Simple tips to stage your home

Simple tips to stage your home

Whether you are selling or letting a property, making sure it looks appealing is essential to getting it sold or let. According to Rightmove statistics, staged homes sell for 8% more than non-staged homes on average and according to Homestaging.org.uk 95% of staged...
Things to consider when choosing a conveyancer

Things to consider when choosing a conveyancer

When you are going through the process of buying or selling a property, a conveyancer will play a vital role in ensuring everything goes smoothly on the legal side. But if it’s your first time you may need a helping hand in choosing the right one. To point you in the...
How does the exchange process work

How does the exchange process work

Until you actually exchange contracts with the seller of a property, nothing is set in stone. It can be a stressful part of the buying process, but once completed, also the most rewarding. If you are wondering how the exchange process works, we explain everything you...
What responsibilities do tenants have while renting a home?

What responsibilities do tenants have while renting a home?

While landlords are responsible for much of the maintenance and upkeep of a rented property, tenants also have a number of responsibilities of their own. Here’s an overview of what tenants need to take into consideration when moving into and renting a property....
What is a leasehold and how does it differ to a freehold?

What is a leasehold and how does it differ to a freehold?

When you are searching the property market for a new home to buy, there are a number of phrases you will come across that may be confusing at first. The terms ‘leasehold’ and ‘freehold’ usually fall into this category and are often mixed up with each other. Below we...
The top 50 considerations for home movers

The top 50 considerations for home movers

When people move home, of course the property they are buying is the main priority and the old adage of 'location, location, location' is never usually far behind.   However, it's never quite as straightforward as that now. There...
Indoor activities to beat the winter blues

Indoor activities to beat the winter blues

In the bitter months of winter, we can all occasionally find ourselves victims of the legendary Winter Blues. During these bouts with feeling down, we could all use a pick-me-up. Here we have gathered some fun things to do inside to help beat back those blues! ...
Letting Out Property: What Do I Need to Know?

Letting Out Property: What Do I Need to Know?

Property: it’s life’s biggest investment. And for those who have bought property with the intention of letting it out to others, there’s no denying that things can get tricky.   With a whole host of landlord laws and...
Renting a safe home: Hazards to look out for

Renting a safe home: Hazards to look out for

Beyond the financial responsibilities that come with renting a new home, tenants need to ensure the property they want to live in is free from health and safety issues. There is already a lot of pressure involved with finding the right property to suit your budget and...
What responsibilities do Landlords have while renting a home?

What responsibilities do Landlords have while renting a home?

What responsibilities do Landlords have while renting a home? Becoming a landlord is a great way to secure a long-term return on your property investment. It also brings a number of legal responsibilities and a duty of care towards the tenants who are living there –...
Little hacks towards a happier home life

Little hacks towards a happier home life

It's amazing how a few tweaks to our daily habits can become a catalyst for meaningful, positive change.   There are a few simple things you can do every day to feel happier at home…   Our homes are an...
Buy the home you love

Buy the home you love

Purchasing a property is a long-term investment. On average, depending on the phase of the market and external influences, it can take around five years to see real returns on a property investment. As a result, people are staying in their home longer than they have...
Which type of Landlord are you?

Which type of Landlord are you?

Landlords fall broadly into two categories; investment and ‘accidental’, with a growing number of the latter.   Accidental landlord This is when you have become a landlord due to life’s circumstances, rather than...
Methods of sale – which is right for you?

Methods of sale – which is right for you?

For those looking to sell, doing so by auction has become a tried and tested way to get the best price and sell in record time, which is why we’ve been using this method to sell homes for years, perfecting it to an art to ensure our customers always go away...
5 tips for becoming a first-time landlord

5 tips for becoming a first-time landlord

Not everyone becomes a landlord out of a deep-seated passion. For many, a change of circumstances means it is a necessity rather than a choice.   Becoming a landlord is a steep learning curve; with a growing number of legislative...
Why stability is the key to a successful tenancy

Why stability is the key to a successful tenancy

For a tenant renting a property, the situation can make them feel insecure; there is a certain amount of security that owning a property can bring that renting just can’t.   As such, bringing elements of security and stability into a...
Why buying a new home needs more than a feeling

Why buying a new home needs more than a feeling

Have you ever made those impulse buys and then, maybe a few days or weeks later, regretted it?   If it’s a top or a pair of shoes then, although annoying, you can live with it, but what if it’s a property?  We want to make...
What can you do to stop broken links in your chain?

What can you do to stop broken links in your chain?

When buying or selling a home it’s more than likely that you will be swept into a chain.  A chain is basically buyers and sellers that are linked together as they are buying and selling property from each other.  Decisions made by each link in the chain can have an...
Why go for a specialist agent for your property management?

Why go for a specialist agent for your property management?

As a property owner, the issue of going for a specialist agent to manage your property or properties might not be the easiest one.     But the reality of investing in properties and handling tenants mean you probably should think about a specialist agent....
Spotting a diamond in the rough

Spotting a diamond in the rough

Searching for a new home can be tough, especially when you’re unsure as to what you’re really looking for. It is best to view a range of properties including those you are not sure about, if only to confirm your thoughts and discount them. ...
Making the most of your exterior space

Making the most of your exterior space

External space can often be a weak spot when it comes to selling your property. Flaking paint, cracked paving stones, a garden that looks difficult to maintain, a shed that’s falling to pieces – none of these things are going to give your potential buyer...
Choose the proactive agent when selling your house

Choose the proactive agent when selling your house

Finding the ideal agent to sell your house makes all the difference, but it can be challenging to find your perfect agent. After all, there are many agents to choose from, and not all agents are the same.   The agent that is perfect for one...
How to keep tenants for longer

How to keep tenants for longer

Each landlord is unique, which means every landlord may look for something different when it comes to tenants. However, the longer a tenant remains in a rental property, the more comfortable life is for landlords. After all, if you have a good tenant who cares for...
Price your home accurately to sell your house

Price your home accurately to sell your house

Selling your home can be a challenging process. There are many elements you need to consider, but when it comes to attracting attention to your home, the price needs to be accurate. If you fail to price your home accurately, you will struggle to draw buyers to your...
How to increase your rental yield by 10%

How to increase your rental yield by 10%

Review your rental income It might sound very simple, but you should review your rental income on a regular basis. If you haven’t done this for some time, don’t delay. You will need to look at the rental figures for similar size / style...
How can you retain the capital value of your rental?

How can you retain the capital value of your rental?

The need for rental property never decreases, giving you fantastic opportunities.  Should you be a landlord of a portfolio of one property or many, we know that you want to be achieving good capital growth.  Working with our landlords we can help to support this as...
4 habits of successful sellers

4 habits of successful sellers

With spring being so popular for selling your home, there are certain habits that we typically see in those homeowners whose property sells successfully and swiftly.  So what are their secrets, and how can you adopt them?   1. Grill...
The key to keeping tenants happy!

The key to keeping tenants happy!

Great tenants, in the long run, cut down on the stress property managers’ face and can overall lead to a more cost effective rental business. The easiest way to have great tenants is to keep your tenants happy. There are several ways to do this. ...
4 biggest FAQs when buying a property

4 biggest FAQs when buying a property

With this in mind, it makes sense that you are going to have plenty of questions floating around your mind as to the process as a whole.   To help you to understand more about the buying process, we have put together some of the biggest...

We’re Now Proud Sponsors of Bexhill U11’s Football Team

We are delighted to share with you all that Oakfield have recently become proud sponsors of the Bexhill Under 11’s Football Team. The team approached Oakfield to see if we would be interested in sponsoring the team and providing them with their kits and...
Do you know how to serve a section 21 notice?

Do you know how to serve a section 21 notice?

Many Landlords and Tenants will be familiar with a section 21 notice, a notice served by a Landlord to a Tenant to regain possession of their property. However, as a Landlord are you aware of the different legislations that outline how a section 21 notice needs to be...
What is the Fitness for Human Habitation Bill?

What is the Fitness for Human Habitation Bill?

From March 20th 2019 Tenants will have the power to sue Landlords who fail to adequately maintain their properties as part of a new law called the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation Act). The act uses the 29 hazards listed in the Housing Health and Safety Rating...
Why use a managing agent?

Why use a managing agent?

As a Landlord the decision of self-managing or instructing a letting agent to manage your investment on your behalf can be one you toy over for a long time weighing up the pros and cons of both. These are the top 8 reasons why using a managing agent is the...

Finding The Right People To Sell Your Home

Despite the fact that many people regard estate agents as more or less the same, there are in fact numerous selection criteria on which to judge the good from the bad, and the exciting from the mildly indifferent. For example, there are many services and innovations...

Meeting your Tenant

Although a good letting agent will, of course, expect to accompany prospective tenants who want to view your investment, and are trained to maximise the opportunity, there is a lot to be said for you being there too! For example, a tenant who has met the landlord is...

Portfolio Landlords

There are landlords and there are landlords. Some are what we call “accidental” landlords, who decided to let their property as an alternative to selling. Others are somewhat inadequately regarded as “amateur” landlords, who have a single investment property. However,...
What to do if you are not happy with your estate agent

What to do if you are not happy with your estate agent

We all hate feeling trapped and there is nothing worse than feeling that you HAVE to do something, even when you really don’t want to. Letting or renting a house is no different but once you’ve signed on the dotted line, how easy is it to make some...
The top 20 features that will sell your home

The top 20 features that will sell your home

Which makes new research by GoCompare Home Insurance all the more valuable, revealing – as it does – a list of the top 20 must-have property features for the nation's buyers.   Practical features such as central heating,...
9 reasons renting is amazing for a landlord

9 reasons renting is amazing for a landlord

If you have a property and haven’t decided what you’re going to do with it, you may want to consider letting it. Aside from the financial benefits, renting out a property can have a great impact on your life so we’ve listed the top 9 reasons so...
A guide to a successful property let (landlord)

A guide to a successful property let (landlord)

Being a landlord doesn’t have to result in fraught relationships, horror story rentals or unlimited amount of stress. Instead, being a landlord can be a hugely rewarding job and with a few steps in the right direction you can be on your way to a successful...
Letting agreements explained

Letting agreements explained

The property world can be confusing but once you get your head around the different policies and terms, it really doesn’t have to be. We’re always asked about the different tenancy agreements that are out there so we’ve decided to explain things to...
A homeowners guide to a successful property viewing

A homeowners guide to a successful property viewing

You’ve finally decided to pluck up the courage and sell your family home, the ‘For Sale’ board is outside and the potential buyers have begun knocking at the door. There are a number of things to consider and it’s easy to get caught up in the moment but with these...
Common pitfalls of letting a home and how to avoid them

Common pitfalls of letting a home and how to avoid them

Being a landlord is not as easy as people think. Whilst there are numerous benefits, the stresses of managing tenants and properties can be a minefield. There are various things that can go wrong so we’ve decided to highlight the most common pitfalls of letting a home...
10 questions every landlord wants answered

10 questions every landlord wants answered

Questions, Questions, Questions – we all have them but often they don’t get answered. Being a landlord is a huge responsibility and can be very stressful and confusing. There are probably hundreds of questions rushing around the landlord’s head, so...
8 mistakes landlords make and how to avoid them

8 mistakes landlords make and how to avoid them

Being a landlord has many benefits but the stress cannot be denied and often managing tenants can be a minefield. There are various things that can go wrong but with a little knowledge and preparation you can minimise the risk of these occurring. Whilst they may be...
8 tips for getting the most out of letting your property

8 tips for getting the most out of letting your property

Renting out a property isn’t as easy as most people think. After all, you’ve got to understand the responsibility involved and you are probably holding down a full-time job as well. However, if the correct preparation is done, letting a property can bring you many...