TIER 3 - How to Make it a November to Remember in Retford

 

The clocks have gone back, and November starts on Sunday.

We are all in it together with Tier 3 restrictions, but there are some things we can all do to make it memorable.

Fireworks Evening

It’s undoubtedly going to be a different kind of Bonfire Night on 5^th November. Authorities all across the UK are expecting a lot smaller, back garden, family events due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Why not stay at home and make it a very special family occasion.

Movember

The annual festival of the moustache takes place this month. Movember has grown rapidly (pun intended) since it started in Australia in 2004. It has its roots in Melbourne where two friends convinced 30 mates to go with the mo.

It’s a fun way to add some fur to your face and raise funds for men’s health charities.

Get further details on the Movember website here: 

https://uk.movember.com/

Remembrance Sunday – 8^th November

With the Remembrance Parade being cancelled and social distancing measures in place, it will be different this year for everyone.

Everyone across the country is urged to do their bit from home, either by watching events on television or taking part in a two-minute silence from their doorsteps at 11am on Sunday 8th November 2020.

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal will be severely affected this year in the present climate.  Because of Covid-19, we all need to do something different to pay our respects and to honour the fallen.

Please make a donation online and/or share this link to anyone you feel maybe interested in making a donation. Every £1 helps.

The British public can raise money when they really want and I’m sure we in Retford will do our bit as usual.

IF YOU RUN A BUSINESS THAT REMAINS OPEN I CAN DELIVER A POPPY COLLECTION BOX TO YOU. Send me an email

Lest We Forget

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate

Christmas Shopping Lists – Shop Local in Retford

Let’s face it 2020 has been a year to forget so any excuse to take our minds off things must be welcomed. And what better way to do that than to start making your Christmas lists?

You could even set yourself a challenge and see what is on your list that you can buy from local shops and businesses in Retford. So all those last minute men out there have no more excuses for doing last minute shopping. Go early for once and get those extra special presents sorted.

Family Movie Nights

Now the dark nights start at 4.30 pm and the weather’s getting colder it’s the perfect excuse to get cosy on the sofa and watch a movie with your family.

Agree on a theme for the night. It could be sci-fi, western, comedy or even romance.

Make sure you have plenty of cinema-style snacks handy like popcorn, tortilla chips, sweets etc.

Create your own tickets – the kids will love making their own cinema tickets that need to be shown to ensure a seat in time for the big movie.

There’s plenty to do across Retford in November if we put our minds to it.

Whatever you do, have fun, and stay safe.

Thanks for reading.

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire

Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS AND TENANTS IN RETFORD

Bailiff Evictions halted in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Areas – Government Confirms

The Ministry of Justice has written to bailiff organisations to request that evictions are halted in the two top risk areas until the pandemic subsides.

(How ‘subsides’ will be interpreted is unknown)

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has written to bailiffs’ trade associations requesting they do not carry out physical evictions in areas with the strictest Coronavirus controls.  

This means within these areas landlords and letting agents can no longer evict tenants, even when they are in rent arrears from before the pandemic started.

Guidance issued to the key bailiff organisations by the Ministry of Justice requests that members should instruct the enforcement agents working under their authorisation not to enter residential properties in the two top tiers for purposes of enforcement, “including taking control of goods and carrying out evictions”, it says.

It means evictions can still proceed through the courts, but bailiffs will not enforce court orders in Tier 2 and 3 areas.

MORATORIUM

Because the government is to implement a Christmas moratorium on bailiff evictions, landlords and letting agents will have to wait until at least the New Year before gaining possession.

Who wants to see anyone being evicted from their home anyhow? We must all support each other during these difficult times. Landlords will also be facing difficult times if they can’t meet the payments on any BTL (Buy To Let) mortgage arrangements. Banks and other lenders are expected to be more understanding.

Some tenants may have taken advantage of the current situation to avoid rent payments. The majority will continue to pay rent just as most people will continue to make mortgage payments.

Any tenant claiming Universal Credit can claim a rent support and can also request the payment is sent direct to their landlord.

Thanks for reading.

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire

Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

Property Logbooks to be trialled in 2021

Just like a V5 document for a motor vehicle here in the UK we are now moving towards a logbook type system for every property. Although it might be in digital format only.

Property logbooks for every home in the UK took a step towards reality yesterday following the inaugural meeting of the Residential Logbook Association.

The aim is that every residential property transaction will be supported by one whether sales or lettings, with a trial scheduled for March or April 2021.

Experts believe property logbooks lie at the heart of making house buying and renting quicker by removing many of the friction points that trip up transactions.

It was also agreed that only one per property would be created for each interest in the property. This will enable the logbooks to accommodate multiple leasehold interests and different ownership structures.

The digital logbooks will also transfer from owner to owner in the same way Title Deeds do, and be accessible regardless which supplier created it.

The key information to be included:

·         Unique Property Reference Number

·         Title number

·         History of transactions including sales and rentals

·         A lettings MOT certificate (if relevant)

·         Ground rent info (if leasehold)

·         Up-to-date search and other local authority information.

·         Land Registry information

·         Utility company data.

·         Government information such as flooding risk.

·         Handover packs.

·         Building or retrofit works completed.

In a block of flats all the players involved would exchange information to go into the logbook including freeholder, head leaseholder, leaseholders and even tenants.

Up for future discussion includes who can see the logbook and when, and whether they should record who has looked at it.

Let’s all hope this will make selling, buying, renting a property so much more easier and safe.

During this Covid-19 situation many property owners, estate agents, buyers, tenants, and managing agents have become accustomed to signing agreements online. Conducting viewings and inspections remotely via various online systems is already common practice for some. So having a logbook that people can see online should help even more.

Thanks for reading.

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

House Prices in the North Notts Area - What is Happening?

 

In this 2 minute read I look at the average asking prices in Retford and surrounding areas.

The average asking price for homes coming onto the market in England has hit a record high.

There are a string of property reports showing a booming property market with homes changing hands quicker than ever. Although the solicitor/conveyancing process is still far too long.

The average selling price in the UK right now is £237,963. Here are the average asking prices in our area based on the past 90 days performance. Freehold properties only.

AREA             Average Asking Price

Bawtry                   £406,956

Ollerton                 £230,685

Newark                  £229,406

Worksop                £219,423

Retford                 £211,078

Mansfield              £204,062

Gainsborough       £131,971

The average (median) time it takes to sell a house in the area is just 37 days. The performance league table is as follows:

Mansfield          29 days

Worksop            32 days

Newark             32 days

Bawtry              34 days

Gainsborough   41 days

Retford            45 days

Ollerton            48 days

These figures relate to the properties coming onto the market and sold in the past 90 days. The picture could change depending on the types of properties on offer.

Thanks for reading.

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

Thinking of Selling Your Home? - Do These Four Things First

 

Selling a home can be stressful, but by following a few easy rules at the start of the process, sellers can save themselves time, money, and heartache.

A little bit of pre-sale prep will help you avoid the two most common home-selling horror themes.

Scenario one: The process is painfully slow and drags on for months (or sometimes years) leaving you the seller living in limbo and tearing your hair out because you can’t find a buyer or make a deal.

Scenario two: You fall in love with another property but can’t shift your own property quickly enough to keep the chain moving. As a result, you lose your dream home – and blow thousands of pounds in surveys and legal fees along the way.

Here is a four-step plan to help you prepare for putting your home on the market.

1 Manage your expectations

It’s human nature to place a high value on something to which we have a strong emotional attachment. But you need to step into the shoes of a potential buyer. They will view several properties in the Retford and North Notts area as part of their search. How will yours stack up? Be realistic with your asking price; over-valuing a home is a sure-fire recipe for a drawn-out sale.

2 Phone a friend

Ask a straight-talking friend for a brutally honest appraisal of your home. Don’t be offended if you don’t like what you hear. If they tell you the front room stinks of dog, it probably does – so do something about it. If they confess that the life-sized portrait of your super hero on the wall creeps them out, take it down. Dress your home to appeal to a range of buyers, not just your personal taste.

3 Declutter

Following on from the previous point, review the furniture and décor in each room and decide what needs to go (if you want to keep it, put it into storage). Remove personal photos and objects, and bulky furniture which can make a room look smaller. Let’s face it we all have far too much stuff in our homes.

4 General repairs and maintenance

Sort out minor DIY issues such as broken door handles or mould in the bathrooms and give tired rooms a fresh lick of paint. Trim shrubs and smarten up the garden. Don’t bother with costly renovations that won’t add value.

BONUS TIP

Many people search for their next home before they put their own on the market and wind up facing Scenario Two (as discussed above). When you find your dream home, you need to move immediately and know exactly how much you can offer. 

I recommend you put your home on the market first, so you’re pumped and primed to make your next move.

Thanks for reading.

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

How to Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Would you like the good news or the bad news?

Bad news you say? That’s not surprising as a recent Harvard University study found that when posed that question 82 percent of people plumped for the bad news option first.

So, the bad news is the weather will start turning for the worse over the next few weeks.

The good news is the winter doesn’t just mean long dark nights and frosty mornings. It also brings cosy evenings indoors in front of the fire and the delights of Christmas to look forward to. Seriously, Covid-19 or not we can all remain positive.

And to make the good news even better I’ve come up with these five tips to help you get your property ready for winter before the weather really turns for the worse.

1.Clearing the gutters and drains is probably the last thing on your to-do list, but it’s an essential task.

Debris such as leaves, twigs and moss can block the drains and once it becomes too much, it can cause leaks into the roof and walls.

Making sure the gutters are clear from any possible build-up will minimise the risk of water damage during the wetter months.

2. If you have a garage with automatic doors check them regularly as they can often become slow or stop due to lack of use and the cold weather can play havoc with them.

3. On the subject of garages, they can often be the starting place for pest and vermin problems seeking shelter from the cold, so keep vigilant for signs that your property has ‘squatters.’ I know, I know, you might decide you want to keep them there afterwards and that’s OK, I understand.

4. October is often the best time to get your boiler and heating system serviced. Leave it until November and December and it could mean you have to wait longer than usual to get GOOD trades people out to you as they’ll be busy during this spell.

5. Protect your pipes if you haven’t already. The ideal way to protect pipes during the winter is with a foam layer called lagging. This will help to prevent them freezing and bursting. The infamous Beast from the East cold spell earlier this year caused a record number of burst pipes due to freezing and the chances of that happening is reduced if you follow this step.

You may find you don’t have the time, skill or inclination to do all or even any of the above. If that’s the case, I have even more good news for you.

I’ve started a Facebook group recently to build up a trusted network of trades people and services that we’re happy to recommend to each other.

You can find and join the group through this link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheGoodWorkNetwork

Thanks for reading.

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

Government announces 5% deposit mortgages

 

Prime Minister Johnson announces 5% deposit mortgages to help first time buyers.

Boris Johnson has revealed that the government will bring forward proposals to introduce fixed-rate long-term mortgages to enable first-time buyers to purchase homes via 95% LTV (Loan to Value) mortgages.

The Prime Minister claimed that the initiative would add two million owner-occupiers to the housing market and fulfil one of the Conservative party key 2019 election manifesto promises.

He said during his speech to the Conservative’s virtual national conference: 

“For most people it is still true that the overwhelming instinct is to buy.

But for many of them they simply can’t, not because they can’t afford the mortgage but because they can’t afford the deposit.

“The disgraceful truth is that home ownership levels in this country have plummeted and that many are forced to pay through the nose to rent a home they can’t truly love or make their own.  This policy will create two million more owner occupiers – the biggest expansion since the 1980s of home ownership, to every part of the country.”

INDUSTRY REACTION

Mark Hayward, Chief Executive, NAEA Propertymark (The Estate Agents Trade Body) commented:

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s comments today which shows a positive change in tone by promoting a generation of renters to become a generation of buyers. We encourage lenders to come on board and support this initiative to enable first time buyers to enter the property market by future proofing the financial burden many face.”

“We want to see intent become action quickly so that first time buyers can make the most of the current stamp duty holiday and continue to stimulate the housing market.”

There is no doubt that the restriction of high LTV mortgages for First Time Buyers over the last few months has prevented people from entering the property market, as well as having the effect of slowing down transactions due to lengthy mortgage approvals.

Of course people have to be sensible in their financial commitments especially in a world where property prices are dependent on the post-pandemic economy, but housing has always proved a good long term investment. And at least interest rates are VERY low unlike the times some of us can remember in the 80’s and 90’s.

At the end of the day it is the mortgage lenders that will determine if this is implemented or not. Unless the government intends to enter the mortgage lending market.

Many young people renting are paying more in rent than they would in mortgage repayments, so it can only be attractive to them.

Unfortunately if home buyers become unemployed, the Department for Work and Pensions only pays for rent and not mortgage payments.

I'm here to help sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants.

Call me or drop me a message if you think I might be able to help you.

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

The Good Estate Agent – North Nottinghamshire
Tel: 01777 237310 or 07981 744003

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire