What the Spring Budget Statement Means for the Property Market

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has just made her Spring Statement in Parliament. Here we’ll look at what it might mean for the property market.

The Spring Statement, also known as the Spring Budget, isn’t meant to be a Budget. That happens in the autumn. The idea is for the Chancellor to make a statement about the progress of the economy based on the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility or OBR.

However, given the so-called ‘£22 billion black hole’, the weak … Continue Reading…

Is Artificial Intelligence About to Replace Estate Agents?

It’s often said that artificial intelligence or AI is the future and will change how we do everything. So can AI help you find a home to buy or assist you in selling one? Let’s find out.

What is AI?

AI is technology that enables computers to simulate human intelligence.

It can gather information, learn from it and even make decisions.

You may already use AI in your daily life.

For example, Alexa can tell you what’s in the news today. And if you ask … Continue Reading…

How Will Today’s Interest Rate Decision Affect the Property Market?

The Bank of England (BoE) has opted to hold its base interest rate at 4.5% in today’s announcement, a move that will influence the property market in Northamptonshire over the coming months.

The base rate has a direct impact on mortgage costs, affecting homebuyers, sellers, and investors alike. While today’s decision to hold rates steady means stability for borrowers, it also raises questions about when rates might start to fall and how this will shape property trends in the short term.

What Does … Continue Reading…

Here’s How to Ensure Your Property Photos Impress Buyers

Don’t sabotage your property sale with poor quality marketing photos. Follow these steps to ensure buyers browsing the web see your home at its best.

A whopping 98% of buyers kickstart their home search by scrolling through property portals.

So when marketing your home, it’s important to think carefully about what buyers will see when they click on your listing.

Here’s why first-rate photos are critical:

1 Good photos give buyers an idea of the property’s potential. If the rooms look light, bright and … Continue Reading…

Fall-Throughs: Everything You Can Do to Prevent Them

How can sellers minimise the risk of their property sale falling through?Here are some tips for keeping your sale on track.

What exactly is a fall-through?

A fall-through is a situation where typically a buyer has agreed to buy your home but pulls out before the sale becomes final.

Why do fall-throughs happen?

Sometimes, buyers change their minds, or there is a shift in their circumstances. On other occasions, there can be issues with surveys or mortgages that mean the buyer can’t buy your … Continue Reading…

Spring Selling Season Will Soon Be Here – Things to Do Now

Spring is a great time to put your property on the market. If you’re thinking of selling this spring, now is the time to start planning. Here are some practical things you can do this week.

Jobs to do outside

Problems like dodgy chimneys, slipped tiles and broken or leaking gutters can put prospective buyers off before they walk through your door. As tradespeople like builders and roofers are often booked up well in advance, get some quotes and book them in.

Jobs … Continue Reading…

February Market Update

The first two months for the year have been pretty busy overall with more new properties coming to the market, giving buyers even more choice. Potential buyers are certainty out viewing in large numbers but are enough of them buying?

Despite sales being up on the same period last year, early data suggests that sales are not as strong as they should be compared to the number of viewings taking place. It seems potential buyers are making lower offers and not … Continue Reading…

Is the Home Buying Process About to Get Quicker?

New plans to speed up the conveyancing process have been announced. Let’s look at what they involve and if they will deliver.

We live in a digital age where banking and investing online are the norm.

But it’s a very different story in the world of conveyancing (the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another).

The system is still primarily paper-based – and it’s slow.

It takes, on average, five months to go from sale agreed to completion.*

This is why, … Continue Reading…

Buying a Property? Now’s the Time to Think About Your Will

There are certain milestones in your life when you should consider making a will or updating your existing one – and buying a home is one of them.

Why you should make a will

Making a will is the best way of ensuring that your home and other assets go to the people you want to have them when you die.

In legal terms, a will is known as a last will and testament. Your home and other assets are known as your … Continue Reading…

What You Need to Know Before Buying an Ex-Rental

Buying a property that was previously a rental can be well worth considering. Here’s what you need to know.

Firstly, why buy an ex-rental property?

 An ex-rental can be an attractive property proposition for many reasons. Let’s take a look at them.

Chain free

Buying an ex-rental can be a quick process. There’s no waiting for the seller to find somewhere else to buy.

 Competitively priced

Former rental properties can be attractively priced. When landlords put their buy-to-let on the market, they’re often looking for a … Continue Reading…