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Details: Published: 14 August 2023; Hits: 185

Who would have thought it? A recent survey revealed that men and women look for different things when choosing a new home!

If you’re selling a property it’s unlikely you will have thought about trying to attract one gender over another to view your home. After all, we’re living in the 21^st century in an era of gender equality.

However, a recent survey revealed that men and women look for different things when choosing a new home, so it’s worth knowing a little more about what each sex is seeking and how you can present your property in the best light for all!

What Do Men Look For In Properties?

When men look for a new home, their top consideration is location, and, in particular, how close the property is to their place of work. In fact, 35% of men involved in Santander Mortgage’s survey said that the distance between the property and their workplace was their top priority along with the availability of good transport links.

Other considerations high on the list for male buyers include:

Is an area considered to be “up and coming?”
Green spaces close by

The survey also revealed that, in general, men are more interested in the features of the property’s neighbourhood rather than the features of the property itself. Males do also focus on facts and figures regarding the property’s location and structure – including the floor space, garden size, and the number of bedrooms.

When it comes to choosing which home to buy, men have their own methodical approach too. They simply keep searching until they find one that has everything on their checklist rather than relying on their gut instincts.

Negotiating a price is also managed differently between men and women, with men being determined to stick to their guns and not compromise on the price they want to pay! Just over 5% of men will pay the asking price for a property, and only a fifth will offer under 90% of the property’s asking price.

What Do Women Look For In Properties?

Women are particularly interested in properties that give them plenty of indoor space. In fact, 31% of female survey respondents answered that space was a top priority for them alongside living in a location close to family members, being near good schools and having their own garden. Women also tend to focus on the features of a home.

Unlike men, women rely on gut instinct when choosing a property to purchase and are more interested in how a place feels rather than whether it ticks everything on a list.

When it comes to negotiation, women are more likely to offer the property’s asking price, with 17% not attempting to negotiate and 90% of women buyers offering no more than 10% under the property’s asking price in an attempt to secure it.

Can There Be Compromises Between What Men And Women Want?

While it appears that women and men have their own priorities when it comes to purchasing a new home, their goal remains the same – to purchase a property that’s fit to live in, close enough to their workplaces to commute, in a decent neighbourhood, and with good schools nearby.

Yet, while these aspects of purchasing a home are deemed to be non-negotiable, it appears that compromises may be made concerning location, outside space, and the property’s overall state of repair.

Details: Published: 14 August 2023; Hits: 160

The process of moving home can become highly stressful. With a seemingly endless to-do list, mounting cardboard boxes and looming deadlines, getting in touch with energy suppliers is often pushed to the bottom of the pile.

However, failing to notify your energy supplier in enough time can result in you being overcharged and adding further stress later down the line.

Here’s your complete guide to dealing with energy suppliers when moving home.

First, Let Your Current Supplier Know

Once your move dates are confirmed, you should let your current energy supplier know. They will require a few personal details alongside your move date and forwarding address. Some may also ask for the new occupiers’ names, to keep their records up to date.

You should always give them at least 48 hours notice, but an extra few days can help you get your affairs in order.

Take a good look at your account and figure out whether you are in credit or debit. This way, you will know roughly what to expect from your final bill.

Your supplier will likely ask if you would like to transfer your plan to your new property. It is recommended you instead wait until you have moved, and assess your options.

Provide a Final Meter Reading

To calculate your bill efficiently, your supplier will require a final meter reading. This way, it is guaranteed you are not overpaying for electricity that you have not used. You should complete this meter reading on the morning that you vacate your home.

Send a copy of this information to the new owners and your estate agents for the extra peace of mind that you all have the correct information.

Find Out Who Your New Supplier Is

Sellers should pass this information to the estate agents, however, this understandably sometimes slips the mind.

To find out who your new gas supplier is, use the Find My Supplier website. The Energy Network Association can be used to find out your electricity provider.

Notify Your New Supplier

You should take meter readings on the day you move into your new property. Ordinarily, the estate agents handing you the keys will be available to show you where the meter is and take a copy of the reading for their records.

Send a copy of the reading to your new supplier who will be able to calculate your ongoing bill. You should choose a flexible plan which allows you to exit at any time. You will likely find a more affordable plan elsewhere, and this way, you can avoid expensive exit fees.

It is beneficial to also send a copy to the previous owner or landlord. This will help ensure that everyone’s records align and no one is caught out with an unexpected charge.

Find the Right Settings

Don’t forget that you are inheriting someone else’s heating system, who probably had different preferences to you. Check the timers and temperatures already in place to see if they fit in with your family’s needs.

Otherwise, you might be unnecessarily burning through energy and cash!

Search for the Best Deal

The supplier of the previous occupier may not necessarily be the most economical option. Although you will owe them for your initial days in the home, you should head to one of the many price comparison websites to secure the best deal.

It may also be worthwhile to arrange a smart meter installation which can save your household heaps of money as well as the hassle of submitting regular meter readings.

Set Up a Direct Debit

The easiest way to pay your monthly energy bill is via direct debit. You will generally pay the same monthly instalment, which can then be slightly adjusted either way in accordance with the meter readings you submit.

At this point, it’s also worthwhile to check your records with the supplier from your previous home. Ensuring that you have paid any outstanding balance or claimed your refund will prevent any reminders from being issued in the weeks and months to come.

Other Suppliers to Notify

Council tax
Water
Broadband & landline
Car registration and insurance
Home Insurance
TV licence
Healthcare services (doctor, dentist, optician)
Bank

Stay Organised

The key to a smooth home move is undoubtedly organisation. Understandably, many movers put off contacting their utility companies, either because of logistical stress, or to delay payments. However, attempting to delay these bills will only result in a much heftier sum when it does arrive on your doorstep!

If you have any questions, please do get in touch. Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to see how we can help or pop into one of our offices to speak to our teams.

Details: Published: 07 August 2023; Hits: 177

Giving Your Garden A Makeover Can Create Additional Value To Your Home

Many sellers are surprised to discover that an attractive garden can add as much as 20% to the value of their home. In fact, at Warren Powell-Richards, we’ve found that giving your garden a makeover can add more value to your home compared to building a new extension, conservatory or replacing a kitchen – and at a far lower price.

Simply adding a new patio, some smart new fencing, or decking can make any home more desirable to prospective buyers. So, why is your garden so important when it comes to selling your home? Here are just a few of the reasons why you should focus your efforts on your outdoor spaces before listing your property for sale.

It Will Add Value

Did you know that there are eight features that can be added to your garden to add significant value to your property’s asking price? They are:

A high-quality patio or paved area
A medium or large shed
Secure gates, walls, and fences
Sufficient outdoor lighting
Water features such as ponds or fountains
Sturdy decking
Artificial grass
Well-designed and attractive garden furniture

Simply adding some or all of these features to your outdoor spaces can have a major positive impact on the desirability of your home without costing the earth.

It Will Show You Care About Your Property

Most sellers ensure that the inside of their property is clean and tidy before hosting a viewing, and it’s important to extend that attitude to your outdoor spaces too. If your home has a front garden or driveway, it will give any prospective buyer their first impression of your property, and kerb appeal is absolutely vital.

Unattractive hanging baskets full of dead plants, broken garden furniture, and an overgrown lawn will give viewers the impression that you don’t really care about your property and will make them think negatively about it before they even step through your front door. If they have done a ‘drive-by’ beforehand, it could even put them off viewing your home at all.

It Shows Character

No matter how much you spend on adding a new bathroom or kitchen to your home, at some future time, it will probably look outdated. Furthermore, similar kitchen and bathroom designs are found in lots of different houses, but your garden is an individual and creative space that gives you the opportunity to show your own unique flair.

If you want to show character in your property, your outdoor spaces are a great way to do this, although it’s wise to keep your garden refurbishments and renovations to a moderate level when planning a sale, since potential buyers always have a vision of their own for how they’d like the space to look after moving in.

If you’re ready to sell your home and need a reliable estate agent, our team at Warren Powell-Richards is at your disposal. Drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get the ball rolling or pop in and see one of the team in our high street offices.

Details: Published: 07 August 2023; Hits: 161

Due to prominent news coverage, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce the impact their home has on the environment so that they can reduce their carbon footprint and also save some money on energy bills. With technology advancements being made year upon year, there are more ways now than ever to help accomplish this.

If you’re interested in making your home more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, here are the five best ways to use clean energy.

Rooftop solar panels

Rooftop solar panels are one of the most effective ways to produce renewable energy for your home. Solar panels are one of the most popular ways, as the barrier to entry is low, and the results far outweigh the initial cost. The solar panels are usually installed on the roof of your home or in your garden if there is adequate space and sunlight. This is so the sun’s energy can be captured effectively. Once the rays are captured by the panels, the energy is converted into electricity, therefore reducing the burden your home puts on the electrical grid and lowering your energy bills. Depending on where you are in the UK, you could save around 1.3 to 1.6 tonnes of carbon per year with your typical home solar panel system.

The initial cost for set-up is all you have to pay when it comes to the expenses for your solar panel system. Solar energy is free, so after it’s installed, you will enjoy a reduction in your energy bills and no other costs will be payable. Moreover, there are some times where your panels will end up generating more electricity than your home can use. In this case, the surplus energy gets exported to the grid for another home to use. You can then get paid for this surplus through an export payment via your energy company.

Wind turbines

Most people recognise wind turbines as a solution commonly built on large open spaces. But did you know that if your property has enough space, you can install your own small scale wind turbine to help generate electricity for your home too!

Due to the very nature of wind turbines, there are considerations to remember such as the noise they may generate and any planning regulations that must be adhered to. However, if you do go forward with a wind turbine, you can enjoy many benefits. Wind power is more reliable than solar, and depending on the size of your turbine, you could generate a considerable amount, if not all of, your electricity needs for your home.

Solar water heating

Similar to solar panels on your roof, a solar powered water heater can heat your water in an environmentally friendly way. The suns rays are captured through the panels to heat a reserve of water which gets pumped through to your taps, showers, and radiators. This method of heating your water is considerably cheaper than using electricity or gas, so your monthly bill will be reduced.

Hydropower

This method may not work for everyone and is dependent on your location because you need a source of flowing water. If you do have a source of flowing water, you could consider hydropower by diverting a stream of water through a turbine. Depending on how strong the stream of water is, you could generate a lot of power for your home.

In order to do this, you would need to invest in a hydropower generator and get a professional to install it for you, but once this is done, your flow of energy is continuous. Hydropower is more stable than solar or wind power because it isn’t dependent on the weather, so you’ll always get the same amount of energy from it.

Biomass energy

Biomass is a more recent innovation in environmentally friendly fuel. It’s made from organic waste like agricultural waste, wood pellets and scrap timber, animal waste and manure, and other general debris. It most commonly generates energy through combustion and can help you reduce your heating costs. Compared to fossil fuel use, biomass also lowers greenhouse gas emissions and helps maintain forests and crops.

Whilst you may not be able to power your entire home on renewable energy – unless of course you live in a tiny home – you can certainly make a positive environmental impact and noticeably reduce your monthly energy bills with these options.

Details: Published: 31 July 2023; Hits: 185

If you are considering putting your house up for sale, but are not sure where to start, there are methods you can follow to help ensure it is fresh and market ready.

Not just for new build show homes, you should consider staging your home, or to put it another way, setting the scene to arouse immediate buyer interest in your property when it comes to market.

To be truly effective, you’ll need to look at staging both the inside and outside of your home, so here at Warren Powell-Richards we have put together our seven top tips to get you started and on the road to staging your home like a pro.

Declutter

This is one of the most necessary things you can do. You’re going to be moving home anyway and will have to pack, so it makes perfect sense and is a straight-forward job to declutter and start packing at the same time. Pack up everything you don’t need and store the boxes out of sight in the garage if you have one, or consider temporarily renting a small storage unit. Keeping the look minimal can help sell your home.

Organise

Whilst we don’t like to think of strangers opening our cupboards, the reality is that they probably will. If you have built-in wardrobes, hang similar colours and garments together because this will make the cupboards look bigger. An organized space always appears larger, and you want your cupboards to look as tidy and spacious as possible.

De-personalize

You should de-personalize your home as much as possible when preparing to put it on the market. This is so that potential buyers can imagine themselves and their own belongings occupying the space. This means minimizing and putting away everything you don’t need or currently use. Clear kitchen worktops as much as possible, stash away all those gadgets and appliances and put miscellaneous small clutter in a few attractive baskets or boxes out of sight.

Look from the Outside

Stand on the street outside your property to see the view your prospective buyers will get as they approach your property. Be aware of any negative impressions they may get such as overgrown borders, peeling paint, broken windows and so on. A poorly maintained exterior will make a prospective buyer think that the house has not been well taken care of. Even if you have spent the time and money to ensure the interior is amazing, it will all be wasted if the prospect gets a bad first impression as they approach your property.

What do you really see?

Step outside your front door and close it; then stand on your step and simply look around for a couple of minutes. This might appear to be a strange thing to do, but it is mimicking the likelihood of your estate agent fumbling around for keys before finally opening the door!

During this time, you will see exactly what your potential buyers will see. So, what is it? Cobwebs on the door frame? Dead plants? A broken lightbulb in the porch? A less than shiny letterbox? First impressions count, so it’s worth taking some time to clean up. If you want to go a step further, consider painting the front door or adding new accessories.

Don’t forget the back garden

A tidy and inviting back garden is just as important as your front garden, so don’t neglect it. Whilst it might not be part of the potential buyers first impression experience, you should make sure it is in the best condition possible. Pull up the weeds, water the plants, do some sweeping and maybe even purchase new furniture or accessories such as plant pots or bird houses. This all adds to the vision of ‘living the dream’ your potential buyer wants.

The biggest tip of all

Simply imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking at your property for the very first time. See it through their eyes and ask yourself:

What impression does the house give you?
How is its kerb appeal?
Would YOU buy your house?
What would you like to see that’s different before you put an offer on your house?

Finally, to stage a home will cost money but you’ll get that back, and often more, when your property sells. Proper staging will help you sell your house in a shorter time and importantly at the price you want.

For expert advice on showing your home to its full potential, contact the team at Warren Powell-Richards