March, 2019
The average number of viewings it takes to sell a property has risen since 2015. Find out how many to expect and how to speed up the selling process. Selling your property can be a daunting task, especially the prospect of opening up your home for viewings. And that worry only increases if the first, second or even third...
The HomeBuyer Report is an important step in buying a home. Find out exactly what it is, what it includes and whether you need one.
February, 2019
From valuation to house viewings and property chains, there’s a lot to consider before selling your home. It may feel overwhelming, but there are several ways you can put your best foot forward and ensure the best possible sale.
Unfortunately, not all property sales are made equal and that often means some transactions end up falling through at the final hurdle. In fact, new research suggests , half of all property sales fell through in the last 3 months of 2018.
January, 2019
Selling your home can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not 100% sure it’s the right time. We look at 5 signs it’s time to take the plunge and put your property on the market.
Staging your home for viewings is a key step in property selling. Find out how depersonalisation can help.
December, 2018
Get your calendar and pen at the ready and prepare to note down our top 5 fun Lancashire events for you and your little ones in 2019…
Selling your home can be challenging at the best of times. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the stress. Find out how you can incentivise your property to buyers.
November, 2018
Christmas is a time for fun, family and festivities. Surprisingly, it’s also one of the best times of the year to put your property on the market. Find out why the festive period is the most wonderful time of the year for sellers.
Getting your house ready to sell can be tricky task. But with a few simple steps you can create a welcoming and inviting space for potential buyers. We look at 6 easy ways you can spruce up your property.
October, 2018
When you’re selling your home, it’s only natural you want to get the best price. But how do you actually know your house is under-priced? Find out 3 signs your property’s price is lower than it needs to be.
Having no luck selling your home? One thing that could be getting in your way is the price of your property. We take a closer look at the tell-tale signs you should drop the price and when is the best time to do so.
September, 2018
Have you got itchy feet at home? Are you ready to relocate, but not sure where to plant your roots? Look no further than Lancashire. With beautiful outdoor spaces, fantastic school systems and even lower house prices there’s an abundance of reasons that the North West of England is the place to be. Find out the top 6 reasons...
If you’re considering selling your property, it’s important to ensure that everything is looking spick and span. Not only for your home’s valuation, but also to impress when it comes to viewings. Before you reach that point, it’s time to sort out all the tasks you’ve been putting off until a rainy day,...
August, 2018
Everyone does their bit for the environment, whether it’s using reusable straws or recycling your waste each week. But what if you could do more? And what if, in doing so, you could add more value to your home? We take a look at the rise of eco-friendly homes and why millennials, amongst other buyers, are keen to go green when...
Selling your property can be a daunting task. And it’s especially tricky if you don’t have the right support along the way. The question is what type of support is best? Should you go with an online agency or is a traditional estate agent the best way forward? Keep reading as we take a look at the pros and cons of both...
July, 2018
Are you constantly on the look out for the latest property news? Don’t worry. We have you sorted with our top 12 property and home experts on Twitter.
The kitchen is the heart of the home and is a major selling point for potential buyers. And making it appear bigger than it is can be as easy as DIY décor. We look at 6 ways to make your kitchen look bigger and appeal more to buyers.
June, 2018
Selling your home can be a tricky task – especially if you want to do it quickly. However, with the right guidance and a few simple tips and tricks, you can easily improve your chances.
The property market doesn’t stand still. And neither do we at Weale & Hitchen. We’re constantly looking for new ways to adapt to modern estate agency and provide the best service to all of our clients.
April, 2018
In the current fast-paced housing market, trying to find your dream home can be a daunting task. You’ll face lots of different choices along the way. For example, one option is to try and find a move-in ready property – good-to-go, but highly sought after. The other is a fixer-upper – lots of potential, but lots of...
Spring has finally sprung! Now is the perfect time to give your home a refresh, especially if you’re planning to put it on the property market. With a few quick fixes and some much-needed TLC, you can increase your property’s appeal and – if all goes well – get a better selling price. Potential buyers are...
March, 2018
You’ve survived the lengthy process of house buying and now it’s time for the big move. Don’t pop the bubbly just yet though. You still need to get through the moving day in one piece. There’s no need to stress. With this handy checklist it can be a quick and hassle-free process. Keep reading to find out the...
Selling your property can be difficult if you’re in negative equity, and it can make moving a nightmare for some homeowners. But, what exactly is it and why does it matter? Read on to find out everything about this challenging predicament and what’s the best thing to do if you find yourself in negative equity…
February, 2018
When it comes to saving for retirement, most people put money into a pension as they work. This is something of a ‘go-to’ option in the UK, with employers now even legally obliged to enrol workers on a pension scheme and contribute something towards it. But in recent years, more and more people have been investing in...
Are you thinking about purchasing your first property? Worried you might struggle to get on the ladder? We have good news for you. The number of first-time buyers has rocketed to the highest levels in ten years.
October, 2017
You’ve made the decision to move home and put your house on the market. That’s great! Before you start stripping off wallpaper and ordering paint in preparation for property photographs and viewings, read this.
How often do you move home? Every few years? Every decade? Recent research from Zoopla has highlighted some interesting statistics about how often Brits sell up and move on.
September, 2017
Research from Halifax Insurance as part of the Dream Abode study shows that planning applications have risen by 27% across the UK over the last five years.
If you’re thinking of selling your home you’ve probably sought out help from an experienced local estate agent. Before you commit to an agency, it’s important to ask some savvy questions first…
August, 2017
Thinking of selling your home? Putting your house on the market is a big decision, and choosing the right estate agent is crucial. After all, your estate agent could make the difference between you selling your home quickly for a great price, and not having any enquiries at all.
We love the feeling we get after a good house clean. Everything shines and sparkles and we can sink into the sofa and enjoy a much-deserved break as we admire our work. What’s not so enjoyable, though, is the pungent aroma of chemicals and sprays from store-bought cleaners.
July, 2017
How well do you know your neighbours? Research gathered over the last few years points towards a worrying conclusion. It appears many of us, especially in urban areas, simply don’t know who lives next door – or even on the same street.
Regular property maintenance is the best way to ensure your new home stays looking (and feeling) like the home you fell in love with.
June, 2017
Every homeowner wants more space. Whether it’s for work, play or just storage, extra space adds value to your home and gives you a bit more flexibility on a day-to-day basis. And one way of achieving that is by converting your basement. But it’s easier said than done.
When a General Election takes place, there’s a chance that changes could be made to a number of areas. Property is one of them. Different parties have contrasting ideas about housing, each of them with their own short and long term effects. So, with the results of the 2017 General Election confirmed, let’s take a...
May, 2017
When you’re selling your home, it’s essential the viewing goes well. You need to show your home in its best light to attract buyers. And whether you’re doing viewings yourself or leaving it to your estate agent, it’s up to you to get your home ready beforehand. How? This post looks at some simple ways you can...
Struggling to sell your home? Research by GoCompare has revealed some of the biggest turn-offs for homebuyers – are you surprised by any of the entries?
April, 2017
If you’re thinking of selling your home, you’re probably wondering what influences the value of your home. After all, in many cases, the price you achieve for your home directly influences the type of properties you can move to. Here’s a look at some of the key factors influencing the value of your property in 2017.
Have you ever wondered what guests notice first about your home when they pop over for a cup of tea and a chat? A survey by interiors company My Domaine might just have the answers you’ve been looking for.
Searching for a new home is exciting, especially when you can take your family along to explore new locations too. However, finding the right property for your family isn’t always as straightforward as you might hope. Why? Uncertainly tends to creep in when it’s time to make an offer, especially if you haven’t...
Are you searching for ways to add value to your home but feel that most suggestions require too much time and money? Fear not. If you need to enhance your home overnight there are plenty of easy DIY home improvements you can get to work on – and they won’t take all day or cost thousands either.
March, 2017
Are you a first-time buyer? If so, you’re probably wondering what you need to do to make the process of buying your first home as smooth and hassle-free as possible. In this post, we’ll look at four things every first-time buyer needs to know to make the first successful steps towards owning a home.
January, 2017
Are you thinking of putting your house on the market in 2017? Whether you’re looking for a larger home for your growing brood or you’re hoping to downsize to a property with a smaller, more manageable garden, there are a few things to consider before you put your house up for sale.
We’re continually amazed at the variety of properties on the market in the UK, but 2016 was in a league of its own. Each year, online property portal Rightmove release a list of the most unusual properties they’ve listed over the previous 12 months. In this post, we’ve picked five our favourites for you to enjoy.
December, 2016
To help you settle into your new home as quickly as possible we’ve put together a guide covering everything you need to know about exchanging contracts.
Research has shown that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences life has to throw at us. Which is why we wouldn’t blame you for a second if you’ve been avoiding the thought. Of course, there comes a time when a move becomes inevitable – and the best possible thing for you and your family
November, 2016
For those keeping a close watch on the property market following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union in June this year, September’s mortgage approval figures show a welcome change.
Overflowing gutters and an overgrown garden won’t win you any points with viewers. However, with just a few small changes, you could speed up the selling process dramatically. Want to find out how? Keep reading for our five top tips for improving your home’s kerb appeal.
October, 2016
You’ve moved into your new home. Congratulations! The stressful part – the packing and moving, is over and it’s time to relax. But settling in also means a big adjustment for you and your family. With just a bit of planning, you can make sure this transition is as smooth and pain-free as possible.
Getting your home ready for viewings can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be. By avoiding some of the most common staging mistakes you can make your home more inviting and encourage a speedy sale.
September, 2016
Selling your home isn’t always simple or straightforward. And when you’re finally ready to sell for the right price, somebody swoops in with a low ball offer. Don’t despair. With our quick guide, you’ll be able to take the positives from these offers and move further towards getting the right price for your home.
One of the biggest worries surrounding the Brexit decision was the impact it could have on the housing market. House-owners and potential buyers were worried that market activity could fall, and prices would become unpredictable. And since the vote, there has been a number of conflicting reports that the market is going up, down,...
August, 2016
There are good and bad points to any purchase. With a new phone it could be a good camera and bad battery life, but with a home it’s a bit more of a hefty decision. Newly built homes are becoming more and more common, as housebuilders look to quench the nation’s thirst for home ownership. Stay with us as we look at the...
Thousands of homeowners have seen their monthly mortgage payments reduced following the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates from 0.5% to 0.25%. The rates cut – the first in seven years, came as no surprise to the financial market, and economists have predicted further cuts further down the line. But where does...
July, 2016
On 23 rd June 2016 Britain voted to exit the European Union. The decision to leave, known as Brexit (British Exit), could have an impact on a variety of areas, with a loss of EU funding, trading laws and some workers’ rights. Much of the debate leading up to the vote, and indeed since, has been about how Brexit will affect the...
Some people are minimalists, others are lovers of decorative objects, ornaments and pictures. Whatever your preference, your home’s style and design certainly says more about you than you realise. So if you’re a homeowner or landlord thinking about selling your property, it might be useful to know what impression your...
June, 2016
Selling your home doesn’t have to be stressful. There are a lot of ways you can make the process easier. One of them is to make sure your home is fully prepared for viewing.
A warning for homebuyers – you might be paying too much for home insurance. A 2016 study has revealed some big problems with the way people are choosing a policy. The findings could be a big helping hand for anyone buying a home now, or in the future.
May, 2016
Sprucing up your home in an attempt to add value is a good idea, but it can also be a tricky task. As well as the time pressures you’ll have to contend with if you’re keen to sell quickly, it can be difficult to determine which home improvements actually have the potential to add value to your property.
April, 2016
Over time, many things have come to represent the North-South divide in the United Kingdom: accents, food preferences, football teams. However, there is something else that differentiates the top of the UK from the bottom, and that’s house prices.
A 3% stamp duty increase on the purchase of secondary properties comes into effect today, April 1st 2016. Chancellor George Osborne announced plans to increase stamp duty land tax (SDLT) in his Autumn Statement in November, and the changes will affect anyone buying a second home, buy-to-let or residential property.
March, 2016
Open houses are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with many sellers now choosing to opt out of time consuming individual viewings altogether. So, are open houses the way forward, or are they more hassle than they are worth? In this blog post, we’ll weigh up a few of the pros and cons of adopting this American-style...
February, 2016
As the birthplace of black pudding, residents, restauranteurs and butchers of Bury have long taken pride in the delicious delicacy that is synonymous with the town’s name. Earlier this year, the rest of the world woke up to what local insiders have known for years – that black pudding isn’t just a scrumptious...
Thinking of selling your home? Of course, there are a number of tried and tested techniques which can add value to a property, such as building extensions, installing patio decking or revamping the kitchen. While these may add hundreds or even thousands of pounds of value to the property when it comes to sale, they will also require...
It’s no surprise that moving home is regularly voted as one of life’s most stressful events. So, if you’re here because you’re about to finalise your move, pack up, and move in to your new home, congratulations – getting to this stage isn’t easy.
At Weale & Hitchen, we’ve been helping to match people with properties since 1990. During this time, we’ve amassed a great deal of knowledge about the local area, and we would like to pass it on to you. Each month we take a closer look at areas within Manchester and South-East Lancashire to give prospective buyers a...
The property market is continuously changing, and although nobody can never be sure exactly what lies around the corner, property industry experts often make reliable predictions. So what does the forecast look like for 2016?
London is home to some of the most impressive and beautiful properties in the world, but recent statistics published by data providers suggest that the capital’s houses aren’t attracting quite the same amount of interest as they once did. Industry experts are beginning to speculate about the declining property sales in...
The North West of England is the best region for families in the UK, according to a study by PropertyDetective.com . At Weale and Hitchen, we’re not surprised at all – we love it up here! The Family Friendliness Index compared a wide variety of services available to families in areas across the UK, and three...
Getting a mortgage deposit together for your first home isn't easy, but don’t give up. While a 2015 study revealed that UK homeowners now save for an average of 24 years to afford their first property, we believe that a good saving strategy plan can make all the difference. With this in mind, we've put together 5 mortgage...
November, 2015
The financial downturn toward the end of the noughties saw house prices fall along with the mortgage approval rate. In fact, the Bank of England in 2008 reported a decline of almost 70% in mortgage approvals as banks tightened their approval process. Those on the property ladder were left with negative equity on their homes, while...
At Weale & Hitchen, we know how important it is to keep up with changing approaches to the property industry. So far this year, we have launched brand new, cutting-edge Weale & Hitchen website . And if that wasn’t enough, our Holcombe Brook branch has also moved into a new office.
October, 2015
Have you kept a close eye on property market news in recent months? It’s likely you will have read about the brand new Help to Buy ISA scheme. Introduced by the UK government, it’s currently a hot topic in the industry. And if you’re looking to purchase a property in the next few years, it’s definitely worth...
If you want to rent a residential property, we’ve got a bit of bad news - renting property is a pricey ordeal. In fact, the cost to rent a property in the UK is set to increase at the fastest rate in more than two years.
September, 2015
Every month, we will be helping prospective property buyers take a closer look at a different location in North Manchester and South-East Lancashire. Since Weale & Hitchen’s launch in 1990, we’ve amassed a great deal of knowledge about our local neighbourhoods. And we’re ready to share it with you in our monthly...
At Weale & Hitchen, we’re always looking for new and unique ways to continue improving our service. We’ve been in the business for 25 years and we know how important it is to keep up with the latest technology and trends. That’s why we decided to launch a brand new Weale & Hitchen website.
Find out how we can help.
Request a FREE no obligation valuation today.
Register with us now
Read what our clients think about us.
New on the property market and more
Our coverage and contact information
Show under offer