Get Ready for Spring with Oakwood Estates

Welcome to the Oakwood Estates March Newsletter!

We hope to bring you news of what's going on with us, the local area and the property market so you are up to date. If you see something in our newsletter you wish to discuss further, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Until next time,

Oakwood Estates.

Oakwood Estates Sponsor King's Court First School's Annual Fundraiser

Oakwood Estates were the proud sponsors of King Court School’s annual spring fayre this March.

Students, parents and residents of Old Windsor turned out for the day, which included a variety of events; including a pamper corner, country dancing, bouncy castles and a raffle. Oakwood Estates were excited to be able to provide &150 as a top price for the raffle.

There was also a circus school, led by Peco the Clown, where attendees could learn to juggle and spin plates!

A crew from the local Slough Fire Station parked a fire engine outside the school, so that youngsters could take a close up look.

The annual fundraiser assists with the costs of enrichment activities for the school, like playground equipment and school trips.

3.5% Growth in UK House Prices Predicted for 2017

Recent analysis of past property market trends has forecasted a slowdown in UK price rises, but an overall rise in 2017.

This research was carried out by economists of the Housing Market Observatory at Lancaster University Management School and looked into property market performance since 2015. The objective of this research was to improve our understanding of the UK national and regional housing markets.

The study used quite a wide variety of factors at both regional and national level to reach its conclusion. This included factors such as the unemployment rate, price to income ratio, the number of housing starts and other variables to help best predict future trends.

The results of this research predicted a growth of 3.5% across the year and while this is a slight fall from the 4.4% rise in 2016, it is still an indication of a solid economic outlook for the UK property market.

This predicted increase in house prices does of course vary by region, however, it is expected that all regions will see growth this year.

As expected, the capital of England is forecasted to see a slightly higher rise than the national average. London is forecasted to see a slowdown in housing inflation up until Q2 of 2017, but price rises are expected to gather pace towards the end of the year to reach an overall increase of 3.9% for 2017.

East Anglia is the clear standout form this report, as the current growth leader by region and it is predicted to stay that way with the region likely to see a 5.7% jump in house prices this year.

There were suggestions from economists last year that the UK property market may see a price crash in 2017, however, the recent analysis from Lancaster University states that low mortgage rates and sound domestic economic conditions should prevent a sharp fall in prices, and growth in house values should gather momentum towards the tail end of 2017.

Which Home Feature Has the Most Influence on Prospective Buyers?

According to a recent survey, almost half of prospective buyers are most influenced by a new kitchen when buying a new home, with an additional 28% would be prepared to offer a higher price as a result.

Following closely behind is a new bathroom, which would influence 46% of home-hunters with a quarter of those saying they would pay a higher price tag.

Surprisingly, new windows were ranked third most important, however, as a reason for upping the price, a new extension was more important.

The level of desirability appears to depend mostly on how practical a feature is. New windows, loft insulation and boiler are all useful features which can contribute to keeping a home more comfortable and keep your energy bills down.

Whilst the results are mostly for fun, it’s extremely helpful for those thinking about renovating their home or for those looking to gauge what prospective buyers are currently interested in when it comes to property.

A Beginners Guide to Renting

Looking to rent a home but don’t know where to start, what to look for or what to avoid? We’ve put together a quick guide on the process to help you find your perfect property and hopefully help you avoid any pitfalls.

Hunting for the Right Property
Your first dip in the pool of properties will probably make you feel as though you’re drowning in homes so where do you begin? Luckily the internet has made it so easy to find properties in your area so why not take a look through our website? Also, register your details with us today to benefit from being the first to view some fantastic properties. Either call your local branch or register online.

Book a viewing
If you see a property that suits your needs then it’s wise to book a viewing as soon as possible. There is a very strong chance that you won’t be the only one eyeing up the property so make an appointment and try to ensure that all decision makers will be present so you don’t have to book a 2nd viewing if you like the place. Once you’ve found your property, it’s time to make an offer.

Reserving a property
Once you’ve chosen your property you will need to make a formal offer to the landlord through the estate agent. This offer will detail such things as the occupancy date and duration of letting. It's best to make sure that your offer is respectable, if your offer is too low then you could risk offending the landlord and the deal could fall through as a result.

Contracts & Vital Information
Once all parties are satisfied, you’ll receive a contract and a tenancy agreement. We know you’ve been waiting a long time for this, but don’t be tempted to just sign them both and ask “when can I move in?” take the time to read them thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask about anything that was unexpected or if you need something clarifying. It is vital that both parties have a crystal clear understanding of all terms and conditions along with knowing exactly what to do and who to contact if an area of the property needs repairing in the future.

Walkthrough
You’ve dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s, we’ve given you the keys, and it’s almost time for you to move in. There’s just a few more important things to do. Firstly, do a walk-through of the house and create an inventory of any faults or discrepancies that you find. This may seem tedious, but it will go a long way in reducing the risk of any disputes at the end of the tenancy. Once this is done, make some copies before everything is signed and dated.

Time to move in
It’s finally time to move in. Make sure you’ve got the contact details of your estate agent and the landlord in case you have any further questions about the property. Once all of that is taken care of, it’s time to put your feet up and get settled.