Evolution Properties

Evolution Properties have just won The British Property Award for Ashford.
Their team performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging
period, which focused on customer service levels.
Evolution Properties have now been shortlisted for a number of national
awards which will be announced later in the year.
The British Property Awards provide agents throughout the UK with an
invaluable opportunity to compare the service that they provide against
the service provided by their local, regional and national competition.
Agents who go that extra mile and provide outstanding levels of
customer service are rewarded with our accolade, which acts as a
beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace.

THE BRITISH PROPERTY AWARDS are one of the most inclusive estate agency
awards providers as they do not charge to enter. This has enabled their award to be
structured in a manner that ensures maximum participation, on average judging over
90% of agents that meet their minimum criteria on a local level.
The team personally mystery shops every estate agent against a set of 25 criteria to
obtain a balanced overview of their customer service levels. The judging criteria is
periods to ensure that agents have been rigorously and fairly judged.
Robert McLean from The British Property Awards said “Our awards has been
entry, such as cost, to ensure that we have the most inclusive awards. Our award
has also been designed to remove any opportunity for bias or manipulation. If an
agent has been attributed with one of our awards, it is simply down to the fantastic
customer service levels that they have demonstrated across a prolonged period of
time. Winning agents should be proud that their customer service levels provide a
benchmark for their local, regional and national competition”.

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property.

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

New data from RICS has shown that, during July, the squeeze on property supply in the lettings market continued with a 22% rise in respondents seeing a fall rather than rise in New Landlord Instructions.

According to the data, this is the eighth consecutive quarter in which this indicator has recorded a negative number.

This pattern reflects the shift in the Buy to Let market in the wake of tax changes which are still in the process of being implemented, as smaller scale landlords exit the sector. Significantly, the drop in instructions is evident in virtually all parts of the country to a greater or lesser extent.

While the supply of fresh rental stock to the market is increasingly constrained, the Tenant Demand indicator remains resilient. The upward momentum appears to have slowed, but the number of tenants looking for a new home remains in positive territory at a headline level (+4% in the latest three month period).

One consequence of this imbalance is that expectations for rental growth, and rising rents for consumers, appear to be strengthening again. Over the next twelve months, rents are projected to increase by a little short of +2% nationally, but the shortfall in supply over the medium term is expected to force a cumulative rise of around +15% (based on three month average of responses) by the middle of 2023. East Anglia and the South West are viewed as likely to see the sharpest growth over the period.

Little change in UK sales market

Turning to the sales market, the underlying message is little different from that reported in June. The headline Price balance edged up from +3% to +4% in July, meanwhile, the Newly Agreed Sales net balance remained close to zero for the fourth month in succession. As we have highlighted previously, the feedback to the RICS survey continues to suggest a stronger market in Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of the north of England, the Midlands and Wales (prices and activity). Meanwhile, the London Price balance was little changed over the month (-40%) with the results for both the South East and East Anglia consistent with very modest price declines.

It is perhaps no surprise that as speculation built ahead of the August Bank of England meeting that the headline New Buyer Enquiries series was little changed over the month with a net balance of +2%. The New Instructions measure also signalled a flat picture, following two months of very modest increases. The June survey signalled some doubts as to whether the pipeline of new supply would continue to improve in the light of the feedback on appraisals being conducted by valuers.

This was upheld as the appraisal balance in July was once again firmly negative. As a result, our judgement is that the average inventory on the books of estate agents is likely to remain close to historic lows. The impact of this is visible in both the twelve month sales and price expectations net balances. While the former recorded a reading of -7%, its most negative number since October last year, the latter was much firmer at +25%.

"The impact of recent and ongoing tax changes is clearly having a material impact on the Buy to Let sector as intended. The risk, as we have highlighted previously, is that a reduced pipeline of supply will gradually feed through into higher rents in the absence of either a significant uplift in the Build to Rent programme or government funded social housing.

At the present time, there is little evidence that either is likely to make up the shortfall. This augers ill for those many households for whom owner occupation is either out of reach financially or just not a suitable tenure."

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist "Our survey suggests that recent Government policy and legislation changes have impeded the growth of the Private Rented Sector (PRS), which is a vital part of a functioning homes market. Withdrawing tax breaks that small landlords relied on, placing an extra 3% on second home Stamp Duty, and failing to stimulate the corporate build to rent market, has understandably impacted supply.

While the current focus is rightly on using regulation to improve the experience for tenants, Government must urgently look again at the PRS as a whole, including ways to encourage good landlords. Ultimately, Government must consider the impact of its policies, and if the wish is to move away from PRS, it must provide a suitable alternative. If they wish to improve PRS, as we have suggested by professionalising through regulation and the PRS code, there is justification to reconsider the approach taken to tax."

Original Article; CLICK HERE

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

Burdened by stress and a lack of time, Brits now more than ever crave convenience and speed in various aspects of their lives. One area where this is particularly true, is within their home environment. Individuals are therefore gradually adopting smart home technology which they can remotely control through their smartphones and tablets to facilitate a ‘connected home’.

The rise of smart home technology has been nothing short of fascinating. In fact, recent findings from ‘Smart Home Week’, found that 43% of Brits now own at least one smart product in their home. When it comes to their understanding of the technology, 49% of UK consumers are familiar with the features and benefits of smart home products according to research by ‘Ernst & Young (EY)’.

Interested in connected homes, housing agents Sellhousefast.uk analysed findings from Eureka!, who surveyed 946 UK households to better understand their current attitudes towards a range of factors concerning smart home technology.

Sellhousefast.uk found that the ‘lounge’ is the room which the majority (72%) of homeowner’s think is most ideal for smart technology. Thereafter, Brits believe the ‘kitchen’ (53%) and then, ‘bedrooms’ (34%) are the next best suited spaces for accommodating smart technology.

Contrastingly, the ‘landing’ (12%) is the part of the house which Brits feel is the least suited for smart devices/products.

Furthermore, Sellhousefast.uk also sought to find out the smart technology devices/products that UK homeowners would be interested in buying/installing within the next one to two years.

It was revealed that ‘video doorbells/security systems’ is the smart technology that most appeals to Brits, with 47% planning to purchase either one or both within the next two years. Just slightly below, 45% of Brits want to install ‘smart lights’ over the next two years, which they can wirelessly adjust the brightness/colour of as well as schedule - as and when needed.

On the other end of the scale, ‘dash buttons’ (9%) – which are small Wi-Fi functioning devices that enable consumers to order their favourite product from a certain retailer at the touch of a button – was the smart technology which garnered one of the lowest amounts of interest from Brits wanting to get it within the upcoming one to two years.

When considering the methods Brits would explore for getting advice on smart home technology, most Brits would opt to do so by directly contacting a smart tech manufacturer (41%) like ‘Nest’ or ‘Hive’. Subsequently, 39% of Brits would use an internet search engine such as google to get more information on smart home device(s) they are interested in.

Surprisingly, only 9% of Brits are likely to ask for recommendations on social media when seeking out suitable smart technology for their home.

Robby Du Toit, Managing Director of Sellhousefast.uk commented: “The growth of smart home technology over the last few years has been phenomenal. Despite Brits being initially sceptical towards the technology, improved understanding and more affordable pricing has given smart devices greater appeal. This research certainly shows that Brits are beginning to have a firm grasp of the smart technology they desire and would be willing to actively use in their home. Looking into the future, with the integration of smart home devices expected to become a real incentive for prospective buyers/renters, the technology could play a fundamental role in increasing the overall value of properties”.

Original post CLICK HERE

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

Huge well done to the whole team! Number 1 for sales!!!

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

New research from online furniture retailer, Furniture Choice, reveals Brits spend a third of the working week, working from home, with 21% claiming they feel it makes them more productive.

If you’re partial to this new way of working and prefer the comfort and flexibility of your home, there’s much to consider when searching for a house. Not only do you have to think about comfort, style and location, you also have to consider practicality, space and of course, WiFi connection.

We’ve created a list of must haves for your next property if you run a business or regularly work from home.

1. The ideal home office

While it might seem like a given, creating the best home office for you is key when working remotely. It needs to be a space you can call your own and one which encourages productivity.

Whether the home already has a dedicated room you can use, or there’s space to convert or extend to create the ideal office, make sure there is actual practical working space available.

Key things to consider when looking to adapt a space into a home office, are its proximity to an internet point in case of WiFi issues, and where it is in the house. Try to keep it separate enough that you can avoid distractions.

2. Other adaptable work spaces

Let’s be honest, there’s going to be times you want to escape your home office - no matter how great it is.

The best way to ensure you don’t lose concentration and productivity when you go into another room, is to make other rooms adaptable working spaces too.

A light and airy kitchen is the perfect room for this. With some simple furniture and accessory choices such as a table for a desk, double glazing windows to prevent noise interruptions and storage for all your notes and equipment, the kitchen can quickly become an ideal place to get some work done.

3. Temperature control

If you’re trying to crunch some numbers or be creative then there’s nothing worse than being too cold or too warm. The best thing about working from home is that you don’t have to worry about other people’s preferences.

One study has found conditions between 21 and 25 degrees are best for productivity, so if you’re planning to convert a garage, be sure to look into the correct insulation to avoid freezing in winter. For optimum control, install air conditioning in your new home office for complete temperature comfort.

4. Natural light

Keep yourself alert and find a home that let’s in natural light. If you’re looking for a property that needs a little TLC to become your ideal home, check to see if large windows can be installed, and if doing so will compromise your privacy.

A good way of allowing extra light is installing skylights, making your new decor light and breezy.

5. Visible greenery

When viewing the room you think could be your home office, look around to see if you can see greenery outside. According to research, workers with plants showed 15% higher productivity than those without.

If greenery isn’t visible, try to envision potted plants and hanging baskets in the space. It’s important for your motivation to have these in your new office, so make sure you don’t compromise on space in this particular room.

6. Open spaces

We’ve already established the importance for a spacious home office, but having other open spaces in the home is just as valuable. Think about the other rooms you can work in, like the adaptable kitchen or living room - are they spacious enough for you to not feel cramped and enclosed?

An open plan living space and spacious back garden are important things if you’re going to be cooped up at home all day.

If you’re a home worker and looking to buy your next property, consider these key features in your search in order to ensure optimum productivity and focus.

Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture Choice said: “Working from home can be incredibly rewarding, and according to our research, a productive choice - but only if the surroundings are right.

Creating an environment that strikes a balance between comfy and clutter-free can be difficult, using these tips in your house search will make the process as seamless as possible.”

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

Getting on the housing ladder is becoming increasingly difficult. As a consequence, more and more millennials find themselves perpetually trapped in an over-inflated rental market.

The typical Londoner spends more than a third of their monthly salary on rent and the widening gap between the expense of renting versus that of buying is costing British millennials more than £1,000 a year.

Craig Osborne, Director at SiteSales Property Group, offers his top tips for planning your route out of the rental market: “Though buying a home may seem like a distant pipe-dream for many young people in the UK, there are some practical measures they can undertake to put themselves in the best possible position to get on the housing ladder:

Have a plan in place for saving

“Having knowledge of the amount you will need to put forward for a deposit is a logical first step. For instance, a property on the market for £300,000 will require a minimum deposit of 5% (£15,000). Also, be aware there may be a host of additional fees related to valuation, surveying, brokering, conveyancing and land registry. I won’t administer patronising advice about how much you could save from cutting avocados or lattes from your diet.

However, by being more frugal and informed on your choice of service providers and companies/ brands that you use, and slightly adjusting your lifestyle, significant savings can be made. Creating spreadsheets or monitoring your spending with one of the arrays of saving apps can help you track your expenses and identify areas where you can make some efficient cost cuttings. By having set targets of savings each month as well as for the year, you can be one step closer to holding the keys to your dream home.”

Make the most of available schemes

“Understand and utilise existing government schemes designed to give people a leg-up on to the housing ladder. Shared Ownership, Help to Buy and localised council versions of these schemes can make all the difference when it comes to taking that first step on the property ladder so be sure to investigate whether you are eligible. A good starting point to find out more about what is on offer and what would be suitable for you is to visit the government’s Shared Ownership website.”

Consider your credit

“A credit score can tip the balance as to whether you are accepted or declined for a mortgage. There are many free-to-use online resources where you can obtain and monitor a copy of your credit score. To ensure yours is in tip-top shape, make all repayments in time, settle any outstanding debts at least six months prior to submitting your mortgage application and think carefully about what appears on the debit side of your ledger.”

Monitor mortgage offers

“There are a host of mortgage products on the market that provide either variable or fixed rates. Take some time to explore what type of mortgage best suits your needs. If feasible and affordable, speak to an independent mortgage advisor to get impartial advice and options based on your individual situation.”

Be realistic

“It’s important to manage your ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. Owning a penthouse apartment in South Kensington in London, or a luxury cottage in Devon may be your dream but a pinch of pragmatism goes a long way in the housing market. For instance, by moving a little bit further out of major cities or choosing to buy in up-and-coming areas, you could potentially get more for your money. Areas such as Acton, Peckham, Newham, Shepherd’s Bush and Stockwell in London, which are undergoing major regeneration and infrastructural investment, offer buyers a comparatively cheaper alternative to more traditional ‘aspirational’ hubs.”

Finally, be patient

“Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you can make; be patient, get advice and understand what you are committing to. House purchases can sometimes take longer than expected for various logistical and legal reasons. For example, on average, it takes around four to eight weeks for properties to sell in London.”

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

New research from HouseSimple has revealed that while the majority of us have enjoyed what is arguably the hottest summer in decades, it may have been a different story for house hunters in the UK.

According to figures, the recent heatwave may have been responsible for a cooling of new property listings. HouseSimple found that new property listings fell by 6% across the UK in July, and by 12.7% in London, as people made the most of the warm weather and held off marketing their homes.

The data shows that the number of new homeowners listing their properties fell below 67,000 in July, after surpassing 70,000 in June.

In London, July was the first monthly dip in new supply since December 2017. After new supply levels in London reached a three-year high last month, July listings fell significantly, with new listings down 12.7% versus June, and every borough except Newham seeing stock levels fall.

Blackburn in the North West saw the largest drop off in supply last month, with new listings down almost half (48.6%) on June, while new supply in Poole was up 42.8% in July.

However the UK-wide figures mask the reality that in more than half (55.7%) of the towns and cities analysed, new stock levels were up in July vs June.

Sam Mitchell, CEO of HouseSimple, commented: “The summer months tend to see a drop off in buyer and seller activity as families head overseas on their holidays. This year, more families chose to stay at home and we might have expected to see a mini boost in supply as a result. However, no-one predicted we’d have such a glorious July, and it’s hardly surprising people headed to the beach rather than the estate agent.

There’s no evidence to suggest that buyers and sellers are withdrawing, and even yesterday’s rate rise, is unlikely to have a dramatic impact on the market. We may well see subdued seller activity in August as more hot weather is predicted, and then the hope is for a strong September as we enter the crucial Autumn period up to Christmas.

However, for sellers who might want to steal a march on the competition, putting your property on in August when stock levels are lower could pay dividends, as buyers will have less choice over the next few weeks.”

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

With record-breaking weather and a heatwave to rival 1976, seasonal maintenance is a must for landlords this year.

Specialist Landlord Insurance provider, Just Landlords, has put together some top tips for property owners to help them fix small issues now, and prevent them becoming bigger – and more expensive – problems in the future.

By ticking off these jobs, your property will be in the best position possible to deal with the difficulties that both autumn and winter can pose:

Conduct a periodic inspection

The very first thing you should do this summer, if you haven't already, is to undertake another periodic inspection of your property. These visits should be made every quarter for new tenancies, or bi-annually for those you feel confident in. Just Landlords' sister site, Landlord News, has a useful guide to help you effectively complete inspections.

After you have arranged a suitable time to meet your tenants at the property, make sure to check the conditions against the initial inventory report. This highlights any changes that either you or your tenants must make. Then, make sure you ask your tenants if they've noticed anything that needs dealing with; they may not want to email you about such issues, but feel they can raise them in person.

After making these checks, finish up with an inspection report that details what you and your tenant must complete before your next visit. This sets out your expectations as a landlord and informs the tenant of your commitment to maintaining the property.

Please note: If you use a reputable letting agent, they will typically complete these checks for you and provide you with a comprehensive report afterwards.

Look out for damage caused by hot weather

We usually think of winter being the devil that destroys our homes, but summer can be equally as devastating on a property, especially with the sky-high temperatures we've recently experienced. On your property visits, it's wise to take extra care in looking out for damage caused by these extreme conditions.

Cases of subsidence, for example, are known to increase during hot, dry weather. This can drastically affect the state of your property, as it causes the foundations of the home to become unstable. Look out for new cracks in the walls, particularly around weak spots (doors and windows) or an extension.

At the same time, make sure that your landlord insurance covers you for subsidence, as its effects can be long-term.

Set your expectations for the garden

The garden, too, may be another area that has suffered at the hands of the sun in recent weeks. While it may just be a case of waiting for the rain to bring it back to life, your tenants must understand their responsibilities relating to gardening.

In your inspection report, make sure to include a section on the garden, stating the condition it is in and how it must be maintained before winter. It is essential that the grass, plants and shrubs are cut back before the cold weather arrives, to keep it looking clear and tidy.

An overgrown garden can invite unwanted pests to your premises, as well as making it difficult to get the property back to a lettable condition when your tenants move out. Inform them that you will be checking the state of the outside space on your next inspection.

Look at windows and doors

The summer provides a fantastic opportunity to do some work on the outside of your property, especially if your tenants are going on holiday and the home is empty. Two of the most prominent areas to focus on are the windows and doors.

You must ensure that they all open and close properly, while inspecting the window putty on the outside of glass panes. It's also a good idea to apply lubricating oil to hinges and replace any draught excluders that are worn out.

You may need to get a contractor in to complete some repairs, such as removing rotten wood, but this will be worth it in the long-run, as your property will be in the best condition possible to weather the winter storm.

Check your roof and chimney

If you're not comfortable with heights, you may also need to hire a contractor to complete a thorough check of your roof and chimney. Again, summer is the perfect time to conduct this work.

A good tradesperson will clean any leaves or debris from the area and check for signs of cracking or leakage around roof flashings. You should also have any loose or fallen tiles replaced or fixed more firmly, to keep the roof strong over the winter.

Sorting out these minor issues will prevent larger problems forming during the cold weather, so it's worth arranging this work sooner, rather than later.

Take the opportunities that this summer is giving you to get outside and complete these seasonal maintenance tasks on your property – your tenants will definitely thank you, and so will your finances over the long-term.

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

What a great way to start the month! Well done to the entire team!

"Very helpful team, easy to contact and respond to queries quickly"

Want to have the same feeling? Call or email us today!!!

We offer all customers a free house valuation Kent service. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and guarantee that all valuations are accurate, the current market price, and which will get you the most profit for your property

To learn more about our free house valuation in Kent service, then please do give us a call or drop us an email today! Alternatively, you can fill out our online property valuation form and one of our property managers will soon be in touch.

Proud sponsors! We are donating to the academy for every board that is up and also will be at the fair with Bertie and guess how many balloons!!! Hope to see you there!

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