Tips To Help Keep Your Pet Calm On Bonfire Night

 
One of the highlights of our work is getting to meet all of our clients' furry friends. Our pets give us unconditional love and companionship so naturally we all want to do everything we can to protect them from being scared and distressed.

Every year, Bonfire Night brings delight to adults and children alike all over the country as the loud whizzes, bangs and flashes of colour in the sky amaze and enthral. Our furry friends however are much less enamoured by the sight and sound of fireworks exploding in the sky. For those of us who have to witness our beloved pets in distress, it can be a less than enjoyable evening.

There are a few things that you can do to help your pet to cope with the anxiety that fireworks can cause them.

CATS Protection has issued the following advice:

Treats

A selection of their favourite long-lasting treats, given before the fireworks displays begin, can sometimes provide enough of a distraction to stop them from noticing the start of the noises. Even if they do not distract them for the whole of the display, any reduction in the time that they are distressed for is better than none.

Safe Place

Cats may feel reassured by having a cosy space in which they can curl up. If their bed has open sides then consider lining a cardboard box with towels and blankets for them to sleep in. Many cats feel safer when they are up high so placing this box on a shelf may increase their feeling of safety.

Music

Classic FM will be playing their pet classics, calming music specifically selected to try to help you and your pet stay relaxed, from 6pm to 10pm on Friday 5th November and Saturday 6th November. Turn it up, lay back and enjoy.

Battersea Dogs Home has this advice to add:

Stay Calm

Our pets are very sensitive to our emotions. If they think that you are anxious then they will be anxious too. Stay calm and reassure them in your most relaxed tones so that they can pick up from your body language and voice cues that there is nothing for them to worry about.

No Evening Walks

Make sure that you are home from your evening walk before it goes dark so that your dog isn’t upset by any unexpectedly early fireworks.

Draw your Curtains

Protect your pets from seeing the flashes from the fireworks by drawing your curtains. Having your curtains drawn can also help to muffle the sound from the fireworks.

Let Them Roam

Confining a dog to one room when they are used to roaming your home can increase their distress.

we hope that these tips help you and your furry friends to have an enjoyable and distress-free Bonfire Night.

If you are considering selling your home in Warrington then please give us a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be delighted to give you a free no-obligation valuation.

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

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Warrington Property Market Report September 2022

The children are all settled back at school and the changing weather leaves us in no doubt that Autumn is definitely here. September is always a month of new beginnings. With Christmas just around the corner many people start to think about whether their home still works for their family.

The rising interest rates may be causing pause for thought but life continues, despite the rising cost of living and people will always need to move home; sometimes because of, and sometimes in spite of, the financial climate.

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

There are currently 402 properties available for sale in Warrington. This is 71 more than last month. Of these 402, 63 were new to the market in the last two weeks. The average price of properties in Warrington is £249,807 with the median price at £220,000.

Most of the properties available are in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket with 145 currently on the market. There are 24 properties available, in the £500,000 to £1 million bracket. This month, properties in the £400,000 to £500,000 bracket are the fastest movers, only on the market for 71 days. They are closely followed by properties in the £300,000 to £400,000 bracket which only remain on the market for 80 days.

Properties priced at £100,000 and under, are now taking 301 days to sell. This is similar to one-bedroom properties with a median price of £85,000 as they are currently sitting on the market for an average of 349 days. This has gone up from 337 days last month.

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.

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

The majority of sales in Warrington during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £257,015. Terraced properties sold for an average of £179,917, with detached properties fetching £442,748.

Overall, sold prices in Warrington over the last year were 2% down on the previous year and 12% up on the 2019 peak of £229,947.

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 final quarter of the 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.

6 Reasons People Are Not Buying Your Home That Might Surprise You

A recent survey revealed the top six things that can put potential buyers off of your home and they are not all as obvious as you might think.

Clutter

Clutter can make rooms feel smaller and is very off putting to buyers especially if they have to step over or go around it. Take some time to declutter your property. If you cannot bear to let go of items then consider renting a storage unit to put some of your things in until you move.

Dirt

You cannot clean too much when you are preparing your home for a viewing. Potential buyers are trying to envisage whether they can see themselves living in your property. Yes, dirty properties can be cleaned but most people find it hard to conjure up an image of what something can look like. So make sure that the image that you provide for them is a clean and welcoming one.

Clingy Sellers

Of course you are anxious to know how a viewing is going and want to make sure that the potential buyers are shown all of the most charming parts of your property. However, sellers that loiter during a viewing are more likely to put buyers off than encourage them to make an offer. This is because potential buyers need to have the opportunity to visualise themselves living in your property and that is much harder if the current homeowner is standing right in front of them constantly reminding them of the life that they are living in the property.

Smells

Unpleasant odours are a big no no for potential buyers. Make sure that you take the time to find the source of any unpleasant odours and deal with them. While you may be tempted to burn your favourite scented candle, be aware that no scent, however strong, can mask an unpleasant odour. Instead you end up with a mix of the two scents which can be highly unpleasant. Fresh air is the most attractive scent to buyers so make sure that your property has been well aired before any viewings.

The Goldilocks Effect

If a potential buyer feels too hot or too cold it will affect their perception of your home. You don’t want them to think of your property as ‘the cold house’ or ‘the hot house’. You want them to be as comfortable as possible during the viewing. 21°C is an ideal temperature, so consider adjusting your thermostat accordingly a couple of hours before each viewing.

Your estate agent

Rude and unhelpful agents don’t only annoy potential buyers, they may put them off of purchasing your property completely. Take some time when selecting your agent to talk to them about the local area and their experience of selling similar properties like yours. If you don’t find them to be knowledgeable and approachable then your potential buyers won’t either and it is important that when you leave them alone with your potential buyers during viewings that they have the social skills to be able to turn a potential buyer into an offer.

If you would like more advice on what you can do to present your property in its best light during viewings or are considering selling in the Warrington and would like a free no obligation valuation then please don’t hesitate to 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.

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 Rental Homes Nightmare

• Warrington needs 645 additional private rented properties per year to keep up with current and future demand from Warrington tenants.
• Yet over the last 5 years, Warrington has lost 556 private rented homes.
• What are the 5 reasons the supply of private rental properties in Warrington are falling? What does this mean for tenants and landlords in Warrington?

There has been a rise in demand for rental properties and an 8.9% fall in the number of Warrington private rented properties, which has caused Warrington rents to rise by 10.4% in the last year, a new all-time high.

The National Residential Landlords Association asked the respected economics think tank Capital Economics, to carry out research on the UK rental market. It found that if the current trends in the property market in terms of growth of the population, Brits living longer, the lack of new homes building, the reduction in social housing (aka council housing), then demand for homes in the private rented sector needs to increase by 227,000 homes per year.

So, based on those numbers, Warrington needs to have an additional 645 private rented properties per year.

The problem is the number of private rented properties in Warrington has reduced from 10,425 in 2017 to 9,869 in 2021, a net loss of 556.

So, why has supply of private rented homes in Warrington reduced?

Section 24 Income Tax

Section 24 was introduced in 2017 to level the playing field on the taxation of property between homeowners and landlords. Section 24 stops landlords from offsetting their buy-to-let mortgage costs against the profits from their rental property. Interestingly, no other kind of UK business is affected by the Section 24 taxation. In other words, whatever other form of business you might be in, be it butcher, baker or candlestick maker, every other business can offset their finance costs against their profits, except buy-to-let.

The issue caused by Section 24 Tax is that some landlords ended up paying more income tax than they really made in profit after paying their buy-to-let mortgages. Meaning on the back of rising Warrington house prices in the last five years, some Warrington landlords have sold their buy-to-let investments.

3% More Stamp Duty for Landlords

When someone buys a property, they normally must pay a tax to the Government for the privilege. This tax is called Stamp Duty. Yet landlords must pay an additional 3% stamp duty supplement on top of that when they purchase a Warrington buy-to-let property. Evidence suggests some Warrington landlords have decided to hold off or scale back buying additional buy-to-let properties for their portfolio because of the thousands of extra pounds that landlords have to pay to buy the rental property.

Holiday and AirBnb Lets

Some Warrington landlords are converting their long-term rental properties into short-term furnished holiday and AirBnB properties. Whilst the hassle, stress and service levels are much higher, these types of properties do tend to make more money and aren’t as heavily taxed as normal lets. When properties convert to short-term lets, it removes another Warrington property out of the general supply chain of long-term rental properties.

Greater Legislation for Rental Properties

With more than 150 pieces of legalisation, and new laws being added each year, the burden on landlords is huge. On the horizon is the Renters Reform Bill which will remove the no fault evictions. Also, all rental properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of below a ‘C’ will have to be improved (i.e. money spent on them) by the landlord. This could be more than £10,000 per property. Hence, why some Warrington landlords have been selling their rental properties with low EPC ratings in the last 18 months.

Accidental Landlords Selling Up

There are some Warrington landlords who are classed as ‘Accidental Landlords’. In 2008/9, with a slowing property market and house price values dropping in the order of 16% to 19% (depending on the type of property) some Warrington homeowners decided to let their home out as opposed to selling it at a loss. Yet, with the price booms of the last 18 months, many decided to cash in on the higher property prices and sell - again taking another private rental property out of the system.


So, why is demand of private rented homes in Warrington 

increasing, even though more people own their home in 

Warrington than 5 years ago?

Even with better provision of affordable social housing and higher rates of owner occupation in Warrington (rising from 66.52% of homes in Warrington being owner occupied in 2017 to 68.96% in 2021), demand for private rental property continues to outstrip supply.

There are many reasons behind this including:

1. People are living longer, meaning not so many properties are coming back into the mix to be recycled for the younger generation.
2. Net migration to the UK has continued at just over a quarter of a million people a year since 2017, meaning we need an additional 115,000 households to house them alone.
3. For the last two years, one in six of the owners of properties that have been sold have moved into rented accommodation instead of buying on because of the lack of properties to buy.

So, what is the outcome of the imbalance between supply and 

demand on Warrington rental properties?

Quite simply - Warrington rents have rocketed. They are 10.4% higher today than the spring of 2020 … and that’s on the back of rents being 6.9% higher in spring 2020, compared to spring of 2019.

The severe shortage of housing in the private rented sector is pushing up rents in Warrington as demand continues to grow. Many Warrington people are finding it hard work to find appropriate accommodation at a reasonable rent, and with mounting numbers of tenants predicted to continue, this situation will only get worse unless more houses are built.

My heart goes out to those Warrington tenants struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, only to then be hit by higher rents.

Yet, these higher rents are now enticing new landlords back into the Warrington buy-to-let market because of the higher returns.

With higher inflation, property investment has been seen in the past a safe harbour to invest one’s money in. With the bonus of rising yields (because of the increase in rents) together with the nervousness of the Bank of England to increase interest rates too much because of the issues in Eastern Europe, this could be the start of a second renaissance in the Warrington buy-to-let market.

If you have concerns about the issues in legislation and taxation, then the advantage of employing a letting agent, with the choice of property, what you pay for it and how it’s managed, will go a long way to mitigate them.

If you are considering getting into the Warrington buy-to-let market for the first time or expanding your property portfolio (whether you are a client of mine or not) please do not hesitate to give me a call and we can discuss these matters further.

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 Homeownership Rockets by 3,727 Homes in the Last 5 Years

• The Warrington housing market over the last five years has behaved oddly.
• Warrington house prices are 33.5% higher than in 2017, even though during those five years, the British economy had the uncertainty of Brexit and the massive fall in GDP during the pandemic.
• Yet, a less observed trend is that the net number of homeowners in Warrington has risen by 3,727 households, a jump of 3.7%.
• Why has growth in homeownership happened, and what does it mean for Warrington's existing homeowners (and landlords)?

With the newspapers full of news about the death of homeownership and the growth in Generation Rent, it must surprise many (as it did with me) that the number of homeowners in Warrington has grown.

To give some context …

the number of homeowners in Warrington dropped between 2011

and 2017 by 379 households, yet between 2017 and 2021, that

grew by 3,727 households.

So, what is behind this growth in homeownership and is it a good thing?

Politicians love it when homeownership rises, as they believe owning a house turns individuals into model upright citizens. It was one of the critical reasons for the council house sell-off in the 1980s.

Yet the hard data to back this up is unexpectedly slim, whilst other studies hint that homeownership has some harmful costs to the economy, such as reduced entrepreneurial spirit and the disinclination to move home to find work.

However, increasing homeownership may be a good foundation for Britain’s economic recovery after the last few years. Homeowners have a greater propensity to live in single-family unit homes like townhouses and semi-detached houses.

A greater demand for more single-use homes supports the construction of such dwellings (instead of other types such as small apartment blocks or Homes of Multiple Occupation). This is important because single-family unit homes tend to be better build quality, have more extensive gardens, and have more local amenities.

So, what are the sort of numbers I am talking about in Warrington?

In 2017, there were 48,544 Warrington owner-occupied homes.

By 2021, this had grown to 52,271 Warrington homes.

This means homeownership in Warrington has risen from 66.52%
of the households in Warrington in 2017 to 68.96% in 2021,
a proportional increase of 3.7%.

So, what is behind this growth in homeownership?

1. 95% mortgages have been readily available at low-interest rates now for over a decade. In 2017, first-time buyers also got an exemption from stamp duty. This created a perfect storm of demand, which caused the number of Warrington first-time buyers to rise.
2. Whilst the rise in homeownership in Warrington precedes the pandemic by a couple of years, another factor to the growth relates to the last property market recession of 2008/9 (the Credit Crunch). Between 2009 and 2012, many Warrington homeowners found themselves unemployed and still had to pay mortgages at 6% to 8%. Some homes were repossessed or some had to sell their home at a low price to unshackle themselves from their high mortgage costs. This development, nevertheless, took many agonising years to play out, reducing the homeownership until the middle of the last decade.
3. People’s views on the way they live have altered during the lockdowns. In a sphere of stay-at-home instructions and social distancing, the peace of mind of homeownership gives Warrington homeowners the security of tenure.
4. Finally, there has been a long-term change in the demographics of the UK. Millennials (currently aged between 26 and 41) are less likely to be homeowners than their Baby Boomer parents were at the same age. Yet, the British millennial generation is now entering its prime home-buying period as they have saved their deposit and are more likely to inherit money from their grandparents. (The average age of a first-time home-buyer in the UK is 33 compared to 26 in the mid-1990s).

So, the final question has to be …

how much further could homeownership go in Warrington?

The biggest hurdle could prove to be the supply of available homes.

Many 'accidental landlords' have been selling their properties recently, which first-time buyers have bought. Accidental landlords put their own homes up for rent in the early to mid-2010’s because they could not sell. Now they have been motivated to cash in on the higher Warrington house prices in the last couple of years, which increased the supply of properties to buy for owner-occupation.

Also, the number of houses on the market in Warrington available to buy from existing owner-occupiers is starting to grow (up from 355,700 in December 2021 to 431,000 in March 2022). This is giving greater confidence to other Warrington homeowners too scared to put their homes up for sale because they are concerned they would not be able to find anything. Things are starting to change in that regard.

Also, there are signs of a recovery in British new home building as the number of new housing starts in 2021 hit the highest level since the financial crisis of 2007. Yet with a steady increase in Warrington landlords returning to the market in the last few months, this tide will turn.

Warrington’s homeownership could continue to swell for a while yet!

P.S. What does this mean to the private rented sector in Warrington? Come back next week as I give some fantastic insights every Warrington landlord will want to read to ensure they remain profitable in the Warrington buy-to-let market.

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

17,979 Warrington Terraced Houses Why are they so popular?

The terraced house is one of the most familiar styles of home in Warrington (and the UK as a whole).

25.5% of Warrington people live in a terraced home, interesting 

when compared with the national average of 22.7%.

So, what is it about the humble terraced/townhouse us Brits love so much? In this article, I look at the history of the terraced house, how it relates to Warrington and what the future holds for terraced homes.

A terraced house is a property built as part of a continuous row of three (or more) properties in a similar and uniform style.

The reason the British call them 'terraced houses' and not 'row houses' came about because 18th century British architects borrowed the phrase 'terrace' from 'terraced gardens’. Terraced gardens were known for their uniform nature (in looks, style and height etc.), so the architects decided to name them the same way as opposed to a ‘row house'. In fact, in most countries, they are called 'row houses'.

The terraced house originated in the Low Countries of Europe

in the late 1500s.

Terraced houses were first built en-masse in the UK after the Great Fire of 1666 with the rebuilding of London.

They became fashionable for the landed gentry in the early Georgian era with chic and stylish terraces appearing in London's Mayfair and Bath with its Queen Square (the forerunner of the famous Royal Crescent) and were sometimes built around a garden square.

However, it wasn’t until the early 1800s that the terraced house turned out to be the solution to the increasing population of the towns as more and more people were attracted to towns and cities for work.

The terraced house fell out of favour with the upper-middle classes in the late Victorian age (1870’s onwards) as they wanted more privacy and space. They moved to live in detached houses or semi-detached villas, as the terrace house had started to become associated with the lower-middle and working classes.

With all these terraced houses being built, their quality of construction and design dropped as builders tried to squeeze more profit. The biggest issue was that most of the terraced houses built in the early to mid-Victorian age (1840s to 1870s) were made back-to-back with no rear garden, causing unsanitary conditions. Therefore, the Public Health Act of 1875 was introduced to regulate the building of terraced houses with design and standards.

These new building standards in the Act improved the terraced house’s ventilation and, more importantly, required the house to have a toilet (frequently built outside). To meet these new building standards, the designs of these new houses created the well-known landscape of ‘grid' streets lined with two-storey terraces serviced by a pedestrian path between them, the name of which is a hotly debated topic. The various names for the pathway include alleyway/jitty/cut/ginnel/snicket/passageway/ten foot/five foot witchel/ lonnin/vennel.

As a Warrington resident, why not say what you call them in the comments.

As we entered the 20th Century, the terrace house continued to

be popular, albeit with some new architectural additions.

The advent of Arts and Craft architecture with stain glass windows, Tudor style cladding, ornate porches, and elaborate chimney stacks.

After the First World War and the introduction of the Housing and Town Planning Act 1919 (which made local councils build council houses), the Victorian terraced rapidly became associated with overcrowding and slums (especially those back-to-back terraced houses built before 1875). Many of the back-to-back terraced houses were knocked down between 1930 and 1960 in what is known as the slum clearances.

Private builders started building the iconic suburban semi-detached houses with more extensive gardens, and local authorities decided to build high-rise blocks after World War II. Yet after the partial collapse of Ronan Point in 1968, the popularity of high-rise tower blocks waned.

Since the early 1990s though, the terraced house has steadily

come back into favour as building land prices have increased

by 322% in the last 30 years.

Many private builders have started to build modern three-storey townhouses in rows of five to seven. This terraced 'townhouse-style' allows three and four bedrooms on a land footprint that would have usually only accommodated a smaller two-bed property.

So, let's look at some interesting stats on Warrington terraced houses.

• There are 17,979 terraced houses in Warrington (broken down as 10,788 privately owned terraced houses, 4,151 terraced council houses and 3,040 in the private rented sector)
• 16.9% of terraced houses in Warrington are in the private rented sector, which is below the national average of 19.1%
• The most expensive terraced house in Warrington ever sold was on Eagle Brow, Lymm, Warrington for £850,000 in 2017
• The cheapest Warrington terraced house sold in the last two years was on Blackcap Walk, Birchwood, a four-bed terraced house for £54,000
• Terraced houses in Warrington sell for an average of £158 per square foot

I hope you found that thought-provoking?

So, why is the terraced house, be it a red brick Victorian house or a more modern three-storey townhouse, still popular today in Warrington?

They are typically well built, cheaper to maintain (especially the older terraced houses), comparatively spacious, and in good locations. Many terraced houses have been improved and extended through the inventive use of rear gardens/yards and converted roof spaces; their unpretentious design remains adaptable enough for 21st century living; what isn't there to like about them?

These are my thoughts; tell me your thoughts about the humble yet versatile Warrington terraced house.

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 Does it Take 120 Days to Get the Keys When You Buy a Warrington House?

• 2,256 properties have sold in the Warrington area in the last 12 months.
• It only takes 36 days to sell a Warrington home, so why does it take 120 days from the sold board going up to the buyer getting the keys?
• With a shortage of solicitors and a sub-standard conveyancing system, this article discusses what Warrington house sellers (and buyers) can do to speed up the house buying process.

Nationally, the average length of time it takes from agreeing the sale of a property to the keys being handed over is 111 days (down from 117 days last year), yet in Warrington, we are above the national average at 120 days.

So why does it take just over 17 weeks, when all that is required is the lawyers to look at some paperwork and get a mortgage? Also, what can Warrington homebuyers and sellers do to speed this up?

The legal process to buy and sell a UK property is called conveyancing. The conveyancing system itself hasn’t really changed in hundreds of years. After the housing market was reopened after the first lockdown in the spring of 2020, the property market returned with a bang, helped on with the stamp duty holiday.

In 2021, the number of properties selling in Warrington in some months went up massively, e.g., by 96% June 2021 and by 65% in March 2021. Many conveyancers and solicitors had to sort the legal paperwork out for upwards of 120 to 150 properties each at any one time.

This glut of sold properties caused by the pandemic that needed 

legal work to be sorted exacerbated a problem already present in 

the conveyancing industry.

For years conveyancers have complained of overwork and underpay. Conveyancing is seen as the Cinderella of the legal profession. This workload was the straw that broke the camel’s back, making many conveyancers leave the profession and go into better paid legal work like corporate work.

Also, the legal process of conveyancing has built-in inefficiencies, and the conveyancing profession has been relatively slow to innovate. However, there are some excellent tech solutions that are being slowly rolled out across the industry to make the process more efficient and effective.

What can Warrington home buyers and sellers do to speed up their property sale?

If you are buying or selling your Warrington property as we speak, you won’t be able to wait for the conveyancing profession to be revamped, yet you can be as pre-emptive as possible to get your Warrington house sale through earlier.

In a nutshell, ensure you have all the paperwork sorted on your Warrington home before you put your home on the market. Next, get the ball rolling on your mortgage. If you receive some paperwork, read it, check it, sign it and send it back in a day, do not leave it a week; finally, always communicate frequently with your estate agent and conveyancer.

When you instruct a solicitor, most will request money to start the ball rolling for searches and disbursements. They won’t lift a finger until that is paid.

You will have to prove who you are in the conveyancing process, so your conveyancer will ask you to show them proof of ID and address. If you are buying, they will need to prove you have the funds/deposit to buy the home (and if your deposit is coming from family/friends, then they are required to write a letter to that effect).

How can the house buying and selling process be improved?

A couple of years ago, the Government set up the Home Buying and Selling Group to find the answer to this problem. Chaired by the well-known property guru Kate Faulkner, it is looking at an amalgamated Seller’s Information Pack (SIPs) and an IT-based single platform to share and communicate that SIP between buyers, sellers, their conveyancers, the estate agent, mortgage providers and brokers and finally surveyors.

The advantage of the SIP is that it can be created before the buyer has been found, meaning property buyers would be more knowledgeable when making an offer. Also, once the sale has been agreed upon, the SIP could be sent straightaway electronically to the buyers’ legal team (from the seller’s legal team) to start the procedure of asking for searches and raising inquiries.

The bottom line is the conveyancing process is not fit for purpose in 

the 21st century and change is on the horizon.

So, before the SIP becomes mandatory, there are things everyone can do to ensure they get the home of their dreams quicker.

At my agency, I recommend the seller, us as the agent and the conveyancer start to liaise with each other to get the key information on the property being sold as quickly as possible. Then once a buyer is found, I believe it is vital we, as the agent, regularly communicate with all the stakeholders in the chain to ensure everyone is playing their part to expedite the sale.

In the future, utilising technology and every agent/conveyancer preparing information upfront with the SIP will drastically reduce the time it takes between agreeing a sale and the keys/monies handed over.

The conveyancing process will have to change to meet the needs of 

the 21st century, but how long that will take is the big question.

If you would like to chat with me about how we do things differently to ensure your property not only gets the best price and how we do all we can, as agents, to expedite a smooth sale for your Warrington property, do not hesitate to pick up the phone to me or drop me a line at the 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.

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

Is Buy to Let in Warrington a Good Investment?

Is buy to let in Warrington a good investment? That’s a really good question, for so many different reasons.

Firstly, what makes a ‘good investment’?

What are the hallmarks of a ‘good investment’?

Secondly, is buy to let a ‘good investment for you’, personally speaking?

Just like the word ‘good’ is a concept for discussion, so is whether a good investment works for you. Thinking about it further, what does investment actually mean?

These are exactly the type of questions you should be asking yourself if you are thinking of becoming a buy to let investor in Warrington. They will help you shape your future if you do become a landlord of residential properties.

Here, we will look at what makes a good investment when it comes to property.

What does a good investment look like?

First ask yourself: What do you want a good investment to look like?

It might be that you have a little money in the bank, or you want to use some of your savings as a deposit for a buy-to-let mortgage. The rewards from a property investment will certainly outweigh leaving the money in a standard bank account. That’s great on the face of it, but what are you investing for? Do you want to get a return in terms of a good rental income, or are you thinking long term when the property you buy could be worth a lot more money giving you the option to sell and profit later on?

So, think about your reasons for investing and what you want to get out of it.

What does good actually mean?

What does ‘good’ mean when it comes to looking at a ‘good investment’ in property?

It might be that you’re looking at capital growth (your property rising in value) or it might be that ‘good’ means a good rental yield. This means that you get a solid return on your money through the rent you get back.

To calculate the yield, divide the annual rental amount by the property value and then times that by 100. This will give you the rental yield. A good yield varies depending on where the property is located, but you should be looking at around six percent or above. To decide whether your investment is good, make sure everything adds up. Your rental income must at least cover your costs.

Is the property right for a good investment?

To answer this question, you’ll need to consider whether the property is in the right area for it to do well when it comes to finding a good tenant.

• Is it likely to soak up some of your funds because it needs a lot of repairs and maintenance to bring it up to scratch?
• You may understand that it needs work, and you may have budgeted for it, but if you exceed your budget, will this still make it a good investment?

Try and keep your emotions out of it. Buying and renting property should be based on business decisions. Plan, and then plan some more.

Is it just a money investment?

There is more to buy to let than just investing money. Finances are imperative but it’s not the only factor you should be thinking about.

• Can you afford the time to be a landlord?
• Can you invest thinking space and dedicate hours to make sure you are on the right side of the law?
• Do you have the time to invest in doing any maintenance or repairs?

Being a buy to rent landlord is so much more than merely buying a property and waiting for the rent to arrive in your bank account.

Assess your priorities, as not having the time doesn’t mean you can’t invest in property. It might mean that you ask a lettings agent to find you a tenant and then manage the property on your behalf.

Buying and renting out a house could be a fantastic opportunity for you, but you must do your homework. While you will of course be looking online and asking friends or relatives, it’s important you speak with the property experts. In Warrington that’s us and we would love to help you as you start your journey. Give us a call on 01925 235 338 or email us 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

How Will Rising Inflation Affect the Warrington Property Market in 2022?

The UK is currently experiencing its highest inflation rate since the early 1990s. This increase in prices has primarily come about by the combination of an increase in demand for goods and services from consumers following lockdown last year together with global supply chain disruptions.

Most economists weren't too concerned about this increase in the inflation rate as the very same thing happened in the early 1990s following the Credit Crunch with a similar rise in demand and supply chain issues. Thankfully, back in the early 1990s, inflation returned to lower levels quite quickly. However, the situation in Eastern Europe now could change matters.

So, let me look at all the factors and what it means for

the Warrington property market.

The crisis in Eastern Europe has sparked even further rises in crude oil, (which diesel and petrol are made from) gas and grain prices as pressure on supply chains around the world increases.

In my previous articles, I suggested UK inflation would rise to around 7% in the spring and drop back to 5% in the autumn and as we entered 2023, be approximately 3% to 4%.

Yet, with these issues, inflation could rise to 8% to 9% by late spring and still be around 6% to 7% in autumn, well above the Bank of England's target of 2%.

With Warrington wages rising at only 3% to 4% and inflation at 7%+,

Warrington household incomes, in real terms, will fall.

This is because ‘real’ UK household incomes characteristically have been the most consistent lead indicator of growth (or a drop) in house prices. This is because growing inflation erodes the value of money you earn, which reduces its buying power. When the cash in your pocket has a lower spending power, people tend to spend less when they buy (and rent) a home (and vice versa).

Next month, Income Tax thresholds will be frozen, and National Insurance contributions are increasing. Collectively, all these issues will create a drop of around 2% to 2.5% in the real disposable incomes of Britain's households in 2022 (real disposable income - somebody's take-home wages after tax and then the effects of inflation are considered).

Will Warrington people be more anxious to spend their money?

With less money in people's pockets, people's inclination to spend the money they do have could also be curtailed. People's savings are at an all-time high, yet many will decide to sit on the cash, instead of spending it, especially as consumer confidence has dropped to minus 26 on the GfK index (whatever that means – but in all seriousness though - more on that below).

All this can only mean there is going to be a house price crash.

It’s all doom and gloom! … Or is it?

My heart goes out to people caught up in the awful humanitarian crisis in Eastern Europe. Yet, I respectfully need to put that to one side for just a moment for the purpose of this article.

This blog is about the Warrington property market, and Warrington people want to know what will happen to the Warrington property market.

In the first half of the article, I looked at the impending fall in real disposable incomes of 2% to 2.5% in 2022. I appreciate it's going to be tough for many families in Warrington. Yet, it is always important to consider what has happened in previous times.

1982 – a drop of 2.3% in real disposable income
1992 – a drop of 3.7% in real disposable income
2008 – a drop of 5.8% in real disposable income

Yes, it's going to be tough, yet we got through 1982, 1992 and 2008 – and so we shall in 2022/23.

Next, the price of petrol is very high compared to a year ago.

The average price of unleaded petrol is £1.51/litre today, quite a jump from the £1.21/litre a year ago. But, here is an interesting fact, petrol was a lot more expensive (in real terms) in 2011 than today. In TODAY's money, a litre of unleaded petrol in 2011 would be the equivalent of £1.79/litre.

We have some way to go before we get to those levels – and again, the Warrington economy (and property market) kicked on quite nicely after 2011.

What are Warrington people spending on their rent and mortgages?

Housing costs - owner occupiers were spending on average 17.3% of their household income on mortgages in 2015, yet in 2021 this had risen, albeit to 17.7% - not a huge increase.

Council house (social) tenants have seen a drop in their rent from 29.2% in 2015 to 26.7% in 2021, whilst private tenants from 36.4% in 2015 to 31.2% in 2021.

Interesting that private tenants are proportionally 14.29%

better off in 2021 than in 2015.

How we spend our money - the average UK home spent 4.2% of their household income on energy in 2021, and that is due to rise to 6.3% after April (and probably 7% in October). Yet, as a country, we spend 9% of our income on restaurants and hotels and 8% on recreation and culture. As with all aspects of life, it will mean choices, and maybe we will have to forego some luxuries?

Just before I move on from this aspect of the article, again I appreciate I am talking in averages. Many people with low incomes suffer from fuel poverty and they will find the increases in energy prices hard – my thoughts go out to you.

Interest rates - higher inflation is generally brought under control using

higher interest rates, meaning mortgage payments will be higher.

First, 79% of homeowners with a mortgage are on a fixed rate, so any rise won't be instantaneous. Yet, there will be a bizarre side effect from the issues in Eastern Europe. Surprisingly, though the current situation in Eastern Europe, by its very nature, will bring greater UK inflation, it will also probably defer the Bank of England raising interest rates. This means mortgage rates won't increase as much as the bank won't want to exacerbate any pressures to the UK economy in 2023/24 caused by the conflict.

The stock market had priced an interest rate rise to 2% by the end of 2022. I suspect this will now be no more than 1% to 1.25% by Christmas, slowly going up in quarters of one per cent every few months. The crisis in Eastern Europe might even come to be seen as a defence for higher inflation throughout 2022, all meaning everyone's mortgage will be less.

Next, looking at Consumer Confidence Indexes - these indexes are fickle things. I prefer to look at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Consumer Confidence Index as it has a larger sample range and a longer time frame to compare against. Looking at the data from the mid 1970s, the drop in consumer confidence is big, yet nothing like the drops seen in the Oil Crisis of the mid 1970s, Recession of the early 1980s, ERM crisis of 1992 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008/09. Also, when compared to the other main economies of the world (G7), the UK has always bounced back much more quickly from recessions when it comes to consumer confidence.

What about house prices in Warrington in 2022/23?

Increasing energy prices, rising inflation, an increase of sanctions, and a probable drop in consumer confidence and spending in the aftermath of the conflict will knock the post-pandemic recovery globally, which will lead to a recession around the world, including the UK.

A recession is when a country’s GDP drops in two consecutive quarters. For the last 300 years, there has been a direct link between British house prices and GDP – (i.e. when GDP drops, UK house prices fall). Yet in 2020, the British GDP dropped by nearly 12%, yet house prices went the other way.

But, let’s look at what would happen if Warrington house prices did drop by the same extent they did in the Global Financial Crisis of 2008/09.

House prices in Warrington dropped by 17.3% in the Global Financial Crisis, the biggest drop in house prices over 16 months ever recorded in the UK.

The average value of a property in Warrington today is £239,874.

Meaning if Warrington's house prices dropped by the same percentage in the next 16 months, an average home locally would only be worth £198,375.

On the face of it, not good – until you realise that it would only take us back to Warrington house prices being achieved in August 2020 – and nobody was complaining about those.

Yes, that will mean if they do drop in price, the 4.7% of Warrington homeowners who have moved home since August 2020 would lose out if they sold after that price crash. But how many people move home after only being in their home for a few years? Not many!

The simple fact is that 95.3% of Warrington homeowners will

be better off when they move if house prices crash.

And all this assumes there will be a crash.

The simple fact is, the circumstances of 2009 that caused the property crash are entirely different to 2022 (no lending by the banks, higher interest rates and increasing unemployment compared to today’s increased lending, ultra-low interest rates and low unemployment environment).

I do believe with all that's happening in the world we might see a rebalancing of the Warrington property market later in 2022 and could see the odd month with little negative growth in house prices, yet it will be nothing like 2009.

The expected fall in household spending could be counterbalanced by UK businesses’ plans to invest more in their businesses (with last year’s tax breaks on investing), which will create even more jobs.

Who knows what the future holds? These are just my opinions – what are yours?

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

5 Things to Consider Before Moving to a New Area

Considering a move to a new area can feel incredibly exciting. When you first move, daily life can feel like an adventure. There will be new restaurants to explore, local markets to discover and new people to meet.

But deciding whether you should move to a new area is a big decision, and there are some essential things to consider before you take the plunge.

In this article, we will share our advice on the top five things to consider before buying a new home and moving to a new area.

1. Can You Afford It?

First, you need to establish whether you can afford to live in your chosen new area – and which type of property is best for your budget. The best way to do this is to get in touch with a local estate agent. With their help, you can understand what types of properties are available to suit your budget.

2. Are the Transport Links What You Need?

Travelling around your local area is something you are likely to do frequently – probably daily. Good transport links can make a huge difference in determining whether an area is the right place to live. To check whether the location is suitable for your lifestyle, check out area guides on your local estate agents’ website.

3. Are the Local Amenities Suitable?

Some people will want lots of amenities close to their home – whether that’s schools, colleges, supermarkets, leisure activities or local parks. However, for others, these things may not be quite so important. Ultimately, the amenities you want in an area entirely depends on your lifestyle. The best way to find out about the local amenities is to explore the area and contact an expert estate agent.

4. What are Crime Rates Like?

If you feel particularly concerned about the crime rates in an area because you have children, elderly relatives or for any other reason, it’s a good idea to investigate the local crime statistics. You can do this online. Simply type the location into the police.uk website to analyse the results. Just remember that the statistics can look scarier than they seem, so it’s a good idea to compare the data with where you currently live before you decide.

5. What Employment Opportunities Are There?

Naturally, if you want to retire to a new area, local employment opportunities will not be important to you. However, if you plan on working close to home when you move, you should check out available jobs and salaries.

Get Expert Advice

At Hamlet Homes Warrington, we are your local property experts. If you’re thinking about buying a new house and moving to a new area, our friendly team are happy to help you find your dream home in Warrington.

Give us a call today on 01925 235 338 or send us an email at manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk to start your new journey.

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

What Does Fleecehold Mean for Buyers in Warrington?

When purchasing a property, you will normally find that the ownership will be leasehold or freehold. However, another term that may be used is fleecehold, which can have a different impact on the property ownership and payment terms.

In this article, we’ll explain what is meant by fleecehold, freehold and leasehold, and what the differences are for buyers in Warrington.

What is Fleecehold?

Fleecehold agreements are known as a combination of freehold and leasehold terms. It usually means you own the land, but you have to pay annual or monthly fees to a third party to maintain it.

These fees are often referred to as estate fees or service charges. They usually cover the costs of maintaining things like communal gardens, private roads or play areas. You will know if the property you intend to purchase is fleecehold if it states it within the contract.

What is Freehold?

Many properties are purchased on a freehold basis, which means you purchase both the property and the land it resides on. This is typically the case when you are buying a house instead of a flat.

When you own the freehold, you are fully responsible for maintaining (and paying for) the property and its land. You also don’t pay annual fees to anyone else to maintain it.

What is Leasehold?

Purchasing a leasehold property means that you won’t own the land the property resides on, even if you purchase the property itself. Because you don’t own the land, you have to pay an annual fee to the person that does own the land (who is known as the freehold or freeholder).

Being a leasehold owner is common with flats or maisonettes where you own the apartment but not the rest of the land or the property. Typically, you can have a single net lease, a double net lease, a triple net lease and/or a ground lease. Each one gives you different responsibilities as the leaseholder and all require some form of payment to be made annually to the freeholder.

What is the Difference Between Fleecehold, Freehold & Leasehold?

There are some key differences between fleecehold, freehold and leasehold properties. When purchasing a property, it’s important to speak to the estate agent to understand which ownership type the property has.

With a leasehold property, you:

• Pay an ongoing fee (usually annual) to the freeholder for maintenance
• Have limited responsibilities around maintaining the property and its land – which are defined in the leasehold agreement

When purchasing a freehold property, you:

• Own the property and the land it resides on
• Are fully responsible for the maintenance of the property and its land

With a fleecehold agreement, you:

• Own the property and its land
• Pay ongoing fees to a third party to pay for maintenance of some of the property grounds, like private roads leading up to the property or communal gardens and play areas

Are You Buying in Warrington?

Understanding the differences between freehold, leasehold and fleecehold is important when buying a property, but the details can be complicated.

If you’re buying a property in Warrington, Hamlet Homes Warrington are your local property experts. Our friendly team of estate agents are here to help you find the perfect home for your situation.

Give us a call today on 01925 235 338 or email us at manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk to find out more about our Warrington properties.

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

Warrington Household Heating Bills Set to Rise to £111,313,065 in 2022

The energy bills of every Warrington resident will rise in April as the price cap increases to account for the global increase in the cost of gas. Those not on the gas mains will still be hit as the UK uses gas to make 45% of its electricity.

So, what can Warrington residents do to reduce their energy consumption and ultimately save money?

Firstly, let's look at the scale of the costs.

Considering the increase in energy prices from April, the combined energy bills for the whole of Warrington come to …

• £111,313,065 for central heating
• £22,318,925 for hot water
• £12,129,165 for lighting

There are extra energy costs for washing, fridges, etc., yet I wanted to focus just on the home as this is a property blog.

Everyone's bills will be around 50% more expensive in 2022 than in 2021, but it’s not too late for Warrington people to take some quick steps to cut their energy bills and, at the same time, cut our carbon footprint.

Just over a quarter of the UK’s carbon comes from heating and 

lighting our 27.6 million homes, and each UK home produces

4.39 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Upgrading the energy efficiency of UK homes is seen as a vital step to attempting to mitigate the issues of climate change, fuel poverty and our nation's energy security.

So, what are some quick wins for Warrington residents to reduce the energy bills on their homes, and how will energy efficiency play a more significant part in the value of Warrington homes in the future?

1. By turning down the thermostat by 1 degree, the average saving would be an average annual saving of £105.91 per home and each homes carbon dioxide would be reduced by an eighth of a tonne (it all adds up!).
2. Replacing your bulbs when you can with energy-efficient bulbs will, on average, reduce your lighting costs from £172 per year to £103 per year.
3. What time does your heating come on and off? Could it come on later and go off earlier?
4. Smart meters (which are installed for free) are estimated to help lower UK homes’ electricity use by nearly 3% and gas use by 2% … again it’s all margin gains.

These are just a handful of ideas. Check out the internet for others as it's fascinating how much energy we use for overfull kettles, chargers left on and tech on standby etc.

Yet, these things will only scratch the surface … many of us will need to go further, especially Warrington landlords, to retrofit our properties to make them more energy-efficient.

This is particularly important as in June the Government announced they would make the country carbon neutral by 2050, meaning Britain’s homes need some enormous retro-fitting to meet these ambitious climate targets.

In 2018, the Government required private landlords to improve the energy rating of their rental properties by prohibiting the rental of any property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F and G (the lowest ratings). Yet from 2025, that will be increased to C for all new tenancies and 2028 for all existing tenancies (more on these EPCs below).

I don’t believe there is an appetite to mandate private homeowners to do this work, though you never know in the future.

So, how do you find out about your

Warrington home’s eco-credentials?

Since 2007, every new home that has been built, rented out or put on to the market in Warrington has had to have an EPC, giving it a rating between A and G (rather like those stickers you see on fridges and washing machines).

A is the highest rating (i.e. best energy efficient and greener), and G is the worst efficient rating.

45.3% of Warrington homes are in that eco-friendly A to C

energy performance band rating, compared to the

national average of 40.1%.

So, what next? Well, the Government will attempt to make the green revolution as painless as possible with technology.

In the future, we might have hydrogen central heating instead of mains gas; or have solar panels for electricity, all triple glazed windows and even ground source heating - sounds fanciful? Well, who would have thought some of the most wanted cars would be electric 20 years ago?

There is no doubt that the energy efficiency of our homes will rise in the coming years as the cost of fuel increases and people's opinion on going green changes.

You don’t need to spend thousands of pounds to find out what you can do to make your property greener and cost less. Look at your EPC and it will tell you what small changes you can make to improve your Warrington home’s energy efficiency rating and ultimately save yourself money. If you want to find the EPC rating of your Warrington home, go to epcregister.com.

If you need an EPC, drop me a line as I know some great local energy assessors that can easily do an EPC on your property at a price that won't cost the earth!

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

10 Things to Consider When Buying a House in Warrington

If you’re looking to buy a house in Warrington there are a few things you’ll need to think about before committing. Here we list 10 things to consider before taking the plunge and making a purchase.

1. Find Out Your Budget

It’s amazing how many buyers start viewing properties before they’ve even found out what their budget is. Many buyers have a vague idea and start looking well before getting the finance in place, only to find out they can’t borrow as much as they thought.

So, before you start viewing properties in Warrington and putting in offers, get in touch with a mortgage advisor to find out exactly how much you can borrow.

They’ll also be able to tell you how much your monthly repayments will be, which will allow you to work out how much disposable income you’ll have left each month.

2. Have Your Finances in Place… And Factor in Additional Costs

If your money is tied up in long-term funds or accounts then it may not be easy to access immediately, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get your funds released, and ideally transfer it into an instant access account when you’re ready to make a purchase.

It will save a lot of potential aggravation further down the line and will help to speed up the process if you have your funds readily available.

Another thing to consider is the additional costs that come with buying a property. Things like conveyancing fees and removal costs are unavoidable, but you’ll also want to think about items you’ll want in the property, such as furniture, electrical appliances, carpets and so on. After all, there’s no point in blowing your budget on a property if you can’t afford to furnish it!

3. Find the Right Location

Think about your current circumstances as well as your future ones. Do you need to be close to a train station? Is there a primary school close by?

Different buyers want different things when it comes to location, so think about what’s important to you and what’s not so essential.

4. Consider Outside Space

The recent Coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of people’s attitudes towards what they’re looking for in a property, with gardens being a huge positive for buyers.

You might not consider a garden to be essential, but having an outside space, even if it’s a small courtyard or a communal area can be very beneficial to your mental wellbeing.

5. Think About Office Space

It’s not just gardens that have become more important to buyers during the pandemic. With millions of people now having the option to work from home, properties with home offices have seen an increase in demand too.

So, if you’re one of the many people who’ll be spending more time working at home in the future, then a property with a study or the space for at least a desk may be perfect.

6. Does the Property Have Potential?

It’s worth considering what value you may be able to add to the property in future, or what a future buyer may see in it.

For example, is there space to add an extra bedroom or a conservatory? And if you’re only planning to own the property for a couple of years before moving on, is it likely to increase in value? Does it have good transport links or new facilities being built nearby for example?

7. What Condition Should the Property be in?

Are you looking for a house in Warrington that’s ready to move into tomorrow, or are you happy to spend time and money bringing it up to scratch?

You’ll need to consider these options when you’re looking around and potentially adjust your budget accordingly.

8. Find a Good Conveyancer

You don’t need to have a conveyancer in place before you start viewing properties, but the earlier you find one the smoother the process will be.

Get several quotes and ask family and friends and your estate agent if they can recommend anyone. A good, recommended conveyancer will help to keep the whole buying process as stress-free as possible.

9. Understand What’s Included

Try and find out which fixtures and fittings are included as soon as possible in the buying process, as it will allow you to work out if you need to budget for anything extra.

For example, appliances such as fridges, freezers and washing machines will probably not be included as part of the purchase, which could lead to several hundred pounds of additional costs to consider.

10. Keep Your Spending in Check Before You Buy

Remember, if you’re taking out a mortgage, your lender will be taking a deep look into your finances. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get them in check before starting the whole process.

Don’t go loading up your credit card with purchases, and if you’re able to pay off debts or make them more manageable, it will go a long way to helping you get approved for a mortgage.

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.

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6 Tips to Help you Find the Best Lettings Agent in Warrington

So, you’ve got a property to rent out in the Warrington area?

Perhaps you’ve bought it specifically to rent out, or maybe you have inherited it and want to make it pay its way. Whatever your reasons, you’ve decided to employ the services of a local Warrington lettings agent to help you!

But how do you choose the right lettings agent?

We work with a lot of landlords in the Warrington area and we know that they need support from lettings agents just like us to help them become even more successful.

To help you make the right choice, the Hamlet Homes Warrington team have put our heads together and have come up with six tips for finding the right lettings agent.

(Of course, if you want to just give us a call now, that’s fine too! Our number is 01925 235 338 or you can email us on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk

1. What do you Want from your Lettings Agent?

Decide what you actually want from a lettings agent, and then check what services a particular agent actually offers. You might want to do most of the work yourself, with the letting agent simply marketing the property for you or finding a tenant. You may want them to completely manage the tenancy throughout. There are cost implications, and time implications too, but if you don’t know what you want, you won’t be able to choose the most suitable lettings agent in the first place.

Our Advice It sounds simple, but draw up a list of what you think you want a lettings agency to do. Then speak to several different agents.

2. Make Sure the Lettings Agent Knows the Area

It’s of paramount importance that your lettings agent knows the lie of the land. Do they know what type of property rents best in Warrington and do they know what sort of rent you should expect in Warrington? You want your agent to know what they’re talking about so that you benefit.

Our Advice Devise a series of questions that you can ask your shortlist of potential lettings agents. If they are like us, they will know the answers!

3. Is the Lettings Agent up to Speed with latest Legislation?

Being a landlord brings with it a number of legal responsibilities. Your lettings agent should make you aware of these so that everything is done by the book. You will rely on your agent to remind you of important legalities such as gas and electrical certificates so make sure they are fully up to speed on all the current guidelines.

Our Advice See how helpful a potential lettings agent is by asking if they know who to contact for gas safety checks and the electrical inspection condition reports.

4. How Efficient is the Lettings Agent?

A great lettings agent will not only find you a good tenant, but they’ll be highly communicative and go through all the paperwork with you too. They’ll make sure that the right financial checks take place, and, if needed, the right to rent checks too. They will also sort out the contractual information like the shorthold tenancy agreement and the all-important tenancy deposit.

Our Advice Choose a lettings agent who knows their stuff, but one who can communicate well with you too so that you understand the processes involved with being a landlord.

5. What do their Reviews Say?

You don’t have to leave the sofa for this one! There are a number of review websites and social media platforms where people can leave reviews. Have a look and see what people are saying about particular lettings agents in Warrington.

Our Advice Most reviews are genuine, but just be mindful that on social media some reviews should be taken with a pinch of salt. Use your judgement well.

6. Draw up a Final Shortlist

So you’ve done your homework and you know what you want from a lettings agent. You know what sort of rent you want or need to achieve, you know what sort of level of service you need, and you’ve read the reviews.

The next thing to do is draw up a shortlist of two or three lettings agents and contact them. Ask questions and see how they respond to you.

You’ll get a gut feel as to whether or not you want to work with them. We’re a great believer in dealing with people you can trust and comfortably do business with.

Our Advice Choosing the right lettings agent for you and your property is important; it has to work well for you.

Getting the right team on board is a surefire way to success. We’ve been helping landlords in Warrington for many years, and we will be delighted to have an initial chat with you about your requirements. Call us on 01925 235 338 or email us 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