Blog: House

Q.        We want to put our house up for sale but is there any way we can vet who comes to look around it? A.        I’m interested in...

The issue of house prices is a hot topic and close to every homeowner’s heart. Everyone has their opinion, but even that of experienced estate agents is...

A new survey conducted by home developer, Strata, which quizzed over 2,000 children aged between 3 – 11 has revealed some pretty great ideas. The quiz...

Q. I’m thinking of converting my front garden into a parking space. Can I just go ahead and do it? A. The short answer is no. Of course, you are...

ASK THE EXPERT Q.        I only put my house on the market a few days ago and I’ve already had an offer. I am tempted to wait for a better one,...

The tree is finally up and decorated, the festive jumpers are on, gifts are wrapped and all that is left to do, is to settle down with a cup of mulled wine...

Tis the season to be jolly but is it the season to sell your home? The answer in the simplest terms is YES! Since 2014, there has been an increase of...

Tis the season to be jolly but is it the season to sell your home? The answer in the simplest terms is YES! Since 2014, there has been an increase of...

Q) I’m selling a house for the first time and need to choose an estate agent. What do I need to ask, how do I differentiate them and how much trust...

So you’ve walked round approximately 10 houses and, much like when you were dating, finally met ‘The One’. Now comes the nerve-wracking part: offer,...

At Orchards Estates we love helping people find their ideal home. Over the years we’ve built up loads of knowledge about the process and what to do, and...

How do you get your home photo-ready?...

The leaves are turning on the trees and we’re starting to think about snuggly jumpers and warm fires. What does your home need to ensure it is ready for...

A recipe for success: smarten up your kitchen. During the many years I’ve been an estate agent I’ve seen plenty of buyers fall head over heels...

“It was like a pig sty” The headline for this blog isn’t an announcement that we’ve moved into selling farms or rural properties. And it isn’t a...

Less is more so kill the clutter. If you put your hand onto a hot stove you would not be surprised to burn it. ‘That’s obvious!’, I hear you cry. And...

HM Treasury has recently updated its consensus forecast for UK house price growth over the next five years. Property prices are expected to rise by 2.8%...

I was planning to put my home up for sale this month to catch the Autumn rush, but the way things are I’m wondering whether I should postpone things for...

Q. I was planning to put my home up for sale this month to catch the Autumn rush, but the way things are I’m wondering whether I should postpone things...

Changes to Houses of Multiple Occupancy COMING SOON! Video explanation....

Q: We’ve decided that we want to move but our friends are giving us differing advice… should we put our house up for sale before we start looking for...

  I have just had my house valued but I think it is worth more than the agent suggested. Is there anything wrong with testing the market by putting it up...

Q.         We have seen a house we really like, but apparently there is a family of bats living in the loft! How do we deal with that?...

Valuing property is not – and can never be - an exact science. The simple fact is that your home is not necessarily worth what any estate agent says it...

Generation Rent is a popular term used to describe young adults, normally between the ages of 18 – 35, who live in rented accommodation because of high...

What is a cash buyer? It turns out that my ‘cash buyer’ actually has a property to sell. How can this sort of thing happen, and what can I do?...

Basically, we’re talking about ambience. This can be very important, because whether we realise it or not, we are all sensitive to the “feel” of a...

May Day – a much coveted long weekend, and a time for dancing, singing and fetes on the village green, but what is the price premium attached to living...

The latest data and analysis from independent home buyer, Quick Move Now, has revealed that the number of house sales falling through before completion is...

Is the property market up or is down? This month, more than ever, the answer depends on who you speak to....

The issue of house prices is a hot topic and close to every homeowner’s heart. Everyone has their opinion, but even that of experienced estate agents is...

Black Friday and how it affects the value of your home...

There is a very different vibe to the property market from last month...

Why clutter can cost you thousands and what to do about it in three steps...

Another great open home in the Villages today, this time in Stoford...

Looking to sell your home in Martock, South Petherton, Ilminster, Yeovil, Crewkerne or any of the south Somerset villages?...

Did you miss Gas Safety Week in September? Do you know your responsibilities as a landlord? Here are six simple steps to help keep your tenants safe and...

Over 25,000 estate and lettings agency branches have been assessed by Rightmove to create the Best Estate Agent Guide, designed to help you to choose an...

The release of the latest iPhone handset brings with it the hefty price tag of around £1300 and for those keen early adopters, a likely long queue in the...

From the early 1700s, the English coastline became popular to visit for “medicinal dips”. King George III in 1789 even went skinny-dipping in Weymouth!...

Last year marked what would have been the 100th birthday of the World’s No 1 storyteller – Roald Dahl. The man was a genius, with an imagination...

How to avoid the pitfalls and tricks of the trade when choosing an estate agent. In this episode we look at when and where buyers are looking for your...

The top 50 most popular house names in the UK have been announced following research by the Royal Mail. Here are the top 5 house names in the UK in 2017:...

how rents have risen since 2005...