Author: scott

It’s great news that you have become a first-time homeowner and have got the keys to your new place, but it’s likely you may be unsure of a few things. After all, buying a home was never top of the school curriculum, was it?

So, we at TG Sales & Lettings have used our experience and knowledge to put together seven tips for first-time homeowners.

Tip Number One

Rest! We know this sounds a bit daft, but you’ve gone through the process of buying your first home and it may well all have been a bit stressful. So, give yourself a break. Time to think about how amazing it is that you have the keys and you’re now a homeowner. By doing this, you’ll give yourself time to think and to plan things like decorating.

Tip Number Two

Get to know everything. Seriously, you’re in a new house but do you know how to turn the heating on? Do you know where the stopcock is and what it actually does?

You will also want to make sure you have the best broadband connection, what day is bin day and where your water, gas and electricity meters are located!

All too often, we see people get in a muddle a little down the line not because they have done anything wrong, but because they are not sure what’s what. Take time to find things out!

Tip Number Three

Lock it up, code it right. You’ve moved to a home that you can call your own. Now is the time to change the locks and the security code for the alarm. Yes, this can seem a little negative when you’re still in the champagne-quaffing stage of being a new homeowner, but safety first!

You may not know who has a key or who used to pop by now and then or look after the property when the previous householders were out – so who might still have access?

Tip Number Four

Clean it up! Do a deep clean throughout your new home. That includes skirting boards, behind radiators, door frames and behind appliances! Once you’ve done this, it will instantly feel more like your home, and you can be reassured that everything is dirt free. Obviously, before you do this, get the kettle out and the teabags!

Tip Number Five

Home in on security. Security must be a priority, even if you live in a nice leafy area. These days many people choose to have video camera doorbells and CCTV cameras high on a wall. It’s amazing what you can do with your phones now, and soon you could be checking parcel deliveries at the touch of a button.

Ask in local Facebook groups or ask friends and colleagues for recommendations as there are different systems out there that could be useful.

Tip Number Six

Community is the buzzword at the moment, and by that we simply mean the people who live near you – your neighbours! It’s good to be sociable but think of the added benefits. Neighbours will know the local playgroups, the best pubs and restaurants, trusted traders, garages, and convenience shops, so it’s advantageous to get to know the people around you.

Tip Number Seven

This might seem dull perhaps, but make sure you sort your paperwork and filing out. You may well have lots of paperwork from your move, whether that’s directly related to the house, or associated documents like insurance or utilities paperwork. It may seem like a chore when all you want to do is enjoy your new place, but it will pay off in the long run.

When you’ve bought your first home, you want to get on and enjoy it, of course you do, but think long term!

First time buyer but not found your perfect home yet? We are always happy to help. Call us on 01452 300822 or email rachel@tgres.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.

Interest rates have increased again for the second time in quick succession, and a quiet Wiltshire town has leapt up the property hotspot list! In good news for tenants, the government has announced new reforms to protect renters. Read on for all this and more.

What can sellers entering the market in March 2022 expect?

With all COVID-19 restrictions being lifted by the end of March (if not sooner), and spring just around the corner – which is traditionally a hot time of year for the property market – here are some of our predictions for what to expect next month…

House price growth set to slow

After a strong start to the year, house prices are forecast to stabilise over the coming months.

The UK’s biggest building society, Nationwide, reported a sixth consecutive monthly increase in January, with prices rising 0.8% on the previous month and 11.2% annually.

Competitor Halifax also announced increases of 0.3% from the previous month and 9.7% annually.

However, despite these consistent increases over the past 12 months, both lenders have predicted a cooling of the housing market in 2022, with the cost of living increases and limited supplies of new housing stock coming onto the market being cited as major factors.

Movers and Shakers

Corsham named as a top property hotspot

The picturesque country market town of Corsham in Wiltshire has been named as the UK’s newest property hotspot.

The town might not be instantly familiar by name, but TV fans will recognise it, as it’s appeared in numerous period dramas, from Poldark to Lark Rise to Candleford and Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

And with demand for more open spaces and work from home offices remaining strong, the town on the edge of the Cotswolds is seeing a big increase in buyer activity.

Figures released by major property portal Rightmove show an increase in buyer demand of 124% compared with 12 months ago. Average prices have inevitably increased too, with a jump of 6% year on year.

The majority of buyers are Londoners seeking more bang for their buck, and with average prices in the town of a little under £330,000, it’s no surprise that it’s attracting many out-of-towners.

First-Time Buyer News

Affordability issues reach record highs

One of the UK’s biggest lenders, Nationwide, has announced some startling figures which affect first-time buyers’ affordability.

While it’s widely known that house price growth has outgrown wage growth, the building society has laid bare just how much price increases have outpaced wages since the pandemic began.

Their figures reveal that a 10% deposit on a first home is now equivalent to 56% of total gross annual earnings, which is a new record high.

Buy-to-Let News

Section 21 to be abolished

In a move that will protect renters, the Government has announced plans to abolish Section 21, which allows landlords to evict tenants without any reason.

The plans are part of the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, which is aiming to help poorer communities become more prosperous.

Other changes that are planned include ensuring that privately rented properties meet minimum standards, and the introduction of a landlords register, with an aim to crack down on rogue landlords.

Latest news for Landlords

Almost 1/3 of tenants admit to keeping hidden pets!

A recent survey has found that 27% of tenants have admitted to hiding pets from oblivious landlords for more than three years.

The most commonly hidden pets are birds and rabbits, while somewhat surprisingly, horses are in third place! We’re not sure entirely how you hide a horse – suggestions on a postcard, please!

The number one way to avoid landlords discovering pets during an inspection was to take them out for a walk, which was followed closely by asking friends to look after them, and then asking a neighbour to keep hold of them during inspections.

The study also revealed that the most pet-friendly landlords are in Norwich, with the least friendly being in Edinburgh.

Mortgage News

Interest rate increase for the second time in three months

The Bank of England has announced an increase in its base interest rate from 0.25% to 0.5% – the second increase in just three months.

The increase will mean a rise in monthly mortgage repayments for around two million homeowners with variable-rate mortgages and will add around £24 per month to a £200,000 mortgage.

The rise comes hot on the heels of Ofgem’s announcement that energy bills will increase by 54% this year, as millions of households face a squeeze on the cost of living.

And Finally…

A home with a rather unusual feature in the front garden made headlines on social media recently.

The 2-bedroom bungalow in leafy Nursling, Hampshire, has a spacious back garden with views across lush green fields, but it’s the enormous telephone pylon in the front garden that really caused it to go viral.

You can check it out here, but hurry – the property’s already sold, subject to contract.

TG Sales & Lettings are your local property experts for the Gloucestershire area. Call us on 01452 300822 or email rachel@tgres.co.uk to find out how we can help you buy a new home or sell your property.