Lifestyle – Nest in Essex

Lifestyle

What Is Gazundering? (And Our Tips for Reducing the Risk)

Although it’s rare, gazundering can occasionally happen when selling your home. Here’s what you need to know.   What is gazundering?   Gazundering is a situation where a buyer makes an offer on your home, you accept it, and then the conveyancing process starts.   Then, like a bolt out of the blue, even just a few days before the sale is due to complete, the buyer drops...

Will House Prices Rise, Fall, or Stay the Same in 2026?

We love our jobs so much that not even Christmas can stop us thinking about the property market.   So why not sit down with a turkey sandwich or a Quality Street (or two) and look at where house prices might go in 2026?   It’s been a whirlwind year for the property market.   A tricky economy, some unexpected interest rate decisions, all topped off by a very interesting...

Will Rents Rise, Fall or Stay the Same in 2026?

Yippee! Only six more sleeps till Christmas.   Before we squeeze in yet another mince pie and head off home to put our feet up, let’s take a look at where rents and the rental market might be heading in 2026.   The stats say it’s actually been a positive 2025 for landlords.   Demand for rentals has been high. Official stattos the ONS say average UK monthly private rents rose 5%...

Six Great Ethical Gift Ideas for the Home This Christmas

As ethical agents, we like to do good and spread the load wherever we can. With Christmas just around the corner, our team here at have come up with some ethical home gift ideas for your pressie list.   A forest (or if you can’t manage a forest, a single living tree)   Trees do amazing things for the planet, for wildlife and for us.   If your friend or relative...

Ethical Agents Are a Rare Breed Indeed: Here’s How to Spot One

When you’re looking for an estate or letting agent, smooth talking and slick sales patter can be seductive, but what you really need is an agent who’s genuine, honest and ethical.   Here’s how to spot an ethical agent.   They don’t overvalue   The dirtiest trade secret of unethical agents is to promise an unrealistically high price (or rent) to get you to sign on...

Factory Conveyancing: The Unvarnished Truth

If you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll need a conveyancer.   In this article, we’ll look at what factory conveyancing is and whether it’s any good.   What is conveyancing?   Conveyancing is the legal term for transferring the ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. Simples.   Conveyancers carry out important checks on the property you’re...

Do Some Landlords Get the Letting Agent They Deserve?

As a landlord, there are many, many benefits of using a professional letting agent. But what should you be able to expect from them?   As letting agents ourselves, here are eight things we think you should be able to expect from us:   Prompt and efficient service: Whether you’re instructing us to let a property or want to ask some questions first.   Street-by-street...

Before You Read Another Estate Agency Review – Read This

If you’re preparing a property for sale or to let, or simply want to smarten up your own home, here are some helpful cleaning tips. They’ll leave your kitchen and bathroom looking and smelling fresh without the use of harsh chemicals. Microwave Place a bowl containing water and a few slices of lemon in your microwave. Turn it on to cook for five minutes. Once it’s done, remove the bowl of...

Helpful Hacks for a Clean, Fresh Home

If you’re preparing a property for sale or to let, or simply want to smarten up your own home, here are some helpful cleaning tips. They’ll leave your kitchen and bathroom looking and smelling fresh without the use of harsh chemicals. Microwave Place a bowl containing water and a few slices of lemon in your microwave. Turn it on to cook for five minutes. Once it’s done, remove the bowl of...

Jobs to Do in the Garden This Weekend

Whether it's pruning, planting or general maintenance, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the garden this month. Here’s a list of tasks to do in your garden now to prepare for the upcoming winter and next spring. Sweep, clear and tidy When the gorgeous red, yellow and orange autumn leaves start hitting the ground, it's time to get raking. Collect up dead leaves (ideally put them in a...

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