If you are planning to sell or let your property, then it’s important to get an accurate estimate of how much the property could be worth.  

To give you an agent's perspective of what that involves, we've provided some of the key take-away points below.

Market value  

Firstly, knowing how much your property is worth is more commonly known as its 'market value', which relates to the price a buyer is willing to pay when considering local and national market conditions.  

What impacts the value of your property?  

The value of your house can be determined by a variety of factors, such as any recent changes to the property or your neighbourhood.  

Some of these factors may also include the size, location, amenities, condition and the asking price of similar houses nearby, so it's always beneficial to talk to a local agent with familiarity selling in your area.  

The difference between market value and asking price  

Valuing your house accurately is one of the most important parts of the process. Bringing your home onto the market with an asking price that is too low could mean you receive offers below market value.  

Whereas if the asking price is too high, you may not receive any offers at all, causing time delays and market stagnation as the ideal buyers are put off a home that falls outside of their price bracket.  

So, whilst it can be tempting to instruct an agent based on who is offering the highest value, the risk of this is that you may need to gradually reduce your price anyway to reflect the property's actual market value.  

How much could your house really be worth?  

The best way to see how much your house is worth is through a combination of tried-and-tested methods.  

It’s important to bear in mind that for the most accurate and up-to-date valuation, you should organise time with an agent, as an in-person appraisal will guarantee any recent developments to your home are taken into consideration.  

If you’re thinking about putting your property on the market, book a valuation with our team today. 

The 2021 property sector has been record-breaking and 2022 is predicted to be no different.

As we head into the new year, what is in store for the housing market? 

House price increases

As we head into 2022, the average UK house price has hit a record-high of £254,822, which is £23,902 more than the average in January 2021. *

With property priorities changing to favour gardens, large living spaces, rural locations, home offices and dining rooms, prices for properties with these features are set to increase further. 

Demand stability 

Over one-third of properties sold towards the end of 2021 achieved above their asking price, due to the spike in buyer demand. * 

2022 is predicted to be just as lucrative for sellers, however, experts have stated that buyer demand will be more stable. This will allow for more property choice if you’re considering a move. 

Remortgaging activity  

£316 billion worth of home loans were granted during 2021, thanks to a strong level of buyer activity.**

2022 is set to remain just as strong for mortgage lending, with more remortgaging activity expected to take place. 

With so many positive elements to take away from 2021, and a bright future for the property market ahead, now is a great time to evaluate your options. 

If you’re thinking of buying or selling this year, contact us. 
 

 
*BBC.co.uk 

 **Independent  

As a landlord, it is a legal responsibility as well as a moral obligation to make sure your tenants feel safe in your property. 

Additionally, emergency property issues are costing landlords billions every year, according to research from Direct Line. 

For both the reasons above, it is important to help prevent the need for emergency callouts and issues – where possible.

The most common issue for landlords to fix is plumbing, closely followed by gas or heating.

Thankfully, on average, plumbers have the best arrival time out of all contractors, with a typical response time of 13 hours from first contact, whilst gas and heating engineers take a little longer to respond at 21 hours. 

We've provided a few useful tips, which should go a long way to preventing these problems.
 
1) Clean your pipes often

Hair, grease and other gunk can build up in your drains over time, potentially causing a blockage. 

Using a non-corrosive drain cleaner is a great idea to clear the grime in your pipes. 

 
2) Annually service your boiler

Whilst it might sound unnecessary to have your boiler checked every year, a qualified heating engineer will be able to spot minor issues that need fixing before the situation escalates. 

3) Insulate your pipes

During winter, it’s important to ensure your pipes don’t freeze, as this could cause them to burst. 

Insulation can be cheaply purchased from many DIY stores and is easy to install. 

 
4) Check your fuse box is in date

It is easy to forget about your fuse boxes, however, they contain essential features that prevent electrical faults and fires. 

If your fuse box is close to expiring, hire a qualified electrician to ensure the property is safe. 

 
5) Change the smoke alarm batteries

Whilst this isn’t an issue that requires an emergency contractor, it could require the emergency services if left neglected. 

Smoke alarms are crucial to alerting people in the property of a potential fire and could be the difference between life and death. 

Batteries are cheap to buy and easy to install, making it a simple job to protect your tenants and your property. 

For any questions about our services for landlords, get in touch from our website. 

With the property market seeing a lot of demand, sellers need to present their homes in the best possible light in order to beat the competition. 
 
These common mistakes could mean that your home receives less interest and fewer offers, so it's worth your time and consideration to rectify the following: 

 
Misplaced curtains 
 
Curtains are a really effective way to keep your house warm, frame your windows and add a splash of colour or texture to any room.

However, the positioning of curtains can impact the look and feel of the living space in a negative way.

Whilst you might assume that they should be hung just above the window, this actually makes the area feel smaller than it is, so it's advisable to emphasise the height of the room by fixing them as high as possible. 

 
Open wardrobes 
 
These can look great in pictures and act as a really beneficial feature to your property, however, they can soon appear untidy or ruin the room's aesthetics.

It’s important to remember that for open wardrobes to look good, a minimalistic layout is necessary.

This can often be unpractical, especially if you're still living in the property, but try to create clear spaces to avoid deterring buyers and devaluing your home. 

 
Overkill on florals 
 
Whilst 80s floral patterns could be making a comeback, it’s important to not get too drawn into trends. 

Going for strong design elements is a way to express your own character on your home, but you run the risk of putting buyers off by using overly decorative styles. 

If you do decide to opt for patterns, use them as an accent rather than for every wall and piece of furniture, as this will add longevity to the design. 

Buying furniture that is too big for the room 
 
Sometimes when shopping for new furniture, we can be completely drawn to a certain item, regardless of whether it works for the space we have. 

However, if you're planning to move in the next few months, it’s vital that you try to avoid any purchases that don't make sense for your home. 

A room that is too cluttered could seem much smaller than it is. With living space incredibly important for current homebuyers, it is important to maximise the space in each room. 

 
If you’re thinking about selling your home, start the process today by booking a valuation with us.