The latest from Royston & Lund: Property News

In this months edition, as Christmas is fast approaching and the new year is just around the corner, you may be considering your next property move. UK house prices have climbed £25,000 in the last year, so your home could be worth a lot more than you anticipate!

Further into our newsletter, we take a look at how you can become an 'ideal' buyer in order to secure a sale on your dream home.

If you are considering embarking on your next property journey, here's why you should always consider selling your property before buying your next home...

Finally, if you're looking for an inexpensive, but hugely effective way to transform your bedroom, browse these stunning headboard ideas!

If you have any questions about your property circumstances please contact us.

Richardson Gardens, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford

A small development of only four Brand New detached properties built by Swallow Hill Homes overlooking the Nottingham Forest training ground.

We're holding an open day for the last 2 remaining homes for sale on a small development of 4 properties.

OPEN DAY Saturday 22nd February 2020 (by appointment only).

Richardson Gardens, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford

Guide Price from £500,000 to £525,000

The properties are built to a high specification over two and three floors and are offered to the market with completion on plots 3 and 4 early Autumn 2020.

Swallow Hill Homes have been creating homes since 2005 and are a local company based in Beeston who employ their own team of builders. Building 5-10 properties a year, they ensure high standards and focus on constructing good quality houses using high quality materials.

On this development they are building using Staffordshire blue bricks on the ground floor, render on the upper floors, and slate grey windows & roof tiles for a crisp modern vernacular.

Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to purchase one of these fantastic houses in such a sought after location.

For more information about this development, please contact our sales team on: 0115 981 1888 or sales@royston-lund.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty

Thursday 20th - Saturday 22nd February

Click here to read Sleeping Beauty.

Celebrating Shakespeare

Monday 24th February - Saturday 7th March

Click here to read Celebrating Shakespeare.

Rushcliffe 10k

Sunday 1st March

Click here to read Rushcliffe 10k.

Richardson Gardens, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford

We're holding an open day for the last 2 remaining homes for sale on a small development of 4 properties.

OPEN DAY Saturday 22nd February 2020 (by appointment only).

Richardson Gardens, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford

Guide Price from £500,000 to £525,000

The properties are built to a high specification over two and three floors by Swallow Hill Homes.

On this development they are building using Staffordshire blue bricks on the ground floor, render on the upper floors, and slate grey windows & roof tiles for a crisp modern vernacular.

Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to purchase one of these fantastic houses in such a sought after location.

For more information about this development, please contact our sales team on:

0115 981 1888 or sales@royston-lund.co.uk

Have you seen us on social media?

Did you know that we're always active on social media! We have a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts where we love to share our passion for property with you all!

We use our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share a bundle of information to support you in your property journey. You'll find:

The latest property market news
Our local insights
Event updates
Top tips
Property guidance
Coming soon spoilers
Featured properties
New listings
Properties back on the market

There's lots happening so don't miss out! To be transported to our pages please follow the links below:

Our West Bridgford Sales Department have welcomed two new experienced Sales Negotiators to the team!

Since the property market “re-opened” on the 13th May, we have witnessed the market bounce back in a way we could not have imagined. Enquiries and transaction have continued to increase as the market has continued to grow. In order to assist with the high volume of clients looking to buy and sell, we are delighted to have recently welcomed both Deborah Unwin and Kirsty Marcer to the team.

Deborah and Kirsty have been working in the property industry for many years and will bring an abundance of experience to Royston & Lund. With a combined total of almost 40 years experience between them we know that our newest team members will be fully competent in aiding you with your next property sale or purchase.

If you are considering bringing your home to market you are sure to achieve a quick sale in the current market conditions. You can contact Deborah or Kirsty on 0115 981 1888 or by emailing sales@royston-lund.co.uk

Foxfield Way, West Bridgford

2 or 3 Bedroom Semi Detached Homes

Shared Ownership £120,000

Shared Ownership option of 35% - 75%

Two or three bedroom semi detached houses developed by Linden Homes, located in West. Multiple plots are available - please call us for further information.

Click here to read Foxfield Way, West Bridgford.

Caudale Court, Gamston

2 Bedroom Apartment

Shared Ownership £80,000

Shared Ownership option 50% - 100%

A spacious two double bedroom apartment situated in the sought after Gamston development close to the centre of West Bridgford.

Click here to read Caudale Court, Gamston.

Hornbeam Close, Edwalton

3 Bedroom Terraced House

Shared Ownership £96,250

35% - 75% Shared Ownership Option Available

A three bedroom house developed by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes. Designed with family living in mind, providing the calm of the countryside and the bright lights of the city.

Click here to read Hornbeam Close, Edwalton.

Wenlock Drive, West Bridgford

2 Bedroom Apartment

Shared Ownership £155,000

50% Shared Ownership Option Available

A well presented two bedroom second floor leasehold apartment situated on the sought after "Square" development in the desirable suburb of West Bridgford.

Click here to read Wenlock Drive, West Bridgford.

Help to Buy scheme helps make 290,000 buyers homeowners

The Help to Buy scheme was introduced by the government with the aim of helping first-time buyers get onto the property ladder; designed mainly to overcome the barrier of people not being able to save a large enough deposit to qualify them for a mortgage loan.

Help to Buy allows buyers to purchase a new build home with just a 5% deposit, it is then topped up by the government with a 20% equity loan that is interest-free for five years.

The number of homes bought using the scheme has increased year-on-year, with over 290,000 buyers having benefitted since it first launched.

Who has benefited from Help to Buy?

First-time buyers

Benefiting the most from the government's scheme has been first-time buyers, accounting for 82% of all purchases.

The average price of a property bought using the scheme is £279,995, with a typical household income of £53,218.

From April 1st, a new scheme has been launched that is only available exclusively to first-time buyers. As a result, regional price caps will be introduced on the value of properties that are purchased using the scheme.

These caps range from £186,100 in the North East to £437,600 in the South East and £600,000 in London. Below is a full list of the regional price caps for Help to Buy.

Region	Help to Buy price cap
North East	£186,100
North West	£224,400
Yorkshire and the Humber	£228,100
East Midlands	£261,900
West Midlands	£255,600
East of England	£407,400
London	£600,000
South East	£437,600
South West	£349,000

Buyers in London

For most of the country, the equity loan is capped at 20% of the property’s value.

However, in London, buyers can apply for an equity loan worth up to 40% of their property’s value.

Homeowners

Whilst those who already own a home or have previously done so have also benefited from Help to Buy, these have only accounted for around 18% of all purchases made using the scheme, with the typical home they bought much more expensive compared to first-time buyers.

It is important to remember that the Help to Buy scheme must only be used on your main residence and cannot be used to buy a second home or a buy-to-let property.

For key information on the 2013-2021 and 2021-2023 schemes, we'd advise referring to: gov.uk/government/publications/help-to-buy-equity-loan-buyers-guide

To start your property journey with us, please contact our team today.

Residential transactions increasing month on month

February saw a total of 147,050 residential transactions according to HMRC, which is a 23% increase from January’s total and a whopping 48.5% more than February 2020.

The cause of this surge seems to be as a result of the vaccine roll out, as well as the stamp duty holiday.

As transaction numbers increase month-on-month, we're able to see just how strong the market is, having shown tremendous resilience so far during the pandemic.

As buyers and sellers were previously rushing to meet the original stamp duty deadline, which should have seen savings end on March 31st, it's anticipated that even more sales will be agreed and records beaten over the next few months.

Whilst the stamp duty holiday as we know it will be in place until the end of June, offering up to £15,000 worth of savings, there will be homebuyers who benefit long after this date with a phased out easing that sees smaller savings until September.

Due to Brexit and then COVID-19, there have been delays and hesitations in the sector, with a number of us wanting to see a return of 'normality' before proceeding with any plans.

If you’re looking to start the buying or selling process in 2021, get in touch with our team today.

Thinking about investing in a buy-to-let property? All you need to know

Investing in a buy-to-let property is a dream that many of us will have at one point or another.

Property has always been a dependable investment option, with successful landlords able to set up their rentals to run like clockwork whilst benefitting from an additional source of income.

Before considering your first step, there are some key considerations to be aware of.

It won’t happen overnight

As much as we would like to say otherwise, having a buy-to-let property doesn’t just happen overnight.

Just like starting a new business venture, there are rules and regulations you need to comply with to protect yourself and your property.

Whilst some of these components can take time to understand and navigate, lettings agents like ourselves are fully equipped to guide you through all of the requirements.

Know the area you’re planning to invest in

It’s important to do your research on the area before signing on the dotted line, such as speaking to local agents about seasonal trends and rental yield opportunities.

Is it a hotspot for rental demand? Are there any attractive amenities, universities or transport links nearby that would appeal to tenants?

Ensure you can afford a buy-to-let deposit

Whilst a standard home can be secured with as little as 5% of the price of the property, a buy-to-let investment is usually much higher.

The average deposit is 25% for a buy-to-let mortgage.

It's also likely that your income will be evaluated, as you need to be earning at least £25,000 a year for most lenders.

Think about your target tenant

It’s important to put yourself in the shoes of a tenant and consider what they would want from a property.

Being a flexible landlord is key to ensure that tenants stay for longer, which is always great news for a landlord as you can minimise on void periods and secure your rental income.

When you have your buy-to-let property ready to market, it is a good idea to position your home based on the type of tenant you’re targeting, such as using the right communication methods to reach them.

For guidance on how to start your buy-to-let journey, get in touch with our experienced team.

House prices in the UK have significantly increase in the last year, find out how much by below...

House prices rose by 10.6% during August, up from 8.5% during July – bringing the average price to £264,000.*

This strong national increase is being fuelled by the perfect storm of high buyer demand combined with low housing stock levels.

The stamp duty holiday helped increase house prices in the UK by 9.8% in the year to August, before coming to a close in September.

Whilst growth rates were seen to be higher in Wales and Scotland, the average prices are lower at £195,000 and £181,000 respectively.

At the same time, London has seen the lowest level of growth across all regions but has reached a new height at £526,000 on average.

Even though the stamp duty holiday has finished, experts believe that prices won’t fall due to demand for homes remaining higher than supply.

Online property searches spike over the Christmas period, giving you an optimal window to showcase your home and attract buyers in the new year.

To learn your property's value and get it market-ready in time for the holidays, contact us.

*Office for National Statistics

Transform your bedroom with these headboard ideas

Are you looking for effective and inexpensive ways to transform your bedroom?

Over the last year, a lot of thought has been given to our 'working from home' and garden zones, but with the change in weather and Christmas holidays not far off, have you considered making your bedroom cosier for the long nights and dark mornings ahead?

Having the right design in your bedroom can instantly lift your mood when waking up to dark skies.

According to interior designers, one key focal point you should pay heed to is the headboard, which has the potential to alter your room's energy.

Here are some stunning headboard ideas to inspire you:

Camouflaged painted headboard

Blending your headboard into your walls is a unique idea, using materials like chalk paint to produce a satisfying back drop.

Rustic asymmetric headboard

For a striking choice, you could opt for an asymmetric pattern ingrained into the wood.

Combined with soft furnishings, this will create a homey feel and really draw the eye against a plain white wall.

Wavy headboard

If you like thinking outside of the box, why not experiment with shapes?

A wavy design above your bed will create an interesting layer to the room, especially effective with a bold colour choice.

Tiled headboard

If you want something more vintage, tiled headboards can truly give personality to your bedroom.

Curious to see what properties we have for sale or let in your area? Visit our website.

Selling should always come before buying

House hunting takes time and effort, so when you've finally found a property you want, it can be crushing to lose out in favour of another buyer.

In a competitive market such as the one we've experienced so far in 2021, homeowners have their pick of offers and buyers, but there are a number of factors that you could consider in order to stand a better chance of being chosen.

First and foremost, whilst it's a negotiation, you want to be careful not to lowball them and risk offending the seller, especially where the house is fairly and accurately priced.

It also helps to have already sold your property or purchase without a chain holding you back. By being in this position, you will benefit from the following:

Sellers will take you more seriously

Having your current property listed on the market or Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC) will demonstrate your motivation to progress quickly with the sale.

You'll be able to avoid making any hasty decisions

If you secure your new purchase before finding a buyer yourself, you might find that you're willing to accept offers far below your expectations.

You have a better insight into your budget

If you anticipate selling at £250,000 but your agent helps you sell above asking price, you have additional funds to put straight into your next purchase, meaning you may be able to afford the home you want rather than settling.

In need of our expert advice? Contact us today to discuss selling, whether you're looking to start right away or in the new year.

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Have you found your dream home? Here's how to become an 'ideal' buyer and strengthen your position!

With Christmas not far off, many homeowners and buyers will now be readying themselves for the new year, new home surge that will inevitably see high demand and interest levels across the UK.

Having spent one last Christmas at home, many people make the decision to buy shortly after the festivities have calmed down, which helps explain why website traffic to sites such as Rightmove see such phenomenal figures.

After Christmas Day in 2019, Rightmove reported a 231% surge in visitors looking at available properties for sale.

As a buyer, it's very likely you'll be competing for properties in January and February, as stock will gradually build up but not at the same rate as interested would-be homebuyers.

How can you make yourself the ideal buyer?

Having your finances sorted will put you in good stead with any seller, whether that is as a cash buyer or with an approved mortgage and lender behind you.

Property chains can be very fragile, so leaving things until the last minute or causing delays by not having the proper paperwork could lead to your sale or purchase falling through.

If you're proactive in your search, you'll also be better informed about local market conditions.

Your agent will be able to fill in most of the blanks, but having a good idea of how prices compare against each other will ensure you make sensible decisions and don't overvalue a property.

Are you looking for your dream home? Begin your journey by contacting us today.