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After years of speculation about interest rates, the Bank of England have announced that interest rates are rising from 0.5% to 0.75%.

Are you the type of person who shops around for the best phone contract? Do you compare prices for gadgets to make sure you’re getting the best deal before you buy? It makes sense to apply these skills to what’s likely to be your biggest financial commitment: your mortgage. If done correctly, you could potentially save thousands per year, but there are some definite negatives if you rush into it without considering all the angles.

So, how is the property market in the south-east? It’s looking like another busy summer in the south-east, so we thought you might find it useful to read our market overview for the first 6 months of 2018 and take advantage of some insight from experts the length and breadth of our company, including those in residential sales and lettings to new homes and mortgages.

If you don’t want to end up in the house that Jack built, you’re going to want a property survey conducted before you sign on the dotted line You need to be certain what you’re investing in, and that any potential issues with the structure, building work or the interior are highlighted. The result of the survey could lead you to back out of a property purchase before you make a mistake that could cost you a small fortune.

Are you easily swayed by a beautiful garden when you’re viewing a property? You’re not alone. According to Rightmove, a whopping 87.5% of buyers believe that a garden can add up to £15,000 to the value of a property. Before you rush to call in the gardener with an SOS, we’ve got some quick tips to help you prepare your garden without becoming a botanist.

“What can a mortgage broker do that I can’t do myself?” “Why should I pay for services when there are so many extra costs already involved?” These may be questions you’re asking yourself when considering going direct to a high street lender for a mortgage, or using a mortgage broker.

If you are a landlord and are considering using a letting agent, you are not alone. In less than two decades the UK’s private rental market has undergone a transformation, with housing stock more than doubling, from just under 10% in 2000 to 20% (the equivalent of 4.7 million households) in 2017. With 92% of private landlords letting less than five properties and 59% letting only a single property that is a significant number of landlords with property to let.

If you have a family, you’ll be used to thinking about the bigger picture and putting your children first. Whether you have kids now or are planning a family, you’re going to have to consider whether a property will be suitable for a crawling baby, a tottering toddler or teenagers that need their own space. We’ve listed eight warning signs to look out for when deciding whether a property is family-friendly.

As a landlord, you have multiple responsibilities on your remit. When it comes to deciding which tenancy length to offer tenants things can get a bit confusing. Tenancies can run anywhere from 6 months up to 3 years. We’re going to break it down for you.

Would you spend a mere 15 minutes looking around a property before you make an offer? Many people do and it can be a big mistake. This place is going to be your home for years to come and there are important pieces of the puzzle to consider.