Durden & Hunt's March Newsletter

What to consider before committing to a property

Whether you are a seasoned investor or are looking to purchase a rental home for the first time, there are several aspects to consider before committing to a property.

Click here to read What to consider before committing to a property.

Tips to prepare your home for professional photography

In today's market, having exceptional professional photos is critical to the marketing of your home. Buyers often decide if they are interested in viewing in a matter of moments.

Click here to read Tips to prepare your home for professional photography.

UK house prices make a stable start to 2023

 

 

House prices are not as concrete as many analysts like to suggest. Often if you are selling, you may get a little less, and if you are buying, you may pay a little less. Equally, if prices rise, you may get a little more for the home you place on the market, but then the house you buy may cost you more.

 

However, house prices give a good indicator as to the state of the UK property market. What we are keen to see is stability, and it appears that after years of soaring prices, and the uncertainty of last year, there is evidence to suggest that the property market is calming.

 

According to the Halifax, average house prices in January 2023 have hardly changed since December 2022 and are still £5000 higher than in January 2022.*

 

 

Price growth and price increase are not the same

What appears to be happening is a dip in growth, which is very different from a dip in prices. It’s no secret that prices have increased rapidly over the past few years. A softer, slower market is a more stable market. Buying a home is a long-term investment, and slow and steady often wins the race.

 

 

The law of averages

Many of the figures and stats we hear about are based on averages. It’s important to take these as such. It’s no wonder if you are a first-time buyer or looking to move, when you turn on the news and hear the average house price in the UK, you may feel somewhat intimidated. However, there is no substitute for getting online, talking to your agent, and exploring physical viewings to see how far your money can go.

 

 

The market is settling down

Another good sign that the market is settling down is the return of more competitive mortgage interest rates. Stable house prices and stable lending rates create calmer conditions for settling down in the home you want.

 

 

You accept the price, but you love your house

Price is something you will most likely need to accept when selling or buying. Ultimately, you are investing your time and emotion in a house that you want to be the best version of your home. House prices in the long term will inevitably rise and fall, and you don’t want to accept anything less than the right home.

 

 

To see how much property, you can really get for your money, get in touch.

 

 

 

Halifax*Office for National Statistics**

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.

 

 

Let your garden grow the value of your home this spring

 

 

Gardening season is once again upon us, and the longer, lighter days of spring are giving a taste of the warmer summer days and nights soon to come. Whether you are a complete novice or a fanatic, there is no denying that almost anything you do, big or small, will make your garden a much nicer place to be for you, your family, and friends.

 

UK homeowners appreciate a well thought out garden. As a result, this can add value to the price of a home. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

 

 

Let’s start with the basics

Enjoy the fresh spring breeze whilst keeping the grass trimmed, weeding the flower beds or patio, and painting any fences, sheds, or woodwork that need a new lease on life. If you do nothing else, these simple acts will make your home far more appealing.

 

 

Grow up!

If space is scarce and you have a small garden or balcony, consider growing up. Vertical gardens are on trend this year and will add colour, scents and flowers to an otherwise empty space whilst typically being low maintenance.

 

 

Growing your own flowers

An anticipated trend for 2023 is growing flowers you can arrange into your own bouquets. Choose easy-to-grow flowers such as sunflowers, marigolds, or hardy geraniums.

 

 

Meadows

Bright, colourful gardens with a little bit of everything will be seen across homes. Replace neat and trimmed lawns with the wilder look of meadows. That’s not to say you can't have some nice, neat, green grass and a herb garden too.

 

 

Furniture

Metallics, copper, and marble are desirable and on-trend ways to create an amazing place to sit and enjoy good company in the garden. Alternatively, keep it simple with wood. An understated bench or table using reclaimed wood can add something special without costing too much.

 

 

Outside storage

Practical storage is desirable when it comes to creating a good garden. Store everything from your tools to the fire pit you bring out at night.

 

 

Want to find the home you love with the garden you have been searching for? Get in touch to see how we can help.