The summer holidays are well underway. If you are considering selling your home, then September is considered one of the best months to market your home. After the expense of the family's Summer holiday and a definite noticeable increase in household bills, you may be working to a tighter budget. There are changes you can make to your property that are not only inexpensive but will enhance the overall look of your home.
First impressions count, and are key to having a successful viewing. Remember some viewings may be made via a ‘drive-by’ and so it is important that your property always has that important ‘kerb appeal’. Ensure your garden is tidy, free from weeds, your dustbins are hidden, and the windows are clean. If the front door paint is peeling, then re-paint, and if the front door is uPVC, ensure it is clean.
Get rid of any unwanted furniture. Now is also a good time to start emptying wardrobes. Remove photographs, fridge magnets, dog bowls, old throws etc. Remember that things that are personal to you are of little interest to potential purchasers. If you do need a full decluttering service, then David Phillip Estate Agents provides a photographic enhancement service that can help with this.
The bathroom is one of the easiest areas to improve immediately. Replacing the shower curtain, the bath mat, grouting and the toilet seat is inexpensive but will make a world of difference. Adding new towels and bathroom accessories, including nice-smelling candles, will make things look so much more appealing.
By adding a neutral paint colour, this will make rooms look bigger, brighter and fresher. Don’t go for dark colours as these can close up a room, especially in the dark winter months. They also may not be to the personal taste of the potential buyer. A few neutral personal items can also improve the look of your home – rugs, cushions, and new bedding will improve.
Always ensure your property is clean, including having the carpets cleaned too!
If you need help in ‘staging’ your property, then we will be pleased to recommend the best ways to make your property market-ready at little or no extra cost. This is a free service too, if you are marketing your home through David Phillip Estate Agents.
If you are considering selling your property in early Autumn and would like a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS, then call David Phillip Estate Agents on 0113 4676 400, w: davidphillip.co.uk e: info@davidphillip.co.uk or visit us at 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 9AN.
Selling properties in Leeds and covering Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley and Alwoodley
Buyer demand is now 3% ahead of this time last year, while the number of homes coming to market is 11% ahead. With buyer choice so high, the market is very price sensitive, so pricing realistically is key to selling. Zoopla reported that people continue to be price-sensitive with their moves, with cost-of-living pressures and higher interest rates impacting affordability.
Rightmove data shows that homes which attract an enquiry on the first day of marketing are 22% more likely to find a buyer than homes which take more than two weeks to receive their first enquiries.
New seller asking prices surprisingly dropped by 0.3% this month to £378,240 nationally. This is an unusual dip for June, as new sellers lower their price expectations amid decade-high competition to secure buyers.
Properties to the South of the country have seen larger price drops this month, being more affected by the higher stamp duty charges. More than 1 in 5 homes (22%) currently listed for sale have been on the market for more than 6 months and remain unsold.
For sellers, it is natural to have a price in mind that you want to secure for your home, or you may have a price you need to unlock your next move – keep in mind that you may have to wait longer to achieve your desired price if it is not in line with your local market – ultimately, it might come down to a choice between selling quickly and achieving a specific sale price.
Buyer activity remains resilient, with affordability improving for some. Average wages are rising faster than house prices, and many lenders are losing their affordability criteria.
Zoopla claim that buyers will continue to feel the benefits of plenty of choice this year, as well as improved mortgage affordability. This has already given a 20% boost to buying power for those using a mortgage, helping more people make a move in 2025.
If you are considering selling your home and would like a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS call 0113 4676400 w: davidphillip.co.uk
David Phillip Estate Agents, selling houses in North Leeds, Bramhope, Adel, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Cookridge and Alwoodley.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to review mortgage lending rules in a bid to improve access for home ownership. Especially for older borrowers, self-employed and particularly first-time buyers.
In support of long-term economic growth, the UK’s financial regulator has published a discussion paper. This is part of a wider effort to help potential property purchasers with more diverse customer needs.
It aims to provide more accessible, tailored products and improve flexibility in the mortgage market. As well as updating responsible lending rules that address the growing need for later-life lending. This is intended to enhance customer understanding and encourage innovation in lending practices.
The regulator wants to hear feedback on what further changes are needed to support mortgage access for those who are self-employed or with volatile income, both for home purchase and in later life.
It is said that 38% of working-age people are projected to be under-saving for retirement. According to the paper, homeowners are increasingly needing to access their housing wealth to help fund them through their later years.
Many lenders will now accept earned income up to the age of 75 in their affordability assessments. However, the paper pointed out that some products tailored to older borrowers could be more expensive than standard mortgages.
Jim Boyd, CEO of the Equity Release Council, commented, “The discussion paper recognises that mortgage products targeted at older borrowers, whether lifetime, retirement, interest-only or other forms of mortgage are increasingly mainstream.
“Two in five UK residents are already over 50 years old. In 15 years, half of UK Households are anticipated to need to use housing wealth to support their spending needs later in life. To help people better navigate their financial lives, we need to ensure that people understand their options and have the products and protections in place to make confident choices. Reflecting this, today’s announcement invites views about how advice qualifications might evolve to enable ‘enhanced advice’ to support consumers in making informed decisions."
“While we have seen significant innovation over the last five years, the announcement encourages the industry to continue to challenge itself to adapt to support a broader range of customers who have different needs and aspirations”
Other discussion points in the wide-ranging paper include the take-up of long-term fixed-rate mortgages, a rent-based affordability assessment, and part interest-only and part capital repayment mortgages.
David Phillip commented, “This is welcome news, as the demographics of our society change then mortgage lenders need to provide products for individual requirements. The needs of first-time buyers are considerably different to those approaching or over retirement age. We look forward to reading the results of the paper commissioned by the FCA.
If you are considering selling your home and would like a free market appraisal, call David Phillip FRICS on 0113 4676400
David Phillip Estate Agents, selling houses in North Leeds and covering Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Otley
The Bank of England left interest rates on hold at 4.25% this week. The property industry has broadly welcomed signals for further cuts in the cost of borrowing, which could come as soon as August, after “clearer evidence” of growing unemployment amid a slowing economy. Six members of the Bank’s nine-member monetary policy committee (MPC) voted to keep rates on hold. Although three preferred a reduction to 4%, to add to the four quarter-point cuts since last August.
The Bank’s Governor, Andrew Bailey, said interest rates “remain on a gradual downward
path after seeing signs of softening in the labour market”.
Chiefly, the Financial market expects the MPC to reduce rates at its next meeting in August and again to 3.75% before the end of the year.
David Phillip commented, “There has been talk of base rate cuts potentially happening across the summer months. Although yesterday hasn’t delivered a dip as Interest rates remain on hold, it reinforces the growing sense of stability returning to the market. Homeowners will have to wait a little longer for the third bank cut of the year. The benefits of the May cut, however, are filtering through, with recent sub-4% mortgage headlines helping to boost agreed sales. The property market appears to be well-placed for what is continuing to be a resilient performance”
If you are considering selling your home and would like a free market appraisal, call David
Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400.
David Phillip Estate Agents, selling properties in North Leeds and Wharfedale and covering
Bramhope, Adel, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Alwoodley
June and July are looking to be two of the busiest months for property completions at David Phillip
Estate Agents. Once your completion date has been set (that is the day you get the keys of your new home), you must choose a reputable removal company to move you into your new home.
It pays dividends to know what to look for and what questions to ask. After all, you are trusting
people you don’t know with your most precious possessions at what could be one of the most
stressful times of your life. You must do your research so that you hire the best company for your needs. Start your research early, read reviews and if you know someone who has used the company, ask!
Scrutinise their websites and read everything you can on the site. How good the website looks is an
indication of how seriously the company takes their business. Check there is a land line and mobile
number, physical address, and e-mail contact address – this is important as it means that the
company is not afraid to be contacted by their customers, which is a good sign.
Are they part of an accredited professional moving association, such as the British Association of
Removers (BAR) or the National Guild of Storers and Removers (NGRS)? If they say they are, then go
to BAR or NGRS to check their membership is still current.
Check that the removal company has an accredited training or safety certificate.
Ask about the removal company insurance scheme - what does it cover, and will you still be covered if you have packed the items yourself?
Does the removal company have specialised moving equipment? If moving pieces of furniture such as a piano or larger items this is a must ask.
If an eco-home move is important to you, ask if the company is carbon-neutral or what their environmental policy is?
Take a look at the condition of the removal vans and where they are based. Cleanliness is a good
sign!
Once you have compiled your shortlist then get at least three quotes, preferably from firms
that will visit your property rather than just estimating the cost over the phone (unless you want to
use a company that has a low carbon footprint!). This is particularly important if there are factors
such as difficult access or tight areas of space or narrow staircases.
You need to find out what is included. Do you have to pack everything yourself or will your movers
take care of it for you? Will they provide boxes, blankets and other moving supplies? Is fuel included
in the price, or will it be an extra charge at the end of the move? If you ask the right questions, then
you will have fewer unexpected costs on moving day.
Do the staff wear uniforms? Are their vans liveried? This isn’t essential but does give some idea on the professionalism of the company?
Sometimes there may be a gap between your moving-out day from your current home and the day you are moving into your next property. If so, it is important to find out if the company has storage facilities
available.
Are there any payment options? Moving home can be a costly time, but beware of any removal company that only accepts cash!
It will often be the balance between quality and price – remember, cheap movers aren’t good and
good movers aren’t cheap. If the removal company fail to ask questions, then you need to ask yourself why.
So once you have undertaken your research, if two companies seem to offer much the same service, then gut feeling could be a deciding factor.
Whichever company you choose, we wish you good luck with your house move, and if you need a recommendation for a good removal company, then we can assist you with this having recommended local companies for people moving in North Leeds.
If you are looking to sell your home and would like a free market appraisal call David Phillip Estate
Agents on 0113 4676 400
w: davidphillip.co.uk
a: 86, Leeds Road, Harrogate, Leeds
Roses come in more than 150 species across the Northern Hemisphere, but keeping them looking lovely is easier than you think.
These easy steps can be followed by an amateur gardener like me! National Rose Month has inspired me to head for the Garden Centre where I picked a beautiful potted rose named ‘Joi de Vivre’ – which is as the name suggests!
If you are considering selling your home and would like a free market appraisal call David Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400.
86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, www.davidphillip.co. e: info@davidphillip.co.uk
Covering Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Otley.
At David Phillip Estate Agents, one of our favourite Instagram accounts is ‘Find this door’ it has 142k
followers and is a ‘community of Door Lovers’ – we love the vibrant and unusual pictures it posts of
doors all over the world that are interesting, beautiful and historical and in nearly all cases they
really stir the imagination.
As I look at these pictures when they are posted on Instagram, it makes me wonder what lies behind
each wonderful door and also the importance of the front door of any property.
When selling your home, your front door is one of the first features buyers will see when viewing
your home, they will have previewed listings on Rightmove, Zoopla and On the Market before they
see which homes they want to view in person.
Colour trends come and go, but the colour you paint your door is likely to be around for a few years,
so make sure yours is well painted!
So what colour should you paint the entrance to your home? – firstly, it depends on the house style,
the colour and the trim of the house and even the demographic of the neighbourhood. A bland
colour can make your home look boring and one that matches the trim is not recommended.
Colour trends come and go, but the colour you choose is important – shades of navy blue and slate
grey are popular whereas purple is a no go – if you do have a uPVC door, make sure it is always
clean!.
Choosing the hardware is also important, choose something simple and clean cut in either silver or
black - black can look sophisticated on a lighter-coloured door, and choose the correct hardware for
the style of your house – modern, traditional etc, and if you are painting ensure you move the
hardware first.
There is nothing worse for a potential viewer than driving round trying to find your property and keep the outside lighting looking good too – if your home doesn’t have lighting outside then use the photographic enhancement service at David Phillip Estate Agent, this can make all the difference to how your home looks on a property brochure or on the property portals.
At David Phillip Estate Agents we believe that how you stage your property is key to selling your
home, so if you want professional advice on the best way to market your home and for a better
price, call David Phillip Estate Agents t: 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk e: info@davidphillip.co.uk or call into the office at 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds.
Selling homes successfully in North Leeds, Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Otley
If you want to build something new or make major changes to your current home then it is likely you will require planning permission. Planning regulations can be complicated. If you are ill-informed, there are a few pitfalls that could await you.
The system ensures that land development and use are in the public interest. It weighs up their economic, environmental and social benefits and drawbacks. It plays a key role in help making the places where we live and work attractive, vibrant and well-designed.
You either need to make a planning application or, if your scheme is for a small-scale extension or
outbuilding, you may be able to avoid applying for permission if you build within specific limits called
Permitted Development.
An addition or extension to your home is generally considered to be permitted development. So you
may not need to go through the extra hassle of getting planning permission as long as:-
If you are using an architect who is designing and submitting your plans, who has a good track record of
obtaining planning permission in your area then this is the person who will submit the plans. If you
are not using an architect, a good planning consultant will be helpful in determining local planning
restrictions, preferences to ensure your project is tailored accordingly and also any key targets you
have in mind. A planning consultant can also help you get planning permission.
If you require assistance with issues around planning permission then we work in partnership with
ELG planning in Harrogate. However if you initially require information re selling your home, then call
David Phillip FRICS for a free market appraisal on 0113 4676 400.
A: 86, Leeds Road, Harrogate, Leeds LS16 9AN w: davidphillip.co.uk e: info@davidphillip.co.uk
Selling properties in North Leeds, Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge and Wharfedale
Easter is a great time for having visitors around to your home and with the weather being so nice lately then perhaps you will be eating al fresco on your patio as part of the entertainment.
All patios require simple maintenance to keep it protected and looking its best, so what do you need to do to bring your neglected stone paving back to life?
First declutter the patio, remove dead winter tubs and hanging baskets, and remove weeds (most weeds can simply be pulled or scraped up out of the paving) do a sweep then simply fill a bucket with one cup of washing up liquid or soda crystals. Pour the warm soapy water across the affected area starting at the corners and begin scrubbing to loosen the dirt.
Always scrub diagonally as this will be gentler on the jointing compound and less will come out during the cleaning. You can also use a power washer but take care, as excessive use can damage paving slabs and jointing.
Pouring slab sealant will help you protect your patio against the weather extremities. Sealant is completely invisible and won’t change the colour or appearance of the stone.
Over time, the jointing of your paving can crack or loosen. To ensure the longevity, you should repair any jointing – brush -in-jointing compounds are easy to use and will help with this.
Once the patio is dry, reset your furniture and you are ready to use. While you should only need to clean your patio once a year (a perk of choosing patio over decking), a small amount of maintenance will deliver a consistently clean finish all year round.
If you are considering selling your home, Spring is one of the best times to sell according to Rightmove, it is well worthwhile taking time to improve this often neglected area of your home – stunning pots and hanging baskets can make all the difference, and investing in some good garden furniture too can turn your patio into a lovely entertainment area, as well as adding value to your home.
If you are considering selling your home after Easter and would like a free market appraisal, call David Phillip FRICS on 0113 4676400.
David Phillip Estate Agents 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, LS16 9AN
Selling houses in North Leeds and covering Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley and Alwoodley
Sometimes, I despair when I look at photos that Estate Agents use on their property listings. Photographs which are not taken by a professional photographer. They are taken as screenshots from 3D virtual tours or maybe even by an iPhone! Using outstanding photography in your property listing can make all the difference when making an impression on home hunters. This is an area that is overlooked by sellers and is an easy way for Estate Agents to cut costs.
At David Phillip Estate Agents in North Leeds, capturing the best image possible is key to us. As is
using the best images possible. You can only do this by using high-quality equipment and a
professional photographer – in our case, Henry. Henry carefully considers what homebuyers would
want to see and how to showcase the property in the very best way possible. The benefit of sunny
Spring Weather and beautiful gardens in Bramhope and the surrounding area also helps. We
use drone footage and site maps on Rightmove to portray properties in the best way we can.
A quality Estate Agent should never scrimp on the cost of a Professional photographer. Some sales
negotiators do take their own photographs and feel it is part of their role to do so. It's true, Smart
phones are now advanced, but it is not just about a shoot-and-grab picture. An Agent’s time is much
better spent communicating with clients and leaving it to the experts, ie the professional
photographer.
It is best to use horizontal landscape views, which are more pleasing on the eye than vertical.
A different set of photographs may need to be taken for use on social media, which we ensure we also do.
Without furniture, then a space is just walls, floors, windows and ceilings. Furniture provides scale,
lights and adds character – a personality. People decorate their homes to their own tastes, but this
does not always appeal to the masses. Sometimes the decoration can take over the room. A lick
of neutral paint may do the trick before photos are taken – buyers need to be able to use their
imagination when viewing a home.
A cluttered, messy photo can reflect lazy work from an agent. It could also suggest a property that may not be so well looked after, which a viewer will notice.
Things to be removed from the kitchen include the fridge magnets, pets’ food bowls and cluttered bins. All cupboard doors should be closed and kitchen tops should be cleaned and de-cluttered.
The kitchen should be curated with a nice set of dishes, bowls of fruit and flowers rather than tea
towels hanging from the cooker. The dining room table should always set for dinner.
The lounge needs to be cleared of scruffy throws, children’s toys and DVDs. Piles of magazines can
look unsightly, and the TV should always be turned off.
Old towels are a definite no in the bathroom. As are cluttered sinks, baths and shower-cubicles. The
toilet seat should always be left down – small details that are sometimes overlooked.
It might be the natural light, the spaciousness or an unusual feature that will make the potential buyer curious to see more. A professional photographer will shadow and colour boost to improve the property.
In some properties, it is difficult to photograph an entire room at once, so moving furniture around
will capture the perfect angle. Photographing through doorways and keeping internal doors open
will make a difference.
Owners often overlook the outside of the property. The area that provides that first impression on
the property portals – cars and dustbins should be removed, the lawn should be mown and windows
should be cleaned – we call this good kerb appeal.
Working around the weather is key, and having taken a look at the long-range weather forecast, there are certainly some sunny days ahead for North Leeds and the UK. It is ideal for producing
the best photos possible, particularly when gardens are coming into full bloom. And, if the weather
isn’t perfect, then we have a photographic enhancement service that allows us to improve the look of photography.
Buyers don’t want to sift through an entire library of images. It is recommended that at least 15 pictures should be used to give searchers a flavour of every room.
Remember that it is the first two weeks when a new property will get the most viewings and
hopefully that all-important sale. At David Phillip Estate Agents, we also take more photographs so that we
can ‘rotate’ pictures on the portals – this means that buyers take a ‘second look’ as they scroll
through properties on Rightmove. Using featured and premium listings also means that there is
more than one photo on the first page of the Rightmove listings, and also your property will appear
at the top of the listings!
David Phillip commented “Some agents will cut corners when taking photos, but to me it is key that
we portray a client’s home in the best way possible – it isn’t just about static pictures but 3D tours
and videos too – all will provide a better chance of a sale”
So, if you are considering selling your home and would like to have the perfect Spring/Summer
photographs to enhance the look of the property, give us a call now, and we can undertake a free
market appraisal.
David Phillip Estate Agents, T: 0113 46767400 W: davidphillip.co.uk A: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope,
Leeds, LS16 9AN.
David Phillip Estate Agents, selling houses in North Leeds and covering Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge,
Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley and Alwoodley.
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