Farrell Heyworth Blog

Property Buyers

How does shared ownership work, and is it right for me?

What shared ownership means Shared ownership is a government-backed scheme that helps people buy a share in a home -…

December 05, 2025
Buyers & Sellers

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and why does it matter?

What an EPC actually is An Energy Performance Certificate provides: An energy rating from A to G - A is…

December 05, 2025
Property Sellers

How Do I Choose the Right Estate Agent to Sell My House?

Start With Local Expertise Property markets vary from town to town - and even street to street. A strong local…

November 28, 2025
Property Buyers

What Happens If There Is a Dispute After Completion (e.g. Damage, Missing Items)?

Although ownership transfers at completion, buyers still have legal rights if the seller has breached the contract or failed to…

November 28, 2025
Property Sellers & Buyers

UK & North West Housing Market Update: August 2025 Data and What It Means

Headline UK Figures According to the HPI, the average property price in the UK in August 2025 was £273,000. Annual…

November 21, 2025
Property Buyers

What's the Difference Between Freehold and Leasehold?

What Is Freehold? A freehold property means you own the building and the land it stands on outright. There is…

November 21, 2025
Property Buyers

What Happens If My Mortgage Lender Values the Property Lower Than My Offer Price?

How Down Valuations Affect Your Purchase A lower valuation creates a shortfall between: The price you agreed with the seller…

November 14, 2025
Home & Beyond

Blackpool's Tower Festival Headland Becomes a Magical Festive Village This Winter

Christmas by the Sea Returns - Bigger & More Spectacular Set against the backdrop of the famous Blackpool Tower, the…

November 14, 2025
Property Buyers

Vale Meadows Lancaster - Phase 2 Progress: What It Means for the City

What Is Vale Meadows? Located on Watery Lane in Lancaster, Vale Meadows offers a wide choice of property styles including…

November 07, 2025
Landlords

Is It Better to Manage My Rental Property Myself or Use an Estate Agent?

Managing a Rental Property Yourself Self-managing your property gives you full control. You will choose your own tenants, organise repairs…

November 07, 2025
Buyers

How do I know if I'm ready to buy a home, and is now a good time to buy, or should I wait?

Checking if you're personally ready to buy 1. Your finances are in good shape Deposit: Ideally, you have saved at…

October 31, 2025
Sellers

How do property chains work, and what if I'm in a chain?

What is a property chain? A property chain is a series of linked home sales and purchases that depend on…

October 24, 2025
Landlords

New landlord registration database explained: what you must do to comply and what happens if you don't

If you let property, this is one of the most important legal changes on the horizon. Here's what the new…

October 24, 2025
Buyers

What are the most common things to look for when viewing a house?

Overall first impressions Take a moment when you first arrive to view the home as a buyer rather than a…

October 17, 2025
Buyers & Sellers

How can I find out what similar homes in my area have sold for?

Quick answer Use official sold data (e.g., Land Registry) and major portals for a first pass. Match properties carefully on…

October 17, 2025
Sellers

When Is The Best Time To Put My House On The Market?

The short answer In most UK markets, the strongest listing windows are late winter into spring and early autumn. Early…

October 10, 2025
Sellers

Should I be at home during viewings, or let the estate agent handle them?

Why estate agents usually recommend hosting alone Most experienced estate agents will suggest that the owner steps out - or…

October 10, 2025
Property Sellers & Buyers

Rightmove House Price Index - September 2025 Market Review

Despite this, the housing market is showing encouraging signs of stability. The rise in agreed-upon sales and the improvement in…

October 03, 2025
Sellers

The True Cost of Selling a Home in 2025

1. Estate Agency Service Your estate agent plays a crucial role in the success of your sale. Beyond simply advertising…

October 03, 2025
Property Sellers & Buyers

Exchange of Contracts & Completion Day: Everything Sellers Need to Know

What Is the Exchange of Contracts? The exchange of contracts is the moment when both the buyer and seller become…

September 26, 2025
Sellers

What Do I Do If the Buyer's Survey Finds Issues or They Ask for a Price Reduction?

But don't panic. This situation is common, especially in older homes or fast-moving markets where buyers act quickly, then dig…

September 26, 2025
Tenants

How Can I Avoid Rental Scams When Searching for a Home?

1. Never Pay Before Viewing One of the most common red flags is being asked to pay a deposit or…

September 19, 2025
Property Sellers

Are Open Houses a Good Idea, or Should I Stick to Private Vie

What Is an Open House? An open house is a scheduled event, usually over a couple of hours, where multiple…

September 12, 2025
Landlords & Tenants

How Much Deposit Can a Landlord Ask For, and How Is It Protected?

How Much Can a Landlord Ask For? In England, landlords can charge a maximum of: Five weeks' rent if the…

September 12, 2025
Property Sellers & Buyers

Moving Home Checklist: The Complete UK Guide (Everything You Need)

How to use this guide Follow the timeline from 8+ weeks out to the first week after moving. Use the…

September 08, 2025
Property Buyers

What Does 'Sold STC' Mean, and Can I Still Make an Offer?

What Does 'Sold STC' Mean? 'Sold STC' stands for Sold Subject to Contract. It means the seller has accepted an…

September 05, 2025
Property Sellers

What Should I Do If My Property Isn’t Getting Many Viewings or Offers?

1. Reassess Your Asking Price Price is the number one reason homes struggle to attract viewings. Even a small misalignment…

September 05, 2025
Buyers

Do I Need to Use a Mortgage Broker or Can I Go Directly to a Lender?

What Does a Mortgage Broker Do? A mortgage broker is a qualified adviser who searches the market on your behalf…

August 29, 2025
Buyers

How Do I Find Out if a Home Is in a Good Area?

1. Check Local Crime Rates Use official crime maps or local police websites to review monthly crime stats by postcode.…

August 22, 2025
Landlords & Tenants

UK Rental Market Update Q2 2025: What's Really Happening?

National Overview: Rental Growth Slows, But Remains Elevated As of Q2 2025, average asking rents outside of London have hit…

August 18, 2025