Category Archives: News

Three Helpful Apps for New Homeowners

There’s nothing quite like becoming a homeowner for the first time.

Stepping over the threshold into a place you can call your own is one of life’s memorable moments.

However, as well as coming with a host of benefits, home ownership also comes with responsibilities.

Unlike renting, where someone else handles the maintenance and most of the upkeep, these duties now fall to you as the owner.

Thankfully, many useful apps are available to make life easier and less stressful for homeowners. Here are … Continue Reading…

One Thing Parents Should Do before Helping Their Child Buy a Home

If you’re considering giving your child a helping hand to buy their first home, you’re not alone.

Figures show that 45% of twentysomethings who purchased a property last year did so with a cash boost from the Bank of Mum and Dad (Bomad).*

But just because something is common practice doesn’t mean it’s risk-free.

So, before you transfer any funds, it’s worth heeding the warning issued earlier this month by a law firm.

Is it a gift or a loan?

Coventry-based Brindley Twist Tafft … Continue Reading…

They’re Young, Ambitious and Becoming Landlords: The Changing Face of BTL

First-time buyers might be getting older, but when it comes to landlords, it’s a different story.

A new survey* has found that in the past nine years, there’s been a drop in the average age of landlords in the UK.

Back in 2014, the average age for a landlord purchasing a rental with a buy-to-let mortgage was 46.4.

By 2023, that figure was down to 42.9.

Age breakdown

Young adults are often presented as economic lightweights who fritter their cash away on avocado toast and … Continue Reading…

2024 House Price Trends Revealed

The UK housing market is experiencing a period of steady recovery, according to the latest data from leading property portal Zoopla.

The Zoopla House Price Index is a statistical tool used to measure changes in the price of residential properties.

Along with other indexes, including ones created by Rightmove, the Land Registry and several mortgage providers, it’s a helpful indicator of trends in the property market – and that’s why homeowners should take note of it.

Its latest headline stats were:

Buyer demand … Continue Reading…

Why Many Landlords Are Holding Firm – Despite the Doom-Mongers

Are landlords leaving the market in droves, as some experts claim? Or are reports of an exodus exaggerated? Let’s look beyond the hype to find out what’s going on.

You may have seen a flurry of headlines lately saying that landlords are leaving the rental sector en masse.

Is it true? Well, data released last month shows that some landlords are indeed selling up.

The number of outstanding buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages fell from 2.039 million in the first quarter of 2023 to 1.98 … Continue Reading…

To Move or Improve? That Is the Question

Should you move or improve?

It’s a question an increasing number of homeowners in Wellingborough, Irthlingborough and Rushden are asking themselves.

And it’s a big decision with lots of things to weigh up.

In this article, we list some pros and cons to help you gain clarity about what’s best for you.

Moving: The pros and cons

Pros

Fresh start: Moving allows you to choose a home that better suits your current needs without the constraints of your existing property. A move can tick many boxes … Continue Reading…

What’s Happening in the Rental Market? Latest Statistics Revealed

Is the rental market running hot or cold, and what can we expect in the coming year?

Let’s dig into the latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and property portal Zoopla to find out.

Taking stock

Unless you spent 2023 hiding under a rock, you’ll know that rents rose last year.

A combination of higher interest rates, which put pressure on buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages, and high inflation saw rents increase. The real question is, by just how much?

The latest ONS data … Continue Reading…

Getting the Family Home Ready for Sale: Tips for Parents

Selling a home can be stressful, no matter what your circumstances.

But the moving process can be even more complicated if you’re a parent with young children.

Juggling work commitments and the needs of your offspring while ticking off all your sales prep chores can be daunting.

So, here are some tips to make things easier.

Decluttering

Buyers prefer clutter-free properties, but the minimalist look is hard to achieve when you live with little ones.

From bikes and balls to trucks and teddies – children accumulate … Continue Reading…

August Market Update

August has been a strange month for the housing market, despite the Bank of England interest rate reduction, so far, we haven’t seen an immediate surge in activity compared to the months leading up to it. However, the market is in a completely different place to this time last year when there as no sign of interest rates even stabilising.

Compared to August 2023, the month when interest rates were last increased, the market has significantly improved with a noticeable change … Continue Reading…

Savvy Styling Tips for Your Rental Property

Property experts often advise sellers to style their home before they put it on the market.

Go the extra mile with presentation, and buyers will be impressed by what they see and smell, or so the theory goes.

But do the same styling rules apply to landlords hoping to attract top tenants to their buy-to-let?

While there’s a little less scope for creative presentation with rentals (because they tend to be unfurnished), we think basic styling principles can still apply.

A well-styled rental sends … Continue Reading…