Land & New Homes, Lettings, Stamp Duty Holidays & more

The Chancellor's announcement yesterday means that you could save up to £15,000 during the Stamp Duty holiday. In real terms, what does that mean you could do to your new property - a conservatory? a new kitchen? turning the garage in to the office so you can work from home?

If this has helped focus your mind to moving in the near future, there has never been a better time to get in touch with us and let us help you move safely.

If you’d like to discuss properties that could suit your needs, need clarification on the impact this announcement will have on you or to arrange a free valuation on your property, please do contact our team.

Lettings property of the week!

£3,950 PCM + Fees 5 Bed | 2 Bath | 2 Rec

A stunning five Bedroom detached Farmhouse located in a peaceful lane on the outskirts of Pulborough, with magnificent views and stabling for up to four Horses. Further benefits include 14.7 acres of fields, a self contained Annexe and beautiful gardens.

Click here to read Lettings property of the week!.

How Are Property Priorities Changing?

2020 has forced us to make many changes in our lives, from home working, to self-isolation, it has created a time period for us to step back and re-think what is most important to us. As life slowed down many transformed their lifestyles and now need their homes to fit into this. This drive for change has already started to be noticed by agents and property portals, with a decrease in demand for the more vanity features and an increase in lifestyle practicality. Findings from a report released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have also confirmed the trends.

Home Office
When searching for property, features such as spare rooms for home offices spaces have been key for many. Working patterns have changed over the past few months, with many opting for more flexible work routines for the long haul. Home working has been found to be very productive and provide a better work life balance for many. For those that no longer want to commute, space for a comfortable home office is a number one priority.

Garden or Balcony
Properties with a garden or balcony have dramatically shot up the priority list. According to RICS, more that four fifths of property professionals believed that there is an increased desire for gardens or balcony’s for potential buyers. The lockdown period we have all faced has shown many how important the great outdoors is and having access to that on your own property is the most convenient way of getting outdoors.

As well as this, having space for garden storage has also been high on the property wish list. This is so that bikes and garden furniture can be stored securely. The rental sector has seen a dramatic increase in searches for property with bike storage in line with the encouragement from government to cycle to work where possible.

Proximity to Green Space
Having a garden or balcony is not the be all and end all for everyone. For some, as a long as they are in proximity or easy access to public outdoor spaces, they can still meet their needs for getting into nature. There have been many home hunters looking outside of city life to be closer to nature trails, local parks, and cycle routes. Outdoor exercise has become a staple part of fitness routines, so having nice locations to cycle or jog is key to meeting the fitness goals for many.

Home Improvements
The UK is poised to spend billions on DIY and home improvements following our period of lockdown. Spending so much time at home has caused people to have less tolerance for the areas of their home that they have been meaning to change. From extensions, to converting rooms into different functions, society is certainly starting to take ownership of their lifestyles and make their environments fit into their preferred ways of living.

First Time Buyers Property Search Guide

Those who have managed to continue saving during the coronavirus pandemic may be thinking of taking their first steps onto the property ladder and purchasing their first dream home. The good news is, mortgage lenders have reintroduced high LTV mortgages back to the market, providing first time buyers with a big boost to help in their property journey. If you are one of the thousands of people who are looking to get on that first rung of the property ladder, then finding the right home can be a daunting process. However, we’ve included some advice below to guide you through the process so that you could be moving in to your first home in no time at all!

1) Know your limits
Starting your search with a clear idea of what you can afford is a key aspect in terms of finding the right home. Often, first-time buyers are so excited at the thought of starting their property search that they begin with expectations soaring. Knowing your financial limit is key; before you start your search, we would recommend having a mortgage-in-principal approved so that you know exactly what you can afford. In the current climate, a mortgage in principal can be a requirement prior to being able to go on a physical property viewing. This is to help reduce the number of people visiting properties. Starting your hunt by looking at homes twice your actual budget will only end in disappointment and will unduly extend your search – be realistic, set your limits and keep those finances in mind!

2) Mortgage Availability
More mortgage products have been made available in the market allowing first time buyers to consider property purchase with just 5 – 10% deposit. This is known as a high Loan To Value (LTV). Now that physical valuations and surveys can go ahead, more lenders are offering products to cater for first time buyers, such as Virgin Money and Barclays, but providers may restrict the number of applications per day to ensure their services can be maintained. Contact a mortgage adviser to find out your options.

3) Don’t go it alone!
One of the biggest mistakes that first-time buyers make is trying to manage the whole process alone. Finding a good estate agent who will help you not only in the property search, but also during the financial process of buying a property, will be the difference between peace of mind and undue stress. Our sales team are happy to help with any questions you may have and can guide you through the entire process keeping you informed at each stage. Remember, it is the sole purpose of an estate agent to match properties with people, therefore as suitable properties are brought to market which suit your requirements you will be the first to receive property details if you’re registered with us – giving you the edge.

4) The physical viewing
When you are new to the property game, it can seem awkward to spend too long looking around; however, if you are serious about the property, it is important to stay as long as you feel you need to. One of the most difficult things to do when looking for a property, and often cited by even the most seasoned property purchaser as a difficulty, is to look past the current decoration. This can work in two ways; if you view a property with elegant decoration it is easy to fall in love with the aesthetic; however, keep in mind that the chic furniture will all be gone when you move in. The second way in which decoration can put a dampener on your search is that you dislike the taste of the current owners and can’t see through it. If you don’t like the presentation of a property, then try to look past the individual components such as curtains and carpets and instead focus on the bones of the room underneath; looking at the features of the room and the overall size as there could be a fabulous space just waiting to be uncovered.

Check everything around the property and ask plenty of questions about all of its features including electrics, windows, the loft. Having this in-depth look into the property will hone your mind onto the minutiae and take you away from the excitement of wanting to make an offer. If you feel like you still have more to see around the property then arrange another viewings; seeing the property at a different time will give you a better feel for the neighbourhood and your immediate neighbours.

5) Don’t take all of the credit
You have your mortgage-in principal, you’ve worked with an estate agent to find that perfect home within your budget and you have visited the property a couple of times. The dream is practically complete; you have that contract signed and the countdown to completion is on – so now you’re on the home straight to first-time property bliss. How to celebrate? A new car that will look lovely on your new driveway, a large television to adorn your living room wall or an expensive sofa to relax upon? Whatever happens, before your property purchase completes do not take out any other credit lines whatsoever as this could put the property purchase in severe jeopardy. Some mortgage lenders will pull one final credit report before completion in order to ensure that your status has not changed – taking further credit out will endanger this so wait until your purchase completes before splashing out the cash.

Savvy Storage Solutions

Having a place to store your possessions is extremely important and can often get overlooked when property hunting. Being able to fit all of your possessions into your home whilst ensuring it stays neat and tidy can seem challenging at first. However, there is always a way to maximise your space no matter how small your living environment is. We’ve shared some of our super savvy storage hacks below to transform your home into a serene space whilst still being able to enjoy your prised possessions.

1. Fill the gaps
Whilst some of us don’t have as much space as we’d like there are always gaps in a room that can be used as a way to keep your things tidy. For example: on top of wardrobes or sliding draws underneath the bed. Add your items to a decorative box before storing away to prevent the gaps you’ve filled from looking cluttered.

2. Shelves
If you don’t have shelves in your house there are many no damage shelves that can easily be put onto a wall. That way if you’re in a rental property you don’t need to worry about any wall damage. A floating shelf can help you achieve a more spacious room by not having to place objects on the floor. Although they can’t hold items that are too heavy, you can show off your favourite items as decorative features.

If you already use all of your shelving space, you can maximise this further by getting some shelf risers. This allows you to fit an extra shelf in your cupboard so that you can fit double the amount of items in. These work particularly well in kitchen cupboards, or toiletry cupboards; also making it easier to find items.

3. Window sills
We all have window sills! This small bit of space can also be used like a shelf to house your books, houseplants, or toiletries. A clever creative way to maximise a part of the room that often gets overlooked.

4. Baskets!
Sometimes there are items that you may not want to have on display but can easily make your home look messy. The solution to this is baskets! There are so many decorative baskets available in most shops these days, in a range of colours and materials. A basket can be a statement in a room whilst secretly hiding your mess. You can even use small baskets in cupboards to keep them tidy too!

5. Hanging storage
Vertical storage is a clever versatile storage solution. There are hooks that you can buy for the back of your doors that can be home to your accessories or outwear. Hanging organisers like shoe racks can also be bought for the backs of doors and can be home to many items – not just shoes. You could use a hanging organiser for books, craft supplies and toys!