West Sussex Property Blog

Ask Hilary!

Posted on 1 December 2016 by Neil Moore

Neil Moore, MD at GL & Co Estate Agents, looks at some fast changing attitudes in the property market.

Winter Sussex Property Market Update

Posted on 17 November 2016 by Neil Moore

So what’s happening with the property market at the moment? Well, it seems a day does not go past when someone in the Government is not talking about the ‘dysfunctional housing market’.

Neil Moore, MD at GL & Co Estate Agents, offers some good advice about selling your home in this or any market. In 1987 a book called The Art of the Deal was published. Part-credited to one Donald J Trump it is estimated to have sold over one million copies and it held the number one spot on the New York Times Best Seller List for 13 weeks. What made it so popular? Simply that people were fascinated to learn how to make better business deals. Selling a home is business. So here are seven of my key thoughts on the art of the property deal.

Two brand new homes of exceptional quality

Posted on 1 November 2016 by Neil Moore

A fantastic opportunity to purchase one of only two bespoke brand new homes located in a quiet premier lane. These superb properties, each measuring almost 3,000 sq ft, have been finished to an exacting standard and benefit from four bedrooms and three bedrooms together with two reception rooms.

Autumn Property Market View

Posted on 19 October 2016 by Neil Moore

This is a good time of the year to take stock, look back at what has happened so far and at what the remainder of the year may hold. Here at GL&Co we have seen a relatively stable year which, under the circumstances, has been positive.

Eagle Eyed

Posted on 3 October 2016 by Neil Moore

Eagle-eyed property market watchers may have noticed a change. Certainly those in London will have seen a marked difference from a year ago. The market has done an about turn in favour of buyers. Fewer buyers and more properties available have changed the fortunes of purchasers. What does this mean for the market elsewhere? Well, often where London leads other areas follow.

Lucky You

Posted on 1 September 2016 by Neil Moore

Neil Moore, MD at GL & Co finds lessons to be learnt from Olympic preparation. The fabulous Rio Olympics remind us that dedication, natural talent, great coaching, relentless training, self-belief and a total focus on winning are what creates a gold medalist. Luck comes last on the list, for Olympians can’t rely on luck. Instead they have to depend on things they have control over.

Hexit

Posted on 2 August 2016 by Neil Moore

Neil Moore from GL & Co takes a look at the post-Brexit property market and offers some sound advice to those selling their homes over the summer months.

What's a Wells Cottage?

Posted on 15 July 2016 by Neil Moore

We take a look at the history of the very pretty Wells Cottages in Sussex which are popular with buyers in the area.

Brexit Property Special

Posted on 24 June 2016 by Neil Moore

Well now we know. Britain is leaving the European Union. All the scaremongering is over and we will learn in the coming years which of the two sides was right after all. But what will this decision mean for the property market in the UK? Read our latest blog to find out more...

Buy to Let Market Update

Posted on 24 May 2016 by Neil Moore

Many people are asking me if buy to let is now effectively dead following the introduction of the additional 3% Stamp Duty on purchases and the changes to tax legislation impacting landlords. Read more in my latest blog...

Opportunities in new commuter areas

Posted on 17 May 2016 by Neil Moore

We are now starting to see the start of Summer in the gardens – the leaves have returned to the the trees and the plants are blooming. But what of the property market at the beginning of Summer – are things starting to bloom? Well, activity levels in the market are positive, building on the end of last year.

Spring 2016 Property Market Update

Posted on 4 May 2016 by Neil Moore

What’s happening in the property market? My favourite question and one I am asked all the time! Well, we finished 2015 on a high according to the Halifax Price Index and they have reported house prices in the three months to March 2016 were 2.9% higher than in the three months to December 2015. So what happens now?

Interested in Interest?

Posted on 24 March 2016 by Neil Moore

There has been much speculation regarding interest rates – they cannot get any lower than they are so the question is, when will they start to rise? With £314m owed in mortgages for properties in the RH12 & RH13 postcodes alone, even the smallest rise could have a big impact so it is a question many people are asking.

Buy to Let Returns on Investment

Posted on 7 March 2016 by Neil Moore

In this blog I’d like to share with you the information I have been working on as part of the landlord portfolio reviews I have been carrying out for people. This may help you when reviewing your own property portfolio to establish if it is performing as it should or if it requires an overhaul in terms of rental income in light of the current market conditions.

Home Ownership Trends

Posted on 1 February 2016 by Neil Moore

Comments from local people about local housing have got me looking into the property figures in more depth to establish what the current market looks like in the local area and I would like to share my findings with you. It is no secret that we are an ageing population – increasing state pension ages is a sign that we are all now living longer. Someone who is currently 20 will be retiring at age 68 now according to the Government. As the age of the population changes we are starting to see a shift in home ownership as more people are now renting their homes. This shift can be seen at a local level.

Can your tenant rent your property?

Posted on 20 January 2016 by Angie Blunden

Did you know your obligations as a landlord include checking if your tenant can legally rent your property? This new requirement introduced by the Government is coming into force for all new tenancies starting from 1st February.

Is your rental energy efficient?

Posted on 19 January 2016 by Angie Blunden

The Government has recently passed legislation called the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. This is aimed at making it easier for tenants to rent more energy efficient properties. With effect from 1 October 2016 all private rented properties must have a minimum EPC of Band E. If the property does not meet this minimum requirement then landlords cannot start a new tenancy without making energy improvements.

Stopwatch for Stamp Duty

Posted on 6 January 2016 by Neil Moore

Even if your property is not directly affected by the latest Stamp Duty increases, perhaps because it is not a suited as a Buy To Let investment, it may be indirectly affected by the changes.

What does 2016 hold

Posted on 5 January 2016 by Neil Moore

Welcome to 2016 and a new era in property. It promises to be an eventful-packed year. The way has already been prepared for a change in April when higher stamp duty rates are applied to properties bought for buy-to-let or second home purposes. So expect a busy time for the next few months as buyers rush to complete purchases before the axe falls. Already buy-to-let purchases are near their pre-crisis levels and the Chancellor may well tighten up lending criteria to stave off any potential problems down the line - 2015 saw buy-to-let borrowing at £38 billion compared with £45.7 billion in 2007. Mr Osborne will further affect landlords as from April as when they will also lose higher-rate tax relief on mortgage interest payments.

Buy to Let – Demand and Supply

Posted on 4 January 2016 by

I have been looking very closely at the local rental market over the last month as there are a number of new developments in the area which would be suitable for buy to let investors.

Right to Rent

Posted on 21 September 2015 by Angie Blunden

Hot on the heels of the legislation regarding Section 21 changes and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rental properties is the Immigration Act 2014. This sets out requirements for landlords to check their tenants and people occupying their properties have a ‘right to rent’.

Location, location, location

Posted on 5 September 2015 by Peter Hossack

GL & Co Estate Agents are delighted to be launching four fabulous brand new houses set in idyllic countryside on the edge of the very popular town of Horsham. The properties have been built by Quantum Homes who have worked to exacting standards, resulting in high quality luxury homes which take full advantage of natural light and the picturesque setting.

April Showers

Posted on 8 April 2015 by Neil Moore

The property market can sometimes seem a bit like the weather. Some days it is fine and sometimes it is rainy. But some days it really does not know what it is doing. The market is a bit like that at the moment. Just when it looks as if there is no momentum there is a surge of interest and then as quickly as it comes it stops - just like an April shower.

Renewing a lease

Posted on 8 September 2014 by Neil Moore

Owning a leasehold property isn’t as secure as owning a freehold property, but you do have certain rights. Most importantly, once you have owned (not necessarily lived in) the property for two years, you have the right to ask for an extension of the lease, or to ask for the option to purchase the freehold. As leasehold properties are virtually worthless without a current leasehold agreement, then it’s vital to keep a keen eye on the remaining length of time on your lease.

The perfect home?

Posted on 5 March 2014 by Neil Moore

Neil, our MD, looks at one of the challenges of buying property in this buoyant market. The big challenge with this property market is that there is less time to make a decision to buy. The fewer properties on the market the more pressure there is for buyers to make a choice quickly.

How to make the most of your outdoor space

Posted on 7 February 2014 by Angie Blunden

With Spring just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about your garden and how to show it in it's best light to potential buyers - here's some ideas how...

The North Wind Doth Blow

Posted on 11 December 2013 by Angie Blunden

Guy Leonard & Co's blog - keep your home warm over the cold snap!

Lights, camera, action - ready to sell?

Posted on 8 October 2013 by Neil Moore

Neil Moore, MD at Guy Leonard and Company blogs about how to prepare your home for sale this Autumn

Green shoots in the market?

Posted on 22 January 2013 by Cathy Moore

Miles Shipside of Rightmove is telling us there are genuine reasons to be cheerful about the property market in 2013!

How do we see the economy in 2013?

Posted on 24 October 2012 by Neil Moore

Neil gives his thoughts on the economy in 2013 following a conference he attended last week.

An Indian Summer perhaps?

Posted on 17 September 2012 by Cathy Moore

Although the evenings are feeling autumnal we are enjoying some lovely September weather ... I think we deserve it!

A fantastic Closing Ceremony and what a beautiful county we live in!

Posted on 13 August 2012 by Cathy Moore

So the Closing Ceremony was amazing ... let's keep rocking!!

Sunshine at last and an Olympic barbecue in West Chiltington.

Posted on 23 July 2012 by Cathy Moore

At last the sun comes out and West Chiltington sees an Olympic Barbecue!

Planning the Future!

Posted on 2 April 2012 by Cathy Moore

Neil Moore considers the Government's new planning proposals.

As we enter a New Year we take a look at what lies ahead for the property market.

Posted on 9 January 2012 by Cathy Moore

As we enter a New Year we take a look at what lies ahead for the property market.

What's happening with the current rental market?

Posted on 3 November 2011 by Angie Blunden

Guy Leonard & Co comment on the current rental market in the UK

Scramble! The September Property Market

Posted on 1 September 2011 by Neil Moore

Neil Moore of Guy Leonard and Co Estate Agents posts his latest West Sussex property market comment

In the news...London Riots

Posted on 10 August 2011 by Peter Hossack

Following the unrest in London this week, our thoughts turn to friends and family in the area.

GL & Co celebrate Christmas

Posted on 13 June 2011 by Cathy Moore

Goodwood Breakfast Club and 999 calls from Guy Leonard & Company

Property and Prejudice the continued reticence of the banks to offer sensible mortgages

Posted on 1 March 2011 by Neil Moore

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single family in possession of a good mortgage must be in want of a house.

With romance in the air this February we take a loving look at how we can often fall head over heels with...a house

Posted on 7 February 2011 by Cathy Moore

With romance in the air this February we take a loving look at how we can often fall head over heels with…a house.

Estate agents licensing

Posted on 18 November 2010 by Neil Moore

I am pleased to advise everyone about the new licensing scheme that has been launched by the NAEA and approved by the government.

On Ice

Posted on 6 October 2010 by Neil Moore

Realistic estate agents are putting the champagne back on ice for a little longer. For a while many people thought that a buoyant property market had returned...

A message to the serious seller

Posted on 13 August 2010 by Cathy Moore

A Message to Serious Sellers - what can you do to make your property the 'pick of the bunch'?

A Game of Two Halves! Neil Moore comments on the property market after a very busy Spring.

Posted on 1 July 2010 by Neil Moore

A Game of Two Halves! Neil Moore comments on the property market after a very busy Spring.

The Chancellor Giveth and the Chancellor Taketh Away

Posted on 25 March 2010 by Neil Moore

The Chancellor Giveth and the Chancellor Taketh Away The 2010 Budget was, overall, rather neutral for the property market. But there are some winners and losers. The increase in the Stamp Duty threshold - doubled to £250,000

What a start to 2010

Posted on 10 February 2010 by Neil Moore

What a start to 2010..... thank goodness the snow has gone away....

The Truth about Climate Change

Posted on 9 February 2010 by Cathy Moore

The truth about Climate Change! The question of climate change is one of the great issues of our time.

Home owners take advantage of the market.

Posted on 13 January 2010 by Neil Moore

Neil Moore of Guy Leonard & Company looks into the options presented by the property market this autumn.

Wall to wall opportunities

Posted on 4 January 2010 by Cathy Moore

Neil Moore of Guy Leonard & Company surveys the property market landscape and finds that there are good things to look forward to in 2010.

Buy to let is back

Posted on 4 December 2009 by Cathy Moore

According to Susan Emmet from the Times - Buy-to-let is back...There is nothing like a housing market crash to test a landlord's mettle.

House price update

Posted on 26 October 2009 by Neil Moore

According to property website Rightmove, the average asking price for houses in England and Wales increased sharply in the four weeks to October 10