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.

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*

Home sales figures are looking strong for summer 2023

Whether buying or selling, as the market stands this summer there is more than just nice weather and pretty houses to tempt you into moving.

Strong sales

With the UK housing market currently sitting at approximately 500,000 sales this year, some analysts expect to see these figures rise to more than one million by the end.*

The summer rush

For sale signs seem to be appearing as quickly as summer flowers but it’s not always best to wait for a sign to go up; keep in touch with your agent, as homes can disappear from the market as quickly as they appear. If your agent is up to date with your requirements they can alert you the moment the right property for you becomes available.

Surging choice of homes

With 65% more choice in homes than this time last year.* The buying process today can be far more enjoyable. From large and small homes, to new builds and period properties, in both rural and urban locations, the choice on today’s market is more varied than ever.

Summer is a great time of year to view property

The days are longer, the weather is not as harsh and properties tend to look their best in the bright sunshine.

Why not make your move this summer? Get in touch to see how we can help.

Zoopla*

Top tips on increasing your home's kerb appeal

Its no secret you want your home to stand out, whether it’s first seen by your buyers in a photograph or in person from the kerb. That first glance is important. If the rest of your home is in great condition, the last thing you want to do is put off potential buyers by neglecting the front of your home and creating the wrong impression.

The front door

If it’s wooden, consider giving it a coat of paint and polishing the metalwork. If it’s really worn and damaged, you might want to replace it. It's unlikely potential buyers will be able to enter the home without going through the front door so it's important to get it right.

The front lawn

Try to make sure the grass is green and trimmed. You might want to use grass feed if there are any patches. Sweep and weed any paths or patio areas. If possible, use a jet wash to make your paving look as good as it can.

Clean your windows

It seems simple enough but giving your windows a good clean in time for viewings and pictures for your agent can make a big difference. Don’t forget your window frames and repair any unsightly blemishes or chipped paint.

Add some paint

The front of your home may also benefit from a coat of paint. Or it might be the smaller areas, or indeed brickwork, that requires attention so check gates, fences, walls and guttering.

Flowers and plants

At this time of year, adding some colour with a selection of flowers and fauna can help your home stand out. Don’t go overboard as sometimes less is more, and not everyone is passionate about the same flowers and plants, so be subtle and keep what you have in pristine order.

Conceal wiring or utility boxes

If possible, don’t allow all your hard work to be affected by a rusty mailbox, unsightly wiring or energy supply. Replace and clean what you can but be careful when it comes to supplies as it may be best to contact your provider directly and arrange replacements.

Summer symmetry

Some things work best in pairs, and when it comes to making an entrance, a pair of ornamental flowerpots on each side of the door can do the trick. Lighting can also have the same effect as flower boxes.

Will all of this add value to your home?

It's likely. Anything that makes your home appear cared for and loved will help other people fall in love with it. Whilst is unlikely it will drastically increase the value of your home, you may be pleasantly surprised.

A short-term or long-term tenancy – which is right for you?

Whether you are renting or letting a property, you have to decide which option is best for you. Let's start by taking a closer look at the pros and cons of both short-term and long-term tenancies for landlords and tenants.

What is a short-term tenancy?

Typically, a short-term tenancy is a tenancy that is less than six months. Holiday lets are usually up to 31 days.

Advantages of a short-term tenancy for landlords

As a landlord, you can enjoy more flexibility, perhaps choosing to let your property to holidaymakers for some of the year while at other times letting it on a short-term basis. If your circumstances change, you are not tied into a long-term contract and typically, short-term lets and holiday lets generate higher rents.

Advantages of a short-term tenancy for tenants

If you are a tenant, then you are also not tied into a long-term agreement, which, if you work on short-term contracts in various locations, may suit you perfectly. For some people, the principle of being restricted to one property for a long period of time is not appealing. That said, you will then need to find another place to rent at the end of the term of the tenancy.

Disadvantages of a short-term tenancy for landlords

You may find that your property stands vacant, which means that you could reduce the profitability of your investment. Your property may require more attention and time in terms of maintenance, advertising, and the time it takes to find new tenants. In some cases, mortgage providers may choose not to lend as the rental income may be considered less stable than that of a long-term tenancy.

Disadvantages of a short-term tenancy for tenants

Lack of long-term stability can be unsettling and taking time out to find your next home can be time-consuming. Added to this, the higher costs of short-term lets plus the shortage of rental properties currently available makes acquiring a long-term tenancy a more attractive option.

What is a long-term tenancy?

A long-term tenancy is usually based on an annual tenancy, is a fixed-term contract, and is the most common form of renting.

Advantages of a long-term tenancy for landlords

This is a much more stable and predictable way to let your property, with better long-term stability and less time-consuming work when it comes to finding frequent tenants. Banks will likely see you as less of a risk, which could increase access to funds. This means you could expand your portfolio more rapidly or buy a more valuable property, ultimately leading to a better return on investment.

Advantages of a long-term tenancy for tenants

Greater stability means it’s easier to plan your future. Putting down roots is important and is much better for all those practical things in life, including socialising and financial planning. Feeling settled is an innate human desire and can lead to a more stress-free tenancy.

Disadvantages of a long-term tenancy for landlords

Having less flexibility means that you have fewer options when it comes to diversifying into other markets. You may have to charge less than if you were renting your property as a holiday let, and if issues or repairs occur, you will need to fix them sooner rather than later.

Disadvantages of a long-term tenancy for tenants

Tenants renting on a long-term tenancy will not endure many disadvantages; even if you have to move before the end of your contract, in most cases, as long as you provide the correct level of notice, there are no financial implications.

Consider what will work best for you

Each person has different needs. However, it seems that unless you know for certain that you only need to rent on a short-term basis due to perhaps contract work, study or training, a house renovation, or holidays, a long-term tenancy is a more stable and predictable choice for both tenants and landlords.

Are you looking for a property to rent, or are you a landlord looking to let your property? Get in touch to see how we can help.