The First Things To Do When You Are Moving Home

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

In the lead up to moving day:

Pack early

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

Redirect your post

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

Insurance

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

Meter readings

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

Internet

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

Pack an essentials box

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

Moving Day!

Find the essentials

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

Meter readings

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

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

Neighbours

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

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

First Time Renters' Guide

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

Rent

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

Security Deposit

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

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

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

Holding Deposit

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

In advance

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

Bills

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

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

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

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

Furnished

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

Any other costs

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

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

Affordability

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

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

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

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

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
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Fall In Love With Your Home This Valentine's Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warrington Property Market Report January 2023

2023 is in full swing and the housing market is starting to return to its normal busy levels after the usual lull in December.

Buyers who are looking in February are serious about moving, which makes this one of the best months of the year to put your property on the market. The Spring Rush is on its way and will bring many more “window shoppers." Homebuyers who are looking now tend to be motivated and have a strong drive to find their next home.

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

There are currently 445 properties available for sale in Warrington. Last month, there were 430. Of the 445 properties that are currently available, 73 came to the market in the last two weeks. In December, there were 33 new properties that were new to the market; in November, there were 48; and in October, there were 71. This shows that the local real estate market is back to normal after the holiday slowdown.

The average price of properties in Warrington is £264,263, an increase from £252,677 in December and £250,004 in November. Despite the doom and gloom in the national media, the local property market is remaining strong.

Most of the properties available are in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket, with 192 currently on the market. This is an increase from last month, when there were 191, and the month before, when there were 170 available. In October, there were 158 available. This is good news for buyers and shows that the market has changed from a sellers' market to a buyers' market. Things have now calmed 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 40 properties available in the £500,000 to £1 million bracket. This is nine more than last month and 12 more than the month before.

Properties in the £300,000 - £400,000 bracket remain the fastest movers, staying on the market for only 61 days, 19 days less than last month. 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 100 days to sell. This is a decrease of 94% since November, when they were spending on average 194 days on the market. In December, they were taking 111 days to sell.

One-bedroom properties had a median price of £95,000 in January and December, up from £90,500 in November. They are currently sitting on the market for an average of 297 days, up from 288 in December and 289 in November. This is an increase from 249 days in October but is still a substantial decrease from 349 days in September.

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

Four-bedroom properties appear to be the fastest movers in Warrington, spending an average of only 86 days on the market, down from 91 days in November. They currently have an average price of £433,688, a 3.4% increase since December, when the average price was £419,277. The median price of a four-bedroom property in Warrington is now £422.500, up from £418,000 in December.

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

In the last year, most sales in the Warrington area were of semi-detached homes, which sold for an average of £231,025. Terraced properties sold for an average of £167,618; detached properties fetched £399,330.

Overall, sold prices in Warrington were similar to the previous year and 7% higher than the 2020 peak of £220,010.

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.

The Top Ten Features People Want In A Home In 2023

These are the top 10 things that homebuyers are prioritising in their property searches in 2023.

Open plan living

The versatility offered by open-plan living and the existence of a large communal area that is perfect for both gatherings and busy family life are highly sought after by buyers.

Home Offices

Working from home is no longer unusual, and as a result, many buyers place a lot of value on having an office space that is separate from the rest of the home.

Modern Kitchens

Efficient, sleek, and modern kitchens have been topping buyers' must-have lists for several years now.

A Pantry

Space is important to buyers. Pantries offer the ability to create space in the kitchen by storing everything you need there. They are perfect for stashing away a large weekly shop or for hiding bulk buys with ease.

Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands are high on many buyers' lists of things they want because they add extra counter space, storage, and a nice focal point.

Storage

Buyers are looking for properties that feel spacious, and storage is key to this. Ample built-in storage is very attractive to buyers.

Hardwood Flooring

Durable, easy to maintain, and long-lasting, it is easy to see why hardwood floors are popular with buyers.

Outdoor Entertaining Areas

Since the pandemic, buyers have placed a premium on socialising spaces, and outdoor gathering spaces are especially popular.

Garages/outbuildings

After the pandemic, buyers have become much more interested in having enough space at home to do do-it-yourself projects or just store their things without them getting in the way of their living space.

Going Green

Energy bills are going up, the cost of living is going up, and people are becoming more aware of how they contribute to climate change. This means that homes with EPC ratings of C or above are getting more attention from potential buyers than homes with a big carbon footprint.

If you are thinking about putting your property in Warrington on the market, please call us on 01925 235 338 or staff@hamletwarrington.co.uk and we will be delighted to come and give you a free no-obligation valuation.