The latest news from Wood & Pilcher

Why is now the time to buy a second home?

After a year without the ability to socialise or travel, many Brits have been able to save a considerable sum, with savvy savers now wondering what to do with their sizeable nest eggs.

 

As many as 74% of millennials are more interested in the idea of investing following the pandemic,* with property remaining one of the key areas to see returns.

 

Before buying your second property, have you asked these key initial questions?

 

What's the purpose of this investment?

 

It's worth considering if you're wanting to pursue a high involvement strategy, flipping homes for profit, or you'd like to opt for a lower involvement and more long-term plan, such as letting or owning a holiday home.

 

Having an in-depth discussion with a local agent will help you to determine your financial position, as well as the plan most suited to your goals and interests.

 

The hidden costs of running your second home

 

As with all undertakings that require a financial and personal commitment, you need to make sure you have a thorough understanding of the responsibilities and costs.

 

When becoming a landlord or holiday home owner, you need to think about insurance and bills, as well as how you plan to manage and grow your rental income.

 

Likewise, flipping properties can come with considerable bills to pay if you make hasty decisions along the way, so you should have a budget that's realistic and practical.

 

Unoccupied insurance for a holiday home

 

As holiday homes are usually unoccupied for the majority of the year, you will find that a regular home insurance policy won’t cover you.

 

This is because serious damage like a break-in or burst pipe can only be minimised if there is someone in the property.

 

It’s important you are upfront with your insurer about how often you will be visiting your holiday home.

  

Am I insured if I rent my property out?

 

If you decided to rent out the property, you face extra risks.

 

However, for some, letting could be a big part of why they bought the property in the first place.

 

It would be recommended to speak with an insurance broker, as this will ensure you have full coverage as a landlord whether the property is being occupied by tenants or not.

 

For any help or advice when it comes to property, speak to us.

 

 

*Finder.com

 

Will you be joining us this weekend at the Live & Local festival?

Taking place over the August Bank Holiday in Royal Tunbridge Wells’ historic Calverley Grounds, the Local & Live festival is a two-day celebration of the best live music and culture in our brilliantly creative town and beyond.

 

Now entering its fifteenth year, the festival has become widely recognised as an annual highlight in the regional events calendar.

Click here to read Will you be joining us this weekend at the Live & Local festival?.

We are proud to support our local business, PERRÓN

Burritos, tacos, cocktails, and the very best coffee is what Perrón is bringing to the table! Go and check them out for yourself! 

 

"Finally there is a place in twells for a decent taco, and on top of that, the cocktails are amazing. The margarita is perfect" 

Click here to read We are proud to support our local business, PERRÓN.

 

Click here to read .

 

We want to know what you think about us.

 

We want to know what you think about us.

 

Here at Wood & Pilcher, we strive to deliver the highest level of customer service to our clients. We are always looking at ways to improve our services so your home moving process is as easy and stress-free as possible.

 

We believe that the proof is in the pudding. The reviews we get give a clear indication of the level of service all of our agents provide, across all branches.

 

They are something that we highly pride ourselves in. 

 

"Great experience and really helped push the sale through when in a chain of 6. Always responded to emails and queries and gave constant updates." James Paine.

 

"The team in Tunbridge Wells are the most professional, kind and caring people. No matter who you spoke to, they were all up to speed on your particular situation. Fantastic teamwork." Jackie Wigley.

 

"Great experience all round, from buying the property through W&P to renting it out through them. Every person I dealt with was extremely knowledgable, understood the market very well, very responsive and delivered great service." Simon Tovey.

 

If you would like to provide us with your feedback then please get in touch here. 

 

 

 

 

In Crowborough:

Friday 5th November 2021 at Goldsmiths Recreation Ground, Crowborough. FREE. 

Click here to read In Crowborough:.

In Tunbridge Wells:

Saturday 6th November 2021 at Dunorlan Park. Tickets available now.

Click here to read In Tunbridge Wells:.

In Tonbridge:

Sunday 7th November at Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground. Tickets available now.

Click here to read In Tonbridge:.

We are sponsoring Castleman this year in Tonbridge!

At the heart of the Castlemas experience will seat an enchanting 300 seat, heated, ’Igloo Theatre’. This will be home to a vast range of live entertainment! Expect interactive baby/toddler experiences, as well as a huge variety of performances for all the family. From Theatre to Magic and Circus to Music – you won’t want to miss it.

Click here to read We are sponsoring Castleman this year in Tonbridge!.

Prepare your property for a February sale

Time to pack up the decorations, Christmas is over, and 2022 is here!

If you’re preparing to sell your property this year, then you might be unsure about what you need to do beforehand.

Don’t fret, we’re here with a list of top tips to help get you ready to show off your property.

Create a good first impression.

Remember that the first impressions of your home are essential during a sale.

With that in mind, making sure your home’s exterior is visually appealing and attractive will be your biggest priority in preparation for listing.

 

We’d strongly recommend that you take the following into consideration:

• Clean your windows, it’ll be easy to notice if you haven't!
• Give your front door a lick of paint to freshen it up and make your entrance feel more welcoming. You can easily do this by replacing the doormat if yours is looking a little tired.
• Tidy up your hall by removing any post.
• Remove weeds from your path and tidy your garden.
• Make space on your driveway for visitors to park.

Upping your presentation

 

It is also important to ensure your home’s interior is presented in its best possible light, as this will provide buyers with a vital opportunity to picture how they will fit into the living space.

• A simple suggestion, but one that can have a massive impact, is to declutter. Removing large, bulky items from view will help maximise your home’s space.
• Let in the light by keeping the curtains open, windows clean, and any natural sources of light clear to give your home as bright a feel as possible.
• Make sure all rooms are heated prior to viewings, even those you don’t use often, to provide your home with a cosy feel during the winter months.
• Keep your bathroom and toilets clean, free of mould and tidy, and make sure your toiletries are kept to a minimum.

Time-consuming as it may seem, keeping your home organised and welcoming will put you in good stead for when the viewings start.

 

Remember; visitors need to be able to imagine themselves in your home!

 

For further guidance on selling your home, contact our expert agents today.

 

Property searches often spike in January

 

As we are settling into the New Year, we've always found a renewed interest from homeowners and tenants, with enquiries and property searches at an all-time high. 

 

We've all spent more time than ever at home in 2021, so you might find yourself planning what your 2022 plans will look like and where you want to call home. 

 

Whilst it's commonly believed that spring and summer see the strongest market activity, year-after-year, January has stood out as a time when online searches peak and more people are ready to make and accept offers in a fast timeframe. 

 

Who chooses to move at this time of year? 

 

The new year's property market usually consists of two types of people: first-time buyers and those re-entering the market after trying in the previous year. 

 

In the spring and summer, the market typically becomes much more competitive, with higher supply levels. 

 

If you want a fresh start this year, start the process as soon as possible by instructing your agent, planning your property marketing strategy, and taking advantage of the surge in buyer interest. 

 

While we all hoped the pandemic would be contained in 2021, it's now a confirmed reality that it will continue into 2022. 

 

For that reason, we're committed to continuing all of the safety measures and social distancing practices we've implemented this year. 

 

To make your home extremely visible on the property market over the New Year period, contact our agency today – visit our website for more information. 

Which room in your home is the best value for money?

Making home improvements might be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's the perfect way to spend all that extra time indoors.

 

In order for you to know where to concentrate your energy, we've outlined the rooms considered 'best value'.

 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the best-valued room has been revealed to be the master bedroom, where we spend an average of 2,482 hours a year.

 

A recent study from comparethemarket.com has shown that Brits spend £308.51 each year on renovating the main bedroom, which makes sense when we consider just how much the room is used.

 

The average person spends about 26 years sleeping in their life, which equates to 9,490 days. We also spend seven years trying to get to sleep, totalling 33 years or 12,045 days spent in bed!

 

With the pandemic forcing more of us than ever to work from home, it is no surprise that the home office follows the bedroom as the room most used within our households.

 

It seems we enjoy improving our culinary skills as well as our homes, with Brits spending just under 800 hours a year in the kitchen. With many people adding renovations to their New Year’s resolutions list, it is important to know which room to do first.

 

If you are thinking of making changes to improve the value of your property, it is best to start with the kitchen or bathroom.

 

When buyers view a property, nothing grabs their attention more than a stunning kitchen or a modern bathroom. These improvements don’t have to break the bank to go a long way in impressing prospective owners.

 

If you’re improving your house for your own purposes only, it’s best to start with the room you would notice changes in the most.

 

To get your home valued or browse our latest properties, visit our website. 

 

How the pandemic has changed the property market

COVID-19 has triggered widespread changes across the country – and the housing market is no exception.

 

Property sales have rocketed, which has been good news for those looking to sell.

 

Interestingly, the pandemic has also created some paradoxes in the market.

 

Rural regions have seen a massive spike in sales, as homeowners look to escape to the country following the consecutive lockdowns.

 

A recent survey also concluded that people prioritise bigger gardens and proximity to green spaces more than they once did.

 

Broadband and mobile connectivity have also become more important as many workers go remote, either by choice or necessity.

 

Additionally, this home-based work trend has seen buyers prioritise transport links less – though this attitude may reverse as society slowly returns to normal.

 

Pandemic-induced lifestyle changes could affect the saleability of your property.

 

Luckily, just knowing what buyers are looking for can help you showcase the most appealing aspects of your home.

 

Since home hunters are increasingly browsing online and relying on virtual viewings, forward-thinking agencies like us have been busy adapting our marketing strategies to attract the right buyers.

 

Want to discover how we can maximise the value of your property? Just call our friendly team today.

 

 

 

*According to Zoopla’s January 2022 market data