• cropped-henry-be-229092.jpg

    cropped-henry-be-229092.jpg

  • cropped-pexels-photo-111249-1.jpg

    cropped-pexels-photo-111249-1.jpg

Photo source: ThisOldHouse http://bit.ly/2ynxHkj

Taking good care of your house means fixing all that needs to be fixed in time, before the problems overgrow.

However, sometimes the bad road is also paved with good intentions and we tend to exceed. Results may vary upon your house, depending on what you are trying to fix.

We found a very good article on ThisOldHouse about how very good ideas can end up being wrongly implemented and causing more damage than good.

For example:

  • brighter light bulbs can over-heat and cause fires;
  • repainting can make even more cracks in the paint;
  • trees planted too close to the pavement can cause cracks when they grow;

Consult the full list in the article and suggest some more ideas of small reparations that need, in time, some more repairing!

 

Read more

Photo source: Property Division http://bit.ly/2BdqYyG

Window blinds are a must for some homes. And somebody has to make the decision and choose the most adequate and fit all around the house.

The main types of blinds are: Roman, roller , Venetian, vertical, and panel. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages so analyse them throughout before choosing one.

The Various Types of Blinds That Are Best Meant for A Homeowner

Read more

Photo source: Grist.org http://bit.ly/2nQFLu2

We can all notice the good and the bad about the city we live in now. The longer we have been staying in one place, the more bad things we seem to notice: the trash is wrongly positioned, the high buildings are creating a shadow all day long over the children’s park, not enough greenery etc.

Some of these we can change and improve by ourselves, but there are some things that are unchangeable. These are usually the things that were designed or simply appeared once with the city. And the more impact they have on us, the more frustrating it is that they cannot be changed.

The continuous development will bring more cities on the world map. It is important that we learn from the current examples and make the new ones better and better.

Having this in mind, Peter Calthorpe, urban designer, started planning the cities of the future and advocating for community design. He made a list of  7 principles to build the new cities on and you can hear them all in his TED conference from April this year.

 

Read more

Photo source: MoneyObserver http://bit.ly/2iHG8Bz

The Elizabeth Line: it’s the new, purple Tube line with the royal seal of approval.

Rightmove recently reported that asking prices for homes along the line have soared by up to a third, and they’re continuing to rise, with analysts predicting average price increases of £133,000 between now and when the line launches in 2018/19.

If you want to move or invest to take advantage of the line, here’s some of our top property hotspots…

Forest Gate

Forest Gate is located on the southern edge of Epping Forest, and neighbours Stratford and Leytonstone. It has enjoyed significant gentrification over the past few years, thanks to the Olympic Games and the opening of Westfield shopping centre, and now the anticipated arrival of Crossrail is gentrifying the district even further.

The transport links definitely appeal to potential buyers. There’s an Overground train to the City that takes 13 minutes, and when the Elizabeth line opens, locals will be able to catch a train to Tottenham Court Road in just 17 minutes. Cheap Viagra UK sale or discount generic Viagra online from http://northcentralhealthdistrict.org/viagra/.

The Zone 3 district also offers a wealth of affordable, Victorian houses, and is a haven for investors and first-time buyers.

We expect property prices to rise by 10% by the time Crossrail is complete.

Ilford

Crossrail will finally put Ilford on the Tube map! Although it was not traditionally an elegant place to live, it is certainly becoming gentrified as a result of the new transport plans. New build apartments, trendy eateries and bars are popping up in the east London borough, signalling a wave of new buyers coming into the area.

It is one of the best value spots in London. Despite values rising since the announcement of Crossrail. Ahead of the line’s completion, we forecast further price rises of 10%. It believes the area will prosper as a result, making it an ideal location to both live and invest in.

Romford

Romford is becoming an increasing popular choice for homebuyers, as many are being driven out of the capital because of rising property prices.

The Essex town offers affordable housing, a quick commute, (you can get to Liverpool Street in 20 minutes), and a wealth of trendy cafes, delis, late night bars and independent shops and boutiques.

House prices have already reached record highs in the area due to infrastructure plans, but we predict they will continue to soar until Crossrail is fully operational in 2019.

If you’re planning a move to take advantage of the line, you’ll need to move quickly, we expect the market to get extremely competitive the closer we get to the opening of the line.

Read more

Photo source: Pixabay http://bit.ly/2yP5kiA

Flooring in a property can make a massive impact on first impressions, so it pays to get it right. Here’s our top tips on choosing the right flooring for your rental property…

Consider the property’s use

The first step in choosing the right flooring for your rental property is to consider who will be living there. If your target tenant type will be families, for example, you’d want to avoid flooring types that can’t be easily refinished or could be ruined by a loose crayon or dirty paws. We’d recommend vinyl or laminate flooring for high-traffic areas of the property, as these flooring types can withstand heavy foot traffic better than most others.

You could also opt for non-slip wood-effect tiles, which are easily maintained, stylish and affordable. In properties with fewer tenants, you have more choices with flooring, so you could consider more stylish choices of tile, as they’re less likely to be damaged and can improve the property’s appearance even more.

 

Think on a room-by-room basis

Certain flooring types are best matched to particular rooms in the house, so when changing flooring for an entire property, you should think on a room-by-room basis. When it comes to kitchens, keep in mind the type of material that will be easiest to clean and won’t need to be replaced every time you get a new tenant.

Natural stone floor tiles look great in kitchens. There are also a range of designs and colours to choose from, which gives you the chance to build up the room’s style from the ground up. Tiles are also the obvious choice for bathrooms, as they are waterproof, durable and easy to maintain.

If you’re steering clear of carpets in an effort to avoid having to replace flooring too regularly, bedrooms will benefit from engineered or hardwood flooring for extra warmth and homely comfort. Living rooms are very much dependant on tenant type, as properties with more people will require more durable flooring, so we’d suggest hardwood flooring so that you won’t have to update your flooring every time your property is up for let.

 

Avoid obvious pitfalls

Certain flooring types are a definite no-no, with 14% of tenants saying carpet in the bathroom would completely put them off a property. Other pitfalls you should avoid include installing wooden flooring in wet rooms, light-coloured carpet in hallways or installing your flooring yourself, without experience or guidance. All of these mistakes can cost you tenants, time and money – so make sure you consider all potential pitfalls before rushing into buying your flooring.

 

With flooring playing such an integral role when it comes to securing tenants, it pays to make sure the flooring types you choose are well suited to your property. To make sure you choose the right flooring for your rental property, follow these top tips and build your property appeal from the ground up.

 

Read more

Photo source: Wikimedia http://bit.ly/2jr4fFh

Renting sometimes comes under a lot of scrutiny. Rising rents, spiralling house prices and smaller incomes have all contributed to the development of the term ‘generation rent’. Although for some, a property rental is a short-term measure and something they’d rather leave behind in favour of a mortgage. For many, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.

 

No maintenance costs or repairs to fork out for

One of the main pros of renting a property is the lack of repair bills should something go wrong. Broken boilers, severe leaks and damp problems are all issues that can arise and are extremely costly to sort out. New boilers for example can cost up to £1500, while leaks and damp usually need specialist input meaning costs quickly spiral. Owning a home means you are solely responsible for fixing these issues with your own money. However, when you rent a property, your landlord is accountable for all maintenance and repair costs. If an appliance stops working or you spring a leak, you do not hold any financial responsibility to have them fixed.

 

No big deposit needed

As mortgages have become harder to get, buyers – particularly first-time buyers – are required to have at least a 95% mortgage, however more often than not, a 10% deposit is required. This can result in those buying needing anywhere between £5,000 and £40,000 towards a deposit. Bundle this on top of solicitors’ fees, mortgage arrangement fees and surveys, and it’s easy to see that buying a house can be incredibly costly. In contrast, renting will usually require a deposit equal to one or two months’ rent, making for a much more pocket-friendly alternative to buying.

 

Renters aren’t vulnerable to fluctuating prices

The housing market is can be notoriously unsteady. Negative equity is currently a worry for many, especially those wanting to sell soon. Renters on the other hand need not worry about fluctuating house prices. Rents are generally agreed on a six or twelve-month basis meaning no unexpected fluctuations.

 

It gives freedom and flexibility

Renting is ideal for those who may be working on a temporary basis or moving to a new area. It offers the flexibility to move on after a short period without any ties or worries, while giving those new to the area a convenient and cost-effective introduction to the local property market.

 

Living with friends

Another benefit of renting is that it provides more opportunities to live with friends. What’s more, the boom in flat sharing presents people with a range of opportunities to make new friends for life. Read about Viagra pills on http://northcentralhealthdistrict.org/viagra/ and order Viagra samples 100 mg, 50 mg, 25mg.

Living with a group of friends is no longer just for students – hordes of young professionals now share rental properties in the UK’s largest cities with the aim of minimising costs and maximising social opportunities.

While owning a home may be beneficial over a long period, for many renting is a better option, especially in the short-term. The choice of whether to rent or buy a property is very personal and dependent on various factors. But before making the leap into property, whether renting or buying, it’s always advisable to review your finances and make sure you can afford to live in your new home.

Read more

Photo source: Independent http://bit.ly/2AeQVhX

New home, new bed, new mattress? Well, if you had some troubles with the last one, you will find this is a great opportunity to improve… your sleep! Ah, and what a relief that is on some hard, hard days!

In order to make the right decision when choosing a new mattress, read this helpful article on Independent and keep this in mind when searching for it:

  • What type of mattress makes you most comfortable? Open spring mattress, pocket spring mattress, memory foam mattress, or latex mattress.
  • What size does it match your bed? The UK standard sizes for mattresses are: small single, single, small duble, double, kingsize, super kingsize.
  • Firmness: soft, medium soft, medium firm, or firm.

Of course the decision is important enough to read thoroughly some more articles. We also recommend:

How To Choose The Right Mattress for your New Home

What type of firmness do you prefer for a resting night sleep?

Read more

Photo source: Pixabay http://bit.ly/2f2JyR3

We know the property market is going through an offer crisis with resolutions already coming into place like budget for new homes. The demand is high creating huge differences between the original price and the one bid by the potential buyers. And the effects do not stop here, of course.

Latest figures show there are 11 potential buyers for a property, so if you are one of them you should know that it is really hard to get the dream house at the right price.

The key factor is to make a decision fast enough and you can do that only if you know all your limits: budget, clear image of the property you need, extra benefits, acceptable minuses etc.

A study actually brought into attention 10 factors for a successful transaction for the buyer.

Study reveals keys to success in UK’s competitive property market

Which one of the factors did you use for your dream property?

Read more

Although not concerningly, the London housing market is slowing down. The figures show it and the signs are here:

Sales to first time buyers in the UK fall to eight month low

Rental market in the UK slowing as homes to rent fall to 12 month low

Average house prices in the UK sent to remain flat in 2018, latest forecast suggests

Buy to let mortgage market in UK may never be what it was

Of course the factors that caused the housing market in London to reach this moment are not just a few. However, Property Division made a top of the 3 causes for the slowdown:

  1. Brexit
  2. Stamp duty changes
  3. Mortgage constraints

Read the entire article for the full explanations and arguments and tell us your opinion in a comment!

The top 3 reasons as to why the housing market is slowing in London

Read more

Not all old house, but many of them have a fireplace. Exposed, or marginalized, thought of as the center of the house, or just as an utility, if you have a fireplace in your home you can consider yourself lucky.

Usually they blend in the decor quite well without redecorating, but when they do not, you can refresh them to match exactly your interior design concept.

To illustrate what we mean, take a look at this example:

Photo source: This Old House http://bit.ly/2AoJqDF

An Outmoded Fireplace Gets an Upgrade

If this gets you thinking about what you can do with the one in your house, here a couple of more examples and ideas:

15 Ways to Refresh Your Fireplace on Any Budget

We would really like to know if you have a fireplace and what it looks like. Leave a photo in a comment and maybe we can suggest some easy DIY ideas for a new look!

Read more