Home is not just a collection of bricks and mortar, it’s a place that evokes and witnesses a lot of emotion, and this makes it unique amongst all our worldly possessions. The ability to contain our lives and those things that belong to us, such as paintings, memories, and feelings ushered in by the colour schemes of its interior, are some of home’s many special powers. The impact of the location of your home and its surroundings, for an eternity of reasons, from the beautiful countryside to friends, family, or love for a location, is profound.

Excitement
There are few things in life more exciting than moving to a new home. The list of reasons why you are so excited is uniquely yours, and your perfect property will reflect this. From the way you decorate it, to the stuff you own, that tells the story of your life. Your home should make you feel welcome from the moment you see it. Maybe you adore your new kitchen for a thousand reasons, including how it makes you feel. It’s character, the view of the garden, or its modern design.

Desire
This innate human emotion moves us all to act, and finding a home you really want will fill you with the desire to own it. If you view a property and you really like everything about it, and feel that you can improve it, by adding your own creativity, then the chances are you will want to make an offer. Buying the property that adds so much to the quality of your life opens the gateway to so many more positive emotions.

Love
Making the perfect home for your loved ones is one of the most powerful and greatest feelings in the world. Are you in the lucky position of buying a home for a relative to keep them safe or moving to the house for your family to grow? Sharing our lives with a partner in the right home is blissful and intoxicating, and the right property adds to this more than most people realize. You should also love your home; from the little characterful details to the fundamentals, good homes have a built-in power to inspire love.

Happiness
Homes have the uncanny ability to make us feel happy, and they can do this in so many ways. If you feel you have enough space and love the way your home looks and feels, then you are well on your way to creating happy lives within it. Happy memories are priceless, and when you get down to the basics of life, there is not much else that matters quite as much. There is a lot to think about when finding your happy place, from your home’s location to its energy efficiency.

Safety and security
You want to feel safe, secure and satisfied that your home is a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the world outside. Relaxation is vital to keep you stress-free so you can think and plan your life clearly. This will allow you to enjoy those special moments that become enhanced by the features of a great home. From a mesmerising outdoor living space to relax in, a cosy fireplace, or a nicely decorated home that makes you feel good.

Discontentment
This can be as powerful as many positive emotions. If you are currently living in a home where you feel trapped because you are tripping over things, that is enough to make you want to move! Maybe it’s time to buy your first home because it’s you who is getting in the way, and you want to enjoy a greater feeling of independence! Are you moving to a better area or a home with a better garden? Maybe you need more bedrooms or have too many and want to buy something smaller.

Do you want a property that makes you feel amazing? Get in touch today.

 

With changes afoot in the 2024 rental market, it is important to know how you can continue your success as a landlord while evolving with the times. This guide will give you some tips on how to ensure a smooth and successful letting experience.

Expand your property portfolio
With more opportunities for landlords than ever before, now is the perfect time to expand and diversify your property portfolio. One of the key benefits of increasing your property portfolio is the potential for increased cash flow, as owning multiple properties helps you maximise rental income and capitalise on the rising demand for housing.

It can also help to think outside the box when it comes to expanding your portfolio, as there are many options for you to consider that all have their own unique benefits. For example, you could consider letting houses for multiple occupants (HMOs), which often produce higher yields.

With the help of a trusted letting agent’s skills and knowledge, you can diversify your portfolio and experiment with different projects to see what works best for you.

Don’t fear the Renters’ Reform Bill
When the Renters’ Reform Bill was first announced, there was a negative reaction from landlords, who feared that there would be a shift in power in favour of tenants. However, this is not the case. As a landlord, you will still be able to conduct referencing checks and have the final say regarding who you are letting your property to.

In fact, there are even some aspects that favour landlords, such as the fact that you will now be able to recover your properties much more easily from poorly behaved tenants who breach the tenancy agreement. An experienced letting agent will be able to write an agreement that prioritises you and your properties, ensuring a stress-free letting process.

As long as you are a fair and professional landlord, there is no need to be concerned by the Renters’ Reform Bill.

Improve the energy efficiency of your properties
It’s more important than ever to make your properties as energy efficient as possible for a variety of different reasons. Investing in energy-saving measures such as insulation, upgraded heating systems, and energy-efficient appliances can help you reduce utility bills and increase your rental yields.

Improved energy efficiency may also improve tenants' overall comfort and well-being, increasing the likelihood that they will be pleased with the property and stay for a longer period of time, thereby reducing vacancy periods. With a more pleasant and energy-efficient property, you may be able to demand slightly higher rents.

Additionally, if you ever decide to sell your property, its improved energy efficiency will increase its market value.

Make sure you’re protected
Making sure you’re well covered legally and financially is crucial to protecting your investments as a landlord. It is important to stay up-to-date with any changes in legislation with the help of your letting agent. Their experience in the industry gives them the knowledge and expertise required to guide you through the rental process in a safe and legally sound manner.

The best way to protect yourself is by making sure you have all the necessary insurance coverage that you need as a landlord. It is crucial to make sure you have coverage against property damage and tenant rent payment default, as well as taking out liability insurance to protect you from any potential legal challenges.

You should contact your letting agent for advice regarding what landlord insurance you require.

 

Ready to expand your property portfolio? Get in touch today

 

Whether it's freezing cold or scorching hot outside, adequate insulation is essential for maintaining comfort inside your home while keeping energy bills to a minimum. Let's look at the impact of insulation, how you can insulate your home, and how it helps lower your energy expenditure.

The importance of good insulation
Insulation plays a crucial role in maintaining energy efficiency and keeping warmth inside your home by reducing the exchange of heat between the outside and inside of your home. Good insulation helps to keep your home at a consistent temperature, preventing it from becoming too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.

It also has other benefits, such as soundproofing your home and reducing the amount of moisture in your home to prevent damp.

The impacts of poor insulation
Inadequate levels of insulation can have a hugely detrimental impact on your home, as it can lead to unwanted temperature exchange through your walls, flooring, and roofing. It can cause inconsistent temperatures throughout different areas of your home, making it difficult to keep your home at a desirable overall temperature.

Poor insulation can also contribute to the growth of mould and mildew through a build-up of moisture, which could pose potential health risks to you and your loved ones.

Different ways to insulate your home

Draught-proofing
Blocking unwanted gaps around windows, doors, and floors can help keep the cold air out and the warm air in. Placing draught excluders against your doors and using sealant or filler to remove any gaps in walls and windows are good ways of preventing cold draughts rushing through your home.

Roof and loft insulation
The cheapest and easiest way of insulating your home is by installing loft insulation, which acts as a barrier to reduce heat loss by trapping air within layers of high-quality material such as mineral wool. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could save between £260 and £475 a year by installing mineral wool insulation at a thickness of 270mm, depending on the type of property you live in.*

Underfloor insulation
Floor insulation forms a barrier that protects your home from the circulation of air beneath your property. This type of insulation is particularly effective in older homes that have suspended timber floors, compared to the concrete flooring commonly used in newer properties. Underfloor insulation can save you between £75 and £195 annually.*

Cavity wall insulation
The vast majority of homes built in the past 100 years have cavity walls, which are insulated by sealing the space between the inner and outer walls with cement. This type of insulation can save you somewhere between £145 and £520 per year.*

Impact on a home’s energy rating
Good insulation can make a huge difference on your home’s energy rating, as it acts as a thermal barrier to regulate heat transfer between the interior and the external environment, therefore reducing the demand for heating and cooling systems. By preventing draughts and keeping warm air inside your property, insulation helps to keep heating costs down in the cold winter months.

It is also useful for warmer climates, as it reduces the amount of energy needed to cool your home and keep it at a consistent temperature.

A home’s energy rating and insulation will be taken into account when a surveyor calculates the value of your property. Therefore, if you’re looking to sell your home, good insulation can help you achieve a higher sale price.

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Cavity wall, loft, and roof insulation are all available under the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). To qualify for the scheme, your property must be in council tax categories A-D in England or A-E in Scotland and Wales and have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D or lower.

Your local estate agent will be able to check your eligibility for the scheme and help you with your application.

 

Contact us today if you’re looking to move to a more energy-efficient home

Energy Saving Trust*

 

With a greater sense of optimism in the air, lowering mortgage rates, and a compelling choice of properties to entice you, the UK property market is feeling good. A new year always brings new trends, fresh ways of buying, interesting properties, and a fresh influx of homemovers. Now is a good time to open your mind to the endless possibilities.

Mortgage rates are falling below 4%
With sub 4% mortgage rates making a welcome appearance on the mortgage market, homemovers are excited and relieved. For many years, mortgage rates were unrealistically low, and this has created the perception that today’s rates are higher than they actually are. Mortgage rates will not in the foreseeable future return to super-low levels, and those who know this are making their moves and getting increasingly better deals. After all, you can always change your mortgage deal in a couple of years.

Homes finding new owners
More buyers means more sellers, and all bring their properties to the market at some point, for you to buy, or for them to buy yours. This hive of activity keeps the market buoyant at this time of year. Spring is just around the corner, and this is often one of the best times of the year to move thanks to longer days, and warming weather to enjoy viewings. If you decide to join the party, your agent’s database will be teeming with homemovers and may already contain the right buyer for your home.

New trends
Create your perfect work-from-home space by selling up and moving to your dream location. Making the most of your home’s equity by purchasing a buy-to-let investment or holiday let is still a very appealing option. First-time buyers can spend up to £600,000 with a 5% deposit thanks to the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, which has been extended until June 2025. Sustainability, energy efficiency, compact living, and smart technology are also growing in popularity.

A settling market
If you are a buyer, better mortgage deals and solid pricing that represent good value put you in a good position to move, thanks to a slowdown in house price inflation in 2023. You will get a good price for your home if you are selling, and you will enjoy good value if you are buying. These are ideal conditions for finding a great property and settling down. When the property market feels calm, it makes for a more pleasant moving experience. With good guidance from an experienced agent, moving home does not have to be a stressful experience.

Inspirational properties
Sustainability and energy efficiency are blended with fun and functionality, defining your spaces but allowing them to feel connected. The growth of smart homes and smart energy, fitted with smart appliances, promises to make your life easier. Features such as glass roofs and glass-door walls, with modern, clean designs leading to homely outdoor garden spaces, even in compact homes, make for inspirational viewings. Architectural styles from every era offer space with style and a sense of timelessness with modernity in magical settings.

 

Get in touch to take a fresh approach to your new home search this February

 

There are many factors that can have an impact on the value of a property, but one that people often overlook is whether or not it is located within a school catchment area. Let’s take a look at what school catchment areas are, how they affect property value, and how you can benefit from them.

What are school catchment areas?
School catchment areas are geographical boundaries that determine which students are eligible to attend a particular school. Children who live within the catchment area of a particular school have an increased chance of being offered a place there.

How are catchment areas calculated?
The method of measuring catchment areas differs between schools, but there are four main ways in which they are calculated:

• Straight-line catchment – A child who lives within a specified distance measured in a straight line from their home to the school will be prioritised.
  
  
• Walking distance catchment – A child who lives within a specified distance measured along safe walking paths from their home to the school will be prioritised.
  
  
• Nearest school catchment – A child is prioritised at the school nearest to them in distance.
  
  
• Priority admission catchment – A child who lives in an area that is a defined neighbour of a school will be prioritised.

How do school catchment areas impact property value?
According to GOV.uk, property prices near the 10% best-performing primary schools have an 8% higher average value than homes in the surrounding area.* Homes within catchment areas of the 10% best-performing non-selective secondary schools are also priced 6.8% higher.* This is primarily due to the high demand for properties within certain school catchment areas, as families look to give their children the best education possible.

The benefits of moving to a particular school catchment area
Whether you already have a family or you are looking to start one, moving to the catchment area of your school of choice can hugely benefit your children’s education. Not only does living in your desired catchment area greatly increase the likelihood of your child being accepted into the school, but it also results in shorter commute distances, making life much more convenient for you and your family. By moving to a home near a top-quality school with a gleaming Ofsted report, you can set your children up for life with a first-class education.

How your estate agent can help ?
Once you have carefully considered which school you would like your child to attend, it is crucial to enlist the assistance of a trusted estate agent. Using their detailed knowledge of local catchment areas, they can help you find suitable properties near the school of your choice and assist you with making an offer and negotiating the price.

Your estate agent can also help you if you’re looking to move out of a school catchment area by making sure the convenient location of your property is reflected in the price you receive for your home. They will make sure to advertise the fact that your property is in a school catchment area to attract potential buyers and maximise the amount you receive for your home.

 

Contact us today for assistance moving into or out of a school catchment area

GOV.uk*