Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Shocking Statistic That Landlords Should Know

We recently read a statistic about private landlords that left us scratching our heads.

A whopping 56% of private renters say they live in a property that doesn’t have a carbon monoxide alarm*.

Can such a high percentage of landlords really be ignoring safety advice and flouting regulations on carbon monoxide alarms?

By law, any room in a rental property with a solid fuel-burning device or a gas appliance (such as a boiler) should have a working carbon monoxide alarm.

These rules are there … Continue Reading…

Mortgage Fees: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to finding the best mortgage deal, there’s one question savvy home buyers should ask themselves.

And it’s not: “Which deal is offering the lowest interest rate?”

While interest rates are obviously important, mortgage hunters should ask: “Which deal represents the best value overall?”.

That’s because many of the ultra-low interest rate deals available right now come with fees.

For some home buyers, a zero-fee product with a slightly higher interest rate will represent better value in the long term. (It all … Continue Reading…

The Pros and Cons of Investing in Property with a Friend

Purchasing a buy-to-let property with a friend is an appealing prospect – on paper, at least.

But it’s important to carefully weigh up the risks and rewards before taking the plunge.

Here’s a list of the pros and cons of becoming a landlord with a friend.

The pros

The role of landlord comes with a plethora of responsibilities. Sharing these duties with a trusted friend will lighten the load.
Your co-investor may have a different skill set to you, meaning you can play to your … Continue Reading…

Top Tips for Choosing an Estate Agent

When it comes to selling a property, it pays to do your research before choosing an agent to manage the sale.

Now you might think that all agents are much of a muchness (they all flog homes, don’t they?), but you’d be wrong!

A great agent won’t just sell your property; they’ll sell it for the highest possible price (which is the whole point, obviously).

A mediocre agent will go through the motions and probably secure a sale – it is a seller’s … Continue Reading…

The Reality Behind Rental Property False Economies

Many of us realise doing a bit of DIY can save you money. But it comes with a caveat that you must know what you’re doing first.
For every successful bit of hallway decorating, there are dozens of tales of lopsided shelves, incorrectly fitted taps, and a whole host of other DIY disasters and fails.
And this risky approach doesn’t just apply to home DIY – we often see it when a landlord tries to do everything themselves.
Here are five of the … Continue Reading…

The True Cost of Clutter When Selling a Property

When it comes to selling a home, there’s a simple way to add thousands of pounds to the price you achieve – and that’s to get rid of your clutter.

By being a little bit ruthless with yourself, and those you live with, you really can achieve a quicker and more lucrative sale.

Here are five ways to say toodle-oo to your old toot.

Make a start

The first step is often the hardest, especially if you have a strong emotional attachment to the … Continue Reading…

Eight Reasons Why People Move Home

Most people looking to move home fall into one of eight categories. Learn what these categories are so that you can fine-tune your property selling strategy.

Space Chasers– These movers want more space to accommodate a growing family, a home office or a Labradoodle puppy. Homes with a generous garden, garage, and loft conversion top their most wanted list.

New Lease of Lifers– These city slickers yearn to feel the sand between their toes or fresh country air in their lungs. They … Continue Reading…

Step-by-Step Moving Guide for Renters

Are you looking to move into a new rental property? Here’s a guide to finding a new home.

Research 

Identify where you would like to live and what kind of property you’re looking for. For example, if you work from home, you might need office space. If you have children, you may want a garden. Having a clear idea of your needs means you won’t waste time looking at totally unsuitable properties. Once you’ve made up your mind, make a list of … Continue Reading…

What the Latest Home Improvement Trends Say about the Property Market

The pandemic didn’t just trigger an exodus of city slickers moving to the country, it also kick-started a multi-billion-pound home renovation boom.

UK property owners spent £110 billion on home improvements* last year – a 30% increase year-on-year.

While some people kept things simple by giving a few rooms a lick of paint, others embarked on major projects resulting in a 25% increase in planning applications for home extensions.**

What kind of renovations are popular right now? Let’s examine an analysis of planning … Continue Reading…

How to Avoid a Home Seller’s Biggest Frustration

We’re about to banish a myth that many people still believe about selling a home.

The misconception is that once you’ve accepted an offer for your property, the hard work is done.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Yes, it’s fabulous to receive an acceptable offer you’re delighted with, but there are still lots of potential twists and turns along the road to selling successfully.

You don’t want your sale to hit roadblocks that slow the moving process down and raise the chances of it … Continue Reading…