This time of year, has a lot going for it: Easter, lots of chocolate, spring flowers, warmer weather, and if you are on the move, April is the best time to sell your home. In fact, March, April, May, and June are the most popular months for making a swift move, with the average home taking less time to sell.

More people move in the spring
More UK property transactions are completed in the spring than at any other time of the year, and it’s a pattern that repeats itself year after year!

For example, in March 2022, the number of property transactions completed in the UK peaked at 111,680; in April, it was 107,100; and in May, the figure stood at 106,860.*

A good year
Conditions were a little bumpy towards the end of last year. The minibudget that caused an air of uncertainty has been replaced by a fresh spring breeze of stability. Sellers and buyers who delayed moving are returning to the market. More sellers mean more choice. Traditionally, the market warms up at this time of year, but with the added element of pent-up demand and a more calm and realistic market, it promises to be a good year.

Strong demand with a stable 2023 market
The average price of property coming to the market rose by just £14 (+0.0%) from January to February to £362,452.** This is a decent and stable figure, and with demand still very strong, the market is now conducting itself in a manner that is healthy and vibrant. However, you no longer need to race to your dream home and offer more than the asking price! If anything, there may be scope for a little negotiation.

Inspiring and beautiful homes
With wildlife coming on strong and flowers sprouting up to witness the longer evenings, spring lends itself well to moving. It’s easier weather for all the practical parts of moving, and homes with all this splendour going on just look better. Many will have enjoyed a good spring cleaning now that winter is over. Home improvements occupied many homeowners during the lockdown, so whether your budget is large or more modest, chances are you are in for inspiring viewings. Outdoor living spaces, work-from-home spaces, and interesting gardens are ripe for your ideas just in time for summer.

Summary: Springtime is the right time!
With so many beautiful homes looking good at this time of year and a buoyant market with some fresh pent-up demand, house prices are no longer rocketing out of control. Warmer, longer days and lighter evenings bring more homeowners out of hibernation, adding vibrancy and more choice to the property market. With no snow or cold to deal with while hopefully finishing in time to enjoy the summer. It’s little wonder that so many homeowners choose spring to move.

Perhaps we are no different from the returning spring wildlife. The season of change ushers us into a changing mood, but the motives, like many other natural laws, are highly practical and advantageous.

Spring your property move into life now!

Browse our available properties, then book a free valuation with one of our expert agents.

 

Office for National Statistics*
Rightmove**

 

For some of us, home is not the same without them. For landlords, they can become a worry particularly when it comes to damage. Whichever side of the fence you stand on, the law will change soon. And this comes as a welcome relief for those tenants struggling to find affordable accommodation. As things stand currently, there is a blanket ban on pets in residential properties. That means landlords can refuse pets without justification.

Renter's Reform Bill
On the cards since 2019 and soon to become law, the Renters Reform Bill aims to improve conditions and rights for millions of renters in the UK, including pets!

The Dogs and Domestic Animals Act proposes

• Blanket bans on pets living with tenants are to be outlawed.
• Certification of the person responsible for the pet.
• Dogs must be microchipped and vaccinated.
• Dogs must also respond to commands.

Landlords can refuse your pet if:

• You don’t have a vet’s certificate for your pet.
• You are unable to take care of your pet.
• The welfare of the animal is threatened by keeping it on the property.
• If your animal is a nuisance or causes danger to others.
• Your landlord holds a certificate of exemption.

Lack of clarity!
There are still a lot of unknowns and things to work out, for example, on issues such as: Will this apply to all pets? Will the tenant be obliged to get pet insurance? The general process if a landlord refuses to accommodate your pet and a formal process of appeal.

When does this come into effect?
The house of parliament has been deliberating over this bill since 2019, delayed somewhat thanks to COVID. The bill is now becoming law. The exact date has not been released yet, but it’s expected to be later in 2023.

Your pet
Sadly, many pets have been given away or taken into care due to tenants being unable to take care of them. Finding affordable, pet-friendly places to live is a challenge.

Tenants
Many tenants will be thrilled to hear this news. The emotional impact of being forced to give away your best friend is truly devastating. Many landlords are pet owners themselves, so the better-behaved your pet, the better! And pet insurance will show your potential landlord that you are a responsible pet owner with a low damage risk.

Landlords
This bill protects landlords while protecting the rights of your tenants. If you are a landlord, it’s only right that you want to protect your investment. The last thing you want is your tenant’s furry friend ruining your renovated flat! Like many reforms, these changes will help you enforce some ground rules where before there were none.

A happy beginning for all!
With this legislation in place, the landlord-tenant-pet relationship will improve life and conditions for all, allowing everyone to live happily ever after!

Looking for a great place to rent? Are you seeking a buy-to-let investment? Browse our available properties.

 

April is so much more than just a pretty month to go house hunting. International Pillow Fight Day takes place at this time of year, but wouldn’t you rather wake up in the home of your dreams?

Create a wish list
If you are going to do it, you might as well do it properly. Buying a home is a big decision, and buying your dream home is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime event. Don’t be afraid to make a list of all that you want in your ideal home, as it's going to take careful planning. The details are important, so break it down into sections, from the kitchen to the sunset. You may find your home is not complete. But as long as you can create your vision at some point in the future, then you are on the right track.

The houses
The UK property market offers a rich and diverse selection of homes to inspire you. From Tudor cottages and Victorian townhouses to modern, eco-friendly, state-of-the-art green homes. Maybe you are looking for a project and want to transform classical architecture into something extraordinarily modern. It’s important to keep an open mind, as the possibilities are endless. Whether your dream is compact living in a modern flat or modern living in a suburban setting, property dreams come in all shapes and sizes.

The market
This time of year is ideal for searching for your dream home. More houses appear on the market, bringing more choice, and the property market becomes a hive of activity as home movers enjoy the perfect selling and buying climate.

In April to January 2022-2023, UK residential transactions stood at 1,029,580; in 2017 to 2018 for the same period, they were strong at 1,015,570; and in 2015 to 2016, they were 1,042,200. * These figures suggest that the housing market remains strong, healthy, and, above all else, consistent.

Enjoy the viewings
Entering your dream home will probably make a good first impression. It may take you a little bit of searching to find what you are looking for. So don’t be afraid to get out there and explore. This will give you plenty of ideas and help you discover what you are looking for.

Discover your style
Consider what interior spaces and designs make you most happy. Are you a traditionalist? Do you have a passion for wood? Or are you a minimalist who pays respect to classical features? Do you want to create a multiplicity of styles?

Consider your needs
It might be your dream home, but you still might want to consider practical elements. Think about all the members of your family, the local community, your long-term plans and goals, and your vision of a lifestyle.

Think big and be brave!
Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild. Stick to your vision while keeping an open mind. There are many ways to create your ideal home over time. Sometimes these challenges will inspire a solution that turns out better than your original vision and you create a home that surpasses your dreams.

Finally
You can sleep in the home of your dreams after all the big decisions have been made, and now all you have to do is live the dream.

Wake up in your dream home and live the property dream this year!

Start the search now by browsing the available properties we have on our website.

 

GOV.UK*

 

Taking your first steps on the property ladder can seem quite daunting, with market news constantly changing and figuring out where to start. Therefore, we are here to update you on all the reasons why now is a good time to become a first-time buyer in the UK.

Mortgage guarantee scheme
This government-backed scheme was launched all the way back in April 2021 and has recently been extended to December 31, 2023. This creates the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to buy their first home with a 5% deposit.

House prices can be confusing!
There is so much mixed information out there, and sometimes this can be unsettling. The average UK house price in February was recorded at around £285,476. This is a monthly increase of 1.1%, a quarterly change of -2.5%, and an annual change of +2.1%.*

When it comes to the news and statistics, particularly national average statistics, it’s important to take them with a pinch of salt.

Overall, house prices are adjusting after the pandemic, and the market has slowed a little. This creates more opportunities for you to buy and sell at a good price.

Bargaining power
There is always scope for negotiation, and this is particularly true in the current climate. Talk to Zoopla, and home sellers are discounting their homes by as much as 14.1% to get a sale.**

Yet again, do not take this figure to mean that you will get at least a 10% discount on your first home. That said, you may get more than this! It depends on the house and its condition and how quickly the vendor wants to move.

You are appealing because you have no chain!
You are in many ways in a similar position to a cash buyer in that you have no chain, so you may be able to make a cheeky offer on your first home.

House price growth
Don’t worry about house prices in the long term; they are expected to start growing again in 2024. So, don’t wait too long if you have a game plan for waiting to see what happens.

Interest rates
Interest rates are currently being recorded as higher than perhaps a few years ago. Many analysts suggest they will never return to the ultra-low rates of a few years ago. That said, they are falling again. Therefore, relatively speaking, they are at a reasonable rate, and even if the base rate rises, mortgage rates are expected to remain constant. If there are any changes, they should be minimal.

The sooner you start, the sooner you pay off your mortgage
It’s all very well waiting to see what happens or to see if house prices fall, but the money you may save, will be lost! Delaying paying off your mortgage is costly; add to this the cost of renting and the temptation to spend your deposit!