Government Home Selling Plans: Doomed or Daring?

Just over a week has passed since the Government unveiled plans to modernise the home buying and selling process in England and Wales.

As is often the case with major property announcements, reactions were mixed. Some commentators claimed the proposals could transform the moving process, while others questioned whether they would make much difference at all.

Now the initial headlines have faded, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge.

What Is the Government Proposing?

The reforms are designed to tackle some of the frustrations … Continue Reading…

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 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…

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…

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…

Off-Market Property Sales: When “Discreet” Could Cost You £££££s

“Off-market” selling of a home sounds sophisticated. Private. Exclusive. The sort of thing many homeowners assume wealthy or well-connected sellers do.

But in reality, an off-market sale can either be a sensible strategy that protects a seller’s privacy… or a decision that quietly costs them a substantial amount of money.

The important thing is understanding the difference before agreeing to it.

First, it helps to understand what “off-market” actually means.

Some properties are never advertised publicly on portals like Rightmove or Zoopla. Others are … Continue Reading…

Why Your First Two Weeks on the Market Are Crucial

Why the Early Days Matter

Speak to almost any experienced estate agent, and they will tell you the same thing: the first two weeks after a property launches are usually the most important part of the entire sales process.

What happens during that period can have a huge influence on the final sale price, the level of buyer interest and how smoothly the move progresses from there.

When your home first appears on the major property portals, it is immediately pushed to buyers … Continue Reading…

May Market Update

The housing market is still fragile due to global unrest and political uncertainty at home which has restricted confidence. Although the situation in the Middle East hasn’t deteriorated over the last month, a permanent solution has not yet been agreed so the price of oil remains high putting pressure on many global economies including the UK. The cost of living is a genuine concern for many potential house movers.

The result of the local Council Elections has mounted pressure on the … Continue Reading…

A Fair Landlord’s Deposit Defence

Many landlords assume a tenant’s deposit automatically covers damage.

In reality, if a dispute reaches adjudication, the landlord usually has to prove the claim.

No evidence often means no deduction.

That’s why good check-ins matter so much.

The landlords who tend to succeed in disputes usually have:

✔ Clear, dated photographs

✔ A detailed signed inventory

Wide-angle room photos, close-ups of existing marks, appliance interiors, gardens and meter readings can all make a huge difference later.

And this protects good tenants, too.

Clear records prevent tenants from being blamed … Continue Reading…