Welcome to our March newsletter.

Fall in love with your home this February

It’s important to love your home. Like any relationship it shouldn’t be one sided! The more love you show your home the more it will be reciprocated. Perhaps when you first laid eyes on your home it was love at first sight. As time has gone on things have become more complicated. You have discovered more things that need attention and work. The thought of addressing these things can be exhausting when you are struggling to find the time, in your busy life. You have even forgiven yourself for thinking of moving on!

Or perhaps you are obsessed with your home, and you spend a lot of your time thinking about how you can improve it. You love the natural character of your home and you have done much already to improve it and you simply need some inspiration.

The little things you can do

Show your home you care by cleaning and keeping it in tip-top shape. A fresh coat of paint, new lamp shades, some more collectables or accessories for the kitchen. Candles, flowers, plants, paintings, pictures and perhaps most importantly trying something new. To keep things really fresh and vibrant take a departure from your norms.

Try something different

Have you ever painted your furniture? Try it – the kitchen table and chairs or sideboard. It’s on trend right now and the results can be room altering. There is no such thing as right or wrong when it comes to interior design and decorating. It’s your home to make unmistakably yours. Restore furniture or find something a bit different, that tells the story of who you are.

Commitment – big renovations

Show how committed you are to making the most of your home by not putting off what you have wanted to do for ages. Your dream kitchen, a new bathroom, or both. If you need to borrow for one sometimes the smart thing to do is borrow a little more and take out a loan and give your house the complete makeover it deserves. This will add some serious value to your home.

Garden and outside

A great garden can truly become a magical place. The scope for ideas and to create your own unique world is endless. From decking, flowerbeds to ornate garden sculptures. Multilevel gardens with built-in seating. While it’s still wintry why not create a fire pit and plant some outdoor lights which will create a warm, romantic ambience outside.

A workspace

If like many people, you work remotely, why not create your perfect work from home space. If space is limited a balance between aesthetics and functionality can be difficult to achieve. Experiment with your set up, perhaps put your desk near a window, or hang some inspirational pictures, which will stop you becoming bored of the same four walls. The little things here make a big difference, even some flowers or plants. Keep things simple, a well organised compact desk that does not make a statement but is functional and uncluttered so you can concentrate on the tasks in hand.

Do you want to love the home you live in? Browse our properties and find your perfect place.

*thetwinteam

Energy-efficient homes are in big demand - Here’s how you can improve yours

Unlike many other things in your life, when it comes to your home, there is a lot you can do to save on energy costs. Food costs are spiralling, and while you can grow some things, it’s most likely you can’t grow all you want. The price of cars has also gone up, as have the prices of many other consumables and raw materials, and yet again, there is not much you can do about it.

Many of us lament the cost-of-living crisis and feel helpless in the face of such adversity. So here are some quick fixes and big improvements you can undertake to increase the energy efficiency of your home while at the same time adding to its value.

Quick fixes

Install a smart meter: this can be supplied by your energy provider, so you can see exactly how much energy you use.
Loft insulation: this is a simple way to keep heat from escaping your home and can save you a lot of money on heating bills. It is something you could do yourself with the right protective equipment, but don’t fall through the roof! Perhaps you don’t feel up to it after all? Don’t worry; there are many specialists who can do this for you.
Collect rainwater for the garden: by collecting rainwater in your garden in a butt, a barrel or an all-singing, all-dancing water tank complete with a pump. Whichever you choose, you are making your garden greener by harvesting rainwater!
Low-flow showerhead: you can buy one of these for less than £20 and install it in minutes by simply unscrewing your old showerhead and replacing it. Being more efficient could mean you use your boiler a little less, too.
Energy-efficient light bulbs: they might be a little more expensive, but they will save up to 80% on energy use and last up to ten years!

Big improvements

Install a new boiler: improve your energy performance certificate with a new boiler. Having an old boiler will put buyers off, and the value of your home will increase sufficiently to cover the costs of a new boiler.
Air source heat pump: with government grants making this option more affordable, heat pumps are becoming more popular. British Gas offers a complete fitting service.
Triple-glazed windows: this will improve your home's energy rating further. Your home loses a lot of energy as heat escapes through the windows. When they are clean, windows allow a lot of heat from the sun to enter. Triple-glazed windows trap that heat more efficiently, saving you money on the energy you use to heat your home.
Photovoltaic solar panels: as solar panels become more popular, we are all becoming more aware of them. Less well-known are photovoltaic solar panels, which work even when it’s cloudy—perfect for the UK! Did you know you could sell the electricity they generate back to your local energy supplier, potentially making them pay for themselves?
Hot water solar panels: placed on the roof like traditional solar panels, they heat the water for your shower, bath, and kitchen sink!
Install a wind turbine: we see them dotted all over the countryside, but perhaps surprisingly, you can buy smaller versions for your home that will create enough electricity to run your entire home.

Find a good deal

Many of these quick fixes and bigger home improvements are eligible for government assistance depending on different criteria, and there are some good deals to be had with energy suppliers and local businesses, so it’s always worth a look online to check out the latest deals.

Looking to move to a more energy-efficient home? Want to know how much value you have added by improving the energy efficiency of your home? Book a valuation.

Spring 2023 promises more choice for the housing market

There is nothing quite like spring, with thawing winter frosts heralding the imminent arrival of summer and longer evenings. 2023 will allow you to drink all this in and enjoy these inspirational moments all the more. The same can be said of your property search. With houses no longer selling like there’s no tomorrow, unlike the rather uncomfortable rush of the past couple of years. You can finally breathe, take a little time, and find the home you love.

A little more housing stock means house prices are not spiralling

Be in no doubt: there is still a housing drought in the UK property market, helping keep prices buoyant. Demand still far outweighs supply. However, with stocks replenishing a little as the market calms so do house prices. You no longer have to race to the first possible viewing to compete with other buyers and make offers over the asking price. The result is that house prices are not spiralling too quickly. Instead, house-buying conditions are more settled and compatible with a secure future.

Quality time spent with your agent and your potential new home

Sometimes too much choice makes it harder to make up your mind! Have you ever found yourself wishing you could have the kitchen from your first viewing in the location or with the garden from another viewing? The guidance, inspiration, and seasoned yet informed input of a good agent will help your vision become an adventure that surpasses your expectations. Reality is often more beautiful and awe-inspiring than your dreams, and you could end up with a far better home than you ever imagined.

More choice gives you more inspiration

Inspiration and choice go hand in hand. View and explore the feelings inspired by other homes. Physical viewings will yield to your imagination myriad ideas to help you truly understand what you are looking for. In many ways your new home picks you, and the more homes you view the greater the chances of finding your true home destiny.

Live the house dream

Perhaps one of the greatest incarnations of a dream is buying and moving into the home you have wanted for so long. You get live inside your vision. When this happens, the feeling of elation is unique and unforgettable. The house you choose will be the place to witness so many happy memories while protecting you from the elements and challenges of the world outside. You don’t want to rush this big decision, and now you are in a good place to make the right choices.

Browse our choice of properties and help us to help you find your home.

8 tenant and landlord trends for 2023

There is a lot going on in the 2023 letting market for both landlords and tenants. It’s important to be tuned in to what’s going on, no matter which side of the fence you are standing on. While demand for rented homes is high and ever-increasing, tenants are now more protected than ever. The mutually beneficial landlord-tenant relationship is becoming more structured. This has some significant advantages for both parties in what is becoming a more and more long-term relationship.

Increase in demand

Demand is increasing all the time for rented property, which is good news for landlords but perhaps a little frustrating when you are seeking a new place to call home. Enlisting the help of a good agent will help a great deal and save much time.

Tenants are renting for longer

Fewer first-time buyers due to the challenges of scraping together a deposit amid the cost-of-living crisis mean tenants are renting for longer. This is good for planning and investing in your future property plans, whether you are a landlord or tenant.

Some landlords are exiting the rental sector, creating new opportunities

It’s not easy for some landlords, new legislation and increasing costs, some are choosing to retire and enjoy life. This creates more opportunities for new landlords who invest in energy-efficient, modern homes, providing great places for tenants to live.

There are more older tenants

One of the reasons there is more demand for rented accommodation is because now more mature tenants rent than ever before, whereas the perception stemming from the past is that mainly younger people rent.

Tenants are paying more for energy-efficient homes

Greener homes are in demand. Landlords have a deadline of 2025 to meet the Energy Performance Certificate of C for newly let properties and until 2028 for existing let properties. More energy-efficient homes may cost a little more to rent but will save tenants on household bills.

Capital Gains Tax changes (CGT) for landlords

For the tax year 2023-2024, the tax-free allowance for Capital Gains Tax will be reduced from £12,300 to £6,000, and for the tax year 2024-2025, it will be fixed at £3,000. Relatively speaking, this is not a massive increase as it is based on a tax-free allowance.

More landlords are creating limited companies

With most landlords already choosing to form limited companies due to limited personal liability advantages, the number of landlords choosing this route will increase further as the rental market becomes more business oriented.

Standards are getting higher

As landlords are forced to upgrade energy efficiency and modernise their properties, the good news for them is that tenants are more content and likely to rent for longer, assuring landlords’ investments. Tenants get to enjoy modern, on-trend, energy-efficient, tech-friendly homes without making big capital investments. Renting is becoming an increasingly enticing prospect, and the future for tenants and landlords looks exciting.

Need a place to rent or looking for a buy-to-let investment? Get in touch.

Investing in property? Here are 10 top tips!

Investing in property can be highly lucrative, and the best way to enjoy it and make it as profitable as possible is to know your stuff. Like so much in life, there is an element of luck involved, and to a certain degree, you make your own luck. That said, if you like to err on the side of caution, investing in property can give you a lot of security. There is also vast scope for creativity; whichever approach you take, do it your own way.

Decide

Sometimes the biggest obstacle to doing anything is simply deciding what you are going to do! In the world of property investment, you are spoiled for choice, and each property offers unique opportunities. So before you make up your mind, consider these tips. Then remember the golden rule: always leave a bit of space for manoeuvring in case your plans change!

Buy-to-let or buy-to-sell?

Do you want to be a property developer or a landlord? There is a constant stream of homes arriving on the market that need modernising or updating. Once completed, who says you can’t do both? Let your refurbished property for a few years, then sell it for a profit!

Get to know the market

Ideally, try to buy in an up-and-coming area. The scope for growth in value is greater. This does not mean you have to find an amazingly exclusive area enjoying mega growth. Often, an area that is moving forward and steadily improving is just the ticket when finding an affordable property. Spend a little time getting to know the areas you are considering investing in.

Have a plan

Planning is a good way to keep you on the right road. Make lists and make notes for moving, refurbishments, and costing, include calculations for rental yields and a list of legal requirements, and tick each step off one by one as there is a lot to remember.

Familiarize yourself with the law

Certain safety standards must be met; these can include smoke alarms, gas certificates, portable appliance testing, an Energy Performance Certificate, and building control certificates for structural alterations. If you let your property, you must conduct Right to Rent checks as a landlord.

Insurance

If you let your property, this is a no-brainer. There are so many policies you can opt for, from malicious damage by tenants to loss of rental income. Make sure any tradespeople working on your property have the correct insurance.

Building contractors

Finding the right tradespeople to create your property vision can mean the difference between making a good profit and losing money because they don't finish on time.

Budget

If you plan to let your property, calculate the rental yield, which will help you calculate your return on investment (ROI). There are many rental yield calculators available online. If you are developing a property, create a spreadsheet or use a property development budget template. Always leave a little aside for the unexpected.

Make the most of your property’s space

Renting or selling make the most of the space you have. More rooms mean more rent or a higher selling price. Have you thought of converting a modest-sized home into flats?

Stay on-trend

When you decide to short-term let, flip, or buy to long-term let, extend, let holiday homes, convert, refurbish, or invest in green, professional, or student sectors, stay clued in to everything from interior decor (keep things neutral and simple) to changes in the law and the latest property market trends.

Are you looking for a fully managed lettings service to protect and grow your property investment? Or are you looking for a great investment opportunity? Get in touch.

26 April 2023Jools Holland @ Boisdale of Canary Wharf

Julian Miles Holland (born 24 January 1958) is a British pianist, and bandleader...

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Conrad House Victory Place Limehouse

This cosy two double-bedroom home is situated in a peaceful and secure residential development on the edge of Limehouse marina.

£550,000

Click here to read Conrad House Victory Place Limehouse.

Chinnocks Wharf Narrow Street Limehouse

Amazing sunrise and sunset views are one of many perquisites that come with this two double-bedroom home in chinnocks wharf.

£785,000

Click here to read Chinnocks Wharf Narrow Street Limehouse.