The June issue of Cambridge Edition magazine has a fantastic property piece featuring expert commentary from Laragh Directors, Hannah Greenhow and John Lorimer…
Q: How has the property market evolved over the course of the pandemic?
“The market is incredibly buoyant at the moment and there is a huge demand for high-quality homes in well-connected locations,” said Hannah Greenhow, Sales and Marketing Director for Laragh. “While Cambridge often manages to buck the trend and weather economic storms pretty well, we have been extraordinarily busy, even by our standards. The combination of incentives such as Help to Buy and the 95% mortgage scheme also means that new homes are being snapped up well ahead of completion dates, and we’re not seeing any evidence to suggest that this will start to slow.”
Q: Have you seen any specific changes in preferences from prospective buyers?
“Lifestyle balance is high on the wish list for many homebuyers,” said Hannah Greenhow. “People have an entirely new approach to their work-life balance, and our development at The Old Tannery in Ely is leading by example. With 25 luxurious apartments, perfectly positioned in the city centre, it combines vibrant contemporary living with everything right on the doorstep, from restaurants, bars and cafes to riverside walks and excellent commuter links, and a 15-minute train journey to central Cambridge. Consequently, we are seeing an increasingly high demand for this outstanding development at every new release stage, with more than 50% of The Old Tannery’s designer loft-style apartments already reserved off plan.”
Q: What do your developments offer that you think will appeal to buyers in the current market?
“Laragh’s bespoke developments are set in sought-after locations, answering the call from Cambridgeshire homebuyers who want top quality properties with excellent connections and city links – be it Ely, Cambridge, London and beyond,” said Hannah Greenhow. “Our high-specification design concepts, provide a modern mix of house types for first-time buyers and second-steppers, growing families and downsizers, all of which are particularly appealing to those who want contemporary high-level homes with good travel access to suit their Cambridgeshire lifestyle.”
Q: What are your predictions for the property market later in the year?
“Sustainability and surrounding space are key factors for the future,” said Laragh’s Development Director John Lorimer. “We have planning in place for a new generation of developments during the year ahead, working with prestigious architects to design high-quality homes that blend seamlessly with their surroundings and provide impressive eco-credentials. Laragh is always forward-thinking, and our upcoming sites at Manor Farm, St Stephen’s Place and The Mews, will incorporate modern building specifications aligned with sustainable elements, such as air source heat pumps, electric car charging points and excellent levels of insulation across all projects, with emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental impact.”
