If you’re planning to buy your first ever home this year, no doubt you’ll have considered the part your credit rating plays in the approval of a mortgage.
The assumption might be that you will need a pristine credit rating to even be considered, but this is not the case.
Also, there are ways in which you can spend the next few months improving your credit rating and making yourself appear a good bet for the big lenders, who can offer the best loan deals.
A working fire alarm doubles your chances of escaping a blaze in your home, according to the government.
If you have fire alarms fitted in your home that are less than ten years old, make sure you test them weekly. This normally means holding in the button for a few seconds to simulate smoke detection and releasing it once the siren has sounded. Have extra batteries on hand in case one needs replacing.
If you don’t already have a fire alarm or alarms in your home, there are two ways you can get them. The first is to buy and fit them yourself – they are relatively cheap but choose a model with a British Kite Mark to ensure its quality.
The second way is to get your local fire brigade to visit your home and do it. Some fire and rescue services in England offer free home fire risk checks and will also advise you about fire safety in the home. In some cases there is a small charge for installing the alarms themselves.
It has been the law for some years now that newly built homes must have smoke detectors fitted. Homes built after June 1992 should have mains operated inter-connected smoke alarms fitted on each floor.
Landlords are not legally bound to fit smoke alarms in older properties but it is in their best interests to do so. Tenancy agreements should stipulate who is responsible for the weekly and annual testing and maintenance of smoke alarms in rented accommodation.
Homes in Scotland sold for 10% less than their asking price in the first quarter of 2012, according to new figures published by estate agent s1homes.
Managing director of s1homes Mark Smith said it was good news for home buyers.
“After a reduction in asking prices at the end of 2011 and maintaining those prices in the first quarter of 2012, it would appear that buyers are now in the stronger position and are coming in with even lower offers,” he said.
“It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months.”
The company’s data reveals that the average home sold in the first three months of this year sold for around £17,500 less than advertised.
NetMovers’ own data shows that the average price of its 12,125 advertised properties north of the border is £185, 949. The most expensive region to buy a house is Aberdeenshire, where there are 85 properties for sale with an average price of £236,387.
The cheapest is the Isle of Lewis, with four properties and an average prince of £142,500 – ideal if you want to get away from it all!
Our data is readily available to house hunters and because it’s refreshed on a daily basis, it’s a useful tool if you are buying a home. There is also a handy click-through to properties in that area, and you can customise your search criteria to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Check out NetMovers’ home price and property availability data here, and don’t forget to bookmark the page!
Recent research published by Halifax showed that 62% of people who purchased a property in the last five years did so using the internet. The lender added that it expected this to rise to 80% in the next five years – so you are in good company!
By Jackie Yeadon
Land Registry figures, which track not only monthly property data but also yearly and year-on-year, are not simply tools of the property trade. They are also tools for buyers and investors.
This month’s house price index report, for example, reveals that the most expensive local authority area to live in is Camden, London, with a whopping average house price of £589,640; while the cheapest is Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, with an average house price of only £61,700.
If you’re a property investor or looking to buy a family home, especially in Merthyr Tydfil, this kind of data might be moderately interesting. It could even, for instance, prompt a more in depth property search.
It should certainly prompt a more eagle-eyed reading of the Land Registry’s house price index, where you can also discover that the North East is experiencing a sudden and almost inexplicable boom in the value of property.
Why? Is there a major company investing in jobs in that region? Perhaps the Olympics are holding an event there. Are the schools in Newcastle benefiting from a positive Ofsted report? Does Donald Trump want to build a golf course in Sunderland? Most importantly for property investors – will the region and its house prices continue to boom in the long term?
Check out the local and regional news for clues, research indigenous businesses and international corporations based there, pore over Oftsed reports, read the Daily Mail’s celebrity gossip to see if you can determine the source of the improvement. It’s doubtful that Cheryl Cole’s success is responsible, but one can never take these things for granted.
Also conduct a thorough property search of the area. While the average property price may still be only around £100,000, the average property might not be suitable: does this price range apply to one bedroom flats or family homes?
A quick online property search on NetMovers for homes in Newcastle reveals the Land Registry average price applies to all kinds of property with more than one bedroom.
Using Land Registry data as a starting point, browsing online newspapers and reports, and tailoring your search criteria to your own unique needs, is a canny (sorry) way to make the most of the tools at your fingertips.
Land Registry figures, which track not only monthly property data but also yearly and year-on-year, are not simply tools of the property trade. They are also tools for buyers and investors.
This month’s house price index report, for example, reveals that the most expensive local authority area to live in is Camden, London, with a whopping average house price of £589,640; while the cheapest is Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, with an average house price of only £61,700.
If you’re a property investor or looking to buy a family home, especially in Merthyr Tydfil, this kind of data might be moderately interesting. It could even, for instance, prompt a more in depth property search.
It should certainly prompt a more eagle-eyed reading of the Land Registry’s house price index, where you can also discover that the North East is experiencing a sudden and almost inexplicable boom in the value of property.
Why? Is there a major company investing in jobs in that region? Perhaps the Olympics are holding an event there. Are the schools in Newcastle benefiting from a positive Ofsted report? Does Donald Trump want to build a golf course in Sunderland? Most importantly for property investors – will the region and its house prices continue to boom in the long term?
Check out the local and regional news for clues, research indigenous businesses and international corporations based there, pore over Oftsed reports, read the Daily Mail’s celebrity gossip to see if you can determine the source of the improvement. It’s doubtful that Cheryl Cole’s success is responsible, but one can never take these things for granted.
Also conduct a thorough property search of the area. While the average property price may still be only around £100,000, the average property might not be suitable: does this price range apply to one bedroom flats or family homes?
A quick online property search on NetMovers for homes in Newcastle http://www.netmovers.co.uk/property-for-sale/search/at-least-1-bedroom/tyne-and-wear/newcastle-upon-tyne/#!/radius-0/maxprice-100000/currency-gbp/order-maxprice reveals the Land Registry average price applies to all kinds of property with more than one bedroom.
Using Land Registry data as a starting point, browsing online newspapers and reports, and tailoring your search criteria to your own unique needs, is a canny (sorry) way to make the most of the tools at your fingertips.
Land Registry figures, which track not only monthly property data but also yearly and year-on-year, are not simply tools of the property trade. They are also tools for buyers and investors.
This month’s house price index report, for example, reveals that the most expensive local authority area to live in is Camden, London, with a whopping average house price of £589,640; while the cheapest is Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, with an average house price of only £61,700.
If you’re a property investor or looking to buy a family home, especially in Merthyr Tydfil, this kind of data might be moderately interesting. It could even, for instance, prompt a more in depth property search.
It should certainly prompt a more eagle-eyed reading of the Land Registry’s house price index, where you can also discover that the North East is experiencing a sudden and almost inexplicable boom in the value of property.
Why? Is there a major company investing in jobs in that region? Perhaps the Olympics are holding an event there. Are the schools in Newcastle benefiting from a positive Ofsted report? Does Donald Trump want to build a golf course in Sunderland? Most importantly for property investors – will the region and its house prices continue to boom in the long term?
Check out the local and regional news for clues, research indigenous businesses and international corporations based there, pore over Oftsed reports, read the Daily Mail’s celebrity gossip to see if you can determine the source of the improvement. It’s doubtful that Cheryl Cole’s success is responsible, but one can never take these things for granted.
Also conduct a thorough property search of the area. While the average property price may still be only around £100,000, the average property might not be suitable: does this price range apply to one bedroom flats or family homes?
A quick online property search on NetMovers for homes in Newcastle http://www.netmovers.co.uk/property-for-sale/search/at-least-1-bedroom/tyne-and-wear/newcastle-upon-tyne/#!/radius-0/maxprice-100000/currency-gbp/order-maxprice reveals the Land Registry average price applies to all kinds of property with more than one bedroom.
Using Land Registry data as a starting point, browsing online newspapers and reports, and tailoring your search criteria to your own unique needs, is a canny (sorry) way to make the most of the tools at your fingertips.
This week a special report from The Guardian highlighted how some unscrupulous landlords are taking advantage of the housing shortage in London – but also possibly elsewhere.
Low-waged families are living in one room in multiple occupation properties, some houses holding as many as 38 occupants, including children. There is often only one or two bathrooms, and the safety conditions of the plumbing and wiring are concerning local authority officials.
Other tenants are living in single-skinned outhouses and sheds and paying around £350 per month for the privilege.
News from the government is that they are trying to tackle quality of housing. The Department for Communities and Local Government, the department responsible for developing housing policy in England, has laid out its intentions.
These are to:
The government brought in new rules about the quality of housing – The Decent Homes standard – in April 2010. These are a regulatory requirement for social landlords.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t appear to be translating well into the rented property market itself. It says tenants should raise the matter informally with their landlord if they feel they their home needs repair and improvement.
If this fails, the government suggests tenants should make a formal complaint to their landlord. If they still show no sign of repairing or improving the property, tenants may be able to take it a stage further.
Rather poorly, the DCLG website only counsels what tenants can do about a problematic local council or housing association, not a private landlord.
However, housing and homelessness charity Shelter fills in the blanks. Tenants whose landlords provide them with poor quality or unsafe homes can complain to their local tenancy relations officer, employed by their local council. Most councils have a tenancy relations officer, who have the power to prosecute shabby landlords.
Good quality rented housing is every tenant’s right. NetMovers recommends tenants protect their interests by renting through an established and reputable estate agent or letting agent, who are regulated by industry standards and generally seek to provide a high standard of accommodation and service.
This week a special report from The Guardian highlighted how some unscrupulous landlords are taking advantage of the housing shortage in London – but also possibly elsewhere. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/may/09/london-landlords-desperate-tenants
Low-waged families are living in one room in multiple occupation properties, some houses holding as many as 38 occupants, including children. There is often only one or two bathrooms, and the safety conditions of the plumbing and wiring are concerning local authority officials.
Other tenants are living in single-skinned outhouses and sheds and paying around £350 per month for the privilege.
News from the government is that they are trying to tackle quality of housing. The Department for Communities and Local Government, the department responsible for developing housing policy in England, has laid out its intentions.
These are to:
Increase the number of homes available to rent, including affordable homes, and the opportunities for people to own their home, whether through access to mortgage finance or by reinvigorating Right to Buy
Improve the flexibility of social housing (increasing mobility and choice)
Protect the vulnerable and disadvantaged by tackling homelessness and support people to stay in their homes
Make sure that homes are of high quality, sustainable, and well designed
The government brought in new rules about the quality of housing – The Decent Homes standard – in April 2010. These are a regulatory requirement for social landlords.
It meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing (i.e. the dwelling should be free of category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System)
It is in a reasonable state of repair
It has reasonably modern facilities and services
It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t appear to be translating well into the rented property market itself. It says tenants should raise the matter informally with their landlord if they feel they their home needs repair and improvement.
If this fails, the government suggests tenants should make a formal complaint to their landlord. If they still show no sign of repairing or improving the property, tenants may be able to take it a stage further.
Rather poorly, the DCLG website only counsels what tenants can do about a problematic local council or housing association, not a private landlord.
However, housing and homelessness charity Shelter fills in the blanks. Tenants whose landlords provide them with poor quality or unsafe homes can complain to their local tenancy relations officer, employed by their local council. Most councils have a tenancy relations officer, who have the power to prosecute shabby landlords.
Good quality rented housing is every tenant’s right. NetMovers recommends tenants protect their interests by renting through an established and reputable estate agent or letting agent, who are regulated by industry standards and generally seek to provide a high standard of accommodation and service.
Housing crisis: bad landlords
This week a special report from The Guardian highlighted how some unscrupulous landlords are taking advantage of the housing shortage in London – but also possibly elsewhere. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/may/09/london-landlords-desperate-tenants
Low-waged families are living in one room in multiple occupation properties, some houses holding as many as 38 occupants, including children. There is often only one or two bathrooms, and the safety conditions of the plumbing and wiring are concerning local authority officials.
Other tenants are living in single-skinned outhouses and sheds and paying around £350 per month for the privilege.
News from the government is that they are trying to tackle quality of housing. The Department for Communities and Local Government, the department responsible for developing housing policy in England, has laid out its intentions.
These are to:
Increase the number of homes available to rent, including affordable homes, and the opportunities for people to own their home, whether through access to mortgage finance or by reinvigorating Right to Buy
Improve the flexibility of social housing (increasing mobility and choice)
Protect the vulnerable and disadvantaged by tackling homelessness and support people to stay in their homes
Make sure that homes are of high quality, sustainable, and well designed
The government brought in new rules about the quality of housing – The Decent Homes standard – in April 2010. These are a regulatory requirement for social landlords.
It meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing (i.e. the dwelling should be free of category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System)
It is in a reasonable state of repair
It has reasonably modern facilities and services
It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t appear to be translating well into the rented property market itself. It says tenants should raise the matter informally with their landlord if they feel they their home needs repair and improvement.
If this fails, the government suggests tenants should make a formal complaint to their landlord. If they still show no sign of repairing or improving the property, tenants may be able to take it a stage further.
Rather poorly, the DCLG website only counsels what tenants can do about a problematic local council or housing association, not a private landlord.
However, housing and homelessness charity Shelter fills in the blanks. Tenants whose landlords provide them with poor quality or unsafe homes can complain to their local tenancy relations officer, employed by their local council. Most councils have a tenancy relations officer, who have the power to prosecute shabby landlords.
Good quality rented housing is every tenant’s right. NetMovers recommends tenants protect their interests by renting through an established and reputable estate agent or letting agent, who are regulated by industry standards and generally seek to provide a high standard of accommodation and service.
471 words
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/about/
Personal safety might not be something most people automatically consider when selling their home. However, it is tantamount to showing strangers around your home – either on a virtual internet tour or in person.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust – set up by the mother of the missing estate agent – has campaigned for more than 26 years to improve personal safety for everyone, whether at work, play or even keeping fit.
By following this advice, the trust reassures, everyone can help keep themselves and their property safe.
The trust also counsels: “Make sure you keep your personal safety in mind at all times and never allow your natural inclination to be polite – or your desire to make a sale – put you at risk.”
NetMovers commercial director Mark Butler said: “The Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s advice is unfortunately necessary and will give people selling their homes peace of mind.
“I would also counsel vendors to remove items that might be of interest to thieves – antiques, collectables, heirlooms – before they have their homes photographed.
“While its is rare people experience personal safety or security issues in their homes when they go onto the market, it’s best to know you’ve done all you can to protect yourself, your family and your possessions.”
In the wake of the stamp duty holiday, more negative stories are emerging about the state of the property market.
Figures published today by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) show that house prices have fallen for the first time in six months.
Moreover, Rics places at least part of the blame on lenders who are making it impossible for first-time buyers (FTBs) to get into the market – and potentially stimulate it into recovery.
Rics’ figures reveal London is the only location in the UK where house prices rose, though this was only a slight improvement.
Amid all this doom and gloom, what is the advice to house-hunters?
The bright side
Disraeli said there are three types of lie: lies, damned lies and statistics. This isn’t to say that Rics data is misleading or manipulated, but the words of the 19th century British prime minister should be heeded, if only for a little perspective.
Eventually, the property market will recover, along with the economy. Even statisticians will agree that there is a pattern to these things. There will be an upswing.
When and how are the mysteries and looking to the long-term feels quite depressing, but there are always ways to beat the trend on an individual level.
Affordable housing: nothing is impossible
There are a wide range of properties for sale. You can check this out for yourself by doing an online property search. There are houses and flats for sale in all areas across the country, and which can fit most pockets. While we agree FTBs may still find it difficult to meet the demands of current mortgage criteria, for home owners looking to relocate, downsize and upsize the prospects of finding a place are still good.
The problem with statistics is, of course, that everyone’s circumstances and needs are unique. One size does not fit all. This is cause for optimism.
Empower your search
In the internet age, there is no excuse for being ill-informed. As well as browsing for a new home, it’s possible to research and compare mortgages online to make sure you’re getting the very best deals. It is also a good idea to look at what houses in your area have been selling for and the current demand. If you live in a popular area – near a school, for example – then it may even be the right time to sell for you.
So, the advice is to stay positive and don’t always believe that the national statistics apply to you.
Warnings about the perils of DIY are common-place – we’ve all heard the horror stories about ladder falls, electrocutions and lead poisoning from 1960s paint.
As the economic landscape shifts and slides under the pressure of slashed incomes and a property market eager, but struggling, to recover, a different set of dangers are revealed to home owners.
This week, Lloyds TSB published data showing that Britons are spending only half of what they were on home maintenance and improvement seven years previously. While this includes figures for non-essential maintenance such as paint and garden equipment, it also includes expenditure on professional services like plumbers.
If you are a home owner or a landlord, you know how much money you have invested in your property. While there is little we can do about equity, interest rates and mortgage approvals, it is absolutely vital we pay attention to the things that can help our properties retain value and remain safe and comfortable places to live.
If you are a home owner or a private tenant and have a disability, you could apply for financial assistance towards making repairs, improvements or adaptations to your property.
This government scheme is administered by local authorities, so you will need to get in touch with your council for the paperwork.
Essentially, a Disabled Facilities Grant is aimed at helping people remain independent in their own homes, and does this by funding or part-funding essential changes, such as the installation of stair-lifts, hand rails and specialist bathrooms.
These adaptations and improvements can make all the difference to some people – enabling them to remain in their own homes and rely upon the help of family, friends and support agencies less often. In some cases, your local authority might offer you better accommodation – for example, sheltered housing or a specially-adapted home.
Disabled Facilities Grants can also be used to help pay for repairs that you might otherwise not be able to afford.
The grants are not automatic and are means tested – approvals and amounts are calculated by local councils based on circumstances, income and savings and so on.
An occupational therapist employed by the council will assess your individual needs.
Other financial help is available, too. People with disabilities do not have to pay VAT on certain adaptation works to their homes. In addition, they may be liable for a reduction in their council tax of one band.
Further information on this scheme can he found here, and more information and support can be found via the Home Improvement Agency and the Home Improvements Trust.
By Jackie Yeadon
We all do it: shelves stuffed with books we will never read again and DVDs we weren’t so enthralled by the first time around; kitchen cabinets rattling with a huge collection of crockery; the elliptical trainer draped with clothes awaiting the iron; bedroom drawers overstuffed with clothes that don’t fit.
However, spring has officially sprung and this is a great time to roll up your sleeves and do the annual spring clean. If your house has got out of control though, first you’ll need to de-clutter.
With most people, clutter is accidental. We lead busy lives, we work full time, we might have children, we have hobbies – where is the justice in having a house that demands to be kept in order, when there is fun to be had?
With some, it is more of a problem – you might have seen any number of recent TV documentaries about hoarding.
Unfortunately, if a home is not kept in check, there will come a time when it ceases to be a place of refuge and refuses to work with your life. You might find you constantly lose items you need, that it doesn’t feel comfortable trying to relax there, or worse – you get an infestation of something horrible.
So here are some tips for de-cluttering and maintaining your home, and making it work for you as it should. After all, you invest money into it every month via your mortgage, you have spent time decorating it, and once upon a time you loved it enough to choose it above all others.
Fall in love with your house again, by following these tips.
Items you will need before you start
How to start
Take one room at a time. If your house has become really messy, this might take a weekend or two. Get your children involved by making them responsible for tidying their own bedrooms.
If you need to, however, do a run through of the house and empty waste baskets and the kitchen bin, laundry baskets, throw away empty shampoo bottles and any other items you can. Your house will feel a lot better after doing just this!
In addition, spend a little time returning things to the rooms where they should be: tidy up shoes, books and school bags that have been dumped unceremoniously all over the house.
Remember the objective this time is to de-clutter. You might notice how desperately the house needs a clean – floors, windows, shelves – but this can come later.
Tackle areas of clutter: the main culprits are books, DVDs, piles of laundry, unopened and opened mail, clothes and toys. The three questions you need to ask when deciding whether or not to keep an item are:
If an item doesn’t fit any of this criteria, it needs to go. This includes broken items. If something broke and it hasn’t been fixed within a month, it’s already dead and gone, I’m afraid! Don’t use the reasoning of “it might come in handy”. If you get rid of something now and in a month find you might need it, go and get another – but you know as well as I do, this is unlikely!
Deposit the items you are evicting into the black bin liners and boxes, paying attention to recycling potential for the rubbish, and have a separate pile for quality things you plan to give away, and another if you plan to sell on eBay. Label them clearly. As they fill, seal them and move them out of the house into the garage or the back of the car. This will help you get a sense of what you’re achieving – your home will start to feel less overwhelmed very quickly.
Get rid of the things you have decided to cull as soon as possible, before they somehow become integrated back into your home.
If you have any of your own, we’d really like to hear them, so post a comment!