Every successful property sale has a story behind it, and Brackenhurst in Bordon is a perfect example of how preparation, presentation and marketing can work together to achieve an outstanding result. When we first visited Brackenhurst, our client had already done the hard work for us. This beautifully presented bungalow perfectly combined contemporary style with effortless single-storey living and had been thoughtfully renovated throughout. Recently refurbished, the property

We were pleased to see Sky News recently highlighting the issue of estate agents overvaluing properties in order to win instructions. It is a topic that isn't discussed nearly enough, despite being something we see time and time again, particularly in more challenging market conditions. At Heart & Home, one of the key points we discuss during every Market Appraisal is the importance of evidence. A marketing figure should never be based on what a seller wants to hear. It shoul

I was recently having a conversation with an American realtor, and she told me something that really made me think. In many parts of America, properties are heavily marketed through Facebook community groups, local pages, and social media networks. Buyers follow agents they like and trust, and homes are often discovered through scrolling rather than actively searching on a property portal. At first, I thought it sounded completely different to how we do things here in the UK.

The long-awaited Renters Rights Act has now become law, marking one of the most significant shake ups to the private rental sector in decades. Designed to offer greater security and fairness for tenants, while maintaining a balanced framework for landlords, the changes aim to modernise how renting works across England. Although now law, not all of the changes will take effect immediately. Implementation will occur in stages through secondary regulations, allowing landlords, t

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Haslemere, you’re not alone. This charming market town, nestled on the Surrey, Hampshire, and West Sussex borders, has become a sought-after location for buyers who want a balance of countryside living with easy connections to London. At Heart & Home, we’ve helped many buyers take their first - or next - steps here, so we’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the process. Why Haslemere? Transport links: With direct trains to

Like many others in the property world, we sat down to watch Undercover Estate Agent on BBC1 with a mixture of curiosity and concern. The programme lifts the lid on some of the practices happening behind closed doors at well-known agencies, and it's fair to say it doesn’t paint a flattering picture. From whistleblowers speaking out about commission-led price reductions to stories of poor communication, patchy service, and relentless upselling of mortgage and legal add-ons, it

If you're thinking about making an offer on a property, you might be wondering why your estate agent suddenly wants to see your bank statement, a mortgage agreement in principle, or a note from your broker. It might feel a little bit… intrusive. But don't worry – there's a good reason we ask for proof of funds, and no, it’s not because we’re trying to be nosey! WHO needs to provide proof of funds? Simply put: anyone who wishes to make an offer on a property. Whether you're a

Leasehold homes, especially flats, have traditionally been popular among first-time buyers looking to get onto the property ladder and investor landlords looking for good yields. However, recent trends indicate a shift in buyer preferences, with many first-time purchasers increasingly favouring freehold homes. This change is influenced by several factors, including rising mortgage rates, upcoming renter reforms, and a growing aversion to the complexities of leasehold ownershi

We recently conducted some eye-opening market research to better understand what buyers and sellers truly care about when it comes to choosing an estate agent—and the results may surprise you! From property brochures to the role of social media, here’s what we learned about the preferences and priorities of today’s property market. 1. Where Do Buyers Start Their Search? When looking for a property to buy or rent, the vast majority of buyers start on property websites like Rig

When it comes to selling your home, there are a number of routes you can take. Traditionally sellers would sell their property by Private Treaty using an Estate Agent, but in recent years, auction sales have become an increasingly popular alternative. So, is selling your home at auction a better option? In this blog, we'll explore the positives and negatives of selling through an auction, the impact this may have if you require a mortgage, and help you decide whether this rou

In a move that could have a positive impact on homebuyers, homeowners, and even investors, the Bank of England’s recent decision to cut the base rate to 4.75% brings some promising changes to the property market. If you're thinking about buying a home, remortgaging, or just keeping an eye on interest rates, here’s a quick rundown of how this rate cut could benefit you. More Competitive Mortgage Rates With the base rate lower, lenders might be encouraged to reduce their mortga

Significant changes are on the way for the rental market, following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill by the Labour Government on 11th September 2024. This public bill was officially presented to Parliament and underwent its First Reading in the House of Commons. Although this stage does not involve any debate, it signifies the start of a major transformation in the management of tenancies throughout the UK. The Second Reading, where Members of Parliament will disc

Agents working for themselves, supported by a ‘broker’ organisation are on the increase in the UK after becoming almost the norm in places like the US and Australia. But what’s it like to leave the comfort and security of full-time employment and to take that scary step into the unknown and begin to build a business for yourself? Agents Abby Wheeler and Michaela Sanders did just that just over two years ago when they set up Heart & Home just a few months after Covid lockdown

Why you should not just choose the agent who tells you the highest price! It can be so overwhelming when starting the moving process and the most common first port of call is to organise for a Market Appraisal (or valuation) of your home. We are not shy in suggesting you call out more than one agent to ensure their recommendations align, and that gives you the opportunity to choose who you want to work with the most. Now, to add some context to this before we go into detail,

We recently learnt of an agent’s new office in Hampshire closing the doors not too long after launching. Were we shocked? No. Did it confirm ever more, the reason we opted for the hybrid model? Yes. We were recently asked at a valuation why we didn’t have an office (we assume this is because our competition were suggesting they had an abundance of ‘walk in’ applicants registering to buy property) to which we simply asked ‘when was the last time you went into an estate agents

We’ve heard it all before, market leading Estate Agents stating “we have listed the most properties for sale in your area” in fact, we both came from market leading agents covering Haslemere and Grayshott, and whilst having the most properties for sale is a fabulous bragging tool (and certainly keeps you busy) is it actually a benefit to you, the seller? We recall servicing sometimes up to 60-70 residential clients at any one time, and although an Estate Agent’s office may ha

This morning one of our lovely recommended builders sent us a newspaper clipping from 2006, which they had found whilst taking some walls down, titled “If only house prices were what they were 25 years ago“. It got us thinking, nearly 20 years on from this article [scroll down for clipping], how house prices have risen substantially and would The Messenger have ever predicted that house prices would reach the level they are now? According to The Daily Mail, the average deposi

As Estate Agents and being new business owners, you’d think we’d take any listing that comes our way, right? Let’s set the scene behind our bold statement here - We were contacted by a potential client for a market appraisal, after having been recommended by a local tradesman. We had some lovely conversations in the run up to our first meeting, we undertook the preparation work involved before providing any sales advice; putting together our Rightmove comparable reports, rece

I’m sure we’re not the only ones who are addicted to property shows, not only because of our profession but also because we are all weirdly obsessed with having a nose around other people’s homes! Which brings me to Channel 4’s new show ‘Worst House on the Street’ where brother and sister duo Stuart and Scarlett Douglas, offer their advice on saving cash and adding value, when renovating property! Each episode follows one property renovation, documenting the highs and lows of

So, you’ve been on the market for a couple of weeks, you’ve had a number of viewing’s, but this is your first bite, your first offer....