114 | PROPERTY Bayleys Leeston ken@ktpl .co.nz 03 421 6829 or 021 2 TOOHEY NEW BUILDS ALTERATIONS MAINTENANCE WET BACK SYSTEMS PUMPS & FILTERS GASFITTING Bayleys Leeston is seeing a rapidly growing Ellesmere property market, where new subdivisions and an influx of residents are broadening the buyer pool while the area retains the small-town character that makes it so attractive. That growth is broadening the range of buyers considering Ellesmere, including firsthome buyers, who can often buy more house for their money than in Christchurch, as well as families and lifestyle buyers looking for more space without giving up access to services and amenities. Sales consultant, Suzy McPherson, says she and fellow agent, John Bailey, have local knowledge that extends across Leeston, Dunsandel, Southbridge, Doyleston, and Springston, giving the team a close understanding of the different communities and what they offer buyers. For vendors, that knowledge can be particularly valuable when buyers are weighing up factors such as schools, subdivisions, commuting, and community life, as well as the differences between properties and locations across the wider Ellesmere area. “We know the area really well,” Suzy says. “People come to our open homes and ask various questions about what it’s like to live here, where things are, and how things work. We can answer with confidence, giving them confidence.” She says Bayleys Leeston works hard to give prospective buyers a feel for the community, often taking them for a coffee where locals soon demonstrate the friendliness of the town. The changing townscape in Ellesmere is evident in the number of residential developments underway or planned. A new subdivision at Doyleston is now being marketed, with about 80 sections planned, Growing Ellesmere retains its rural charm Bayleys Leeston is a big part of the thriving Ellesmere community. T T Kelly Deeks “People come to our open homes and ask various questions about what it’s like to live here, where things are, and how things work. We can answer with confidence, giving them confidence.” while further stages are coming through at Karumata Oaks, Holly Fields, and Woodbury Estate in Leeston. Suzy estimates the town has grown by about 50% over the past decade, bringing new residents, who work locally, as well as commuters travelling into Christchurch. That growth is prompting future changes to local infrastructure and services, while Leeston offers a supermarket, schools, sporting facilities, and other everyday amenities. Bayleys Leeston is strongly involved in its community. The office supports the Ellesmere Show, golf course, bowling club, local schools, and other organisations, and has organised an annual rock hunt during the school holidays. For Suzy, community involvement and property sales are closely connected, because real estate is ultimately about people. “People think real estate is about houses, but it’s actually about people and building real relationships with people,” she says. That relationship becomes especially important when selling a home, she says, because a property is a person’s biggest asset, while buying one can be their biggest expenditure. Her approach is to keep the process straightforward, listen carefully, communicate well, and respond when the opportunity arises. “Everyone asks when is the best time to buy or sell,” Suzy says. “The best time is really is when you feel ready.” For vendors considering a move, she says circumstances do not always allow them to wait for a supposedly better market. The focus should instead be on presenting the property properly, understanding the market, and having an experienced local agent ready to act when the right buyer appears.
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