Evolution Properties: March 2018

Thursday 29 March 2018

Perfect timing for Easter!

Another completion today and perfect timing! We hope you are very happy in your new home and enjoy the Champagne!

Do you want £100 in shopping vouchers?

It really is very easy to get them! If you know anyone that is looking to sell or rent their home, just contact us and pass their details to one of our team. We will then contact them, arrange a visit and if the property comes on the market then you get to choose which shop you would like your £100 voucher for! We have given out so many of these this year and recognise that recommendations in business are one of the most common and important ways of securing new clients.

Landlords, don’t forget, if you're not happy with the current level of service that you are receiving and the fees that you are being charged, our fully managed service starts at just 2%+vat and we arrange the transfer of the tenancy to Evolution absolutely free of charge, AND, we will also give you the £100 voucher for each home!

Don't delay, get referring and contact us today!

Properties must be within easy reach of our office and instructed on a sole agency basis - contact us today to check eligibility.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/perfect-timing-for-easter/

And even more happy clients!

Really well done team Evo!!!

"Great team with a lot of patience and fast service. They are profesional and i strongly recomend. Thank you, it is a pleasure to work with you."

Do you want £100 in shopping vouchers?

Don't delay, get referring and contact us today!

Properties must be within easy reach of our office and instructed on a sole agency basis - contact us today to check eligibility.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/and-even-more-happy-clients/

Great Feedback!

Well done to Sally and the whole team! Clearly exceeding expectations everytime!!!

"The whole process has felt like a breeze. Sally and the team have been very helpful in sorting the property for myself and my friend."

Do you want £100 in shopping vouchers?

Don't delay, get referring and contact us today!

Properties must be within easy reach of our office and instructed on a sole agency basis - contact us today to check eligibility.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/great-feedback/

Why you shouldn't wait for the price to come down

Everyone loves a good deal. And no more so than when making arguably the biggest purchase of our lives. Valuing is unquestionably an imprecise art.

James Greenwood, managing director of Stacks, offers his advice: “Over valuing occurs for several reasons. Estate agents can find themselves in a tricky position, trying to win an instruction when competing in some kind of beauty parade. Over valuing may be the only way they can take the instruction. Alternatively, they may be pressurised by the vendor to put the property on the market at a higher price than they would otherwise recommend. The successful agent may then further confuse the situation by marketing the property 'in the region of..', 'in excess of..', or quoting a 'guide price'.

There is often a great deal of leeway between the sale price and the eventual purchase price. Consider the vendor who has instructed the agent that came in with a valuation 20% above the lowest. At the back of his mind, he's already accepted that he probably won't get the full asking price. This is 'purchaser opportunity'. But the purchaser needs to play a clever game – a low offer made too early is likely to be rebuffed as the vendor is still hopeful; but by leaving it too late, another buyer may be well down the line with their own offer. The trick is getting the timing, and the offer, just right.

Purchasers should start by looking at properties that are on the market at 20% more than their budget. If they restrict their search to properties within their price boundaries, they won't have had a chance to assess properties until the price comes down and falls within their bracket. By that time there will be plenty of buyers ahead of the game.

There is plenty of information available to buyers that will give them an idea of whether a property is overpriced. Look at historical sale prices, other similar properties that are on the market, and watch for similar properties that show price reductions. The main search engines will always send alerts when a price comes down.

Ask the agent how a value was arrived at. You'll be amazed how often the agent says the price is based on what the vendor wants. Try to establish the position of the vendor – why is he selling? What's his position? He may have already found something he wants, and be desperate; or he may be in a rush to move for personal reasons. If this is the case, a low offer may be tempting. If however, the vendor is in no hurry and merely testing the market, a low offer is likely to be dismissed. The best way of gaining useful information is to engage the vendor in conversation or to try and glean something helpful from the agent. There will of course be some reluctance to furnish you with all the crucial facts.

The length of time a property has been on the market, whether there have already been price reductions, and how much interest there has been will all be relevant, so make it your job to establish this information.

Once you've established the level of your offer, make it in as attractive way as you can. You need your finances in place and to be clear about your timing. You also need to be extremely diplomatic! If you're making a punchy offer, the vendor may feel insulted, so don't be too heavy handed. Nobody likes an aggressive purchaser and some vendors will refuse to deal with you any further if you push too hard – remember this is someone's home and not just a commodity. It pays to be a likeable buyer. And always negotiate through the agent, not directly with the vendor.

Remember, once you've made an offer, there's only one direction the price is going to go, and that's up - so don't start too high!

It's a calculated risk how far to push negotiations, so don't back yourself into a corner and allow a third party to nip in whilst you are procrastinating! In the end, the price agreed has to be one that both buyer and seller can live with, and which will encourage all parties to co-operate towards a successful exchange and completion.”

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/why-you-shouldnt-wait-for-the-price-to-come-down/

February sees FTB house prices slip

New analysis of the UK's property market from Mortgage Advice Bureau has shown that, during February, first-time buyer house prices saw a slight dip as the market continues to settle.

According to MAB's data, average purchase prices for the month were £245,605 - a shade down from January's £245,742 and up 1.7% year-on-year.

However, the lender says the figure masks a degree of regional variation in average purchase prices with some areas, such as the North West, West Midlands and South West, seeing far higher annual price increases in February.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors cited in their latest report that stock levels in the UK are now at record lows in many areas, which they believe is providing a certain amount of support for prices.

However, as with the UK average purchase price, MAB says this masks "varying shades of regional variations, with some areas of the country anecdotally reporting busier listings in February than others".

MAB concluded that February’s data "points to the market settling into a consistent pattern rather than gearing up for a ‘spring spike’, although... it’s possible that there will be pockets of the country that may experience a balmier outlook over the next few months than others".

Brian Murphy, head of lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau, commented: "February saw the market continue on its steady trajectory from January, with many key factors remaining broadly similar to the previous month.

Indices such as the Halifax and Nationwide both observed average annual house price growth that was still in positive territory, although at a more subdued level than we’ve seen over the course of the past few months.

Correspondingly, transaction volumes in February, as measured by HMRC, also remained almost unchanged on January, indicating that the market was operating on a consistent basis overall.

Mark Carney’s comments in February with regards to probable interest rate rises in 2018 perhaps galvanised some homeowners who have been considering remortgages but not yet taken action to start researching the market, following on from the nine-year high in January of remortgaging activity as reported by UK Finance. Our data indicates that 93.2% of those who did remortgage in February took a fixed rate product of some kind, only slightly lower than February 2017 when 94% of those remortgaging opted for a fixed rate deal.

First-time buyer borrowing also appears to be on the increase after a strong January in this particular sector, with high LTV mortgages and other niche products, such as family assistance mortgages and joint borrower, sole proprietor mortgages helping those who otherwise would need to find large deposits to get into their first property."

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/february-sees-ftb-house-prices-slip/

Rental property stock falls to 21 month low

The latest data from ARLA Propertymark has revealed that the number of rental properties letting agents managed fell by 5% in February, with 175 on average per branch compared to 184 in January - supply has not been this low since May 2016, when it stood at 171.

However, February also saw rental property demand slipping too. According to ARLA's figures, on average, letting agents registered 61 prospective tenants per branch in February, compared to 70 in January, a 13% decrease.

From a year on year perspective, these figures are low. In February 2017, letting agents managed 183 on average per branch, 176 on average in February 2016 and 184 on average per branch in February 2015.

Rent prices

20% of tenants experienced rent hikes February, compared to 19 per cent in January. This figure is down year on year; In February 2017, 25% of tenants had their rents increased, 29% were subject to rent rises in February 2016 and 31% experienced hikes in February 2015.

David Cox, ARLA Propertymark Chief Executive, said: “This month’s results continue to show a drop in the supply of rental properties and this is no surprise; the minimum energy efficiency standards come into effect in April meaning all rental properties must be EPC rated E or above. The dip in supply indicates that landlords are cutting it fine and taking their properties off the market to make the necessary changes before the deadline – but we could also see up to 300,000 properties taken off the after the deadline passes on Sunday because they don’t reach the minimum requirements.

This is also likely to push rent costs up as competition heats up among prospective tenants. We could have a supply crisis on our hands and for landlords who haven’t yet started to upgrade their properties, now is the time to act and fast.”

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/rental-property-stock-falls-to-21-month-low/

Brexit uncertainty continues to impact UK housing sentiment

Weak economic outlook and continued uncertainty about the impact of leaving the EU continue to drive negative consumer sentiment about the housing market for a 4th consecutive quarter across Britain.

According to research carried out every quarter since June 2008, 2,000 consumers are asked a range of questions including whether now is a good time to buy a property or not. The index turned negative for the first time since the financial crisis in June 2017 and has remained negative in September, December and now March 2018. It shows that more people are negative than positive about buying a new home.

The survey also asks consumers to identify the more practical barriers that are holding them back from buying. Since December 2008 the single biggest barrier has consistently been the challenge of raising a deposit. Since March 2016 this has been a barrier identified by 60% or more of consumers, in March 2018 68% of consumers identify raising a deposit as their biggest barrier to home ownership.

The survey also tracks whether the requirement to pay Stamp Duty is a barrier. The results give an indication that either first time buyers are unaware of the exemption from stamp duty for many of them in November 2017; do not see the benefit of it as the Government had hoped; or more probably, that after the publicity the change received after the Budget it is no longer at the forefront of consumer’s minds. Whatever the reason it is not considered to be a substantial barrier by consumers.

Paul Broadhead, Head of Mortgage Policy at the BSA, commented on the findings: “The UK is experiencing period of uncertainty and this is having an adverse effect on consumer sentiment and behaviour in the housing market. The concerns that consumers have are clear from a housing index that has remained negative for four quarters. How consumers are behaving can in part be demonstrated by the 6-year high in re-mortgage lending reported by the Bank of England for January 2018¹ and February figures from RICS² which showed listings and new buyer enquiries drifting lower in some regions, particularly London and the South East.

Whilst housing market activity is likely to remain muted for the remainder of 2018 there is good news for would-be home buyers as house prices start to cool in some places across the country. Mortgage finance remains readily available and fierce competition amongst lenders is good for consumers. If the Bank Rate rises as anticipated by a further 0.25% in May, it will still remain historically low.”

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/brexit-uncertainty-continues-to-impact-uk-housing-sentiment/

Last call for landlords to meet their EPC ratings

With just days to go until the new EPC rating legislation comes into effect, it’s worrying to see how many landlords are still unaware of what this involves and the consequences it may cause.

From 1st April, new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations mean that all rental properties, for new lets and re lets, must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of at least level E or above, with landlords who fail to comply facing fines of up to £4,000 if their property’s rating is not up to the new standard.

However, it seems that a lot of landlords still have work to do to improve their rating. Recent research from Just Landlords has revealed that only 24% of landlords were able to identify this penalty fine correctly, and only just over half (52%) knew that improving the insulation of a property could have a large impact on raising their EPC rating. More worryingly, figures released by The Association of Residential Letting Agents have revealed that some 300,000 properties still have an EPC rating of F or G.

According to a report from Parity Projects for the UK Green Building Council, it’s possible for landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their property for £2,500 or less, which is considerably less than the fine they could face.

As such, we’ve put together our top 5 tips for landlords looking to improve their properties’ EPC ratings:

1. The boiler

Landlords need to check how old the current boiler is and carry out regular servicing for each new tenancy agreement Installing a newer, more efficient boiler could make a significant difference to the property’s energy efficiency, which is one of the key factors when deciding the EPC rating. Upgrading to a new condensing model can improve an EPC rating by 5 to 20 points, depending on how old the current system is. Whilst boilers are expensive to replace, landlords have the potential to save significant amounts of money in the long-term by doing so.

2. Loft insulation

This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways for landlords to improve their EPC rating. If the property’s loft insulation is less than 270mm thick, landlords should consider updating this so that warm air from the property doesn’t escape into the roof space. By doing this, landlords can improve their EPC rating by a significant 10 to 15 points. Even a slight top-up of existing insulation can help boost the rating by 2-5 points.

3. Cavity wall insulation

It’s important to find out what material has been installed within the property’s walls – if any at all! If the property was built in or after the 1920s, adding some cavity insulation could give the EPC rating a significant boost. However, if landlords decide to complete this type of work, they need to keep proof that this has been done, or else an assessor may assume that it’s not there and note this down on the EPC certificate.

4. Renewable energy

Renewable technologies such as solar panels could significantly reduce energy usage and may even allow owners to earn income from additional supply, through the government's incentive schemes.

5. Lighting

Switching all your lightbulbs over for energy efficient ones such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDSs) is both simple and cost-effective to introduce.

Whilst some of these measures are more expensive than others, in the long run, they could save thousands of pounds. With 1st April fast approaching, it’s therefore vital that all landlords take the necessary steps to get their rating up to an E. Without doing so, the consequences could be significant and far greater than the cost of initially improving; not only will landlords face the threat of a hefty fine, but they may also risk having their properties lying empty.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/last-call-for-landlords-to-meet-their-epc-ratings/

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Well, I certainly got spoilt by the team in the office, thank you ladies and Stewart!

We all want to wish everyone of you a very Happy Easter and happy egg hunting!!

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/29/happy-easter/

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Opportunistic burglaries set to rise when clocks change

Homeowners are being urged to step up their home security as new research from Co-op Insurance found that burglaries categorised as opportunistic increase by 23% when the clocks go forward, which this year will fall on the 25th March.

According to the data, during British summer time, opportunistic thefts account for 37% of all break-ins. This is in stark contrast to the darker, winter months from October to March, where just 30% are described as opportunistic.

When delving into the days where people are most vulnerable, Co-op found that the majority of home thefts take place on Friday.

However, Sunday is the least common day for break-ins in the summer months, with 13% less break-ins occurring on this day. Furthermore, the Co-op found that on average, claims relating to opportunistic burglaries cost an average of £1,208.

Caroline Hunter, Head of Home Insurance at Co-op, had this to say: “When the clocks go forward, we see an increase in opportunistic burglaries, as people relax their home security.

Most people carry expensive, high-tech personal devices such as smart phones, laptops and tablets. Whilst it can be tempting, especially when the weather is warmer to leave windows and doors unlocked for long periods of time, it’s really important that such items are kept out of sight from opportunists.”

David Huse, OBE, chair of the Neighbourhood Watch Network, said: “Police records indicate that burglary is on the rise. Now, more than ever, people should do what they can to secure their home and possessions. Joining or starting a Neighbourhood Watch scheme is one way you can help reduce your own risk and support your neighbours to do the same.”

Top tips for deterring burglars:

1. Use strong padlocks to secure shed doors
2. Whilst away, ask a neighbour to check in or set lights to a timer
3. Keep windows and doors locked
4. Don’t share your whereabouts on social media
5. Keep valuable outdoor items such as a bike locked away

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

We continue to be a pioneer in the Ashford property sector. For example, you can take a trip around one of our properties on our video tour page, where you can be given a full virtual overview of the property from the comfort of your home.

As the leading Ashford estate agents, you can be confident that you will receive an experienced and professional service. Evolution is an independent company, so our customer service has a personal touch that other chain agents cannot provide.

A Professional Service with a Difference

By offering a service tailored to the requirements of any property owner, Evolution continues to be a pioneer/innovator within the Ashford property sector.

We have built up our customer base on traditional values of hard work, integrity and value for money.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/21/opportunistic-burglaries-set-to-rise-when-clocks-change/

Rental protection remains a priority for landlords despite increasing costs

Investing in products and services to protect their investments remains a high priority for many UK buy-to-let landlords despite the growing cost of being one.

According to tenant referencing and insurance provider FCC Paragon, 2017 was a record year for sales of rental protection products.

Two of the main sources of increased landlord costs are the 3% stamp duty surcharge on the purchase of buy-to-let properties introduced in April 2016 and the gradual phasing out of buy-to-let mortgage interest tax relief which started last year.

However, despite testing times, it appears landlords are committed to spending the necessary funds to protect their investments.

Bryn Cole, Managing Director of FCC Paragon, said: "We've found that as the stakes get higher, landlords are actually more willing to invest in rental insurance and protection products.

Arguably, a more regulated rental sector - with increased costs and government interference - has forced out many of the risk-taking investors and left behind the landlords who are keen to maintain a long-term project and protect it accordingly."

FCC Paragon says the trend for increased sales of rental protection products has continued in 2018 so far as landlords look to mitigate risk in an uncertain sector. The firm reports that it sold 40% more rent protection products in January 2018 than in the same month last year.

In the event that a tenant defaults on their rent, protection products cover the payment so landlords can continue to finance their buy-to-let mortgages.

Cole explains: "A perfect storm of continually rising rents and the prospect of further interest rate rises mean landlords want to be protected. The costs for landlords are higher than ever before and so understandably they want peace of mind that they are covered financially if something goes wrong. It seems to us that many landlords are of the mindset that spending now could save them significant amounts of money in the future.

Even the most reliable of tenants could default on their rent due to a change in circumstances and as rent and living costs rise, unfortunately the chances of reliable tenants falling into arrears increases,."

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

A Professional Service with a Difference

By offering a service tailored to the requirements of any property owner, Evolution continues to be a pioneer/innovator within the Ashford property sector.

We have built up our customer base on traditional values of hard work, integrity and value for money.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/21/rental-protection-remains-a-priority-for-landlords-despite-increasing-costs/

Where are the UK's most expensive one-bed flats?

A new report by online estate agents, HouseSimple.com, has revealed that there are currently 585 one bed flats for sale in the UK for more than £1m.

Despite the recent lull in property prices in the capital, they are all still in London.

HouseSimple.com found that a £1m plus price tag doesn’t necessarily equal spacious and discovered four studio flats currently for sale over £1m but under 500 square feet- the smallest being in Westminster, for £1.04m, measures just 416 square feet; that’s a fifth of the size of a singles tennis court.

One-bed and studio flats are generally seen as first-time buyer properties, but theses flats are at least £500,000 too pricy to be eligible for the 0% first time buyer stamp duty freeze announced by the Chancellor in last Autumn’s Budget. And if you’re budget does stretch to one of the UK’s most expensive one-bed flats, remember to have enough left in your budget for a sofa bed if you have guests.

The most expensive flat for sale in the UK is in Knightsbridge, and is currently on the market with a guide price of £4,950,000 – that’s almost 22 times more than the average UK property*. For that price tag, you’d expect the furniture to be made of solid gold. But you’re paying for location. This flat is in a Grade 2 Listed building on Ennismore Gardens, which is one of the finest addresses in prime London. What’s surprising is the lease is less than 100 years, which means any buyer might need to think about extending the lease before it drops below 80 years.

According to Zoopla property listings, 27% of these £1m plus flats are in the borough of Lambeth, while just under a quarter (23%) are located in the City of Westminster, and 22% in the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Despite the price tag, these flats don’t come with out-of-this-world perks, although most offer a 24-hour concierge service. But buying one of these prestige properties is very much about owning a property in the best location, and in some cases, with the best view.

The following table shows the 10 most expensive one-bedroom flats currently for sale in the UK:

Location (all London)	Description (images available)	Guide price
Ennismore Gardens, Knightsbridge, SW7	1,390 sq ft, resident caretaker	£4,950,000
Knightsbridge, SW7	893 sq ft, bedroom with en-suite, underground parking, 24-hour concierge, gym, swimming pool	£3,750,000
The Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge, SW7	801 sq ft, 24-hour concierge, leisure suite, spa, swimming pool	£3,495,000
One Blackfriars Apartments, Blackfriars, SE1	Concierge service, valet parking	£3,400,000
The Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge, SW7	704 sq ft, located in one of Knightsbridge’s most prestigious buildings	£2,950,000
Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1	Concierge, underground parking, gym and sauna, terrace	£2,700,000
Buckingham Palace Road, Belgravia, SW1	Private terrace, gym, parking, private terrace	£2,595,000
The Knightsbridge, Knightbridge, SW7	704 sq ft, 24 hour concierge, underground parking space	£2,500,000
St John Street, Clerkenwell, EC1	On the second floor of one of Clerkenwell’s finest warehouse buildings	£2,495,000
Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, SW5	Rare to the market flat, which has the proportions of a palatial residence	£2,450,000

Sam Mitchell, CEO of online estate agents HouseSimple.com, comments: “Over the past few months the London property market has noticeably cooled, with prices down at least 10% from their peak in many areas. Affordability has been a major issue for the average buyer, but we have also seen the top end of the market struggle with fewer overseas investors looking at the capital as a safe haven for their money.

We could well see a further correction over the coming months, particularly if Brexit negotiations don’t make sufficient progress. However, though prices in London have stalled for the time being, and foreign buyers are more cautious about investing here, the average price of property in the capital still means it’s one of the most expensive cities in the world to buy.

These one-bed flats sourced in our research aren’t ever going to be on the radar of the typical first-time buyer. They are more likely to be purchased by wealthy business travellers commuting to the capital.”

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

A Professional Service with a Difference

By offering a service tailored to the requirements of any property owner, Evolution continues to be a pioneer/innovator within the Ashford property sector.

We have built up our customer base on traditional values of hard work, integrity and value for money.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/21/where-are-the-uks-most-expensive-one-bed-flats/

Sunday 18 March 2018

Again, Simple and to the point!

A new client entrusted us with their new investment and was clearly happy with the service that we provided! Well done team Evo!

"Roy and his team are professional, very efficient and very knowledgeable."

Do you want £100 in shopping vouchers?

Don't delay, get referring and contact us today!

Properties must be within easy reach of our office and instructed on a sole agency basis - contact us today to check eligibility.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/18/again-simple-and-to-the-point/

How much should you charge your adult children for living at home?

Industry reacts to Spring Statement

BTL landlords face mounting pressure as tax relief cut looms

Sunday 11 March 2018

What are the top ten dream home features for kids?

Strata asked the participants to describe their perfect home with no restrictions on creativity and imagination (One practical child wanted 12 toilets so he never had to queue - so you get the level of thought put into this).

Top 10 kid’s dream home features:

1. Magic homework room that does the work for you

2. Water slide staircase so you never have to walk

3. Dinosaur park with its very own scientist

4. Trampoline floors to bounce from room-to-room

5. House robot

6. Sausage-llama as a pet

7. Christmas market all year round

8. Petting zoo where David Attenborough works

9. Shark tank

10. Twelve toilets so no-one ever has to queue

Living inside Disneyland is also a dream for most, just as long as all the characters are there and the rides are free.

Almost 60% of children wanted to replace traditional kitchens with a sweet shop and ice cream parlour, where they’d have unlimited access to sugary treats.

One in four want a water park in their garden, closely followed by a zoo filled with exotic animals.

If not Disneyland, girls want to live in a beautiful castle at the top of a hill, with almost one third (32%) dreaming of this, whereas boys prefer the thought of living in a super-cool treehouse.

When it comes to materials, boys want their treehouse to be made from multi-coloured building blocks, whilst girls dream of edible chocolate walls covered in glitter and rainbows.

If homes had special powers, most children want their home to fly and teleport anywhere in the world in a single second. Invisibility and time travel were also top choices for one in every five.

When given the chance to invite their favourite people and characters to live with them, The Minions came out on top with over one third of children wanted to live with the little yellow friends.

To watch the video and see the ultimate kids dream home illustrations click here

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/11/what-are-the-top-ten-dream-home-features-for-kids/

Three things to consider before you take the plunge into property investment

Donna McCreadie – Perrys Chartered Accountants, offers sound advice for those looking to take the plunge into property investment.

According to the latest figures released by IMLA, new investment in the buy-to-let market has fallen by £20bn in the last two years, so it may seem that putting your money into property is no longer a wise move.

Recent changes in legislation and greater scrutiny from lenders have meant that many buy-to-let investors are no longer expanding their portfolios as rapidly as they once were. However, if you do your homework, property can still be a good, solid long-term investment, providing excellent annual returns and appreciation rates.

If you are looking to take the plunge into property investment, or even if you have already built up a portfolio, here’s what you need to know about the latest legislation …

1: Allow for stamp duty surcharges

If you have a pot of money put aside for a second property make sure you do your sums first, factoring in all the charges you are likely to incur in addition to the price of the property itself.

Changes in stamp duty land tax mean you will have to pay 3% on top of the existing stamp duty rates currently paid on main residences. This will apply even if your existing home is abroad and you are purchasing your second property in the UK.

Furthermore, unlike the tiered stamp duty rates, which are applied proportionately to the value of the property, the 3% charge applies to the entire purchase price. For example, if you are buying a property for £300,000, you will pay 3% on the full amount and then the standard rates of 0% on the first £125,000, 2% of the value between £125,001 to £250,000 and 5% for the remaining portion of £251,000 to £300,000. To put it into context, if you were purchasing the property as your main residence you’d pay £5,000 in stamp duty charges, but as a second property it will cost you more than double the amount at £14,000.

2: Consider how your income tax may be affected

Once upon a time a landlord was able to claim tax relief on rental income by deducting both mortgage interest and other allowable costs associated with a let property. However, changes being phased in since April 2017 mean this relief is being significantly reduced over the next few years until it is replaced with a new 20% tax credit system in 2020.

Therefore, 100% of any rent you receive will have to be declared and added as income on top of any income you already earn from other sources. For example, if you are already in paid employment earning an annual salary as a basic rate taxpayer at 20%, you could end up tipping the scales into the higher rate tax band of 40%, which will also affect your personal savings allowance.

3: Should you set up as a limited company?

Limited companies are not subject to the same set of tax relief rules as sole traders, so setting one up might seem like an ideal solution. However, investors should do their homework before jumping straight in. Research has suggested that using a limited company for property investment is only worthwhile if you’re buying four or more properties, and in the case of existing landlords this could be a lot more.

For example, rates on mortgage loans are usually a lot higher than for personal borrowers so this could offset any potential savings. And if you do decide to move an existing property portfolio over into company ownership you could be in line for a hefty bill in the form of capital gains tax and stamp duty payments.

What next?

Whatever you are planning, before making any final decisions always make sure you seek professional advice from a tax specialist and independent mortgage adviser. They will be able to fully assess your situation and provide you with information so you can be armed with the full facts before taking the plunge.

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/11/three-things-to-consider-before-you-take-the-plunge-into-property-investment/

Could you actually save money by opting for a higher rate on your mortgage?

New research from online mortgage broker, Trussle, has found that the extra cost of being sucked in by a low mortgage rate could be enough enough to feed a family of four for two months.

According to their analysis, Trussle found that mortgage customers choosing a deal with one of the UK’s Big Six lenders could save an average of £390 by ignoring the banks’ lowest rate, and opting instead for a higher rate product with fewer additional charges.

The way that mortgage deals are advertised by lenders, and sorted by many comparison sites, encourages borrowers to prioritise headline interest rates. Indeed, in Trussle’s study of 2,000 UK mortgage borrowers, not even half (44%) considered upfront costs when choosing their deal.

However the research suggests that the benefit of eye-catching low-rate deals is often wiped out by high upfront costs. Confusingly for prospective customers, the actual best value deals offered by the Big Six lenders, once all fees and incentives have been accounted for, come with significantly higher headline interest rates, which make them seem less attractive.

For example, if a customer was to opt for the lowest two-year fixed rate deal offered by Barclays (1.39%), they would pay £13,709 in capital repayment, interest and charges over the two-year introductory period. This is a hefty £649 more than they would pay if they chose Barclays 1.63% rate deal. Similarly, a Santander customer who opts for the bank’s lowest rate deal of 1.29% would pay out £577 more over the introductory period than if they chose Santander’s 1.64% deal.

These calculations are based on someone getting a mortgage of £135,574, which equates to a 60% loan-to-value ratio on the UK’s average house price of £225,956.

Lender	Two-year fixed mortgage product	Initial rate	True cost over initial two-year period
Barclays Bank	2 Year Fixed Â£999 Fee Remortgage	1.33%	£13,709
Barclays Bank	2 Year Fixed No Fee Remortgage Cashback	1.63%	£13,060
Santander	2 Year Fixed Â£999 Fee	1.29%	£13,614
Santander	2 Year Fixed No Fee Remortgage Cashback (Scottish)	1.64%	£13,037

Across the Big Six lenders - Lloyds Bank, Nationwide Building Society, RBS, Santander, Barclays and HSBC - the difference in true cost between each bank’s lowest rate deal and their best value deal averages at £390. According to the ONS, that £390 could feed a family of four for two months, pay for a spa day for two on Mother’s Day, or more than cover the £244 cost of childcare for one over the Easter break.

Two thirds (68%) of new mortgages approved in 2017 were with the Big Six lenders, that’s just over 1million in total. If each of these 1million customers were to choose a two-year fixed deal based on how low its rate was, rather than its true cost over the introductory period, they would collectively lose out on £405million.

Ishaan Malhi, CEO and founder of Trussle, had this to say: “The Big Six lend to more than two thirds of UK mortgage borrowers, and have a huge amount of influence on people’s dreams of owning a home.They should be the ones leading the charge for transparent mortgage pricing, instead of the unfair promotion of low rate products that come with high fees.There’s no two ways about it, the market is confusing people. It's time lenders, brokers, and comparison sites club together behind true cost for the sake of homeowners across the country.”

This is one of the four recommendations we’ve made within our proposal for a Mortgage Switch Guarantee, which promises to improve the switching process for borrowers. If the big lenders can make this information clearly available to borrowers, homeowners will finally be able to secure a mortgage, confident they’ve made the right decision.”

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/11/could-you-actually-save-money-by-opting-for-a-higher-rate-on-your-mortgage/

Friday 9 March 2018

Well done Sally!

Received some cracking feedback this afternoon and although we work very closely as a team, it's superb to get individual recognition! Well done Sally!

"Sally was very helpful and attentive at all times during the application process"

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/09/well-done-sally/

Wednesday 7 March 2018

Last but by no means least!

Another short and sweet comment but very welcome and always makes us smile!

"Friendly, efficient & personal"

We love what we do!

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/07/last-but-by-no-means-least/

This one really took our breath away!

We are so moved by this clients comments, really makes it all worth while!!!

"Fantastic service from a dedicated team. Everyone in the office appears to be up to speed with your case and operate as one team. I have had answers to emails at 10pm. The team never stop and are always available if there is a problem. Evolution is big enough in the marketplace to be taken seriously but holds a family run business ethos that means you get personal service by staff that care. I could not have been more impressed with the process from beginning to end!"

Really well done to the whole team!

#thatshowitsdone

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/07/this-one-really-took-our-breath-away/

simple words!

Another happy tenant who we helped find the perfect home!

"Good customer service, prompt process from viewing to moving in."

Thats all most people want, just to be looked after! Well done team!

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/07/simple-words/

Lovely to know that we did the right job!

Its not often that tenants praise their agent, ours do!!!

"We would like to thank the whole team at Evolution for making our experience as tenants for the past 12 months worry free and smooth. You have been professional, efficient, fast to respond to any communication, detailed, reliable and all done in a friendly, courteous and respectful way. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to potential tenants and landlords. Thank you."

Well done to the whole team at Evolution! Thank you!!!

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/07/lovely-to-know-that-we-did-the-right-job/

simple words mean alot!

We got this very simple statement from a client that we have just sold a property for;

"enthusiastic , efficient and polite"

Need we say more? Well done team Evo!

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/07/simple-words-mean-alot/

Sunday 4 March 2018

How many vouchers??!!

I love giving rewards and even more so to regular clients who are obviously happy with our service and continue to recommend us to friends and neighbours! A huge thank you to Cheryl for all of the extra business you bring and we hope the vouchers help you settle in to your new home!

Do you want £100 in shopping vouchers?

Don't delay, get referring and contact us today!

Properties must be within easy reach of our office and instructed on a sole agency basis - contact us today to check eligibility.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/04/how-many-vouchers/

Champagne giveaway!

So we had another completion this week, unfortunately some people are camera shy so we can't bring you all of them, and it was for a superb 2 bedroom semi detached home in Singleton! We wish the new owners well and hope you enjoy the bubbly!

Do you want £100 in shopping vouchers?

Don't delay, get referring and contact us today!

Properties must be within easy reach of our office and instructed on a sole agency basis - contact us today to check eligibility.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/04/champagne-giveaway/

Are you putting your home at risk through bad social media habits?

An interactive social media crime map has been launched by Swinton Group, the UK high street broker, to make families aware of the correlation between crime hotspots and risky social media posts.

The findings reveal which cities are putting themselves most at risk of being burgled, by disclosing when most homes are empty and the purchasing habits of residents.

Crime data shows that 49% of burglary offenders are known to the victim, 31% know the victim well and almost 20% are known by sight or have spoken to them before. These findings indicate that thieves could be monitoring social media accounts to seek opportunities for burglaries.

In February 2017 footballer John Terry’s Surrey home was burgled while he was away on a family ski trip. During this trip he shared holiday snaps across his social media accounts, revealing his house was unoccupied.

More than 93,000 risky social media posts were identified across the nation. Social media posts, which are classified as risky, include posting about being on holiday, being away from home, purchasing a new home and buying a new car.

The UK’s riskiest social media habits

Region	% vs National Average	Riskiest City Overall	Safest City Overall
South East	63%	Portsmouth	Dover
North West	42%	Manchester	Carlisle
North East	11%	Newcastle	Scarborough
East of England	10%	Norwich	Peterborough
East Midlands	7%	Nottingham	Leicester
South West	7%	Bristol	Plymouth
Wales	-14%	Cardiff	Swansea
Scotland	-28%	Edinburgh	Perth
Yorkshire & The Humber	-30%	Leeds	York
West Midlands	-34%	Coventry	Stoke
Northern Ireland	-63%	Belfast	Omagh

More than 80% (76,805) of the posts analysed were about upcoming holidays making this the highest category for oversharing in the UK. Those in the North West were more likely (82%) to post about a trip, putting them in the highest risk category, followed by the North East (30%) and the East Midlands (19%).

By comparing against the UK population, the findings reveal which town or city posts above or below the UK average in a category of risky social behaviours. These figures were then translated into a vulnerability score, with 5 being the bassline UK average.

Swinton Group has devised a burglary index score for over 42 cities, by comparing the burglary rates of each city, with the nation’s average.

Stephen Roberts, marketing manager at Yale UK, said: “With nearly 45 million social media users in the UK alone, sharing your personal details and whereabouts on social media sites can put your home and belongings in a vulnerable position. It’s vital that users keep an eye on their security settings to prevent being opportunistically targeted by online criminals.

Alongside updating security settings, upgrading your home security can also deter potential burglars from making your home their next target. Investing in a high quality security system from a reputable brand will help secure and protect your home, even if you happen to share too much on social media.”

Richard Beaven, distribution director at Swinton Group said: “On Twitter alone 88% of all profiles are public, in our small study of 3,000 random UK tweets, a staggering 66% of user’s biographies include the town they lived in. Regardless of the information you share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, burglars can piece together key facts about a person by linking information across all platforms.

Oversharing has now become a part of everyday life. Many people are making themselves vulnerable to praying burglars by publicly sharing when they are out of the house, away on holiday and even posting about expensive purchases. We’re keen to make social media users aware of how much information they are sharing across all channels, who can see this and act on it.”

Top social media tips from Yale UK can be found here

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/04/are-you-putting-your-home-at-risk-through-bad-social-media-habits/

Top tips to sell your house this spring

Well, it certainly doesn't feel like spring at the moment. However, it's always important to be prepared and never more so then when trying to sell your home.

Many estate agents suggest that vendors to undertake an 'MOT' on their property before selling and here are their top 10 tips:

First Impression – This can be make or break. If a potential purchaser is put off before the entering the front door then it's over before its begun. Take a look at the outside of your home as a stranger might see it. It might be winter and very wet but for a small sum or some time and energy you could tidy the garden, paint your front door and get a sale.

Odour – It may seem trivial but the aroma of your house is really very important when you are selling. A simple diffuser discretely hidden in the lobby could do the trick. Some people proffer the advice of coffee and home baked bread but be realistic. It could take a few weeks to sell your home and you cannot be there ready to turn on the bread maker at the drop of a hat.

Tidy – Be obsessive about this, as it is a make or break to a prospective client. Our advice is to have a seriously good clear out before you put the house on the market – even if you bundle up your prized possessions and take them off site. Prospective buyers want to see clean lines and uncluttered work surfaces that create a feeling of space.

Clean – Fresh, sparkling and inviting would be perfect. Hard to achieve when you have an active life with pets and children, but the cleaner your house is the easier it is to sell.

Temperature – Heating houses is an expensive business. However, taking a client into a house that has sat empty for the weekend without the heating on is going to put them off instantly – keep your house ticking over at a pleasant 15° C – it will stop your pipes bursting and mean that we don't shiver round the viewing.

Animals – People's pets are much loved by the owner but very often just the owner and not necessarily the person that is going to buy the house. Pets also can have quite a strong odour, not to mention the litter trays, food bowls and clutter that goes with having an animal in the house. Try to keep pet evidence to a minimum.

Bathrooms – Generally we don't advise sellers to refit a bathroom prior to sale – unless it is really ghastly. Do the obvious instead – re-grout, re-silicon, fluffy towels, pleasant scent, clean and spotless please.

Kitchen – Spare a thought for the poor estate agent as you dash out of the house without loading the dishwasher! We want to take pride in your house when we show clients around and leftover breakfast is not the first thing they want to see as they enter the kitchen.

Problem areas – It is possible that you have a part of your house that you would rather not draw attention to, perhaps somewhere that is mid repair. Our recommendation: don't put the house on the market until it is in tiptop condition. Make it your problem, not the client's.

Brief the agent – The more we are prepared to answer questions about your house the easier it will be to sell it and allay any fears that prospective buyers may have. As an estate agent we dislike not having the answers. And we particularly dislike not knowing how your gadgetry works so please do show us how to use the iPad entry system, the drop down cinema and the fancy lighting system. If we make it look easy the clients will love it. If we don't know how it works, then they won't.

EVOLUTION PROPERTIES - ESTATE AGENTS IN ASHFORD, KENT

At Evolution Properties we provide an unrivalled level of service to sell or let your home in the beautiful Ashford area.

source http://blog.evolutionproperties.co.uk/2018/03/04/top-tips-to-sell-your-house-this-spring/