In this three-minute read, we look at how to gauge if an agent is giving you an honest property valuation. The first question a seller always asks an estate agent is: “How much can you sell my property for?”. The second is: “What is your fee?”. This focus on price and fees makes perfect sense; understandably every seller wants to get the best possible property deal. But before you jump in...
July 2021
In this two-minute read, we give our best recommendations on how to find your dream home. Searching for your next home can be an exciting process, but it can also feel daunting and even frustrating at times. Use these suggestions to ensure that when you’re house hunting, you remain as calm as possible. Get your ducks in a row There is little point going shopping without your wallet. The same...
In this three-minute read, we look at what’s involved in changing letting agents. If your letting agent is delivering sloppy service or hitting you up for extra fees, then it’s time to think about switching. Many landlords mistakenly think changing agents is a messy and complicated process, but it’s relatively simple. Why change? Most landlords switch because they’re unhappy with...
In this two-minute article, we look at why now is a great time to sell your urban property. Easing of pandemic restrictions has seen increased buyer demand for flats and city centre locations. The data Analysis of Rightmove’s 1.6 million property listings has shown that numbers of people enquiring about these types of properties has gone up by 39% since January. Bungalows similarly saw a...
In this two-minute read, we explain why your letting agent should be part of a client money protection (CMP) scheme. The lettings sector used to be the Wild West of the property market, with a small group of unscrupulous agents giving the industry a bad name. Thankfully, the introduction of stricter regulations in recent years has sent many cowboy agents riding off into the sunset. But...
This two-minute read will help you learn about conveyancing solicitors and how to find the right one for you. Whether you instruct a conveyancer or a solicitor, they essentially do the same thing when it comes to dealing with a property transaction. The terms are often used interchangeably by people who aren’t working in the industry. This is the person who does the paperwork for you when you are...
In this three-minute read, we take a look at the most common rules and regulations that landlords need to remember. Being a landlord is a tricky business. There are nearly 200 different pieces of legislation covering the how, why, and when of managing a rental property. Here are just four that landlords are often not getting quite right. Deposit protection In England, Scotland, and Wales, the...
In this three-minute read, we look at a devious dupe that fraudsters use to rip off homeowners. Fraudsters will go to great lengths to make a buck – and that includes trying to steal a home from under the owner’s nose. Now, this may sound far-fetched, but this type of crime – called home hijacking – is real. Last year, the Land Registry beefed up its fraud management systems in...
In this three-minute read, we compare the different types of buy-to-let mortgages. When choosing the right buy-to-let mortgage, landlords face a key decision: go with an interest-only deal or opt for a capital repayment arrangement. Both options have their pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look. Interest-only mortgage Your payments only cover the interest on the loan and have no impact...