Alison George Sales & Lettings

19/12/2023

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13/04/2022

13/04/2022

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀-𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵

Taking that first step on the property ladder is simultaneously exciting and terrifying. No matter how old you are, buying your first property will make you feel like a proper grown-up.

Before you even find the right property, there’s lots to learn, so in this quick read, we’ve pulled together our top five tips for first-time buyers.

Be mortgage savvy

There are so many different options when buying a first home – whether you’re getting a loan from the bank of mum and dad, wading through Help to Buy admin, or going it alone. In every case, a mortgage is the first step you need to take.

For a rough estimate of how much you’ll need to borrow, there are plenty of online tools that can help. You could also speak directly to your bank or high-street lender about their mortgage deals. If you need some extra help, speak to us about a financial adviser or mortgage broker. We work with plenty of first-time buyers and have all the info you need.

Be real

When you first start looking, it’s important to be realistic about your budget. By looking at properties way outside your price range, you could find it harder to see the potential in those that suit your current financial situation. Get yourself a vision board and focus on the things you really need from a new home.

Be in the know

Newsflash: not all properties are on Rightmove or Zoopla. While these sites give you a good idea of what’s available and for how much, by registering with agents such as ourselves, we keep you in mind (and updated) before something even goes online.

There’s nearly always competition for a property, so it’s best to speak to experienced agents and register what you’re looking for instead of just relying on the internet.

Be open

You might have a very specific list of requirements, such as area, parking, outside space, and so on. However, it’s important to be flexible when you view a property. It might not tick every item on your list, but it may also have tonnes of potential. Always view a property before you rule it out.

Be calm

Once you’ve found a property, stay calm. If you’ve got your mortgage sorted, you’ve got a conveyancer, and you’re regularly in touch with your agent, there’s no need to worry. We understand there’s a lot to get done before you exchange; our job is to help you take any stress away.

We have served many first-time buyers at Alison George over the years, and we’re ready to help you get your feet on the property ladder. Contact us on 01639 631706 today.

11/04/2022

𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀

When they run smoothly, joint tenancies can be a good source of income for landlords. This three-minute read explains how to get the best out of them.

Joint tenancies are a great way for friends or couples to live together and share the rental burden. (Think about best buddies and flatmates Joey and Chandler in Friends, they had a ball, right?)

And joint tenancies can also be good news for landlords, providing steady long-term income and low tenant turnover. (If your tenants are happy and get along like Joey and Chandler, they’ll stay for years.)

But sometimes, the relationship between tenants turns sour and things can get complicated. Before we look at managing tenant relationships, here’s a quick recap on joint tenancies.

As a general rule*, all tenants in a joint tenancy are liable for the rent. This means that if one tenant falls into arrears, the landlord can ask any or all the other tenants to cover the shortfall.

The same goes for damage to the property – all tenants are liable. Even if only one tenant (or their guest) caused the damage, any or all tenants could be required to pay for the repairs.

As of right now (pending the Renting Homes (Wales ) Act 2016) one person can’t pull the plug on a joint tenancy; the landlord and all tenants must agree to end the tenancy.

If end-of-tenancy deductions are agreed upon, they’re taken from the overall deposit.

Getting the best out of a joint tenancy

Never rely on one tenant to share important information with other tenants for you (they may fail to do so or may get it wrong).

If there’s an issue with arrears, notify all the tenants and explain that they’re all liable. Tenants who have paid their share of the rent can be valuable allies and help persuade the tenant who is behind to get back on track.

Remain professional and don’t get caught up in a melodrama between friends or lovers who have fallen out (they may want you to take sides). Remind all parties of their joint liability and encourage them to sort it out amongst themselves.

Always notify people who sign up to be the sole guarantor on a joint tenancy that they’re liable for all rent and damages. Often a parent thinks they’re just covering their own child – not all the tenants.

To find out how Alison George can help manage your property and avoid tenancy troubles, get in touch.

*Always check the terms of your rental agreement and, if in doubt, seek expert advice.

04/04/2022

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 – 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀?

This two-minute read details a five-point plan to help landlords manage their maintenance responsibilities.

There’s no quick fix when it comes to maintenance and repairs; to avoid stressful and costly tenant disputes, landlords need to be organised and proactive.

Who is responsible for what?

Always check your contract, but as a general rule, landlords are responsible for structural features like walls and chimneys, along with windows, drains, stairs, toilets, showers, pipework, the boiler, and electrics.

If the property has a garden, the landlord is responsible for things like lopping tree branches and repairing fences.

But it’s a two-way street, and tenants have responsibilities, too. They must keep the property in good condition and repair any damage they cause. (If, for example, they make a hole in a wall, it’s up to them to fix it.)

And, notwithstanding the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 which will bring in a raft of changes, according to Lord Denning in the Court of Appeal Case, Warren v Keen, Tenants must "Do the little jobs about the place which a reasonable tenant would do."

Crucially, tenants also must notify the landlord if there’s a problem.

Five tips for managing repairs and maintenance

Be clear about responsibilities

It’s best if both parties understand their responsibilities from the outset – and that these are clearly outlined in writing.

Fix problems promptly

Don’t drag your heels when a tenant raises an issue, as this will only breed animosity. Being a landlord is a round-the-clock job – be prepared for a call at any time of day or night (unless you have a letting agent managing the property).

Good communication

It’s amazing how much goodwill you can generate by being professional and polite. Check in with your tenant regularly and keep them updated about any repair works.

Regular inspections

With regular inspections, you can spot minor issues and address them before they become major repair jobs. Also, a tenant is more likely to look after your property if they know you’re a hands-on property manager (or if your letting agent is on the ball).

Have a maintenance plan

As a landlord, you have a duty of care to ensure the property is safe – failure to do so could land you in court and invalidate your insurance. Have a clear maintenance plan and arrange mandatory electrical and boiler checks on time.

Bonus tip

Entrust the management of your property to a letting agent so you can focus on your work and family commitments and enjoy peace of mind, 365 days of the year.

Get in touch with us here at Alison George to learn more about our property management services.

29/03/2022

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀: 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀

Don’t make the rookie mistake of cutting corners with reference checks – it’s a sure-fire way to wind up with a nightmare tenant. A three-minute read.

When it comes to tenant selection, there’s a saying that all landlords should heed: Go with the right tenant, not the first tenant.

Sometimes, landlords are so eager to see rent payments rolling in that they treat the reference checking process as a tick-box exercise rather than an investigative one.

But rushing to green-light the first person willing to take your property can come back to haunt you.

What do reference checks involve?

It’s a complex process (for a full list get in touch with us here at Alison George), but key aspects include:

- ID checks (to make sure the candidate is who they say they are)
- Credit history
- References from current and previous landlords
- References from current employer
- Credit checks

County court judgments and unpaid debts are obvious red flags, but it’s important to delve deeper than that. You need to review a candidate’s full credit report and get a clear overview of their financial commitments and history.

What kind of outgoings do they have regarding credit cards, loans, and bills? It may be that technically the candidate can afford the rent, but with their other debt repayments, it would be a serious squeeze.

Also, examine their track record when it comes to paying bills. A history of late payments suggests that they’re disorganised with their finances – bad news if you want the rent paid on time.

Landlord references

References from a candidate’s current and previous landlords are useful – up to a point. We know of cases where a landlord has written a troublesome tenant a good reference just to get shot of them (not ethical, but it happens).

If you have doubts about a candidate’s suitability, don’t let a positive landlord reference be the deciding factor in giving them a property.

Employer references

It’s important to check a candidate’s salary with their employer, but don’t take a company email at face value (sometimes people get a ‘mate’ in HR to inflate their earnings).

Ask to see payslips and bank statements and ring the employer yourself to verify the accuracy of the email’s contents.

Top tip

Gambling on a risky tenant can turn out to be a costly decision – so invest time and energy in the tenant referencing process.

Get a good letting agent on board if you’d like an expert to handle it for you.

Contact us here at Alison George to learn about our property management services.

29/03/2022

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24/03/2022

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵

Property portals have revolutionised the market, but can an algorithm replicate an astute estate agent’s experience, empathy, and enthusiasm? A two-minute read.

Here’s a statistic that sums up just how integral the internet is to buying and selling property these days: 98% of people start their home search online. (The other 2%, we presume, are still wondering what happened to Ceefax and Amstrad computers.)

There’s no doubt property portals have revolutionised things. Buyers relish the ability to instantly conjure up a selection of properties that meet their criteria, meaning platforms such as Zoopla and On The Market generate millions of viewers a week.

If you’re a seller, you may wonder if it makes much difference which estate agent you go with to market your property. Won’t the internet do most of the legwork anyway?

Let us answer that question for you.

Market insight

Property portals provide a good general view of the local market, and an indication of asking prices. But a good agent knows what properties actually sell for. They’ll help you get the asking price right, so you don’t go too high (and deter buyers), or too low (and short-change yourself).

Genuine buyers

There’s no doubt property portals generate phenomenal web traffic. But there’s a difference between someone having a nosy at your home online and a buyer putting in a genuine offer. A proactive agent knows the difference and will have a register of active buyers who are ready and serious, not time-wasters.

Thinking outside the box

Portals show buyers all the properties that meet their chosen criteria – but that’s it. A good agent encourages buyers to think laterally and look at properties that, with a little bit of imagination, could suit their needs. If you’re selling a property with ‘potential’, this is what you want.

Getting the sale across the line

Accepting an offer for your property is only the start of the process. Having a proactive agent who keeps the sale moving along until it’s completed will save you time and stress. Research suggests one in three sales fall through, thats a crazy high number, a good agent will minimise the risk.

Conclusion

Savvy sellers who choose an estate agent with a good track record can enjoy the best of both worlds. The best agents utilise property portals, but they’re not the sole focus of their marketing strategy. Experienced estate agents use a host of strategies to get you the best possible price in a timeframe that suits you.

To find out more about our successful sales track record, get in touch with us here at Alison George.