Category Archives: News

Top Five Landlord Blunders (and How to Avoid Them)

Being a landlord is rewarding, but it comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities.

Over the years, we’ve seen and helped solve most of the mistakes landlords can make.

To help you navigate this complex terrain, here are the five most common mistakes we’ve encountered and how to avoid them, ensuring a more profitable and stress-free experience.

Neglecting property maintenance

One of the gravest errors is failing to maintain the property. This leads to disgruntled tenants and costly repairs down the line. … Continue Reading…

Love at First Sight: Knowing Your Home’s Admirers This Valentine’s

This week, we couldn’t write an article that ignored Valentine’s Day, complete with love themes and romantic puns. So, here goes.

Knowing what sort of property a buyer will fall head over heels for is a skill any good, experienced agent has honed from years of matchmaking.

With that in mind, below we look at the five most popular property types in the area and the type of buyers who are often smitten by them.

The charming semi-detached

Young families and professional couples … Continue Reading…

What You Should Know before You and Your Partner Live Together

If talk between you and your partner this Valentine’s Day turns to living together, there are a few practical things you should know first.

Here at Richard James we pride ourselves on being as helpful as possible.

But dishing out relationship advice is a step too far – even for us.

So, if you’re considering moving in with your partner, we’ll leave the big decisions and lovey-dovey stuff down to you.

However, if you decide to co-habit, we have some useful, albeit unromantic, advice for … Continue Reading…

Things Are Looking Up in the Property Market – Here’s Why

Good news: the latest data on buyer demand shows that the number of property hunters out in force is up by 14%*.

So, what’s driving this increased demand? And what does it mean if you plan to buy or sell in 2024?

Let’s take a look.

Interest rates

For a good chunk of 2023, interest rates were high (relative to recent years), and the possibility loomed that they could go even higher.

Many buyers, uncertain about where it would all end, were spooked and put … Continue Reading…

Renters Reform Bill: An Update for Landlords

After years in the making, it looks like the Renters Reform Bill – the biggest shake-up of the private rental sector in decades – will become a reality in 2024.

So, how much do you know about this wide-reaching set of proposals, and are you ready for them?

Be prepared

Perhaps you’ve read a few articles about the bill but have put off getting to grips with the details (after all, politicians put forward all sorts of proposals, many of which never happen).

Or … Continue Reading…

A Mum’s Eye View of Selling and Buying a Family Home

Here’s the penultimate part of our series of articles on a family’s views on selling up and moving home.

This family of five sold and moved last year, but their experiences (and emotions) are timeless.

We’ve shared the perspectives of a six-year-old, a ‘tweenager’ and a teenager, and now it’s mum’s turn.

The perfect home

“The journey to a new home began excitedly, especially when we found the ‘one’ – the property we loved and wanted.”

An emotional offer

“I felt joy and disbelief when … Continue Reading…

January Market Review

The first month of the year has been a total contrast to the to the last quarter of 2023. The housing market staggered to an end last year after being battered continuously by rising interest rates, affordability issues, slipping house prices and a lack of confidence.

The turn of the year has been a breath of fresh air, so far there is more optimism which has been mainly fuelled by the major mortgage lenders cutting their rates considerably. All of a … Continue Reading…

Seven Simple Steps for Tenants to Combat Mould and Condensation

In the winter, we’re guaranteed a few things.

It’ll be raining when we least want it to.

A local postie will still be wearing shorts, no matter how cold it is.

And condensation will appear at some point – often in our homes.

While you can’t do anything about the weather (or the postie’s clothing choices), you can take some simple steps to combat condensation.

We’ve come up with seven quick fixes that can dramatically reduce the risk of condensation, ensuring your home stays fresh … Continue Reading…

Bright Ideas: Boost Your Mood and Your Home’s Appeal with Natural Light

Who doesn’t love it when the sun’s out?

Well, apart from vampires, mushrooms and raincoat makers.

But seriously, natural light, especially sunlight, has significant mood-enhancing effects on our minds and homes.

For homeowners and residents, understanding how to harness this natural marvel in home design isn’t just about aesthetics but also a step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Let’s discover more.

Why sunshine is significant: The health benefits of natural light

Natural light is a natural mood enhancer. Exposure to sunlight increases the brain’s release of a … Continue Reading…

Top Tips to Help You Save for a Mortgage Deposit

One of the biggest challenges first-time buyers (FTBs) face is getting a deposit together.

Saving a large sum of cash while covering all your living expenses during a cost-of-living crisis is no mean feat.

But having a good plan and clear goals can make this daunting task more achievable.

Here are some tips to help you save for a mortgage deposit.

Number crunch

You’ll need a deposit that’s at least 5% of the value of the property you wish to buy. However, some FTBs aim … Continue Reading…