Details: Published: 09 May 2022; Hits: 1985

Selling your home can be an overwhelming and intimidating task, and it’s no secret that the past few years haven’t done us any favours in terms of simplicity. Your local Bristol estate agents are here to help make your selling process as smooth as possible.

Sometimes just figuring out where to start can be the most difficult part of the process. The good news is that selling your home doesn’t have to be as hard as you think it will be. If you are looking for some tips and tricks for selling in the current market you have come to the right place.

1. Work with the right Bristol estate agent

When it comes to house sales, working with an estate agent is a no brainer to most, but a surprising amount of people really don’t realise just how crucial it is. When you are working with a Bristol estate agent there are certain details that could easily be otherwise overlooked.

A good estate agent can help you determine an appropriate market listing price and inform you of any changes that you can make in order to bump up that value before putting the final price tag on. Estate agents know the ins and outs of the market and their entire purpose is to give you the guidance you need in order to make informed decisions and get your money’s worth.

2. Landscaping is key

When looking to sell your home, any reputable Bristol estate agent will tell you that landscaping is a very important aspect that can have a huge impact on the value of your home if you don’t give it the attention it needs. The first impression is the one that will decide whether or not a potential buyer comes to look at your home or passes by the listing and moves onto the next.

The landscape is a big part of your first impression, so, of course, it is something to spend a little time on. If you were in the market for a new home, let’s be honest, you would sooner be drawn to a property with a nice, cared for outer appearance than one that looks as if nobody has paid attention to it in years. Simply planting some flowers and trimming some bushes could give your home’s value an extra little boost.

3. Simple improvements

When it comes to Bristol house sales, a lot of people want to just get their property listed and out of their hands as quickly and easily as possible, but what if there were ways to bump up the value of your home without having to put crazy amounts of money and time into repairs first?

Many people looking to buy a home can look at a room and see the potential, but there are others who much prefer to see a room and not have to imagine the finished outcome. Sometimes all it takes is some fresh new flooring or a nice coat of paint to change the entire appearance of your home’s interior.

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when selling your home and your local Bristol estate agents just want to make the process as painless as possible for you. If you are in the market or looking to sell, reach out to us and let us point you in the right direction.

Details: Published: 02 May 2022; Hits: 2074

The housing market in the UK has seen an incredibly unique set of challenges and changes in the last 18 months, but throughout the turbulence Bristol house sales have been on the rise since the end of 2021 and well into the early months of 2022.

There is a large demand to buy compared to the number of houses for sale through the country, let alone Bristol house sales.

So what does it mean for you to sell your Bristol property in this seller’s market? Here at Burnt and Fussell, your trustworthy and reputable Bristol estate agents, we’ve put together a list on how to proceed with the sale of your Bristol home.

1. Don’t wait. Sell now.

It’s a seller’s market, and now is your chance to make a hefty profit on your property. If you risk waiting past spring and into summer, you risk a flooded market and your home being on the bottom of the totem pole.

Instead, with the help of a reputable Bristol estate agent, a valuation, your home ready, and on the market to sell now.

2. It’s all about how it looks.

You want to dress well for a new job interview, so why wouldn’t your house dress well for their big interviews?

Having the right photos of your home is one of the most important parts of selling your property. Consider having a professional photographer take photos of your home, and if you have the budget maybe having someone stage your property ahead of the photos.

While photos are important, using the right ones during the right times are also important. If you’ve got a lovely garden or large conservatory, showcase these images during the warmer months as people can envision themselves there. If it’s chillier, consider sharing your cosy loft or fireplace to inspire some warmth.

If your property has been on the market for a while, or you’re just now selling your home, ask your Bristol estate agent how jazzing up your photos can transform your Bristol house sale.

3. Don’t leave it up to the buyer’s imagination

Some people really struggle to imagine what a house will look like with a fresh lick of paint, a new sofa, or just simply how it looks lived in.

We mentioned styling your home above for photos, but also make sure your home looks the part of, well, a home when buyers come around for viewings. If your home is unfurnished, consider dressing up some rooms like the lounge or bedroom so buyers don’t have to imagine what your home looks lived in. This also allows buyers to gauge the size of rooms, their own style inspiration, and how their furniture can fit in these rooms.

4. Get the right valuation

There is nothing more catastrophic for a house sale, then coming in way under value or way over value when you enter the selling market.

It’s crucial to have an experienced and trustworthy Bristol estate agent who knows the market, value your property. If you’re considering selling your Bristol home, then you need to ensure you’ve gotten a thorough valuation.

Details: Published: 01 April 2022; Hits: 2089

bristol letting agency, Lettings Agent in Bristol

Changes Coming to the Private Rental Sector in Spring 2022

There are some massive changes coming to the private rental sector on April 1, 2022.

In our latest blog, we’re mapping out the three key changes to the lettings industry - energy price cap increase, Levelling Up White Paper, and the two changes to right to rent checks.

If you’re a landlord and unfamiliar with some of the changes we’ve just mentioned, keep reading to ensure you’re up-to-date on everything.

Energy Price Cap Increase

One of the biggest changes for all households, not just those letting properties, is the energy price cap increase. On 1 April 2022, the energy price cap will rise by a whopping 54%. This increase is going to affect 75% of British households by increasing the average household annual energy bill by £693, totally nearly £1,971 in the coming weeks.

And in just October 2021, energy price cap increased by 12%.

This latest increase is estimated to push many households over the fuel-poverty threshold with 10% of the poorest families seeing 6% of their income going to energy bills. Households on prepayment metres will see a larger increase of £1,309 to £2,017 per year, a £708 yearly increase in energy costs.

However, the government revealed plans to support households with this hefty change. Some households can receive up to £350 to reduce the rising cost of living along with £200 off energy bills of domestic electricity customers starting from October. For 80% of households, the government has also enacted a £150 Council Tax rebate starting in April 2022. And in October of 2022, they will offer a£200 upfront discount off bills. However, this discount will have to be repaid by customers through energy bills over the following five years.

If you have any questions or concerns about how the increase to the energy price cap might affect you or your tenants, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Right to Rent Announcements

In February the government made two announcements about the right to rent. Firstly, how you check the right to rent and secondly, the temporary extension to adjusted the right to rent checks.

Right to Rent Checks with IDSPs

Starting on 6 April 2022, lettings legislation will allow letting agents and landlords to use certified Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) to digitally check the identity and eligibility of British and Irish citizens to rent a property in England.

IDSPs can verify people remotely and prove eligibility over right to rent (and work), which will reduce time, cost, and energy both in the lettings process and the recruitment process.

This means, as a landlord, you won’t need to spend as much time on the right to rent checks, because you won’t need to examine documents if they use an IDSP. However, you’re still responsible to ensure the check to places and will need to ensure you’re using a certified provider.

It’s also worth mentioning that all biometric card holders will be required to use the Home Office online service to provide their right to rent. This also starts on the 6th of April.

If you are not sure how to access a certified provider for IDSPs, let us know, and we’ll be happy to support you.

Temporary Extension Adjusted Right to Rent Checks

The second change to the right to rent checks is that the government deferred the end date for the temporary adjusted right to rent checks. It will now end 20 September 2022.

If you’re unfamiliar with the adjusted right to rent checks, this was implemented at the beginning of the pandemic so that letting agents and landlords didn’t have to perform the right to rent checks in person. Right to rent checks could be over video calls or sending documents via email or WhatsApp rather than demonstrating the documents in person.

If you’re unsure about how to perform right to rent checks via email or whatsapp, we’ll gladly assist you to ensure you’re above board.

Renters' reforms announced in Levelling Up White Paper

The government released their Levelling Up White Paper. And it confirmed that a large number of reforms for the private rented sector in England are on the horizon, with further detail to be announced this spring.

The Levelling Up White Paper mapped out several proposals that are under consideration.

Most importantly are

the abolishment of Section 21,
a new minimum standards for rental homes, including ways to address homes with poor energy efficiency,
the introduction of a national landlord register,
and providing tenants with a ‘strong right to redress’.

To make these reforms a reality, the government has said that it will consult on the impact of the private rented market, particularly for those on the lowest incomes.

We will keep you updated as more information on the proposals comes to light.

Details: Published: 31 January 2022; Hits: 2454

Boosting your EPC rating with grants for landlords from the Autumn Budget

As a Bristol landlord, you’re required to stay on top of a lot of regulation changes. And one of the most essential regulation changes is ensuring your Energy Performance Rating is compliant.

More than likely, you already know that since April 2020, if your property has an EPC rating of an F or G, it is illegal for you to let your property unless you have an exemption.

And you also probably know that in 2025, the minimum rating will be increased to C for all new tenants and until 2028 for existing tenancies.

Currently, around 3 million properties in the UK have an EPC rating of D or below. Our team at Brunt and Fussell, a letting agency in Bristol, highly recommend ensuring your EPC rating is compliant for all Bristol landlords, and if not, 2022 is the year to do it.

How to boost your EPC rating?

Some ways you can boost your EPC rating are:

Top up loft insulation
Add cavity wall insulation
Install double glazing
Use renewable energy
Install energy-efficient lighting

But one of the best and easiest ways to increase your rating is to replace gas boilers with heat pumps.

Why swap your rental property gas boiler for a heat pump?

Most rental properties still have gas central heating systems, and the government aims to replace them with heat pumps.

And it’s what the government is pushing landlords to do to achieve their zero net carbon emissions goals by 2025 and make homes warmer and more affordable to heat.

In fact, after 2035, it will no longer be possible to even buy a gas boiler.

Grants for landlords to replace gas boilers and heat pumps

After a frustrating two years during the pandemic for landlords, it’s hard to imagine how you will be able to afford a new heat pump, especially in multiple properties. Heat pumps can cost between £8,000 - £18,000, depending on the size required for the property.

And landlords will massively benefit from funding to support the government’s plans for net-zero carbon emission, especially if it comes out of their own pockets.

And, luckily, the government allocated money for landlords to achieve this goal.

The government announced its Heating and Buildings strategy as part of the Autumn Budget. Starting in April 2022,there will be grants for landlords up to £5,000 to assist them n replacing gas boilers with heat pumps.