Is there Panic Buying in the Fife Property Market? (3 min read)

Would it surprise you that there are 82% fewer properties for sale today in Fife than a decade ago? Property values are much higher than a decade ago and the property market at the moment in Fife is on fire. In all my years as an agent, I have never seen it like it is at the moment. Many people are saying it’s reminiscent of 1988 when dual-MIRAS relief was abolished by Nigel Lawson, as people are paying top dollar for property, because they are buying property like there is no tomorrow. (more…)

FP TV (EP 34) RENTAL UPGRADES: 5 Improvements to Increase Your Income (Watch/read/listen)

 

Listen to the PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/fife-properties/episodes/FP-TV-EP-34-RENTAL-UPGRADES-5-Improvements-to-Increase-Your-Income-ev35tj

 

The rental market has grown up. Tenancies are running for longer, and with stays of four or more years increasingly common, tenants have higher expectations around the place they’re willing to call home.

 

This spells good news for landlords because those higher expectations come with a willingness to pay a higher rent. More than that, the right improvements will (more…)

Around 1 in 15 Fife Properties Being Sold with No Chain (Watch/read/listen)

 

Listen to the PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/fife-properties/episodes/Around-1-in-15-Fife-Properties-Being-Sold-with-No-Chain-ev1857

 

Moving home is said to be the third most stressful thing you can do, so if you can do anything to reduce that stress, so much the better? When buying your next Fife home, being chain-free can certainly reduce your stress and offers many advantages over other buyers (and some disadvantages). (more…)

GARDEN REVIVALS: Simple and Instant Tips to be ready for Spring Viewings (4 min read)

 

The weather may be confusing, but one thing is for sure: Spring is springing.

 

One of the biggest effects of lockdown on the 2020 property market was a massive surge of interest among buyers for gardens and balconies, and not just from green-fingered enthusiasts. People who’d never given gardens a second thought were suddenly sold on the value of being outside at home, and the demand went through the roof. (more…)

RENT ARREARS: Finding a balance between compassion and collection (Watch/read/listen)

 

PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/fife-properties/episodes/FP-TV-EP-33-RENT-ARREARS-Finding-a-Balance-Between-Compassion-and-Collection-eukatv

 

Although rent arrears have been a hot topic during the pandemic, it’s far from being a new subject. That said, if the discussion has taught us anything in the last year, it’s that anyone can be affected by economic events: no-one is immune, however high their income.

(more…)

Fife Property Market: 2011-2021 (Watch/3 min read)

A look back at the Fife housing market over the last decade

 

With everyone south of the border completing the Census a couple of weeks ago, it made me realise profoundly that mine and my family’s life, which from our own point of view seems unique and delightful, makes us all into a series of statistics for the Census gatherers to pore over. To digest and regurgitate facts, figures and trends for those who are interested in the ever-changing social circumstances of these islands. (more…)

WHAT DO BUYERS WANT? 5 fundamental factors that turn viewings into sales for Fife Homeowners. (Watch/read/listen)

 

PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/fife-properties/episodes/FP-TV-EP-32-WHAT-DO-BUYERS-WANT–5-fundamental-factors-that-turn-viewings-into-sales-for-Fife-Homeowners-eu51p3

 

We’ve all had that sense of all-consuming joy when finding the home of our dreams, and what a feeling it is! Excitement, anticipation and nerves all rolled into a single moment, and much of it unquantifiable.

 

There’s a lot that goes into a decision to buy, from emotional, financial and intellectual reasons to a healthy dose of gut-feeling. And while practical considerations like size, price and fittings certainly play their part, they all take a back seat to the most influential factor of all: how a home feels. Is it ‘the one’? (more…)

FP TV (EP 30) PROOF POSITIVE: 5 Simple secrets to make your inventory watertight (Watch/read/listen)

 

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/fife-properties/episodes/FP-TV-EP-30-PROOF-POSITIVE-5-Simple-Secrets-to-Make-Your-Inventory-Watertight-etkitn

 

Not every inventory ends up providing the protection that landlords expect. There are plenty of cases where the language used – and the style adopted – have caused more confusion and doubt over disputes, which for a landlord will generally mean a reduced or refused claim. (more…)

FP TV (EP 31) Fife First-Time Buyers Can Now Buy Using 5% Deposit Mortgages! (Watch/read/listen)

 

Listen to the PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/fife-properties/episodes/FP-TV-EP-31-Fife-First-Time-Buyers-Can-Now-Buy-Using-5-Deposit-Mortgages-etfn3e

 

Yet higher mortgage rates could see Fife buyers paying a lot more each month for the privilege

 

Being a Fife first-time buyer in the last 12 months has not been an easy thing. Just before lockdown there were 400 ‘5% deposit mortgage’ deals and first-time buyers were able shop around to get the best deal. When the first lockdown hit, 5% deposit mortgages disappeared, meaning that as many Fife would-be first-time buyers were about to buy their first Fife home in 2020, the rug was pulled from under their feet. (more…)