How To Renovate Your Home On a Budget

November 30th, 2021

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Tips For Renovating Your Home On a Budget\r\n

\r\n

Ideas on how to make stylish updates to your home on a budget\r\nSay home renovation, and many people think – too expensive. But transforming your home doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. \r\n\r\nCost is always the biggest obstacle when it comes to renovating a home, which is why spending time going through your finances to document how and where you will spend your money is so vital. But what if you could save some money and still get great results?\r\n\r\nIf you are looking for the best ways to renovate on a budget, here is a guide to ensure your old home doesn’t become a money pit.\r\n\r\nStart by stripping out all the old carpets, curtains and as much junk and rubbish as possible. Remove any outdated or damaged fitted furniture. Repair the walls to prepare for painting, stripping old wallpaper and sanding and filling to get a smooth finish.\r\n\r\nBe prepared to pounce on the best bargains and deals as and when they arise by organising storage space that gives you the option to store the things you will buy. Buying a bargain when you see it can result in huge savings.\r\n

Kitchen\r\nGiving your old kitchen units a new look can be easily achieved without tearing it all out and for a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen.\r\n\r\nAdd new countertops. If your kitchen cabinets are in decent shape, you can indulge in new countertops and upgrade one of the most complex working surfaces in your home. The smaller the square footage you have to cover, the lower your cost.\r\n\r\nChange the backsplash. Adding a punch of pattern or colour is a great way to freshen up a kitchen and add visual interest. With options for tile, stone, glass, ceramic, and beaded board, there are so many opportunities to find a material that’s right for your budget. \r\n\r\nAdd an island. Stand-alone tables or cabinets can be a cost-friendly feature for an island-less kitchen. The more extras you add (for example, a cabinet with drawers), the more it will cost, so if a super-low budget is your goal, start with a simple table. \r\n\r\nPaint, wallpaper, peel-and-stick wood products are great options to give a new face to your cabinets. Removing doors on some upper cabinets offers you easy-to-access open storage without having to add new shelving. Look for ways to refresh your home that fit your budget and how you use the space daily.\r\n

Living Room\r\nUpdate flooring and change windows treatments. New fabric, new shades, or a combination of the two can give a pretty facelift to a living room. To save a little extra money, aim to reuse the existing curtain rods and rings.\r\n\r\nYou can never have too much storage space, so make the most of every inch with bespoke shelving. The perfect way to utilise every nook and cranny for storage is clever designs for alcoves to tricky corners to make the most of awkward recesses.\r\n\r\nUpdate a vintage sofa or sofa bed with a funky new fabric covering. Or give a sentimental furniture piece a new lease of life with neat new upholstery.\r\n

Bathroom\r\nWith the bathroom updates, you don’t always need the ceiling to floor tiles. Instead, consider using waterproof paint on walls other than the shower side.\r\n\r\nYou can add both style and storage to your bathroom with a medicine cabinet. Replace a plain wall-mount mirror to gain storage and a new look. \r\n\r\nYou can add pattern and colour with wallpaper in a snap, and it’s totally fine to limit it to one stand-out wall. But if you’re not ready to tackle proper wallpapering quite yet, try the peel and stick kind.\r\n\r\nOpen shelves and bathroom cabinets can get a modern-day wake-up. Pick different styles from the same family or mix and match different finishes for a more eclectic look.\r\n\r\n \r\n

\r\n\r\n

Bedroom\r\nAdd interest to the wall or ceiling. Even if you don’t have a stash of power tools, you can easily add wainscoting or trim to dull bedroom walls or ceilings. A guaranteed way to update your bedroom is to add a headboard, whether it’s small and stately or oversize and dramatic. \r\n\r\nHaving an en suite to the master bedroom is a must-have for many – it improves privacy and solves the ‘morning queue for the bathroom scenario’ in larger households. Providing the layout is carefully thought through, an en suite shower room need not be very large\r\n\r\nYou can get the space by subdividing one end of a large bedroom using a timber or metal framed stud wall.  An old airing cupboard or storage area may be large enough to form a small shower room. \r\n

Dining room\r\nA few hundred pounds and a little bit of electrical DIY can give your ceiling space (and your room) a game-changing focal point. Choose several pendants instead of the traditional chandelier for a more contemporary approach.\r\n\r\nAdd pops of colour with paint or wallpaper. You can even swap out the door inserts for glass or apply coloured film to existing glass. These little touches can go a long way to making a room feel renewed.\r\n

Curb Appeal\r\nA fresh coat of paint can work wonders for transforming the front door. Not only does it revive the door, but it also adds a new look to the whole exterior of your home. If your front door has had its day, invest in a new one to make a great first impression or install a smart new knocker or handle. You can even design your own.\r\n\r\nPotted plants can make your entryway and porch appealing. Not to mention they are affordable. If you want to invest a little bit more, add some young shrubs on your lawn or choose flowering plants to make your home noticeable. \r\n\r\nConcrete pavers can be a great addition to your lawn, but you may be on the fence about upgrading to stone tiles because of the cost. There are surprisingly affordable slate tile options that you can install to cover up the concrete.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt’s the DIY and decorating project that can transform any room in an instant. A fresh coat of paint can give a bedroom, hallway or living room idea a whole new decorating scheme. Whether you choose to add colour or refresh in white, painted floorboards are transformative yet highly affordable. These are just some of the ways you can renovate your house on a budget. Hopefully, you can get pick some ideas of what to do for your next home renovation project. Always have a clear plan in mind, especially if you have a limited budget
, and consider what project can give you the most significant value for your investment. “,
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Help Make It a Better Year With Daily Exercise

November 16th, 2021

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Gyms In Chelmsford\r\n

Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution Health Goals All Year-Round With Gyms In Chelmsford\r\n

\r\nYoga, cycling and lifting weights are among the sports which make Brits happy.\r\n\r\nBodyweight exercise without any equipment or weights is a favourite among consumers in Britain, although it shares the top spot with running.\r\n\r\nBodyweight exercises performed with equipment and weights are also popular, with one in 11 Brits saying they work out in this manner, making it the third-most preferred workout. \r\n\r\nCycling is another activity that features in the top five. One in 14 Brits includes cycling in their workout plans.\r\n\r\nThe study found 83% feel happier after exercising, while 47% say it clears their head and improves their mental health. A further 73% feel better after exercising, but just under two in ten feel anxious before starting their workout.\r\n\r\nAll exercise, regardless of how difficult it is or what type, will change the brain positively by promoting the growth of new brain cells and chemicals that affect mood, memory, and energy levels. It also reduces chemicals that put you in a low mood. And the very best exercises are those which you enjoy and will therefore stick at and those which offer a feeling of accomplishment.\r\n\r\nWith the new year fast approaching, joining the gym might be something on your list of New Year’s resolutions. To find one best suited for you, here are some of the gyms in Chelmsford.\r\n

Anytime Fitness\r\nAt Anytime Fitness, you’re not just a member; you’re part of the largest global fitness community. Train whenever you like, 365 days a year, and use a wide variety of quality cardio equipment, weights and functional training space in your local club. \r\n\r\nWhere: 11 Dukes Walk, Chelmsford CM1 1GZ.\r\n\r\nGet more information at https:\/\/www.anytimefitness.co.uk\/.\r\n

PureGym\r\nPureGym Chelmsford Meadows is equipped to help you achieve your goals, and they are open 24 hours a day. Keeping your workouts fun and varied won’t be a problem, from a massive collection of the best equipment to a packed timetable of group exercise classes included in your membership. \r\n\r\nWhere: The Meadows Retail Park, High Bridge Road, Chelmsford CM2 6JX.\r\n\r\nCheck their website for more information https:\/\/www.puregym.com\/.\r\n

The Gym Chelmsford\r\nThe recently refurbished gym in Chelmsford is the perfect place to smash your fitness goals. With an extended free weights area and brand new functional training zone, The Gym Chelmsford has everything you need for your next workout. Whether you’ve been going to the gym for years or you’re a first-timer.\r\n\r\nWhere: 35 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0ND.\r\n\r\nSign up for a membership online today https:\/\/www.thegymgroup.com\/.\r\n

Virgin Active\r\nIn the heart of the city and the heart of the action. Grab your trainers and jump onto a buzzing Grid Floor or unwind in the pool and spa. \r\n\r\nWhere: New Writtle Street, Chelmsford CM2 0RR.\r\n\r\nFor more information about prices or the gym itself visit https:\/\/www.virginactive.co.uk\/clubs\/chelmsford.\r\n

Nuffield Health\r\nRecently upgraded with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, they offer dedicated training areas, exciting new boutique classes and versatile equipment for all fitness levels. So whether you’re new to exercise or training for something specific, Technogym transformation will allow you to achieve so much more in the gym.\r\n\r\nWhere: Unit 6 – Riverside Retail Park, 38 Victoria Road, Chelmsford CM1 1AN.\r\n\r\nFind more about Chelmsford Fitness & Wellbeing Gym at https:\/\/www.nuffieldhealth.com\/gyms\/chelmsford.\r\n

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Crossfit CM2 Gym\r\nWhether you are an experienced athlete or a fitness novice, they’ll scale the workouts to maximise your progress. Expert coaching support in every session to develop your movement and technique.\r\n\r\nWhere: 7 Russell Way, Chelmsford CM1 3AA.\r\n\r\nChoose from CrossFit, Olympic Lifting, Gymnastic Strength, Hand Balancing, & Movement Classes at https:\/\/www.crossfitcm2.com\/.\r\n

Lions Boxing and Fitness\r\nFor those wanting to get into boxing and sparring, Lions could be the gym for you, offering enjoyable, professional-level boxing and fitness training for regular people. It is open to people of all ages, genders, experiences and fitness levels- they teach you everything.\r\n\r\nWhere: 5B The Barn House, Reeds Farm Estate, Roxwell Road, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3RZ.\r\n\r\nFor more information, visit http:\/\/lionsboxinggym.com\/.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHere’s to a healthier, fitter 2022! Hopefully, it’ll be a year with far less stress, too.”,
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The Process of Preparing Your Chelmsford Home For a Sale

October 27th, 2021

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How to Prepare Your Chelmsford Home For a Sale\r\n

\r\nProperly preparing your home before it is listed is critical to ensuring it attracts the most amount of interest possible. This usually means a faster sale, and maybe even a bidding war – which could end up with a higher than expected offer on the table!\r\n

The basic rules of prepping your house for sale\r\nBefore we dive into the steps of prepping your home for sale, let’s go over the general rules first. In general, the goal of prepping your house should be to:\r\n

    \r\n \t

  • Create a clean, clutter-free environment. Nothing makes a home look more poorly maintained than dirt, clutter, and overall messiness. A clean environment gives buyers confidence in the property and its condition.\r\n \t
  • Offer a neutral colour palette. Prospective buyers need to be able to envision themselves in the home, and that’s hard to do if there’s a bright green wall and crazy, patterned wallpaper staring them in the face.\r\n \t
  • Put yourself in a buyer mindset. Think like a buyer when prepping your home. What would they like? What would give them pause? Let that drive your preparations.\r\n \t
  • Minimise where possible. The less furniture, decor, and personal items you have out, the better. In fact, it might even make your home look larger.\r\n \t
  • Emphasise curb appeal. First impressions are everything. Make sure your home’s curb appeal makes a good one.\r\n \t
  • Ensure your home is photogenic. A picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure your home lends itself to high-quality photos that will really make your listing shine.\r\n \t
  • Address obvious repairs. If there’s a broken window, dent in the door, or nonworking faucet, fix it before you list the home. You can bet it will show up on the buyer’s inspection and need fixing anyway.\r\n \t
  • Add little details and touches that matter. At the end of the day, the property needs to feel like a potential home to buyers. Small touches like fresh flowers or the smell of warm cookies can make all the difference.\r\n \t
  • Prep yourself and your family – particularly for the showing aspect of selling a house. What’s your exit strategy? Where will you go during showings, and how will you keep the place clean? Having a plan in place is vital before you open your doors to prospective buyers.\r\n\r\n

    \r\n

    What Other Preparations Can You Make Prior to Putting Your Property on the market?\r\n

    Identify repairs and make a plan\r\nNormal wear and tear can add up, especially if you’ve lived in your home for a long period of time. From a door that squeaks to a window that sticks or a toilet that runs until you jiggle the handle, it’s easy to ignore minor issues that seem like quirks.\r\n\r\nBuyers, however, may see these quirks as problems that lower the value of your home or as bargaining chips during the closing process. If you have too many noticeable repairs, buyers may also wonder if more serious issues lurk below the surface, and that could prevent them from making a good offer.\r\n

    Declutter and clean – make it feel spacious\r\nBig kitchens, bathrooms and storage tend to be big selling points so it can help to make your rooms look as spacious as possible. Professional home stagers recommend that you remove 50% of your items.\r\n\r\nGo through your home, decluttering and organising spaces. Don’t just shove belongings in closets, cabinets, attics and basements, as buyers look inside all of those places. Use storage bins that can be tucked under beds or neatly stacked in a basement or closet.\r\n\r\nDecluttering also includes furniture. The scale of your pieces should match the size of the room, and buyers should be able to easily walk around spaces without bumping into furniture. Make sure furnishings don’t block doors, windows or architectural features. In a small living room, for example, consider removing end tables or accent chairs. Such moves aren’t convenient, but remember, they’re temporary.\r\n

    Depersonalise your home and help buyers to see its full potential\r\nIn addition to cleaning and decluttering, you should consider depersonalising your home. The goal when selling is to have a buyer fall in love with your house, picturing themselves living there and imagining their belongings inside. That can be difficult if your home has your personal stamp all over it.\r\n\r\nAlso, consider updating your accessories and furnishings if your décor is outdated or avant-garde. You don’t want buyers to miss out on key features of your home because they’re distracted by your belongings.\r\n

    Paint where it needs it most\r\nA fresh coat of paint can make a home feel new. In fact, painting is one of the most common recommendations estate agents make to sellers before they list. Paint can help small rooms appear larger and highlight architectural details. Be mindful of your colour choice, however. It is recommended that you use warm neutral colours, such as beige, tan, gold and gray. Because these shades go with anything, they can help buyers to picture their belongings in your home.\r\n

    Set the stage \r\nNow comes the final step: staging your home. The goal is to create a great first impression so that buyers put your home at the top of their list. On average, staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than those that aren’t staged.\r\n\r\nYou don’t need to stage your entire home. Focus instead on rooms that impress buyers most, such as the kitchen, living room and bathrooms. In the kitchen, for example, place a bowl of fresh fruit on the countertop and set the table with beautiful dinnerware and linens. It is always a good idea to leave cookies and a fresh pot of coffee with a “help yourself” sign. Not only is this a nice touch, but everyone loves the smell of fresh coffee!\r\n\r\nIn the living room, toss a decorative blanket on the arm of the sofa and add a vase of fresh flowers to the coffee table. Update bathrooms with fluffy new towels and display a dish of decorative soaps.\r\n\r\nPut a tray with a book and teapot on the edge of the master bed. Create a single focal point in each room, hanging a simple piece of artwork that enhances your staging, or highlighting architectural details, such as a fireplace or beautiful windows.\r\n

    Keep it clean and consistent\r\nOnce your home is ready to sell, the trick can be maintaining that level of repair and decoration. Viewing requests can happen at a moment’s notice, and you won’t always have time to ready your home.\r\n\r\nCreate a cleaning schedule and stick to it. Control of clutter by putting things away when you’re done using them. Enlist the whole family, so the responsibility is shared. Make a habit of wiping kitchen and bathroom fixtures and surfaces daily. Keep wastebaskets emptied. Vacuum or sweep before you leave the house. Keep your garden tidy and remove weeds every week. Keep your walkway and porch clean and accessible.\r\n\r\nIf you have children, keeping things tidy can be more challenging. Streamline their toys for the time being, or create a rule around how many toys can be out at one time.”,
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Why Can’t I Sell my Chelmsford Home?

October 26th, 2021

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Are You Struggling to Sell Your Chelmsford Home?\r\n

\r\nSo you’ve listed your home for sale and it’s been listed on all the main property portals, but no one is requesting or viewing, or when they do, no offer had been made. What’s that all about?\r\n\r\nHaving your home sit on the market is more than just frustrating; it’s probably costing you money. So, here are some likely reasons why your home isn’t selling.\r\n

The price is too high.\r\nWhen it comes to reasons a home isn’t selling, if it’s not the condition, it’s nearly always pricing.\r\n\r\nPricing a house too high is a common mistake and resisting the temptation to overprice your home is the biggest challenge sellers face.\r\n\r\nPricing a home for sale is tricky. There are a lot of ways to slice the data to determine your home’s fair market value. And while data, usually from sales of comparable homes in the area, is important, a top agent’s experience can be invaluable when building a pricing strategy.\r\n

The home needs some TLC.\r\nIt can be a bitter pill to swallow to pay for home improvements that you may not enjoy for long. But if you are struggling to sell your home and you want to sell for the full asking price, you might need to get your house in a condition that warrants it.\r\n

Your home doesn’t fit the mould.\r\nSome properties have features that make it more difficult to find the right buyer.\r\n\r\nUnique properties – like very large homes, high-end or expensive houses, homes in unusual areas, or just homes with odd or unusual features take a little longer to match with a buyer, and that’s okay. You just need to be aware of this and make sure the title and description of your home do your properties unique features justice. \r\n\r\nFor example, there was a unique bungalow on the market recently that was a quirky bungalow with loads of character. Unfortunately for the seller, there were other bungalows on the marketing within the area that were priced way under their asking price. This meant that they weren’t getting a lot of viewings. The problem here was that the unique features weren’t promoted within the marketing of the property, so potential buyers thought the property was over-priced as they didn’t fully understand what was being sold. \r\n\r\nSometimes unique properties take longer to sell, but they also need to be marketed correctly in the first place to get the right type of buyer seeing the listing.\r\n

\r\n

Your staging is bad.\r\nIt might seem silly as the buyer isn’t shopping for furniture but staging matters. There is a difference between staged homes and vacant homes, and typically, a staged home sells for more money and in a shorter amount of time.\r\n

Your curb appeal is no good.\r\nCurb appeal is like the staging of the outside part of your home. It’s an old chestnut, but the first impression a buyer gets from your house is important.\r\n\r\nAn ugly driveway or run-down front garden will turn people off. The last thing you want is someone thinking your property is a “fixer-upper.”\r\n

Your agent doesn’t seem to care.\r\nSometimes there’s nothing wrong with your house at all: It’s priced right and is well-maintained. But your agent could be turning people off. Your estate agent is meant to be your front-line representative. However, some agents have little to no personality, some are burnt-out, some don’t care, and others have no social skills.”,
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Stamp duty holiday until 31st March 2021

September 3rd, 2020

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"content_area": "For anyone who has been living under a rock, Rishi Sunak announced a Stamp Duty Holiday that will start with immediate effect.\r\n

So, what does this mean for those wanting to sell their property?\r\nChancellor Rishi Sunak’s landmark announcement of a stamp duty holiday until the end of next March is a huge boost for home buyers that will help get people moving and save movers thousands of pounds.\r\n\r\nThe tax threshold for home purchases has been temporarily increased from £125,000 to £500,000, in a move that has been widely welcomed by home hunters and the housebuilding industry.\r\n\r\nUnder the changes, homebuyers will not pay any tax on main homes up to £500,000 until 31 March 2021.\r\n\r\nIt has been calculated that the average stamp duty saving will be around £4,500, with nine out of ten buyers this year now paying no stamp duty at all on purchases. The change will also include second homes, however, investors will still be subject to the three per cent stamp duty surcharge.\r\n

What is Stamp Duty?\r\nMost run-of-the-mill residential property purchases over a certain amount (£125,000 in England and Northern Ireland) now require tax to be paid. This tax is known as Stamp Duty, or – to go by its full name – Stamp Duty Land Tax.\r\n\r\nThe amount you would usually need to pay depends on a few things, such as:\r\n

    \r\n \t

  • Where you live. Stamp Duty rates, bandings and discounts vary between England & Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.\r\n \t
  • The value of your new property. There are varying rates of stamp duty, depending on how much your property is being purchased for. The more expensive it is, the higher the tax bracket.\r\n \t
  • Whether you’re a first-time buyer. First-time buyers get a discount on their Stamp Duty. How much of a discount depends on where you live.\r\n \t
  • Whether you own other properties. If you own other properties, expect to pay higher stamp duty rates.\r\n\r\n

    My advice to potential buyers and sellers is to act fast.”,
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Relaxed Planning Permissions Under New Laws

September 3rd, 2020

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RELAXED PLANNING PERMISSIONS UNDER NEW LAWS\r\n

New rules allowing homeowners and landlords to extend their homes and convert unused shops\r\nAs of September, homeowners will be able to \”fast track\” their home extensions, ministers have said.\r\n\r\nThe new laws cut waiting times from 16 weeks to just eight and form part of plans to modernise the current \”outdated\” system. Not only that but the new proposals also mean that shops no longer in use can be converted into housing without a full planning application.\r\n\r\nThe idea is that unused commercial properties can be quickly switched into homes to support the need for housing and ideally boost high streets too. Great news for highstreets that now stand empty due to the rise of online shopping but sad because it could spell the end of our beloved highstreet. Perhaps for a future article?\r\n\r\nSpeaking to the Sun Newspaper, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said he hoped the powers would be used to add space for elderly relatives or bedrooms for growing families.\r\n\r\n\”We are reforming the planning system and cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy to give small business owners the freedom they need to adapt and evolve, and to renew our town centres with new enterprises and more housing,\” he said.\r\n\r\n\”These changes will help transform boarded up, unused buildings safely into high quality homes at the heart of their communities.”\r\n

The Two Story Extension Law\r\nOne of the biggest changes in the news rules will allow families to build upwards without months of paperwork but there has been a lot of concerns over this.\r\n\r\nLocal Government Association housing spokesman David Renard, said: “The planning system is not a barrier to housebuilding with nine in 10 planning applications approved by councils.\r\n\r\nNeighbours have the right to comment on a development and \”should not be exposed to the potential of unsightly large-scale unsuitable extensions being built unchallenged and without scrutiny in their communities,” he said.\r\n\r\nMr Renard added: “It risks giving developers the freedom to ride roughshod over local areas with communities having no way of ensuring they meet high quality standards, provide any affordable homes or ensure roads, schools and health services are in place.”\r\n\r\nUnder the new rules developers will still have to comply with building regulations and consider the impact on neighbours and the appearance of the extension.\r\n\r\nBut some are warning there could be problems down the line if these reforms are not carried out carefully.”,
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How will coronavirus affect the property market

September 3rd, 2020

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How will coronavirus affect the UK property market\r\nThe UK property market is currently enjoying a mini boom since reopening after the lockdown, but experts believe house prices could fall later this year.\r\n\r\nHere, I try to explain what’s happening to property values and offer some advice for those looking to move.\r\n

What’s happening to the property market?\r\nProperty markets across the UK are now open again, meaning estate agents are conducting in-person house viewings and buyers are able to move home once more!\r\n\r\nAll UK governments have also temporarily cut stamp duty. This means buyers could potentially save up to £15,000 in tax if they move home before next April.\r\n\r\nThe cut is designed to reignite the property market in the wake of COVID-19, though there are signs that the wheels were already beginning to turn. The property portal Rightmove reported 175,000 ‘missing’ sellers between March and May, but says it saw an ‘unexpected mini-boom’ in June after the market reopened around the UK. This resulted in the number of homes coming on to the market rising significantly.\r\n

How have house prices changed?\r\nIt’s too early to tell exactly what impact coronavirus will have on house prices, and it’s likely that the figures we see in the coming months will fluctuate significantly. The most reliable barometer of house prices is the Land Registry’s UK House Price Index, but this was suspended due to too few transactions taking place.\r\n\r\nRightmove relaunched its own index last month, reporting that asking prices have increased by 2.4% compared to the period before the lockdown, to reach a record high of £320,265. While Rightmove’s data gives an indication that sellers are asking more for their properties, its conclusions are based on asking prices rather than sold prices, so it’s difficult to get a handle on how much buyers are actually paying.\r\n\r\nOther indices have reported mixed results. Nationwide says house prices fell by 0.1% year-on-year in June, while Halifax found they increased by 2.5%.\r\n

To find out how property prices have changed within your area, contact me today. I am here to help.”,
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