Month: July 2023

An incredible summer of sport is about to get even better when the Women’s World Cup kicks off next week (20 July).

Australia and New Zealand are hosting the tournament, which promises to build on all the excitement and drama of last year’s Women’s Euros, where the Lionesses prevailed.

Women’s football in the UK received an incredible boost last July when Leah Williamson led England to victory against Germany at Wembley in front of 87,000 fans.

So, can the Lionesses go one step further and make history down under by winning the Women’s World Cup?

It certainly won’t be easy with the bookies currently favouring the US – the defending champions – who have taken the title four times since the tournament’s inception in 1991.

Then there’s Canada (Olympic champions), Germany (who have won twice) and one-time winners Japan and Norway. And don’t discount Australia, playing on home turf and captained by Sam Kerr, the Chelsea star ranked by FIFA as the number one female player in the world.

But the Lionesses cannot be underestimated. Many of the big guns who led them to that thrilling Euros victory last year, including Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway, are returning, as is their star coach Sarina Wiegman (FIFA Women’s Coach for 2022).

Here’s a rundown of what football fans need to know about the event.

• This year’s Women’s World Cup will be the biggest ever with 32 teams playing. The Philippines, Morocco, Vietnam, Ireland and Zambia will all compete in the tournament for the first time.
• England’s first match is against Haiti in Brisbane on Saturday, 22 July. Their other group-stage matches are against Denmark (Friday, 28 July) and China (Tuesday, 1 August).
• The final is at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 20 August (capacity: 83,500).
• FIFA says it’s on course to sell 1.5 million tickets in total for this year’s tournament (yes, that’s a record).
• This year, Brazil’s Marta, aged 37, will compete in her sixth Women’s World Cup. As incredible as this achievement is, it still puts her behind her countrywoman Miraildes Maciel Mota, aka ‘Formiga’. She played at seven World Cups and seven Olympics and is Brazil’s most-capped footballer. In case you’re wondering, Formiga means ‘ant’ in Portuguese and refers to the footballer’s unselfish football style.

Will you be tuning in to the Women’s World Cup this year? If so, tell us who your favourite Lioness is and where you’ll be watching on facebook or instagram. 

 

 

If you’re selling a property, you’ve got a big decision to make. Which estate agent do you pick? Should you go with an independent local agency or choose a big-name brand?

Should you use an agent based on the local high street or go with a cheaper online option?

Before you make up your mind, it’s best to get a couple of agents in to value your property and discuss the sales process. Find out how they will help and what they will do differently from other agents.

In this quick read, we look at why staying local and using an independent agent can offer you real value for money.

Realistic valuation 

It’s easy to get swayed by big numbers. The bigger the valuation, the better the agent, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, some agents could offer higher valuations to win your business, and you may find yourself dropping the price quite swiftly once it goes to market.

Working with a local agent who lives and breathes properties in your area gives you a better sense of what similar properties have sold for and the current level of demand. If you choose to sell with an online agency, you’ll lose the benefit of having a local expert on your side, singing the praises of your property to potential buyers.

Unlike more corporate estate agents, most local agents live in the area they work in, so they’ve seen the market change over time. This gives them a deeper understanding of what price a property can achieve.

Local knowledge 

You can’t put a price on local knowledge. An estate agent that has experience of your neighbourhood can be the reason your home sells. Not only will they be able to offer you information about what local buyers are looking for, they can also share bags of knowledge with potential buyers during viewings.

And if buyers have school-age children, a local agent will be able to discuss proximity to schools, catchment areas and Ofsted ratings. Similarly, a local agent’s knowledge of commuter routes, public transport options and local gyms, parks and shops will help persuade buyers who are unsure of what an area offers.

Focused viewings

Most agents have an email database of buyers wanting to live in the area, but only a local agent can use it to full advantage. They’ll be able to find a property that suits a buyer’s needs more acutely than a corporate agent who moves around a lot and is relatively new to the area.

A good local agent will be tuned into what their buyers are really looking for, so can target your property to the right people.

If you’re looking to sell your home, our team at Chamberlains has got the knowledge and motivation to get your property sold. Contact us on 01626 365055 for more information. 

 

 

 

At last summer is here, so what are your plans?

Have you booked an exciting getaway in an exotic location? Or is the aim to kick back and relax on home turf?

Whatever you’ve lined up, it’s worth taking note of the common concerns that can crop up in rented accommodation during the summer.

If there’s a garden at your rental property:

• Check your contract to ensure you understand what’s expected of you in terms of maintenance. Commonly, tenants are expected to carry out general tasks such as watering and mowing – and in summer, you’ll most likely need to do both quite regularly.
• If you have children, paddling pools and trampolines might seem like the ultimate summer garden accessories – just bear in mind that at the end of the tenancy, you’ll be expected to return the garden in the same state as it was when you moved in. So if the grass under a trampoline or paddling pool dies off (as it often does), you’ll need to rectify it.
• Keen gardeners should get permission from the landlord before undertaking any major planting or landscaping projects. Planting in pots may be preferable, so you can take any plants that you lovingly tend to with you when you move on.
• If you’re socialising outside, be mindful of the neighbours. Don’t play loud music into the early hours of the morning or let things get too lively.

Other issues

• Burglars prowl about in the summer months looking for easy entry to properties, so be vigilant if you open windows or doors in hot weather.
• Always lock up carefully before you go out and be particularly cautious if you’re going away on holiday. Check and check again to ensure everything is safe and secure. The last thing you want is to return from a brilliant holiday to find you’ve had intruders.
• If you’re going away for an extended period, let your landlord know. Some contracts specify that you notify your landlord if you’re going to be away for more than 14 days. Even if you’re not legally required to do so, it’s good to do it as a courtesy. It also means that your landlord can avoid bothering you with non-urgent queries when you’re on holiday.

Looking for a new property to rent? Get in touch with us here at Chamberlains today.

 

If you’ve got wonky shelves or pictures that you keep meaning to put up but haven’t got around to doing, are your DIY skills holding you back? Can’t tell a drill bit from a screwdriver head? We feel your pain.

Knowing how to do basic DIY is a huge help, especially if you’re about to move home or you’ve been avoiding certain tasks for ages.

Before you start anything, it’s important to have the right tools. Get yourself to a local hardware store and speak to an expert about what you need (try not to get upsold fancy equipment you’re never likely to use). Also, DO NOT attempt any electrical or plumbing work – those are jobs for professionals.

Ready to get drilling? In this quick read, we look at some of the best DIY tips and tutorials the Internet has to offer.

The Carpenter’s Daughter

Run by Vikkie Lee, her blog and YouTube channel are dedicated to all things DIY. Her website offers everything from fitting blinds, fixing kitchen door hinges and (errr) restoring a narrowboat. Her work is great for beginners and for those of you more established with a glue gun and saw.

DIY Basics

This YouTube Channel is dedicated to beginner DIY projects and offers numerous videos advising which tools you will need, how to paint your front door and how to repair and clean grout. It’s a goldmine of info for a novice and worth scrolling through.

DIY Doctor

Run by tradespeople, this site offers lots of tips and tricks about home projects you can do yourself. It’s not the easiest site to navigate but keep digging and you’ll find nuggets on subjects like carpentry, kitchen fitting and ways to tackle damp and mould.

DIY Fans (Facebook Group)

If you prefer a more interactive approach to your DIY woes, get onto Facebook and search for “DIY Tips”. You’ll find loads of groups where members share their projects and advice on how to get those home projects underway. DIY Fans is a great group with daily updates.

Upcycling

If you are looking to brighten up old pieces of furniture or add some wow to boring flatpack buys, then Instagram is the place to go. There are thousands of home renovation accounts that you can get inspiration from. Some great ones to look at include @our_bears_home, @ikeapaxhacks and @joannecondon.

Have you got a favourite DIY hack? We’d love to know how you’ve improved your home. Comment below.

 

Before selling your home, you might be thinking about ways to add value or unlock potential so buyers can get a feel for what it would be like to live there themselves. But renovations are costly and may not pay off. So, what can you do to make a change without spending too much?

Whilst it’s always a good idea to spruce up a property before it goes on the market, the key is to know exactly what changes really add value before making any big decisions.

In this quick read, we look at ways to increase value without spending thousands of pounds.

Kerb appeal

First impressions count, and if the exterior of a property looks unkempt, buyers are going to be put off before they’ve even stepped through the front door. Whilst tidying up, fixing broken pipes and hiding bins immediately neatens a property up, what other changes could add value?

• Paint or replace your front door for an immediate makeover.
• Add some greenery with hanging baskets.
• Repaint the exterior of the property to make it look fresh and welcoming.
• Make sure the parking area is clearly marked out.

Redecorate

It might seem counterintuitive to spend money redecorating a home you don’t intend to live in, but freshening up a property’s paintwork can add serious value. Choose neutral colours to create a light, airy feeling, and pack away clutter to add space. Adding storage solutions such as shelves or cupboards can also make a property feel more spacious.

Extensions and/or loft conversions

If you want to add serious value and can spare the cash, consider extending your home or converting the loft or garage. Research has shown that adding an extra one or two bedrooms to a property can boost its value by around 20%, and even more if your property is in a city.

Speak to an agent if you are considering a large renovation project to see how much real value an extra room could add. Remember, extending or adding a dormer could require planning permission.

Kitchen focus

Replacing a kitchen is costly, but as one of the most used areas of a property, it could be worth the investment. Minor renovations to add the wow factor include painting or replacing cabinet doors, changing door handles, fixing superficial defects, descaling and thoroughly cleaning all appliances. Open shelving adds a sense of space, whilst new lighting could completely transform the whole appearance.

Garden makeover

You don’t need to completely redesign the garden to add value, but making sure it looks its best is a must. Hire a gardener for a one-off revamp if you don’t have the time (or patience) to do it yourself. Make sure buyers see the potential of the garden by adding furniture or a BBQ so they can imagine spending their summer in the sun.

Are you looking to sell your home? Contact our team at Chamberlains so we can value your property and get things moving.