If you’re looking for a new home, time is of the essence. The market is competitive, it seems like prices are always going up, and there’s a lot to get organised. But don’t fret – we’re here to help. While buying a property is never stress-free, avoiding some common mistakes can make the process a little easier. In this quick read, we look at ways that buyers can avoid losing the race...
Are you a renting newbie? Are you flying your family’s comfy nest? Well, this one’s for you. Renting your first place isn’t as simple as moving in and unpacking – there’s a lot you need to know. In this quick read, we help you prepare to sign on the dotted line and start your first tenancy. Step 1: Budget Have you planned your finances? Do you know what you can afford every month? Have...
Many buyers say that hunting for a new home is like looking for a healthy, low-calorie meal in a greasy spoon café… not easy. As well as wanting the right property in the right location, they usually have a long checklist to satisfy before even viewing a property. If you’re selling, it’s useful to know what buyers are looking for so that you can get the marketing spot on. This quick read...
If you’re a landlord, chances are you’re feeling a bit hard done by at the moment. It seems like every other day, new rules and revisions are being announced around landlord and tenant law, which means you have to change the way you work and may face higher taxes. But is it all doom and gloom? Is it time to hang up your landlord hat and sell up? We definitely don’t think so. In this...
As term time is here, those endless days of trying to entertain your bored and restless kids are almost over. No more surly teenagers sleeping until 2pm, no more grumpy children hounding you for snacks – it’s time to get ready for school. This back-to-school guide looks at some easy ways to get the September term off to a good start. Reduce screen time When there’s nothing to do, or...
In this quick read, we’ve pulled together some of the most popular interior design profiles on Instagram to give you some inspiration. Are you fed up with bland magnolia walls, wilting pot plants and tired kitchen cupboards? Then grab your phone and click onto Instagram. It’s a hotbed of aspirational interior design, décor on a budget and tips on how to make the most of small spaces. Here are six...
If you’re new to the property market, learning the lingo is essential. There are lots of legal and financial terms you need to get your head around and lots of research to be done. Two terms that you need to be familiar with are ‘freehold’ and ‘leasehold’. This quick read explains what each one means and why they are important. What is a freehold property? When you buy a freehold...
Severe conveyancing delays mean savvy sellers must act now to be in a new home by Christmas. You probably think it’s too early to be thinking about Christmas, right? After all, why worry about tinsel, trees and a present for dear old Aunt Bertha when it’s the middle of summer? But if you’re planning to move home and hope to be in your new pad by Christmas, then now is the time to get moving....
A thorough inventory can save a landlord time and money and prevent messy end-of-tenancy disputes. So why do so many landlords rush this essential stage – or skip it altogether? In this quick read, we look at why an inventory is important and what you need to include in it. Picture this Your tenant of the past 12 months is leaving. You go to check them out and find a massive stain on the carpet,...
If the idea of an insect infestation at your London rental property makes your skin crawl, read on to find out how to beat the bugs this summer. No landlord wants uninvited visitors in their buy-to-let – especially the six-legged variety that spread disease, bite, sting and cause property damage. With insects breeding prolifically in warm weather, here’s a list of the little critters to be...