The crudely made toilet roll angel that Lily proudly brought home from primary school might be your prize possession, but she’s 18 now. Similarly, the illuminated blow-up Santa that sits outside to welcome late-night visitors may have become something of a tradition in your household, but to others it might simply look garish.  If you are looking to sell your property during the Christmas...

In Labour’s first budget at the end of October, the party announced a raft of measures, many of which will have a direct impact on the housing market. This was followed by the Bank of England’s long-anticipated cut to the base rate which was reduced to 4.75% in early November. Market impact So, what does it all mean for the housing market and where might it go next? The implications are mixed....

Now we are officially in autumn the news is official. The new season has seen an early surge in the housing market, and everyone is crossing their fingers that the boost will continue and that the demand that has been building for so long can finally be released. In our last blog, we saw how the latest House Price Index from Rightmove showed that average asking prices had risen by 0.8% in September on...

September has seen the news from Rightmove that seller and buyer demand is on the up – prompting national average asking prices to rise by 0.8% on the month and by 1.2% over the year. Nationally, asking prices increased by £2,974 to £370,759 over the month. Although a September price rise is usual after the distraction of the summer for buyers and sellers alike, the growth was double the long-term...

As a buy-to-let landlord, you are in the market to make money. But that’s not been easy with the financial pressures of the last year or two. High interest and mortgage rates have impacted investment strategies and left some landlords wondering whether the challenges are worth it. But, with the right investment strategy there is still money to be made. It just requires that you make decisions wisely...

With Labour now in power after their landslide victory in July’s general election, the focus turns from campaigning to implementing their policies and plans for the next five years. If you are considering selling or are already in the process, you might be wondering what impact the election result will have on the property market and your plans. Greater economic stability to lead to mortgage rate...

After the harshness of winter and the damp squib that has been spring, your rental property might require a little TLC if you are to show it off at its best this summer. Ensuring you keep on top of seasonal maintenance is essential to attracting new tenants or keeping existing ones, as well as protecting your investment. But where to start? Check for winter damage If you haven’t previously...

If you are in the market for new tenants, then spring is an ideal time to attract them. Warmer weather and lighter days might have them yearning for summer BBQs that they simply don’t have anywhere suitable for currently. Alternatively, perhaps after being confined inside for winter, they’ve simply decided they need a little extra space. Or maybe they just fancy somewhere new. Whatever their...

The traditional spring clean is a great time for a deep clean and declutter and a chance to review your property for maintenance jobs that should be added to your landlord list over the coming weeks - such as the need for a fresh lick of paint in a bedroom or the replacement of mouldy, unsightly sealant in a bathroom. Doing this will help to ensure your property continues to appeal to prospective tenants...

The spring budget has had a lukewarm reception, with many saying more could have been done to help the housing market although more money in people’s pockets increases affordability. So, what does it all mean for you? More money to spend In the worst-kept secrets of the Spring Budget, one of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s key announcements was a further cut in National Insurance rates from 10% to 8%...