The best time to move is the time that best suits you. But whether you are a first-time buyer, looking for your perfect forever home, or a property investor, it seems now is a good time to move.

Many early birds are moving home
Many people have been watching the market closely and were preparing to move well before Christmas last year, getting their homes’ sale-ready, and addressing anything that helped to maximise their selling prices’. As interest rates stabilised, home movers decided to get an early start and take advantage of reasonably priced homes, thanks to a slower 2023 market, before prices start to rise again.

Sellers know they will find a buyer quickly
In January, the number of homes for sale was 13% higher than the previous year and agreed sales were up by 16%* in the first six weeks of the year compared with 2023. This momentum is growing, increasing demand for your home. Spring home movers make this time of the year one of the busiest and with early bird buyers kicking off the beginning of the year, the market is in better shape than is often described in the news.

Home movers who delayed their move last year are moving in 2024
An increasing number of buyers who were waiting to see what happened last year have been entering the market. Eager to move and start enjoying a better property means homes are not on the market for long. Wanting to take advantage of lower stamp duty rates at 0% for homes up to the value of £250,000 and for first-time buyers up to the value of £425,000,** is also a big factor.

The market is ripe for picking properties
With house prices generally not increasing last year while maintaining good levels of value, many people are getting on the move. They know that they can get a good price for their current property without overpaying for their next. As more and more 'sold' signs sprout up under the warming sky, more buyers return to the market. They bring fresh, sale-ready, and often move-in-ready homes that attract a lot of interest.

Springtime is a good time to move
Springtime is perfect for moving. Summer is on the horizon and your garden will be foremost in your mind. As warmer, lighter, and longer evenings appear, you have more time for house viewings and making your home look beautiful. You don’t want to move when the weather is too cold, but you want to move in time for summer. And as the economic climate improves, a positive mood purveys without the franticness of previous years.

Better mortgage deals and an acceptance of a new normal
You buy a home because you love it and will be happy living in it. It is also an investment. Since January, mortgage approvals have been increasing as mortgage rates decrease. It’s little wonder more people are moving. While interest rates are not as low as in the past, many people are accepting that they will not return to super-low levels. Waiting for interest rates to fall will probably mean paying more for the home you want as house prices rise.

 

Looking for the perfect home to rent can be a challenging task, as there are a wide range of factors that you need to take into consideration. Here are seven top tips for making the process much more streamlined and stress-free. The first step in finding the perfect home to rent is to determine your budget. You should aim to allocate around 30% of your monthly income to paying your rent, as any more than this could cause you financial strain. Knowing your budget will then allow you to narrow down your search and only consider properties that you can realistically afford. This saves you time and prevents you from falling in love with a home that is way out of your price range. When it comes to finding a new home, rushing the process can lead to poor decisions and frustration. Giving yourself plenty of time allows you to thoroughly research different locations, compare rental prices, and view multiple properties. By starting early and taking the time to carefully evaluate your options, you can ensure that you find a rental property that aligns with your lifestyle, preferences, and financial situation.

Consider your location
One of the most crucial factors to consider when searching for a property is its location. Living close to work, school, or amenities can save you time, money, and stress, while living in a safe neighbourhood can give you added peace of mind. Before committing to a tenancy, you should research the area, visit the neighbourhood at different times of the day, and maybe even speak to people who already live there to get a feel for the community.

Define your must-have features
It's essential to take the time to define your must-have features before starting your search, as this will help you find a home that suits your needs and preferences. You can do this by making a list of desirable features, considering your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals in the process. By clearly outlining what you are looking for in a rental property, you can streamline your search process and focus on homes that match your criteria. This can save you time and energy and help you find a place that feels like the perfect fit for you.

Speak to your estate agent
Your estate agent is the bridge between you and your next home as they possess valuable information about the properties on the market, as well as insight into the local property market. Effective communication with your estate agent can help them understand your needs and preferences, allowing them to streamline the search and present you with options that align with what you are looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask your agent questions or go to them for advice, as they are there to help you with whatever you may need.

Make the most of your viewing
Before you even step foot into the property you are interested in, it's important to do some preparation beforehand. You should be ready to ask some key questions about a range of topics including rent payments, the length of the tenancy, the area, and whether or not pets are allowed in the property. Take note of any signs of wear and tear, such as peeling paint or leaky faucets, and check the fixtures and fittings to make sure they are in good working condition.

Take the final steps
Once you have found a property you love and have decided you would like to live there, you need to complete the process with the help of your estate agent. It’s crucial that you carefully review the tenancy agreement to make sure you fully understand all the terms and conditions before signing. Once this is done, it’s time to arrange for electricity, water, gas, internet, and any other essential services to be activated in your name.

 

Looking for your perfect property? Contact our dedicated team of agents today

 

Home buyers and sellers are coming back to the UK property market in droves, breaking records along the way. Some home movers are early birds; others have given up waiting, while many are seduced by a beautiful array of inspiring properties and reasonable pricing.

You have more daylight to enjoy viewings
Spring and summer are perfect for getting out in the garden, even if it’s not your own. Longer, lighter evenings give you more time to book and enjoy house viewings. According to Rightmove, January saw a record-breaking 23% increase in valuation requests compared to last year.*

Spring-summer surge
This time of year, often sees an increase in home-moving activity. Winter is over and the yearning for change is in the air. There are not many things that can change your life, like moving to a property you love. Many home movers choose spring, hoping to be in on time to enjoy summer.

0% stamp duty
Stamp duty is due to increase in April 2025. But right now, it’s at 0% for homes up to the value of £250,000 and for first-time buyers up to the value of £425,000, and just 5% between £425,001 and £625,000 on the amount over £425,000.** This reduces the cost of your move.

Sellers are back
Agreed sales were up by 16% in the first six weeks of the year compared with the same time in 2023.* And with the number of homes arriving on the market increasing as ‘For Sale’ signs appear in the locations you love; you know you are closer than ever to finding the property you really want.

Buyers are back
With buyer demand increasing by 11%*** in January compared with last year, buyers have been returning to the market for some time. Momentum is building steadily. Buyers are often sellers too, so they bring more choice to the market. All of this, combined with lowering interest rates, increases confidence in the market.

Best of both worlds with reasonable pricing
Make a good offer and you will be home in no time. This year is great for moving compared with previous years. You will get a good price for your current home with house prices inching up but, you will also get good value for money when buying due to the slowdown in house price inflation last year.

Good news for first-time buyers
With low deposit mortgages, the First Homes scheme offering discounts on new-build homes, affordable starter homes, and helpful savings schemes giving good interest to help you gather a deposit, it’s best to ignore the average house price in the UK mentioned in the news. Many homes are priced below this figure so you can get a footing on the ladder.

Positives for second steppers
If you are moving from a starter home, you will enjoy more demand than any other sector. This means you are in a good place to take a step up. With increasingly competitive interest rates and over 5,000**** mortgage products to choose from, from porting to buying something with the potential to improve, you have a lot of options.

Buy a home higher up the ladder
Homes at the higher end of the ladder are still enjoying lots of room for negotiation. If you are a cash buyer, even better. So, if you have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years and want an extraordinary home, this is your time. As soon as you move into your home, it will start increasing in value as the market warms.

Moving is not stressful with the right agent
Moving does not have to be stressful. As experienced agents combine their local market knowledge with access to a vast database of buyers and sellers, you can’t miss. This makes it easier to find an alternative if a sale falls through. Achieving a good price and finding the home you want is important and good agents make it happen effortlessly.

 

Make your move magical and stress-free by contacting us today

Rightmove*
GOV.UK**
Zoopla***
Moneyfacts****

 

When getting involved in the property market, there are many technical parts to buying a home. Mortgages can be one of the most complicated steps.

What is a mortgage?
A mortgage is a legal loan agreement between a borrower and a lender for an agreed-upon amount of money. A mortgage loan can only be borrowed for a property purchase. This then allows the borrower to purchase a home and make monthly repayments with interest. If these repayments aren’t met each month, the lender has the right to repossess the property.

When you purchase a home, you place a cash deposit, which is normally around 10-15% of the property's price. You repay a mortgage on an agreed-upon timeline between 20 and 40 years, and sometimes you can be penalised if you pay back the mortgage too soon.

Fixed-rate mortgage
A fixed-rate mortgage is one where the interest rate stays the same throughout the agreed-upon period. This is usually maintained for two to five years. These mortgages are great if you want to maintain a constant payment over a period, but if the bank's interest rates reduce, you might end up paying more in the long run.

Variable-interest mortgage
This type of mortgage is where you pay an interest rate that your lender independently sets. The lender will use the Bank of England’s base interest rate as a guide but charge more in line with other lenders. With this mortgage, your monthly interest rates will be constantly changing.

Guarantor mortgage
A guarantor mortgage is a mortgage that has been created to support people who cannot get a mortgage independently. This may be due to a poor past credit score or a low salary. You have a relative or close friend as your guarantor, meaning they are responsible if you cannot meet your monthly repayments.

1% mortgage
A 1% mortgage is exactly as described in the title. You will only need to place a 1% deposit on the mortgage, but this will mean your monthly repayments will be higher. This will allow people who struggle to raise the deposit for a home to secure a mortgage.

Tracker mortgage
A tracker mortgage is a type of mortgage that tracks the base rate of the Bank of England. The base rate can change up to eight times a year, so the lender only increases and decreases your interest rate if the base rate at the Bank of England changes.

First-time buyer mortgage
A first-time buyer mortgage is directed at first-time property owners. These mortgages allow a smaller down payment than other mortgages to encourage first-time buyers to get onto the property market, as the average first-time buyer in England is 32.

Buy-to-let mortgage
A buy-to-let mortgage is a mortgage specifically designed for investors and landlords for a property they don’t plan to live in themselves. You are typically expected to put down a higher deposit, around 25–40% of the property price.

Offset mortgage
An offset mortgage uses your savings account to determine how much you are charged each month. Depending on how much money is in your savings account, it is used to reduce the total interest you pay each month. So, the more money placed in the savings account, the lower your monthly repayment.

Interest-only mortgage
An interest-only mortgage is a mortgage where you only pay the interest rate instead of the full monthly repayment cost. At the end of your mortgage term, you will then make provisions to pay back the original amount of the loan.

Joint mortgages
A joint mortgage is what it says in the name. It is where you share the mortgage and the monthly costs. You can get a joint mortgage for up to four people, but it is usually for couples. This allows more people to afford the cost of a mortgage.

Are you ready to secure a mortgage and get that dream property?
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