More than 50 leading property agents and financial advisers from across Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire joined members of Thrings’ Bath-based Residential Property team for an evening of drinks and networking.
Among those present at the Thrings-hosted ‘fish, chips and fizz’ event were property professionals from Savills, Knight Frank, Carter Jonas, Curo, Cobb Farr, St John's Hospital and Whitely Helyar.
High up on the list of topics for conversation was the impact of new stamp duty measures – introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the start of April – which require buy-to-let landlords and people buying second homes to pay a three per cent surcharge on each stamp duty band.
Event host and Thrings partner, Bill Thomas, who acts for private individuals and companies across the full range of freehold and leasehold properties, said: “The residential property market does not appear to have suffered the drastic downturn anticipated by many following the increase in stamp duty land tax on properties in England and Wales at the start of April.
“The family homes market usually peaks between Easter and the summer holidays. Speaking to property professionals at tonight’s event, it’s clear that the EU referendum has created a degree of uncertainty in the market, although the consensus is that buyers and sellers will return to the market after 23 June.”
The event also provided an opportunity for guests to examine the South West residential property market with the newest members of Thrings’ Bath-based Residential Property team.
Licensed conveyance Elmira Moore and conveyancing executive Tim Bunting have recently joined Bill and associate solicitor Alice Altounyan in the team, which advises private individuals, trustees, developers, entrepreneurs and companies on the buying and selling residential properties, remortgaging, transfers of equity, buy-to-let properties and the development of residential estates.
Bill added: “Thrings is very pleased to welcome so many leading property agents and financial advisers to the Royal Crescent Hotel for what has been a hugely successful event. We hope guests have enjoyed strengthening links with their industry colleagues and debating some of the key issues affecting the local and regional property market.”
