What's happening this month?

House prices soar in 2020

 

Since the start of the year, house prices have soared 7.5%, adding – on average – up to £18,000 to a property's value.

 

This latest analysis from Halifax is welcome news to homeowners looking to sell, as it provides many with an incredible incentive to reap the benefits this winter.

 

After initial concerns around the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the housing market, we're now seeing the average house price rise to a record-high of £250,457 outside London.

 

What is behind this price jump?

 

Over the country's first lockdown, pent-up demand reached new heights, meaning that when the market reopened in May, buyers and sellers were quick to react.

 

Paired with the introduction of the stamp duty holiday, this has caused a tremendous surge in the amount of people hoping to buy or sell this year.

Looking back on the second lockdown, it's clear to see activity hasn't been dampened by the reintroduction of tougher measures – especially considering that the market remained open and active this time around.

In the following weeks and months, the stamp duty holiday will prompt buyers to tie up deals before the deadline at the end of March 2021, with savings of up to £15,000 on offer.

 

Whilst it's unclear how the government will respond next to the pandemic, many property experts remain convinced that the property market will only grow.

 

With prices soaring and the stamp duty holiday enticing buyers to commit, this is truly a great time to sell.

 

To get your house valued by our professional experts, visit our website.

 

 

 

Top tips for moving at Christmas

 

Whether you're a seasoned mover or it's your first time, relocating to a new house is an extremely exciting process – even if there happen to be a couple of bumps along the way.

As you approach the final steps, everything will start snowballing.

So, given that the year we've had has added even more unknowns to the mix, we wanted to let you know what you should expect from a Christmas move in 2020.

Hopefully, with the use of our simple steps, you'll find the experience more manageable with fewer surprises.


Keep track of the forecast

Winter weather is notoriously unpredictable, and with the constant possibility we'll see snow, ice and heavy rain, it is important to check the forecast before the big day so you can adapt accordingly.

Enlisting the help of a removal firm could provide some peace of mind, as the additional support will shoulder some of the responsibility of transporting your belongings to your new home safely.

However, with the industry facing high demand, you might find it more challenging than usual to book for a time and date to suit your plans – especially during peak periods, like weekends.

It's also worth considering that you'll need to comply to social distancing measures, with restrictions on the help you can get from members not within your immediate bubble.



Be organised with boxes

One of the main causes of stress during the moving process is delegating which boxes to put in which room, as we're all familiar with losing key essentials until the last box has been unpacked.

A simple label or colour coding system can completely remove this stress – just remember to be specific.

Similarly, ensuring that you start packaging up your items with plenty of time to spare, and using packing materials such as bubble wrap, will make the whole experience seem seamless.


Notify everyone of your new address

With COVID-19 meaning the majority of us will be turning to online stores to purchase gifts this festive season, ensuring you change your delivery address in plenty of time will ensure you’re not chasing your parcels from one collection point to another.

Likewise, you may want to think about using the Royal Mail's redirect service, as you could lose track of letters, cards and gifts arriving to your previous address.

Inform your utility providers 

As the colder weather hits, there is nothing more comforting than a hot chocolate or seasonal mulled wine by the fire.

To make sure this is still a possibility in your new home, remember to take meter readings and inform your providers that you are moving.

 

Depending on demand, your providers could take a couple of weeks to make the transition over, so informing them early on will mean you can step into a home that's set up and ready to go from the day you get your keys.

 

 

Prepare your household

For households with children and pets, you might find that a change of routine or surroundings can be stressful.

This impact can be lessened by pre-packing a box of essentials containing forms of entertainment, such as books or games for children, and your pets’ bed and favourite toys.

 

Before moving, it's essential you have updated the relevant identification tags or microchips for your cat and / or dog. Should they go missing in their new neighbourhood, this will help you to reunite with them that much sooner.

 

Enjoy!

Once all the hard work unpacking has been done, or you’ve had enough for the day – we won’t judge – it’s important to take stock and give yourself time to process and unwind.

This is a great time to get the board games or cheesy Christmas films out and spend time with the family, you’ve earned it!

 

To see what properties we've brought to market this winter, visit our website.

 

 

 

 

Winter maintenance suggestions to safeguard your property

 

As we're in the midst of winter, and the cold weather is now in full force, you need to be informed on how to protect your home against any potential seasonal damage, as well as reduce unnecessary spending.

Back in 2018, there were a record number of burst pipes in the UK, resulting in over £194 million worth of insurance pay outs.*

Whilst these can be problematic for homeowners and landlords, there are a whole range of contributing factors that could lead to expensive repair bills at this time of the year.

To help you cut these costs, we've collated advice every property owner should be aware of.


1) Protect your pipes

A burst pipe can cause up to £4,000 in damages – rising beyond this amount in the most severe cases.

Pipe insulation, which can be installed yourself, costs next to nothing. It can be used under sinks, on any pipes running along exterior walls and in attics.

Basements are also important to pay close attention to, where 37% of all burst pipes happen. Insulating your water pipes will prevent pipes from freezing or bursting, which can be a huge inconvenience for households over the holidays.


2) Insulate your loft space

Investing money into insulating your loft will save you a small fortune in the long run, with average annual savings as follows:**

– £225 on your energy bill per year for a detached house
– £135 on your energy bill per year for a semi-detached house
– £120 on your energy bill per year for a mid-terrace house

Alongside this financial incentive, insulating your attic will mean you're directing heat within your property to the living areas, where it needs to be.

 

By keeping your attic cooler, it may also prevent ice dams from forming on your roof.


3) Clean out and inspect your gutters

Your property's gutters are there to get rid of rainwater that collects on the roof.

Regular maintenance and checks will prevent blockages from forming. If a problem forms, you'll start to notice rainwater running down the side of your house and may even spot discoloured walls inside.

Gutters can become clogged with leaves, moss, twigs or even bird nests.

It is very important that the water can be drained, otherwise damp and mould can form, leading to a much more serious issue for you to tackle!


4) Wrap up your hot water tanks

Perhaps an unusual one, but getting your hands on a British Standard Jacket for your hot water cylinder can protect your home and save money too.

The Energy Saving Trust recommends insulation to be 25mm to 80mm thick.

With yearly savings of up to £150, it's estimated that payback on one of these insulation jackets would take just two months.


5) Bleed your radiators

Rather than do this once a year, homeowners and landlords should routinely check their radiators to release trapped air, as this will ensure they're working at maximum capacity whenever you decide to turn the heating on.


6) Close off your chimney

A huge loss of heat can arise from unused fireplaces.

If you have a chimney that you do not use, and you would like to board it up, try a chimney balloon.

They can cost as little as £30 and they are incredibly easy to install, with the balloons keeping the cold air out by blocking any drafts.


The cleaning essentials that you need to know about for your festive preparations:

– A rubber broom: if you opt for a real Christmas tree this year and don't want to battle pine needles on your floor, then you need one of these. As an added bonus, they're also effective at collecting pet hair too.

– Nylon pan scrapers: over Christmas you are bound to have some stubborn pans that even elbow grease cannot save. Invest in a pan scraper to make the clean-up that much easier.

– Red wine stain remover: There will be wine flowing during the festivities, so make sure you have something at hand to fight resilient stains.

– Mould cleaner: As December is typically wet and cold, it is prime time for mould to form. To get ahead of the problem, consider stocking up on mould cleaner to combat areas as soon as they appear!


For more tips on protecting your home this season, talk to our property professionals.


*Association of British Insurers (ABI)
**Energy Saving Trust

 

 

New year, new buyers

 

While Christmas is the time for overindulging, spending time with family and watching all the classics, it's also a really reflective season.

 

After the festivities have wound down, we've always found a renewed interest from homeowners and tenants in the days following New Year's Eve, with enquiries and property searches at an all-time high.

 

We've all spent more time than ever at home this year, so when everyone's gathered around the Christmas tree, you might find yourself planning what your next Christmas could look like and whether you'd choose to spend it living elsewhere.

 

Whilst it's commonly believed that spring and summer see the strongest market activity, year-after-year January has stood out as a time when online searches peak and more people are ready to make and accept offers in a fast timeframe.

 

Who chooses to move at this time of the year?

 

The new year property market usually consists of two types of people: first-time buyers and those re-entering the market after trying in the previous year.

 

In the spring and summer, the market typically becomes much more competitive, with higher supply levels.

 

If you want to consider a fresh start in 2021 with a new place to call home, it's actually a really good idea to start the process now so you can instruct your agent, plan your property marketing strategy and be ready for the expected surge in buyer interest.

 

Whilst we all hoped the pandemic would be contained within 2020, it's now a confirmed reality that nothing will change when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.

 

For that reason, we're committed to continuing all of the safe measures and social distancing practices we've implemented this year.

 

To beat the crowd and make your home extremely visible on the property market over the peak holiday period, contact our agency today – visit our website for more information.