Help to Buy Scheme: Pros and Cons
The Help to Buy scheme is a government-backed equity loan opportunity. It is also referred to as ‘shared equity’.
The scheme is currently only available on new build properties. The loan from the government is up to 20% of the purchase price (40% in Greater London). This means that you only need to raise a 5% deposit and get a 75% mortgage (55% in Greater London).
Let’s consider the benefits and downsides of using this option.
Pros
Although this can be called a ‘shared … Continue Reading…
The Benefits of Regular Property Inspections For Rentals
When you’re a busy landlord juggling a multitude of responsibilities, it’s easy to let a crucial part of managing a property – regular inspections – slide.
Landlords usually carry out inspections with clockwork regularity at the start of a tenancy, but things can get a little lax over time.
Perhaps the tenant presents as a model citizen, and the landlord develops a false sense of security. (To which we say, remember Walter White, the unassuming science teacher turned crystal meth baron in … Continue Reading…
5 Top Tip For Sellers: Get an Agent to Take Care of Viewings
When it comes to selling a property, many people overlook the important role viewings play in the process.
They mistakenly believe that viewings are simply about opening doors and making sure would-be buyers don’t nick any valuables.
In fact, buyers share crucial information during viewings that can be helpful during negotiations and push up the final selling price.
Cutting corners on viewings – as many low-fee and online-only agents do by insisting the seller handles them – only chips away at the end … Continue Reading…
Top Tips for Improving Your Home’s Kerb Appeal
HomeOwners Alliance survey showed that 68% of potential buyers felt a property’s kerb appeal influenced their decision. Use these quick and easy tips to help your potential buyers fall in love at first sight.
Pathways and driveways
If you access your main entrance via a pathway or over a driveway, make sure you give it some TLC.
Refresh gravel
Pressure wash to remove discolouration or slippery bits
Remove weeds
Top tip: Add solar lights along the route for added elegance.
Front façade
The front of your property is … Continue Reading…
What Expenses Can I Put against My Tax Return as a Landlord?
If you rent out a property and receive a rental income from that, you must declare it. You have to pay tax on any profit. It doesn’t change your employment status to ‘self-employed’ though, as it’s considered an investment.
Of course, HMRC can be more complicated than a day at Hogwarts. The best advice will be to seek professional advice from an accountant but we’ve picked out some key points to start you off.
Start hoarding
HMRC unimaginatively call this ‘record keeping’. Be … Continue Reading…
Relocating but Not Moving Far? We’ve Got You Covered!
The term ‘relocation’ is often associated with a particular notion: someone packing up their family to move cross-country or even internationally for a change in job or career and specifically at the request of and sometimes with the assistance of, their employer. But did you know that the majority of moves RAN (Relocation Agent Network) members assist with take place within neighbouring areas and by people managing their own moves?
It’s true! According to RAN data, nearly half of all people … Continue Reading…
How to Help Elderly Relatives Move Home
For an elderly relative, moving on to the next chapter of their lives can be an emotional experience. The need to move home might stem from financial needs, bereavement, health reasons, or the wish to be nearer loved ones. But whatever the catalyst, time, diplomacy, and tact are the order of the day.
Don’t rush
It’s essential to broach the subject of a move sensitively. A move in the twilight years is likely to be a final move, so it’s important to … Continue Reading…
How to Calculate the Rental Return on Your Buy-to-Let in Wellingborough, Irthlingborough & Rushden
If you’re looking for a property to rent out, it’s important to understand the numbers involved. You may have inherited a property and are thinking of letting it. Use the information here to identify if that is a prudent thing to do or if the capital from selling the property could be better invested.
Find the numbers
The simplest way to work out your gross return on a rental is to estimate some numbers. You can have a browse on the property … Continue Reading…
Eight Ways to Celebrate National Children’s Day
The past year has been challenging for kids, so let’s make them feel special on National Children’s Day (NCD) on Sunday 16 May.
The lockdowns of the last year hit children particularly hard. While little ones often say they want to skip school, the reality is many find its structure reassuring. (Sadly, some also feel safer at school than they do at home.)
Not only did lockdown mean children couldn’t be with their friends, for many, it also meant less exercise and … Continue Reading…
Agent Fees: How to Get the Best Value Deal When Selling Your Home
Unless your name is Elon Musk, selling your home will probably be the biggest transaction you make in your lifetime. So, who will you entrust to get you the best deal?
Option 1: You go for the agent with the lowest fee. This agent is a doppelgänger for Del Boy, but you love the idea of saving yourself a few hundred quid in fees.
Option 2: You go for an agent who makes properties look and sound A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The fee is a … Continue Reading…