Your property market update for May

In this month's newsletter, we start by taking a look at the new Help to Build scheme introduced by the government, in an attempt to make it more easier and affordable for people to build their own home.

Do you love to take pride in your home? We share with you 12 cleaning tricks for a fraction of the cost from your oven to bathroom. Further into our newsletter, with the market booming, we've seen an increase in both sales and property prices, with UK house prices now 8.6% higher than this time last year.

Finally, as restrictions start to ease, a third of UK households are predicted to move this year, following multiple lockdowns and a shift in buyers attitudes.

We hope you enjoy this month's edition. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

£150m ‘Help to Build’ scheme to be launched

The government has announced a new ‘Help to Build’ scheme in a bid to make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own home.

Following a statement made by the government, the aim of the scheme is to help ensure that self-custom home building can become a more realistic option for those looking to get onto the property ladder through lower deposit mortgages.

It's planned that an initial £150 million will be made available from the government over the next four years to help implement and support the scheme, delivering low deposit mortgages and improving the affordability of homeownership.

Similar to the 'Help to Buy' scheme, the 'Help to Build' initiative will provide an equity loan on the completed home.

A statement from Robert Jenrick, the government’s housing secretary, said “building your own home shouldn’t be the preserve of a small number of people, but mainstream, realistic and an affordable option for people across the country. That’s why we are making it easier and more affordable.”

The announcement was met by an immediate positive response from the property market, further backed by the National Federation of Builders (NFB), who stated that it was "wholly behind the government’s self and custom-build announcements".

Whilst supporting homebuyers, this plan will also provide an important boost to small builders and businesses.

Applications for the scheme are due to open in late summer, according to the government’s action plan.

For more information, go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-150-million-funding-to-kickstart-self-building-revolution

Or contact us to discuss your buying options.

12 cleaning tricks at the fraction of the cost!

From your oven to your bathroom, if you love to take pride in your home, you’ll want to know all the cleaning tricks and hacks to keep your home sparkling for a fraction of the cost.

Plenty of natural, cheap and quick cleaning tips from tin foil to vinegar and lemons can be used to save you time and money, making it even easier when you need to prepare your property for guests or even potential viewers who are interested in making an offer.

Cleaning tips for bathrooms

Tip number 1 

Clean your bath with a grapefruit!

Get rid of water marks or stains in your bathtub by cutting a grapefruit in half, sprinkle on some rock salt and give it a good scrub, then rinse.

Tip number 2

Removing limescale from your shower using vinegar.

If you’re looking for a more natural way to clean your home from top to bottom, vinegar is your new best friend!

Soak your shower head in a mixture of boiling water and vinegar to unclog any limescale easily.

Tip number 3

Use an old toothbrush for cleaning your bathroom.

Don’t throw away your old toothbrush as it can be very useful!

Give it a rinse in boiling water to get rid of any germs and use it to get into any nooks and crannies that your vacuum cleaner can’t reach. It’s especially handy for cleaning hard to reach areas like around the tap or drain.

Tip number 4

Clean your toilet stains with coke.

Get a grubby toilet back to sparkling white by pouring in a can of coke.

Let it sit in the bowl overnight, give it a good scrub with the brush and then flush the next morning for a new sparkling loo!

Tip number 5

Unclog drains with baking soda.

Pour down the drain one part baking soda followed by one part vinegar then cover with a wet cloth. 

The two elements will react with one another to clean your drain naturally. Wait five minutes and then run some hot water to rinse.

Cleaning tips for kitchens

Tip number 6

Clean your chopping board with lemon.

Our chopping boards get a lot of use from meat joints to fruit and vegetables, so it’s no wonder they end up looking a bit tired and worn.

Lemons are great to lift stains as well as removing any smells. Still not shifting? Then try sprinkling some baking soda and repeat.

Tip number 7

Pop a lemon in your fridge.

Cut a lemon in half and put one on the top shelf and one on the bottom to mask any strong smells in your fridge.

Tip number 8

Remove limescale from your iron.

Keep your iron working well by removing excess limescale from time to time. 

Simply heat up, unplug and let it cool. Fill with one part vinegar to one part water. Leave for an hour then empty and rinse.

Tip number 9

Use a pastry brush to clean crumbs out of your toaster.

Unplug your toaster and sweep those hard to reach crumbs and burnt bits with a pastry brush. This will help your toaster last longer.

Tip number 10

Clean your washing machine with vinegar.

Place the empty washing machine on a hot cycle with one cup of vinegar inside. This will help remove limescale and mildew, making the machine last longer and clean more efficiently, plus smell amazing! 

Tip number 11

Use a fabric softener sheet to stop your bin smelling.

There’s nothing more frustrating after you’ve emptied the bin than to find a lingering smell. Pop a fabric softener sheet into it for an instant air freshener.

Tip number 12

Clean your oven with tin foil.

Pop some oven cleaner or fairy liquid to the oven and scrub the fat and grime away!

For more information on maintaining your property, talk to us today.

Market boom leads to more sales and higher prices

The average UK property price has risen by 8.6%, which is roughly £20,000 in the past year. This is the highest annual rate since 2014 according to the Office for National Statistics.

Over the year, house prices in England increased to £268,000 (up by 8.7%), in Wales to £180,000 (up by 8.4%) and in Scotland to £162,000 (up by 8%).

The North West was the region that saw the highest annual growth in average house prices (11.9%), while London recorded the lowest positive growth (4.6%).

The figures reported by HM Revenue & Customs show that sales in March this year more than doubled from March in 2020.

It is estimated by HMRC that 190,980 sales took place in March 2021, a 202.3% increase in transactions compared with the previous year at 94,380.

Despite the tapering of the stamp duty holiday later this summer, it has been predicted within the sector that the high demand levels we're seeing will continue to propel activity and protect property prices.

The vaccine roll out and easing of lockdown restrictions have led to dramatic changes to consumer confidence within the UK, supporting this expectation for the housing market.

If you'd like to review your options buying or selling this year, talk to us today.

A third of UK households predicted to move this year

As restrictions start to ease, almost a third of UK households are making plans to change their living arrangements, following their lockdown experiences.

According to a new national survey of around 2,000 households, 31% are planning to move house following repetitive lockdowns and remote-working experiences.

With only around 5% of households typically moving house each year, the increase is staggering.

Has lockdown got you feeling like you want a change of surroundings?

The following were the top three reasons people felt as important to them when relocating home:

- 29% good standard of living

- 26% hybrid working environment

- 23% road networks and connectivity

Hybrid working options and lifestyle changes were the two obvious key elements driving the change in buyers' and sellers' behaviour.

However, the recent stamp duty holiday and desire to take advantage of significant property price increases in 2021 has also influenced decision making.

What are you waiting for? Start your search today and take a look at our stunning range of properties below.

*Property Reporter