Now at the peak of the spring market, prices and activity in the South East continue to break records. Despite rises in the cost of living, the race for space remains strong: 52% of properties are selling at or above asking price* Year on year prices have risen 10.6%* Indeed, 75% of properties under offer […]
Homes with annexes are more popular than ever, providing dedicated space for offices, guests and multi-generational living. There’s a hidden benefit to annexes too – they can save you a significant sum on Stamp Duty Land Tax. It’s surprising how few people are aware of this – some solicitors even overlook this during conveyancing. Over […]
Buildings that have been listed have been designated as having special architectural or historic interest. […]
I recently sold a house for my lovely client Karen. She was ahead of the game throughout the sales process which smoothed the way for a quick and easy sale. On completion I joked that she should write some Top Tips for other sellers. Organised as ever, Karen replied in hours with her Top Tips […]
Sometimes buyers don’t want to put their house on the market until they’ve found the perfect house to move to. However most sellers only want proceedable* buyers to view their home. This can leave buyers feeling as though they’re in a ‘chicken and egg’ situation. How long will it take to sell your home? While […]
t’s a legal requirement to have valid planning permission in place before starting most building works, although there are certain exceptions when this is not required, defined by Permitted Development rights. […]
What a year! Having been through so many ups and downs over the last 21 months one thing has remained steadfast and that’s the property market. While price rises slowed in the 2nd half of the year, they did continue to rise. Demand is higher than supply so we’re lining up for a busy spring […]
Buying a new property is an exciting time but there are wider tax implications which may come into play. Paul Shorten an Independent Financial Adviser from Blacktower Financial Management Ltd shares four key wider areas to be aware of and potential solutions to best mitigate the associated taxes. Income Tax on Rental Income If you […]
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The past 18 months have been nothing short of turbulent, and has been an accelerator for widespread change in our global way of life. Communities, societies, and even countries have needed to adapt to the ‘new normal’, and in this country, the shift has been very interesting indeed. From towering skyscrapers and concrete jungles emerged […]
This affluent cathedral city lies in the heart of the South Downs national park, offering comfortable modern day living with an escape to the country only minutes away. The river Itchen runs through the city, offering relaxing riverside walks. Culture & entertainment With a vast array of shops, cafes, and eateries, you’re almost spoilt for […]
We’re delighted to have been recognised by the International Property & Travel Awards in the Property Agency Consultancy Marketing category for the UK. Marketing is so critical when selling luxury properties – or any properties for that matter. Our homes are often one of if not the biggest asset we own, yet they often receive […]
Conveyancing – the legal process of buying a house – is mystifying to many. Who knows what all the to and fro is about, why it takes so long and how to get things moving when you don’t understand what the hold-up is. Approximately a third of sales fall through in the conveyancing process. When […]
Kai Carter Estates has been recognized as the Best Luxury Estate Agent 2021 by the SME News Southern Enterprise Awards. “The property market is changing rapidly, with sellers expecting high levels of service when selling one of, if not their most valuable assets. We are obsessive about delivering excellence in levels of service and marketing, […]
How we live in our homes and how we sell homes are two different things. With so many new properties around – staged to perfection – lived in homes must find their own way to stand out. Crucially, this doesn’t mean you have to create and live in a show home, or even spend money. […]
We’re delighted to have been named Best Agent in Newbury by the British Property Awards! This was awarded based on mystery shopping, using requests some agents didn’t even reply to. Click on the PDF below to read the full article. […]
Phew, what a few months it’s been leading up to the June Stamp Duty deadline! So what will the market do now? Since spring 2020 the market has been predicted to fall, yet it’s done the opposite. Number of sales and prices hit a new high in June and while activity will slow now the […]
As the events of 2020 led families to evaluate their finances if the worst were to happen, there has been an increase in individuals and families assigning a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Rachel Harding of Harding Legal Services tells us more about the benefits of an LPA and the implications of not having one. […]
Spring is traditionally the busiest time in the property market, however we haven’t had a quiet period yet – the market hasn’t missed a beat since last year. Demand is high and stock is low so well-priced properties are selling fast at strong prices, to highly motivated buyers. It all bodes incredibly well for anyone […]
CCTV and alarms seem to be the standard go-to for residential security these days. However, after a very insightful chat with John from Westminster Security, it’s clear their effectiveness is very limited and can in some cases, compromise security. Having served in the Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit, John is an approachable straight talker […]
Moving from your home of many years can be a difficult decision, with emotional ties needing to be cut. However, finding the right size home for your changing needs is not one that should be put off. Sometime circumstances such as health issues or a bereavement can cause you to decide that the time is […]
We start the year in challenging times, which is once again prompting homeowners to rethink their lifestyle and living space. Whereas December and January are traditionally quiet months in the property market, the market didn’t miss a beat this season. With a lack of Christmas parties, shopping and family gatherings, attention was instead focussed on […]
Smart home functionality has been around a long time, but has only recently become more mainstream in the residential housing market. Now that we’re used to, and utterly addicted to smart phone functionality, we’re looking for the same convenience in our homes. And it’s not a generational thing, I’m seeing home buyers of all ages […]
Priorities for home space and functionality have changed significantly during 2020. As more companies commit to long term or permanent home working, and lockdown measures phase in and out, we continue to adapt to the ongoing lifestyle changes. More focus is being put on our homes to work for us as an office, entertainment and […]
The sandwich generation is a group of middle-aged adults who care for both their aging parents and their own children. It’s a common situation amongst my peers – working full time, with dependent children and deteriorating elderly parents. It can be stressful juggling the demands of work, childcare, running a home and looking after parents whose needs […]
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