
Property Blog

Property Investment: Affordability Matters - The North/South Divide
Often, investors must make choices that depend on their priorities – i.e. whether they want to maximise capital growth or rental returns. Now, however, all the key data sources are pointing in the same direction: the country’s more affordable regions not only hold the greatest promise of capital growth; they should also deliver the best rental yields over the coming years.

The Dirty Truth About Contractor Uplifts, Kickbacks, Agent Commissions and Landlord Fees
As a landlord and possible investor, it is important to be aware of all the costs that can come with renting out your property, this is after all your profit, pension, savings, or income. The last thing you want is for hidden costs to eat into your income and reduce your NET yield. For many years (see this article published in the Telegraph from 2014 - Landlords hit with hidden fees and commissions) uplifts for contractors have been a common charge that agents have been forcing landlords to pay.

Houses or Flats as Property Investments: Which One Wins the Battle of the Best?
When considering houses or flats for investment, the question of which is better often arises. With the UK property market being as unpredictable as it is, it can be hard to decide which option is the best way to invest your money. In this blog post, we'll look at the pros and cons of both houses and flats as investments, so that you can make an informed decision on which is the better option for your needs. We will also take a look at some of the few misconceptions you might hear people claim about flats and houses



Energy Efficiency – A Changing Tide for Investors
Energy efficiency is destined to become a permanent feature of the property investment landscape. Awareness is being driven by legislation, by household concerns about energy costs and by a growing appreciation of the need for societies to be more sustainable in general.
Investors who recognise this and who shape their portfolios accordingly can look forward to much better and more reliable returns than those who continue to let older, poorer-quality homes. They can also expect to incur far fewer costs and, in some cases, to benefit from preferential terms on buy-to-let mortgages.

Tales of a “Lycra Clad Loony”
Paul Winder, our "lycra clad loony", completed the Pan Celtic Race 2023 on 11 July, after cycling more than 2,000 km across six Celtic nations in just over 9 days. The Pan Celtic Race is a self-supported, ultra-endurance bicycle ride that takes riders through stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany.












