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.

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

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

Weed and tidy up

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

Add some colour

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

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

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

Area to entertain

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

Tidy up your outbuildings

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

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

Attract wildlife

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

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

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

If you are looking for an agent that is well established, professional and communicative, whether you’re buying, selling or looking for an investment opportunity, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of the Warrington property market.

Email me on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or call on 01925 235 338 – we are based on the Warrington Business Park, Long Lane, WA2 8TX. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.

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

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR WARRINGTON HOME IS WORTH FOR FREE
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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.

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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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
Hamlet Homes Estate Agents Warrington Facebook Page

How To Make The Most Of Your Outdoor Space During The Colder Months

Your garden or outdoor space really comes into its own during the Summer months. Flowers bloom, birds sing and the sunshine basks everything in a warm and welcoming glow that entices us outside. You would be forgiven for thinking that once the glorious days of Summer are over that your outdoor space will become uninviting and unusable until the warmer days of Spring start to encourage you back outside but, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Light

Nothing makes us scurry inside faster than the nights drawing in. Your garden doesn’t have to be dark and gloomy as soon as the sun goes down though. Install some exterior lights and you will soon be able to enjoy your garden late into the evening. If you don’t have an outdoor plug, solar powered lights are both cheap to buy and low maintenance and just a few strings of solar powered fairy lights can turn a dark and unwelcoming garden into an inviting and cheerful one.

Winter house

Many of us have Summer houses in our gardens. They are lovely places to spend time reading, resting, socialising and enjoying our hobbies in. There is no need to stop using them as soon as Summer ends. Add a few blankets to make them nice and cosy and they can be transformed from a shady place from which to enjoy your garden in the Summer, into a snug and welcoming space to enjoy your outdoors from indoors during the colder months.

Heat it up

A well placed fire pit or chiminea can provide enough warmth to take the edge off of the chill in the evenings. As the year progresses take inspiration from Winter wonderlands and add a warm coat, a few blankets and some hot chocolate and keep socialising in your garden throughout the year.

Keep cooking

You don’t have to stop cooking outside just because Summer has ended. Outdoor pizza ovens are suitable to be used all year round and a well placed gazebo can allow you to use your BBQ even when the rain is pouring down. Investing in a gas BBQ with a good hood will even mean that you can still use it when the wind is howling, if you want to!

If you are considering selling your home in Warrington and would like some more tips on how you can make the most of your outdoor areas during the colder months please do give us a call on 01925 235 338 .

Are You Unhappy With Your Letting Agent? We Can Help

Are you a landlord and are unhappy with your letting agent? Many landlords choose to put up with poor service from their letting agent rather than having to deal with the hassle of switching agents in the middle of a tenancy. Most will wait for their current tenancy to end and will then make a move. Others won’t even do that fearing that all letting agents are the same and that changing will be more hassle than it’s worth. This apathy is what bad letting agents rely upon but it doesn’t need to be that way.

Not all letting agents are the same! we believe that a letting agent should be providing you with excellent service, expert knowledge, professionalism and helpful advice from when they first start finding you a tenant to when that happy tenant leaves.

We believe that happy tenants make happy landlords as the happier your tenant is with their home the more likely they are to stay longer thus avoiding any rental voids and the more likely they are to take good care of your property.

If you are unhappy with your letting agent’s service then it is highly likely that your tenant is too.

So what can you do? The first thing is obviously to talk to your letting agent. Discuss your concerns and ask them how they will be dealing with these and what they will be doing in future in order to avoid these concerns arising again. This conversation may be enough to alleviate your worries. Just remember that actions speak louder than words. If you feel you are simply being placated each time you raise an issue then it may be a sign that it is time to change agents.

Before that though you will need to check the contract that you have signed with them. Is there a notice period that you need to give or a fee you have to pay in order to cancel the agreement mid-tenancy?

Once you have found this out everything else is easy. Choose the new letting agent that you would like to take over managing your property. Don’t forget to check reviews and get recommendations from people you trust.

Once you have informed your current agent that you intend to change agents your new letting agent can take over. They can collect all the paperwork and arrange for the name of the managing agent to be changed on the tenancy deposit scheme.

If you are changing your agent in the middle of a tenancy you should give your tenants a call to assure them that it won’t affect their occupancy at all. Then your new agent can pop round to meet your tenant, do a quick property inspection, ensure that all paperwork is up-to-date and give them the new bank details that they will need to start sending their rent to.

That’s it, all changed. It’s much easier than most people think it will be. Then you can relax knowing that your property is being looked after and you no longer need to worry about it.

If you are a landlord and are not 100% happy with the way that your letting agent is managing it then give us a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be delighted to discuss how we can help you to make renting out your property stress-free.

How To Find And Keep Good Tenants

All landlords want a good tenant. Even better is a good tenant who wishes to rent your property for a long time as it means you won’t be faced with rental voids or the stress of frequently having to find new tenants. Long-term tenants also tend to take better care of properties as they are more likely to treat them like their homes rather than as just temporary accommodation.

So how can you find your perfect tenant? Here at Hamlet we know that the best way to attract your ideal tenant is through targeted marketing and consistent good service. So what does that mean?

Identify your perfect tenant

A listing is just like a dating profile. If your ideal tenant finds the listing for your property online and doesn’t like the look of it then they won’t bother to consider it. So first take some time to think about who your ideal tenant is and then consider if there is anything you can do to make your property and your online advert more attractive to them.

Location, location, location

Highlight the proximity of the local services and attractions that your ideal tenants would use. For example if you would like to rent to students then mentioning the distance to the university would be a good start. For families let them know which school’s catchment area your property falls within and for young professionals focus on distance to transport links and local nightlife.

Take an objective look

Try to see your property through the eyes of a potential tenant. Is your property in need of a fresh coat of paint or are there things that you have been meaning to fix but haven’t got around to yet? Things like this can be a red flag for a tenant as it may give them the impression that you are a neglectful landlord.

Research

Look at similar properties in your area to ascertain what your competition is offering and make sure that you are not trying to set your rental price too high in comparison to them. Good tenants always have their pick of properties so do not price yourself out of their search by setting your rent too high. It can also lead to it taking longer to find tenants so the rental void may cancel out any gain you make from the higher price.

Choose your letting agent carefully

If you want good, long-term tenants then choosing the right agent to manage your property long-term is as important as choosing an agent who will be able to market your property well and find tenants fast. The key to getting long-term tenants is to treat them well and if your managing agent does not do that then you will have a high turnover of tenants and word will soon get around amongst tenants that it is unwise to rent through that particular agent reducing your pool of potential tenants. Here at Hamlet we have been responsible for managing hundreds of properties in Warrington and our happy landlords and tenants are proof that we truly are agents who care.

If you are a landlord and would like to discuss how wecan help you both find good tenants and keep them long-term or are a potential tenant looking for a property to rent in Warrington then please give us a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be delighted to help you.

Five Signs That It's The Right Time To Downsize

People downsize for a variety of reasons. Downsizing is selling your home in order to buy a smaller one. If you are thinking about downsizing but are still not sure whether it is the right decision for you we have rounded up the top five reasons that people downsize below.

Maintenance

Larger houses require more work to maintain them. This isn’t just limited to repairs but also weekly cleaning and basic upkeep. Maybe you are finding that you are not as mobile as you used to be, or that your priorities have changed and you would rather spend more time with family and friends rather than maintaining your home. Choosing to downsize can reduce the amount of maintenance that you have to do, freeing up your time to do more of the things that you enjoy.

Space

As families grow they need more space so over the years you will probably have moved several times to accommodate your growing family. However, once your children have grown and flown the nest you may well find that you feel like you are rattling around in a big empty home with lots of unused bedrooms. If you have more rooms than you know what to do with then it may be time to consider downsizing.

Health

Is maintaining your home taking its toll on your health? Or maybe you have developed some mobility issues and even with adaptations you are finding it difficult to cope with moving around in your home. A smaller property is not only easier to maintain but many people choose to downsize into a home with no stairs to assist with or prepare for potential mobility issues.

How does your home make you feel?

You should feel happy, safe and comfortable in your home. If these are not the feelings that your home elicits from you then you should definitely be considering moving. This is particularly true if being in your home makes you feel sad, lonely or scared. While moving will not automatically solve all of your problems, a fresh start in a new community may give you the opportunity to make new friends and feel safer.

Bills

The larger the property, the bigger the bills. The sharp increases in energy bills and the rising cost of living may be making you consider downsizing to reduce the size of your bills and make your monthly outgoings more sustainable. Alternatively if you have recently retired or if you or your partner have started to reduce your working hours then you may quickly find that your outgoings have started to outweigh your incomings. Downsizing can help to make your bills more manageable.

Choosing to downsize can be an emotional decision. If you would like to have an honest and sympathetic discussion about whether downsizing is right for you please give us a call on 01925 235 338 .

July 2022 Market Report For Warrington

How are your summer holidays progressing? We hope you’re enjoying yourselves and coping with the inevitable juggling act the kids off school presents.

The property market continues strong with our team busy helping Warrington move. The summer holidays are a great time to move home because it means you’ll be fully settled into your new place by the next school holidays, also known as Christmas time. The post-pandemic delays in sorting the paperwork once an offer has been accepted means you really need to factor a little longer into your home-move timeframe.

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

There are currently 283 properties available for sale in Warrington. This is 8 more than last month. Of these 283, 59 were new to the market in the last two weeks. The average price of properties in Warrington is £257,282 with the median price at £230,000.

Most of the properties available are in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket with 94 currently on the market. There are 18 properties available, in the £500,000 to £1 million bracket. In May, properties in the £500,000 to £1,000,000 bracket were selling the fastest, only on the market for an average of 33 days. They are still the fastest but the length of time was extended to 49 days in June and that increased to 58 days in July. This month, properties priced between £300,000 and £400,000 are the second-fastest movers, only on the market for 65 days.

Properties priced at £100,000 and under, are now taking 374 days to sell. This is similar to one-bedroom properties with a median price of £90,000 as they are currently sitting on the market for an average of 389 days. This has gone up from 326 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 £250,274. Terraced properties sold for an average of £180,622, with detached properties fetching £417,670.

Overall, sold prices in Warrington over the last year were 2% down on the previous year and 12% up on the 2019 peak of £229,734. When considering the facts presented in this way, the talk of an impending property crash can be explained as media sensationalism. There is cooling in the market prices but after the last couple of years, this is to be expected.

Babies are still being born, families' needs will continue to change, people will pass away, and others will get married or the opposite. Whatever happens with the cost of living and other external forces, the property market continues to rumble on. People often have to move home, rather than choose to. Don’t worry too much about the scaremongering and instead, focus on your needs and the needs of the people you’re closest to.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.

Is The Housing Market About To Crash?

There have been lots of mutterings in the media about how the housing market is going to be affected by the cost of living crisis and most of them paint a rather bleak picture. However, the media does not dictate the state of the housing market, homebuyers and sellers do and currently we at Hamlet Homes are still experiencing high levels of demand for every single property that we list.

Despite the rising cost of living, demand for properties in the month of May was more than double what it was in the same period prior to the pandemic.

When the pandemic began and the country was sent into lockdown there were bleak prophecies made then too about how the housing market would be affected but instead of house prices plummeting they instead soared. Lockdowns had an effect on people's priorities and made them reassess their lifestyle with many deciding a house move was their next best step.

Since then house prices have continued to rise. Indeed according to Rightmove’s June Price Index in June the property market had a fifth record breaking price increase this year.

There was a 13% increase in the number of sellers in June this year compared to June 2021 which combined with the cost of living crisis may slow down the rapid increase in property prices. However, Rightmove has revised its annual growth forecast upwards from the 5% it predicted at the beginning of the year to 7% demonstrating that the market certainly isn’t about to flop anytime soon.

The increase in the number of sellers will be a relief to buyers who have been struggling to find a suitable property in this fast paced market. However, they should not be lulled into thinking that this means that competition for properties will be reduced. Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Science wrote “We’re hearing from agents that though they might have had slightly fewer enquirers for each property in recent months, they’re still seeing significant interest from multiple buyers and are achieving successful sales”.

Therefore if you are looking to buy a property it is still very important that you put yourself in as attractive a position as possible in order to increase the likelihood that a seller will select your offer. Ensuring that you have already accepted an offer on your own property and getting pre-approved for a mortgage are becoming necessities in order for your offer to be taken seriously in the current market.

The rush to move created by the pandemic has caused a large backlog for conveyancers and the period of time that it is taking to move from having your offer accepted to reaching completion day is currently 150 days. This is being blamed on the fact that there are 44% more properties that are currently sold subject to contract, with buyers awaiting completion, than there were during the same period in 2019.

This means that if you would like to be in your new home in time for Christmas you need to be putting your property on the market now.

Deciding when to sell your home is a very personal decision. If you have been considering moving in Warrington and are not sure if now is the right time please do give us a call on

01925 235 338 and we will be delighted to have an honest conversation with you to help you decide what is best for you and your family.

How To Improve Your Property's Kerb Appeal

Whether you are looking to sell your property or simply wish to make your home look more inviting to visitors the very first thing you should consider is often the one most people overlook. They are so busy thinking about their interior decor and the tidiness of their homes that they often forget that the very first thing that people see is the front of their property. If your home’s kerb appeal could do with being spruced up but you’re not sure where to start then don’t worry we have a few tips that will help you to take the front of your property from drab to fab in no time.

Front garden

If you have a front garden then ensure that the grass is neatly mown. Clear your path of weeds and use a pressure washer to make it look its best. If you have borders make sure that they are weeded and plant some nice flowers to help to make your home look visually attractive.

Front Door

If the paint is starting to peel off of your front door or the hardware like the handle or knocker are looking a bit old and unloved then visitors may get the impression that the rest of your home is uncared for too. Treat your door to a fresh coat of paint and a shiny new door handle/knocker and your door will go from creating a sense of foreboding to a welcoming entrance.

House number

Make sure that your house number is clearly visible. This will help both visitors and delivery drivers! If your house number is looking a bit old and tatty, consider replacing it with a shiny new one that reflects the care you take of your property.

Windows

Clean windows not only maximise the amount of natural light that you get inside your home but they also affect the feel of your home from the outside. Clean windows make a home look cared for and a loved home will always have more kerb appeal than a neglected one.

Exterior Lights

Many potential viewers will do a drive-by viewing before deciding whether to view the inside of your property. Due to working hours most of these will be done in the evening and most guests to your home will also visit in the evening so ensuring that your exterior lights are all working is essential to ensure that your home is bathed in welcoming light not shrouded in darkness.

Gates, fences and hedges

Check your garden gate and fence are in good condition. Oil the hinges and check the latch is in good working order. Replace broken fence panels and neatly trim any hedges.

Garage

While your visitors/viewers will not be entering your property through your garage doors they do affect the first impression that they will have of your home so make sure that they are in good condition and consider sprucing them up with a fresh coat of paint if necessary. Potential buyers will want to take a look in your garage so make sure that it is clean and tidy.


If you would like more advice on how to improve your Warrington property’s kerb appeal please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be delighted to help you.

What Are Tenants Responsible For?

Tenants are very used to the long list of don’ts that they are given when they first rent a property. Don’t redecorate. Don’t hang pictures. Don’t cause any damage. The list goes on.

Tenancy agreements also contain a list of must dos but, the focus on the don’ts can often overshadow them leaving tenants with the impression that as the property is very clearly not theirs, any problems to do with the property is for their landlord to sort out.

However, not all problems are the responsibility of the landlord. Some of them are for the tenant to sort out. So if you are a tenant what is it that you are responsible for?

Rent
The first thing is obvious. You must pay your rent.

Drains
The second is one that tenants often think is the responsibility of their landlord but is in fact yours. You must look after the drains. If you block them then it is your responsibility to unblock them. Most tenancy agreements stipulate that no cooking oils or fats are to be put down the drains as that will increase the likelihood of them being blocked.

Lightbulbs
Yet another thing that often catches tenants out. Tenants are responsible for replacing any blown lightbulbs. Lightbulbs are usually itemised in the check-in inventory and if when you hand the keys back you have failed to replace any blown bulbs the cost of them can be deducted from your deposit.

Garden
Tenants are responsible for handing back the garden in the state that it was in at the beginning of their tenancy. Even if you don’t use it you will still need to make sure that you look after it. Deductions can be made from your deposit if the landlord needs to hire a gardener to bring it back up to scratch at the end of your tenancy.

Bills
You are responsible for paying your utility bills unless your tenancy agreement explicitly states that these are included in your rent. Failing to pay these can not only result in large amounts of debt owing to the utility companies but can also result in the utilities to the property being cut off.

Report
If there is an issue with your property then you need to report it promptly. Most repairs are easier, quicker and cheaper to fix if they are attended to promptly. If left many issues become worse, especially if the issue is a leak as there is the potential for the water to cause a great deal of damage to the property.

Secure
It is the responsibility of the tenant to make sure that the property is kept safe and secure.

It is also your responsibility to pay to insure the contents of the property as landlord insurance does not cover the tenant’s belongings. It is not uncommon for it to be written into the tenancy agreement that you must not leave the property unoccupied for a period of more than 14 days. If you do go away for a prolonged period of time you will need to inform your landlord and insurance company.

If ever you are unsure as to whether you should report an issue or deal with it yourself please give our expert lettings team a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be happy to give you our advice.

June 2022 Market Report For Warrington

With the school summer holidays nearly upon us, many people start to think about moving home. Having family around a lot more can highlight how your current place isn’t quite working for you. You might need more space when all the kids are at home, a bigger garden for when the grandkids are at yours, or somewhere quieter when the neighbours’ kids are all home.

If you want to be moved and settled in by the next big school holiday, which is Christmas, you need to be getting on the market now. There are national delays happening in the legal sector that deals with housing. Often called conveyancers, or solicitors, these are the people that deal with all the paperwork after you’ve made or accepted an offer before the key handover, known as ‘completion’.

In 2019, the time between offer and handover was 100 days. Even that is over 3 months, just for the legal part of the transaction to take place. This has now increased by a third. Add to that the time it takes to get your property ready to go on the market, perfect the marketing, show people around, and negotiate an offer, and you can see why you need to get on with it now to be settled by Christmas.

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

There are currently 275 properties available for sale in Warrington. This is 78 more than last month. Of these 275, 81 were new to the market in the last two weeks. The average price of properties in Warrington is £285,183 with the median price at £220,000.

Most of the properties available are in the £100,000 to £200,000 bracket with 91 currently on the market. There is just 1 property available, priced at over £1 million. In May, properties in the £500,000 to £1,000,000 bracket were selling the fastest, only on the market for an average of 33 days. They are still the fastest but the length of time has extended to 49 days. This month, properties priced between £300,000 and £400,000 are the second-fastest movers, only on the market for 51 days.

Properties priced at £100,000 and under, are now taking 356 days to sell. This is similar to one-bedroom properties with a median price of £90,000 as they are currently sitting on the market for an average of 326 days. This has gone down from 350 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 their portfolio, please bear this in mind when planning.

Let’s take a look at the annual figures now. Properties around Warrington had an overall average asking price of £245,315 over the last year. Despite the media claiming house prices are falling, this figure demonstrates a 12% increase from the same time last year.

Overall, sold prices in Warrington over the last year were 6% down on the previous year and 8% up on the 2019 peak of £229,819. This doesn’t represent a crash, simply the market correcting itself, as we mentioned last month in our report. The craziness of the last couple of years is starting to settle, which is a positive thing as supply and demand should level out, with prices calming too.

The majority of sales in Warrington during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £242,595. Terraced properties sold for an average of £180,274, with detached properties fetching £402,967.

If you’re looking for further information about the Warrington property market, please feel free to contact us. If you’re thinking of selling or 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

How To Make The Most Of A Seller's Market

Benjamin Franklin once famously said “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This rings true for many things in life and is very relevant to the current seller’s market whether you are a seller or a buyer. So how can you ensure that you are correctly prepared in order to make the most of the current seller’s market?

Sellers
There is lots of paperwork to deal with when selling a property so instructing a solicitor early on in the process can allow you to get a headstart on the Property Information forms. It will also give your solicitor plenty of time to review your Title Deeds and identify and sort out any problems that may potentially cause a problem or delay.

You will also need to find installation certificates and guarantees for any new windows, boilers, wood burners or electrics that you may have had installed and if you have extended your property you will need to produce copies of the relevant consents.

Ensuring that all of your paperwork is in order will allow you to progress confidently and put you in an excellent position when setting a timetable for exchange.

It is wise to manage the expectations of your buyers as soon as you accept their offer. If the sale is dependent on you finding a new property then it is important that the agents convey this to the buyers. Choosing to sell your property and move into a rented property can really give you an edge in this market when looking for a property as you will be in an ideal position to proceed with a purchase but only do this if you can afford the rental and storage costs that this will incur.

Buyers
In a seller’s market buyers who are in a position to proceed swiftly are valued more highly than those who cannot. In a market where multiple offers on each property are common, anything you can do to make your offer more attractive to sellers is worth doing.

If you need a mortgage then getting an offer ‘agreed in principle’ will show the seller that, subject to valuation, you have the funds readily available.

If you can afford to sell your property and move into a rented property while house hunting you will increase your attractiveness to sellers as you are not in a chain.

Stick to your budget. Don’t allow competition with other buyers to cause you to pay too much for a property. Remember that you should consider future costs such as energy prices and council tax when choosing your property.

It is possible to instruct a solicitor even before you have made an offer. Doing so will allow you to complete the onboarding and identification processes early thus avoiding any unnecessary delays. Providing your solicitor with money on account for searches will allow them to request them as soon as they receive draft papers.

Choosing a solicitor and having them on ‘stand by’ so that you can get the survey that you would like organised quickly is another way of demonstrating to the seller that you are committed to purchasing their property.

If you are thinking of selling your property in Warrington then please give us a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be delighted to come round and give you a free no obligation valuation.

If you are looking for a property to buy in Warrington then please give us a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be delighted to add you to our database of motivated buyers so that you can be one of the first people to hear of our new listings in the Warrington.

Six Mistakes To Avoid Making When Selling Your Property

Over pricing

In 2018 Zoopla analysed the data it had on the initial price properties were listed for and their final sale price and discovered that properties that were overpriced can take two months longer to sell than properties that start with a realistic sale price.

One of the key filters on property websites is price so if your property is overpriced fewer people are going to see it and those that do will be comparing it, likely unfavourably, to others in that price bracket.

Inevitably you will have to lower your price as your property remains unsold. Buyers however, are keen to see properties that are new to the market as they believe that there must be something wrong with properties that have been on the market for a while.

Over personalised

You are selling your buyers their future home. If you have covered the walls with posters or personal photos consider taking them down. That way buyers can see the potential of a room without being overwhelmed by the sight of your personal belongings.

Neutral tones

When you put your property on the market you need to remember that if your taste is rather eccentric it can delay you selling your property and maybe even lower the price you eventually get for your home. Buyers like properties that they can put their own stamp on. If you have any particularly garishly decorated rooms do consider redecorating in neutral tones to increase your chances of a quick sale.

Take children and pets out

Potential buyers want to be able to look around your home in peace. Being trailed by children and pets, especially if they are allergic or terrified of your four-legged friends, can not only make them feel uncomfortable but will also ruin their opportunity to look at your home properly.

Clean and declutter

Dirty houses immediately make a bad impression and clutter can make even a large house feel claustrophobic. Take some time to declutter and clean your house. Cleaning windows can increase the amount of light entering your home, if it is evening turn on your lights to create a warm glow. Making coffee and baking bread during viewings are a cliché but the smell of furniture polish and fresh flowers are an easy way to make a home feel loved and cared for.

Choose the right estate agent

Choosing the first estate agent who comes to value your home or selecting an agent simply because they suggested the highest price can lead to problems further down the line. Take time to ask several agents to value your home and discuss with them why they think your property is worth the value they have suggested. Ask for examples of other local properties that they have sold in recent months, the prices they have achieved for them and the length of time that they have taken to sell them. Reviews from past clients are invaluable when choosing an estate agent to trust to sell your property.


If you are considering selling your property in Warrington please give us a call on 01925 235 338 and we will be delighted to give you a free valuation.