Durden & Hunt's latest Newsletter

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.

Are you hunting for your forever home this spring?

Spring is a great time to go house hunting! Houses will always look more inspiring in the sunshine and it can be fun to explore homes without navigating the cold and wet or after being cooped up all winter. You also get to see your potential home in its true light.

Finding your forever home takes time!

You could be lucky and cast eyes upon your forever home instantly, almost like love at first sight. Chances are, even if you fall in love with a home on first viewing, it might not tick all your boxes straight away. After all, forever is a long time so don’t get disheartened if at first you don’t succeed.

The market

Right now, the market is in a stable condition. With the housing market being calmer, there is more choice and reasonable pricing so it might be worth expanding your criteria and requirements to see what you might find.

Explore

Don’t just go on viewings; explore the interesting aspects of the home with an open mind. You could always brief our team on your requirements as who knows what we may find for you. After all, we are expert property hunters.

Location

This is essential when considering a potential forever home and so consider the long, short, and medium-term needs of all in the household. From schools and work, to the proximity of transport and open spaces. The story of your forever home may change as time goes on, such as needing a practical work-from-home space to requiring an extension in later years!

Scope for improvements and extensions

From the interior to the electrical appliances to the general condition of the building, you should consider things from a long-term perspective. Will you be happy with the aspect of the rooms? Will you want to make major alterations? Perhaps you have a vision of open-plan, eco-friendly living. A forever home is a long-term investment.

Get in touch to see how we can help in your search for your forever home.

Now could be the time to buy bigger!

Homes for first-time buyers, typically with two bedrooms, are selling exceptionally well right now. In April 2023, agreed sales were 4% higher than in March 2019.* The market for larger homes is a little slower however interest and property choice remains.

Although this suggests that the market is in pretty good shape overall, with no steep declines, it also highlights now could be a great time to ascend the property ladder.

If you own a home that is suitable for first-time buyers, say a two-bedroom property or a starter home, you will likely get a great price, and additionally, there may be an abundance of choice in larger properties to move to.

Why is your starter home in such high demand?

There are many reasons why demand for smaller, more compact homes is high right now. First-time buyers are looking to get on the ladder before the mortgage guarantee scheme, which makes it possible for first-time buyers to buy with a 5% deposit and is due to end in December this year. Additionally, it stands to reason that smaller homes can be cheaper to run, with less council tax, energy usage and maintenance. Further, with people downsizing to smaller homes, chances are that if you want to sell, it will not take long before you are on the move.

The market is expected to further bounce back

Many analysts expect house prices to rise quite steadily in 2024. In March, average property prices rose by 0.8%.* This could be a sign that buyers realise that now is a good time to move, and it is a sure sign that the market is stabilising. Although the future is impossible to predict, you might find that in the near future, prices start to ascend more rapidly and your next home becomes out of reach.

Start looking

Perhaps the best thing to do is to check out the market as you never know what you might find that could spark your interest.

Looking for a bigger home? Looking to sell your home? Get in touch for an initial chat, whatever your property needs are!

Rightmove*

Take a look at the fresh buy-to-let investment opportunities this spring

Summer is nearly here, and there are many opportunities to expand your property portfolio or take your first steps on the buy-to-let ladder. Below we’ve outlined some of the reasons why now is the time to make a great investment.

Demand continues

The demand for rental properties is continuing to grow, with demand per available rental home last year spiking by 250% above the five-year average.* With people typically taking longer to get on the property ladder or choosing not to, long-term demand due to the shortage of rental property is anticipated to remain strong.

Rents are increasing

Rents have increased by 20% in the past three years, increasing by 11.1% in the past twelve months to March 2023.* The buy-to-let industry can potentially be very lucrative, and with higher demand, higher rent revenues may be achieved.

Buy-to-let mortgage choice is increasing

There are over 2,000 different mortgage deals available if you are buying a property to let;* so you should have options.

A bigger choice of properties

The standard of homes on the market has generally risen, with many coming up for sale at this busy time of year. Additionally many people put off moving in the latter part of 2022 and, during the pandemic, spent a lot of time and money getting their homes in tip-top shape.

The age range of renters has changed

The population in the UK is ageing, and unlike in the past, older generations are increasingly renting alongside younger people starting their property journey. This is yet another great opportunity to meet the demand for a niche in the market by targeting this sector.

Other sectors

Other avenues, such as holiday lets or student accommodation, present an opportunity to expand and launch your buy-to-let portfolio.

Get in touch to see how we can help create a property portfolio for a great return on investment.

Zoopla*

The advantages of a fully managed letting service

In essence, a fully managed letting service simplifies your life as a landlord. Simply buy a property, then let your letting agent take care of everything else while you take a step back, enjoy your life, and get a good return on your property investment! Like so much in life, there is more to being a landlord than meets the eye.

So where does a fully managed letting service start?

Making sure your property is fully compliant with legislation is in itself a benefit of a managed service. It’s imperative to get this right and an agency will save you from constantly keeping an eye on the latest changes, alongside finding tenants and the other elements that go into renting a property.

Advertising your property

This is important if you want the best possible rental income for your property. Getting the advertisement right with an established agent, who will most likely have potential tenants ready and waiting, will ensure the property is showcased at its best.

Taking care of tenant viewings

Once your property is ready to be viewed, your agent will be in charge of arranging viewings and showing potential tenants your property.

Finding your tenants and getting references

With the shortage of rental properties on the market, there will likely be plenty of potential applicants. You should protect your investment by completing references and checks.

Organising inventory

Even if you let your property unfurnished, you will need an inventory of all items in the property that belong to it, and as such, you do not want to go missing or get damaged.

The preparation of tenancy agreements and documents

You will need a contract outlining the terms of your rental agreement. This protects you as well as your tenant and is essential to avoiding disputes.

The registration of your tenant’s deposit

There are legal requirements you have to follow in regards to registering and holding your tenant’s deposit.

Rent collection

This is essential because you are letting your property in order to receive rent, and having a reliable collection service offers great peace of mind.

Maintenance and property inspections

This can be both time-consuming and costly. Sometimes having recommended resources at your fingertips can prevent simple issues from becoming expensive repairs.

Arranging notices and finding new tenants

The time will come when your tenants may want to move on or you may want to change the rent and your lettings agent can handle everything from notices to new tenants.

Disputes and final inspections

This can get complicated, and having all the necessary procedures in place can help prevent unwarranted disputes from occurring in the first place.

Get in touch today to see how we can manage the above and all aspects of your buy-to-let property; to help you make the most of your investment.

Add value to your home with the perfect outdoor living space

A well-designed outdoor living area can not only add to the value of your home but also to the usability and enjoyment of the space. In many ways, it’s like adding another room to your home, and you have real freedom to create something special that adds to the quality of life in your home. Increasing feelings of well-being and providing an ideal place to relax, outdoor living spaces are what you make of them and often it’s a good idea to seamlessly blend the outdoors with the indoors

Design with the future in mind

There are no rules when it comes to creating your perfect outdoor living space. If selling, in the near or distant future, is on your mind keep the structure simple, such as neutral paving or decking, and leave space for embellishment that can be removed to taste, such as cushions and mirrors. This allows for both yourself and future buyers to add personality and vision to the space with smaller elements.

You can have more than one space!

Who’s to say you can’t create more than one outdoor living space? You could build decking and a patio near the rear of your home, with a path leading to tables and chairs and a stove for the winter at the bottom of the garden. Sectioning the garden will create zones with dedicated uses, whether sunbathing, film screenings or socialising.

Hire the right help and build it to last

Maybe you can do some of the work yourself; perhaps you need to hire help for it all. Whichever approach you take, build your outdoor space to last. It will help when it comes to retaining the added value of your home whilst looking good and being a nicer place to enjoy. So if you lay decking and install trellises, treat them so they look good for years.

Do you need to do it all?

Perhaps you don’t need to undertake a complete renovation of the space to make an impact. It could become a more long-term project, so why not do it in stages and start with a general spruce-up? There is always a new trend and new ideas, and leaving a little space to perfect, improve, or build on what you have leaves a little potential for buyers to add their own mark. Additionally, this will allow for budgeting effectively.

Browse our properties to find a home with your perfect outdoor living space.