Market Update – Quarter 1

As we end the first quarter of the year, not a great deal has changed in terms of confidence in the general economy or affordability.  Despite some optimism a few months ago many people are struggling to feel good about the economic situation as the Government are taking measures to balance the books. Last weeks Spring Statement from the Chancellor did very little to impact the housing market.

The measures announced as last Autumns Budget will come into effect in April … Continue Reading…

Landlords’ Redecoration Responsibilities: What Are They?

Redecorating your rental helps protect your investment and keeps your tenants on side. Here, we’ll look at how often you should refresh your buy-to-let.

The law on rental redecoration

There are no specific rules on how often you must redecorate a rental property.

The law says that a rental property must be fit to live in, safe and free from hazards. So it is something that is open to interpretation.

Deciding on a suitable redecoration schedule

Opinions differ on this from person to person. A … Continue Reading…

What the Spring Budget Statement Means for the Property Market

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has just made her Spring Statement in Parliament. Here we’ll look at what it might mean for the property market.

The Spring Statement, also known as the Spring Budget, isn’t meant to be a Budget. That happens in the autumn. The idea is for the Chancellor to make a statement about the progress of the economy based on the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility or OBR.

However, given the so-called ‘£22 billion black hole’, the weak … Continue Reading…

Is Artificial Intelligence About to Replace Estate Agents?

It’s often said that artificial intelligence or AI is the future and will change how we do everything. So can AI help you find a home to buy or assist you in selling one? Let’s find out.

What is AI?

AI is technology that enables computers to simulate human intelligence.

It can gather information, learn from it and even make decisions.

You may already use AI in your daily life.

For example, Alexa can tell you what’s in the news today. And if you ask … Continue Reading…

Garden Maintenance: How to Avoid Disputes at Your Rental

Ensure everything stays rosy with your tenants by following these simple garden maintenance strategies.

A garden can be a real drawcard at a rental property, helping to attract and keep good quality tenants.

But garden maintenance can be a thorny subject and consistently ranks among the top five causes of end-of-tenancy deposit disputes*.

So what triggers garden disagreements, and how can landlords avoid them?

New research from Propertymark sheds some light on the issue.

First, let’s look at two key reasons why problems arise.

1 The … Continue Reading…

How Will Today’s Interest Rate Decision Affect the Property Market?

The Bank of England (BoE) has opted to hold its base interest rate at 4.5% in today’s announcement, a move that will influence the property market in Northamptonshire over the coming months.

The base rate has a direct impact on mortgage costs, affecting homebuyers, sellers, and investors alike. While today’s decision to hold rates steady means stability for borrowers, it also raises questions about when rates might start to fall and how this will shape property trends in the short term.

What Does … Continue Reading…

Here’s How to Ensure Your Property Photos Impress Buyers

Don’t sabotage your property sale with poor quality marketing photos. Follow these steps to ensure buyers browsing the web see your home at its best.

A whopping 98% of buyers kickstart their home search by scrolling through property portals.

So when marketing your home, it’s important to think carefully about what buyers will see when they click on your listing.

Here’s why first-rate photos are critical:

1 Good photos give buyers an idea of the property’s potential. If the rooms look light, bright and … Continue Reading…

How to Protect Yourself from Rental Fraud

New Home Office figures show there were 5,000 reported cases of rental fraud last year, alongside losses of £9 million. Here’s how tenants and landlords can protect themselves.

With new figures revealing the scale of rental fraud in the UK, the Home Office has provided an insight into how scammers work and who they target.

 Types of rental fraud

 A common fraud, says the Home Office, is where fraudsters advertise properties for rent that do not actually exist. Fraudsters may also advertise properties … Continue Reading…

Fall-Throughs: Everything You Can Do to Prevent Them

How can sellers minimise the risk of their property sale falling through?Here are some tips for keeping your sale on track.

What exactly is a fall-through?

A fall-through is a situation where typically a buyer has agreed to buy your home but pulls out before the sale becomes final.

Why do fall-throughs happen?

Sometimes, buyers change their minds, or there is a shift in their circumstances. On other occasions, there can be issues with surveys or mortgages that mean the buyer can’t buy your … Continue Reading…

How to Increase the Net Yield on Your Rental – Without Hiking the Rent

Buy-to-let investors can tighten their belts and improve their bottom line in many ways.

Landlords searching for inspiration need look no further than Apple founder Steve Jobs, who famously said, “Details matter.”

That’s because the key to success as a landlord is keeping a firm eye on all the details.

That means making the big decisions—such as setting rent—right, but also paying attention to other ways you can minimise your expenses and protect yourself from one-off cost blowouts.

So, here are some simple … Continue Reading…