The Wellingborough Property Blog

Av erage asking price of a newly-listed home coming onto the market for sale falls by 1.0% (-£3,832) this month to £372,359. While a price drop in July is normal, this month’s fall is much larger than the ten-year average drop we’d see in July (0.2%). Sellers are having to compete harder to attract summer buyers. The supply of available homes is close to a 12-year high for the time of year, giving buyers plenty of choice. Home-movers are always distracted by the summer holiday season, but the World Cup and hot weather have also added to distractions. Rightmove analysis shows that the first heatwave in May caused a temporary 8% drop in demand from buyers before rebounding. June’s heatwave caused a similar temporary dip in demand of 6%, followed by a 4% drop during the current July heatwave. A new Prime Minister adds to the distractions that buyers are facing, but also offers a chance to reset political priorities. Rightmove is urging that housing should be high on the agenda, with a foc...

  Average new seller asking prices fall by 1.8% (-£6,695) this month to £358,138. This larger than usual December drop means that prices are 0.6% (-£2,059) lower at the end of 2025 than in 2024 Bigger than usual Rightmove Boxing Day Bounce expected, as those who paused due to Budget uncertainty to join the post-Christmas boost in home-moving activity: Very early signs of post-Budget rebound, with number of top-end London sellers up by 24% week-on-week The uncertainty and gloom caused by rumours of property tax rises in November’s Budget from as early as August contributed to more subdued activity and pricing in the second half of the year: The number of new sellers coming to market in the first half of 2025 was 9% ahead of the first half of 2024, which reversed to 4% below 2024 across the second half of this year Buyer demand was 3% ahead of 2024 across the first half of the year, but 6% behind in the second half It’s still been a more positive year overall for sales, with the numb...

  It’s that time of year again; the nights draw in, sunsets split the sky into spectacular colours and rich leaves blanket the grass. With all this magic going on outside, it only makes sense to bring some of it indoors – here are some tips to transform your home this autumn. Use warm ambient lighting Embrace autumn’s mood with soft and low lighting. Ambient lighting involves using colour, temperature and brightness which can create a warm and comfortable amount of light throughout your home to complement its features. If your home has a dimmer switch, opt for lower settings to capture the cosiness of autumn’s dark evenings. Add cosy textures to your home When you think of cold weather, thick blankets, glowing fireplaces, hot chocolates and comfy slippers come to mind. One of the best ways to optimise relaxation in your home is to declutter the space so that your sofas and beds become the centrepieces of the rooms. This creates a calm, comfortable atmosphere which is perfect f...

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...

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...

  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. ...

  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 ...

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 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. 🧾 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. 🏡 Council  Tax These vary widely by region, but they’re an ongoing annual...

  🏠 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. 🔑 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 ...

  🏡 Top 10 Things to Check Before Buying a House Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. It's exciting—but also overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. Beyond location and price, there are several crucial factors that could save (or cost) you thousands down the line. Here are the top 10 things you should check before buying a house : 1. Structural Integrity Check for cracks in walls, ceilings, or the foundation. Uneven floors or doors that don’t shut properly may indicate bigger issues. A structural survey can help uncover hidden problems. 2. Roof Condition Roofs are expensive to replace. Ask how old it is, inspect for missing tiles, sagging, or moss buildup. If repairs are needed, negotiate the price accordingly. 3. Plumbing and Drainage Run taps, flush toilets, and check under sinks for leaks. Poor water pressure or slow drainage can be signs of deeper plumbing issues. 4. Electrical Systems An outdated or overloaded e...

  Interest rates significantly impact mortgages. Here is a brief overview: When interest rates rise, mortgage rates tend to increase, making borrowing more expensive. This can lead to:      -Higher monthly mortgage payments      -Increased costs over the life of the loan Conversely, when interest rates fall, mortgage rates often decrease, making borrowing more affordable. This can result in:      -Lower monthly mortgage payments      -Reduced costs ove rthe life of the loan This can affect: Homebuyers: Higher rates might deter buyers or lead them to consider smaller homes. Existing homeowners: Those with variable-rate mortgages might see their payments increase, while others might consider refinacing to lock in lower rates. If you would like to be put in touch with one of our independant mortgage advisors for a free informal chat please email me on Rachel.johnson@cheltonbrown.co.uk or call 01933 829088

  I f you are thinking of moving house it's probably one of the most important decisions you will make. The timing can matter for a variety of reasons such as you need to upsize or downsize, move locations or you have seen your dream home become available. Think about whether this is the right time as it can be one of the most stressful things you do. Try to consider how the timing will impact you when having viewings taking place and any personal events you may have, such as a wedding or Christmas as you need to be flexible in order to get your property sold in order to move on. Why is Spring/Summer the most popular time to sell? With lighter evenings offers ore flexible viewings which will give you a better chance of selling. If the weather is nice it makes your house feel warmer and more welcoming Do you need to consider schools, if so sell in the Spring in order to get settled in time for the September term starting If yo...