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.

These new measures could help you as a seller

Did you know that new regulations for the property industry will soon affect sellers?

The good news is that these upcoming changes will help you attract the attention of more informed (and therefore more serious) buyers.

But what are these changes, and when do they come into force? In a bid to promote openness and increase efficiency, the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team will require all sales listings to include specific details to help potential buyers better assess if a home is right for them from the outset.

From the end of May, the new rules will be implemented in three phases. The first set of required information will include material details such as council tax bands and rates, tenure conditions, and the asking price.

The freehold or leasehold status will also be included in this bracket, covering lease length and ground rent, if applicable. Further down the line, sellers or their estate agents will have to specify any non-standard features, restrictive covenants, and information regarding flood risk and utilities.

These new changes are very likely to help sellers attract committed buyers, thereby reducing the chance of a sale falling through later down the line.

It also means that buyers will have more time to tackle any issues straight away, speeding up the journey to completion.

If you’re thinking of selling, we can advise you on your next steps. Just contact us to discuss the upcoming changes and book a valuation.

How to speed up the purchase of your ideal home

Buying a home is a very exciting time, so it’s in everyone’s interest to speed up the process. There are specific steps you can take to steer things in the right direction!

Know your stuff

A house is likely to be the biggest purchase you'll ever make, which means certain legalities are involved. Getting your head around the key terms will help you communicate easily with estate agents and solicitors.

Who you work with is also very important. Ask friends and family to recommend trusted property professionals and removal companies to get your ducks in a row before you begin.

Organise your finances

Once you feel confident about progressing, it’s time to weigh up your options. Should you sell before you put in an offer? While you’ll be a chain-free buyer, you’ll have to factor in storage costs and rent while looking for your ideal home.

It’s also a good idea to talk to a mortgage expert to arrange an agreement in principle.

Communicate clearly

So, you’re ready to make an offer. If the seller accepts, arrange a date for exchanging contracts and communicate your requirements to your solicitor clearly, so everyone stays on the same page. On that note, make sure you respond quickly to any requests to prevent holdups.

Of course, you will need a trusted partner with expert local knowledge to help you sell your current home or buy a new one. That’s where we come in.

You can contact us to discuss your options, or head over to our website to explore our current properties.

Helping our landlords navigate the changing regulations

Being a landlord is a rewarding way to secure your income while providing quality housing for tenants. However, according to a recent survey, 24% of landlords feel overwhelmed keeping up with changing regulations.

The main reasons landlords felt this way included finding the rules confusing and a lack of access to legal advice. For example, 16% didn’t know about licencing scheme changes, 12% were unaware of the new requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and 10% had missed the news regarding proposals for minimum EPC standards. *

Keeping up-to-date with every announcement and making the necessary changes to your properties can feel like a full-time job. This has a knock-on effect on landlords’ mental health, with over half of those surveyed admitting they’d taken time off work.

So, what’s the easiest way to enjoy the benefits of being a landlord without the stress?

Other than carrying out time-consuming research, reading trade publications, and enlisting the advice of a lawyer, the survey showed that almost a third have a letting agent to help. 20% also believe employing a managing agent would make life easier. *

It’s certainly true that working in partnership with a trusted local agent can help you simplify the process of letting your property, especially if you manage a portfolio.

Whatever your situation and long-term plans, we’re here to help. Contact us to learn more about our services and arrange a lettings valuation.

*DirectLine

How the pandemic has changed our homes

The lockdowns and social restrictions that followed in the wake of COVID-19 had some interesting consequences for Britain’s homes. Almost nine-million bedrooms have been repurposed to adapt to our rapidly changing lifestyles. A survey of 2,000 households found that 53% of UK homeowners transformed one bedroom, while 22% sacrificed more than one.*

Given the surge in home working during the pandemic, it’s not surprising that just under half chose to prioritise finding space for a home office. According to the survey, most people wish to keep this setup as flexible working remains the norm. Staying active and enjoying nights in were also popular reasons for repurposing bedrooms. Since March 2020, Brits have created over one million gyms, with home bars, cinemas, and music rooms close behind.

Despite this radical alteration in how we use our homes, 55% of owners feel they have compromised in other areas. Those surveyed often mentioned lacking room for guests and having less privacy. 11% even said their children must now share a bedroom.

Younger people with smaller properties particularly feel the pinch when it comes to space. Combined with long-term lifestyle trends and post-pandemic priorities, this pressure means that almost one-third of people may be looking to up-size soon.

With demand for homes still high, and the spring peak well underway, now is a great time to sell. Since the pandemic, property prices have been steadily rising, so make sure you contact us for an up-to-date valuation.

*Opinium Research

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