Spring Cleaning Tips For A Sparkling Home

Spring is in the air, and many of us will be considering doing a spot of Spring cleaning to get our homes ready for Summer. A deep clean can help us to remove allergens from our homes that usually get missed during regular cleans. If you are considering putting your property on the market, a good declutter and a deep clean will help you achieve your asking price. So here are our top Spring cleaning tips.

From top to bottom

Cleaning from the top down will force the dirt and dust down and out of your home and save you from having to re-dust or clean areas you have already cleaned. This applies not just in individual rooms, where you should always clean the dust off the ceiling and the coving first, but also to the entire Spring cleaning process.

Shower Curtains

These can be popped in your washing machine with a few towels on a gentle cycle then hung up to dry.

Windows

Make up your own window cleaning solution with 1 cup of white vinegar, ½ tsp dish washing liquid and 2 cups of water. Use a spray bottle to spray it onto your windows and wipe with a clean cloth. It is a good idea to clean your windows on a cloudy day so that you don’t end up with streaks.

Stainless Steel

Mix 1 tsp of dish washing liquid with 1L of hot tap water. Use a cloth dipped in the solution to rub on marks, always in the direction of the metal’s grain. Then rinse it off with clean water and dry immediately to avoid streaks.

Clean your cutting boards.

Cutting boards can be cleaned of both stains and foul odours by rubbing the cut side of a lemon wedge over them. The cleaning power of the lemon can be increased by first sprinkling it with salt or baking soda.

Make your oven shine

You can help to soften baked-on filth by placing a hot, damp cloth on top of it and leaving it for ten minutes. Use a sprinkling of baking powder and a heavy duty scouring pad to finish the clean. Then, just rinse it off and let it dry.

Walls

After running a duster over your walls, wash them with 1tsp of dishwashing liquid mixed with 1L of water. If you have a stubborn stain, dip a wet cloth into bicarbonate of soda and gently rub the stain. Then wipe the area clean and leave it to dry.

Freshen up your carpets

To remove odours from your carpet sprinkle some baking soda over it and then work it into the fibres using a soft brush. Leave it for up to 30 minutes then vacuum it up.

If you are getting your property ready to put on the market please give us a call on 01925 235 338 or send us an email to staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk and we will be happy to pop round and give you our professional advice on how to make your property look its best.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

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How Can You Help Your Tenants With The Cost Of Living Crisis?

The rising cost of living has affected everyone. It is always in a landlord’s interest to help their tenants, wherever possible, be happy and content in their home. Happy tenants become long-term tenants, which reduces rental voids. So if you would like to know how to help your tenants cope with the cost of living crisis, here are a few things you can do.

Information Pack

By providing information on how to use the appliances and heating, how to prevent pests and mould, and other helpful maintenance information, you will not only help your tenants keep their bills down but will also reduce your own repair costs. Don't forget to tell your tenants that it's critical to report maintenance issues promptly in order to prevent problems from getting worse.

Keep the lines of communication open

Make sure that your tenants feel able to communicate with you, not just in an emergency but also about things like any issues they are facing in their lives. If you need to raise the rent, make sure that they are given plenty of notice, and take time to explain the increasing costs that you are facing as a landlord. In some cases, it can be more beneficial in the long run to keep good tenants and avoid a rental void than to raise the rent.

Improve your property’s energy efficiency

The Government’s plans to require all newly rented properties to have an EPC rating of C or above by 2025 have already encouraged around a quarter of landlords to make energy efficiency upgrades to their properties. While the initial cost may seem daunting, there are financial benefits for both tenants and landlords. Tenants benefit from having reduced bills, and landlords benefit from having a property that will meet the EPC requirements and is also more attractive to prospective tenants after the existing tenants vacate. In a recent survey, 52% of tenants said they would be happy to pay more for a more energy-efficient home.

Shop around for energy and utilities

If your tenants have a "bills included" tenancy agreement, use online price comparison websites and seek advice from other landlords to ensure that you are getting the best deal. Relieving the pressure of rising bills will help you avoid needing to increase the rent. If your tenants cover their own bills, then a suggestion of an energy or utility provider who may be able to provide them with cheaper bills will always be welcome and will let your tenants know that you care.

Council tax

You or your tenant may be eligible for a council tax rebate if your property is vacant or your tenant lives alone. It is worth doing a 1991 valuation check to ensure that your property is in the correct council tax band to make sure that you or your tenant are not overpaying.

Treating tenants with empathy is one of the hallmarks of a good landlord. Maintaining a productive relationship with your tenants has many benefits both for them and for you.

If you would like to learn more about how we can assist you in managing your property during these difficult times, please call us on 01925 235 338 or send us an email to staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk

Are You Considering Renting Out Your Property In Warrington?

Do you have a property in Warrington that you would like to rent out? Renting out a property is a great way to make some money, especially in Warrington where there is a high demand for rental properties.

We understand that renting out your property can seem intimidating if you have never done it before. There are lots of things to think about.

You need to decide how much rent you are going to charge. This is more complicated than simply deciding how much you would like. You need to consider expenses like taxes and maintenance costs.

Then you will need to find tenants, maintain your property, and deal with any issues that arise while keeping on top of ever-changing regulations.

That is where we come in. As a new landlord, you need to know what to do and what to expect before embarking on this new venture, and we will be there to help you every step of the way. We have assisted many landlords with renting out their properties and have many satisfied tenants as proof that we genuinely care about the properties we rent out and the tenants we rent to.

As your letting agent, we can take care of everything from preparing the property, keeping on top of regulations, finding tenants, checking their references, collecting the rent, and solving any issues that may arise during their tenancy.

Are you considering renting out your house in Warrington? Need some advice or want to know how we can help to make the whole process hassle free?

Email me on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or call on 01925 235 338 – we are based on the Warrington Business Park, Long Lane, WA2 8TX. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
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Warrington Property Market Report February 2023

March sees the start of the Spring Rush which is traditionally the busiest time of year for the property market. Warmer weather brings home buyers out of their self-imposed winter hibernation. Longer days give more opportunities for evening viewings, and spring flowers brighten up and bring outdoor areas to life. All of these things make now the ideal time to put your property on the market.

Let’s have a brief look at what’s been happening over the last month in the local Warrington property market.

There are currently 447 properties available for sale in Warrington. Last month, there were 445 and the month before there were 430. Of the 447 properties that are currently available, 65 came to the market in the last two weeks. In January, there were 73 properties that were new to the market; in December there were 33; in November, there were 48; and in October, there were 71. This is good news for buyers and shows that the market has changed from a sellers' market to a buyers' market. Buyers now have more choice and feel less rushed into making a decision.

The average price of properties in Warrington is £261,154. This is an increase of 4% since November.

Most of the properties available are in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket, with 182 currently on the market. Last month there were 192, in December there were 191, and in November there were 170 available. In October, there were 158 available. This shows that the local property market is still very busy, despite the doom and gloom in the national media.

There are 36 properties available in the £500,000 to £1 million bracket. This is four less than last month but still five more than December and eight more than November.

Properties in the £300,000 - £400,000 bracket remain the fastest movers, staying on the market for only 87 days, which is 26 more than last month. In December, they spent on average 80 days on the market. In November, properties in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket were the fastest movers; they were on the market for 92 days.

They are closely followed by properties in the £400,000 to £500,000 bracket, which are now taking on average 97 days to sell, down 3 days since last month. This is a decrease of 100% since November, when they were spending on average 194 days on the market.

One-bedroom properties had a median price of £95,000 in January and December, up from £90,500 in November. In February the median price of a one-bedroom property in Warrington was sitting at £90,000 with an average price of £96,239. They are currently sitting on the market for an average of 290 days, down from 297 days in January. In December they sat on the market for an average of 288 days and in November 289. This is an increase from 249 days in October but is still a substantial decrease from 349 days in September.

This is another example of how selling property can take longer than people often imagine. If you’re looking to upsize from your first home, or are an investor looking to change your portfolio, please bear this in mind when planning.

Four-bedroom properties are still the fastest movers in Warrington, spending an average of only 92 days on the market, up slightly from 86 last month. They currently have an average price of £438,827, a 4.2% increase since December, when the average price was £419,277. The median price of a four-bedroom property in Warrington is now £415,000.

Let’s take a look at the annual figures now.

The majority of sales in Warrington during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £243,110. Terraced properties sold for an average of £176,766, with detached properties fetching £421,299.

Overall, sold prices in Warrington over the last year were 1% up on the previous year and 8% up on the 2020 peak of £230,796.

This shows the high levels of activity in the local Warrington property market, which are likely to increase or, at the very least, remain strong in the second quarter of this year. There is a lot of demand and plenty of people looking to move around Warrington.

If you’re thinking of selling your property, feel free to contact us. If you’re thinking of buying, letting or renting a Warrington property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call 01925 235 338 or email staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk.

If you are looking for an agent that is well established, professional and communicative, whether you’re buying, selling or looking for an investment opportunity, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of the Warrington property market.

Email me on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or call on 01925 235 338 – we are based on the Warrington Business Park, Long Lane, WA2 8TX. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
Hamlet Homes Warrington, your local Estate Agent
Follow my Warrington Property Market Blog
Hamlet Homes Warrington LinkedIn Page
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Facebook Page

The First Things To Do When You Are Moving Home

Moving home is one of the most stressful things you will do and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the things that you need to do. Our easy to follow list will help guide you through it.

In the lead up to moving day:

Pack early

Avoid a last minute panic and start packing early. Removing the stress of last minute packing will help make your moving day go far more smoothly.

Redirect your post

It can take up to two weeks for your post to be redirected so make sure that you arrange this nice and early then you don’t have to worry about whether you have failed to notify anyone of your change of address.

Insurance

Lenders usually require that you have buildings insurance in place before you move as a condition of them granting you a mortgage but don’t forget to organise your contents insurance before you move in as well.

Meter readings

You need to let your utility companies know which day you are moving out of your property and provide them with a final meter reading so that you don’t end up paying for your buyer’s energy or water usage.

Internet

You need to inform your internet service provider of the date you are moving home. It can take several weeks to get connected to the internet when you move so the sooner you can start the ball rolling the less time you will spend relying on mobile data.

Pack an essentials box

Having a box with everything you need for the first few days in your new home will save you from a lot of frustrated searching through all of your unpacked boxes. Make sure that you include your kettle and some tea bags for that well deserved first cup of tea in your new home.

Moving Day!

Find the essentials

No not the teabags, although those are important too! You need to find the location of the stopcock, the thermostat, the gas and electricity meters and the water meter too if you have one.

Meter readings

Once you have found your meters make sure that you take readings from all of them. Always take a photograph as it will be time-stamped so can help if there is a disagreement over your first bill.

Submit these as soon as possible to your energy suppliers, you will normally have been left their details by the sellers. If not, expect to receive a letter from them in the first few days as the previous owners will have submitted their final meter readings and the companies will be keen to make contact with the new billpayers!

Neighbours

It’s always a good idea to introduce yourself to your new neighbours. They will be the ones who will be taking in your parcels and can also be a great source of information about the area, including which pubs and restaurants to try out and which day to put out the bins. You never know, it could even be the start of a lifelong friendship.

we are always here to offer advice on any aspect of moving home so if you have a question please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01925 235 338 or send us an email to staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk.

First Time Renters' Guide

Renting a property for the first time can seem daunting, but our quick guide will leave you feeling like a seasoned tenant in no time.

Rent

Rent will be your largest monthly cost, so it is vital to work out how much you can afford before you start your search. A good rule of thumb is to allocate no more than 30–45% of your monthly income. Make sure you pay attention to whether the rental rate being advertised is per week or per month. If it is per week, multiply it by 52 and then divide by 12 to find out the monthly cost.

Security Deposit

This is normally five weeks' rent. Your landlord can make deductions from your security deposit to cover rent arrears or damage to the property when you move out.

Your landlord or letting agent is required by law to place your deposit in one of three government-backed protection schemes and provide you with the details. They must also let you know how much they propose to deduct from your deposit within 10 days of the end of your tenancy.

If you disagree with this amount, then the deposit protection schemes provide a resolution service. This can be used to settle any disputes, provided that you and your landlord agree to use it and accept the decision made.

Holding Deposit

Some letting agents and landlords charge a holding deposit. The maximum amount that they are legally allowed to charge is equivalent to one week’s rent and is held while your references are being checked. This will then either be returned to you or deducted from your first month’s rent. The landlord or letting agent is legally allowed to keep your holding deposit if you change your mind about renting the property, give false or misleading information, or fail to pass a ‘right to rent’ check.

In advance

Rent is usually paid in advance to cover the upcoming month so you will need to pay the first month’s rent before you move in.

Bills

Unless your rental agreement states otherwise you will be responsible for paying

• Council Tax
• Utility bills (gas, water and electric)
• Internet and phone bills
• Contents insurance

You may also need to pay additional service charges for things like gardening or cleaning of communal areas.

When going on a viewing, you could ask the current tenants about the cost of their bills so you have an idea of how much yours will be.

Furnished

You can rent a property fully furnished, partly furnished or unfurnished. A furnished property may cost slightly more but it is usually cheaper than having to buy all of your own furniture. However, an unfurnished property gives you more opportunity to put your own stamp on your home.

Any other costs

You are liable to pay for any damage that you cause to the property. There may also be fees for adding new tenants to the contract during the tenancy.

You may be charged to have a new set of keys cut if you lose yours, and your landlord or letting agent is legally allowed to charge you interest on your rent if you are two or more weeks behind. The interest charged can be no more than 3% above the Bank Rate per day.

Affordability

Your landlord or letting agent will want to make sure you can afford the rent. They will therefore require that you provide them with references, usually from your previous landlord and current employer.

You will also need to provide proof of income and address, usually in the form of payslips and bills. It is also normal for them to run a credit check on you so it is always wise to take some time to check your credit score through sites like Experian to make sure that there are no issues that will be flagged up.

If you are looking to rent a property in Warrington please give us a call on 01925 235 338 or send us an email to staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk to be added to our earlybird list so that you can be one of the first to find out about our latest available properties.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
Hamlet Homes Warrington, your local Estate Agent
Follow my Warrington Property Market Blog
Hamlet Homes Warrington LinkedIn Page
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Fall In Love With Your Home This Valentine's Day

The most romantic day of the year is nearly upon us. Love is in the air and all around us are happy couples preparing to celebrate their love.

I would like to talk about a different type of love, the love you have for your home. Just like our relationships with our partners, the relationship we have with our homes goes through stages.

1. First meeting someone you like is the same as the first viewing of a property.
2. You then progress to asking them on a first date, which is like making an offer.
3. Courting and finding out more about one another is the same as the paperwork side of things the solicitors deal with.
4. The honeymoon period is when everything’s glowing and rosey. You’re completely in love and showing off your home to all your family and friends.
5. After a while though, you might start getting a bit complacent, taking your home for granted.
6. You may even feel bored and no longer enjoying the time you spend in your home.
7. Your eye may start to wander as you start noticing other homes…
8. Then you may decide to sell your home, which could be seen as the equivalent of a break-up.

If your relationship with your home has hit the complacency or boredom stage, maybe it is time to freshen up your relationship by making some changes that will benefit you both.

Whether you rearrange furniture, declutter your house, or commit to completely redecorating, changes, big or small, can help you fall back in love with your home.

If, after making some changes, you still believe that your relationship with your home cannot be saved, you will at least know that you have maximised your profit if you do decide to break up (sell).

Estate agents are the matchmakers of the property world so if you and your property have reached the end of your relationship, we will gladly help you to handle your break-up with empathy and sensitivity.

We can handle the dates (viewings) of your home with potential new owners and provide you with any constructive criticism, saving you from having to hear if the viewers simply didn't like your taste in sofas.

Once a potential buyer progresses to a second date (second viewing) we can handle all their queries and help them to decide whether your property is the right match for them.

Love cannot be rushed. Some people place an offer on a first viewing, “love at first sight”. Some people want to see it six times before they decide to make an offer, a perfect example of how love can grow.

We can help guide you through the property selling process. No matter how lucky or unlucky in love you are, we will find your home its perfect person/people.

One thing is definitely true. If you instruct us to find your property the perfect new owner, you will fall head over heels with our service and care.

If you are ready to break-up with your property and you would like to put it on the market give us a call on 01925 235 338 or send us an email to staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk and we will make sure that your property finds someone who will love it as much as you used to.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
Hamlet Homes Warrington, your local Estate Agent
Follow my Warrington Property Market Blog
Hamlet Homes Warrington LinkedIn Page
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Facebook Page