Wages Rising by 8.3% pa - How Will This Affect the Warrington Property Market?

As they struggle to meet demand, Argos have had to increase the wages of their HGV drivers from £11.41 an hour to £15 an hour - a rise of 31.2% meaning their pay goes from £27k to £35k. Care home providers are offering signing-on bonuses of many thousands of pounds to entice nursing staff away from their competitors, and new homes contractors say labour costs are growing as the housing boom pushes up demand for bricklayers and joiners. Restaurant chains, coffee shops, blue-collar workers in factories and warehouses are seeing wages rise at an extraordinary rate.

The average wage for a worker in Warrington in full-time employment is 

£559.20 per week (before tax).

We can all argue over the reasons behind it; some suggest the ‘B’ word (ending in ..xit), whilst others put it down to the pandemic and some the demographic changes of UK population.

So, before I look at what it could do to the Warrington property market, let me look at why wages are rising. You will note all the above inflation wage increases are in blue-collar industries.

(Blue-collar workers refers to any worker who engages in physical or manual labour, such as building, hospitality, maintenance etc., whilst white-collar workers are those classed in the professions and service industries).

What are the reasons for these wage increases?

• In the past, the demand for inexpensive ‘blue-collar’ labour has been fed by a steady supply of Eastern European workers since 2004. Yet with the ‘B’ word, that has now ended.
• Also, even in late July, the furlough scheme has kept 1.9 million Britons from their jobs.
• Fewer ‘Generation Z’ (those in their late teens to mid 20’s) who normally would work in the hospitality industry are not working at the same rate they used to, when compared to before the pandemic.
• And finally, fewer ‘Baby Boomers’ (those born before 1965) are working since the end of the first lockdown.

How could these wage increases affect

the Warrington property market?

White-collar wages, since the turn of the millennium, have risen in real terms, yet blue-collar wages have remained stagnant (although they started to pick up slowly just before the pandemic).

So, if all blue-collar workers are now seeing a substantial increase in their real wages since the pandemic, what will this mean especially for the Warrington property market? It would mean the following…

• Continued reduction in unemployment
• Growth in consumer spending
• Rents will continue to rise in the short term
• Rise in homeownership in the medium term

Starting with unemployment:

1,465 Warrington people have come off the dole queue in the last 12 

months alone, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.3% to the current 

5.1% in our local authority area.

If wages continue to grow for everyone, that means unemployment will continue to reduce.

Secondly, these pay rises will start to burn holes in people pockets. We should assume those people with the extra cash will spend it. In fact, it is a recognised trait in economics that blue-collar workers tend to spend a lot more of any increase in disposable income (when compared to white-collar workers). This would give a boost to the retail, hospitality, leisure and travel industries very quickly.

Warrington rents are already 5.1% higher than 12 months ago,

and if wages continue to grow, then rents will increase even further. This is because rents in the private sector tend to rise in line with wages rather than with property prices.

This is excellent news for Warrington buy-to-let landlords.

Next, if wages for blue-collar workers continue to grow, I believe we will finally see a long-term growth in home ownership again. In 2008, 68% of people owned their own home, yet that had been slowly reducing over the 2010s to 63% in 2018. Yet since 2018, this has increased slightly to 65%.

The Brits who had the biggest problem jumping on to the property ladder were not just the 20 something’s, but also middle-aged blue-collar workers. With blue-collar wages stagnant over the last two decades, and accelerating house prices, it was much tougher for them to save up a deposit for a mortgage.

Yet with the Governments recent 5% deposit mortgages and more disposable income (because of the wage rises), some might decide not to spend the extra on going out and holidays and buy their first home instead (because most people want to own the place where they live - if they can afford it, they will buy).

Overall, if this increase in blue-collar wages is across the board, then this 

could be one of the greatest things to happen to the Warrington property 

market in a long time.

It is certainly long overdue. Since the millennium, wages at the bottom end of the pay scale (i.e. blue-collar workers) have deteriorated, while the professional white-collar middle classes have done much better. The disparities between both classes/workers are both imbalanced and harmful to the economy and society as a whole.

But what is the real story behind the headlines?

One school of thought is that some fear these wage increases will fuel hyperinflation (and in turn, interest rates will have to rise to counter that).

As I have mentioned many times in my articles on the Warrington property market, the last thing we need is a rise in interest rates (as mortgage rates will increase accordingly). A rise in interest rates will put a massive brake on the Warrington property market – which is not good for anyone.

Also, we have to remember a few things…

there are still 1.9m people on furlough

(which stops at the end of September).

Not all of those people will go back to their original jobs, meaning they will need to find a new job, so the pay pressures could just as easily diminish as employment bottlenecks clear.

Also, the 8.3% wage rise is based on a year-on-year figure (i.e. a snapshot of now versus a year ago) and therefore the headline figures have been profoundly distorted by the large numbers of blue-collar workers on furlough in 2020 (i.e. they were on 80% pay). The Office for National Statistics have gone on record saying that, accounting for some of the distortions caused by the pandemic, real wages for blue-collar workers are more likely 3.5% up.

Finally, as with all things, the devil is in the detail. The newspaper headlines reporting the over inflated pay rises this spring are true. However, in truth (of course we all know bad news sells newspapers) these wage rises were focused on professions with specialist skills. For example, whilst wages for HGV lorry drivers have risen by double digits, pay rates for courier drivers have remained stagnant. At the same time, wage growth for white-collar jobs is almost at zero for yet another year.

To conclude, there are interesting times ahead for everyone involved in the Warrington property market. I do not profess to know all the answers, however, I do have my own opinions. Whether you are a Warrington first-time buyer, second-time buyer, homeowner, landlord or tenant and would like to pick my brains on any aspect to do with the Warrington property market, please do not hesitate to drop me a DM, give me a call or send me an email.

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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What Should I do to my House in Warrington Before I Sell it?

Deciding to put your home in Warrington on the market is a huge step. But, beginning the process of preparing your property for sale can be completely overwhelming.

Here are eight tips every seller should follow to ensure their home is ready to welcome viewers.

1. Do a Thorough Declutter

A rigorous declutter is essential before you place your house on the market. This will not only make your home look bigger, brighter and more inviting, but it will help massively with the moving process.

The easiest and most thorough way to declutter is to approach each room separately. Empty the entire contents of the room, and split it into three separate piles. The first should be items you adore, which will be joining you in the new home.

The second pile should be items of excellent quality, but belongings that are simply not loved by your family anymore. These can then be sold, given away, or donated to charity.

The third and final pile will consist of items that are no longer any good. These can then be taken to your local recycling centre to be transformed into something new.

2. Clean Rigorously

Your home must be sparklingly clean in the preparation process to allow for the best quality photographs to entice the most viewers.

Consider renting a carpet cleaner to scrub the floors throughout your home. Additionally, take this opportunity to deep clean the blinds and curtains, which will transform any space.

3. Decorate and Depersonalise

Viewers want to look around your home and imagine a place that their family will enjoy. During their visit, they will visualise how their furniture and belongings will sit in each room, which can be challenging if the space is already cluttered.

Where necessary, paint the rooms in light, neutral colours to attract the broadest range of viewers. Remove any large family photos and pictures, which can also be distracting for potential buyers.

However, avoid expensive renovations such as kitchens and bathrooms. These might look fantastic, but it is unlikely you will reap the rewards during the sale.

4. Complete All Maintenance Jobs

There are many niggly things in our homes that we learn to live with. Stained carpets, leaky pipes, and unvarnished windowsills.

Showing your home to a potential buyer with these issues suggests you have not loved and taken care of the property, which can seriously deter viewers. In such a competitive market, your home needs to do everything it can to stand out in the crowd.

These tasks are often inexpensive and quick to sort, so dedicate an afternoon to fixing the issues before you plan to put your home on the market.

5. Switch Around the Rooms

You may use certain rooms in a way that works perfectly for your family, but that doesn’t mean it will appeal to prospective buyers.

For example, you might be currently using your dining room as a playroom. Unfortunately, this may eliminate older couples with no children or those who don’t plan to start a family soon. Remember, buyers quickly glance through the online advertisements, so your home must do everything it can to make the best possible first impression.

Try to squeeze in an office space where possible. More people are working from home than ever before, and a dedicated space for a desk will make a huge difference.

6. Set The Scene

Home staging is the process of ensuring your home looks its absolute best before the photographs are taken, or buyers enter the property. You might decide to lay the table, add new lighting, or even rearrange the furniture to maximise the potential of each space.

Fill rooms with fresh flowers and reed diffusers before viewers arrive to leave the house smelling beautiful.

7. Freshen up the Garden

The outside space is as important as what’s inside the home for most buyers. Therefore, ensuring your garden is in top condition is imperative.

Before de-weeding the area and mowing the lawn, you should remove any empty plant pots, toys, or general waste. This shows the garden has been cared for throughout your ownership.

Kerb appeal is crucially important too, and viewers often make snap decisions on their first impressions. Therefore, it may also be worthwhile to paint any garden walls or fences, brightening up the area.
8. Arrange a Fantastic Photographer

Once your home is ready to be put on the market, it’s time to hire a fantastic photographer to capture all of your hard work. Your estate agent will usually be able to arrange this for you, ensuring that your home is shown in the best possible light.

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 find out the best improvements you can make to your Warrington home.

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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Warrington Buy-to-Let Market on the Rise as Returns Rise by 62.4% in 5 Years

Warrington landlords are becoming progressively more self-assured about expanding their rental portfolios; as Warrington rents rise, mortgage interest rates fall and demand for decent Warrington rental properties outstrips supply.

A number of reports nationally would suggest around a third of UK ‘portfolio’ landlords (i.e. landlords with more than one rental property) are actively looking to expand their rental portfolios in the next 12 to 18 months, that would locally mean…

1,089 Warrington ‘portfolio’ landlords are looking to add to

their rental portfolio by the end of 2022.

The pandemic has had a substantial change to what we want from a home. Many people think that relates just to homeowners, yet nothing could be further from the truth as it also applies to tenants.

Homeowner or tenant, many of us have spent a lot of time away from places of work. Many office workers face the outlook of the combination of working from home as well as at the office, meaning a change in what people look for in their home. People (including tenants) are looking for larger properties, with extra rooms for office space and decent sized gardens or to be closer to outside green space.

So, let’s look at the ‘scores on the doors’ as to why Warrington landlords are on the up…

Warrington house prices are 31.5% higher than 5 years ago.

Because some Warrington first-time buyers are being priced out of the market due to these house price rises, they are being forced back into the rental market. Add the extra demand of the 1 in 10 Warrington house sellers, who in the last 12 months have had to go into rented accommodation instead of buying, and this has created increased demand. Meaning…

Rents today in Warrington are 5.1% higher than a year ago and 

30.9% higher than 5 years ago.

The average rent of a Warrington property today is £833 pcm.

In previous articles on the Warrington property market, I was talking about the lack of properties to buy – yet that issue is also there in the British rental property market. Now let’s look at the supply of rental properties.

Would it surprise you that the number of private rented homes in 

the UK has fallen in the last 12 months by just over 2.5%?

Why? One reason has been many ‘accidental’ landlords have used this housing market to sell their property for a good price. That means the supply of available rental properties has decreased. The perfect storm of increased demand and lower supply, and with many Warrington tenants competing for those larger Warrington homes, they may find Warrington rental prices pick up even more over the next year.

What about buy-to-let mortgages for Warrington landlords?

The banks all but withdrew from buy-to-let lending in the first lockdown. Yet, since last summer, things have settled down and during 2021 there has been a mortgage price war.

Warrington landlords can borrow 60% of the value of their BTL property on a two-year fixed rate of 1.18% from Platform and even those with a 20% deposit (that’s borrowing 80%) can borrow that money at 2.49% 2-year fixed rate from The Mortgage Works. Those looking to fix for a little longer can get 1.44% from The Mortgage Works and 1.79% at 75% loan to value from Santander.

(It must be noted there are some fees to these mortgages, and you must take advice from a qualified mortgage advisor before deciding which mortgage is best for you).

So, is now the best time to invest in Warrington buy-to-let 

property?

If you are attracted to invest in Warrington buy-to-let, it’s vital to do your homework first – particularly if you are new to the game.

When estimating the expected rental returns on investment, capital growth and yields, many Warrington landlords look to what has happened with house prices and rental prices, yet past performance does not always deliver a future guaranteed return.

Smart Warrington landlords will speak with agents like myself and others in Warrington, prudently researching the Warrington property market to discover what types of properties are in high demand (and short supply) from tenants.

Whether you are a landlord of ours or not, please feel free to drop me a line via email or social media for no nonsense advice on the important matters to look out for before investing in Warrington buy-to-let.

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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5 Tips To Deal With Gazumping

There are few things more frustrating for home buyers than being gazumped. The chances are you’ll already have spent a great deal of time and money preparing to buy a property, only to have it snatched away from you before exchanging contracts.

If you’re planning to buy a property, here are five tips to help prevent you from being gazumped, and what to do if it does happen to you.

1. Ask The Seller To Take The House Off The Market

Once you’ve had an offer verbally accepted, it’s worth asking the seller to take the property off the market immediately.

This doesn’t guarantee that you won’t be gazumped, but if the property is no longer on the market it will significantly improve your chances of it not happening.

It’s usually standard practice for a property to be taken off the market once an offer is accepted, and most sellers will be happy to oblige. If they’re not, then it could be a warning sign that they’re still open to a higher offer.

2. Have a Mortgage In Principle

It’s always a good idea to have funds in place before making an offer on a property as it can help to speed the whole process up, and that’s usually a good thing for buyers and sellers.

If you have your mortgage in principle, it shows the seller that you’re a serious buyer and that you’re able to move relatively quickly, compared to a buyer who hasn’t got the funds in place.

3. Have a Conveyancer In Place

As with the mortgage in principle, it’s a good idea to have your conveyancing solicitor in place before starting the buying process.

Again, it can help to speed the whole process up, and it demonstrates to the seller that you’re a serious buyer who’s looking to get things moving as quickly as possible.

Finding a conveyancer that you want to use can be a time-consuming process, so before making an offer on a property, ask friends, family and your estate agent for recommendations, and check reviews so you can find someone you’re happy with.

4. Get To Know The Seller

Sometimes the personal touch can go a long way. Building a relationship with the seller and showing a genuine interest in their property, along with your future plans for it, may help persuade them not to accept a higher offer in the interests of fairness.

Of course, there are no guarantees, and a higher offer may be more attractive, but having a friendly relationship with the seller can make a big difference.

5. Ask The Seller To Sign a Lock-In Agreement

A lock-in agreement, or exclusivity agreement is a binding contract that prevents the seller from negotiating with another buyer during a fixed time period.

Both parties will usually pay a deposit, and if either side breaks the agreement then the deposit is forfeited.

This is definitely the best way to avoid being gazumped, but it’s also the least common, and a lot of sellers are likely to be reluctant to sign it. There are still no guarantees either, but as the seller stands to lose a large sum of money through their deposit, it’s arguably the most effective way to prevent gazumping.

How To Deal With Being Gazumped

Despite your best efforts, sometimes being gazumped is an unfortunate and unavoidable part of the home buying process. If this does happen to you, there are a couple of things you may be able to do to stop your purchase falling through.

• Gazump Your Gazumper!

If you have the funds to go back in with a higher offer this is likely to be your best chance of getting your purchase back on track.

However, make sure you can actually afford to go higher. If your initial offer is at your maximum, or close to it then don’t overstretch yourself financially.

And also be aware that you may end up in a bidding war. The other buyer may have a lot more room to move financially, so you could find yourself paying well over the odds, or being ultimately outbid anyway. Just make sure you have your finances in order before entering into a bidding war.

• Sell Yourself

This is where being prepared comes in handy. Even if another buyer can come up with a higher offer, you may still be in a stronger position than you think.

For example, if you’re a first-time buyer then you’re chain free and potentially able to move very quickly. Perhaps you’re able to be more flexible with completion dates than the gazumper, or you have your mortgage in place and they don’t. Whatever your USP is, be sure to highlight why you’re an attractive buyer.

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 find out how we can ensure your sale or purchase runs smoothly.

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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Why Are More Warrington OAP Homeowners Deciding Not to Move Home?

A recent report by Legal & General stated that, since the pandemic, many older homeowners had put their plans to move home 'on ice'. It said that fewer OAP homeowners are planning to downsize from their large family homes after the pandemic made them realise the actual value of their local community and space.

Historically, many OAPs move home to another part of the country to live near their grown-up children. Yet the pandemic has shown that OAPs can live quite well locally without moving to a strange new town to live near their children. The support networks of their friends in their existing community has emphasised the significance and importance of having friends close by.

Yet this trend isn't just for OAPs moving away. Many Warrington OAPs who aren't moving away from Warrington (because their family is still local) are also deciding to stay put longer for the same reasons. Even though they are rattling around their large 3 and 4 bed detached family homes, they love the space their large Warrington homes offer.

And for those Warrington OAPs who are wanting to move, the issue is that the choice of properties they could buy to downsize is limited. This scarcity of properties for sale, called the 'housing crunch’, can be seen by that lack of choice of properties for OAPs to move to.

Only 36 bungalows are for sale in Warrington

In a ‘normal' Warrington property market, I would expect this to be double or even triple this number.

All these factors combined means these OAP "eternal homeowners" threaten to make the scarcity of properties coming on to the market even worse!

So, why is this an issue for everyone else?

Well, because Warrington OAPs aren’t moving from their large 3 and 4 bed detached homes to smaller bungalows or ground floor apartments, this is creating a blockage on the housing ladder. Warrington families, in their 30’s and 40’s, are desperate for larger 3 and 4 bed detached homes for their ever-expanding families. But if the OAP sellers of those family houses aren’t moving, they will remain overcrowded in their existing homes.

Let’s look at the numbers first.

• There are 4.42m UK over-65 property owners, and their properties are worth a combined £1.53 trillion (which covers just under three-quarters of the national debt).
• 71.3% of those aged 65 and over own their home (although 1 in 10 still has a mortgage).
• There are 16,854 Warrington homes occupied by OAPs, representing 23.9% of all the households in Warrington (notable compared to the UK average of 31%).
• 87% of those Warrington OAPs are retired, meaning the rest are still working! (The national average is 83.4%).
• The total value of the property in Warrington owned by OAPs is £3.01bn.
• 69.7% of Warrington OAPs own their home outright (compared to the national average of 65.8%), and 6.4% of Warrington OAPs own their home, albeit with a mortgage (compared to the national average of 5.5%).

Many Warrington OAP homeowners simply love the house and neighbourhood they live in, often living in their homes for over 25+ years. I talk to many mature Warrington homeowners who say they are afraid to put their home on the market, because they believe (incorrectly) if they find a buyer for their home and can’t find another property to go to … they would be made homeless.

I can only share my opinions on the matter. The one thing I have seen in my years in the property market is that so many Warrington people leave it too late to move home. So, when they do move, they aren’t fit enough to do all the jobs in their new home. Indeed, is it better to move home in your late 60's/early 70's, meaning you can still do the little things to make your new house a home, rather than in your late 70's/early 80’s and find the jobs are much harder to do?

Also, if you are worried about finding your next home, get yourself on the mailing lists of all the Warrington estate agents. A recent study showed only 1 in 6 buyers were on an agent’s mailing list for the property they bought. Therefore, by being on the mailing list, you will get to know of any suitable properties coming on the market before most others. This is important in this housing market; a property is often sold STC before it hits Rightmove (to a buyer that put themselves on the agent’s mailing list).

By downsizing, you could use the additional funds to top up your pension, take the family on a holiday of a lifetime (once it’s safe to do so of course), or help your children get on the housing ladder themselves with a deposit for their own home.

I fully appreciate many of the 12,829 OAP homeowners in Warrington have many reasons to stay, be that sentimental, friendship, support networks etc. My advice to all of you is to do your homework, put yourselves on the mailing lists of agents (in case the property of your dreams comes up) and do what is best for you. By downsizing, you are giving yourself better options for your quality of life and massive opportunities to spend more time on the things you enjoy like your family, holidays, or even helping others.

The choice, as they say, is yours.

If you are a Warrington homeowner and want to ask me anything about what I have said, please drop me a line to discuss the matter further at no cost or obligation.

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
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9 Quick Home Staging Tips for Autumn

Home staging is the process of preparing your property for sale. It involves making your home look its absolute best, encouraging viewers to place an offer on your property.

It generally starts with a thorough declutter, which makes the property seem more inviting and helps hugely with the moving process. Where necessary, you might also decide to redecorate. Depersonalising your home and repainting in a neutral palette can also help viewers envisage themselves in your home.

Many seasonal factors will also affect how you display your home, so here are our top tips for staging your home in autumn.

Focus on Kerb Appeal

First impressions count. From the second prospective buyers see your home, they should be wowed.

You should start by tidying up the garden, including mowing the lawn, de-weeding the path and repainting the fence. Next, clean the windows and repaint the front door where necessary.

To add an autumnal touch, consider a wreath made from deep oranges and brown tones, a classy way to incorporate the season into your décor.

Clear The Entranceway

The attention you have paid to the front of your home should continue into the porch or hallway. In autumn, these spaces are often cluttered with raincoats, muddy boots, and rouge leaves.

Be sure to deep clean the space making it warm and inviting for your viewers.

Sprinkle Autumnal Décor Carefully

It can be easy to go overboard when staging your home in autumn. With so many fun seasonal accessories available, many homeowners struggle to know where to draw the line.

Each room should have a nod to the season rather than revolving around it. For example, consider a singular piece of artwork, floral arrangement or pumpkin display in each room, which will avoid your home being taken over by the season!

Stage The Outdoors

Just because the weather is cooling doesn’t mean that your buyers don’t want to see the outside space. Leave out your garden furniture to show your viewers exactly how they can utilise the garden with their family and guests.

Even for those with tiny outside spaces, showing prospective buyers how they can enjoy this area will encourage them to make an offer.

Incorporate Autumnal Scents

Making your home smell fantastic doesn’t have to be as cliché as warm cinnamon rolls in the oven, but incorporating autumnal scents into your home will entice buyers to stay and see what the property has to offer.

Use candles and reed diffusers to allow subtle scents to float around the home. Pumpkin and burnt orange align with the seasons but be careful not to use too many contrasting scents, which can often counteract each other.

 
Style The Dining Table

As the nights begin to draw in, our homes truly become our sanctuaries. So when buyers are viewing in autumn, they are already thinking of the festive period they will enjoy in their new home.

Therefore, showcasing how great the property is for hosting is of paramount importance. Lay the table, complete with an autumnal runner, crockery and glassware. This will make the room warm and inviting, encouraging visitors to imagine their friends and family enjoying the entertainment space.

 
Focus on Lighting

Lighting is crucial when staging your home in any season.

Without enough lighting, your home will look dark and uninviting. On the other hand, if the lighting is too intense, the space will look uncomfortable and clinical.

Soft, freestanding lights tend to work better than brighter overhead bulbs. Use a collection of table and floor lamps to create a subtle glow around the home, complimenting any natural light rather than overpowering it.

Highlight The Fireplaces

As mentioned, viewers want to see a house they can imagine spending the winters tucked up inside. And nothing screams cosy evenings like a fireplace.

The warm embers and soft glow of an original fireplace will be enough to entice any buyer.

Use Dried Floral Arrangements

Flowers are an excellent final touch for styling any home. They allow you to add just the right amount of personality along with a pop of colour to every room. However, autumn is not the optimum time for fresh flowers.

Consider instead investing in a few dried bouquets to dot around the property. These look incredible, stand the test of time, and can be easily transported to your new home.

Earthy tones are perfect for autumn, and be sure to add in some bright yellows to liven up the room.

We’re here to help

At Hamlet Homes Warrington, we understand that selling your home can be stressful and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us today on 01925 235 338 or via email at manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk for a friendly chat about our services.

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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Warrington Homes Asking Prices Down 4%

With Rightmove announcing a national drop of 0.3% in average asking prices in August, some are asking if the steam has been let out of the property market. Yet with the gains we have seen in the last 12 months, is this just a minor bump in the road? Alarm bells normally ring when new homeowners coming to the market for the first time are having to lower their initial asking price when compared to the market as a whole.

So, what is actually happening in the national and local property market to asking prices and the number of properties for sale, and where does that leave Warrington homeowners and Warrington landlords?

1 in 7.4 homes already on the market today have reduced

their asking price in the last two weeks

That means new sellers bringing their property to the market for the first time, are having to curtail their initial asking price to remain competitive. Normally, this should ring alarm bells, particularly when this is the first time this has happened in 2021. Therefore, it’s vital to ‘look under the bonnet’ of the figures and see what, exactly, is happening locally.

Average asking prices for Warrington homes

are 4% down compared to July

However, that figure hides some interesting anomalies - the average asking price of Warrington detached houses are 3% lower than in July (that doesn’t mean they have dropped in value by that much – just the headline asking prices) whilst apartments/flats have seen the average asking price rise by 1% in the last month.

So, if this is what is happening to Warrington asking prices, what about the number of properties for sale. Looking nationally first …

there are currently just 285,970 properties for sale in the UK, which means 1 in 67 British homeowners are presently on the market – interesting when compared to 2005, it was 1 in 13.5 homeowners on the market.

With such little supply of properties for sale nationally, demand remains robust. Yet the property buyers in the market are being a little more reserved with the offers they are making compared to the Stamp Duty holiday frenzy times seen earlier in the year. They will pay handsomely, and yet top dollar won’t offer the ‘crazy price’ levels some Warrington buyers were offering in the spring – hence the recent reduction in asking prices to a more realistic level.

Looking at the movement in the available properties for sale and to rent in Warrington over the last few months, an interesting picture arises.

Number of Warrington Properties on the Market
	Apr-21	May-21	Jun-21	Jul-21	Aug-21
Warrington Properties for Sale	142	138	139	155	156
Warrington Rental Properties Available	14	13	9	9	17

The number of Warrington properties for sale (and rent) is still at record lows when compared to the 30-year long term average.

The choice for Warrington tenants is limited as well, as many tenants aren’t moving home. With the additional increase in demand from 1 in 10 Warrington homeowners choosing to go into rented accommodation (albeit temporarily) Warrington landlords with exceptional properties are getting decent rents, as discussed in a recent article I wrote about the level of rents in Warrington.

With the current level of Warrington properties for sale being around 40% to 50% below the long-term average (depending on the type of Warrington property you own), it means when a Warrington property is properly priced, given the intense competition, often it comes down to the position of the buyer and not the price they are prepared to pay.

When I say, “position of the buyer”, I mean, do they have a chain, do they have to sell their own property to buy another property?

Many Warrington house sellers are selling their home before they buy. Selling before you buy can be a fruitful approach in a fast-moving property market. That does mean your own purchaser will have to demonstrate a certain amount of patience whilst you wait for the right home to come on to the housing market.

However, because it is currently on average taking 19 weeks between sale agreed and exchange of contracts with mortgage providers and solicitors taking their time due to the backlog, this often allows you to potentially play catch-up if it takes a couple weeks to find the right property for you.

Many home sellers are going even further by selling their Warrington home first and then going into transitional rented accommodation. This subsequently puts them in pole position when their forever home comes up for sale as they have no chain. Although this takes a lot of determination and resilience, it does mean you will be in the very best position when the property of your dreams comes up.

The choice they say, as always, is yours!

If you would like a chat about the Warrington property market and the best thing for you and your personal circumstances, do drop me a line. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on the current Warrington property market? Do share 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
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Facebook Page
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Twitter Page

7 Things Sellers Need to Declare to Estate Agents About Their Home

There’s no denying that selling a home involves paperwork. When preparing to sell, you’ll need to declare various things to your estate agent. While you may be worried about having to share potential issues from the past, it’s important to remember that what you disclose won’t necessarily put buyers off. An old building can be seen as an ‘opportunity for modernisation’. Planning permission from neighbours can be recognised as ‘potential to extend’. Plus, a good estate agent can find the right buyer no matter the circumstances.

To prepare you for the sale, here are seven of the most important things you’ll need to declare to estate agents about your home.

 
1. What you plan to take and leave

When you sell up, you’ll need to complete a ‘fixtures and fittings’ form. This will tell buyers what you plan to take with you when you leave, and what will be left behind for them. It’s important to establish these things as early as you can, as it can be a top question asked at viewings.

2. Renovation work

While this is a legal requirement, it’s also a great selling point. If you’ve recently renovated the kitchen, had an extension put in, or remodelled the bathroom, then you’ll need to declare the renovation work to estate agents.

3. Planning permissions in the area

Usually, you’ll get a letter from your local council informing you about the planning permissions requested by your neighbours. If you’ve had one of these letters recently, or if you get one during the sale of your home, then it’s important you declare it to your estate agent.

4. Denied planning permissions

If you applied for planning permission yourself and it was denied, it’s important that you disclose what you applied for and why it was declined to your estate agent.

5. Disputes with neighbours

If you’ve had a long-standing dispute with any of your local neighbours, you need to tell your estate agent about it. They are obligated to inform prospective buyers about the issues you’ve had with the people living around you. While it may seem trivial, if a buyer finds out later that you lied, it can be a very serious issue.

6. Pests or Japanese knotweed

Even if it was a problem long ago, your estate agent will need to know whether there was a pest invasion in your home, or if you’ve ever experienced Japanese knotweed in your garden.

7. Green deal loans

If you have one of these loans, you’ll definitely know about it. It’s a government loan that allows you to make improvements to your property and repay the costs using your energy bill savings. If you move, these debts get passed on to the new owners, so it’s absolutely essential to declare them to your estate agent.
We’re here to help

Even though it may sound daunting, with our help, we can make the selling process as easy as possible for you. At Hamlet Homes Warrington, we provide expert help, guidance and support every step of the way.

To start the conversation, get in touch with us today by calling 01925 235 338 or via email at manoj@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
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Twitter Page