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How the budget may affect different parts of the housing market, why mid-market activity should remain steady, and why some higher-value home-owners may consider right-sizing. We also outline the potential impact on landlords and rental supply.
Buying your first home in London can feel out of reach - especially when saving for a deposit is a hurdle. But now, there’s a way forward. Lenders are making 100% mortgages available once again, helping first-time buyers step onto the property ladder without delay.
Spicerhaart is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the highest honour that acknowledges employers demonstrating outstanding dedication to supporting military personnel and their families.
The festive period is truly underway at Felicity J Lord and we can’t wait for Christmas Day! We wish you and all your family and friends a wonderful time during the seasonal period, and a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.
On the 23rd September 2022, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced cuts to stamp duty in the government’s mini-budget, by increasing the amount at which buyers in England and Northern Ireland will begin paying duty from £125,000 to £250,000. For first-time buyers, this threshold is now £425,000 and discounted stamp duty will apply up to £625,000.
Probate is the granting of legal authority to an Executor or family member to administer and disperse the Estate of the deceased, which can include property, money, possessions and other financial assets.
There are a few different reasons why you might need to know the value of your property, including for property insurance, investment analysis, selling, and taxation.
Felicity J Lord is urging the Government to reconsider current plans regarding the cladding remediation fund and protect landlords as we believe there’s no logical explanation for the exclusion. We’ll continue to add our voice to campaigns such as this one to ensure the private rented sector isn’t treated unfairly.
Spicerhaart’s charity that is supported by Felicity J. Lord, Magic Moments, has finally recommenced its trips to Disneyland Paris after being postponed due to the pandemic to bring Christmas magic to bereaved families.
From 1 October 2021, the tax holiday on stamp duty rates ended and home buyers in England and Northern Ireland are required to pay on all purchases above £125,000. Residents in Wales, where stamp duty is known as ‘land transaction tax’, are required to pay on purchases above £180,000 after their tax holiday finished 1 July 2021.
We’re hoping for a settled summer. No significant changes to legislation will occur over the next couple of months as the House of Commons is due to go into recess on the 22nd of July.
It’s been an interesting year for the housing market, with impact from the coronavirus pandemic and numerous Government backed solutions to help people onto the property market. If you are wondering how these factors will affect you, what the housing market might look like in the next few years, or if it’s a good time to buy or sell, read our insights on the current housing market and predictions for the future.
The government has recently confirmed that it will cut the maximum deposit for rentals of less than £50,000 to five weeks, down from six weeks. According to the National Landlords Association and the Residential Landlords Association, the reduction could force landlords out of the market. However, Felicity J Lord partnered with flatfair earlier this year to launch a solution which protects both tenants and landlords in equal measure.
The long summer has ended, MP’s have returned to Parliament and we’re in the midst of Conference Season. Naturally Brexit will dominate each party conference, however there are other equally important policies that should also form part of the agenda - particularly Housing.
The outlook from within the private rental sector is positive. Property values in most regions continue to grow, which is important for landlords who view their portfolio as a long-term investment.
April marks the start of the new tax year, bringing with it the next phase of reduced interest relief for buy-to-let mortgages. Meanwhile, as the calendar year moves swiftly along, there continues to be a range of changes which will affect our sector either having been recently introduced, or on their way.
Figures revealed by the HomeLet Rental Index earlier this month show that average rents across the UK were up 1.2% in February, when compared to the same month last year.
This month we asked Andrew Benn, Managing Director of Spicerhaart Lettings, the company that owns Felicity J Lord, what he believes is the perfect recipe for a win-win business relationship.
Whilst the exceptional weather we’ve experienced this month has taken some by surprise, as early as mid-February, meteorologists did warn that there could be some short-term challenging conditions ahead.
According to data collected by removals comparison website Compare My Move, the most popular day to move house is Friday – but does this mean you should move on that day?
As the first signs of Spring start to appear in our gardens and parks, we’re getting a sense of the outlook for the private rented sector in 2018.
2017 will be remembered by many in the property industry as a ‘year of change’. As the year began, we prepared for tighter mortgage lending restrictions and phasing in tax reforms – and ended it facing a raft of further policy amendments.
The argument of buying vs renting is ongoing and unfortunately, it doesn’t have a clear and cut answer. Despite many believing that buying trumps renting, there are some circumstances and scenarios that suggest otherwise.
Winter is here, which means it’s now time to start thinking about updating some of your home’s accessories and features to match the colder and darker nights.
Felicity J Lord is offering a significant opportunity to tenants: to live rent free at the outset of their tenancy to save some extra money over the costly festive period
FJLord Lettings is offering landlords an opportunity to move tenants into their properties over the Christmas and New Year period in the attempt of avoiding a potentially expensive ‘void’ or unlet period.
Tenancy renewal talks usually happen about three months before a rental contract finishes. These days however, tenants are thinking much further in advance, some even up to an entire year.
Those having a difficult time breaking onto the property ladder could consider Shared Ownership. We explain what it is and if it might be the right option for you.
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Felicity J. Lord is proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2017, taking place 18th – 24th September.
Aside from being a stunning backdrop of drawers and cabinets, a kitchen is also meant to be an area for function and convenience.
No matter what size property you live in, as a homeowner the chances are that you’ve had to compromise on the amount of living space you were hoping to have.
Moving house is always stressful, no matter how many times you’ve been through it before. Leaving your long-time home and moving to a retirement property can seem like an intimidating prospect – both emotionally and practically – but with the right plans in place it can be successful.
Felicity J. Lord came away big winners at the 2017 Spicerhaart Annual Conference, held at Five Lakes Golf Club in Colchester. Both Bow Felicity J. Lord’s Lettings and Estate Agency operations came away with awards, but the Top FJL Office on Profit award went to Greenwich.
Felicity J. Lord Lettings agents are making their support known for National SAFEagent Awareness Week 2017, which takes place from 15th – 19th May 2017.
Within many Victorian and Georgian properties, trims and mouldings were implemented for both form and function. Several came to exist purely due to the construction limits of the era, whilst others were inspirations of classic architecture.
Whether you’re a renter going from a 2 bedroom flat to a studio apartment, or empty nesters moving from a detached house into a flat, you’ll likely have to part with a lot of your things to make moving day much easier to deal with.
The Government has recently announced its intention to make Client Money Protection (CMP) mandatory for all lettings agents.
A bedroom is an area for resting both our mind and body .It’s where we go when we desire relaxation and rest, but it’s also where we head when we’re in need of an escape.
Although there are restrictions on decorating that come with renting, there are still ways of making your rental property feel like home.
Whilst on the property hunt, whether it’s your first or fifth time, the market can always seems fairly intimidating. You may come across many properties that don’t come anywhere near your original desires, which means you might be inclined to compromise on your list of demands to secure a property in your desired area.
There’s no reason your decorations should work against you when selling your property over the Christmas period. As a seller you should look to make them into a positive.
Winter is approaching fast, so now is the best time to consider sprucing up your home for the new season. Here are our top interior design trends for this winter!
If you’re a first-time buyer looking to get on the housing ladder, you may be worrying about what will happen when the Government’s Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee Scheme comes to an end in December 2016
It’s important as a landlord to follow the right advice to be successful with your buy-to-let, but it’s also important to be aware of the common mistakes that landlords make to ensure you don’t make them as well, or your investment may go up in smoke.
As you’re frantically packing to move into your new home, it’s important to think about what else you need to know about the property before completing your move.
The nation is still coming to terms with the effects of last week’s decision to leave the EU. We have seen a lot of sensationalist claims in the media about what might happen to property prices in the event of a Brexit.
The Felicity J Lord 'One Team' compete against other departments of the Spicerhaart Group, fighting it out to become Spicerhaart Dragon Boat Champion 2016 - raising important funds for our Magic Moments Children's Charity.
Tenancy renewal talks usually happen about three months before a rental contract finishes. These days however, tenants are thinking much further in advance, some even up to an entire year.
et again we’ve seen a change at the top of Housing Policy.The most recent cabinet reshuffle saw the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government being promoted to Home Secretary after just 111 days since the role was created earlier this year. The cabinet minister ultimately responsible for our sector is now James Brokenshire.
Across the private rented sector, the average tenancy length stands at just 20 months. This is very different to the experience of an average homeowner who typically stays in their property for far longer. Many attribute this to high transaction costs and a lack of the right sort of properties for sale.
Felicity J Lord is delighted to introduce another innovative service which will benefit landlords, tenants and the environment.‘Sulu Energy Bridge’, from Tenant Shop, which we’re launching on 2nd July, offers a seamless and cost-effective energy provision service through Green Star. In 2017, 100% of their electricity came from sustainable sources, an achievement of which they are very proud.
