Homes & Gardens

Getting Yourself into the Best Financial Position When Applying For A Mortgage: A Guide 

Seeking a mortgage marks a pivotal financial step, demanding meticulous preparation and foresight. Securing favourable terms and interest rates holds the potential to yield substantial savings throughout the duration of your loan.

This guide furnishes actionable advice and tactics, empowering you to optimise your financial standing during the mortgage application process. By adhering to these strategies, you can realise your homeownership aspirations with confidence and alleviate financial strain.

Assess Your Financial Health

Before applying for a mortgage, take...

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Val Watson

Val Watson

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Exeter eco development set to complete in the summer

A new sustainable housing development in Exeter is on course for completion in the summer.

Housing association LiveWest has joined forces with partnership house building specialist, Lovell, to build 60 affordable homes at Ringswell Avenue.

There will be 35 homes for social rent and 25 for shared ownership, including a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties.

The first residents are set to move in early summer and the whole development will be completed before the end of August.

It is the first development to meet LiveWest’s new sustainable homes...

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4 Benefits of an oil-filled radiator

Authored by Liv Butler
Posted: Fri, 03/11/2022 - 6:51am

Have you been considering getting an oil-filled radiator for a while now but need some more information on them? Do you want to know why you should be getting an oil-filled radiator?

If you are searching for an effective and affordable way to heat your home this winter, consider investing in one of the best oil-filled radiators you can currently buy reviewed on Heating Wise . Oil-filled radiators are a type of space heater that uses oil as a heat transfer fluid.

Despite their name, oil-filled radiators do not emit any fumes or require refueling, making them a safe and...

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Hiring a chimney sweep

Authored by David Banks
Posted: Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:13am

It seems that with every passing day more and more people are talking about abandoning their gas or electric heating and moving on to traditional wood stoves.

If you buy your wood fuel in bulk, wood heat can cost you as little as 10 pence per kilowatt-hour of heat. Ecodesign-compliant wood burners can now be had for as little as £500. And if that wasn’t enough, unlike gas and (in most parts of the country) electric heat, wood fuel heat is considered to be 100% carbon neutral.

But if you want your wood burner to serve you well, you need to have it swept regularly. In this...

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Only 40% of homes in England meet recommend energy rating

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 03/08/2022 - 4:37pm

New Open Property Group research found that just 40% of homes in England meet the recommended Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘C’ or above.

The EPC scale is ranked from A-G and is used to measure the efficiency of a property based on the level of its emissions, its potential heat or energy loss and its likely fuel costs.

Currently, 63% of properties in the City of London meet the EPC rating of ‘C’ or above. This is closely following by Salford, which has 58% of properties meeting the recommended energy rating and Peterborough, where 53% of its properties...

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Get an Old Home Back into Prime Condition with Smart Improvements

Authored by Liv Butler
Posted: Mon, 03/07/2022 - 6:55am

Homeowners might love their houses, but they also know they are not perfect. It is especially so with homes that are getting older. Faded paint and old fixtures only add to the sense that time has left the place behind. Getting all of it back in prime condition will take some effort. Fortunately, there are some things you can do, like renovating oak beams to look modern or installing some modern fixtures. These upgrades can completely change the look of your home and make it look brand new. Here are some suggestions.

Renew the old beams and wood

While wood does not have...

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Energy saving tips in the home

Authored by Val Watson
Posted: Thu, 03/03/2022 - 2:42pm

Saving money in the home is essential. As costs seem to rise as the years go on, we are all trying to find ways to keep money in our pockets. The best way to save money in the home is through energy efficiency. Here are a few energy saving tips in the home.

Solar Panels

By installing solar panels on your home, you will be using less energy for heat, and that will have a positive effect on your bank account. Harnessing the power of solar energy will not only make your home more energy efficient, but home heating and cooling costs will drop. That’s a win/win.

Solar panels...

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How to plan a loft conversion

Authored by Liv Butler
Posted: Thu, 03/03/2022 - 1:43pm
The Three Types Of Loft Conversion

The Internal Loft Conversion

The first type of loft conversion is the internal loft conversion. This type of loft conversion requires very little alteration to the current exterior of the home. Some additions you may need are skylights, stud walls, insulation, and plumbing alterations.

Skylights are windows placed in the roof and stud walls are plasterboard walls found in all new build properties.

Typically, insulation and strengthening the floor are issues you come across. These are often the most cost-effective types of loft...

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If your home has been damaged by the storms 'beware of cold callers'

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 02/22/2022 - 10:45pm

Trading Standards is urging householders, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, to be on their guard for rogue traders who might try to cash in on the damage caused by recent storms.

At the end of last week and over the weekend Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset was hit by a series of storms which damaged homes and property.

Now the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is urging householders to always reject offers of goods and services from cold callers, which could include people claiming to be tree surgeons or roofers, and other tradespeople who call...

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Mattress for Mental Health

Health benefits from a memory foam mattress from the head to the toe

Authored by robint
Posted: Tue, 02/22/2022 - 6:03am

Poor sleep is bad news for your health. However, few people realise the power of a memory foam mattress when it comes to alleviating common conditions and improving health.

For those who suffer from insomnia, back pain, and other issues that could affect their night-time health, a memory foam mattress is the best choice.

Let's now take a look at the health benefits - from head and toe.

Memory foam mattress for mental health

Good sleep is good for your mental and physical health.

Sleep disorders and mental wellbeing

Both quality of...

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When you should consider selling your property

There is a right time to sell your property. The question is when. The timing of your move will be determined by how quickly you can sell your home. The process of selling your home should be painless. However, there are some important considerations you should keep in mind before you sell your property. For example, you need to carefully evaluate your equity, as it is crucial to get the best price possible. If you are upside down on your mortgage, you should consider selling your house before the equity is wiped out.

One of the most important decisions you'll have to make is...

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