Author: James Cooper

James has been in the property industry since 2003. During that time he has helped hundreds of people move across South Devon. In his spare time he enjoys spending time on the coast with his wife Sarah, son Oscar and Dachshund Ellie.
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Why Do People Up Sticks? The Eight Reasons for Moving Home

people move

Eight Reasons Why People Move Home

A two-minute read on what prompts people to sell up and buy elsewhere.

Most people looking to move home fall into one of eight categories. Learn what these categories are so that you can fine-tune your property selling strategy.

  1. Space Chasers– These movers want more space to accommodate a growing family, a home office or a Labradoodle puppy. Homes with a generous garden, garage, and loft conversion top their most wanted list.
  2. New Lease of Lifers– These city slickers yearn to feel the sand between their toes or fresh country air in their lungs. They crave a quieter life surrounded by nature – but still covet creature comforts like high-speed broadband.
  3. Lovers and Leavers– People in this category are buying with a new partner/spouse or looking to make a fresh start after a relationship breakdown.
  4. Empty Nesters– With the kids all grown up, Empty Nesters are rattling around large homes (that are expensive to heat). They’re keen to downsize to an energy-efficient, low maintenance home with top-notch security.
  5. Family Guys and Girls– This category includes parents with young children looking to be closer to a family support network and those who want to live near an ageing relative who needs TLC.
  6. Catchment Hunters– Members of this group can recite the Good Schools Guide  They’ll pay a premium for a property close to an ‘Outstanding’ school (especially a high-performing secondary).
  7. Mortgage Freestylers– This group is looking to restructure their finances. They aim to sell up, buy a cheaper property and live mortgage-free (hopefully with a few extra quid to spend in their retirement).
  8. Career Boosters– Thanks to a new job or promotion, members of this group need to move to be closer to their place of work.

Top tip

When marketing and presenting your property, think carefully about who is most likely to buy it and promote your home accordingly.

Don’t overlook small details like broadband speeds, catchment areas and home security. These factors can be very influential to some buyers.

And remember that movers often fall into more than one category (for example, an Empty Nester might also be a Mortgage Freestyler, and a Space Chaser also a Catchment Hunter).

 To learn more about successfully marketing your South Devon home, contact us here at Chamberlains.

 

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Why Some South Devon Workers Are Opting for the Office

home working

Why Might the Office Make a Comeback in South Devon?

A three-minute read looking at why some workers are opting for the office.

Once upon a time, in a land before Covid-19, working from home was considered the holy grail for many. Who knew that the vision of an idyllic flexible work-life balance where you could manage the school run, a lunchtime dog walk, and avoid the lost time of a commute, would become reality. For some, this was one of the very few positives to have emerged from the pandemic.

Now, it appears that the novelty of this unexpected ‘work from home – if you can’ order has long since worn off and many are itching to get back to the office.

Why?

Distractions and boundaries

When you physically go to work, you are there for one purpose – to work. When you’re working at home, distractions are all around – household chores, last night’s leftovers, Federer v Nadal… Boundaries work the other way, too. Focused workers can find it hard to switch off from work at the end of the day – especially if their dining table doubles up as a home office space.

It’s good to talk

While the dog may be the ideal colleague for some, they’re generally useless when it comes to IT, brainstorming, and bringing in cakes on their birthday. We are humans and we need social interaction. A quick chat, while you’re making a brew, makes for strengthening co-worker relationships. And sometimes, you just need five minutes face to face with your boss, rather than a 30-minute Zoom.

Osmosis

How much we learn about a business and its operation by subconsciously listening to others is often underestimated. Career progression for trainees and apprentices who learn ‘on the job’ is inevitably hampered if the workforce is remote.

Suited and booted

There’s a reason it’s called a power suit. Dressing smartly can instil self-confidence and boasts an air of authority. We’ve gotten used to a mix of shirts and trackies for Zoom calls, but there’s nothing quite like donning a sharp jacket or a pair of killer heels to make you feel unstoppable.

Whether work is office-based, fully remote, or a hybrid mix of both, we hope that employers will adopt a sensible approach going forward.

What we do know, is that a desire for home office space is likely to increase. If you’re looking to buy, sell, or let, talk to us at Chamberlains about how to make the most of your property to accommodate working needs.

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Low-Fee Agents: Why South Devon Sellers Should Beware of Rock-Bottom Deals

low fees

Low-Fee Agents: Why South Devon Sellers Should Beware of Rock-Bottom Deals

In this two-minute read, we look at why low agent fees don’t equal top selling price.

Unless your name is Elon Musk, selling your home will probably be the biggest transaction you make in your lifetime. So, who will you entrust to get you the best deal?

Option 1: You go for the agent with the lowest fee. This agent is a doppelgänger for Del Boy, but you love the idea of saving yourself a few hundred quid in fees.

Option 2: You go for an agent who makes properties look and sound A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The fee is a little higher, but they have a reputation for achieving sales that are above asking price.

Do the maths

The agent in Option 2 offers the best value because they will put the most money in your pocket.

When an agent cuts their fee, they’re cutting back on the time and money they invest in marketing a property.

They might sell your home, but they won’t get the best possible price for it.

Here are five ways to tell if an agent will offer you good value.

  • Images

Top agents use quality photography to capture properties at their best. Grainy, shadowy photos taken on a smartphone are a turn-off for buyers.

  • Property descriptions

Look at how agents market properties online. Do the descriptions create an aspirational picture? Or are you reading a list of measurements, plug sockets, and radiators? Good agents will also include a floorplan in listings.

  • Bringing a property to market

If an agent brags that they can have your property on the market by tomorrow, run for the hills because they’re cutting corners. The best agents have a tried-and-tested launch strategy that takes more than 24 hours to implement – but adds thousands of pounds to a sale.

  • Long tie-ins

An agent who is confident that they can sell your home doesn’t need to lock you into a lengthy tie-in (some agents push for 20 weeks’ exclusivity).

  • Social media

Even if you’re not on Instagram or Facebook, many buyers are, so go with an agent with a strong social media presence. Look for engaging posts that cover more than properties for sale. Community content, mortgage updates, and sneak peeks are big winners.

We all love a bargain (that’s why Poundland exists), but with a low-fee agent, the person who lands the great deal is the buyer, not the seller.

If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, get in touch with us here at Chamberlains. We’ll exhaust every possible avenue to secure the best price for your home.

© Chamberlains 2021

 

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Tips for South Devon Sellers Looking for an Agent They Can Trust

In this three-minute read, we list five things South Devon sellers should look for in an estate agent.

It pains us to say this, but a recent survey found people were more likely to trust a traffic warden or a lawyer than an estate agent.

When it comes to telling the truth, it seems that only politicians have a worse reputation than estate agents (source: YesHomebuyers.com).

As you can imagine, this frustrates us. Firstly, we’re a hardworking South Devon business with a strong track record – just ask our happy customers. We know there are some cowboys out there – and thankfully, the industry is working to weed them out – but we hate being lumped in the same category as them.

Secondly, selling a home is one of the most significant transactions a person makes in their lifetime. We hate to think that people are being led through that process by someone they think is a consummate liar. It must make the whole experience more stressful.

So, we’ve put together a five-point list of things to look out for when you’re hunting for an estate agent you can trust.

  • Word of mouth 

Speak to friends and family about their experiences of selling in South Devon. Don’t just ask them to name a good agent but dig deeper to find out: how long it took them to sell their property, if the agent’s valuation was realistic, who conducted the viewings, and if the customer service was up to scratch. Checking Google Reviews is a great place to start!

  • Marketing research

Identify popular agents in your area and scrutinise how they market their properties. Look for good quality photography and well-written property descriptions as these are vital ingredients for achieving top price. Dodgy snaps of cluttered rooms, and minimal information, should set off alarm bells.

  • Are they registered?

All UK estate agents who deal with residential properties must register with either the Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme. These organisations deal with customer complaints (hopefully, you won’t have any, but it’s good to have peace of mind). If they’re not registered, steer clear.

  • Are they a member of a professional body?

Many good agents will be part of a professional body, such as the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) Propertymark, or the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Membership shows they take their professional responsibilities seriously.

  • Realistic valuation

If an agent vows to sell your home for a price that far exceeds market trends or your expectations, be suspicious. They’re either over-promising to win your custom or clueless (or both!). Either way, buyers won’t buy it (literally), and you’ll wind up dropping the asking price later. Don’t fall for this time-wasting exercise.

To find out more about why people in South Devon have been trusting us with their home sales for years, give us a call.

© Chamberlains 2021

 

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Six Ways Letting Agents Save Landlords Time

In this two-minute read, we look at how letting agents handle the fiddly, time-consuming elements of renting out a property (part two of a two-part series).

In part two of our series on property management, we look at how letting agents save landlords time – that precious commodity that is always in short supply.

A survey of 500 landlords found that using a letting agent saves a landlord on average six hours a month (source: Endsleigh Insurance).

We would go further and argue that letting agents don’t just save landlords time, but the right sort of time.

It’s one thing to get a call from your tenant saying a pipe has burst; it’s another if the call comes through while you’re sipping a cocktail on your long-awaited holiday.

Landlords must be on call 24/7 as property management is unpredictable. It doesn’t matter if you’re abroad, or under the cosh at work, if something goes wrong, you need to drop everything and act. Unless you have a letting agent, in which case they’ll handle it for you – while you keep sipping that cocktail.

Here’s a list of six ways letting agents save South Devon landlords time.

  • Find good tenants.The key ingredient to a successful let is a reliable tenant. Letting agents are experts at tenant sourcing and reference checks.
  • Make sure you follow the law. There are more than 175 plus laws that apply to landlords in the UK. A letting agent will make sure you follow them all – and hence avoid a hefty fine or a criminal charge.
  • Conduct inspections. A letting agent will conduct regular inspections to check that there are no safety or maintenance issues and that the tenant is meeting their obligations.
  • Handle evictions.A letting agent will navigate this complex and stressful process for you.
  • Manage day-to-day tenant relations.A letting agent provides a buffer between the landlord and the tenant. It’s the agent’s job to check in with tenants and maintain good lines of communication.
  • Deal with the paperwork.A letting agent will deal with the admin and keep a clear paper trail.

In part one of this series (published last week), we looked at the financial benefits of using a letting agent to manage your property. If you missed it, you can read it here.

To learn more about our tenant finder and property management services, contact us here at Chamberlains.

© Chamberlains 2021

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British Science Week: Celebrating Bright Ideas and Brainy Breakthroughs

In this two-minute read, we look at some of the milestone moments in British scientific history.

It’s British Science Week this week so let’s celebrate the pioneering men and women who have changed the world.

As science buffs in South Devon will undoubtedly know, Britain has a long tradition of invention and discovery.

The list of breakthroughs made on our shores is long and impressive. We couldn’t possibly include them all here, so we’ve focused on six landmark moments.

Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

There are several Covid-19 vaccines (and we celebrate them all), but the formula developed by Professor Sarah Gilbert and her team at Oxford University is unique for many reasons. It is much cheaper to produce than other Covid jabs, only requires standard refrigeration (making it easier to roll out), and can be manufactured worldwide.

Penicillin

Scotsman Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin while working at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, in 1928 – and changed the face of modern medicine. His discovery led to the development of antibiotics, which have saved millions of lives around the world.

The first computer program

Mathematician Ada Lovelace worked closely on developing the world’s first computer, the “Analytical Engine”. During the 1840s, she wrote the algorithm for this machine and hence is known as the world’s first computer programmer.

The DNA helix

DNA was discovered in the early 1800s, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that Cambridge duo James Watson and Francis Crick identified its twisty double helix structure. Their groundbreaking work paved the way for a host of scientific breakthroughs in gene sequencing and forensics.

World Wide Web 

In 1989, English computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee told his bosses at CERN in Switzerland about a bright idea he had to improve information sharing. His managers were lukewarm about the proposal, but Tim (now Sir Tim) pushed ahead anyway and created the World Wide Web. His invention revolutionised the way we communicate, shop, bank, and date.

The steam engine

Devon-born engineer Thomas Savery patented the first steam pump in 1698. Over the next century, inventors Thomas Newcomen, James Watt, and Richard Trevithick all came up with refined designs. In 1825, the first steam locomotive to haul passengers on a public railway rattled its way along the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Father and son team George and Robert Stephenson built it.

Our team at Chamberlains are boffin like experts when it comes to the sweet science of helping people move successfully. Just don’t ask us about the theory of relativity (Google it if you must, we had to).

 

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How to Secure the Snappy Sale of Your Home This Spring

In this two-minute read, we look at ways to prepare your home for a successful spring sale (part one of a two-part article).

If you’re planning to put your home on the market in the next few months, now is the time to spring into action (see what we did there?).

Traditionally, the property market booms in springtime, with many buyers and sellers opting to wait out the winter and make their move when the days start to get longer and warmer.

With spring just a few weeks away, we’ve compiled a list so you can prepare your property for sale.

This article covers the first five points (and stay tuned for part two next week).

Have a spring clean

Now is the time to have a good clear out. Prospective buyers are looking for a home that they can make their own and will find piles of bric-a-brac a turn-off. And don’t just focus on the living areas and bedrooms. Declutter the bathroom and remove cleaning and beauty products from view.

General maintenance

Is your home looking a little tired after a year of pandemic living? Freshen up the walls with a lick of paint and do all the odd jobs – like clearing the gutters – that you’ve been putting off.

Get an expert valuation

The property market has been the subject of all sorts of headlines during the past year. Until you speak to an expert, you won’t have a realistic picture of the South Devon housing market and what you can expect to get for your property.

Think about presentation

Put yourself in the shoes of a prospective buyer and imagine how they might make use of your property. Perhaps the spare room you use for a home gym would be more appealing if presented as a home office? Speak to an estate agent for advice about how to present your home so you can maximise your asking price.

Get planting

More than ever, people are craving outdoor space and access to nature – so give them what they want! Plant colourful flowers at the front and back of your property for immediate impact. If you don’t have a garden, use plant pots to create interest.

If you’d like an update on the state of the South Devon housing market, or advice about selling your home, get in touch with us here at Chamberlains.

©Chamberlains 2021

 

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Top Reasons Why Landlords Should Use a Letting Agent

In this two-minute read, we look at the benefits of using a letting agent to manage your rental property (part one of a two-part series).

Almost every landlord has weighed up the merits of self-managing their rental property versus using a letting agent. After all, why pay someone to do something you do yourself, eh?

It’s a reasonable enough question to which we have an emphatic answer: there are many reasons to get an expert to manage your investment property (we can think of at least 12).

It makes sense from a financial point of view (as we’ll explain in this article) and from a time management perspective (stay tuned for part two next week, where we’ll cover this). Let’s look at the first six reasons.

A good letting agent will:

  • Save you money.Let’s cut to the chase: a letting agent will improve your profit margin. According to research, a letting agent saves a landlord on average £1,910 a year (source: Endsleigh Insurance).
  • Share market insight. Letting agents know the local market like the back of their hand and provide expert advice about setting rents. Go too high, and your property will sit empty. Go too low, and you’ll miss out on revenue.
  • Help you access top tradespeople. Letting agents have a selection of reliable professionals on speed dial, so when you need a plumber, sparky or builder, you won’t get messed around by someone who cuts corners and charges the earth.
  • Chase rental payments.A letting agent will address late payments in a professional and timely manner. Landlords with hectic schedules often prefer to let an expert deal with the hassle of chasing late rent.
  • Handle the inventory. Get a pro to do your inventory so you don’t lose money at the end of a tenancy. When it comes to assessing damage and ensuring the property has been adequately cleaned, a good inventory is crucial.
  • Sort the end of tenancy inspection. Even smooth-running tenancies can get complicated towards the end. A letting agent will handle the final inspection and ensure you’re not left out of pocket for cleaning or repairs.

Watch out for six more tips in part two of this article which will be released next week.

Get in touch with us to learn more about our property management services.

© Chamberlains 2021

 

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Tips for Managing Your Child’s Return to School

In this two-minute read, we look at how parents in South Devon can help their children adjust to being back in the classroom.

After many long and draining weeks of learning from home, children across the UK are finally returning to school.

While weary parents may be glad to see the back of homeschooling, some children may find the transition from front room to classroom daunting.

After spending so much time at home, dealing with the hurly-burly of school life might prove challenging for young people.

Here are some back-to-school tips from the NSPCC and mental health charity Place2Be.

Sleep tight

  • If your routine slipped during lockdown (and let’s face it, almost everybody’s did), readjust your child’s bedtime so that they’re not tired when you get them up for school.
  • If your child has a tablet or phone, make sure that they’re not using it close to bedtime as this will interfere with their sleep.
  • Exercise and fresh air aid a good night’s sleep, so if your child is experiencing broken sleep or is feeling anxious, get outside in the great outdoors.

Talk and listen

  • Talk to your child about how and why some things at school – such as lunchtime, playtime and PE – might be subject to different rules. Children are remarkably adaptable, but it’s worthwhile being upfront about the unusual situation in which we find ourselves.
  • If your child struggles to express themselves, encourage them to draw, paint or write about what’s on their minds. Putting our thoughts down on paper can have a soothing effect and help put things into perspective.
  • If returning to the classroom is making your child anxious, arrange to meet one of their friends on the way to school so that the two can chat before they get to the gates. Most likely, they’ll be so busy catching up with their mate that they’ll forget their nerves.

Advice and support

  • If your child seems stressed, show them Childline’s Calm Zone and explore some of the relaxation tips, breathing exercises and games on offer.
  • If catching up on lost lesson time is proving difficult for your child and you’re considering hiring additional support, read the NSPCC’s safety tips for hiring a tutor before you do anything.
  • Talk to a teacher or school counsellor if you feel concerned. Some parents feel embarrassed seeking mental health support for their child, but it’s okay to ask for help.

Charities that can help

The NSPCC

Place2Be

Childline

From the team at Chamberlains, stay safe and take care.

©Chamberlains 2021

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What the Spring Budget Means for Home Movers in South Devon

A two-minute read.

This afternoon the Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined his plans to get England back on track as we come out of the pandemic.

Among furlough extensions, extra support for the self-employed and business loan schemes was the welcome news that the stamp duty holiday is being extended.

When it was introduced, the original deadline was March 31 2021.

Here’s what the Chancellor announced this lunchtime.

Until 30 June 2021, no stamp duty will be charged on a residential property bought for up to £500,000.

Until 30 September 2021, no stamp duty will be charged on a residential property bought for up to £250,000.

From 1 October 2021, the stamp duty rate returns to pre-Covid-19 thresholds.

What it Means to Movers

For people with sales currently in our pipeline, it means they will not miss out on the savings the holiday is providing. This is potentially thousands of pounds and means people’s moving plans will not be disturbed.

Mortgage Market Opened Up

There was also good news for people planning to buy a home but struggling to save what is often a sizeable deposit.

Sunak announced a Mortgage Guarantee scheme that means homebuyers will be able to access 95% mortgages, backed by the Government, from High Street banks and lenders.

Lenders are being offered incentives to provide mortgages to first-time buyers and existing homeowners, with just 5% deposits to buy homes worth up to £600,000.

The Chancellor said: “This will give people the chance to go from Generation Rent to Generation Buy.”

If the Spring Budget has made you want to proceed with your moving plans, we’d love to help you.

To find out more about what the stamp duty holiday extension and Government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme means to you, call your local office.

Thanks for reading.

©Chamberlains 2021