Get Ahead of the Competition When Buying a New Home

If you’re looking for a new home, time is of the essence. The market is competitive, it seems so often multiple buyers are chasing the same property, there’s a lot to get organised. But don’t fret – we’re here to help.

While buying a property is never stress-free, avoiding some common mistakes can make the process a little easier.

In this quick read, we look at ways that buyers can avoid losing the race towards purchasing their dream property.

Avoid money melodramas
There’s always … Continue Reading…

Surprising Things Buyers Want from a Property in 2022

Many buyers say that hunting for a new home is like looking for a healthy, low-calorie meal in a greasy spoon café… not easy. As well as wanting the right property in the right location, they usually have a long checklist to satisfy before even viewing a property.

If you’re selling, it’s useful to know what buyers are looking for so that you can get the marketing spot on.

This quick read looks at what buyers want most from a home in … Continue Reading…

Why You Should Hold on to Your Rental Properties Post Pandemic

If you’re a landlord, chances are you’re feeling a bit hard done by at the moment. It seems like every other day, new rules and revisions are being announced around landlord and tenant law, which means you have to change the way you work and may face higher taxes.

But is it all doom and gloom?

Is it time to hang up your landlord hat and sell up?

We definitely don’t think so.

In this quick read, we tell you why investing in buy-to-let … Continue Reading…

Six Steps to Avoid Bug Infestations in Your Rental Property

If the idea of an insect infestation at rental property makes your skin crawl, read on to find out how to beat the bugs this summer.

No landlord wants uninvited visitors in their buy-to-let – especially the six-legged variety that spread disease, bite, sting and cause property damage.

With insects breeding prolifically in warm weather, here’s a list of the little critters to be on the lookout for in your rental property.

Flies: Common house flies reproduce in large numbers, so even if … Continue Reading…

Freeholds and Leaseholds Made Simple

If you’re new to the property market, learning the lingo is essential. There are lots of legal and financial terms you need to get your head around and lots of research to be done.

Two terms that you need to be familiar with are ‘freehold’ and ‘leasehold’.

This quick read explains what each one means and why they are important.

What is a freehold property?
When you buy a freehold property, you’re buying the property and the land it has been built on. It … Continue Reading…

What You Need to Do Now to Be in a New Home by Christmas

You probably think it’s too early to be thinking about Christmas, right? After all, why worry about tinsel, trees and a present for dear old Aunt Bertha when it’s the middle of summer?

But if you’re planning to move home and hope to be in your new pad by Christmas, then now is the time to get moving. Let us explain why there’s no time to delay.

Conveyancing logjam
There are currently huge conveyancing delays in the UK. As a result, once a … Continue Reading…

Why Landlords Should Never Skip Doing an Inventory

A thorough inventory can save a landlord time and money and prevent messy end-of-tenancy disputes. So why do so many landlords rush this essential stage – or skip it altogether?

In this quick read, we look at why an inventory is important and what you need to include in it.

Picture this
Your tenant of the past 12 months is leaving. You go to check them out and find a massive stain on the carpet, there’s a whole in the lounge door and … Continue Reading…

A Quick Guide to Equity Release

Have you heard of ‘unlocking the value of your home’? Do you know what it’s all about? If you’re over 55, chances are you’ve seen or heard this phrase several times from targeted advertising.

While ‘unlocking value’ might sound like an elaborate spiritual journey or magic trick, instead, it’s quite dull and refers to equity release.

So, what is equity release? Is it a good idea? How does it work?

In this quick read, we go through the essentials.

What is equity release?
In simple … Continue Reading…

What Are a Tenant’s Responsibilities?

Moving into a new home can be exciting, but renting a property comes with responsibilities. To avoid disputes – or paying for things that don’t fall within your remit – it’s helpful to know your obligations as a tenant.

Read on for a general guide to a tenant’s responsibilities (but please note that for specific detail, refer to your rental agreement).

It’s a two-way street
The most important thing to remember about the tenant/landlord relationship is that both parties have an important role … Continue Reading…

Selling For The First Time – A Quick Guide

Selling a property for the first time? Here’s a helpful guide to help you navigate the process. A two-minute read.

Putting your property on the market can be stressful at the best of times, and even more so if you’ve never done it before. But don’t worry. With planning and preparation, you can avoid some common property pitfalls.

Let’s assume that you’ve made up your mind that it’s time to sell. Here are the next steps that you need to take.

Do your … Continue Reading…