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When Samsung surveyed more than 1,000 consumers looking to buy or rent a home in the next five years, it found people were prepared to pay a healthy premium for a smart home. 

The stats have spoken and Zoopla said it is now cheaper to buy a property than it is to rent. The key metrics include the average first-time buyer mortgage payment, the average UK rent and the average first-time buyer house price.

Brighter days and warmer temperatures are often the catalyst for increased property activity and last month was no different. Rightmove’s March House Price Index saw all its vital metrics increase. The figures provide a positive market overview. 

When it comes to cooking, many of us grab a pan, listen for the familiar click of the ignition firing and watch as a blue flame instantly provides heat. In fact, Good Housekeeping says 54% of UK households have a gas hob.

Spic, span and sparkling? No. Some home buyers pass up immaculate, modern properties and willingly head for the shabbiest house in the search results. If you’re on the fence about purchasing a fixer upper, here are four reasons why a wreck could be the right choice.

It’s almost impossible to talk about the buy-to-let market without talking about mortgages. Figures from money.co.uk estimate around 60% of landlords fund part or all of their property investment activity using a buy-to-let mortgage.

Just like that, February was over. While it can feel like a quiet month squashed between the New Year rush and the spring peak, February 2025 had a micro-climate all of its own. As well as home movers pushing to complete before the stamp duty deadline on 31st March, we were noting the buyers of the future.

When it comes to selling a property, there is a fine line between ‘homely’ and ‘hoarding’. A quick scan of the internet reveals numerous surveys showing what buyers find off putting when searching for a new home. Something that crops up time and time again is clutter, with junk knocking anywhere between 10% and 20% off a home’s value.

Have you ever heard of the 5th wall? Unless you’re an avid fan of interior programmes and design magazines, the phrase may be unfamiliar to you. The 5th wall refers to a room’s ceiling, suggesting it is an extra surface that’s available to decorate.

If you are buying a property, every little helps – especially when it comes to finding enough money for a deposit. Just how much purchasers rely on a cash injection was revealed in 2024, when analysis by Uswitch found 37% of UK first-time buyers were only able to amass a deposit thanks to financial help from family or friends. 

The new year got off to a busy start across all our departments. We eagerly awaited the first property reports of 2025 to assess the health of the wider market. The verdict? There are many positives to take away, starting with a sales market bubbling with interest.

Does your wind-down ritual include a hot bath, soothing music and a scented candle? Are you perfuming the air ahead of viewings with a luxury number from Jo Malone or Diptyque? If you are, you may be releasing harmful particles every time you light the wick.