Whether you’re looking to spruce up a property before you sell it or make major upgrades to make your house more liveable after you’ve bought it, or if you just fancy a change, livening up a porch can make a home feel, well, more homely! There are many different ways to upgrade a porch, and beyond the aesthetic benefits to taking action, there are important security, energy efficiency and value-adding elements to such a decision. Large-Scale Upgrades Are the Most Important You don’t have to spend a lot freshening up what usually is a very small space. In the UK as a whole, porches are usually very small spaces intended to provide simple cover from the elements and possibly some storage space. Your porch is where the first impression of your house is formed. If you’re selling, consider the real possibility that most buyers will have decided whether they like...

The kitchen is a space where people enjoy delicious meals and socialize with their family after a long day or have guests over for the holidays. For almost every family the kitchen is one of the most high-traffic areas of the home so it should be decorative but also functional. Discover exciting new ways to change the look of your kitchen while not changing its purpose. 1. Cabinets One of the first things you should consider when updating your kitchen is your cabinets. Are they outdated? If you’re unsure what cabinets are considered trendy or which style would match best in your kitchen you can hire an expert to give you his/her advice on the particular material and style cabinet that would complement your kitchen. Professionals in the cabinet industry understand the rising trends in cabinetry and know which cabinets work well in each type of kitchen. Cabinet trends seem...

Renting your home to complete strangers might be one of the hardest things in the world but knowing you can earn quite a lot of money this way is going to make the whole process much easier. However, if you want to make sure your property finds proper tenants, you need to invest some money into it first and turn it into a place everyone is going to love, but also maintain it in the future as well. So, here are a few tips on how to make your rental more perfect than ever. Repaint before new tenants move in Making sure your property is in top shape depends on several things, but it seems that most potential tenants focus on the aesthetic appeal of the place they’re about to rent. That’s why your rental needs to be as new as possible, or at least recently renovated. But, if these...

Since the 2008 US sub-prime mortgage market crash there is no doubt funding criteria have tightened for property investors and developers. While there is still scope for innovative funding strategies, the new regulations introduced by governments and central banks around the world have certainly reduced speculative investment. We therefore thought it would be useful to take a look at modern funding opportunities for both buy-to-let and development investment. There are many options available and while we will cover these in as much detail as possible, you should take financial advice from a qualified professional before undertaking any funding arrangements. Buy-to-Let Mortgages The UK has traditionally leaned more towards homeownership than rental with the market given a significant boost by the Thatcher government’s right to buy legislation introduced in the 1980s. Since then we have seen a massive increase in house prices, more focus on rental accommodation with a significant increase...

The New Year resolution any landlord can get behind – getting your paperwork and finances in check. Whether you have one property or several, keeping on top of the administration that goes in to your assets can be a real headache. From the right insurance to dealing with rents and deposits, keeping on top of the paperwork is often a full-time job. Remember most property portfolios never start big. Even the most successful landlords and asset managers probably started out with just one, easy-to-manage property. Over time, as a portfolio grows, so too does the need for a more efficient system, which has the capacity to outperform basic spreadsheets and account management packages. Perils of forecasting As any good property manager will know, every lease comprises far more than just the term and rent. Occupiers too are increasingly concerned about the total cost of their lease. Without a clear understanding...