Category Archives: News

How to Perfectly Price Your Rental Property

Setting the correct rental price for your property is essential to attract the best tenants and maximise the return on your investment.

Too high, and you won’t get that all-important awareness and interest.

Too low, and you’ll be out of pocket.

Here are five key considerations every landlord should keep in mind when setting the rent for their rental property.

Market research: Before setting your rent, make sure you understand the local rental market in your area. Look at similar properties in terms of … Continue Reading…

First-Time Buyers: Facts and Figures from around the World

Getting on the housing ladder in the UK is no easy feat, with property prices and inflation meaning it can take first-time buyers (FTBs) years to save the deposit for their first home.

As a result, the average age of an FTB in this country has risen to 34*. For context, it was 29 in 1981.

So, how does this compare to other countries? Are FTBs in Spain, South Africa or Switzerland older or younger**? Let’s take a look.

Switzerland

The land of luxury … Continue Reading…

Tips for Tackling the Biggest Challenge Facing Landlords Today

One issue, above all else, causes landlords sleepless nights. Can you guess what it is?

Could it be maintenance and repairs? Or maybe it’s worrying about the rent being paid on time?

If you answered one of the above, thanks for playing, but you’re mistaken.

The biggest challenge landlords currently face is abiding by government regulations.

In a recent survey*, 67.5% of landlords said complying with red tape was their most significant hurdle. (This figure was up from 39% the year before, a clear … Continue Reading…

The Three Home Improvements That Impress Buyers the Most

When it comes to home improvements, it’s wise to think carefully before you splash the cash.

Homes renovated to a high standard attract more buyer interest and sell more quickly.

However, not all refurbishment works will bring you the same rate of return.

Buyers tend to pay particular attention to the condition of specific areas of a property, so it’s best to invest your time and money in these places.

Here’s a guide to some of the best-value home improvement projects, including some tips … Continue Reading…

Landlord’s Guide to a Dispute-Free Garden

Gardens can boost a rental property’s appeal, often making it more attractive to potential tenants – especially during May, as spring is here and summer is around the corner.

But, as beneficial as they may be, gardens can also be a source of friction between landlords and tenants, particularly when it comes to maintenance responsibilities.

To skilfully swerve such disputes, landlords should adopt a proactive approach.

Here are five straightforward strategies to help keep your garden an asset, not a liability.

Simplify garden designs

Choose … Continue Reading…

Property Viewings: Should Sellers Stay In or Go Out?

So, you’ve prepped and primped your home, and it’s been photographed looking its very best.

Now you’re ready for the next step in the selling process – viewings.

This can be a make-or-break moment, where buyers fall in love and make an offer on the spot or run a mile.

So how can sellers ensure viewings run smoothly and that nothing they do or say deters a potential buyer?

Aside from the obvious things, like keeping your home clean and clutter-free (with no dirty … Continue Reading…

April Market Review

Despite the poor weather the traditional Spring housing market appears to have come to life after a very up and down first quarter to the year. April has seen more sellers placing their properties on the market and more buyers have been purchasing, so activity is up on both fronts.

The stability of interest rates and talk of a potential rate reduction has helped to restore confidence, however, some mortgage lenders have raised their rates in recent days following speculation that … Continue Reading…

Five Things You Should Know about Owning a Buy-to-Let Abroad

Investing in a buy-to-let abroad can be a tempting prospect. Owning your own little piece of paradise while earning a rental income can seem like a win-win scenario.

However, it’s essential to have realistic expectations about the challenges landlords face when managing a property overseas.

Here are five things to consider before investing in an overseas rental.

The distance factor

Managing maintenance and repairs is difficult when you live hundreds of miles away (especially if you don’t speak the local language). As a result, … Continue Reading…

How NOT to Sell Your Home: Five Mistakes That Deter Buyers

Most home sellers want three things: to get the best possible price for their property, to complete the sale in good time and to avoid bucket-loads of stress.

These three goals may sound simple and achievable, but you’d be surprised how many sellers lose their way during the marketing process.

As a result, they waste time and money and cause themselves more anxiety than necessary.

To help you avoid a few common pitfalls, here’s a guide to how not to sell your home.

In other words, … Continue Reading…

Top Tips for Attracting High-Quality Tenants

Some landlords, actually many, have an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach to their rental property’s upkeep.

But by proactively refurbishing and modernising your rental properties, you can realise a host of benefits that will attract premium tenants and add long-term value to your investment.

Here are seven ways why, and how, astute property upgrades benefit forward-thinking landlords.

Attract premium tenants: By upgrading your rental, you ensure it meets high standards, making it more likely to be rented quickly, thus minimising … Continue Reading…