lang Town & Country, said: “I would say that 2021 was the busiest year I have ever seen for lettings.
“Things quietened down approaching Christmas, but the first few days of the New Year saw a flying start. I expect the same for 2022, with rental prices remaining high and a strong demand from people wishing to rent. The move to our new office couldn’t come at a better time. We look forward to welcoming buyers, sellers, renters and landlords alike.”
Lang & Co was founded in 1993, followed in 1997 by Town & Country Lettings. Since merging with Town & Country the firm has built a reputation for its local knowledge, professionalism and service in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. Headed by directors who specialise in their own chosen fields, the team has helped thousands of people to sell and find their homes.
Now, nearly three decades after setting up its head office on Mannamead Road, the merged business has moved into a new base it said will “redefine the house-hunting experience”. Paul Preen, managing director of Lang Town & Country, said: “When we first entertained the thought of moving to a new office, we saw it as an opportunity to do something different.
“All too often, estate agents are reluctant to do something unique. They are too afraid to stand out. That means walls filled with shiny placards and properties for sale or rent, and decor which looks like every other agency on the high street.
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Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
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“Our new-look office has been purposely designed to enhance the customer experience. We’ve tried to create a welcoming environment that we hope feels more like home than a business. It’s a modern and contemporary space that will hopefully encourage people to come in, sit down, relax and have a coffee. It’s also great for our hard-working team to have a new, fresh base from which to operate - especially after a difficult last couple of years.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Lang Town & Country put steps in place including virtual viewings, online tours and increased marketing presence. Mr Preen added: “We’re way ahead of the competition when it comes to Plymouth property sales in the past 12 months. To us, though, it’s not just about the number of houses we sell, but the customer service we provide. Head to Google and read our five-star reviews.”
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