Our November Newsletter

Top tips to avoid damp and other damages

Caused by a lack of proper ventilation or condensation, damp poses severe health issues to inhabitants where left untreated.

 

With the problem more prominent in the colder months, we take a look at some of the precautionary measures you can take to protect yourself and your home.

 

Clean down windows and sills every morning

 

Mould can’t grow and thrive without moisture, so it’s important to dry wet areas where condensation has formed as soon as possible.

 

A kitchen towel, window vac or a squeegee will work very effectively.

 

Contain steam from cooking

 

When cooking, ensure you cover your food, pots and pans.

 

Closing the kitchen door whilst cooking is also a good idea, as this prevents steam from escaping the kitchen.

 

Get rid of bathroom moisture

 

Showering or bathing can cause a large amount of steam and moisture to build up.

 

To prevent this from happening, open the windows wide enough for the steam to leave the room or use exhaust fans to channel moisture to the outside of your home.

 

In order to avoid the growth of mould, clean bathrooms with mould-killing products.

 

How to get rid of rising damp

 

If damp and mould happen to get out of hand, speaking to a qualified surveyor is the best solution.

 

They will take a moisture reading in your home, identify the issue and give you advice on how you can resolve the situation.

 

Want help managing your property investments? Talk to us.

 

 

Tenant demand is still high!

According to a recent survey of landlords, tenant demand is only increasing across 2021, with record heights seen in the third business quarter of this year.*

 

Seven in ten landlords (69%) have remarked on this development within the lettings sector. Of those, 36% believe the increase to be 'significant'.

 

The highest levels of confidence were present in the South West and South East, where 79% and 74% are seeing promising conditions for investors.

 

Key drivers behind the rise in tenant interest include factors relating to the pandemic, seasonal trends and the new wave of graduates starting new jobs or students beginning the academic year in rented accommodation.

 

Have you been considering expanding your portfolio?

 

Ahead of the new year, we'd urge you to consider your options as a landlord. For a profitable 2022, here are some items you should be taking the time to review:

 

1) What are your tenant screening processes?

 

Whilst the eviction ban has lifted, if there's one thing the last year has taught us, it's to prepare for every eventuality.

 

You need to have rigorous checks in place to secure the best financial future for yourself and your investments, so rather than go it alone, you could defer to an experienced lettings agent in your local area to help you locate reliable tenants.

 

2) Larger homes have seen the steepest rise in value, but regardless of your property type, it is worth having the rental value re-assessed so that you don't lose out on your rental income.

 

3) Are you safeguarded against any future losses?

 

If tenants can't or won't pay, rent guarantee insurance can offer you a lifeline when it comes to keeping up with your mortgage payments and outgoings in the meantime.

 

 

Do you need to speak with one of our trusted local agents? Visit our website today.

 

*Paragon Bank

Budget-friendly practices for November and December

At this time of the year, it's only natural to be more conscious of your budget, with the Christmas holidays likely to leave many families and households short on funds in the following months.

 

One in three Brits will get into debt by overspending over the festive season, resulting in a total debt of £2.5 billion per year across the UK or £200 per person, on average.*

 

The most expensive outgoings are gifts and food, with £102 spent on food for the day itself and £70 on drinks.

 

How can you have a budget-friendly start to 2022?

 

The first area to address when cutting back for Christmas is to set spending limits for gifts.

 

It can be very easy to go overboard when piling up presents underneath the tree. However, agreeing to a maximum amount or going for handmade and meaningful gifts can leave you feeling less guilty and strapped when it comes to January.

 

As food is the second main culprit behind overspending, it's also worth planning meals and events ahead of time, so that you don't lose track of where your money's going.

 

Christmas can be a wasteful time, so use your leftovers wisely and cut back where possible on unnecessary purchases.

 

Sometimes it can be all about presentation.

 

With the right dining room staging, you may not need to go over the top decorating, opting instead for inexpensive decorations or simple seasonal additions, such as candles and the right lighting.

 

Are you budgeting for a home move?

 

Whether it's for your first home or simply the next step on the property ladder, having the right start to the new year will massively improve your chances of having the financial flexibility to go ahead with your plans.

 

Remember to be mindful of your credit card usage over December, as overly relying on it could signal a level of unreliability to lenders and reduce your chances of being accepted for a mortgage.

 

If you'd like more information on how to get ahead with your property plans, contact us from our website.

 

 

 *Milsted Langdon

 

 

Reasons to sell right now

From apartments to family homes, the average asking price of a property has risen to record levels around every region of the UK.

 

Whilst some people will choose to wait until the 2022 market has officially started, we have four reasons why it's the ideal time to ready your home for your new year sale right now.

 

Your home will be in front of a record number of potential buyers

 

The amount of people looking to relocate continues to outweigh the number of homes available for sale.

 

Furthermore, it's an immensely competitive market following the last year of intense activity and interest, with Rightmove and Zoopla reporting that they see the highest visitor numbers in the days after Christmas year-on-year.

 

You could get a better price for your home

 

Asking prices have hit record heights in 2021, so if it's been a few years since you last learned your home's value, you could see far more than you ever expected.

 

The budget for your next home might have changed

 

Depending on your property priorities, you might find that your dream home is within reach, as location is no longer the most desirable characteristic and demand levels are influencing price points on the market.

 

Favourable mortgage interest rates

 

Mortgage interest rates continue to stay low, and lenders remain eager to propose loans in the competitive market, helping you to secure your next move that much faster.

 

Find out your home’s true value with us today by booking your market valuation.