Has it ever occurred to you that our gardens are – potentially – the largest nature reserve in the country?

The total area of private gardens in the UK adds up to almost two million acres. This weekend is the Big Garden Birdwatch, running since 1979, and over half a million people will typically take part. It is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey, and last year over 9 million birds were counted. Over the course of one hour, between 26 and 28 January, residents are asked to submit the birds they see in their gardens to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Guides are available online to help spot the different species you might encounter.

The stats are quite scary – over the past 50 years, the population of birds in the UK has dropped by 73 million.  House sparrows top the list of birds spotted – 1,401,338 in 2023, but they have declined by 57% since 1979. 

We can help by making our gardens better for wildlife, and there are so many ways we can do this, whether we have a small patio, a stretch of lawn or a mature plot full of shrubs and trees. 

• Bird tables, and sophisticated variations which are squirrel-proof, are increasingly popular. 

• We can put out water too, especially during hot and cold spells. 

• You will also attract butterflies and bees if you grow plants rich in nectar. Catmint is a magnet for bees and a buddleia bush in full bloom is heaven for butterflies. 

• Nettles are great for feeding the caterpillars of many types of butterfly. 

• Berry bushes bring in birds. 

• If you have a lawn, you could let part of it grow wild, and adding a wildflower mix will look stunning for both humans and wildlife.

• Piles of leaves, logs or stones all help mini beasts find homes.

The RSPB website has all sorts of information on what different birds like to feast on. 

Why not join in for an hour this weekend and enjoy recording your garden visitors?

V&H Homes Estate Agents in Ashtead are looking for a part time Viewings & Office Assistant to join our company.

This is an opportunity to work within a highly experienced team in our busy Ashtead office.

We will consider high calibre applicants who have a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Hours: 2 days a week; every Saturday 8.30am - 5pm and one day in the week 8.30am - 6pm (weekday hours can be flexible).

Requirements: Full UK Driving Licence.

Experience: Experience in Estate Agency is preferred, but not necessary. Training will be provided.

Duties will include:

• Accompanying prospective buyers to properties and encouraging offers.
• Talking with prospective and existing clients on the telephone and face to face.
• Delivering exceptional customer service.

We need you to be:

• Responsible and reliable.
• Able to communicate effectively.
• Professional, organised and have a great work ethic.
• Confident over the telephone and present a positive image of V&H Homes at all times.

If you are interested in this role, please send your CV to [email protected].

Last month, changes were made to how some aspects of Right to Rent checks are completed in England. 

Since 2014, anyone letting a property in the UK has been obliged to complete a Right to Rent check every time they take on a new tenant. As part of the changes to Right to Rent checks, landlords in England are no longer allowed to accept physical biometric residence cards and permits, nor Frontier Worker permits. All holders of these cards and permits in England will have to verify their identity using an online service operated by the Home Office. 

There are legal implications for anyone who does not follow the new laws. It is illegal for landlords to only check people that they think are not British citizens; the government states that potential tenants should not be discriminated against based on speculation about where they are from. 

For now, this change is limited to tenancies in England. For the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland, the Home Office will require tenants to register with a certified identity service provider (IDSP), which will use identity document validation technology (IDVT) to share checks with agents and landlords. 

If you are a tenant or landlord looking for answers, get in touch and we will help wherever we can. 

With demand for homes still outstripping supply, sellers can be confident they will find a buyer quicker than ever before. * 

On average, properties are spending just 33 days on the open market, compared to 2019 when the average time on the market stood at 67 days. As well as this, the huge decline in sale time means that 53% of property sales are now being agreed at a figure above the asking price, as buyers bid higher to secure their ideal home. * 

The large number of buyers continues to create a competitive market, ideal for sellers. Over 125,000 prospective homeowners took to the market in April to take advantage of the great seller’s market. *  

If you are looking for a quick sale of your property, start by booking a free property valuation here. 

*Rightmove 

If you have ever considered building a property portfolio as a landlord, now could be a great time to start your journey. 

Information from a market-leading property portal indicates rents have risen at the fastest rate on record, and tenant demand has almost doubled. At a time when interest rates on traditional savings accounts are low, many believe it is a good time to invest in the property market. * 

Lenders are evidently committed to supporting prospective landlords. A recent report from a popular money comparison site revealed there are currently 2,235 mortgage products on offer to first-time landlords, an increase of more than 70% than the same time last year.  

A huge 64% of available buy-to-let mortgage products are catering to first-time investors and rates are attractive, allowing landlords to protect themselves against future rate rises by locking into a good deal with a fixed-rate mortgage. The average two-year fixed rate mortgage for a first-time landlord is currently 3.19%, rising to 3.47% for a five-year fixed product.  

If you would like to explore buy-to-let properties and mortgage products which could lay the foundations for your property portfolio, call us today and talk to one of our team members. 

Last year, Rightmove saw a 26% increase in web traffic, with over four million of us visiting their website on Boxing Day.
 
Your property could be marketed to a HUGE online audience over the festive period and the New Year.
 
Listing is a sure-fire way of capturing attention from serious buyers and tenants.

Did you know...
 
Online property searches double over the Christmas and New Year period.
 
On average, there's a 20% increase in people searching online for their next home.
 
9 pm was the citied as last year's prime property-surfing time. 
 
Over 2.3 million people visit Rightmove on the 29th December.
 
Over 3.3. million people visit Rightmove on the first day of the New Year.
 

The rental market is at a five-year high following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, with demand on the rise and rents are also increasing.

Even though demand is high, it's important to make your property stand out to attract prospective tenants.

Here's how to keep your lettings properties in high demand...

1. Energy efficiency is important

UK tenants have highlighted how important green issues and the environment are to them in a new survey which revealed an overwhelming 98% would prefer a property that was optimised to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and minimise environmental impact.*

2. Invest in mod cons

Modern tenants expect more from their rental properties and mod cons are becoming a top priority for renters, with high-speed Wi-Fi a particularly important factor for many modern renters.

3. Location preferences

When considering a property investment, choose a location that is appealing to renters - near to train stations and village or town centres.

Rental trends change frequently, so as a landlord you need to ensure you understand the needs and priorities of your tenants and consider how these could change over time.

If you are looking to take advantage of this year's rental market conditions, but don't know where to start, why not contact our team today for more support.

With the property market currently at optimal conditions for those looking to sell their home, nervous sellers are being encouraged to capitalise on this record-breaking surge in activity.

This urge to sell comes after housing stock has decreased month-on-month, causing a drop of 40% in stock levels since January.*

Could a move be on the cards for you this year? Value your home today with V&H Homes and start your journey today.

In addition to the stark decrease in stock levels, the 2021 property market has also seen a massive 40% of properties selling above asking price.*

With houses in Surrey increasing in price by 10% in the past 12 months, could learning your home's value be the motivation you need?**

If you feel like you need support on navigating your way through the property market, speak to our team.

The next six months are expected to be a busy time for the property market

As restrictions are officially lifted and the stamp duty holiday draws to a close, we take a look at what will be influencing home purchases going forwards over the next few months.

What will happen to house prices after the stamp duty holiday?

As demand still remains above normal levels for the season, many people will be undeterred by the end of stamp duty savings next month.

Instead, they'll be pushed to buy based on their changing needs and living conditions, meaning house prices are expected to remain consistent.

Market update

Over the last year, average property prices in Surrey, have increased by 12%, with the average property now worth £613,048.*

*Rightmove Intel