Homes & Gardens

8 things to do in your garden in the winter season

Over the past several months, all of us in Britain have become more acquainted with our gardens than (probably) ever before. So, with restrictions continuing and winter coming, how can we continue to enjoy our personal green space?

Tidy your shed

There’s a fair amount of prep that needs doing to any garden before the first frost, but if the shed is untidy, it will make it harder to find the tools you need and there’ll be nowhere to store furniture, toys, or delicate potted plants.

This is also the time to have a clear out of broken/unused items and...

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Picture Perfect Retirement Homes Index

The UK’s top picture perfect retirement homes have been revealed by comparison website money.co.uk , with the likes of Victorian Gothic mansions and contemporary city-chic flats showing that stylish later living is pushing against stereotypes.

Luxury age-exclusive villages have been on the rise in the UK , offering both community and style. Usually aimed at those 55 and older, these properties provide an independent lifestyle which competes with those of Instagram influencers.

Entries include a Sussex village with its very own private lake, a sleek and modern London...

City dwellers flee London for greener pastures

Many city slickers are looking for a change of scenery post-pandemic, demonstrating a preference for properties out of the city.

The race is on

Preparation for a second lockdown is rapidly shifting the UK’s property market. Properties are disappearing fast as buyers look to expand their space, both inside and outside.

According to Rightmove, the average window of time to sell a home over £1m has dropped from 81 to 63 days. These figures are despite a 5% increase in the average housing price between 2019 and 2020; the fastest rate of increase in 4 years. The...

Types of Towels That You Must Own In your House

Towels aren't just another luxury product that we only use in showers; we use towels at every phase of our day. From the kitchen to the beach, towels are necessary everywhere. But often, we underrate the need for towels and use one for every occasion. This is both inconvenient and very unsafe for our health. However, if you make a small investment, and choose the right towels for every occasion, you'd genuinely be surprised by the benefits. In this article, we'll be discussing a few types of towels that are a must-have for every household.

However, it is important to note that...

Buy-to-let mortgages shift changing landscape for landlords

Landlords are faced with fewer mortgage options as many buy-to-let mortgages are taken off the market.

Fewer buy-to-let mortgages

Although the number of mortgages available has increased by 370 products since May, when the property market reopened, UK landlords are still facing far fewer options than they had previously. Since the beginning of March 2020, the number of fixed-rate buy-to-let mortgages has dropped by over a third (35%).

In the current landscape, there are only 1,535 deals available. Prospective borrowers with the smallest available deposits have...

Mortgage holiday end in sight

When the covid-19 pandemic began the UK government introduced the mortgage holiday scheme to give homeowners in financial difficulty some much needed respite. Almost 2 million applicants have received a complete or partial freeze on mortgage payments since the scheme began. With the end of the mortgage holiday, October 31st, now just a couple of weeks away, questions are being raised as to what happens next.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has stated that the scheme will not be extended beyond the current end date, although they have not yet ruled out the possibility and...

The best things to do after a home renovation

Homeowners who have recently renovated their homes are always overjoyed to hear that everything has been completed and that they are able to move in whenever they want to. After having waited for months or, sometimes, even years for their home construction projects to be finished, rushing into living in your home again may seem like the obvious thing to do. After all, you have waited all this time, why should you delay any more, right?

Unfortunately, this thought process is incorrect and can even be dangerous. Therefore, before moving in, it’s better to hire an experienced...

Are smart thermostats worth the investment?

Over recent years, smart thermostats have become very popular. Their popularity can be attributed to the numerous benefits that they offer to homeowners. Smart homes apply the use of smart devices like alarm systems and smart thermostats. What are smart thermostats? Smart thermostats are digital, WiFi-connected devices used to control home AC and heat systems. They typically perform the same functions as traditional thermostats. However, they offer digital advantages like the fact that they can be controlled using a mobile phone app. Are smart thermostats worth the investment? Smart...

Is it Possible to Sell a House Without a Real Estate Agent in the UK?

Hiring an estate agent can be expensive. It is possible to sell a property on your own, potentially saving you thousands from commission fees. There are a few things to keep in mind if decide to sell your house without an agent.

Know the value of your property

It is vital that you know how much your house is worth. An accurate listing price ensures your property is attractive to potential buyers. Listing your property with a reasonable price also helps avoids having it sit on the market for too long. Researching the price of similar homes as well as properties in your area will...

Your Complete Guide to Getting Rid of Pests

You’ve done it. You’ve found the perfect home at the cheapest price. You’ve done all the work, convinced your significant other, checked the local schools and crime rates. Everything seems great. Then you get a strange inkling that maybe there’s something wrong with the place. It’s so modestly priced. Could there be a strange history? You google the address and nothing comes up. On paper and search, everything seems perfect. Fast-forward 6 months, and you notice little bites missing from your toast. You leave the pies out to cool down on the counter and there are mysterious holes in the...

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service

The place where you kick up your feet and rest your head is more important than any destination you travel to during your week, month, or year. The holidays spent, and the memories you make within the four walls of your home will fill your photo albums and play a part in the people you and your children grow into. Life’s burdens can sometimes cause daily responsibilities, such as cleaning, to fall out of line. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a cleaning service.

Appliances and Tools

A lot of cleaning requires specific appliances that you might not be able to...