Posts

How to increase property viewings when selling your home

Image
Putting your property on the market is an exciting step. The photos are taken, the floorplans are complete, and your home is ready to shine. But what if viewings aren’t coming in as quickly as expected? If your property isn’t attracting attention, it’s important to understand why and how you can turn things around. Review Your Asking Price One of the biggest barriers to generating viewings is an unrealistic asking price. Buyers today have access to vast amounts of data, making it easy to compare similar properties in your area. If your home is priced higher than comparable listings, it can put people off before they even book a viewing. A well-researched, competitive price will help attract more interest and could even encourage multiple offers. If you’re not seeing any enquiries, it may be time to revisit your valuation and adjust accordingly. Choose the Right Estate Agent Your choice of estate agent can make a huge difference to the number of viewings your property receives. A motiva...

Thinking Of Selling A Shared Ownership Property?

Image
Why Now Might Be the Perfect Time to Sell Shared ownership has long provided an affordable path to homeownership, helping thousands of people get on the property ladder with a lower upfront cost. But if you're currently a shared owner, it's worth asking: Are you making the most of your investment? With a rapidly shifting property market and increasing demand for homes, now could be the ideal time to sell your share—and here’s why. 1. Take Advantage of Strong Buyer Demand The current market shows a healthy appetite for shared ownership properties. Many buyers are looking for affordable entry points into the housing market, and your property could be exactly what they’re searching for. If your home is well-located and maintained, it can attract competitive offers quickly. 2. Maximize Your Return on Investment If you’ve owned your share for several years, there’s a good chance your property has appreciated in value. Selling now allows you to cash in on that growth, especiall...

Top five things to consider before you renovate

Image
  Making the decision to take on a renovation project is a huge challenge and commitment and should not be taken lightly. As rewarding as the outcome will be, it can be expensive, time-consuming and takes a lot of preparation. We reveal a few things to consider before you delve into a big home renovation. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail  Renovations are daunting, and so creating your own detailed schedule, with sections for each room e.g. ‘loft conversion’ will help massively. In each section, write time frames and assign job roles to ensure no jobs overlap or conflict with each other.  When working on a big task, it’s always easier to take it one step at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Without a detailed plan of action, the whole process becomes hectic and stressful. It’s normal to miss deadlines, but do your best to make a schedule and stick to it! Budget for additional costs Home renovation projects are never simple and rarely go exactly to plan. ...

How many homes should you look at before making an offer?

Image
  Looking for your perfect property is an exciting experience. Once you’ve searched online and spoken to your local Guild Member about what you’re searching for, it’s time to start the viewings. But how many should you do before you make an offer? What if your first property seems perfect? Should you keep looking? We asked our proud Guild Members from around the UK to share their top tips. How many viewings should you do per day? Darran Jospeh, from VG Estate Agent believes that three to four viewings in a day is an optimum number. He comments, “It gives buyers enough variety to compare properties while still allowing time to properly absorb the details of each one. Any more than that, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed or begin to forget the relative pros and cons of individual properties.” Tim Bennett, from Webbers Estate Agents agrees, adding, “it’s best to limit viewings to three or four properties per day to avoid fatigue and confusion. Seeing too many homes in quick succession ...
Image
Whether you want to move to a new location, upgrade to a larger home or are looking to take on a project property, selling your home can seem like a mammoth task. If you have never sold a house before, all the unknown processes can leave your head spinning. Maybe you need to sell your home right away or perhaps you are making preparations to put your house on the market in the next year. Whatever your situation, we have created a helpful guide to prepare you to sell your home for the first time.  Preparing your home You want to ensure prospective buyers see your property in its best light to promote more interest, a quicker sale and a higher offer. Viewers of the home need to be able to picture themselves living there. Cleaning, decluttering, tidying and repairing the home will ensure the home is move-in ready and more desirable to house-hunters. Getting the house up to a good standard will make it easier to sell and could even get you a higher offer. If you are thinking ahead, the...

Hidden Costs of Homeownership First-Time Buyers Overlook

Image
  ๐Ÿ’ธ Hidden Costs of Homeownership First-Time Buyers Overlook Buying your first home is a major milestone—but it comes with more expenses than just the down payment and mortgage. Many first-time buyers are surprised by the hidden costs of homeownership , which can add up quickly if you’re not prepared. Here’s a breakdown of the most common (and often overlooked) costs that come with owning a home in 2025: 1. ๐Ÿงพ Closing Costs While your deposit grabs most of your attention, completion costs typically add another 2%–5% of the home’s price. This includes: Legal fees Appraisal fees Title insurance Land transfer taxes (varies by location) Stamp duty Example : If y ou are a first-time buyer and purchase a property for £500,000. The   SDLT   you owe will be calculated as: 0% on the first £300,000 = £0 5% on the remaining £200,000 = £10,000 total  SDLT  = £10,000 2. ๐Ÿก Council  Tax These vary widely by region, but they’re an ongoing annual...

Renting vs. Buying: Which is Right for You in 2025?

  ๐Ÿ  Renting vs. Buying: Which is Right for You in 2025? As the property market continues to shift in 2025, the age-old debate— renting vs. buying —is more relevant than ever. Rising interest rates, housing shortages, and evolving lifestyles mean the right choice isn’t always obvious. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide which option fits your finances, goals, and lifestyle this year. ๐Ÿ”‘ Buying a Home in 2025 ✅ Pros Equity Building : Your mortgage payments go toward owning an asset—something you can later sell or rent out. Stability : No risk of sudden eviction or rent hikes. Ideal if you’re settling down. Customization : You can renovate, decorate, and fully make the space your own. Potential Appreciation : In the right area, your home value may rise significantly over time. ❌ Cons High Upfront Costs : Down payments, closing fees, legal costs, and stamp duty add up. Less Flexibility : Selling takes time, and moving frequently isn’t ...