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How Much Would it Cost to Rebuild Your Property?
Do you know what it would cost to rebuild your property if it suffered serious damage? Chances are the answer is probably not. But increasingly home owners are expected to supply an accurate rebuild cost to insurance companies when taking out a buildings insurance policy. And this is where potential problems can arise. Imagine –…
Introducing Airocam, a piece of kit that enhances the Home-Approved service
Launched in 2015, Airocam is a very nifty pole camera system developed by our very own Matthew Brown! The biggest challenge for any surveyor is how to carry out a thorough property survey when roofs and chimneys can sometimes be very difficult to access and also the most costly areas in terms of repairs.
Why you shouldn’t rely on just a mortgage valuation
Buying a property brings with it an endless list of things to be done – even if the sale goes smoothly there is plenty of stress to be had. So it’s little wonder that opportunities to make life easier can be so attractive, even if it means paying a premium for a removals company to do all your packing!
It’s time to get out of The Smoke and commute instead
Do you work in London but struggle to afford to live there? Do you rent and despair of ever getting on the property ladder? It’s definitely getting harder to live in the capital.
Preparing Your House for Sale: how to make it a truly desirable property
So you’ve decided to move, have a valuation price and estate agent that you’re happy with, and you’re looking forward to viewings and that all important offer. But if you’re serious about making sure your property doesn’t linger on the market for too long and you want to achieve its full sale potential, you’ve still got a bit of work to do!
Are We Facing a Housing Crisis?
So RICS has just announced that house price inflation is likely to hit 6% this year, revised from 3%, and it’s all down to the lack of available properties. It’s a double whammy for anyone trying to get on the property ladder or wanting to move, especially when you factor in the average price of a house currently just over £200,000.
The Rise and Rise of Generation Rent
In other countries it’s the norm to rent. In the UK, we seem to have an inherent desire to own our homes and being a home owner says something about one’s social status, however consciously or subconsciously. For the under-40s who are becoming Generation Rent it is an unfortunate and frustrating time.
Why You Should Use a RICS-Regulated Surveyor
As we all know buying a property is a huge financial investment and mistakes can prove costly. It’s easy to fall in love with a house, be swayed by your estate agent’s powers of persuasion and be keen to secure its purchase. But the key to your future happiness in the house of your dreams…
Obtaining Estimates for Works
In our previous article about finding contractors we mentioned the importance of getting quotations. Just as it’s important to avoid working with cowboy traders we cannot stress enough the importance of knowing what you are expected to pay for a job – and making sure that you are sufficiently well protected. Always ask for a written…