The latest news from Town & Country

Selling during the back to school season

 

One-third of homeowners choose to buy or sell in early autumn, making now the best time to put your house on the market.

 

With children returning to school, could a move be on the cards for you?

 

If you are selling this September, here are some of our top tips...

 

1) Have a clear-out

 

The back to school season can be a busy time, with one in four also choosing to switch jobs and careers during this month compared to the rest of the year.*

 

So, having a simple declutter of your belongings and items can create a blank slate for people coming to view your home.

 

2) Maximise your storage

 

Maximising your storage space is an easy way to keep your home tidy at a low cost, which may then mean you're required to do less work in between any viewings that take place.

 

3) Plan for viewings

 

Don’t let viewings catch you off guard! Have a checklist of everything you need to do before a potential buyer comes to view your home.

 

Having a set plan of action will help you keep a clear head and get things done amid the back-to-school chaos.

 

4) Improve your home's kerb appeal

 

Two-thirds of buyers stated that kerb appeal was a significant influencer in their property purchase.**

 

Some top tips for improving your home's aesthetics are hiding bins, cleaning your windows and decorating your front door.

 

Are you ready to move this September?

 

Contact our property professionals today for helpful advice and guidance.

 

 

 

*Job search website, Monster

**Homeowners Alliance

 

What does the supply-demand imbalance mean for you?

 

Vendors have benefited from the supply-demand imbalance seen across the market in 2021, with 40% of properties selling above their original asking price, making conditions optimal for selling.*

 

What makes conditions optimal this autumn?

 

1) Low stock

 

Due to the pandemic, many people were put off selling their homes whilst the construction of new build properties came to a halt, causing a dip in housing stock.

 

This means that the homes currently on the market are being snapped up faster, with serious buyers putting offers in much sooner than they otherwise might have done.

 

2) Increased demand

 

With UK restrictions easing, buyers are now competing for properties, with 36% of homes attracting offers from three or more buyers.*

 

Many who originally put off moving due to the pandemic are now looking to relocate, causing a huge increase in demand and sparking bidding wars between buyers.

 

3) Mortgage rates

 

With the number of available UK mortgages on the rise, lenders are competing to attract more customers with low-interest rates and low-deposit mortgages, giving buyers more choice than ever when it comes to choosing the correct financial option for them.

   

Need a helping hand selling your home? Get in touch with our team today.

 

 

 

 

*Property Reporter and Which?

 

Tenant demand still on the rise

 

Following a surge in tenant demand over the last quarter, the market could see rents increase over the next three months.*

 

The pandemic has heavily impacted the lettings sector, with fewer rental properties being listed on the market. This has caused the increasing demand to continue to outstrip supply.

 

This is good news for anyone looking to begin their buy-to-let journey, as tenant demand has hit the highest levels recorded since 2016.**

 

If you want to let a property in 2021, here are three top tips to get started with your portfolio.

 

 

1) Impress with add-ons

 

Investing in your property prior to letting it will ensure you receive the maximum return on investment possible.

 

Being able to say you have “modern, state of the art appliances” or offer free Wi-Fi is a great way to attract tenants.

 

If you do upgrade your appliances, you could always go for energy-efficient models and make your property environmentally friendly, as this is another big selling point.

 

2) Promote your property as pet friendly

 

There are some tenants who won’t even consider moving into a pet-free property.

 

By welcoming well-behaved pets, this will open your property to a much wider search radius, as well as the potential to see higher rents.

 

3) Make use of your local letting agency

 

We’re here to help manage your property, find tenants and bring you peace of mind.

 

Your property is in safe hands when you let with us, so take the stress out of letting and leave it to the experts.

 

Contact our team and find out how we could help you manage your property.

 

 

*Propertymark

**What mortgage

 

 

Surge in sellers renting ahead of their next move

 

With the sales market continuing to boom, many homeowners have secured a high price for their home in 2021, choosing to put themselves in a stronger position by renting during this stop gap period.

 

If you’re living in a rented property, you are normally able to move quicker due to not being part of a chain.

 

Rather than feeling pressured to act fast, this means that you're able to negotiate for the property and price you want.

 

It's also an incredibly sought-after position to be in when a vendor chooses who to sell to, as without a chain, the sale will be more likely to complete instead of falling-through.

  

The number of sellers looking for rental homes has contributed greatly to the dwindling stock of rental properties and consequently increasing rents. As a result, there were nearly half the number of properties on the rental market in July than this time last year, with the numbers continuing to drop.*

 

This is encouraging for landlords, as their properties are in demand with void periods falling rapidly.

 

But it’s not just homeowners looking to rent.

 

Due to the pandemic, many tenants no longer have to be tied down to one location.

 

With working from home now the new norm, a short commute is no longer desirable and moving away is more feasible. This year, 49% of tenants moved just because they wanted to live somewhere different, as opposed to moving from necessity.**

 

Are you looking to sell your home or put your property up for rent? Our dedicated team offer free, accurate and no-obligation valuations for both the sales and lettings market.

 

Find out how much your property is worth today and book your market appraisal.

 

 

 

*This is Money

*Estate Agent Today