News

Here at Letters Group we have a team of professional estate agents that are here to help you sell your property or buy a new property. Our professional estate agents in Peterborough keep on top of all the latest changes in the world of buying and selling homes so you don’t have to. 

Below you can find out about the latest changes in the price of property coming to market.

The price of newly-marketed property has risen by an average of 0.3% this month. This is an increase of £1,058. We have seen reports of all-time price highs in the East Midlands, across the North West, in Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber too. These all-time price highs have pushed the national average to within £91 of a new record. It is important to remember, this is all despite the background of the politically uncertain times we are going through as a country.

A better performance for new sellers coming to the market and sales agreed has been reflected in the market buoyancy in these areas, when compared to the national average annual change for the year so far. We were interested to see that sales agreed so far are better in the northern regions, down by just 1.7% year or year. However in the southern areas there does seem to be some hesitation as it is down 7.1% when compared year on year.

The regional pattern is evident in the number of house sales being agreed too. There is a clear and more marked reluctance of would-be sellers in the south. This means that there is less property choice for the buyers, which leads to few sales agreed in the southern regions.

However, research shows that the national average for the number of house sales agreed is down just 4.3% when compared to last year. Wales is setting new price records and is selling better than the national average. In fact Wales is 0.2% ahead of last year. We then look at Yorkshire and the Humber which is 1.9% down on last year. The North West is down by 3.3% and the East Midlands is down by 3.7%.

Please remember the housing market is ever changing. If you are looking to sell your home or purchase a new home please contact our team of professional estate agents in Peterborough directly. We can give you honest advice and guidance to help you make an informed decision about how the current housing market will affect you.

Making the decision to downsize your home is never an easy decision. However there are lots of opportunities for downsizing in Peterborough. Whether your children have flown the nest, you want a home that is easier to manage or you’re downsizing to have more available funds – we are sure you will find the right home in Peterborough to downsize too.

That said downsizing is still tricky. In this blog post we have put together some top tips to help you with the downsizing process.

It is only normal that we collect things over time. These could be things your children have made at school, your child’s first clothes, old phone’s in drawers (just in case) and the random wires that are kept in a box under the stairs because you never know when you might need them. Downsizing is a great time to go through these things and start clearing out. 

The wires have not been used for ages; it is unlikely you will need them, so throw them out. Donate old phones to local charity shops or sell them to a local shop who will sell them on for you (and you can make a few pounds in the process too). If you really want to keep the old baby clothes why not take cuttings and make them into a patchwork blanket? These boxes of ‘stuff’ will take up a lot more room in a smaller home!

Go through all your possessions. If you love it then keep it. If you are keeping it to make someone else happy then get rid. Things that make you feel sad, angry or lonely should not be in eye-sight within your home. By clearing these things out you will be a happier family in a happier home.

If there is furniture in your home that will not fit in your new home, then why not offer it to the person buying your home included in the purchase. Or you could sell it online and make some money to purchase brand new furniture for your new home, which fits perfectly.

Downsizing in Peterborough can be tricky. There is likely to be a tinge of regret as you have made happy memories in your home. Even if you are excited to be downsizing there can be those moments of worry. 

Stop yourself from feeling sad about downsizing by imagining your new lifestyle in your new home. Think about what the rooms will look like, clear, clan and spacious. Imagine friends and family popping in to see you, and admiring your new home. Then ask yourself if you really need all the objects that currently surround you, or if you could do without them!

A lettings agent in Peterborough will provide you, as a landlord, with a range of services. These services can often be tailored to your needs and requirements. However, as with everything, there are pros and cons to using a lettings agent in Peterborough.

The Pro’s Of Using a Lettings Agent in Peterborough

• Stringent vetting, checks and referencing will take place so you will be more likely to have reliable tenants living in your property.
• The stress of the secure deposit protecting scheme is taken off your hands and we take care of it for you.
• Your lettings agent will handle all the paperwork for your rented property and keep it secure for you.
• The nasty part of collecting rent and chasing any rent arrears, if they occur, is taken care of on your behalf.
• Day to day property management and maintenance issues are dealt with and resolved by the letting agent.
• A professional lettings agent will be able to achieve a higher rent for your property than you may be able to achieve yourself.
• You don’t need to be an expert in legislations because the lettings agent is. They will ensure that you are aware of any changes to the legislations so that you are able to make sure that your property complies.
• You will have an impartial and objective buffer between you, as the landlord, and your tenants.
• If issues do arise from your tenants you will be in safe hands as your lettings agent is experience in dispute resolution. If a tenant need to be evicted your letting agent will know how to do it in a legal and effective way.
• Using a letting agent will reduce your workload and stress of renting out your property.

The Con’s Of Using a Lettings Agent in Peterborough

• Lettings agents don’t work for free and will charge a set up fee as well as a percent of your rental income. Make sure you check the charges and understand the services included before you start working with a letting agent on your property.
• If there are any problems with the property or the tenant and additional paperwork or administration is required then you will need to pay extra in some cases. However, if the issue is the eviction of a tenant you will know you’re in safe hands because an experienced lettings agent will deal with the matter effectively and legally.
• If repair or maintenance work is required on your property, the letting agent will organise a quotation for the works to be carried out on your behalf. This will take the stress and hassle away from you of finding a reliable handyman or tradesperson.

As with everything in life, weight up the pros and the cons before you make your decision. If you decide that a professional lettings agent in Peterborough will take the stress and hassle away for you then call us now 01733 567124 . We would be happy to manage your rented property for you.

We speak to many homeowners that have seen the hype of new online estate agents or ways to sell their own homes themselves, but they don’t understand why you should pay professional estate agents to sell your home.

In this blog post we have put together just some of the reasons that we would recommend using a professional estate agents to help sell your home.

• If you are only advertising your property online you are missing out on around 40% of potential buyers. Research shows that only around 60% of properties are sold from an online enquiry.
• There is loads of rubbish in the media that says professional estate agents are ripping homeowners off, charging thousands of pounds as their average fee. In fact this really isn’t the case. Research from Halifax and Nationwide shows that the average UK house price is £180,000. The average fee in the South East for professional estate agents is 1.25%. This equates to around £2,250 per sale.
• With a real estate agent you only pay fees on the sale of your property. However, with online estate agents you could find yourself paying £799 upfront, regardless if the property sell or not. While you may save yourself £2,000 in the fee, what if the professional estate agent could have got you an extra £10,000 on your property?
• House buying is very often a local game. People within your area are looking to upgrade to a larger property or move to a smaller home in the local area. Local estate agents have people on their books that are looking for homes like yours. With their local knowledge and client relationships you will have a much better chance than just popping your home online and seeing what happens.
• A professional estate agent will be able to quote the right price for your home. This is because they have local knowledge of schools, shops, green areas and historical perspective. Professional estate agents will use all this information and your home to confirm the value of your home, an online agent can’t do this for you.

The internet has brought a lot more things into our lives, and made our lives easier in many ways. However, the internet has not brought personal service to us. If you want the personal and knowledgeable service a professional estate agent to sell your home then please contact us directly.

While the potential income for lettings is well documented, in a crowd of adverts on RightMove and Air BnB what does it take to maximise your rental profits?

We have put together some top tips to help you attract the right tenants to your property, to help you maximises your rental profits.

Choose the Right Location

Choose the right location for your rental property, to attract the right tenants. For example, if you are looking for students to rent your property make sure it is near a college or university. If you want to attract long term family tenants then ensure the property is near local schools, transport links and local amenities. Then shout about these things in the accommodation advert to show potential tenants just how great your property is.

Get Professional Photos

Tenants want to find a property that is well presented and in a great location. You can write about this in the property description, but it will come across much better in photos. The right photos of your property will engage the person looking for their next home. By using a professional photographer you can be assured that you’ll have the best lighting and angles for all the photos. Your property will look its best and you’ll be easily maximising your rental profits.

First Impressions Count

It’s important that you make the best possible first impression, in regards to you and your property. Your potential tenant will want to know they have a reliable landlord that they can trust if things go wrong. They will also want to view a home that is well looked after with small repairs completed. A dodgy front door lock or damaged paint work on the wall could be enough to make your potential tenant look elsewhere.

Highlight Amenities

Things like off road parking, a shed or a downstairs toilet could be exactly what your tenant is looking for. Make sure you really highlight these amenities when talking about your property. If you’re not sure what special features your property has then check out other properties and you’ll quickly see what you thought was ‘the norm’ is actually a big benefit for a tenant.

Use the Experts

We have listed all the things you can do as a ways of really maximising your rental profits. The reason we know these work is because we are lettings experts in Peterborough. We have been helping landlords maximise their rental profits for years. If you would like us to manage your property and do all of the above pointers for you just ask. We would be happy to take this extra work and stress away from you.

Find out what rent you can expect from your property by calling us for a free, no obligation property valuation now.

Tepilo have been analysing the property market reforms that homeowners are literally begging for, and the results were interesting. If you’re a homeowner we would love to know what you think. This research was UK wide and over 2,000 adults were spoken to.

However, we want to know, as Peterborough homeowners are these reforms something you would like to see in the Peterborough property market?

• 55% of homeowners surveyed said that they would strongly agree with the introduction of new legislation that would stop gazumping from taking place. If you have not yet experienced gazumping, then this is the name for when a seller accepts a verbal offer from one buyer, but then accepts a higher offer from someone else.
• 52% of homeowners feel that caps should be introduced to curb the number, value or location of properties purchased by people who are not residents in the UK.
• 47% of homeowners that own more than one property are against a cap being introduced on the number of residential properties that one person can own. However, 41% of homeowners support this capping measure.
• The top property market reform that homeowners with more than one house want to see is the scrapping of inheritance tax on all property assets. In fact 62% of homeowners with more than one property, that took part in this research, feel this way.
• We were not surprised to see that a stamp duty overhaul came up. Whenever we speak to Peterborough homeowners about property market reforms this is something that comes up. 40% of homeowners want to see new incentives for stamp duty, such as a reduction of stamp duty or an increased scope on the Help to Buy schemes for first-time buyers and homeowners purchasing a new build home.
• 44% homeowners felt that a financial incentive should be on offer for those buying properties that derelict, so they can be renovated and put back on the property market for sale.

So, what do you think? If you could choose one reform for the Peterborough property market, what would you choose?

When home buyers and renters in Peterborough are viewing your home the time really does start the second they set foot in your home. If your home has a positive impact on them in the first 60 seconds then it puts they buyer or renter in a brilliant frame of mind. However, if they notice something they don’t like in that first 60 seconds, it could be game over for them buying or renting your home in Peterborough.

We all know that first impressions count – so what is the first impression someone gets of your home?

Of course you need to think about the kerb appeal of your property. Is your garden well maintained? Is the front door clean? Is the path up to your house weed free?

But what about when they enter your home; how can you ensure they get the best first impression for your home? By following these quick tips!

• If the door has a dodgy lock, the light in the entrance doesn’t work, there is scratched paint as you enter or exposed wires this is not the first impression you want. Take the time to complete these quick 5 minute jobs to give the viewers the peace of mind that the house is well maintained and looked after.
• While your delicious take away last night was really yummy – the morning smell the day after isn’t quite as attractive. Now are the dirty plates in the sink. Take the time to give your home the quick once over before the viewing. Open the windows to let in some fresh air, and give them a quick clean too. The more natural light you can get into a room the better.
• They may be your prized possessions and favourite things that your children have made for you. However, to a potential buyer or renter in Peterborough, these things are just clutter. The clutter in your home not only makes the room look smaller. This clutter can also make your home look messy. You don’t need to throw these things away, just store them somewhere safe (and out of sight) during the viewings.
• If you have the time before putting your house on the market in Peterborough, redecorate your home. A brighter room is far more welcoming than a room with dark walls. A tin of magnolia paint can be a really good way of making a room look brighter, more spacious and more welcoming.

If you’re looking to create the right first impression for renters and home buyers in Peterborough then give us a call. We would be only too happy to help you sell or rent your home in Peterborough.

Did you know that women are three times as likely as men to pay the asking price of a property? How does this affect the way that you sell and present your home? Does your home appeal to the women that may in fact be the ones choosing the home, and offering the most to buy your home?

Research shows that only 5.5% of men will pay the full asking price of a home. Meanwhile 22% of men will offer less than 90% of the asking price of your home.

This same research shows us that 17% of women will offer the full asking price for a home. The research also shows that 90% of female house buyers will offer 10% of less below the asking price. This shows just how much more money you can get when selling your home to a woman, as opposed to a man.

So how you can you ensure that your home is appealing to female buyers?

Firstly, women are more sensitive to nasty smells than men are. This means that you need to make sure that you home looks and smells fresh and clean. Pop round with the polish and duster before your house viewing and you will make your property far more attractive to the female.

Ladies are also drawn to colour. Things like a large bouquet of flowers on the side board or a bowl of fresh and colourful fruit in the kitchen will be really attractive to a female buyer. Things like this will appeal to her feminine side and this small touch could get you the asking price you want.

Fresh linen in the bedroom, especially with the added fresh linen smell is a brilliant way to appeal to the female. Things like this won’t appeal to a man, but they are a nice added touch. A freshly made bed is much nicer than a screwed up duvet hastily laid across the bed.

You can appeal to a ladies luxurious side with thick fluffy towels in the bathroom and high quality luxury toiletries too. These sorts of things will appeal to both sexes as they can imagine living in your home, and enjoying these luxurious items.

If you are selling your home in Peterborough and want to ensure that is looks its best then give us a call. We are experienced estate agents in Peterborough. We know what our buyers want and how to appeal to them.

The last few years haven’t been easy for landlords in Peterborough. There have been tax changes, new regulations, regulation changes and more. Unfortunately it doesn’t look to be an easier journey over 2019 for Peterborough landlords either, with Government figures showing tenants could be saving around £240million each year with new legislations.

If you don’t work with a professional letting agent that you can trust and rely upon, then your life as a landlord in Peterborough could be about to get even trickier.

Here at Letters Group we work with landlords in Peterborough to ensure they are away of all the latest regulation and legislation changes so our Peterborough Landlords are always doing it right.

Please see the latest changes that landlords in Peterborough need to be aware of to stay legal;

Client Money Protection Schemes
As of 1^st April 2019 the second regulation comes into force, as per Government requirements. The client money protection scheme protects the money of the landlords and tenants if a letting or property agent was to go into administration. This is something the team here at Letters Group put in place quite some time ago, because we want our Peterborough landlords to feel safe when they use us as their letting agents.

Ban on Tenant Fees
As of 1st June 2019, it will become law in England that there will be a ban on tenant fees. Examples of banned fees include charging for a guarantor form, credit checks, inventories, cleaning services, referencing, admin charges, gardening services and such like. Generally speaking, pretty much any fee that is in a tenancy agreement will become void.

Tenant Deposits
The original government proposed limit of deposits from tenants was 4 weeks, but the industry average was 6 weeks. The government have now started that 5 weeks rent is the maximum deposit that can be taken from a tenant.

Here at Letters Group we would always recommend that a professional inventory check-in is completed as standard, and regular checks are completed on the property.

It is important to note that deposits for tenancies where the annual rate is £50,000 or more are given one extra week. For tenancies of this size, the tenant deposit can be charged to the equivalent of 6 weeks rent.

If you are an independent landlord in Peterborough and would like to partner up with a lettings agency for added support and to take away the stress, then please contact us directly. We would be happy to discuss we can work for you, and the stresses and headaches of being a landlord in Peterborough that we can take away for you.

A three year tenancy term with a six month break clause is something that has been introduced in Scotland in recent years. There have been lots of talks in the Government about introducing this into England too, using a similar model that has been working in Scotland.

The three year tenancy with a six month break clause could prove really popular among renters in Peterborough that are looking for longer term security from the rental property. Bit could a three year tenancy with a size month break clause work for landlords in Peterborough? Could it work for you, as a landlord in Peterborough?

The discussion of introducing three year tenancies has come about from Government data. This data reveals that on average, people renting a home will stay in the property for an average of four years. However, this research goes on to show that 81% of rental contracts for homes are assured short-hold tenancies. These short-hold tenancies in Peterborough have a minimum fixes term of just six to twelve months.

Moving towards three years tenancies in Peterborough would result in greater security for renters in Peterborough as well as Peterborough landlords. However it would also result in few renewal fees from the start of the tenancy.

Research and initial reports shows us that 32% of potential landlords would be put off the idea of investing in the buy-to-let property if this was to go ahead. However it seems that the government is keen to continue pressing on ahead with their proposal of giving tenants a minimum three year contract. This contract would enable a Peterborough tenant to be tied into a 3 year contract, but they would still be able to walk away sooner if they so choose.

A three year tenancy in Peterborough can take away a lot of the stress for a landlord in Peterborough, but not if it is a problem tenant.

We would recommend that you partner up with a professional, experienced and trustworthy letting agency in Peterborough that can complete the pre-tenancy checks for you and help ensure that you have a good tenant that will cause minimal issues during their three year tenancy in your property.