A recent survey carried out on behalf of Prop Tech lead generation company, has revealed that four in five vendors would not contact an Estate Agent if their website looked dated and did not include – high quality imagery.
First impression always counts and this was the case of the survey results based on 2,000 home sellers in the UK across all locations and demographics.
88% or 9 in 10 sellers also want to see properties that have recently sold in the area and 89% would like to be able to undertake an instant valuation.
Only 59% of respondents are interested in ‘live-chat’ options, which we totally understand, at David Phillip Estate Agents we do not have this on our website as we think that our clients would rather speak to a person rather than a ‘chat-bot’.
Video content of the agency was ranked at 62% and 70% of people would like details on ‘meet the team’ which we think is key particularly to see what experience the team have – with David Phillip FRICS it is over 30 years.
What the information shows is that customers wanted a superb, polished web experience – and somewhere where information can be found immediately.
At David Phillip Estate Agents, not only do we have 3D virtual tours on most of our properties, we also have area videos, Q&A sections to help answer home-moving questions, instant valuations and also relevant blogs to keep people engaged.
We also have a transparent pricing model to provide our clients with fairer fixed fees – this gives our clients choice and removes any uncertainty which we find people are keen for in times when general price rises are certainly hitting people’ s monthly expenditure – all our prices are available on the web site – we don’t do commission
So if you are considering selling your home, and your first step is engaging with an Estate Agent, take a look at our website w:davidphillip.co.uk, here you will see examples of the beautiful homes we are marketing and selling as well as giving you information you may need when selling your home too.
Call us on 01134 676 400 for a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS – you will never speak to a call centre.
86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 9AN e:info@davidphillip.co.uk
Have you ever thought about building your own home but thought that you could never afford it, well that may now be a little easier.
Aiming to make it more affordable for self-builders to build, the Government has launched a new Help to Build in the form of an equity loan that is designed to help cover the upfront costs. This means that building your home has now become a realistic option for those who have the ambition to take on a project.
Designed to help cover the upfront costs, the equity loan is similar to the Help to Buy scheme and will be available whether it is for a made to order home, a commissioned home or a new design from scratch.
Although the details of Help to Build are yet to be fully revealed, self-builders would need a 5% deposit, with the mortgage lender providing 95% of the funding for the project. The loan can be between 5% to 20% of the total estimated costs and you can spend up to £600k on your new home (this must include the cost of the land if you already own it) and no more than £400k construction costs to build it.
The first step is finding a mortgage lender who has registered for Help to Build and will help you find a ‘self-build’ mortgage – currently either with the Halifax and a handful of specialist providers and building societies – a mortgage lender will help you with this – you will also require a 5% deposit
Once the mortgage is in place you can apply for Help to Build through the Government backed body Homes England, if you are successful you will then receive the equity loan offer which is interest free for the first five years.
During the construction of the property, you will owe the Government the 15% equity loan – your lender will release funds at the various stages and eventually your self -build mortgage will automatically switch to a repayment mortgage.
The scheme will be open for 4 years and once you accept the scheme you have three years to buy some land and build a home. The Government says it could deliver between 30-40,000 new homes a year with this new scheme.
So, if you are deciding that your next home could be a ‘new build’ project and you would like a free market appraisal on your current home, call David Phillip FRICS 01134 676 400
David Phillip, 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds LS16 9AN w: davidphillip.co.uk
Currently buyers can go as far as paying for a survey and starting the conveyancing process before finding out their dream property has a restrictive covenant in place or that the property is leasehold. Not only is this extremely frustrating for buyers but also wastes a lot of time and money, should the perspective buyers decide not to proceed with the sale.
At David Phillip Estate Agents we welcome the changes being brought which will make the process much more transparent and possibly save time in the long run by identifying anything that may have a financial implication. Issues that may affect the buyer will be flagged up early run which is key.
Estate Agents have a legal obligation to buyers to discuss ‘fair’ information to home buyers and sellers, which includes making marketing materials about a property clear, unambiguous and not deliberately misleading or withholding information from buyers – so, for example, not revealing any planning permission, saying that a bathroom is fully tiled if it isn’t, saying a house has been re-decorated if it’s only one room and saying that there is double glazing throughout if one small window isn’t.
Agents are not allowed to say anything verbally to potential buyers that is misleading, they are also expected to reveal why previous sales have fallen through on the property.
First Phase – Part A changes
From May 2022, Part A changes will see the following now included in the marketing information accompanying the property listing
Information on Council tax, price and tenure are added to portals like Rightmove and Zoopla – if the sections are left empty this will be flagged up to the potential buyers so that they can see what is missing.
Second Phase - Part B and C changes
These are currently being developed and will roll out over the coming months and incorporate further material information such as restrictive covenants (this may mean you own your home but that doesn’t mean that your can do with it as you choose), flood risk and other specific factors that may impact on certain properties.
Under the Consumer Protection: unfair trading regulations 2008, estate agents must comply with strict rules. The law applies to estate agents, property developers and websites that introduce buyers to sellers. And, if these are deemed to be acting unfairly, Agents can be issued with limitless fines.
As well as Estate Agents legal obligations to buyers, estate agents that are members of the Property Ombudsman must also adhere to its Code of Practice for residential estate agents. David Phillip Estate Agents are members of the Property Ombudsman.
So, if you are considering selling your home and would like information around the new legal obligations or would like a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS call now on 01134 676 400.
W:davidphillip.co.uk a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds , LS19 9AN e:info@davidphillip.co.uk
Whether it is growing seeds, taking a break to nurture your houseplants or enjoying a cup of tea in your favourite green space, gardening provides so much joy. This week is national Gardening week, which is the Nation’s biggest celebration of gardening and raises awareness of the difference that gardens and gardening can make to the lives of everyone in the UK.
Inspiring more people, particularly the next generation of gardeners, to experience the joy of creating and growing beautiful green spaces.
So here are some of the things you should be doing in your garden in May
Throughout this week activities will be taking place at Harlow Carr gardens where you can discover activities for all ages.
At David Phillip Estate Agents we have properties for sale in Bramhope with wonderful gardens, we also have people looking to move to the area too. If you are considering selling your home and would like a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS call now on 01134 676 400.
W:davidphillip.co.uk a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds LS116 9AN e: info@davidphillip.co.uk
According to Rightmove, March was the best ever Spring sellers’ market as prices hit another new record with another jump of 1.7% meaning the average price across the UK has broken through the £350,000 price barrier for the first time at £354,564 – this is the largest at this time of year since March 2004. Yorkshire and Humber have seen a monthly change of plus 1.2% with an increase of 12.4% v last year.
The most expensive sector of four bedrooms plus has seen an average 3.8% monthly price surge with 12% more new listings in this sector at this time last year. However, it is the more mass market ‘second -stepper’ sector that is selling fastest with just over half (50.3%) of these homes finding a buyer within the first two weeks of marketing.
Spring this year is the best sellers’ market, not just because of the record price levels but also as we enter the Spring selling season, there is the biggest mismatch between supply and demand for this time of year ever measured by Rightmove with more than twice as many buyers as sellers.
The chance of finding a buyer in the first week is the highest ever and twice as likely compared to the same period in 2019 (pre-Covid). Almost half 47%, are having a sale agreed within the first fortnight, another indication of high demand and the chance of finding a buyer quickly.
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property data comments “despite the current high demand, a price reduction is often needed if a property has not found a buyer in the first two weeks. It could be that the property is too niche and has to wait for the right buyer with those specific requirements to come along, but more often it’s due to prospective buyers being underwhelmed by a seller looking for an over-optimistic asking price compared to other properties that are being snapped up at record speed. Acting quickly on a price reduction before the property goes stale can help to get sellers back on track for a speedier sale.”
David Phillip commented “all sectors of the market are seeing brisk conditions. Sellers with an appropriately priced and well-presented property can expect a shorter marketing period than the norm. Having a buyer for your own property, subject to contract, puts those who are buying again in a much more powerful position than those who have yet to sell, we call these people ‘power-buyers’ and are more likely to get the property that they want and negotiate the best deal on the price.”
Rightmove forecast that the overall transaction numbers for 2022 will revert back to pre-pandemic levels, as the market returns to a more even balance, but currently the number of sales being agreed by Estate Agents is 11” higher compared to the same period in the more normal market of 2019
So, if you are considering selling your home in the buoyant Spring months and would like a free market appraisal call me, David Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400
David Phillip Estate Agents w: davidphillip.co.uk 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds LS16 9AN
You are about to move home and are enthusiastic about the future and entering a new phase of your family life. Moving house represents a transition in life and whilst the ‘grown-up’s’ in the house may focus on many of the practical elements of moving, change is easier for adults to accept than children
For a child, moving home can have a greater emotional impact, certainly in terms of the losses the move represents. This may be the loss of a safe and familiar environment, the potential of leaving friends behind, having to start again or being a new person at school. The impact can be huge, but there are ways to keep your children re-assured and enthusiastic about the future move.
Once you have moved get back to the status quo as quickly as you can, children are resilient and will adapt well to the move quickly – they will almost certainly enjoy their new home and the lifestyle that goes with it as much as the old one, but by following simple steps you can ensure the lead up to the big day and beyond is stress free and one of excitement for your child.
The North Leeds area has some amazing schools, we frequently find families want to move to the area specifically for schooling. National Offer Day was last week, we hope that parents managed to secure the school of their choice for their child. If you are keen to move before the November Admission deadline for Senior schools, then now is a great time to look for a new home. If you are looking to move or sell your home then now may be an ideal time to start marketing of your property.
If you would like a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS then please call us on 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk a:86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 9AN
#bramhope #otley #adel #poolinwharfedale #cookridge #children #school #property #home #nationalofferday
Leeds half marathon and the Rob Burrow’s Leeds marathon Sunday 14th May 2023
On May 14th 2023, Run for All will be hosting the inaugural Rob Burrow’s Leeds Marathon alongside the Leeds Half Marathon which will see both events start and finish at Headingley Stadium.
The new event for the City is in support of Rob Burrow MBE and the new MND centre in Leeds. Former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019. Since then, Rob ad his family have campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to support other families living with MND.
The Rob Burrow Leeds marathon will see 7,777 participants take on a brand- new route through Leeds, taking some of Leeds’ most scenic countryside and outer suburbs which also in includes Bramhope – the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will be a fitting tribute to the city that launched Rob’s career and the area he calls home.
Whether you are an experienced runner or someone who has never thought about running in an event before, all abilities are welcome to join this very special event that is truly for everyone.
There will be a change of route for the existing half marathon in 2023, but we are delighted that the route will run past our office on Leeds Road in Bramhope.
If you require further information about this very worthwhile event, then more details can be found on the link below
www.runforall.com/events/marathon/leeds-marathon/
David Phillip Estate Agents, 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, LS16 9AN
Selling your home is the biggest emotional and financial investment that you will make, and on paper it may seem like a good idea to sell your home privately if you are looking to move, however, deciding to take on board this huge task without the help of an Estate Agent could be a huge and costly mistake.
While there are no doubt some benefits to this approach, sellers must be aware of the downsides of coordinating their own sale and weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision.
The main drawcard for a private sale is the potential for cost savings – namely Estate Agents fees the other benefit is that the seller gets the opportunity to meet the buyer face to face, which sellers don’t often get through an estate Agent – however, as this is a Business transaction becoming ‘pally’ with the buyer can often be a disadvantage further down the line if there are issues as the sale moves towards completion.
A private seller with no prior Estate Agency experience may have limited knowledge of the process of selling a property and the complex legislation that goes with it – whilst they may be able to research what’s involved, they still potentially lack the benefit of past experience and may put themselves at risk of non-compliance with property legislation which can be complicated and costly.
The biggest drawback could be that the seller may not have the skills to appraise the property – a natural reaction is to overprice and therefore deter potential buyers and have a property that sticks on the market with little interest or under-price and therefore receive a lower offer.
The current property market is seeing lots of fluctuations as a result of Covid-19 – an office and a large garden can add a price premium – open plan was very much an ‘in-thing’, but since lockdown, this may be a drawback as more individual rooms can be a big bonus – a summer house in the garden currently can add a premium too. The stamp duty holiday has also had an impact on pricing. At David Phillip Estate Agents we have access to many pricing portals, we are obsessive about looking at the direction in which price houses are going, hence we are able to advise on a realistic but competitive price.
The seller may lack the skills and knowledge to negotiate the sale, this in itself can be an intense and stressful period – Estate Agents do this every day and because they are not so emotionally invested in a property, this is a normal part of their role. A private seller may be too close to the property to see any issues that may turn a buyer away – one person’s taste may definitely not be that of another, and how do you tell the seller that there property really is not in a fit state of repair or decoration. An Estate Agent will be able to provide valuable advice on how to get the property ready for sale and what can be improved to raise the sale price including improving kerb appeal .
So the price has been agreed, the photographs then need staging and taking by a professional photographer, using an i-phone to take photos will have a negative impact on the marketing of the property, and where do you start with organising the 3D virtual tour, the for sale board, the Floor Plan and the EPC if one is required.
When selling your home it is important to reach the greatest audience possible – motivated people looking to move – we pay over £2,000 a month on Rightmove alone, and because we use Premium listings, your property can appear right at the top of the searches and therefore attract more people looking to buy. Your Agent should also ensure that your home goes onto more than one portal than Rightmove, we use Zoopla, On the Market, Prime Location, Boomin, One Dome and All Agents as well as having an intuitive website www.davidphillip.co.uk
A private seller may know someone (usually a friend) who has expressed an interest in purchasing, an Estate Agent however will have a relevant and fresh database of people looking to move into the area and into a specific type of property – by selling yourself, you are likely to lose out on this group of motivated contacts who are invariably ready to buy.
Looking from a buyers point of view, it is generally considered more trustworthy to buy through a reputable Estate Agent with 5 star reviews (take a look at ours on All Agents) and if there are two people looking to make an offer on a property then it would definitely make more sense for the vendor to avoid the ‘private sale’ offering.
Finally, it is always best to have an outside, unbiased opinion when selling your home which is something an Estate Agent can provide.
And once the property is sold then, the post- sale element starts – which can be even more stressful, particularly if the chain is a long one.
So if you are looking to sell your home and think you can save money going down the ‘private sale option’, take a look at our Firer fixed fees – not only do they potentially save you money but they give you choice too.
Selling your home is the biggest financial and emotional investment there is, so why not speak to a reputable professional Estate Agent, call David Phillip Estate Agents on 01134 676 400 A: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds.
More than 150,000 people signed up in the first few days to offer accommodation to those fleeing the war torn country as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The scheme allows people, charities, faith groups and organisations in the UK to provide a route to safety for Ukrainians, even though they may have no ties or relatives currently living in the UK.
If you already know a Ukrainian National (or immediate family member), you can help them apply for a visa under the Ukrainian sponsorship scheme. If they do not have a sponsor, they will be matched with people or organisations who have recorded their interest through the service on the Government website.
The Government has said that there will be no limit on how many people can use the scheme and has launched guidance for UK sponsors – accommodation can be offered for at least six months and can be anything from an empty room to an unoccupied home.
The guidelines areUkraine as follows:-
Phase one of the scheme opened on March 18th for visa applications from Ukrainian applicants who have named people in the UK willing to sponsor them – one application is required.
Once you have recorded your interest then the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will contact you about your interest.
Checks will be made as part of the visa process, your local authority will be asked to check the accommodation and living arrangements – they will then decide what DBS checks are needed, for which you will not have to pay.
It is unlikely that your guest will be familiar with the layout of your local area or how to get around easily. Some practical advice on things like getting to and from your home, where local shops are and where to catch buses and trains. As a sponsor you are not expected to provide transport for your guests throughout their stay.
It would be helpful to direct your guests to public services, for example, this could involve helping to contact and register with a Local GP and NHS dentist.
Think about how your day to day will work, can they help themselves to food, will you eat dinner together – this is not something that you would be expected to provide although there is nothing stopping you if you wish? What about changing sheets, duvets and washing clothes – how will you ensure they get enough privacy?
You cannot charge for a room but you will receive what is classed as a ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month.
This payment is limited to one payment per residential address which will be made in arrears.
Thank you payments will not affect benefit entitlements and will remain tax free, the £350 will also not affect any council tax discounts.
The Government recommends you check with your landlord, freeholder or mortgage provider about whether they have any policies which you need to factor in such as pets.
The government has said that insurers have agreed that for homeowners accommodating Ukrainian Nationals in their home there is no need to contact your insurer on the basis that they are accommodated as non-paying
If your guest moves out of your home for any reason, you need to inform your local council as soon as possible to let them know that you are no longer eligible for monthly payments.
At the end of the six months guest hosting, you may continue to host beyond the six months, but if you don’t wish to continue, you should let your guest know in plenty of time so that they can make other arrangements – 2 months’ notice is deemed acceptable.
Guests will have access to public funds and, after leaving your home, will be entitled to rent a property like anyone else.
If you require further information, all details are available on the Government website.
Information provided by David Phillip Estate Agents, 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds t: 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk
As of April 1st the price of energy is rising and households will be set with higher household bills each month.
At David Phillip Estate Agents, read my blogs advising on ways to save money or energy.
Today my blog is about the boiler upgrade scheme and Heatpump grants.
A new scheme worth up to £6,000 offering heat pump grants to homeowners in England and Wales launches this week – this will encourage homeowners to install low carbon heating systems to help with the upfront cost of low carbon heating technologies.
Providing they meet the criteria, low carbon systems that are installed on or after April 1st will be entitled to this grant providing, they meet the criteria.
Householders who own their own properties requiring a ground source heat pump will receive £6,000 however most house owners joining the scheme will receive a £5,000 grant to help cover the cost of installation of an air source heat pump.
The cash is designed to help cover the cost of the heat pump or biomass boiler, the installation, and any required changes to your home such as having new radiators installed that work with the heat pump.
The average cost of installing a new system will be around £10,000, so the current grant will help towards that cost depending on the size of your home. It is intended that the grant will make the cost of installing a heat pump like that of getting a new boiler.
Most homeowners in England and Wales will be eligible for the grant, although it won’t be available to those in social housing and new-build properties (unless you are building your own home).
As part of the criteria, you will also need to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.
With this scheme, you won’t apply for the grant directly, the first step is to find MSC certified installers in your area – get a quote from a couple of installers listed so that you can compare quotes to get the best deal. The heat pump installer will then apply to Ofgem, the energy regulator for a grant on your behalf – once reviewed, Ofgem will issue a voucher confirming the amount of the grant.
The installer will have a set amount of time to install with around 3 months for most installations.
To confirm that the eligibility criteria have been met, the installer will issue a ‘microgeneration certification certificate’- they will then submit this to Ofgem who pay the amount directly to the installer – you will then be sent a bill for the outstanding amount.
What is a heat pump? – looking like air conditioning units on the outside of the building like a fridge in reverse they absorb into a liquid refrigerant from the outside. A pump compresses the liquid to increase the temperature, then condenses the liquid to release heat. The heat is then sent to the hot water cylinder and radiators.
Much more efficient than a gas boiler the pumps which are powered by electricity, extract heat from the environment – even if the outside temperature is low. The house will warm a little slower than when you ‘put the heating on’ with traditional gas central heating.
So, as the cost of heating increases, these are two ways of becoming more energy efficient whilst also taking advantage of the Government Grant schemes.
April is also a great time to think about selling your home. If you live in Bramhope, Adel, Pool-in-Wharfedale or Otley call David Phillip FRICS for a free market appraisal on 01134 676 400
A: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds w:davidphillip.co.uk e:info@davidphillip.co.uk
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