The Spring property market

As we edge towards the end of the first quarter of the year, and with Spring upon us we are excited to say our Spring/Summer Marketview will be available in April. With local, current, information and data about the property market in our area - for both Sales and Lettings - it will give you the insight you need to help with your property questions.

For the first moves, second-steppers, the down-sizing opportunity, the tenants or becoming a landlord, adding to your rental portfolio, finding out about compliane and legislation or considering the management of your property, the team here at GL & Co are available to help and guie you through your property questions.

Why not mark the start of Spring with a no obligation property valuation?

Mid-March marks the start of spring, long acknowledged as the best time to sell your home and with Rightmove reporting demand levels currently at 6% higher than in 2019 (and with the Easter holidays just a few weeks away) now really is a great time to get your property listed to sell.

 

Many home movers, seek to complete on property in the summer months. With average conveyancing times of 12–16 weeks, that equates to having offers accepted in April or May.  So if you were to contact us to book your valuation in for next week, we could have you moving during the Summer!

 

Properties for sale in a 'move-in' condition are currently highly sought after by buyers. More than one in three home movers are attracted by a recently-fitted kitchen and/or bathroom. (Dataloft poll of subscribers, Property Academy Home Moving Trends Survey 2022). So maybe now is the time for us to help you see what would attract buyers to your property!

Click here to read Why not mark the start of Spring with a no obligation property valuation?.

Generous and versatile accommodation...

A stunning modern 5/6 bedroom detached house finished to exacting standards and surround by National Trust land being one of just five properties forming part of this exclusive gated development less than a mile from the centre of the village.

Click here to read Generous and versatile accommodation....

Buy-to-let investments. The perfect pension option!

Whether you are planning on retiring early, late, or not at all, investing in property is a very effective way to build a substantial retirement fund! The old saying is true: You only get out of life what you give. While it’s true that it requires more effort and organisation to prop up your pension fund with property, the benefits are well worth it.

 

Things to consider

There is little doubt that purchasing a house takes much more effort than simply paying a monthly figure into a pension fund. So here are a few things to keep in mind.

 

Buy in the right location

Location and understanding the market you are investing in are essential. You want to protect your investment, ideally enjoy good growth, and have a reliable and regular stream of rent. So do your research and invest in a property that will give you all these things in spades.

 

Stamp duty

When you purchase an additional property, you will pay 3% on top of the normal stamp duty rate.

 

You will need a 25% deposit

Applying for a buy-to-let mortgage is a little different from a conventional mortgage. Firstly, you typically need a 25% deposit. Many landlords also opt for an interest-only mortgage to keep monthly payments to a minimum. Then repay at the end of the term of the mortgage or make overpayments on the balance throughout the lifespan of the mortgage. The amount you can borrow is also based on what rent you can charge tenants, not what you earn. However, your lender will also take into consideration your income.

 

Lettings agent

A good lettings agent will make your life so much easier. There are plenty of options for levels of service. You may decide on a fully managed service or a basic level. The costs are relatively low, ranging from 10-15% of your monthly rental income.

 

The rewards

You gain more control over your pension when you invest in property, and the rewards compared with a conventional pension fund are greater and more tangible.

 

Good old bricks and mortar!

A good, solid investment in something as tangible as property is a pragmatic choice when it comes to long-term resilience. Stocks and shares can both fall and rise at the drop of a hat!

 

Property prices are on the long-term ascent

In the long term, property prices tend to rise. If you want proof, you only have to look into the past. While prices can fluctuate in the short term, in the long term they steadily grow, increasing the value of your retirement fund.

 

Rental income

The value of your pension will increase as you pay your buy-to-let mortgage. Adding to this, any increases in the value of your property and rental income and you are well on your way to creating a substantial retirement fund. To achieve this, investing wisely is key, so that your monthly rent exceeds your monthly costs and a profit is made.

 

A versatile investment

Investing in property gives you more options. For example, if you want to release equity, your property investment should recover more rapidly than paying into a conventional pension plan. It's good to know when you need to get your hands on some cash. Owning an animate object to gift to loved ones will keep you busy while enjoying a project, hobby, and solid investment. Property can be a fun and interesting way to prepare for your retirement.

 

Looking for the ideal property investment to secure your future? Contact us to see how we can help.

Let your garden grow the value of your home this spring

It’s gardening season again at last, and the longer, lighter days of spring are giving a taste of the warmer summer days and nights soon to come. Whether you are a complete novice or a fanatic, there is no denying that almost anything you do, big or small, will make your home a much nicer place to be for you, your family, and friends.

 

UK homeowners appreciate a good garden. Research revealed that 50% of homeowners in Britain placed as much, if not more, importance on a well-designed garden as they do on a well-designed bathroom or kitchen.* As a result, this can add some serious value to the price of a home. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

 

Let’s start with the basics

Enjoy the fresh spring breeze and keep the grass trimmed, weed the flower beds or patio, and paint any fences, sheds, or woodwork that needs a new lease on life. Then stand back and enjoy it. If you do nothing else, this will make your home far more appealing.

 

Grow up!

If space is scarce and you have no garden, consider growing up. Vertical gardens are on trend this year and will add colour, scents, and flowers to an otherwise empty space. Low maintenance and beautiful on a patio even if you have a large garden. Simply arrange planter boxes in a stack and plant what you love.

 

Growing your own flowers

A big trend for 2023 is growing flowers you can arrange into your own bouquets. Choose easy-to-grow flowers such as sunflowers, marigolds, or hardy geraniums.

 

Meadows

Bright, colourful gardens with a bit of everything going on are the way forward. Replace neat and trimmed lawns with the wilder look of meadows. That’s not to say you can't have some nice, neat, green grass and a herb garden too.

 

Furniture

Incorporating metallics, copper, and marble at the high end of the market is a desirable and on-trend way to create an amazing place to sit and enjoy good company in the garden. Or simply create privacy using wood. A simple bench or table using reclaimed wood can add something special without costing much.

 

Hard landscaping

Water features, patios, simple paths winding you through your imagined creation aligned with flowers, fruit trees, or a trellis to the decking that catches the sun.

 

Good outside storage

Good storage is desirable when it comes to creating a good garden. Store everything from your tools to the fire pit, you bring out at night to enjoy your garden under the stars. Perhaps with some lanterns, solar lights, garden spotlights, or wall lights, the possibilities are endless!

 

Find the home you love with the garden you have been searching for. Get in touch to see how we can help.

Zoopla*

Recently reduced rental property!

A rare opportunity to live in an elegant first floor flat, within the courtyard of a fine Elizabethan House which is open to the public. Set within 875 acres in the South Downs and a 16th century deer park.

Click here to read Recently reduced rental property!.