How Landlords Are Finding and Keeping Dream Tenants
‘Finders keepers, losers weepers.’ It’s a timeless rhyme used every day in school playgrounds around Wellingborough, Irthlingborough, Rushden and all over the UK.
It often applies to someone finding something that’s unowned or abandoned. But it also resonates with local landlords when it comes to having the second most important piece of the rental puzzle – great tenants.
Finding these excellent tenants is one thing. Keeping them is another. And some landlords lose these precious people because of basic, unnecessary errors. It’s enough … Continue Reading…
How to Make Money from Your Clutter
Let’s face it, as a nation, we like a lot of stuff. Whether we’re panic buying loo rolls or ordering fashion bargains online, sometimes all the ‘stuff’ can take up valuable space in our homes.
With Chrimbo within touching distance, there’s no better time to declutter and make space for all those gifts. Plus, by selling things on, you’re not only making money but you’re doing your bit for the environment and sending less to landfill. Win-win!
Plus, if you are thinking … Continue Reading…
Things to Do Before Buying a Run-Down Property
Got your eye on a property that needs some major TLC? Whether a rental investment or a new home, there’s lots to consider when buying a run-down property.
Finances
First things first, is the property mortgageable? Or is it so run-down that no one will lend you money? If it’s the latter, you may have to think of other financing options such as a bridging loan (a short-term loan), cash (if you have the money available), or a joint venture (if you … Continue Reading…
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…