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Budget-friendly practices for November and December

At this time of the year, it's only natural to be more conscious of your budget, with the Christmas holidays likely to leave many families and households short on funds in the following months.

 

One in three Brits will get into debt by overspending over the festive season, resulting in a total debt of £2.5 billion per year across the UK or £200 per person, on average.*

 

The most expensive outgoings are gifts and food, with £102 spent on food for the day itself and £70 on drinks.

 

How can you have a budget-friendly start to 2022?

 

The first area to address when cutting back for Christmas is to set spending limits for gifts.

 

It can be very easy to go overboard when piling up presents underneath the tree. However, agreeing to a maximum amount or going for handmade and meaningful gifts can leave you feeling less guilty and strapped when it comes to January.

 

As food is the second main culprit behind overspending, it's also worth planning meals and events ahead of time, so that you don't lose track of where your money's going.

 

Christmas can be a wasteful time, so use your leftovers wisely and cut back where possible on unnecessary purchases.

 

Sometimes it can be all about presentation.

 

With the right dining room staging, you may not need to go over the top decorating, opting instead for inexpensive decorations or simple seasonal additions, such as candles and the right lighting.

 

Are you budgeting for a home move?

 

Whether it's for your first home or simply the next step on the property ladder, having the right start to the new year will massively improve your chances of having the financial flexibility to go ahead with your plans.

 

Remember to be mindful of your credit card usage over December, as overly relying on it could signal a level of unreliability to lenders and reduce your chances of being accepted for a mortgage.

 

If you'd like more information on how to get ahead with your property plans, contact us from our website.

 

 

 *Milsted Langdon

 

 

Reasons to sell right now

From apartments to family homes, the average asking price of a property has risen to record levels around every region of the UK.

 

Whilst some people will choose to wait until the 2022 market has officially started, we have four reasons why it's the ideal time to ready your home for your new year sale right now.

 

Your home will be in front of a record number of potential buyers

 

The amount of people looking to relocate continues to outweigh the number of homes available for sale.

 

Furthermore, it's an immensely competitive market following the last year of intense activity and interest, with Rightmove and Zoopla reporting that they see the highest visitor numbers in the days after Christmas year-on-year.

 

You could get a better price for your home

 

Asking prices have hit record heights in 2021, so if it's been a few years since you last learned your home's value, you could see far more than you ever expected.

 

The budget for your next home might have changed

 

Depending on your property priorities, you might find that your dream home is within reach, as location is no longer the most desirable characteristic and demand levels are influencing price points on the market.

 

Favourable mortgage interest rates

 

Mortgage interest rates continue to stay low, and lenders remain eager to propose loans in the competitive market, helping you to secure your next move that much faster.

 

Find out your home’s true value with us today by booking your market valuation.

 

 

Selling should always come before buying

House hunting takes time and effort, so when you've finally found a property you want, it can be crushing to lose out in favour of another buyer.

 

In a competitive market such as the one we've experienced so far in 2021, homeowners have their pick of offers and buyers, but there are a number of factors that you could consider in order to stand a better chance of being chosen.

 

First and foremost, whilst it's a negotiation, you want to be careful not to lowball them and risk offending the seller, especially where the house is fairly and accurately priced.

 

It also helps to have already sold your property or purchase without a chain holding you back. By being in this position, you will benefit from the following:

   

Sellers will take you more seriously

 

Having your current property listed on the market or Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC) will demonstrate your motivation to progress quickly with the sale.

 

You'll be able to avoid making any hasty decisions

 

If you secure your new purchase before finding a buyer yourself, you might find that you're willing to accept offers far below your expectations.

 

You have a better insight into your budget

  

If you anticipate selling at £250,000 but your agent helps you sell above asking price, you have additional funds to put straight into your next purchase, meaning you may be able to afford the home you want rather than settling.

 

In need of our expert advice? Contact us today to discuss selling, whether you're looking to start right away or in the new year.

 

 

Tenant demand is still high!

According to a recent survey of landlords, tenant demand is only increasing across 2021, with record heights seen in the third business quarter of this year.*

 

Seven in ten landlords (69%) have remarked on this development within the lettings sector. Of those, 36% believe the increase to be 'significant'.

 

The highest levels of confidence were present in the South West and South East, where 79% and 74% are seeing promising conditions for investors.

 

Key drivers behind the rise in tenant interest include factors relating to the pandemic, seasonal trends and the new wave of graduates starting new jobs or students beginning the academic year in rented accommodation.

 

Have you been considering expanding your portfolio?

 

Ahead of the new year, we'd urge you to consider your options as a landlord. For a profitable 2022, here are some items you should be taking the time to review:

 

1) What are your tenant screening processes?

 

Whilst the eviction ban has lifted, if there's one thing the last year has taught us, it's to prepare for every eventuality.

 

You need to have rigorous checks in place to secure the best financial future for yourself and your investments, so rather than go it alone, you could defer to an experienced lettings agent in your local area to help you locate reliable tenants.

 

2) Larger homes have seen the steepest rise in value, but regardless of your property type, it is worth having the rental value re-assessed so that you don't lose out on your rental income.

 

3) Are you safeguarded against any future losses?

 

If tenants can't or won't pay, rent guarantee insurance can offer you a lifeline when it comes to keeping up with your mortgage payments and outgoings in the meantime.

 

 

Do you need to speak with one of our trusted local agents? Visit our website today.

 

*Paragon Bank

The paint colours that could decrease the value of your home

Smartening up a room is a great idea to attract prospective buyers, but certain paint colours could put a negative effect on the value of your home, potentially decreasing its value.

 

The use of trendy colours can date a property and be costly to update. So, what are the key colours that experts would suggest avoiding?

 

Dark brown

 

Darker paints can produce a bold and rich feeling, however, when this comes into contact with wooden furniture, there's the possibility that this will create an odd and jarring look for the room.

 

Citrus green

 

Whilst a bold contrast might suit your own tastes, there's a high chance that viewers will struggle to visualise the space as their own.

 

Bright yellow 

 

Despite its positive connotations, overuse of yellow can be overwhelming, especially where used heavily in a small space.

 

Bold black

 

This colour often comes across as daring, dramatic, and striking.

 

While it can lift a wall in an instant, research suggests it can make a front door appear uninviting.

 

Instead, a medium to dark grey with a white trim would give the same powerful impact without being overpowering.

 

Have you had a recent valuation of your home? If you've recently renovated, you could see high returns from your home, contact us today.

 

 

The tricks to help you secure your dream home

With Christmas not far off, many homeowners and buyers will now be readying themselves for the new year, new home surge that will inevitably see high demand and interest levels across the UK.

 

Having spent one last Christmas at home, many people make the decision to buy shortly after the festivities have calmed down, which helps explain why website traffic to sites such as Rightmove see such phenomenal figures.

 

After Christmas Day in 2019, Rightmove reported a 231% surge in visitors looking at available properties for sale.

 

As a buyer, it's very likely you'll be competing for properties in January and February, as stock will gradually build up but not at the same rate as interested would-be homebuyers.

 

How can you make yourself the ideal buyer?

 

Having your finances sorted will put you in good stead with any seller, whether that is as a cash buyer or with an approved mortgage and lender behind you.

 

Property chains can be very fragile, so leaving things until the last minute or causing delays by not having the proper paperwork could lead to your sale or purchase falling through.

 

If you're proactive in your search, you'll also be better informed about local market conditions.

 

Your agent will be able to fill in most of the blanks, but having a good idea of how prices compare against each other will ensure you make sensible decisions and don't overvalue a property.

 

Are you looking for your dream home? Begin your journey by contacting us today.

 

 

Top tips to avoid damp and other damages

Caused by a lack of proper ventilation or condensation, damp poses severe health issues to inhabitants where left untreated.

 

With the problem more prominent in the colder months, we take a look at some of the precautionary measures you can take to protect yourself and your home.

 

Clean down windows and sills every morning

 

Mould can’t grow and thrive without moisture, so it’s important to dry wet areas where condensation has formed as soon as possible.

 

A kitchen towel, window vac or a squeegee will work very effectively.

 

Contain steam from cooking

 

When cooking, ensure you cover your food, pots and pans.

 

Closing the kitchen door whilst cooking is also a good idea, as this prevents steam from escaping the kitchen.

 

Get rid of bathroom moisture

 

Showering or bathing can cause a large amount of steam and moisture to build up.

 

To prevent this from happening, open the windows wide enough for the steam to leave the room or use exhaust fans to channel moisture to the outside of your home.

 

In order to avoid the growth of mould, clean bathrooms with mould-killing products.

 

How to get rid of rising damp

 

If damp and mould happen to get out of hand, speaking to a qualified surveyor is the best solution.

 

They will take a moisture reading in your home, identify the issue and give you advice on how you can resolve the situation.

 

Want help managing your property investments? Talk to us.

 

 

Transform your bedroom with these headboard ideas

Are you looking for effective and inexpensive ways to transform your bedroom?

 

Over the last year, a lot of thought has been given to our 'working from home' and garden zones, but with the change in weather and Christmas holidays not far off, have you considered making your bedroom cosier for the long nights and dark mornings ahead?

 

Having the right design in your bedroom can instantly lift your mood when waking up to dark skies.

 

According to interior designers, one key focal point you should pay heed to is the headboard, which has the potential to alter your room's energy.

 

Here are some stunning headboard ideas to inspire you:

 

Camouflaged painted headboard

 

Blending your headboard into your walls is a unique idea, using materials like chalk paint to produce a satisfying back drop.

 

Rustic asymmetric headboard

 

For a striking choice, you could opt for an asymmetric pattern ingrained into the wood.

 

Combined with soft furnishings, this will create a homey feel and really draw the eye against a plain white wall.

 

Wavy headboard

 

If you like thinking outside of the box, why not experiment with shapes?

 

A wavy design above your bed will create an interesting layer to the room, especially effective with a bold colour choice.

 

Tiled headboard

 

If you want something more vintage, tiled headboards can truly give personality to your bedroom.

 

Curious to see what properties we have for sale or let in your area? Visit our website.

 

 

UK house prices have climbed on average by £25,000 in the past year alone

House prices rose by 10.6% during August, up from 8.5% during July – bringing the average price to £264,000.*

 

This strong national increase is being fuelled by the perfect storm of high buyer demand combined with low housing stock levels.

 

The stamp duty holiday helped increase house prices in the UK by 9.8% in the year to August, before coming to a close in September.

 

Whilst growth rates were seen to be higher in Wales and Scotland, the average prices are lower at £195,000 and £181,000 respectively.

 

At the same time, London has seen the lowest level of growth across all regions but has reached a new height at £526,000 on average.

 

Even though the stamp duty holiday has finished, experts believe that prices won’t fall due to demand for homes remaining higher than supply.

 

Online property searches spike over the Christmas period, giving you an optimal window to showcase your home and attract buyers in the new year.

 

To learn your property's value and get it market-ready in time for the holidays, contact us.

 

*Office for National Statistics

 

 

What are your house guests most interested by?

Through the use of eye-tracking technology, new research has shed light on the key factors that guests will notice the most when visiting our homes.*

 

As could be expected, an office space is one of the most eye-catching areas of a property, which makes sense considering the rise in working from home in the last 18 months.

  

Top 10 areas that guests find most eye-catching

 

- Office chairs

- Kitchen floors

- Child’s cot

- Throws on a bed

- Kitchen cabinets

- Bathroom mirror

- Drawers under the sink

- Home office computer

- Child’s bookcase

- Bedroom chest of drawers

 

After the home office space, kitchens were the next room to draw attention from guests, with the choice of flooring attracting 100 more views than for the cabinets or sink.

 

Whilst it still remains essential to present your cooking area in the best light during any property viewings, the findings actually showed that hobs and extractor fans were the least interesting spots in the kitchen.

 

Are you ready to consider your next property sale or purchase? Talk to us about your home's core unique selling points.

 

*Confused.com

 

 

When is the right time to put up your Christmas tree?

When it comes to decorating for Christmas, there's no right or wrong answer but everyone seems to have a different date where it's seen as acceptable to make a start.

 

Last year was unlike any other, with a last minute lockdown disrupting plans for households across the UK.

 

With the pandemic under better control in 2021, research suggests that Brits will be hitting the holidays even harder this year to make up for lost time with friends and family.

 

So, when is the right time to dress the tree?

 

Right after Halloween

 

Whilst too early for some, the putting away of pumpkins is the signal to switch gears and stage the room for the festive season.

 

Of those who opt for a post-Halloween set up, 22% find that decorating ahead of time relaxes them and 32% can get more excited for Christmas.*

  

Decorations are going up even earlier this year

  

Online searches for Christmas items have surged by 225% on major consumer websites like Selfridges and John Lewis, with shoppers keen to purchase lights, wreaths and trees before the risk of them selling out.**

 

Are you looking to sell or list your property before the end of 2021?

 

Even if there's a small possibility you'd be looking to get your home market-ready before the new year, it would be recommended to hold off the decorations until you've had your home appraised and the marketing photos taken, as these could date your property on the market.

 

For more information, contact us today.

 

 

*Not on the High Street

**House Beautiful