This month's property update!

Why January is a great time to sell?

January is a time of clarity, after shaking off the tinsel and pine needles, it’s the time to return to everyday life with intentions of improving it – which is why plans for moving often come into fruition at this time of year.

If you have some reservations about putting your house on the market so soon after Christmas, here are some reasons not to worry and why in fact, January could be the perfect time to sell…

New Year, new home

Buyers on the market at this time of year have a completely different mindset than usual. January can feel like a page turned for many people, with plans for a new life right in the margins. You’re less likely to run into time wasters and tyre kickers in the New Year. People looking for a home at this time are serious about their plans, and if your home happens to match their criteria; you’re in luck.

Boast your home’s best features

Smart buyers will look for a home in the winter. Not only to avoid the summer frenzy, but also because cold weather is far more revealing, and homes can potentially look their worst in the winter. However, this is a great window of opportunity for sellers. Your agent will be able to showcase the comforts of your home with staging so that your bright, warm and welcoming house contrasts against the dark and cold. A cosy refuge from the cold that holds up nicely in the Winter is bound to look even better when the weather cheers up, and this prospect is certain to draw in buyers.

On the move

In the wake of the holiday season, January is known for being the busiest time of year when it comes to employee redistribution and staff changes. With many people working from home, a change of job may be the push needed for a change of working environment; instead of moving offices, people will be moving to new homes with better office space.

Now is also the perfect time for first-time-buyers to take their first step onto the property ladder. After spending Christmas indoors with family or in a small apartment, a change in environment could be just the thing they need.

Less competition

The winter months are a great time to put your house up for sale, particularly in January when the seasonal lull is still wearing off and fewer properties are on the market. You won’t need to fight for buyers’ attention, and the imbalance of supply and demand could be great news for sellers, as buyers know their options are fewer. It’s also easier to make your home stand out from a (smaller) crowd of homes on the market, and if yours has something special to offer, it won’t stay on the market for very long.

The green element

EPC ratings are becoming increasingly important, and the cold weather will allow you to show off your home’s energy efficiency. Buyers are becoming more conscious about energy bills and individual environmental impact at the moment, and a cosy property with an impressive EPC rating has never been more attractive to buyers than right now.

Ready to get your home on the market? Speak to our team of experts today to get started.

Deposit-friendly ways to decorate your rental home this Christmas

As a tenant, you’re probably used to demonstrating a good amount of self-restraint when it comes to decorating your home. But as we reach December, the seasonal compulsion to be surrounded by all things tinsel-y and twinkly might be too much to ignore. The good news is that there’s no need to miss out on all the fun, and there are plenty of deposit-friendly decorating techniques to capture that Christmas feeling in your rental home.

To help get you started, here are a few festive tricks to get your home looking merry and bright this year, without so much as a nail in the wall…

Decide on your tree

Nothing scratches a creative itch quite like decorating your own Christmas tree, but it’s important to choose wisely and find a tree would work best in your home. For larger rentals with more storage space, opt for a fake tree that can be put away for next year. If you have a smaller home with no room for storing fake trees, go for the real deal. Ensure you choose the appropriate size for your room and use a plant pot to hold it up – but make sure there’s a hoover at hand!

Go all in on ornaments

Hanging decorations might just be a no-go for your rental home, so make use of your flat surfaces and ramp-up the Christmas cheer with some ornate ornaments and festive trinkets.

Bake some treats to display

A wonderful aspect of this time of year is the delicious abundance of food. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some baking, so make some of your own gingerbread men, mince pies, or a yule log, and display in a lovely glass jar to keep them fresh.

Prepare your festive dinner table

There’s no need to wait until Christmas day to dress your table. Lay out a seasonal cloth, embellish with a runner and add some natural greenery as a centre piece in the form of sprigs of holly. Finish off the look with some glittery pinecones and scented tea lights for a dining table that lights up the whole room.

Garlands

Garlands can become a tenant’s best friend at Christmas. Simply wrap around any banisters and curtain rails, or drape over mantles and mirrors – these sparkly, leafy scarves of holly, ivy and fir will make your home look and smell spectacularly festive.

Get cosy with accessories

Wintery accessories with cute slogans are great for keeping warm during the cold and dark nights, and they also work perfectly in a Christmas-themed room. Accessorise this winter with seasonal cushions and blankets to transform your home into a comfortable and Christmassy sanctuary.

Don’t forget the exterior

While decorating the inside of your property is a great way to make your home feel festive, there’s nothing quite like a welcoming front door during the holiday season. You can easily hang up a Christmas wreath or some mistletoe at your front door for a touch of festive joy that greets you whenever you come home.

Most wreaths hang from a bracket that sits over the top of the door itself, meaning no nail holes that could upset your landlord or put you in breach of your tenancy agreement.

Thinking of buying? Why not take a look at our selection this Christmas?

Make the most of your garden this winter

With the temperatures dropping and the nights looming longer, it’s understandable why most people abandon their gardens until spring rolls back around. This doesn’t need to be the case though, as there are plenty of ways to spruce up your outdoor space and squeeze some more enjoyment out of it during the winter months. There are plenty of benefits for doing so, and spending more time outdoors is integral to your health and happiness, especially when the dark nights approach so early. Here are some easy ways to give your garden a winter refresh:

Go evergreen

From box balls and topiaries to flowering shrubs; evergreens add structure to the garden year-round and come to the fore in winter. There are a myriad of beautiful evergreen shrubs to choose from, and many have the added advantage of strongly scented flowers for a touch of summer whenever you need it.

Decorate

If you prefer to enjoy your garden from behind a window, the dark and icy landscape could probably benefit from a touch of outdoor lighting. Invest in some solar-powered lights to illuminate your paths and beds, and create whimsical focal points that will contrast beautifully against the night.

For the daylight hours, wreaths, weather-resistant ornaments, and fresh planters can make all the difference when it comes to breathing some life back into your garden over the winter.

Do a little maintenance

In the thick of the snowy season, you probably won’t think to organise your garden shed or prune your woody plants. But as the holidays roll around, you can take advantage of having a little extra free time to take on those nagging maintenance tasks – and you’ll thank yourself come spring.

Welcome the wildlife

Despite the common misconception that our gardens are of no use in the winter, garden wildlife really needs your help over the cold months! In fact, the harsher the weather and the less food there is in the countryside, the more important our outdoor sanctuaries are for our furry and feathered friends. Make sure to clean out, disinfect, and replenish your feeders regularly, as squirrels and birds will become more reliant on them the further we delve into winter. Another great way to help is to provide a fresh source of water, as finding clean water to drink can be difficult for wildlife when the temperatures drop below zero.

Make things cosy

Whether you have a small patio, a balcony, or a patch of grass; there are plenty of opportunities to create a cosy outdoor spot that will come in handy any time you have guests over. If you’re working with a small space, create an intimate area by placing chairs and repurposed cushions around an outdoor heater or firepit to create the perfect spot for night-time gathering.

If your plans for entertaining guests fall on a rainy day, you could invest in some shelter and embellish with twinkling garden string lights to replace the view of the stars.

Curious how much your home is worth? Book a free valuation today to find out.

A landlord’s essential winter checklist

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation, the holiday season is really about taking a much-needed break from everyday business to spend time with loved ones. But before enjoying some time off, landlords must make sure everything in their rental property is running as it should.

Other than avoiding hefty repair costs, investing some time into your property before Christmas means you won’t have to deal with any last-minute calls when you’re in front of the fireplace trying to enjoy your mince pie.

Here are all the essentials for landlords to check off the list before wrapping things up for Christmas and the New Year.

Water pipes

Frozen water pipes are a common problem over the winter months, and a build-up of leaves or debris in your gutters can prevent rainwater or snow from draining away. Internal and external water pipes should be checked and properly lagged – including any pipes in the loft. Lagging pipework is an easy DIY project which will immediately make a difference, especially in the winter. Getting this step out of the way will ensure that the heat in the hot water is not lost before it gets to where it’s needed – reducing the risk of frozen or burst pipes.

The boiler

The boiler has some busy months ahead, and it’s going to be working hard over Christmas when your tenants are spending more time at home. Make sure your property’s boiler has been serviced and consider putting a service plan in place. If it’s a gas boiler, ensure the gas safety certificate is up to date.

Ventilation

Although having a warm property is ideal for both you and your tenants, condensation can quickly lead to dampness when the weather outside is colder. Make sure your property is well-ventilated and focus especially on airflow in the kitchen and bathrooms. You may also want to advise your tenants to keep an eye on condensation and encourage them to crack open a window or switch on the extractor fan wherever possible.

Alarms

Check that all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning in accordance with current government legislation. While you’re paying a visit, it might be a good idea to give your tenants a quick brush-up on fire safety, as Christmas decorating often calls for more electronics and candles than usual.

External

While you’re paying a visit to the property, take some time to check over any external spaces. Make sure all security measures are working, check for peeling paint as this can indicate moisture ingress, and look out for any cracks in the driveway or paving that hard frost could exacerbate.

Guttering

In the wake of Autumn, a build-up of leaves and debris is something to look out for as this can stop rainwater or snow from draining properly. Avoid potential leaks and cracked drain pipes by clearing out gutters if necessary.

Kick back and relax

Lastly, if you won’t be home over the holiday season, let your tenants know who to contact while you’re away in case of an emergency.

Once you have made sure your tenant’s Christmas won’t be compromised by a faulty property, you can finally put your feet up and rest assured that your tenants will be comfortable this season – and that you won’t be facing any eyewatering repair costs come New Year’s.

Browse our website today to discover the services we offer to our landlords.

Essex police Band Christmas Concert

Essex Police Band Christmas concert with our friends from the Essex Police Choir.

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