How many viewings will it take to sell my home?

This month's packed edition, we start off by answering the big question; how many viewings will it take to sell your property? 

We also explain what the newly introduced Tenants Fee Ban and Fitness for Human Habitation act mean for landlords and renters, alongside offering our top tips for preparing your garden for Summer.

And if that wasn't enough, we've compiled a great selection of local events around Hemel Hempstead across the month of April!

How many viewings will it take to sell my home?

 

When listing a home for sale, we all cross our fingers and hope that someone will make an offer within the first few weeks and everything will be wrapped up neatly and quickly.

In reality, selling a home can take some time and your best approach is to present your home in its best light and have patience.

But how long on average does it take to sell a home?

New research has tried to answer this question and found that vendors are underestimating just how many viewings they will have before someone makes an offer.

In a recent survey, Quick Move Now, quizzed the public asking them how many viewings it would take to sell a house.

It was found that just over half of respondents (54.7%) believed that it would take six viewings or less before their home was snapped up.

According to data from Quick Move Now, this estimation is off the mark by some distance, as it was found that the average number of viewings before a home is sold is more than three times that amount at 19 viewings.

It was also found that this number has risen significantly over the past 3 years from 11 to 19, suggesting that over time buyers have become more patient and thorough when searching for a home.

The company’s director – Danny Luke – commented: “It’s clear that the public is vastly underestimating the average number of viewings it takes to sell a property. 54.7% believe properties sell in an average of six or fewer viewings, and with 30.54% of the public listing the time it takes to find a buyer as their biggest worry when selling a property, it seems it is an area of concern for many people.”

Luke went on to say: “...a significant proportion of homeowners still assume that selling their property on the open market is the only option available to them. That is simply not the case.”

It is worth noting that other studies on the subject have found that the viewings don’t always go into double digits. It can also depend on where you live, as previous studies have found that homes in the north take fewer viewings than homes in the south.

Data released last year from Rightmove, revealed that the average time overall to sell a home was 62 days, which is just short of 9 weeks.

There are a few things you can do to get your home sold a little faster, such as clearing the clutter and staying on top of the cleaning. Doing all you can to make your home seem like a bright open space is vital.

For more help on how to present your home in its best light, you should talk to us.

House prices in all key index cities have risen

 

House prices have increased across all 20 of the United Kingdom’s biggest cities, with the average price increasing by 2.8% in the 12 months to February 2019. This is the first time in over three years that such consistent growth has been recorded across the entire country, indicating that property is experiencing something of a resurgence.

With the average house price now coming in at £253,800, and with this figure having continuously risen since November 2018, market conditions are proving to be extremely positive in 2019. Growth in some cities, such as Leicester at 6.8%, is exceptionally strong and the capital city has also seen positive growth at 0.4%.

The chief executive officer of Yomdel, Andy Soloman, believes that a shift in mentality has been prevalent amongst both buyers and sellers who have concluded that there is no point in waiting for Brexit to conclude before they progress with their properties.

“As a result and much like Brexit, people just want to get on with it now and sellers are adjusting their price expectations in line with the current market climate, while buyers are taking the plunge and proceeding with a purchase,” said Soloman. “This uplift in demand and market activity has stimulated the market.”

This solvency in the property market is echoed amongst investors, with investment in UK property still extremely strong from both national and international investors. Alongside strong investment in property, first-time buyers are now a true driving force in the property market thanks to the ease of access to mortgages and lower deposit values.

The report itself surmised that "what this tells us is that buyers and sellers remain active in the market even if some areas are less active than others… With unemployment at a record low and mortgage rates still averaging 2%, buyers appear to be largely shrugging off Brexit uncertainty until there is a material change in the overall outlook."

Tenant's Fee Ban: what you need to know

 

If you’re a tenant or landlord, then it has been hard to avoid all of the recent coverage of the Tenant Fee Ban. Essentially, the new Act means that tenants will no longer be charged for extra services from June this year. Take a look at the key points below to make sure that you are up-to-date with the latest legislation, whether you’re a tenant or a landlord.

Headline changes:
• Landlords will only be able to hold up to 5 weeks rent as a tenancy deposit.
• The holding deposit, to ensure the tenant application, can be no more than one week’s rent.
• All other payments will be banned with the exception of contractual default penalties.

What can no longer be charged for:
• Charging for a guarantor form
• Credit checks
• Inventories
• Cleaning services
• Referencing
• Professional cleaning
• Having the property de-flead as a condition of allowing pets in the property
• Admin charges
• Requirements to have specific insurance providers
• Gardening services

Two default fees are exempt from these changes and can still be charged for should the tenant break the Tenancy Agreement. These exceptions will have to be written into the contract, however, in order for a landlord to be able to charge tenants, despite being also highlighted in the new legislation:

1) Late rent fees
Under the new Act, landlords will be able to charge a late rent fee for payments more than two weeks overdue. The fees can be charged at an additional 3% plus the Bank of England base rate at the time, but this must be charged on a pro-rata basis.

2) Lost keys
Once the new legislation comes into the place, a landlord may only charge up to £5 for a replacement key, and they must provide a receipt.

To read more about The Tenant Fee Ban click here to see the legislation in full.

WrestleForce live in Hemel Hemsptead

WrestleForce returns to Hemel Hempstead for another evening of incredible high flying action that the whole family can enjoy!

Click here to read WrestleForce live in Hemel Hemsptead.

Crabby - live at the Old Town Hall

Crabby the hermit crab loses his shell after being cursed by a Mermaid and he’s up against the turning tides!

Click here to read Crabby - live at the Old Town Hall.

Say It With Poison @ Bovindon Hall

A mysterious garden history talk by Russel Bowes about poisonous plants.

Click here to read Say It With Poison @ Bovindon Hall.

The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long screening

Come and sing along to this bold, original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and when dreams come to life.

Click here to read The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long screening.

Fitness for Human Habitation Act: what you need to know

 

With the furore around the Tenant Fee Ban, it has been easy to miss the latest lettings legislation which came in to place last month on 20th March – the Fitness for Human Habitation Act. The implementation of this Act means that tenants will have further rights to request improvements to homes which fall into the “sub-standard” category.

The Fitness for Human Habitation Act is a revival of the Landlord and Tenant Act from 1985, essentially reinforcing the covenant and bringing the standard of lettings accommodation back to the forefront of legislation.

Who does the Act apply to?
The Act will apply to:
Tenancies shorter than 7 years, starting on or after 20th March 2019
Tenancies renewed for a fixed term on or after 20th March 2019

From 20th March 2020, the Act will apply to all periodic tenancies that started before the initial commencement date of 20th March 2019 – landlords with current tenancies, therefore, have 12 months before the requirements from the Act come into place.

How would a property be deemed unfit for human habitation?
The Act stipulates 29 different ‘hazards’ which determine whether a house is ‘fit for human habitation’. The hazards include but are not limited to:

• Condensation, damp and mould growth
• Excessive cold or heat
• Security (or lack, thereof)
• Fire, gas and electrical safety
• Natural lighting
• Water supply
• Sanitation
• Facilities for preparing and cooking food
• Hazards posed by the internal arrangement
• State of repair
•
Your property might be deemed unfit “If, and only if, it is so far defective in one or more of those matters that it is not reasonably suitable for occupation in that condition.” If a property is deemed unfit, then it is the landlord’s responsibility to make improvements to the property and/or compensate the tenant.

Are there any exceptions to the Act?
There are some exceptions in cases where:

• The problems with the property are caused by tenant behaviour
• The problems are caused by ‘acts of God’ such as storms, floods and fire
• The problem is caused by the tenants’ belongings

To read the full government legislation click here.

Top tips for preparing your garden for Summer

 

We all love that summer pleasure of sitting outside and enjoying the feeling of the sunshine on our skin, yet despite this melanin-inducing activity being a firm favourite, many of us shy away from gardening. Here are a few tips to help revitalise your garden or outdoor space, just in time for the summer!

The right grounding
Before you go out and start purchasing new flowers and shrubs to zhoosh up your garden, it is important to have an idea of the soil that you will be planting in. Different plants will thrive in different environments, and the consistency of your soil will be a key player in this; is your soil light and sandy or heavier with elements of clay? This, as well as the amount of light which the new plants will receive, should be kept in mind before you go and make any expensive purchases.

Put the ‘plan’ in ‘plant’
That old adage of “fail to plan and plan to fail” exists for a reason; it rings true amongst many of us. The same is applicable for when you are upgrading your garden – planning on how you are going to use the space will mean that you maximise your outdoor area. Decide what you are going to use the space for and segment it appropriately; eating areas, planting areas and water features all make a garden more pleasant; however, if there is not enough room between each then space becomes overcrowded and less appealing.

The perfect lawn
When we think of the quintessential British garden, we immediately think of a lush and healthy grassy area. If you’re yearning for a luscious lawn, then ensure that you water your green areas regularly – the optimum time to water the area is between 4am and 8am. If we are lucky enough to have another hot summer like last year, then remember that any temperature above 30 degrees will stunt growth and temperatures from 26 degrees onwards will not benefit your lawn – therefore keep the grass a little longer which will prevent the soil from drying out.

Sitting areas
One of the easiest ways to spend a little more time in your garden is to create an outdoor sitting space; from simply installing a table and chairs, to installing a full decking area this can transform your outdoor space. If you already have a suitable surface such as paving or decking then purchasing a table and chairs will be an inexpensive way to create outdoor living space, but don’t despair if you need to spend a little more to create suitable grounding for your table. Buying stones or pebbles and some tarpaulin to lay them upon is a very cost-effective manner to provide a nice zone for seating – look in your local supermarkets as well as the DIY stores as they often provide better value for money during seasonal offers.

A shed load of storage!
If you’re looking to make the most of your garden this spring and summer, then a shed might seem like it should be the last item on your list of priorities. However, a shed can offer valuable storage and organisation to your garden that will encourage you to make the most of the space; having your gardening tools easy to access and your outdoor supplies organised will make your outdoor living much easier. In addition to this, a shed can be a beautiful piece of garden architecture; go bold on the colour and choose pastels such as blue or pink for that country cottage kind of chic that looks wonderful in all types of garden. In addition, adding some stylish bunting to the shed will enhance the overall aesthetic, and can be extended to other parts of your garden to create a more cohesive look.

Street Food Heroes @ St Mary's Car Park

Back in Hemel Old Town on the third Thursday of April is this monthly food street soirée.

Click here to read Street Food Heroes @ St Mary's Car Park.

UK revealed to have cheapest agent fees in Europe

 

For most of us, the purchase of a property will be the biggest single expense which we ever have to cover, and the fees associated with this are often touted as expensive. However, a recent report has shown that fees in the UK are the lowest in Europe and therefore the old myth of expensive fees has been debunked, with other parts of Europe up to five times more expensive than the UK.

The average commission paid on the sale of a property in the United Kingdom is 1.2%, according to analysis from GetAgent, which is lower than all other European countries, with Denmark and Ireland next cheapest at 1.25% and 1.75% respectively. On the other end of the scale is Romania with an average fee of 6% - five times more than the UK.

“I think it’s fair to say that estate agents in the UK have a tough time of it when it comes to justifying their fees, with the predominant opinion being that they charge too much for the service provided,” said Colby Short, GetAgent’s chief executive officer.

“This really isn’t the case and as this research shows, the UK is actually home to the lowest estate agent fees in the EU and therefore you could argue, the best service as well. Of course, the price of property means there is a degree of relativity and the 6% commission you might pay in Romania will be a lot lower due to the lower cost of getting on the ladder,” he pointed out.

“So while you consider if three to four thousand pounds is a justifiable spend when selling a property for hundreds of thousands, remember you could be paying upward of ten thousand if you were to live in another area of Europe,” he added.