Moving into a new property at a new location can bring a whirlwind of emotions, including stress, excitement, and a slight apprehension, but it’s essential to create a positive impression on your new neighbours.  

Your neighbours play a vital part in keeping you and your property safe, so it's crucial to create a good, solid relationship.  

Start with a simple introduction  

When relocating into a new home, you should approach your new neighbours at the first chance and introduce yourself. A great way to confidently do this is by approaching them and beginning your relationship with a kind, simple smile and introduction, creating a solid foundation.  

Having this first interaction creates an important first impression and can help you identify what your new neighbours are like, potentially preventing future disputes.  

Keep your surrounding property tidy  

Whether you live in an apartment, a terraced, semi-detached, or detached property, you may have shared-cared spaces you look after with your neighbours. This could be a shared drive, fence, or pathway, so it’s important that you communicate clearly and create a rotation of care for the shared space to avoid disputes.  

It is vital that you help maintain these spaces and create a clean environment in your community. By having an untidy entrance or drive to your home, it can imprint a negative impression on your neighbours and potentially make their property look untidy. So, by simply sweeping around your property to remove any loose leaves or debris, you can make a positive impression on your neighbours.  

Property garden maintenance  

Maintaining your property's surroundings also includes keeping your garden well-groomed to produce a beautiful appearance. You can simply care for your garden by ensuring your grass doesn't overgrow with a weekly cut and potentially planting some bulbs, which will allow effortless flowers to appear every year. Don't become the property that everyone avoids; instead, impress your neighbours with a well-cared-for garden.  

Neighbouring hedges and fences  

When it comes to first impressions with your neighbour, disputes can easily be encouraged if you are sharing a fence or hedge. This is extremely common, so before making any changes to any hedges or fences, it is key to discuss your options with your neighbour and ensure you receive the green light. Your neighbours will appreciate the discussion, demonstrating clear communication from your end and an excellent first impression.  

Home improvements  

When moving into a new property, sometimes you want to make slight home improvements, which can potentially cause disruption to your new neighbours. Keeping your neighbours informed and providing them with notice of any completed work is crucial.
Being a good neighbour means being considerate of others and being aware of the little things. For example, outdoor flood lighting can shine into your neighbouring homes, disturbing their privacy, or an outdoor shed could disturb their garden's sunlight. Being aware of the little things can create a good first impression on your neighbours.  

Be a considerate neighbour  

When moving to a new home, it’s vital to be a good, kind neighbour and considerate of your surroundings. This can be as simple as not being disruptive with noise pollution, taking your rubbish bins out at the correct times, parking in the correct place; there are so many unwritten rules of being a good neighbour and creating a good first impression.  

Clear communication is a key rule to maintaining a positive relationship with your neighbours and keeping you and your community safe. Exchanging numbers with your neighbour allows you to communicate clearly if you feel something suspicious is occurring. The more people you know in your area, the safer you and your property will be.  

With a rapid increase in rental inflation in recent years, the good news that the UK lettings market is becoming more stable for both landlords and tenants is welcome news to all ears. So why is this and what does it mean for landlords and tenants? 

Earnings growth of 6%*

According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, annual growth in regular earnings was at 6% in February 2024.* And with rental inflation at its lowest in two years, renting has become a little more affordable. While no one is suggesting that renting is becoming cheaper, the market is a little less frantic without rapidly spiralling costs. Increased earnings and inflation are putting the cost of renting into perspective and make it more palatable. 

The economy is improving 

With the economy growing in the first quarter by 0.6%* of 2024, the economic outlook improved further as this year progressed. With lowering inflation as the Bank of England makes headway towards their target of 2%, slow, sure-footed steps of stability and improving conditions mean increased confidence in the lettings market. All of this helps to reduce the financial pressure on landlords and tenants. 

More choice for tenants 

There is more choice for tenants, with 11% more properties available to rent in Q1 of 2024 compared with last year.** It can be frustrating for tenants searching for a new home. With a little more choice as more affordable homes for rent enter the market, tenants have a better chance of finding a better home. Happy tenants make for a happier market as tenants settle down enjoying good homes. With fewer void periods (when rental properties are vacant), uncertainty is replaced with confidence for landlords. 

More opportunities for landlords 

While the market is in a better place, there is no doubt that if you are investing in the buy-to-let market, you need to watch your costs. Many landlords will be delighted to see the costs of materials and borrowing improve. The rental market might be stabilising, but the fact remains that there is a shortage of rental properties on the market. While rental inflation might be at its lowest in two years, average UK rental prices increased by 7.8%*** on last year. This presents more opportunities for landlords to invest in the buy-to-let market and is proof of the high level of demand in this sector.  

In summary 

The UK rental market is becoming more stable with improving affordability levels, which are important steps in the right direction for tenants and landlords. However, the reality is that this sector needs more landlords to meet the ever-growing demand for good homes. Using a local letting agent is still the most comprehensive way for tenants to enjoy better properties and for landlords to match their properties with tenants. Working together so that the standard of homes, and the renting and letting processes improve with the economy is high on the agenda for many, including the government. The Renters Reform Bill will also improve life for landlords and tenants, and with the guidance of a good agent, is something to embrace rather than fear.

Selling your home involves countless difficult decisions, and knowing which offer to accept is no exception. You might have asked yourself: What if the first offer is the best one? While achieving the highest possible price for your home is an important goal to keep in mind, there are several other factors that might come into play.

Here are some key considerations to help you make your decision.

Buying position

The term ‘buying position’ refers to the buyer's readiness to proceed with the sale. Therefore, factors such as being in a chain, having a mortgage agreement in principle, and being a cash buyer, all affect the buyer’s positioning. A first-time buyer, for example, might be in a great position to buy your house since they don’t have one to sell first.

If you’re hoping for a quick move with fewer complications, you should take buying position into consideration when comparing offers.

When the first offer comes in

The first offer is an important one for a multitude of reasons. You aren’t obligated to accept the first one that comes in (or any offers for that matter) but there may be circumstances in which you do accept the first offer made on your home. 

For example, if your home has been on the market for a long time without generating much interest, you might be more inclined to accept your first offer. Conversely, if you’re in need of a quick sale, you might accept the first offer in favour of waiting for more to come in. 

There are also some compelling reasons why you might not accept your first offer. For example, you might fear that the offer is too low and you could risk missing out on a better offer if you hold out. There’s no way to be certain of this, which is why it’s important to have an agent guiding you through these tough decisions.

What happens if I receive two or more offers on my home?

If your house draws in multiple offers, you could be well-positioned to sell it for a high price. If both offers are identical, you have two options:

1. You can accept the offer from the buyer who is in the best position to close the deal fast. This could be someone without a chain, or someone who has a mortgage deal in principle.
2. You can move to sealed bids. This is when your estate agent asks each party to put in writing the highest amount they are willing to pay for the property. The bids must then be sealed and sent back to your agent by a specified date.

Should I pick the highest offer?

Sometimes the highest offer is the right one to choose, after all, it makes logical sense to sell your home for the highest price possible. However, some sellers might choose a lower offer in favour of a better buying position. For example, a cash buyer might offer a lower amount in exchange for a less complicated sale. 

The same goes for first-time buyers, or those with a mortgage agreement in principle. If the seller places more value in a quick move, they might lean towards offers from these groups. 

Our experts aren’t here to tell you which offer to choose, but we can use our local market expertise and sharp negotiating skills to guide you towards the best outcome for your sale. Remember – it’s your home, so the choice is yours!

If you’ve reached the homestretch of your sale, exchange and completion will be your final two hurdles. Let’s take a look at the difference between the two, what to expect at each stage, and the key things you’ll need to bear in mind.

What is the difference?

While exchange and completion are essentially the final phases of a property sale, they are separate from one another: