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Published: 26 October 2021

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Winter(proofing) is coming…

In many ways, this has been a strange year, hasn’t it? But, you can rely on the seasons to come and go and soon it will be winter.

Some people don’t like the cold and the snow and the rain, while some people believe it is a magical time of year.

Whatever your thoughts, it is now getting closer to the time when you will need to winterproof your home and garden.

It’s important, but not everyone thinks of winterproofing. It can save you money, and it can ensure that your house is ready for the harshest of weathers.

Here are our top five tips when it comes to winterproofing your home.

1. In the Garden

It’s obvious that winter can play havoc with your garden. All those plants you’ve been tending to over the spring and summer months are in for a shock when the cold weather kicks in.

So, it’s best to look at what needs doing and to make a list of all the tasks that need completing before the frost sets in.

• Are there plants that can come indoors, or be placed in a garage or a shed?
• Do you need to get protective covers for plants that have to stay outside but are not necessarily hardy enough for a UK winter?
• Perhaps you have been tending to ornamental bay leaf trees that need plastic hoods for winter?
• Maybe you need to get a few pots so that plants can be transferred to a little nook in the garden that is secluded from the winds?

Tip: If you can’t store garden furniture in a garage or shed, make sure you buy a protective cover for it. You don’t want your items to be damaged over winter and it will cost you money to replace them once the weather turns better.

2. Maintain your House

However well-built, houses can suffer when the bad weather kicks in. But there are things you can do to ensure that your property is ready for the harsh onset of winter.

• Do the gutters need clearing out?
• Are any drains clear from leaves?
• Is there a little crack in a windowpane that you have been meaning to get sorted?

Tip: Treat your home like a project. Make a list of everything that you think needs doing and go through it methodically. It’ll save you time and money in the long run.

3. Boiler Blues

Commercial properties and buy-to-rent homes must have the boilers regularly serviced, but homeowners don’t always think of doing this. When it comes to winter, it’s when you’re going to need a boiler working and in tip-top condition.

Have a look for a reliable plumber to come and service your boiler. After all, a broken boiler will mean you get cold and it could also cost you money.

Tip: We know some excellent trusted tradesmen, so get in touch with us and we will steer you in the right direction.

4. Insure your Future

Your house is your home, but winter does not care whether your home is your castle or not! Freezing water can cause pipe issues, wind can rip tiles from roofs, and storms can whip up trouble from falling branches.

Check your insurance is up to date and that it covers everything you need it to do. There will always be some things you cannot claim for, but if your home is well-maintained and the insurance is right, you’re more likely to be able to make a claim if needed.

Tip: Do a paperwork audit. If you’re checking your insurance, have a look to see that everything else you need is in order too.

5. Insulate to Accumulate

Older houses in particular sometimes have a problem with insulation. You’re heating your home but that heat is seeping out, perhaps through the roof or small gaps in door and window frames. Make sure there is loft insulation and that there is enough of it. Good insulation is not just about keeping warm, it’s about keeping your bills down too.

Tip: Don’t forget to lag your pipes. Hardware stores will have all you need and you don’t need to use a qualified plumber to install it.

Because we at Warren Powell-Richards have bags of experience with many different types of homes, we know a little bit about preparing for winter too.

Give us a call for advice. You never know, we might even have a house for sale that is a perfect winter hideaway for you

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Published: 19 October 2021

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When it comes to adding value to a home, most people automatically think of big, expensive projects like a conservatory or an additional bedroom.

While these will undoubtedly add value to your property, it’s not always as much as people think, and in some cases it can be far more cost effective to repurpose an existing room than to build a whole new one.

Below are some of the best room upgrades you can carry out to add the most value to your home.

• Upgrade The Radiators

The heating system is an essential part of every home, and it’s vital to have radiators that emit enough heat to warm the room they’re in.

Therefore, it may be a good idea to upgrade your radiators, perhaps to get bigger ones that will heat the room up more effectively or ones that can double up as a towel rail for example. A stylish radiator can also improve the appearance of a room and become part of the design

• Add a Kitchen Island

If you have the space to add one then a kitchen island can be worth its weight in gold.

Not only can it create an extra seating area, but it can also provide additional storage space for pots, pans, and appliances. And when it comes to kitchens, you can never have enough cupboard space.

• Add An En-Suite

Although en-suite bathrooms are more common than they used to be, there’s still an element of luxury about them, and many buyers now see them as a must-have.

Despite being one of the more expensive room upgrades you can opt for, they can be a very worthwhile investment when it comes to selling your property.

• Add a Walk-In Wardrobe

If you’ve got enough space in the master bedroom then a walk-in wardrobe is an ideal way to add value.

It also adds a touch of luxury and uniqueness to a property, which can help it stand out when the time comes to sell.

• Convert The Loft

This is probably the most expensive option on the list, but it may give your home the biggest boost in terms of value.

Any way that you can reuse existing space to make it more effective is likely to have a positive impact on your property’s value, and converting the loft to make an extra room is a prime example.

• Convert The Garage

A garage conversion is another of the more costly options, but again it’s one of the more effective ones.

If you already have a driveway and your garage is just being used for storage then conversion to another room is a great way to make it work better for you.

It’s also likely to be a big positive for any future buyers, given the significant increase in people working from home in recent years. In many cases, a home office is of far more use than a garage for buyers.

• Replace The Windows

If your windows are damaged or drafty then it’s worth having them replaced anyway, solely for the fact it will make your home warmer. The added benefit is the savings you’ll make on heating bills as your home is doing a better job of keeping the warmth in.

Add in the fact that new windows can be a key selling point for buyers, and you’ll find that this is a great way of adding value to your home. A lot of buyers will have used most, if not all of their savings on buying the house, so any big, expensive upgrades like new windows or a new boiler are a way of attracting potential buyers, who won’t have that extra cost to consider.

• Add a Fireplace

Adding a fireplace can be an inexpensive, attractive way of boosting your home’s value.

It’s the sort of feature that can make a home feel cosier in the winter months, and it can make a great centrepiece in the living room. Compared with other room upgrades, it’s quite a reasonably priced and cost effective way to boost the value of your home.

• Add a Shower

Homes traditionally would only come with a bath, but in today’s world, a shower is essential, particularly for people with little time on their hands to take a long soak.

Adding a shower above the bath can be quite a simple, inexpensive job if you have a tiled bathroom already in place. If not, it becomes a little more costly, but it’s still a great add-on for potential buyers when they come to view, and it definitely boosts a property’s value.

Homemovers often ask us “what improvements will increase the value of my home?” and the team at Warren Powell-Richards know exactly how to answer this!

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Published: 08 October 2021

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Whether you want to invest in property or save for retirement, there are plenty of pros and cons for each. If you’re unsure what’s best for you, this guide should help to give you a few handy tips to fit your circumstances.

Property – The Pros

If you find the right property then you could have a fixed income for life. Rental yields can be as high as 8% in some cities, and demand for rental properties is very high, especially in cities.

With demand often outstripping supply, there’s no reason why your property can’t remain permanently occupied if it’s in the right location.

Another advantage of a property vs a pension is that you can cash in at any time.

Of course, a property sale can take many months, and if you need the money by a certain point then you’ll need to plan ahead, but a property can essentially free up a large amount of cash relatively quickly.

Property is also generally considered to be a solid long-term investment. Although the market can fluctuate, house prices tend to go up over the long-term, so unless you’re in a position where you need to sell quickly and potentially make a loss, you can ride out any storms in the housing market to ensure that you sell for a tidy profit if and when you need to cash in.

Property – The Cons

Owning a buy-to-let property isn’t as simple as buying a place, renting it out and watching the money roll in.

Although rental income can be quite lucrative, there are often lots of additional factors to consider, such as maintenance costs, letting agent fees, and landlord insurance, which can all eat away at your profit.

Void periods are another consideration you’ll need to think about, particularly if you’ve got a mortgage on the property, as a few months without tenants can quickly lead to significant extra costs.

Changes in government legislation in recent years have also made owning a second property far less profitable than it once was, with increased taxes affecting profit margins for landlords.

You should also bear in mind that being a landlord can be quite a hands-on role, even if you employ a letting agent or property management company to look after the property. Ultimately, things like repairs and maintenance costs will fall on your shoulders, and a lot of would-be landlords are surprised by the level of responsibility that comes with owning a buy-to-let.

Pensions – The Pros

Compared with property, a pension is usually a far more hands-off way to grow an investment. In many cases it’s as simple as putting money into a pension pot each month and watching it grow, and especially if you have a financial adviser that you can trust to manage your affairs.

After all, there are no tenants or maintenance repairs to think about when you compare it to a buy-to-let property for example.

Another major plus point for pensions is the fact they attract tax relief. So instead of seeing lots of your investment go into the government’s pocket, you’ll actually be benefiting personally, with pensions being the most efficient investments from a tax perspective.

Pensions – The Cons

The main downside to a pension is that you can’t access any of the money until you’re at least 55. However, as it’s an investment for your retirement, this shouldn’t be an issue, and in some ways, this can be a blessing, as it stops you from pulling the money out on a whim.

Another possible downside to a pension is the fact it’s invested in stocks and shares, meaning it could fluctuate. However, as with property, it tends to go up over time, and you have the option to decrease your risk if you wish to.

The Verdict

Ultimately, it comes down to personal circumstances to determine what’s right for you.

When it comes to tax benefits, pensions are the clear winner as they attract tax relief, whereas landlords have been hit with ever-increasing tax bills in recent years.

However, when it comes to growth, property fares better than pensions, with house prices reaching record highs in recently, especially in certain parts of the UK.

As with any investment, there’s risk involved with both options, and while property can be more lucrative if you find the right place, it’s also widely considered to be the more risky of the two options.

If you’re unsure how to invest your capital then it’s always a good idea to consult a financial adviser.

Have questions about investing in property or becoming a landlord?

Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts.

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Published: 05 October 2021

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Selling your home is a huge life decision. Finding the right person for the job is one of the most important things you can do.

A good estate agent is honest, reliable, and easy to talk to. They can be the sole reason your home sells at the right price and the right time.

But how do you know who’s good and who’s not? Here are four things you should look for in an estate agent to sell your home.

1. Communication

Strong communication is one of the most important qualities of a good estate agent. If they aren’t communicating with you from the get-go, this is a bad sign. It’s easy to lose trust in someone that’s keeping you out of the loop. The last thing you want when selling your home is to feel like something shady is going on.

At the point of enquiry, monitor things like how promptly your calls are returned and whether promises are delivered. If an agent says they’ll send you information tomorrow and you don’t hear from them for a week, avoid at all costs.

2. Expertise

Your home is one of your biggest assets. Selling it is a skill and you want your estate agent to be an expert. That means they should be up to speed on the local area and can answer any questions you have about the selling process. An agent that knows what they’re doing will be able to reassure potential buyers and get you the right price for your home.

To check expertise, quiz your estate agent on things like local crime rates, local schools, nearby amenities and ask whether they have local area guides.

3. Good Reviews

Good reviews speak volumes. They can provide insight into an agent’s expertise, professionalism, and overall ethics.

Check the agent’s website for links to their reviews, success stories or testimonials. A good estate agent will be proud of their social proof, so they shouldn’t be hard to find. Whether it be Google, or AllAgents.co.uk which is the UK's largest review site for estate agents. 

4. Listening Skills

When you first enquired with your local agent, who did all the talking? If you couldn’t get a word in, this is a huge red flag. If your estate agent isn’t listening to you or acting very interested in what you have to say, how can you trust that they’ll take concerns seriously? Or that they’ll get things done the right way?

While you should expect an agent to pitch their services and sell, sell, sell, you should be doing most of the talking. A good estate agent will ask you questions and listen intently. It’s a sign that they want to understand your property and how they can help.

About Warren Powell-Richards

At Warren Powell-Richards, we pride ourselves on our high standards. Our team can help sell your home with the expertise and professionalism it deserves.

If you’re selling your home, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us today for a chat.