The latest news from Wood & Pilcher

Welcome to our April newsletter - first and foremost we hope that all of our customers are staying safe in the current climate.

In this month's newsletter, we have put together some articles to help you get the garden ready for spring, as well as offering some insight into the latest landlord legislation and some tips to help you get through self-isolation..

Sell Your House, Step By Step

Are you looking to sell? Sometimes it’s hard knowing where exactly to start. Our step by step guide might look like a lot of information but it can really be a good reference point to help you during this process.

1. Work on your finances
With our mortgage valuation tool you can get an estimate of your property's worth.

2. Get an energy performance certificate
You will need one to provide to potential buyers.

3. Decide how much
Get to know your local market as this will help you decide on a price and what you can afford when looking for your next property.

4. Get a conveyancing solicitor
They handle the legal work.

Get an overview of how much conveyancing costs.

5. Fill out your paperwork
There is going to be a lot of it!

6. Accept an offer!
Congratulations, the estate agents legally must now pass all offers over to you.

Once you’re happy with the offer, formally accept.

7. Work on your draft contract
You and the buyer will have to negotiate-
• The length of time between exchange and completion.
• What fixtures and fittings will be including, and if they have a cost attached?
• Any survey discounts.

8. Contracts get exchanged
This is the process when you become legally committed to selling your property, and they become legally committed to buying from you.

When you sell the house, you are responsible for maintaining the property until the sale is fully complete.

9. Move out
It is less stressful to move out before the day of completion if possible.

Completion is when the property changes ownership. Once the keys have been handed over.

10. Pay of your mortgage

The mortgage company will have given you and the solicitor and outstanding amount for the day of completion.

Now the buyer has transferred the money that will essentially pay off the mortgage for you.

11. Settle with everyone
Once completion has been finalised, your conveyance solicitor will send you an overview covering all their costs, as well as outing the sale price.

If you’re buying and selling at the time, you can settle for both transactions at the same time.

There can sometimes be a small discrepancy and you may even get a little refund.

How To Minimise Deposit Disputes

When tenancies come to an end, there are sometimes disagreements between the tenant and the landlord regarding the deposit. If your deposit was paid after 6th April 2007 then it will be protected by the landlord in a secure scheme and won’t be able to be touched until the end of the agreement.

Deposit deductions are historically proven to cause friction. 20% of tenants who lost some of their deposit feel it was unreasonable. A huge 30% of tenancies end with some amount deducted from their deposit, out of which 13% lost the entire amount.

Some common reasons for deductions:

• Rent that hasn’t been paid
• Any bills that haven’t been settled
• Stolen or misplaced belongings
• Any direct damage to the property or its contents
• Lack of maintenance.

Of course, this is subjective to each individual contract, but honesty is the best policy. If you have broken something, it is always the better option to just be open about it. Inform your landlord and in most cases, they will understand and organise it to be taken care of.

Be thankful for your inventory report! Having your inventory report during the process of sorting out your deposit will make everyone’s life so much easier. You will have two inventory checks during your tenancy, one at the beginning and one before you move out. The report is a thoroughly detailed list that states the condition and contents of the property. Once the two checks have been completed, then it is very easy to see if there are any changes that need to be accounted for. This document will either cover your back or it will be used to prove you in fact did misplace or break something. Either way, necessary for both parties.

Welcome to Wood & Pilcher - Heathfield!

Welcome to Wood & Pilcher - Heathfield!

With over 60 years combined Estate Agency experience our Heathfield Branch are extremely well placed to provide a professional and comprehensive service to Clients and customers alike.

Our team is made up of the Business Partner -Ryan Eckhardt, Sales Manager – Mike Watkinson, Senior Negotiator – Josh Johnston, Negotiator – Melissa Marsh, Administrator Lisa Sharpington and weekender Paul Wiley.

All our staff either do, or have lived locally and have an excellent knowledge of the area.

Our Heathfield office work hand in hand with our other offices in Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Southborough and Tonbridge and are all fully linked using the latest Estate Agency Software and Technology.

Whether you are looking to sell your home, buy or rent an alternative property, we would be delighted to hear from you.

01435 862211 – Heathfield Office

Is Your Home as Good as it can be?

As part of the valuation process, agents should seek to provide details of properties similar to your own: either still available for viewing, or equally currently under offer. This approach will – broadly – show the many choices that your viewer has. It’s a logical progression that vendors should be always asking themselves will their house be offered at both the correct price and appropriate condition for it to stand out accordingly?

As Easter and a Spring market (thankfully!) approaches, all vendors will be well served to look at their properties afresh. Not as the owner of many years but instead as a buyer would consider the property.

People talk about kerb appeal and first impressions – does your home impress? Are the front gardens and driveway well maintained, grass under control and shrubs suitability pruned? Passing into the property, has a spring clean taken place? Is the property aired? Are the carpets cleaned (if necessary) and has there been an intelligent de-cluttering process going on to show new buyers that the house is perfectly big enough for them to live in?

Obviously, one can think of many improvements that can be made to one’s house and in this competitive world where people are seeking to sell quickly and for good prices, can you genuinely say your property is offered at its best and justify the appropriate asking figure? If you can’t do this then why would you expect a viewer to become a buyer?

On a personal level, we tried to sell a property some 5 years ago at a certain price with little interest. In truth, the colour scheme was terribly dated, and we needed to make changes. We spent a month visiting the property after work and painting the dramatically coloured walls a far more sober, simple, white. On re-marketing not only did the property go under offer very quickly but also at a figure some £20,000 higher that it had originally been on the market for.

For this month, our advice is to take a fresh look at your home. Is it as good as it can be? Are there affordable fixes that could be undertaken? If you go to the market once you have thought this through and seek to remedy any potential problems, experience tells us that you will not only sell quicker but also at a far more attractive price than you would have achieved without due consideration. Dust down those plantation shutters, open the windows,let some light in and take a cold, hard look at your home!.

Welcome to Heathfield!

Welcome to Wood & Pilcher - Heathfield!

With over 60 years combined Estate Agency experience our Heathfield Branch are extremely well placed to provide a professional and comprehensive service to Clients and customers alike.

All our staff either do, or have lived locally and have an excellent knowledge of the area.

Whether you are looking to sell your home, buy or rent an alternative property, we would be delighted to hear from you. 01435 862211 – Heathfield Office

The Comedy Club

The Comedy Club As Seen On TV is one of the most recognised and respected names in the comedy Industry and over 24 years has worked across the UK and Abroad with the best of the best.

Click here to read The Comedy Club.

Prosecco Cream Tea

Alongside your scone, jam and cream, you'll receive a mini bottle of chilled prosecco to enjoy and an additional lemon & orange shortbread. You'll also receive a voucher for a free hot drink.

Click here to read Prosecco Cream Tea.

After Hours Networking

Join us at the Discovery Park for our popular networking event. The informal atmosphere and relaxed environment is the ideal place to make connections.

Click here to read After Hours Networking.

Obtaining A Property Valuation From The Comfort Of Your Own Home

In order to make the most of being at home, you may be thinking about the current value of your property and whether you may want to sell-up later in the year, or what you can do to maximise the value of your home. We at Wood & Pilcher are now adapting with the current situation and offering virtual viewings in order to allow you to plan for your property transaction and search for the right property, but how do we value your property without ever stepping foot in your home?

The first solution is simple – online valuation tools. Online valuation tools have become increasingly more popular as their accuracy improves, and as people become more aware that the values are a rough guide rather than a solid appraisal figure. These tools look at land registry data to ascertain the price a property was previously valued at and then use matrices in order to give you a value at today's rate. Although the estimates can vary, they do give you an idea of the value your property could obtain on the open market, and allow you to have conversations with us about selling your home.

The next solution to have your property appraised remotely is more technological – by using video calling applications such as Skype, Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp and others that you can use to walk us around your home. You will be able to talk to us one-on-one and we will also be able to guide you in terms of what we need to see to give you an accurate figure – we can also inform you of where the most valuable improvements can be made.

Finally, if you do not have the technology or the know-how to facilitate a video call, then sending over specific images of your property to us should be sufficient to give you an estimate of your property’s value. In principal, we will need images of the exterior of your property, including any gardens, garages and parking, as well as an image of each room of the property. If any further clarifications are necessary, we will call or email you so that your valuation isn’t delayed.

We would like to emphasise the fact that during this period you can make plans which will help to facilitate your property aspirations in the future – we are here to help you however we can.

Getting The Garden Ready For Spring

We all love the pleasure of sitting outside and enjoying the feeling of the sunshine on our skin, yet despite this melanin-inducing activity being a firm favourite, many of us shy away from gardening. Here are a few tips to help revitalise your garden or outdoor space, just in time for the warmer months!

1) The right grounding
Before you purchase new flowers and shrubs to zhoosh up your garden, it is important to have an idea of the soil that you will be planting in. Different plants will thrive in different environments, and the consistency of your soil will be a key player in this; is your soil light and sandy or heavier with elements of clay? This, as well as the amount of light which the new plants will receive, should be kept in mind before you go and make any expensive purchases. Spring is also a great time to feed your soil to freshen it up ready for your plants.

2) Put the ‘plan’ in ‘plant’
That old adage of “fail to plan and plan to fail” exists for a reason; it rings true amongst many of us. The same is applicable for when you are upgrading your garden – planning on how you are going to use the space will mean that you maximise your outdoor area. Decide what you are going to use the space for and segment it appropriately; eating areas, planting areas and water features all make a garden more pleasant; however, if there is not enough room between each then the space becomes overcrowded and less appealing. Pay attention to your bulbs too. Remove any faded flowers and replant any that need to be spaced further apart (with around 60 – 75mm gap between them).

3) The perfect lawn
Now is the time to dig the lawn mower out and give your grass a well needed cut for the start of the season. When we think of a quintessential British garden, we immediately think of a lush and healthy grassy area. To achieve this, it is important that your lawnmower blades are sharp. This will create less bruising on the grass, so it appears healthier. However, when mowing your lawn, don’t over mow it, as this will make it easier for weeds to come through.

4) Sitting areas
One of the easiest ways to spend a little more time in your garden is to create an outdoor seating space; from simply installing a table and chairs, to installing a full decking area this can transform your outdoor space. If you already have a suitable surface such as paving or decking, then getting a set of table and chairs will be an inexpensive way to create outdoor living space. Stones or pebbles laid onto some tarpaulin is also a very cost-effective manner to provide a nice zone for seating.

5) A shed load of storage!
If you’re looking to make the most of your garden this spring and summer, then a shed might seem like it should be the last item on your list of priorities. However, a shed can offer valuable storage and organisation to your garden that will encourage you to make the most of the space; having your gardening tools easy to access and your outdoor supplies organised will make your outdoor living much easier. In addition to this, a shed can be a beautiful piece of garden architecture; go bold on the colour and choose pastels such as blue or pink for that country cottage kind of chic that looks wonderful in all types of garden. In addition, adding some stylish bunting to the shed will enhance the overall aesthetic, and can be extended to other parts of your garden to create a more cohesive look.

Landlords: Updates To Navigate Through The Lettings Market

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government has created emergency legislation, advice, and guidance to support the housing market. But what does this mean for the lettings market? With the many updates and changes, it can be difficult to pinpoint what changes and support affect you as a landlord. To cut through the noise, we have put together the latest government measures to help you navigate the market during this difficult time.

No new evictions
If a tenant is struggling to pay their rent due to the impact of Coronavirus, the Government has brought in emergency legislation that includes a ban on any new eviction in both the private and social rented sector. It is hoped that this will take the pressure of millions of tenants up and down the country who may be unfit to work or may have sadly lost their jobs due to the impact that Coronavirus has had across the nation. The legislation states that new proceedings to evict tenants will not be able to begin for at least a three-month period. After this, it is advised that landlords and tenants develop their own rent repayment plans that consider the tenants individual circumstances. The Government asks that landlords show compassion to their tenants during this time and allow them to stay in their homes where possible.

Three-month mortgage payment holiday
In line with the ban of new evictions, the Government has introduced a three-month mortgage payment holiday for buy-to-let landlords, and homeowners struggling for funds to pay their mortgage. Obtaining a mortgage payment holiday requires you to contact your lender, who will consider your circumstances on an individual basis, so it is important that you are open and transparent about your situation as soon as possible. You should continue to pay your mortgage until you have reached an agreement with your lender. The housing secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, said “The Government is clear. No renter who has lost their income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home, nor will any landlord be facing unmanageable debts”. So as long as you contact your lender in good time, this should take a lot of pressure off landlords and homeowners.

What about unmortgaged rental property?
For landlords with a portfolio of homes that they own outright and offer for rent, there are currently no measures in place [as of 25/03/2020].

Recording tenants who are self-isolating
If a tenant in your property is currently self-isolating due to exposure to symptoms of COVID-19, or they themselves are experiencing symptoms, you should record this along with all conversations that you have with the tenant. If you have an upcoming visit to the property scheduled, such as a property maintenance or inspection visit, you should not put your staff or contractors at risk. You should cancel the visit until the tenant is over the illness and no longer has to self-isolate. Your record of communication with the tenant should evidence that you took reasonable steps to show that you intended to visit the property and that you used advice from Public Health England to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by rearranging the visit.

Tips To Help You Cope Self-Isolating

With millions of us now advised to self-isolate and practice social distancing to prevent further spread of Covid-19, we all must make adjustments. It might sound simple at first, to just stay indoors and end social meetings, but it can present various challenges such as anxiety, loneliness, and stress. There are coping mechanisms that we can incorporate into our daily routines to help combat any challenges we may face during this time. Continue below for some helpful ideas to support you in self-isolation.

1. Remember you’re not alone
It’s so important to remind yourself that we are all in this together. The whole country has been asked to quarantine so we are all going through similar thoughts and feelings; and everybody has their own personal circumstances to muddle through. Take some comfort in being a part of one big community doing your own part in battling through this pandemic.

2. Have conversations with people
The power of talking to someone is immense. Just because we can’t physically go and socialise doesn’t mean that we must stop socialising altogether. Make a conscious effort to pick up your phone and call family, friends, and work colleagues. You should try to do this daily. You could even create a new daily routine, such as having a morning coffee with a family member virtually. If you have the facility to do this over a video call, then even better!

3. Use social media
Similar to point number 2, use social media to communicate with your friends, family and work colleagues. This will help you to maintain your strong connections and relationships with people and help you to feel more supported, avoiding feelings of loneliness.

4. Plan your time
It can be very easy to lose all the structure from your days which can often leave us feeling unmotivated to do anything. By planning your time, you can recreate a routine into your daily life so that you feel more active and your body can release those positive hormones. Doing activities in the home can give you a sense of fulfilment and allow you to do things that you previously did not have the time to do. If you have children, planning a routine or schedule can also be helpful for them adjusting to being at home instead of school.

5. Use your support network
In stressful times, it can be easy to shy away from reaching out to people. But it is crucial that you do so. If there is something that you need and are unable to get for yourself, such as groceries, contact family or friends to ask if they can get these for you. They can leave them on your doorstep for you to collect so that you can maintain the isolation rules.

6. Focus on the facts
There are so many articles about coronavirus online, as well as ongoing news updates on TV; it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Within all this information is a lot of speculation; especially on social media. Try to stick to the respected health advice websites when looking for updates, such as the NHS, Public Health England, and Gov.uk. If you do start to feel overwhelmed, try to limit your news intake to just once a day.

7. Don’t ignore how you’re feeling
Don’t be hard on yourself if you feel stressed or worried. It is normal for those feelings to come and go at times. One way to manage your feelings is to write things down in a diary as a way of acknowledging how you feel. Reach out to someone to talk about how you feel, or to take your mind off it completely. You can also use activities that you enjoy in the house so that you feel in control and enjoy your time.