Pension Vs Property

Rising mortgage rates, increasing regulatory pressure to improve the EPC ratings of their rental properties, and the prospect of paying increasing amounts of tax under government plans to cut the capital gains allowance have caused many landlords to consider selling.

However, yields in the property sector are still competitive compared to the income that can be drawn from a traditional pension. The average gross yield on a new buy-to-let purchase is 6%, according to a recent survey. By contrast, a typical pension pot in drawdown has a target rate of 4%.

Mark Harris, of SPF Private Clients, said, “Demand for rental property is unlikely to fall anytime soon, with more people having to rent for longer because they can’t afford to buy, the need for good quality rental property at a reasonable price is higher than ever…what’s more, with a number of landlords selling up because the increased tax and regulatory burden has become too much, demand is only going to grow. If the rest of your investments have been in stocks, bonds and cash, it is good to have some exposure to bricks and mortar."

A fall in house prices could also work in favour of investors who are looking for an opportunity to invest in a rental property. When house prices fall, it pushes up rental yields.

Mr Harris added “Buy-to-let benefits from capital growth over the long term,” he said. “This means you can enjoy a regular and fairly predictable income, but also eventually benefit from capital appreciation should you decide to sell up and bank the profits.”

As analysts at Deutsche Bank predict that if the American economy enters a downturn, stock markets could still fall a further 25%, workers nearing retirement need to think carefully about where to place their funds in order to maximise their returns during their retirement years.

If you have been considering investing in a buy-to-let property and would like to discuss how the current market will affect your investment, please give us a call on 01925 235 338 or send us an email staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss your options with you.

How To Make Moving Home Fun For Children

 

Children often feel anxious when they are told that they are going to be moving home. They are concerned about whether they will like their new home, whether they will be able to see their friends, and whether they will have to change schools.

Like all of us, they simply need to be able to talk through their worries and get some answers to their questions. Taking time to sit down with them and listen to their worries and opinions is the best way to help.

Chatting in the car can be one of the best places for these sorts of chats, especially with teens.

Giving your children some autonomy over decisions such as the colour you are going to paint their new bedrooms and the furniture they would like to put in them can help to give them a sense of control. This can help alleviate the anxiety they may be feeling about moving somewhere new.

Taking your children on a viewing to see their new home can be very helpful. It gives them the impression that they helped choose which property they will live in and allows them to visualise where they will be moving to.

However, if at all possible, avoid taking them on the first viewings. This allows you to concentrate on looking at the properties and avoids the possibility of your child falling in love with a house while you do not!

Once you have had an offer accepted on a property, it can be a lovely idea to take your children on a tour of the local area. That way you can all find out where all the local parks are, where a nice cafe is, and if there are any exciting activities nearby. This will help turn a worrying experience into an exciting one, as they already know where some things are, so moving home doesn’t feel so daunting.

Make sure on moving day that you pack their most important belongings into a bag that they can keep with them. That way even when the moving truck is unloaded at the new house and they are surrounded by boxes they will still be able to cuddle and play with their favourite toys without having to worry about which box they are in.

We at Hamlet are always delighted to help your children in finding their new home. If you would like us to help you in finding the perfect new home for your entire family, please give us a call on 01925 235 338 or send us a message.

How To Make The Most Of Your Outdoor Spaces In The Winter

Even in Winter, you can make the most of your property's outdoor space and getting on top of small jobs now mean that it will be ready for you to enjoy in the sunshine whenever it arrives.

Weed and tidy up

The first step towards making your outdoor space attractive to potential buyers is to make sure that it is clean and tidy. Tidy up any areas that have become neglected, remove any weeds and neatly trim any grass. Remove moss from paths, sweep up leaves and clean outdoor furniture.

Add some colour

We think of Spring as the time that our gardens come to life and colours bloom. However, there are lots of plants that bloom happily during the winter and can add colour and fragrance to your garden. A combination of colourful pots and some winter flowering plants can really brighten up your space, especially when contrasted against green evergreen bushes.

The following are a selection of our favourite winter flowering plants to brighten up your garden or outdoor area:

winter cherr
witch hazel
early flowering daffodils
winter honeysuckle
Christmas rose
pansies
daphne
snowdrops
and winter clematis.

Area to entertain

Whilst socialising in the garden has traditionally been a summer activity the pandemic has meant that more and more of us are choosing to create areas that are suitable for socialising outside all year round. A suitably-placed fire pit or chiminea can provide essential warmth on cold evenings. A gazebo can provide both shelter from the sun in summer and rain in the winter. The addition of a few fairy lights, blankets and waterproof cushions can create an enviable space for you to enjoy and for prospective buyers to desire.

Tidy up your outbuildings

As the first chill of Autumn settles over our gardens it is tempting to simply throw garden furniture, toys and other summer accessories into our sheds and other outbuildings and close them up until next year. If you are trying to sell your property it is important to remember that these outbuildings are a part of the property that you are trying to sell so should be as tidy and as well maintained as your house in order to maximise your sale price.

Take the opportunity of a quiet weekend in January to sort through these outbuildings, and declutter if possible in order to create the impression of space. If any maintenance is required, a new coat of paint or fixing a window, it is a good idea to sort these before potential buyers view your property.

Attract wildlife

During the cold winter months when their food sources become scarce, our local wildlife really benefits from a helping hand from us. As their natural food sources decline in Autumn and Winter, birds are more likely to visit bird tables or bird feeders than at other times of the year.

In return for a ready supply of nuts and seeds, they provide us with a colourful and entertaining display as they flit around our gardens. Bird feeders ensure we can enjoy this display from inside our houses as well as outside and the feeders themselves can also be an enjoyable decorative addition.

If you would like more advice on how best to present your outdoor areas to potential buyers during the Winter months please do give us a call on 01925 235 338.

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
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Warrington Property Market Report December 2022

The Christmas holidays and the dawning of the new year often bring changes to many. The realisation that their home is no longer right for them, wanting to move for a better lifestyle, family breakdowns or new additions.

It can be a great time of year to sell your property because those house-hunting in January tend to be serious about their move. The Spring Rush can bring many more "would be nice to move" situations whereas people now are more likely in the "have to move" camp.

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

There are currently 430 properties available for sale in Warrington. Last month there were 405. Of the 430 properties that are currently available, 33 were new to the market in the last two weeks. In November there were 48 new properties that were new to the market and in October there were 71. The noticeable drop in properties being added to the market was to be expected as December is usually the least popular month for sellers to put their properties on the market due to festive commitments.

The average price of properties in Warrington is £252,677, an increase from £250,004 last month. The median price has stayed the same at £200,000.

Most of the properties available are in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket with 191 currently on the market. This is an increase from last month when there were 170 available. The month before that there were 158 available. This is good news for buyers and is indicative of the move from a sellers’ to a buyers’ market during this time. Things have now calmed back down to normal levels for the first time since the beginning of 2021 and there is now more choice once again for buyers.

There are 31 properties available, in the £500,000 to £1 million bracket. This is 3 more than last month and 5 more than the month before.

This month, properties in the £300,000 - £400,000 bracket were the fastest movers, only on the market for 80 days. In November properties in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket were the fastest movers, they were on the market for 92 days.

Properties in the £400,000 to £500,000 bracket are now taking 111 days to sell. This is a decrease of 75% from 194 days last month.

One-bedroom properties had a median price of £95,000 in December, up from £90,500 in November. They are currently sitting on the market for an average of 288 days, similar to last month when they were on there for 289 days. This is an increase from 249 days in October but is still a large 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 appear to be the fastest movers in Warrington spending an average time of only 91 days on the market. They have an average price of £419,277 and a median price of £418,000.

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

The majority of sales around Warrington during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £228,329. Terraced properties sold for an average of £166,194, with detached properties fetching £398,470.

Overall, sold prices around Warrington over the last year were 1% down on the previous year and 6% up on the 2020 peak of £219,978.

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 first 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.

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

Getting Your Property Market Ready

Many sellers put off tackling jobs around their homes as they believe that buyers like to change things when they move in. However, this is a false economy that may both delay your sale and affect the price that you get for your property.

There are people who are looking for a fixer-upper but they expect their willingness to spend time doing up the property to be reflected in the price of that property.

A run-down property can also give the impression to potential buyers that you do not take care of it and will leave them wondering what larger problems are lurking unseen. So if you would like to get the best possible price for your property it can pay to tend to any odd jobs before you put it on the market.

Kerb appeal

The exterior of your house is the first thing potential buyers see and first impressions matter. Make sure your front door is free of any dents and that the door handles are in good condition. Make sure your front garden is tidy and that the latches and hinges on any gates are well-oiled and in full working order. Ensure that your roof doesn’t have any broken or missing tiles.

Interior

Repair any nail holes in your walls and if they are looking tired consider treating them to a fresh coat of paint.

Make sure your flooring is in good condition, and replace chipped or cracked floor tiles and any damaged carpet. If you have pets, having your carpets steam-cleaned can be a great way of freshening them up.

The right lighting can make even the smallest home appealing so take time to make sure all of your lightbulbs are working and fix any broken light fittings.

Bathrooms and kitchens are the most expensive rooms for potential buyers to upgrade so it is no coincidence that updating them can have the greatest effect on your property’s value. However, you don’t need to install a completely new kitchen to make a difference. Fixing leaky taps and running toilets and ensuring built-in appliances are working properly can sometimes be all that is needed to spruce up your bathrooms and kitchen.

Garden/Outdoor area

Clear away any broken items like cracked plant pots and fix things like broken panes of glass in your shed.

Living in our homes day in, and day out we can often become blind to small things that need fixing but, potential buyers who are looking at your home with fresh eyes will notice them. Asking a good friend or family member to take some time to walk around your property and point out things you may have missed can be invaluable.

Alternatively, we are always happy to come and give you some advice on how you can ensure that your property is market ready, just give us a call on 01925 235 338. If you don’t have time or feel up to fixing issues yourself we have a list of trusted local handymen who we can recommend.

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

Avoid The Spring Rush

Many people wait to put their properties on the market until Spring believing that the housing market becomes more buoyant at that time.

However, there is an abundance of people who due to New Year’s resolutions, marital breakdowns (January traditionally has a higher rate of divorce than any other month) and those who simply decide during their festive break that they would like to upgrade their home, who are looking to purchase properties after the New Year.

That means that there are a large number of people looking for a property at the beginning of the year so there is an opportunity for those who choose to list their property in January or February to avoid the increased competition amongst sellers that occurs during the Spring Rush.

Increased competition during the Spring Rush means that many sellers discover that more choice on the market leads to lower sales prices so how can you seek to make the most of the early months of the year to sell your property before the Spring Rush begins?

Arrange viewings for during the day

Shorter days means less of a window to show your house off in the best light, daylight. If possible, arrange viewings during the day and make sure that your windows are clean and your curtains wide open to allow as much light as possible to come into your property. If it isn’t possible to schedule viewings during the day ensure that your property is well lit and welcoming.

Don’t forget about your garden/outside spaces

The pandemic has affected our choice of homes. A survey of 2000 people at the end of 2020 by Market Financial Solutions Ltd found that 92% of the people surveyed agreed that having a garden or some outdoor space was the most important factor for them when buying a property. This replaced square footage which was the most important factor the year before. Make sure your outside areas are looking their best by tidying away clutter, cleaning outside furniture and pathways and considering planting some winter flowering plants to inject some colour. If most of your viewings are outside daylight hours consider adding lighting in order to show your garden/outside space off even when it’s dark.

Heat your property

It may be cold outside but you want your potential buyers to feel like they are coming into a warm and welcoming home. Ensure that all the rooms in your house are sufficiently heated during viewings including spare bedrooms and bathrooms.

Choose the right estate agent

It is important not to overprice your property or you will be left trying to sell a property that has been on the market a while, always less desirable in buyers' eyes as they presume there is something wrong with it when the Spring Rush starts. A good estate agent will guide you through the property selling process and help you to put your property on the market for the right price, not too high and not too low.

If you are considering putting your property in Warrington on the market please give us a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be happy to give you a free no-obligation valuation.