A look back at a busy June

Summer interior design ideas

After the spring clean comes the summer spruce-up. Longer days and warmer evenings offer the perfect opportunity to tackle those home décor projects – especially if you have some time off work. Read on to be inspired by this year’s interior design trends.

Go green

Summer is the outdoor season, so why not celebrate nature inside? House plants clean the air and have a positive effect on our mental and physical health – and even the fake ones look attractive.

While a statement plant like tropical monstera stands out against a white wall and perfectly complements natural fibres, you can pick up stylish rope-tied hanging pots and tumbling plants – real or fake – to spruce-up areas where floor space is at a premium.

Be bold

For an instant transformation, infuse neutral rooms with a splash of colour – perhaps to an accent wall. Primary colours are in style right now, so think deep blues, yellow and red. Colourful artwork and photography can also add interest if you want to avoid painting.

Patterns are popular too. Keep an eye out for summery prints for your cushions, curtains, rugs and sheets. Just don’t overdo the kitsch – simple is often best.

Get glamorous

Rose gold, brass and copper tones can bring a little sunshine into your home. Offset your current décor by introducing metallic accents to light fittings and shades, kitchen accessories or candleholders.

Strapped for cash? Try upcycling shabby furniture with gold leaf, or spray your picture frames or coffee tables for some extra glitz.

Stay cool

Sometimes, we may need to retreat from the warmer weather. Blue hues can soothe the mind, while furniture and décor that nods to a chic, bohemian or vintage vibe can have the same effect. Equally, natural materials and throws, blankets, and hand-woven rugs can soften the impact of the bright light outside.

If you are looking to sell your home this summer, why not start by booking your free no-obligation valuation.

Investing in property? Here are our top tips!

With high demand for property driving up house prices and rents across the country, now is a great time for new or established landlords to ride the wave by investing. But where should you start, and how can you improve your chances of a respectable return? Read on to find out.

Choose your location

Ideally, it’s sensible to invest in an area within a manageable radius of your current location. This will allow you to visit the property easily, complete any necessary improvements, or keep an eye on contractors. If you live nearby, you’re also more likely to know which streets and neighbourhoods are the most desirable, helping you identify golden opportunities as soon as they arise.

Once you’ve settled on a general area, spend some time researching the current market conditions, including the average local rent and sale price for the type of property you’re interested in buying.

Hint: A trusted local agent like ourselves can advise you on this.

Identify potential ways to add value

While searching for the perfect rental, consider ways you could improve a property to make it more appealing to your ideal tenant. Could you add an extra bedroom or a home office by converting the loft? Is the property worth renovating to bring it in line with more high-end lets? This is where your market research will come into its own.

Other ways to increase profit may include selling off additional land a tenant won’t need or splitting up a building into apartments. Just make sure you obtain advice from a relevant professional before you invest.

Decide on funding

Yes, opportunities are endless for cash buyers, but if you have the minimum deposit (usually 25%), a buy-to-let mortgage can help you achieve your dreams. The maximum you can borrow is linked to the rental income you expect to receive, which should be 25–30% higher than your mortgage payment.

Specialist lenders may also provide a bridging loan to cover the cost of renovations while you get the property up-to-scratch.

Beyond these top tips, our property experts are always on hand to help. Contact us to discuss potential investment opportunities or book a rental valuation.

Renters are locking in longer tenancies

It has been estimated that there are currently three times more tenants looking for homes than there are rental properties available, making it the most competitive rental market ever recorded. Quarterly tracking by a popular property portal shows that average asking rents outside London have increased by 11% to £1,088 per calendar month. In London, asking rents have increased by 14%, to an average of £2,195 per calendar month.

Market analysis from a popular property portal has described how a shortage of rental homes, combined with a strong demand for the properties available, has led to a greater number of tenants choosing to renew their agreement rather than re-enter a competitive rental market. A study among almost 1,300 landlords found that the most common length of a tenancy is over two years.

With the rising cost of living, renters are keen to find tenancies with bills included - demand has increased by 36% this year, versus last year. The study also found that homes with balconies, communal gardens, properties allowing pets, and those offering zero deposits all came equal second, with enquiries jumping by 22%.

If you are thinking of letting or re-letting your property, get in touch to find out more about our services.

*Rightmove

Ten steps to finding your perfect home

If you are searching for a home, you will want to follow these steps to help you along the way.

1. Set a sensible budget

To help set a sensible budget, it can help to involve a specialist mortgage advisor at this early stage. Decide on a monthly mortgage repayment which is affordable for you, allowing for this to increase in line with interest rates. Then consider how much you can afford to put down as a deposit. With these figures in mind, work out how much you would like to borrow and establish a price range for your property search.

2. Get your paperwork in order

One of the most common mistakes buyers make is not getting a mortgage agreement in principle. If you are looking to purchase a new house with a mortgage, this can be a useful step in your search.

3. Decide on your deal-breakers

With your budget in mind, decide on your deal-breakers. Determine what you need from your home – location, number of bedrooms, outside space and parking. Then make a list of things you would like, but are not essential. Decide what you are willing to compromise on and what you are not.

4. List your existing home

If you need to sell your existing home, it can be a good idea to list it on the market before you start the search for a new one. This will make you more appealing to prospective sellers and could avoid some of the delays associated with being in a chain.

5. Start the search

In addition to using the popular property portals, register your interest with your local estate agent. Give as much information to your agent about your budget, timeframe for moving, requirement to sell before buying and your dealbreakers.

6. Think ahead

Think about what might be important to you in the coming years. If you plan to start a family, for example, consider the availability of local nurseries. Look for good local schools and place yourself well within their catchment areas. If you are approaching retirement, it may be worth considering single-storey living, as well as looking at the proximity of local transport and facilities like shops and GP surgeries.

7. Maximise each viewing

When you look at a prospective new home, look carefully and thoroughly. Imagine yourself living in the home, visualise how you would use each room and whether the layout of the house would work for you. Keep an open mind and think about a property’s potential, looking beyond the current décor and the seller’s furniture.

8. Consider the surroundings

It may be a cliché but, when it comes to buying, think ‘location, location, location’. Will you feel comfortable in the area, and does it have everything you need?

9. Choose head over heart

Buying a house can be a really emotional process for many of us. Avoid being swept away by a property you fall in love with, but which is outside your budget or falls short of your dealbreaker list.

10. Take your time, but not too much time!

Making rash decisions and rushing are things to avoid when buying a new home. Equally, leaving it too long to take action may mean you miss out.

If you are looking for your perfect home, check out our latest listings.

What makes a house a ‘forever home’?

A new survey, commissioned by a leading UK provider of uPVC windows and doors, has attempted to unearth the secret to presenting a house as a ‘forever home’. The results suggest British buyers are very practical when it comes to our list of must-haves!

60% of people surveyed said a garage was at the top of their wish list. Over half (51%) said a family room was important to them, 42% would be looking for a walk-in closet, and 39% consider a home office essential.

Location also plays a major part in the decision to invest in a forever home, with 43% of respondents sharing their desire to move to a rural location, and another 23% wanting to be close to the coast.

If you think your house could be someone else’s forever home, get in touch for an obligation-free valuation.

*Safestyle UK