Durden & Hunt's latest Newsletter

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.

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*

The benefits of renting with a letting agent as a tenant

When looking for a rental property finding the right fit is of course the most important step. You want to feel happy, content and safe in the place you call home and sometimes it’s not easy to find everything you're looking for under one roof.

Finding the right home

A good chat with your agent is always a great way to start your search. Agents often know about properties that are coming on the market before they are advertised. This means you might get an early notification on a property that could be ideally suited to you before it’s seen by others. By telling your agent what you are looking for, they become another pair of eyes in your search. If you do all of the searching on your own you may miss an opportunity and agents can help open your mind to a property that you may not have considered.

Accompanied viewings with an expert

Wherever possible agents will accompany you on viewings. You can explore your new home while asking questions you may feel need answering. This gives you a chance to get to know your potential new home in detail before making a decision.

A friendly and supportive team

It’s a comforting feeling knowing that there is a team of professionals ready to assist you. It means you never have to worry about getting in touch with your landlord directly; simply call or get in touch with your agent, who can help take care of everything for you. Whether that be protecting your deposits and maintenance or understanding your rights and responsibilities.

Letting agents have to be compliant

Like so much in life today, there are lots of checks that need to take place and using an agent ensures that all necessary checks on the property you want to rent have been carried out. From gas certificates to smoke alarms or references to your deposit, all checks will be carried out to a high standard both before moving in and throughout your tenancy. Additionally, lettings agents will stay up to date with rental legislation.

A good tenancy agreement

Having a contract is imperative and although sometimes they can be confusing your agents will be on hand to explain the details.

Maintenance issues will be solved quickly

If your property is managed by your agent and unforeseen repairs come about, you can rely on them to take care of things for you instead of trying to get in touch with your landlord.

Get in touch with our team of rental experts today to see how we can help you find the best home for you.

Could waiting to buy your new home cost you money?

Buying a home is a big decision, so you can’t be blamed for becoming a little pensive about making your move. Deciding whether you are going to move now or wait and see what happens is a conundrum for some buyers. As soon as you turn on the news, you will no doubt be bombarded with the cost-of-living crisis, another interest rate rise, or another reason to worry. It’s little wonder some people decide to pause their search. But could doing that cost you more money?

Waiting for interest rates to improve may not save you money

There is little doubt that we have been spoiled in the past with ultra-low mortgage interest rates, and many analysts suggest that they will never fall to the previous low level again. Although the Bank of England expects inflation to fall to 5% by the end of this year.*

Rising house prices balances your budget in the long run

Most people who buy a home in the UK will keep it for many years. House prices may fluctuate just as interest rates do. As interest rates and inflation begin to fall, house prices will likely ascend again. So, if you are waiting to see what happens, you run the risk of paying more for the home you want in the future. In February 2013, the average UK house price was £167,682 in February 2023, that figure stood at £288,000. ** Set against this longer-term perspective, if there are sudden and significant changes in the market, the reality for most homeowners is that in the long run their properties' value may perhaps cover the cost of increases in interest rates.

Properties are unique

There are no hard-and-fast rules. Local property markets are layered with unique and differing qualities. Whatever the national economic conditions are, the potential to gain equity in a home due to its condition, location, or potential can secure your investment in the face of challenging times.

Mortgages

It seems there will be continued fluctuation on available mortgages for the foreseeable which has made some buyers think outside the box to consider other options over perhaps the more traditional 2 or 5 year fixed deals. Its always worth speaking to a mortgage broker to identify exactly what you’ll be able to afford and available rates ahead of your search.

Are you fed up with waiting to make your big move? Browse our properties.

Bank of England*
Office for National Statistics**

Worried about the current market? Here are a few things you might consider

Rates for mortgages have decreased for the first time in two months as a result of better-than-anticipated inflation data. ***As investors become more optimistic that the Bank of England won't hike interest rates as much as initially anticipated, rates on both two and five-year fixed loans have decreased.

Do you want to move and take advantage of the huge choice of inspiring homes available? Here are a few options you might like to consider and discuss with your mortgage broker:

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

Extended until the end of December 2023, this government-backed scheme has helped over 24,000 households get on the property ladder.** Its aim is to help people with a 5% deposit, and it was launched in April 2021. Aimed at first-time buyers, it’s similar to the government’s Help to Buy scheme, which ended earlier this year.

35-year mortgage deals

Increasing the term of your mortgage could bring down the cost of your monthly mortgage payments. You may pay more interest because you are taking longer to pay for the home you want, but a property that may have been out of reach may suddenly be a possibility.

100% mortgages

Saving your deposit is often the biggest challenge to getting your first footing on the property ladder. With the return of 100% mortgages, you may no longer have this hurdle and it could potentially save you a lot of time paying rent when you could be paying a mortgage.

Interest only mortgages

Another option to consider is an interest-only mortgage, which could lead to much lower payments. If you have a lot of equity in your home, this could stand you in good stead when it comes to buying the home you want now.

Green mortgages

Some mortgage lenders now offer more competitive mortgage interest rates for greener, more energy-efficient homes. This, combined with lower energy bills, means that you could save significantly on your monthly outgoings.

Consider porting your mortgage.

Porting allows you to move home with your existing mortgage. So, if you are happy with the terms of your current deal and it’s not about to end any time soon, then this could be a cost-saving solution. You may be able to borrow more, as many high-street lenders offer top-up mortgages. Speaking with your broker is important, as some lenders’ rules may differ.

There tends to always be a way

Remember mortgage brokers are the experts, with knowledge of lenders' rules and rates so it's important to seek personalised financial advice where they can consider your exact circumstances. Speak to one of our agents if you’d like to be put in touch with our recommended brokers for an initial chat.

If you’re ready to get moving why not get started with a valuation from Durden & Hunt?

Bank of England*
GOV.UK**

The Times***

How do the summer holidays affect the property market?

How do the summer holidays affect the property market?

The early summer months are traditionally a busy period for the UK property market. It’s a great time of year to view an abundance of beautiful properties. While it’s still a hive of activity with a huge choice of homes, the property market sometimes feels like it is taking a little summer siesta as both homeowners and viewers take a holiday.

The summer market is currently relatively stable

The summer market is currently relatively stable, with the average new seller asking price falling by just £82 (-0.0%) in June to £372,812.* Despite the various challenges, including interest rates and the cost of living, the property market is resilient.

Enjoy quieter roads to your new home

With schools closed for the summer, the roads become quieter, and you can typically drive to viewings in less time. This means you can take a bit more time to enjoy your viewings and potentially book more into your day.

Leave your agent to sell your home while you take a holiday

Whether going by plane, boat or car, wherever your holiday is, if you have made the decision to sell, leave your home with your agent and enjoy your break. Perhaps by the time you return, your house will be sold.

It’s the perfect moving season

With more family members to assist your big move and longer, warmer days to enjoy once you are settled in, late summer is one of the best times of year to move. This may also be able to save you some money on home removal costs with more hands to help.

Enjoy your new home

When you have finally moved into your new home, you may still have time to make the most of it during the warmer months of the year. Any outdoor improvements, from weeding the garden to adding to your outdoor spaces and simple maintenance, can become a joy rather than a chore.

Take advantage of the summer holidays and get a valuation of your home today.

Rightmove*