Just as you would dress your best for a job interview, your home needs to put its best face forward when it's on the market. A well-maintained, visually appealing exterior tells a positive story. It suggests that the homeowners have cared for their property, hinting at a home that's been loved and looked after.

On the other hand, a neglected exterior can raise red flags and make buyers wonder what other issues might be lurking beneath the surface. In this guide, we’ll go through the top exterior upgrades you should consider making to make your property to make it more appealing to prospective buyers and speed up your sale.

Update Doors For A Great First Impression

When it comes to selling a home, doors are often overlooked but they’re typically one of the first impressions someone gets of your home. So, it’s a worthwhile investment to update them if they’re looking drab and dated. Your front door is the focal point of the home’s façade so consider how you can elevate your property by freshening up the colour of the door or adding new hardware can help make it look more appealing.

Similarly, garage doors comprise a significant portion of your home’s exterior so don’t neglect this area when carrying out refurbishments. Updating your garage door to an automatic model not only makes your home look taken care of, but it can also improve the security of your property which is great news for potential buyers.

Invest In A Fresh Coat Of Paint

When it comes to exterior home upgrades, few investments offer as much bang for your buck as a fresh coat of paint. It's not just about covering up the old; a well-executed paint job can dramatically transform your home's appearance.

Choosing the right colour scheme, however, shouldn’t be a shot in the dark. It requires a keen understanding of current trends in exterior design, balanced with respect for your home's architectural style and surrounding aesthetics. Always consider your home's style; what works for a contemporary build might look out of place on a Victorian-era house.

Create Inviting Indoor/Outdoor Living Spaces 

Thoughtful designing with integrated landscaping can be a game-changer because it doesn't just frame your home, but it can extend the living space outdoors to create an inviting oasis that promises relaxation, entertainment and connection with nature. How can you change up your garden to make it more inviting for prospective buyers?

The foundation of an impressive garden begins with the lawn. Lush, verdant grass acts as a visual anchor, setting a tone of health and vitality that extends to the entire property. Keep the lawn mown and add a fertiliser to keep it healthy, filling in any gaps or worn areas when the weather warms up. Strategic plantings also elevate your garden to a curated landscape. 

The key is to create visual interest through variety while keeping maintenance in check. Focus on low-maintenance shrubs and perennials that offer long-lasting colour and structure like hydrangeas or ornamental grasses which add height and movement.

In today's market, where outdoor living is more desirable than ever, home buyers are keen to see integrated interiors and exteriors. These can be achieved with wrap-around extensions that connect rooms to outside zones and thoughtfully landscaped gardens—both powerful and unique selling points. It's not just about kerb appeal; it's about extending and improving the home's functional spaces for modern and enhanced lifestyles. 

Repair The Roof And Gutters

Repairing your roof and gutters not only enhances your home's initial appeal but also significantly boosts its desirability to potential buyers. Since the roof often comprises a substantial portion of your property's visible surface area, any signs of neglect can create an immediate negative impression. Similarly, cleaning and repairing leaking gutters and ensuring they’re free from debris demonstrates home maintenance to those taking on the property.

Be sure to replace any cracked or missing roof tiles to show buyers that you've proactively addressed potential issues and give them peace of mind about the home's structural integrity. These improvements not only make your home more visually appealing but also signal to buyers that they won't have to tackle costly roofing repairs soon after purchase, which makes your property a much more attractive investment.

Illuminate Your Spaces

Strategic outdoor lighting can dramatically enhance your home's first impressions, especially during darker hours or seasons, making it a more desirable prospect for potential buyers. By carefully placing exterior lights around the exterior, you can artfully highlight your home's architectural features or showcase the beauty of your garden, creating an enchanting nighttime display.

This not only adds an inviting, warm glow that draws the eye but also makes your property stand out in the neighbourhood after dark. Beyond aesthetics, many buyers appreciate the functional benefits of good outdoor lighting—it provides additional illumination for those who work late, enhances security by deterring potential intruders, and offers better visibility around the property.

Understand Your Target Buyer For ROIs

Not all home improvements are created equal. While any upgrade can make your home more enjoyable to live in, when it comes time to sell the question shifts from "Do I like this?" to "Will this help me sell faster and for more money?" This is where understanding Return on Investment (ROI) becomes crucial, especially when it comes to exterior upgrades.

It helps to understand your target buyer and the additions that buyers are looking for in your specific area, something your estate agent can help you with. Homes that align closely with a buyer's lifestyle and aspirations command higher prices. So, while trends are useful, the key to maximising your return is to tailor your exterior upgrades to the specific buyers most likely to be attracted to your home.

In the high-stakes arena of home selling, where every advantage counts, your home's exterior has the potential to steal the show or put buyers off instantly. For many the first point is to understand the value of your current home. Hopefully these tips and strategies will leave you well-equipped to create a standout home and a great first impression to viewers. Whether you want a quick, instant online valuation indication or a more robust specific and individual valuation, we would be delighted to help with an online quotation.

 For additional expert advice feel free to contact me, Katie Griffin, either by email katie@sawdyeandharris.co.uk or by phone 01364 652652.

Read our blog below or watch our video update by clicking above

After weeks of anticipation, the general election is finally over, and the big news is out! The UK has a new Labour government, elected by a landslide. Whether you're thrilled, disappointed, or indifferent, the completion of the election is undoubtedly positive news for the property market.

What Does This Mean for the Market?

Property markets thrive on stability, and the end of election uncertainty provides a clearer picture of government plans for the next five years. Historically, we often see an uptick in the property market post-election, regardless of the outcome. So, as we move past the summer holidays, we could witness a market bounce.

Mortgage Rates and What to Expect

A key factor to watch is mortgage rates. Many experts predict that the Bank of England might start lowering its base interest rate now that the election is behind us. There's speculation that rates could drop from 5.25% to 4.5% by the end of the year and potentially reach 4% by the end of 2025. Lower mortgage rates mean cheaper mortgages, potentially encouraging more people to consider moving.

Labour's Housing Proposals

Labour has ambitious housing plans, including building 1.5 million new homes and increasing affordable and social housing over the next five years. These measures aim to invigorate the property market, though they will take time to implement.

For renters and investors, Labour plans to reform the rental market, promising more regulation for landlords and greater security for tenants. Additionally, Labour intends to further reform the leasehold system, which could benefit those involved in leasehold properties.

First-Time Buyers

First-time buyers are crucial to the property market. Labour's proposed Freedom to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme aims to help first-time buyers secure mortgages with just a 5% deposit, similar to the existing Help to Buy schemes but designed to be permanent. This initiative could assist around 80,000 young people in purchasing homes over five years.

Financial Implications

The new government has pledged not to raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT, though other taxes like capital gains tax, inheritance tax, and council tax remain uncertain until the new Chancellor’s budget.

Should You Buy, Sell, or Move?

So, what does this all mean for you? Whether buying, selling, or moving, it's essential to consider your personal circumstances first. A good estate agent can provide valuable insights into the current market, helping you make informed decisions.

If you're thinking of selling, we can offer an estimate of your home's value and strategies to attract the right buyer. If you're looking to buy, we can help you explore options within your budget.

Its easy to get in touch with us if you are considering a move now that the election results are in. We're here to help you navigate the market with confidence.

Katie Griffin

Now that the dust has settled following the Prime Minister’s surprise announcement of a July 4^th General Election, we look as what this decision means for the property market.

After a steady market over the winter there have been signs of a spring bounce just lately. More sellers have been listing their homes for sale, and buyers have been buying, especially where properties are well priced. Property prices seem to be holding up well overall, according to recent stats. The latest Nationwide House Price Index says that, even after a small monthly fall, they rose 0.6% over the last year. The Halifax House Price Index says they rose 1.1%.

The prospect of an interest rate cut sometime soon has also added some spice to the market.

Then the 4 July general election was announced pretty much out of the blue – with most people expecting it to be in the autumn – and put a whole new complexion on things.

So, what does the upcoming general election mean for the market?

History tends to show us that people are cautious about making any big decisions at general election time.

But it’s worth remembering that as we move into the summer (let’s hope!), the market is rarely at its busiest anyway. People are too busy counting down the days until school’s out and they can get away on holiday. So, maybe the market will be a bit drowsy over the next few weeks. But that’s only to be expected anyway.

A big factor is probably the interest rate cut

Many experts have been predicting interest rates to be cut for a few months now, and for that to be the start of a downward trend in the cost of borrowing. Some would have bet their houses on it being cut at the next Bank of England meeting on 20 June. With that being just two weeks ahead of the election, it seems unlikely the Bank will make a move then.

While we could be wrong, an interest rate cut probably won’t happen until the Bank of England has its subsequent meetings on 1 August or 19 September.  That means some buyers might take a ‘wait and see’ attitude.  But even before a rate cut, mortgage lenders are being very competitive in the market for buyers who want to buy now.  The fall in inflation, to just 2.3% last month, might also be relevant. Some potential buyers might feel they now have a little bit more disposable income to put towards moving house.

That brings us to the fact that sentiment is very important in the property market

Many homeowners, and would-be homeowners, will be looking towards what the main parties might promise for the housing market. Both main parties are pro-home ownership. Both say they want buying a home to be more affordable, and want to appeal to first-time buyers especially.

How will they achieve this, though? Will either of them offer voters any tasty titbits? Like a Stamp Duty cut or new help-to-buy schemes? No one knows yet. We’ll all need to keep an eye on their announcements over the next few weeks to find out.

Longer term, both main parties are promising a lot more new houses. How many get built could affect supply and so affect house prices in future.

The Conservatives promised to build 300,000 new homes each year back in 2019, but later decided to relax that target. Last year, The Labour Party promised to build 1.5 million new homes over five years if they get into power.

So, what should buyers do with the general election coming up?

If you’re looking to buy, it’s only natural that you’ll feel you need to tread carefully. But now could actually be a good time to make a move. Once the general election is over, and the traditionally busy moving period starts around September, more buyers could enter the market. There could be more competition for the properties that are for sale. Prices could even start to nudge up again. So now could be a good time to work out your budget, get your ducks in a row and see what’s on the market.

What should sellers do with the general election coming up?

Should you put your house up for sale now or wait until the autumn – or even next year?

Well, a long-held belief in the property market is that well-priced, well-presented houses (and flats) will always sell.  So, a wise course of action might be to take advice from a good estate agent. Ask them about what interest there is likely to be in your property and what a suitable asking price might be. You can then decide what’s best for you.

At the end of the day, there are more positives than negatives about the general election coming a bit earlier than expected. In just a few weeks, everything will be done and dusted. There should be a lot more certainty about what lies ahead for the property market and that should benefit buyers and sellers alike.

Please fo get in touch if you need anything further.

In today's competitive property market, a well-designed outdoor space can be the make-or-break selling point for potential home buyers. Gardens are no longer just an afterthought – when planned well, they can serve as an extension of the living area.

As summer approaches, now is the perfect time to give your outdoor space a fresh makeover to maximise its beauty, functionality and appeal. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to make the most of your outdoor retreat. With some strategic landscaping and maintenance on your home, your reimagined garden could become the true pride and joy of your property.

Clean up Gardening Tools

Now is a great time to prepare your gardening tools ahead of the gardening spree in spring and summer. Over the winter, your spades, shovels and gardening forks have likely been gathering dust and are probably still covered in mud and dirt from last year’s gardening activities. To prevent them from rusting and preserve them for years to come, give them a clean with hot water and a strong detergent. Make sure they’re fully dry before storing away and apply some oil or WD40 to any blades or hinges to keep them lubricated.

Create Entertaining Spaces

A crucial part of designing an appealing outdoor space is designating specific zones for different activities like dining, lounging and cooking. Thoughtfully mapping out these areas enables you to create a cohesive and functional layout that facilitates memorable entertaining. Start by assessing the natural flow and sightlines of your garden, then use hardscaping features like patios, decking or paved areas to define the different zones. Installing an outdoor kitchen or grill station for al fresco cooking can also be a fun addition to your garden that’s perfect for having people round for dinner and drinks.

Position a dining table and chairs nearby, or create a lounge zone with comfortable seating like sofas, plush armchairs and coffee tables under the shade of a pergola. And don't forget about lighting. With the right combination of lanterns, string lights and uplighting, you can easily extend the use of your space into the night-time hours.

Implement Water Conservation

In the early months of the year, we witness seasonal rainfall, sometimes even more excessive. So why not maximise that resource and use it for watering your garden throughout the rest of the year? Installing a water butt is an affordable and easy way to capture the water from spring showers, making your garden much more environmentally friendly. Rainwater is actually the best type of water for your plants, so your garden will flourish as a result of your eco-friendly activities. When installing your water butt, ensure you position it beneath a downpipe from your property or even a shed or garage to maximise the water collected.

Enhance Privacy

Having a peaceful, secluded outdoor retreat is a priority for many homeowners and as the weather warms up, you’ll want to spend more time relaxing outdoors. While picket fences may work for some, there are other creative ways to add privacy and seclusion to your garden space.

For a natural privacy screen, consider planting tall hedges, trees or bamboo borders. Evergreens like arborvitae, cedars and hollies can also be used to create dense green walls when planted closely together. Alternatively, opt for deciduous options like hornbeams or green arborvitae for year-round foliage. If you want an immediate sense of enclosure, install traditional fencing panels – you can soften the look by growing vines up the fence or attaching lattice panels where climbers can scramble over.

Refresh Paint and Stains

Spring is the perfect time to repair any chipped paint or faded stains on gates and fences in preparation for the warmer months. You should always wait for a dry day to paint, and ideally a day when the temperatures are likely to stay mild, to prevent your new paint from becoming damaged from mildew and moisture.

Freshening up fences, doors and sheds with a coat of paint or protective stain will not only liven up your garden for spring but will protect the wood or metal and keep it from becoming damaged by rot. While you’re undoing the impact of winter rain and snow, now’s also a great time to wipe down garden furniture like tables and chairs.

Get Planting for Summer Colour

Early spring is the perfect time to plan out the flowers and shrubs you’d like to plant in your garden for colour and vibrancy later in the year. Planting seeds early on ensures that by the time summer rolls around, your garden will be in full bloom and looking beautiful. Daffodils, alliums and tulips are all great options for a colourful garden later in the year, or you might prefer lower maintenance container plants that can be moved around the space to accommodate different layouts.

Over the winter, weeds will have taken the opportunity to settle in so take this time to go through the garden and remove any weeds you find. Weedkiller can be helpful here but you can also just remove them by hand. Rake the soil over once you’re done and consider adding a layer of topsoil to refresh the earth ready for planting flowers or fruits and veggies when the weather warms up.

This year, don't settle for an ordinary outdoor space – with some strategic planning and the right upgrades, you can completely transform your garden into an oasis that elevates both the function and appeal of your home. Focus on creating designated entertaining zones, incorporating low-maintenance landscaping and enhancing privacy and seclusion to really enjoy your garden to the fullest this year. Even small spaces can be reworked with raised beds, thoughtful plant choices and decorative screening. The possibilities are endless when you approach landscaping with both beauty and smart design in mind.

This month is a traditionally a busy time for the property market, and enhancing your garden’s appeal might be part of your strategy if you’re planning to move this year. For additional expert advice on getting ahead of the property rush and ensuring your home stands out, feel free to contact me, Katie Griffin, either by email katie@sawdyeandharris.co.uk or by phone 01364 652652.

The True Cost of Selling your House in 2024: Everything You Need to Know - Make the sale of your house as smooth as possible

Selling a house isn’t as simple as just putting it on the market, someone buying it, and being done with the whole ordeal. There are a lot of details in between that need to be ironed out, considered and put in place before you even put your house up for sale.

If you are thinking about selling your house, you need to know that there is a lot of legal work and fees attached to the process. Simply put, in order to make the sale, you need to spend some money beforehand.

In this article, we highlight some of the costs you need to know about when you are selling your house.

Some of the costs attached to selling a house

As the seller of the house, the duty falls to you to make sure that your house is in order before the sale. To do this, you need to hire the proper providers to get the job done. These are some of the services you will need.  Once you pick your estate agent, they will help you either get in contact with other providers or they will acquire the services on your behalf.

Estate Agents: These are the people who will help you with the sale process. They deal with people who want to buy and sell homes. They will put your house on the market for you, and get potential buyers to visit your house while trying to sell it to them.

Cost: Estate agents earn a percentage of the sale of the house.

Solicitors/Conveyancers: This process will deal with all the legal work needed to sell your house. You will need the help of a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer to get these documents in order.

Cost: They will either charge you a flat rate or a percentage of how much the house costs.

Removers: This is a hiring service that you may need to move your possessions out of your old house, transport it to another location, and move it into a new property or a storage facility.

Cost: Depending on how much things need to be moved, they will charge you a fee that corresponds with the size of the vehicle they have to use and the distance they have to travel.

EPC: The energy performance certificate shows the energy efficiency of the house. This needs to be acquired by the seller and handed over to the new owners. Your estate agent can often assist you with this.

Cost: The price of getting your EPC varies per provider.

Survey Fees: This is a person who will be surveying your entire property and providing a detailed report about it to the conveyancer. They will also do research into the history of your property for the report.

Cost: Based on the size and price of the property.

Extra costs: Some of the following costs are not guaranteed to crop up when selling your house, but it is important to be aware of them, so you aren't caught by surprise. Some extra costs include Preparation costs, mortgage fees, cleaning costs, Capital Gain Tax, and Inheritance Tax, if applicable.

The next steps

With all the cost-related things known, your next step is to be prepared for the house to go on the market.

Choosing an agent: As you will get the help of many different professionals for selling your house, it would be best to shop around for the best options to save costs.

Be prepared: You will also have a lot of foot traffic in your home prior to it going on the market, and once it is on the market. If you are a private person, you need to be accustomed to people walking through your home for periods of time.

Tidying Up: Due to the amount of people that will be in your home, you would want to put your best foot forward. Make sure that your house is clean and presentable to make a good impression on the potential buyers. You can hire professional cleaners to help you achieve your goals.

Lease: Check how much time is left on your leasehold. If the remaining time is low, then you can apply for a lease renewal. 

Inventory: As you are packing up your stuff, take stock of what you have, and when you unpack in your new space, you will be able to have a good idea of whether or not everything is in order.

Conclusion

Selling your house is unfortunately not a simple process - to make the sale, then you need to put some money into the process so that it goes smoothly. Once you choose an estate agent, they will help you make sure that everything is on the right path to make the transition to the new owner as easy as possible.