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Published: 20 July 2022

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Should I Downsize?

We have found that currently older people are questioning whether downsizing is the right choice for them. If your children have flown the nest, and with the cost of living increasing, you may be beginning to think about whether your existing home is suitable in the long term.

Perhaps the ongoing demands of cleaning, maintaining, running and repairing a family-sized property are already proving to be onerous and, over time, those requirements will only become more challenging. With this in mind, it could be time to consider moving to a smaller home. The team here at Warren Powell-Richards appreciate that this can be a difficult decision and so have a few considerations that you should bear in mind before making your final choice.

What Do You Find Most Important?

Your home may have once been perfect for your family, but it’s important to consider what matters most to you today. If you value spending your money and time on the things you enjoy doing most instead of spending them on your home, it could be the perfect time to downsize.

Take some time to think carefully about your current circumstances and how much space you really need now. Take the time, too, to plan ahead for the future. Consider your future well-being and health.

Will you be able to manage stairs, a large garden, or difficult to maintain fittings and fixtures when you’re older?

Is your home’s location still going to be suitable for you in a few years’ time, or would it be best for you to live closer to family members, public transport, or healthcare facilities?

You need to not only prioritise what is important to you today but also what will matter most in the future.

Consider Your Finances

It can be expensive to run any home. However, if you’re paying a large amount to warm rooms that you don’t use, or pay a standard water bill which would be most suited to a larger family, you could save money by downsizing. You may also have a big mortgage and high insurance premiums for a larger home that you could save money on if you moved to a smaller property. You could even end up paying your mortgage off entirely, potentially leaving spare money that you can spend on things that you enjoy.

How Could You Use Some Spare Money?

For many people considering downsizing, there will be some spare money available once you’ve relocated. Depending on the amount of money involved, you may decide to go on holiday, give some money to loved ones, help your children buy a home of their own, or buy some well-earned treats for yourself. You may have enough to invest – perhaps in a buy-to-let property to generate an additional income to supplement your pension or existing salary.

What Happens Next?

Deciding to downsize is never going to be easy, but in many cases, it is the best thing in the long run. Discuss your thoughts with your family and friends, and take some time to think hard about what’s the best option for you. You should also find out how much your existing home is worth.

You can find out more about the value of similar properties in your area by visiting our website at wpr.co.uk, or start the process of selling your home by getting in touch with our team. We’re looking forward to helping you make the most of your move.

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Published: 19 July 2022

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How Long Will My House Sale Take To Go Through?

If you’re selling a home, you probably want at least a rough idea of how long the process is likely to take. Understanding the timescales that are likely to be involved is important when it comes to preparing and organising for a move, and as experts in the industry, the team here at Warren Powell-Richards can give you a greater insight into the process.

How Long Do Sellers Have To Reject Or Accept An Offer?

Typically, it’s expected that sellers will either reject or accept an offer on their property within a couple of days. Should there be an especially high demand for their property, the process could take longer since there may be several offers for the sellers to consider. However, it’s essential to bear in mind that you may not always want to accept the offer that is highest. Speed could be the most important factor in your sale, and you may wish to accept a lower offer in return for faster completion.

How Long Will There Be Between Offer And Completion?

There is no single answer to this question since there are many variables that come into play. Market conditions, local demand, and the complexity of the property chain all affect the length of time between offer and completion. Typically, though, this period is around 6 – 13 weeks. It very much relies, however, on how quickly your conveyancer, local authority, and indeed, you yourself, handle the requests and paperwork involved. Acting quickly in response to enquiries and providing information promptly as and when necessary is the best way to ensure the speediest conclusion to the process.

What Kind Of Timescale Is Involved In The Conveyancing Process?

Conveyancing solicitors go through several different stages as they progress towards completion. They must gain confirmation of your available funds or mortgage offer. They must draw up the contracts. They have to arrange searches through the local authority, obtain information from the land registry, handle all pre-contract inquiries, and continuously liaise with the other party’s solicitor. Overall, it can take about 12 weeks.

How Long Between Signing Contracts And Exchanging?

This relies heavily on the conveyancing solicitors making the contracts available to each other, usually via recorded delivery. The buyer must also have the deposit ready for the exchange to be completed and buildings insurance ready to be activated as the new owner. Although there aren’t any hard and fast rules about the time of contract exchange, many solicitors do it at around midday. At that point, the purchaser has a legal commitment to purchase the property. Completion will then typically take place within a couple of weeks – usually in the afternoon (Friday is the most popular day for this). Sometimes, completion and exchange take place on the same day.

If you have any questions about the selling process, don’t hesitate to contact the team here at Warren Powell-Richards. We can answer all your questions and give you the advice you need, so give us a call or drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We’re looking forward to helping you.

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Published: 15 July 2022

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How Many Boxes to Move House?

Box clever when it comes to packing!

So the search is over and you’ve found your dream home to move into. That’s brilliant news, it really is. The next chapter of your life can begin.

But wait. You’ve actually got to do the moving bit now and that can often be as daunting as finding a new home in the first place.

If you’ve been in your current home for many years, brought your family up in it, then you’ll know you’ve probably got hundreds, perhaps thousands, of things hanging about the place.

From treasured trinkets, family photos, pictures and paintings to cutlery, pots, pans and plates, you’ve got a lot of things to transport to your new home.

So, how many boxes do you need to move house? This is exactly the sort of question the team at Warren Powell-Richards get asked all the time! Of course you need an idea of how many boxes to order or collect from people who have them going spare.

First off, it really does depend on what you’re taking with you. Are you really going to take everything lock, stock and barrel, or can you make a priority packing list?

Isn’t it actually a good opportunity to throw out some knick knacks, gift some ornaments, make a few pounds from selling things, or donate to a charity shop?

Seriously, think about it. Not only will you declutter, you could make some money and save on buying as many boxes.

So once you’ve decluttered, you’re ready to pack away your belongings.

How many boxes now?

Well, if you Google this, you’ll see that the word average is used a lot. There is of course the problem in that what does average actually mean? Are you below or above average? How would you know?

But, we have to start somewhere and average is a really good rule of thumb (although you have to use your common sense if you think you’re below or above).

According to the Removal Reviews website, a family of three or four people “with an average amount of possessions” will need around 10 small boxes, 10 medium boxes, and five large boxes.

Meanwhile, a family of four might in a three-bed might need 15 small boxes, 10 medium boxes and 10 large boxes.

There are however a lot of packaging websites that will help you calculate how many boxes you need, and they will also show you that there are different shaped boxes too.

We’ve seen boxes designed to act as wardrobes, or boxes that help with documents. Only you will know if you need specialist boxes.

Don’t forget too, that you will also need to factor in packaging materials. Bubble wrap, tape, string, that sort of thing.

Top Tip: You can save money here by using bed linen or clothes to wrap some items. Newspapers can also be used to fill any spaces in boxes.

Pack from the top down

We suggest it’s best to choose one room and target that for packing everything first, before then moving to a different room. It helps with organisation and should keep any mess to a minimum. You should also start at the top of the house, in the attic if you have one.

Pack heavy items in small boxes

Another tip is that heavy items such as books should be in smaller boxes – they’ll be easier to handle and the boxes will be stronger. If you fill a large box with a lot of heavy items, you could be storing up trouble.

Start your packing in good time

One of the key things you must think about is time. Packing things up can take more time than you anticipate. Not only because you might have a lot of things, but because the chances are you’ll be thinking about the memories those things bring back, remembering holidays and parties and get-togethers. You must be focused, or at least know that’s what you’re like and factor it into your planning.

Use a professional removal service

Don’t forget, there is another way. A lot of removal companies will do the packing for you. They can either visit your home beforehand to do a survey, or they can do video surveys so they don’t have to travel and come into your property first. They’ll give you an estimate of how many boxes you need to move home, and if it is a service they offer, they can do the packing for you.

If you need some advice, please don’t hesitate to call out team at Warren Powell-Richards or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will be delighted to offer our words of wisdom.

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Published: 12 July 2022

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A Glimpse into the UK’s Most Expensive Homes! Take a Look at These Beauties

Have you ever wondered how the homes of the rich and famous look? Most of us enjoy a little bit of property porn and these houses are packed with all the luxuries that the super-wealthy enjoy, including gyms, swimming pools and dedicated treatment spaces.

Here are five of the most expensive properties currently on the market in the UK.

12 Bedroom Mayfair Mansion

Sitting at a whopping £54,000,000, this 12-bedroom mansion in the heart of Mayfair encompasses pure wealth and luxury.

This remarkable home is spread over six spectacular floors. The property boasts both a family and a ‘dirty’ kitchen and multiple reception rooms. The home also has 12 large bedrooms and a magnificent rooftop terrace, which will struggle to be beaten anywhere in the capital.

However, the true pièce de resistance is the basement, as this property is home to Mayfair’s largest private swimming pool.

This home provides a true oasis, in perhaps one of the busiest areas in the entire country.

Pure Luxury on the South Coast

In the southeast, £7,000,000 will afford one lucky owner this stunning home.

Sitting just west of Exeter is a magnificent, 14^th-century property that has been painstakingly restored over the past decade.

The centrepiece of this home is unlike anything you will find in any other residential property in the country. This home centres around a grand library, whose shelves are lined with over 22,000 books. This library is surrounded by 10 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and 6 reception rooms.

This incredible property is aimed at a multigenerational household. The home has also been used as a wedding venue, and a backdrop to many dazzling photoshoots.

Nevertheless, the true magnificence of this property lies in its beautiful grounds. The home is enveloped by parklands, woodlands and even a private river. Sitting just to the east of the property is a full-sized tennis court, perfect for friendly games. 

An Opulent Cotswolds Escape

This 7 bedroom Cotswolds mansion provides the ultimate country sanctuary.

The house sits behind a generous gravel driveway which gives a first impression of the home that one would expect from a property worth £6,000,000.

Whilst the home itself is stunning; the highlight is the 10 acres of superb grounds that surround the house. While exploring the gardens, visitors will be drawn to the centrally located, wisteria-covered archway. Head through the archway, and guests will be amazed to discover a fully heated outdoor swimming pool.

As any multimillion-pound home should, the property comes with two additional buildings. One is presently used as an office, and the other provides the current owners with a significant and lucrative rental income. 

7 Floors on London’s Most Prestigious Road

This home is 7 floors of pure luxury, with views that are unrivalled across the whole of the city.

Sitting on one of the most lusted after streets in London, which is popular with the world’s most wealthy. Unsurprisingly, this property is currently listed for £27,000,000.

The artwork, décor and furnishings throughout the whole home exude extravagance, working hard to balance the classic features with a modern twist.

Interestingly, one of the six living rooms sits on the very top floor, offering fantastic views and the ideal place to entertain guests in the city. With over 9000 square feet of indulgence, this home is a prime example of where the richest in the world enjoy spending their time.

This property is on the doorstep of the worlds best shopping and fine dining, meaning the new owner will not struggle to enjoy spending their money in the local area.

An Essex Stately Home

This fourteen bedroom stately home in Essex is precisely what many dream of in a countryside escape.

Valued at just under £9,000,000, this colossal home even comes with planning permission to extend the already massive property. 

This country retreat comprises four separate buildings, and the planning permission mentioned, grants the new owners the ability to join the homes together, creating a complete Georgian empire.

While the décor might not be up to the modern tastes of the new millionaire buyer, the home comes complete with 12 bathrooms and a gymnasium. With a little love and attention, the new owner will be able to catapult this mansion into the 21^st century relatively easily.

The property is also completely gated and secure, with each building having two separate driveways. Not only is this the perfect home for those who are super-rich, but those who value their privacy and safety to the utmost degree.

Looking to buy or sell? While we can’t offer you a millionaire pad, we have a fantastic selection of homes available in the area.

Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts. Call us or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.