Category: Removals

Do you live on a Road? A Street? A Lane? A Grove? Chances are you probably haven’t given your street name more thought than whether you like the sound of it and how easy it is to spell.

But did you know your address could be adding value to your home – or taking it away? Beyond the location, which obviously has a dramatic impact on property value, the name of where you live can also have repercussions in terms of perceptions.

According to research from estate agent comparison site GetAgent.co.uk, 30 per cent of all properties sold are on a Road. Close and Street take roughly another 10 per cent each. Avenue and Drive follow not far behind that.

But if you want to make the most money on your property, it transpires you need to live on a Hill. Not literally – although to be fair we assume most Hills are so named because of the geography of the area. Hills only accounted for one per cent of all property purchases over the last year, but sold, on average, for £335,000.

Following behind Hill in adding extra pounds to your property value were Lane and Gardens, with values just below £300,000. Park and Rise were next on the list of prestigious addresses.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Terrace commanded the lowest average price (£145,000), followed by Street and Court.

Just to make things more confusing, the UK’s most expensive address is actually Avenue Road in North West London. Taking two names for the price of one! You need a cool £30m to move there.

Of course, a street name alone isn’t going to make you millions, and it is out of your control. But what about house names, which are of your choosing?

According to Carpetright, which analysed Royal Mail data, house names with the word Orchard included are the most popular in Yorkshire – and in fact the country as a whole, with 18,211 homes including the name. Rose, Victoria and Holly followed as the most prevalent. Looking at the list, some of the more interesting names included Harry Potter inspired homes, five of which which are named after his owl Hedwig, three houses named after Lord of the Ring’s Gandalf and 323 after Beauty and the Beast’s Lumiere (maybe).

If you’re planning a move (from a Road to a Rise perhaps) we have almost 100 years of moving experience to get your belongings safely to your new home. From removals in Leeds to removals across Yorkshire, the UK or even beyond, we can help provide you with all the assistance you might need. From packing up your home to providing storage facilities if dates don’t quite tie in, we’re here on hand. For more information get in touch with one of our friendly team.

There has been much talk over the last year about how important our homes have become in our lives. Of course, homes have always been important – but suddenly spending ALL our time there, whether for work or leisure purposes in a lot of cases – meant those little niggles and things we’d been putting up with seemed so much worse.

We realised that actually we really needed space for a desk and to work comfortably, away from the kitchen table or sofa. We needed somewhere to exercise. Gardens became more important than ever before. And although Kirsty and Phil have always known it, Location, Location, Location was vital. We needed lots of pleasant walks we could take from our doorstep – and some great little local food shops we could pop into to stock up on staples. All that’s not too much to ask surely?!

The property market ground to a halt for a little while due to lockdown, but by last summer it was up and running again and busier than ever. Properties are flying out of estate agents’ windows as soon as they hit them. The Stamp Duty Savings definitely helped give the market a boost – but actually things don’t yet seem to be slowing down, despite the deadline for the end of the scheme looming. Certainly as a removal firm in Leeds and York, the diary continues to look very busy moving customers for weeks to come.

So, if you’re pondering how to best achieve the home you want (or need), what questions should you be asking yourself?

• Will an extension get you what you need? If you want a bigger garden or a different location, moving is really your only option. If, actually, it’s an extra bedroom or a knocked through kitchen/diner you’re after, speak to an architect to find out if it would be possible in your current property.
• Weighing up the costs. If you were to move home, what would your budget be? Remember to work in costs such as stamp duty, solicitors’ fees and removals firms. Can you get the house you want within the budget? Time to check out Rightmove and to get some valuations on your current property! But don’t expect an extension to be a ‘cheap’ option – typically they cost around £1,500-£2,000 per square metre. Consider all the related costs, such as planning fees and inspections, and then factor in some additional budget for unforeseen expenses (which there always are!) Remember you may need to put some of your belongings into self storage. Will you have to move out for any of the work to be done, and what costs may that add?
• Don’t get hung up on making your money back. Of course, it would be galling to extend your house and find it cost more than it added to the value of your home. But apparently 73% of house extensions do make their money back. However, if you’re making these changes so you can continue living in the property longer term, at this point the value of the house doesn’t really matter. It’s estimated that an extra bedroom can add more than 10% to the value of your property, and an extra bathroom or extended kitchen/diner 5-6%.
• Will an extension be allowed? Look at what other properties in the area have done to gauge whether you think you’d be likely to get any necessary planning permissions. But bear in mind there’s no guarantee until planning is granted!

If you decide moving is the right option for you, get in touch with us to find out more about our removals’ services in Leeds and Yorkshire. Wherever you might be moving to, our friendly team can help get your belongings safely packed up and transported from your old home to new. If you’d like to get a quote for a removal, fill in a few details here or give us a call on 0113 269 0000.

When the Chancellor announced the introduction of stamp duty savings last year, the ticking clock started for the countdown to it ending on 31^st March, creating a lot of pressure in the system. Many people thought if they hadn’t put their property on the market by the end of last year, they were probably too late to sell in 2021.

So, some may have been surprised to see the latest stats, which seem to show the market is likely to remain buoyant for the foreseeable – particularly with the news of the extension to the stamp duty holiday and the launch of the mortgage guarantee scheme.

Yorkshire in particular is due to experience a strong market, with Savills predicting a 28 per cent increase in average house prices in the region by 2025. That’s 7 per cent higher than the national average and 15 per cent higher than London. The rises are predicted to be steady year-on-year – with even 2021, despite starting with a lockdown, seeing a 4.5 per cent increase. It seems our desire to move home outweighs the uncertainly brought about by the pandemic. With more and more people seeking nearby countryside, outdoor space and the ability to work from home, things look positive for house moves in Leeds and its neighbouring locations.

Estate agent Linley and Simpson is also predicting a post-Covid city living revival for Leeds too, particularly as shops, bars and restaurants begin to reopen. With a shortage of properties on the market leading to higher asking prices – is now the time to make your move?

If you’re looking for moving companies in Leeds, we have almost 100 years of removals’ expertise. We can help you with everything from packing to…well…unpacking! And everything in between – which is just as important.

It’s vital when looking for a Leeds’ removals company to ensure that you find one you can trust. Always look for membership of the British Association of Removers (BAR) as reassurance of the quality you should expect – you can check this on the BAR website. You’re trusting this company to move everything you own, safely and securely, so it’s something you don’t want to cut corners on.

With things being so busy in the Leeds removals market, it’s worth getting in touch with your preferred company as soon as possible to try and secure the date you need. Even if you don’t have a date yet in mind, you can get a quote (which can be done remotely for Covid safety reasons) and get your details on our system, ready to push the button once the completion date is agreed.

If, for whatever reason, dates don’t end up aligning – perhaps you have to move out to maintain the chain below you, but your new build isn’t yet ready – don’t worry. We can offer safe and secure storage for all your belongings. We can load up the removals van as we would with any move, carefully placing the items in large crates, which are then safely unloaded at our storage location. We’ll keep them there, unopened, until you’re ready – and then we’ll deliver them back to you. It’s also something to consider if you’re moving into a property which needs some work doing before you’re ready to take up residence!

So, if you’re looking to make the most of the Yorkshire property price boom, and you need a Leeds’ removal company, get in touch! Don’t worry about asking too many questions – we appreciate we know this inside out, but most people don’t move every day so it might seem a bit daunting. We’re always happy to help!

 

There’s no denying, pets become part of the family. Fur-babies of all shapes and sizes (along with feathered and scaled kinds) can wrap us round their little fingers. Or paws/claws/fins/feet may be more apt.

 

If a house move is on the cards, however, it can be tricky to explain to your pet exactly what’s happening and to reassure them it will all be fine. The fact they can often sense something is going on can add to the stress for them. So, what can you do to make a move as smooth as possible for your four/two/eight-legged friend?

 

• Leave the familiar until last – it can be tempting to go into a packing frenzy a week or two before the move. But leave your pet’s belongings until move day itself so they have their familiar items around them. Don’t wash any toys or blankets after you move, so the scent remains the same while they settle into their new home.
• Get help on move day – it’s best, if possible, to have your pet out of the way on moving day. Ask a friend or family member if they can have them – or if needs be, try a kennels or pet care facility. Not only will all the movement and people be stressful for them, but the last thing you want is your pet escaping and going missing just as you’re about to leave the house forever. It also means their usual routine can be stuck to as much as possible, which is hard when you’re trying to juggle a house move.
• Safe space – if they absolutely have to be with you on move day, set aside a room in both the old and the new house which they are kept in. Communicate with everyone involved, including the removals firm, that the door is not to opened by anyone other than yourself – make sure they have their usual water and food and a comfy place to rest and consider the best way to manage visits to the toilet. Keep checking on them to make sure they’re ok and to give reassurance.
• Are they up to date? – if appropriate to the type of pet, make sure they’re microchipped and if they wear a collar, that it has contact details on. If the worst happens and they go missing at the new or old property, these will be vital in reuniting you.
• Keep them safe and secure en route – if you are physically moving your pet with you, they will need to go in your vehicle, rather than a removal van. Make sure they are secured – cages and baskets should be strapped in so they wouldn’t go flying in the event of an accident. Bear in mind some animals can get car sick on long journeys, so avoid over feeding them, and you may want to choose a route with less bumps and turns.
• Gentle exploring – if you’re letting your pet explore, make sure you take it slowly. It’s a good idea to keep cats inside for a week or so to get used to their surroundings – consider spray or plug-in pheromones which can reduce levels of stress in our feline friends (there’s also canine varieties available). For dogs, if allowing them in the garden, make sure it’s properly secure and they can’t escape. Keep them on a lead when out for walks until they adjust to their new local area.
• Give them time – it may take a while for your pet to settle in their new home, so give them plenty of reassurance and attention – or if they prefer, give them peace and quiet to adjust. Try not to get cross if they misbehave, have accidents or act strangely – hopefully it will be a short term reaction to the change.

 

If you’re planning a move and would like to chat to our Leeds removals team about how best to manage that with your pets, why not get in touch?

Many of us have been there. You put an offer in on a house, you accept an offer on yours, things are going great. The chain is complete, everyone’s keen to get moving, and then……nothing. Everything seems to stop.

You can’t pinpoint any problem in particular. It just seems to have hit a brick wall, and everyone is chasing everyone else with no real movement.

According to a study by Your Move, the main reason why the average UK property transactions runs weeks over is due to the property lawyer being out of the office. Holidays and sick days, combined with a system which doesn’t have a solution for if that one individual isn’t about, apparently affects one in four homebuyers. Of course, no one is saying conveyancers don’t deserve their days off (or shouldn’t rest at home when ill) but it does seem strange that such occurrences aren’t expected.

Apparently almost a third of buyers experience an average delay of six and a half weeks, because the person dealing with their purchase/sale was out of the office.

Once you’ve decided you want to move, you really want to move. We get that. And you want to be able to plan. It can be frustrating when delays happen, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get the ball rolling on your big move while all the rest of it goes on behind the scenes.

The first thing you need to do is choose a removals company – and we hope Holdsworths is on the list! Whether you’re moving in Leeds, in Yorkshire, halfway across the country, or to the other side of the world, we have almost 100 years of experience getting people safely settled into their new home. We’re used to dealing with the unexpected! We’re also BAR registered, which gives you peace of mind about the quality of service we deliver.

We will send one of our expert estimators along to visit you at home to discuss your move and get a better idea of how much you need to transport – whether we need one of the big HGVs (or two!) or transit vehicles for small moves. We can also discuss any difficulties you may have concerns about – whether that’s tight access to a new property which might be a squeeze for a lorry, parking permits, a grand piano or a prized collection of antique Chinese teapots. We’ll work with you to make sure there’s nothing to worry about.

Once you have your quote and are happy to proceed, we can get you booked in – as soon as you have a move date confirmed we can get that in the diary. We know move dates sometimes change, and things can often be last minute – we’ll always try hard to work with you to navigate it all. We also recommend you take out a cancellation and postponement waiver – just in case someone up the chain causes an issue when you least expect it!

Don’t forget we also offer packing services – taking the stress out of packaging up all your worldly belongings. We can guarantee our guys will be much faster at it than you will – they’ve got years of experience behind them! They’ll also make sure all your items are safe and sound for the journey ahead.

If you want to pack yourself, it’s never too early to get some cardboard boxes, tape and bubble wrap to start packing up those things you don’t need day to day. We can help provide these, so just ask your removals consultant for more information.

So, hopefully your home removal won’t be too delayed – but if it is, it’s extra time to get organised ahead of move day. And it won’t be long before you’re settled in your new home, with your belongings safely around you, and your feet up on all the empty boxes!

A new online tool, as reported in the Yorkshire Post, allows house buyers and sellers analyse buyer demand by post code. PropCast, the first of its kind in the UK, shows the market in terms of temperature with a scale from hot to cold showing how hard or easy it is to make a sale of a property.

Analysis of the Yorkshire shows expected heated areas around the Leeds, Sheffield, Harrogate and York areas. There were cold areas in the Bradford area, Hull, Doncaster and surprisingly areas of York also.

 

Yorkshire Hot Spots	Yorkshire Cold Spots
S10 – Sheffield: Ranmoor, Fulwood & Crookes	BD1 – Bradford: City centre
S7 – Sheffield: Nether Edge, Abbeydale	HU1 – Hull: City centre
S8 – Sheffield: Beauchief, Norton, Woodseats	BD9 – Bradford: Frizinghall, Heaton
LS4 – Leeds: Burley & Kirkstall Hill	BD7 – Bradford: Great Horton
S20 – Sheffield: Mosborough	BD21 – Keighley
YO24 – York: Acomb & Dringhouses	YO62 – Helmsley, Ampleforth, Kirkbymooreside
S74 – Hoyland near Barnsley	HU2 – Hull: Centre & Wincolmlee
S11 – Sheffield: Sharrow, Brincliffe & Whirlow	DN1 – Doncaster: City centre
S6 – Sheffield: Hillsborough	YO51 – Boroughbridge area
YO31 – Heworth & Huntington	BD3 – Bradford: Thornbury & Laisterdyke

 

It is thought that the PropCast information will be able to inject some realism and clarity into the property market. The idea is to show the balance of power in each area. In cold areas the buyer holds the upper hand because there is an excess of availability on the market whereas in the hot areas, the seller holds the cards. Therefore sellers in the cold areas may have to rely on selling tactics such as presenting the home in the best condition possible and also providing a competitive price. In hot spot areas, sellers need to be ready to act fast as soon as their property hits the market by obtaining pre-approved mortgages while moving quick with good offers and being prepared to negotiate at short notice.

PropCast information can be found on TheAdvisory website. TheAdvisory is the UK’s oldest independent advice and support resource for property investors. Users can obtain historic trends and displays when inputting a postcode.

Latest data from the Land Registry has shown that house prices in Yorkshire are faring well compared to the previous year. House prices increased by an average of 2.9 per cent across the county between May 2017 and May 2018.

Richmondshire, towards the north of the county, saw the largest increase with values in the area increasing 8.6 per cent with an average property price from £192,715 to £209,368. The area, which includes the market towns of Richmond and Leyburn, was already abundant with attraction with large parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park straying within its borders. It is its transport links however, that can be attributed to the boost thanks to the upgraded A1 which allows quicker access to Leeds and Newcastle thanks to its extension to three lanes.

The district of Ryedale also saw a value boost from £211,294 to £229,399 thanks to growing popularity. The beautiful countryside’s of the nearby North York Moors and access to the coast already acted favourably but links to York and Leeds by train and car help it attract commuters.

A surprise increase was Rotherham in South Yorkshire which saw a 7.6 per cent rise which was attributed to higher value homes hitting the market, especially in surrounding suburbs. There are also good increases in Barnsley (5.5 per cent), Calderdale (5.1 per cent), Leeds (4.3 per cent) Scarborough (5.7 per cent), Selby (5.7 per cent) and Sheffield 6.6 per cent).

The only district that lost value was surprisingly York with a reduction of 2.1 per cent. This is a surprise for a city named as the Best Place to Live in Britain by The Sunday Times. But this has been explained as a balance off following a particularly strong 2017.

The most expensive place to by in Yorkshire is Harrogate with an average price of £280,334 and the cheapest is Hull where the average price is at £106,918. The latter could throw up opportunity for buyers looking build upon Hull’s success as UK City of Culture in 2017.

Twelve months ago, the Holdsworth’s Removals blog covered the effects of the summer period on the removal industry as a whole and, more importantly, each individual move. The summer period continues to be the busiest for removal companies and 2018 is likely to prove no different. Previously we suggested that being organised in advance to your move, being prepared for hot conditions on the day of the removal and plans for students should be a forefront of thinking. This is still advice that we would adhere to.

But despite being nearly a century old as a removal company, Holdsworth’s still continue to learn, and here are some more hints and tips if you are planning a move this summer.

Declutter

Whether it’s to save money or simply to get rid of some unused belongings, a removal is the perfect time for a clear out. The summer months are the ideal time to move some things on to a new home as the car boot sales and garage sales all kick in across the local area. It is a fun way of shifting some belongings that you no longer need, might raise some spare cash and will save on time or money on packing.

Watch the Weather

Previously, hot weather was key to the discussion as the UK was in the middle of a heatwave. This means that our removal crews often opt for shorts in the hotter weather and may require more frequent hydration breaks. But in the summer of 2018 we have already experienced hot and humid weather which has led to flash flooding and aggressive storms across the UK. No summer in Leeds, Yorkshire or the UK is ever predictable so keep an eye on the forecast so you can plan for whatever the weather throws your way.

Plan Plan Plan

Despite saying it last year, it is as relevant as ever this year. It may be possible to book your removal days in advance for the majority of the year but the summer rush makes this unlikely. Getting a quote for your removal as early as possible will give you the best chance to move on the day that you want / need. Then stay in touch with your removal company and solicitors to ensure availability and also factor in any surprise changes to your move day.

The first quarter of 2018 delivered promising news for Yorkshire as the region maintained growth and bucked national trends in home ownership. The latest Nationwide index suggested that the UK house price growth remained steady at 2.1%.

On a regional level, the North of England recorded stronger price growth than in the south. Yorkshire especially exceeded the national trend with prices up by 4.8%. This puts house prices in Yorkshire back to their levels in 2007 prior to the recession and is up on the 1.8% growth on the previous year.

In terms of home ownership rates, this has declined consistently over the past decade with many seeing rentals as the ideal option. Despite this, Yorkshire records a strong level of home ownership with 63% of people owning their own home. This in comparison to London which dropped to 47% this March.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist said: “On the surface, the relatively subdued pace of house price growth appears at odds with recent healthy rates of employment growth, a modest pick-up in wage growth and historically low borrowing costs. However, consumer confidence has remained subdued, due to the ongoing squeeze on household finances as wage growth continues to lag behind increases in the cost of living.

“Looking ahead, much will depend on how broader economic conditions evolve, especially in the labour market, but also with respect to interest rates. Subdued economic activity and the ongoing squeeze on household budgets is likely to continue to exert a modest drag on housing market activity and house price growth this year.

“But historically low unemployment and mortgage interest rates together with the lack of properties on the market is likely to provide some support for house prices. Overall, we expect house prices to be broadly flat, with a marginal gain of around one per cent over the course of 2018.”

Read more on the Yorkshire Post.

As we enter 2018, and as Holdsworth’s approaches its 98th birthday as a removals company, we have taken a look at some noticeable trends throughout the past few months in the removals industry. Our team has provided some advice on how we, as a removals company, and our customers can try and move with these trends to make the removal an easier process, as well as looking at some wider developments.

The Short Notice Move

Research across the removals and property industry has sprung a noticeable trend which is being dubbed the short notice move. It was something noticeable at Holdsworth’s Removals as 2017 progressed, despite house sales being secured, it can take some time for the chain to kick in and suddenly a move date agreed and a removal needs to be booked in. Despite Holdsworth’s having the removals expertise to deal with this where they can, during some peak periods it can be difficult to please everyone. In this respect, Holdsworth’s have a few pieces of advice to try and make this an easier process:

• Be as prepared for your removal as you can be. As soon as you know that you will be moving house, gather quotes for the move. Following this, ensure that you are in constant contact with your removal company, estate agent and solicitors. Get as much notice as possible.
  • Extra hint: Ensure that you are moving with a BAR verified company for extra protection.
• Explore any covering waiver options. Holdsworth’s for example, offer a cancellation or postponement waiver to cover you in the unfortunate even that something goes wrong. These waivers are intended to protect you, and your wallet, if the move can’t go ahead.
• Consider storage options. Most removals companies, including Holdsworth’s, have their own storage facilities to keep your items safe during any hiccups.
• Avoid busy periods where possible. If you end up in a lengthy chain that is prone to collapse, insisting on an end of week removal in the summer months can cause further problems. The more flexible you can be with your move, the easier the process will be.

Brexit Impact?

With Brexit negotiations being well underway, there is ongoing uncertainty which might affect the housing market. Despite this, there are positive signs. The abolishment of stamp duty for first time buyers in the 2017 Autumn Budget and the protection of Help-to-Buy ISA’s were a positive step. There was an increase of first-time buyers in 2017. There is further good news for the Yorkshire region which is anticipated to fare better than many other parts of the UK.

Continued Holdsworth’s Removals Expertise

One thing that Holdsworth’s can guarantee is a continued effort to grow and deliver our removals expertise for removals across Leeds, Yorkshire and the UK. The removals industry continues to develop and our aim is the develop with that while also calling upon the 98 years of removals expertise. We will adhere to the regulations of our BAR accreditations and aim to pass our annual inspection as usual.