Walsall Property Market

Comment on the Walsall property market

How much are Walsall Buy-to-Let Yields a year?

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , , , ,
How much are Walsall Buy-to-Let Yields a year?
How much are Walsall Buy-to-Let Yields a year?

Purchasing your first Walsall buy to let (BTL) property is not the same as buying one to live in.  You have to employ a completely different set of tactics, methodology and mind-set.

The main difference is when purchasing your own property, you may well pay a little more to get the home you and your family want, and are less likely to compromise.  When buying for your own use, it is only human nature you will want the best, so that quite often it is at the top end of your budget; because as my parents always used to tell me – you get what you pay for in this world!

Yet with a Walsall buy to let property, if your goal is a higher rental return – a higher price doesn’t always equate to higher monthly returns – in fact quite the opposite.  Reasonably priced Walsall properties can bring in higher monthly returns.  Most landlords use the phrase ‘yield’ instead of monthly return.  To calculate the yield on a buy to let property one basically takes the monthly rent, multiplies it by 12 to get the annual rent and then divides it by the value of the property.

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Walsall Property – Jargon Busting Terminology (PART 2)

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , , ,
Walsall Property - Jargon Busting Terminology - PART 2
Walsall Property – Jargon Busting Terminology – PART 2

I have had a massive response from my Blog reading friends since I posted last weeks article on Jargon Busting. The thought had crossed my mind to do something different this week however, my readers have convinced me otherwise. So without further ‘ado’ here is part 2 (part 1 can be found here – just in case you missed it…)!!

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Negative Equity – When the value of the mortgage which is outstanding on the property, is more than the market value of the property.

NHBC – National House Building Council. A warranty scheme for new properties providing cover against major structural defects for 10 years.

Non Resident Landlords – If you live overseas and are not a UK tax payer you can apply to receive rent without tax being deducted. For more information and details on how to apply for the Non Resident Landlords (NRL) Scheme – click HERE

 

O

Office Copy Entries – If the property has a registered title, the vendor’s (seller) solicitor will need to apply for office copy entries from the Land Registry before a draft contract can be prepared.

Ombudsman – An independent professional body which is set up by law to help settle individual disputes between consumers and firms, for example, estate agents, solicitors and insurance companies. There are now three ombudsman schemes.

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Walsall Property – Jargon Busting Terminology (PART 1)

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , ,
Walsall Property - Jargon Busting Terminology (PART 1)
Walsall Property – Jargon Busting Terminology (PART 1)

Something different this week for my blog reading friends…in recent months I have been asked on several occasions to explain certain terminology that has cropped up during Walsall property transactions or just in conversation.  For ease of reference I have gone through the list in alphabetical order; the overwhelming array of acronyms and specialist terminology in simple layperson terms.  To save the article from being endless pages I have split this into two parts with part 2 releasing soon – so watch this space!  If there is anything I may have missed please feel free to comment or get in touch.

The meaning behind the lingo…

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Abandonment – Abandonment is when a tenant leaves the property (usually without notifying the landlord or agent) before the tenancy has ended.  Very often this occurs when the tenant owes rent and the tenant may or may not leave possessions in the property.  Although the tenant is in the wrong for many reasons, they still have a legal tenancy and can return and demand to take up residence at any time, despite not paying rent.  Taking over an abandoned property is fraught with difficulties for the landlord and specialist advice should be sought.

Advance – A mortgage loan – an additional loan is referred to as a further advance.

Adverse Credit – Used to apply to a borrower or application that has past problems with bad credit, for instance frequent late payment, breached arrangement, bankruptcy or County Court Judgement.

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Is Moving Home in Walsall – ‘Mission Impossible’?

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
Is Moving Home in Walsall - ‘Mission Impossible?
Is Moving Home in Walsall – ‘Mission Impossible?

Moving to a larger home is something Walsall people with growing young families aspire to.  Many people in two bedroom homes move to a three-bedroom home and some even make the jump to a four-bed home.  Bigger homes, especially three-bed Walsall homes are much in demand and it can be a costly move.  However, is jumping to a 4 Bed House a step too far?

If you live in Walsall in a two-bedroom property and wish to move to a four-bedroom house in Walsall, you would need to spend on average, an additional £153,066 (or £604.61 pcm in mortgage payments (based on the UK Bank average standard variable rate)).  However, going straight to a four bed from a two-bed home is quite rare as most people jump from a two to three-bedroom home, then later in life, from a three to four-bedroom home.

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What if…the UK Population lived on One Street??!!

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , ,
What if…the UK Population lived on One Street??!!
What if…the UK Population lived on One Street??!!

In my line of work I meet many property entrepreneurs…from budding enthusiasts…to seasoned developers.  Meetings whether face-to-face, by phone, Skpe or email lead on to many interesting conversations some of which, I write about.  I don’t profess to have all the answers but I like reading and learning about property.

This sometimes takes me away from our local Walsall property market, to conversations about our region and the national geographic area as a whole.  My expertise is in the local area where I ‘ply’ my trade to ‘eek’ out a living.  Anyway, I thought I would share something different with you this week, my blog reading friends, which I found really interesting and entertaining at the same time…hope you do too!

If the population of the UK were condensed into just a single street, more than a third of us would live in a semi-detached house worth £207,000.

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Avoiding a ‘Nightmare’ Walsall tenancy!

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , ,
Avoiding a ‘Nightmare_ Walsall tenancy!
Avoiding a ‘Nightmare_ Walsall tenancy!

My neighbour came to see me the other day.  I’m old fashioned like that…Yes, I talk to my neighbours!  He knows I work in Property Management so thought he would pick my brains on a tenancy that has gone ‘awry’ for him.

If there is one thing that all landlords dread, it’s the ‘tenants from hell’!  Whilst the vast majority of tenants cause no problems and will treat your property with respect it is an inherent risk of being a landlord.  However, there are ways to minimise the likelihood of nightmare tenants becoming your tenants!

Now, I’ll help him to get his property back by following the legal process but I also wanted you, my Blog reading friends, to benefit from some tips I shared to ensure you have your risks covered.  By following the 5-step-guide below you just might avoid a nightmare tenancy…

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5 reasons why NOT to use Gumtree to let a Walsall Property

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
5 reasons why NOT to use Gumtree to let a Walsall Property
5 reasons why NOT to use Gumtree to let a Walsall Property

Honestly I could write a book about this. Time and time again through my agency career I would have landlords calling me, desperate for advice after they’ve placed a “lovely” tenant in their property using a free (or low cost) DIY advertising website. The tenant presented themselves as honest, open, and above all very capable of paying the rent.

But the truth is a different matter. They got into the property by deception, and ended up costing these landlords thousands of pounds in damages, unpaid rent, and above all…the stress. These landlords had to cover the mortgage whilst funding the legal battle. One made very difficult because they weren’t aware of all the legislation surrounding lettings. This could prejudice their position in court. Didn’t serve the Prescribed Information? Didn’t register the deposit within 30 days? That means the tenant could actually sue you for 3 times the deposit amount! And there’s more…

It has been said that some 30% of the PRS is made up of accidental landlords (Source: Landlordnews.co.uk). Here lies the problem. As an accidental, or amateur (not a bad thing!) landlord, it is unlikely that they invest the time to make themselves aware of all the legislation surrounding lettings. There is a lot, but as the saying goes “you don’t know what you don’t know,” so most are blissfully unaware – until it goes wrong, and they can do with disastrous consequences!

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Do we have a ‘triple speed’ Walsall property market?

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
Do we have a ‘triple speed' Walsall property market?
Do we have a ‘triple speed’ Walsall property market?

As you might imagine…“What’s happening to the Walsall Property Market?” is a question I am asked often & repeatedly.  Well, would it be a surprise to hear that my own research suggests that there isn’t just one big Walsall property market – but many small micro-property markets?  In the past I have written about the dual speed Walsall property market but now I’m seeing the emergence of three!

For ease, I have named them the…

  1. ‘lower’ Walsall Property Market.
  2. ‘lower to middle’ Walsall Property Market.
  3. ‘middle’ Walsall Property Market.

The ‘lower’ and ‘lower to middle’ sectors of the Walsall property market have been fuelled over the last few years by two sets of buyers.  The first set, making up the clear majority of those buyers, are cash rich landlord investors who are throwing themselves into the Walsall property market to take advantage of enticingly low prices and even lower interest rates. The other set of buyers in the ‘lower’and ‘lower to middle’ Walsall property market are the first-time buyers (FTB), although the FTB market is in a state of unparalleled deadlock as it’s been trampled into near-immobility and incapacity by the new 2014 stricter mortgage affordability regulations and also fewer mortgages with low deposits.

Some of you may be interested to know how I have classified the three sectors…

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5 Home Decor Ideas for Walsall Property you can steal

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , ,
5 Home Decor Ideas for Walsall Property you can steal
5 Home Decor Ideas for Walsall Property you can steal

Last week I was asked to meet a potential client who was looking for some advice.  They said they found my blog interesting and wanted to pick my brain on how best to present their property which they were undecided what they should do with i.e. sell / rent or rent to own.  Now, regardless of which route you decide to take presenting the property in its best light is a minimum.  Afterall, you would never take a battered car to auction and ask for the highest of prices!

Hotel rooms can be a great source of inspiration when it comes to deciding on the perfect decor for your own home.  It’s also about showing off different aspects of possibilities which a buyer/ renter can quiet easily associate with.

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Walsall Property Values Rise by 3.65% in the Last 12 Months!

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
Walsall Property Values Rise by 3.65% in the Last 12 Months
Walsall Property Values Rise by 3.65% in the Last 12 Months

Now the headline may not mean much to some of us but when you compare & contrast the value increase against the average national salary drop of 1%…just goes to show that a positive spread of 4.65% is actually quite healthy!

The most recent set of data from the Land Registry has stated that property values in Walsall and the surrounding area were 3.65% higher than 12 months ago and 25.20% higher than September 2012.

Despite the uncertainty over Brexit as Walsall (and most of the UK’s) property values continue their medium and long-term upward trajectory. As economics is about supply and demand, the story behind the Walsall property market can also be seen from those two sides of the story.

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