The Blog

If there was ever a good time of year to freshen up and update your home, then it would be the springtime. After a long and cold winter, the sun is finally starting to shine, the flowers are beginning to flourish, and you no longer have to wear three layers of clothing just to leave the house. Spring has sprung and you are feeling upbeat, motivated and ready for action. It’s the perfect time to update your home and embrace this year’s latest interior design trends. Not sure where to begin? Keep reading to discover five simple ways to spruce up your home for spring, and don’t worry, it won’t cost you the earth! Embrace natural light One of the simplest ways to make your home feel more spring-like is to ensure that you are making the most of any natural light within your home. It can be as basic a task as moving the furniture around a bit so that the key areas in each room are basked in sunshine. For example, try moving your sofa to the sun facing part of your living room, as close to the window as possible. You no longer need to worry about draughts as the warmer weather is well on its way. Alternatively, if you have a little money to spend, why not consider installing a roof light? Not only will this massively increase the amount of natural light let into your home, but it will also help to cut your energy bills and make your home more attractive to potential buyers if you decide to sell. Colour me beautiful If you want a quick and easy way to update your home for spring, then you can’t go wrong with a fresh coat of paint on the walls. With this spring’s trending colours being muted pink, baby blue and mint green, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to redecorating your home. On the other hand, if you prefer to keep your walls neutral, you could incorporate the above colours into your furniture and home accessories instead. Think freshly painted dining room chairs, a newly acquired mint green sofa or a few muted pink lampshades. Clear out the clutter Nothing says spring quite like a thorough spring clean of your home. It is almost a rite of passage for transitioning from the cold weather to the warm; it just has to be done. Now, if the thought of clearing out all your cupboards and drawers, not to mention the space under your bed where you stash everything and anything that you want out of sight, brings you out in a cold sweat, then don’t worry, you are not alone. Why do you think Mrs Hinch, the crazy cleaning lady, is so popular? Homeowners want a quick fix when it comes to ways to spring clean their home. They want hacks. They want miracle cures that will turn their dusty home into a sparkling paradise. Thankfully, for those of you who are not so keen on spring-cleaning, it can be done in just one day. Firstly, you need a checklist of the cleaning tasks you want to complete and then you simply need to systematically work your way through each room. A slap dash approach is not going to cut it if you want to be done in a day. Be thorough but don’t get bogged down with one individual task. Create a checklist to spring clean your home and systematically work your way through it. Be fabulous with flora and fruit Another simple, yet highly effective way to update your home this spring is with the art of flower arranging, and you don’t even have to spend a lot of money buying expensive flowers from your local garden centre. Just head outside to your garden and take your pick. Most people have a variety of spring flowers growing in their gardens, from daffodils to tulips to gladioli. All of which will look stunning arranged in a spring-inspired vase or two. Another great tip is to fill a bowl with lemons – choose the unwaxed variety – and place in your hallway or on your dining room table. Not only will they instantly brighten up any room, but they will smell fresh and amazing and look quirky too. Adopt spring-inspired accessories If you want to completely transform the look of a room without having to make any major changes, then home accessories are the way to go. Luckily, the shops and supermarkets are awash with spring-inspired home furnishings; from cushions emblazoned with cute animals that come out at this time of year, to throws adorned with flowers and decorative, light-weight rugs. Spring is the season of opportunities, so be sure to seize yours, especially when it comes to sprucing up your home. If you are planning on moving to the South Lakes area soon, why not telephone us or call in. We’ll be happy to advise you on our available properties in the area. Contact us on 01524 760048 for more information.

Selling a property can be a very confusing and lengthy process but having a good solicitor or conveyancer will help it to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Here is an easy step by step guide to the whole conveyancing process. Find a Conveyancer The conveyancing process formally starts when you’ve accepted an offer on the property. However, it’s recommended that you have a conveyancer in place before accepting an offer so that they can get the process started immediately and avoid delays. When it comes to choosing a conveyancer, speak to two or three and get some quotes before deciding who to go with. Speak with our team at Waterhouse Estate Agents as we will be able to recommend too. Alternatively, if you have friends or family who have recently moved, find out who they used and if they were happy with them. Don’t just go for the cheapest option, it could cause major issues further down the line if they cut corners! Sign the Conveyancer’s Letter of Engagement and Verify Your Identity Once you’ve chosen a conveyancer and discussed the fees involved, you’ll need to sign their letter of engagement. It’s only at this point that you commit to using their services. You will also need to verify your identity and address in the form of a passport or driving licence and supply a mortgage statement or utility bill for example. Complete Questionnaires Your conveyancer will send you some forms to complete, including a Property Information form and a Fittings & Contents form. It’s vital that you complete these honestly, as failure to do so could lead to delays later in the process. The Property Information form is where you tell the buyer about any changes that have been made to the property, such as extensions, solar panels or a loft conversion. You’ll also need to provide any supporting documents you have, so if your double glazing is still under warranty or you have paperwork to show that your boiler has been serviced in the last 12 months, you will need to provide copies. When it comes to fittings and contents, you don’t need to decide what you’re leaving behind at this point, you can confirm later or leave it open to negotiation. Your conveyancer will be able to advise how to complete the form if you get stuck. Speak to Your Mortgage Provider Assuming that you have an outstanding mortgage on your property, you will need to contact your mortgage lender and inform them that you’re in the process of selling. They’ll be able to advise you about paying off your outstanding balance when the sale goes through, or porting your mortgage, which essentially means transferring it to your new property. Draft Contracts When your conveyancer has received your completed forms, they’ll draw up a draft contract to send to the buyer’s conveyancer. The contract will outline which fixtures and fittings are to be included, along with copies of all the supporting documents you’ve provided. It will also give a date for completion, which is typically around two to four weeks after the exchange of contracts. The draft contract stage is usually the point where most of the negotiations take place, including the final price of the property. It’s also at this stage where you’ll need to allow for the buyers to have a surveyor come in and inspect the property. Depending on the answers you’ve given in the questionnaire the buyer may also want other professionals to come in and carry out inspections, such as a plumber or electrician. They may also request that you pay for the costs of any further inspections or repairs, but you will be under no obligation to agree to this. However, it’s at this point that a buyer may try to renegotiate on the final price of the property to take the extra costs into account. Exchange of Contracts Once the buyer is satisfied with the condition of your property and a final agreement has been reached on the price, including all fixtures and fittings, your conveyancer will exchange contracts with the buyer’s conveyancer. Between Exchange and Completion At this point both you and the buyer are fully committed to the sale of the property. You’ll receive the buyer’s deposit and if either party pulls out, they’ll open themselves up to legal action. Completion This is the day on which you hand over the keys to your property. The completion date is usually around two to four weeks after the date of exchange, but you can ask for this to be extended, or in some cases, shortened. The date of completion is also the date on which you’ll receive the outstanding balance for the property from the buyer. If you are planning on selling in the South Lakes area soon, why not telephone us on 01524760048. We’ll be happy to advise you and help with your conveyancing needs.

It may seem unusual to some to sell a house over the festive period, however, the property market is very much still active at this time of the year. The number of post-Christmas home buyers to browse for properties on Rightmove increases every year, with visits on Boxing Day last year 54% higher than the previous year. People have more free time and motivation to make a change in time for the New Year, so it can be a great time to buy and sell. With this in mind, here are our top tips for buying and selling over Christmas. An online presence is vital If you are selling your home then needs to be listed and visible on all the major property portals (like Rightmove) over Christmas. People will tend to have more free time and will start to browse properties online over the festive season. Ailsa Mather from Andrew Coulson explains: “We are listing a number of properties now because statistically, property portals show that there is a substantial spike on Boxing Day. We appreciate Christmas is a busy time for families, so we operate a ‘Do Not Disturb’ policy, that is clicking the property on the market just before Christmas but refraining from viewings until after the New Year.” Simon Miller from Holroyd Miller agrees that sellers need to take advantage of this busy time. “Once Christmas Day is done and Boxing Day leftovers are eaten, what do people looking for a New Year move do? They start looking for a new home. Don’t miss the opportunity to sell your house during the holidays – what could be nicer than viewing a very festive home?” Rightmove say that Boxing Day is their busiest all year, and Steve Thompson from Thomas Morris agrees that it is equally busy in their office. “Statistics have shown over recent years that the busiest days of the year for internet traffic on property portals are the days immediately following Christmas and Boxing Day. Our own evidence appears to confirm this phenomenon, showing that during the period from Christmas Eve 2016 up to and including New Year’s Day, we received over 130 telephone calls and 170 email leads from property portals. We even received calls and emails on Christmas Day.” But why is this period so busy? One reason could be due to the new phones and tablets that people are often gifted at Christmas. It is also one of the few holidays that the family will be all together and most likely at home. This means that any discussions about viewings and a move can be had with all the decision makers present. With the upcoming New Year, there’s no better fresh start than a new home. Winter Weather Spring is a popular time to buy and sell, but winter has its benefits, too. Sometimes stepping into a bright, warm, cosy home on a bitterly cold day or drizzly evening can have just as positive an effect as viewing a property on a warm summer day. Tip: Try to arrange viewings in the daylight. If you arrange a viewing after work at 6pm, you won’t get the true experience of the property, especially if there are grounds to explore. It is important to view them before the night draws in. Motivated To Move People who are looking to move in December and January are committed to moving quickly. It’s a great idea to make the most of this. Although there are downsides to house hunting over the festive season, the benefits can outweigh the drawbacks. Houses that are available for sale over the Christmas period have often either been on the market for a while or are very new to the market. Sellers with properties that have been listed for a while are likely to be eager to secure a sale, putting buyers in a much better bargaining position. Simon Davies from Norman F Brown said: “The December and the Christmas period is a great time to try to sell your property as the quality of the buyer is higher than at any other time of the year. If someone is out house hunting around Christmastime, it generally means they are motivated to buy quickly. The speculative, non-motivated viewings decrease as people are busy preparing for Santa and won’t go out to view unless they must. There also tends to be less properties for sale around this time of year and therefore less competition to compete against for a buyer’s attention.” Justin Flanagan from Charles Eden agrees that there is a much higher number of motivated buyers and sellers, and the ‘the-viewing-to-sale ratio’ is much higher at other times of year. “From a buyer’s point of view, there is not so much competition and the sellers are probably motivated to move,” he said. Ready For The New Year Rush In the New Year, there will be a rush of people looking to buy and sell. Why not beat the rush by getting your sale registered or getting to know the market in December? “January 2nd is one of the busiest days for us,” said Drivers & Norris. “There aren’t likely to be too many viewings happening over the Christmas period, but it’s nevertheless a great time to get some viewings lined-up for the New Year. “Many sellers hold off until after the New Year and miss out on the busy online searching that takes place between Christmas and New Year. Additionally, because there are fewer sellers listing their property over Christmas, those who do benefit from having less competition than they typically would have in the New Year or Spring.” Don’t underestimate the time that it takes for your home to go on the market, either. Given the time it takes for an estate agent to prepare the marketing material for a property, including taking photos, preparing floorplans and commissioning an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), it is advisable for sellers to start the process now to get ahead of the competition and take advantage of these peak periods. It is a great time to develop a strategy with your Guild agent to make sure your home launches to market in the best possible way. “We are currently running a ‘do not disturb’ campaign which means we are preparing properties to market with EPC, floor plan and images before the decorations go up and then launching them to market over the festive period,” explained John Newhouse from Roseberry Newhouse. “We will then start arranging viewings in the New Year when the household returns to usual. In January 2017, we arranged more viewings on the first day back than in the whole of December,” he revealed. Don’t wait until spring It is not essential to wait until Spring to sell. Most sellers wait until spring and then there is more supply and more competition, whereas over the Christmas season, there is less supply but still high demand. By selling your home over the festive period, you may be more likely to achieve a better selling price than you would trying to sell against the flurry of stock in the spring market. Tip: A tip for house hunting over the Christmas season is to contact local agents and see what stock they have ready to launch over the festive period, as most agents hold back stock to launch over the Christmas holidays. This way you may get first refusal and will get to register your interest first. The Property Market Is Still Active At Christmas Take our word for it. People are still looking to move, even on Christmas Eve. “We have found that year on year we have improved with agreed sales figures in December,” said Cooke & Co. “We are unsure if this is to do with investors in recent years trying to secure a bargain purchase, believing that anyone on the market at this festive time of year will be desperate to sell and more likely to accept an offer, but we have also seen a vast improvement with first-time buyers agreeing sales too.” Tim Goodwin from Williams & Goodwin says it is never too close to Christmas. “Having sold property at 4:30pm on Christmas Eve before now, I have no hesitation in recommending that potential sellers should place their property on the market sooner rather than later,” he says. “I did have a viewing one year on December 20th, with completion due the next day. The sole purpose of the viewing was to measure the oven to ensure it was big enough to fit the turkey in, so make sure you take your tape measure to the butchers as well as the viewing if looking to complete before Christmas Day.” Contact Us If you are thinking of selling please give us a call on 01524 760048 Tags: Christmas, Property, Selling, Selling over Christmas

Sectors mark ‘full house’ for first time since 2007 Price of property coming to market jumps by 1.8% (+£5,983) this month, the biggest rise at this time of year since October 2015 Market delivers a ‘full house’ for first time since March 2007, with price records in all regions of Great Britain and in all property market sectors (first-time buyer, second stepper and top of the ladder) Strong housing market fundamentals and a window of opportunity to buy before a potential interest rate rise keep activity robust despite end of final stamp duty incentive: Number of sales being agreed was up 15.2% in September, versus 2019’s ‘normal market’ comparison Number of new properties coming to market ticks up compared to summer, but not enough to satisfy strong autumn demand from buyers 2021 has been the year of the power buyer – those with their property already sold subject to contract or who have nothing to sell – and thus have the best negotiating hand to secure their ideal home in these ‘full house’ market conditions Overview The price of property coming to market has surged past last month’s record and jumped by an average of 1.8% (+£5,983) this month. This is the highest percentage monthly rise at this time of year since October 2015. In addition, this is the first time since March 2007 that Rightmove has recorded a ‘full house’, with all market sectors and all regions of Great Britain having hit new record price highs in the same month. The continued fast turnover of property for sale and a window of opportunity to buy before a potential interest rate rise seem to have overcome the final expiry of all stamp duty incentives and are keeping activity robust. Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data comments: “Competition for property for sale remains hot this autumn, with average prices jumping by almost £6,000 in the month. Although more properties are coming to market, the level is still not enough to replenish the stock that’s being snapped up. Consequently, new price records have been set across the board, with every region of Great Britain and all of the three market sectors of first-time buyer, second-stepper and top of the ladder hitting all-time highs. This ‘full house’ is an extremely rare event, happening for the first time since March 2007. The stock shortages started after the first lockdown, and they look set to continue with the underlying housing market fundamentals remaining strong, and an additional incentive to buy and fix your mortgage interest rate before a widely expected rate rise. Mortgage interest rates are lower than they have ever been before and lenders are keen to lend in a competitive market, with employment and wage growth also robust. The number of sales agreed continue to be strong despite the end of the stamp duty incentives.” The number of sales being agreed was up by 15.2% in September compared to the same period in 2019, which is the best ‘normal market’ comparison. This high level of demand is stalling a recovery in the depleted available stock for sale despite a continuing upward trend in properties coming to market. The latest weekly snapshot shows that the number of new sellers coming to market is still marginally down on the same period in 2019, but only by 3.2% as opposed to 9.3% for the period as a whole. This continuing imbalance, with demand outstripping supply and leading to record prices, presents an opportunity for owners looking to sell and cash out if they are downsizing or not needing to buy another property. The window is also open for movers who wish to sell and buy again before a likely interest rate rise, which is widely expected as the Bank of England seeks to control resurgent inflation. In these ‘full house’ market conditions, with many homes being snapped up quickly and sellers having a choice of competing buyers, those buyers who have already sold their own property subject to contract or have nothing to sell will have the most powerful negotiating hand to secure their ideal home. Estate agents report that owners who are motivated to move are putting their property on the market before they have set their heart on an onward purchase, and once they have sold their own subject to contract their new status as a ‘power buyer’ helps them to secure a suitable property when it comes on the market. Bannister says: “2021 has been the year of the power buyer, with those in the most powerful position to proceed quickly and with most certainty ruling the roost over other buyers who have to sell but have yet to come to market. One agent’s analysis that 87% of their sales agreed were snapped up by buyers who were already in a position to proceed is fairly typical of reports from many agents. Buyers being able to prove they are mortgage-ready or have cash in the bank helps them get up the pecking order. Whilst available stock for sale is still close to record lows, there are signs that this has stopped falling and is stabilising this month, so fresh new choice is slowly growing. As we approach the end of the year, many prospective buyers may be distracted by a more normal family Christmas than in 2020, giving more determined buyers who have already sold their own property an opportunity to act fast and buy with less competition.” <h2 style="color: #1d979d !important;">Agents’ Views</h2> Mark Ross, Managing Director of Redbrik, said: “Stock shortages continue to drive prices upwards, though accurate pricing rather than over-pricing is very important to get prospective buyers through the door. We expect prices to continue to rise, albeit at a steadier pace. This should give buyers and sellers more confidence to come to the market as they better understand the less frantic conditions. Extrapolating the market fluctuations, we’ve seen property firmly re-establish itself as a reliable long-term investment for owner-occupiers and investors alike. While we expect a 0.5% increase in the mortgage rate over the next six months, we predict rates will remain comparatively low as banks, and building societies compete for business. “We’re advising sellers to start planning their moves for 2022 now by taking advantage of the blue skies and getting their marketing organised, so they’re ready to go. With buyers prepared to wait to allow chains to be built, sellers can be confident in coming to market and get a jump start on their competition. Downsizers, particularly, should look to market early so that they can take advantage of the premium (and therefore the value gap) they are likely to receive before stock levels recover. The property market rollercoaster of the past 18 months has highlighted the vital importance of a buyer’s position. Our data shows that 87% of offers accepted are from ‘proceedable’ buyers, cementing what we knew to be true; buyers need to plan ahead to put themselves in the best position to move.” Nick Menzies, Area Partner for The Robinson Jackson Group said: “With properties achieving record values, selling first before buying is key right now. Not only does it put a home-mover in the strongest position, it also provides an accurate budget for what they can afford to buy. If someone sets out with £350,000 in their mind and achieves £375,000 for their property, they now have £25,000 more to spend. The extra money can really open up more homes for them to look at which they wouldn’t have considered affordable if they hadn’t gone to market and sold first. Also, if you don’t already have a sale agreed on your property, the level of current buyer activity means it’s likely that ‘the one’ for you has already had a lot of interest from buyers who may be in a better position to proceed quickly.”

We’ve noticed a trend recently. You love your home, you love our area, but you’ve also realised that you need somewhere new. Perhaps somewhere larger, somewhere with a bigger garden, somewhere closer to the countryside, or even somewhere a little smaller. Yes, it appears you’ve got a dose of ‘ready to move’, and what better time than the New Year – a time often linked with new beginnings and fresh starts. So, how do you find the best estate agent? What questions should you ask? As property experts in the South Lakes area, we at Waterhouse Estate Agents thought we’d give you our seven tips so that you can choose the best estate agent for you. Phone a Friend Ask for recommendations. Friends and family can point you in the right direction and equally they can steer you away from the agents to avoid! Ask them if they’ve had a great experience with a particular estate agent, and enquire about how communicative, knowledgeable and friendly the agent was. Did the agent get the job done – and achieve the asking price or above? Tip: Social media is your friend! If you’re a member of a Facebook community group in a particular area, post your questions in that group. And while you’re there check out local estate agents’ profiles to discover more about their local area knowledge and understand how they interact with the local community. Read Reviews Check out estate agents reviews online. Facebook reviews, Google reviews and reviews on Feefo can all give you an insight into other customers experiences. Have a read through to get a good idea as to whether or not an agent is worth shortlisting. Tip: Always have an open mind when reading reviews, because while most will be genuine, some negative ones (and some positive ones) may not be. Check the Agents Website If you have a couple of shortlisted estate agents, check out their websites. Compare and contrast the services they offer and the fees they charge. Research where they market their properties and check out their social media feeds. Tip: If you’re comparing and contrasting, you need to ensure you know what you want your chosen estate agent to do for you. Write a wish list of your requirements. Check Fees and T&Cs When it comes to estate agents, each will offer a slightly different service, and each will have a different way of operating. You have high street offices, internet-based offices, and hybrid agencies that blend traditional with the internet. Each has its advantages and disadvantages depending on your individual requirements, but always check the small print and look at the overall service. Tip: Do some research and decide whether you want a sole agency agreement, or if you would like multiple agents to market your property. It’s important to read the contractual obligations if you choose the latter. Review your Agent’s Performance Remember, your estate agent will be working for you, to get your house marketed and sold. But it’s actually a two-way thing and you will need to do what you can to help them do their job too. Your agent should be prepared to communicate with you if they think things should change, like a review of the price for example. And you should feel confident enough to ask about performance and see results or otherwise. Tip: Have a clear understanding of your expectations and what you will want to review. Is it the number of people shown your property, or is it the number of hits on property websites? Is it about proactive calls made to prospective buyers, or is it to get an offer within a certain timeframe? Same Difference When you are narrowing down your shortlist, have a look at the properties that the agent sells. Are they similar to your house? Do they have any experience selling homes similar to your property? Can they talk with good knowledge about the local area? How accurate are their valuations? All of these are a must because you need to know that your agent knows what they are doing and can convey that to a prospective buyer. Tip: If you want to know how much similar properties have sold for have a look online so that you are fully informed. Trust your Gut Instinct There’s a lot to be said for getting a feel for whether you have picked the right agent to market your property. Something may simply click into place when you’re having a conversation, or you may know immediately that the agent is for you. Trust your instinct as it may well be right. Tip: While we say trust your instinct, make sure you also carry out the checks and reviews as well! For no-obligation advice on selling your home, please contact our expert property team at Waterhouse Estate Agents on 01524 760048.

Waterhouse Estate Agents has been independently identified as one of the top estate agents in the country and now features in the Best Estate Agent Guide. The Best Estate Agent Guide is a website (www.bestestateagentguide.co.uk) that provides an independent reference source for sellers and landlords, who can search for the best sales and lettings agency offices in their areas. The website is compiled by Property Academy (an organisation that works with agents to improve service standards in the property industry), with the support of Rightmove, the UK’s leading property portal. There are c.15,000 estate agents in the country and Waterhouse Estate Agents was among this year’s award winners, confirming them to be one of the very best estate agents in the country. Over 3 billion data points were analysed in the search for this year’s top performers – the biggest assessment of any industry. The awards are made for property marketing, results and customer service – which consumers consider to be among the most important criteria when selecting which agent to sell or let their property. Peter Knight, founder of the Property Academy, commented: "We set out to provide the home mover with a reliable resource to help identify the best estate agent in each area, whether someone is looking to sell or let a property. Only the best branches make it into the Best Estate Agent Guide and only the very best agencies have been recognised with an award". Waterhouse Estate Agents said: "These awards follow a rigorous and independent assessment and we are thrilled to have been recognised as among the best in the country” If you’re thinking about selling or letting a property then please get in touch – we will be very pleased to provide you with our advice and you can be confident that you’re dealing with one of the very best estate agents in your area.