Two Important Questions to Ask Before You Sign with an Estate Agent 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...
November 2021
In this two-minute read, we look at five fundamental ways landlords in can make their rental properties more profitable. Some people think the only way landlords can make more profit is to ruthlessly keep hiking up their tenants’ rent. But that’s incorrect on two fronts. Firstly, continually increasing a tenant’s rent is no strategy to keep them long term. Secondly, the five ways we’re about...
In this two-minute read, we look at a question we often get asked at around the question of whether being granted planning permission adds value to a property? The quick answer to this is nearly always a yes. Here are four ways being granted planning permission can add value to your property. Lofty ambitions – Adding an extra bedroom A loft conversion that adds an extra bedroom, especially...
In this three-minute read, we look at the issues landlords should consider before raising rents. The uptick in inflation, along with pressure on interest rates, means that many landlords will be considering rent increases right now. Before deciding on a course of action, here are some points to consider. Why would a landlord raise rents? Rising mortgage and maintenance costs.Tax and...
In this two-minute read, we look at why getting the marketing material for your property sale finalised now is a savvy move. There’s one day of the year when the stars align for sellers and it’s not too far off. If you’re planning on selling up anytime soon, you’d be mad not to capitalise on this opportunity. Keep reading to find out more. Behold the Boxing Day home hunters You may...
In this three-minute read, we look at how landlords can find and keep terrific tenants. ‘Finders keepers, losers weepers.’ It’s a timeless rhyme used every day in school playgrounds and all over the UK. It often applies to someone finding something that’s unowned or abandoned. But it also resonates with local landlords when it comes to having the second most important piece of the rental...
In this two-minute read, we look at how landlords can make sure their rental investments stand up to the challenges of winter weather. With winter officially only a few weeks away, the time is now ideal for landlords to take steps to ensure their properties are prepared for whatever December to February serves up. By putting a winter property maintenance plan in place, you’re setting yourself and...
In this two-minute read, we give you a quick checklist to make sure your project is as pain free as possible. Got your eye on a property that needs some major TLC? Whether a rental investment or a new home, there’s lots to consider when buying a run-down property. Finances First things first, is the property mortgageable? Or is it so run-down that no one will lend you money? If it’s the...
In this three-minute read, we examine the dangers posed by carbon monoxide. We recently read a statistic about private landlords that left us scratching our heads. A whopping 56% of private renters say they live in a property that doesn’t have a carbon monoxide alarm*. Can such a high percentage of landlords really be ignoring safety advice and flouting regulations on carbon monoxide...