Multigenerational living is becoming hugely popular in the UK. Many older people are choosing to purchase property with their children during their retirement and this is for a variety of reasons, including care needs, financial incentives, or logistical purposes. If your parents don’t need the structure and routine of a care home but could benefit from a helping hand from time to time, an annexe can provide an excellent solution.
When it comes to adding value to a home, most people automatically think of big, expensive projects like a conservatory or an additional bedroom. While these will undoubtedly add value to your property, it’s not always as much as people think, and in some cases it can be far more cost effective to repurpose an existing room than to build a whole new one. Below are some of the best room upgrades you can carry out to add the most value to your home in Orpington.
Getting your property ready for viewings is so important. You need to sell buyers not just on the space, but the idea of living there themselves. It’s important that potential buyers step into your home and feel connected with it as they will be more likely to make an offer. In fact, with a well-staged home you can improve the number of offers immensely, so don’t dally and instead get started with our 10 top tips to prepare your property for viewings
Click here to read the latest trends in the UK's housing market, with a detailed focus on the BR6 Post Code Areas.
The Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on property trends, with rural areas seeing a huge surge in interest. This is no doubt due to people spending more time working from home and looking for a property with some outdoor space to enjoy. If you’re thinking about getting away from the city and escaping to the countryside, here are 7 tips to help you find your perfect rural property.
If you’ve ever been involved in a property transaction, then the chances are you’ve probably heard of gazumping. For buyers it’s one of the worst things that can happen, particularly if you’ve found your dream home. But what is it?
In this article, we take a look at what a credit score is and why it’s important to improve your credit score before getting a mortgage. We’re not financial planners or advisors, but we do know a thing or two about important subjects relating to property!
There are a number of reasons people become residential landlords. Often, it’s because someone wants to do more with their savings and sees property as a sound investment with a regular income. It might also be that a person becomes an accidental landlord after inheriting a property or moving into a house with a partner. Here are seven things to think about when becoming a landlord.
You’ll probably know this already if you are a landlord, but if you don’t yet, you should get to know it – because rental yield is important! But, what is rental yield and what do you, as a landlord in Orpington and Sevenoaks, need to know about it?
Whether you already have a property you’re looking to rent out or you’re thinking of investing in a buy-to-let, it’s vital that you know your legal responsibilities and requirements as a landlord, both to protect yourself and your tenants. Here are our 10 top legal tips for landlords.
Buying a property can be a lengthy process because it involves many factors. One of those factors is the time it takes to get a mortgage. Find out how long it takes to get a mortgage in our latest blog post.
So, you’ve got a property to rent in Chelsfield, Orpington or the surrounding areas. You’ve invested your savings, or you have perhaps inherited a house, and now you want to rent it out. Of course, you want to attract and choose the right tenants – those who will look after it, pay the rent, and cause you little to worry about. But how do you find the right tenants?
Has Your Property Been Under or Overvalued? Find out, in our latest blog post, How to Ensure Your Estate Agent has got the Asking Price Right.
What are local authority searches and how long do they take? Our latest blog post explains everything you need to know!
Click here to read the latest trends in the UK's housing market, with a detailed focus on the BR6 Post Code Areas.
Exchanging contracts on your property in Orpington, Chelsfield and the surrounding villages is a significant milestone in the homebuying process, and along with completion, it’s the most exciting event for new homeowners. Find out how long it takes to exchange contracts here.
Ensuring your items reach your new property, on time, and in perfect condition, is imperative. So, guaranteeing a straightforward move starts with making sure you choose the right sized van for the job! Find out what size van you need to move house in our latest blog post here.
Should I paint my home before selling? Get the answer to this in our latest blog post.
Running costs and broadband present the biggest gap between tenants and landlords in terms of what they view as important when a property is marketed to rent...
Yesterday marked the opening of outside dining and drinking in England, with the potential to create a European-style café culture...
Click here to read the latest trends in the UK's housing market, with a detailed focus on the BR6 Post Code Areas.
When selling your home you want to do everything to make it look appealing! Here are our 3 tips for staging your home on a budget .
Considering renting out your home in Orpington or Sevenoaks but not quite sure where to get started? You’re in the right place.
Landlords must now comply with the new regulations. They must have “the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every five years”. A copy of the electrical safety report must be provided to tenants, and also to a local authority (like the council) if requested. Basically, electrical testing has got to be done by professionals with the correct knowledge and skill.
Did you know that many first time buyers are struggling to get mortgage deals right now as lenders become more risk-averse and house prices boom? This, coupled with financial hardship for some first-time buyers means that your property could potentially work better for you as an investment, so why not consider renting out your property rather than selling it right now?
Are you planning on giving your home a makeover this year? Maybe it’s time to ditch that tired old rug and sofa you’ve been hanging on to for years and drag your home into a brand new year and we've got just the inspo for you!
An estimated 1,041,610 residential sales completed in 2020. In spring the housing market paused for several weeks and despite this, sales were only down -11% on 2019
In this article we look at some of the stories that have been of interest to us in the property industry during January 2021.
Photographs are an essential step when selling your home and are integral to an effective marketing strategy. They need to look fantastic and stand out in a busy market, giving an accurate and honest representation of the property. Here are some simple steps you can take to prepare your home in the best possible way before we send our professional photographers out to capture your home at its best!
If you are renovating a property in Chelsfield or the surrounding towns and villages before putting it on the market for sale, you need to be aware of the impact of the Party Wall Act and the implications for you if you don’t follow the rules. Confused? Our latest blog post explains all.
Research undertaken by Dataloft and Rightmove shows that homes listed as having a coveted sea view command a premium of 31% across Great Britain....
Selling a property can be a very confusing and lengthy process but having a good solicitor or conveyancer will help it to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Here is an easy step by step guide to the whole conveyancing process...
Mortgage approvals have all but recovered following the forced closure of the housing market in spring 2020...
Click here to read the latest trends in the UK's housing market, with a detailed focus on the BR6 Post Code Areas.
What will the New Year bring? Dataloft consensus house price forecast, based on the average from five leading commentators, expects 0.9% growth 2021.
Click here to see our opening hours over the festive break - we would like to wish all of our clients old and new a very Merry Christmas! Our regular opening hours will resume from 4 January 2021. Whilst our office is closed at times over the festive break our voicemail and emails will be monitored so if you are a client of ours and need to speak to somebody urgently, please leave us a message and we will come back to you as soon as possible.
Love it or hate it, winter is here, and our thoughts start to turn to the festivities and then the weeks beyond. It’s fair to say that winter can be a quieter time for house sales, but winter can also be an excellent time for you to sell your property. Some people will take the opportunity of the dark evenings indoors to look around online at what’s for sale in their chosen area. And if they’re looking now, what a great time to sell your home. To make the most of those winter buyers, here, we at Langford Rae Property Agents look at nine tips to boost your chances of selling your home in Chelsfield this winter.
So, you think you need to change the estate agent who is selling your property? You may well be right, but take time to think carefully about why you want to change and make sure it’s for the right reasons. We welcome the opportunity to help local people sell their properties and will guide you through the switch.
As you know, here at Langford Rae Property Agents we keep up to date with the property market in general, so here’s a handy roundup of the highlights of the housing market over the past few weeks.
According to Rightmove, comparing data between October 2020 and October 2019...
It’s important, but not everyone thinks of winterproofing. It can save you money, and it can ensure that your house is ready for the harshest of weathers. Here are our top five tips when it comes to winterproofing your home in Chelsfield.
On Thursday, November 5th we entered 27 days of lockdown until Wednesday December 2nd. The good news is that the property market has remained open for buyers and sellers in Chelsfield.
Click here to read the latest trends in the UK's housing market, with a detailed focus on the BR6 Post Code Areas.
Nationwide October House Price index reported an astonishing 5.8% annual house price growth, the highest rise since January 2015. Mortgage approvals were at their highest since September 2007, with 91,454 in the month.
You’re trying to sell your property in Chelsfield and move on, so of course you want people to like your house and put an offer in. This will help you move forward more quickly and that’s what you want, particularly if you have seen a new house you want to be in for the next chapter of your life. So, what can you do?
What Estate Agents think of the current Housing Market...
It is no surprise that homes that are priced ‘right’ sell more quickly. Such homes currently sell 26 days quicker than homes that have experienced a price reduction, according to new research by Rightmove. Correctly priced properties are nearly twice as likely to be Sold Subject to Contract within four months of listing than those that have had their asking price reduced, 63% and 32% respectively.
Click here to read the latest trends in the UK's housing market, with a detailed focus on the BR6 Post Code Areas.
Looking to buy your own place in Chelsfield and move out of rented accommodation? What a great thing to be doing, to get on the property ladder is a wonderful sense of achievement and a milestone to be proud of. The team at Langford Rae Property Agents are always available to offer advice so please don’t hesitate to call us on 01689862770 or email us at chelsfield@langford-rae.co.uk. We will be delighted to offer our words of wisdom on all things property.
It’s fair to say that COVID 19 still dominates all the headlines, and not just the property ones. It’s clear that whatever is happening on the politics and economics side of things will continue to have an impact one way or another on the housing market. What is certain though is that the property sector is interesting and always presents opportunities!
The number of days between first marketing a home to receiving an offer is on average, since lockdown was lifted, 27 days. This is -31% lower than the same time period in 2019. ...
NAEA Propertymark, the UK’s leading professional body for estate agency personnel, recommend placing your property on the market by 26th September to realistically sell it in time for 31st March 2021. If you're selling a property in Chelsfield, Orpington, Sevenoaks or the surrounding villages, please get in contact with us today and we will guide you through the stages of marketing your property and finding you a buyer.
First-time buyer property prices have risen from £142,473 in 2010 to £241,025 today...
This week marks the return to school for many children. School catchments play a huge role for many home buyers when house hunting and recent statistics show that living close to a top school can cost an additional £25,000. For more information, click here.
There are a host of steps to take before you reach that cathartic stage of packing everything up and moving into your new home in Chelsfield. Even before you start the thrill of house hunting, finding your dream home and making an offer, you will need to deal with the logistics, and the first logistic is saving up for your mortgage.
Click here to read the latest trends in the UK's housing market, with a detailed focus on the BR6 Post Code Areas.
Finding the house of your dreams in Chelsfield is exciting and your next step is to secure the property as soon as possible. But buying a new home can be a complex process, particularly when it comes to understanding the conveyancing procedure. Here at Langford Rae Property Agents we always endeavour to ensure your sale and purchase runs smoothly, with no surprises along the way. So, with this in mind, we have created a no-jargon guide to the conveyancing process to help you.
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and often it’s the room where you spend the most time. Whether you like to cook regularly for your family or entertain friends, having a kitchen you want to spend your time in is so important. If you’re looking to renovate your current kitchen and transform it into the kitchen of your dreams, then there are plenty of elements to consider. It can be overwhelming looking at all the different options and considering all the choices you have to make while staying within your budget, but with these tips, it’s totally possible to get the kitchen you feel is absolutely perfect.
When it comes to your home space, there will no doubt be times when you wish there was a bit more of it. If things are feeling a bit cramped, then you may be tempted to take a page out of Marie Kondo’s book and start throwing things out. However, there are ways to use your living space that allow you to keep your personal things while still making the most of the space you have. Here are a few things to try in your home.
The housing market recovery continues. 70,710 transactions completed in July, 14.5% up on June. Numbers are still down on last year but the surge in new ‘sales agreed' will boost completions over the next few months.
Once you have decided to move home and you have finalised your exact moving date, it is now time to get organised. However much you think you have to do; you should expect that amount to be doubled or even tripled by the time you get to the big day itself! From decluttering your home, to creating a full inventory list, to sourcing enough cardboard boxes to build your very own Great Wall of China, there is a lot to do before you can close the doors on your old home for the last time. Not to mention, the task of finding and booking a reliable and reputable removal company who you can trust to transport all your treasured possessions to your new home. With this all important task, it is a case of the earlier the better with many aspects of your removal process being affected if you book too late. If you are worried about any aspect of booking a removal company, keep reading as we have all your concerns covered and your questions answered.
Buying a property in Chelsfield is likely to be one of the biggest investments you will ever make, therefore, spending a little more and instructing a Homebuyer Survey on the property you are looking to buy can help protect you from a bad investment and can even give you greater negotiating power.
Becoming a landlord for the first time is an exciting prospect, with not only the opportunity to bring in some additional income but also the chance to expand your portfolio further and perhaps even start up your own property business. However, it can be tricky to know where to start once you have invested in your first property and you don’t want to be making too many costly mistakes. Fortunately, you can avoid the most common landlord pitfalls by simply following our seven essential tips for new landlords.
During lockdown internet users spent 18% more time on the internet. The importance of broadband speed to homemovers has increased and can be an important factor when choosing the next home.
If you’re enjoying the glorious summer weather we’re having and want to take your garden up a notch with a perfectly pruned oasis that takes minimal effort and is easy on the environment, then read on.
Friday marked the hottest day in August for 17 years. The weather isn't the only thing to be hotting up. House price indices report annual growth across the board.
Click here to read the latest trends in the UK's housing market, with a detailed focus on the BR6 Post Code Areas.
If you’re considering becoming a landlord, there are many elements to consider and understand before you purchase a property. The process of buying a buy-to-let property differs compared to buying a residential property that you will live in yourself, so it’s good to know what exactly to expect. Of course, it’s a long-term investment that shouldn’t be made in haste, so if you’re reading this, you are probably looking for the right kind of information.
While owning a new home is exciting, the process of moving itself isn’t something that most people look forward to. And as most people will move multiple times throughout their life, the Langford Rae Property Agents team are here to arm you with the most useful tips you’ll need to organise yourself ahead of your next moving day.
CHESLFIELD LETTING AGENT ACHIEVES PROPERTY QUALIFICATION OF EXCELLENCE
Moving home, and especially relocating to a new town or city, represents one of the biggest changes you may make in your life and so naturally brings a great deal of stress along with it. This in turn can lead to a double whammy, as stress can often lead to a lack of energy and motivation. So how are you expected to plan and prepare for your home move during one of the most stressful periods in your life?
If you’ve seriously started considering buying your first property, you should also be considering how you can afford it, so here are the best six budget planning tips for first-time buyers from Langford Rae Property Agents.
Keen to sell your home in Chelsfield as quickly as possible? Worried that your Chelsfield property is still on the market? Although finding the right estate agent is a crucial part of getting your property sold, there are a few things you can do yourselves to help move the process along. Try these tips and it won’t be long before you have a few good offers pouring in and you can enjoy the search for your next new home!
There has been much excitement here at Langford Rae Property Agents following the Chancellor’s announcement that stamp duty has been abolished for properties under £500,000 in England and Northern Ireland. This is excellent news for the property market in Orpington, Chelsfield and surrounding viallages, so we wanted to update you on everything you need to know if you are thinking of purchasing a property.
Knowing the difference between a freehold and a leasehold is also important as it can impact which properties you will be looking at as a whole. Knowing if you’re happy to look at leasehold properties or if you only want to view freehold properties can streamline your hunt for a new home immensely.
The team at Langford Rae Property Agents in Chelsfield would like to thank you all for submitting your wonderful entries into our Spring Snap Shot competition. We invited people to take a photograph of 'spring' during the lockdown period either at their homes or when out excersing and we were overwhelmed by all the amazing photographs that you have all been taking.
The team at LangfordRae Property Agents are delighted to announce that Jill Bennet has achieved the Propertymark Level 3 Award in Residential Letting and Property Management.
The team at LangfordRae Property Agents in Chelsfield would like to thank everybody who has submitted an entry into our Spring Snapshot Competition so far. Here are a few more of our favourites that were received last week. There is still plenty of time to enter our competition.
The team at LangfordRae Property Agents in Chelsfield would like to thank everybody who has submitted an entry into our Spring Snapshot Competition so far. Here are a few more of our favourites that have come over the past few days. There is still plenty of time to enter our competition.
The team at LangfordRae Property Agents in Chelsfield would like to thank everybody who has submitted an entry into our Spring Snapshot Competition so far. Here are a few of our favourites that have come in over the weekend. There is still plenty of time to enter our competition. Further details can be found below.
To celebrate the beauty, colour and life of springtime within our community, we are inviting local residents to enter our ‘Spring Snapshot’ competition. To enter, you need to take a photograph using your mobile or tablet, showing an element of spring within your local area. You could take this photograph of the wildlife or trees in your garden, or perhaps of the woodland or birds when out exercising.
At LangfordRae Property Agents we want to ensure that we are keeping in touch with our Vendors and Purchasers throughout this lock-down period. Whilst our office may be closed, we are all working remotely with access to our emails, telephone lines and software.
For the chance to win a £50.00 National Book Tokens gift card, enter our competition today and celebrate International Children's Book Day - a day which has been celebrated since 1967 to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books.
With many people locked indoors and turning their hands to DIY, the team at LangfordRae Property Agents in Chelsfield would like to promote some decorating tips and mistakes to avoid, courtesy of Dulux.
Learn how to make tortillas so you can enjoy fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas and more – it's quick and easy with this article from Realhomes.com
If you’re considering selling your home in Chelsfield or the surrounding areas anytime soon, it’s time to start thinking about your property through the eyes of potential buyers. As property experts, here at Langford Rae Property Agents we know all too well the common mistakes you may make that can reduce the value of your home. But we also know how to remedy them.
Given the current level of concern, we want to reassure all our clients that we have taken and will continue to take the appropriate and necessary steps to ensure our levels of service and quality are maintained, without risk to staff and clients and without loss of service whilst adhering to recommendations.
Regardless of where your property is located, increasing the value of your home is a smart way to go further with your investment.
If you are considering putting your house in Orpington and surrounding areas on the market, talk to us for the best possible advice.
Recommend a Vendor to us and we'll give you £50 of Bluewater vouchers*
Another fantastic review received from happy clients - "Nikki is simply the best!"
To celebrate Pancake Day, LangfordRae Property Agents recommend this vegan fluffy American pancake recipe with fresh berries, maple syrup or chocolate sauce.
"The service provided by Langford Rae was absolutely amazing...
Langford Rae were extremely helpful, professional and attentive throughout the sale of our property making it a stress free process. We would definitely recommend Neil and his team.
Recommend a landlord to us and we'll give you £50 of Bluewater vouchers*
I was a new landlord 4 years ago and have appreciated the support and reassurance the team at Langford Rae have provided along the way. They have always been helpful - and patient!
Rightmove, the UK’s largest online property portal has recently recorded a 2.3% surge in the price of property coming to market. This is the largest monthly rise they have recorded at this time of year, since they started their House Price Index in 2002.
Rightmove has ranked us as the number 1 agent for agreed ‘Lets’ in BR1, BR2, BR5, BR6, BR7, BR8, DA4, DA14, DA15, TN8, TN14 and TN16 post codes.
To make sure you get your cards and presents to your loved ones on time this year, Langford Rae Property Agents in Chelsfield have put together a list of the last Christmas post and order dates for Royal Mail and Amazon.
Are you buying a gift for a cyclist fan and wanting to avoid the stereotypical Christmas gifts this year? Have a look at the gift guide prepared by Langford Rae Property Agents.
The team at Langford Rae Property Agents in Chelsfield would like to wish all of our customers a very merry christmas and recommend that you take 10 minutes out of your evening to enjoy this boozy indulgent hot chocolate during the festive season. The following recipe serves two people.
Here at Langford Rae Property Agents, we can guide you to the right places to identify property values and yields in the TN14 post code area and other useful property related information so you can make sure you get all the information you need about your future investments.� Here are just a few property facts about the TN14 area....
The team at Langford Rae Property Agents would like to wish all our clients and local residents a very merry christmas and a prosperous 2020...
The best advice I can give to those looking to invest in property is our secret trick of the trade. You can judge the affordability of a town by simply finding the ratio of the average property price to the average salary. The lower the ratio, the more affordable property is.
Here at Langford Rae Property Agents, we can guide you to the right places to identify property values and yields in the BR6 post code area and other useful property related information so you can make sure you get all the information you need about your future investments. Here are just a few property facts about the BR6 area....
A landlord who has invested in rental properties throughout the Bromley Borough recently asked me about the property market in her home village of Chelsfield and in particular Chelsfield Park, where she lives.
The team at Langford Rae Property Agents would like to wish our clients of Orpington, Locksbottom, Farnborough, Green Street Green, Chelsfield, Downe, Pratt's Bottom, Well Hill and residents of further afield a safe and enjoyable Guy Fawkes Night.
The team at Langford Rae Property Agents would like to wish our clients of Orpington, Locksbottom, Farnborough, Green Street Green, Chelsfield, Downe, Pratt's Bottom, Well Hill and residents of further afield a happy halloween.
Thank you for helping us fulfill our dreams. It was quite a smooth operation, thanks for your expertise.
Thank you so much for sponsoring our school's Christmas Market. We all had such an amazing time and we raised an incredible £4,251!
The team at LangfordRae Property Agents would like to thank the PTA team for inviting us to support the Farnborough Primary School Christmas Fayre this year.
"Alan and I are so grateful to you for all your help and advice with the sale of our house. Very best wishes for the future."
We would like to thank you and the whole team at Langford Rae for their professionalism in dealing with the sale of [our property]...
A big thank you to all those who came in from the cold and joined us for a mulled wine and a mince pie (or two). Congratulations to the winner of our Fortnum & Mason Vintner Hamper...
A huge congratulations goes to all the talented artists at The Highway Primary School for their entries into our FESTIVE ART COMPETITION. We are pleased to announce that the winner is...
Thank you so much for all the help and support you've given us with the purchase of our new home.
Join us on Wednesday 7th December for mince pies and mulled wine - plus you could win a fabulous Fortnum & Mason 12-bottle Vintner’s hamper!
A 'Thank you' to everybody who came to our 30-year anniversary gathering... plus news of a follow-up with fabulous prize draw in the run-up to Christmas!
We're celebrating 30 years in business on 10th September at our Chelsfield office - come and join us for drinks and cake!
We reflect on the past thirty years in business... and look forward to the next!
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