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All I want for Christmas

Thursday, December 15, 2016

An orangery: For many people this is a pipe dream rather than something that tops their Christmas list – but every year when the family gets together for the festive season, they think how fantastic it would be to have some extra space; perhaps a kitchen/dining/family room, twinkling with fairy lights that would seat everyone comfortably. Realistically the price tag on this would be a minimum of £25,000 so somewhat more than the average Christmas gift but worth every penny for family occasions and normally a good investment in terms of value added to the property.

Zero stamp duty! This would be a real crowd pleaser if Santa could pull it out of the bag but, short of a miracle, it’s unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future. Some reductions would really make a difference though to get the property market off to a flying start in the New Year! Landlords everywhere will be hoping for a retraction of the additional duty on second properties or something to ease the double whammy of reduced tax relief measures to be introduced in 2017.

A clutter free home: Every year millions of households take the opportunity to declutter once the decorations come down in January. Effects can be very effective, instantly appearing to increase the size of rooms. If the idea of a simplified, uncluttered lifestyle sounds attractive, you’re ready to start and if you’re daunted by the question of where to begin, call in the professionals; it could be the best present you give yourself!

A lease extension: If you own a leasehold flat or maisonette with an unexpired lease term of less than 90 years, it’s worth considering whether you can extend the lease. A shortening lease term of under 85 years can have a negative effect on saleability and value of your property, so it’s worth looking into sooner rather than later as, once a lease term is under 80 years, the cost of extending increases significantly. By law, a leaseholder now has the right to extend their lease once they have owned the property for two years. If a lease extension is on your list this Christmas call our surveying department on 01494 680909 for some expert advice.

Faster broadband and a cinema screen TV: Increasingly technology matters, with more adults working from home and connectivity a requirement for schoolwork, gaming, leisure and “socialising”. And this Christmas, fast, reliable broadband is high on many wish lists with almost half of homebuyers looking for a reliable broadband connection strong enough to stream films / TV programmes and a living room big enough for a large flat screen TV.

Some “Hygge” in my home:We could probably all do with this, especially at Christmas, and it’s not so hard to achieve! While there’s no single word to explain hygge (pronounced hue-gah), it’s the Danish concept of living well, yet simply, with cosiness, happiness, security, familiarity and comfort all playing a part. This Christmas, make sure your home is warm and comfy, inviting to guests, with natural accessories and cosy lighting. “Hygge” gifts on the list then; scented candles, soft throws, food and drinks to share with family and friends.

Whatever is on your Christmas list this year, we wish you happiness for the festive season and a Happy New Year 2017.