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Market predictions for the new year

The trio of low mortgage rates, the stamp duty holiday and changes in buyers’ priorities have all contributed to the incredible demand within the housing market in 2021. That is why we’ve managed to see an incredible leap of 30% in buyer interest across the five-year average.*

As the new year draws closer, we explore a few factors that are in store for the property market for 2022.

1. The return of first-time buyers

Whilst the demand is there, the range of buyers has changed.

At the start of the pandemic, most buyers were in the wealthier bracket of society and owned higher valued properties. Now that we’re seeing an improvement in mortgage affordability, the door has opened back up to first-time buyers!

If you’re a first-time buyer, we don’t expect the market to slow down anytime soon, so you’ll need to ensure you’re prepared to move quicker than normal when you find a property you like.

A good way to stay ahead of the game is by getting a mortgage in principle before you start house hunting.

Mortgage in principle (MIP) = this is a statement from a lender that they would lend you a certain amount and can assure a seller of your financial standing.

2. Race for space continues

Another domino effect from the pandemic is how homeowners began to prioritise space as one of their main needs in a property.

The combination of being cooped up inside, as well as businesses moving to remote working meant that people naturally discovered how much they valued space.

If you’re thinking of moving to find a property with more room, the time is now to get a move on with the process – especially with demand being high and surpassing supply.

Stay one step ahead of the game and book your up-to-date property valuation with us this month.

Your essential checklist as a landlord this winter

With the countdown to Christmas on, it’s essential that landlords prepare their properties for the colder months.

We’ve put together the following checklist so you can keep your property in the best condition for your tenants this winter, right through to spring.

Boiler

With boilers working extra hard over the winter months, it’s essential to make sure that they have been serviced ahead of time.

You may want to consider putting a service plan in place to minimise future breakdowns and disturbances.

Water pipes

Frozen water pipes are a common problem when the weather starts to turn colder.

Ensuring pipes have been properly lagged and insulated will prevent them from freezing or splitting – an expensive job to repair as a landlord.

Advising tenants to keep the heating on, even at a low temperature, may be worth considering to further prevent any problems with pipes.

Guttering

Whether your property is rented out or vacant this winter, clearing out your gutters is important to avoid potential leaks.

A build-up of leaves or debris in your gutters can stop rainwater or snow from draining away.

If not cleared away properly, this can cause several problems, including leaks, damp and cracked drainpipes.

Insulation

If the insulation in your property is properly checked, then it can go a long way to helping reduce your heating bills.

A better-insulated property will reduce the amount of heat lost and can therefore be a lot more attractive to tenants. Investing in your property’s insulation can also fetch you a higher rent too.

If you own older buildings or houses with a loft conversion, it’s important to make sure these are well insulated, it’s also worth noting that grants can be available to help improve insulation.

Windows and doors

Before the cold weather really sets in, you should take the time to inspect your seals on both windows and doors.

Draft excluders can often be a popular and cheap method to tackle drafts coming through doors.

As your leading local agent, we know how important it is to carry out a winter inspection on your properties to ensure the comfort of your tenants and avoid future repair costs.

For more information on any of the above or to talk with a member of our team, contact us.

Make the most of your garden all year round

As we are officially in winter, we typically spend less time in our outside spaces. But now more than ever, Brits are looking for new ways to make the most of their gardens all year round.

With these tips, you can make your garden look and feel more inviting for the colder months, whether you decide to brave the cold or not!

Keep those green fingers busy

You wouldn’t assume you can work on your gardening skills in December, but we have just the thing for our keen gardeners out there.

Are you looking to brighten up your drive or balcony? Why not plant the following shrubs to add a splash of colour:

- Holly: a Christmas favourite. Choose a female variety to get the bright red berry.

- TIP: why not try a self-fertile variety such as Ilex aquifolium ‘JC van Tol’ to guarantee you a crop.

- Spindle euonymus europaeus: plant these bright pink lantern-shaped flowers to liven up your doorway.

- Crab apple: varieties such as Malus x robusta Red Sentinel burst with gorgeous red fruits all the way through to January, so get planting.

Make it cosy!

Even if you have only a balcony or a small patio garden, you must still utilise it! If you have a larger garden, then focus on warming just a small, more intimate area rather than tackling the whole space.

To better that, add shelter to shield you from the cold nights and lights to enhance a cosy atmosphere by creating strong shadows, framing your designated winter garden beautifully.

Repurpose old cushions and throws

You don’t need to have designated furniture for outdoor use only. Grab some spare cushions, throws and blankets that you already own and repurpose them for the garden.

Don’t leave them outside, have a basket that you bring out with you when you do happen to sit outside.

Have you thought about a fire pit?

Having a fire pit will be sure to get everyone using your garden during winter. You can find a wide variety of firepits suitable for all garden sizes.

Firepits have many great benefits. They keep you warm and create opportunities for fun activities for your family like roasting marshmallows.

Entice the wildlife

Plants are great ways to add colour to your winter garden, but have you ever had a beautiful robin or a goldfinch spread their wings in your outside space?

Invest in a bird bath to entice birds in.

Birds need water for drinking and to clean their feathers, especially in the winter months when most water sources may be frozen over. Make sure the bath is no deeper than 5cm deep and add stones or gravel for some grip.

Adding bird feeds around your outside space will also bribe these beautiful birds around your home.

Are you looking for more outside space? Why not browse our properties today.

Why January is a great time to sell

It’s a common misconception that market activity lulls in January, ready to resume in the spring. But with demand levels still on the rise, this couldn’t be more wrong for 2022 predictions.

Many see the new year as a chance for a fresh start, and that can mean homeowners are on the hunt to physically change or improve their surroundings.

The number of people window-shopping on Rightmove on Boxing Day last year was 50% higher than the year before.*

To help you decide whether to take action, here are some of the top reasons why you couldn’t pick a better month than January to sell.

People are on the move

Statistics indicate that January is the busiest time of the year for employee redistribution or staff members moving around.

With many of us spending Christmas at home, it can also be the final push needed for first-time buyers looking to move out or a household to decide they need somewhere with more space for the year ahead.

There is less competition

After the holiday season has come to an end, conditions are optimal for serious sellers, as many homeowners tend to take their time listing their property.

This means that if you work with an agent over the next month, you could get ahead of the competition and really stand out on the market.

Show off your home

Intelligent buyers house hunt in winter, as properties tend to look their worst in these months.

So, if your home looks spectacular and is well presented by your agent, then it will impress viewers as they will assume your property looks even better in the summer! This mentality will draw in potential buyers.

Placing your home on the market in January shows confidence in your home – a fantastic starting point in convincing people to buy the property.

If you are looking to take advantage of the lucrative new year market, please book your valuation today.

*Rightmove