Sponsored Editorial by Aldo Sotgiu, managing director of Wards

Unless you are cut off from all media feeds you won’t have been able to avoid the property market rhetoric which often looks at the extreme ends of what might happen to the housing market in 2023.

I, for one, prefer not to speculate too much on what might happen. My mantra is to focus on the things I can control, rather than worry about the things I can’t.

Nevertheless, things are tough and it’s impossible not to acknowledge the cost of living crisis which is putting everyone under pressure. At Wards, we empathise with the situation.

This winter, we really want to let our customers know that “we get it". We understand the difficult times that you might be facing, whether you’re struggling to meet your monthly mortgage payments, need to reduce your moving costs or, in a time where properties are staying on the market longer than they have in the last two years, you’re in need of a quick sale.

With over 100 years in the property industry, we’ve seen every kind of market and our friendly, fully-qualified teams across Kent have the right solution for you, whatever your situation.

Following our incredibly successful fundraising campaign, in which we raised £1m for vulnerable young people across the south east for Barnardo’s, we knew we needed to go even further this January.

That is why, for every property we value, we will give £100 to your local food banks to offer practical support to those who need it the most.

If you have already had your home valued this year, we wanted to extend a massive thank you on behalf of the hundreds of lives you have already helped to improve and, if you haven’t, why not contact your local Wards agent for a free, no-commitment property valuation and we’ll give £100 to your local food banks on your behalf?

When times are tough and the market becomes more challenging, our customers can trust in the help and advice we provide and the expert guidance with regards mortgages, lettings and new homes.

Unlike many other agents, we believe it is our responsibility to acknowledge the reality of the current situation and, rather than telling you how good things are and what a great time it is to move, we’ll be honest with you. We get it and we’re here to help.

Am I anticipating a bit of house price deflation? Sure, but no-one ever said a bit of price correction wasn’t good for the market. You only have to ask those first-time buyers and people trying to enter the property market how difficult it has been over the past few years.

So, what’s the year ahead going to look like?

I never like to speculate too much but there are increasing numbers of customers still looking for somewhere to live. Whether that’s as a buyer or a tenant, people need homes.

The need for accommodation is higher than ever and within the property industry the pendulum will swing from time to time from rental to buying. The important thing is that all agents, sellers and landlords take the position of being open, sincere and always do the best they can.

Trust and honesty are always the best policy.