Category Property

Renting has its perks – no maintenance worries, fewer responsibilities, and the ability to move when life calls for a change. But at some point, the idea of owning your own home starts to feel like the next big step. No more landlord rules, no more rent increases, and best of all, a place that’s truly yours.

Making the jump from tenant to homeowner is exciting but also overwhelming. Suddenly, you’re dealing with mortgages, surveys, and legal paperwork. But don’t stress! With the right approach, you can smoothly transition from renting to owning – and enjoy every step along the way.

Step 1: Get Your Finances in Order

Buying a home is a big financial commitment, so step one is making sure your finances are ready. Start by checking your credit score – the better it is, the better mortgage rates you’ll qualify for.

Next, figure out your budget. Beyond just the deposit, you’ll need to cover things like legal fees, stamp duty (depending on the property price), and moving costs. And don’t forget the ongoing costs of homeownership – council tax, maintenance, and insurance.

If you haven’t already, start saving aggressively. The more you can put down as a deposit, the better your mortgage options will be.

Step 2: Research, Research, Research

Now for the fun part – house hunting! Before you start viewing properties, think about what you actually want in a home. Do you need extra space for a home office? A garden for summer BBQs? Good transport links?

Make a list of must-haves vs. nice-to-haves, then start exploring different areas. Prices, amenities, and community vibes can vary massively, even between streets in the same town.

If you’re looking in Sevenoaks or the surrounding areas, working with a Sevenoaks inventory company can help ensure that everything is properly documented before and after your move, giving you peace of mind as you make the transition.

Step 3: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Before you start booking viewings, it’s smart to get a mortgage agreement in principle. This shows sellers you’re a serious buyer and gives you a clear idea of what you can afford.

Speak to a mortgage broker to explore your options – they can compare lenders and find the best deal for your situation.

Step 4: View Properties Like a Pro

Once you start viewing homes, look beyond the surface. Freshly painted walls and stylish furniture can mask underlying issues like damp, poor insulation, or structural problems.

Take your time and ask questions. How old is the boiler? What’s the broadband speed like? Are there any upcoming developments nearby? The more you know, the fewer surprises down the line.

Step 5: Make an Offer & Prepare for the Process

Found the perfect place? Time to make an offer! If it’s accepted, things move fast. Your solicitor will handle the legal work, and your lender will arrange a property survey.

The process can take weeks (sometimes months), so stay patient. Keep communication open with your solicitor and estate agent to ensure things keep moving.

Step 6: Move In & Make It Home

Once the keys are in your hands, the fun begins! Set up utilities, change your address, and start turning your new house into a home. Unlike renting, this space is truly yours – decorate, renovate, and settle in for the long haul.

Transitioning from tenant to homeowner is a journey, but one that’s absolutely worth it. With the right planning and mindset, as well as help from a Sevenoaks inventory company, you’ll soon be walking through your own front door – no landlord required!

Renting a new place is exciting, until you move in and realise it’s not quite what you expected. Maybe the heating doesn’t work, there’s mould hiding behind furniture, or the “quiet neighbourhood” turns out to be next to a 24-hour construction site.

No one wants nasty surprises after signing a lease. That’s why it’s crucial to spot red flags before committing. A little detective work now can save you a whole lot of hassle later. Here’s how to spot a problem property before you get stuck in a rental nightmare.

Don’t Rush the Viewing

It’s easy to feel pressured when rentals are in high demand, but take your time at the viewing. Walk through each room carefully. Check for damp spots, strange smells, dodgy wiring, and poorly fitted windows.

Flush the toilet. Turn on the taps. Check that all the doors close properly. If anything feels off, ask about it. A good landlord will address issues before you move in – a bad one will brush them off.

Look Beyond the Surface

Some landlords get sneaky. A fresh coat of paint can hide damp patches. A strategically placed rug might be covering damaged flooring. That “brand-new oven” might not actually work.

Test everything. Open cupboards, check under sinks for leaks, and don’t be afraid to lift a rug or two. If the landlord races to stop you, that’s your first clue something’s up.

Check the Property Inventory Report

A property inventory report is your best friend when renting. It lists everything in the property, from furniture to fixtures, and records their condition. This isn’t just a boring checklist – it’s your proof if anything is already damaged before you move in.

If there’s no property inventory report, ask for one. If you spot anything missing from the report, flag it before signing. Otherwise, you could end up being blamed (and charged) for damage you didn’t cause when it’s time to move out.

Talk to Current Tenants (If You Can)

If the current tenants are there during the viewing, have a quick chat. They’ll tell you things the landlord won’t, like whether the boiler is unreliable, how quickly repairs get sorted, or if the neighbours are constantly throwing parties at 3 AM.

No tenants around? Take a stroll in the area and check out local reviews. Sometimes, a quick Google search will tell you everything you need to know.

Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, it probably is. A great rental shouldn’t just look good – it should feel right. If the landlord seems shady, the letting agent is avoiding your questions, or there are too many small issues adding up, walk away. There’s always another place.

Final Thoughts

Signing a lease is a big commitment. By taking your time, checking for red flags, and making sure a property inventory report is in place, you can avoid rental disasters before they happen. A little extra effort now means a stress-free stay later – and that’s worth every second.

As spring gets closer, there is a surge of enthusiasm and new buyers in the real estate market. There’s no time like the present to start preparing for a home sale in 2023.

These days, house hunting is a lot like online dating. Potential purchasers may dismiss your listing with a quick browse or swipe if it doesn’t look appealing enough. In a competitive housing market, we hope these helpful hints will help you make your property stand out so you can sell it faster and for more money.

Look At It Objectively

There are three primary considerations when looking for a home: cost, proximity to amenities, and square footage. Even though you’re stuck with the space’s physical location and the price is set by market forces, you can influence how potential buyers perceive it.

Those errands around the house that you’ve been putting off should be done immediately. You should expect that potential buyers will judge your home harshly based on imperfections such as a broken kitchen door or peeling paint in the bathroom.

In order to attract buyers, you must take an unbiased look at your home and envision yourself in their shoes when house hunting. After all, you are likely a buyer yourself.

Examining comparable properties within a 10% price range will provide you insight into how other sellers have marketed their own homes. Potential buyers may pass over your home in favour of one that appears more presentable in online photos or during in-person showings if you haven’t made the necessary improvements, so you need to make your property stand out.

Tidy Up And Declutter

Some of us may be shocked by how much clutter may build up in our homes, so it’s best to get started on decluttering as soon as possible. After living in a home for a long time, you may become blind to flaws that potential purchasers may see immediately.

Keep in mind that you are not selling your belongings but rather the actual property itself, so make sure that everything has a designated spot. Ironing boards left out in the open, laundry hampers overflowing, shampoo bottles in the shower, and piles of mail on the kitchen counter all contribute to an untidy and unappealing appearance. This will make your property stand out, but not in the right way.

The same goes for family photos; it’s fine to show a few, but too many will make the room feel awkwardly intimate. Potential buyers may have trouble visualising themselves in the home as a result.

It’s a good idea to declutter and create a blank canvas in the primary areas, such as the living room and the kitchen, so that potential buyers can more readily visualise their own belongings there.

Be Flexible With Viewings

The key to successfully selling your home is often being as accommodating as possible during viewings. The sale of a home can be put in jeopardy if the seller insists on scheduling showings only when it is convenient for them.

If realtors are only allowed to schedule viewings within certain hours, you may have to wait longer to find a buyer. It’s also helpful if your estate agent has access to the property at all times, so they can show it to potential buyers whenever they want. Even though it may not be convenient for you, the majority of prospective buyers will want to visit properties after work or on the weekend. This will make your property stand out.

Plus, try not to be there when viewings take place. It can be awkward for the viewer and could put them off. 

A lot of people forget how important their front door really is. What do people see first when they walk up to your house? What can people see from the road when they drive by your property? What can people see when they look up your house on Google Street View? Your front door. This is really important. It is the physical barrier between the outside and the inside of your home. It is the part of your home that makes people feel welcome. Don’t you want to make a good impression on them? Don’t you want everyone who sees the outside of your house to think that the inside is just as nice? This is the effect a beautiful new front door can have. Here are some of the best reasons why you need a new front door.

Better Kerb Appeal

One of the best ways to update the look of your home is by installing brand-new windows and doors. In particular, installing an updated front door in lieu of your old one is an inexpensive, low-stakes replacement project that can have a significant impact. Changing out the entry door is a great method to modernise the look of your home and boost its value. See the difference that a stylish front door can make by comparing before and after photos of similarly-styled homes.

More Value

Boosting your home’s kerb appeal can potentially raise its value. A new front door provides a 68.8 percent ROI, as stated in the Cost vs. Value 2020 analysis by Remodeling Magazine. Your home’s kerb appeal can be improved with the installation of a new, high-quality front door. In addition to increasing your home’s marketability, it may also attract interested purchasers.

Make A Personal Statement With A New Front Door

Perhaps the most appealing feature of a changed front door is the opportunity it provides to make a unique fashion statement. Whether you decide to paint your new front door or go with a whole other style, it will completely change the look of your home’s outside. There is a wide selection of entry doors to choose from, so you can find one that fits the design of your home. Smooth, simple panels made of clear glass are an excellent choice for a modern or contemporary residence. For a more classic look, go for a door with decorative panels and either quarter-light glass or no glass at all. Grilles, crossbucks, clavos, ornate glass, dentil shelves, wrought iron, and other such embellishments can elevate your decor to the next level.

As much as the expense of living and high energy bills might seem like all everyone talks about these days, it’s impossible to deny its recent and dramatic effect on everyone’s life, including homeowners and people in the market to move. Many families have felt the strain of the country’s record-high energy prices.

However, the house you pick could have a major factor in your monthly energy bills. Home Builders Federation (HBF) produced a survey showing that new homeowners can expect to save an amazing £2,600 per year on their energy bills.

In addition, the survey highlighted that new-build buyers saved over £500 million on annual energy bills last year. This is because, compared to older homes, these newer ones only release around a third as much carbon, resulting in a reduction of about 500,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Here are a few considerations that suggest a newly constructed home could be the best option for you.

Everything Is New

Everything from the oven to the dishwasher in a brand-new home is brand-new and has been installed specifically for your arrival. It’s safe to assume that everything will function as it should when you move in. In addition, the fixtures and appliances included in your new home are covered for two years by the new house warranty. And they’ll be more energy efficient, so your energy bills will be lower.

A Blank Canvas

You can put your personal stamp on a brand-new house by decorating it any way you like. There is no need to remove stubborn wallpaper or paint over a bold statement because there have been no previous tenants. Put your unique imprint on your new home since you get to decide how it looks. It might not sound like much, but even this can be a saving on your energy bills.

Modern Living

All new homes are made with the way people live today in mind. They were built on purpose to have a lot of space and natural light. Also, new buildings are made with modern family life in mind and give people more options when it comes to home or hybrid working.

Plus, you’ll usually have much easier access to the outdoors, thanks to things like large patio doors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and communities with open green spaces for everyone to enjoy. You can also rest easy knowing that it was all built to the highest standards, since all new buildings must meet certain rules and regulations.

Money Saving On Your Energy Bills

As was said above, HBF recently reported how much money new homeowners can save each year. To explain what this means in more detail, the report goes on to say that newer homes use a lot less energy than older ones. The average new home uses about 100kWh per m2 per year, while older homes use an average of 259kWh per m2.

This means that if you live in a new house or apartment, you can save an average of £2,000. This is because the average annual costs to run these kinds of homes are around £1,500, while the average annual costs to run older homes are around £3,570. When only houses, not flats and bungalows, are compared, these savings go up to £2,600 a year.

Even though some people don’t have neighbours, or at least don’t see them very often because they live in the middle of nowhere, most people do have them. Most likely, you are one of them. People will live on both sides of you, across the street, and if you live in a flat, they may also live above and below you.

We don’t talk to these people very often. We might say hello or give a friendly wave when we see them, but we don’t take the time to get to know them. We’re all busy and just want to get on with our lives, so this is normal.

But getting to know your neighbours has a lot of benefits, so it might be worth your time to try. Find out what these benefits are by reading on.

Security

We should all put a lot of thought into making sure our homes are safe. Burglars are always looking for ways to break into houses and take what doesn’t belong to them. You should do everything you can to keep your property as safe as possible. This could include things like: motion detector lights, more locks, video doorbell, and keeping things clean and organised (so the house looks lived in).

You can also ask your neighbours for help, in addition to these ideas. You can ask them to check on things for you if you’re going to be gone for a long time or if you think you saw someone strange on the street. Then, if they leave, you can do the same for them. When neighbours know and can count on each other like this, the whole neighbourhood is a lot safer.

Friendships

Study after study has shown that having friends is good for our health. It keeps you from being alone, which can cause depression, and it’s nice to have someone to talk to (which relieves stress). When you have friends, you might also be more physically fit because you’ll have someone to go for walks or runs with or find a gym buddy.

It’s not always easy to make friends as an adult, but if you have neighbours, you might already have friends waiting for you. Of course, you won’t be able to hang out with all of your neighbours, but even if you make just one new friend by getting to know them, that’s a good thing.

Recommendations

It’s inevitable that everyone, no matter where they call home, will require assistance from others at some point. It could be that you require the services of a plumber, electrician, gardener, housekeeper, or any number of other professionals. It can be difficult to get reliable assistance because there are so many options out there, each with their own pros and cons.

You can trust the advice of your friends and neighbours on matters like this. You won’t get the contact information for someone who did a poor job from them.

The last thing you want is for your home to bring anything other than good into your life. This isn’t always the case, of course. In any case, it’s far from certainbecause of a number of common property problems. You’ll need to be aware of the hazards and threats that exist in every facet of life. If you’re aware of the threats, you’ll be better prepared to defend your property. In this post, we’ll go over some of the most prevalent risks faced by most homes, and we’ll also provide you with tips on how to defend yourself from them.

Photo by Pixabay

Other People 

Most people won’t be in any way dangerous to your home. But there will be some who are. Some places have more crime than others, but you should always remember that it can happen anywhere. Today, home security systems are pretty high-tech, which is good. If you have one of these, you will have done a lot to make sure that thieves can’t get into your house. You should also make sure that your house is entirely secure. For example, are there any obvious weaknesses or openings that a criminal could take advantage of? These are common property problems.

Mother Nature

Depending on where you live, mother nature could be a danger to your home. As a matter of fact, this is happening more and more often because of climate change. You can’t do much to stop nature from doing what it does. But you can make it less likely that it will damage your house. For example, if you live in an area that gets hurricanes, look for impact windows. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, make sure your gutters work well and that your roof is in good shape. Think about where you live and what the most obvious weather-related issues are, and make sure your property is protected as much as possible. 

Pests

Pests are another way that nature can make its way into your home. This happens more often in some places than in others, but it can happen anywhere. Pests won’t just mean you have to get rid of them. They also make your house look and feel bad as a whole. No one wants to feel like they live in a house with unwelcome guests. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep your house clean, potentially using expert end of tenancy cleaning services to help you, but if you think you might have pests, you should act right away and call in experts. They won’t just go away by themselves as they are common property problems.

Being Out Of Date 

Your home is mostly a place for you and your family to relax, have fun, and make good memories. It should also be a place where everyone feels comfortable. But it’s a long-term plan. You’ll eventually have to sell your house, and when you do, you’ll want to make sure you get as much money as possible for it. One of the more subtle ways your home could be damaged is if you let it get out of date. If you don’t keep your house up to date with modern standards, you’ll eventually find that the property’s value has gone down. Staying on top of these things is important.

Things change, and when we talk about mortgage terms, most of us are looking at at least a 15- to 30-year commitment. You can’t say for sure that you won’t have to move within that time frame. So, the answer to whether or not you can sell a house with a mortgage probably won’t come as much of a surprise.

Can I Sell A House With A Mortgage Before The Term Ends?

Yes, you definitely can sell a house with a mortgage before the term ends, as long as you can pay for it. This means that the amount you still owe on the loan must be less than what your home is worth. On top of that, you’ll also need to think about any charges for paying off the loan early and any fees you may have to pay to brokers or financial advisors you hire.

As always, it’s very important to do the maths before getting involved. Find your mortgage terms and see if you are still in a period where there are fees for paying off the loan early. Also, find out how much it will cost to pay off your mortgage in full. Keep in mind that this is different from the annual early repayment allowance that lenders give customers who want to overpay their mortgage. This is usually around 10% of the remaining balance each year.

If you are still within the terms of a deal, you may have to pay a fee of 3 to 5% of the amount you still owe to settle up in full.

Do I Need To Let My Lender Know?

Yes, without a doubt. Obviously, you won’t need to do this until you’re sure you want to sell your house with a mortgage, but this is still a call you need to make. Not only will they need to know that a sale may be coming up, but it will also give you a chance to talk about your options, like moving your mortgage (more on this in a bit).

What Happens To My Mortgage?

Most of the time, the money from your sale will be used to pay off (redeem) the loan and any fees you may have owed for paying it off early.

Your conveyancer will ask your mortgage company for a redemption statement and handle the settlement for you. This will end the mortgage deal, giving you the freedom to live without a mortgage or get a new one with the same lender or a different one.

But this isn’t the only way to do it. For some, it makes more sense to keep the mortgage they already have.

Can I Move My Existing Mortgage?

Yes, you can. This is called “porting.” Even though it doesn’t happen as often as redemption, it’s not that rare. Most mortgages can be moved from one house to another when selling a house with a mortgage, and if the conditions are right, you could save a lot of money by doing this.

Porting a mortgage isn’t as easy as just giving your lender a quick call and asking them to change your address. In reality, the process for porting a mortgage is very similar to the process for getting a new mortgage or switching lenders. You will have to reapply and have your finances reevaluated before being accepted. Your new home will also be given an appraisal (which you may have to pay for).

If you are accepted, however, you will keep the same terms as your current deal, including the interest rate you pay now. This can be a good idea, especially when times are uncertain or when interest rates are going up.

Have you ever thought about adding an extension on to your house? It’s one of those investments that makes sense no matter where you are in the process of owning a home. If you just bought a house, it can help you pay off your mortgage faster or help you sell another house faster. Read on to find out more.

More Floor Space

When purchasing a home, you first consider the house and the value it offers. Making a decision is simple if a home has plenty of space, proper insulation, and a new kitchen. The value of the outside area at the back of the house isn’t taken into account by everyone, though.

Although you spend most of your time in the house, the land it is built on has far higher value, so why not use the property to expand your family’s living space and make the house easier to sell? This is one of the main advantages of adding an extension.

Added Property Value

The property’s value rising is one of the additional primary justifications for adding an extension. Greater demand results in higher asking prices for houses with more square footage. One of the simplest methods to boost market value and more floor area is to install an extension.

Bespoke Designs

Custom designs for extensions let you pick out things like doors, windows, insulation, and more, making the process feel more like a DIY endeavour. This is crucial when building an addition onto a house so that the two spaces look cohesive.

If you decide to go with a prefabricated addition, you and the architect will plan out the details in advance. Your approval of the final product will be required before the plans are finalised. 

More Functionality

Adding an extension can serve a variety of purposes, from providing a peaceful place to work during the day to a lively gathering spot for friends and family after dark. The use of an addition is not limited to work or play; it can also be for reading, cooking, relaxing, and the like.

It’s not possible to make full use of the garden in colder areas, so adding an extension to the house is a great way to make the most of the garden and expand the home’s living space. You can kick up your feet and enjoy the changing of the seasons during the cooler months.

Recently, there has been a big change in the way people think about the environment and about how they’re living on this planet. The concept of a self-sustaining home, while not the norm as yet, is certainly becoming more popular because of this. And the idea of living ‘off-grid’ is something that many people are starting to consider. Although there will be plenty of challenges associated with this kind of lifestyle, the long-term positives do outweigh the negatives.

One thing that you would need to consider, of course, is the cost of creating a self-sustaining home. Read on to find out more about what this would cost you and how you can off-set those costs in the end.

Cost Of Land And Building

Assuming you want to buy a property from scratch for your self-sustaining home, you will need some land to build it on, and this will be the first cost to consider. How much you spend will depend entirely on how much land you need to buy and where you need to buy it – the same size piece of land up in the Scottish Highlands is going to cost a fraction of the cost of buying in the Kent countryside, for example. When you have a budget in mind, the best thing to do is to speak to a land expert who can source you the ideal plot.

Once you have the land, you’ll then need to build the property. Again, this will differ from place to place, but on average the cost of a self-build in the UK comes in at around £1,750 per square metre.

Cost To Run

A self-sustaining home is going to save you money in the long-term due to its sustainability factor – that’s one of the big benefits of building this kind of property in the first place, as well as the fact that it will help the planet hugely. However, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be other things to pay out for, at least initially.

Energy bills still need to be paid out until the house becomes entirely self-sustaining. It can take anything from months to years to become completely self-sufficient, so be aware that you might still need to ‘import’ electricity and water until you have enough for yourself. The same goes for your food. Don’t worry though; your vegan diet doesn’t have to wait until you are growing your own food; you can even buy vegan pizzas these days so you can start earlier if you want to.

Plus, you’ll need to spend money to ensure that the house is self-sustaining in the first place. This might mean installing solar panels or digging a well or creating a vegetable garden – or all of the above, plus more. Many people choose to take out a short term loan to cover these initial costs, knowing that the money they save overall will help them to pay it back more quickly.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that building a self-sustaining home is going to cost you money. From the land to the labour costs and materials to the fact that the self-sustainability doesn’t happen overnight, you could be spending many hundreds of thousands of pounds. Yet when you consider that you would have spent the same on a normal house but that normal house wouldn’t be good for the planet and wouldn’t eventually pay you back and allow you to live off-grid, you’ll see that it’s money well-spent.