Welcome to your April newsletter!

7 good reasons to be positive about the 2023 property market

Positivity is like a fresh spring breeze; it just makes you feel good and clears your head! With so much negativity bandied about in the media, with sensationalist headlines, it’s easy to become worn down by all the doom and gloom. Your head becomes clogged with confusion, which is almost as uncomfortable as a winter cold. On the other hand, you are an optimist and want to move forward based on informed choices and good reasoning.

The housing market is built on good foundations

A significantly large part of property sales are cash buyers and buyers borrowing less than 50% of the value of their property.* This is hard to hear for those of us who have to borrow much more to progress on the property ladder. However, the good side to this is that it helps stabilise the property market and the wider economy. Unlike so many other sectors of public and private borrowing, the house of cards scenario is not as precarious!

A stable and secure borrowing and property market

It’s now widely accepted that while interest rates are higher than they have been over the years, they are set at more realistic levels. It’s comparable to responsible lending; prior to this, borrowers could almost borrow as much as they wanted, leading to big repayment problems during the banking crisis.

Since the introduction of responsible lending, the future is less susceptible to the perils of overborrowing. Interest rates may be higher, but the result is a more stable borrowing market and a more stable housing market. Interest rates are stabilizing, and even if there are more adjustments to the base rate, a small increase will not affect your mortgage interest rates.

House prices remain resilient without soaring, with good long-term growth

House prices are no longer soaring towards the sky or dropping through the floorboards. Instead, due to low supply and high demand and good levels of employment, prices are realistically stable. When it comes to making an offer, there is also some room for price manoeuvring, while long-term growth prospects remain favourable.

First-time buyers

With 5% mortgages available to first-time buyers thanks to the government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, extended until December 2023, there is a lot for first-time buyers to feel good about.

Demand for green homes is increasing

Homes are becoming greener and leaner, and as such, they are becoming more desirable. Houses that are more self-sufficient in terms of energy fetch higher prices than homes that are more expensive to run.

Homes are becoming more energy efficient

The government’s ECO+ scheme, due to start in April 2023, will run for three years and, with a pot of £1 billion, will give big energy suppliers the means to offer customers grants to make their homes more energy efficient by improving insulation.

The standard of homes has increased massively

It’s no secret that during the pandemic many homeowners spent a lot of time and money making home improvements. Today, as you get on the move, you can enjoy the fruits of all those labours and find a property that is in great condition; modernised, energy efficient, stylish, and ready to be lived in. All you have to do is enjoy it.

Make some positive steps towards buying the home you truly desire. Contact us for more information.

Zoopla*

Do you buy a home with your heart or your head?

Logic and emotion are often at loggerheads when it comes to house buying! Entering a house that gives you that special feeling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. You loved the appearance of the house online, and you were not disappointed when you saw it in the cold light of day. You take a step inside, and the magic begins. It all just feels right.

You can see yourself living there, and you have a warm feeling inside your chest as you go from room to room; already, you imagine waking up feeling content in the bedroom because you love the view from the window and the feeling of space. The kitchen is perfect for the entire family, and in your mind, they are already sitting around the table. The fire is so inviting; the garden needs work, but you already have a vision of how to make it splendidly your own.

Despite all of this, you return to your current house, your mind still creating scenarios and teeming with happy images of a better life in a nicer home, and you stop in your tracks. You have run the numbers, and even though logically you can afford to move, the internal battle between your head and your heart begins.

Don’t ignore your head

It’s important that the numbers crunch correctly. You have to be able to afford your new home! But do not become obsessed by what-ifs and market trends. Many people have made the mistake of losing the house they love while waiting to see what happens to house prices, just in case they drop or rise. It really makes very little difference. House prices fluctuate by small amounts in the short term and grow significantly in the long term. The sooner you start paying your mortgage on the property you want, the better. Logically, this will save you more money in the long run.

Listen to your heart

Ultimately, for true home happiness, you have to listen to your heart. Given that you can afford the home you really want, it’s important to open up and tune into your emotions. Learn to trust them; they are there for a reason. Few other events in your life will create such feelings of desire, contentment, safety, passion, happiness, fulfilment, and security. If you are a little scared, that’s perfectly healthy, but do not let it dominate your decision or cloud your logic.

A happy beginning!

There is nothing wrong with allowing your heart to rule your head when it comes to home moving. Just keep the logical stuff simple, and then allow your heart to do the rest. Then, finally, after you have taken the plunge, having not purely based your decision on a mere impulse, you can start making priceless happy memories.

Finding emotional fulfilment in your home is a logical step!

Logically, emotional fulfilment is important financially. The rest of your life will function so much better if you are living in a home that makes you and your family happy. The health benefits that positive emotions bring, not to mention reduced stress levels and quality downtime, will benefit you throughout your entire life.

Finding the right home is really important to us because we know what it means to you. Get in touch to see how we can help in your home search.

Do you buy a home with your heart or your head?

Don’t ignore your head

Listen to your heart

A happy beginning!

Finding emotional fulfilment in your home is a logical step!

Finding the right home is really important to us because we know what it means to you. Get in touch to see how we can help in your home search.

Can’t wait to on get on the property ladder?

Getting on the property ladder is all about getting started, and there are so many ways to do just that. With so much to spend your money on, whether it’s traveling, socializing, or all of the above. Finding the means of saving a deposit is no mean feat. A growing proportion of first-time buyers are now choosing to buy with friends. The process is a little more complicated, so it’s important to go about things the right way.

You can buy with up to four people

Up to four people can put their names on the deed, so even if you're a far cry from getting together a large enough deposit to buy a home completely independently, you could be closer to owning your first home than you think.

Tenants in common

This is the most popular form of agreement and allows each person you buy a property with to own different shares in the property, and you can pass on your share of the property in your will. This differs from "joint tenants," which means you have equal rights to the entire property and can’t pass on your share in a will.

The less, the merrier!

Perhaps you believe that the more, the merrier! It certainly will reduce the cost of your mortgage payments. However, it’s worth noting that if one of your house co-owners can’t pay their share of the mortgage, then the rest of you are liable. Needless to say, the fewer people involved, the simpler the arrangements.

Borrowing

Most high-street lenders will gladly lend to two buyers; however, the options for mortgages with four buyers are more limited.

Have an exit plan

It’s important to set out in a contract a good get-out clause covering the circumstances in which the property can be sold. Include how the profits from such a sale would be divided if certain individuals invested in its development, as well as anything else you feel is relevant. Then, when the time comes to sell up and buy your own house independently, the process is as seamless as possible.

Finding the right home

It’s important to find the right home that everybody is going to be happy with. Location is key to keeping the peace. The minor details of bedroom allocation are critical when purchasing a home in which you and your co-owners will be happy and thrive.

The doorway to owning your own home

Buying a home with your friends is a great way of rapidly speeding up your next steps on the property ladder. Taking house prices out of the equation, as you pay your mortgage and build up equity, you are effectively saving a deposit for your own home.

Find a great home for you and your friends and get on the property ladder now! Browse our properties.

A month of March memories for your home

March has a lot to offer when it comes to making happy family memories for you to cherish, especially in your home. All too often, when we view a potential home, we think of everything from price, location, how much we like the property, the size and aspect of the rooms, and its features. We become obsessed with décor, design, and monetary value. With so much going on in March, now is a good time to look at your home in a different light.

How does your home feel during some of the days that make March such an inspiring time of year?

Spring

Spring is a welcome release from the dark, cold days of winter and shows all of us proof that the darkness and cold really do not last forever and that things really can change! Change is something that we both love and despise as humans. Unless we are certain that it’s for the better. Is spring memorable in your home, or do you feel disconnected from the new forces of nature that show up in the form of flowers and wildlife? It’s important to feel connected to nature in your home. You only need to look at the effect that glass door walls have on blending the indoor and outdoor worlds, connecting you to nature with a single glance. Then, when you open the doors, an orchestra of nature and the scents of the garden waft into your home. It’s mood-altering and makes for a truly beautiful living experience.

Mother’s Day

Whether you are a mother, son, daughter, or partner helping to arrange the little details, from breakfast in bed to flowers. How well does your home befit the occasion? A dining room that feels special and unique marks not just this occasion but many memorable meals. Does each room work in conjunction with each other? Does the special ambience you create in the dining room flow to the sitting room?

Longer evenings and changing clocks

Your time is precious. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just press pause every now and again to stretch out your evenings? Creating spaces in your home that allow you to relax quickly and appreciate the moment may not stop time itself. They will, however, slow time down as you become absorbed and tuned into the moment. Create a relaxing outdoor space where you can light candles with a view of the sky at sunset, add music, and then breathe. You can create such spaces in a variety of settings (such as your living room or bedroom) in your own unique way. Then you will become more connected to your surroundings and your home.

International Day of Happiness

Taking place in March, this is another great excuse to celebrate laughter and joy. But who needs an excuse? Take the time to create a home that makes you feel at one with, and it will take care of you, so happy moments become happy days and months for a better way of life.

Make a fresh start on your property search. This March, look for a home that will bring you a thousand happy memories. Browse our properties.

Ravensdale Avenue, North Finchley, N12

Situated in this popular tree lined residential location off North Finchley High Road and...

£1,300,000

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Hillcourt Avenue, North Finchley N12

Situated in this popular tree lined road off Nether Street in the catchment area for Moss Hall Primary...

£1,100,000

Click here to read Hillcourt Avenue, North Finchley N12.

Hillcourt Avenue, North Finchley, N12

Situated in this popular tree lined road off Nether Street in the catchment area for Moss Hall Primary School...

£1,100,000

Click here to read Hillcourt Avenue, North Finchley, N12.

Entertaining at home: An inspirational guide to making the most of a home this Easter

Whether you’re planning on moving or staying put this Easter, there are so many ways to celebrate at home. The market is now fresh like the spring, with properties appearing for sale on every corner. So here are a few tips to make the most of the holidays.

Indoor and outdoor Easter egg hunts
Just because you love chocolate, a great way to entertain your family this Easter is by arranging an Easter egg hunt. This will keep the children occupied while you catch up with friends and family who can offer a different perspective on your home move.

Cocktails outside
With many homes offering great outdoor living spaces, often heated, well-lit, and decked out, you can enjoy cocktails even if the weather is not as warm as you like. Perhaps you have given your garden a spring makeover to add to its value or simply because you wanted to make it the perfect outdoor space.

Preparing your dining room
The central hub after the kitchen, you can make your dining room as beautiful as you want. Candles, spring flowers, edible chocolate ornaments, and the little details that dress a table for entertaining can make great pictures when staging your home for a sale.

Spend a few hours in the kitchen
From making your chocolate eggs to preparing a traditional Sunday roast, inspiration for kitchen design is everywhere, and the possibilities to enjoy it are endless at this time of year. Maybe you prefer experimenting? You could try alfresco dining. Add a log burner and candles for a relaxing outdoor dining experience.

You entertain the idea of moving
Sometimes you just want more. No matter how much spring cleaning, preparation, decoration, or renovation you undertake, you know you want to move. Your current home will never meet all your expectations. And though you have made great memories, when you glimpse inside a beautiful property, you instantly envision a better way of living.

The housing market
April is a great time to sell up as market activity increases. The housing market becomes a hive of activity, and this year promises to be a good one. The average number of people contacting agents at the beginning of the year increased by 11% compared to the same period in 2019. Spring is a popular time for people to move home. Fresh properties arrive on the market, and many people who delayed buying in December are now eager to buy quickly. The market is stable, with prices remaining strong, bringing more choice and increasing your chances of finding the home you desire.*

Are you entertaining the idea of moving to a better home this spring? Browse some of our available properties.

Rightmove*

Is springtime a good time to sell your home?

This time of year, has a lot going for it: Easter, lots of chocolate, spring flowers, warmer weather, and if you are on the move, April is the best time to sell your home. In fact, March, April, May, and June are the most popular months for making a swift move, with the average home taking less time to sell.

More people move in the spring
More UK property transactions are completed in the spring than at any other time of the year, and it’s a pattern that repeats itself year after year!

For example, in March 2022, the number of property transactions completed in the UK peaked at 111,680; in April, it was 107,100; and in May, the figure stood at 106,860.*

A good year
Conditions were a little bumpy towards the end of last year. The minibudget that caused an air of uncertainty has been replaced by a fresh spring breeze of stability. Sellers and buyers who delayed moving are returning to the market. More sellers mean more choice. Traditionally, the market warms up at this time of year, but with the added element of pent-up demand and a more calm and realistic market, it promises to be a good year.

Strong demand with a stable 2023 market
The average price of property coming to the market rose by just £14 (+0.0%) from January to February to £362,452.** This is a decent and stable figure, and with demand still very strong, the market is now conducting itself in a manner that is healthy and vibrant. However, you no longer need to race to your dream home and offer more than the asking price! If anything, there may be scope for a little negotiation.

Inspiring and beautiful homes
With wildlife coming on strong and flowers sprouting up to witness the longer evenings, spring lends itself well to moving. It’s easier weather for all the practical parts of moving, and homes with all this splendour going on just look better. Many will have enjoyed a good spring cleaning now that winter is over. Home improvements occupied many homeowners during the lockdown, so whether your budget is large or more modest, chances are you are in for inspiring viewings. Outdoor living spaces, work-from-home spaces, and interesting gardens are ripe for your ideas just in time for summer.

Summary: Springtime is the right time!
With so many beautiful homes looking good at this time of year and a buoyant market with some fresh pent-up demand, house prices are no longer rocketing out of control. Warmer, longer days and lighter evenings bring more homeowners out of hibernation, adding vibrancy and more choice to the property market. With no snow or cold to deal with while hopefully finishing in time to enjoy the summer. It’s little wonder that so many homeowners choose spring to move.

Perhaps we are no different from the returning spring wildlife. The season of change ushers us into a changing mood, but the motives, like many other natural laws, are highly practical and advantageous.

Spring your property move into life now!

Browse our available properties, then book a free valuation with one of our expert agents.

Office for National Statistics*
Rightmove**

Attention landlords: tenants are renting for longer than ever!

A lot of things seem to be getting longer at this time of year – the evenings and the list of tenants looking for a property to rent. Tenants are renting for longer, which in turn brings longevity to the long-term investment prospects of the buy-to-let market! In the UK, 13 million people rent from a private landlord. This means the buy-to-let market is expanding all the time.*

Why are tenants renting for longer than ever?

Cost of living crisis
It’s taking longer for first-time buyers to save their deposits as energy bills, food prices, and rents increase.

Interest rates
Although many analysts believe that interest rates will never return to the ultra-low levels of the past, many people still believe they are too high. As a result, first-time buyers are delaying their decision to buy and rent for longer.

Lifestyle choice
A growing proportion of people now believe they will never get on the property ladder, choosing to invest in life experiences and preferring not to be tied to a mortgage. This opens yet more opportunities for landlords as the rental sector expands. Attitudes toward owning your own home are changing in the UK and, in many ways, becoming more European, where there is less emphasis on home ownership.

Waiting to see what happens!
Many buyers have delayed making their first move, unable to decide and wondering whether the market has settled. Others are confused and are waiting to see if house prices will rise or fall. As a result, they choose to rent rather than make a decision.

What are the benefits of longer tenancies?
Finding the right home is something that is important to people. When tenants find their happy place, they frequently choose to rent long-term.

Build trust
Typically, the longer your tenants rent from you, the better you get to know them. As time goes on, you may find that they are excellent tenants. This gives you a great track record to give you peace of mind for the future.

Long-term security
The rental market is in a great place. There are simply more tenants than available properties to rent. Therefore, whatever happens, your investment is secure. That said, longer tenancies mean that you do not have to spend time looking for new tenants and making the necessary checks and preparations. Not to mention building up trust again!

Better communication
If any issues arise, the channels of communication are often better in long-term tenancies. Good landlords tend to fix any maintenance issues quickly. As a result, your property is in the best possible hands. Minor problems that can turn into costly repairs get sorted quickly.

Tenants will invest in your property
Tenants tend to invest in your property when they are confident that they will be living there for a long time. Things like curtains, decoration, and furniture – not to mention cleanliness and tender love and care to help keep your home in tip-top shape.

Browse our properties today to find the ideal buy-to-let property for a profitable long-term investment.

Generation Rent*

Landlords, don’t put all your property investment eggs in one basket!

The market is calm and stable, with huge long-term demand and with more people renting for longer, now is a great time to invest in property. Tenants are renting for longer as it takes a bit more time to get a footing on the property ladder. Being a landlord is very much a business. The most successful businesses adapt to the times. It’s true that many tenants are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis. But for many savvy landlords, this is a great opportunity to grow and expand their property portfolio.

Increasing rents
The buy-to-let market can be highly lucrative and offer great returns on investment. Average rents increased in the 12 months from December 2022 by 12.1%.*

Supply is short
The shortfall in the supply of rental properties is still massive and will remain so for many years to come. Simply put, there are far more tenants than available properties.

The trend toward smaller homes
Smaller, more affordable homes are in demand. Flats and more modestly sized homes are appealing simply because they are cheaper to run. Tenants are a little more cost conscious with the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis.

Energy efficiency is easier
It’s not all about size. Modernising your rental property is now becoming more essential than ever. This is much easier to achieve in more modestly sized homes. Energy Performance Certificate rules will be more stringent in 2025, with new tenancy agreements having to meet an energy rating of C. If modifications need to be carried out to meet these demands, the smaller the property, the more likely it is that they will be cheaper.

Bigger can be smaller!
Developing larger properties and then letting them out room by room is also a great way to spread the risk of your property investment. Converting terrace homes into flats can double your rental income while helping to alleviate the chronic shortage of affordable homes.

Funding efficiency
Investing in multiple properties is a shrewd move when it comes to expanding your portfolio. Instead of having all your capital tied up in one property, investing in smaller properties means the funds you receive for one can help cover the costs of the other.

The opportunity to diversify
The more property you own, the more rental markets you can pursue. Invest in the student, professional, house, flat, or holiday home markets—the possibilities are endless.

The best of both worlds
If you are not sure whether you want to develop property to sell or let property, you can enjoy the best of both worlds and adapt your investment plan more easily.

Whether you are looking to expand or create a property portfolio from scratch, get in touch to see how we can help you today!

Zoopla*

Woodlands Avenue, Finchley N3

Situated in one of the most desirable tree lined roads in Finchley and conveniently located within minutes’ walk of

£1,100,000

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12 May 2023 | Finchley London

London Whisky Weekender 2023

You’ll get to sample the best home-grown whiskies from Scotland, as well as all corners of the globe. The London Whisky Weekender attracts...

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Nether Street, Finchley N3

Conveniently located within minutes’ walk of both Finchley Central and West Finchley tube stations and set in the the catchment area to a...

£550,000

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