This two-minute read looks at parents’ integral role in helping young people get on the property ladder. There’s one financial institution that never seems to go out of fashion, and that’s the dear old Bank of Mum and Dad (or BOMAD for people who like acronyms). About half of all first-time buyers (FTBs) last year relied on BOMAD, with parents dishing out a record £9.8 billion to help their...
This three-minute read looks at the current market trends and what they mean for people who are looking to sell up. Are you thinking of selling your?London?home? Then let’s look at two trends that have dominated the market over the past year and see what they mean for you.? Demand is strong Many people predicted that the robust demand seen in early 2021 would fizzle out when the Stamp Duty holiday...
Housing, and therefore housing policy, affects us all. We’ve witnessed another spring statement that has done nothing to address the housing crisis gripping London and the rest of the UK. I may own a central London estate agency now, but my roots are firmly in the social housing sector, having been born and raised on a council estate. So unlike those in power and many commentators discussing housing, I...
Property portals have revolutionised the market, but can an algorithm replicate an astute estate agent’s experience, empathy, and enthusiasm? A two-minute read. Here’s a statistic that sums up just how integral the internet is to buying and selling property these days: 98% of people start their home search online. (The other 2%, we presume, are still wondering what happened to Ceefax and Amstrad...
Whichever way you look at it, modern life is stressful. And the 2020s? Well so far, this new decade has caused unparalleled levels of stress. Whether it’s the pressure of daily life, the juggling of responsibilities, or the state of the world right now, stress can have physical, mental, and emotional repercussions for people of all ages. And it needs to be taken seriously. April is Stress Awareness...
Do you know what HMO licence you need when letting your property? In the last few months, new Selective and Additional licence schemes have been launched in Southwark, Lewisham, Westminster and Lambeth, and it is likely that more local authorities will follow suit in the near future. With the licencing landscape constantly changing, and new schemes for Aditional and Selective Licences popping up all over...
If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, you may be considering selling your home. This is a very challenging decision and needs to be given some serious thought. In this two-minute read, we look at some areas to think about before you decide whether to sell your property or not. This piece is not meant to offer financial advice. We recommend speaking to a financial expert before making any big...
As a nation of pet lovers, it’s no surprise that dog ownership increased significantly during the pandemic. Unfortunately, so did the number of dog thefts. There were more than 2,000 reported incidents in 2020 and this number is going up. While dog theft is on the rise, catching those responsible is not. Just 2% of such cases led to suspects being charged in 2020, and concerns have grown so much that...
Last monthwe looked at the benefits of buying new-build properties, in this 2-minute read this week, we will be looking at the benefits of buying an older property to help you make an informed decision. Charm and Character Because of the increasing demand for homes and the decreasing supply of property, home builders and developers build newer homes as fast as possible. This could mean that new homes...
Landing the perfect job is a dream for most, but what if that opportunity is in a different part of the country? Or abroad? If this is the case, relocation may be the only solution. Selling your home when you need to move out of London isn’t easy. You’ve got the start date of your new job to consider, selling your property quickly, the general hassle of moving, finding somewhere new in an...