May 2025 Market Update

As we move into the summer period it was expected the housing market would be in a better place and showing stronger signs of recovery following the difficult summer of 2023 when the Bank of England base rate was 5.25% and mortgage rates higher.

The cost of borrowing is today certainly more affordable with the base rate now at 4.25% and some fixed rate mortgage deals available under 4% but it appears the market is still struggling with confidence.

The lack … Continue Reading…

How Summer Sellers Could Boost Their Sale Price by 20%

Don’t underestimate how much a beautifully presented garden can sway buyers and help you clinch a great price for your home.

When it comes to preparing a home for listing, there’s a lot to do.

But in your effort to get the interior of your home ‘just right’, don’t forget about another key asset – your garden.

If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space in the form of a garden, patio or courtyard, treat it like any other room in your home.

Spend … Continue Reading…

Rentvesting: What Is It? Can It Pay Off?

Rentvesting is an arrangement where you rent a home to live in yourself, but buy a property elsewhere and rent it out.

Rentvesting has received a lot of attention in Australia, New Zealand and the USA in recent years. Here we’ll look at whether it might work for you.

The pros of rentvesting

Rentvesting might appeal to people who live and work in one area but don’t want to actually buy a home there.

It might also suit people who currently can’t afford to … Continue Reading…

Amid Tariff Turmoil, Investing in Property Remains a Wise Choice

It’s been a bumpy ride on the stock market this year. In contrast, property has proved to be a stable, resilient investment option.

Two issues have dominated the economic news this year: Trump’s tariffs and stock market volatility.

But amid all the chaos, one story has gone somewhat under the radar: the solid performance of the property market.

As we near the mid-point of 2025 (yes, it’s hard to believe we’re nearly there already), let’s review the year so far and analyse what … Continue Reading…

Could an HMO Be Your Ideal Investment Opportunity?

Shared houses or HMOs are often thought of as being a very lucrative type of property investment. Here’s what you must know before investing in an HMO or converting your existing property into one.

What is an HMO?

An HMO (house in multiple occupation) is a property where the rooms are let individually to different people. Tenants have their own bedroom and may share communal amenities like bathrooms and kitchens.

In law, a property let to three or more people forming more than … Continue Reading…

Spray Foam Insulation: New Guide for Concerned Homeowners

Homeowners worried about spray foam insulation in their property will find lots of helpful advice in a new consumer guide.

The Property Care Association (PCA) has published a guide for homeowners detailing the practical steps they can take if spray foam is present in their property.

As many as 250,000 properties in the UK have spray foam insulation.

It’s a type of insulation sprayed in liquid form onto the underside of a property’s roof, which then expands and sets.

Spray foam is marketed as … Continue Reading…

How to Avoid Invalidating Your Landlord Insurance

Landlords who make any of these common mistakes could find their insurer refuses to pay out on claims.

Picture this: you’ve been loyally paying your landlord insurance premiums for years without ever making a claim.

Then there’s an unfortunate and unforeseen incident at your buy-to-let.

Once you’ve dealt with the immediate crisis, you lodge a claim with your insurer (which is quite a faff because, let’s face it, they don’t make it easy).

And guess what? Your claim is swiftly and resoundingly rejected.

Despite all … Continue Reading…

Good News for Borrowers: Bank of England Cuts Interest Rate

Today, the Bank of England (BoE) cut the base interest rate to 4.25%, delivering a boost for borrowers. The quarter-point rate cut is the second of 2025, with more expected to follow later this year.

Looking forward

Financial forecasters predict interest rates will continue to fall due to several deflationary factors.

The first is the falling price of oil (it’s currently at a four-year low).

Then there’s Trump’s tariff war. This could see China re-route goods to other consumer markets, such as the UK, … Continue Reading…

Brand Spanking New or Old and Charming – Which Property Type Suits You?

Should you buy a new build home? Or would an older property suit you better? Here are a few things to bear in mind to help you decide.

What’s good about buying a new build?

Often, with a new home, you can specify exactly how you want it. You can choose the kitchen, bathroom, décor and carpets.

Everything is brand, spanking new. You shouldn’t have any maintenance or repair worries (or bills) for years.

Contemporary homes are designed to suit modern living. New build … Continue Reading…

The Pros and Cons of Owning Buy-to-Lets Through a Company

New figures show there are over 401,000 buy-to-let companies* in the UK – more than any other type of business. Let’s look at what landlords need to know about owning their property through a limited company.

Reasons to set up a limited company

Possible tax savings are the main reason some landlords opt to own property via a limited company.

Limited companies may reclaim the full amount of mortgage interest paid as an expense against tax. In comparison, a tax rule known as … Continue Reading…