September 2024 – Nest in Essex

September 2024

Dopamine Décor: The Secret to Creating a Happier Home

With the days getting shorter and colder, dopamine décor could be just the thing to liven up your living space and lift your mood during the darker months. So, let’s take a look at this popular design trend and how it can transform a drab and dreary home into something special. What is dopamine décor all about? The idea is to introduce pops of bright delight around the home to stimulate...

Landlords: Top Tips for Buying a Fixer-Upper

When considering the purchase of a ‘doer-upper’ – a property that requires refurbishment – landlords are often faced with a Shakespearean (ish) question: “To buy, or not to buy?” It’s an important decision where you must weigh up several important factors before choosing to invest or not. Below are five key considerations to keep in mind: Budget for refurbishment Before...

The New Online Tool Designed to Take the Guesswork Out of Home Renovations

Rightmove has unveiled a new tool to help calculate how much renovation works add to the value of a property. How does it work, and is it any good? Let’s find out. To renovate or not to renovate? It’s a common property dilemma to which there isn’t a straightforward answer. In truth, it all depends on what you do and how you do it. A well-executed refurbishment can transform a property...

Three Handy Hacks for a Healthier, Happier Home

Creating a home that nurtures you and your loved ones goes beyond décor, design and furniture layout. A well-balanced living environment can greatly improve your physical, mental and emotional health. Here are three tips to help you create a healthier, happier home. Clear the clutter for mental clarity A cluttered home often mirrors a cluttered mind. Research has shown that clutter can...

First-Time Landlords: Six Mistakes to Avoid for Success

Despite overblown media reports of a wave of landlords selling up due to regulation changes and new government policies, property remains a viable long-term investment for many. For first-time landlords, however, common pitfalls can turn a promising venture into a stressful experience. Avoid these six mistakes to ensure your property investment journey gets off to a smooth start. Underestimating...

What Online Dating Can Teach You about Selling Your Home

What do Tinder and Bumble have in common with Rightmove and Zoopla? If your answer is not a lot, then think again. The digital dating and property worlds are not as different as you might think. In fact, there are many similarities. Let us explain why. First impressions count Users of the online dating app Tinder don’t mess around. On average, they spend less than seven seconds looking at...

The Surprising Demographic Shift Taking Place in the Rental Market

First-time buyers might be getting older, but when it comes to landlords, it’s a different story. A new survey* has found that in the past nine years, there’s been a drop in the average age of landlords in the UK. Back in 2014, the average age for a landlord purchasing a rental with a buy-to-let mortgage was 46.4. By 2023, that figure was down to 42.9. Age breakdown Young adults are...

How to Avoid a Messy Bank of Mum and Dad Dispute in Your Family

If you’re considering giving your child a helping hand to buy their first home, you’re not alone. Figures show that 45% of twentysomethings who purchased a property last year did so with a cash boost from the Bank of Mum and Dad (Bomad).* But just because something is common practice doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. So, before you transfer any funds, it’s worth heeding the warning issued...

Three Must-Have Apps for New Homeowners

There’s nothing quite like becoming a homeowner for the first time. Stepping over the threshold into a place you can call your own is one of life’s memorable moments. However, as well as coming with a host of benefits, home ownership also comes with responsibilities. Unlike renting, where someone else handles the maintenance and most of the upkeep, these duties now fall to you as the...

How to Save Money Fast: Three Tips for UK Savings Week

As UK Savings Week approaches (9 – 15 September), there’s no better time to take control of your finances and boost your savings. The campaign’s hashtag, #TakeTheSavingsChallenge, encourages everyone to find creative and practical ways to save. Yes, saving in the current financial climate can be challenging, but it all adds up. Here are three tips to get you started on your savings...

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