There is no doubt that we live in a wonderful age where pretty much everything we want is at our fingertips, and there is nothing you can’t get delivered to your front door. You can spend night after night scrolling through Rightmove and Zoopla searching for your dream home, and while it’s possible to buy a home completely online, just because you can does not mean you should.

Virtual viewings are an awesome introduction to a property. If you already know the area and you are simply looking for a great flat to let, then perhaps you will never need to carry out a physical viewing. They are a great way to dream and check out all the homes you know you can't afford to buy!

But there is no substitute for the sensory adventure that begins as soon as you see the home you want. It’s the difference between dreams and reality.

Sensory Experience
Yes, buying a new home is a big decision, but it is also an exciting and adventurous feast for all your senses. Entering a property that feels like home is a unique and amazing feeling to savour. There is no substitute for the tactile world of wood and stone and the visual feast that will greet you and witness some of your most precious memories. The scents of the garden, the vision of your new life, the plans for decoration—that special feeling you get that you can't explain yet for some reason you know it’s home.

Valuable experience
Let’s not overlook the obvious. Agents sell homes for a living and are a great ally. Drawing on years of experience to guide you and point out things you may not notice after having absorbed your requirements and desires. It’s a comforting feeling knowing you have an expert on your team.

Do you really want to deal with buyers directly?
Your time is precious, and agents can liaise with buyers for you. It’s also a good thing to have an experienced person dealing with offers from buyers who may make a few cheeky offers!

Checking out the neighbourhood
It’s important to get to know the neighbourhood and surrounding areas. You want to make the right decision and enjoy the peace of mind and fulfilment that come with loving where you live.

Test your agent
A face-to-face viewing or valuation with your agent not only gives you the chance to test out how you feel about certain properties but also to get a thorough valuation. It’s a chance to see your agent in action and become inspired, informed, and gain from their knowledge. A good agent will get on board with your vision for moving and help you achieve your property goals.

Expertise and another pair of eyes
A good estate agent will not try to force a sale during a viewing. After all, it’s your decision.

Simply having another pair of eyes and another perspective and answering all your questions face-to-face while you can walk through the property is more convenient. This will guide you towards making the decision that makes you happy.

Local market knowledge
Your estate agent will have lots of local market knowledge and may already have moved people in and out of your new neighbourhood. So take advantage of this and use it to take the stress out of your decision.

Browse our available properties and allow us to help all your property dreams come true.

 

This month sees the return of National Tea Day. But perhaps the time for taking a break is over. With so many people looking for homes to rent, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at the spring rental market. You could improve the climate for tenants while making a few wise investments!

Rents are spiralling with soaring demand
According to figures released in December 2022, the number of homes available for rent is 40% lower than average. This is while the properties available for rent have reduced dramatically to 38% and demand is 46% higher.*

Some landlords are sitting on the fence
With so many changes to interest rates in the latter stages of last year, many landlords have hesitated before expanding their property plans. This is creating more opportunity to step forward on the buy-to-let ladder. As others wait to see what happens, you could make an early start on expanding your portfolio.

More properties are entering the market at the right price
Spring always brings a fresh influx of properties to the market as homebuyers and sellers get on the move. So, this is a good time to find a home that may make a great buy-to-let investment and with a little more room for negotiation.

Renters Reform Bill
The renters reform bill is due to kick in at the end of the year. While it aims to improve rights for tenants, it offers a framework for landlords to address issues arising with tenants. So, in many ways, it’s a good thing and not to be feared by landlords.

New opportunities
With some landlords retiring, even fewer properties for rent become available. This means there is more scope for new investors to put their stamp on the buy-to-let market.

Buy-to-let mortgage deals are recovering!
More choices of buy-to-let mortgages are returning to the market, with some 2400 deals available.* This is a sure sign that the market is stable and strong with good levels of confidence, creating the perfect environment for long-term investment.

Tenants are renting for longer
It’s harder for many to get on the property ladder; people are choosing to rent over buy, deciding to invest in lifestyle instead of bricks and mortar.

The demographics are changing
The trend a few years ago was typically that younger people rented before they bought their first home. This has since changed, as we are now seeing more older tenants choose to rent. As a landlord, you are no longer pitching to a younger audience, creating yet more market sector opportunities.

Many renters are looking for bills included
According to Rightmove, tenants are searching for bills included in their search more than ever, and it is the most searched for term in their property portal.**

Conclusion
This is an exciting time to be a property investor. It’s time to move on from the days of making vast profits exceedingly quickly, as has occurred in the past few years. What replaces this is a more stable, lucrative market with better long-term prospects than ever before.

A better tenant-landlord relationship that is more clearly defined. And with a little more scope for finding a bargain, now is the time to get off the fence!

Go ahead – you deserve a break!

Browse these great rental properties to enjoy with your tea! Then get in touch to see how we can help you on your journey today.

 

Zoopla*
Rightmove**

 

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*

 

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**