For most people, Christmas is a blissful time, a chance to unwind with family and friends and recharge the batteries. But if you’re a landlord, you can’t ever completely relax, can you? There’s always a possibility that something could go awry at your rental property. A pipe could burst, the boiler might pack up, or an uninvited guest (we’re talking about a burglar, not Santa) could pay...
2022
What Are Mortgage Overpayments? Mortgages are dull. Let’s be honest. They’re huge commitments, they’re complicated to arrange and in the current climate, it’s understandable if the thought of a mortgage gets you a bit jittery. Putting rising interest rates to one side (easier said than done) and ignoring the doom and gloom news we’ve been exposed to over the last few months, it’s...
The newspapers are full of predictions of a national property crash. The broadcast media are pumping out doom, gloom and not much else about the housing market prospects in 2023. And let’s not even get started with the internet ‘experts’ on social media and the local ‘pub professors’ who are forecasting the end of the world (sometimes literally) but with little to no evidence. At...
Here are five tips to help mortgage hunters find the best deal in the current market. With inflation and interest rates rising and so much uncertainty in the market, choosing the right mortgage deal in the current climate can be daunting. While no one has a crystal ball to predict exactly what will happen over the next 12 months, experience and data show that you should follow these five...
The economic events of recent months have prompted plenty of to-ing and fro-ing in the housing market. While some buyers and sellers have paused to consider their situations, others have put their foot on the gas to get deals swiftly across the line. While this flurry of activity may be making headlines in national newspapers, it’s important to remember that property chain uncertainty is nothing...
Being a landlord can sometimes be unpredictable – but the experience is much less scary if you have a good letting agent on your side. Read on to find out why. Late night emergency Picture this: It’s past midnight, a full moon is in the sky, and you’re safe and warm in your bed. Then the phone rings. And your cosy evening turns into a fright night. It’s your tenant calling. She’s...
A third of all property sales collapse before completion. How can you ensure yours isn’t one of them? Read on to find out. Selling a property isn’t a sprint; it can be a marathon. It takes time to market a home, find the best buyer, agree on a price and then deal with the legal paperwork. So, it’s all the more frustrating when a deal collapses – especially if you’re within touching distance...
Don’t let fraudsters swindle you out of your hard-earned money. Read on to discover what the ‘fake landlord’ scam is and how to protect yourself. The fake landlord ruse has been around for years, but current market conditions mean that some renters are particularly vulnerable to this con right now. Here’s how it works A fraudster posts a property for rent online, complete with photos...
Will your next home improvement project end in success or a desperate call to the DIY SOS team? Here are five tips to avoid bungling the job. Repairing and refurbing your own home can be immensely satisfying – and save you lots of money. But not every DIY task finishes well. One in eight ends in a mishap, while half of all DIYers confess to calling in a professional to rectify a mistake.* From...
If you’re looking for a new home, time is of the essence. The market is competitive, it seems like prices are always going up, and there’s a lot to get organised. But don’t fret – we’re here to help. While buying a property is never stress-free, avoiding some common mistakes can make the process a little easier. In this quick read, we look at ways that buyers can avoid losing the race...