The property market always has a good deal for everyone, and right now, this has never been truer. The news tends to paint a bleak picture; however, on closer examination, it’s clear to see that the moving market is well balanced. If you are selling, buying, or both, then you are sure to find what you are looking for at the right price.

If you are selling
The property market is still benefiting from the rapid growth in prices over the past few years. With UK house prices rising on average by 3% in the year to May 2023, there is no doubt that things have returned to a healthier state.* Steady, solid growth creates confidence and stability. This means if you are selling, you are going to get a good price for your home, and if you move, you most likely have great levels of equity.

Buyer demand
Demand from buyers is up by 14% compared to 2019 and is 42% lower than a year ago.* It’s completely unfair and unrealistic to get downhearted by comparing today’s figures with those of last year. This was an exceptional year due to the hyperinflated market caused by COVID and other factors. The figure to concentrate on is that of 2019, which was a more realistic market, and with the increase in demand this year, you will sell your home quickly.

If you are buying
The property market is not exclusively a buyer’s market, as perhaps it has been in past years. But there is definitely a lot of scope for haggling, making an offer, or getting a good deal. Whatever your preferred term for saving money is, the trick is not to overdo it. You don’t want to miss out on the home you love by making too low an offer. This is where a good estate agent can help guide you through what can be a nerve-racking time.

A friendly face
Moving home is becoming more of a seamless experience. But having the right agent helps with this process. There is no substitute for a living, breathing person who spends day in and day out dealing with virtually all that is property related. Estate agents tend to know what is going on in your local market, can answer all your burning questions, put you in touch with anyone else you may need, and often have a list of buyers ready and waiting. Buying a home is an emotional experience, and when you are making big life-changing decisions, you don’t want to deal with a robot!

Beautiful buying weather
This time of year is perfect for moving. The birds are singing in the trees; it’s warm, and the prospect of being moved in time to enjoy the summer tempts many home movers into selling and buying. As a result, prices stay buoyant, and the choice of property flourishes. It’s a busy time of year, which adds vibrancy to an already good market.

Happy homes
Many homeowners keep their homes in tip-top shape during the summer. The result is that homes become happier places. Whether you are relocating to the countryside or to a new street, this time of year lends itself well to making some everlasting memories.

Browse our properties to take a glimpse inside your future happy home.

Zoopla*

 

This time of year is perfect for unwinding in the garden. So many people like to make the most of their outdoor living spaces by sharing them with their friends and family. Having a few extra guests around to make it more of a social occasion is always a good idea. But don’t forget to invite a bit of wildlife, which adds a touch of magic to your garden during these wonderful summer months.

Pick the right flowers
Flowers produce pollen for the birds, bees, and butterflies, which adds an orchestral soundtrack to your garden. Birds and butterflies are a spectacular sight to behold as you unwind in the garden with loved ones after a hard day’s work. And thanks to their hard work, the birds, butterflies and bees encourage more flowers to grow in your garden as they fulfil their role of fertilisation. Choose the flowers you love, adding the colours that make you happy, then let nature take its course.

Trees and shrubs
Whether bushes, hedges, trees, or shrubs are your thing, again, grow whatever you are most passionate about. Each will provide a great home for various forms of wildlife, from birds to insects. Growing a good amount of these things will create a better visual appeal for your garden and give the wildlife more choice when it comes to finding their nesting place of choice.

Build a pond
Building a pond can be great fun and is a relatively inexpensive way to add a whole new dimension to your garden. Buy a prefabricated pond and put it in the ground, or use a liner; either way, you are in for a little digging. All the hard work is worth it though, if you do it yourself. You will be able to sit back and drink your morning coffee while watching the birds, possibly even a toad, wash themselves before singing their morning songs. A good tip is to build a sloping side, almost like a beach, so that wildlife can get in and out of your pond. Perhaps fish are more your thing; either way, add some flowers to your pond, such as waterlilies, and watch them blossom.

Grow a meadow
Scatter flower seeds and create a meadow. Don’t worry if you don’t have the space to do this; you could grow small areas of long grass. These will also add to the visual appeal of your garden. Making it unique and different. This can encourage voles and caterpillars, and wildflowers have a unique beauty that is another feast for your eyes.

Create a rock garden
If you have areas in your garden that have poor soil quality, rock gardens are an ideal solution and don’t cost a lot to build. In fact, you may be able to build it for free. Build it next to your pond or wherever you feel it makes the biggest impact, and you will encourage pollinators and other forms of wildlife to thrive.

Added value to your home
While having more wildlife in your garden will not directly add value to your home it will enrich your garden, making it more attractive. This will add value to your home, and a well-presented garden with various features, flowers, trees, and shrubs will be far more appealing to buyers than a property with less visual appeal. Combined with the right outdoor living space; the perfect viewing point to appreciate all your hard work, you will have undoubtedly added significantly to the value of your property.

Are you looking for a home with an idyllic garden this summer?

Get in touch to see how we can help.

 

Perhaps you have just moved, or maybe you are thinking about moving. It could be that you are decorating a recently acquired buy-to-let property. Whatever your reason for decorating, sometimes the hardest decision to make is deciding on colour schemes. There is an eternal spectrum to choose from, and matching and creating rooms that are visually what you were hoping for is no easy task.

Did you know?
Some research suggests that we associate certain colours of inanimate objects with certain emotions. Here are a few examples: orange: happiness or energy, yellow: cheerfulness, red: love, passion, or danger and blue: relaxation, to mention but a few.

Are you selling your home or letting your home?
If you are renting out your home, neutral, warm colours are the best. That way, you can play it safe and not run the risk of decorating to your tastes and alienating potential tenants or buyers. Paler, softer colours that encourage as much light as possible will make your home appear larger. While it is tempting to opt for two-tone effects, do so in a conservative manner, if at all.

Do what makes you happy
If you are decorating for your own home, then this is a different matter. When it’s time to sell up and move, the chances are that your buyer will have their own ideas and tastes when it comes to decorating. Instead, have faith in your own tastes. Learn to trust yourself while seeking the right advice. Experiment with colours, and don’t buy until you try. Use the samples you are provided with and paint until you are happy. If you are not happy, today any colour can be matched with some clever mixing technology. So, if you can’t find the right colour, you can have it made.

Soothing spaces
Bathrooms, bedrooms, and sitting rooms are often places where feelings of tranquilly are at the top of the pecking order of desired emotions. Shades of blue and green can be useful in creating such feelings. The softer the shades, the less impact they will have. A good way to make these themes work well is by adding the right complementary furniture. In the case of a bathroom, a contrasting suit will accentuate these emotions and may distract your eye from the intensity of large painted areas. A good tip is to break up walls with mirrors, plants, pictures, shelves, or tiles to create a greater sense of serenity.

Furniture and finishing touches
A great way to add colour to create your desired mood is by not paying too much attention to the walls and focusing more on your furniture, features, and finishing touches. Gone are the days when it was all about wallpaper and paint, with furniture being a simple afterthought.

Neutral and darker colours are great for a feeling of cosiness. Then, if you want to add a dash of colour with yet more cosiness built in, use mustard shades or whatever colour you love. Neutral colours work with everything, and when you get to the end of your decorating expedition, the impact of small plants on a simple, free-standing table can be pleasantly surprising. So, when it comes to creating the perfect mood for each room in the house, start with your furniture.

Browse our properties today to find a home that matches the life you want perfectly.

 

There is nothing better than good news, and while the UK property market is resilient with plenty of buyer demand and many home movers getting on with finding their dream homes. There is much to feel positive about thanks to lowering inflation and falling mortgage interest rates.

Falling mortgage interest rates
Mortgage interest rates are finally falling as the rate of inflation slowed to 7.9% in the 12 months to June.* This means that two and five-year fixed-interest rate deals have been reduced. According to Moneyfacts, the average two-year fixed interest rate deal fell from 6.81% to 6.79% in July.** While this is not a significant reduction, it is a good sign of things to come. With inflation now at its lowest level for more than a year. Many analysts now expect the Bank of England not to raise the base rate by quite as much due to slowing inflation.

Cost of living support
More good news is that lenders are now offering you the chance to extend the term of your mortgage or pay interest only for up to six months. This gives you a breather and will reduce your monthly outgoings. This was instigated by the government and aims to help people who are feeling the pinch of high interest rates.

First-time buyers
The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme was extended until the end of December 2023. The government-backed scheme has helped over 24,000 households get on the property ladder.*** Its aim is to help people with a 5% deposit, and it was launched in April 2021.

Aimed at first-time buyers, it’s similar to the government’s Help to Buy scheme, which ended earlier this year. So, you still have time to take advantage of it.

Increase the term of your mortgage
With mortgage providers now offering longer-term mortgage deals, in some cases up to 35-year terms, you can get on the move now as your mortgage will be more affordable. This could also be a short-term solution to buying the home you want now, as there is nothing to stop you from getting a new deal in a few years.

Have you considered porting your mortgage?
If you are currently locked into a favourable fixed interest rate deal but really want to move home, then porting your mortgage is the perfect solution. Some lenders will allow you to keep your existing mortgage to buy your new property. So, you can move home without changing your mortgage.

Talk to an expert
Your agent will put you in touch with a mortgage advisor who will be able to find a solution that works best for you. In June 2023, there were 5,000 mortgage products available on the market.****

Whether you are a first-time buyer, have a lot of equity in your home, or are downsizing and want to invest in a second property, there are many ways to go about financing a home you can cherish.

Get in touch with our dedicated team today to discuss your property aspirations

 

BBC*
Moneyfacts**
GOV.UK***
Zoopla****

 

It’s worth talking to your agent this August as the housing market is in good shape for many reasons. So, whether you are on holiday or looking for a holiday home to buy, downsizing or moving to something better, here are a few good reasons to do so.

Every home is different
The location of your home is important, as is the property type. First-time buyer-type homes, for example, have been selling very well. But with all that said, your individual home stands for a lot too. Every home has its own personality and unique features that make it desirable to a buyer. And the chances are, if your home is in any way attractive to certain buyers, they will not be alone.

Demand for your home is strong
Buyer demand is 3% higher than it was in 2019.* It’s completely unfair to compare these figures to the unsustainable levels during the pandemic. But every cloud has a silver lining, and much of that rapidly gained equity will still be in your home. This means that if there is a crash, you are still in a good place.

Your situation is unique
The number of homeowners who own their homes outright in the UK stands at 35%, while the number of homeowners with mortgages stands at 30%.** If you are one of the majority that does not have a mortgage, you may be less apprehensive about making a move now in the face of fluctuating interest rates.

The long-term view looks good
In the long term, house prices increase, and if you are concerned about the short-term fluctuations in price, they will be absorbed by the long-term increase in the value of your home.

How much time have you invested in your property?
Many homeowners in the UK who buy a home will live in it for well over ten years. So, if you bought your home before the pandemic, you have a double layer of accumulated equity to fall back on. Many people are in this situation, and this, combined with good demand, sures up the property market.

Home movers are on holiday
With so many people enjoying their holidays at this time of year, the market may lose a bit of momentum. So often, these changes in price can come about because of seasonality. Now is a good time to get out and have a good look at the home you may want to move into. There is a lot of choice, and with the market being less frantic, you may have more flexibility when it’s time to make an offer.

Conclusion
So, what does this price change mean? Not a lot, and with years of equity, you are in a good place even if there is a sudden drop in prices. But as things stand, prices are steadily declining only slightly, which means you will not get caught out in the middle of your move. After all, you want to live in the home you want; you are not playing the stock exchange.

Contact us today to see how far your money could go towards buying your property dream

 

Rightmove*
English Housing Survey**

 

The UK has a rich and diverse selection of properties in equally amazing areas and regions. From castles to cottages and terraced homes to modern apartments, whatever you are looking for, you will find it.

The UK property market can be a lucrative venture for overseas investors, but it's important to go about things the right way to make the most of your investment or slice of English country or city life. Here are a few things to consider:

Get to know the UK property market
Browsing property portals and talking to good agents who know local and national property markets inside and out is a great way to get the right information so you can make a sound investment. Or if it's a home by the sea or a city apartment to use as a second home, understanding that certain regions may stretch your currency will help you achieve your goals.

Legal aspects
A good solicitor or legal firm will be able to advise you on all legal regulations and tax implications for you as an overseas investor.

Many agents can connect you with excellent solicitors, conveyancers, and mortgage advisors who can make the purchase of your property a seamless experience.

Locations with huge rental demand
From the coast to the city, a quintessential village to amazing nightlife, or buy-to-let investments in the form of townhouses or apartments, the UK market is stable and strong, and the demand for rental accommodation is huge.

Finance
The UK is the centre and a focal point for world finance; there is a solution for practically any investment opportunity for you, wherever or however you want to go about building your portfolio or living a dream lifestyle. An expert financial adviser will be able to implement the perfect strategy to suit your property goals.

Property management
If you want to let your property, a good agent can manage the entire process for you, which means everything from screening potential tenants to property maintenance will be taken care of. Wherever you are in the world, you can rest assured that your investment will be in safe hands.

Rental yield and capital growth
Investing in a UK property with good rental yields but also gaining from the increase in value of your property over time, means you can gain a great return on investment in the buy-to-let market, while also benefiting from the increase in value of your property over time.

Have a plan
Think about how much you want to invest and perhaps how long you expect to keep the property for. On the other hand, if you want to buy a castle or country retreat and live like a royal, simply enjoy yourself.

Stay informed
Keep up good communication with your agent, while the UK property market is very stable and can offer excellent long-term investment prospects. It is nonetheless a dynamically paced market, and by communicating with your agent, you will minimise the risk of missing great opportunities.

Get in touch with our expert team today to discuss all your property goals

 

Open-plan living is not for everyone, but with a touch of creativity, you can transform your living spaces into something truly amazing, making your home a delightful place to live. So, if you are unsure which to choose in your property search, here are some ideas that may open your mind.

What is open-plan living?
Open-plan living adds lots of light to your living space and creates a seamless flow between different areas of the house, such as the living room, dining area, and kitchen. This layout creates a sense of spaciousness, makes it easier to interact with others, and can be ideal for families with young children, allowing parents to keep an eye on them while cooking or working.

What is broken-plan living?
Broken-plan living aims to retain openness while also creating a level of definition and division between your living spaces. This is achieved in many ways, from partial walls to furniture arrangements. It provides a balance between open-plan and traditional separate rooms, offering both a sense of connectivity and some degree of privacy.

Do you really have to choose?
It’s all about subtly; there are so many things you can do to take advantage of open-plan living while still creating defined areas that are cosy, private, and full of differing atmospheres as you move to each area of your home.

Add a window
Retain light and create a space within your floor space by adding an internal window. You could do this for the purposes of any function you like, from a play area to a reading space near a fire. This will allow you to have privacy while still being connected to the rest of your living areas.

Create a study
Adding some steps to an elevated study so you can take in the rest of the house while working, reading, or enjoying a hobby is another way to define this space. Use glass, metal, wood, bricks, or plants to create your perfect workspace.

Half-walls
Breakfast bars are nothing unusual, and adding half walls is a blast from the past but still works. Using very small, right-angled half walls made from any material you desire and decorated in interesting colours can have a big impact. Or if you prefer curves or flowing lines, then create those to help divide the areas you feel work. It could be perfect for the kitchen or a great place to watch a movie.

Add a chimney breast
This is a clever way to create cosiness and a classical sitting-by-the-fire feeling while creating privacy. Tall, small, walk-around, or floating fires are brilliant for creating the perfect place to relax while satisfying your desire for more space.

Be creative and be yourself
There is so much you can do to make your broken-plan living space your own. Furniture, whether modern or antique, to trees, sculpture, or a walled wine rack if that’s your thing. Make it your own and experiment. Find inspiration everywhere and own it.

Do you feel inspired? Contact us today to find an amazing home

 

As the cost of heating our homes has risen, homeowner’s have understandably looked at ways of making their homes more energy efficient. Some have turned to the installation of spray foam insulation to the underside of roofs in roof voids.

Spray foam insulation was included in the government’s Green Homes Grant scheme (which closed to new applicants in March 2021) giving homeowners in England help to pay for certain energy-efficient home improvements and therefore it is more common than you may think. In fact, according to the Property Care Association there may be as many as 250,000 homes with spray foam roof insulation in the loft. The spray foam roof insulation industry is unregulated and if it isn’t installed correctly or sprayed in a roof space that is unsuitable, such as one with a condensation problem, it can lead to rot to roof timbers. For this reason, it is looked upon unfavourably by most mortgage lenders.

As surveyors appointed by mortgage lenders, when we discover spray foam insulation in roof voids, we must report it. Because of its very nature it is very hard to assess the condition of the roof timbers concealed by the insulating foam. This means some lenders require further investigation. Other lenders, instead of investigating further, refuse to lend unless the spray foam roof insulation is removed. Some will not consider the property for mortgage purposes at all if spray foam insulation is present.

The financial implications for homeowners who have spray foam roof insulation can be significant. Vendors may find it difficult to sell their property to someone who needs a mortgage, unless they pay to get the insulation removed.

We are seeing spray foam insulation more and more and as you can see it is a complex issue.

For more information read Spray foam insulation - A clear, impartial guide.