News & Views Blog

This year, sellers are more apathetic than last about carrying out home improvements as household finances are stretched. However, there are fewer buyers in the market than there have been for a couple of years and sellers can expect to compete for them. It is more important than ever that people make an effort to appeal to buyers and maximise their chances of a sale. Nicholas Leeming, FRICS, major client director at propertyfinder.com gives sellers the following advice:

Continue reading "Maximise your chances of a sale in the current market" »

Posted by Ben Henzell at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Your kitchen is a saleable asset. So much so that valuers at the Halifax rank a modern fitted kitchen second when assessing the home improvements most likely to add value (after a loft conversion). 

Continue reading "How to revamp your kitchen" »

Posted by at 03:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Continue reading "Make light work of it with Sarah Beeny!" »

Posted by at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Aspiring to create a truly individual home is a dream shared by thousands of homeowners but is not to be undertaken lightly.

Self-builders and renovators do it for a variety of reasons. They want something different - perhaps an environmentally sustainable home or custom-built for their work and interests, a studio for a painter, a soundproofed wing for a musician. Or they fall in love with a chapel or a barn and decide to convert it.

To help ensure you have the best chance of success with your project, follow these TEN TOP TIPS:

Continue reading "Top Tips for building and renovating" »

Posted by at 01:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Property Experts believe bathrooms can be great little earners. An ensuite can boost the salability of your home by as much as 17% according to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), and Nationwide calculate that a second bathroom can add as much as 15% to the value of your property. Perhaps this is why bathrooms regularly come top of a homeowner's list of renovation projects.

Continue reading "Give your bathroom a lift" »

Posted by at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Planning laws were given a major shake up yesterday, with Communities and Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly replacing large planning inquiries with a national independent commission.

Reforms outlined in her Planning White Paper would also reduce the amount of time needed to gain approval for major infrastructure projects and minor developments no longer require planning permission if there is little impact on neighbours.

Continue reading "Planning system given major shake up" »

Posted by at 09:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Owing to the shortage of properties for sale in some locations, an extraordinary side-effect is emerging and the usual gap between prices of un-modernised and modernised homes is narrowing. Currently, this trend is only apparent in Central London, but some are convinced that it could occur in other places where there is very little available to buy.

Continue reading "Bridging the gap between upgraded homes and old wrecks" »

Posted by at 09:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Continue reading "Refresh your home" »

Posted by Bronwyn at 09:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

According to our latest survey, home makeovers will be all the rage in 2007 as re-decoration tops the New Year’s resolutions list.

The survey reveals that the majority of home owners are keen to make some home improvements in January, but on a budget.

Continue reading "Home makeovers top New Year's resolutions" »

Posted by Bronwyn at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With the shortage of properties for sale these days, as many as 41% of people say they'd consider buying property requiring renovation according to our latest survey, and we're willing to spend an average of £18,500 on renovations.

Continue reading "The Renovation game: discover new territory within your own four walls" »

Posted by Bronwyn at 09:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Continue reading "Top 10 useful websites for renovators" »

Posted by Bronwyn at 03:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)