Blogs

Rental market comparisons - how does London compare to other places in the world?     Nov 10 , 2022
London is one of the most cherished cities in the world. It has much to offer residents and visitors who enjoy iconic attractions, culture, and history.  The UK capital city is attractive in wildly differing aspects making it a location that is popular among tenants of all ages.  The cost-of-living crisis and inflation continue to directly impact the loc
Selling soon? Here’s how to carry out a successful viewing this autumn     Oct 21 , 2022
The seasons are turning chillier once again, where our mornings are a little colder and the evenings are getting darker sooner – a beautiful time of year to relish the changing colours of nature and for sellers to start getting their homes ready for viewings. The weather will change, the temperatures will drop, and prospective buyers’ expectations are t
How will the new Prime Minister and Housing Secretary approach rental reform?     Sep 27 , 2022
Landlords and tenants have a burning question about the new Housing Secretary, Simon Clarke. Will he twist? Or will he stick? Before the government ground to a halt because of the death of Her Majesty, the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, appointed Clarke as the Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). And som
Cost-of-living makes no dent as housing market remains buoyant - excellent news for sellers     Aug 12 , 2022
Cost-of-living makes no dent as housing market remains buoyant - excellent news for sellers It’s been a turbulent time for the country recently as the cost-of-living continues to put pressure on households throughout the UK, but the latest house price index from Zoopla bears some good news for sellers as it states that the housing market remains resil
Property priced 55k higher than pre-pandemic – why it’s great news for sellers     Jun 30 , 2022
The price of property coming to the market has hit a fourth consecutive record of £367,501, up by 2.1% monthly (+£7,400), according to new research by Rightmove. Recorded as the highest increase at this time of year since May 2014, this marks a national jump of £55,551 in asking prices in the two years since the housing market shut due to the pand
How to keep your rental property fire-safe - the top tips     May 18 , 2022
As a landlord, your primary concern does not only entail providing your tenants with a roof over their heads but also ensuring that the property is safe and secure before they decide to move in.  One of the most devastating things that can happen is if a fire starts in your property which could leave your home uninhabitable and would result in time-cons
Revealed - garden features that could devalue your property     Apr 11 , 2022
Before listing your home for sale, you must ensure that the home is prepared so that it meets the demands of prospective buyers. A lot of the time sellers spend so much time decorating and tidying the inside of the home that they forget about the garden. However, in the Garden Trends Report by Roofing Megastore, over 2,000 prospective buyers revealed whi
Landlords – five ways to attract tenants to your home this spring     Apr 06 , 2022
The season landlords choose to let their rental property can be a major factor in how easily they attract tenants. As we enter spring, the milder weather it brings can be a big benefit to landlords looking to appeal to potential tenants. Here at Ideal Locations, we can help you attract tenants this spring. Below, we set out five ways landlords can attract n
Sellers - how to get your home ready for sale in spring     Mar 31 , 2022
As March arrives and spring begins, new research from Rightmove has revealed that sellers looking to sell their property in the next few months could not have picked a better season to list. According to data from the portal, the spring months of March, April and May are the strongest to sell, respectively. Here at Ideal Locations, we explain below exactly
Sellers – why the early part of the year is a great time to sell     Jan 20 , 2022
The market may be cooling slightly from the record highs we’ve been seeing in recent years, as higher interest rates and the cost of living start to bite, but demand is remaining strong in the early parts of 2022 – with Rightmove recently reporting another festive period of record traffic. Despite the emergence of the Omicron variant, there is no sign th
Revealed - what was announced in the Budget and Spending Review?     Jan 20 , 2022
Since it was announced that a second Budget would take place at the end of the year, estate agents and letting agents across the UK have anticipated what changes might be around the corner. Following the chancellor’s Autumn Budget announcement, Ideal Locations break down exactly what was announced and how these upcoming changes will impact those in the pr
Tenant demand reaches record high - why this is great news for landlords     Oct 13 , 2021
Tenant demand is at a record high, meaning there is a higher chance of housing tenants within properties more quickly as well as the opportunity to charge higher rents. This is great news for local landlords occupying the Essex and East London area. As a landlord, the name of the game is ensuring that your property is sought-after and always in demand. Ens
Top tips - four steps to guarantee a house move before Christmas     Sep 28 , 2021
Buyer activity in the UK property industry continues to flourish because of structural facts such as demand for more space and a limited supply of properties for sale. According to a recent study, many people think that selling a property is more stressful than other important life events, such as starting a new job. Using our expertise as estate agents, w
Property sellers – avoid these pitfalls that could devalue your home by £50,000     Sep 02 , 2021
When selling your home, it’s important to be aware of the potential issues that could put it at risk and, in turn, lose out on potential buyers. This could well include easy fixes such as clutter, damp, or bad smells – but other elements like structural damage or asbestos are far beyond your control and could take weeks to rectify. In fact, a recent stud
Sellers - why summer is a great time to sell a home?     Aug 20 , 2021
Summer can give us a lot to look forward to, with its longer days and warmer weather. Summer isn’t just great news for sunseekers, it can also make selling your home a breeze. Selling a home in the summer gives sellers added seasonal advantages but due to a unique set of circumstances this year, it can be even easier to sell your hot property this summer.
Essex landlords – five essential tips for choosing the right letting agent     Jul 22 , 2021
Rising temperatures and the easing of lockdown restrictions have seen many people venture outside to enjoy the outdoors. This, along with the successful vaccine rollout and rising demand for new homes, has resulted in a rental market boom, with the number of new prospective tenants reaching a record high in April, according to trade body ARLA Propertymark. W
Essex sellers – here’s 10 smart ways to create the perfect eco-home     Jul 22 , 2021
The weather isn’t the only thing heating up, with activity in the property market rising as we embrace the summer months. The first stage of the stamp duty holiday has ended, meaning the tax threshold has been reduced from £500,000 to £250,000 until September 30 2021. Strong house price growth is expected to continue into the summer, which doesn’t seem
Sellers - four improvements to make to your East London home this spring     Apr 22 , 2021
With its blooming flowers and longer daylight hours, it’s no wonder spring is typically the time of year when activity in the buyers’ market starts to boom. And with favourable conditions such as the stamp duty holiday encouraging buyers to search for their next home, sellers should use this time wisely to make improvements to their property before list
Budget reaction: what do London buyers and sellers need to know?     Mar 05 , 2021
Budget reaction: what do London buyers and sellers need to know? As the dust settles on Rishi Sunak's second Budget as Chancellor, there is plenty for property buyers, sellers and landlords to consider. When it comes to the housing market, the headline news is that the stamp duty holiday has been extended, while prospective buyers will be pleased with the
Should property sellers create a home office before selling?     Feb 05 , 2021
The UK is currently enduring a third national lockdown –dubbed Lockdown 3 – as the government works to combat the ongoing coronavirus crisis. This has led to a revolution in the way we work, with remote working the norm as people remain indoors to adhere toCovid-19 guidelines. Although the economy is starting to recover, the number of remote workers is l
What does Lockdown 3 mean for the housing market?     Jan 14 , 2021
Although we’re fresh into a new year, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic linger. On January 4, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new national lockdown in England, which is expected to last at least six weeks. Lockdown 3, which began on January 6, looks a little different to the one implemented on March 23 2020. Measures include closing schools, no
News update: industry body calls for help with evictions and landlord hardship     Dec 14 , 2020
The trade bodies are sometimes accused of not taking enough direct action, or being too toothless in their approach, but the leading landlord and letting agent associations are now taking the fight to the government to protect landlords from financial difficulty and improve the eviction process for all parties. Following on from the NRLA’s passionate plea
London tenants – here’s how to save on space while moving home     Dec 07 , 2020
Despite there currently being a second national lockdown in England, the lettings market remains active, with increased appetite to move home leading to continued rental growth across the UK. Unsurprisingly, the rise in people working from home as a result of Covid-19 has led to many tenants moving from small, modest flats to rental properties with more spa
Top tips – how can landlords prepare their home for colder weather?     Oct 14 , 2020
Even in a non-Covid year, winter presents certain challenges for landlords when letting out their property. This year, with us all likely to be spending much more time indoors throughout the winter, it will be even more important to keep homes winter-proof and shielded against any cold weather-related issues. Living in the UK means that landlords do need to
Home movers – here’s five top tips for a successful move     Sep 16 , 2020
With buyer-friendly initiatives such asthe stamp duty holiday and low interest rates continuing to boost the property market, many people are in the process of relocating. However, buying or selling a property is considered to be one of life’s most stressful events, while the physical act of moving day itself is estimated to cost just over £1,100 on its o
How to find your perfect Tenant     Sep 11 , 2020
14 Questions every landlord must ask when letting a property - but most don’t! How to avoid the wrong tenants: The 14 questions every landlord should ask Getting the wrong tenants can be a costly and time-consuming experience. First impressions can so easily be wrong - especially when a tenant is on best behaviour. Simple questions can ensure that you a
How to carry out safe viewings when selling your home     Aug 18 , 2020
While the UK has been gradually easing out of lockdown for the past few months, times are still strange and it is very much still a ‘new normal’. Across the country, people are growing accustomed to a world of social distancing, wearing masks, stricter hygiene and working from home. The change in how we do things has very much extended to the worl
Stamp duty holiday – a welcome boost for London property buyers and sellers     Jul 13 , 2020
Earlier this month, as part of a mini summer Budget, the Chancellor announced a stamp duty holiday for all property sales in England and Northern Ireland. The new measure aims to provide a boost to the property market and help home movers as we continue to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the housing market reopened
Sellers – why your garden space is more important than ever     Jul 07 , 2020
If there is going to be one clear housing legacy from the coronavirus crisis, it’s highly likely to be a much greater demand for gardens and outdoor space – which became such prized assets during the height of lockdown. Even as restrictions on movement are eased, the popularity of gardens isn’t likely to diminish as the possibility o
The property market is open for business - what do you need to know?     May 22 , 2020
Following the strict lockdown measures imposed by the government at the end of March, the property market experienced a period of shutdown, with only essential moves allowed. During this time, virtual viewings and valuations could take place, with many prospective buyers and sellers using the time to get their finances and properties in order for when tran
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