It’s worth talking to your agent this August as the housing market is in good shape for many reasons. So, whether you are on holiday or looking for a holiday home to buy, downsizing or moving to something better, here are a few good reasons to do so.

Every home is different
The location of your home is important, as is the property type. First-time buyer-type homes, for example, have been selling very well. But with all that said, your individual home stands for a lot too. Every home has its own personality and unique features that make it desirable to a buyer. And the chances are, if your home is in any way attractive to certain buyers, they will not be alone.

Demand for your home is strong
Buyer demand is 3% higher than it was in 2019.* It’s completely unfair to compare these figures to the unsustainable levels during the pandemic. But every cloud has a silver lining, and much of that rapidly gained equity will still be in your home. This means that if there is a crash, you are still in a good place.

Your situation is unique
The number of homeowners who own their homes outright in the UK stands at 35%, while the number of homeowners with mortgages stands at 30%.** If you are one of the majority that does not have a mortgage, you may be less apprehensive about making a move now in the face of fluctuating interest rates.

The long-term view looks good
In the long term, house prices increase, and if you are concerned about the short-term fluctuations in price, they will be absorbed by the long-term increase in the value of your home.

How much time have you invested in your property?
Many homeowners in the UK who buy a home will live in it for well over ten years. So, if you bought your home before the pandemic, you have a double layer of accumulated equity to fall back on. Many people are in this situation, and this, combined with good demand, sures up the property market.

Home movers are on holiday
With so many people enjoying their holidays at this time of year, the market may lose a bit of momentum. So often, these changes in price can come about because of seasonality. Now is a good time to get out and have a good look at the home you may want to move into. There is a lot of choice, and with the market being less frantic, you may have more flexibility when it’s time to make an offer.

Conclusion
So, what does this price change mean? Not a lot, and with years of equity, you are in a good place even if there is a sudden drop in prices. But as things stand, prices are steadily declining only slightly, which means you will not get caught out in the middle of your move. After all, you want to live in the home you want; you are not playing the stock exchange.

Contact us today to see how far your money could go towards buying your property dream

 

Rightmove*
English Housing Survey**

 

Everybody's house dreams are different. You might just be dreaming of buying a humble terrace house as your first property. On the other hand, maybe you are an experienced property investor and are thinking about something a little more grand. Whether you are renting and want a view of the sea from your perfect cottage or want a large Victorian townhouse, there are many ways to live the dream today. But often, it’s a whole set of reasons that make your dream home just that.

Architecture
Classical design and features found in a Victorian townhouse are always going to be very different from a contemporary design full of light and glazed walls. Perhaps you want to create a perfectly self-sufficient home that can source all its own energy using solar panels and wind power. That said, these days, you can have both. Taking a classical, older home and transforming it into something special with modern design while paying respect to its original features means you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Location
A view of the mountains or a sun-kissed cityscape? Maybe you prefer the sea? If you are raising a family, then your proximity to great schools will be at the top of your priority list.

Many home buyers love the idea of living in a quiet English village with the perfect pub within walking distance. Perhaps you want all these things within driving distance of your perfect property?

Interior design
It all depends on your personal taste, but there is no shortage of inspiration and help, from furniture suppliers to interior designers, to inspire you and help you find your niche. If money is not an obstacle, marble is always beautiful and timeless. Real wood can create sophistication, but it is also a safe choice when it is time to sell.

Bedrooms
Whichever you choose—a ten-bedroom country home or a two-bedroom terraced house—it's your dream. When it comes to creating the perfect bedrooms, you will want each of them to be unique. And just because you buy a three-bedroom home does not mean it has to stop you from converting one of the bedrooms into a walk-in wardrobe. Perhaps you want the ultimate in comfort by buying a property with a master bedroom complete with an ensuite bathroom.

Bathrooms
Whether you want a wet room or a jacuzzi, the infinite number of colour schemes and designs to choose from will keep you busy if you decide to start from scratch. Or you simply love the idea of incorporating some technology into an already stunning bathroom. Sometimes, when you view your perfect home, you instantly know that your personal items and some plants are enough for you to be really happy.

Outdoor spaces
For many home buyers, having a large garden is an integral part of owning their dream property. And if you have enough space, there is very little you can’t do. From adding a gazebo, work-from-home space, and a hot tub to the little things like nice lighting, they all add up to make your dream home something magical.

Personal touches
Your dream home is not yet fully yours until you add your own personality and interests to it. Whether that is a fine art collection, a wine cellar, a gym, or simply nice flowers, plants, and pictures, it’s only when you have added these elements that you have truly moved in.

Contact us to find your dream home today

 

With 36% of all households in the UK renting*, the rental market is a vital part of the economy and vital for the population to thrive. When landlords provide great properties for tenants to live in, it creates a mutually beneficial and stable landlord-tenant relationship, but that is not all.

A happy tenant
Good landlords who maintain their property to the highest standards, whether with the help of a letting agent or not, are much more likely to have satisfied tenants. This means tenants will renew their tenancy agreements and feel secure in their homes. The landlord has an uninterrupted source of income.

Building a good reputation
A good landlord will gain a good reputation, and this means the potential to make more profit as tenants will be more attracted to your property portfolio.

Higher property value
Well-looked-after properties hold and gain value more rapidly than properties of a lower standard, which leads to greater opportunities to expand your portfolio as a landlord.

Lower vacancy rates
There's a significant demand for rental properties, and the demand for high-quality rental homes is even greater

Good properties always find good tenants; this means that, as a landlord, your property will not sit unoccupied.

Lower maintenance costs
Properties that are well cared for will cost less to maintain because any issues will most likely be prevented. A fully managed letting service can take care of your property, so whether you are a tenant or a landlord, you don’t have to worry.

Greater compliance
From gas safety certificates to tenancy agreements, a well-maintained property let through a good letting agent will take care of all of this for you. And with the Renters Reform Bill on its way, landlords and tenants need to be compliant to make the most of their rights.

More financial options
Great properties lead to great returns on investment, which means banks will back you when it's time to expand your property portfolio. Stability is the key to securing your investment.

A positive effect on the market and wider community
Good properties that are maintained well and have good tenants placed within them are good for the local community and the wider economy.

A fully managed letting service
This is one of the best ways to make sure your property is up to scratch in every possible aspect. From tenancy agreements to property maintenance, a fully managed letting service will give you more time for your life.

It can be time-consuming, from finding tenants to seeking references to sorting a blocked drain. But if you do enjoy being hands-on, you can choose the level of managed service you want. And if you are a tenant and you rent through a letting agent, then you know the entire process will be easier. If you have any maintenance issues, help is just a phone call away.

Contact us today for all your property needs, whether you are a tenant or a landlord

 

English Housing Survey*

 

Being a landlord today is a business and for any business to succeed, it takes investment and time, but it will need to make a profit in the short or long term. There are many ways to thrive as a landlord, from investing in the right location to adding value to your property. But like any business, reducing your costs will help you make more profit.

A good chat with your accountant
A great place to start if you do not already have one is to talk to your accountant. They will be able to outline the most tax-efficient ways to manage your portfolio, whether it consists of one property or a vastly increasing number of properties. They will be versed in the latest legislative changes that may affect your business.

Form a limited company
Your accountant may advise you to form a limited company. It's not a difficult or timely process, but if you do choose this route, you will need a good accountant. When purchasing your property, you will be able to do so through the company, and as a shareholder or director of the company, you have capped liability for debts, losses, or legal claims.

Claim your expenses
Reducing your tax bill as a landlord is made easier by setting up a limited company, which will allow you to offset costs against profits. The best way to record these is to keep a log of all your expenses and always keep receipts and invoices. Your accountant will be able to advise you on what expenses you can claim.

Letting agent fees are tax-deductible
Keeping track of the small costs is also important, as all these things can add up over the year. Expenses such as phone calls can sometimes get overlooked. It’s also worth noting that if you choose to manage your portfolio through a letting agent, you can deduct their fees from your taxable profit.

Tax bands
Making full use of various tax bands is also a good way to reduce your tax bill. For example, certain tax bands may help reduce Capital Gains Tax. If you sell your properties regularly and they do not gain in value, you will not pay Capital Gains Tax.

Tax relief rules
While landlords can no longer deduct mortgage expenses from their rental income, relief is paid as a tax credit as a percentage of mortgage interest payments. While this is not as generous as the pre-existing system, it is still a good way to reduce your tax bill.

Green home grants
While this is not tax relief, it’s another way to reduce your costs. This can provide funding for landlords who make their properties more energy efficient. So, if you are a landlord and are thinking about improving your property’s insulation or double glazing, you may be eligible for a grant.

Contact us to find your perfect property investment today

Tenants in London now pay more than double those elsewhere in the country, research has revealed.

 

A report by insurance provider HomeLet found that the average monthly rent payment in the capital was £2,109 in July, compared with £1,037 elsewhere in the UK.

 

Westminster remained the most expensive district, with a typical home priced at £3,360 per month, more than three times the UK figure.

Across the capital, tenants handed an average of 38 per cent of their gross household income to landlords in July this year, up from 31 per cent six years earlier.

 

Five cheapest London areas

Source: HomeLet

 

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