Moving to the Countryside: Everything You Need to Know

Moving to the countryside comes with a few challenges that you can get used to and learn to embrace. The positives of living close to nature far outweigh the downsides of some rural inconveniences. So it’s time to get excited, but first let’s look at some things you should know before your move.

(Sourced from: https://unsplash.com/photos/road-in-between-brown-wooden-fences-JuP0ZG0UNi0) 

Local Shops and Facilities

Many shops in the countryside are further away than usual from big supermarkets. You may also find that there are fewer fast-food places that will deliver to your house. You’re more likely to come across a small village shop or farmers market if you live somewhere rural. This is the perfect opportunity to support small businesses and local farmers. If you do need to go to a big supermarket for something, a car drive should get you there.

Rural areas may also have limited access to healthcare facilities. Make sure you register with the closest doctor’s surgery when you move in. Make yourself familiar with how to get there and where the nearest hospital is too. The Government has put things in place like the Targeted Enhanced Recruitment Scheme so hopefully healthcare can become more accessible in rural areas. This particular scheme allows GP Specialty Trainees to take a one-off payment of £20,000 to work in deprived or under-doctored locations. Some of these areas include rural places. Hopefully schemes like this one will help increase healthcare access in rural areas in the long run.

Connecting With Nature

One of the first things you’ll notice when moving is the amount of nature. Trees, fields, flowers, public footpaths and sometimes beaches can all be found in the countryside. Surrounding yourself with nature and greenery can reduce stress and improve your mood. Another thing you’ll find is that many houses in the countryside have well-kept gardens. This helps them fit in with the scenery and means biodiversity can flourish. If your new garden isn’t up to scratch, you can make some changes.

Adding a water feature like a pond is great for this too, and can also increase wildlife in your garden. Think about what you can do with anything that doesn’t quite fit in. For example, it’s not uncommon for rural properties to have tanks instead of being connected to the mains. So if you have an oil tank in your garden, you could install it underground instead. They can take up a lot of room if they’re above ground and will be better protected from the weather if they’re buried under the soil. A tidy garden with a few exciting features will impress your neighbours.

Getting New Hobbies

As well as minimal shops and facilities in the area, this is the same with entertainment. You may be far from places like cinemas, theatres and museums. There’s likely to be a local pub or two, which is great for catching up with friends. Other than this, you might have to find yourself some new entertainment. Moving to the countryside provides the perfect opportunity to get yourself some new hobbies. If you like being active, then hiking, kayaking and cycling are all perfect to do in the countryside. If you’d rather have some more relaxing hobbies, then activities like photography and bird watching can be exciting too.

Country Roads and Travel

Public transport can be limited in the countryside. This is especially so in more rural areas. You’ll find that owning your own vehicle will be the easiest way to travel. If you’ve come from a city, it’ll be strange seeing so many country roads at first. Luckily, it won’t take you long to get the hang of them. If you’re struggling with transport options, taxis are likely to cover your area.

Signal and Internet

You’ll need to do some research to find the best phone network and internet provider. If you’ve ever gone somewhere with a group of friends, you may have noticed that some of you had more signal than others. One phone carrier might be better for your area than another. Also do some research into what internet services are available in your area. Some rural places have high speed internet so it’s worth seeing if you can get it. Many people move to the countryside for peace and quiet, so signal and internet might not necessarily be at the top of your list!

The countryside is a beautiful place to live, so you’re in for an exciting move. Jot down any tips which stand out to you so you can take them on when you move! If you're looking for expert guidance on rural properties, don't hesitate to reach out to Katie Griffin at katie@sawdyeandharris.co.uk or call 01364 652652.

Set The Stage: How To Wow Potential Buyers On Viewings

So, you’ve taken the exciting step of putting your house on the market, and your first viewing is just around the corner! This is an exciting time, but it’s also crucial to prepare effectively behind the scenes. Remember, first impressions matter immensely, and a little preparation can go a long way in charming potential buyers.

If you're unsure where to start (or stop!), don’t worry! We’ve compiled a handy list of seven tried-and-true tips that will have buyers falling in love with your home in no time. 

1. Boost Your Kerb Appeal

Your outdoor space is the first thing viewers will see, so it’s essential to make it inviting. Start by tidying up the front garden: trim the hedges, hide away any bins, jet wash patios and driveways, and consider giving your front door a fresh coat of paint if it needs it.

Once the entrance looks great, turn your attention to the back garden. Mow the lawn and add a few potted plants for a pop of colour. Want to elevate your outdoor area even further? Check out our garden styling tips for some inspiration!

2. Ensure Convenient Parking

On viewing day, make sure there’s ample parking available for your visitors. This often-overlooked detail can significantly enhance their experience, helping them feel at ease from the moment they arrive.  

3. Revamp and Repair

During a viewing, potential buyers will likely open doors, peek into cupboards, and check that everything is in working order. Therefore, ensuring that your furniture and décor are in tip-top shape is vital.

Take care of any repairs, fill in holes from picture frames, touch up marks on walls, fix broken cupboards and doors, refresh grout in kitchens and bathrooms, and replace any burnt-out lightbulbs.

4. Style Your Space

Highlighting your home’s best features is key to making a lasting impression. Create an aspirational atmosphere with some thoughtful styling.

Use mirrors to reflect light throughout the rooms, add fresh towels in the bathroom, and hang up your favourite artwork to create focal points.  

5. Create a Warm, Lived-In Ambience

While cleanliness is crucial, creating an inviting atmosphere is equally important. You want potential buyers to feel at home during their visit.

Introduce welcoming scents with diffusers in each room or bake some goodies beforehand to fill your home with comforting aromas. If you have a fireplace, light it up for added cosiness; turn on lamps and accent lighting to create a warm glow. On nice days, open windows to let in fresh air. Don’t forget to swap out family photos for fresh flowers—this helps visitors envision themselves living in your space.  

6. Arrange for Pets to Be Out of Sight

We know pets are beloved family members; however, not everyone shares that sentiment—and some may even have allergies. If possible, ask a neighbour or friend to look after your furry companions during viewings. Before guests arrive, air out the rooms and consider using diffusers to neutralise any pet odours.  

7. Communication

Understanding your audience can be incredibly beneficial when preparing for viewings. We have insights into what potential buyers are looking for based on their research.

If we mention that viewers are particularly interested in features like a stunning garden or spacious kitchen, focus on showcasing these areas effectively—perhaps by rearranging furniture or creating inviting seating areas outdoors.

If you have questions about preparing for viewings or need guidance on marketing your home effectively, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team—we’re here to help! Simply give us a call on 01364 652652 or drop us an email at hello@sawdyeandharris.co.uk, and one of our friendly team members will be in touch shortly.

Ahead of putting your home on the market, there are a few strategic upgrades you can make to increase the value and make your property more appealing to potential buyers.

Homeowners today want modern, stylish kitchens that are practical and luxurious in equal measure. There are several ways you can update your own kitchen to meet this demand and boost the market price. From basic repairs to unique features that make your home more desirable to buyers, here’s how you can unlock the potential in your kitchen before listing it.

Make Careful Luxury Choices

If you’re planning on selling up, it’s unlikely you’ll want to spend your entire budget on luxury extras. But a few strategic upgrades can have a big impact. For example, a glass splashback instead of a standard tiled or steel option adds an elegant touch to your kitchen, especially if you extend it along the entire stretch of wall.

Similarly, worktops are an area of the room that benefits from investment—whether it’s for yourself or a future owner. As one luxury kitchen supplier states “marble and granite worktops are the epitome of luxury that offer classic elegance for traditional kitchens and blend seamlessly into modern designs”.

Choose a Functional Layout

Functionality is incredibly important in kitchen design. Not only do you want your kitchen layout to look appealing, but it also needs to be practical. As one design consultant explains, “ergonomics is about adapting the kitchen to the user’s physical reach and comfort, making the placement of cabinets essential. Optimal height prevents strain by minimising the need to reach too high or stoop too low, accommodating people of different heights and abilities”.

Buyers need to be able to picture themselves using the space and how it will suit their lifestyle, so an ergonomic layout is the best choice to work for everyone. Make sure the layout is smooth and flows well when you’re cooking, keep the space organised and free from clutter on work surfaces, and consider if there’s scope for extending or opening up the room. Maybe there’s a connecting wall that could open up the kitchen into the living room for a larger kitchen-diner. Or perhaps you can extend outwards with a rear extension that will add value to the home.

Install Recognisable Appliances

Buying branded items isn’t always necessary, but familiarity with a brand can encourage confidence in the quality of the appliances and the home as a whole. If you’re installing new appliances in your kitchen before resale, it’s a good idea to opt for well-known brands that provide reliability and quality.

That doesn’t mean you have to blow the budget on the most expensive items—a mid-range appliance with positive reviews can be a great choice, compared to an unknown cheaper brand. A brand that buyers are familiar with can encourage them that you’ve invested in quality items that are built to last.

Get the Lighting Right

A dark, dingy kitchen can be really off-putting to viewers, especially when you consider that our kitchens today are often multi-functional spaces. The kitchen evolves constantly as a space to cook in, a place for dining and entertaining, and as a home office and homework spot. This means we need a mixture of task lighting, accent lights and ambient background lights that create the right atmosphere for the moment. This might mean switching out the singular ceiling light for spot lighting, under cabinet lights or statement lights that brighten up the room and make it more practical. 

Consider Energy Efficiency

Homeowners increasingly value eco-friendly features, and this extends to the kitchen too. Whether you’re planning on putting your home on the market immediately or in the near future, energy-efficient appliances are beneficial for all, saving you or future owners money on energy bills and also benefitting the environment. An A+ rated oven will consume significantly less energy than a B-rated oven, so even small differences can add up.

Opt for Fitted Cabinetry

Fitted kitchens, which means the units are secured to the walls and floors, gives the kitchen a cleaner and more durable feel. An added benefit is that fitted cabinetry tends to be more cost-effective than custom designs, so you can upgrade your kitchen for less. Installing cabinets in your kitchen provides ample storage for your buyers, which keeps the same clutter-free and organised. Fitting them to the space also means that awkward nooks or sloping eaves don’t need to go unused.

Keep to Neutral Tones

For modern and contemporary kitchens, neutral hues are the way forward. From cream and beige to pale grey, taupe or soft white, neutral colours are timeless, elegant and chic. They can be styled in myriad ways with virtually any other colour to add personality and uniqueness to the space, which makes your home easier to sell on because it means the kitchen will appeal to a wider group of people. An added benefit of neutral shades is that they can brighten up a dark or small kitchen, making it feel airy and spacious.

A well-designed, stylish kitchen can completely transform your home, making it more appealing to buyers and increasing the value you can receive. From small changes to big renovations, think about the elements your current kitchen is lacking so you can make the right changes that will appeal to potential buyers.

For many, the first point in a house move journey is to understand the value of their current home. Whether you want a quick, instant online valuation indication or a more robust specific and individual valuation, we would be delighted to help—click here to get your online valuation.

Did you know that 2025 marks 50 years since women in the UK were first legally allowed to apply for a mortgage without a male guarantor? 

But has the dream of homeownership truly become equal, or are new challenges emerging?

On International Women's Day, mortgage broker Mojo Mortgages’ analysis of internal data reveals a mixed picture, highlighting both significant progress and persistent hurdles that female homebuyers still face.

Read their full report online > https://mojomortgages.com/mortgage-guides/women-and-mortgages 

50 Years After It Became Legal: Celebrate Rising Female Homeownership 

Mojo Mortgages’ internal data has revealed that:

• A Look Back: Prior to the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975, women faced significant obstacles in accessing mortgages, often requiring male guarantors. This landmark legislation paved the way for independent female homeownership.
• More Women Applying Solo: Over the past five years, Mojo Mortgages has seen a 14% increase in the proportion of sole female mortgage applicants, showing real progress for solo homeowners. 
• Women's Share is Growing: Women now make up a larger part of Mojo Mortgages’ applications, accounting for 41% of all applicants in 2024, up from 36% in 2020. This growing market share demonstrates the increasing economic power and influence of women homebuyers.
• Prime Buying Years: Women aged 25-34 are still a key group, making up 58% of female first-time buyer applications. 

However, There Are Still Challenges That Remain For Women...

Mojo Mortgages’ internal data has uncovered that the overall number of solo female first-time buyers has dipped in recent years. In 2024, just 12% of female applicants were first-time buyers, compared to 19% in 2020. 

But what’s the root cause?

• The Gender Pay Gap: Women typically earn less than men, significantly impacting their borrowing power. According to ONS, the average man earns £2,568 per month (post-tax) whereas women earn £2,146. This is a difference of £422 per month. 
• The Long Slog to Saving a Deposit: With a lower average income, it naturally takes women longer to save up for a deposit. In fact, our research found that women need an extra 8 years and 9 months to save for a deposit compared to men. Not only is this due to having a smaller salary (and, therefore, less disposable income) but as many mortgage lenders will only allow you to borrow 4.5 times your salary, the lower salary of a woman means they often have to save a higher deposit.
• Sky-High House Prices: The average house price in the UK currently stands at £289,707. So, with an average deposit size of 15% and a 4.5x mortgage-to-income ratio, a single woman would have to earn around £54,722 to get her foot on the property ladder. That’s over £20,000 more than the average female salary.
• Buying Less Expensive Properties: The percentage of women applying for a mortgage for properties up to £800,000 is much lower when compared to men. For example, 61% of men have applied for a mortgage for the property value of £400,001-£800,000 in the last five years. However, slighlty more than half (34%) of women have. For properties over £800,001, the split is even more distinctive - 23% of women versus 71% of men. 

As Mojo Mortgages are committed to helping women overcome these challenges, they've shared six tips to help more women secure a mortgage.

Source:MOJO Mortgages

There’s a comforting feeling that comes from knowing how appealing your home is on the market—whether you're dreaming of a move to sunny Portugal or simply craving a change of scenery. Selling your home can be a bit daunting, and you might be left wondering just how much your property would achieve right now on the open market.

Let’s dive into the heart of this article—saleability. We’ll explore some key factors you should consider, along with an exciting saleability quiz designed to help you assess just how market-ready your home is.

How Saleable Is Your Home?

Before we start, let’s look at what makes your home ready for sale. Every home has potential buyers, but to secure the best price for your cherished abode, consider these factors:

1.       What is the neighbourhood like?

2.       Where is your home located?

3.       What is the size of your home?

4.       What condition is your home in?

Keep reading to discover how each factor influences saleability. While these aren’t exhaustive criteria (so don’t panic), they’re definitely worth pondering.

What Is the Neighbourhood Like?

It’s no surprise that homes in desirable neighbourhoods tend to sell for more. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for quality schools, appealing local amenities and great transport links.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in a lovely neighbourhood, your home's saleability is boosted. If not, don’t worry; there are plenty of other elements that will also come into play.

Where Is Your Home Located?

Alongside neighbourhood quality, location is crucial.

Is your home near a motorway? Close to local attractions? Or perhaps you’re nestled in the countryside but just a short drive from shops?

Location significantly impacts both value and how attractive your listing appears online. While you can’t physically relocate your home, understanding how its location affects pricing and appeal is invaluable.

What Is the Size of Your Home?

The size of your property directly influences its valuation—how many bedrooms and bathrooms does it offer?

Buyers often assess price per square foot, but this varies greatly depending on location; a four-bedroom house in a city centre will often command a much higher price than one in rural areas. Ultimately, liveable space matters most—the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms are all key selling points.

What Condition Is Your Home In?

A well-maintained home typically performs better on the market.

Most buyers prefer homes that feel inviting and lived-in. A fresh coat of paint and some thoughtful touches can showcase what makes your home special.

As a rule of thumb, it’s wise to tidy up and tackle any necessary repairs before seeking a valuation. This means sorting out those messy wires, repainting skirting boards, and fixing any lingering issues (like that extractor fan—nobody appreciates mould!).

A little effort can significantly boost your home's value, so don’t overlook those quick fixes.

Saleability Quiz

Remember, it's not just about your home's physical condition (though that's essential); several other factors contribute to its saleability:

·       Your estate agent

·       Your brochure

·       Your online advert

·       The asking price

·       How well you prepare for viewings

It doesn’t stop there! Regular communication with your estate agent is vital; ensure your brochure highlights your home's best features and prepare it beautifully for viewings—all while keeping your asking price realistic.

Combine these elements, and you'll have a truly saleable property!

Take our SAWDYE & HARRIS SALEABILITY QUIZ to find out just how appealing your home really is!

If the results aren’t what you hoped for after completing the quiz, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or email me at hello@sawdyeandharris.co.uk and we will respond promptly with tailored advice.

Our expert team will provide insights on what needs addressing for a successful sale—paired with a personalised marketing strategy; we’re confident you’ll find success in today’s market.

Let us assist you in selling your home—it’s what we do best!

Feel free to email us for your own SALEABILITY QUIZ checklist - just click here 

Saleability Quiz Instructions

Consider each question carefully and take an objective look at your marketing materials and how your home presents itself. Score each area from 1 to 5 based on the following elements:

1.       Your Estate Agent

a.       Do they contact you regularly with news and updates?

b.       Do they accompany every viewing?

c.       Do they provide detailed feedback after each viewing?

d.       Have they suggested ways to increase viewings besides lowering the price?

2.       Your Brochure

a.       Digital or print, does it attractively represent your home?

b.       Are photographs professional and lifestyle-oriented?

c.       Is the written description engaging and rich with emotive language?

d.       Does it include dimensions and overall floor area?

3.       Your Online Advert

a.       Does the main photograph capture attention?

b.       Is there an eye-catching headline?

c.       Is the description concise yet compelling?

d.       Are there quality images of the floorplan available?

4.       The Price

a.       Is your asking price rounded, e.g., £500,000, rather than £499,999?

b.       Does it appear prominently in searches within its price range?

c.       Are you aware of how it compares per square foot with similar homes?

d.       Have you been flexible with your asking price, according to feedback and market conditions?

5.       Preparing Your Home for Viewings

a.       Do you maintain an attractive exterior?

b.       Are fresh flowers displayed indoors?

c.       Are all beds made with fresh, neutral bedding

d.       Do you create a welcoming atmosphere with lamps lit and perhaps some baking aromas wafting through?

Now tally up your points.

If you've scored over 80 points—fantastic! This suggests both you and your agent are well-prepared for selling success! Just keep an eye on areas needing improvement.

If you're between 50 and 80 points, there are likely several aspects where enhancements could be made—good news! With some adjustments to marketing strategies, interest should increase.

However, if you're below 50 points, consider a complete marketing revamp. If your current agent hasn’t addressed these issues yet, it might be time to switch to someone more proactive. We’re here to help whenever you're ready.