Our June Newsletter

What makes a ‘forever home’ unforgettable?

A new survey, commissioned by a leading UK provider of uPVC windows and doors, has attempted to unearth the secret to presenting a house as a ‘forever home’. The results suggest British buyers are very practical when it comes to our list of must-haves!

60% of people surveyed said a garage was at the top of their wish list. Over half (51%) said a family room was important to them, 42% would be looking for a walk-in closet, and 39% consider a home office essential.

Location also plays a major part in the decision to invest in a forever home, with 43% of respondents sharing their desire to move to a rural location, and another 23% wanting to be close to the coast.

If you think your house could be someone else’s forever home, get in touch for an obligation-free valuation.

*Safestyle UK

How can you get financially fit before your first property purchase?

By clarifying your financial position before buying a home, you can improve your chances of securing a mortgage while granting yourself a little peace of mind. Here are three tips to get you started:

1) Determine a workable budget

Identifying how your income compares to your spending will allow you to estimate the size of the mortgage you can realistically afford. Start by creating a simple spreadsheet listing fixed costs such as rent, repayments, subscriptions and council tax, and averages for other bills. Don’t forget yearly expenses like annually renewing memberships, holidays, and general house and vehicle maintenance.

Once you can see how your monthly outgoings match up to your income, you’ll know what you can afford to pay towards a mortgage. You can also use an online mortgage calculator or talk to a mortgage advisor to identify ways to give yourself more wiggle room.

2) Create a savings target

Now that you have your budget in hand, it’s time to set a realistic savings goal for a deposit or to give yourself a buffer to cope with the cost of moving. Use your spreadsheet to find ways you can reduce expenditure. Possible solutions include swapping energy suppliers, cutting out luxuries and unnecessary subscriptions, or postponing holidays.

There are some less painful ways to save, too. For example, government-backed Lifetime ISAs offer first-time buyers the chance to top up their savings by 25% each year, up to £1,000. Alternatively, many banks allow you to round up all your purchases to the nearest pound and transfer the difference into a savings account.

3) Deal with bad credit

Before applying for a mortgage, check your credit rating with a reputable agency like Experian or Equifax. If you spot any errors, get them fixed as soon as possible. Lenders will use your credit rating to determine if and how much you can borrow, so correcting mistakes is a crucial step toward financial fitness.

Our friendly team can help you find the perfect home within your budget. Just contact us to chat about your requirements.

HMO investments: Are they worth it?

Houses in multiple occupations (HMOs) are a popular investment choice for landlords.

HMOs can offer a steady income from month to month. Properties don’t often stand vacant because individual tenants and households have their own contracts, and they are unlikely to all move out together. They also reduce the risk of rental arrears because it is unlikely that all tenants would ordinarily fall behind on payments at the same time.

Whether a landlord is letting to students or multiple people, HMOs also tend to offer a higher yield when compared to other property types. Recent analysis from a UK lender has shown that HMO investment properties offer average yields of approximately 7.5%, compared with an average yield of 5.4%.

There are two key things to consider before investing in an HMO. Firstly, if purchasing with a mortgage, you are likely to require a specialist lender. Secondly, not every location is suited to an HMO investment – it is important to establish local demand as well as local competition.

Most importantly, are the regulations surrounding HMOs occupied either by five or more people or by two or more households. Investors require a mandatory licence, the cost of which varies between councils and usually ranges from £500 to £1,000 per property.

If you are thinking of investing in a HMO, get in touch and talk to our team of experts.

*Octanecapital

How to make your home office more comfortable

For many houses on the market today, home offices are slowly becoming less of an 'added bonus' and more of a 'must-have.'

With more people working from home and spending more time indoors, a home office must be a calm, constructive, and comfortable place to work.

Read on to find out how to make your office more comfortable when working from home.

Invest in a comfortable chair

If you're having trouble working in your home office, it's possible that your chair is the source of your discomfort. Investing in a high-quality, ergonomic chair can make a huge difference in how supported and relaxed you feel during the day. You might even become more productive as a result of it.

Upgrade your desk

Another reason your home office isn't feeling comfortable could be that you need to upgrade your desk space. If you have a small workstation that makes everything feel claustrophobic, it could be influencing how happy you are at work.

Upgrade to a larger desk that better suits your needs if you have the room. Make sure you select a model that is large enough to accommodate all of your critical gear.

Customise the Lighting

Is your home office too dark? Or too bright?

A good dosage of natural light is ideal for keeping you awake and productive in your home office. However, too much sunlight might make your screen glare, making it impossible to operate without squinting.

Investing in a pair of light-filtering curtains, day and night blinds or a good lamp can help tailor the lighting in your home office to suit your needs and make you feel more comfortable.

Maintain Consistent Temperatures

Being too hot or cold in your home office can have a significant impact on how comfortable you are. Temperature control can be difficult, especially if your home office is in a small room that gets hot or in an open-plan area that gets cold. However, the right temperature can make a big difference in how comfortable you are.

If you are looking for a house with optimal space for an office, we might have the property for you. Browse our available properties here.