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! ??

2022 has been a big year in many ways, and the housing market is no exception with changes to things including landlord rules and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. But what do these changes mean, and what else has 2022 done to change the housing game? Well firstly, until late last year, property sellers had 20 days to file and pay their Capital Gains bill. This has now been upped to 60 to make it easier for people and to give a little more breathing room when it comes to getting everything filed in time. And when it comes to tax records and VAT returns, these have made the move to digital as of April this year for submissions. This has been applied to businesses with a taxable turnover of less than £85,000 – those over that threshold have been able to do this for some time. As mentioned, the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules are set for a change that is due to come into play in October this year. Here are the changes there: Social landlords to have a smoke alarm on every floor A carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room with a solid fuel appliance Landlords are required to fix or replace any faulty alarms the moment that they are told about it. Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 is set to be no more in the spring. This is good news for renters as it will stop tenants from being evicted in a rolling periodic tenancy or at the end of a fixed-term tenancy without giving a reason. This forms part of the Renters Reform bill which will, amongst other things, look at giving tenants the option of a movable tenancy deposit that can easily be transferred from one landlord to the next. And then there is something that tenants have been calling on for some time – a change to the rules about owning pets in rented accommodation. Before the change, it could be virtually impossible to have a pet in a rented home, purely because the landlord decided they did not want people to – even if there was no good reason for the refusal. Not so with the changes as now tenants are automatically allowed pets, they just need to ask their landlord first, and they have 28 days to respond to the written request. And not only that, but they need a valid reason to say no! There will likely be more changes in the near future, and there are some interesting ones rumoured to be coming in the next 12 months, but what do you think of the ones that are already in place and on the way?