4 tips for new home-owners

Congratulations, new home-owners! You’ve finally got your dream home, and now all that’s left to do is to move in. This is a very exciting time in your life, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful as well. So many tasks will be vying for your attention, it can be easy to let things slip through the cracks. But don’t worry! Below, we’ve compiled a few things that you might not have thought were on your to-do list: we’ve thought about it, so you don’t have to.

Speak to your insurance company

Make sure your insurance policy is up to date on the day that you move in! Finding a trustworthy insurance company can make all the difference when purchasing a new house. In the flurry of all the other things you had to take care of during the move, dealing with insurance paperwork is likely not your priority.

It may be a little bit stressful, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and that’s what home insurance is for. Accidents always happen when you least expect them, and you don’t want to get caught off guard. Speak to your insurance company before your move in date.

Invest in good furniture

This is the freshest start you will ever get with this house, and you should start this stage of home-ownership on the right foot. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to buy furniture. Good furniture is an investment, one that’s more likely to pay off in the long run than the immediate future. Quality pieces like bedroom furniture are well worth the money, as they can last a lifetime if taken care of properly.

Check all the appliances

Before you officially move in, you should take stock of what appliances your new home will come with, and which ones you’ll need to install on your own. By making an inventory list ahead of time, you can really get on top of things so as to ease your moving experience.

You’ll want to start with the big ticket items like the fridge-freezer, stove or washer-dryer.

Don’t forget to take measurements to ensure that any appliances you buy will fit into the space that you have. Once everything is installed, check that they’re all functioning properly. You should inspect and service your appliances every once in a while to maintain their good working order.

As a new home-owner, it can be tempting to go all out with renovations in your new home, but be careful not to bite off more than you can chew!

Deep clean your home

Before you bring all your moving boxes into your new home, you should take advantage of the sparseness of the house to do a deep clean of the entire property. Not only is it hygienic, it can also be a great way to get to know every nook and cranny of the house. Whether you clean the house yourself or you decide to hire a cleaning service, it is good to spiritually cleanse the house of its previous owners and prepare the space to be inhabited by you. Vacuum, mop and polish the floors, scrub the kitchen areas, disinfect the shower, bath and toilet and deep clean the carpets and rugs (professionally, if necessary). If handing over the work to a third party is your preferable option, click here for more info. There’s nothing like the feel of moving into a sparkling new home, so roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Happy moving day!

Buying your first home is a big deal, and you should treat it like one. Now that you’re a home-owner, you’ll be in charge of handling household maintenance and all the other things that, previously, were the responsibility of your landlords. These tips are only a few of the many things that will be on your to-do list for the big day, so it’s a good idea to keep a physical checklist of things to accomplish so that you can stay organised. Remember to enjoy this experience, and don’t let the stress of the move make you forget what an exciting time this is!

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Why investing in a fixer-upper isn’t a terrible idea

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If you’re in the process of buying a new house then you may be wondering which type of home is best for you to purchase. Sure, you can buy a brand new home that you can put your own personal stamp on but it won’t have the character of an older building. If you like to feel the personality of a home then you may be better off buying a home with a bit of history.

Fixer-uppers may have crossed your mind during your house hunt. A fixer-upper is a home that hasn’t had much love in the recent past and you can get your hands on these for less money than a new house. It’s worth taking a look to see if this is something into which you can put your time, money and energy.

Affordability

One of the most appealing perks of owning a fixer-upper is that they’re usually a lot cheaper than other homes in the same neighbourhood. This is simply due to the amount of work that may need to be carried out before they become liveable again. If, for example, a new home is going to cost you £400,000, a fixer-upper in the same area could cost you half of that amount. They can be picked up at house auctions pretty regularly.

Just remember, you’ll be going in blind a lot of the time with a fixer-upper as a lot of them can’t be viewed beforehand. A fixer-upper may also be classed as a home that has been repossessed, so you could get a pretty good bargain if you look around.

Potential

A fixer-upper has so much potential to become the house you’ve always wanted. If you like the idea of a blank canvas that you can do anything to, then a fixer-upper is definitely for you. When you first look around the home you’ve just purchased you may have a brief idea of what you want particular rooms to look like. When you do a walk through, make notes of the type of layout and decoration you want and what the rooms will become.

You may want to make a note of everything that needs fixing in your new fixer-upper as well. This will give you a rough idea of the costs you’re looking at for repairs. One thing that fixer-uppers can have problems with is the drainage system. If you need to repair or replace this, then take a look at your local pump suppliers.

No other interest

Another great perk of buying a fixer-upper is that you won’t necessarily have ten or twenty other people fighting for the same property. The housing marking can be a crazy place at times and with people all wanting the same house, it can become frustrating. A high percentage of new home buyers will want a house that is ready to move into. This is due to busy lifestyles and not wanting to do much DIY before they can relax and enjoy their new place.

We hope you found this post helpful and that it gave you lots of inspiration as to why a fixer-upper isn’t the most terrible idea in the world. If you have the time to dedicate to this, then it’s definitely worth watching your new house become a home.

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Property spotlight: Waterfront properties

This week, we’re in search of desirable waterfront properties. Yes, you pay a premium for this particular feature, but all three of the properties we’ve short-listed are under a million pounds. The cheapest is actually less than 60k.

Is there a catch? Well, yes… and no. The waterfront property that you can get for £59,950 is a mooring for a houseboat; so, you still need to buy the property. I suppose, it’s much like buying a plot of land where you can then build your house – except, in this case, it’s a plot of water.

The second property is a sweet, one-bedroom flat on the 6th floor with views over a canal in the East End of London. The property is compact & bijou but is very well laid out and has a roomy balcony with views stretching across the city.

The 3rd property is located beside Newton Creek – off the River Yealm south east of Plymouth. It has huge picture windows in many of the rooms giving views of the waterway. It even has it’s own dock where you can moor your own canoes or other small boats.

£59,950 – St Olaves mooring plot, Priory Road, Great Yarmouth NR31 9HQ

A freehold 62^ft long mooring plot set directly onto the River Waveney. Dredged in 2021 with completely new quay heading fitted in 2016. Also benefits from parking for two cars.
A private and secure mooring set within Riverside Park, accessed via locked security gates. Located in the unspoilt riverside village of St Olaves, the ideal base from which to explore the entire Norfolk Broads network with access out to sea at both Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
The full plot measures approximately 135^ft x 20^ft with the mooring dock extending for approximately 62^ft x 12^ft6ⁱⁿ.
The plot has private parking for at least two cars, and has mains water and electricity connected.
There is a large decked seating area with two storage sheds with a turbine and solar panel included.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tenure: freehold
£20.00 per annum for water
Council tax/Small business rates: The current owners are paying zero.

£320,000 – £340,000 – Yeoman Court, Tweed Walk, London E14 6TP

6th floor, one bedroom apartment with full-width private balcony overlooking Limehouse Cut.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tenure: leasehold – 999 years from March 2015
Service charge – £2,299.00 inc. hot water/heating
Ground rent – £200.00

Under floor heating
Video phone entry system
Bicycle storage

£900,000 – Saltwind, Bridgend, Noss Mayo, Plymouth PL8 1DX

Built in the mid-1970s, Saltwind is an attractive modern property offering light-filled, flexible accommodation arranged over two floors. Comprising 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms and 2 bathrooms, the property is configured to provide an ideal family and entertaining space. Much of the accommodation benefits from large picture glazing providing stunning water views.

The property enjoys easy access to the quay slipway which can be utilised all year round; for a nominal fee boats can be stored on the quay and swing moorings are also available from the harbour master. Saltwind benefits from its own private dock and outhaul mooring accessible either side of high tide.

Property Spotlight: Thatched properties

This week – and we’ll continue regularly in future posts – rather than choosing homes on the market on their geographical location, we’re picking ones with particular features. We’re starting out with thatched properties.

When you think of ‘olde worlde’ and ‘chocolate box’ cottages, it’s thatched properties that are ones which often spring to mind. Many people shy away from houses with thatched roofs, they think that they’re a fire hazard or will be difficult and expensive to maintain. In fact, if they’re properly looked after and given an annual ‘once over’ to clear any moss and algae, they can last between 15 and 40 years.

It’s fair to say that property #1, Flinders, looks very tired indeed and is in need of a lot of TLC; however, much of the work required appears to be merely cosmetic. And it’s impossible to simply conjure up the kind of quirky charm that this cottage possesses in abundance.

Speaking of charm, Westcott Cottage has the most beautiful fireplaces, beams and nooks & crannies. It’s positioned at the centre of a lovely looking grouping of houses, all of which are surrounded by mature trees and countryside.

It’s said that you shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover” and St Ibbs Lodge falls under that rule. The property looks not too dissimilar to a large Hobbit house on the outside, but on the inside it’s ultra-modern and full of light. I love the magnificent curvaceousness of its interior walls, rooms and windows.

In which of these thatched properties could you see yourself living?

£170,000 – Flinders, The Street, Redgrave, Diss IP22 1RY

• Grade II listed cottage
• Two bedrooms
• Two receptions
• Character features & period harm
• Pretty cottage gardens
• Substantial timber-built studio
• Ample off road parking
• Renovation project
• Huge potential

The cottage itself is believed to be approximately 400 years old and is of special historic and architectural interest to the village, with its exposed timber frame and thatched roof. Internally there are numerous period features including a red brick inglenook fireplace and exposed timber beams.

£580,000 – Westcott Cottage, Chagford, Newton Abbot TQ13 8JF

• 2 bedrooms
• Highly desirable location on the edge of Chagford
• Wonderful far reaching views over Dartmoor
• Flexible accommodation options
• Enclosed garden
• Off street parking

Westcott Cottage is a beautifully presented two-bedroom Grade II* Listed detached family home. The cottage, which dates originally from the 16th century, features a thatched roof and granite elevations, while inside the characterful original fireplaces and exposed timbers compliment the neutral understated elegance of the décor and fittings.

£2,000,000 – St. Ibbs Lodge, London Road, Saint Ippolyts, Hertfordshire SG4 7NL

• Grade II listed
• 5 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Double garage
• off-street parking for up to 8 cars
• 7-acre plot

Built around 1840 and originally serving as the gate lodge for St. Ibbs House, this home serves as the perfect countryside home. The modern structure and renovations, combined with the immense space, and unlimited potential, this property presents a truly unique opportunity.

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: property