• How to choose the right letting agent: 7 things you should consider.

    7 THINGS TO LOOK FOR

    Finding the perfect partner has never been easier with apps and social media. Searching for love you can download an app and with the swipe of a finger find your dream match.Unfortunately when it comes to finding a lettings agent there isn’t an app for that!

    In our previous discussion, we delved into the advantages of partnering with a letting agent, emphasizing how they can save you time, money, and provide peace of mind. With over 13,500 estate agents in the UK, most of whom manage lettings, the task of selecting the right one might seem daunting.

    Choosing the perfect letting agent is akin to finding ‘the one’ in a romantic relationship. They should be responsive, reliable, and genuinely interested in your best interests. Just as compatibility matters in personal relationships, it’s crucial to ensure your values align with your agent’s approach. While corporate agents may boast impressive branding, it’s the substance beneath the surface that truly counts.

    Before committing to a partnership, take the time to acquaint yourself with the agent. Corporate and independent agencies may offer similar services, but their methods and level of personalization can vary significantly. Corporate firms, with their structured processes, may struggle to accommodate individual needs, whereas independent agents often prioritize customer service and adaptability.

    When evaluating potential agents, consider their familiarity with the local area. A deep understanding of the neighborhood can help attract suitable tenants for your property. Moreover, consistency of service is paramount. While corporate agencies may dazzle with their professionalism, personal touch and dedicated service are often the hallmarks of independent agents.

    Being part of the local community can also be advantageous, as it enhances an agent’s network and tenant pool. Independent agents, embedded in the neighborhood fabric, tend to foster stronger connections and may already have ideal tenants in mind for your property.

    While cost is a factor, quality of service should take precedence. Look beyond price tags and assess an agent’s track record, turnaround time, and customer reviews. Independent research, including scrutinizing online reviews and conducting mystery shops, can provide valuable insights into an agent’s reputation and performance.

    Furthermore, endorsements and qualifications signal an agent’s commitment to professionalism and ethical standards. Seek out agents affiliated with reputable industry bodies, such as RICS or NAEA, for added assurance.

    Finally, consider the agent’s philosophy and values. A client-centric approach, grounded in honesty and integrity, is indicative of a trustworthy partner. Ultimately, finding the right letting agent is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term success of your property investment. With diligence and careful consideration, you can find an agent who not only meets your needs but also helps you achieve your property goals.

    Remember, there are thousands of letting agents out there, finding the best fit is the most important factor. Choosing the best letting agent can help ensure your property stays let for the long term.

    If you’re considering starting out in lettings or an existing landlord, we’re eager to assist you. We can explore the range of services we offer and help you discover the ideal letting and management solution aligned with your goals as a landlord.

    Reach out to us today at 01706 356633 or enquiries@reside.agency, and we’ll gladly arrange a discreet and confidential conversation.

  • Time to switch?

    Is it time to consider switching letting agents? As a landlord, your rental property likely stands as one of your most significant financial assets. Thus, ensuring it’s effectively let and managed is paramount.

    If your current letting agent isn’t meeting your expectations and you’re contemplating a change but unsure where to begin, this comprehensive guide provides all the necessary insights to facilitate a smooth transition.


    1. What you need

    As a landlord, entrusting a letting agent involves a significant level of reliance, especially if you’ve opted for a ‘fully managed’ service where the agent oversees both the tenant and property throughout the tenancy on your behalf.

    You depend on your letting agent to:

    • Secure a ‘good’ tenant who can consistently pay the rent on time and maintain your property.
    • Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation regarding both the tenancy and the property.
    • Maintain effective communication with you, keeping you informed of any legal changes impacting your interests.
    • Handle inspections, maintenance, and repairs promptly and economically.
    • Manage any tenancy transitions to minimize vacancy periods and sustain fair market rental rates.
    • Provide guidance on potential rent increases and advise on worthwhile property upgrades or modifications.

    Your rental property stands as one of your most significant financial assets, emphasizing the importance of effective letting and management. Your agent’s primary role should involve ensuring consistent rental income, covering your expenses, and ideally generating a profit. Additionally, they should maintain the property’s condition, providing a safe and comfortable home for tenants while safeguarding its capital value.

    If your agent is falling short of these expectations, you might be considering a switch. But how can you navigate this transition smoothly? Here’s a helpful guide:

    • Review Your Agreement Terms:
    • If your agent is solely responsible for finding tenants, giving notice should be straightforward. However, with fully managed services, there might be an initial tie-in period, delaying an immediate switch. Unless there’s a breach of obligations (see point 3!), the agreement will outline termination procedures for both parties and the required notice period.
    • Note: Many agreements stipulate continued fee payment to the agent as long as their introduced tenant occupies the property. Discuss this with your new agent to avoid overlapping management fees.
    • Secure a New Agent Before Giving Notice:
    • Unlike changing estate agents for property sales, timing is crucial when switching letting agents, especially if your property is currently tenanted. Ensuring continuous and proper management of your property is paramount.
    • Successfully managing a tenancy involves numerous systems, processes, and legal knowledge. Having a new agent lined up before giving notice ensures a seamless handover, minimizing the risk of overlooked tasks.

    1. Key Considerations When Selecting a New Agent
    • Do they possess Client Money Protection insurance? (Legally required)
    • Are they members of a redress scheme? (Legally required)
    • Do they belong to a professional industry body with a Code of Conduct? (e.g., Propertymark or Safeagent)
    • How do they stay informed about legal changes in the industry?
    • What are their fees, particularly for tenancy renewals?
    • Do they have a track record of successfully letting and managing properties similar to yours?
    • Do they have an appealing website and effective marketing strategies?
    • What is their average time to let a property and average annual void period?
    • If possible, seek feedback from one or two of their current landlords.

    These considerations provide valuable insight into the professionalism of the company and their capability to manage your property and tenants effectively. However, the ultimate point on your checklist is whether you feel a rapport with them. Since these are the individuals you and your tenants will interact with for the foreseeable future, possibly for years, liking their approach is crucial.

    Once you’ve identified the agent you wish to transition to, it’s time to notify your current agent.

    • Communicate Your Reasons to Your Agent:
    • Open and amicable discussions often lead to the best resolutions. Clearly articulate your reasons for wanting to switch to your agent. Consider making a list of these reasons before initiating the conversation.
    • If your agent acknowledges the issues, they might be willing to negotiate regarding any contractual tie-ins, especially if their tenant remains in the property. For instance, you could propose a one-time ‘introduction’ fee instead of continuing monthly payments until the tenant vacates.

    Importantly, ensure the old agent agrees to transfer the tenancy file to your new agent. This file should include tenant referencing information, deposit protection details, and gas check certificates. Also, confirm that they will liaise with the tenant to facilitate a seamless handover of rent payments and other responsibilities.

    Ensure that any agreements reached with your agent are formally documented.

    It’s crucial to note that every letting agent must be a member of either The Property Ombudsman or The Property Redress Scheme, as mandated by law. Both provide independent third-party dispute resolution services. If you’ve already discussed your reasons for leaving with your agent and have documented them, but the issues remain unresolved to your satisfaction, you can escalate the matter to the relevant redress scheme to seek resolution.


    1. The Final Step

    Engage Your New Agent

    The last crucial step is to engage your new agent. Be transparent about why you’re choosing to switch to them and clearly outline your expectations for their service. From our experience, a successful landlord-agent relationship hinges on effective communication. It’s vital to establish this from the outset.

    If you’re considering transitioning from your current agent, we’re eager to assist you. We can explore the range of services we offer and help you discover the ideal letting and management solution aligned with your goals as a landlord. Reach out to us today at 01706 356633 or enquiries@reside.agency, and we’ll gladly arrange a discreet and confidential conversation.

  • Downsizing, upsizing or right-sizing

    Are you thinking about making a change to where you live? If you no longer need all the rooms in your home, you might have decided to downsize into something smaller. Or perhaps it’s the opposite – you need more space, in which case, it could be time to upsize into a new place. On the other hand, if you love your home and it’s in the perfect spot, maybe you’re toying with the idea of getting the extra room you need by extending.

    A report from UK Finance found that people stay in their homes for an average of 20 years, and selling and buying does tend to take time, money and effort. So, before you set the wheels of change in motion, try to look ten years ahead and think about how your needs might change over that time.

    Whether you’re looking for more or less space, the clearer you can be about what you want and need from your new home – and why – the easier it will be to narrow down your options and find something that’s going to suit you well for the foreseeable future.

    So let’s explore some of the options out there and what you need to consider as you move up or down the property ladder. You might even discover a great solution you hadn’t thought of before!


    1. Extending or converting your existing home

    If almost everything is perfect about your current home, but you just need a bit more space – perhaps a room you can use as an office, a bigger dining kitchen or extra bedrooms – it might be worth seeing if you could extend or re-jig the accommodation.

    Two key things to consider here are:

    Would the cost of transforming your home be reflected in an increase in value? You might not have any intention to move in the foreseeable future, but at some point you may want or need to sell. So, once you’ve got a good idea of what changes you’d like to make, it’s well worth asking a local agent to give you their opinion on how much the work could add to the price of your home. We’re always happy to help with this – just give us a call on 01706 356633.

    The best way to add value is to increase the amount of usable space in your home, perhaps by extending to add a reception room and bedroom above, or converting a garage or loft into living space. But bear in mind that your immediate local area will have a ‘ceiling’ for market values – that’s a price that a home is unlikely to sell above, simply because of the size and type of other homes around it.

    For instance, if you live in a road of mainly three- and four-bedroom homes with one or two reception rooms, it might not be worth increasing your accommodation to five bedrooms, three reception rooms and a granny flat. If that’s the kind of space you need, moving to an area that has more homes of a similar size might be a better option. Again, come and speak to us to find out what’s likely to be the best investment from a resale perspective.

    And remember that the best extensions feel as though they’ve always been there, so if you do go ahead with works, it’s advisable to choose an architect who has experience in designing for your particular age and style of home. While you may need to pay a bit more for the best solution, it’s well worth the investment to keep a good flow and feel to the home.

    How disruptive are the building works going to be? If you’re converting the loft, it might not be too intrusive, but if you’re extending, then parts of your home might be unusable for weeks or even months. In that case, you may want to think about moving out while the improvements are being made. Bear in mind that if you have to pay for an alternative temporary home, that’s going to add to the overall cost of the project.

    Something else to consider is whether you could gain the extra space you need by building separate accommodation in the garden – assuming it’s big enough. If what you’re after is an office or guest annexe, there are some excellent self-contained units on the market that you could have up and running in under a month. Going down this route could be easier, cheaper and quicker than carrying out works on your home.

    With any building project, it’s important to check with the local council whether planning permission is required and what building regulations you’ll need to comply with. And bear in mind that it could take up to eight weeks for the council to consider even straightforward planning applications, so factor this into your timescale.


    1. Moving up the property ladder

    If you need a bigger home and you’re ready for a change, or it’s not possible to extend where you live at the moment, then you’ve got a pretty open book of options. There could be plenty of homes for sale that are the right size, but how do you make sure you pick the one that’s really right for you?

    Well, when you’re moving for a specific reason, it’s important to be led by your head and not your heart. It’s all-too easy to fall in love with a beautiful kitchen, a fabulous view or the perfect family room, but if you let your emotions chip away at the square footage you know you need, you could end up running out of space again in just a few years.

    This is where an estate agent can really help. It’s worth spending some time speaking to them before you start viewing potential new homes, to explain exactly why you’re moving and the number of bedrooms, reception rooms and other spaces you need. Then they can make sure all the homes you view at least meet your minimum requirements, and you can be confident that anything you’re tempted by already ticks the size box. Give us a call and we can take you through what we’ve currently got on the market in your range – maybe one of them will be the perfect fit for you!

    And if you’re prepared to do some work to turn your next purchase into your dream home, again, be clear with the agents you speak to about how much of a project you’d be happy to take on, and they should be able to show you a variety of homes with potential.


    1. Downsizing to a smaller home

    At the other end of the moving spectrum is downsizing. Maybe you’ve spent years having friends to stay, entertaining and making full use of all the rooms in your home, but now that whirl of activity has come to an end, and you just don’t need all the space you currently have. You might be moving to a much more expensive area for work or lifestyle reasons, and your money simply won’t stretch as far, or it could just be that you’ve decided you’d prefer a smaller home.

    If you are looking to downsize, you might also want something you won’t have to spend much time and money maintaining. So, even if you’ve enjoyed living in period homes until now, it may be time to consider something modern that has guarantees and warranties and will be low-maintenance and energy efficient.

    It’s also important to think about whether you want this downsizing step to be your last move. If so, it’s worth planning ahead and making a wishlist of everything you think you’re going to want in your new home. Although compromises sometimes have to be made when you move, if this is your ‘forever’ home, it should be as perfect as possible – even if it takes a little longer to find.


    Whatever your reason for downsizing, it can be the trickiest move to make. Even though it might feel like the natural ‘next step’, the reality is that you’re not going to be able to take all your furniture and possessions with you. So, as well as cutting back on living space, you have to work out which things you really want to keep and what won’t be making the move with you. There are plenty of house clearance companies and auctioneers who will be happy to value the items you’ve decided to part with; then you can choose what to include in the sale and what you’d like to sell separately. And make sure your agent has a full list of fixtures and fittings with prices, so they can negotiate with buyers and hopefully help clear one job off your moving list!

    Whether you’re upsizing, adapting your current home or downsizing, we’re always very happy to chat through your options and lend our expertise to help you make the right move. Just give us a call on 01706 356633 or email us on enquiries@reside.agency and we’ll get right back to you.

  • How saleable is your home? Try our saleability scorecard and see

    Selling a home might not be an exact science, but there are a number of factors that will make a huge difference to how successful your sale will be.

    Our experience has shown us that homes that sell quickly and for a good price tend to have certain key things in common, so we’ve developed a checklist that we can use to analyse the saleability of any home. We rate various elements of your marketing approach across five categories, awarding up to a maximum of five points for each element to give your home an overall ‘Saleability Score’.

    Using our scorecard, you’ll be able to see for yourself where there may be room for improvement in your marketing. Once you’ve identified which areas aren’t as strong as they could be, you can discuss those points with your agent and work together to turn things around so that your home makes the right impact on buyers.

    So, if your home has been on the market for a while and perhaps you haven’t had quite as many viewings as you’d hoped, run through our Saleability Scorecard and see how your marketing stacks up. Set aside a couple of hours, and make sure you have your printed brochure and online listing to hand. Think about every question carefully, and try to look objectively at your marketing materials and how your home is presented. Then give your answers in the form of points, awarding from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 5 for each bullet point listed under each element below:

    1. Your estate agent

    Communication and feedback are key to helping you understand how the marketing is going and reassuring you that your agent really is doing their best to sell your home. So:

    • Do they call you regularly – at least once a week?
    • Do they accompany every viewing?
    • Do they give you detailed feedback after each viewing?
    • Have they made any suggestions around how you might be able to generate more viewings – other than dropping the price?
    1. Your brochure

    Your brochure needs to convey the quality of your home, setting a standard and value before the prospective buyer sees it in person. And the photographs have got to showcase a desirable lifestyle, grabbing buyers’ attention and enticing them to view.

    • Does the brochure fully represent your home – we usually recommend 16–20 glossy pages – and does it have a luxurious feel?
    • Are your photographs professional, and do they sell a lifestyle? The features of each room should be shown in crisp detail, and the images should convey an aspirational feel. In a sitting room, for instance, fires and candles should be lit, fresh flowers put out, and lights switched on to ensure the room looks spacious and bright, but cosy and inviting at the same time. A gently bubbling bath with flickering candles is selling a relaxing and luxurious lifestyle, not just a bathroom. And for kitchen photographs, some fresh baking will bring the image of the room to life and stimulate more than just the buyer’s visual senses.
    • Is the written description enthusiastic in tone and full of emotive adjectives? The copywriter should be conveying a narrative that really captures the buyer’s imagination and makes them want to experience your home for themselves.
    • Does the floorplan include dimensions and the overall floor area and show the orientation of your home?
    1. Your online advert

    This is your virtual shop window, and with the possibility of hundreds of other homes appearing in search results, your listing needs to stand out.

    • Does your main photograph grab a buyer’s attention and encourage them to click for more information? We find that a twilight shot with all the interior and exterior lights on can be a particularly striking image and is often the best one to use online.
    • Does the listing have a punchy, eye-catching headline?
    • Is the description concise, while still selling the best features of your home in a flattering way?
    • Is there a good-quality image of the floorplan, and brochure download button available?
    1. The price

    If a home is marketed at too optimistic a price, it tends to sit on the market for longer. So you must make sure your home is advertised at a price that both reflects its true value and attracts buyers.

    • Is your asking price a round figure, e.g. £950,000, not £949,999?
    • Does your home appear at the top of a search in your price range?
    • Do you know how your price per square foot compares to that of other similar homes in the area?
    • Have you stuck to your asking price, even if your agent thinks you should drop it?
    1. Preparing your home for viewings

    You must do all you can to make buyers fall in love with your home – from the moment they first see it on the market to the end of their viewing.

    • Do you style and tidy the outside – both the garden and your home itself?
    • Do you have fresh flowers inside?
    • Do you dress all the beds?
    • Do you switch on lamps, light candles and have fresh coffee or baking to create a homely and welcoming atmosphere? For more inspiration, take a look at our blog, ‘6 simple steps to prepare your home for viewings’.

    Now, add up the points.

    If you have a Saleability Score of more than 80, well done – that suggests both you and your agent are on top of your home sale! Just take note of the areas where you might want to make a few tweaks, and if you still find you’re not getting enough viewings, then get in touch with us.

    If you’ve scored between 50 and 80, there are probably quite a number of areas that you and your agent could work on. The good news is, this means there’s every likelihood that if you can just make the right improvements to your marketing, you should be able to attract much more interest and start to get some offers coming in.

    However, if you have under 50 points, it’s probably time to consider a full marketing makeover. And if your current agent hasn’t already addressed the various challenges, it could be time to switch to one that’s more proactive and professional in their approach. We would be more than happy to discuss how we can help you with this, so please feel free to get in touch with us at any time.

    And if you’re feeling a little disheartened by your result, be encouraged by the fact that there are plenty of things you can do to make your home much more saleable – with the right agent on board. The important thing is that you take action right away. If you don’t, your home will simply sit on the market, leaving it at risk of possibly going ‘stale’, which is likely to reduce your chance of getting a good sale price. When buyers see the same home being advertised in the same way, week after week, it gives the impression that something isn’t quite right. So it’s time to grab the bull by the horns!

    The first port of call is to speak to your agent, show them our Saleability Scorecard and find out whether they agree with your ratings. It may be that they have their own ideas about the kinds of changes that could be made and are keen to work with you to turn things around.

    However, if you don’t get the response you were hoping for, give us a call – we can review your marketing ourselves and give you our expert opinion on what needs to be done to secure a successful sale. Then, once we’ve visited your home to appraise it fully, we’ll come up with a bespoke marketing strategy that focuses on promoting all the best features of your home and relaunch it onto the market in style!

    If you’d like to discuss your current situation and find out how we can help you and your home get the sale you deserve, just give us a call on 01706 356633 – or email enquiries@reside.agency – and we’ll get right back to you.

  • 7 Tips to Sell Your Home in Winter

    If you’re ready to move, you might be wondering whether to put your home on the market now or wait until the spring. Well, although winter may traditionally be a quieter time for home-moving than spring and summer, the market is still very much open for business and selling your home in this colder season does have its benefits.

    As those who aren’t in a hurry to move tend to hunker down and focus on festivities, buying and selling activity usually dips a little over the winter period. That gives motivated sellers who push ahead with marketing two advantages:

    1. Although you may get fewer viewings overall through the winter, those who make the effort to look at potential new homes despite the inclement weather, are generally committed buyers who are serious about making offers.
    2. If there is a slight drop in the number of homes on the market, there’s less competition. That means you should get a higher proportion of buyers viewing your home and, with fewer houses for them to choose from, they should be quicker to make an offer if they like what they see!

    Remember, even if there’s a howling blizzard outside, the internet is always up and running. House-bound potential buyers will have plenty of time to browse through online listings, and estate agents’ doors and phone lines are still open.

    So, if you’re keen to secure a sale this winter, it’s time to revitalise your marketing for the season and prepare to show buyers that your home is a wonderful one to live in – whatever the weather’s doing outside!

    With that, here are our top 7 tips to help you sell your home this winter:

    1. Style for the season

    Work with the colder weather and shorter daylight hours by styling your home so that it reflects the season and creates a cosy atmosphere.

    Refreshing soft furnishings and accessories is a simple way to transform the look of a room, so replace light cushions and throws with heavier fabrics and deeper colours. Pillar candles in storm lanterns cast a lovely light and can make a great focal point on a coffee table, sideboard or kitchen countertop. Winter-scented candles – think cinnamon, spiced pumpkin and orange – can also help create a welcoming seasonal vibe.

    Low-maintenance green plants, such as peace lilies and Boston ferns will add life and are easy to look after, and potted orchids should give you long-lasting flowers and just a hint of spring around the corner.

    Finally, if you’re wondering whether you should put up Christmas decorations, we’d say yes – as long as they’re not overpowering. Festive décor can add a lovely, cheery feel to your home, but you don’t want to detract from the natural space. So, even if you usually dress every room from head to toe in Christmas trim, hold back a little this year!

    1. Maximise light

    Low natural light in winter can sometimes make interiors feel dull, so make sure you let as much daylight in as possible when you have viewings. Pull back the curtains, make sure blinds are fully rolled up and clear window sills of any large objects that might block light from getting into a room.

    Another thing to consider is how you could change the lighting to show off the size of each room – emphasising the height in particular can make a huge difference to how spacious rooms feel. Investing in some higher-wattage light bulbs is a simple way to brighten up your whole home, and have plenty of lamps throughout to add a warm and welcoming glow.

    1. Turn your garden into a winter wonderland

    With fewer daylight hours for potential buyers to appreciate the outside of your home, install some pretty garden lights to inject a touch of ‘winter wonderland’. There’s a huge range of all-weather options for exterior lighting – from strings of fairy lights for trees and summer houses, to stakes for lawns or borders and spotlights for pathways. And many of them are solar powered, so once they’re up, you don’t need to think about plugs or timers.

    If you have a terrace or other outdoor seating area, you could add solar-powered lanterns and why not consider investing in a heat lamp or fire pit that you can take with you to your next home?

    1. Refresh your photography

    The best way to keep your home looking fresh in adverts is to ensure the photography is always in line with the season. So, if your current photos were taken in the summer, speak to your agent about updating them.

    Have the interior shots taken once the styling has been refreshed for winter, but before you put up any Christmas decorations, as they would make the pictures a little too time specific. And for the exterior, make sure the photographer gets some shots at twilight, with plenty of lights on – inside and out, so your home glows and the garden twinkles!

    1. Stay on top of maintenance

    With higher levels of rain and wind – plus frost and possibly snow – you may have a few more jobs to do than usual to keep your home looking its best through the wintertime. But it’s worth doing a daily maintenance check because even if you don’t have a viewing booked, you never know when potential buyers might be passing by to check out your home from the outside.

    Three key things to stay on top of:

    • Keep paths free of leaves, snow and other debris
    • Make sure drains are clear so rainwater doesn’t pool or flood
    • When it’s icy, salt the driveway and paths

    Also, you may want to keep a close eye on how clean your windows look, as low light can be unforgiving and you want your home to sparkle!

    1. Get set for perfect winter viewings

    When it’s chilly outside, you want to welcome potential buyers into your home with warmth on all fronts. So turn the heating up a few degrees ahead of the viewing, light fires and candles for a cosy atmosphere, and make sure every room is well-lit.

    Check the garden and other exterior lights are on, so people can clearly see where they’re going, and make sure there’s somewhere to hang up coats and leave umbrellas and boots. If you don’t have a porch or hallway, it’s worth popping a coat stand by the font door – and don’t forget a clean doormat.

    A nice touch is to offer viewers a warm drink and even a seasonal nibble – perhaps a mince pie or some gingerbread. The more welcome you can make people feel, the more positive they’re likely to be as they walk around your home, hopefully leaving them with a happy memory of the viewing and your home.

    1. Discuss the festive period with your agent

    Find out what your agent’s business hours will be over Christmas and New Year, and make sure you keep them posted on your own plans – any specific days when you’re going to be entertaining or hosting family and friends and when viewings wouldn’t be convenient.

    If you’re going to be very busy over Christmas, you could simply consider taking a short break from selling for a couple of weeks. The best thing to do is have a chat with your agent and come up with a strategy for the festive period, so you can relax and enjoy yourself, while making sure you don’t miss out on a potentially perfect buyer.

    If you’re keen to sell and are ready to start marketing your home this festive season, get in touch and we can discuss the best strategy for finding you a buyer this winter. And if you’re already on the market with another agent but haven’t had any offers yet, we may be able to help you secure a sale ahead of Christmas – so give us a call! Phone on 01706 356633 or email us on enquiries@reside.agency and we’ll get straight back to you.

  • 8 simple steps to buying your first home.

    Our simple steps to buying your first home, hopefully helping you to demystify the process and help you feel more in control.

    Being a first time buyer can be daunting, feeling like you don’t know the processes involved mixed with a mass of emotions and excitement at getting on the first rung of the property ladder.

    If this sounds like you now or soon to be then we have put together this short piece to outline the steps and the basics you need to do.

    Follow this advice and buying your first home will be as stress free as can be and we will have you looking forward to your new home.

    Estate agents

    When buying your first home you can’t choose your agency, you’re stuck with whichever agency the vendor has chosen. However there are things you can do to help the buying process. Get to know the area’s estate agencies. Call in, say ‘Hi’ and give them a run down of what your ideal home would be, you never know to whom they have just spoken.

    Estate agencies get lots of enquiries from prospective vendors checking out if they’re the right agency to sell with. They maybe trying to sell the the exact house of your dreams, a fact no one would know if you hadn’t gone in to chat.

    It also means that they can point you at suitable properties already on their books. A good agent can also talk with you about your dream home and tailor your expectations. You may have your heart set on a 6 bed detached property with pool in Bamford for £30,000, the agent has the best knowledge to help you avoid disappointment.

    Equally they may point you at an area you hadn’t considered because the properties are on budget and there are many of the type you require.

    And don’t feel, because you are new at this, that you are wasting their time, this is what they do and they know that if they make a good impression on you and maybe when you come to trade up your house you will look to them to sell it.

    Mortgage

    In the current climate very few first time buyers are cash buyers so you’re probably going to need a mortgage. You will need to get your mortgage offer, at least in principle [usually up to a maximum the lender will offer], before you start looking and certainly before putting in an offer on a property. You can put an offer on a property without having a mortgage in place but having a mortgage offer always smooths the process and if you end up in a ‘bidding war’ with another buyer, having a mortgage in place may swing it in your favour.

    You will also need to provide documentation and information about your financial situation, including outgoings, spending habits and dependants. For a full list of what you need to get your mortgage with the minimum fuss click here.

    We can help you with a mortgage here at Reside, so always worth calling in for a chat for advice as well as registering your interest in looking for a property.

    Time to make an offer

    So now that you have found that your special place its time to make an offer. You don’t have to offer the asking price so it’s time to do a little research if you can. What have similar properties gone for? How is the market at present? has the house been on the market for a while? Using this information you can judge whether you are going to offer the asking price to ensure you get it or put a cheeky offer in at first?

    Once you put the offer to the agent they are legally required to put the offer to the vendor in writing. However in practice, before they do this they will often call the vendor to get a speedier response. Hopefully the vendor will accept your cheeky offer and take the property off the market.

    Of course the friendly, professional team at Reside will help guide you through the process, we are here to make it easy for people to buy and sell houses.

    Your offer is accepted!!

    Yay! You can relax now, from here on in it is mainly procedural and an awful lot of paperwork. For the best reasons acquiring a house is a very legal process. You are dealing with large amounts of money – for both parties – it is probably the largest single purchase anyone of us will make, so care is necessary.

    It’s not just having an offer accepted then heading off to IKEA, you have to deal with deeds and the mortgage and lots of other stuff. Here is the point where we recommend you use another professional and instruct a solicitor. They can represent you throughout the process, deal with legalities and often help you avoid any pitfalls.

    Legal stuff

    Get a solicitor. When buying your first home there will be a pile of legal paperwork and the best advice is to leave it to the legal professionals. You still need to check contracts and the like before you sign. However, you should be safe in the knowledge that from a legal standpoint your solicitor has done everything to protect you and your interests.

    Your solicitor is going to check for claims on the house, other building plans etc that may effect your quality of life or future value of your property.

    Get a survey

    There are three types of survey and you will be required as a condition of your mortgage to get one of them. Which you choose is usually down to your choice and the type and age of the property you are buying.

    The three types are: Condition report, Homebuyer report and Building/Structural survey. They go up in cost and detail of the report. Often people buying a new or nearly new home opt for the Condition report and those buying an older or less standard home invest in the Building/Structural survey.

    One thing the second and third reports do is possibly give you some leverage on price with the vendor. If they pull up work that will need doing you can use that as a bargaining point to get the value of the house reduced to cover the future costs. However the main reason is to highlight any problems or failings with the property either current or will cause a problem in the near future.

    Exchange contracts

    Your surveyor and solicitor will tell you when they have completed what they need to this point and that you are okay to go ahead and sign and exchange contract. You will be asked for a deposit at this point, often 10-20% of the agreed price.

    This means that both parties are locked into the sale at this point. If either party now backs out you could lose your deposit and you will still have to pay the professional services fees owed to your solicitor and surveyor.

    Completion

    And it’s all over! You have completed, you have the keys, you have the deeds, the property is yours, you’ve successfully navigate buying your first home! However, there will still be more fees to pay; solicitors, conveyancing, stamp duty [a British Government tax on property] will all need paying and are usually arranged by your solicitor.

    You will also need to have paid the remaining balance of the property – the difference between your deposit and the final agreed price – which again should be organised between your legal people and the mortgage lender.

    Move in!

    Now the fun starts!

     

    If you’re looking for buying your first home please call in for a chat and a coffee or click here to see the new properties we have listed.

  • Three simple tips to quickly letting your property

    Letting your property can be a stressful business, especially if you are new to letting. This often leads to landlords rushing the process and taking on the first tenant who crosses their path. STOP!

    It’s not the only answer to getting your property let quickly and having reliable tenants. Picking the wrong tenant can cause many problems further down the line, which is why having a professional lettings company on your side can really help.

     

    Use a professional lettings agency

    Picking the right estate agency from the start can make all the difference to your lettings experience and save you heartache and possible legal action in the future. Getting Reside on board from the beginning means we can bring all our experience to bear on things such as vetting your tenants, making sure you are on the correct side of the law and that your property is up to current standards. If there are any problems we will highlight them before they become a problem and guide you to a successful and profitable let for your property.

    We are also the experts when it comes to marketing property. We can be open when ‘you’re not’ and are able to do guided viewings which also gives us a good chance to explore the tenants further. We market across all channels extensively which includes using social media to get the maximum amount of viewers for your property and achieving it’s market value.

    Don’t forget we are here to help with your let from day one so we can do inventories, collect rents, arrange maintenance – we do as much or as little as you wish, our lettings service is completely bespoke.

    With Reside you get a quick let, for the best yield and complete peace of mind.

     

    Maximise your property

    Letting a property in many ways is no different to selling one. It needs to have kerb appeal that means prospective tenants can ‘see themselves’ living there. It maybe worth having a look at our blog post on 5 Tips to selling your home – you can find it here.

    Most tenants won’t be able to modify the property so they need to see that it is just the place they want as soon as they walk up to it. The main thing you can do is make it tidy and presentable. Tidy the garden; a bit of strimming and hedge trimming and weeding the driveway or path can make a huge difference. Think of it as laying out a green carpet instead of a red one for the tenants.

    The same goes for the inside of the property, take some time to tidy, dress and stage the scene, we can help you with this if you aren’t sure or are letting from a distance. It’s not a big job to move clutter off work surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. Tidy the lounge, make the beds, vacuum and dust – simple things which can make the difference between a let and not.

    If you need to fix things such as decorating then go for neutrals and if you are wallpapering avoid anything too trendy, brash and avoid ‘Anaglypta’ style wallpapers. Replace failed bulbs and don’t forget if you have any electrical equipment it will have to be tested show it is safe.

    These things will not only reflect on the price you get but also the quality of tenant.

     

    Why use Reside to manage your property?

    In a word, experience. Whatever level of service you require from an agency we can provide it and have provided it for hundreds of satisfied clients. We are able to provide a full and professional service whether you are a first time landlord or have a portfolio of properties.

    We can effectively market your property using a multi-channel approach, to make sure that no matter what the current market is like, you get a quick let at the best market rate, with no hassle.

    All our staff are professionals in letting and so can deal with all the paperwork, legal stuff and anything that arise during the tenancy.

    If you are thinking of letting a property please give us a call to discuss how we can help. Alternatively click here to find out a little more.

    Get the Reside effect working on your property now!