Sales

The new year has started with some bright news from the mortgage lending market. Rates attached to home loans have been steadily falling and in January, some of the most substantial rate cuts were made by leading banks and building societies.

How do Artex ceilings, avocado bathroom suites and rotten window frames make you feel when looking at properties for sale? While some purchasers will recoil at the prospect, others relish the opportunity to rip out, refurbish and make their own mark.

After a long period of stability, mortgage rates have hardly been out of the news headlines. In September, everyone held their breath as the Bank of England - responsible for UK-wide monetary policy - made its latest announcement.

Sellers? Commission a survey? It’s not as silly as it sounds. Issues identified in a buyer’s survey are some of the most common reasons why a sale collapses, asking prices are negotiated downwards and delays occur. Sometimes it pays to be forewarned and sellers can do this by ordering their own surveys. Here are some helpful Q&As for those concerned about the condition of their property or who want to avoid the unexpected.

Fed up of conventional flower beds? Looking for something more than a lawn? Why not try a revived garden trend – the stumpery?

Problems with Japanese knotweed are well documented, with this invasive species sometimes preventing buyers from getting a mortgage on an affected property. While home movers are busy keeping an eye out for Japanese knotweed, they may be overlooking a different horticultural threat.