How to Make Your Warrington Garden Summer Ready

Whether you are a green fingered fanatic and can’t wait to pull on your gardening gloves and get stuck in, or if you consider the maintenance of your outside space as just another household task that you need to tick off a list, you can’t deny that the imminent arrival of summer is the perfect time to update and refresh your garden.

From the planting of spring flowering bulbs to sprucing up your winter-weathered garden furniture, keep reading to find out how you can make your garden summer ready in six simple steps.

1. Get underway with weeding

Possibly the most boring and time consuming of all the garden maintenance tasks is weeding, but unfortunately it is a crucial step in getting your garden summer ready.

Start by removing any weeds that have accumulated in your flower-beds and then look to remove any dead plants from around your garden.

You can also tidy up your borders using a strimmer or an edging tool.

2. Tend to your lawn

After a long winter without a trim, your lawn is no doubt in need of a good mowing. It is always best to mow your lawn when it is dry, and you should also leave the grass clippings where they fall as this will provide the soil with moisture and nutrients, resulting in a healthier lawn.

Now is also the ideal time to aerate your lawn. This can be done either by hand with a fork, or with an aerating machine.

3. Fix up your fence

Fences can take quite a battering over the winter months and nothing can make your garden look as neglected and uncared for as a faded wooden fence. Therefore, it is vitally important that you repaint and treat your fence to ensure it looks its best once the sun starts shining again.

If you have painted your fence previously, you should first strip off this colour before you start the re-painting and treating process.

The colour of your fence is completely dependent on your personal preference although it should be noted that darker stains can make your garden appear smaller. If in doubt, try and choose a shade that will complement the plants and flowers in your garden, as well as any garden furniture that you may have.

4. Set up a scrubbing station

Depending on the items you have in your garden, you may have a fair amount of cleaning on your hands. From a rusty BBQ, to grubby outdoor seating, to debris littered decking; essential cleaning will definitely be on your list of tasks for ensuring your garden is summer ready.

To remove rust from your BBQ, simply mix one cup of baking soda with a little bit of vinegar, apply to the affected area, leave for half an hour and then scrub away with soapy water and a sponge.

Outdoor tables and chairs can also be revived with just a bucket of warm soapy water and a bit of elbow grease.

5. Sow your seeds

Whether you favour flowers or prefer growing a selection of edible plants, now is the perfect time to start deciding what you want to grow and where. Once you have established your preferred plants, you should start ordering your summer flowering bulbs and seeds.

Now is also a good time to hunt down and eliminate any hibernating garden pests that may attack and destroy your precious plants and produce once they awake from their slumber.

You can either use a shop bought pesticide, or you can make your own soap spray that will effectively eliminate any pests. Simply mix one tablespoon of dishwashing soap with one gallon of water and spray directly onto the insects.

6. Install a water butt

Keeping your garden looking fresh and vibrant requires a lot of watering, especially over the warm summer months. Using water from your tap can send your utility bills spiralling if you have a water meter fitted, so instead, install your own water butt.

There are a wide variety of sizes and styles to choose from including slimline options if you do not have much space and second-hand butts available on eBay if you are keen to save money and do your bit for the environment.

Other water saving tips for your garden include:

• Using a watering can instead of a hose pipe
• Watering your plants when the temperature is at its coolest, either first thing in the morning or later in the evening
• Not overwatering your plants
• Not worrying if your lawn becomes scorched, it will recover quickly once the rain returns

If you are getting your property market ready and planning on moving to or within the Warrington area soon, why not telephone us on 01925 235 338 or call in. We’ll be happy to advise you on our available properties in the area.

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
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37.1% of Warrington Landlords Could be Fined £5,000 each with New Energy Regs

As the UK has committed to a legally binding target to be carbon neutral by 2050, one of the biggest producers of greenhouse gasses are residential properties. To hit that target, every UK property will need to achieve a minimum grade of C on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by 2035. The issue is two thirds of UK’s homes (around 19 million households) are rated D or below.

To help the country hit its targets, in 2018 and again in 2020, the EPC requirements altered for buy-to-let landlords, meaning they couldn’t rent their property unless it had a minimum energy rating of ‘E’ or above.

And now for homeowners, the Government are considering forcing banks and building societies to publish the average EPC rating for all the homes they lend money on and if the banks and building societies don’t hit the Government EPC targets, they will be fined (meaning those homeowners with low energy efficient properties will have to pay much more for their mortgages).

So, let’s look at these two issues, first regarding Warrington landlords and their EPC’s, so you know what your lawful responsibilities are and what else Warrington landlords can expect in the future.

Since October 2008, all UK rental properties have required an EPC, yet from April 2018, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations with regards to EPCs have also required all rental properties with new tenancies and renewals to have a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’ or above. However, since April 2020, the MEES regulations have applied to all existing tenancies as well, meaning if your Warrington rental property doesn’t have a valid EPC rating of ‘E’ (or above), it is illegal to let out.

154 rental properties in Warrington are currently let out with a ‘F’ or ‘G’ EPC rating, making them illegal to rent out and each landlord liable for a £5,000 fine – they just don’t know it

The EPC lasts for 10 years and gives an energy rating of between A - very energy efficient to G - very energy inefficient. If you find yourself, as a Warrington landlord, with a rental property that has an EPC rating of below ‘E’, what are your options?

To start with, you have a responsibility by law to carry out the changes suggested in your EPC report to improve the energy rating of your property. The law states that landlords should spend up to a maximum of £3,500 on the energy efficiency improvements set out in the EPC. Yet, if by spending £3,500, that improves your EPC rating but doesn’t mean you reach the ‘E’ rating, whilst you will still be expected to improve the rental property and spend the money, you will be able to apply for a high-cost exemption via the PRS Exemptions Register and still let the property (even though you will have an EPC rating of F or G).

It must be noted that some properties are exempt from the MEES legislation. If your property is listed or protected and the improvements would unacceptably alter it, it is exempt from EPC requirements.
Once your EPC has been registered, it is then valid for ten years. Because the EPC regulations came into force in 2008, there will be some rental properties that had their initial EPC and not had it renewed on its 10th birthday. Now as a Warrington landlord, you do not need to get a new EPC if your EPC reaches its 10th birthday, unless that is, you are starting a new tenancy with new tenants. The issue is…

of 9,549 rental properties in Warrington, 3,546 of them have an EPC that is 10 years or older which has not been renewed

If you are a Warrington landlord, your EPC is 10 years old (or older) and your tenant leaves, you will require a new EPC, because if you don’t, you will be fined £5,000. If all those buy-to-let landlords in our local authority area ignored that law, accumulatively they could be fined £17.7m.

Secondly, what about Warrington homeowners and the mortgage companies?

Under new legislation being considered, homeowners living in poorly insulated and draughty homes (meaning they would have a low EPC rating) could pay more for their mortgages and lose value from their Warrington homes under Government plans to prioritise mortgages on properties with high energy-efficiency ratings.

There are 10,790 properties in Warrington with a rating of ‘E’ or below

The Department of Business (DoB) wants to force mortgage providers to classify the energy ratings of their borrowers’ homes and put the average into a Government league table, which will be presented on the DoB’s website. Mortgage providers will then get time sensitive targets to improve their average EPC scores, punishable by fines, meaning this would increase the mortgage costs for those with low energy efficient homes.

Maybe it’s time you looked at your EPC certificate and find out how you can improve your rating? If you are a Warrington landlord or Warrington homeowner and would like to chat about your legal position or would like a copy of your EPC emailing to you, don’t hesitate to drop me a line and I will be more than happy to discuss your personal circumstances further without obligation.

So, is it right Warrington landlords should have to fork out to improve the energy performance of their rental property, yet they aren’t the ones benefiting? Also, should Warrington homeowners have to have higher mortgage payments in the future because they have a low energy-efficient home?

Let me know your thoughts.

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
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How do I Apply For Planning Permission on my Home in Warrington?

Whether you’re thinking of adding an extra bedroom or extending the kitchen, the chances are you will need planning permission before you can go ahead and get started.

Once you’ve decided to proceed, you’ll need to go through a few stages before building work can begin.

Talk to Your Neighbours

This is by no means essential, but it’s courteous to speak with any of your neighbours who may be affected by your plans, to find out if they have any strong objections.

Neighbours’ objections are one of the key reasons why planning permission could be denied, so speaking to them in advance could save you time and money, while also supporting your application.

Contact Your Local Planning Authority

This is the first formal step that you will need to take to get planning permission. The local planning authority (LPA) for Warrington can be contacted through your local council, and they will advise if you need planning permission in the first place.

There are certain improvements you can make to your home without planning permission – these are known as permitted development rights and include adding equipment such as solar panels and satellite dishes, as well as certain sized extensions.

If you’re in any doubt, it’s always best to check with your LPA.

How Much Does a Planning Permission Application Cost?

In England the planning application currently costs £206 if you’re just looking to extend your current home.

If you’re planning to build a new single dwelling, then the cost is currently £462.

The costs vary in other parts of the UK. Your local authority will be able to provide full details of the costs involved.

What Documents Will I Need to Submit With my Application?

It varies depending on the size of the project being undertaken, but you will usually need to submit application forms, design plans and possibly an ecological survey, which will take into account the environmental impact that your extension could have.

Bear in mind that with design costs, surveys and other fees that can build up as part of your application, you should expect to budget at least £2000 to submit a successful planning application.

After you have submitted your application, the LPA will contact your neighbours to find out if they have any concerns or objections.

How Long Does it Take to Get Planning Permission?

For a fairly straightforward extension to your current property, you can expect to receive approval after around 8 weeks.

The most likely reason for any delay is objections from neighbours or unexpected problems with the design and surveys, such as environmental damage or drainage and access issues for example.

If there are objections to your plans then you may need to have the designs altered, which is likely to incur extra costs. An example of this would be if your neighbour argued that your extension will block out sunlight from their garden. In this instance, a redesign could solve the issue while still allowing you to proceed with an extension.

How Long Does Planning Permission Last?

Once planning permission has been granted you will have three years to start building work. If the three years passes without any work being started, then you will need to begin the application process again.

What Happens if my Planning Application is Rejected?

If this happens then you essentially have two options. You can either appeal the decision or have your design plans altered, which should give you more chance of the application being accepted the second time.

If your application is rejected you should be given reasons as to why, and this will allow you to address any concerns, such as objections from neighbours or environmental impact.

One thing to note, is that you can withdraw your application at any time and resubmit it at no extra cost. So, if you think your application is going to be rejected this will allow you to resolve any issues in advance.

What Happens if I Proceed Without Planning Permission?

It’s strongly recommended that you don’t go down this route, but if you were to build an extension without planning permission then the LPA would have the authority to have the building altered or demolished.

You can make a retrospective planning application, and if it’s refused then you can appeal the decision. However, if you lose the appeal, it could cost you a lot of money.

In most cases like these, it’s usually the homeowners being naive rather than blatantly ignoring the rules. They’ll often wrongly believe that their extension doesn’t require planning permission, so they don’t bother to submit an application and begin building work straight away.

That’s why it’s always worth contacting your LPA to find out if you will need planning permission before starting any building work!

Hamlet Homes Warrington are your local property experts for the Warrington area. Call us on 01925 235 338 or email manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk

to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.

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
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Will the Warrington Property Market Continue to Boom?

All the signs are that the Warrington housing market is sat on good foundations, yet one key hazard could still scupper the market.

‘UK Property Prices Rising at Record Levels’ is the headline of many newspapers. In the last few weeks, the Halifax reported they had grown by 6.5% in the last 12 months, whilst the Nationwide said 7.1% and not to be outdone, the Government’s own Land Registry said 8.6%. Nothing new there then you might think, don’t UK house prices always increase?

Actually, they don’t, as many Warrington homeowners will remember 2009, when they dropped by 19%. Also, some more mature Warrington homeowners will remember the early 1990’s where house prices dropped just over 40% over 4 years (after the 1989 property crash). So, the increase in UK house prices over the last 12 months has mystified all the forecasts made by most economists as…

house prices were forecast to drop during the pandemic because during the previous six UK recessions experienced since WW2, house prices have always fallen sharply in real terms.

Yet 2020 was different with house price growth increasing at its highest rate since 2014 as the substantial Government support programmes (including Bounce Back Loans, grants and furlough) has mollified the hit to household incomes. Add to that the pent-up demand from the Boris Bounce, all the people working from home wanting an extra room for an office and therefore needing to move, plus the stamp duty tax holiday, with the cherry on the cake of 0.1% Bank of England interest rates keeping borrowing affordable. This has meant…

Warrington property values are 14.4% higher than a year ago.

Yet, the affordability of property is a big issue going forward. By the time of the height of the last property boom in 2008, the national ratio of average property values to earnings had risen from 5.1 in 2000 to 8.8 (i.e. the average house price was 8.8 times the size of the UK’s average person’s annual earnings). We then had the property crash in the proceeding years, and the ratio dropped to around late six’s/early seven’s. However, over the last few years, the ratio has been steadily rising and now with the recent growth in demand for property (the five reasons mentioned in the previous paragraph), the ratio has now smashed past nine. Looking locally…

the ratio of average property values to earnings in Warrington as a comparison was 3.6 in 2000, rising to 5.5 in 2008, dropping to 4.6 the year later when the Credit Crunch hit, and now currently stands at 6.3.

So, are we heading for another house price crash? Maybe, maybe not - because the House Price to Earnings ratio only tells us part of the story. Another indicator of the property market is mortgage affordability, which measures the proportion of mortgage payments to average incomes. For all mortgage holders, in 2015, this stood at 24.13% and today it is only just above the national long-term average of 25%, demonstrating that property is still affordable.

Yet, the life blood of the property market are first-time buyers. The long-term average percentage of income which goes on mortgage payments for first-time buyers is 33%. Just before the 1989 property market crash, this stood at 54%. Whilst just before the 2008 property crash, it reached 49%. Today, it stands at 31.7% (and the reason it’s so low even with record high property prices is low interest rates, because when mortgage interest rates are low, this permits people to afford larger mortgages, which enables them to bid up house prices).

So why aren’t more first-time buyers buying more homes? Well in fact they are buying more homes. At the turn of the Millennium, just over half of 25yo to 35yo were homeowners and by 2014, this had dropped to just a third, although since then it has increased to 41%. Now with the reintroduction of the Government backed 95% mortgages in April, this demand will continue further.

Once furlough ends, unemployment will doubtless rise in the following 12 months, yet the economy is more than likely to be in a boom phase, so by the spring/summer of 2022, the unemployment rate should start to fall.

So, does everything look great for the Warrington property market?

Before you get the Champagne out, there is a cloud on the horizon - the possibility of higher interest rates.

Undoubtedly, for the next few years, interest rates will not go up (and if they do – it will only be nominally). However, down the line it may be a different tale. Interest rates are used to control a number of economic factors, one being the currency and secondly inflation.

As many suggest, if we get an economic boom in the next 12 to 18 months, as we come out of lockdown, this will put upward pressure on the price of goods and services. Normally, when prices go up (inflation), to ensure that inflation doesn’t get out of control, interest rates are normally increased to dampen down the inflation.

So, will interest rates rise? Undoubtably they will. Warrington homeowners and buy-to-let landlords should seriously consider protecting themselves with fixed rate mortgages (yet 3 in 10 mortgagees still are on variable rate mortgages!). I believe we will see some inflation in the order of 3% to 5% in the coming 24 to 36 months, yet the interest rates won’t be enabled to bring it down. We had a similar case in the early 2010’s when we had a mis-match of demand and supply of goods, and inflation spiked to 5%, before returning back to its long term 2% average quite quickly thereafter.

The Chancellor will also encourage some inflation to reduce the ‘real’ cost of the Billions he has borrowed because of the pandemic, yet won’t want to see interest rates increase to take the cost of the borrowing upwards.

If you are considering moving home or buying/selling a buy-to-let property in Warrington in the next 12 to 18 months, and want a chat about your options, don’t hesitate to drop me a line.

Finally, these are interesting times ahead – I would love your thoughts on this matter. Please do share them in the comments.

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
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Renovating to Sell for a Profit: The Party Wall Act

If you are renovating a property in Warrington before sale, you need to be aware of the impact of the Party Wall Act and the implications for you if you don’t follow the rules. A Party Wall is a wall which sits on the boundary between two properties and includes:

• The wall between two terraced houses
• The middle wall in a pair of semis
• The boundary wall between two gardens
• The horizontal “wall” between floors in a block of flats. Here it is called a Party Structure, but the rules still apply.

If you live in England or Wales and you are doing works to your property and you share a wall (or structure) you probably need to serve a Party Wall Notice on your neighbour. The process is meant to stop disputes, but is also to help people resolve them if they do arise. Works include:

• Any work to the wall between terraced and semi-detached houses
• Any work to a shared “party structure”
• Any work to boundary walls
• Excavation works or underpinning within 6 metres of the party wall
• Loft conversions that mean cutting into a party wall
• Inserting a damp proof course into a party wall
• Making the party wall thicker or higher
• Building a second storey extension above a party wall

The Notice must include full details of the works you are doing, give your neighbour at least two months’ notice of the works starting and say what, if any, access you need across their property to get the works completed.

Works that don’t need a Party Wall Notice:

• Drilling into the wall internally to fit kitchen units or shelving
• Having the wall plastered
• Adding or replacing electrical wiring or sockets

Once you have the specification of work from your builder, or a list of the works if you are doing them yourself, you should write to your neighbour and make it clear that this is a Party Wall Notice.

They will either write back and say they are OK with everything, write back and say they don’t agree (and maybe say why), or not respond at all.

If either of the latter two, then you will need to appoint a Party Wall surveyor to represent both of you. The surveyor draws up the Award (see below). It is important to note that although the Party Wall Surveyor is instructed by your neighbour, they are not acting for you. Their role is the protect the Party Wall or Structure and they answer only to the Courts.

Your neighbour can have a different Party Wall Surveyor if you wish, the only downside to this process is that you will pay both lots of fees.

What is the Party Wall Award?

The Award is a basically description of the works, how they will be carried out and who pays the surveyor’s fees, which in this case will be you.

Why would I bother with the Party Wall Notice?

There are many occasions when people just get on with works, don’t bother serving the Notice and hope that everything goes smoothly and the works are finished before anyone has a chance to do anything about it. Some people are just averse to paying professional fees!

Once the works are completed there is nothing neighbours can do about the Notice or an Award, the rules are not retrospective. But there are advantages to you in having an Award in place:

• It massively reduces the risk of disputes as the works are done.
• Everyone has agreed upfront what the works will be and how they will be done.
• If you need access across your neighbour’s property, whether that is garden, roof, or to put scaffolding up on their property, the Award will give you the right to do so.
• If your builder damages their property during the works the Courts take a dim view if you have failed to serve Notice and put an Award in place. They have a good chance of successfully suing you for damages (and trespass if you have accessed via their property without consent). If there is an Award in place then it gives you more protection and the Party Wall Surveyor/s should be able to resolve any disputes along the way.

There is of course a lot more in the detail but if you start work and your neighbours know nothing about it, they may come and talk to you and you can sort it out amicably. On the other hand they might just go straight to their solicitor and get an injunction to force you to stop work.

The cost of that could put your profit in jeopardy.

So don’t take the risk, get a Party Wall Notice served and crack on!

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
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Warrington Buy-to-Let Property Market Going into Crisis?

 

Warrington landlords, sell your property portfolios, your tenants will soon be leaving in droves as they buy their first home with the new 5% deposit mortgages backed by the Government’s new mortgage-guarantee scheme revealed in March’s budget! These 95% mortgages are to be supported by the Treasury, lessening losses for mortgage lenders should the borrower be incapable of repaying and get repossessed, as the Government want Generation Rent to turn into Generation Buy.

This sounds like the death knell for buy-to-let investment in Warrington as many tenants will soon be buying their first home

– or is it?

It’s true that on first impressions it might look like many Warrington first-time buyers will now be leaving their rental properties in their droves with this new low deposit mortgage scheme. However, these potential Warrington first-time buyers are facing four big issues which will inhibit their ability to take advantage of the mortgage scheme, meaning many will continue to rent.

Firstly, the mortgage rate for 95% mortgages has increased. The lowest five-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 5% deposit today (with Barclays) is 3.45%, up from 2019’s best rate of 2.75%. That doesn’t sound a lot, yet it makes a massive difference to the monthly mortgage payments (as you will see below).

Secondly, due to pent-up demand post lockdown and the stamp duty holiday, this has increased demand for Warrington property, placing upward pressure on Warrington property prices which has made it problematic for first-time buyers to get on the Warrington property ladder. This has meant ...

the average price of a Warrington first-time buyer property has risen from £140,061 to £146,189 in the last 12 months …

in turn this means, Warrington first-time buyers have had to save an additional £306.40 for their deposit to keep up with the house price increase. That means …

the monthly payment on a 30-year mortgage for a Warrington first-time buyer has jumped from £543.20 per month in 2019 to £619.76 a month today, an increase of £76.56 per month.

The third issue is demand for Warrington first-time property from buy-to-let landlords is surpassing supply, adding further fuel to the fire of driving up prices. Finally, the fact that most Warrington first-time buyers are of the younger generation and it’s the younger workers that have been most at risk of unemployment or salary cuts during the economic crisis.

You might say things will change in 2022 but would it surprise you that 95% mortgages have been available to first time buyers since the summer of 2010 and were only withdrawn during the first lockdown in 2020?

Since 2010, even with ultra-low interest rates, the number of private rented properties in the UK has grown by 580,000 households from 3.8m households to 4.4m households and will continue to grow, let me explain why.

The notion that buy-to-let property is a strong long-term investment has not altered with the pandemic. Since 1930 with the all the crises we have had with WW2, the Oil Crisis, 3 day week and hyper-inflation in the 1970’s, Warrington property has been a hedge against inflation and in addition, delivers a decent income yield of 6% and upwards. Not bad when compared to the 0.5% with a savings account (if you are lucky).

It is a fact that those landlords that see buy-to-let investment in Warrington as a long-term strategy will win.

It is certainly the case that I am starting to see an exodus of the ‘amateur landlord’, leaving more professional landlords who see ‘landlord-ing’ as a business, not a game. Those long-term Warrington landlords can see through the present predicament as they have a long-term buy-to-let investment mindset.

Many Warrington landlords are intensely aware that demand for high quality private rental properties in Warrington is only going to flourish as a consequence of the pandemic; whilst not forgetting that demand presently exceeds supply. Also, those same Warrington landlords know that a responsible approach to their tenants with regard to condition and repairs is a key to ensuring the rent keeps flowing in with minimal void periods.

Finally, even though Warrington house prices are, on average, on the up, there are still some bargains even in this market. By doing their homework and working with an agent like myself, these savvy Warrington landlords are paying reasonable prices, thus giving them a sturdier rental yield and the ability for future capital growth.

If you are a Warrington landlord, as my clients all know, I am here to help and guide landlords on their long-term investment strategy. I therefore extend this offer to all Warrington landlords, irrespective of whether you manage your property yourself, or use one of my excellent competitor agents in Warrington, I am here to help.

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
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7 Tips for a Smooth House Move With Children

 You’ve been looking at houses, dealing with potential buyers, managing the purchase of your new home in Warrington and selling your old place, and now it’s finally setting in that a big move is coming. Even if you’ve found your dream home in the perfect area, the whole experience can still be stressful, especially when you’re moving home with children.

Uprooting your life might make sense to you, whether it’s for a new career opportunity, to be closer to family, or for a necessary lifestyle change. Your kids, however, may not be as understanding, since everything they know and are comfortable with is about to change. But, the process of moving with children doesn’t need to be a nightmare for the whole family. There are a few tips you can use to help the move go as smoothly as possible.

Tell Your Children As Soon As Possible

Some parenting experts recommend telling your children as soon as you can. It may be difficult to hide for very long anyway, as you’ll most likely have potential buyers popping in and out of your house, and your children will pick up on the fact that something is going on. You don’t want to hide anything from them because that will only add to the stress for all of you, so tell them early to help them feel included. If they’re up for it, you could also involve them and make it more exciting by letting them help choose the new house and plan what they want to take with them. However, some experts recommend only telling them a month before the move, as it gives them enough time to prepare but not too much time so that they ponder on it for too long. Whatever you decide, make sure to keep them informed and feel as though they’re being involved, even if the decision to move was your own.

Allow Them to Get Upset

It may be heartbreaking to watch, but when your children cry or throw tantrums, you need to remember this kind of reaction is normal and to let them be upset. Their entire lives are changing, and the move may be separating them from friends, beloved family members like grandparents, or a childminder they have known their whole lives. Be understanding rather than angry that they aren’t accepting the changes right away. Each child is different and accepts change at their own pace, but it usually takes around six months for kids to get comfortable with their new life in a new place.

Talk About What Will Remain the Same

With so much change happening, the stress can be overwhelming for your kids. Instead of focusing on what’s going to be different, remind them of everything that will stay the same. Their rooms may be different, but all their belongings will be the same. Their school may be different, but all their after-school activities will stay the same. It may still be hard for them to focus on what’s the same, so do your best to remind them as much as you can.

Keep Your Old Routines

Just because you’re in a new place, it doesn’t mean your old routines should change. Remember, you need to keep some aspects of your old life constant for your children to help them adjust, and one great way of doing that is to keep at-home routines going. If you have a family game night, keep that consistent. If they have specific after-school routines, make sure to follow them as best you can, even if some aspects change slightly.

Get Everyone Ready

Don’t let moving day sneak up on you unprepared! Starting the moving process as early as possible will help avoid a last-minute rush to pack and clean and will make your whole family feel prepared. It’s also helpful to make a ‘moving week plan’ with your family, down to the last detail, including what meals you’ll eat and where, who will be travelling in which car, and which belongings they can bring for the car journey. It’s also useful to pack an overnight bag for everyone for both the last night in your old home and the first night in your new one, so you don’t have to worry about immediately unpacking after a long day when you get in.

Have ‘To Do’ Lists

If your kids are old enough to handle simple jobs, create to-do lists for them to help them feel included and get some of the easier tasks off your own list. They can help with packing up their own belongings into colour-coded boxes or help with cleaning. If you have a to-do list, and they have one as well, it will feel like you’re all in this together.

Let Your Children Voice Their Opinions

Giving your kids a say in the entire moving and packing process will help them feel like they have more stability and control over the changes in their environment. Ask them what their opinions are about things like what to pack and how to decorate their new rooms, but also make sure that they feel heard and considered.

But, it’s not enough to just ask – you must also follow through and listen in order to make them feel comfortable and to ensure your move with children is as smooth as possible.

For helpful advice on all aspects of moving home, contact our friendly team at Hamlet Homes Warrington and we will be delighted to help. You can call us on 01925 235 338 or drop into our office.

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.

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