2023

Is your loo putting buyers off? In this week’s sales piece, we look at cheap and cheerful ways to spruce up a bathroom and keep buyers interested. If a kitchen is the heart of a home, then the bathroom is the brains. It’s where you get a few minutes of privacy every day (unless you’ve got toddlers who like to come in with you). It’s where you do some of your deepest thinking, and it’s an...

In this week’s lettings article, we look at four ways landlords can reduce the stress of renting out properties. Stress-Busting Tips for Rayleigh Landlords Being a landlord is one of those jobs where there’s no middle ground. It’s either low stress with great tenants and affordable mortgage rates, or it’s the total opposite: high stress, broken appliances, tenancy challenges and...

In this week’s sales article, we look at the value full-service estate agents offer compared to DIY firms. So, you’re selling up and don’t know whether to instruct a traditional estate agent or a DIY fixed-fee agency. Let’s look at the pros and cons of both options. If moving is on your mind, the first thing you need to do is find the right estate agent. But before you can do this, you need...

Is your home safe? In this week’s community interest article, we discuss safety in the home and how you can avoid common household accidents. Some days, it’s like your home is a minefield of accidents just waiting to happen. You trip up the stairs with a pile of washing in your arms, you break your favourite mug, and to top it all off, you burn the toast. Not fun. While everyone wants a home...

What can landlords do to capitalise on the rising number of older tenants? This week’s lettings article looks at ways to adapt a property for older tenants. Older tenants are a growing force in the private rental sector, so is it time for savvy landlords to proactively target this demographic? It’s one of the most striking trends in the housing sector over the past decade. Between 2011 and...

How can sellers avoid flaky buyers? This week’s sales piece looks at how to spot the signs that a buyer is genuine. It’s every seller’s worst nightmare. You’re on the cusp of finalising the sale of your property when your buyer gets cold feet and runs for the hills. Just like that, your plans go out the window. If you’re part of a chain, the whole deal could collapse, meaning you need...

Are there hidden hazards in your garden that could make your pooch ill and leave you with costly vet bills? Here’s a guide to keeping your garden safe and secure for your dog. Fencing  The last thing you want is for your hound to escape onto the street and get hit by a car or pay an uninvited visit to the neighbours. If your dog is good at jumping, ensure your fence is high enough to...

Should you be friends with your tenants? In this week’s lettings article, we look at how to maintain a professional relationship with tenants. As a landlord, it’s important to build a good relationship with tenants. You want them to feel comfortable in their new home and to care for it, pay rent on time and generally have a successful tenancy period. But what makes a good relationship? Unless...

Is building your own home really worth it? In this week’s sales article, we explore the complex issues that may arise when building your own home. Come on, we’ve all done it. Switched to a property programme and fell into the daydream of building our very own house. A walk-in wardrobe, a home cinema, a room just for shoes… sounds great, doesn’t it? But what’s the reality of a self-build...

Do renovations really pay off? In this week’s sales article, we look at how to unlock the potential of a property before going to market. Before selling your home, you might be thinking about ways to add value or unlock potential so buyers can get a feel for what it would be like to live there themselves. But renovations are costly and may not pay off. So, what can you do to make a change without...