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As a homebuyer, you want to make sure that the property you purchase checks all the right boxes for you.
From location to work undertaken, or perhaps to be carried out there are plenty of factors to consider. However, when it comes to the features that potential buyers are looking for in a property, some things stand out more than others. Here are the top 10 things that homebuyers are looking for in a property in 2023, based on recent trends and studies.
1. Garages with extra storage space
Storage space is always at a premium, so it's no surprise that potential buyers are looking for garages that offer extra storage space. This is especially true for families with children, who need a place to store sports equipment, bicycles, and other outdoor gear.
2. Open floor plan
Gone are the days of smaller living rooms and closed-off spaces. Today's homebuyers are looking for open floor plans that allow for better flow, family living and flow between rooms. An open floor plan makes it easier to entertain guests, keep an eye on children, and enjoy the natural light that flows throughout the space.
3. Home offices
With more people working remotely, having a dedicated home office is more important than ever. Buyers are looking for properties that offer a separate space for a home office, whether it's a spare room, a converted attic or basement, or a small nook in a larger room. A dedicated home office can make it easier to focus on work and be more productive.
4. Walk-in pantry
A walk-in pantry is a dream come true for home cooks and foodies alike. It's a place to store dry goods, canned goods, and other essentials, keeping them organised and easily accessible. A walk-in pantry can also help save space in the kitchen, allowing for more counter and cabinet space for other kitchen essentials.
5. Modern kitchens
We firmly believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and homebuyers are looking for modern kitchens with all the latest amenities. This includes high-end appliances, plenty of counter space, and storage for pots, pans, and other kitchen tools. A modern kitchen can make meal prep and cooking easier and more enjoyable!
6. Outdoor patios
Outdoor living spaces are more important than ever, and now we’re entering into warmer weather, homebuyers are looking for properties that offer a private outdoor patio. This is a place to relax, entertain guests, and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. It can also add value to a property, making it more attractive to potential buyers in the future.
7. Energy efficiency
Homebuyers are increasingly concerned with energy efficiency and sustainability. They're looking for properties that offer energy-efficient appliances, windows, and insulation, as well as other sustainable features like solar panels. These features can not only help reduce energy bills but also help reduce a property's carbon footprint.
8. Island Kitchens
Island kitchens are a popular trend, especially in modern homes. They provide extra counter space for meal prep and cooking, as well as a place to sit and enjoy a quick meal or a cheeky midnight snack. An island kitchen can also serve as a focal point for the room, adding style and sophistication to the space. Island kitchens also offer additional storage space, with cabinets and drawers built into the island. This is especially useful in open-concept homes where storage can be limited.
In addition to their functional benefits, island kitchens also have aesthetic appeal. They can be designed in a variety of styles, from modern to traditional, to complement the overall design of the home. Some homeowners choose to add a statement light fixture above the island to add an extra touch of style
9. Walk-in wardrobes
Having a spacious and well-organised wardrobe is essential, and homebuyers are looking for properties that offer walk-in wardrobes. A walk-in wardrobe provides plenty of space for clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as a place to get dressed and ready for the day ahead.
10. Hardwood flooring
Finally, homebuyers are looking for properties with hardwood flooring. They are durable, easy to clean, and add warmth and character to a home and are also versatile, and able to match a variety of different interior design styles.
From storage space to energy efficiency to modern kitchens, these features can make a property more attractive and valuable to potential buyers. If you're thinking about buying or selling a property, keep these features in mind to help make the most informed decision possible!
Here at Acres, we understand the importance of finding the right property that meets your needs and wants. Our experienced team will help guide you through the buying or selling process and answer any questions you may have.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find your dream home. https://www.acres.co.uk/contact-us
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You don’t need a higher-paying job or a windfall from a relative to improve your personal finances. For many people, better money management is all it takes to reduce their spending, improve their ability to invest and save, and achieve financial goals that once seemed impossible. Even if you feel like your finances are stuck in a bad place with no way out, there are several things you can do to create a better situation for yourself. Here are seven to get you started.
1. Track your spending to improve your finances.
If you don’t know what and where you’re spending each month, there’s a good chance your personal spending habits have room for improvement. Better money management starts with spending awareness. Use a money management app to track spending across categories and see for yourself how much you’re spending on non-essentials such as dining, entertainment, and even that daily coffee. Once you’ve educated yourself on these habits, you can make a plan to improve.
2. Create a realistic monthly budget.
Use your monthly spending habits, as well as your monthly take-home pay, to set a budget you know you can keep.There’s no use setting a strict budget based on drastic changes, such as never eating out when you’re currently ordering takeout four times a week. Create a budget that works with your lifestyle and spending habits. You should see a budget as a way to encourage better habits, such as cooking at home more often, but give yourself a realistic shot at meeting this budget. That’s the only way this money management method will work.
3. Build up your savings—even if it takes time.
Create an emergency fund that you can dip into when unforeseen circumstances strike. Even if your contributions are small, this fund can save you from risky situations in which you’re forced to borrow money at high-interest rates or possibly find yourself unable to pay your bills on time.
4. Pay your bills on time every month.
Paying bills on time is an easy way to manage your money wisely, and it comes with excellent benefits: It helps you avoid late fees and prioritises essential spending. A strong on-time payment history can also lift your credit score and improve your interest rates.
5. Cut back on recurring charges.
Do you subscribe to services you never use? It’s easy to forget about monthly subscriptions to streaming services and mobile apps that charge your bank account even when you don’t regularly use these services. Review your spending for charges like these, and consider cancelling unnecessary subscriptions to hold onto more money each month.
6. Save up cash to afford big purchases.
Certain kinds of loans and debt can be helpful when making major purchases, such as a house or even a car that you need right now. But for other big purchases, cash offers the safest and cheapest buying option. When you buy in cash, you avoid generating interest and creating a debt that requires months—or, often, years—to pay back. In the meantime, that saved money can sit in a bank account and accumulate interest that can be put toward your purchase.
7. Start an investment strategy.
Even if your ability to invest is limited, small contributions to investment accounts can help you use your earned money to generate more income. The path to better finances starts with changing your own habits. Some of these changes will be easier than others, but if you stay committed to this transformation, you’ll end up with great money management skills that will serve you throughout your life—and in the meantime, you’ll have more money in your pocket. The foundation of good money management is a rock-solid budget. Create your own by downloading one of the many available on line.
Information provided by https://www.fscb.com/blog/7-money-management-tips-to-improve-your-finances
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What I like about Acres is their straight, no nonsense approach. Believe me, current markets are difficult, but they got the job done ! Hats off to the team! This might sum it up better-paraphrased ( from the A-Team Tv series )
If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... the A Team (Acres Team)
Thanks Nigel and Team!
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Looking for advice on how to buy a house? You’ve come to the right place.
It’s no secret that the housing market has been incredibly busy in recent months with house prices going through the roof. For buyers, it's hard to stand out, with so few properties on the market and so much competiton. There is some good news on the horizon though...
Things are starting to settle down, amid increasing inflation and rising interest rates. 11% of homes have had their price cut by more than 5% since September, according to property portal Zoopla. And more properties are now coming to the sales market.
If you're looking to move soon, we’ve compiled a helpful step-by-step guide to give you the best possible chance to secure your dream home and ensure your purchase is as stress-free as possible.
1. Save, save, save!
Look to save at least 10 to 20% of the cost of the home you would like to buy.
Top tip: remember to factor in additional costs like solicitor fees, mortgage fees, survey costs and buildings insurance. As your local property professionals, we’re always here to help support you and offer advice on moving costs.
2. Get a mortgage agreement in principle
This is an estimate of how much you could potentially borrow from a bank or building society. Bear in mind it’s not a formal mortgage offer but it means you can show agents that it’s likely you’ll be able to afford the property you want to buy.
3. Identify an up and coming area
When searching for a new home, it’s important to look beyond the four walls of the property.
One way to get ahead and make the market work for you is to find a part of town that is affordable yet offers an increasing amount of amenities due to a new demographic of people moving into the area.
According to our property expert, Chris Rosindale, the top four signs you should look out for in an up and coming area;
- Young professionals are a great indicator of potential growth. If you can spot people in their twenties and thirties choosing a specific area, it's almost inevitable that local house prices there will increase.
- New delicatessens, pubs, restaurants and independent coffee shops suggest that there is new demand in the area from people with disposable income.
- Nearby public transport links that give local residents access to schools, workplaces and central locations will inevitably attract more people to the area.
- Regeneration can greatly improve the quality of life in a specific area. Chances are if money is being pumped into a neighbourhood, the house prices there are likely to grow.
4. It's advisable to find a good agent
Our estate agents are there to make your buying process as simple and smooth as possible. They can provide you with daily updates of new properties, and if you pop down to your local office, they can give you advice and tips on the local area.
You should plan for multiple property viewings. Do your research and get to know the local market really well. If you need a little extra area advice, talk to your agent.
5. Make an offer
Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, it’s time to make an offer. Think carefully about what you would be willing to pay, if you go too low you risk not being seen as a serious buyer, so make sure your offer is realistic. Equally, don’t go in too high and miss the mark completely. Remember your estate agents will be on hand to help to support you through the offer process.
6. What happens after you’ve made an offer?
Well, this can go one of two ways. The estate agent will call you back and tell you that your offer has been accepted. In this case, it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief and move on to step 7. If not, you might want to repeat the process again with a higher offer. Again, our agents are able to do all the negotiations on your behalf.
7. Arrange a mortgage
If you need to arrange a mortgage we can help through our associated company Acres Financial Services. They can compare thousands of mortgage deals from a panel of high street and specialist lenders (subject to status and lender criteria).
8. Hire a property lawyer called a conveyancer
Once you've had your offer accepted and confirmed your mortgage, it's time to think about who you want to handle the legal side of things. A property lawyer will take charge of conducting searches, liaising with the seller’s lawyer, inspecting the seller’s documents, dealing with the Land Registry and all that fun stuff. This role is critical to keeping your house purchase on track so do your research.
9. Get a survey
Sorted your mortgage and property lawyer? Great.
It’s survey time. A survey isn’t compulsory, but it’s definitely advisable. If you don’t get one and you come across unforeseen structural issues once you’ve bought the property, it would just be hard luck. Don’t be one of those people that rely on the mortgage valuation or you might find yourself forking out thousands of pounds later down the line. Give yourself peace of mind by having a survey conducted.
The HomeFact Report, RICS HomeBuyer Survey, RICS HomeBuyer Survey & Valuation and the RICS Building Survey are your main options.
10. Arrange buildings insurance
How important is buildings insurance? Well, take this example – as soon as the contracts are exchanged, you’re legally bound to buy the property. If the building were to burn down the day before completion and you weren’t insured, you’d have to pay every penny of the sale price yourself, that's why for many lenders it's a requirement for you to have building insurance prior to completion.
11. Set the completion date
This is the date that you’ll finally move into your new home. Completion usually takes place between one and four weeks after you’ve exchanged contracts. During this time, it might be an idea to find a trustworthy removals company to help get you moving.
12. Exchange contracts and sign the transfer deeds
You’re almost there! Your deposit will now be sent to the seller’s property lawyer, along with the contracts that you signed. Your property lawyer will prepare the transfer deed. Make sure you sign it in the presence of a witness. It confirms you're willing to take ownership of the property.
Once this is complete it means you’re legally bound to purchase the house. Time to put the champagne on ice and celebrate!
13. Completion
You did it. You’re officially a new homeowner – collect the keys and let yourself in. You can now look forward to making the house a home! If you’re interested in home improvements read our latest article ‘How to REALLY boost the value of your property.'
Thank you to Barstow Eves - original post : https://rb.gy/y0vhbx
