Posts with tag: property

Have a Cosy Christmas in One of These Comfy Cottages

Published On: December 4, 2015 at 3:21 pm

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Categories: Property News

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Maybe you can’t decide which family member’s home to spend Christmas at, or perhaps you’d like to change things up and go away for the festive season. If you’d like something a bit different this year, take a look at these holiday cottages for some inspiration!

Whether you find a last-minute booking or get organised for next year, make sure you have a cosy, warm and comfortable Christmas.

Have a Cosy Christmas in One of These Comfy Cottages

Have a Cosy Christmas in One of These Comfy Cottages

Perfect for the whole family

If you have a large family and enjoy spending the holidays all together, this Victorian manor house is the perfect place for you to celebrate. Sea Valley Regent House sits within 55 acres of beautiful Cornish countryside. It is close to Looe and sleeps 18 people. But don’t worry; you’ll all have plenty of space within its 7 bedrooms. The spacious property has sea views and an indoor heated swimming pool for the whole family to enjoy.

A romantic retreat

If something a little more low-key is what you’re after this Christmas, why not head to Beudy Bach in Lampeter, Wales to enjoy some peace and quiet at this converted 18th century cowshed? The cosy retreat has everything you’ll need – from an AGA for rustling up some hearty grub to a TV and DVD player for snuggling up and watching a festive film. And as if this isn’t romantic enough, guests can also enjoy the wood-fired hot tub – wow!

Something a little different 

If you’ve done the whole Christmas cottage thing before, then why not embark on a family adventure to Edinburgh? Spend your holidays at the Belle Boatique, which is permanently moored at the Lochrin Basin. The houseboat has two bedrooms and sleeps four, so why not enjoy a festive trip up to Scotland with your partner and children?

Fairytale Christmas

Christmas always looks better on films – no stress, no cramming members into your home, no clearing up to do – so why not treat this year like a fairytale in this quirky home? The Old Palace Apartment was once part of the great hall at the Old Duchy Palace in Lostwithiel, Cornwall. A grand, but still cosy and pretty property, head here as a family (the apartment sleeps 6) or with a group of friends and forget about the world outside.

The traditional escape 

If the idea of curling up in a fur throw in a wooden lodge is your idea of the perfect Christmas, fear not – you do not need to head to Scandinavia to enjoy a traditional holiday! Check out Wonham Waters in Dulverton, Devon. This charming log cabin sleeps five and sits within 100 acres of untouched woodland – it doesn’t get more cosy than this.

Are you heading away for the holidays? Or maybe you would like to rent out your property for Christmas? Look at these festive homes for inspiration – which is your favourite?

Tips for moving home in silly season!

Published On: December 4, 2015 at 10:53 am

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Categories: Property News

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Bells are jingling. Mince Pies are being devoured. Mulled Wine is being prepared. Boxes lay waiting to be unpacked. Removal men haul more in to the living room.

Ok, so moving house isn’t exactly top of everyone’s idea of the festive season, but by following just a few easy tips, a seasonal move can be made much less stressful.

Wish-list for a magical Christmas move

  • Plan ahead

If using a removal company during the holiday period, be aware that the run-up to Santa coming down the chimney is notoriously a busy time for everyone. Many companies could also be short-staffed due to Christmas holidays.

  • Use Christmas cards to tell friends about a change of address

Caution: This may or may not lead to them buying a Christmas and new home gift!

  • Organise packing in advance 

When moving, it is important to make sure things that are likely to be needed immediately as packed as late as possible, to ensure they are first off the van at the new address! In addition, early packing reduces the chances of taking unwanted items, which could be a lovely donation to charity ahead of the festivities

  • Check the forecast

Particularly when moving in Winter, people should check the weather forecast to make sure that Jack Frost and his friends can’t cause havoc and drive them crackers!

  • Be smart about presents

The last thing people moving house around silly season want is to pack more things then necessary. This is why it is a good and simple idea to give loved ones vouchers as a present. What’s more, this could save relatives forcing themselves to look pleased at unwanted gifts!

Tips for moving home in silly season!

Tips for moving home in silly season!

  • Keep valuables secure

With the excitement of the festive season, it can be easy to be too nonchalant about keeping valuables safe. Homemovers should ensure that things such as passports, jewellery and other important documents are put in a safe place.

  • Look forwards to summer

This might sound daft wrapped in coat, scarf and thermals but people moving home in Winter should make sure that all outdoor furniture being transported to their new home is clean and free of seasonal weather offerings…

  • Let there be light

Moving house in Winter can take place mostly in the dark, so be prepared to take torches and spare lightbulbs.

  • Food, glorious (pre-prepared) food 

The last thing that movers will be thinking about when finally in their new home is doing a big shop. Booking an online delivery will be another weight off the mind…as will placing a takeaway menu in close proximity on the first night!

‘For many of us, moving house can be a stressful experience at the best of time-let alone at Christmas,’ said Head of Harrison Murray estate agents Su Snaith. ‘However, with some consideration and planning, you can keep stress levels at a minimum and your spirits high-and think about celebrating Christmas in your new home.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/household/10-tips-to-help-you-move-home-during-the-christmas-run-up.html

 

 

Making Your Home Guest-Ready This Christmas

Published On: December 3, 2015 at 4:32 pm

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Categories: Property News

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Christmas is a time for celebrating with friends and family, but what if they are coming to stay? Make sure you don’t get flustered with our guide on making your home guest-ready this festive season.

Sleeping arrangements

You may have to shuffle some people around in your house to free up a bedroom or temporarily move into the living room. If you have space, a sofa bed is the perfect way to keep everyone comfortable and avoid the

Making Your Home Guest-Ready This Christmas

Making Your Home Guest-Ready This Christmas

dreaded airbed. If you haven’t got one, check delivery dates to ensure your new addition arrives before your guests! Keep linen fresh and possibly invest in some wintery sheets.

Around the table 

If you’re going to be cooking Christmas dinner for more people than usual this year, think about how you will get everyone around the table comfortably. Consider adding more chairs to your table (you could ask your guests to bring theirs) or put two tables together to create plenty of space.

Space

With decorations, ornaments and everyday objects around, space can be limited at Christmas time. But your guests will want somewhere to put their belongings and make sure that their luggage isn’t causing chaos. Make sure that they feel comfortable and not like they’re cluttering your home!

Warm and cosy

It is important that your guests feel relaxed in your home and a great place to start is creating a festive atmosphere. If you have a fire, light it in the evenings and all sit down together. Alternatively, lighting scented candles gives a cosy feel and fills the air with festive aromas. Make sure your guests don’t get cold by providing them with a warm throw on their bed.

Essentials

If your guests are bringing presents and party outfits, they may forget their essentials. It is a good idea to place a small basket of toiletries in their room, as a thoughtful touch. Remember to also supply them with clean towels and don’t leave them feeling awkward by making sure they know where to find the new loo rolls!

Small treats

Make sure your guests feel welcome by providing a few refreshments in their room so that they don’t feel uncomfortable about searching through the kitchen. Visitors will appreciate everything from fresh flowers on the bedside table to their favourite wine in the fridge.

Will you be hosting Christmas this year? What ideas do you have for making it memorable?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Sell Your Property Near Christmas

Published On: December 3, 2015 at 3:18 pm

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Categories: Property News

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People have different ideas about when the best time of year to sell a property is, but vendors often don’t have much of a choice and must make the most of the market when the time arrives.

Selling a home in winter is a brilliant opportunity to show off how cosy and comfortable the property is. Buyers will also be looking round wondering how good the house will be for hosting Christmas – so make sure your property seems like a family-friendly, warm space for prospective owners.

How to Sell Your Property Near Christmas

How to Sell Your Property Near Christmas

The following tips should encourage interest from winter buyers, so take note!

Make an entrance

We all know that first impressions can make or break your opinion of a property, so the outside of your house is the best place to start. The exterior is the first thing your viewers will see, so it is vital that you put some effort into making your home look inviting.

Start by fixing any broken fence panels or sprucing up areas of flaking paint. Tidy up the front garden and remove the plants that have seen better days. If the windows and front door are looking a bit grubby, ensure they have a good wipe down, or consider a fresh lick of paint. Check out the trendiest colours for this year here: /dress-up-your-front-door-for-the-festive-season/

Heat things up

There’s nothing nicer than stepping into a warm house from the cold outdoors. Make your viewers feel immediately welcome by heating up your property before they arrive. If a viewing is booked for the evening or in the morning, set the thermostat to come on in plenty of time.

It may be nice to offer your prospective buyers a hot drink and mince pie to warm them through. If you have candles around or an open fire, light them to add to the atmosphere.

Set the mood

With darker evenings and mornings, bathing your house in light will brighten up any damp and dreary day. Not only do well-lit rooms help viewers see the full potential of the home, but it also sets the mood of the property. If you have a viewing in the day, keep curtains open and wash the windows, to maximise incoming light. If you’ll be showing off your home in the evening, use side lamps alongside your main lighting to add warmth to the room. It is also a good idea to invest in an outside light, so that your house appears bright from the street.

Take some new snaps

If your property has been on the market for a long time, it is likely that your photographs will be out of date, therefore indicating to prospective buyers that you’re having a hard time selling. If your pictures show trees full of summer leaves or flowers in bloom in the garden, it suggests that your property has not had much interest since the summer. Viewers could therefore put in a lower offer than they would have otherwise.

Choose a bright, fresh day to take new photographs and make sure interior images look cosy and inviting with no clutter or rubbish.

Get in the Christmas spirit

Although many prospective buyers are reluctant to make large financial commitments around Christmas, you can use the festive period to your advantage. Add some Christmassy touches to your property to incite excitement in your viewers. An elegant wreath on the door, subtle decorations inside and scented candles are all easy ways to put your viewers in a good mood and keep them interested. But beware of going over the top – prospective buyers always want to imagine themselves and their belongings in the house, so keep your own tastes to a minimum.

Are you trying to sell your property this winter? Put some of these tips into action and attract the Christmas buyers!

63% of would-be buyers to take advantage of Help to Buy ISA

Published On: December 2, 2015 at 3:45 pm

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Categories: Finance News

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With the Government rolling out its Help to Buy ISA yesterday, it will no doubt be encouraged by new research from MoneySuperMarket.

The insurance firm has revealed that 63% of prospective property owners plan to utilise these new tax free accounts, in order to help them take their first steps onto the housing ladder.

Help to Buy

Coming into force yesterday, the Help to Buy ISA sees the Government provide an additional £50 on top of every £200 an individual is able to put towards a deposit. This will be capped at £3,000.

What’s more, further insight by MoneySuperMarket showed that 33% of people looking to buy a house in the next five years will definite take out a Help to Buy Isa to help them to save. A further 30% said that they probably would use the scheme. 27% however said that they were still undecided.

Of those looking to take advantage of the scheme, 32% said they would use the money to help secure a deposit. 13% said they would use it to cover the cost of stamp duty, while 10% said it would help towards their legal fees. 15% said it would help them to furnish their new home, while 9% said it would come in very handy with home renovations.

63% of would-be buyers to take advantage of Help to Buy

63% of would-be buyers to take advantage of Help to Buy

Encouragingly, 82% of those planning to take advantage of the Help to Buy ISAs believe that it will definitely make them get onto the housing ladder a year earlier than planned. 21% went as far to say that it would help them purchase a property 6 months earlier.

Bonus

Kevin Mountford, banking expert at MoneySuperMarket, claimed,’ the introduction of the Help to Buy ISA’s for first time buyers is a huge bonus to those wanting to get onto the property ladder. With the Government providing up to £3,000, this could be a substantial chunk towards a first home and could effectively pay the entirety of stamp duty or legal fees, for example.’[1]

‘I am pleased to see that so many people plan to use the initiative to help them buy their first home and with more and more products being launched to take advantage of the new rules, competition is hotting up and consumers will have a wide range of choice when it comes to choosing the best Help to Buy ISA,’ he added.[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/finance/63-plan-to-take-advantage-of-help-to-buy-isa.html

 

 

Does Your Insurance Fit Your Needs?

Published On: November 29, 2015 at 11:03 am

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Categories: Landlord News

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Have you got your hands on this month’s At Home magazine?

Sarah Beeny’s Homes and Property issue gives you 185 original updates for every room of your property, easy ideas for your bathroom and help in buying a property.

If you flip to page 58, you’ll be met with a very important question: “Does your insurance fit your needs?”

Does Your Insurance Fit Your Needs?

Does Your Insurance Fit Your Needs?

Just Landlords has compiled details of landlord insurance policies, explaining the differences and what to look out for – as the article states, “Not all landlord insurance policies are the same.”

Operations Director at the firm, Amy Harrad, answers frequently asked questions on landlord insurance, from what is unauthorised alteration to what does rent guarantee cover?

She explains the importance of understanding different tenant types and why insurers will ask you this, the difference between malicious damage and malicious damage by a tenant and what happens when the tenant steals from you.

Just Landlords’ building insurance policies provide 33 essential covers for landlords, helping you get back on your feet if anything goes wrong. Defaqto rated its policies 5 Star.

If you would like to find out more about Just Landlords, its policies and rent guarantee cover, take a look at www.justlandlords.co.uk.