The latest research* suggests that over 1.4 million over-65s will consider downsizing in the next five years with 1 in 10 of these doing so in order to raise funds in retirement – at an average of £62,000. But for many either the finances don’t add up or there are not enough suitable homes available. We are frequently asked to help retirees with their

You have decided to sell, but the thought of packing your home up can be daunting, especially if you have lived in the same property for many years. It is well known that a property sells more readily when it looks and feels like a home, rather than just bricks and mortar, so it could be argued that you shouldn’t start packing until you

Most lessees (nb not tenants) have the statutory right to purchase the freehold of their building, called Collective Enfranchisement, under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.   Such a purchase certainly has its appeal if your lease is beginning to look a little light – say 80 years or less. In this instance it may be worth considering buying the freehold now as the

It is amazing to see that, despite the pandemic, the average UK house price ended the year 7.3% up on the previous year (Source: Nationwide). And there is still a lot of heat in the market – with record property portal activity on Boxing Day being 70.5% up on last year! (Source: Zoopla). You might expect that tougher Covid-related restrictions and our formal departure

The role an estate agent plays in helping buyers and sellers to reach a satisfactory conclusion is critical to the sales process. Yet some vendors are understandably tempted to fall into the trap of trying to do the job themselves in an attempt to “save thousands”.  Even in the USA, where agency fees average around 6%, private sales have declined steadily from 20% in

During the boom years, if you were minded to move house you simply got on and did so! Any delay in moving up in a rising market could prove expensive as the property you were buying would inevitably have appreciated more in cash terms that the one you were selling. Moving up the property ladder was all the rage as speculation, aspiration and wealth

On the surface it might seem reasonable to consider selling your house yourself, yet only the smallest minority of people attempt to do so, even in the face of so-called “DIY online” estate agency platform, usually with disappointing results.   Yes, you could put a home-made board up in your front garden or publish your own ad on some private sellers’ or online agency website.

As we find ourselves in the middle of the dark winter months, some would suggest waiting until spring before putting your property on the market. After all, spring is traditionally associated with a time of change and this has always influenced the property market in the past.  However, it might be worth looking at this from another angle as serious buyers do not give