Selling your home requires a good amount of patience and persistence, and the process is never as straightforward as it might seem. On average, 34% of transactions fall through before exchange, and this is why some homes take longer to sell than expected.

If you’re thinking about ways to jumpstart the moving process, we’ve put together some top tips to help you achieve that smooth sale…

Complete your forms

At the outset of the sale, your solicitor will send over a property information form and a fitting contents form which will need to be completed and returned. These documents form part of the contract paperwork that is sent to your buyer’s solicitor, so the sooner you complete these forms, the sooner the solicitor will have a full pack of information to work through and raise any enquiries they might have.

Alterations

In the property information form, you will be asked whether you have carried out any alterations to your property. If the answer is yes, return the form with copies of the relevant planning permissions, building regulation completion certificates and electrical and gas installation certificates attached. This will narrow down the amount of enquires that need to be raised by your buyer’s solicitor – and therefore will speed up the process.

Guarantees

The property information form will also ask if there are any existing guarantees for the property. If so, make sure to give them to your solicitor with your completed forms. For example, if the property is less than 10 years old, there should be a new home warranty and if you have had damp treatment carried out on the home, there should be a damp-proofing guarantee.

Any time spent getting the necessary paperwork prior to your sale or even as soon as the property is listed will pay off immensely in time saved once the lawyers are involved.

Survey

It’s highly advisable to have a survey carried out, and if you decide to, it is your responsibility to instruct the surveyor rather than your solicitor. It’s important to note that the surveyor may not be able to visit the property immediately, so it’s better to book the survey sooner rather than later. Once your survey has been conducted, the surveyor can prepare a report which may take a few days. As soon as you have received the report, you should forward a copy to your solicitor immediately as they may have to raise further enquiries with your seller, depending on the findings.

Mortgage

If you are purchasing with the aid of a mortgage, it is essential that you provide your lender with the documents that they have requested as soon as possible. This can range from ID documents to evidence of income, and they will not be able to issue a mortgage offer until these requirements have been met. 

Money

Upon exchange you will need to hand over the agreed deposit to your solicitor, so make sure the right amount of money is readily available and in the right account as you may be asked to transfer it to your solicitor at short notice.

Completion Date 

The buyer and seller should have agreed on how soon completion will take place after the exchange. This is something to start considering early on in the transaction as the exchange cannot go forward until a completion date has been agreed upon by both parties. Let your estate agent and solicitor know of any dates that need to be ruled out and any preferences you might have for timing. This will eliminate the need to negotiate on dates in the final stages when everyone is eager to get moving.

Are you thinking of selling your home? Get started on your property journey today by arranging an up-to-date valuation.

As we approach the end of a turbulent financial year, many landlords in the UK will be weighing up their options going into 2023 and debating whether to remain in the buy-to-let market. Despite an uncertain economic outlook, we can take a look into what’s happening right now and decipher whether or not buy-to-let will continue to be a worthwhile investment going forward.

What’s happening to buy-to-let mortgages?

In the fallout from former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s renowned mini-budget, just like the rest of the market, buy-to-let loans took a hit.

The number of available products decreased to just 988 different deals in the wake of the announcement, compared with 1,942 before the mini-budget, according to Zoopla.*

This is due to interest rates increasing significantly since the beginning of the year as a result of the hikes to the Bank of England’s base rate, which is the official cost of borrowing.

However, the mortgage market is currently in state of flux. Rates have slightly fallen after some market confidence was restored by the appointment of Jeremy Hunt as the new Chancellor, and they may fall further as the cost of government borrowing continues to drop.

Are any new regulations being introduced in 2023?

The government has pledged to introduce the Renters Reform Bill, which includes measures to protect renters from unfair rent increases and evictions. Homes will also have to meet minimum standards and it will become easier for renters to have pets.

The changes are centred around improving the quality of homes in the private rental sector, with the government estimating that 21% of properties are currently unfit.

However, the new bill will not lead to significant extra costs (if any) for landlords who already maintain high standards.

What’s happening with rents?

Rental rates are currently rising in line with mortgage rates. Data from Zoopla’s latest Rental Market Report found that new rental rates have increased by £115 during the past year to average at £1,051.*

This sharp spike is due to the disparity between supply and demand in the sector. With too many landlords exiting the market due to uncertainty, there are too few properties available in the private rental sector to catch up with current demand.

The number of rental homes on the market is currently around half the level seen during the past five years.* Meanwhile, the rate of demand for a rental property is around 142% higher than five years prior, according to Zoopla.*

We can expect that the trend of demand outstripping supply is likely to continue into 2023, putting further upward pressure on rents.

Should I purchase a buy-to-let property?

Those looking to invest should not be deterred by the current conditions. In fact, with rental demand soaring, first-time buyers postponing their step onto the property ladder for the time being, and rents reaching new highs, you are likely to be in a strong position if you choose to invest now.

What’s the outlook?

The buy-to-let market – like the rest of the market – is likely to encounter a few ‘bumps’ in the coming year as a result of hiked-up mortgage rates and the cost-of-living squeeze.

But with demand far outweighing supply for rental homes, and strong rent increases expected going into 2023, property investment remains a safe bet over the long term, in spite of any short-term hurdles.

If you’re interested in becoming a landlord, contact our team today for advice.

Zoopla*

Although the evenings are gloomy, the roads are busy, and the weather outside is frightful – moving home during the festive period can be a stress-free process if you’re well prepared for it. Whether you’re buying your first home this season or moving on to your next, here are some top tips for a smooth move during the holidays…

Book a removals company

With unfavourable weather, limited staff and packed schedules, removal companies can be difficult to reach close to Christmas, and this can cause complications with moving. As we reach the end of the year, companies often get booked up in advance, so make sure to ring up as early as possible and secure your delivery slot.

Christmas decorations

Years worth of Christmas décor can quickly turn into a festive frenzy when moving house, so it’s a good idea to organise and label your boxes of seasonal goodies so that they’re ready for move-in day. If you’re moving just in time for Christmas, you’ll likely want to have your decorations unboxed right away, so pack them where they’ll be within easy reach and won’t get damaged. 

Prep for bad weather

Weather conditions are always an important factor when moving, and you’ll need keep an eye on the forecast while you’re planning. Adverse weather can cause delays when moving your belongings, so try and choose a day when the odds are in your favour.

If you’re heading towards a snowy or rainy moving date, protect your new floors from any wet and muddy shoes by laying down cardboard or plastic sheeting in the rooms and on the staircase.

You will also need to prepare for your journey, as trying to stay warm when the temperatures are low can be just as exhausting as overheating, so make sure to leave some warm clothes out of the suitcase and keep a jumper or coat spare just in case!

Shop early

Get your Christmas shopping out of the way early so that you aren’t disrupting your move. If you’re able to, go through your present list and make sure everything is packed and sent out before moving day. The last thing you need when sorting and packing your belongings is a big pile of unwrapped gifts and cards to wade through. If you’re moving close to Christmas, it might also be a good idea to get your food shop done early by ordering online so you can avoid any last-minute shopping and queueing close to the big day.

Secure all valuables

The festive period presents many opportunities for thieves, especially if you have any high-value items or presents boxed up at the ready. Stay vigilant and ensure all of your belongings are safe while you’re moving. Never leave a door unlocked or a vehicle open and unsupervised, and keep an eye out throughout the process for any opportunists who might’ve noticed a moving van outside your house.

Spread the cheer

A nice touch for this season is to leave the owners of your old home a small welcome pack or note with some helpful information inside. You could write up some handy tips about living in the home – such as when the bins are collected or the designated safe-place for missed parcels.

While you’re at it, why not leave a Christmas card as well? After all, ‘Tis the season to be jolly.

If you’re looking for your next home, take a look at our selection of properties. 

Interior design is more than just dressing up a property to look nice, it’s all about making your house feel like home. Throughout 2022, we saw hundreds of iconic interior design trends filtering from celebrity quarters into our homes across the UK – from classic throwbacks to hypermodern and minimalist – we can look back on these trends to see what’s being left behind, and what we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the months to come.

Hideaway home offices and private spaces

From many of our learned behaviours since the pandemic, isolation and working from home are the two that have become integral to the way our homes look and function. Hideaway offices that are completely separate to the rest of the house offer a healthier work-life balance – a far cry from working at the kitchen table back in 2020.

Luxury monochromatic

For a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, monochromatic patterns and palettes will be an ongoing trend stretching far beyond 2023. This style is simply made for bathrooms and kitchens, offering a clean and modern look.

Arches

Arched doorways and windows have become big news in extensions and renovations, with gentle curves softening out the clean-cut edges that have proliferated for so long. Moving away from sharp corners and straight lines, softness has become very contemporary in recent years, with home designs seeing relaxed, stripped-back styles replacing the bold and edgy.

Wavy wood

Soft and curved wood is the modern interpretation of the humblest of materials, implementing a stylish, smooth spin on one of nature’s roughest textures. From curvy coffee tables to smooth seating areas, nature-inspired homes can swap out rustic textures for something sleeker and more refined with these materials.

Vintage furniture

Fast furniture might be on the way out, as the lack of longevity for these highly accessible pieces creates catastrophic waste. Those decorating their homes into 2023 come from a planet-conscious generation, and vintage furniture is the way to keep the cost down and find beautiful, high-quality furnishings without having to overspend.

Lavender

Lavender is making a lot of noise in the interior design scene, and for good reason. The balanced, soothing tones make it a versatile colour for decorating – whether it’s used as an accent or as a statement. The sweetness of the pink and coolness of the blue make for a happy medium that can be implemented into all areas of the home for a stunning pop of colour that doesn’t steal away the whole show.

Statement stone

From classic marble countertops to romantic rose quartz coasters, stone finishes are the perfect statement. These natural materials with their glossy surfaces and muted hues will be making a welcomed comeback into 2023.

Bringing back the 70’s

The 1970’s influence we’ve seen on fashion runways lately has clearly translated into the interior world, and it’s no surprise that the earth tones, biophilic design and low-slung furniture of this era will be coming back into our homes imminently – albeit with a modern twist. 

Wondering how much your home is worth? Find out by arranging a free valuation.