EXPENSIVE DEFECTS Planning to do your own initial survey – what must you look for? The state of the décor shouldn’t worry you too much as even if the property is well decorated you will probably change it within the first couple of years. What you should be looking out for are any serious defects… Read more »
Part 1 Can you do your own initial survey ? Yes. You certainly can take a careful look at any property that you are thinking of buying ahead of instructing / paying for a RICS qualified Surveyors report. These are a number of things you should be able to see, and then consider. Flat Roofs If… Read more »
Let’s turn again to the topic of Online Estate Agents. The money currently being spent on TV commercials (propaganda) extolling the virtues of these new players in the Property business is simply eye watering as are some of the outrageous claims of savings made along with the lack of respect shown to High Street Sales… Read more »
Tuesday 18th March was officially the first day of Spring but here in Harrogate our amazing crocuses are already in full bloom having survived the snow, ice and torrential rain of recent weeks. Some parts of the Stray may look half drowned but nothing has dampened the surge in activity in the local property market… Read more »
It is with some apprehension that I will now do my best now to throw some light on the tricky topic of planning permissions. Truly we are embarking together along a path where angels fear to tread – but here goes. Provided you don’t want to extend your property by more than three metres beyond… Read more »
I had to chip ice from my car windscreen this week before driving into the office. Winter has arrived and it’s the season of roadworks around the town. In reflective mood, I got to thinking ‘where does the property market overall stand today as we head towards Christmas?’. Well the national papers are still happily… Read more »
It is a natural instinct for many sellers in Harrogate to think that it’s a good idea to go to the market with an over ambitious asking price. And why not ? – given that our overall local market is so buoyant and demand for good quality homes in the town in every price range… Read more »
A great many urban myths are just not true – but some are. It is absolutely true that you can turn an ugly duckling into a swan and achieve a very considerable capital growth on a new home or an investment property by buying well and then imaginatively improving / extending to add value without… Read more »
Gazundering or as it is more generally known ‘Bid & Chip’ is the term used for the relatively modern times tactic that refers to the action of a buyer who lowers their offer on a previously agreed sale price just prior to exchange of contracts. This approach is almost unknown in Harrogate because our market is… Read more »
Whether you’re planning on staying put, or putting your house on the market, we’re definitely in spring clean mode! With the start of longer, lighter days there’s never been a better time! The annual Spring clean is an age-old tradition that helps us clear out the old to make way for the new and it’s… Read more »