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Published: 17 October 2023

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For Years Homeowners Have Knocked Down Walls To Create An Open-Plan Living Environment!

Both refurbished period homes and new build properties can be found with open plan layouts, but are they the best choice? For years, homeowners have knocked down walls to create an open-plan living environment, but will it work in your property, for you?

While open-plan homes may be on trend, if your family needs different things from their spaces you’ll need to consider open-plan living carefully. With this in mind, if you’re asking “should I opt for an open-plan home layout?” the Warren Powell-Richards have looked into this a little more closely! So, have open-plan spaces had their day or are they still going strong?

Open Plan Living Offers Modern Appeal

For home purchasers who are looking for a modern approach to living, open-plan spaces are still proving to be exceptionally popular. Young couples and first-time buyers are among those who are especially interested in renting or buying a home with an open-plan layout thanks to its contemporary look and feel. The great advantage of open-plan living is that it’s possible to entertain and cook in one room – something that lends itself well in today’s world of social entertainment.

Open Plan Options Eliminate Outdated Layouts

A significant amount of urban housing stock is made up of Victorian terraced homes and those properties often feature layouts that are now obsolete. In the 19^th century, kitchens were hidden away at the rear of the property and were small and unappealing since they were the domain only of servants.

Today, kitchens are far more central to daily family life, so knocking through a small back kitchen into the back or front parlour can create a multi-functional entertaining and family space. This is a great way to modernise older period properties and to make them fit for purpose in today’s world.

Open Plan Can Still Include Separate Areas

The key to success with any open plan living space is to create thought-out zones that meet the differing needs of those who live in the property. Having designated spaces for studying, relaxing, eating, and cooking makes it far easier to manage the practicalities of everyday life and gives the room a strong design that adds character and function.

A well-designed open plan environment represents the perfect way for a property’s residents to enjoy gatherings with family and friends, and to spend more quality time together in a shared space. Even better, an open plan living arrangement can maximise floor space – something that is so important in today’s more compact homes – while also facilitating a better flow for family life.

Is Open Plan Living For Me?

There are certainly some benefits to choosing an open plan home, and if you’re already living in your dream home, it may be worthwhile considering converting your existing layout into a more multifunctional open plan space.

While there are many advantages to open plan living, privacy can be a concern, especially if there are several people living closely. Nevertheless, with clever forethought and skilful design, an open plan home can be the perfect option for modern living.

To find the perfect open plan property for you, get in touch with the Warren Powell-Richards team today on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Published: 17 October 2023

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Selling your home to a property developer can be very different to selling to a homeowner. Even though a sale is a sale, there are certain things to consider before deciding whether it’s right for you.

In this article, we’ll explore what the pros and cons are when selling to a property developer to help you decide if it’s the right path for you.

What Are the Pros?

1. Chain-Free Sale

Selling without a chain is often highly desirable. You can achieve this with a first-time buyer. But selling to a developer is another way of getting a chain-free sale.

Without a chain, your home can usually sell quicker (meaning you can move quicker). Plus, if you’re buying at the same time, your offer could be more favourable to other sellers.

2. Less Uncertainty

With every sale, there’s a degree of uncertainty. A buyer could pull out at any time – even a property developer.

However, generally, selling your home to a property developer comes with less uncertainty. Most developers will already have sufficient plans drawn up for your home and are unlikely to pull out at the last minute.

3. Quicker Sale

There are always hoops to jump through when selling a property that takes time.

But since developers likely invest in property often (and therefore have everything ready – including a solicitor lined up), you can usually get a quicker sale.

4. No HomeStaging

If you’ve been approached when your home wasn’t listed for sale, you won’t have to deal with home staging entirely when selling to a developer.

What Are the Cons?

1. Risks of Fall Through

Just like every sale, there are risks that it can fall through. While selling to a property developer can be seen as a guaranteed sale, things can still go wrong.

With a homeowner buyer, pulling out is usually a big decision that people are more reluctant to do when they’ve spent money on searches and surveys. However, if your developer decides at the last minute not to invest, they may not be as concerned about money lost.

2. Being Out of the Loop

If you’re selling directly to a developer without an estate agent involved, this can have downsides. Even though you’ll be saving on estate agent fees, you could be left out of the loop about how the sale is progressing.

Plus, communicating with the buyer will be entirely in your hands – so if there are issues or breakdowns, you won’t have support from an estate agent to manage the situation.

3. Sentimental

We often have an emotional attachment to where we live. If you’ve lived in your property for many years, seeing it ripped apart may be emotional and not what you want for your home.

Even though you don’t have control over what happens to your property when you sell it, a developer will almost certainly demolish it or change it entirely. If you’d rather sell to a family, it’s your choice.

How to Decide Whether to Sell to a Developer

Ultimately, deciding whether to sell to a property developer is your personal choice. But if you need help deciding how to sell your home, Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts and we’d love to chat.

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Published: 09 October 2023

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When selling your home you should avoid adding too much creative flair where possible. We’re not advising you to entirely supress your personality of course, but to be aware that some potential buyers will have difficulty visualising themselves living in your home if it’s got a huge personality all of its own!

A well-painted, yet mostly plain canvas will allow your viewers to imagine their own belongings in the space, making the chances of them placing an offer on your property much higher.

Should I Paint my Home Before Selling?

First impressions count, and never more so than when you are selling your home. A recently painted property represents one that is loved and cared for, which will subconsciously make viewers more relaxed and at ease.

Repainting is one of the most inexpensive ways to refresh your house before putting it on the market.

Remember to complete the paintwork before the photographs are taken for the marketing of your property, otherwise, you risk your hard work being somewhat in vain!

What colours should I choose to repaint my home?

Choose blue for the colour of calm.

Time and again, blue has been voted the best colour for those looking to sell their home. Soft, pastel blues look great in every room, especially in large spaces such as hallways and living areas.

Additionally, blues are the ideal colour for your bathrooms. Blues with aqua or even silvery undertones are great for developing a water theme, without appearing excessive. 

As beautiful as they are, it is best to steer clear of turquoise or dark navy, which can often be too much for some house hunters. If these colours sit outside their personal taste, it can turn them off the property altogether.

Choose white for a completely blank canvas.

While it probably comes as no surprise, whites provide the perfect fresh canvas for new homeowners. Viewers will easily imagine their furniture and belongings in the space, helping aid a smooth selling process.

Additionally, buyers immediately know it will be easy to put their own mark on the home, knowing there are no tricky bright or dark colours to remove.

Pure bright white can feel a little clinical, so opting for something with warm undertones can be a great option to make the room a little softer. However, refrain from whites with a yellow undertone, which often appear very dated, and can give the illusion of old, stained walls.

Choose Grey for a neutral base.

Grey homes were once considered drab and boring, but new interior design trends have revitalised this colour scheme totally. Clever use of grey shades can allow you to use one colour throughout your whole property, dividing separate rooms by alternating shades.

However, when using grey, be sure to opt for lighter, brighter shades. Dark tones can make rooms appear smaller, whereas light shades will make your whole property look slick, clean and fresh.

Choose Earthy Greens to subtly bring the outside in.

Although deep greens look stunning in living spaces and bedrooms, sticking to a more subtle earthy tone can dramatically help first impressions of the home. Sage greens work beautifully in kitchens, allowing you to present a bright, fresh room to your viewers, yet permitting a little personal style to shine through. Green tones are relaxing and can be emphasised with the clever use of soft furnishings and plants.

Don’t forget about the exterior of your home

This might not be as dramatic as completely repainting your whole property, but there are many areas outside that may benefit from a coat of paint.

For example, repainting your garden fences can have a drastic impact. This might also be one of the first things your potential buyers see, guaranteeing an excellent opening impression.

Are there any paint colours I should avoid?

In our experience, brown tones perform notoriously poorly when marketing homes. Although browns can be styled luxuriously and tastefully, many viewers simply struggle to imagine their own belongings against this very distinctive palette.

Additionally, browns can dramatically change based on the lighting situation, meaning viewers get a very different impression of your home depending on what time of day they view.

Also, avoid bright reds and oranges. Again, these bright colours are a fantastic way to inject personality into your home, but viewers want to see their new home, rather than your old house.

A consistent colour theme is crucial

A consistent paint theme running throughout your home is the easiest way to tie your property together, creating a cohesive experience for your potential buyers. Consider using the same paint or similar or complementary tones for the living spaces, running through the living room, hallways, dining area and even the kitchen.

Where a property has multiple bathrooms, the paintwork here should also be consistent. If in doubt, don’t be afraid of using a single neutral colour for your whole home.

Paint job done? Thinking of selling your home? Pop into a branch or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange a free valuation.

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Published: 09 October 2023

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Buying your first home is both an exciting and daunting prospect, and making an offer can be particularly nerve-wracking if you’ve never done it before.

Getting your offer spot-on can be the difference between bagging a bargain and paying significantly over the odds for a property. If you’re a first time buyer, then read on for some top tips on making an offer.

• Get a Mortgage In Principle

Before you even think about making an offer on a property, it’s vital that you know what your budget actually is.

Many would-be buyers make an offer on a property assuming they’ll be able to borrow the amount they need, but in reality, they might come up short.

And on the other hand, you may be able to borrow more than you actually think, so you’re viewing properties that are much lower than your real budget.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to visit a mortgage broker before making an offer so they can tell you exactly how much you can borrow.

Having a mortgage in principle will also help you when it comes to making your offer as it shows that you’re a serious buyer and that you’re well prepared.

• Do Your Research

It’s worth bearing in mind that the asking price and the value of a property aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Remember, sellers want to get as much money for their property as possible, and the asking price is usually the figure they’re hoping to achieve, rather than the figure they’re willing to accept.

Find out how much other properties in the area have been sold for recently, and find out how long the property you’re interested in has been up for sale.

Has the price been reduced, or has it remained the same? Getting these valuable pieces of information will help you to put in an offer that’s more likely to be accepted.

• Play To Your Strengths

As a first time buyer, you’re in a relatively strong position when it comes to negotiating, particularly if the seller is looking to move quickly.

First time buyers are generally very attractive to sellers because there’s no lengthy chain to consider, which means a faster buying process and potentially more flexibility on exchange and completion dates.

Therefore, don’t forget to gently remind your estate agent and the seller, of your first time buyer status.

If time is an issue for them, sellers may be willing to accept a slightly lower offer from a first time buyer than a higher offer from someone who’s part of a chain.

• Don’t Worry If Your First Offer Is Rejected

Making an offer can be a bit of a balancing act. On the one hand, you want to get the lowest price possible, but on the other, you don’t want to make an offer so low that it frustrates the seller and leaves them not wanting to sell to you.

As long as your initial offer isn’t ridiculously low then don’t be worried if the seller rejects it. Remember, it’s all just a natural part of the negotiating process, as the seller is looking to get as much as possible for the property, and rejecting an offer isn’t anything personal against you or a sign that they’re offended.

There’s no set rule on how much to offer, or how much you can expect to knock off the asking price, but if you’re in two minds about making a cheeky offer, then don’t rush in!

• Don’t Be Afraid To Renegotiate After A Survey

A property viewing is usually completed in under 30 minutes. Sometimes it can be less than 10, so of course, you’re not going to spot every detail that you might need to know before making an offer.

It’s only after the offer has been accepted and your solicitor has started their searches that you’ll start to get a more detailed picture of the property you’re buying, and it’s at this point that certain flaws or issues may crop up.

For example, the boiler may have never been serviced, or the conservatory might have been underpinned.

If anything comes up in your searches or survey that’s likely to cost you a lot of money to sort out in future, then you may be in a reasonable position to reduce your offer or ask the seller to have the issue fixed before you commit.

Of course, they may dismiss your concerns and find another buyer, but it’s worth remembering that you can renegotiate at any point before contracts are exchanged, so just because an offer has been accepted, it doesn’t have to be your final one.

If you are a first time buyer and you have questions about the buying process, give us a call for help and advice. Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or pop into branch and see us.