The demand for your rental property is huge right now, having increased by 10% again this year on the back of years of soaring demand.* As a landlord, you want to maximise your return on investment by achieving the best possible rent for your property. You also want to secure your investment and build a good relationship with tenants.

Location
Before buying, think about your potential tenants. Proximity to hospitals, schools, transport links, or universities may help define your target tenant. If you have already bought, remember that location is a great plus when attracting tenants.

The nicer your property the nicer your tenants
Decorate your property to the highest possible standard. Keep a neutral theme using safe colours. If there is room in your budget to improve the kitchen, flooring, and bathroom, do so. Just be careful not to overspend. A well-presented property in good condition will fetch more than a less well-prepared property. Typically, a nicer property will attract better tenants who will look after it if it’s in great condition.

Make your property as attractive as possible
When it comes to advertising your property, make sure it is clean and in tip-top shape, with all issues that need addressing sorted. Good pictures of beautiful properties will help you find great tenants quickly and fetch a better rent, while most likely creating a home that your tenants will want to keep renting. This ensures your investment.

Move with the times
Install USB sockets, energy-efficient appliances, and LED lighting. Smart meters, good insulation. Anything you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your property are in everybody’s interest. Many tenants are concerned about the cost of bills at the end of each month and will pay more in rent for a more efficient home.

The value of a great letting agent
A good letting agent will find the right tenants for your property. Whether you are renting one home or have a large property portfolio, a managed service is a smart move to make. You can choose what level of managed service you want. Finding good tenants and taking care of references, deposits, and everything from maintenance to inspections is no easy task. With a managed letting service, your investment is in safe hands, leaving you with more time for the more important things in life.

A managed letting service is the best way to move forward
As the Renters Reform Bill passes through Parliament, the future of letting your property will improve. The entire industry is being overhauled, making life easier for good tenants and good landlords. Bad landlords will find themselves forced to improve their practises. By using a managed letting service, you are already halfway to achieving great returns while minimising risk. Meeting all the current legislative changes is not something to be feared. Having an expert on your side so you can make the most of these changes ensures that your investment will thrive.

Are you a landlord, or do you want to take your first steps on the buy-to-let ladder?

Contact us today so your investment can flourish.

Zoopla*

 

There is no doubt that even in this sometimes-rainy climate, alfresco dining has increased. Outdoor living spaces are what you make them, and today, the scope for creating your perfect outdoor space is limitless. An outdoor kitchen makes a lot of sense for a UK-based property because it creates a sheltered area for you to enjoy even if the weather is changeable.

Add a pergola
A good move is to build a pergola to shelter your kitchen; that way, you could potentially use it all year. Place your kitchen against your garden wall or simply arrange it however it feels comfortable for you, but keep in mind that you want your outdoor kitchen to be a sociable space so you and your guests, family, or friends can chat and get involved in your evening.

The size of your space is not important
You don’t need to have a vast outdoor space to build an outdoor kitchen; in fact, sometimes the more compact the space, the better. There are a huge variety of ovens, barbecues, and electric hobs to choose from. Anything goes, so design it your own way. If pizza and wood are your preferences, consider building your kitchen with wood, leaving space for a pizza oven.

Build around the barbeque
Perhaps you like a traditional, real charcoal barbecue. Build your own barbeque using bricks and match them with some walls that will support your food preparation areas. You may decide to make your work surfaces moveable so that they can be stored in the shed during the winter months. On the other hand, you may own a feature barbeque, and that could be the centrepiece of your kitchen.

Make it a moveable feast
Using free-standing tables or wheeled furniture is ideal if you are planning on setting up your kitchen for a few months, a few hours, or forever. If you love tiles, then tile a table or source one. There are plenty of furnishing options that can complement your dining table.

Two in one
If you have always liked the idea of having a bar in your garden or outdoor living space, consider building it large enough so that it could also serve as a kitchen. That way, you will have solved two problems with one simple solution. Build it yourself or buy it, then stain it, and it will last for years. Add some bar stools to make it a social hub for your friends and family.

If you build, do you need planning permission?
The short answer to this question is no, as long as you don’t exceed 2.5 metres in height and your structure is less than 2 metres from your property. The positive aspect of building something more solid is its durability and all-year-round usability. Add an outdoor heater or log burner, and you could feast even when it snows!

Will an outdoor kitchen add value to your home?
Any improvements you make to the outdoor living spaces of your home will most definitely add to its value. Creating outdoor spaces that seamlessly flow from your home's indoor living spaces is becoming a must have. No longer an unattainable luxury, making them highly desirable and sought-after.

Browse our properties to find a home with the perfect indoor and outdoor living spaces for you.

 

You are relaxing with a drink in the garden, and the summer scent of flowers and sweet grass mingles with whatever you are cooking on the barbeque. You take a long sigh and feel so happy that you have made the effort to move. Perhaps you have not experienced this feeling for a while. It could be that you are a first-time buyer and are eagerly awaiting this special and unique feeling. As the market stands, there is more than just nice weather and pretty houses to tempt you into moving.

Strong sales
With the UK housing market currently sitting at 500,000 sales, many analysts expect to see these figures rise to more than one million by the end of the year.* This is good news; it means that your home will sell quickly if you put it on the market. And is more proof that the property market is vibrant and far more resilient than the gloomy picture painted by the mainstream media.

The summer rush
Many people are hastily getting on the move in time for summer, not wanting to move during the colder months of winter. Summer is a beautiful time of year to move to your ideal home and is traditionally a busy time of year. For sale signs start appearing as quickly as summer flowers, giving you more choice. But it’s best not to wait for a sign to go up; keep in touch with your friendly agent, as homes can disappear from the market as quickly as they appear. Your agent will alert you the moment the right property for you becomes available.

Surging choice of homes
With 65% more choice in homes than this time last year.* The buying process today is far more enjoyable. You no longer have to worry about making offers over the asking price. From large and small energy-efficient homes that ooze character to new builds, and interesting period properties in a multitude of rural and urban locations, the choice on today’s market is more varied than ever. Homes across the market have undergone a massive amount of improvement during the home improvement boom of recent years. That said, there are plenty of projects waiting for you to put your mark on.

Summer is a great time of year to move
The kids are off school, the days are longer, the weather is not as harsh, and moving your belongings in more clement weather is a nicer experience. It’s also a great time to meet the new neighbours for a drink in the garden or a barbeque after you move in.

Good timing
Timing counts for a lot when it comes to selling your home, and right now the market is a hive of activity. A good agent will have their finger on the pulse and have a buyer waiting for your home to make its appearance on the market.

A vision of summer living
Bright and breezy rooms with seasonal flowers, drinks on the decking as the sun goes down, or the smell of something delicious cooking on the barbeque, or a simple, more compact space with a few candles and soft music soothing you after a hard day’s work are worth making the effort for.

Don’t waste any more time and make your move this summer?

Get in touch to see how we can help.

Zoopla*

 

With a greater sense of optimism in the air, lowering mortgage rates, and a compelling choice of properties to entice you, the UK property market is feeling good. A new year always brings new trends, fresh ways of buying, interesting properties, and a fresh influx of homemovers. Now is a good time to open your mind to the endless possibilities.

Mortgage rates are falling below 4%
With sub 4% mortgage rates making a welcome appearance on the mortgage market, homemovers are excited and relieved. For many years, mortgage rates were unrealistically low, and this has created the perception that today’s rates are higher than they actually are. Mortgage rates will not in the foreseeable future return to super-low levels, and those who know this are making their moves and getting increasingly better deals. After all, you can always change your mortgage deal in a couple of years.

Homes finding new owners
More buyers means more sellers, and all bring their properties to the market at some point, for you to buy, or for them to buy yours. This hive of activity keeps the market buoyant at this time of year. Spring is just around the corner, and this is often one of the best times of the year to move thanks to longer days, and warming weather to enjoy viewings. If you decide to join the party, your agent’s database will be teeming with homemovers and may already contain the right buyer for your home.

New trends
Create your perfect work-from-home space by selling up and moving to your dream location. Making the most of your home’s equity by purchasing a buy-to-let investment or holiday let is still a very appealing option. First-time buyers can spend up to £600,000 with a 5% deposit thanks to the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, which has been extended until June 2025. Sustainability, energy efficiency, compact living, and smart technology are also growing in popularity.

A settling market
If you are a buyer, better mortgage deals and solid pricing that represent good value put you in a good position to move, thanks to a slowdown in house price inflation in 2023. You will get a good price for your home if you are selling, and you will enjoy good value if you are buying. These are ideal conditions for finding a great property and settling down. When the property market feels calm, it makes for a more pleasant moving experience. With good guidance from an experienced agent, moving home does not have to be a stressful experience.

Inspirational properties
Sustainability and energy efficiency are blended with fun and functionality, defining your spaces but allowing them to feel connected. The growth of smart homes and smart energy, fitted with smart appliances, promises to make your life easier. Features such as glass roofs and glass-door walls, with modern, clean designs leading to homely outdoor garden spaces, even in compact homes, make for inspirational viewings. Architectural styles from every era offer space with style and a sense of timelessness with modernity in magical settings.

 

Get in touch to take a fresh approach to your new home search this February

A quiet shift with big potential
In 2025, something interesting is happening in the property market. After years of uncertainty, more renters are starting to consider homeownership - not just as a dream, but as a genuine possibility. With market conditions levelling out, the idea of making the leap from tenant to homeowner is gaining real traction.

Affordability finds its footing
Mortgage rates, while still higher than pre-2020 levels, have shown signs of stability this year. Paired with more balanced house prices in many regions, this has opened up new opportunities for those who’ve spent years renting and saving. For some, monthly mortgage repayments are now comparable or even lower than what they’re currently paying in rent.

Rental experience as a springboard
Long-term tenants often underestimate the strength of their position. A solid history of on-time payments, steady employment, and financial discipline makes a compelling case to lenders. And with the availability of low-deposit mortgages and first-time buyer schemes, the barriers to entry are no longer as high as they once seemed.

Lifestyle meets investment
For many, the motivation isn’t just financial. Homeownership brings a level of freedom and control that renting can’t. From decorating and personalising your space to having a sense of permanence, it’s about putting down roots on your own terms. And with property still one of the UK’s most dependable long-term investments, it’s a lifestyle shift with lasting benefits.

Take the first steps now
Even if you’re not ready to buy this month, exploring the process now puts you in a stronger position. Start with a mortgage affordability check, review your savings, and explore government schemes like shared ownership or the Lifetime ISA. Understanding your options early helps you move faster when the right opportunity comes along.

Your next chapter starts here
The move from renting to owning is more achievable than many think. With the right guidance from Stevenette & Company and a bit of planning, 2025 could be the year you swap rent for a mortgage - and open the door to your own front door.

Discover your route to homeownership with Stevenette & Company

The quiet power of sunshine
There is something instantly uplifting about walking into a bright, sunlit room. Natural light not only enhances the appearance of a space - it affects how we feel within it. Whether you are renting or buying, the amount of natural light a property receives can be the difference between simply living in a space and truly loving it.

More than just aesthetics
Sunlight makes spaces feel bigger, warmer, and more inviting. It can highlight features that artificial light tends to flatten, from exposed brick to natural wood tones. In darker homes, even well-designed interiors can feel a little heavy. With good natural light, every room feels more open, more breathable, and more alive.

Health and wellbeing benefits
Natural light does more than brighten your interiors. Exposure to daylight supports better sleep, boosts mood, and helps regulate daily rhythms. It is one of the simplest ways to bring a sense of balance and positivity into your daily life - and in a home, that translates to comfort and calm.

Selling and letting appeal
Properties with good natural light consistently attract more attention from both buyers and tenants. South-facing windows, skylights, and open layouts that allow light to flow through are high on many people’s wish lists. Even small changes - like lighter curtains or strategic mirror placement - can make a big impact in how a property is perceived.

Simple ways to maximise it
If you are preparing a home for sale or rent, enhancing natural light is a smart move. Keep windows clean, trim back overgrown hedges outside, and opt for neutral tones inside that reflect rather than absorb light. Consider rearranging furniture to allow sunlight to move freely through your space.

A lasting impression
While layout, location, and finishes are all important, natural light often leaves the strongest impression. It makes early morning coffees feel more peaceful and late afternoon reading nooks more serene. It is what makes a house feel instantly welcoming.

Let Stevenette & Company showcase your light filled home

A season for reflection
Summer has a way of prompting big decisions. The lighter evenings and slower pace invite us to take stock - of our routines, our spaces, and what we want next. For many homeowners and renters alike, that means asking the question: is it time to move, or time to settle in?

What has changed, and what is calling?
Maybe your lifestyle has shifted. A growing family, a new job, or simply the need for more space - or less space - can all influence your thinking. Or perhaps the motivation is subtler: a yearning for a garden, a quieter location, or a fresh start. Recognising what has changed in your life can be the first clue in deciding whether to stay or go.

Consider the emotional versus the practical
It’s easy to become emotionally attached to a home. Memories live in its walls. But emotion alone is not always the best reason to stay. Take a practical look: does your current space still serve you well? Are the commute, costs, and upkeep still aligned with your needs? A home should support your life, not restrict it.

Weighing the market
This summer’s property and rental market presents opportunities on both sides. With increased listings, buyers and renters have more choice than at the start of the year. If you are looking to move, it’s a good time to explore. But if your current home still meets most of your needs, staying put could offer short-term financial stability and less disruption.

Small changes can mean big comfort
If you’re feeling restless but not quite ready to commit to a move, consider reimagining your current space. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint, a new layout, or a decluttered room can breathe new life into your home. You might find that what you were searching for was a new perspective - not a new postcode.

The right move is the one that fits you
Ultimately, the stay-or-go decision is deeply personal. The best move is not always the biggest one - it’s the one that brings more ease, comfort, and possibility into your life. Whether you decide to put down roots or plant new ones, summer is a great time to align your home with your goals.

Talk to Stevenette & Company about your next move