Sales

Everybody needs good neighbours but what if the people next door are a nuisance? When it comes to selling a property, the requirement for full disclosure means admitting if you’ve ever complained about the people living either side of you, or if you’re currently involved in a neighbourly spat.

As soon as the sun peeks out from behind the clouds and the mercury rises, many of us rush to improve our outside spaces. We do, however, have to be mindful of what we grow and build in our gardens, as it can have a detrimental effect on the property’s overall value and general appeal.

When we think of first-time buyers, we often think of young couples and fresh-faced professionals picking up the keys to their first home but recent research shows the reality can be very different.

What happens when you reach the top of the property ladder? It may be time to consider taking a step back down again. In this blog, we answer some of the most common questions we are asked about downsizing.

While estate agents are the most qualified to generate interest and turn enquiries into viewings, and eventually sales, there is a growing movement among home movers that can help boost the sales process.

How long do you think you have to impress a potential buyer when they arrive at your home? Five minutes? Until the end of a viewing? If you guessed either, you could be in for a surprise.

The new year has started with some bright news from the mortgage lending market. Rates attached to home loans have been steadily falling and in January, some of the most substantial rate cuts were made by leading banks and building societies.

The majority of homeowners and prospective movers will have a mortgage as part of their property plans, therefore it’s important to keep tabs on both interest and mortgage rates. In August 2022, the Bank of England increased the interest rate by 0.5 percentage points to 1.75% – the biggest increase in 27 years. 

We have become somewhat accustomed to rock bottom interest rates that barely nudge 0.25 percentage points either way for months. When the main interest rate rises, mortgage rates usually rise in tandem, so if you already have a mortgage or want to take out a home loan, now is a good time to seek professional advice.

Irreverently known as the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’, cash contributions from parents and even grandparents are on the rise. In fact, an estimated £25 billion is expected to be lent to children over the next three years, with almost half of all first-time buyers having to rely on family to fund part or all of their deposit.

Whether you’re sitting on a cash lump sum, have equity in your property or have a good credit history, there are a number of ways to help a child save for a deposit. In this article we answer the most commonly asked questions about the Bank of Mum and Dad.

Getting ready to sell your home usually involves clearing out, tidying away and sorting out. Surprisingly, the ancient art of feng shui closely mirrors the above and its principles can help you prepare your property for sale. We explore exactly what feng shui is and single out the best bits of advice for home sellers.