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Bury Road, Epping, CM16

This detached house offers extremely versatile accommodation over two floors that will suit a wide range...

£900,000

Click here to read Bury Road, Epping, CM16.

Landlords, here are some top tips on finding and keeping great tenants

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*

Thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen or dining area to your home?

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.

Home sales figures are looking strong for summer 2023

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*

February 2024 is bringing a fresh breeze of buyers and sellers

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

Summer Fest 2024 6th September 2024

There will be inflatable fun, games, BBQ catering & external stalls. Performances start at 11.30. Actual fair will run from 12.00-4.00pm. Get your inclusive wristbands...

Click here to read Summer Fest 2024 6th September 2024.

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Spooky Halloween Family Funday Sun, 02 Nov 2025

Tricks, Treats & Terrifyingly Good Fun!

Spooky Halloween Family Funday – East London get ready!

Click here to read Spooky Halloween Family Funday Sun, 02 Nov 2025.

From renters to homeowners: The journey more are making this year

Encouraging piece for tenants starting to think long term.

Click here to read From renters to homeowners: The journey more are making this year.

Home isn’t just where the heart is – it’s where the light comes in

Warm, design-inspired copy about natural light and feel-good spaces.

Click here to read Home isn’t just where the heart is – it’s where the light comes in.

Staying put or starting fresh? Why summer is decision time

Reflective and action-inspiring, great for both ends of the property ladder.

Click here to read Staying put or starting fresh? Why summer is decision time.

Why choosing the right agent still matters (even in 2025)

Not a sales pitch – just a reminder of the value of real support in moving.

Click here to read Why choosing the right agent still matters (even in 2025).

How to prevent winter damp

Why Winter Damp is More Than a Cosmetic Issue

Winter damp isn’t just unsightly – it can lead to mould growth, unpleasant odours, and long-term damage to plaster, paintwork, and even the structure of your property. For landlords, preventing damp is far more cost-effective than dealing with repairs and tenant complaints once it’s set in.

Improve Ventilation Without Sacrificing Warmth

One of the leading causes of damp in winter is trapped moisture from cooking, showering, and even breathing. Encourage tenants to use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and if possible, fit trickle vents in windows. The key is to keep air moving without losing too much heat – something modern vent systems are designed to do efficiently.

Address Insulation and Heating Balance

A poorly heated property is more likely to suffer from condensation, which leads to damp patches. At the same time, bad insulation can create cold spots where moisture forms. Ensure lofts, walls, and windows are properly insulated, and that heating systems are in good working order before winter sets in. A consistent indoor temperature is often more effective than occasional bursts of heat.

Stay Ahead with Property Maintenance

Leaky gutters, blocked downpipes, or damaged roof tiles can allow water to seep in and create damp patches inside. Carry out a thorough pre-winter inspection to spot any external maintenance issues. Also, check for signs of previous water ingress so they can be tackled before becoming a bigger problem.

Work with Your Tenants, Not Against Them

Tenant habits play a big role in preventing damp. Share simple tips like drying clothes outdoors where possible, keeping lids on pans, and opening windows for short bursts each day. Many tenants are unaware of how small changes can prevent major issues, so a friendly seasonal reminder can make all the difference.

The Long-Term Benefit of Prevention

Preventing damp isn’t just about avoiding repairs – it helps protect your property’s value, keeps tenants happier for longer, and reduces the risk of disputes over property condition. For landlords, a proactive approach each winter is an investment in both income stability and asset preservation.

Inclusive vs. non-inclusive rent: The tenant’s guide

Know What You’re Paying For

Renting a home comes with plenty of questions, but one of the biggest is: what exactly am I paying for? Whether your rent is all-inclusive or non-inclusive can make a big difference to your monthly budget, your responsibilities, and how stress-free your tenancy feels. Knowing the difference means no nasty surprises at the end of the month and more peace of mind.

Inclusive Rent: All-In-One Convenience

Budget-Friendly Predictability
Inclusive rent rolls your rent and certain bills like gas, electricity, water, internet, sometimes even council tax into a single monthly payment. One number to remember, one payment to make. Simple, right?

Less Admin, More Living
Forget juggling multiple accounts or tracking fluctuating bills. Everything’s sorted by your landlord, leaving you free to enjoy your home without extra paperwork.

A Few Things to Watch Out For
All that convenience comes at a price. Inclusive rent is usually higher than non-inclusive options, and you might have less control over usage. Some landlords set limits on heating or electricity, so cutting costs isn’t always an option.

Non-Inclusive Rent: Freedom and Flexibility

Take Control of Your Money
Non-inclusive rent means your monthly payment is just for the property. You handle utilities, internet, and council tax yourself giving you full control over how much you spend.

Save If You’re Smart
With careful budgeting and energy management, you could pay less than you would with an all-in-one package, especially if you share a property.

The Catch
Bills fluctuate with the seasons, so your heating costs in winter might spike unexpectedly. Plus, more admin is involved setting up accounts, splitting bills with housemates, and making sure everything’s paid on time.

Which Works Best for You?
It really comes down to your lifestyle. Love simplicity and peace of mind? Inclusive rent could be your friend. Prefer control and the chance to save a little extra? Non-inclusive rent might suit you better.

Being clear on what your rent covers before signing a tenancy agreement is the easiest way to protect your finances and your sanity.

Still unsure which type of rent works for you?

Get in touch today for guidance and make the choice that fits your lifestyle perfectly.

UK homes gain value: What a 20% rise means for sellers

A hot market for uk sellers

The uk property market is buzzing. Many homeowners are seeing the value of their properties soar as house prices have reportedly risen by around 20%. but what does this really mean if you’re thinking about selling?

For starters, it’s not just about a bigger number on paper, it can influence when you sell, how you market your home, and your next move on the property ladder.

Why your home’s value matters

Equity growth: A 20% rise can significantly increase the equity in your property, giving you more flexibility when buying your next home or investing elsewhere.
Timing your sale: Understanding the market surge helps you choose the right moment to sell. While waiting for prices to peak might be tempting, market conditions can shift quickly.
Buyer behaviour: Rising prices don’t stop buyers – they may just be more selective. Effective marketing and presentation are key to standing out.

What sellers should do now

Get a professional valuation: A 20% rise can vary greatly depending on location, property type, and condition. A local agent can give you an accurate estimate, so you know exactly what your home is worth.
Consider your next move: Higher property values mean you might have more options for your next home. Whether upsizing, downsizing, or relocating, it’s time to plan strategically.
Refresh your marketing: With more value comes more attention. Ensure your home stands out with quality photography, a polished listing, and highlights of the features that make your property unique.
Be prepared for buyers’ questions: Sellers in a rising market may face buyers who are cautious or negotiating hard. Being informed about your property’s recent valuation and market trends can help you confidently handle offers.

While headlines discuss a 20% rise, the key is understanding how it impacts your home specifically. Every property is unique, and a smart seller leverages market momentum while staying realistic about what buyers are willing to pay.

A rising property market can feel exciting and it should. However, achieving success requires being well-informed, strategic, and prepared to take action. The right preparation can help you make the most of your home’s increased value.

Curious what your home could be worth in today’s market?

Zoopla*

Shared ownership: The pros and cons for first-time buyers

What is shared ownership?

Shared ownership allows you to buy a share of a property, usually between 25% and 75%, while paying rent on the remaining portion to a housing association. Over time, you can “staircase,” or gradually buy more shares, until you eventually own 100% of your home. It’s designed to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder with a smaller deposit.

The benefits of shared ownership

Lower upfront costs: You only need a mortgage for your share, which usually requires a smaller deposit than buying outright.
Get on the property ladder sooner: Shared ownership is a way to move into homeownership sooner than traditional routes.
Potential to increase ownership over time: Staircasing lets you gradually increase your share of the property as your finances allow.
Support from housing associations: Many schemes offer guidance and support, making the process smoother for first-time buyers.

The drawbacks of shared ownership

Rent on the unsold share: You’ll pay rent on the remaining share, which can increase over time.
Resale restrictions: Selling a shared ownership property can be more complicated, often requiring approval from the housing association.
Service charges and maintenance costs: You’re responsible for property upkeep and may have additional service charges.
Limited flexibility: Staircasing may be slow or restricted depending on the housing association’s rules.

Is shared ownership right for you?

Shared ownership works well if you:

Are finding it difficult to accumulate a substantial deposit for a traditional mortgage.
Want to enter the property market sooner rather than later.
Are comfortable paying rent on part of the property and potential resale limitations.

It may be less suitable if you prefer full ownership upfront, need complete flexibility for future moves, or want to avoid paying rent entirely.

Tips for first-time buyers considering shared ownership

Check eligibility criteria carefully, as schemes may be income restricted.
Compare different housing associations and developments to find the best deal.
Understand all costs, including rent, service charges, and staircasing fees.
Speak with a mortgage adviser experienced in shared ownership to explore your options.

Curious if shared ownership could help you get on the property ladder?