Sales

Improving a property can be done for a variety of reasons. Some have their eye on a ‘fixer upper’ property that needs work, while others may want to make changes ahead of a sale. Whatever your motivation, it’s good to know how much the work will cost, what’s in fashion and what might tick the boxes of potential buyers. Luckily, the latestRated People Home Improvement Trends report sheds light on all these aspects.

If you are looking for a new home, you may browse online portals, see details in an agents’ branch window or look at the boards outside houses, noting a variety of different terms used to describe the property’s status.

Whether you have an open mind at the start of the sales process or have been on the market for some time and are looking for any extra advantage, the art of feng shui can be deployed to help sell your home.

Heat pumps are still a relatively new way to power residential homes but their fuel savings, eco credentials and ability to improve your EPC rating isn’t going unnoticed. We answer the top six heat pump questions so you can make an informed installation decision.

The tall, slender canes of bamboo are appealing to many gardeners. The plant brings a tropical, tranquil vibe to outside spaces, gently rustling in the breeze and quickly screening undesirable views. It’s also the fastest growing plant on earth, making it a problematic issue in UK gardens.

Stumperies date back to Victorian times when rotting stumps, exposed roots and tree trunks were used as a decorative way of showing off one’s collection of ferns and other shade-loving plants. King Charles III is a stumpery fan and his Highgrove garden is home to reportedly the biggest stumpery in the UK.

While it’s common to think purchasers will stretch their budget for a property with a newly-installed bathroom, an all-singing, all-dancing garden room or perhaps off-street parking, lots of storage is actually one of a home’s most valuable aspects.

While there was no mention of stamp duty, first-time buyers or inheritance tax in 2021’s Budget, October has left homeowners with a number of pressing questions. We have already been contacted numerous times for clarification on the future of gas boilers in the home, so we have answered the most commonly asked questions.

The motivation to move home remains undented and in a recent article, The Times reported on the ‘deeper dissatisfaction with our homes’ uncovered in the first lockdown. In addition, a new study by Samsung Electronics UK found that 74% of UK consumers look at their homes differently now than they did 18 months ago.

While an estate agent will do everything in its power to ensure your home is marketed to the right people, catches the eye of buyers and is priced attractively enough to encourage offers, sellers can also help themselves.

If your home’s not selling and you’re thinking of changing estate agents, check out our great guide to making the move to a new agent as smooth as possible.

Our lives changed dramatically in 2020 with the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns forcing us to spend more time than ever in our homes. Here we explore how our lifestyles and professional priorities have shifted, and why this is influencing what we look for when buying a new home.