Don’t worry if you have outgrown hunting for chocolate; spring is a good time to go house hunting as more fresh homes appear on the market. Houses look good at this time of year as nature comes alive again, so getting out and doing a bit of house hunting is nice after being cooped up all winter. You also get to see your potential home in its true light.

Finding your forever home takes time!
You could be lucky and cast eyes upon your forever home instantly, almost like love at first sight. Chances are, even if you fall in love with a home on first viewing, it might not tick all your boxes straight away. After all, forever is a long time.

The market
Right now, the market is in good shape. With the housing market being more stable, there is more choice, reasonable pricing, and a bigger scope for haggling, so now is a good time to pick up a bargain. Call it your forever home, but it does not have to be forever!

Explore
Don’t just go on viewings; explore beautiful and interesting homes with an open mind. Ask your agent as many questions as possible. Get us in on the act. Who knows what we may find for you? After all, we are expert property hunters.

Location
This is huge when considering a potential forever home. Consider the long, short, and medium-term needs of all in the household. From schools, work, and proximity to transport. In a rural location, think about walks, trails, or distance from your interests and hobbies. Don’t forget about life for your furry friends or other pets!

Scope for improvements and exetensions
From the interior to the electrical appliances to the general condition of the building, you must consider things from a long-term perspective. Will you be happy with the aspect of the rooms? Will you want to make major alterations? Perhaps you have a vision of open-plan, eco-friendly living?

Plans for the future
Whether you are planning on relocating, raising your grandchildren, or more, maybe this will be your forever home! Whatever story your home weaves, it’s important to get the details right.

Neighbours
If you don’t get along with the neighbours, forever might not last as long as you think! Take the opportunity to meet them. Have a chat and suss out whether you can see yourself living near them.

Budget
You can be as creative with your budget as you are with your property plans. You’re going to live there for a long time.

And if you are prepared to wait, you can plan the development of your property over many years. The story of your forever home may change as time goes on, such as needing a practical work-from-home space to help pay for the extension in later years!

Get in touch to see how we can help in your search for your forever home.

 

 

There is so much more to your local estate agent than meets the eye. The skill set, depth of knowledge, and range of skills that are needed to succeed in the industry today are staggering. It’s little wonder most people still use a traditional estate agent over an online-only estate agent, and much of this is down to market knowledge and technology.

Technology
Your home will get great exposure to ready-and-waiting buyers thanks to connecting home buyers and sellers like never before. With access to databases of home movers, property listings, market analysis tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) software, your agent has the technology to sell your home quickly. Additionally, your agent may use virtual reality or 3D tours to provide immersive property viewings for remote clients. Add to this the huge social media reach, and you are on the move in no time.

Great personal service
There is no substitute for the friendly face of your local estate agent. It’s comforting to have a professional person to offer assurance and emotional support through what is an exciting time but is also a little nerve-racking. When you are moving, you have a lot of what-ifs. There is a lot to do, and having someone on the other end of the phone to guide you through all aspects of your move is very comforting.

Valuation
Valuing your home at the right level is critical in today’s complex and fluctuating market. If the asking price is too low, you could cost yourself some serious money. Too high, and your home will not sell. Potential buyers start to ask questions like; How long has the property been on the market? Your house sale becomes stale. This can lead to achieving a much lower price, as you are forced to sell at a lower price to regenerate buyer interest.

Market and area knowledge
Your local estate agent will know your local property market better than anyone else. Modern agents are made up of a talented team of people, from valuers to marketing strategists and property experts. Staying on trend with everything to do with property, they will know your local area as well as you will after living there for years.

Mortgages and other services
Modern estate agents have a broad network of contacts within the industry, from mortgage brokers and conveyancers to removal companies. Putting you in touch with a good mortgage advisor could be the difference between finding the right road to your new home and getting lost. This all makes for a seamless, less stressful move.

Marketing expertise
Gone are the days of traditional marketing methods. Modern estate agents are well-versed in digital marketing strategies, including social media, online listings, and virtual tours. They know how to present properties in the best light, creating eye-catching listings that attract potential buyers. Their marketing efforts extend beyond just listing a property; they also know how to stage homes for viewings and use professional photography to highlight your property's strengths.

Negotiation skills
Negotiating the price of your home can be a complex and emotional process. Your agent will make sure you get the best possible deal in the time frame that works for you. They act as intermediaries, helping to bridge the gap between buyers and sellers and ensuring that both parties are satisfied with the outcome. And this experience and knowledge make their fees worth every penny.

Legal compliance
It’s easy to fall down a legal pitfall when moving. This is why a modern estate agent is imperative for a smooth sale. Complex legal documents are included, from exchanging contracts to local regulations, and their expertise will save you time and money. Then you can enjoy the excitement of moving property to the fullest without any worries.

Contact us to see how we can guide you to a smooth home move

 

 

You know the feeling. It happens during so many important events in life. You go on a viewing, it’s such an interesting and exciting process that you become a little flustered. You walk from room to room, loving what you see. You are enamoured and excited, so you forget to ask an important question. While you can always contact your agent at any time to gain more information, it's important to remember that your agent is an invaluable partner in your moving journey. So here are a few questions that you might not think to ask to add to your list.

If you are selling

 

Contact us today to see how we can begin your successful moving story

 

 

There is always a wonderful reason to move. Property is beautiful, from the details of a feature fireplace to a view of the sunset over your garden. The right home is an investment and a place to make memories and profound emotional connections. You may have your heart set on the perfect kitchen or an idyllic outdoor space, but the numbers need to be right.

Lower asking price
Asking prices have decreased in recent months, however this should not be viewed as a bad thing. The rapid acceleration in the value of property has been hasty, and world events have somewhat exaggerated things. The fact that the property market is readjusting to a more normal market is healthy, especially considering the steady gradual release of value. It is important to remember that borrowing less overall to buy your home is a good thing, as it reduces other associated costs.

Earnings
Many people are buying together, whether with a partner or a group of friends. This is a quick route to buying your home and gathering a deposit. Nobody can deny that the cost of living has increased, but the good news is that wages are rising. According to the Office for National Statistics, growth in regular pay (excluding bonuses) was 7.2% from February to April 2023.*

Equity
How long have you lived in your home? It’s more likely the longer that time is, the more equity you’ll have. That equity has accelerated rapidly in recent years. There is probably quite a big cushion to fall back on if prices fall a bit more. First-time buyers' homes are in good demand, meaning even if you bought within the last few years, you will have gained a lot of equity, giving you the chance to move into something bigger.

Communicate with your agent
There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to property. All homes are unique, as are the different areas in your region. Your needs as a home mover are different from your neighbour's. And today, agents have the means to connect you with buyers and sellers like never before. State-of-the-art tech, in the form of databases and marketing tools, alongside good old-fashioned experience and local market knowledge make it all the more important to get in touch with a reputable estate agent. Ultimately, this means that your estate agent is pivotal in finding a way for you to get the keys to the home you want.

Find your dream property, get in touch to make it a reality

Office for National Statistics*
Moneyfacts*

 

 

There is no doubt that interest rates are a lot higher than they have been for some time. It can be a shock to the system when it’s time to renew your deal and suddenly you are paying significantly more. However, if we put the current rates into historical context, they still represent good value for money.

Mortgage interest rates
In recent years, interest rates have been exceptionally low. This has caused us to think that the current increases are higher than they really are. According to Moneyfacts, a standard variable rate mortgage in 2020 was 4.90%* and the average five-year fixed mortgage in September 2023 was 5.67%.** The lowest average mortgage interest rate in the past 25 years was in September 2021 at 3.59%, with the highest being 8.87% in September 1998.*** Current forecasts indicate that they will never fall to the ultra-low levels of the past and that they are rebalancing to historically normal levels.

The bank base rate
September 2023 saw a bank base rate of 5.25% which represents a significant decrease from rates of 17% in 1979, 13.88% in 1990 and 7.25% in 1997. Base rates have risen since February 2022 (0.50%.****) and may rise again, but only slightly, and this should not significantly impact mortgage interest rates. The good news is a falling inflation rate of 6.8% in September 2023 will help to lower interest rates.****

More support
Nowadays, there is more you can to than ever to combat rising mortgage rates. Mortgage support such as interest-only payments and longer terms help a lot of people adjust to more normal rates. In the past, there was little or no assistance, which led to a less stable market. More stability makes for a healthier, predictable housing market which allows you to move between homes without sudden changes. This, in turn, means you can get on with making your move today and feel more secure.

Mortgage options
There are also plenty of products and options to choose from such as porting. This means you can buy a new property with your existing mortgage. Hence, if you are paying a more favourable rate on a fixed term, you don’t have to put off moving. Mortgage providers are also offering longer terms; many mortgage providers offer a 35-year term, while a few offer 40-year terms, and some even more. For first-time buyers, government-backed schemes such as the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme are helping many homebuyers make their first move. If mortgage rates fall in the future, there is also the option of remortgaging.

Final thoughts
Interest rates are getting back to normal, and while they have some way to go, they are not as high as you may have first thought. Buying a home you can be happy in is something you can’t put a price on and if you are still worried about interest rates, then remember that there are so many more options and support available than in past years. This brings about a more stable market, which offers peace of mind and reduces the likelihood of unexpected changes. Using a good agent will ensure you pay the right price for your home. This, combined with your property's unique situation regarding equity and local market supply, among other factors, means a good chat with your agent has never been more important.

Contact us for a valuation, and we will discuss how to achieve all your property aspirations

Moneyfacts*
Rightmove**
Mortgageable***
Bank of England****