A Mum’s Eye View of Selling and Buying a Family Home

Here’s the penultimate part of our series of articles on a family’s views on selling up and moving home.

This family of five sold and moved last year, but their experiences (and emotions) are timeless.

We’ve shared the perspectives of a six-year-old, a ‘tweenager’ and a teenager, and now it’s mum’s turn.

The perfect home

“The journey to a new home began excitedly, especially when we found the ‘one’ – the property we loved and wanted.”

An emotional offer

“I felt joy and disbelief when … Continue Reading…

January Market Review

The first month of the year has been a total contrast to the to the last quarter of 2023. The housing market staggered to an end last year after being battered continuously by rising interest rates, affordability issues, slipping house prices and a lack of confidence.

The turn of the year has been a breath of fresh air, so far there is more optimism which has been mainly fuelled by the major mortgage lenders cutting their rates considerably. All of a … Continue Reading…

Seven Simple Steps for Tenants to Combat Mould and Condensation

In the winter, we’re guaranteed a few things.

It’ll be raining when we least want it to.

A local postie will still be wearing shorts, no matter how cold it is.

And condensation will appear at some point – often in our homes.

While you can’t do anything about the weather (or the postie’s clothing choices), you can take some simple steps to combat condensation.

We’ve come up with seven quick fixes that can dramatically reduce the risk of condensation, ensuring your home stays fresh … Continue Reading…

Bright Ideas: Boost Your Mood and Your Home’s Appeal with Natural Light

Who doesn’t love it when the sun’s out?

Well, apart from vampires, mushrooms and raincoat makers.

But seriously, natural light, especially sunlight, has significant mood-enhancing effects on our minds and homes.

For homeowners and residents, understanding how to harness this natural marvel in home design isn’t just about aesthetics but also a step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Let’s discover more.

Why sunshine is significant: The health benefits of natural light

Natural light is a natural mood enhancer. Exposure to sunlight increases the brain’s release of a … Continue Reading…

Top Tips to Help You Save for a Mortgage Deposit

One of the biggest challenges first-time buyers (FTBs) face is getting a deposit together.

Saving a large sum of cash while covering all your living expenses during a cost-of-living crisis is no mean feat.

But having a good plan and clear goals can make this daunting task more achievable.

Here are some tips to help you save for a mortgage deposit.

Number crunch

You’ll need a deposit that’s at least 5% of the value of the property you wish to buy. However, some FTBs aim … Continue Reading…

How to Spot the Signs of Illegal Subletting

Did you know that one in ten tenants admit to illegally subletting their rental property*?

The practice is even more common among young people; in a recent survey, 25% of tenants aged 18 to 24 confessed to secretly subletting all or part of their rental.

So why should landlords be concerned about illegal subletting? After all, if the rent still gets paid on time, what’s the problem? Here are a few reasons.

You have no idea who is living in your property and … Continue Reading…

Inside the Buyer’s Mind: Emotional Triggers in the Home-Buying Process

We’re estate agents, not mind magicians like Derren Brown, but recently, we’ve been delving into the psychological aspects of home buying.

It’s fascinating stuff.

For sellers, it can offer invaluable insights, helping them better understand how they (and their estate agent) can achieve the best possible price for their home.

Buying a home is not just a financial transaction; it’s a deeply emotional journey influenced by many psychological factors.

Let’s investigate some of these.

The emotional connection

At the heart of every home purchase is an … Continue Reading…

Tenant Trends: How to Meet the Demands of Renters Today

Whether you’re a first-time investor or an experienced landlord looking to expand your portfolio, it pays to know what tenants want.

Understanding current trends in the market will help you fine-tune your rental marketing strategy and ensure that any improvement work you undertake proves to be of good value.

So, what are tenants looking for in 2024? Let’s take a look.

Affordability

Given we’re in a cost-of-living crisis, it’s not surprising that affordability is the top concern for tenants.

With the average UK monthly rent … Continue Reading…

From Blue to Brew: How a Simple Cuppa Can Lift Our Spirits

Blue Monday, often labelled as the most challenging day of the year, falls on the third Monday of January.

But what exactly makes this day particularly blue?

Well, a travel company originally coined the name, and Blue Monday is thought to be the day when the festive cheer has faded, resolutions have hit the rocks, and these cold, dark days seem never-ending.

But, it’s not all doom, gloom and incoming credit card bills (another reason Blue Monday is so depressing), thanks to the … Continue Reading…

Why Guppies Make Good Tenants and How You Can Attract Them

If you’re wondering what Guppies are (and we’re not talking about fish here) and what they’ve got to do with the property sector, let us explain.

The term ‘Guppies’ refers to tenants in the 18 – 39 age bracket who see themselves staying in the rental market for the long term.

The nickname comes from the phrase ‘Given Up on Property’ because Guppies don’t see home ownership on the cards for them for at least the next decade.

For some, this is because … Continue Reading…