Posts with tag: property

Does your personality reflect your region?

Published On: November 14, 2015 at 10:15 am

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A recent survey from the BBC questioned 400,000 people over 2 years and 380 local authority areas in England, Wales and Scotland to try and ascertain personality traits for each region.

The BBC Lab UK project, entitled, ‘The Big Personality Test,’ was conducted through a series of multiple choice questions on lifestyles, relationships and overall personalities. Of the participants, around two-thirds were female.

Results

Findings from the survey showed five major personality traits, which were found to be:

Openness-The extent to which people adapt to ideas, experiences and values

This trait appeared in more metropolitan areas, such as in London, Oxbridge, Bristol and Manchester, alongside some parts of Wales.

Conscientiousness-Assessing organisation and self-control

 The report found the most conscientious regions were in the South of England, the Midlands and the Scottish Highlands. This indicates that a number of people in these areas are cautious and self-disciplined.

Does your personality reflect your region?

Does your personality reflect your region?

Extroversion-The experience of positive emotions and attraction to stimulating experiences 

Large levels of extroversion were found to be present in London, Manchester and parts of Scotland and Yorkshire.

Agreeableness –The extent respondents were concerned about the feelings of others

Regions with inhabitants found to be most agreeable were throughout Scotland and in the North, East and South-West of England. Residents in these areas then could be said to be most kind.

Neuroticism-Ability to react to threats and stressful occurences

Emotional stability was found more often from residents in the South West and across a lot of Southern England and Scotland. This gives the impression that people in these regions tend to be more relaxed and calmer than others.

 

 

It’s alright to use white

Published On: November 13, 2015 at 4:08 pm

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Categories: Landlord News

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Buy-to-let landlords are constantly competing with each other to try and gain the upper hand and to ultimately secure a tenancy agreement. Some of the major selling points for would-be tenants are the décor and contemporary fittings within a property.

With this in mind, many landlords choose to brighten up their rooms by using bright colours, particularly on feature walls and for furniture. However, Yanic Simard, head designer at Toronto Interior Design Group, feels that simply using radiant white can go a long way in making homes look modern and stylish.

Simard believes that by using simple white colours landlords, ‘can add drama’ to aid the following:

Brighten up Greys and Taupes

Where a space is centered on mundane colours such as greys, even a small amount of fresh white paint can transform a room, more so than an aqua blue or soft red.

Simard notes that, ‘in a design with colorful walls, white is a powerful tool for adding a sense of contrast without clashing or overloading on too many hues. It brings drama to the center of the room here so the walls aren’t the sole source of interest. And yet it does this without creating visual conflict.’[1]

Break Patterns

 Purchasing white furniture to break up busy wall colours can make the room look more subtle and not overwhelm would-be tenants when they view the property. Additionally, this gives the landlord more scope when choosing patterned cushions and other amenities.

Of course, people may see white furniture as real challenge to keep clean and may therefore stay clear of purchasing. However, Simard believes that, ‘white furniture doesn’t have to be a maintenance nightmare.’ He says that, ‘a material like plastic, lacquered wood or coated metal will add an equally clean counterpoint to a busy dining room wall for fresh energy.’[1]

Soften Bold Decor

White trims, such as on door frames and mirrors, can help to soften high-drama looks. Additionally, using white trims can bring out the detail in grand features, which could have been lost with the use of darker colours.

Simard explains, ‘In an eclectic space with curated antiques, hits of clean white translate to a sense of modernity, so the overall effect reads more transitional than strictly traditional. It’s perfect for those who can’t settle on one time period but instead prefer a timeless cosmopolitan look.’[1]

Break up dark colours

Landlords should always try and break up darker colours with even just a hint of simple white. Features such as white lampshades, frames or ornaments can all break up a dark wall treatment. Similarly, a large focal piece, such as a picture, with a white background, can command attention effectively.

In darker spaces, bits of white can become doubly important in order to reflect the light. A little bit of fresh white colouring can improve the sophistication of a room intentionally designed to be moody.

A little white can do a lot

 It is advisable that landlords should look to add small white accessories to dark furnishings, such as bright pillows or cushions. Furthermore, landlords should look to put some white accessories in close proximity to other white items, such as window frames or lampshades.

[1] http://www.houzz.co.uk/ideabooks/43902685/list/why-white-is-the-ultimate-pop-of-color 

 

Keep your property safe as dark nights set in

Published On: October 30, 2015 at 10:54 am

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Categories: Landlord News

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October is National Homes Security Month, and as a result, estate agents Harrison Murray have given a seasonal reminder on keeping homes safe.

Despite Britain enjoying an Indian summer, the clocks go back in a little under three weeks. With this in mind, it is important to make sure homes are sufficiently protected before the dark nights draw in.

Security

‘As we move further into autumn and winter, the days and nights are obviously getting darker, but we aren’t suggesting that people live in fear,’ said Su Snaith, Head of Estate Agency for Harrison Murray, part of The Nottingham Building Society.

‘It is simply about adopting a practical, common sense approach in assessing safety measures in your existing or new home, which can sometimes be targets for opportunistic thieves,’ Snaith added.[1]

Keep your property safe as dark nights loom

Keep your property safe as dark nights loom

Tips

Harrison Murray’s top-ten tips for keeping property safe are:

  • Have sufficient lighting-homeowners should consider installing motion-sensitive lighting materials above doors, porches, garage doors and all entrances to gardens. In addition, timers should be fitted to all indoor lights when out for the evening or prolonged period.
  • Fit and use an alarm
  • Bolt or padlock all gates
  • Lock all windows-People should make sure that this includes both up and downstairs windows, particularly those that can be easily accessed.
  • Keep valuables well away from letterboxes-With vehicle theft becoming more common, thieves often look to obtain car keys through letterboxes. Property owners are advised to keep them well away from this access point.
  • Mark all personal items with a U.V pen
  • Do not obscure the front of homes with trees or hedges
  • Be savvy online-With people seemingly putting everything about their social lives on Facebook and Twitter, thieves are more commonly using these means of resource to target potential victims. Never reveal that a property is to be empty be posting online. 
  • Join a Neighbourhood Watch scheme
  • Get home and contents insurance

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/household/top-tips-to-keep-your-property-safe-as-darker-nights-draw-in.html

 

 

EasyProperty looking at foreign markets

Published On: September 24, 2015 at 4:27 pm

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Categories: Landlord News

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EasyProperty has announced that it is to explore the possibility of exporting its online agency business model out to other countries.

Chief Executive Rob Ellice said that his agency, which operates in the residential, lettings, sales and commercial property sectors, has been considering ventures in the United States in Germany. It has also looked at business opportunities in Australia and in New Zealand.

Overseas interest

Earlier in 2015, easyProperty’s former chief marketing officer Chris Welch said that the firm had received contact from firms in the Middle East, the Far East and Scandinavia.

‘The British housing market is near the tipping point-more people than ever before are considering online sales and lettings,’ commented Mr Ellice. ‘A lot of people from other countries are looking at how we’re achieving that,’ he continued.[1]

EasyProperty looking at foreign markets

EasyProperty looking at foreign markets

Just this week, the firm launched a new advertising campaign to mark its move into residential sales. ‘Consumer behaviours have changed,’ continued Welch. ‘No one walks into an estate agents’ office any more to begin their search for a property. Home-sellers are better-educated and more knowledgeable than ever before and are realising there are alternative options that give them the same end result as a high street agent at a much lower cost.’[1]

[1] https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/9/easyproperty-eyes-taking-online-agency-structure-into-foreign-markets

 

Dream features of property revealed

Published On: July 31, 2015 at 9:15 am

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Categories: Property News

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New research from Leeds Building Society has revealed the dream property for people living in the UK.

Dreams

According to the questionnaire, a three bedroom, two bathroom detached period property would be the perfect dwelling for 48.5% of respondents. 52.4% said that they would like to live in a home with three bedrooms, with 74.3% going as far to say that this is a minimum requirement.[1]

76.2% of people questioned in the survey said that one bathroom would not be enough, with over half (56.2%) stating two bathrooms is a priority.[1]

When choosing a property, the top feature was found to be location, with 72.9% saying this was most important. 68.5% said that the size of the property was the most significant feature and 61.7% gave the largest priority to a garden or outside space. The layout of the property was considered imperative by 56.2% and off-street parking was of paramount importance to 53.1%.[1]

Compromises

Further data from the research shows that buyers were most likely to compromise on good interior decoration. 28.7% said that they were prepared to overlook this and 23.6% said they would also overlook period features. 21.5% commented they could do without a new kitchen or bathroom and 21.2% were unconcerned about the property layout.[1]

Dream features of property revealed

Dream features of property revealed

However, the biggest turn off for potential purchasers was no garden, with 35.3% that they could not buy a home without one. 14% said they could not operate without a drive, 10.9% didn’t feel they could live with an old heating system and 9.4% cited they couldn’t live in a home with stairs in the living room.[1]

‘When home ownership appears to be a national obsession and there’s a mind boggling choice in types of properties to purchase, it’s perhaps surprising that our survey discovered so many people share the same view of what makes their dream home,’ observed Martin Richardson, Leeds Building Society’s general manager for business development.[1]

Fundamentals

Director of business development for e.surv Richard Sexton, feels that it should not come as a surprise that the major selling points of a property are those that cannot fundamentally be altered.

Sexton noted that, ‘it’s relatively easy to redecorate, but impossible to move a building from one location to another. The findings reflect the fact that house hunters are generally aware of the difference between these categories and take a long term view on changeable factors to ensure they get their preference on the fundamentals.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertywire.com/news/europe/uk-dream-home-survey-2015073010806.html

 

 

Online estate agents to make up 50% of market by 2020

Published On: July 30, 2015 at 3:06 pm

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Categories: Landlord News

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An interesting prediction by Urban.co.uk suggests that online estate agents could account for half of the market by the year 2020.

Since its inception in 2005, the website has brokered in excess of £97.5bn worth of successful deals.

House-hunting online

Adam Male, Founder of Urban.co.uk, believes that as a result of changing trends, the public will eventually be drawn to house-hunting online. He said, ‘the online format negates the need for expensive fees, whilst still offering customers as much expert knowledge and advice as required.’[1]

‘We are extremely proud of the Urban brand and believe that our site will continue to develop and evolve, leading the industry over the next decade,’ he added.[1]

The website allows home-sellers to make an account and upload images and details of the properties that they are looking to sell. Next, the agent sends a surveyor to assess the house within 1-3 working days.

Online estate agents to make up 50% of market by 2020

Online estate agents to make up 50% of market by 2020

Process

After the valuation and surveying process has taken place, the website will advertise the property on sites such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Primelocation. Mr Male said, ‘we are extremely proud of the Urban brand and believe that our site will continue to develop and evolve, leading the industry over the next decade.’[1]

‘Everyone within our team is highly qualified, with credentials recognised by the National Association of Estate Agents and happy to help with negotiating the best price for your property.’[1]

[1] http://www.developmentfinancetoday.co.uk/article-desc-4189_online-estate-agents-to-be-50-of-the-market-by-2020?utm_campaign=Landlords%20%26%20Property&utm_content=18579851&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter#.Vbn-NpNVhBd