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Top End Market Uptick In January

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market uptick 3

Residential property sales saw a notable uptick in January at McCarthy Holden, with contracts being exchanged and new sales being agreed.

Luke Parkes runs the country house department from our Hartley Wintney branch and in the last week some examples of the top end market activity included another property sale exchange on The Ridges, Finchampstead at circa £1.9m., and a new sale agreed on a £5.250m. property in Finchampstead on the Berkshire / Hampshire borders. The video below shows these specific properties.

In addition, yet another insight into market activity in the higher end sector was witnessed when he put the property below live to the open market on Friday last week, only to receive and offer on the every first viewing.

McCarthy Holden Property Image

Right now Luke Parkes is encouraging anyone thinking of selling in the £1.5m. to £5.0m. sector to contact him and discuss the possibility of coming to the market early this year to take advantage of the buyer interest currently in place. For further information telephone 01252 842100 or email [email protected]

Luke McCarthy Holden estate agents May 2021
Contact Luke Parkes for country & equestrian property

2024 – Will A Labour Government Be Good for The House Market?

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2024 image for news item

There are two events that are likely to happen by the end of 2024 and both could have a profound impact on the house market.

The first is the likelihood of interest rates starting to tumble during the second half of 2024, which in itself will have a positive impact on stability in the UK residential house market, perhaps even resulting in some recovery in house prices.

The second is the likelihood of a Labour party being in Government and the impact on the house market is not as obvious, unless you have prior experience or the ability to navigate some research.

So, to help our readers, here are some thoughts.

Sold board McCarthy Holden

Our most experienced senior director has  personal experience of around 50 years in estate agency, and  believes that in the short to medium term a Labour Government is likely to give a boost to the UK residential property market as it has done in years past. This may come as a surprise to market watchers as the Conservative party has traditionally styled itself as the “party of homeownership”

But you don’t need to take our opinion, because real house price growth in the last five decades has risen the most under Labour governments, while four out of the five governments that presided over falling house prices were Conservative, according to a recent report by the buying agency Middleton Advisors’

Analysis also shows that the Labour prime minister Tony Blair oversaw the period of greatest growth in the housing market, with prices increasing by 9 per cent per year on average during his Leadership. Between June 2001 and May 2005, when Blair was prime minister, house prices increased by almost £48 a day. Under John Major’s Conservative government, which started during a global recession in 1990, house prices increased by just £3 a day.

Let’s be clear, in the past Labour was lucky enough to preside over more periods of economic prosperity than the Conservatives and it was not their policies that was impacting the strength in the house market. Indeed it wasn’t that long ago that there was panic in some quarters about Labour housing policies and especially the prospect of a Jeremy Corbyn led Government, with his hard left interference with the property / land market (Land For The Many Paper) which no doubt cost Labour the last General Election.

The Labour party has recently released date showing that two thirds of children born in 2023 won’t own a home before their fifties – and has said that it’s aiming for 70% home ownership. To reach this target, it proposes introducing a mortgage guarantee scheme and increasing the stamp duty surcharge for foreign investors. We’ll see.

But moving away from policies, the reality is that the main influence of a healthy property market is a stable and sound economy and, with the likelihood of Labour being in power some time next year, combined with the historic antidotes of inheriting a good economy, then on balance a Labour Government will be good for improving the house market.

So what should a house buyer do with this potential scenario? The answer is simple, try to make your house buying decision in the first half of 2024, whether you are a first time buyer or seasoned house mover. Start your 2024 house search.

House Buyers And Sellers Beware Of Scams!

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When Your Deposit Or Completion Monies Could Be At Risk!

With cybercrime increasing the need to be vigilant is becoming  more and more important, especially when it come to purchasers and vendors being asked to transfer substantial funds to their solicitors at crucial points in the house sale process, such as at exchange or completion.

In 2023 McCarthy Holden have observed some attempts  by cybercriminals to defraud people of deposit or completion money, so we felt it was worth flagging up this potential risk to our readers. Fortunately none of the attempts which we became aware of to steal money were successful because of good security systems, but the fact criminals are trying this suggests they could one day be successful.

To bring the subject alive, think for a moment about a house buyer being asked by email from their solicitor to transfer say £100,000. On the surface a perfectly reasonable and indeed expected event as part of the house purchasing process at exchange of contracts for example. 

Now think how easy it is for cybercriminals to imitate your solicitors email if your home computer has been hacked for example. The criminal’s email could so easily look genuine, using your solicitors name and contact information and the solicitors company logo, and of course details of a bank account to transfer your money into. 

It could be very difficult to spot the signs of a fraud, so we recommend that if you are buying or selling property that  when your solicitor asks for the transfer of exchange or completion monies, you phone your solicitor and speak to them direct to check not only if the request is genuine, but also a double check on the solicitors bank account details.

These 4 big tax mistakes could be draining your finances – here’s how to avoid them

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Tax editorial McCarthy Holden

Knowing which tax pitfalls to avoid can be a big help when it comes to being smart with your money.

Here, Shona Lowe, a financial planning expert at abrdn, highlights the common mistakes people risk making when it comes to tax, and shares her top tips on how to avoid them:

Tax editorial McCarthy Holden
Shona Lowe

1. Not making the most of pension perks

“One way to potentially manage the amount of tax you pay on income is by saving some into your pension instead,” Lowe explains.

“This can reduce the amount you earn for income tax purposes and, on top of this, the Government will usually add money to what you save into your pension in the form of tax relief – effectively giving your retirement savings a boost.”

2. Leaving too much inheritance to the taxman

Giving gifts in your lifetime can help reduce the value of an estate and the potential inheritance tax bill.

But Lowe cautions: “One thing many people assume is that if they make a gift, that amount given away will always reduce the value of their estate straight away.

“Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, with some gifts taking seven years for the value to fully leave your estate for tax purposes. It all depends on the amount you gift, and who to. Because there are lots of different types of gifts, each coming with different rules, good record-keeping is really important.”

Lowe also suggests making sure you have an up-to-date will and power of attorney in place and that you tell your pension provider who you’d like any pension savings to pass to when you die.

3. Not managing capital gains tax

Capital gains tax (CGT) is charged when you sell, swap or give something away that has increased in value while you owned it. It can apply to investments.

Lowe says: “An option to help manage tax here is to hold your investments within a tax-efficient wrapper such as a stocks and shares ISA or pension so that the value can grow without attracting CGT. Or you might be able to spread your gain over a number of tax years. Specialist advice will often be vital here.”

4. Not making the most of your ISA allowance

Money saved into ISAs is ringfenced from the taxman and people can save up to £20,000 in ISA products in any tax year.

Lowe says: “Whether it be a cash ISA for an emergency fund, a stocks and shares ISA for longer-term goals or a Lifetime ISA which could help you save for your first home, there are various options to choose from.

“Also, if you want to save for your children or grandchildren, they get their own Junior ISA allowance of £9,000.”

Tax editorial McCarthy Holden

April Property & Lifestyle Magazine Out Now

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APRIL MAGAZINE NEWS ITEM MCCARTHY HOLDEN ESTATE AGENCY

Spring House Moving Activity On The Up!

In our March magazine we said that many home owners decided to tap into the early new year buyer demand, resulting in new properties coming to the market at a good level.

So, levels of supply have recovered and buyers and sellers are not miles apart on where they see pricing and this means house sales are being agreed at an increasing rate.

In this magazine edition we are pleased to show a selection of some of the new to the market properties so we hope you will enjoy exploring the pages which showcase some of the finest properties available on the open market.

You can see the full 68 page magazine by clicking this link or the image below.

APRIL MAGAZINE NEWS ITEM MCCARTHY HOLDEN ESTATE AGENCY

2023 First Quarter Property Trading

As indicated earlier, levels of supply have recovered and house sales are being agreed at an increasing rate. This is supported by the fact that our first quarters trading results show a 6.75 increase on the house sales front and a 7% on the house lettings front when contrasted to the same period last year.

The resilience in the residential house market continues. House prices have levelled off, but because the market is more balanced with buyers and sellers more aligned on where they see pricing, then house sales productivity is actually up on the previous year in our area of operation on the Hampshire/Surrey/Berkshire borders.

Editorial Features & Property For Sale

We hope you will enjoy reading some of the editorial features we have pulled together for our readers, including recipes from cookery writer Kim-Joy, an interview with Alex Jones, some interesting insight keeping chickens and Su Scott’s thoughts and recipes on Korean cuisine.

For the super car enthusiast there is a first drive review of Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica by motoring correspondent Jack Evans.

A few samples of our property and editorial content is shown below – just click on an image to read the article / see the property details.

PROPERTY REFURBISHMENT PROJECT FOR SALE NEWS ITEM MCCARTHY HOLDEN ESTATE AGENCY
ALEX JONES NEWS ITEM MCCARTHY HOLDEN ESTATE AGENCY
KIM JOY GINGER SNAPS RECIPIE NEWS ITEM MCCARTHY HOLDEN ESTATE AGENCY
EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY NEWS ITEM MCCARTHY HOLDEN ESTATE AGENCY

5 ways parents can motivate their children to save money

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Empower your kids to be financially savvy with these simple money-making tips. By Vicky Shaw

Enabling children to earn money is one way that parents can help them feel more empowered and independent.

With some support and guidance, the ability to start saving can start at a young age, as kids are helped to test out their money-making skills.

Louise Hill, co-founder of GoHenry, the prepaid debit card and financial education app for young people aged six to 18, says: “Children don’t have to wait until they turn 18 to start earning money.

“With the right know-how, they can equip themselves with the skills to earn some cash outside of school, and develop core financial habits that will benefit them for life.

“Kids have a wonderful sense of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, which if harnessed at a young age, can have a profound outcome on work and later life.

“Earning money is a powerful exercise that teaches kids financial independence, prepares them for adulthood, and ultimately gives much more satisfaction rather than instant gratification.”

Here are Hill’s simple tips for parents to encourage their kids to set savings goals:

1. Could they earn from a hobby?

Hill says: “By encouraging kids to embrace hobbies such as crafting or art, they can sell their creative work and turn their passion projects into a way to make money on the side.”

2. Benefit from being an animal lover

“If your child is passionate about animals, then there are several ways they can make money,” says Hill. “From helping to clear out a rabbit hutch, to feeding a neighbour’s cat, or making pet treats, looking after furry friends is a great way for kids to make extra pocket money.”

3. Empower children to profit from their culinary skills

Hill suggests: “For youngsters who love cooking and baking, selling their goods to friends and family is an easy way to earn extra money.”

She adds: “Patient kids who enjoy being outside, growing and selling home-grown produce, such as fruit and herbs, is both a fun and fulfilling way for foodies to earn.”

4. Motivate them to clean up

“According to our research, children are earning up to £29 per month by carrying out tasks such as vacuuming, mopping and unloading the dishwasher,” says Hill.

5. Offer guidance for launching a venture

For older children, channelling their entrepreneurial spirit with jobs such as babysitting, through to selling clothes on online marketplaces, is an empowering way for them to learn how best to manage their money, Hill adds.

How inheritance is playing a part in getting people on the property ladder

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Some people are banking on inheritance to buy a home, or pay off their mortgage, according to Zoopla. By Vicky Shaw.

Coming into some inheritance can make all the difference when it comes to being able to achieve financial milestones, such as getting on the property ladder.

For Kirsty Hamilton, 27, inheritance left by her uncle helped her put down a 50% deposit on a flat.

The operations manager, from Paisley in Scotland, says: “Knowing I had the inheritance meant I didn’t have to worry about saving for my first home. It also allowed me to purchase a property in a nice area.

“We have recently refurbished the bathroom and it’s been nice to do this from a stable position.”

Kirsty also highlights how discussing family inheritance can be worthwhile.

“It is useful to know a ballpark figure of any inheritance you may gain,” she says. “This will help you to manage your life and plan for the future.”

High house prices and jumps in mortgage rates make getting on the property ladder an even tougher feat for some first-time buyers.

Comparing her situation to that of her parents, Kirsty says: “It is 100% harder now than it was for my mum and dad.

“They’ve spoken about how much less they had to make before being able to purchase a property, compared with young people today.”

Recent research from property website Zoopla, among 2,000 people whose parents own a property, found more than two-fifths (43%) are relying on inheritance. Despite this, only three in 10 (30%) people surveyed have asked their parents how much they are likely to inherit.

While some people told researchers they find it too awkward to discuss inheritance, others said they have checked how much their parents’ property is worth.

Zoopla has a calculator on its website, which can provide an indication of what your property inheritance might be worth.

Some of those surveyed said they had fallen out with family over discussions about inheritance, while others are concerned such talks could spark rifts in the future.

Picking the right moment may help, as could seeking financial advice.

Some people are already making plans for the expected inheritance they are yet to receive, the survey revealed.

Nearly six in 10 (58%) expect to be able to move house, upgrade their home, pay off some of their mortgage, or become mortgage-free.

Some people surveyed were renting until they inherit, while others had purchased their home on the basis that an inheritance would one day help them to pay off their mortgage.

Of course, not everyone is fortunate enough to have money passed onto them by older generations, either as wealth transferred after parents have died or while they are still alive.

Recent analysis from think-tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) indicated that the children of university-educated home-owning parents receive around six times more in wealth transfers during their 20s and early 30s than the children of renters.

These wealth transfers between generations often happen when people are buying their first home or getting married, the IFS said.

For those trying to get on the property ladder who do not have the benefit of money being passed down to them to help, Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla (zoopla.co.uk), suggests exploring what government schemes are available.

These may vary, depending on where in the UK you live.

He says: “There are several government-backed schemes – some of them not very well known – that can give first-time buyers a helping hand onto the property ladder.”

It may also be worth being open-minded on location and looking for “up-and-coming” places to buy a home.

Copley suggests: “Look for areas that have similar attributes or are adjacent to your preferred area – you might be surprised how much house prices change across relatively short distances.”

Lifetime ISAs can also give people saving for their first home a boost, adding a 25% government bonus onto savings, subject to certain terms and conditions.

People must be at least 18 and under 40 years old to open a Lifetime ISA.

First Drive: Volkswagen ID.Buzz√

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The ID. Buzz is probably one of the most exciting EVs of 2022, but what’s it like from behind the wheel? Jack Evans finds out.

What is it?

How do you go about channelling some of the spirit of the iconic Volkswagen bus into a modern-day EV? Well, you create something called the ID.Buzz. It’s a fully electric bus built with some of the character of the classic, though underpinned by some of the latest battery technology.

But aside from its eye-catching looks, what does the ID. Buzz have to offer and how does it separate itself from the rest of the pack in what is becoming a very crowded EV segment? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?

You might expect the ID.Buzz to be underpinned by a platform sourced from a conventional van, but no. The platform that this retro-infused model is sitting atop is the same that you’ll find underneath other Volkswagen Group EVs like the VW ID.3, Cupra Born and Skoda Enyaq iV. The idea behind this is to make the ID. Buzz more car-like in the way it drives, yet this scalable platform means there’s plenty of space on offer too.

For now, the ID. Buzz is a strict five-seater, too, though it’s expected that a long-wheelbase version with space for seven is on the horizon – so hold out a little longer if you’re after a more people carrier-focused option.

What’s under the bonnet?

Though you can get cars like the ID.3 and Enyaq with a variety of battery and motor options, there’s just one available with the ID.Buzz. Like other Volkswagen Group EVs the Buzz is rear-wheel-drive only for now, with a 201bhp electric motor sending power to the back wheels.

This motor is hooked up to a 77kWh battery which helps to deliver a claimed range of up to 258 miles between charges. Plus, because it can be charged at speeds of up to 170kW, a five to 80 per cent top-up could take as little as half an hour if you’re hooked up to a rapid charger. Plus, the ID.Buzz has been future-proofed through bi-directional charging, which allows it to store energy and then send it back to the grid during times of high demand.

What’s it like to drive?

Sitting in the cabin will prove familiar to anyone who has driven any of Volkswagen’s recent EVs. The switchgear, steering wheel and key touchpoints are all like-for-like, so it’s easy to get accustomed pretty quickly. On the move, the ID.Buzz is quiet and refined, though at slower speeds, its weight does come to the fore, as it tends to get upset by larger potholes or more distinct bumps in the road.

However, despite its on-paper 0-60mph time of 10.2 seconds, the Buzz feels a lot sprightlier to drive. The steering is pretty light but accurate, while loads of glass and relatively slim pillars mean that visibility is good in all directions. The raised seating position gives you a good view of the road ahead, too, and does make the whole experience more ‘bus like’.

How does it look?

It’s hard to stop and park in the ID. Buzz without someone coming over to ask questions about it, which goes to show just how eye-catching this electric model is. You could park it next to pretty much any current supercar and there’s a good chance that people will naturally gravitate towards the Buzz, simply because it looks like nothing else on the road today.

The split-colour design is particularly striking, but it’s all tied together in a package which takes some cues from the past, but blends them well with current proportions.

What’s it like inside?

Volkswagen’s MEB electric platform has been used to its fullest in the ID. Buzz, as there’s loads of space inside and plenty of storage options. There’s a completely flat floor, too, which means there’s no penalty for the person sitting in the middle seat in the back. Having said that, given how exciting the exterior is, we might’ve wanted a little more flair in the cabin of the ID.Buzz. It’s far from badly made, but the interior is a little bland compared with the superb outside.

But there’s loads of space on offer, with 1,121 litres of boot room available behind the second row of seats. Fold them down and this increases to 2,205 litres. Remember too, that if outright storage capacity is what you’re after, Volkswagen offers a more van-like ID. Buzz Cargo.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the ID. Buzz kickstart from £57,115 in entry-level Life trim, which brings 19-inch alloy wheels, 10-colour interior ambient lighting and a full navigation system with a 10-inch screen. As we’ve found in other Volkswagen models, this infotainment screen isn’t the easiest to navigate, but it’s definitely at its best in the Buzz. Other standard features include a reversing camera, heated steering wheel and heated front seats.

You could step up to the £61,915 ‘Style’ to gain 20-inch wheels, a power tailgate and upgraded matrix LED headlights, but in truth, the regular specification is more than well-equipped for most. Since there’s no change in battery size or range in the more expensive specification, there’s not too much reason to opt for it, other than some choice extras.

Verdict

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is here to show that electric cars needn’t be sterile or boring. Sure, the interior could do with jazzing up a touch, but the way this bus combines practicality, a decent range and plenty of standard equipment is impressive.

The only real snag is the lack of a seven-seater option, which is likely to be a put-off for many would-be Buzz drivers. However, if outright people capacity isn’t what you’re after, the Buzz makes for a very exciting and well-executed option.

  • Facts at a glance
  • Model: Volkswagen ID. Buzz
  • Starting price: £57,115
  • Engine: Single electric motor
  • Power: 201bhp
  • Torque: 310Nm
  • 0-60mph: 10.2 seconds
  • Top speed: 90mph (limited)
  • Range: 258 miles

Is The House Market In Trouble?

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MARKET COMMENT IMAGE

The UK media headlines are full of alarming headlines with predications about house prices falling on 2023, so how has the market shaped up in early January on the Hampshire / Surrey / Berkshire borders

There can be no doubt  that the upward movement in house prices has stopped and flattened out, however, that doesn’t mean the market has slowed. House sale transactions are at a good level and there is currently a remarkable resilience in the house market.

We should also remember that when intuitions such as the Halifax  or the BBC make statements such as UK house prices will drop by 8%, they are suggesting this for the UK as a whole and not specifically Hampshire / Surrey / Berkshire borders. Also, if you look back on house price predictions in the past they are typically found to be wrong.

There can be no doubt however that the days of constant upward movements in house prices are gone for the short to medium term, despite buyers still being in a competitive environment because there is so little property for sale on the supply side. The cost of living will make buyers more cautious so price sensitivity will be a factor, but the house market will remain in good shape.

Some Facts About January 2023 House Sales

To demonstrate how resilient the market is and how the buyer demand remains very high, just take a look at the following properties that have exchanged contracts in the last five days. This wouldn’t happen in a flaky market because fewer buyers would remain committed to their house purchase.

The following is a selection of properties that have proceed to exchange in the last five days, despite the backdrop of media commentary. The price range is as impressive as the amount of buyers that have remained committed to their individual purchase plans.

The Blue Triangle Fleet – Exchanged c. £1.6m.
Hazeley Lea – Exchanged c. £1.6m
Hartley Wintney – Exchanged c. £900,000
North Warnborough – Exchanged c. £1.3m.
Odiham – Exchanged c. £875,000
Hartley Wintney – Exchanged c. £695,000
Odiham – Exchanged c. £800,000
Odiham – Exchanged c. £600,000
Fleet – Exchanged c. £800,000
Fleet – Exchanged c. £700,000

Fleet, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide c. £1.6m.)

Hazeley Lea, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide c. £1.6m.)

Hartley Wintney, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide £900,000)

North Warnborough, Hampshire – Exchanged / Completes This Week (guide c. £1.3m.)

Odiham, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide c. £875,000)

Hartley Wintney, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide c. £695,000)

Odiham, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide c. £800,000)

Odiham, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide c. £600,000)

Fleet, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide c. £800,000)

Fleet, Hampshire – Exchanged This Week (guide c. £700,000)

By any standards most would agree that this is an impressive performance demonstrating the strength of buyer demand.

We believe the house prices we are experiencing in December 2022 will be around the same level by December 2023, if the current supply side levels remain in place and the cost of borrowing doesn’t increase significantly.

If you need market insight at any time in 2023, just go to our web site and ask your nearest branch for a free no obligation house price appraisal.

December Magazine With Market Insight

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Magazine photo image McCarthy Holden

What an extraordinary year, defined on a global level with Mr Putin’s destruction and misery when he decided to invade Ukraine in February, introducing unimaginable suffering to the Ukrainian people and also introducing a backdrop of uncertainty across economic activities from stock markets to property markets around the world.

In the first few months the prospect of a stock market and property market downturn had to be considered, but this didn’t happen in the UK and………. You can read the 2022 review by clicking the image below which will take you through to our online digital Magazine In The Country & Town.

Magazine photo image McCarthy Holden

Browsing through our property and lifestyle magazine you will be able to see some of the finest property in the area, available to buy or rent as well as read some engaging editorial content.

Some articles are shown below and a click will take you through.

Magazine photo image McCarthy Holden
Magazine photo image McCarthy Holden
Magazine photo image McCarthy Holden
Magazine photo image McCarthy Holden
Magazine photo image McCarthy Holden
Magazine photo image McCarthy Holden

We wish all of our clients / customers / suppliers and magazine readers a very happy Christmas and an uplifting 2023

Own a holiday let property? 4 ways to boost staycation bookings

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As 2021 looks set for a staycation boom, here’s how to make the most of opportunities to let your holiday property out. By Vicky Shaw.

With staycations likely to prove popular in 2021, holiday lets could become more appealing to those with the money to invest.

And mortgage lenders have boosted their ranges to cater for demand from holiday let investors, according to Moneyfacts.co.uk.

The website recently found the choice of mortgage options for borrowers looking at holiday lets has doubled since August 2020. In early April 2021, Moneyfacts found 149 mortgage options available for holiday lets – a figure which was nearly back to levels seen in March 2020, when there were 162 deals on the market. Back in August 2020, there were just 74 deals recorded.

If you’re getting a holiday let property ready for bookings, here are some tips from Bev Dumbleton, chief operating officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, to help maximise the potential of the property…

1. Prioritise easy DIY jobs

Now could be the perfect time to get stuck into some DIY. People often underestimate how effective simple DIY jobs can be to spruce up a property. And when it comes to a holiday let, you need to ensure that the space is always looking its best for your guests.

If your property has been empty for a few months, it might just need a bit of love. A fresh coat of paint on the walls can really brighten the space and you could also bring your painting skills into the garden to repaint any garden furniture and fences, to make it feel smarter and more luxurious.

Prioritise easy repairs that are going to make the experience better for the customer. For example, a bathroom can be instantly revitalised by resealing around sinks and the shower, replacing an old shower curtain or fixing any leaky taps.

Remember, it’s not just about making it look better, but fixing any small issues that will help secure you top reviews – and ultimately more bookings.

2. Give your property images a facelift

When marketing your holiday let, ensure you’re using top quality images. No matter how stunning your property is, images are going to be what really grabs people’s attention.

You only have one chance to make a first impression, so make sure you are using the most up-to-date photos. If you have made renovations or interior changes during the lockdowns, now is the time to show them off.

The first image makes the biggest impact, so use it to showcase the best parts of your holiday home. Try and capture pictures that show off amenities that will be great for all times of year too – from cosy fireplaces all the way to beautiful balconies and sun terraces.

Finally, you should also consider including some of the local area to show off what there is to do around the property come rain or shine.

3. Ensure year-round appeal

Looking to the years ahead, to help secure bookings across the seasons, think about what will drive opportunities during those sometimes-quieter autumn and winter months. Certain amenities draw more bookings in colder months than others, so if it’s something you can afford to add, it could be a worthwhile investment.

For example, Sykes’ bookings data has previously shown that properties with hot tubs, on average, earn 50% more than lets that don’t, and woodburning stoves and open fires also attract guests all-year-round. Believe it or not, dishwashers are also an attractive feature to holidaymakers when booking.

If you’re worried about cost, then there are smaller but still effective changes you could still make, like providing blankets or putting rugs down on wooden floors to add warmth. The key is to ensure the space is cosy to drive bookings in those colder months.

4. Allow shorter bookings

Often during the low season, guests don’t want to book a week-long holiday, opting instead for a shorter mid-week or weekend break. Allowing bookings for two or three-night stays will may well encourage more people to book.

This is especially true after the past year, with short breaks becoming increasingly popular as people have been working from home and having long-weekend ‘workcations’. Recent research from Sykes found half of people plan to take more weekend trips and shorter breaks this year, rather than longer ones.

 

8 clever tips to save you money when shopping online

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From leaving items in your basket to going incognito on your web browser, Vicky Shaw looks at some dos and don’ts of online shopping.

Online shopping is a trend that appears firmly here to stay, even as more of the high street begins to open up again, as lockdown restrictions ease.

A third (33%) of people think they will continue to shop online more often for non-grocery items, even after the immediate threat of the pandemic has subsided, recent research from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) found. And one in five (21%) will continue to shop more often online for groceries in the long-term.

However, with online shopping having become so firmly ingrained in everyday life, it’s a good idea to stay on top of the latest advice for getting the best deals and avoiding any online shopping scams.

Here are some ‘dos and don’ts’ from Andy Barr, retail expert and co-founder of online price tracking website Alertr.co.uk…

1. Do go incognito or use a different browser

Got your eye on something? Do you keep going back to the same website to check if it’s still there or gone down in price? Well, doing this could actually bump up the prices. This can sometimes happen when browsing for holidays.

To avoid the price hikes, try going incognito on your web browser. Incognito basically means it won’t track your browser history, meaning your browser won’t remember which websites you have visited previously.

2. Do use discount websites

While you are shopping online, it’s worth signing up to discount and cashback websites, to make the most of any discounts you can get while looking for your online purchases.

Depending on who you bank with, you may even be able to get cashback with particular retailers by using certain payment cards, so make sure you check. You might not get a deal on every purchase you make, but at least you’re signed up to ensure the possibility.

3. Do leave items in your basket

If you’re signed up to a website you’re buying from and you decide to leave the items in your basket for long enough, you might get lucky and be sent a discount code via email from the retailer. This is a technique that retailers use to ensure that any products added to customer baskets are then purchased.

4. Do track your desired items

Price tracking websites such as Alertr will allow you to spot patterns in pricing and get notifications when a desired item you are following goes on sale.

5. Don’t end up paying for multiple deliveries

Make sure you have everything you may want or need from a particular online retailer before shelling out for those pesky delivery costs. There is nothing worse than having already paid and realising you’ve missed something out, therefore having to pay double for delivery. Some retailers also offer free delivery if if the total number of purchases adds up to a certain amount.

If you’re only slightly below the free delivery threshold, it may be worth looking on the website for something that only costs a few pounds but takes you up to the free delivery threshold. The additional item may be cheaper than the delivery charge would have been – and you’ve got a little something extra for your money.

6. Don’t necessarily buy on the first website you find the item on

Make sure you shop around first. Another retailer may sell the same product for a cheaper price, or there may be a similar product which does the same thing for less money.

7. Don’t forget that how you pay can give you added protections if something goes wrong with the purchase

Paying for items by credit card can give you added protections under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, if anything goes wrong with the purchase. Payment options such as PayPal can also offer added protections if you don’t receive the goods you were expecting.

8. Don’t be fooled by copycats

Remember, there are a lot of scam websites, which may look legitimate but are designed to trick you into handing over your money. They may be selling fake goods, or the website might be trying to copy a well-known brand and the goods may never arrive at all. Information you put into bogus websites may be used to steal your identity.

If you’re buying from an unfamiliar website, it’s worth doing extra checks to make sure it’s genuine. Check the website URL and search for independent reviews to see if anyone has had problems with it before. Spelling mistakes on a website are also a red flag that it could be fake. There have also been fake missed delivery messages purporting to be delivery firms doing the rounds, so be on your guard.

10 Ways to Have a Cheaper and Greener Christmas

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Vicky Shaw reveals how you can help your wallet and the planet when celebrating this year.

Overspending is a big concern for households as Christmas approaches.

This has been a huge year of change and, as part of that, people have been thinking about their impact on the planet.

So, if you’re looking to spend more mindfully this festive season, whether it’s for budgeting or environmental reasons – or a combination of both – here are some tips from Shaunagh Duncan, sustainability lead at green energy company Bulb…

1. Cut the waste

It’s common to overspend when buying ingredients for Christmas lunch, resulting in large amounts of waste.

If you follow a recipe, it might state how many people the dish serves and you can shop accordingly, so you’re less likely to overspend and create unnecessary waste – particularly if you’re cooking for a smaller group than usual.

For any food waste you do generate, try to make use of the food compost and green waste bins. You can even use some waste to grow your own plants – try planting an avocado stone or growing tomatoes from the seeds of supermarket veg.

2. Avoid plastic wrapping

Go for loose fruit and vegetables, which are often cheaper than packaged ones. Many high street and independent supermarkets also offer ‘wonky’ fruit and veg, which are cheaper than regular items, but just as delicious and nutritious.

3. Try buying local

This can be more cost effective and helps to support local businesses, while reducing transport emissions.

If your Christmas is going to be very different this year, you could also try eating something different.

By swapping red meat for more vegetarian recipes on Christmas Day, you could reduce your carbon footprint and also save money. Or if you can’t give up the turkey and pigs in blankets, try cutting down on red meat in the run-up to the big day instead.

4. Cover your pots with lids when cooking

And only boil the amount of water you actually need – these little hacks go a long way, and can help reduce your energy bills.

5. Rent a Christmas tree

Rather than buying a tree that could end up out with the bins in January, you could consider renting a Christmas tree. That way, you can enjoy it over the festive season, then the tree gets picked up after the holidays and returned to a farm.

If you have a garden, another option is to plant your Christmas tree in between seasons and use it again each Christmas – which will save you buying a tree every year.

6. Consider eco gift wrapping and e-cards

Reusing gift wrap from last Christmas can cut costs and waste. You can also get creative with your wrapping, using old magazines and spare fabric.

Try sending e-cards this year, too, or make your own using paper and materials lying around the house.

If you do opt for shop-bought wrapping paper or cards, then try to avoid ones with glitter made from plastic.

7. Use energy-saving Christmas lights

Energy-saving LED lights are available from many online stores or garden centres. You could also switch to solar-powered outdoor lights, which can be operated on a timer. If the average household replaced all of their bulbs with LEDs, they could potentially save £40 a year on bills.

8. Shop mindfully

Whether it’s online or in person, try to be mindful of how, when and where you shop. There’s often a pressure to buy gifts for people unnecessarily. Although this comes with good intentions, it can lead to overspending and more waste sent to landfill. You could also try to limit the number of different online deliveries to your home, to help reduce vehicle emissions and excess packaging. It could also save you from paying multiple delivery charges, which can all add up, too.

9. Give presents that last

Examples of thoughtful and long-lasting presents could include a houseplant or a memory photo album. Buying ‘gift experience’ vouchers to be used some time in the future could also help support local businesses at a time when they need it most.

10. Consider switching energy provider

At this time of year, households’ energy consumption is particularly high. So, you could switch to a cheaper tariff or provider. You could also consider a renewable energy supplier as a way of going green.

10 Ways to be More Ethical with your Money

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Keen to give your finances an ethical revamp? Vicky Shaw finds out how to get started.

The pandemic is prompting people to consider more ethical places to keep their money, according to research.

Triodos Bank found over a fifth (22%) of investors say they now feel motivated to explore investing in ethical funds, rising to 35% of under-35s.

Investing is just one of the ways you can use your hard-earned money to support good causes, as well as the environment. There could be plenty of other options for giving your finances an ethical makeover – and it may not be as hard as you think to get started.

Charlene Cranny, campaigns and communications director at Good Money Week (Oct 24-30), which aims to help grow and raise awareness of sustainable, responsible and ethical finance, says: “It’s easy to get bogged down with where to start when planning to give your finances a green overhaul, but there’s no need to be overwhelmed. There are so many easy ways to make greener, cleaner and kinder decisions with our money.

“People who are making steps to reduce their personal impact on the environment might already be reusing coffee cups, bags and bottles, cycling rather than driving, but might not have even thought about where their money is being invested, spent and banked, which can have a huge impact on the environment.”

Here are 10 suggestions from Good Money Week to give your finances an ethical overhaul…

1. Switch current account

Banks use the deposits in the accounts held with them to fund their other banking activities, from loans to investments. This means your money could be funding all sorts of projects that you don’t agree with. Thanks to the Current Account Switch Service, it’s easy to move to an ethical current account.

2. Change energy provider

The number of providers supplying renewable energy in the UK has increased in recent years – and did you know you can compare green energy suppliers? With the Big Clean Switch (bigcleanswitch.org), you can quickly search for planet-friendly gas and electricity suppliers.

3. Shop local

We should all be shopping mindfully and avoiding wasteful purchasing, but when you do need to shop, try going local. Plus, when you shop at the local butcher’s, baker’s, farm shop and greengrocer, a good bulk of the produce has had a relatively short ‘field to fork’ journey. As well as supporting local farmers, this means the food could be wrapped in less single-use plastic packaging.

4. Invest your pension ethically

Your pension can have a huge impact on people and the planet. Pension scheme Nest, for example, recently announced a new climate change policy. Ask your boss or your financial adviser about how ethical your provider is.

5. Move your savings

Although it may feel like sometimes the returns are very low, remember your savings are being put somewhere, working for a company or business somewhere else, so if you aren’t happy, make the move.

6. Consider investments

Abundance is an online platform which offers investments that create something good for the environment and society. Remember though that, as with other investment products, there are risks. Energy4all could also be a good place to start if you want to get involved in something at a local level.

7. Borrow rather than buy

Borrowing existing items, rather than buying new, is kinder to the planet. Some websites will also allow people to borrow items for a set period of time. And if you don’t want to borrow, there are also websites such as Freecycle, where you can get unwanted items for free.

8. Take part in Black Pound Day

Black Pound Day supports and raises awareness of businesses owned by black people. More than simply one day per year, Black Pound Day is a monthly campaign that encourages consumers to switch up their usual shopping destinations to local and online businesses.

9. Lend a small amount of money

If you are fortunate to be able to, you may want to consider lending a little money to someone in the developing world, who is trying to lift themselves out of poverty by running their own business. Lendwithcare.org allows people to lend relatively small sums to people and the money is later repaid. The website cautions though that due to the pandemic, there is a higher risk than normal that repayments will be late or deferred, and in some ‘rare cases’ loans may be written off.

10. Donate to foodbanks

If you are able, buying supplies for your local food bank can be a real help to people in need in your local area, or you could donate monthly through their website.

7 Tips for First-time Buyers Hoping to get on the Property Ladder Right Now

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The economy is in a tough place – but there are still lots of things first-time buyers can do to boost their prospects. By Vicky Shaw.

While parts of the UK’s housing market have undergone a mini boom lately, there have also been signs that life is getting tougher for first-time buyers.

The choice of low deposit mortgages has shrunk in recent months, as concerns about ‘riskier’ lending have grown. According to NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) Propertymark, first-time buyers made up 23% of home sales in August, a fall from 25% in July.

However, while the Covid-19 crisis has brought big financial challenges, it also appears to have made some aspiring first-time buyers more determined than ever.

Just over a third (35%) say the pandemic has had no impact on their plans to buy, according to research from Legal & General Mortgage Club.

With many people spending more time indoors than they normally would this year, more than half (54%) of first-time buyers say lockdown conditions have made it easier to save money. A small group of buyers (8%) have even brought forward their plans to buy.

To find out more about how first-time buyers can make the jump onto the property ladder in tough conditions, we asked Kevin Roberts, director at Legal & General Mortgage Club, to share some top tips…

1. Consider getting advice

Get an adviser on your side and get them to do the work for you. They’re going to know the market. Bear in mind that the mortgage market is busy at the moment and applications could take longer than usual. An adviser will work on your behalf to get your application through as quickly as possible.

2. Be prepared

If there is going to be a ‘flash sale’, which some lenders are doing now, you really want to work with your adviser and have everything ready – your payslips, your identification, everything that you need. Be really on the front foot and know what you can afford. Think about your spending habits – you need your credit score to be as good as possible.

3. Can you save a bigger deposit?

A bigger deposit could give you more choice. For example, if you can stretch from putting down a 10% deposit to a 15% deposit, there are more lenders at this level.

Legal & General Mortgage Club’s research has suggested that some people have been able to save more during lockdown, whether that’s from saving on rail fares or fewer coffees, people have been able to save some money.

4. Do you have a family member who can help?

Perhaps a parent or grandparent may be able to help you to top up your deposit. There are also ‘family assist’ mortgages out there, such as Barclays’ family springboard mortgage, where a helper transfers money into a linked savings account for a fixed period.

5. Could other schemes give you a helping hand?

The government schemes available, such as Help to Buy and shared ownership initiatives, may vary depending on what part of the UK you live in.

There are a broad range of lending opportunities around shared ownership. Some options may allow borrowers to ‘staircase’ out of shared ownership, where they purchase chunks of equity back over time.

There is also the Lifetime Isa, which is available across the UK and comes with a Government bonus. Someone must be aged 18 or under 40 to open a Lifetime Isa.

6. Have your priorities changed?

Lockdown has changed where some buyers intend to purchase and the types of property they are seeking. Think about how your needs may have changed over lockdown and if you do plan to buy a bigger property, don’t overstretch yourself.

7. Finally, remember all is not lost if you can’t buy right now

Borrowers need to get their housing plans moving if they want to take advantage of the temporary stamp duty holiday currently in place. Stamp duty applies in England and Northern Ireland, but similar holidays are also in place in Scotland and Wales. But if you’re not in a position to buy right now, you may still find good opportunities in the months ahead.

There have been some signs recently that rising demand may have potentially increased house prices in some areas. While no one can say for certain what will happen in the future, for some people, it may potentially be a good time to buy next year, when things may be a bit more settled and buyers may possibly find they are in a better position to negotiate.

So don’t give up hope, as by really thinking about your outgoings, trying to save and talking to family members, you could really boost your ability to get onto the property ladder.

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