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 

 

For some of us, home is not the same without them. For landlords, they can become a worry particularly when it comes to damage. Whichever side of the fence you stand on, the law will change soon. And this comes as a welcome relief for those tenants struggling to find affordable accommodation. As things stand currently, there is a blanket ban on pets in residential properties. That means landlords can refuse pets without justification.

Renter's Reform Bill
On the cards since 2019 and soon to become law, the Renters Reform Bill aims to improve conditions and rights for millions of renters in the UK, including pets!

The Dogs and Domestic Animals Act proposes

• Blanket bans on pets living with tenants are to be outlawed.
• Certification of the person responsible for the pet.
• Dogs must be microchipped and vaccinated.
• Dogs must also respond to commands.

Landlords can refuse your pet if:

• You don’t have a vet’s certificate for your pet.
• You are unable to take care of your pet.
• The welfare of the animal is threatened by keeping it on the property.
• If your animal is a nuisance or causes danger to others.
• Your landlord holds a certificate of exemption.

Lack of clarity!
There are still a lot of unknowns and things to work out, for example, on issues such as: Will this apply to all pets? Will the tenant be obliged to get pet insurance? The general process if a landlord refuses to accommodate your pet and a formal process of appeal.

When does this come into effect?
The house of parliament has been deliberating over this bill since 2019, delayed somewhat thanks to COVID. The bill is now becoming law. The exact date has not been released yet, but it’s expected to be later in 2023.

Your pet
Sadly, many pets have been given away or taken into care due to tenants being unable to take care of them. Finding affordable, pet-friendly places to live is a challenge.

Tenants
Many tenants will be thrilled to hear this news. The emotional impact of being forced to give away your best friend is truly devastating. Many landlords are pet owners themselves, so the better-behaved your pet, the better! And pet insurance will show your potential landlord that you are a responsible pet owner with a low damage risk.

Landlords
This bill protects landlords while protecting the rights of your tenants. If you are a landlord, it’s only right that you want to protect your investment. The last thing you want is your tenant’s furry friend ruining your renovated flat! Like many reforms, these changes will help you enforce some ground rules where before there were none.

A happy beginning for all!
With this legislation in place, the landlord-tenant-pet relationship will improve life and conditions for all, allowing everyone to live happily ever after!

Looking for a great place to rent? Are you seeking a buy-to-let investment? Browse our available properties.

 

April is so much more than just a pretty month to go house hunting. International Pillow Fight Day takes place at this time of year, but wouldn’t you rather wake up in the home of your dreams?

Create a wish list
If you are going to do it, you might as well do it properly. Buying a home is a big decision, and buying your dream home is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime event. Don’t be afraid to make a list of all that you want in your ideal home, as it's going to take careful planning. The details are important, so break it down into sections, from the kitchen to the sunset. You may find your home is not complete. But as long as you can create your vision at some point in the future, then you are on the right track.

The houses
The UK property market offers a rich and diverse selection of homes to inspire you. From Tudor cottages and Victorian townhouses to modern, eco-friendly, state-of-the-art green homes. Maybe you are looking for a project and want to transform classical architecture into something extraordinarily modern. It’s important to keep an open mind, as the possibilities are endless. Whether your dream is compact living in a modern flat or modern living in a suburban setting, property dreams come in all shapes and sizes.

The market
This time of year is ideal for searching for your dream home. More houses appear on the market, bringing more choice, and the property market becomes a hive of activity as home movers enjoy the perfect selling and buying climate.

In April to January 2022-2023, UK residential transactions stood at 1,029,580; in 2017 to 2018 for the same period, they were strong at 1,015,570; and in 2015 to 2016, they were 1,042,200. * These figures suggest that the housing market remains strong, healthy, and, above all else, consistent.

Enjoy the viewings
Entering your dream home will probably make a good first impression. It may take you a little bit of searching to find what you are looking for. So don’t be afraid to get out there and explore. This will give you plenty of ideas and help you discover what you are looking for.

Discover your style
Consider what interior spaces and designs make you most happy. Are you a traditionalist? Do you have a passion for wood? Or are you a minimalist who pays respect to classical features? Do you want to create a multiplicity of styles?

Consider your needs
It might be your dream home, but you still might want to consider practical elements. Think about all the members of your family, the local community, your long-term plans and goals, and your vision of a lifestyle.

Think big and be brave!
Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild. Stick to your vision while keeping an open mind. There are many ways to create your ideal home over time. Sometimes these challenges will inspire a solution that turns out better than your original vision and you create a home that surpasses your dreams.

Finally
You can sleep in the home of your dreams after all the big decisions have been made, and now all you have to do is live the dream.

Wake up in your dream home and live the property dream this year!

Start the search now by browsing the available properties we have on our website.

 

GOV.UK*

 

This month sees the return of National Tea Day. But perhaps the time for taking a break is over. With so many people looking for homes to rent, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at the spring rental market. You could improve the climate for tenants while making a few wise investments!

Rents are spiralling with soaring demand
According to figures released in December 2022, the number of homes available for rent is 40% lower than average. This is while the properties available for rent have reduced dramatically to 38% and demand is 46% higher.*

Some landlords are sitting on the fence
With so many changes to interest rates in the latter stages of last year, many landlords have hesitated before expanding their property plans. This is creating more opportunity to step forward on the buy-to-let ladder. As others wait to see what happens, you could make an early start on expanding your portfolio.

More properties are entering the market at the right price
Spring always brings a fresh influx of properties to the market as homebuyers and sellers get on the move. So, this is a good time to find a home that may make a great buy-to-let investment and with a little more room for negotiation.

Renters Reform Bill
The renters reform bill is due to kick in at the end of the year. While it aims to improve rights for tenants, it offers a framework for landlords to address issues arising with tenants. So, in many ways, it’s a good thing and not to be feared by landlords.

New opportunities
With some landlords retiring, even fewer properties for rent become available. This means there is more scope for new investors to put their stamp on the buy-to-let market.

Buy-to-let mortgage deals are recovering!
More choices of buy-to-let mortgages are returning to the market, with some 2400 deals available.* This is a sure sign that the market is stable and strong with good levels of confidence, creating the perfect environment for long-term investment.

Tenants are renting for longer
It’s harder for many to get on the property ladder; people are choosing to rent over buy, deciding to invest in lifestyle instead of bricks and mortar.

The demographics are changing
The trend a few years ago was typically that younger people rented before they bought their first home. This has since changed, as we are now seeing more older tenants choose to rent. As a landlord, you are no longer pitching to a younger audience, creating yet more market sector opportunities.

Many renters are looking for bills included
According to Rightmove, tenants are searching for bills included in their search more than ever, and it is the most searched for term in their property portal.**

Conclusion
This is an exciting time to be a property investor. It’s time to move on from the days of making vast profits exceedingly quickly, as has occurred in the past few years. What replaces this is a more stable, lucrative market with better long-term prospects than ever before.

A better tenant-landlord relationship that is more clearly defined. And with a little more scope for finding a bargain, now is the time to get off the fence!

Go ahead – you deserve a break!

Browse these great rental properties to enjoy with your tea! Then get in touch to see how we can help you on your journey today.

 

Zoopla*
Rightmove**

 

There is no doubt that we live in a wonderful age where pretty much everything we want is at our fingertips, and there is nothing you can’t get delivered to your front door. You can spend night after night scrolling through Rightmove and Zoopla searching for your dream home, and while it’s possible to buy a home completely online, just because you can does not mean you should.

Virtual viewings are an awesome introduction to a property. If you already know the area and you are simply looking for a great flat to let, then perhaps you will never need to carry out a physical viewing. They are a great way to dream and check out all the homes you know you can't afford to buy!

But there is no substitute for the sensory adventure that begins as soon as you see the home you want. It’s the difference between dreams and reality.

Sensory Experience
Yes, buying a new home is a big decision, but it is also an exciting and adventurous feast for all your senses. Entering a property that feels like home is a unique and amazing feeling to savour. There is no substitute for the tactile world of wood and stone and the visual feast that will greet you and witness some of your most precious memories. The scents of the garden, the vision of your new life, the plans for decoration—that special feeling you get that you can't explain yet for some reason you know it’s home.

Valuable experience
Let’s not overlook the obvious. Agents sell homes for a living and are a great ally. Drawing on years of experience to guide you and point out things you may not notice after having absorbed your requirements and desires. It’s a comforting feeling knowing you have an expert on your team.

Do you really want to deal with buyers directly?
Your time is precious, and agents can liaise with buyers for you. It’s also a good thing to have an experienced person dealing with offers from buyers who may make a few cheeky offers!

Checking out the neighbourhood
It’s important to get to know the neighbourhood and surrounding areas. You want to make the right decision and enjoy the peace of mind and fulfilment that come with loving where you live.

Test your agent
A face-to-face viewing or valuation with your agent not only gives you the chance to test out how you feel about certain properties but also to get a thorough valuation. It’s a chance to see your agent in action and become inspired, informed, and gain from their knowledge. A good agent will get on board with your vision for moving and help you achieve your property goals.

Expertise and another pair of eyes
A good estate agent will not try to force a sale during a viewing. After all, it’s your decision.

Simply having another pair of eyes and another perspective and answering all your questions face-to-face while you can walk through the property is more convenient. This will guide you towards making the decision that makes you happy.

Local market knowledge
Your estate agent will have lots of local market knowledge and may already have moved people in and out of your new neighbourhood. So take advantage of this and use it to take the stress out of your decision.

Browse our available properties and allow us to help all your property dreams come true.