If you’re thinking about buying a place of your own, you’ll need to decide which type of property you want to live in. 

While the price can often be a huge deciding factor, houses are not always more expensive than flats. Sometimes, choosing between the two depends on other factors. 

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between buying a house vs a flat and share our thoughts on the pros and cons to consider. 

What are the Pros of Buying a House? 

1.   You’ll Have More Control 

When you buy a house, you often purchase the freehold instead of the leasehold. With freehold ownership, you have more control over what you can do with and to the property. 

For example, you can decorate, renovate or extend your property without needing permission from a leaseholder. 

2.   You Should Have Free Parking 

Generally, buying a house means you’ll have access to free street parking or (if the property has a driveway) off-street parking. In flats, you often have to purchase a parking space – which can be a one-off or annual cost. 

However, be mindful that you may need to pay for a council permit to park outside some houses, especially if it’s near a station. 

3.   You’ll Have a Front & Back Garden 

Sizing varies, but almost every house has a back and front garden. 

This means you’ll need to do more maintenance. But, more importantly, it also means you can enjoy gardening, decorating your front garden, and having access to private outdoor space. 

What are the Cons of Buying a House? 

1.   You’ll Have More Responsibility 

Since you normally own the freehold when you buy a house, you’re responsible for maintaining everything related to the property. This can include upkeep of things like fences, drains, windows, boilers, gardens and the roof.

What are the Pros of Buying a Flat? 

1.   You’ll Have Less Responsibility 

Even though you still need to maintain your home, most flats offer leasehold ownership. This means that, while you own the flat, someone else owns (and is responsible for) the building. 

Within your lease, your ‘landlord’ may be responsible for things like cleaning the windows or arranging costly building repairs. 

What are the Cons of Buying a Flat?

1.   There may be extra charges 

When you buy a flat, there are normally more charges than a house. For example, you’ll need to pay rent and service charges (which can change annually) to pay for general building repairs. 

How to Decide Between Buying a House vs a Flat 

Choosing between buying a house vs a flat depends on many factors. 

Before you decide, consider the following: 

• What can you afford?
• How long do you plan on living there?
• How much responsibility you want 
• How important is outdoor space to you?
• What parking access do you need?

If you need help deciding which option is right for you, we are your local property experts.  

Our friendly team are happy to discuss our properties and help you decide which one is right for you, contact us here!

Renovations and improvements to your house might increase its worth even if it's already on the rise due to the local economy. 

Even though the area's housing values are naturally rising, repairing and enhancing your home will increase its value. 

Our top five ideas can help you improve your home's looks and financial value when you sell it. 

1. Ensure that your home is in good working order. 

Deep cleaning your home on a regular basis is important, as is keeping an eye out for mould and dampness and addressing problems as they occur. 

Doing this means your home will be well-maintained and the cost of maintenance will be spread out over time. 

Once the time comes to put your property on the market, you won't have to worry about negotiating a price that's too low or risking it being unsellable because of a minor fault. 

2. Create and maintain front and back gardens 

Nearly one-fifth of homebuyers desire front and rear gardens as part of their purchase criteria. 

Bonus: You'll get to work out in nature and build a gorgeous home! You'll also get to kick back and enjoy the scenery! 

Tip: Nowadays, many individuals are looking for ways to live more sustainably. 

A fantastic place to start is with lush gardens, which provide a welcome respite from the stifling heat of the city. 

You may even think about setting up a kitchen garden, with a wall of herbs as an example, this can really assist with the marketing of your property because it's so easy to keep up. 

3. Enhance your property's personality 

Consider bringing back some of your character's best traits! 

Replace the flooring with hardwood, add mouldings and beams, or perhaps a fireplace or log burner if you prefer something a little more unique. 

These unique characteristics enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property and may even serve as a selling point in the future. 

For at least the sake of attracting buyers, these amenities will help your house stand out from the competition and help you sell it quickly. 

4. Increase the energy efficiency of your house. 

Improving your home's energy efficiency is essential if you want to increase the sale price and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. 

Insulating your home and altering the main doors so that they are properly sealed is part of this process. If your windows are not double glazed, or if they are very old, as double glazing loses its efficiency with time, you will need to replace them. 

It's also possible that a new heating system is in order. 

The use of central heating is a common choice, but there are numerous more efficient ways to heat your home. 

You can save money on your utility bills and increase the value of your property if you make these renovations as soon as possible. 

5. A bedroom can be added at this point. 

There is no doubt that adding a bedroom to your home will raise its value. 

Because a two-bedroom home will never be as valuable as a three-bedroom home, it's a good idea to convert your loft if you have one that's large enough to do so. Add an ensuite for even greater effects! 

Add a home office or a playroom instead of a new bedroom, and you'll save a lot of money in the long run. 

To make the most of the extra space in your home, consider building a back extension. Both of these choices will appeal to working professionals and parents as remote working becomes more commonplace. 

Contact our experts for experienced guidance on enhancing your home's worth. 

1. Declutter 

The chances are you have collected plenty of unwanted items over the years – from clothes and shoes to defunct mobile phones and old paperwork. By decluttering now, you’ll not only save on moving boxes, but also make your home more appealing to viewers. 

 2. Spring clean 

Once floors, shelves, surfaces, and wardrobes are clear, pull out your furniture to dust and vacuum, hire a carpet cleaner, and make those bathrooms gleam. If you have pets, remove any tell-tale odours or hair from the carpets and sofas. 

3. Refresh your décor  

Neutral colours may seem boring, but they give viewers a blank canvas to adjust to their taste. As well as this, your home will also appear brighter and bigger. Pops of colour or designer wallpaper on a feature wall can add interest, but less is more. If your design scheme is already on point, just make sure you touch up any tired paintwork.  

4. Tackle the to-do list 

Leaky taps, cracked walls, chipped tiles, and loose fittings can give your home a neglected appearance. This could leave viewers wondering what other issues they may encounter once they move in. If necessary, hire a professional to complete any lingering projects.  

5. Assess the lighting 

Poor lighting can make the most charming room appear dark and uninviting. A few well-placed lamps can help – just remember to stock up on lightbulbs too. 

6. Prepare for viewings  

Help potential buyers imagine themselves in your home by paring back on personal items such as family photos, magazines, and toys. Get ready to stage your home too – think crisp prop towels for the bathroom, new linen and cushions for the bedrooms, and fresh flowers or houseplants. 

7. Boost kerb appeal 

We all know that first impressions count. If you have a front garden or drive, make sure it’s clear of debris and freshly weeded or mowed. Attend to any broken or missing roof tiles and damaged guttering, and think about cleaning windows and repainting the exterior. 

8. Consider storage options 

If you have a lot of furniture or treasured belongings, why not put some into storage? This will help you clear the decks and get your home ready for staging and viewings. It could also come in handy when you move. 

9. Research potential estate agents 

Now that you have given your home some TLC, it’s time to shortlist a few local estate agents. Pay attention to the marketing the agent provides for their current listings and follow your gut. While the big names may tempt you, don’t rule out smaller independents who may offer a more personal service. 

10. Get your home valued 

Before you make your final decision, it’s a good idea to invite a handful of agents to value your home in person. This is your chance to find an achievable price point for your property and get a feel for the people who will be representing it.  

Our team are always here for a no-obligation chat. Contact us today.