Category: selling

Buying or selling a home is a complex process that has been complicated even further due to the ongoing global pandemic. The introduction of a new tier system has brought a lot of uncertainty around the property sector and whether any sales can continue to go ahead. Below we have summarised the guidelines to give you everything you need to know about moving home in the tier system. Please remember advice is changing daily and we will continue to monitor the situation.

Can I buy or sell a home in the tier system? 

The Government has confirmed the housing marketing in England will remain open in all four tiers. This applies to anyone buying, selling, renting or letting. It is business as usual for Estate Agents and all moves currently in the pipeline can continue as planned. It has also been confirmed that buyers in England can travel to areas within a different tier specifically to view a property if they are unable to postpone. Please note it has been advised that those who are extremely vulnerable should consider their situation and may wish to seek medical advice before embarking on a move.

You can read more of the Government’s current guidelines for buying or selling in the tier system here. 

What will be different? 

Buying or selling a property will not feel any different in the tier system as it did in the November lockdown, but if you haven’t experienced moving in the pandemic then a few things have changed. The biggest difference is that more work is taking place online to avoid the chance of transmission as best as possible. This means Estate Agents across the country are working remotely and virtual appointments are being arranged where possible. Open houses are no longer permitted due to the increased risk of transmission but buyers are still able to view houses by appointment. 

There also are new rules in place for those attending a viewing as there should be no more than two households inside the property at any one time. This guideline includes the Estate Agent showing you the property, however someone from your support bubble also counts as a member of your own household. Owners of a property will therefore need to vacate their property whenever a viewing is taking place. Delays are also more likely as you may be required to pause a sale if someone in your chain shows symptoms of COVID-19 and is required to self-isolate. It is crucial to prepare yourself for any sudden changes in circumstance which could affect your sale. 

How can I stay safe? 

We have adequate safety measures put in place here at Morris Armitage to ensure buying and selling a home remains a safe process for our customers. Potential buyers are advised to wear face coverings when viewing a property and frequent hand-washing is strongly encouraged. It is also important to avoid touching surfaces, door handles and light switches during your viewing to minimise the risk of transmission. We aim to hold meetings virtually where possible or arrange to meet in well-ventilated or outdoor areas when necessary. 

You can see the Government’s current guidelines to reducing transmission here.

Are you looking to buy or sell within the tier system? Get in touch with us on 01638 560 221 for some friendly, expert advice.

The Government announced a Stamp Duty holiday earlier this year set to continue until March 2021 in an attempt to help the property market recover from the harmful effects of coronavirus. Whether you are a first-time buyer or are considering a move from your current property, we’ve included everything you need to know about this announcement below. 

What is Stamp Duty?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), often referred to as Stamp Duty, is a tax you must pay when purchasing property or land in England and Northern Ireland. It is the responsibility of the person who buys the property to ensure this tax gets paid within 14 days of the completion of a purchase, however a solicitor will often submit the return on your behalf as part of the buying process. The amount you owe in Stamp Duty will depend on where you are in the UK as well as your property price, but you are usually required to pay Stamp Duty on all properties over £125,000 (or £300,000 for first-time buyers). In Wales, Land Transaction Tax is the equivalent of Stamp Duty, and in Scotland, buyers must pay Land and Buildings Transaction Tax. These taxes differ slightly from Stamp Duty. 

You can learn more about Stamp Duty over on the Government website.

What is the Stamp Duty holiday? 

A temporary Stamp Duty holiday was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak earlier this year. This move was in response to the ongoing global pandemic and aims to help buyers suffering financially due to the coronavirus crisis as well as give a much-needed boost to the property market. The market was hit hard during the first national lockdown with transactions falling by 50% and house prices plummeting. As a result, Stamp Duty has been cut to zero per cent for sole residential properties purchased at £500,000 or under, with higher-priced properties being taxed only on their value above this amount. Rishi Sunak has suggested the average Stamp Duty bill will drop by £4,500 due to his announcement, with nearly nine of out ten people buying a home this year paying no Stamp Duty at all. The Stamp Duty holiday began in July this year and continues until March 31, 2021.

You can calculate how much Stamp Duty you owe using the Government’s handy Stamp Duty calculator. 

Will I miss the Stamp Duty holiday deadline? 

March may still feel like it is in distant future, but you ideally need to have a transaction underway to make sure you don’t miss the Stamp Duty holiday deadline. Buying a property can be a complicated experience with multiple parties involved and the process often does not come without some hurdles along the way. The Government has found it takes 2 to 3 months on average to buy or sell a home and this timeframe can sometimes increase when a property chain is involved. A new spike in demand alongside the changing coronavirus restrictions has also resulted in lengthy delays, making missing the Stamp Duty holiday deadline a little more likely. 

Will the deadline be extended? 

There have been calls across the industry for the Stamp Duty holiday to be extended past March next year to ensure the housing market recovery continues. The Government maintains that it does not plan to extend the holiday period as its purpose was to act as a temporary relief with all current evidence pointing to its successful stimulation of the market. 

Are you thinking of selling or buying a new home? Get in touch with us! Talk to one of our expert consultants today on 01638 560 221. 

Superficial faults will not directly affect the value of your property but may deter potential buyers and prevent your property from selling at its desired price. Below we discuss some quick and easy ways to avoid this and instead help to get the best offer on your home.

Exterior

Let’s begin outside. The term ‘kerb appeal’ refers to the attractiveness of a property and its surroundings when viewed from the street. It is important to ensure your home is appealing to buyers from the get-go as a recent survey by the Homeowners Association found 68% of home buyers believe kerb appeal is a key consideration when viewing a house. Simple maintenance can have a huge impact on potential buyers and small jobs such as cleaning dirty windows, repainting old fences and clearing out gutters could push you one step closer to an offer.

You should also consider the appearance of your front door. This feature sets the tone for your property and is the perfect way to begin influencing a buyer’s opinion on your home. Pick fun, bold colours to show character, or choose rich, royal hues to give more of an elegant feel. Grey and other neutral tones work to create a modern look, or you could always opt for the UK’s favourite front door colour with a crisp and clean white. Top it off by framing your entrance with some potted plants for a fresh and inviting look.

It is also a good idea to carry out a general tidy-up of any outdoor areas to further boost your property’s kerb appeal. This may include cutting the grass, clearing your garden path or trimming those unruly hedges. Remember to tuck your bins out of plain sight, or you may feel it’s worth investing in a bin shed if you struggle to find any convenient hiding spots.

Which? recommends buyers interested in a property to visit the area at different times during the day to get an accurate feel for the neighbourhood, so get prepared for a late-night drive-by with some stylish external lighting. These are also useful tips even for those not considering to sell, as research by the Homeowners Association found a well-maintained outside space has a clear positive impact on our mental health. So, happy gardening!

Interior

Onto the inside of the property. It is useful to fix any obvious imperfections in your home before inviting potential buyers inside to avoid the property seeming uncared for. This includes issues such as lifting flooring, mouldy sealants, dripping taps and peeling paint. Try to stick with a neutral colour scheme throughout your home to act as a blank canvas and make it easier for potential buyers to picture how they would decorate.

It is also beneficial to declutter your house before a viewing to showcase the space available. This has become extra important in the current climate as research by Rightmove has revealed that having to stay home during lockdown has meant buyers are now prioritising property size and space. Finally, don’t forget to deep clean your home prior to any viewings, as further research by Rightmove shows the biggest buyer turn-off is a dirty bathroom!

Are you thinking of selling your house? We can help! Get in touch with one of our friendly team members today on 01638 560 221.

Buying a property is often the largest investment you will make in your lifetime. It is important to ease yourself into the process by planning in advance when viewing potential homes. Below we discuss some key factors to consider when searching for properties to help you get the most out of your viewing. 

Before the viewing

Try to research as much as possible beforehand. Take advantage of portals such as Zoopla, where you can compare a property’s price with previously sold prices in the area. You can also check current crime rates using Police UK. This site allows you to input a postcode and discover a range of statics for the area, including top-reported crimes.

It is often recommended that you visit the local area of a potential home during different times to experience the neighbourhood firsthand. If this is not possible for you, use Google Maps to map out where the amenities are and pinpoint any important locations to measure your commute. If you have children or are planning to in the near future, Locrating is a great tool to assess local schools. You can access information on the school’s standards, as well as the demographics and even a student happiness rating.

Inside the property

Watch out for any signs of damp, rot or mould. You may notice an odour, or see flaky plaster and watermarked walls. Make sure you also take note of the size of the property. Is there enough storage throughout the home? Will your existing furniture fit, or will you need to buy brand-new items? Spend your time deciding whether the property may require any renovations or repairs once you move in to elevate it to your standard.

Outside the property

Consider which way the house faces. If you love lying in the sun during the summer months, you are ideally looking for a south-facing garden. Can you see any signs of subsidence? This is the gradual caving in of an area of land and may sometimes be visible in spots with large trees nearby. Subsidence is very costly to buyers as it can eventually cause foundations to collapse after the house structure becomes weakened. Finally, take a look at the roof for any signs of poor condition. This may be in the form of cracked, missing or loose tiles. On average, a roof needs replacing every 15-20 years and this can often be a very expensive and time-consuming process. 

Questions for your Estate Agent

It is a good idea to find out what the seller plans to include in the sale. Will they be leaving behind any furniture, appliances or fixings? Ask about the neighbours, how much they interacted with the seller and whether they got on. It is also useful to find out how long they have lived in the property, as a very short period with no reason for the sudden move could activate some alarm bells. Finally, discuss with your Estate Agent whether they are aware of any plans for the local area that may affect you if you were the purchase the property.

Considering a move? We can help! Get in touch with one of our expert team members today on 01638 560 221. 

Moving house can be a stressful time with some big decisions to make, but ensuring your house is desirable and appears at its best is key for enticing potential buyers to make an offer. Below are 10 top tips to ensure your home is ready for viewers:

Make sure it’s clean

Now, we know this one seems like an obvious one, but it’s really important that your house is clean, freshly hovered and dusted ready for visitors, particularly the key areas like kitchen and bathroom. If you don’t have time for this yourself, it can be quite cost effective to employ a professional cleaner for a few hours to give the key areas a thorough job.

Clutter is a no-no

We’re all guilty of leaving a little clutter lying around, and for everyday family life it’s not a problem but you want the rooms to look as spacious as possible, an element of minimalism is key.

Furry Family Members

Some people are pet lovers and others not as much so this can go either way. Pet lovers could be distracted and pay more attention to them than the house, and it may put other people on edge, particularly those with allergies. If it’s not possible to temporarily move your pets from the house, then at least move litter trays from sight.

First Impressions Count

The first thing the viewer will see is the exterior of the house, so try and make it look as attractive as possible. This can be as simple as repainting exterior window sills, cleaning the windows and doing a little weeding in the front garden.

Knock Knock

On a similar theme to the point above, ensuring that your front door is clean or neatly painted can create an excellent first impression that you’ve cherished and looked after your house.

Keep it Neutral

Although the viewer may be a fan of colour too, everyone’s tastes can vary and a safe option is to keep your rooms neutral. If you do have any rooms with bright or very dark colours on the wall, it might be a good idea to re-paint in a neutral colour before sale giving the appearance of bright and airy rooms.

Outdoor Space

Outdoor space is a really great asset to a property and it can be as simple as pulling the weeds and mowing the lawn to keep the garden looking fresh and appealing. You could think about buying some simple garden furniture so it advertises the space as somewhere you’d like to spend time in the warmer months.

Show Off

Each room has a key function, so it’s a good idea to show that off. Such as, the kitchen is a great place to cook up a storm or sit and eat with family, so make sure that the key function is clear when you walk into the room.

Quick Fix

Try to ensure that you don’t have anything that obviously needs fixing such as a dripping tap or a cracked tile anywhere as that will give the impression that the house is not looked after as it could be. You don’t want viewers to immediately start to list things that need work.

Scent

You don’t just want the house to look good, it’s a nice touch if the house also smells nice, which can be as simple as some plug-in fragrances or some candles burning as the viewings are on.

Thinking of Selling?

If you’re thinking about selling your home and need advice, guidance or a free valuation for your property, give our friendly team a call or fill in our form online.

At Morris Armitage we’re valuation experts, surveying thousands of houses each year for our clients, across our locales. For first time sellers, you might wonder, what exactly are we looking for when working out a house’s worth?

There are many factors at play when valuing a property, but these can be split into two areas that cover a number of elements to ensure that a valuation is correct:

Property inspection specifics, such as:

 

• Age of property
• Size
• Wear and tear
• Fittings
• Room layout
• Electrics/heating
• Storage
• Structural improvements and extras

And General factors (geo/economical factors): Desirability and appearance Location Demand

So, on top of looking at your property’s current state, and the elements you may have added to your property, a surveyor will also look at house prices in the area, and how the neighbourhood is viewed, i.e. the attractiveness and appeal of the area. All these elements together will help us correctly value your property so you may place it onto the market.

Find out more

If you’re selling your home and need advice, guidance or a free valuation for your property, give us a call or fill in our form online.