Local property market news and tips

Our needs for what a home gives us will change, but it will not alter the local property market. When we are over this emergency we will be here to understand your property needs and offer suitable and attractive solutions, because if there is one thing we do know a great deal about, it is the value of home. Read more in our blog.

Your local property expert, just working differently...

During this strange time we have been updating our website and the new version launched earlier this week, to a great response. We have also adapted to the times and have been helping our buyers with video viewings, our customers with video calls and our tenants and landlords, by continuing to support their maintenance needs and more - all via video, phone and email! Have a look at the new site and let us know what you think.

Click here to read Your local property expert, just working differently....

Planning Your Perfect Garden

With the current Government guidelines keeping many of us at home in our properties, and the weather starting to pick up, now is the perfect time to think about your outdoor space and what you can do to maximise it. We have put together a few tips to help you plan your perfect garden, ready to be your sea of tranquillity throughout the Spring and Summer months.

Plant planning
Nothing will bring more life to your garden, literally or metaphorically, than filling it with plants of different shapes, sizes, and colour. And if you ask us, the greener the better. Over the past few years, correlations have been made between mental well-being and time spent in nature, so line your garden with green and rake in the benefits.

Potted or planted? Depending on your garden type, this decision may be made for you, but if you do prefer potted plants, try using buckets or ornamental vases for artistic appeal.

Another important decision to make is the choice between low maintenance or high maintenance plants. If you don’t have a particularly green thumb, you should consider plants that will need minimal care and that last all year round rather than ones that need to be replaced seasonally.

Make yourself at home
Comfort in your garden is non-negotiable. Why design a paradise that can only be enjoyed from afar?

Your furniture needs may be determined by your household size and whether you frequently invite guests over or not, but don’t let that deter you from splurging on seating, there is no harm in having too many seats or cushions to choose from!

Nestle your tables and chairs amongst your shrubs and flowers, and create a tranquil living space.

Making every inch of space count
Having a small garden does not mean that you have to have no garden at all. Create your own mini haven by surrounding your outdoor furniture with shrubs that are ideal for privacy. And to make your secret garden even more charming, use feature tiles, fairy lights, and textiles.

Once you‘ve used up all of your floor space, why not move upwards? Climbing trellises along your walls and fences can add an elegant touch.

As can shelves bearing potted plants along your exterior walls. This will add a contemporary and sophisticated look to your garden and will make use of space that would otherwise have been wasted.

Design away!
Whether you prefer minimalist or busy designs, make your garden your own by taking the time to carefully plan it. If you do prefer the thought of a simple garden, use symmetry to your advantage.

Flowers, shrubs and trees will add a healthy look to any garden, especially when there is a higher patio to grass ratio. Make the most of your lawn space by moving vertically along your walls with trellises and outdoor shelving, and use pots that add character to your garden.

Furniture serves more than a practical purpose. Your outdoor seating should be arranged to maximise your space and to create an enjoyable space.

Conducting A Property Viewing From The Comfort Of Your Own Home

In order to make the most of being at home, you may be thinking about the current value of your property and whether you may want to sell-up later in the year, or what you can do to maximise the value of your home. Many estate agents are now flexing with the current situation and offering virtual viewings in order to allow you to plan for your property transaction and search for the right property, but how do we value your property without ever stepping foot in your home?

The first solution is simple – online valuation tools. Online valuation tools have become increasingly more popular as their accuracy improves, and as people become more aware that the values are a rough guide rather than a solid appraisal figure. These tools look at land registry data to ascertain the price a property was previously valued at and then use matrices in order to give you a value in today’s inflated rate. Although the estimates can vary, they do give you an idea of the value your property could obtain on the open market, and allow you to have conversations with your agent about selling your home.

The next solution to have your property appraised remotely is more technological – by using video calling applications such as Skype, Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp and others you can walk an estate around your home. You will be able to talk to the estate agent and they will also be able to guide you in terms of what they need to see to give you an accurate figure – they can also inform you of where the most valuable improvements can be made.

Finally, if you do not have the technology or the know-how to facilitate a video call, then sending over specific images of your property to your estate agent should be sufficient to give you an estimate of your property’s value. In principal, an estate agent will need images of the exterior of your property, including any gardens, garages and parking, as well as an image of each room of the property. If any further clarifications are necessary, your agent will call or email you so that your valuation isn’t delayed.

We would like to emphasise the fact that during this period you can make plans which will help to facilitate your property aspirations in the future – we are here to help you however we can.

Landlords: Updates To Navigate Through The Lettings Market

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the government has created emergency legislation, advice, and guidance to support the housing market. But what does this mean for the lettings market? With the many updates and changes, it can be difficult to pinpoint what changes and support affect you as a landlord. To cut through the noise, we have put together the latest Government measures to help you navigate the market during this difficult time.

No new evictions
If a tenant is struggling to pay their rent due to the impact of Coronavirus, the government has brought in emergency legislation that includes a ban on any new eviction in both the private and social rented sector. It is hoped that this will take the pressure of millions of tenants up and down the country who may be unfit to work or may have sadly lost their jobs due to the impact that Coronavirus had has across the nation. The legislation states that new proceedings to evict tenants will not be able to begin for at least a three-month period. After this, it is advised that landlords and tenants develop their own rent repayment plans that consider the tenants individual circumstances. The Government asks that landlords show compassion to their tenants during this time and allow them to stay in their homes where possible.

Three-month mortgage payment holiday
In line with the ban of new evictions, the Government has introduced a three-month mortgage payment holiday for buy-to-let landlords, and homeowners struggling for funds to pay their mortgage. Obtaining a mortgage payment holiday requires you to contact your lender, who will consider your circumstances on an individual basis, so it is important that you are open and transparent about your situation as soon as possible. You should continue to pay your mortgage until you have reached an agreement with your lender. The housing secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, said “The government is clear. No renter who has lost their income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home, nor will any landlord be facing unmanageable debts”. So as long as you contact your lender in good time, this should take a lot of pressure off landlords and homeowners.

What about unmortgaged rental property?
For landlords with a portfolio of homes that they own outright and offer for rent, there are currently no measures in place [as of 25/03/2020].

Recording tenants who are self-isolating
If a tenant in your property is currently self-isolating due to exposure to symptoms of COVID-19, or they themselves are experiencing symptoms, you should record this along with all conversations that you have with the tenant. If you have an upcoming visit to the property scheduled, such as a property maintenance or inspection visit, you should not put your staff or contractors at risk. You should cancel the visit until the tenant is over the illness and no longer has to self-isolate. Your record of communication with the tenant should evidence that you took reasonable steps to show that you intended to visit the property and that you used advice from Public Health England to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by rearranging the visit.