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The Greenaway Foundation

The primary aim of The Greenaway Foundation is to help local financially challenged families.

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How to make your home office more comfortable

For many houses on the market today, home offices are slowly becoming less of an 'added bonus' and more of a 'must-have.'

With more people working from home and spending more time indoors, a home office must be a calm, constructive, and comfortable place to work.

Read on to find out how to make your office more comfortable when working from home.

Invest in a comfortable chair

If you're having trouble working in your home office, it's possible that your chair is the source of your discomfort. Investing in a high-quality, ergonomic chair can make a huge difference in how supported and relaxed you feel during the day. You might even become more productive as a result of it.

Upgrade your desk

Another reason your home office isn't feeling comfortable could be that you need to upgrade your desk space. If you have a small workstation that makes everything feel claustrophobic, it could be influencing how happy you are at work.

Upgrade to a larger desk that better suits your needs if you have the room. Make sure you select a model that is large enough to accommodate all of your critical gear.

Customise the Lighting

Is your home office too dark? Or too bright?

A good dosage of natural light is ideal for keeping you awake and productive in your home office. However, too much sunlight might make your screen glare, making it impossible to operate without squinting.

Investing in a pair of light-filtering curtains, day and night blinds or a good lamp can help tailor the lighting in your home office to suit your needs and make you feel more comfortable.

Maintain Consistent Temperatures

Being too hot or cold in your home office can have a significant impact on how comfortable you are. Temperature control can be difficult, especially if your home office is in a small room that gets hot or in an open-plan area that gets cold. However, the right temperature can make a big difference in how comfortable you are.

If you are looking for a house with optimal space for an office, we might have the property for you. Browse our available properties here.

1 in 4 households are making home improvements

The last few months have seen energy prices soar and household budgets squeezed. As a result, many homeowners are starting to alter their homes to cut bills and increase the energy efficiency of their properties.*

But it’s not just the cost-of-living crisis that has prompted this trend. Recent government net-zero policies mean that properties with higher EPC ratings may be easier to rent or sell in the future. Investing now will not only help you cut bills and boost your eco-credentials, but it could raise the value of your home moving forward.

According to a recent investigation, 16% of people plan to install windows with double or triple glazing, with energy-efficient fittings, draught-proofing, solar panels, and insulation also high on the agenda.

Meanwhile, general painting and decorating (58%) and installing a new bathroom (26%) took first and second place on the list of priorities, reflecting how much time people may be spending at home. The front garden was an important consideration too, hinting that kerb appeal and aesthetics matter to many homeowners.

Interestingly, around 6% of people surveyed planned to install a heat pump, with 7% thinking about an outdoor electric charging point for vehicles. With more political changes on the horizon and an uncertain energy supply resulting from the war in Ukraine, people may continue to feel the need to adapt their homes accordingly.

If your budget is tight, small changes such as using a smart meter or swapping out inefficient bulbs can still make a difference. We can also advise you on how larger improvements may increase the value of your home.

Contact us for a friendly chat or to book a valuation.

*Property Reporter

Ten steps to finding your perfect home

If you are searching for a home, you will want to follow these steps to help you along the way.

1. Set a sensible budget

To help set a sensible budget, it can help to involve a specialist mortgage advisor at this early stage. Decide on a monthly mortgage repayment which is affordable for you, allowing for this to increase in line with interest rates. Then consider how much you can afford to put down as a deposit. With these figures in mind, work out how much you would like to borrow and establish a price range for your property search.

2. Get your paperwork in order

One of the most common mistakes buyers make is not getting a mortgage agreement in principle. If you are looking to purchase a new house with a mortgage, this can be a useful step in your search.

3. Decide on your deal-breakers

With your budget in mind, decide on your deal-breakers. Determine what you need from your home – location, number of bedrooms, outside space and parking. Then make a list of things you would like, but are not essential. Decide what you are willing to compromise on and what you are not.

4. List your existing home

If you need to sell your existing home, it can be a good idea to list it on the market before you start the search for a new one. This will make you more appealing to prospective sellers and could avoid some of the delays associated with being in a chain.

5. Start the search

In addition to using the popular property portals, register your interest with your local estate agent. Give as much information to your agent about your budget, timeframe for moving, requirement to sell before buying and your dealbreakers.

6. Think ahead

Think about what might be important to you in the coming years. If you plan to start a family, for example, consider the availability of local nurseries. Look for good local schools and place yourself well within their catchment areas. If you are approaching retirement, it may be worth considering single-storey living, as well as looking at the proximity of local transport and facilities like shops and GP surgeries.

7. Maximise each viewing

When you look at a prospective new home, look carefully and thoroughly. Imagine yourself living in the home, visualise how you would use each room and whether the layout of the house would work for you. Keep an open mind and think about a property’s potential, looking beyond the current décor and the seller’s furniture.

8. Consider the surroundings

It may be a cliché but, when it comes to buying, think ‘location, location, location’. Will you feel comfortable in the area, and does it have everything you need?

9. Choose head over heart

Buying a house can be a really emotional process for many of us. Avoid being swept away by a property you fall in love with, but which is outside your budget or falls short of your dealbreaker list.

10. Take your time, but not too much time!

Making rash decisions and rushing are things to avoid when buying a new home. Equally, leaving it too long to take action may mean you miss out.

If you are looking for your perfect home, check out our latest listings.

What are tenants on the hunt for in a property?

A recent report by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) has revealed tenants’ top priorities when choosing a home.* The results may help landlords make the most out of their properties while providing a valuable service for the wider community.

While the private rental sector faces huge demand, landlords who listen to their renters’ needs are more likely to attract long-term, conscientious tenants desiring a secure home.**

So, what steps should landlords take next?

Pitch the price just right

After financial pressure brought about by COVID-19 and the cost of living crisis, it’s not surprising that 55% of tenants consider price above all else. However, many renters (35%) also prioritise bigger properties, so where is the sweet spot?

Understanding regional dynamics can allow landlords to balance the property’s worth with affordability considerations. For example, some tourist-heavy counties have a disparity between house prices and local wages as homes are snapped up for the holiday market. Rents based purely on the property’s sale value may exclude local families in these areas.

A lettings valuation will give you a clear baseline to adjust accordingly, depending on your circumstances and long-term financial goals – and the type of tenant you’d prefer.

Consider allowing pets

According to the SMF survey, 18% of tenants seek rentals that welcome animal companions. Compare this to the mere 7% of landlords who actively market their homes as pet-friendly.

If you’re preparing a new rental property, perhaps think of ways to make it more suitable for pets, such as choosing wooden or tiled floors over carpets, or securing the garden.

Provide value for money

Everyone loves a good deal – including renters. Although many tenants have a tight budget, plenty will pay more for high-quality interiors and decent gardens. In fact, the latter was cited as a top priority, especially for those looking to create a long-term home.

Choose a property near amenities

If you’re planning to invest in a buy-to-let property, it’s worth knowing that 38% of renters wish to live near their workplace. Public transport facilities and access to shops also factor in for 37% and 36% of tenants, respectively. Therefore, it’s worth searching for opportunities that tick these boxes.

Want to learn more? Contact us to discuss how to boost your property’s rental potential and book a lettings valuation.

*Social Market Foundation

**Paragon Bank