The Blog

We have seen a busy start to 2024 with plenty of buyers out looking for property, particularly first time buyers who couldn’t get a look in the last couple of years due to high house prices and rising interest rates. Luckily, January saw interest rates starts to fall and although the Bank of England opted to keep the base rate the same due to not meeting their target on inflation, we continue to see rate cuts which is really positive. Rishi Sunak has proposed a 99% mortgage meaning you could buy a property with just a 1% deposit, while this is a positive move to get more buyers on the ladder, there is the concern this could again push house prices up causing another housing bubble and potentially pricing out the people it is intended to help. There are already plenty of ways to get people on the property ladder with as little as no deposit so I would advise anyone wanting to buy a property to talk to a local mortgage advisor to find out what your options are. When it comes to homeowners with existing mortgages, you can find a new deal up to 6 months before your current one expires. As rates will most likely be higher for anyone coming off an existing rate over the next couple of years, it is ideal to look at your remortgage early so you can ensure you are prepared for the change. Speak with Paisley Gray, our Mortgage and Protection Specialist: paisley@pmr-fs.co.uk 01702 529 656 07949 537 024

There is nothing worse than a missed opportunity to tell your home's story in a way that truly captivates potential buyers. Something to check is that your agent has explored some key marketing options that can make a significant difference to who sees your listing. With Boxing Day being notoriously the busiest day for the property portals, now is your time to consider if you have your home listed with the right agent. Here are a few top things we look at for all our listings. Has your agent missed any of them for your property? Twilight Magic Ever considered showcasing your home in the enchanting hues of twilight? It's not just a captivating visual; it's a proven strategy that can increase your property's attraction by a staggering 30%. Yes, it may sound crazy, but it works wonders.  Aerial Insights with Drone Photos & Video: Imagine giving potential buyers a bird's-eye view of not just your home but the entire plot and surroundings. Drone photos and video not only draw more attention but also elevate the quality of your viewings.  Step into the Future with Promotional Video: In 2023, visuals speak volumes. Whether it's an awe-inspiring cinematic video or a simple walkthrough, incorporating drone footage brings your home to life in a way that resonates with modern buyers.  Social Media Brilliance: While organic posts are valuable, a targeted, paid advertising campaign on social media can amplify your home's reach to a much wider audience. We've seen incredible success with this approach, contributing to 20% of our viewings.  Explore our tailored packages on the link below, designed to fit seamlessly with your budget and unique needs with options to bespoke the package to your needs.  https://www.lawrenceantonyhomes.co.uk/view-our-packages  I'm genuinely excited about the prospect of bringing out the best in your property. Let's connect – whether by phone at 07436274171 or 01268 778333, or via email at antony@lawrenceantonyhomes.co.uk. I'd love to meet you, understand your vision, and start crafting an irresistible narrative for your home. 

Breaking Barriers in Eastwood, Essex ? At Lawrence Antony Homes, we are thrilled to share an inspiring success story that embodies our commitment to helping clients turn their dreams into reality. Meet Mike, one of our valued clients, who approached us back in January 2023 with a clear goal: to sell his home quickly and make a move with his wife and daughter's family to Cornwall. ? The Challenge: Selling a property in August, traditionally a quiet month for buyers, required a unique approach. We knew we needed to think outside the box to ensure Mike and his family could embark on their dream journey. ? Our Strategy: We decided to delay listing Mike's property on the portals until the opportune moment - August 17th, a Thursday, which we know is ideal for maximum exposure. In the meantime, we hit the ground running with social media marketing campaigns and embraced traditional methods to generate interest. ✨ The Incredible Result: Thanks to our innovative approach and unwavering dedication, the outcome was nothing short of amazing! Mike's property received a remarkable 15 viewings, resulting in not one, but two offers, and an agreed sale at the asking price. Mike and his family were overjoyed with our efforts and, more importantly, ready to make the move of their dreams to Cornwall. ? Take the First Step Towards Your Dream Move: If you're thinking about selling your property or facing challenges in making your dream move happen, let us help you achieve success, just like we did for Mike. We're here to chat over coffee and explore how we can turn your aspirations into reality. ? Connect with Us: ? Email: info@lawrenceantonyhomes.co.uk ? Phone: 01268 778333 ? Visit us at: 103 High Street, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7EJ Don't let your dream move remain a dream. Contact us today and let's make it happen together! ??

Working in the estate agent business brings a lot of trial and error with it as part of the job, but that means that we recognise the things that work well for us, and we can expand on them to drive our levels of success even higher. Keeping our eye on the ball and being able to adapt is crucial to a successful sale, and there are key things that we make sure we do with every property on the market to drive interest and to ultimately secure the right buyer for you. Here are some of things that we do to drive sales and get you the best price possible in any given financial climate for your current home. Marketing the property well Above all else, our job is to make sure that a home on the market looks as good as it can to potential new owners. There are a lot of factors that play into this, and one of those things, and a key one a that, is getting our professional photographers and videographers in to create the visuals we'll use both in our online and offline marketing materials. The property needs to look like a dream home and our professional team of industry photographers and videographers will work together with our agents to make it happen. Launching at the right time We also only launch a property on high search days, normally a Wednesday or Thursday, and we work with all the main third-party sites to guarantee that your property gets as much exposure as is possible. We constantly have our eye on the current trends and know through many years in the business when is or isn't the right time to market a property. The Price The price is one of the most crucial elements in selling your home and this is where it could easily go very wrong for you at the beginning of your sales journey if they property isn't priced correctly. We have more than enough experience in the industry to advise you on a price that will not only find you the right buyer but also encourage the potential of competing offers. Keeping an Active Social Media Presence Like most things nowadays, social media leads the way, and it is absolutely key that we use it well for all areas of what we do. Our team are very active on social media and we have noticed in the last couple of years just how many people use social media as a search platform, alongside their web browser, to seek out their next property purchase. We have found social media to be an imperative tool in recent years in supporting the marketing campaign for your home. Quick and efficient communication Communication is another key thing that we always pride ourselves on. Not only do we keep you updated every step of the way, but we answer all queries within 5 minutes – and we make sure viewings are blocked together as much as possible to keep things simple for everyone. For more information on the steps we take and know to work well when selling our properties, check our our free downloadable e-guide, available here: https://lawrenceantonyhomes.co.uk/a-guide-to-selling-your-home

If you are thinking about making the move to Rayleigh, then you will find many reasons why this is an amazing place to live and grow a family. Here are just a few reasons why we think that the area is worth you considering: Cost of Living A phrase that is being used more and more in the current climate, cost of living is something that most of us look at when we think about relocating, and you will find that it is more affordable here than in many other areas. Compared to London, it is definitely cheaper living in Rayleigh, and there are so many restaurants and food options to choose from with the majority being very reasonably priced. Employment Opportunities Something else that is vital to most is the chance to find employment in the area, and Rayleigh has many opportunities for people to jump at. The area meets the average in terms of employment, but the commute into London that many people take opens up even more options for people – you’d be well placed in terms of job seeking. Things to do Locally Obviously, with London not far by train, there are no shortage of things to do and places to visit – but you will find a lot to do in Rayleigh itself too. There is the local museum and windmill, indoor go-karting, play areas for children, and a trampoline park to name just a few of the varies activities that the local area has to offer. And you are just down the road from a seaside town, Southend on Sea, that comes alive in the warmer months with so many things for you and your family to do. Besides the beach and pier, there is the free-admission amusement park, Adventure Island, which has things like rides and mini golf. And the area is brilliant for shopping too with two shopping centres, The Victoria and The Royal, both offering a wide range of things that should cater to almost everyone. Schools There are plenty of choices for schooling in Rayleigh, with many schools performing well, and several receiving an ‘outstanding’ report when visited by Ofsted. There is a college to for those looking to go into higher education not far away – so you’ll be covered for schooling no matter the age of your child. House Prices Something you will definitely need to know is how much buying a home in the area will cost. The average sold house price in Rayleigh according to Zoopla for the last 12 months is £426,827 – in London that price averages around £740,597, so you can see why Rayleigh is an attractive idea for relocating to. While the current economic situation will have an impact on those prices, the area should still be an appealing one when it comes to house prices when compared to neighboring towns and cities.

You have likely heard the word ‘staycation’ banded about in recent times – especially given how restricted travel was during the heights of the pandemic, but more people holidaying on our own shores means there is a great opportunity for those looking to invest in property. And there are several good reasons for doing so, including that you and your family will get a nice home away from home to stay in if you want a break but aren’t keen on jet-setting off to another country. But that aside, let’s talk financial reward, because if you invest well, and in a good area prone to tourists – like Southend - you could be seeing significant gains to your bank account before too long. Holiday homes tend to charge a rate that means a one-week stay will net you more profit than an entire month would in a regular rental – so even with the off-season factored in you should still be seeing more gain than a standard property. With that though, do keep an eye on other factors that could have an impact – such as a wealthy area which will likely give you less yield than other places. Another thing to keep in mind as a plus for the holiday home market is the money you will save on general upkeep fixing things like wear and tear. A lived-in property will need more maintenance than somewhere that only houses people for around a week at a time – less chance for damage to be caused when people view the place as not their own. And whereas homes are thought of as an investment, holiday homes are looked at more like a business which means that there are tax advantages to be found. Speak to the relevant people about this because any chance to save money is one worth looking into.

Are you planning on moving house soon? If so, you will no doubt already be overwhelmed by the number of things that there are to consider – it can be quite the undertaking. While there is almost always going to be a small thing or two that you forget, we have a list of some of the key things to keep in mind before you pack up and head to your new home. As you approach the one-month out point, this is when you will need to have got all your utilities sorted. So that is your electricity, your internet, and phone line, water, gas, and anything else that you pay for in your current house. One month tends to be the notice period for many of these so make sure they are all taken care of by that point. And don’t forget that bills will be settled by the time you have already left the property, and quite possibly after someone else has already moved in – so check your meter readings so you don’t get stung with a high bill that may have not been down to you. And while we are on that subject, make sure all the people you owe that money to know where your new address is. Then there are all the other paperwork-type things that will need sorting. Make sure that your mortgage application is still on track, check that your building’s insurance is up to scratch, and ensure that the surveyor report is in place. Now it is just a case of starting to declutter your home and getting things ready for the big move. When you hit the two-week mark, this is the perfect time to start updating your address with all the relevant places, and there will likely be a lot of people and companies that will need updating - Your bank or building society, TV license, your employer, HMRC, your pension provider, and GP – the list goes on so don’t leave it to the last minute as you will have enough to do when you do move. When you get to one week, it is all systems go and the most obvious thing to do now is to really up your packing game – as well as making sure everything like electricity and gas are ready to go in your new abode. And keep in mind that getting the internet up and running in a home on day one is usually a tough ask, so be prepared to be without it for a few days unless you happen to have good mobile internet. By the time you get to the last 24 hours, you should now be on top of everything enough that you can enjoy a final takeaway in your old home before the laboring task of moving into the new one really begins. But give the place one last look over. Make sure it is all as clean as you can possibly make it, that all spare keys are placed together, and that you do those all-important meter readings. As we say, moving can be one of the most stressful things you can do, so plan wisely and don’t leave everything so it becomes a rush job – you’ll be far more relaxed for it when you get to the new place if you do.

It was one of the hottest summers on record, but the cold is setting in and the nights are getting longer which can only mean one thing – winter is coming. And while the change in weather is welcome to some, it can have an impact on your home and there are certain things you should think about doing to keep yours in good repair. First on the list should be checking your heating to make sure that everything is in order. Is your boiler working as it should be? Are any of your radiators in need of bleeding? Does the boiler or any of the radiators need some dusting? Do these things before it gets too cold as it is best to find out now before we get into the thick of the colder months. And speaking of your boiler, it is important to make sure that it is serviced and that the pilot light does not need restarting. Leaking carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous and making sure the boiler is in working order can help keep you and your family safe. And while it may sound obvious, do check all your windows around the house too. There is no point in heating up the home if you’ve left a window slightly ajar over the summer months – especially with the rising energy costs. And head outside too because there are things to be checked there – including the guttering as that should really be empty to stop any damage being caused from things like a build-up of ice. And if you are the owner of a chimney, make sure that has been cleaned out too! Hiring somebody to do this is a great idea if you aren’t a pro yourself as they can also check the status of your roof while they are up there. Your pipes around the house should be checked for any cracks or unusual damage too. The colder the weather gets, the higher the chance of the pipes freezing over, and the damage that can cause had a tendency to be on the costly side – and make sure you know where your stopcock is too as you’ll need to get straight to that if a pipe does burst. And let’s not forget the dreaded damp! Keep your home as ventilated as you can throughout the winter months to stop that from becoming a problem. One other thing to keep in mind too with the darker months is that there is a higher chance of an increase in crime rates in your area. So now is a great time to keep an eye on how safe and secure your home is and to check that you have the right kind of security to keep you, your family, and all your possessions safe.