Brought to you by chelmsfords' property experts
If you’re buying a second home, Buy to Let, or investment property, you should be aware that there is an additional 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on top of the standard SDLT amount payable. Since this regime was introduced in 2016, the market for second homes has certainly felt the pinch, especially for buy…
As we find ourselves in the middle of the dark winter months, some would suggest waiting until spring before putting your property on the market. After all, spring is traditionally associated with a time of change and this has always influenced the property market in the past. However, it might be worth looking at this…
One way of taking advantage of the value in your home is to save money by using it as a holiday destination. Not for you of course, but for someone else! Home exchange is an increasingly popular and flexible way of cost-effectively securing suitable holiday accommodation that might otherwise have been prohibitively expensive to rent….
Houses, cottages, flats, apartments, maisonettes, studios, detached, semi, terraced – these are terms we as estate agents hear every day of our lives. They are the lifeblood of our business, but the common theme is they all represent the concept of “home”. We are privileged to be a nation of homeowners. Property is right up…
The 20% VAT applied to most goods and services is a burden for the private individual. Whilst VAT-registered builders can reclaim the VAT spent on their purchase costs, most homeowners can not, adding significantly to the cost of improving your home. There are however, certain exceptions for which you may be able to qualify, especially…
When you market your property, you will naturally want to achieve the highest price today’s market will pay. But how do you know what this is? Sadly, there is no almanac of “correct” prices relating to an address and a date and online price “calculators” can be wildly inaccurate, so most people will take the…
We British remain passionate about home ownership. Yet the banks, who are also involved, have burnt their fingers in the past with wildly generous lending and they are keen not to make the same mistake again. One effect of this, which could affect you if you are currently buying or selling, is the undervaluing bank-appointed…
It’s official – what we’ve suspected all along – a “traditional” estate agent gets sellers more in their pocket than the internet-only alternative. They also secure more viewings and offers! According to research by The Advisory – an independent consumer advice group – internet-only agents rely too heavily on property portals to find buyers. In…
Landlords, or their agents, are responsible for ensuring that the risk of exposure in their property to the Legionella bacterium is properly assessed and controlled. This is not difficult to do and can either be outsourced or done by the landlord or their agent. Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of Pneumonia. Bacteria can…
The adage that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link could not be more aptly demonstrated than in respect of property transactions in the UK. Whilst a lot of agents focus on finding a buyer, which is obviously important, it is the quality of that buyer and their situation that will determine…
Good negotiation is a skill that adds real value to the service you receive from your estate agent. After all it can be the make or break of a sale. Many agents focus on “getting the maximum price” for their client, the property vendor. So do we. However, we also recognize that the vendor’s main…
One of the most important aspects of your estate agents role is not only to negotiate a price (or ideally secure the full asking price of course) but actually to generate an offer in the first place! Too many agents simply see themselves as people who show buyers around property, hoping that an offer will…