Brought to you by chelmsfords' property experts
Many property commentators point to the first time buyer as a primary stimulus for the property market. While many property related transactions are indeed reliant on somebody somewhere down the chain buying without being dependent on a related purchase, the influence of “old money” is often overlooked. The value of housing assets left in wills…
If you’re pondering a move to Essex, but can’t decide if the county is right for you, look no further… We love Essex here at Martin & Co – and Chelmsford in particular. There are so many reasons why Essex is a great place to live, but here are 10 things that are sure to…
Following the government’s overhaul of the mortgage market, known as the Mortgage Market Review (or MMR), much tighter mortgage application regulations are in force, in response to high levels of irresponsible lending in the past. There are five key areas where mortgage applicants, including people remortgaging an existing property, feel the effect of these…
One of Chelmsford’s most popular suburbs, Moulsham is split into two areas – Old Moulsham and Moulsham Lodge. Popular with families due to its large stock of houses and good schools, the area sits to the south of Chelmsford city centre. All of which makes it ideal for those who want easy access to city…
Even the most credible authorities tend to disagree on the rate of price change in the property market, leaving the humble consumer somewhat baffled! The problem is the source of data that is used to make assumptions about the market is fickle. For example, you could look at the latest Land Registry figures. These…
Most towns in the UK have a proliferation of estate agent’s “For Sale” and “Sold” boards. Not a pretty sight usually, but until such time as they are outlawed, any estate agency which is not highly visible by their boards might as well give up! Prospective vendors understandably place a huge emphasis on the market…
During the course of the ownership of your home, you will no doubt consider a number of improvements that you hope will add value, or at least recoup the money spent, when you eventually come to sell. However, it is impossible to predict the tastes and preferences of your future buyer, so how do…
We are often asked by our clients whether they should withdraw their property from the market once an acceptable offer has been made. There are a number of angles on this subject which should be considered in the context of each specific set of circumstances. Firstly, from an ethical perspective, it could be argued…
A buy to let investment should ideally deliver impressive returns with minimal stress and these two objectives are most readily maximised when your property is occupied by a reliable long term tenant. Too many letting agents simply sign up the first tenant who comes along, with little consideration for the long term implications of accepting…
Property is now regarded as a serious investment option and an attractive alternative to a traditional pension. The failure of many pension funds to perform has had a major effect on their popularity and people are now choosing to take more direct ownership over their destiny – in more ways than one. Unlike a regular…
As the costs of moving can be substantial (although still much lower than many other countries), many people find that extending their existing property is an obvious alternative. You can go up, you can go out or you can go down. For most house owners, going up is an obvious first choice. A loft conversion…
Converting an existing cellar or basement into living accommodation can be an option for those who want a larger home, but without the cost of moving. Money is probably better put into actual bricks and mortar than it is into stamp duty, legal fees, estate agency and removal costs! A basement conversion can add significantly…