HOME MOVERS - HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS?

Whether You’re Buying Or Renting in Ayr, You’ll Regret Not Reading This … Probably

In this two-minute read, we look at avoiding regret when it comes to buying or renting a new home.

We’ve all had it – that gnawing sense of buyer’s remorse when we’ve made a purchase.

It could be the make of that new car you’ve ordered. Or the colour of that dress that looked good online, but will it have a wow factor when the delivery driver drops it off?

Or something as simple as ordering a dish in a restaurant that you suddenly wish you hadn’t as your friend’s requested meal sounds infinitely more appetising.

On a more serious (and expensive note), according to research by insurance company Aviva, over a quarter of people who bought a home during the pandemic now have some regret linked to it.

It was either the cost, location, or the property itself that created the nagging feelings of doubt.

The good news is the risk of buyer’s or renter’s remorse can be reduced by following these nine simple steps.

  1. Have a realistic budget and stick to it.
  2. Work out what you want from a home and what you actually need.
  3. Think ahead, will this home be providing what you need in five years’ time?
  4. Consider all the moving costs like removals, storage, legal fees etc.
  5. Consider any commute time, transport links, and even broadband speeds.
  6. Research the area if it’s new to you. The steps below are worth following.
  7. Consider speaking with people who already live in the area you’re looking at. If you’re brave enough, knocking on doors in the neighbourhood and asking direct questions can be priceless and very revealing.
  8. Jump on social media and ask in Facebook (other social networks are available) community groups what the area is like to live in.
  9. Speak to me. As a local property expert, I’ll give you an honest opinion on areas and the types of property you’re interested in.

And remember, it’s natural to have second thoughts about something as big as moving home – so don’t beat yourself up about it. But by taking a little more time and applying some more research, you’ll be more confident and comfortable about moving.

I’ve been helping people in Ayrshiremove home for more than 17 years and having a chat with me is something you won’t regret.

Call me on 01292 442888

by Andy

What's Going On In Ayrshire

Local Activities and Days out

Theres so much to do here in Ayrshire.  If your kids are whinging that they are bored this summer, visit Culzean Country Park.  Take a picnic and tire them out with a long walk through the woods.  There’s also Heads of Ayr Farm Park, or Craufurland Tree Top Trails for an exciting obstacle course in the trees.  For the enthusiasts, a trip over to Arran and a hike up Goat Fell is an absolute must for the spectacular views alone.  

For a less expensive day out, pack your bucket and spade and don’t forget about our beaches, Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Croy, Maidens. 

Click onto ‘what’s on!’ Ayrshire for a full list of local events. 

Housing and Property Market

Internet searches for property must be our favourite pastime.  Apart from football and love island obviously. 

Great News!  Todays’ property market in Ayrshire is certainly in favour of the seller.  Folk from all over are relocating to our lovely seaside towns. And why not?  

Bad News! This has had a knock-on effect with the Rental Market, and as such the supply of rental properties far outweighs the demand of prospective tenants.  As a local Estate and Letting Agent, we are seeing the desperation of those who have sold their properties and at closing dates, have nowhere to go!  It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find their next home.

If you are a landlord and have a vacant property, find out why it hasn’t yet attracted the right tenant. 

Here at Parkview Property, we have at least half a dozen excellent prospective tenants to choose from each one of our advertised properties.  Unfortunately, this means we need to let several ideal tenants down. Let us know if you can help.   

Shop Local

Don’t forget to support our local businesses too.   Eat out at an independent café, bar or restaurant.  These guys have struggled and will appreciate your custom and support. We are spoiled for choice.  Balgarth Pines, Fox and Willow, The Urbanist…too many to choose from.

While you are shopping locally, why not visit the Farmers Market at The Cross, Kilmarnock.  The produce is fresher than anywhere else, and what you spend goes directly to the farmer.

  • It is important to remember that by using these venues, you are supporting the local economy and sustaining local jobs.

You can find details of local events / activity days and local businesses on Facebook and What’s on! Ayrshire.

You can also find us on FB and more property information on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYqKXM_WiK5qXZNVL3X90fQ

by Andy

What Rules and Regulations Are Ayrshire Landlords Falling Foul of the Most?

Being a landlord is a tricky business. There are nearly 200 different pieces of legislation covering the how, why, and when of managing a rental property. Here are just four that landlords are often not getting quite right.

Deposit protection

In England, Scotland, and Wales, the deposit must be registered with a deposit protection scheme. The 2021 UK Landlord Survey found that 81% of landlords find registering their deposit difficult.

The deposit must be registered within 30 days of receiving cleared funds. The schemes are government-approved and the tenant must be informed where the money is deposited.

Energy performance certificates

Every rental property in the UK has to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). They are stored on an electronic register that is publicly available. However, they also have to be included in any advertising you do for your property.

Electrical safety regulations

In December 2015, strict rules about electrical testing for new tenancies in rental properties came into force. Inspections must be carried out by a qualified person on all fixed electrical installations.

Gas safety check regulations

If you have gas going in to your rental property, all appliances, pipework, and flues must be checked annually.

As for the electrical safety tests, ensure that you use a qualified engineer and don’t plump for the cheapest. The report must be given to the tenant within 28 days as well.

TOP TIP: As with any time you need to visit, or arrange a visit to the property, make sure you give the tenant at least 24 hours’ notice. Keep a record of having given notice. If the tenant refuses access, you’ve then got the evidence that you tried.

If you’re a landlord in Ayrshire and are not 100% sure on all the rules and regulations you need to abide by, get in touch with us at Parkview Property. A free, no-obligation chat will show you what you might need to tweak or if you’re on the right track.

by Andy

How To Avoid Bad Tenants

https://youtu.be/f8_B6D6DxWE

New landlords often flirt with the idea of ditching traditional tenant selection processes and taking a DIY approach instead.

After all, there are so many ways to source tenants these days – like Gumtree or social media – why bother with anything else?

Trust us, side-stepping a formal selection process may seem like it might save you time, but it can be so much costlier in the long run.

Wind up with a bad tenant and you can expect:

  • Sleepless nights.
  • Sky-high legal bills.
  • Lost income.
  • Property damage.

Let me explain more about the risks of skipping proper reference and credit checks.

If you use an online platform like Gumtree

The internet has made it easier for landlords to find tenants, but not easier to find good tenants. Post an ad online, and you’ll get lots of responses – but many of them will be from time-wasters and con artists, not genuine candidates. Professionals are more likely to use a traditional bricks and mortar letting agent because they’re wary of getting ripped off in an online scam.

Tenants aren’t the only ones to fall prey to online scammers; landlords can be targets, too. Online crooks often use ‘to let’ adverts as ‘phishing’ opportunities. They pose as tenants to get as much information as they can about you and your vacant property, before they get to work fleecing you.

If you let to a mate or relative after asking around on social media

You may be tempted to ask your contacts on WhatsApp or Facebook if they’re looking for a place to rent. But be warned: things can get very messy when you blur the lines between personal and professional. If things don’t work out, it could cause a major family fall-out or friendship rift.

Sometimes, when a landlord knows the tenant, they don’t bother with a contract. Please, never, ever do this. If you do get into a dispute later, your legal options will be limited.

Some buy-to-let mortgages prevent landlords from renting to a family member or friend. Always check the fine print before making a decision.

Insurance companies often get twitchy if the tenant is a relative. In some cases, your cover is invalidated if the tenant is a family member. In other circumstances, you won’t be covered if you haven’t conducted reference checks.

What’s the alternative?

Here at Parkview Property, we have a 5 star tenant selection process that offers you peace of mind and legal protection. It involves screening candidates by phone, in-person interviews, and rigorous reference, credit, and employment checks.

Remember, it’s never too late to screen your tenants – even if they’ve already moved in.

If you want to know more about our referencing procedures, please feel free to contact us here at Parkview Property Ltd  Tel; 01292 442888

Copyright 2021

by Andy

Top Tips for Selling Your Home When You Have Pets

In this two-minute read, we show you how to present your pets when selling your home.

The UK is a nation of animal lovers, with some estimates suggesting there are 40 million pets across the country. The pandemic led many people to add a pet to their household as well, using the time at home to settle in with their new addition. However, when selling your home, you need to appeal to as many people as possible, whether they prefer cats, dogs, terrapins, or no pets at all. Here are our recommendations to do just that.

Get prepared

When you know the photographer is booked to visit your property, where practical, tidy away the most obvious signs of pets in your home. Some people, even when browsing online, can be put off because of previous bad experiences with pets. Ensure you are getting the most viewings possible from the pictures by keeping pet paraphernalia to a minimum and keeping them out of shot.

For the fluffy and the furry

Open the windows to air your home. This helps freshen the property from any odour to which you may have become desensitised. Tidy away pet belongings so it is not the main thing the viewer will notice in the rooms. Remove excess pet hair from soft furnishings and carpets with a quick vacuuming or wipe over with a damp rubber glove. If possible, ensure the pet themselves is not there. Perhaps a friendly neighbour could help or book a pet sitter.

Non-fluffy pets

Any pets, like reptiles or other sorts of animals in terrariums, are often best to cover over before a viewing. Some people find them either such a turn-off, or so interesting, they fail to focus on the property itself! Any birds or small pets, like guinea pigs or gerbils, need to be cleaned out as close to the time of viewing as possible.

Spick and span

If you have litter trays in the property, be sure they’re clean and have fresh litter. If your pets use the garden, be sure it’s free of any reasons to watch where you walk. Don’t forget to check your cat’s favourite location to drop off any little dead presents too. Check all doors and windows for paw prints or nose marks and wipe clean. This also lets more light into the property, which is always a positive.  

If you’re planning a move with your pet and have questions about how best to present your property, give us a call on 01292 442888.

Copyright Parkview Property Ltd 2021

by Andy