propertydevelopment

There have been lots of predictions about real estate and COVID-19. The pandemic left many uncertainties especially in businesses, and real estate agents are questioning the market. This is all you need to know!

Like every other sector, the real estate market has had its fair share of the uncertainties that came with the global pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been lots of speculations about the real estate market and the financial markets at large. Over a year after, we are still uncertain what the future holds for the real estate market. In this article, experts answer 5 FAQs about real estate, plus a bonus.

As usual, you get a bonus at the end of the article. But before we start digging, please quickly click on Subscribe if you haven’t done that already. Let’s go!

Is the property market open?

Absolutely! In the early days of the pandemic, anyone would bet that the lockdown and financial crisis would spell doom for real estate. Alas, the opposite is the case today. In fact, the real estate market is doing so much better than it was before the pandemic. Reuters confirms that house prices have hit its all-time high since 2004, thanks to the pandemic.

Time to buy & hold or buy & flip?

A close look at the UK property market  and COVID-19 will reveal that the unprecedented hike in house prices is largely due to the tax cut chase. This isn’t going to be around for much longer. So, if you have something to sell, this is definitely the time for that. On the other hand, experts predict the price hike might linger a bit due to decrease in supply, hence, buy & hold might work out at the end of the day. Your goal will determine the best move on the table.

What happened with mortgage deals?

As opposed to the miraculous effect on house prices, the mortgage deals have been on free fall since the pandemic. However, the silver lining is that good rates are available now more than ever. So, if there is ever a good time to jump on this, this is your cue. It is so much better for those with a big deposit. Don’t sleep on this!

Has COVID affected house viewing?

Certainly! COVID-19 affected virtually everything, including how we work and conduct business. One of such notable changes is the online house showing now practiced across the property market. Although the market is open, people are still concerned about the virus. Therefore, real estate agents have adopted a new house viewing method. Now, you don’t necessarily have to meet. You can seal the deal from the comfort of your home. Keep in mind that some buyers may ask to meet in person. Be prepared.

House price hike; is it a bubble?

Contrary to the negative real estate and COVID-19 predictions, we have seen a steady rise in house prices in the past year, however, we must admit that this hike is a result of the tax relief. This means that once the stimulant is off, we could all realize this was a bubble all along.

It is also important to note that, while the hike isn’t sustainable, low supply from real estate agents might keep the price at a certain high for the foreseeable future. But that isn’t a sustainable rise either because life is gradually returning to a new normal and properties might flood the market once more.

Bonus!

How to keep your head above the waters

Many businesses are struggling to stay afloat in these trying times. This is true for real estate businesses too. Good advice here is to be twice as careful with investments. Double-check every investment deal and avoid impulse decisions. Also, don’t be too careful that you miss opportunities. Leverage every opportunity you can get, especially the current price hike.

Parting thought…

The real estate market has been through highs and lows in the past decades. Luckily, the real estate and COVID-19 face-off isn’t as bad as we thought. We are positive this would be another interesting statistic soon. Meanwhile, be sure to watch market trends carefully as you navigate your business through the pandemic. Good luck!

© D&T Property Development

Welcome readers to another blog about a loft conversion, here we are going to see the Mistakes people make during loft conversion projects. Instead of focusing on the things you should do, we will see the things you shouldn’t do.

Loft conversion projects are one of the things where you will have to keep in mind various things. One mistake and you will end up with a huge loss. Here, you will not only lose your money but you will also have to suffer a little bit from various perceptions. Let’s see a couple of things that you should keep in mind. These are the mistakes people make during loft version projects which you should avoid.

#1 No Planning

Before you start the loft conversion project, you will have to sit with the contractor and plan a couple of details to make sure that everything goes right. Many people think it’s a small project where you don’t need to plan. However, that’s completely untrue. You will need proper planning before you get started to do any project. You might also need permission depending on the plan. Further, you also need to make sure that you don’t make the other mistakes people make during the loft conversion project.

#2 Choosing the Contractor

The mistake that people make is choosing the contractor. You will have to select the right contractor who has enough experience in the field and can build the loft as per your need. The only way to find out is by talking to them. You can request a free consultation and they will contact you with further details. You can then ask the right questions to get the project. The right contractor will also help you with permission.

#3 Storage Space

People often ignore storage space. This is one of the mistakes that people make when it comes to getting loft conversion. People just ignore the storage space and focus on their appearance more. However, this is one of the things that you should never ignore. Even if you don’t have more things to put right now, you might need the space in the future. It’s always better to have storage space.

#4 Design

This might contradict the previous one. Some people focus on the storage space and ignore the design. Whereas, some people focus on the design and not on storage space. You should focus on both of the things equally. Design is equally important for any loft conversion. So, make sure that your design is good enough. You also need to focus on the details of the design and not just the overall look of the design. This will help you in making them look better.

#5 Analyzing the Property

Sometimes, their property is not fit for the loft conversion. It’s always better to check them properly before you finalize all the things in the loft conversion project. This is one of the Mistakes people make during loft conversion projects. You should always analyze the property first. Make sure it has proper space as per the plan you created.

#6 Insulation System

It’s always better to make sure that your loft conversion project is weatherproof. For that, you will have to make sure that there is a proper insulation system. Good insulation will make sure that there is no passage of electricity as well as it will help you in keeping the cold out. So, either way, it’s a useful thing you need to do.

You should make sure that you don’t make the following mistakes. It starts with choosing the right contractor and then creating a proper plan with them. The contractor will help you in making the proper plan, analyzing the building, and will also help you with the permission (if needed). The next thing you need to do is make sure that you focus on the design as well as there should be proper storage space. Not to mention, make sure it has an insulation system.

To conclude, these are some of the things that you need to keep in mind. If someone you know is getting the loft conversion, don’t forget to share the article with them.

 
© D&T Property Development

Securing your business is an important factor to consider. Nonetheless, it is often difficult to choose the right security system for your business seeing that there are numerous options out there.

As a business owner, searching for mediums to keep your staff and business safe should be of extreme importance. A good security system can help you maintain the security of your business - both day and night.

Choosing a security system that suits your business is very vital to help you monitor your staff and visitors while also preventing break-ins and shoplifting.

With that in mind, we have put together this list of 5 Things To Consider When Choosing The Right Security System For Your Business.

You get a bonus too!

Yes, there is a bonus tip for those who stay till the end. So, keep reading!

1. Conduct a Security Survey

The first step to choosing the right security system is to conduct a security survey. This survey will help you determine the type of security system that suits your business.

It should include:

• Vulnerabilities your business is exposed to
• All entrance and exit point
• Working hours
• Areas and layout that will be covered
• Indoor or outdoor security
  
  2. Consider your budget

Although a good alarm system shouldn’t cost a fortune, it can be a great investment for your business. The price of a security alarm would be based on the following:

• Cost of additional sensors or control panel
• Cost of maintaining
• Installation fees

Nonetheless, it is important to compare the cost of your business security to your peace of mind.

3. Consider Access to Control System

This is yet another crucial point to consider. An access control system comes with the rare opportunity of controlling access to different areas of your business premises. They are designed to authorize the entry of persons into premises and ensures safety too. Hence, you can decide who goes to a particular area of your business premises.

4. Consider possible crimes 

When choosing a security system for your business, you need to also consider the type of crimes that may affect your business. You should consider:

• The crime rate in your business location. If it is high on theft, you can decide to restrict entry into the building.
• If you run a retail business like a shopping complex or mall, it is important to choose a security system that monitors customers. For instance, a CCTV camera.
• Your staff - will they be in charge of a large sum of money or costly products? If so, purchasing a security system that monitors every employee will be a great idea.
  
  5. Decide on outdoor or indoor security

Lastly, you need to consider whether you are getting an indoor or outdoor security system. Indoor security involves monitoring staff and customers.

It includes:

• Locks and alarms on internal doors
• Audio and video management systems
• Registration, etc.

While outdoor security focuses on preventing trespassers and preventing break-ins.

It includes the use of:

• Security cameras, audio, and video management systems
• Locks on windows, car park barrier system with a key card, etc.
  
  

Bonus Tip

Decide on your security alarm provider

When it involves searching for the right security system supplier, it is important to choose a company that is:

• Well certified
• Has experience, and
• Offers training or support

Be sure to choose a company that has a great reputation. Make sure they offer installation and maintenance services.

Choosing the right security system for your business is vital as it helps to protect your employees and business.

That said, it is important to know what system suits your business before you choose a security system. Additionally, you ought to decide where the security system should be located, and the type of crime associated with your business. With this information, we are certain you will be able to choose the best system for your business.

© D&T Property Development

If the house you live in has a loft, perhaps the time is right to consider a conversion. Extending the living space by including the loft area is a common way of improving your home and many people go for loft conversions due to the possibilities that such a project promises. 

However, before you continue with what is essentially a hefty investment, you need to consider a few things. In this guide, we will draw the attention to a few aspects of loft conversion that you ought not to forget about. 

• You can convert pretty much any loft – if you are doubtful about such project because you think the area is too small, you needn’t worry. Loft conversions are possible for almost any size of the room. You need a minimum head height of 2m, although you can also get away with less headroom. It only means you need to consider more complex building work and possibly higher expenses for it. A good company and architect to design the work is all you need to get the project going. 

• You may not need planning permission – the majority of loft conversion projects are in the permitted development category, meaning that you don’t require planning permission. However, there may be different rules if your house falls under a Conservation area, World Heritage Site or National Park. If the building is Listed, you will have to obtain Listed Building Consent, before moving any such project forward. Needless to say, if you lack any experience on the matter, you have to work with a loft conversion company so that they can prepare the needed paperwork ahead of time. 

• Consider the type of loft conversion you want to do – lofts vary in shape and size, and there is no one universal approach to such a project. You have to talk with your architect on the possible type of conversion you want to do, depending on what the area is like. There are 4 main types: 

• Hip to gable – if your house is semi-detached or terrace, this is the kind of loft conversion that you have to do. It aims to make the most out of a hipped roof. It involves removing the sloping side and constructing a new vertical gable. 

• Dormer conversion – by far the easiest way to introduce more light and space by reshaping the roof at the side/rear of the house. 

• Rooflight conversion – this conversion requires the least structural work and is the cheapest option. It is good for higher roofs with sufficient headroom. The roof remains the same and only windows are added. 

• Roof lift conversion – if your loft space doesn’t have enough standing room, then raising the roof is the way to go. It involves removing the existing roof and adjusting the ridgeline. Planning permission is required for this kind of project. 

• You have to think about the interior design – it is a good idea to be clear on what you want the result to look like and spend some time to consider what goes where. This means you should have an idea about room layout, windows, doors and stairs. You can appoint a designer to draw a plan, and use that as a basis for your ideas. 

• It involves upheaval – there are no two ways about it – loft conversions will cause a disturbance to your daily life. There will be a scaffolding erected around, people will be coming and going, there will be noise. It is a construction project taking place in your home, so you need to be ready. 

Now that you know more about these factors concerning loft conversions, you can better plan ahead for such a project. 

© D&T Property Development