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We're pleased to announce that Richard Kendall Wakefield has won the British Property Awards sales award for Wakefield, for the second successive year.
What the award actually measures
The British Property Awards focus entirely on customer service. Every agent is assessed against more than 25 criteria over an extensive judging period, including mystery shopping, to build a genuine picture of how they treat customers - not just how they market themselves.
The awards are independently judged and free to enter, which means the results reflect service standards rather than budgets or marketing spend. Agents are compared against their local, regional and national competition, giving a fair benchmark across the industry.
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Saving for a deposit is often the biggest challenge for first time buyers, but with a clear plan and realistic targets, home ownership can become much more achievable. Understanding how much you need, where to save and how government support can help allows you to build your deposit more efficiently and with greater confidence.
Know your deposit target
Most mortgage lenders require a minimum deposit of 5% of the purchase price, although saving more can unlock better mortgage rates and lower monthly repayments. Rather than relying on national averages, base your target on the typical price of properties in the area where you want to buy. This gives you a more realistic savings goal and helps you understand what is achievable within your budget. Even increasing your deposit from 5% to 10% can make a noticeable difference to the mortgage products available and the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
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With Section 21 now abolished, choosing the right tenant from the outset has become even more important for landlords. If problems arise during a tenancy, regaining possession now relies on a valid Section 8 ground, supported by the right evidence and records. That makes thorough tenant referencing one of the best ways to reduce risk before a tenancy even begins.
What should tenant referencing include?
A good referencing process should look at more than just whether someone says they can afford the rent.
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Consistent results from our Ossett sales team
When you are choosing an Estate Agent, asking price is only one part of the story. What matters is what your property actually sells for and whether your agent has the local presence, buyers and experience to get your move completed.
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When looking at a buy-to-let property, the headline rental yield can sound appealing. But the figure that really matters is what is left after your costs have been taken into account. That is the difference between gross yield and net yield.
Gross yield is only the starting point
Gross yield looks at the annual rent compared with the purchase price of the property. For example, if a property costs £200,000 and produces £12,000 a year in rent, the gross yield is 6%. It is a useful way to compare different properties, but it does not tell you what you will actually earn.
