June Market Update

The month of June has proved to be a difficult month for the property market. The cost of mortgage borrowing is limiting activity as first time buyers, in particular, are being priced out of the market by higher interest rates. Despite the Bank of England holding rates at 3.75%, many first time buyer two year fixed rate mortgages are over 5%, they peaked in March at 5.90%

According to the property portal Zoopla, 60% of properties listed for sale since January remain unsold, this … Continue Reading…

Why Good Tenants Leave Good Properties

Most landlords spend a lot of time worrying about finding good tenants.

But what about keeping them?

While no tenancy lasts forever, many landlords are surprised when reliable tenants suddenly decide to move on. The property is in good condition, the rent has been paid on time, and there have been no obvious issues.

So why do good tenants leave good properties?

Sometimes the reasons have nothing to do with the landlord at all.

A growing family may need an extra bedroom. A new job … Continue Reading…

Home Styles from Around the World (Cup)

As the World Cup captures the attention of football fans around the globe, most conversations naturally focus on players, managers and matches.

But there is another fascinating side to the countries taking part.

Their homes.

One of the joys of travelling is discovering how differently people live around the world. Climate, culture, history and geography all influence the design of homes, creating some wonderfully distinctive property styles.

So, while the football takes centre stage, let’s take a quick property tour of some of the … Continue Reading…

Why Your Home Selling Success Is a Team Sport

As World Cup excitement builds, football fans across the country will be looking forward to watching the world’s best players compete for the biggest prize in the game.

While star players often grab the headlines, tournaments are rarely won by individuals. Behind every successful team is a group of people working towards the same goal.

The same principle applies when selling your home.

Many people understandably focus on finding a buyer, but a successful sale often depends on a team of professionals working … Continue Reading…

FAO: Landlords – Avoiding Rental Property Own Goals

With the World Cup now underway, football fans across the country will be hoping their team can avoid the mistakes that turn promising performances into disappointing results.

The same principle applies to property investment.

Most landlords don’t run into difficulties because they deliberately take risks. More often than not, problems arise because something small is overlooked until it becomes a much bigger issue.

The good news is that many of the most common landlord mistakes are entirely avoidable.

Don’t Get Caught Offside

Keeping up with … Continue Reading…

How to Choose the Right Conveyancer and Speed Your Sale or Purchase

Whether you’re buying, selling, or doing both at the same time, choosing the right conveyancer can make a big difference to how smoothly your move progresses.

A good conveyancer helps keep things moving.

A poor one can cause delays, frustration and unnecessary stress.

Here are our tips to find a good one:

Start looking early. Don’t wait until you’ve accepted an offer or had one accepted.

Ask for recommendations from people you trust, including your estate agent.

Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), … Continue Reading…

Survey Results Scared Your Buyer Off? Here’s What to Do Next

Your buyer just got their survey back. Now they’ve gone quiet.

Deep breath. This happens more than you think. And it doesn’t have to be the end of your sale.

Here’s what to do right now:

Read the full report carefully. Surveyors flag everything they see. Most items are smaller than the language makes them sound.

Get your own quotes. Two or three independent tradespeople will give you actual figures to work with, not just vague warnings.

Know your options. Fix the issue before completion, … Continue Reading…

What’s the Single Biggest Worry Landlords Have?

Ask a group of landlords what worries them most, and one concern is likely to come up time and again: losing rental income.

That is why void periods matter so much.

Most landlords understand that an empty property means lost rent. What many do not realise is how quickly the costs can add up beyond that.

A six-week void on a property renting for £1,200 per month could mean around £1,800 in lost rent alone.

Mortgage payments continue.

Council tax may become your responsibility.

Utility charges … Continue Reading…

The New Pet Rules: What Landlords Need to Know

The new pet rules are one of the big changes in the Renters’ Rights Act in England. Here we’ll explain what they mean for landlords.

The new rules in a nutshell

Tenants now have the right to request a pet. Landlords can only refuse on what the rules call a ‘fair reason’.

How the new rules should work

Tenants must request written permission for every pet. Doing so without permission could be a breach of their tenancy.

They need to explain what type of pet … Continue Reading…

What Really Causes a Property Sale to Fall Through?

Having an offer accepted on your home can feel like the hard part is over.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

While many sales progress smoothly to completion, a significant number fall through before contracts are exchanged. The good news is that many of the common causes can be identified and managed with the right advice and communication.

Survey Surprises

One of the most common reasons a sale falls apart is a survey that uncovers unexpected issues.

Sometimes the problem is serious. More often, … Continue Reading…