If you're thinking about becoming a landlord, there’s a lot of things to think about and understand before you buy a property. 

The process of purchasing a buy-to-let home differs from purchasing a residential property for yourself, so it's important to know what to expect. 

Because our staff specialise in buy-to-let guidance, we've created a simple guide to buying a buy-to-let property. 

What is a buy-to-let? 

First and foremost, the fundamentals: A buy-to-let property is one that has been purchased with the idea of renting it out. 

A buy-to-let mortgage is different from a residential mortgage, and you'll need to apply for one if you can't afford to buy the house outright. 

When applying for a regular mortgage, your income is considered, however when applying for a buy-to-let loan, the lender considers the anticipated rental income as your major source of income, while your personal income is considered secondary. 

What type of property should you buy? 

The location of the property in relation to facilities and transportation, as well as the neighbourhood and demand in the area, are all key considerations. 

Just like you would when looking for a home, you should conduct thorough research into the area where you want your buy-to-let property to be placed. 

Consider the type of tenant you want to attract and include that into your research. 

Finding a property in the suburbs near well regarded schools is your best choice if you're wanting to rent to families. 

A home near a university, as well as good yet inexpensive restaurants and nightlife, is essential if you want to rent to students. 

Is it necessary to use a letting agent? 

This answer is contingent on your financial situation and the level of engagement you want in your buy-to-let property. 

You may not want to go via a letting agent or agency if you want to be a very hands-on landlord, but if you want to be more hands-off, it is a good idea to seek the services of a professional, experienced lettings firm.

Credit checks on possible tenants, drafting a lease contract, chasing late rental payments for you, assisting with any on-site maintenance, and assisting with obligatory gas and energy safety and efficiency assessments are all services provided by letting agents like us. 

In general, if you're a budding landlord, using our lettings services will relieve you of a significant amount of stress! 

You may not want to go via a letting agent or agency if you want to be a very hands-on landlord, but if you want to be more hands-off, it is a good idea to seek the services of a professional, experienced lettings firm - like Wood & Pilcher.

As spring approaches, you may be ready for a deep clean. So, how can you prepare your home for the longer days and milder nights?  

Here’s a simple checklist to get you started. 

Extract your vases 

Fresh flowers are such a treat, and now is an excellent time to bring them back into your house.  

Give your vases a thorough clean and replace any that seem worn. 

Store away your winter footwear 

Clean your winter shoes, then pack the toes gently with newspaper to keep them in shape.  

Don't discard shoe boxes after purchase; they make wonderful storage containers.  

Stack your winter shoes and boots in the back or top of your closet and bring your summer shoes and boots forward. 

Clean doors and windows 

You will want to make the most of the spring light, so be sure to clean your windows to create an airier feel in your home. 

Cleaning your door frames is also a simple way to brighten up your home’s interior.  

Get your garden ready 

As we head further into spring, it might be time to bring out the garden furniture.  

Tidy away any plants which have caught the winter frost.  

Clear any remaining winter debris – including build-up in the gutters – and tackle any essential repairs before you get distracted by weeding and mowing the lawn.  

Keeping your home in tip-top condition is also a good idea if you intend to sell soon.  

Not only will it be ready for a professional photoshoot, but you’ll also make a great first impression on your viewers too.  

Are you ready for a fresh start? Just give us a call on today for expert advice about prepping your home for its market debut.  

The imbalance between supply and demand means that the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks is now applying pressure on the Government to increase rental stock across the UK.  

Now is the perfect time for new landlords to enter the market and make a good return while providing homes to those who need them.  

Have you had a lettings valuation in the past? You may be surprised by how much your potential rental is worth now. 

If you’ve got an unoccupied property on your hands, contact us to learn more about our bespoke services and book a lettings valuation.  

In a bid to combat climate change and reduce pressure on strained energy supplies, the government has recently announced new proposals on EPC ratings. The changes will require landlords to increase the energy efficiency of their properties to a C or above.

Improvements must be made by 2025 for new tenancies, or 2028 for existing tenancies. As a recent survey showed, 68% of landlords currently own rentals with D or below EPC ratings, which means most will need to act soon to avoid problems down the line.*

While increasing the energy efficiency of your properties can be a costly exercise, it’s also an opportunity to raise the value of your rentals and reduce bills for tenants. This, in turn, will make your lets more attractive to tenants, especially at a time of rising energy prices.

In addition, landlords looking to expand their portfolios may consider buying less efficient homes to upgrade the EPC rating and turn over a profit. If you own a property rated C or above, now is a great time to think about letting it.

However you intend to respond to the upcoming changes, we’re happy to discuss your options going forward.

Contact our team to discuss this further, or to arrange a lettings valuation.

*Landbay

It’s important to love your home. Like any relationship, it shouldn’t be one-sided! The more love you show your home the more it will be reciprocated. Perhaps when you first laid eyes on your home it was love at first sight. As time has gone on things have become more complicated. You have discovered more things that need attention and work. The thought of addressing these things can be exhausting when you are struggling to find the time in your busy life. You have even forgiven yourself for thinking of moving on!

Or perhaps you are obsessed with your home, and you spend a lot of your time thinking about how you can improve it. You love the natural character of your property and have done so much already to improve it that you simply need some inspiration.

The little things you can do

Show your home you care by cleaning and keeping it in tip-top shape. A fresh coat of paint, new lamp shades, and some more collectables or accessories for the kitchen. Candles, flowers, plants, paintings, pictures and perhaps most importantly trying something new. To keep things fresh and vibrant take a departure from your norms.

Try something different

Have you ever painted your furniture? Try it – the kitchen table and chairs or sideboard. It’s on trend right now and the results can be room-altering. There is no such thing as right or wrong when it comes to interior design and decorating. It’s your home to make unmistakably yours. Restore furniture or find something a bit different, that tells the story of who you are.

Commitment – big renovations

Show how committed you are to making the most of your home by not putting off what you have wanted to do for ages. Your dream kitchen, a new bathroom, or both. If you need to borrow for one sometimes the smart thing to do is borrow a little more and give your house the complete makeover it deserves. This will add some serious value to your home.

Garden and outside

A great garden can truly become a magical place. The scope for ideas and to create your own unique world is endless. From decking and flowerbeds to ornate garden sculptures. Multilevel gardens with built-in seating. While it’s still wintry why not create a fire pit and plant some outdoor lights which will create a warm, romantic ambience outside?

A workspace

If like many people, you work remotely, why not create your perfect work-from-home space? If space is limited a balance between aesthetics and functionality can be difficult to achieve. Experiment with your set-up, perhaps put your desk near a window or hang some inspirational pictures, which will stop you becoming bored of the same four walls. The little things here make a big difference, even some flowers or plants. Keep things simple, a well-organised compact desk that does not make a statement but is functional and uncluttered so you can concentrate on the tasks at hand.

Do you want to love the home you live in? Browse our properties and find your perfect place.

The housing market is heading into the busy spring selling season. There is a greater demand for properties and still a shortage of homes on the market. If you decide to sell now, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get a good price for your property. With the market heating up, how do you know if you have everything you need to sell?

Here are our 5 top tips for selling your home in a busy market.

Do your research -

Talk to the right people and stay informed. Moving house is a big decision. Make sure that selling is the right decision for you. Remember to have a contingency plan in case things don’t go the way you’d like. You can always get expert advice and guidance from our property experts.

Get Certified -

If you’ve made considerable renovations to your home, ensure you have the correct certifications. If people are interested in your home, they will probably want to see them. Ensuring everything has been done safely is incredibly important. If you have not done your renovations buy the book and followed building standards, you may not be able to sell your home.

Check your property -

If you’re selling a newly built or converted property you must check it was built under a building standards indemnity scheme. Lenders often won’t provide mortgages if newly built or converted properties if it’s not covered by a warranty scheme or Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC). This will be an issue if your buyers need a mortgage to buy your property. We’d suggest getting in touch with someone that can provide you with a Professional Consultants Certificate. This proves your new build has been constructed in accordance with the drawings and instructions provided by building control. If your home passes inspection your certificate should arrive in 24 hours.

Carry out any minor repairs -

Disrepair can seriously put off homebuyers. The amount of work that needs doing to the property can impact how much interest you have. Furthermore, doing any refurbishment before starting the selling process is always a good way to increase the market value of your property. If there are any serious structural issues with your property, you should get them fixed before starting to have viewings.

Get in touch with a professional -

If you want your home to sell quickly always contact a professional. We provide a bespoke selling service that is adapted to each individual property.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy sale contact our team today.