As spring approaches, you may be ready for a deep clean. So, how can you prepare your home for the longer days and milder nights?  

Here’s a simple checklist to get you started. 

Extract your vases 

Fresh flowers are such a treat, and now is an excellent time to bring them back into your house.  

Give your vases a thorough clean and replace any that seem worn. 

Store away your winter footwear 

Clean your winter shoes, then pack the toes gently with newspaper to keep them in shape.  

Don't discard shoe boxes after purchase; they make wonderful storage containers.  

Stack your winter shoes and boots in the back or top of your closet and bring your summer shoes and boots forward. 

Clean doors and windows 

You will want to make the most of the spring light, so be sure to clean your windows to create an airier feel in your home. 

Cleaning your door frames is also a simple way to brighten up your home’s interior.  

Get your garden ready 

As we head further into spring, it might be time to bring out the garden furniture.  

Tidy away any plants which have caught the winter frost.  

Clear any remaining winter debris – including build-up in the gutters – and tackle any essential repairs before you get distracted by weeding and mowing the lawn.  

Keeping your home in tip-top condition is also a good idea if you intend to sell soon.  

Not only will it be ready for a professional photoshoot, but you’ll also make a great first impression on your viewers too.  

Are you ready for a fresh start? Just give us a call on today for expert advice about prepping your home for its market debut.  

1. Declutter 

The chances are you have collected plenty of unwanted items over the years – from clothes and shoes to defunct mobile phones and old paperwork. By decluttering now, you’ll not only save on moving boxes, but also make your home more appealing to viewers. 

 2. Spring clean 

Once floors, shelves, surfaces, and wardrobes are clear, pull out your furniture to dust and vacuum, hire a carpet cleaner, and make those bathrooms gleam. If you have pets, remove any tell-tale odours or hair from the carpets and sofas. 

3. Refresh your décor  

Neutral colours may seem boring, but they give viewers a blank canvas to adjust to their taste. As well as this, your home will also appear brighter and bigger. Pops of colour or designer wallpaper on a feature wall can add interest, but less is more. If your design scheme is already on point, just make sure you touch up any tired paintwork.  

4. Tackle the to-do list 

Leaky taps, cracked walls, chipped tiles, and loose fittings can give your home a neglected appearance. This could leave viewers wondering what other issues they may encounter once they move in. If necessary, hire a professional to complete any lingering projects.  

5. Assess the lighting 

Poor lighting can make the most charming room appear dark and uninviting. A few well-placed lamps can help – just remember to stock up on lightbulbs too. 

6. Prepare for viewings  

Help potential buyers imagine themselves in your home by paring back on personal items such as family photos, magazines, and toys. Get ready to stage your home too – think crisp prop towels for the bathroom, new linen and cushions for the bedrooms, and fresh flowers or houseplants. 

7. Boost kerb appeal 

We all know that first impressions count. If you have a front garden or drive, make sure it’s clear of debris and freshly weeded or mowed. Attend to any broken or missing roof tiles and damaged guttering, and think about cleaning windows and repainting the exterior. 

8. Consider storage options 

If you have a lot of furniture or treasured belongings, why not put some into storage? This will help you clear the decks and get your home ready for staging and viewings. It could also come in handy when you move. 

9. Research potential estate agents 

Now that you have given your home some TLC, it’s time to shortlist a few local estate agents. Pay attention to the marketing the agent provides for their current listings and follow your gut. While the big names may tempt you, don’t rule out smaller independents who may offer a more personal service. 

10. Get your home valued 

Before you make your final decision, it’s a good idea to invite a handful of agents to value your home in person. This is your chance to find an achievable price point for your property and get a feel for the people who will be representing it.  

Our team are always here for a no-obligation chat. Contact us today. 

People become residential landlords for a variety of reasons. 

Often, it’s because someone wants to do more with their savings and sees property as a safe investment with a regular income.  

Here are a few things to consider when becoming a landlord if you want to take advantage of the current lettings climate:

1. Furnished or unfurnished

You must decide whether you want to rent out a completely furnished or unfurnished property early on. 

If you've inherited a furnished property, the decision may be straightforward. If this is the case, you may find that this appeals to a potential tenant, and you may be able to negotiate a better monthly rent. 

If you rent out a property that isn't furnished, you won't have to buy anything for it. Some potential tenants prefer this since they can furnish it with their own belongings and make it their own home. 

Don't forget, carrying out an inventory is a smart idea because it will impact your insurance coverage and may help to avoid disagreements at the end of a contract. 

2. Paperwork 

Being properly organised and up to date with paperwork from the beginning is one of the best suggestions for becoming a landlord. 

Having a lot of paperwork can be intimidating, but organisation is crucial. 

Not only will this ensure that you are not in violation of any legal obligations, but it will also ensure that you are aware of where everything is at all times. (It's also helpful when doing your accounts or double-checking information.) 

3. DIY or use a lettings agency 

Using a lettings service to find a tenant and set up the first agreements will relieve you of some stress. 

Our lettings experts use their local rental market knowledge to assist our valued landlords in managing their properties. For further information, contact our helpful staff today. 

4. Legals & Responsibility 

You'll need an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate for a property before it can be let. 

Each gas appliance in the property must have a gas safety certificate, and each property must have smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector. Any appliances or furniture must also meet the required safety standards.    

There are other regulations concerning a tenant's deposit and how it is held in a government-approved programme. We can help you with any of these if you need support. 

For expert property advice and becoming a landlord, contact our team of professionals below. 

After statistics show that this January was the strongest in the property market since 2005, the hot property market of 2021 appears set to continue into 2022. 

According to Nationwide data, annual house price growth has increased by 11.2 percent, bringing the average value of a property in the UK to £255,556 after a sixth month of price increases. 

Month on month, prices increased by 0.8 percent from December 2021 to January 2022, reflecting the ongoing price increase. 

The stamp duty holiday scheme was a major driving force behind the recent data, with high mortgage approval rates and property demand also playing a role. 

Due to low stock levels in the property market as a result of the stamp duty deadline in September, purchasers have sparked a bidding war for houses, driving property prices up. 

Not only are property prices rising, but property transactions are also at their highest level since 2007. 

With current market conditions favouring sellers and Spring being often regarded as the best time to sell a home, now is the time to act. 

Find out your home’s value this February... 

The pandemic has sparked a dramatic rise in house prices across the country, with properties achieving 10.4% more in December 2021 than they did the previous year. * This is mostly due to a smaller supply of desirable homes clashing with greater demand, changing lifestyle trends, lower mortgage rates, and the recent stamp duty holiday.   

With the market experiencing such rapid growth, is now the best time to move? While buying is undoubtedly a more expensive enterprise than in pre-COVID times, mortgage lenders are still offering some good deals – especially for those with a larger deposit.   

The Bank of England is also considering loosening some affordability criteria in the coming months, helping first-time buyers borrow more. While this could increase your buying power, it might stimulate prices too.   

If you’re thinking about moving soon but only have a 5% deposit available, you could take advantage of the Government’s mortgage guarantee scheme, which runs until the end of 2022. Nationwide has recently estimated that a 10% deposit is currently over half of a first-time buyer’s annual income, so the scheme is great news for those struggling to get on the property ladder.   

House prices may also slow in growth, but this depends on the impact of the Omicron variant and whether rising inflation, interest rates, and living costs squeeze budgets enough to affect the housing market.   

So far, sales have remained strong despite increasing economic pressures. The good news is that spring brings more homes to the market as people look to wrap up a sale before the summer holidays, helping to stabilise prices. Therefore, if you’re looking to buy within the next six months, now might be the perfect time to take the plunge.  

Ready to discuss your options? Contact us today.  

*Nationwide