Our industry blog
Pre-purchase checks you can do yourself: #3: How to check for radioactive radon gas in the local area you’re buying in
How to check your radon risk Getting an RICS Chartered Surveyor to carry out a survey before you buy is essential if you don't want to risk getting lumbered with lots of nasty hidden problems. But opinions vary about the risks posed by radon. Radon is a...
Pre-purchase checks you can do yourself: #2: How to check the flood risk for the property you’re buying
How to check your flood risk Getting an RICS Chartered Surveyor to carry out a survey before you buy is essential if you don't want to risk getting lumbered with lots of nasty hidden problems. Surveyors should flag up any obvious flood risks that they...
Pre-purchase checks you can do yourself: #1: How to check crime rates in your local area
Check local crime rates Getting an RICS Chartered Surveyor to carry out a survey before you buy is essential if you don't want to risk getting lumbered with lots of nasty hidden problems. Surveyors act as your eyes and ears on site and can save you from...
Selling privately without an estate agent – potential risks # 2: DIY home viewing security
DIY home sales - potential risks #2: Security Showing potential buyers around your home needn't be particularly demanding. Anyone who has sold property before via an estate agent will likely already know this because it's standard...
Selling privately without an estate agent – potential risks: Trapped into paying commission
DIY home sales - potential risks #1: Getting trapped into paying commission Many sellers choose to have a go at selling privately at the same time as marketing their home through an estate agent. This is perfectly OK. The Office of Fair Trading...
Selling without an estate agent – private sale ‘For sale’ boards
DIY sales boards Most people move within about 15 miles of their current home. So if you’re selling privately it’s usually worth erecting your own private sale board. It’s surprising how many people notice these, even if you live in a cul-de-sac....
2022 property market trends – will the flight from cities continue in 2022?
Property Market Research for 2022 Hamptons estate agents have published some interesting research that may indicate how the market will perform in the year ahead. Here are the links to the key points to take away:- * Since Covid struck there...
Why are properties sometimes advertised for sale to cash buyers only?
'Cash Buyers Only' - What could possibly go wrong? The Homeowners Alliance have written a useful article on buying property as a cash buyer. A cash buyer is someone who can afford to buy without needing a mortgage or other forms of funding. The good news...
Selling without an estate agent – writing your own property details
Tips on writing your own property details Although there are some estate agents who are brilliant at composing professional property brochures, most churn out fairly standard details, sometimes containing glaring mistakes - such as the wrong EPC rating...
Selling without an agent – DIY property valuation
Selling without an agent - Property valuation Most properties aren't particularly difficult to value. Valuations are generally based on prices achieved in the last 6 months on sales of similar houses or flats in the local area (not on asking prices)....