Moving Home Just Got Less Stressful

Just the thought of moving home can make you break out into a cold sweat. It’s a life experience that many people think of as one of the most stressful things you can do. So how can you minimise those feelings of panic?

April is Stress Awareness Month, and if you’ve got a move coming up, you’ll need to keep your wits about you to get it all done.

In this quick read, we look at ways to make selling your home … Continue Reading…

Ways to Avoid Deposit Disputes When You Leave Your Rental

It’s widely recognised that moving house is one of the most stressful (and annoying) life events you can experience.

If you’re nearing the end of a tenancy agreement, there are a few things you can do to ensure your check-out inspection goes well and (upon moving out) you get your tenancy deposit back in full.

In this quick read, we go through ways to make moving out easier for you and your landlord.

1) Report issues or breakages early

Let your landlord or managing … Continue Reading…

Cheap and Cheerful Ways to Have Family Fun This Easter

If you’re looking for ways to keep your children entertained this Easter, here are some fun activities that won’t break the bank.

These child-friendly suggestions won’t blow your budget but will stave off that familiar phrase, “I’m bored!”.

Organise a treasure hunt

Take the traditional Easter egg search to the next level by preparing a treasure hunt. Hide clues around your home and encourage your child to play detective. Each clue should direct your child to a new location, where they’ll have to … Continue Reading…

Estate Agent Costs: Fixed Fees Vs Commission

So, you’re selling up and don’t know whether to instruct a traditional estate agent or a DIY fixed-fee agency. Let’s look at the pros and cons of both options.

If moving is on your mind, the first thing you need to do is find the right estate agent. But before you can do this, you need to answer a more fundamental question: what type of agent do you want to handle the transaction? You have two options:

• A DIY agency which … Continue Reading…

What’s the Number One Accident People Have at Home?

Some days, it’s like your home is a minefield of accidents just waiting to happen. You trip up the stairs with a pile of washing in your arms, you break your favourite mug, and to top it all off, you burn the toast. Not fun.

While everyone wants a home that is safe and hazard-free, sometimes little mishaps can cause a whole lot of bother. So, how can we make our homes safer for all?

In this quick read, we look at … Continue Reading…

A Strong March For Sales

The property market has experienced a distinct change over the past year with ever increasing interest rates and an uncertain economy. The media have tended to report mixed messages which have often been confusing but overall the market has remained resilient.

Richard James have invested in staff, longer working hours, offering good quality marketing, regular communication and accurate advice.

We have been proactive in contacting buyers, rather than waiting for them to contact us, we have valued properties accurately rather than over … Continue Reading…

Four Signs You’ve Found Yourself a Committed Buyer

It’s every seller’s worst nightmare. You’re on the cusp of finalising the sale of your property when your buyer gets cold feet and runs for the hills.

Just like that, your plans go out the window. If you’re part of a chain, the whole deal could collapse, meaning you need to find a new buyer for your property and a new place to buy.

And it’s even more frustrating if you had several offers on the table but opted to go with … Continue Reading…

Why Targeting Older Tenants Makes Good Business Sense

Older tenants are a growing force in the private rental sector, so is it time for savvy landlords to proactively target this demographic?

It’s one of the most striking trends in the housing sector over the past decade.

Between 2011 and 2021, the number of tenants aged between 45 and 64 skyrocketed by 70%, while those over 65 jumped by 38%.*

A third of renters are now over 45. And due to high property prices and the challenges of getting a mortgage later … Continue Reading…

Should You Drop the Price or Your Agent if Your Home’s Not Selling?

If your dreams of a speedy property sale have hit the skids, it’s time to change strategies. Read on to discover the best way to get your sale back on track.

No one likes admitting they’ve got something wrong. But if your home has been on the market for some time and interest has gone cold, it’s time to reassess the situation. Before you can determine your next move, you need to identify if:

• The price is too high and you … Continue Reading…

How to Make Sure Your Rental Property Is Safe

Many people are under the assumption that being a landlord is an easy ride. Get your tenants in, collect the monthly rent and that’s it, you’re laughing. Sounds like a dream… Unfortunately, it’s far from the truth, as most experienced landlords and agents will tell you.

Unless you’re lucky enough to have long-term tenants, every time a new lot of renters move in, there are lots of checks to be made, forms to sign, letters to send and on it goes.

One … Continue Reading…