Severe sales slump as market hobbled by February’s extreme weather

Managing director Peter Thompson says the state of emergency, constant gales, disruption to movement and the public’s preoccupation with safety made trading conditions last month the most challenging anyone in the business can recall.

“Whereas the Covid lockdown caused frustrations, in February onsite activity involved unprecedented commitment, discomfort and perseverance.”

The only month in the past 20 years when the agency sold fewer properties was in April 2020 when virtually all commercial activity was suppressed as a result of Covid, says Thompson.

However, new listings at 1,309 for the month were 21.5% higher than in February last year.