More buy-to-let landlords will exit the private rented sector

Last month the government released its long-awaited white paper “A fairer private rented sector” which sets out plans to reform the private rented sector and level up housing quality in this country.

As part of this, it confirmed that section 21 “no fault” evictions will be abolished and the industry will move away from the current tenancy structure to a simpler structure of periodic tenancies, which will enable tenants to terminate on two months’ notice at any time.  The intention is to give more flexibility to tenants, who will no longer be tied into any fixed term and empower them to challenge the threat of eviction without good reason, thereby incentivising landlords to engage and resolve issues.

Many landlords will be concerned by the loss of section 21, as it means they may find it more difficult to remove tenants. However, landlords must also recognise there is a greater possibility of ending up with a void period as landlords will no longer be able to tie tenants into fixed contractual terms so could end up with a vacant property at any point on two months’ notice.

Landlords will also be banned from discriminating against tenants with pets or those receiving benefits.  Landlords who are forced to allow tenants with pets are concerned about the mess and further damage to their properties, with some we have spoken to mentioning that allergies would mean they would be unable to enter their own properties to carry out routine checks.

There is already a growing number of landlords exiting the private rented sector (PRS), owed largely to an increase in regulation and tax hikes, including stamp duty changes on buy-to-let and the loss of tax-free allowances.

This means these latest upcoming changes are a major cause for concern. Smaller buy-to-let landlords with one or two properties say the new plans make their business models unviable and they will have to sell up for good.

The more landlords who leave the PRS, the fewer rental properties that are available for tenants, increasing competition and unintentionally increasing rents.

New landlords are not coming into the sector, reflecting the challenging environment in the private rented sector.

The white paper says that landlords’ possession rights will be strengthened in cases of serious arrears and when a landlord wants to sell a property. But many landlords are concerned that the eviction process will be more difficult if they need to prove wrongdoing such as anti-social behaviour as this is often difficult to prove.

The Government must release more details of the eventual legislation to retain landlord confidence. If they fail to make changes which support landlords, they will exacerbate the housing crisis by forcing landlords to sell up at a time when renters are struggling to find the homes they need.

We are already being contacted by landlords looking for a quick sale who just want out of the private rented sector.

If you are a landlord looking to sell some or all your portfolio, contact us to discuss your options.  We can buy your property and pay all the fees, transacting within a matter of weeks or to a timescale that suits you.

Phone number: 0207 938 3007
Email: info@webuyproperty.com

Is the countryside living bubble about to burst?

 

We know the pandemic sent the property market berserk with prices, particularly outside of major cities where demand saw prices rise at a rate never seen before. Buyers fled cities, particularly London and headed for the countryside for fresh air, open space and larger properties with home working potential.

By the time the first lockdown ended, two years ago, places such as Yorkshire and Derbyshire were so sought after, that homes were selling before hopeful city dwellers could even travel up the motorway to view them. Some estate agents reported a 250 per cent increase on buyers from outside of their area.

But life has started to return to normal, Covid-19 is rarely mentioned in news bulletins, replaced by the cost-of-living crisis and whispers of another recession. So, is the countryside property market about to burst?

The main issue is that there is a major shortage of properties in these areas now, so estate agents certainly won’t see the volume of transactions they have seen over the last couple of years. Furthermore, people are keeping an eye on their finances, taking into account the state of the economy, inflation and whether they can remain working from indefinitely or whether there is an expectation for them to return to the city offices.  Buyers are more reluctant to make a move whilst so much uncertainty is on the horizon.

Far from the frenzied ‘above asking’ offers which have been commonplace over the last 18 months, the market is adjusting to a more sensible approach, and buyers are certainly cautious, offering 10 per cent or more under asking price.

I think the answer to whether the ‘bubble has burst’ is yes, in the sense that the level of activity seen was simply unsustainable. What happens from here on out, whether prices drop off a cliff edge like in 2008, or whether they gradually resume to more sensible levels will determine what buyers and sellers do next.

The worst outcome for those who have made the leap to the countryside is to find themselves needing to move back closer to the city for work but unable to sell due to a declining market. If companies are forced to make redundancies then we could see a reverse of last year – people moving back to the cities to look for work.

If you are looking for a quick sale, for whatever reason, and would prefer an offer market discreet transaction, WeBuyProperty.com can offer free advice and/or a no-obligation offer on your home within 24 hours.


Phone number:
 0207 938 3007
Email: info@webuyproperty.com

Will rising interest rates slow the house price growth?

In May, the Bank of England raised interest rates from 0.75% to 1%, with further increases expected over the coming months as the Bank of England seeks to contain inflation – which is already looking on course to pass 10 per cent before the end of the year.

The question is, will higher interest rates help to control the country’s over-heated property market?

According to figures from Halifax, there wasn’t much indication of a slowdown in April with prices rising 1.1 per cent compared to March. The average house price hit £286,079 after the 10th consecutive monthly rise in prices, marking the longest run of increases in six years.

April’s price increase was slightly slower than the 1.4 per cent recorded in March, but the annual increase was still 10.8 per cent which is far greater than the average pay rises.

Ultra-low interest rates have made mortgage borrowing cheap, inflating a housing bubble that has made homeownership a distant dream for many renters in some parts of the UK. Some analysts had predicted house prices could slow down when the Stamp Duty holiday came to an end last year, but so far there is no sign of this.

However, there is much uncertainty in the economy right now.  We believe that the impact of a rising base rate above 1 per cent, which will affect mortgage affordability, the fears about living costs and big increases to energy bills will contribute to a steady readjustment of house prices.

Inflation being at the highest since 1982 is a cause for concern.  If the Bank of England is forced to raise interest rates too quickly, we could see people who have pushed themselves financially in the ‘race for space’ being forced to sell up. This would of course contribute to higher supply of properties, which in turn would dramatically cool house prices.

For those on fixed-rate mortgages, a rate increase will only make a difference when their term comes to an end, so for now their payments will not go up.

The news is of course less positive for those on tracker mortgages, where the home loan tracks the BoE base rate, as the base rate increase will be passed on to borrowers delivering an immediate increase to their mortgage payments.

For those that are able to, such as borrowers on a variable rate, it would be advised to lock in to a fixed-rate deal, preferably for as long as possible, as interest rates are expected to increase further over the coming months, potentially hitting 3% by the end of the year.

What must a seller disclose when selling a property?

When selling your property, you naturally want to portray it in the best possible light. But in some circumstances, homeowners are aware there is a problem but don’t know how much information to disclose for fear they’ll struggle to sell.

Ever since 2013, selling a property falls under the Consumer Protection Against Unfair Trading Regulations. This places the onus on the seller to divulge anything that may impact the buyer’s decision to proceed with the purchase. If the seller omits anything of importance (that they were aware of) they could face prosecution – whether the buyer asked about the issue or not.

What kind of issues should be disclosed?

However uncomfortable it may be to be honest about an issue with your home, it is better to be honest and upfront than to face legal action later down the line. The new owners could commence legal action months or even years after your sale completes.

Issues include, but are not limited to:

  • Flooding issues, current or historic
  • Structural problems
  • Japanese knotweed, current or historic
  • Pests, current or historic
  • Planning permission on the property, be that pending, granted or denied.
  • Disputes with neighbours that have resulted in written exchanges, local authority or police involvement
  • Whether the neighbours have any anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs)
  • Whether there is a flight path nearby
  • A previous sale falling through due to bad survey results
  • A violent death that occurred at the property.

Obviously, there are minor things which could affect any property, such as neighbours with a noisy dog or lots of children – but we are talking about the more fundamental issues. If you are not sure what information you are or are not required to disclose, seek advice from a solicitor.

Serious issues will be revealed in the conveyancing process therefore it would be prudent to reflect such issues in the asking price.  You would also be advised to demonstrate how the issues have been resolved with all relevant paperwork, or if they are in the process of being resolved.

If you have a ‘problem property’ and have perhaps tried to sell on the open-market or would prefer not to so you don’t have to disclose whatever issue you have with your home to lots of people, we may be able to help you.

WeBuyProperty are a property buying company specialising in quick sales. We have funds ready to purchase properties and have helped hundreds of sellers with tricky properties.

You can discuss any issues with us (we will have come across them all before) and we will happily provide you with a no obligation offer.  If you accept this, we will guarantee to buy your house and pay all the fees, transacting within a matter of weeks or to a timescale that suits you.

Phone number: 0207 938 3007
Email: info@webuyproperty.com

 

Selling Your Home Online? What You Need To Know

Selling your home can be something tempting to try alone. Maybe you don’t want to hire a real estate agent as you need to save money and keep costs down. However you do need to be careful and use a reputable agent or service even if they are online. 

Some internet agents simply list your property online — leaving you to do all the work, from taking photographs, to conducting the viewings and handling negotiations. If you’re in a hurry to sell your property or need to liquidate fast then obviously this doesn’t help much.

The truth is that there are several factors involved when it comes to selling your residential properties. And if selling them by yourself, you might unknowingly ignore important issues. Depending on your level of experience in the real estate industry, you might lack the right knowledge of how things actually work and the best way to approach them. 

Have you ever thought of selling your properties directly to an online buying service? You could end up saving a lot of time and avoid a many of the headaches involved with an online listing agent or traditional agency.

At We Buy Property, we’ll reveal the most important things to consider when deciding to sell your property online and why you should sell your home to a buying service like us. Let’s get started:

Location

Regardless of your current location, an online buying service can help you. You don’t have to rely on a local market purchaser or agent to be in your area, in order to make the sale.

Using a reputable and reliable online buying service that purchases property nationally can be a huge advantage, as they can buy your home directly from you no matter where your based.

With online listings platforms and agents, you still have to wait for someone to show interest in your property listing for that area before they contact you. With an online buying service you can get a valuation and quote to purchase your property within 24 hours.

You’re Already Busy

Selling a residential property is sometimes a full-time job. It isn’t as simple as you may think. Things to consider are the time spent in fielding calls from prospective buyers. Or the time spent to source the platforms where you’ll have to advertise the property. There are also dozens of other essential tasks before you will be able to finalise the sale with a prospective buyer.

You are already busy with your life and your job, so why not eliminate all these extra tasks and just use and online buying service.

At We Buy Property, we can help ease the process and take care of all the details. We aren’t too busy to handle the solicitor fees, valuations and legal checks to help get you a final offer. We Buy Property offers the best possible price for your home without the worry of viewings, chains and long timelines. No need to worry about your position or the condition of the property as we purchase it for cash.

Incredibly, we always work around the clock to ensure that a large percentage of our clients actually turn into qualified sellers and help them complete a successful transaction with us. If you are already finding yourself busy with activities revolving around your job and personal life, you definitely need an online buying service like We Buy Property to purchase your home.

Understanding Contracts

Contracts can be complex and cost you time and money – when dealing with an online agent make sure you know what you’re signing and remember that they want your business, so challenge anything you don’t like and never pay more than you need to. 

No sale, no fee

Some online estate agents will ask you to pay upfront, but some do offer a ‘no sale, no fee’ guarantee – which means you won’t have to pay if the sale falls through. But check the small print first.

Tie-in periods

Lots of estate agents, even the big high street brands, include a tie in period. But if you end up not getting on with them or become unhappy with their service you will want to terminate the contract.  Make sure your contract gives you the flexibility to terminate without incurring a penalty, and go elsewhere if you’re unhappy with your agent.

At We Buy Property, we know everything that comes with contracts and closing and can simplify the whole process, and remove the stress. We are professionals. We know what is meant to be disclosed and are completely transparent and ethical in our whole process with you. 

Selling a property involves signing paperwork. We know the nitty-gritty of contracts and closing and can help keep things smooth and straightforward. Having us to help you navigate through the closing contract signing situation is a significant step towards the successful sale of your home.

Deal With Us Now!

We are We Buy Property! We Offer Quick Property Sales. No Fees. No-Fuss!

Based in London, our team has worked in the property industry for over 50 years. We are proud to offer clients a bespoke service. Whatever the circumstances, our experienced staff will guide you from start to finish, supporting you all the way. Sell your house in days, not months.

We are a cash-rich principle buyer who actively seeks motivated sellers that can transact and complete in a matter of days.  Our house buying service caters for all types of clientele and is designed to remove the hassle and stress associated with managing a property.

We can guarantee a quick sale that can be completed in a matter of days instead of weeks. If you think this might be of interest to you, visit our website and enter your postcode for a free no-obligation cash offer.

How Much Does it Cost to Sell Your House?

Selling a property can seem like a daunting task, considering it can be one of the most expensive decisions you might have to make. 

There a many things you will need to take into to consideration, such as agent fees, auction fees, mortgage fees and many more things that can quickly add up.  Selling your home isn’t as simple as just agreeing on a price and pocketing the final amount offered.

However, if you do your research, have the right information and understand the costs involved it doesn’t have to be so stressful. Planning ahead will help you to prepare and budget for your sale accordingly. 

In this article, we’ll take you through the significant financial outlays you can expect to incur when it comes to selling your property. Besides this we’ll also provide a few tips and ideas on how you can reduce your costs. 

Estate Agency Fees

When it comes to selling a residential property, the estate agency fee tends to be the biggest cost incurred by a home seller. Typically, estate agents in high street areas charge between 1% and 3% commission, including the VAT on the home sale price.

Here in the UK, reports reveal that the average sales price of a house is around £219,000. Estate agents typically charge around 2% on a home price which is around £4,380 and above in costs. If your home is worth more or your home sale price is higher you might find an increase in the commission fee charged by your agent.

When it comes to selling a home you would usually use a traditional high street estate agent. Although many online estate agents now offer dedicated local agents, the ability to just walk into a high street office is reassuring to many.

High street estate agents will often have greater overheads than their online counterparts. This includes rent for their storefront, business rates, staff, etc. These extra costs mean that you end up paying more for their services, in some cases a lot more. The usual commission for a high street estate agent can vary between 0.75% – 3% of the final selling price (often + VAT).

They’ll also be in charge of getting your property listed on their home sales portal and help arrange and host the inspections on your behalf.

Online estate agents offer their services similar to you doing it yourself, with you listing your home for sale on their website. This typically requires that you make an upfront payment for a specific package which includes a listing of the property on the site. However you’ll be organising the viewings and inspection of the property. Apart from that, some do offer advanced services similar to that of traditional estate agents to help with the management and other tasks involved in arranging viewings.

When using an online service make sure you do your research, take your time to find the best service that matches your needs. As a good alternative, when using WeBuyProperty.com you have no agents to deal with, no boards, no viewings, simply a quick cash offer within 24 hours, typically at 90% of the market value. 

Removal Costs

So now your aware of the agent’s fees, you still have to take into account the removal costs. Your removal cost depends on the amount of furniture and other items inside the property that you’ll have to remove. You should factor this into your budget before listing your home for sale. Of course, moving fewer possessions will significantly help reduce your removal costs. If your able to plan well ahead you can start clearing the property in small stages. Get family and friends to help or rent a van which can be done by yourself.

Above all, if using a removal firm you should ensure that you get your quote in advance and don’t leave things till the last minute. 

Legal Fees

The buyer covers the costs relating to search, survey, and stamp duty. However, the services of a solicitor or licensed conveyancer cannot be left out when it comes to selling your house. Their primary role is to act on your behalf, and they handle all the legal documents related to selling a property. Apart from that, they help clarify what’s included and what’s not included in the home sale agreement. 

Depending on the complexity of the sales, local, and size of the property, the pricing of hiring a solicitor ranges between £500 and £1,500. However, there are parts of the transaction you can go without, but that always comes with a risk. If you want to get the specific price of hiring a solicitor, you should consider comparing quotes or probably use a comparison website to get the best deal.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Costs

Usually, an EPC is a legal requirement when selling a property, and it lasts for about 10 years. So, make sure you check the validity of your current one. If necessary, you can arrange for a new certificate. The cost of an energy performance certificate usually varies between £60 and £120.

An EPC basically provides information about the energy efficiency of the home. It’s a certificate that provides home buyers with insights regarding the possible energy bills and the areas that need improvements.

The cost doesn’t end here. Other things you may need to consider can include, mortgage costs, capital gains tax, property tax, and more.

Need to Sell a Home in the United Kingdom? Partner With Us Now at We Buy Property!

It’s a big decision to sell your home and putting your trust in a company to handle your biggest asset can seem like the hardest choice you will have to make. 

At We Buy Property, we have over 50 years of experience in the industry. We are a reputable and reliable home purchase company that provides homeowners with excellent insight and guidance throughout the home sale process.

We Buy Property provides a fast, cash guaranteed sale. Ultimately, giving our customers and clients a quick and easy alternative to selling their houses on the open market. Partner With Us Now: WeBuyProperty.com