A Guide to Selling a Probate or Inherited Property

Selling the property of a deceased relative is very different from an ordinary house sale.

Alongside the practical steps, there is often grief, family discussion and the responsibility of making the right decisions for everyone involved.

In many cases, probate will be required before the sale can be completed.

Probate is the legal authority to deal with someone’s estate, including their property, money and possessions. If you are named as executor in a will, you can apply for probate.

If there is no will, … Continue Reading…

How to Switch Estate Agents Successfully

If your home’s been on the market a while with little interest, it’s natural to wonder if a change is needed.

Before you switch, here’s what to consider:

1 – Be clear why

Overvaluation, poor communication, weak marketing or broken promises are common triggers. If trust has slipped, that matters.

2 – Check your contract

Look at notice periods and any exit fees before making moves.

3 – Ask better questions

When speaking to a new agent, ask:

“What three things will you do differently to sell my … Continue Reading…

February Market Update

As we officially move into spring, the housing market is still uncertain as we are experiencing very inconsistent weeks, one week is slow, the next is busy. The biggest difficulty is the number of properties on the market compared to the number of active viewers buying. Currently there are over 1,600 properties for sale within a five mile radius of Wellingborough which gives buyers a massive choice but dilutes sellers chances of generating viewings.

When the Bank of England met last month … Continue Reading…

Into Room 101: The Biggest Turn-Offs for Home Buyers

For anyone unfamiliar, Room 101 is from George Orwell’s classic book, Nineteen Eighty-Four.

The room was the place containing a person’s worst fears.

It later became a well-known TV show, Room 101, where guests tried to banish their pet hates forever.

When it comes to selling a home, buyers often have their own “Room 101” list.

These are little things that instantly put them off, sometimes before they’ve even realised why.

The good news for sellers? Most are easy to avoid with quick fixes.

Here are … Continue Reading…

Sellers: Get Your Home READY for Success

Selling a home works best when it is based on preparation rather than hope.

For local homeowners, we believe moving should feel organised, honest and in safe hands. That is why we guide every seller through five simple principles we call READY.

The property world is full of letters and jargon. Sellers hear about EPCs, AML checks, memorandums of sale and endless forms. Those details matter, but a successful sale still depends on something simpler: being properly READY before the first buyer … Continue Reading…

Five Fatal Things That Kill Buyer Attraction

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s worth remembering that buying a home is rarely a purely logical decision.

Buyers don’t just like a property. They fall for it. Deep emotions are usually involved.

And just like any relationship, that feeling can fade faster than expected.

Not because of one dramatic flaw, but because of a series of small irritations that quietly chip away at the romance.

Most potential buyers don’t wake up one morning and suddenly hate a home they’d been eyeing up … Continue Reading…

Do Clean Homes Sell Faster?

It’s one of the most common questions sellers ask when preparing to move: Does getting a home professionally cleaned actually help it sell?

At first glance, the answer feels obvious. Of course, clean homes sell better.

But the real reason isn’t about cleanliness alone. It’s about confidence, perception, and how buyers feel the moment they step through the door (or spot the property online).

Buying a home is emotional

Long before buyers analyse floorplans or ask about boilers, they’re making snap judgements. A clean, … Continue Reading…

Five Steps on the Path to First-Time Renting Success

Renting your first home is exciting, but it’s not just about picking up the keys and unpacking boxes. There are a few key points to consider before signing on the dotted line.

This article will help you feel prepared, informed, and confident as you start your first tenancy.

Step 1: Set your budget

Before you begin your search, be clear on what you can comfortably afford each month. Remember to factor in more than just rent. Utilities, council tax (unless included), food, travel, … Continue Reading…

The Four D’s That Drive Any Property Market

There are loads of property buzzwords and phrases used to describe what’s happening (or not) in the property market.

Such as:

Hot markets. Cool markets. Booms. Busts. Slowdowns.

But there’s something far more consistent at work in the background, and it doesn’t get talked about anywhere near enough.

It’s known as the Four D’s, and it quietly drives movement in any property market at every time of year, regardless of interest rates, headlines, the economy, or confidence levels.

The Four D’s are not trends or … Continue Reading…

A Seller’s Checklist for Choosing the Right Buyer

Accepting an offer on your home is not just about the amount you’ve been offered.

The ‘best’ buyer is often the one who is best placed to see the sale through to completion.

With a significant number of property transactions falling through, asking potential buyers the right questions early can save time, stress, and disappointment later.

While buyers often come armed with questions of their own, savvy sellers and experienced agents know that a successful move requires research both ways.

Here are nine questions … Continue Reading…