Author: Elaine Ford

When it comes to selling your home in the Cotswolds and the Vale of the White Horse, there’s a lot of overwhelming information and old wives tales out there, and it can sometimes be difficult separating the fact from the fiction.

Advice often comes from well-meaning friends or family members who are just trying to be helpful, but in reality, they are not property experts!

Our team at Perry Bishop are all experienced property professionals with many years of experience between us. So, to ensure you are in possession of the correct information, here are seven home selling myths you’re likely to hear and why they’re not to be believed.

Overpricing your home will lead to better offers Unfortunately many sellers believe that by overpricing their house to start with, it leaves more room for negotiation and ultimately a better offer. That’s why we often see sellers marketing their properties with the agent who has simply come in with the highest valuation!

However, this is entirely false.

When buyers are looking at properties, they’ll search within their price range. If your property price has been inflated, then it’s going to be competing against other properties that appear to be far better value for money, rather than sitting in the price bracket it should be in! This potentially means it will sit on the market for longer.

Buyers whose budget doesn’t stretch to the higher price range will miss out on seeing your property altogether as they’re not even looking in that price bracket.

You’ll attract more offers and sell your property more quickly if it’s been priced fairly. It gives it a chance to stand out among other properties in its price range, rather than being a poor relation in the higher price category. And you’re more likely to see interested parties competing upwards rather than knocking you down.

Click here if you would like to arrange for one of our experienced team to come and discuss the value of your home or you would like to find out an approximate on-line valuation.

Getting an immediate offer means it’s priced too low If you’ve resisted the urge to overprice your home and an offer comes in straight away, it’s tempting to think that you’ve missed a trick by not marketing it at a higher price. After all, if you had done, then you’d be a few thousand pounds better off surely.

Again, this is false. Most buyers scour the market for a couple of months, waiting for the perfect property to come up, and there’s a good chance that they’ve jumped in immediately to avoid missing out.

Remember too that if you’d overpriced it, there’s a chance they wouldn’t have found it in the first place.

A better offer will come along if you wait This is another all too familiar trap that sellers fall into. After all, if you’ve had an offer on the very same day your home has gone on sale, then surely there’s likely to be a whole queue of buyers lining up for it?

No, not necessarily. You might just have been lucky enough to have the right buyer come along at the right time. If you receive a fair offer, then it’s usually best to accept it whether your property has been on the market for hours, days , weeks or months.

The Estate Agent Wwith the lowest commission is the best option While you’ll naturally want to earn as much money from your property sale as possible, it doesn’t mean you should sign a contract with the estate agent who offers the cheapest fees.

Selling a property can be a very stressful process. A good estate agent will help make it run as smoothly as possible while communicating effectively and providing outstanding service, so it’s crucial you weigh up what’s included in their fee.

Although it’s tempting to cut costs as much as possible in the short term, you might come to regret it over the longer term, especially if your property isn’t selling.

Major renovations will offer the biggest return on investment Many homeowners are under the impression that if they spend a few thousand pounds on a conservatory, a swimming pool or a landscaped garden, they’ll just be able to add the cost of it to the house when they come to sell.

Sadly, it’s not quite as simple as this. Not all buyers will want to maintain a pool or require the space that a conservatory ultimately takes away from their garden, for example. Many buyers prefer to start with a blank canvas too, so they can add their own renovations.

That’s not to say that a major renovation is a bad idea, but if you’re only doing it to see a return when you come to sell, then it might be worth considering the type of renovation or extension that will bring you the best returns.

It’s not worth fixing the house up at all If you’ve decided to sell your property, it’s understandable that you won’t be thinking about spending even more money on it. After all, it won’t be you seeing the benefits long-term.

This logic is flawed, though, and it could cost you when it comes to getting the full asking price. A property that’s well maintained and looked after is far more appealing to buyers. Fixing broken fences and gates, tidying the garden, replacing broken windows or doors and giving any tired rooms a fresh lick of paint will go a long way towards selling your property for its true value.

Online valuations are 100% accurate Online valuations are a fantastic tool and we are most definitely in favour!

However, a quick online valuation of your property should be used as a guide. Online tools don’t always take into account the condition of a property or the extra value you may have added. They’re simply using other similar sized and types of properties in your area as a guideline.

The best way to get your property valued is always to contact an experienced, local estate agent who will come and value your property in person.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and experienced team to book a valuation for your property today or click here to book in a time and date to suit yourself or carry out a quick on-line valuation.

Author: Elaine Ford

A new Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is working its way through the UK Parliament.

The proposed legislation aims to address criticisms that the current system is unfair to homeowners by banning the sale of new leasehold houses and creating a standard 990-year lease length for most apartment owners.

It would also streamline the extension process to be simpler and cheaper while restricting ground rents on new leases to zero cost.

The Bill has cross-party political backing, with some stating it represents the most significant leasehold reforms in decades that could save homeowners money if implemented.

The practical impact, however, depends on the Bill successfully passing through the full legislative process. As the scope could change, and no timeline is defined for the measures to take effect if approved into law.

With that in mind, here’s your guide to everything that’s currently going on with the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

What is The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill?
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill targets key areas for housing changes. And aims to alleviate financial and legal burdens for homeowners stuck with outdated housing contracts.

The end of leasehold houses
It prohibits the selling of new leasehold houses. Ending a practice where house buyers still did not own their homes after paying off mortgages. Instead, freeholds will now be offered for all new houses.

Changes to existing leasehold houses
For existing leasehold houses, the reforms make it easier for owners to voluntarily extend leases to 990 years. With zero ground rents, essentially turning them into freehold equivalents.

New rules for flats
On flats, the Bill gives leaseholders the power to extend leases more easily and challenge unfair contract terms or costs imposed by freeholders. It also facilitates buying a share of freehold in apartment blocks without needing majority consensus.

If passed into law, these steps will curb exploitative charges in an area where costs have frequently spiralled out of control. While it won’t eliminate all leasehold problems overnight, it lays the legislative foundations to restore more balance.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill at a glance
There’s a fair bit packed into the Leasehold and Reform Bill. So, let’s break down the most important points and what they entail.

The bill plans to:

  • Make it cheaper and easier to extend your lease or buy the freehold for existing leaseholders in houses and flats.
  • Increase the standard lease extension term from 90 years to 990 years for houses and flats, with ground rent reduced to £0.
  • Remove the two-year ownership requirement before leaseholders can benefit from reforms.
  • Ban new leasehold houses in England and Wales – but not leaseholds on new flats.Make buying or selling a leasehold property quicker and easier by capping time and fees for information provision.
  • Require transparency over leaseholders’ service charges.
  • Replace building insurance commissions with transparent admin fees.Extend access to redress schemes for leaseholders to challenge poor practice.
  • Scrap presumption for leaseholders to pay freeholders’ legal costs when challenging poor practice.Grant freehold homeowners on private and mixed tenure estates the same redress rights as leaseholders.
  • Ensure freeholders and developers can’t escape funding remediation work.
  • Allow leaseholders in buildings with up to 50% non-residential floorspace to buy their freehold or take over its management.

Is this leasehold reform new?
Concern about the leasehold system isn’t new news. There were commitments and pledges to overhaul it in the 1980s, but meaningful action failed to materialise.

A lack of action led to an increasing number of homeowners feeling trapped. Paying high fees for homes they would never technically call their own. But after decades of empty promises, the leasehold scandal came to a head in 2017 when the problems made front-page headlines.

Leasehold reform is a component of housing policy and is something our friends at Propertymark have campaigned on for several years now. Their research paper of 2018 ‘Leasehold: A Life Sentence’ highlighted a lot of leasehold issues.

Fast-forward to 2024, and mounting public pressure looks like it’s about to effect change. And we’re seeing a concerted effort to rectify problems with the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

When will the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill come into effect?
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on November 27th, 2023, as part of the legislative agenda outlined in the King’s Speech.

While the Bill sets out proposals to overhaul leasehold rules, the scope and timing of these reforms face uncertainty as the legislation navigates Parliament. There is currently no defined timeline for when the bill might receive Royal Assent to become law.

Additionally, details are pending on when each specific reform would take effect if approved. As well as the possibility of initial measures being amended during parliamentary procedure.

The practical impact relies on sustained momentum to successfully translate announcements into legally binding changes. Which could meet roadblocks before enhancements materialise for existing homeowners.

Should I extend my lease now or wait?
For existing leaseholders considering extending their lease, the best move will likely be to proceed ahead of the reforms being finalised. Despite the legislative momentum, successfully turning the bill into law will not be quick.

Having extra years on your lease guarantees more protection if other aspects like ground rent reduction don’t come to fruition.

Selling your home?
If you’re looking to sell a property, freehold or leasehold, contact our experienced team today by clicking here

If you would like to learn more about lease extensions and what is involved at present, please contact Ian Perry

Content courtesy of Phil Spencer – Last Updated: January 24th, 2024

Author: Elaine Ford

Sealing the deal for your new home is about as exciting as it gets. It’s the chance for a fresh start and the opportunity to put your stamp on a completely new property. However, before you can pop open the champagne and raise a toast to your new home, you first need to get your head around how to pack for moving house.

Very few people, if any, enjoy the process of packing, especially the lengthy ordeal of having to pack up everything you and your family own in the whole world into small boxes and plastic bags when moving home.

Unfortunately, though, it has to be done. However, there are ways in which you can make this undertaking a little bit easier, quicker and less stress-inducing.

From using a colour-coded labelling system to picking the right large boxes. Systematically making your way through your home works! Keep reading to discover our top packing tips on how you can effectively pack for moving house and avoid any potential packing disasters.

Start by decluttering – Everybody has items in their house that they no longer want or need. They may have been hidden in a drawer or under a bed for some time and you may be surprised at just how much unwanted clutter you have squirreled away. These items should be thrown away or donated immediately as you do not want to have to pay a removal company to deliver things to your new property that you don’t even want.

Make sure you are thorough with this process and clear out your entire home, including your loft, basement, garden, garage, and any other exterior spaces, and have a very clearly labelled essentials box to ensure that it doesn’t accidentally make its way to the charity shop!

Scrutinise your new floorplan – You may have been provided with a brochure containing a floorplan of your new property when you originally viewed it, complete with the exact dimensions of all of the rooms.

This is a handy document to keep as you can then inspect this plan and use it to help you decide which furniture you can comfortably take to your new home, plus you can check measurements for elements such as curtains, blinds and rugs.

The earlier you undertake this task, the sooner you can sell any items that will not fit or are not needed in your new home.

Make an Inventory List – Our next packing tip is to make a detailed inventory list. You should make a comprehensive list of any of your valuable and smaller belongings that you will be taking to your new home.

This is important for ensuring that nothing gets lost while being transported, as well as helping to work out how many and which type of packing boxes you will need. It can also help you identify how much paper or bubble wrap you need for packing fragile items.

Pick a reputable Removals Company – You can choose to rent a van and carry out your move yourself. However, be warned, this is a tough job, especially if you have a lot of heavy or delicate items to move. Therefore, most people will decide to save themselves from the stress and outsource this job to a local removal company.

As you are entrusting all your worldly possessions to this company, you will want to ensure that you pick a reputable one that has received a lot of positive reviews. If in doubt, ask family and friends for recommendations.

Start Packing – Now, you can actually start packing up your belongings. It is a good idea to purchase high-quality packing materials, including sturdy boxes, bubble wrap and tissue paper, to avoid any breakages. You can also utilise scrunched-up paper to prevent items such as TV and computer screens, mirrors and picture frames from becoming scratched.

You should work your way systematically through your house, starting at the top of the property and completing each room before you move on to the next, as this will help prevent you from forgetting any items.

The most effective labelling system is using colour-coded labels to identify different rooms in your home, such as blue for bathroom items, yellow for kitchen accessories and so on. This will make the unpacking process in your new home a lot simpler.

Other packing tips include:

  • Pack heavy items in smaller boxes
  • Clearly label boxes that contain breakables or valuable items
  • Utilise blankets and pillows for packing delicate items
  • Pack important documents such as passports, marriage and birth certificates in one box together

Prepare an overnight bag – You may not want to start unpacking straight away when you arrive at your new home, especially if you have had a long journey. Therefore, you should pack an overnight essentials bag so that you have clean clothes and toiletries on hand without having to start opening securely taped boxes.

In your overnight bag, you may want to include the following:

  • Clean clothes
  • Nightwear
  • Essential toiletries
  • A kettle with coffee/teabags
  • Snacks
  • Plates, cutlery, mugs and a cloth
  • A first-aid kit
  • A torch
  • A small tool kit

It is also a good idea to pack a small bag for the journey that includes any important documents you may need such as the details of your removal company, bottled water and a selection of snacks and in-car mobile phone chargers.

Frequently asked Questions about packing to move house

How should I pack hanging clothes for moving? To pack hanging clothes efficiently, leave them on hangers and group several garments together with a plastic bag tied around the bottom. This method keeps them neat and allows for easy unpacking in your new wardrobe.

Is it advisable to use the same box for different room items? It’s best to pack items from the same room in one box to streamline the unpacking process. Colour-coded labels on boxes can further help identify specific rooms, making the organization in your new home more efficient.

How many cardboard boxes do I need for a typical house move? The number of boxes required depends on the size of your home, but as a general guide, estimate around 10-20 boxes per room. Keep in mind the need for extra boxes for fragile or small items, and don’t forget to label each box with its contents.

What’s the best way to wrap delicate items when packing? Use packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap delicate items individually. To add extra protection, consider placing wrapped items in small boxes and filling any gaps with crumpled packing paper or cardboard to prevent movement during transit.

if you would like more advice, or are considering a move, call our experienced team today.

We care about property, we care about you.

 

Author: Elaine Ford

When you’re renting out your property, you want to get things right. After all, it’s your property, and you want to ensure it is going to be looked after and that the rent is going to be paid. It’s a business, and you don’t want any interruptions to occupancy.

So, to help you, our experienced team at Perry Bishop have come up with eight questions that you should ask a prospective tenant before agreeing to rent your property to them.

1. When are they able to move in? You want continuity of occupancy as it makes sense from a financial and security point of view. If one prospective tenant can’t move in for a few months, but another can, this will help you make a decision on who to let your property to. You need to be on top of your game when it comes to efficiency. If a prospective tenant can move in immediately, but you haven’t got the gas safety or electrical safety inspections done, this will cause issues.

2. Do their finances stack up? You don’t want timewasters looking at your rental property. Respectfully ask if they are aware of the rent amount and whether they fully expect to be able to pay it on time, and on the right dates. There’s the deposit too, so make sure they know what’s expected. Your lettings agent will ensure thorough financial checks are carried out.

3. How long do they think they will want to live in the property? This is a good question. You don’t want to be going through the process of finding a tenant every six months. Likewise, some people will be looking for long-term tenancies, so see who expects to be in a property for an extended period. The contract length could be advantageous for both parties. Be prepared to be flexible.

4. Do they have pets? Some landlords don’t mind pets, and this may be you. However, pets are also a big no-no for some landlords. If you don’t want to accept tenants with animals, you must be sure that having a pet is not on their future agenda. Similarly, if you don’t mind pets, you need to make sure the contract stipulates what sort of pet, if any, is allowed. If you do allow a pet, your agreement should make it clear that any damages caused by the pet must be rectified by the tenant at their cost.

5. What would their current landlord say about them? References are crucial! When you or your lettings agent speak with your prospective tenant, you hope you will get a genuine answer. References will clarify this though. Listen to your prospective tenants’ responses with a critical ear as not everyone will be honest!

6. Why are they moving? Again, you might not always get a genuine reply, but the answer will give you an indication as to what sort of tenant they might be. This question can also be a good ice breaker and will start the conversation.

7. What sort of lifestyle do they lead? This is a tricky question to ask, but useful nonetheless. You’ll get a feel for the sort of people your prospective tenants are. If they appear to be young, 24-hour party people, you should consider whether your property and location are right for them.

8. What other properties have they looked at? This is a question that can be asked either at the start of a conversation or at the end. You’re trying to ascertain whether they are serious about moving to the area, to your property or if they are just ‘tyre kickers’. They might also say that your property is the only place for them, which is great if everything stacks up financially.

Remember, you don’t have to have a definitive list of questions and formally run through them. These questions can be wound into your regular conversation!

If you have a property to let out or would like to discuss any aspects on letting a property, call our experienced team today who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Author: Elaine Ford

For many people, buying a bigger house or building an extension is an unaffordable dream, but being short of space doesn’t mean you have to feel squashed in your home.

Here are 5 tips to help you make your house look larger.

1. Declutter – Nothing makes a room feel smaller than unnecessary clutter. Whether it’s paperwork and magazines lying around, or kids’ toys strewn across the living room floor, a messy room always feels smaller than it actually is.

If this sounds familiar then it’s time for a clear-out, and don’t be afraid to be ruthless. Divide all your unnecessary clutter into three categories. Things that just need throwing out, items you can take to the charity shop, and items you can sell to make some extra cash.

Not only will a good decluttering free up some space and make your house look larger, but it’s also great for your mental wellbeing too.

2. Brighten your rooms up – Painting your rooms with light, bright colours will automatically make them feel bigger. And by bright, we don’t mean fluorescent yellows and pinks. Just an off white or a pastel yellow will instantly transform a room.

Avoid darker colours and heavily patterned wallpaper, and go for neutral, light and bright colours.

And when it comes to brightening the rooms up it’s not just the walls to consider. Having blinds instead of curtains will take up less space, and you can opt for light fittings with brighter bulbs to really lighten the room up and allow more light to radiate.

3. Buy multi-functional furniture –This is definitely the most practical thing you can do to create more space and store away clutter. For example, you could invest in a sofa-bed that can be folded up when it’s not being used, giving you more floor space.

Or you could opt for an Ottoman bed, so you’ve got lots of extra storage space without cluttering the room.

Essentially any furniture that can be folded up or doubled up for storage is likely to be a good investment.

Another tip when it comes to furniture is to avoid items that lie on the floor and buy ones with legs, such as coffee tables and sofas. This allows more light to come in and give the room an airier feel, and it can also double up as extra storage space underneath. Just be careful not to use it as an excuse to add more clutter though!

4. Use mirrors – A couple of well placed mirrors can make a huge difference when it comes to making a room feel bigger.
Choose a range of shapes and sizes and place them strategically throughout your house and you’ll be amazed at the effect they can have.

Because they reflect natural and artificial light, they’ll make any room seem brighter whatever time of day it is, and they’ll give the illusion of making a room feel larger just by being there.

Another tip with mirrors is to place one near a window so it’s reflecting the outside world. This can make a huge impact on a room’s perceived space.

5. Arrange your furniture to maximise space – Large items in the middle of a room are probably the biggest no-no when it comes to maximising your space. Unless of course, there’s plenty of room to get around them.

Keeping large, bulky pieces of furniture against the walls is usually the best thing to do, so you can keep as much floor space free as possible. And be sure to keep pathways around furniture as clear as possible, as squeezing between a bed and a wardrobe for example will only heighten the feeling of being cramped.

Another trick you can use when it comes to furniture is to use shelves over cabinets as much as possible, and the higher up the better. A bulky bookcase will take up a significant amount of space, but if you can put a couple of shelves high up on the wall which will fit all of your books then you’ll be freeing up valuable floor space.

When it comes to furniture, if space is at a premium, then stick to the essentials. While it’s nice to have extra armchairs and fancy floor lamps, ask yourself if they’re actually necessary or just an extra feature that’s nice to have.

The key to making a room feel larger when it comes to furniture, is to keep as much floor space free as you possibly can, especially pathways through rooms.

Still need more space? Why not call our experienced team today and arrange for an up to date valuation of your property or click here to book directly into our diary or carry out a quick on-line valuation

Click here to book in to arrange a valuation visit from one of our agents or if we have seen you previously please get in touch for us to agree a marketing plan.

 

Author: Elaine Ford

There are several reasons why you might be considering becoming a landlord. Perhaps you’re moving away for work but don’t want to sell your home, or you may have inherited a property from a relative and want to generate a monthly income from it.

Whatever your reasons for becoming a landlord, the following guide will help you answer the question of how to get started.

Being a Landlord is a Business – Many people find themselves thinking that if they had the money, they’ll just buy a few houses to rent out and live a stress-free life off the income.

While this is great in theory, it’s very rarely this straightforward. Being a landlord and owning rental property doesn’t just mean waiting for the rent to flood in each month. There are taxes to pay, tenants to deal with and maintenance costs to consider.

It can be a great source of income, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking it’s an easy way to make a fortune with very little work. It can be just as demanding as running an actual business.

Is your property suitable to rent out? It’s not just a case of buying a property sticking it online and waiting for the first tenant to come along.

Before you consider becoming a landlord it’s important to do some research into the rental market, many towns and cities are rental hotspots with potentially excellent returns, while others may be a bit flat with far less demand for rental properties.

Take a look to see how much other similar properties are being rented out for in the area as this will give you a good indication of your potential returns.

Another thing to consider when it comes to suitability is the condition of your property. If you’re planning to move away and rent your property out then you’ll need to make sure all those little odd jobs and minor issues that you’ve been delaying have been fixed before tenants move in.

The last thing you’ll want when you’ve just moved out is to be taking phone calls about broken fences, unserviced boilers or drafty windows.

Work out your monthly costs – Including void periods – While rental properties can be lucrative, they can also very quickly become a drain on your finances too, so it’s important to take into account all of the costs that you’ll incur before deciding whether becoming a landlord is right for you.

If the property is mortgaged then this will be your single biggest cost each month, and you’ll need to factor in potential void periods where the property is empty.

During these periods you’ll have costs such as Council Tax and Utility Bills to consider, so it’s important that you work out how much all of these expenses will add up to each month.

And not forgetting you’ll need some ‘rainy day’ money put aside for those one off costs, such as a new boiler or windows.

Check if you can rent your property out – Depending on your mortgage agreement, to be able to rent out your property you may need to switch to a ‘buy to let’ mortgage.

Similarly if you bought your property under a Shared Ownership Scheme then it’s unlikely you’ll be able to rent that out without speaking to the Housing Association first either.

Put simply, it’s best to check with your mortgage provider in advance, as you don’t want to run into trouble further down the line.

Consider how you want your property to be marketed – Some of the things you’ll need to consider when marketing your property include clauses for pets, whether to allow smoking or vaping and whether to rent the property as furnished or unfurnished.

You’ll also need to decide whether to rent through a lettings agent or do it privately. Using a lettings agent will mean an additional expense each month, but this option has the advantage of taking a lot of the stress out of dealing with tenants directly and finding tenants yourself, so it will ultimately make your life a bit easier.

Check your legal responsibilities – Last but certainly not least, you’ll need to be aware of the legal responsibilities that come with renting out a property.

There are several criteria that you’ll need to meet, including making sure the property is fit for human habitation, having a gas and electrical safety check carried out every year, having an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in place and having smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted and functioning.

Are you considering becoming a landlord? Perry Bishop is here to help. As your local property experts in, we o ffer comprehensive support and guidance throughout the process. Give us a call or email lettings@perrybishop.co.uk to speak with a member of our friendly and experienced team today.

 

Author: Elaine Ford

Completion day is without doubt the best part of the entire home buying process. It’s on this day that you’ll pick up the keys and take possession of your new home.

But before completion day can happen, there are a few final checks to be done.

What happens before completion? Prior to completion your solicitor will ensure that all of the mortgage conditions have been met and request the money from the lender.

The lender will also carry out some last minute checks to ensure there have been no significant changes to your credit rating. So, if you take out a loan to buy a new car for example, this could have very negative implications on your mortgage offer.

On the other side, the seller’s solicitor will request a redemption certificate that’s calculated to the day of completion if the seller still has a mortgage on the property.

Essentially this is a document that details what will happen to the outstanding balance on the mortgage when you take possession. In most cases, the seller will pay off the outstanding balance from the proceeds of the sale, while you will have a brand new mortgage agreement in place.

What happens on completion day? The solicitors on both sides will carry out their final checks and paperwork, including a completion statement which sets out all of the payments made and received.

Any outstanding invoices will be raised too, including the estate agent fees for the seller and any conveyancing costs that you haven’t paid yet. These will be due on completion.

Once the final checks have been completed and signed off, your solicitor will transfer the money to the seller’s solicitor.

When they’ve confirmed receipt of the funds, they will let the estate agent know that the keys are ready to be collected and you will be notified by their solicitor that they’re now able to go and collect them.

How to ensure a smooth completion day – While completion day is an exciting day for both parties and the final point in a lengthy process, it can also be quite stressful too.

To ensure it runs as smoothly as possible, there are a few things that you and the seller can do.

For sellers, it’s vital to have everything boxed up and ready to move out prior to the day. The target time to move out is usually between 12pm and 2pm, although it can vary depending on the number of buyers and sellers in the chain.

Put simply though, things will run a lot smoother if the sellers have everything ready to go first thing in the morning, rather than scrambling to pack everything by lunchtime.

As for you, the buyer, all that’s really required is to have your phone to hand and be ready to pick up the keys from the estate agent! If you’re having to vacate your old property on the same day, then they’ll also need to be packed up and ready to move. There’s no requirement for you to actually move into your new property on completion day, however, it’s usual to do so unless you are a first-time buyer who still lives at home with parents, as you can simply collect the keys on completion day and then move in when you want to, perhaps after you’ve decorated for example.

How much time is there between Exchange and Completion? The completion day is agreed between you and the seller in advance, and it usually takes place between 7 and 28 days after the exchange of contracts.

In some rare cases it can take less than 7 days, and it’s even possible to exchange and complete on the same day, but this is incredibly unlikely and not all lenders will allow it.

What is the Best Day to Complete? Most people choose to complete on a Friday, as it then gives them the weekend to unpack and get things in place.

However, due to the demand for this day, it can mean that removal costs are higher, and solicitors are busier, as they may have several completions to work through on the same day.

Another potential issue is that if the completion fails to go through for any reason, the party responsible for the delay will be liable for the other party’s costs over the weekend.

Therefore, it’s usually better to complete earlier in the week if possible, as it can save you money and your solicitor or conveyancer should be slightly less busy.

If you have more questions, please do call our experienced team who will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Author: Elaine Ford

Be one of the first through the doors – Receive exclusive access to properties prior to them coming live to the market

Perry Bishop offers you exclusive access to new properties before they’re listed on popular portals like Rightmove and Zoopla. Even if you’re just considering a move with no set timeframe, you can gain priority access to these listings.

By joining Perry Bishop’s VIP Buyers Club, you’ll gain access to properties marketed on a ‘low-key’ basis, which won’t be visible on our website or other property portals.  

We are excited to welcome all prospective home movers to the Very Important Purchasers buyers club and assist with their next move. Regardless of whether your moving plans are long or short term, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Perry Bishop team.

We’re here to support you every step of the way, from the moment you start contemplating a move to the day you actually settle into your new home.

Even if you are just thinking about a move, we would love to hear from you.

We care about property, we care about you.

Author: Elaine Ford

When you own a leasehold property, you do not have ownership of the land it occupies. For apartments, possession typically excludes shared areas such as hallways, stairs and the buildings structure.

In the United Kingdon there are two primary forms of property ownership, freehold and leasehold.

With the exception of a very few commonhold properties all flats are owned on a leasehold basis.

The owner, known as the leaseholder, owns his/her share of the building and the freeholder retains ownership of the land upon which it stands.

Leases are normally for 99, 125 or 999 years, but are all diminishing assets as at the end of the lease the building reverts to the freeholder.

The leaseholder will normally pay an annual ground rent to the freeholder.

Whilst all new leases after 30th June 2022, or 1st Apri 2023 for retirement properties, are limited to a peppercorn as the annual rent (effectively nil), all leases dating from before that time will have some element of ground rent.

This may be a fixed figure through the entire length of the lease but more often there will be some mechanism in the lease to increase the rent at given timescales.

Often the new rents are fixed within the original lease, but in many modern leases rents may be set to double at given intervals, be linked to the Retail Price Index or linked to the capital value of the property.

Some of these are known as ‘onerous ground rents’ and there has been something of a scandal where houses which could have been sold freehold have been sold on lease with onerous ground rents giving an ongoing income stream to the developer.
Lending institutions may not grant mortgages where there are onerous ground rents which, in turn, can cause problems when a leaseholder comes to sell.

Leaseholders have a statutory right to extend their lease and reduce the ground rent to nil, but are required to pay a premium to the freeholder. This becomes much more costly as soon as the lease falls below 80 years. A majority of leaseholders can band together to collectively purchase the freehold of their property and grant themselves new 999 year leases at nil ground rent.

The Government is introducing a new Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill which is part way through parliament (as at 1st March 2024) which will give more rights to leaseholders and may reduce the cost of extending a lease. However none of this is yet certain as the contents are watered down as it completes each stage through both Houses of Parliament.

We are seeing circumstances where once the remainder of the lease falls below 80 years that either the property cannot be sold or at the very least not for the full market value, the renewal of the lease whilst costly protects against this circumstance It could well be worth checking your remaining lease length and perhaps planning for the future.

We are able to provide this advice for you at Perry Bishop with a specialist Surveyor in our company qualified to assist, please get in touch for guidance and fee advice.

 

 

Author: Elaine Ford

While it might not sound overly impressive at first, it’s worth noting that the industry average hovers around 135 days.

Our dedicated in-house Sales Progression team takes charge, providing support and guidance throughout the entire process, from the initial stages to the exchange of contracts and completion day.

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Our team of experts is ready to provide you with a comprehensive valuation of your property. Whether you’re considering selling or letting, having an accurate assessment of your property’s value is crucial for making informed decisions.

Contact us today to schedule a convenient time for our team to visit your property and provide you with a professional valuation. We look forward to assisting you with your property needs.

We care about property, we care about you.