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

The wishlist problem nobody mentions

You’ve created the perfect property wishlist. Four beds, two baths, a garden, parking, good schools, near transport, period features, a modern kitchen, a quiet street, and a vibrant neighbourhood. Then you search and find nothing matching all requirements within budget, so you spend months viewing compromises while hoping the perfect property appears eventually if you wait long enough.

Here’s what successful buyers understand: wishlists work only when they separate genuine requirements from aspirational preferences. That difference determines whether you’re searching productively or waiting indefinitely for properties that don’t exist at your price point.

Essential versus negotiable

Create two lists, not one. Essentials are the features your home must have for your lifestyle to function. Negotiables are preferences you’d like but can live without if everything else works. Most buyers treat every item as equally important, then wonder why nothing suitable appears.

Essentials might be minimum bedrooms, school catchment areas, or commute limits. Negotiables include period character, garden size, or whether the kitchen is newly renovated. Essentials determine which homes you view; negotiables determine which one you ultimately choose.

Buyers who successfully complete purchases often have three to five essential requirements-and accept that everything else requires trade-offs.

The budget reality nobody wants to hear

Your wishlist must match what your mortgage capacity can actually buy in your chosen area. Period features, central locations, large gardens, and top school catchments all command premiums. Properties that tick every single wishlist item usually exceed typical buyer budgets.

Look at completed sales rather than listings. If similar homes in your preferred area sold for £400k and your budget is £350k, your wishlist cannot include those features in that location. You must adjust your budget, your preferred areas, or your expectations-wishlists don’t override market reality.

The location question that matters most

Buyers often cite broad areas (“north of the city”, “near the station”) without understanding how drastically micro-locations affect price and lifestyle. Catchment areas, transport proximity, neighbourhood feel, and amenities vary street by street.

Visit potential areas at different times. Walk the neighbourhood. Check commuting routes. Your location wishlist must reflect where you genuinely want to live day-to-day-not just postcodes that sound desirable in theory.

The features you’ll actually use

Many wishlist items come from imagination, not lifestyle. A home office sounds essential until you realise you work from home twice a month. A huge garden feels important until you remember you dislike garden maintenance. A big kitchen seems a must-have until you acknowledge that you cook simple meals.

Identify features you will actively use, not ones that simply sound ideal.

Your realistic wishlist strategy

Choose three to five true non-negotiables based on lifestyle needs. Understand exactly what your budget buys. Accept that beyond essentials, compromise is inevitable. Focus your search on properties meeting core requirements, then use negotiable preferences to decide between viable options.

Successful buyers aren’t the ones who find perfect homes ticking every box-they’re the ones who know clearly what matters, what doesn’t, and how to make smart trade-offs based on current market realities.

Ready to create a realistic property wish list that helps you buy? Get expert advice today

The improvement trap everyone falls into

You're thinking about spending £15,000 on a new kitchen because it “must” add value. Or £8,000 on a bigger patio because outdoor space is popular. Then you list your property and discover buyers don’t value those upgrades as highly as you expected-or worse, they preferred what you replaced. The result? Thousands spent on improvements that don’t translate into higher offers.

Here’s what separates improvements that genuinely add value from costly projects that benefit sellers more than buyers: understanding that buyers care about condition, maintenance, and running costs far more than high-spend cosmetic upgrades.

Fix what’s broken before adding what’s new

Buyers deduct thousands for visible defects but rarely pay equivalent premiums for expensive upgrades. A £500 roof repair protects against £2,000 worth of reduced offers. Fixing cracked render, broken windows, sticking doors, or leaking taps increases buyer confidence immediately.

Meanwhile, £5,000 on high-end bathroom fixtures might only add £1,000 to your sale price. Buyers expect bathrooms to function well-they don’t pay extra for branded taps when maintenance issues still exist elsewhere.

Paint returns more than almost anything

Fresh, neutral paint transforms a property for a few hundred pounds. It creates a clean, bright impression and allows buyers to visualise their own style. Bold colours or feature walls limit appeal, but whites, creams, and light greys maximise it.

A weekend painting costs little and delivers one of the highest returns of any improvement.

Kerb appeal is cheap but powerful

First impressions determine whether buyers enter feeling positive or sceptical. A freshly painted front door, clean windows, weed-free paths, trimmed borders, and a tidy entrance cost very little but significantly lift perceived value.

Neglected exteriors make buyers expect internal issues before they even step inside.

Energy-efficiency upgrades buyers notice

New boilers, insulation improvements, and double glazing reduce running costs-something buyers actively calculate. A better EPC rating improves affordability and mortgage appeal, often adding more value than the cost of the improvement itself.

High-cost installations like heat pumps or solar panels rarely return their full value at resale today. Focus on improvements with clear, measurable benefits.

Your strategic improvement plan

• Fix all maintenance issues before upgrading anything.
• Repaint in neutral colours for maximum buyer appeal.
• Improve kerb appeal-front door, windows, paths, and garden.
• Prioritise energy-efficiency improvements with demonstrable returns.
• Avoid expensive kitchen and bathroom renovations unless the existing ones are genuinely unsuitable.

Sellers achieving strong sale prices aren’t the ones who spend the most. They’re the ones who understand which improvements buyers actually value-and which only improve the seller's lifestyle without increasing market value.

Considering improvements before selling? Get expert advice today