We would like to introduce the team at NSW...

We would like to introduce the team at NSW to e-newsletter readers so we kick off this month with…

RACHAEL CARRAGHER, SALES NEGOTIATOR

Tell the reader a bit about yourself...

I was born in 1988 and was raised in Crosby. After graduating from Sheffield University in 2010, I began my career with NSW in the lettings department as a negotiator and moved to my current position in our sales department in 2014. Last year I bought my own home and I have just recently become engaged and now enjoying the excitement of wedding planning!

What is the secret to the company’s success?
The secret is simple - good quality customer service for both vendors and applicants. We are a great team of people who have a raw genuine enthusiasm to succeed and keep our company the best in area. We pride ourselves on our fresh approach to the property market and are always aiming to be different, innovative and keep up with new technology to benefit our customers.

What’s you view on the current housing market?
The current housing market is healthy, certainly in Ormskirk and the surrounding areas. We have seen a steady number of new instructions over the past year but there is still a huge demand with rising wages and good access to a wide range of mortgage products meaning the supply is failing to keep up. The research bodies all tell us that this has seen house prices in the North West rising by 4.2% this year.

The Government doubled the housing budget in the recent Autumn Statement to £2bn a year and said it would put more cash into a series of programmes to build 400,000 new homes across England by 2020 to try and accommodate the rising demand from buyers, so we are all looking forward to seeing what next year brings here at NSW.

If you could give a house buyer and seller one piece of advice, what would it be?
My advice to a buyer is to really do a lot of research and put the effort in with searching for the right home. Get to know the agents who deal specifically with the type and/or location of house you want to buy and make a pest of yourself. My advice to a seller is always to have at least three valuations and have each firm explain in detail how they have arrived at that figure for your house. I would also get them to show you hard evidence of what has recently sold with them in order to substantiate that figure. I also think it’s important that sellers ask agents exactly what the company will do to earn their fee. Another idea is to mystery shop the company and act as if you are a buyer yourself to see exactly how they will sell your home to prospective buyers.

Where do you live?
I have just bought my own home just outside of Ormskirk town centre in Lathom. I love the area as it’s quite quiet and rural but is still only 10 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Ormskirk. so it’s the perfect location. Plus its only 10 minutes for me to get to work!

What are your hobbies?
I have a real interest in interior design at the moment and enjoy making furnishings for my new home. I also try and keep active and go the gym regularly (emphasis on the ‘try’) and of course I’m very busy wedding planning also at the moment!

If you won the lottery jackpot tomorrow, what three things would you want to buy first?
If I won the lottery the first thing I would do is book a holiday and jet straight off to get some sun and gather my thoughts. I think I would then definitely buy a brand new Range Rover, that’s always been a dream, and of course a new house, probably down Ruff Lane in Ormskirk as I drive down there every morning to get to work and the houses are just incredible!

What is your favourite view in West Lancs and why?
My favourite view is from a house we have for sale on Holly Lane in Aughton. Standing at the highest point of the property the views are breath taking, with views of Ormskirk to the rear of the property and from the front, on a clear day, the Welsh mountains and even the Isle of Man can be seen beyond the Mersey Estuary and the Wirral peninsula.

What is your idea of a perfect day in West Lancs?
A perfect day for me starts with a good breakfast from the amazing Cobble café next door to our office in Ormskirk. Their food, coffees and juices are delicious and really set you up for the day. Plus with our company rewards card they even offer a discount! What more could you want! Following that my perfect day would always just involve shopping. Ormskirk’s very own markets on a Saturday afternoon are a great place to pick up a bargain. Top it all off with a nice dinner and a few drinks and I’d be very happy.

Do get in touch with Rachael on 01695581260 if you would like to find out more about selling your property through NSW Properties.