Family matters when renting

Posted on May 14, 2013 by netmovers

800px-Family_Portrait_For many, the property market can be difficult to enter, with large deposits needed, so more and more people are renting their homes.

It is not just young, single people and couples, either. Increasingly, families are finding themselves in rented properties; and, with insecure tenancies, they may be moving from house to house.

When they do so, it means disruption for their children. A new neighbourhood may bring a new school – this is the case for 1 in 10 renting families that have moved in the past five years.

A study by Shelter, the homelessness charity, has prepared a report, “Growing Up Renting”, which contains some statistics about families who rent.

Stability is a key factor: 44% of renting parents thinking that their offspring’s childhood would have been better if they had had more stability; 13% found moving stressful and upsetting for their children.

With almost half of the renting families polled worrying about their rent being put up beyond affordability, and one in eight having to stay with relatives or friends while they move from home to home, the situation is clearly stressful for many.

Campbell Robb, the Chief Executive of Shelter, said:

“The nine million renters in this country deserve better. It’s high time we faced up to the fact that renting is no longer a stepping stone, but the only long-term option available to rising numbers of families. We have to give children growing up in rented homes a better deal.”

At NetMovers, we think that all the people who seek a rental property through our website deserve a better deal, and we pride ourselves on providing a professional and friendly service to our rental clients.

We understand that families have particular concerns, such as the schools in their area, so potential tenants should always ask for advice. We are happy to help!

NetMovers provides an online guide to renting, which helps you to think about all the questions that you need to ask when you’re looking for your next home. There are also checklists for viewing properties, and for the moving day itself.

We will look after your needs so that you can look after your family’s needs when you are searching for new homes to rent!

Image by Eric Ward – used under Creative Commons Licence

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Mediterranean sees property market holding firm

Posted on April 30, 2013 by netmovers

The financial crisis looks like it will be deepening in Mediterranean Europe, and since property is invariably affected in some way by economic forces, it may be reasonable to assume that the property market will take a hit. But this may not be the case, according to some European property experts.

In the United States, the beginning of the recession in 2007 caused investors’ confidence to plummet. But in Europe, confidence actually increased from 2009, with some reports showing steady increases in activity. Investment in property is yielding a return, which keeps people interested.

One reason that the European property market has grown despite the adverse conditions is the leisure and tourism industry. Tourism comprises 5% of Europe’s GDP, providing around 9.7 million jobs, and this is likely to increase. People also move abroad permanently, buying a property in another country for more than just a holiday every few months.

Albufeira_PortugalWith countries such as Portugal and Spain attracting investors with the offer of free five-year visas in return for purchasing property worth €500,000 and above, there has never been a better time to look for a home abroad. Half a million euros plus will get you an absolutely stunning property, too, and NetMovers has a fantastic selection.

We can help you to find any property in the Mediterranean, whether it costs well below the amount necessary to secure a visa, or several times more than that. Whether you are looking for a small apartment near the beach or a palatial Renaissance period property with room for more than just your extended family, you will find what you want with Netmovers.

Investing in property abroad, whether it’s a holiday home or a permanent place to live, involves many important decisions. This course of action is life-changing, so when you go ahead, you need the best advice and guidance. The NetMovers staff team is knowledgeable and helpful, so please don’t hesitate to give them a call to discuss Spain and Portugal properties!

Image by João Paulo F. Barreiros, used under Creative Commons Licence

 
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Hugely happy in Harrogate

Posted on April 30, 2013 by netmovers

Pump_Room_Harrogate_-_geograph.org.uk_-_12894If you’re feeling full of joy every morning, or in the depths of despair, for that matter, it could be to do with more than job satisfaction, family life and the size of your “to do” list. Where you live may also have an effect on your level of happiness.

A recent survey of various factors to do with people’s homes has been discussed in the media, with newspapers as diverse as the Daily Mail and the Guardian commenting on its results. Factors including safety, space and cost were all looked into by the researchers, who asked 40,000 people for their thoughts.

The happiest place turned out to be Harrogate! The North Yorkshire spa town has impressive Victorian architecture, a variety of shopping opportunities and a range of restaurants, which, doubtless, all contribute to its position. It is also home to Betty’s Cafe, perhaps its most famous attraction.

Perhaps typical of the measured, balanced Yorkshire way of doing things, Harrogate turned in a good, solid performance. It didn’t score the highest mark in any one quality; rather, it did well across a range of factors.

The next happiest place was Stockport, which means the top two spots are occupied by northern towns. The remainder of the top ten are all in the south, except for the Midlands town of Worcester.

As for the most miserable places, it seems that the country’s capital is a den of despair, with nine of the top ten being places within Greater London. The only other place in the bottom ten was Dudley.

But just as Worcester has a near neighbour in the bottom ten, London can claim counterparts in the top ten. Bromley and Kingston upon Thames, both outer boroughs, came in at ninth and sixth place, respectively.

Finally, before anyone reading this thinks they would like to pack everything into tea chests and head up the A1 to Harrogate, not everyone is happy about living there. Transport can be a problem in the area, with crowded roads and poor rail services – and this would be exacerbated by hordes of happiness hunters!

Wherever you want to find your own happy place, NetMovers is on hand to help you find a property for sale or for rental. Contact our friendly, helpful staff team today!

Image by John Tomlinson, used under a Creative Commons Licence

 
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Playing the property market to the letter

Posted on April 30, 2013 by netmovers

When you buy a house, you want to make sure that it will hold its value or, better still, increase in price. You invest in renovations and extensions, plastering and painting every room where there is a crack or a chip. You watch all the property programmes on television – and there are so many of them! – to find out all the latest ways to spruce up your home.

You are aware, of course, that the exterior is as important as the interior. So you have those wood-framed windows replaced by the latest uPVC, saving on energy bills in the long run and making the house look better. You revamp the garden, buying a rotavator so that you can build a rockery, and plant flowers and trees to give your home that wow factor.

But your home’s value may be affected from something even further away than your front gate: the name of your street! The Independent reports a recent survey that looked into the relationship between average property values beginning letters of street names. Let’s play some word games.

scrabble letter u“Can I have a U, please, Bob?”

Only if you’re feeling flush after the gold run! Streets whose names begin with U have average property values of over £25,000 more than the average UK property value. London’s Upper Phillimore Gardens has an average property value of over £5.5 million!

“I’ll have two from the top…”

If you still want to aim high, try a street with a name beginning with T or O. These were close behind U’s £251,307, with values of £248,008 and £244,450 respectively.

“…and one from the bottom.”

Coincidentally, streets with names beginning with the last letter of the alphabet have the lowest values. Z comes in at £180,046, which is 20% below the UK average! Slightly higher are J and A, coming in at second and third lowest.

We’re sure that when you contact NetMovers, the last thing on your mind will be whether your house is on a street whose name begins with an A or a Z. You will be too busy getting out your A to Z for the property hunt! But we can help you find your next home, so contact our friendly team today!


Image by Leo Reynolds used under a Creative Commons Licence.

 
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Landlords: Beware of buy-to-let bluff

Posted on April 17, 2013 by netmovers

In the current strong rental market, being a landlord is a great way to earn some money. Buy-to-let makes sound business sense, and its popularity amongst investors means that there are a number of courses and seminars available to offer advice to potential landlords.

But is it necessary to attend these events? They may offer advice, but many also charge fees. There are some free courses available, though. According to the Telegraph, footballer Robbie Fowler, himself the owner of a portfolio of properties, now offers free advice to investors through his buy-to-let academy workshops.

Yet some courses that are advertised as “free” do attempt the hard sell afterwards, with organisers trying to flog future seminars to tired landlords, whose minds are full of investment advice about which they may be struggling to make sense.

If you want to get into buy-to-let, it is obviously sensible to seek some good advice, though. The Telegraph article features quotes from experts in the field, who confirm that being a landlord involves some work and initial outlay; it’s definitely not a “get rich quick” scheme.

Also, if anyone is giving seminars, can they walk the walk? What is their own property portfolio worth? Do some digging to make sure you’re getting the right information from people who know their subject.

One course of action worth taking is to join the National Landlords Association, which provides useful advice to landlords for a small subscription rate. Attending property shows, such as the Property Investor Show, is also worthwhile.

Vital sources of advice are mortgage brokers and letting agents, the very people you will be dealing with direct when investing in property as a buy-to-let landlord. Sales Managers and Lettings Managers can give you sound advice; after all, it is their job!

At NetMovers, we also offer advice to potential landlords with our free online letting guide and landlord’s checklist. If you are thinking about buy-to-let, then these are essential reading. In addition, our helpful and knowledgeable staff will be able to give you further advice so you choose the perfect property to invest in!

 
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A budget for buyers: All about the help to buy scheme

Posted on April 3, 2013 by netmovers

This year, the Budget included a boost for people looking to buy a house, with the Chancellor announcing the new “Help To Buy” scheme. What is this new £5.4 billion programme, and how can it help you?

Help To Buy consists of two elements, the first of which starts on 1st April, the beginning of the new financial year. This is the “equity loan” part, which is a Government loan for 20% of the property’s value, and it has to be for a new build property. The other part, the “mortgage guarantee” element, will make more mortgages available to people who do not have large deposits, and is available from January 2014 for older houses, too.

For the Help To Buy, you need a deposit of at least 5% (but no more than 20%) and you must pass all the relevant checks. It can be used for properties worth up to £600,000. You must be the occupier, too, so if you are a buy-to-let landlord, it is not applicable. But both first-time buyers and those moving house can benefit from the new scheme, which does not cover interest-only mortgages.

The Budget also saw the introduction of the Annual Tax On Enveloped Dwellings, a replacement for the Annual Residential Property Tax, which will come into force on 1st April. If you are a company owning a residential property worth £2 million or more, this will affect you to the tune of at least £15,000 a year (more than ten times that amount if the property is worth over £20 million).

Measures that make it harder to avoid Stamp Duty Land Tax are also going to come into effect as soon as the Finance Bill receives Royal Assent. There are currently some certain avoidance schemes operating, which purport to enable buyers to avoid this tax, payable on properties purchased for £125,000 and above. The measures will make it clear such schemes do not work.

If you’re looking for a property to buy, you need to make sure you know exactly what to do to get the right mortgage, and know which taxes you are liable to pay. NetMovers has a guide to get you started on your journey. Make sure you pay attention to it, because it will help you to negotiate any potential pitfalls!

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Is spring on strike? Shake off the sorrow and think of spain!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by netmovers

As spring tries to shake off a winter that has outstayed its welcome, many people in the UK are desperate for a bit of sunshine. But, since times are tough, you also have to tighten your belts. So where should you go on holiday?

Take a trip to Spain! It is the cheapest holiday destination in Europe, according to the Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer. Little wonder, then, that one travel agent, Direct Holidays, predicts it will be the destination of choice for the British holidaymaker this year. Tourists have already spent 6.5% more in the country this January than they did the previous January.

It is not only popular with holidaymakers, either. Taylor Wimpey España experienced a 24% rise in sales last year. In fact, the property market in Spain was almost as good as it had been before the recession.

So if you are looking forward to the sand and sea of Benidorm or the glorious Gaudi architecture of Barcelona, why not buy a Spanish property?

With NetMovers, it is easy to find a second home in Spain. We have a generous portfolio of overseas properties, with over 17,000 Spanish properties currently only a mouse click away. Whether it’s an apartment in Alicante or a villa on the Costa Del Sol, your new holiday home can be found on our user-friendly site. We also have quasi houses and park homes, as well as penthouses for those looking for that bit of luxury.

Of course, when you buy a property, especially overseas where you have to negotiate unfamiliar legal procedures, you need to have the best guidance in order to have the best possible outcome when you invest. We make sure we keep our clients well informed and provide them with the best advice we can, so let NetMovers help you find your holiday home today!

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Looking for a place to rent? Don’t forget the fees!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by netmovers

People looking for a rental property should now benefit from a bit more information upfront thanks to the Advertising Standards Agency, which has ruled that all lettings agents must display tenancy fees for rental properties.

It seems only fair that tenants should have a good idea of what, in addition to their deposit and rent, they will need to pay when they are looking for a place to live. But recently, Which?, the consumer magazine, conducted an undercover survey of London letting agents and found only one branch that told the mystery shopper about the fees without being asked. None of them displayed any information about fees on their sites.

When you are paying administration fees averaging £310, with the prospect of yet more “check-in” and “check-out” fees in some cases, it is vital that you know where you stand.

Which? wants to see letting agents bound by the same legislation as estate agents, and for tenants to have the same legal protection as people buying property. The respected consumer champion must at least be pleased about the situation in Scotland, where letting agencies are prohibited from charging tenants any fees other than the deposit and rent.

But in England and Wales, additional fees can be charged, provided they are not for registering with an agency, or for the agency to provide a list of properties. If an agency demands such fees, they are breaking the law!

Make sure you know what you need to pay when you are looking for a place to rent, so you can budget accordingly. Also be sure to factor in all the other expenses that start when you move in, such as council tax and utility bills.

Fortunately, NetMovers has a comprehensive guide for tenants, which should answer any questions!

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A tale of five cities – where renting is still cheaper than buying

Posted on April 3, 2013 by netmovers

Even with the Funding For Lending scheme introduced last year, it can still be difficult to get a mortgage in the current economic climate. Many people face job-related uncertainty, and with the need for a sizeable deposit to get on the property ladder, a lot of people are renting.

Annoyingly for people looking for a new place to live, the demand for rental properties means that rents keep going up. As if that weren’t enough, it is generally less expensive to make interest-only mortgage repayments than it is to pay rent, too!

The Telegraph has quoted figures from a survey showing that, on average, it costs 14% more to rent than buy. In certain parts of Yorkshire, rents are around 60% more expensive than paying a mortgage, meaning that tenants in Hull and York really need to be possessed of the thrift for which the region is renowned.

Happily, there are some places where it is still cheaper to rent. Here are the top five.

Swansea.  Anyone who has ever sent anything off to the DVLA will have heard of the second biggest city in Wales. Situated on the south-west coast of the country, Swansea, the birthplace of Dylan Thomas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, is home to the picturesque Gower Peninsula. It is over 12% cheaper to rent in Swansea than it is to buy a home, which is good news for students looking for a place at Swansea University.

Bournemouth. This beautiful town on the south coast is well known as a holiday resort. A few years ago, a survey found that it was the happiest place in the UK, and it is certainly a happy place for tenants. Renting in Bournemouth is 8.8% cheaper than buying.

Stockport. Like Bournemouth, Stockport was unsuccessful in its Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bid for city status. But for those looking for city life, don’t worry because the bright lights and famous football clubs of Manchester are only a few miles away!  In Stockport, you pay 5.4% less to rent than to buy. With Cheshire splendour and the charming Peak District also only a short distance away, renting in Stockport makes sense.

Dundee. The Beano and Dandy, which have made generations of children laugh, hail from this city. Tenants will be laughing, too; all the way to the bank! It costs 2% less to rent here than it does to pay a mortgage. Renting in Dundee is great for those starting out in the city’s technology industry, and there will also be a Victoria and Albert Museum here in two years’ time.

Edinburgh. It may be difficult and expensive to find a place to stay when the world’s biggest arts festival, held here every year, is in full swing. But Scotland’s famous capital, home to the stunning castle, is great for people looking for a tenancy. It costs 1.6% less to rent in Edinburgh than it does to make mortgage repayments!

NetMovers has a range of different rental properties available in all of the five top cities for tenants, so check out our listings and find your next home!

 

 

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World’s most expensive terraced house goes on sale in London

Posted on November 4, 2012 by netmovers

London is a notoriously expensive city to live in, but a Westminster property has just gone on the market that will make the average house price seem quite affordable. For £100 million you can purchase One Cornwall Terrace, a 21,500 sq/ft mansion near Regent’s Park. At a price of £4,651 per sq/ft, if it sells it will be the most expensive terraced house in the world.

One Cornwall Terrace is a stunning 19th century property with seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms and 11 reception rooms. It was designed by acclaimed architect Decimus Burton in 1820, and originally intended as a home for diplomats and members of the nobility. The project was overseen by John Nash, who remodelled Buckingham Palace during the same decade. Cornwall Terrace was named after the Duke of Cornwall, King George IV, who was the reigning monarch at the time.

One Cornwall Terrace has played host to many important people in its 192 years, both as residents and guests. It was home to the New Zealand High Commissioner in the 1950s and 60s, during which time it played host to many lavish high society parties, including visits from the royal family.

Since those days the London terraced house has had an extensive makeover, with the owners investing in new technology such as iPad-controlled lighting and gates which open automatically when they recognise a permitted numberplate. The four-storey house also has its own sports complex including a gym and swimming pool, and outside it boasts a 40-metre long landscaped garden.

The buyer will not just be paying for the house’s size and impressive design, but also its location. The house overlooks Regent’s Park and is a minute’s walk from Baker Street tube station, although it’s likely that the eventual owner will be more partial to taking a cab, and may even have their own chauffeur. Also within walking distance are famous tourist attractions such as The Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussauds.

One Cornwall Terrace is one of the most expensive houses ever put up for sale in the UK, but if it achieves its asking price it won’t be the first time a London property has sold for that much money. Earlier this year, a 45-bedroom mansion located at Rutland Gate, overlooking Hyde Park, went on sale for £300 million, making it officially London’s most expensive house. However, terraced houses typically sell for less, and One Cornwall Terrace is the most expensive terraced house not just in London, but worldwide.

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