Top Tips For Viewing A Property Like A Pro!

In this month's edition, the government has proposed a new three-year tenancy agreement and the best day of the week to move home has been revealed.

Also this month, we reveal how much disrepair it takes to put off a homebuyer and we share some top tips for viewing a property like a pro!

The Government Proposes New Three-Year Tenancy Agreements

 

In an effort to make renting a viable long-term option for thousands of people, the Government have proposed a three-year tenancy agreement.

Historically, the standard lease for renting a home would fall into the range of 6-12 months long, however, this new proposal puts forward the possibility of a minimum three-year lease in the hope of improving stability for tenants.

While this proposal has been put out for consultation until the 26th of August, it has understandably caused a bit of a stir amongst landlords and investors.

There are still many details to be discussed along with some rules and regulations that would need to be put in place, but it does raise plenty of questions on how this type of change could impact the rental market.

Longer minimum tenancies would undoubtedly be a positive for tenants, who would now have the opportunity to secure a home for a longer period allowing them to settle down with some extra security and potentially avoid any costs that come with moving into and renting a new home.

As for landlords, the change could be a benefit depending on their portfolio. It is expected that small-scale landlords may not like the idea of being tied down for a longer period, whereas some of the larger investors with multiple properties would welcome the new rules for more financial security.

The Government's data revealed that on average, most tenants rent a home for just under four years, while the vast majority of rental contracts (81%) are six to 12 months long.

All of the details have not been revealed just yet, but the proposal does mention that it would give tenants the chance to leave before the end of the tenancy.

Secretary of State for Communities – James Brokenshire – commented on the proposal and the motivation for putting it forward “It is deeply unfair when renters are forced to uproot their lives or find new schools for their children at short notice due to the terms of their rental contract.

"Being able to call your rental property your home is vital to putting down roots and building stronger communities.

"That’s why I am determined to act, bringing in longer tenancies which will bring benefits to tenants and landlords alike."

Revealed: The Best Day Of The Week To Move Home

 

There are plenty of things you can do to make sure things run as smooth as possible, but at the end of the day, moving home will always be a challenging process.

Some have described it as one of the most stressful tasks you will ever take on and although most of us would just prefer to get started and hope to get it over with as soon as possible, new research suggests that some days are better than others.

Compare My Move conducted a study in which they analysed 66,500 house moves throughout the UK to find out peoples preferences for when they feel is best to move home.

The research found that the most popular time to move home is during the summer and on a Friday, suggesting that most people are looking to take care of the whole process in one weekend.

In terms of expense, it was found that moving home on a Thursday is the most expensive day to do so if you’re hiring a removal van and the opposite is true if you move on a Sunday.

These findings are true throughout the majority of the UK, except for Wales, where the most ideal day is a Wednesday and the least popular day is surprisingly a Saturday.

What may come as no surprise to a lot of people is that the least popular day of the week in the UK, in general, is Sunday, which is understandable with many of the local shops and amenities operating for a shorter amount of hours or closed altogether.

August is the most active month of the year for moving, most likely due to families wanting to wrap everything up during the school holidays, but this does vary to other warmer months such as July and September, depending on which region you’re looking at.

Co-founder of Compare My Move – Dave Sayce – commented on the findings of their research. He said “Our research shows that Friday still reigns supreme for movers across Britain, with a huge 30% of movers choosing this day. With one day off work netting you three days to get settled in with the help of the weekend, it’s clear why Friday is such a favourite. If you want to nab a Friday move at a decent rate, make sure you book at least three months ahead of time, and always compare removal quotes.

“If you’re looking for a budget move, our data shows that the cheapest rates are on the most unpopular moving days of Sunday and Tuesday. Only 5% of our users opted for a Sunday move, and with businesses and banks winding down on the day of rest and Monday morning looming, it’s easy to see why”.

How Much Does Disrepair Put Off Homebuyers?

 

When viewing a property, we’re all on the lookout for anything and everything that needs fixing or could use a bit of work.

While we’d all love to find a home that requires no work at all, chances are whenever you buy a property, it will come with its fair share of needed repairs.

But what type of damage to a home is most commonly a deal breaker for prospective buyers? Well, GoCompare has sought to find this out.

New research from the comparison site has quizzed people on which types of disrepair would lessen their enthusiasm for a home and what would completely kill their interest in a property altogether.

It was found that Damp was the biggest hurdle for buyers, with a huge 69% of survey participants stating that signs of damp on the walls and ceiling would force them to withdraw their interest in a home. This is understandable as damp left unchecked can lead to some very serious structural issues.

Not too far behind in the survey results was bad odours at 63% said that smells such as damp, food, cigarettes or pets would be a deal breaker.

Rotten windows and peeling paintwork took 3rd place in the results, with 59% saying that they would not put in an offer if they spotted these blemishes on a home.

As expected, not having a space to park your car is a big issue for 56% of buyers and it is no surprise that in today's always-online world that 53% desire a high-speed internet connection. The same percentage of participants would be put off a home If there was any work on the property that was uncompleted.

Some of the other negatives that made the list were neighbours with a messy garden (48%), a dirty interior (46%), outdated electrics (46%) and poor natural lighting (43%).

GoCompare Insurance spokesman – Ben Wilson – offered his comments on the findings of their research, stating “Buying a home is a major investment and most people are put off by outdated properties or those in a poor state of repair. While dated décor can be remedied easily and relatively cheaply, major flaws from poor maintenance or badly botched DIY can be expensive to put right,

“A grubby home and untidy garden may suggest the current homeowners are not only bad at housework, but may have neglected essential maintenance to the property”.

Top Tips For Viewing A Property Like A Pro!

 

When it comes to buying property, it is important to keep in mind that it could potentially be the home you live in for the rest of your life. With this in mind, it is essential that when you view potential properties you take the time to be thorough and get all the information you can.

To help make sure you don’t miss a thing and make the right choice when you do eventually make an offer, we’ve compiled the following list of tips to view a property like a pro.

Don’t rush
We all feel a bit strange viewing someone else’s home, but as we said earlier, you could be living in this property for decades so don’t rush through this process! It’s vital that you spend close to 30 minutes exploring the property, asking questions and just getting a good sense of how the property feels. If you just wander from room to room, taking a quick look and then moving on, you won’t get a good feel for the property. Taking that little extra time will mean you are well-informed when you come to make a formal offer for the property.

Think about how much space there actually is
When it comes to property space is one thing you can never have enough of. Whether you’re looking to fit in that Queen-size bed or you need somewhere to store all of the precious knickknacks that you have collected over the years, space is incredibly valuable. Pay attention to the way the current owner has laid out the furniture, as it will provide you with some insight into how to best make use of the property’s available space. It’s also an excellent opportunity to think about how much room your items take up and whether there is any scope for a little pre-move declutter.

Take a walk through the area
When you’re buying a property you’re not just investing in that building, you’re also investing in the neighbourhood itself. If you’re first-time buyers and looking to build a life in this new home, you have to ask whether the area is suitable for your family’s needs. Are there plenty of shops close by? How do the local schools perform? It’s best to wander around the area for a short while in order to see how it all feels, after all, if you’re going to be here for some time, you need to feel comfortable.

Once you’ve taken a good look, take another and maybe another
As we stated at the beginning, when it comes to buying property it’s best done the right way, but even when you do everything right, it’s always best to check things twice. No matter how thorough you intend to be there is always the possibility that you missed a couple of things the first time around. Most would advise visiting a property 2-3 times and at different times of the day – if possible – to see if you feel the same way each time. Buying a home can be very exciting, so it is worth visiting the property a few times.

Don’t forget that your agent is there to help you! Make sure you ask them questions about the property’s history and the local area, as they will be more than happy to assist you with your decision.