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Author: winm-moveinnestates-wp

TIPS FOR FINDING THE PERFECT FAMILY HOME

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If you’ve reached that momentous stage in life where settling down and starting a family is your number one priority, you’ll need to think about finding a home which will support your expanding brood. There are a few things to consider when it comes to searching for the perfect family home, so let’s take a look.

Size – This is the most obvious place to begin. If you’re looking for a family home, it will obviously need to be big enough to accommodate all family members. Ideally, you’d be looking at least three bedrooms so there’s enough room for growth and a long term, but you can be creative if the budget doesn’t stretch that far. A two bed with ample double bedrooms could work well for several years, and there are some great space saving options available like module furniture and bunk beds to help you fill the home without it looking too cramped.

Location – Another crucial aspect is the location of the property. As a younger person you may love the convenience and social scene that comes from living in a busy part of town, but once you have children chances are living among buzzing clubs and bars is not going to be top of your priorities list.

Choose an area which is quiet enough for the kids to be able to sleep, but close enough to local amenities to enable you to still access the things you need and busy enough to stop you going stir
crazy. When it comes to location, you’ll need to also consider

Schools – With Britain’s population growing at a rapid rate it can be tricky getting into the school of your choice, and unless you’re in catchment you can pretty much forget it. Do your research into local schools and their catchment areas before you commit to moving somewhere you may regret later down the line.

Transport – Sometimes things go wrong with cars so even if you’ve bought the perfect family vehicle it’s wise to have a back-up plan. An area with good local transport can be a godsend if the car breaks down or you’re sharing one vehicle between the two of you- it will also serve you well in the long term once the kids are old enough to start exploring the world on their own.

Green Space – Kids love parks. If you can find an area packed with green spaces and play areas there’s a good chance your children will have years of fun there- it’s also a great way to encourage exercise and well-being longer term.

Crime – Nobody wants to raise their children in an area where they’ll be at risk of being affected by crime, so do lots of research before moving. Areas that suffer from gang crime are an obvious no-no, likewise anywhere where there are lots of muggings, drug use and anti-social behaviour.

Like most things in life, it all comes down to good planning. If you’re preparing for a family, think of the bigger picture and make sure you do your homework before signing on the dotted line.

Get in touch with us today if you have any questions on finding your perfect home.

LANDSCAPING IDEAS FOR YOUR GARDEN

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Outdoor living space can do great things for the value of your property. A well-maintained garden can add a huge 20% to its overall selling price, and the more money you spend the greater the outcome.

If you are going for a full makeover, it makes good sense to hire a professional landscape gardener. Not only will handing the job over to an expert save you time and stress, they’ve got all the skill and know-how necessary to create something that will look fantastic for years to come. A good landscape designer will also work with you to assess your requirements and create a mood board based on your personal tastes and lifestyle, suggesting plants that fit in with how much time you have for maintenance. They will also be able to conduct site surveys to assess any potential difficulties that may prove costly further down the line, as well as getting the project finished on
time and to budget.

Here are some of the most popular landscaping ideas for creating gardens with the wow factor: Al fresco kitchen areas. Much more impressive than a BBQ area, a separate outbuilding with its own
kitchen and dining space is a great way to attract buyers. Arbors create a cosy, warm outdoor living space that is particularly popular in urban areas. Decorate with fairy lights and plants and add some comfy, colourful seats for added luxury.

Terraced areas are perfect for extending your living space and creating another area in which you can relax and entertain outdoors. Water features remain a popular design choice for landscape gardens and can help create a feeling of tranquility and relaxation. Small fountains and ponds are particularly attractive to house hunters looking at properties in built up areas, because they create a sense of being close to nature that’s
rare to find in the city.

Think of your garden as another room and take care of in the same way as you would the rest of your home. Make sure the grass is tidy and the whole area is clean, neat and welcoming.
Most people tend to view properties outside of working hours, so especially in the darker months it makes good sense to invest in some garden lights to make the area look attractive and inviting. Take care of weeds, sweep up and add some extra little touches and you’ll be well on the way towards
attracting a sale.

You can make your garden look more attractive yourself by just adding pots and planters and a few fairy lights, but if it’s a big and complex project you’re considering it’s almost always best to go with
a professional landscaping service.

IS MY ROOF AT RISK OF A LEAK?

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In the home, there are various potential problems over which you might procrastinate, without any serious outcome, for some time. It's very easy to fall into this trap, so well done for going one step further than many people would in addressing one of these problems, and asking whether your roof is at risk of a leak.

After all, who thinks about their roof? It’s above us, completely out of the way, and we don’;t really need to give it any attention until it tells us to, right? Well, not really. It's actually much better
practice for us to keep it in our thoughts and check how it is faring against the elements.

Generally, a roof is built to last for 20 to 30 years, but this also means 20 to 30 cruel winters, so it’s  understandable that wear and tear will naturally occur.
The trusty roof is also the most fundamental protection that separates each resident ­– and every stick of furniture ­– from the destructive forces of the British weather. Here are some tips for identifying any problems you may have with your roof and what you can do to keep the top of your property in tip-top shape.

What to look out for
Winter can be an expensive and time-consuming period for many reasons. It's natural for you to want to keep hold of your money and hope that your roof lasts until the more clement Spring. However, if you’ve already spotted any damp patches on ceilings or spotted water pooling in the attic, then your roof might require a few seasonal gifts of its own in order to save you money further down the line.

You should also act if you see any signs of water damage on any interior or exterior wall, dampness around chimneys, or any new streams or drips of water coming from the roof or gutters. Sagging in the centre of a flat roof is a clear indication that water is adversely affecting the material. Meanwhile, missing tiles on a traditional, sloped roof leave an ideal space for water to enter.

If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, give your roof and attic a thorough investigation with these crafty tips. However, as it's not the simplest or safest of tasks to check the roof itself, then your safest bet is to contact a recommended roofing specialist. If you happen to be a bit of a tech-head yourself, you could also try this modern, creative method of checking out the roof of your property from above – but you'll still need a professional to sort out any problems after all the fun!

What could happen

A combination of short- and long-term issues can arise from a roof leak. Water doesn’t have quite the same reputation for destruction as fire; however, as an element, it is equally indiscriminate in the damage it will cause. In fact, water damage from a leaky roof can actually increase the possibility of fire damage by interfering with the electrical cables in your attic.

A side effect of a leaky roof, both long- and short-term, is the impact on your heating bill. For every drop of water that gets in, not only does air – including heat – escape, but the risk of your insulation becoming saturated and, thus, ineffective also increases. Repairing this level of damage, including to the structural integrity of ceiling joists and wall framing, is far more costly than a simple roof repair.

In the longer term, the health concerns that can be posed to residents as water seeps continuously into the home are incredibly dangerous. Mould and mildew can steadily build up, leading to problems for people with nasal congestion, asthma, and other respiratory conditions.

In fact, exposure to mould can actually induce such conditions, which is why many home bathrooms, kitchens and other rooms in commercial or industrial buildings exposed to steam and water are now
coated with anti-mould paint or finishes.

What you should do
Once you’ve performed the level of assessment with which you’re comfortable, and still aren’t sure that a roof leak can be ruled out, then you should book a visit from a professional roofing specialist
immediately.

Findley Roofing and Building can, at no charge, check roofing in Newcastle upon Tyne, where the company can also provide a professional team of roofing contractors who will be able to repair and
secure your roof against the elements. Of course, if you’re renting privately, you should have a chat with your landlord about any concerns regarding the integrity of the property before you agree to carry out any repairs. If you’re not certain where you stand with a privately rented property, or your landlord will not agree to any assessment or repairs, check your rights. Like any homeowner, you are entitled to live in a property that's safe
and in a good state of repair.

If you have identified a leak, reduce the short-term damage by using something waterproof, like a bucket or pan, to collect any water for now, or lay down a waterproof tarpaulin sheet directly below it.

Also, move any electrical items out of the way or turn them off entirely in that area of the house. If the leak is in the attic, cut off all electricity to this area of the home if possible, but don't attempt to
move any cables yourself.

Finally, i’s also worth looking at any old paperwork that you hold from previous work performed on your roof, as you may still be covered for certain work by your warranty. However, by choosing a trusted and reliable roofing specialist from now on, you’ll also be buying yourself some peace of mind during the next cold snap or rainy season.

Nothing is certain when it comes to weather. Your roof will continue to be bruised and battered relentlessly by the elements – but, by keeping an eye out for the tell-tale signs of leaks, you’ll be more likely to keep it healthy and leak-free. In turn, your roof, all tucked away

5 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR A MORTGAGE

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Buying a home is a major financial commitment. That’s something UK lenders agree on too, which is why the mortgage lending rules of today are much stricter than they were ten, or even five years ago. That means before you start house hunting, it is important that your finances are in order. The best way to do this is to speak with a professional, who can help you understand your budget and potentially give you tips that will improve your chances of securing the best mortgage available for you when the time comes.

To help ensure your mortgage application runs smoothly and that you can secure the maximum amount that you can borrow, there are a few things you can do. Here are some steps you can take to help secure the mortgage you need, to buy the home you want.

1. Review your existing finance arrangements

Mortgage lenders analyse all your spending commitments, so take a look at your own finances beforehand and pin down all your necessary outgoings. If you have existing loans, work out if there’s any way you can condense them, or even eliminate some.
If you have major existing financial loan commitments, it will reduce the amount the lender considers you can comfortably afford to repay on your mortgage each month.

2. Never miss credit repayments

Keeping on top of your finances and always making any credit repayments on time is essential if you want a mortgage. Where you do have a loan, credit card or credit agreement in place, you need to ensure that you always make your repayment date and amount. If you are a regular and reliable repayor of credit, then that will demonstrate to a lender that they can rely on you to make your regular monthly mortgage payments, too.

It will help improve your credit score and show that you are a responsible borrower.

3. Save as big a deposit as possible

The bigger the deposit, the better interest rate you will get on your mortgage. If you can secure a lower mortgage interest rate, this means you will be paying less interest on the mortgage that you are borrowing.

4. A steady employment history

Moving jobs can be excellent for your career and also your earnings. However, too much chopping and changing isn’t always viewed positively by your potential mortgage lender. So, if you can show a steady employment history, that helps to highlight you as a responsible and reliable applicant.

5. Get a copy of your credit score

You should be able to do this through a number of credit scoring companies, and for free. By finding out what your credit score is you’ll know if your mortgage application is likely to be successful at the
level you’re anticipating. If your credit score is not as good as you thought, then you can take steps to improve it – most of which we have already detailed above. After some months of improving your finances and credit
scoring, you are likely to be in a better position to apply for a mortgage with the hopes of achieving the maximum amount that your income dictates.

The journey of buying a home and applying for a mortgage is not always smooth sailing as one would hope! However, if you can get your finances in order ahead of your mortgage application, the whole process should be just that bit less stressful and result in you being able to purchase the home you really want. Get in touch with our very own in-house mortgage advisor today.

PROPERTY INVESTMENT TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

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Despite all the ups and downs of the economy, investing in property is still one of the safest and most lucrative things you can do with your money. We have a population crisis in the UK and demand for housing is far outweighing supply. With developers being unable to build properties fast enough and a call for more affordable housing options, people are queuing up for decent properties.

One thing that’s certain is that people will always need somewhere to call home, but investing in property takes knowledge, preparation and an eye for a good deal. If you’re looking to invest for the first time, here are a few things that you need to remember to make the experience easier and more rewarding.

Believe in yourself

One of the most important things that successful investors all have in common is solid, unwavering self-belief. That’s easier said than done in the early days, but as Walt Disney once said, “If you dream it, you can achieve it.” Entrepreneurs are skilled at convincing themselves and others that they can achieve anything they want in life, and it all starts with having a positive mindset. If you struggle, read books on the Law of Attraction for a little inspiration and surround yourself with like minded people. It won’t guarantee your success, but it will certainly get you heading in the right direction”.

Have a clear strategy

Lots of new investors make the mistake of going out there looking at all sorts of properties without having a clear idea of what they’re wanting to achieve long term. Being a successful investor means different things to different people; you might want to have a little nest egg for the future or be looking to completely give up work and create a huge multi million pound property portfolio. Think carefully about your long-term goals and aspirations and then look out for properties that can help you achieve them.

There are lots of different investment strategies to choose from too. You could buy a commercial property and convert it into HMOs (home of multiple occupancy), buy to let or renovate a repossession for a quick sale. Take your time, seek advice and look at all the different strategies so you understand which one works best for you. And don’t overdo it! Start with one project and you can then build your portfolio as your confidence grows.

Use your networks

The property game is all about making connections and rubbing shoulders with the right people. Attend as many networking events as you possibly can, get to know other investors and talk to people who might want to partner up on a joint venture. And make sure you get to know your local agents- when people like you and understand what you’re looking for you’ve got a much greater chance of being the first to hear about exciting new opportunities.

Work hard

Although for serious investors the ultimate aim is to just sit back and relax while the money works for you, be prepared to put some legwork in at the beginning. Successful property investors are prepared to work around the clock and go the extra mile to get what they want, so if you’re the sort of person who doesn’t like early starts and looking at properties in the evenings and weekends, this probably isn’t for you.

Keep your options open

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is a phrase that’s particularly relevant for fledgling property investors. It’s easy to be so enthusiastic and excited in the early stages that you make snap decisions, but it’s wise to shop around before signing on the dotted line. Do your research, ask lots of questions and seek help from a mentor before you make your first purchase. If something seems like it’s too good to be true it usually is, so don’t feel pressured into buying a property if you’re not 100% confident about it.

Property is a great way to secure your future, but don’t go into it headfirst and read and learn as much as you possibly can before you make a start.
If you have any question or you’re looking to buy to invest, contact us today.

HOW TO STAGE YOUR PROPERTY FOR A VIEWING

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It can take buyers as little as seven seconds to decide whether the property they are viewing is their dream home or not. First impressions count, and you will rarely enjoy the privilege of a second chance to impress your potential buyers. Beautifully presented, your property is more likely to sell quickly and for the best possible price.

An investment in home improvements may seem counterintuitive when you are hoping to move but will often reap significant dividends. You will need to invest time and money into staging your property for a viewing. If you spend wisely, your efforts will usually be rewarded.

Know your market

Buyers have different priorities, and so it would be impossible to maximise the appeal of your property unless you first identify who your buyers are likely to be. Families will prefer safe and secure outside spaces and more bedrooms, while young professionals may seek a home office or walk-in wardrobe. Know your market and stage your home accordingly.

Define your rooms

Never rely on the imaginations of your prospective buyers. Most will take your home at face value and won’t be able to see beyond its current look and layout. Make sure the purpose of
every room is clearly defined and appropriate for the market you are targeting.
If you don’t have a dining area because you always eat out or in front of the TV, now is the time to create one. That spare room that you use for storage must be emptied and furnished as a bedroom or study. Think about how you could dress any recesses or landings to transform them into useful study areas or workspaces. If you require furniture to affect your transformation, you can limit your costs by borrowing or renting the pieces you need.

Let there be light

Buyers may have different priorities, but none will be looking for a dark and dingy home. It is crucial to maximise the light that floods into your property to create bright and airy rooms. Clean windows are a good start, and a strategically-positioned mirror will reflect more light into a room. Heavy curtains can obscure windows even when they are drawn. Replace these with lightweight drapes or blinds which enable more natural light to enter the space.

Always open curtains and blinds fully for viewings, but if your rooms remain dark, paint the walls in light and neutral shades, remove any dark coloured soft furnishings, and leave the lights on when you show people around.

Show the love

You can’t expect buyers to love your home if you don’t. Poor maintenance and grubby interiors make a property feel shabby and uncared for. Give every room a thorough clean and repair any blemishes such as chipped paintwork and cracked tiles.

Fix those repairs

You might not be overly concerned about a leaky tap or a creaking floorboard, but minor issues are often red flags for viewers. Repair everything that needs attention and you won't leave your buyers worrying about the amount of work they need to do and what else might be wrong with the property. If you haven’t attended to the smaller problems, you can’t blame viewers for wondering if there are much bigger ones to be concerned about.

Declutter your rooms.

You are selling a dream and most peoples’s wish lists will include the desire for more space. Your accumulation of clutter makes your rooms look smaller, gives the impression that your home lacks adequate storage, and generally prevents your viewers from imagining how they will use the spaces. Clear your rooms of clutter and If you don’t have anywhere to store your things, rent a storage unit or ask family and friends if they could store them for you.
Remember that clutter can include furniture. Your rooms will look more spacious with less furniture in them, so remove what you can and store it until you have achieved a sale.

Depersonalise your interior

Buyers must be able to imagine themselves living in your property and that might prove impossible if they can’t see past your wacky wallpaper, garish feature wall or huge collection of family photographs. Take down the snaps and repaint your walls in neutral shades. Neutrals will help to enhance the sense of light and space and will create a unified look throughout your property, improving the flow from room to room.

Create a tidy but lived-in look

You will be working hard to create a show home but do make sure that it looks lived-in too, as potential buyers must be able to see that it could be their new home. A few fresh flowers and a bowl of fruit will deliver the desired effect without overly personalising the interior.

Remove your pets

You might adore your pampered pooch but that doesn’t mean everyone else will. It is best to remove all traces of your pets when conducting viewings.

Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses

Priorities vary greatly but almost everyone will be seduced by a stunning kitchen and bathroom. These are the rooms where it is worth investing to make improvements and it is likely that you will recoup some or all of your investment when you sell. If you can’t stretch to new kitchen units, replacement doors will update the room as will swanky appliances. Research has shown that granite and quartz worktops are amongst the features which are most likely to attract buyers to your property. Bathrooms can be transformed quickly and affordably by replacing the tiles and flooring. If you have a more generous budget at your disposal and could accommodate a complete revamp, walk-in showers, wet rooms, and roll top baths are aspirational features worthy of consideration.

Don’t forget your outside spaces

If your property benefits from a garden or any outside space, spruce it up. Tidy the garden, create attractive planting and then sell the dream with patio furniture and a barbecue. Ensure that the outside of your house is as clean, tidy and appealing as the inside because those precious seven seconds in which your potential buyer makes up their mind could tick away before they have stepped across the threshold.

Know your property and neighbourhood.

Your potential buyers will glean most of what they need to know by viewing your property but a few informative words from you might seal the deal. Explain the benefits of living in your neighbourhood including schools, transport links, shops and facilities. If crime is rare, say so and if you have incorporated security features in your home, point them out. Always ensure that you are ready to answer any questions that your viewers may have and speak with confidence and pride.

Think before you list

Selling a property requires a little planning, expenditure and effort. Think about who might. be interested in your home and what they will want to see and then deliver it. Consider the potential downsides of the property and eliminate as many of these as you can. Sell the dream and you will be celebrating a sale in double quick time.

TOP TIPS FOR PROPERTY GAS SAFETY THAT EVERY LANDLORD SHOULD KNOW

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Alarming figures from the Gas Safe Register say that one in six homes in Britain have dangerous gas appliances. Not only could this have deadly consequences for the people living in them, it could also (quite rightly) severely damage the reputations of landlords.

All landlords have a legal responsibility to keep their tenants safe, and recent tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire have highlighted the importance of the matter even more.

  • By law, all landlords are required to ensure the following:
  • All pipes, boilers and flues must be regularly maintained and certificated
  • Annual gas safety checks are undertaken
  • Any work undertaken is only done by a registered gas safety professional
  • All visits from gas safety professionals are recorded, and the tenant is provided with copies

Simply organising an annual gas safety check is not enough. It’s essential that every gas appliance in the property is regularly maintained and that any gas technician checks the entire system, including the pipes. Tenants must be given adequate notice of any checks and services and always be provided with a paper copy of any reports, which must be kept by the landlord for at least two years.

Recent changes to the law have put a greater emphasis on the protection of tenants, so it’s imperative that all landlords comply. Reputable landlords understand the importance of proper checks and maintenance, and not adhering to the rules will not only damage your reputation but potentially cost you a lot of money.

There’s a well-documented housing crisis in the UK right now, with demand far outweighing supply. While this offers substantial opportunities for buy-to-let landlords to make a lot of money, it’s important to consider the human factor too. Property isn’t just about houses and cash, it’s about people. Keeping tenants safe should be a major priority and it’s important that all landlords understand what will be expected of them before they start letting any homes” continues. Putting people at risk is unacceptable, and a lot of people are unaware of the legal obligations when they first start out in the property market.

The vast majority of landlords are not qualified gas specialists and many struggle to know where to find one. Word of mouth and recommendations are often more reliable than website reviews, but if in doubt contact your local Trading Standards office or council. A full list of qualified, certified professionals can also be found on the gas safety register.

WAYS TO OPTIMISE THE VALUE OF YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY

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Unless you’ve entered into the property market for purely substantial reasons, you’ll want to see the value of your homes increase with time. And for most of us, that means the fastest timeframe possible. While uncertainty about the impact of Brexit is causing lots of buy to let landlords to wait until the market is back on the up, there are lots of ways you can optimise the value of your property now.

The important thing to remember is that you must achieve a balance between putting enough money in to increase the value and spending too much on things that won’t yield decent returns. It’s a bit of a balancing act, and it can be tempting to go for things that look great but don’t pay out. Here are our top seven tips you can do to boost the value of your rental property and get on the right side of potential tenants.

1) Upgrade the bathroom
Dingy bathrooms, leaky taps and limescale riddled shower heads are a real no-no to tenants, but they’re still found in countless rental properties up and down the country. Any fixtures that are more than ten years old should be replaced, and when it comes to bathroom suites the cleaner and more sparkly looking the better.

2) Makeover the worktops
Cheap countertops look awful, are prone to discolouration and are actually a false economy because you’ll end up having to replace them more often. Invest in the highest quality worktops you can manage on your budget because they will instantly improve the look of any kitchen. Granite, slate and quartz are expensive options, but they’ll last longer, and tenants will love them.

3) Invest in good flooring
Cheap floors put people off and give the impression that you don’t care about your tenants. Replacing tired carpets and lino with high end materials like wood and tile might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it will help you find the right people for your property, be far easier to maintain and add significant value in the long run.

4) Give them storage
We’ve got a well-documented housing crisis in the UK, so there’s less space to go around. Especially when you’re converting commercial properties into homes it’s all about using space wisely, so clever storage is essential. Consider built in wardrobes, modular shelving and space for shoes by the door- it makes things look a lot less cluttered and will help you raise your price tag too.

5) Upgrade the windows
Tenants expect good windows that offer soundproofing, light and the ability to keep cold out. This isn’t always the case with older properties, so if yours is more than 20 years old it’s worth seriously considering some new windows. Sure, you’ll have to shell out a few thousand, but investing in quality double glazing will pay dividends in the future.

6) Make sure the roof is up to scratch
Everyone needs a safe roof over their heads, but if yours is over fifteen years old you can’t guarantee it. Not only is a leaky roof terrible for insulation, costing you a fortune in energy, it’s a danger to everyone in the property. Investing in a quality roof doesn’t just look good, it will save you a lot of money and reputational damage.

7) Don’t skimp on maintenance
Creating a rental property that people want to live in isn’t just about spending money on the big things. It’s about looking after the little things like grouting, garden areas, garage doors and even garden hoses. Build regular maintenance into your agreement and always respond quickly to tenant calls if things aren’t working properly. As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to offer a home that’s not just habitable and safe, but attractive. The more you invest in the right things, the better the rewards long term.

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