Your monthly update from McCartney

What happens once your offer has been accepted?

Maybe you have discovered the home of your dreams and your offer has been accepted? Or, maybe you are intrigued to know what will happen when you reach this stage?

To get things moving, here are four things you should do after your offer has been accepted:

Confirmation of acceptance

Once your offer is accepted, your estate agent will almost certainly contact you to congratulate you, and they will likely want to confirm a few details with you, to finalise the offer.

Generally, you will be expected to send confirmation for the following:

• You have enough funds to make the purchase

• A copy of your mortgage agreement in principle

• You have a solicitor or are actively attempting to obtain one

Get in touch with your solicitor

Instructing your solicitor as soon as possible is likely to assist in speeding up your purchase. If you have not already found a solicitor, request a recommendation from your estate agent.

At this point, your solicitor will begin conducting property checks and searches. Depending on the solicitor, they may require payment in advance for some services.

Completion of your mortgage application

You will need to submit a full application for your mortgage once your offer has been accepted, to apply for the specific amount of money you need to purchase the house.

If you are working with a mortgage professional, they will walk you through this procedure and inform you of the information you will need to provide.

Arrange a property survey

While surveys are not mandatory when purchasing a new house, they are a wise investment. Surveys can assist you in determining any present or prospective difficulties with the property. To arrange a survey, ask your estate agent to schedule a time with the sellers.

If you're still on the lookout for a new property, we may have what you need!

Check out our listings here or contact us with your needs for a home so we can help you find the right one.

Three simple ways to speed up your sale

When it comes to selling a property, the small details can make all the difference. While it's easy to spend a lot of money staging your property for showings, you don't have to do so to make it look new.

You can make your home look more appealing to buyers and be on the right track to a faster sale by showcasing the features your property already has, and doing a few simple things to brighten up the overall appearance.

Make the most of natural light

One of the nicest features a home can have is natural light.

Make sure your window ledges are clear and your curtains are fully open when viewings are scheduled. If you have the time, clean your windows as well.

These changes may seem small, but they can make a big difference.

Vacuum rugs and upholstery

Give your rugs, upholstery, and sofa cushions a good cleaning if you want your home to look brighter.

These items can become dirty over time, even if you do not notice it. You can make your room look brand new with a fast clean of the necessities. Plus, when buyers walk in, your place will smell amazing!

Repaint walls

One of the first things potential buyers will notice is the walls. The rooms in your home can easily appear larger and cleaner by using a bright, neutral colour.

If you are limited on time, use a magic eraser to wipe the walls clean. Dirt and imperfections can be completely removed with a few quick scrubs!

Thinking of selling your home? Contact our team today or get your valuation here.

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1 in 10 homes currently selling within a fortnight

Are you thinking of selling soon? You’re probably wondering how long the process will take. Right now, your chances of achieving a fast sale are strong, despite the recent rise in interest rates.

This is partly linked to the high demand experienced by the property market since the pandemic, which has created a dip in the number of homes available nationwide.

Specifically, it takes a typical UK seller 97 days between listing their home and selling it subject to contract.* By breaking down the data, we see that 11% of properties only take two weeks to see the same result.

However, the picture does alter slightly depending on the region. For example, Scotland is proving to be a hot market, with fortnight sellers rising to 18%. This figure increases to a whopping 23% for Edinburgh homeowners.

The Southwest is another fast-moving region, which is unsurprising given the attention it received from buyers during the height of the pandemic. Post-COVID, demand in this area is still rocketing, boosting prices by 17% since 2019.* 13 of properties here sell within the two-week period, and 16% for Bristol.

Meanwhile, the East of England, the West Midlands, and Wales sit just above the average at 12%. Other hotspots include Portsmouth and Birmingham. Interestingly, the London market is a little slower, with buyers snapping up 7% of properties within a fortnight.

While some forecasters predict a slowing down of the market as interest rates rise to tackle inflation, the short-term market remains robust. Listing now could be a great way to maximise your chances of a fast and profitable sale.

Not sure how much your home is currently worth? Book a valuation today to find out.

*Data sourced from an analysis by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent

**Rightmove (July 2022).

Home insurance guidance for tenants

If you’re planning to rent soon, you might be focusing on the upcoming move, not tackling paperwork. The good news is, you won’t have to factor in building insurance – but you should still protect your belongings from theft, damage, and other hazards.

The easiest way to do this is by taking out an insurance policy designed for tenants. It’ll only cost you £57 a year on average* and will usually cover:

Your personal belongings, furnishings, and appliances
Accidental damage to your TV, computers, and devices
Changing the locks or fitting an alarm if your keys are lost or stolen
Money stolen from your home, including cash and cards
Accommodation if your home is affected by fire or flooding
Legal fees in case of a disagreement between you and your landlord

High-value items such as bikes and portable equipment may also be covered up to a set value, or you can add these items onto your policy for extra peace of mind. In addition, a tenant’s liability insurance can protect your deposit by paying for damage to the landlord’s property and furnishings.

Although there’s currently no legal requirement for renters to take out insurance, your tenancy agreement may stipulate that you should. Either way, the cost of replacing items often far outweighs the small annual fee, especially in the event of fire or flooding.

Many providers even allow you to pay monthly, and you can always shop around on the comparison sites. By insuring your belongings from the start, you’ll know exactly where you stand in the event of a mishap or disaster – just check the fine print first!

We’re always here to advise tenants. We’re always here to advise tenants. We’ll help you find your perfect home, simply get in touch and let us know your requirements.

*Data from the Money Advice Service

Seller activity is rising as prices continue to grow

There’s been a 14% increase in houses coming to the market in recent weeks as sellers look to capitalise on record asking prices.* This is a blessing for the hordes of eager buyers struggling against low supply. But what effect will this trend have on you?

If you’re a buyer who has been frustrated in your search for your dream home, your fortunes may soon change. Valuation requests peaked at the end of June, reflecting the levels seen in May 2021, so the perfect property may arrive on the market imminently.

Although it’s unlikely that house prices will fall any time soon, buyers may still benefit from the reduced competition when making offers.

On the other hand, sellers remain well placed to secure a fast sale while achieving their asking price. Yes, the number of sales has begun to return to pre-COVID levels, but demand is still strong enough that you could find a buyer within a mere 32 days.

If you’re selling to buy a new home, the boisterous market conditions mean you should consider listing your current property before you start your search. Hedging your bets by waiting until you find ‘the one’ could mean losing out to buyers who can place a serious offer before you’ve even chosen an estate agent to sell your home.

Still not sure whether it’s time to move? Getting an up-to-date valuation for your property will give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Contact us to book a valuation or register your details today. You can also visit our website to browse our current range of properties – with more expected to arrive soon!

*Data from a recent analysis by property portal Rightmove.

What's happening in the UK property market?

After two years of extreme market activity, you’d be forgiven for thinking the tide is ready to turn. But despite burgeoning constraints on household finances, the buying frenzy continues, with properties still selling at almost record speeds nationwide.*

But what’s driving this situation? The leading cause appears to be a general lack of supply. From delays brought about by the pandemic to a chronic shortage of new homes across the UK, the supply-demand ratio is proving difficult to balance.

Low-interest rates and rising inflation also mean that buyers hope to reduce their potential mortgage debt. This combination of factors has contributed to UK house prices increasing by 9.8% between March 2021 and 2022 – adding £24,000 to the average value.**

However, with society in the grip of the cost-of-living crisis and the government announcing measures to tackle inflation, the long-term picture is uncertain. Currently, the market is strong – and will probably remain so for some months.

Do you know how much your home is worth right now? If you’re thinking of selling, contact us to book a valuation with us today.

*Data based on a recent market analysis by Home.co.uk.

**UK House Price Index: March 2022.

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