What Homeowners Should Know Before Insulating Their Property

Get it right, and insulation can add value to your home. Get it wrong, and it could be difficult to get a mortgage for your property. Read on to find out why.

With energy prices sky-high and global warming a pressing issue, many homeowners are looking to insulate their homes.

While there are many benefits associated with insulation, one issue you should consider before committing to work at your property relates to a product called polyurethane foam, also known as spray foam. … Continue Reading…

Top Tax Tip for Landlords

A significant shift in how landlords file tax returns is looming on the horizon. Here’s what landlords need to know about the changes.

If you’re a landlord with a taxable income of more than £10,000, now’s the time to start thinking about new tax reporting rules that are coming down the line.

In April 2024, all landlords with an income of over £10K will have to comply with a scheme called Making Tax Digital (MTD).

While that deadline is 18 months away, it … Continue Reading…

Why Compromise is the Key to Buying a New Home

Buying a home comes with a lot of dreams, needs and wants, but there’s another consideration, too – budget. Whether you’re taking your first step on the property ladder or moving on to bigger and better things, how can you make every pound count?

Maximising your budget might seem impossible; after all, a downstairs WC is a must, and you’ve always hoped for a driveway. But are these wants and desires preventing you from finding something you can actually afford?

Like everything … Continue Reading…

The Good Sense Guide to Wowing Buyers

Homebuyers are heavily influenced by what they see, smell and hear, so here’s a guide to ensuring your property appeals to their senses. 

Did you know that when it comes to impressing a buyer, you have just half a minute to knock their socks off?

Yes, you read that right. Most buyers decide if a property is the one for them in the first 30 seconds of a viewing.

So, with so much at stake in that short time, how do you make … Continue Reading…

Why Landlords Can’t Afford to Get Lazy during a Recession

Recessions hit everyone right where it hurts: in the pocket. Everyone feels the pinch as prices rise and the cost of living spirals. Homeowners face the prospect of higher mortgage rates and rising bills. But what about landlords? Are they the Teflon of a credit crunch?

According to finance experts at Investopedia, landlords not only survive recessions, but they thrive, as renting becomes more appealing than buying in the economic downturn. After all, owning rental properties guarantees them an income, or … Continue Reading…

Keep Calm and Carry On: Dealing with Property Chain Uncertainty

The economic events of recent months have prompted plenty of to-ing and fro-ing in the housing market.

While some buyers and sellers in the area have paused to consider their situations, others have put their foot on the gas to get deals swiftly across the line.

While this flurry of activity may be making headlines in national newspapers, it’s important to remember that property chain uncertainty is nothing new. Over the past few years, the average number of sales falling through before completion … Continue Reading…

Three Nightmarish Buy-to-Let Scenarios and How to Avoid Them

You’ll see plenty of ghosts and ghouls trick-or-treating tonight, but here are three frightening scenarios that haunt landlords all year round.

Being a landlord can sometimes be unpredictable – but the experience is much less scary if you have a good letting agent on your side. Read on to find out why.

Late night emergency
Picture this: It’s past midnight, a full moon is in the sky, and you’re safe and warm in your bed. Then the phone rings. And your cosy evening … Continue Reading…

Top Tips to Avoid a DIY Disaster at Home

Will your next home improvement project end in success or a desperate call to the DIY SOS team? Here are five tips to avoid bungling the job.

Repairing and refurbing your own home can be immensely satisfying – and save you lots of money. But not every DIY task finishes well. One in eight ends in a mishap, while half of all DIYers confess to calling in a professional to rectify a mistake. *

From crooked countertops and fudged fireplaces to botched … Continue Reading…

How to Spot a Fake Landlord and Avoid Getting Scammed

Don’t let fraudsters swindle you out of your hard-earned money. Read on to discover what the ‘fake landlord’ scam is and how to protect yourself.

The fake landlord ruse has been around for years, but current market conditions mean that some renters are particularly vulnerable to this con right now.

 Here’s how it works

A fraudster posts a property for rent online, complete with photos (usually stolen from a legit website). Often, they advertise on online community noticeboards so they can take advantage … Continue Reading…

Six DIY Tips That Will Save You Money on Your Energy Bills

With winter around the corner, there’s still time to make changes at home to minimise your energy usage and save on your bills.

There’s no getting around it: we’ll all be paying more for our energy this winter. But by making a few simple changes at home, you can trim back your energy usage.

While much of the energy-saving advice that has been dished out so far relates to behavioural change – things like using your boiler less and turning off the … Continue Reading…