What happened in September?

What happened in September?




<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><strong>Surge in homeowners keen to move this year</strong></span>

 

 
COVID-19 has caused a major shift within the property market regarding buyers’ and sellers’ attitudes.

According to a recent survey of 1,000 homeowners, as many as 26% are considering moving within the next year.*

So, what are the reasons for homeowners wanting to move?

After a year of restrictions and confinement, we've all had more time to reflect on the way we live and use our homes.

Considering that 55% of respondents directly linked their reason for moving to COVID-19, we can see just how extensive the situation is, with many households finding that their property no longer fits their lifestyle or needs.

As well as desiring a bigger garden space, other important factors include finding somewhere with:
 
 
Natural light (15.8%): introducing natural light into your home reduces stress and anxiety, boosts immune systems and increases happiness through the production of serotonin – the feel-good hormone.
 
Whilst these are just some of the core benefits, they are the most relative as to why homeowners are seeking homes with plenty of natural light.
 
 
A home office (13%): working from home has given many of us the opportunity to see remote working as a long-term norm.
 
By working at home, families are able to share the responsibility of childcare and spend more time together that would have otherwise been spent separate.
 
 
 
A home gym (11.9%): the initial lockdown caused a rift in the country's health and wellbeing, pushing many to implement home workout measures in order to stay fit, active and fulfilled.
 
The reality is that a lot of people won’t feel comfortable returning to their regular routines for some time, minimising possibly high risk locations such as gyms for a safer alternative, choosing to exercise from home instead.
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive of IDSystems concluded that: “2020 has been a year of frustration and uncertainty for homeowners, with many now feeling the need to make big changes, either by moving out of the city or maximising their existing spaces.
 
Through the challenges and restrictions people have faced, it is clear that British homeowners are not afraid to make big decisions to ensure their homes are providing the best possible environment for work, study and relaxation.”
 
 
If you're feeling fed up and in need of a change, we'd invite you to browse our range of stunning local properties. Contact us today for more information.
 
 
*IDSystems
 



<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Your guide to understanding your property's value</span>

 
If you are planning to sell or rent your property, then it’s important to get an accurate estimate of how much the property could be worth.

To give you an agent's perspective of what that involves, we've provided some of the key take-away points below.


Market value

Firstly, knowing how much your property is worth is more commonly known as its 'market value', which relates to the price a buyer is willing to pay when considering local and national market conditions.
 

What impacts the value of your property?

The value of your house can be determined by a variety of factors, such as any recent changes to the property or your neighbourhood.

Some of these factors may also include the size, location, amenities, condition and the asking price of similar houses nearby, so it's always beneficial to talk to a local agent with familiarity selling in your area.


The difference between market value and asking price

Valuing your house accurately is one of the most important parts of the process.
 
Bringing your home onto the market with an asking price that is too low could mean you receive offers below market value.

Whereas if the asking price is too high, you may not receive any offers at all, causing time delays and market stagnation as the ideal buyers are put off a home that falls outside of their price bracket.
 
So, whilst it can be tempting to instruct an agent based on who is offering the highest value, the risk of this is that you may need to gradually reduce your price anyway to reflect the property's actual market value.
 

How much could your house really be worth?

The best way to see how much your house is worth is through a combination of tried-and-tested
methods.
 
Over lockdown, it would be advisable to begin by referring to online house price calculators and valuation tools, as these will provide a guide based on Land Registry Data. 
 
However, it's important to bear in mind that for the most accurate and up-to-date valuation, you should organise time with an agent, as an in-person appraisal will guarantee any recent developments to your home are taken into consideration.


If you’re thinking about putting your property on the market, book a valuation with our team today.
 
 
 



Durrants announce £20,000 funding for local charities

Durrants Announces £20,000 Funding for
Local Charities

Leading Norfolk and Suffolk property and consultancy firm Durrants is delighted to announced new funding of £20,000 available for local charities and community projects.  Grants of up to £2,000 are available and applications must be submitted by 31st March 2021.

George Durrant & Sons Limited provides a range of agency, professional and consultancy services across the residential, commercial and agricultural property sectors and has played its part in the community since it was established back in 1853.  Over the years Durrants has supported many local events and community projects including the work of East Anglian Air Ambulance; YANA, a rural mental health charity and Clinks Care Farm near Beccles, which provides disadvantaged people the opportunities to work and learn a variety of agricultural roles including working with livestock, carpentry, market gardening and more.

 

The Durrants Charitable Foundation has been set up to formalise the company’s support for local community and charity projects and this year a fund of £20,000 is available with applications for grants of up to £2,000 being accepted until 31st March 2021. 

 

Dominic Parravani, Managing Director for Durrants said, “Being an active part of the community in which we do business is very important to us, and in these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever to show our support.

 

The Foundation aims to support projects in the areas of Beccles, Diss, Halesworth, Harleston and Southwold, where we have offices.  Perhaps a local school needs devices for remote learning, a sports club needs new equipment, or a new community event needs financial support getting off the ground.  These are all examples we would consider supporting through the Foundation.”

 

A recent beneficiary of Durrants funding is Baby Basics, a Lowestoft based organisation that works with midwives, health visitors and other professionals to provide moses baskets and starter kits to vulnerable families in Lowestoft and the surrounding area. Leah Smith, Durrants employee and volunteer for Baby Basics commented, “We are delighted to have received the support of Durrants.  This will make such a big difference to many vulnerable families in the area.”

Full details of how to apply for funding and terms and conditions are available here.



<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Our latest interactive property magazine</span>

This edition of our property magazine contains a selection of our properties. There are 43 homes for you to look at, and one of them may be the home you've been searching for.
 
To view full the full e-zine, click the front cover or the button below.

Click here to read <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Our latest interactive property magazine</span>.



<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Surge in holiday let enquiries due to stamp duty holiday</span>

 
Properties bought for the purpose of holiday lets have grown in popularity since the introduction of the stamp duty holiday, with the extension giving investors until June to see savings for homes worth £500,000 and until September for those worth £250,000 and under.
 
Holiday property provider – cottages.com – has seen a 35% increase in enquiries, with year-on-year enquiries rising by 70%.
 
The “staycation” boom isn’t going anywhere for the time being, as coronavirus restrictions ease and the country gets one step closer to being able to resume planning social events and trips.
  
The pandemic has reshaped how people holiday, with many more of us choosing to stay closer to home and taking fewer risks with our travel plans.
 
If you have been considering buying a second property to let short-term in the UK, you could see significant returns in time for summer.
 
Out of all the new listings on cottages.com, 70% have been listed from first-time holiday letters; showing a unique opportunity for investors.
  
To find your next buy-to-let investment, browse our latest properties.
 



An exciting new challenge for Lisa

We’re delighted to introduce our new Residential Sales Manager for Beccles, Lisa Brown.
 
Lisa has been a valued member of the Durrants team since 2010 holding positions of Senior Negotiator and Residential Sales Manager of their Southwold office.

Click here to read An exciting new challenge for Lisa.



<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">Moving house safely: a refresher post-lockdown</span>

COVID-19 restrictions may have been lifted but the virus is far from gone. Many people are still wary of going about their day-to-day lives, even after a year of being stuck indoors.
 
So, how do you move home safely in 2021? The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government have issued these guidelines to keep you safe...
 
Can I view a property in-person?
 
If you are not required to self-isolate, you can go and view a property in-person, however, guidance continues to recommend virtual viewings where possible.
 
Viewing the property can be an important step in the house buying process, but it’s important to keep yourself safe.
 
Make sure to follow good hygiene practices, wash your hands regularly by sanitising and cleaning common contact zones, wear a face covering when possible and keep your distance from others.
 
Do I have to wear a face covering?
 
Whilst wearing a face covering is no longer mandatory, it’s advised to wear one to protect yourself and others.
 
The homeowner may request you wear a mask whilst looking round their property. So, you should look to accommodate their wishes whilst you are in their home.
 
Can I ask people viewing my home to wear a face covering?
 
If you would like people coming to view your property to wear a face covering, it’s important to let your estate agent know.
 
Putting a cap on the number of people allowed to view your property at any one time may also be a good idea to help keep everyone safe.
 
What if I have to self-isolate?
 
Buyers and sellers may experience delays due to self-isolation. Whilst this may be irritating, it’s important to continue to follow the rules.
 
- Get a test if you have symptoms.
 
- Isolate if you have a positive test or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
 
- Quarantine if you are returning from red or amber list countries.
 
Speak to a solicitor about making contractual provisions in case the worst happens. This enables the process to continue whilst you are isolating.
 
Want to know how we’re helping to keep you safe? Speak to one of our team members today.
 



<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;">How to keep your boiler running for longer</span>

A broken boiler is the last thing you want as the weather starts to get colder this autumn.
 
If you’re facing boiler issues, this helpful guide is here to get you back on track with five of the most common issues and the best ways to fix them.
 
1. Kettling
 
Is your boiler making a strange bubbling noise? If the answer is yes, then you most likely have a build-up of sludge, and should you live in an area with hard water, this can be a common problem that happens again and again.
 
Hard water has a high mineral content, which has a tendency to cause build-up in heating systems and water pipes.
 
2. Leaking and dripping
 
Having buckets full of water that have been dripping out of your boiler for weeks is not ideal.
 
A broken internal component is the most likely cause behind a leaky boiler and can be caused by the pressure becoming too high.
 
3. No hot water
 
The last thing you want is a cold shower whilst you wait for your boiler to be fixed, so make sure you check your thermostat.
 
If your boiler pressure is normal and the thermostat is set correctly, then there could be an issue with an internal component in your boiler. Get an engineer to check this for you.
 
4. Low boiler pressure
 
Low boiler pressure can result in a number of problems, affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of your heating system.
 
This can make it difficult to keep your home warm as well as increasing your energy bills.
 
The best thing to do is check the gauge meter.
 
If the needle is below one, then you have low boiler pressure, which can be caused by a water leak. If there are no leaks to be found, then you may need to get your boiler re-pressured.
 
The manufacturer's website will give you details of how to re-pressure your boiler.
 
5. The pilot light has gone out
 
The pilot light is the flame that lights gas provided by a main burner. The flame should remain permanently lit, as it is supplied by a gas pipe.
 
If a pilot light goes out, gas will still be released from the pipe, and this could be potentially dangerous. There should be a sensor in the pilot light tube that cuts the gas as soon as the flame goes out.
 
Check the boiler itself to see if there are any specific instructions as to how to turn on your pilot light.
 
As leading lettings agents in your area, we offer a range of services to support our landlords and tenants. Contact us today about our fully-managed package.