How to get on the Property Ladder

Ensuring your items reach your new property, on time, and in perfect condition, is imperative. So, guaranteeing a straightforward move starts with making sure you choose the right sized van for the job. As local property experts in South East London and North Kent we are aften asked, “What size van do I need when moving house?” so we’ve created this easy guide to help you! Let’s Look at Van Sizes There are four main sizes of vans used for house moves. However, sitting outside of this main category is the smallest of them, the short wheelbase panel van. Although this van is not suitable for a full house move, it does have its advantages. If you are a student moving out of the family home for the first time, perhaps into halls of residence or a furnished place, a small wheelbase van will likely be plenty big enough to transport your belongings. These smaller vans are popular in London, perfect for navigating the narrow streets and sliding into small spaces. The main choices when choosing a van for moving house are: A Medium Wheelbase Van (MWB) Medium wheelbase vans are the smallest in the main category of removal vans. They are ideal for those moving without the help of a professional removal company, who may lack the confidence or experience of driving a bigger vehicle. The most commonly used medium wheelbase vans are the Ford Transit and the Mercedes Sprinter. The interior load size sits at just over three meters in length, meaning they can fit a good number of personal items inside but are not suitable for large amounts of bulky furniture. However, if you are only moving a short distance and are prepared to make multiple trips, a medium wheelbase van will be perfect. A Long Wheelbase Van (LWB) The specifications of these vans will vary between models, but all have the capacity for a significant amount. These are best for moves from a flat, fitting all of the usual personal items alongside a small amount of furniture. They are long enough to transport the average three-seater sofa. Long wheelbase vans are great for those moving to or from part-furnished properties. For those who want to transport white goods alongside household furniture, a bigger vehicle is generally needed. A 3.5 Tonne Luton Lorry This is the largest vehicle you can drive with a standard driving licence (category B). This Luton Lorry can move the average home’s entire contents, comfortably transporting your belongings and furniture from a two bedroomed house. The Luton Lorry will have enough room for personal possessions, furniture, and white goods. A 7.5 Tonne Luton Lorry A 7.5 tonne Luton lorry requires the driver to hold a HGV licence, so usually, you will need to work with a removal company. For three-bedroom properties, you will require a vehicle of this size. Enabling you to fit the entire inventory of furniture, personal items, and white goods. For anything bigger than a three-bed property, you will need to discuss with the removal company for the prospect of getting multiple vehicles on board. Hiring a Self-Drive Van v Hiring a Removal Company A decision must be made during any move, whether to hire a self-drive van or work with a removals company for the moving process. Compare Prices Hiring a self-drive van will undoubtedly be much cheaper than working with a removal company. However, a removals firm will get the job done efficiently and professionally. They will also offer additional services such as packing your belongings – and supplying materials such as bubble wrap, boxes and packing tape. Look at Experience When hiring a removal company, you are not only paying for their time, but their experience and professionalism. They will have experience of efficiently packing vans to reduce the chances of anything getting broken in transit and the obvious; experience driving larger vehicles. You are unlikely to choose the wrong size van when working with a removal company, as they will be able to assess your property and belongings, providing a vehicle that caters perfectly for your needs. Consider the Stress! Choosing a self-drive van can often bring about its own elements of stress, as you have the responsibility of sorting, packing, transporting, and unpacking your items without professional help. Working with a removal company will undoubtedly be less stressful, however, you will have to stick to their timescales. Hiring a self-drive van allows you the freedom to make multiple trips and even spread the move over a few days. Once the move is complete, a self-drive van will need returning to the designated garage. This can be a logistical issue and yet another stress on top of an already long day. What about Insurance? Many removal companies will have different levels of insurance to cover your belongings. A self-drive van will probably not include insurance to cover anything that is broken in transit. Ensure you discuss the ‘goods in transit’ insurance with your supplier, to decide what level of protection is appropriate for you. James Gorey Estate Agents are your local property experts for the South East London and North Kent area. Call us on 020 3633 9866 or email info@jamesgorey.com to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.

Whether you want to invest in property or save for retirement, there are plenty of pros and cons for each. If you’re unsure what’s best for you, this guide should help to give you a few handy tips to fit your circumstances. Property – The Pros If you find the right property then you could have a fixed income for life. Rental yields can be as high as 8% in some cities, and demand for rental properties is very high, especially in cities. With demand often outstripping supply, there’s no reason why your property can’t remain permanently occupied if it’s in the right location. Another advantage of a property vs a pension is that you can cash in at any time. Of course, a property sale can take many months, and if you need the money by a certain point then you’ll need to plan ahead, but a property can essentially free up a large amount of cash relatively quickly. Property is also generally considered to be a solid long-term investment. Although the market can fluctuate, house prices tend to go up over the long-term, so unless you’re in a position where you need to sell quickly and potentially make a loss, you can ride out any storms in the housing market to ensure that you sell for a tidy profit if and when you need to cash in. Property – The Cons Owning a buy-to-let property isn’t as simple as buying a place, renting it out and watching the money roll in. Although rental income can be quite lucrative, there are often lots of additional factors to consider, such as maintenance costs, letting agent fees, and landlord insurance, which can all eat away at your profit. Void periods are another consideration you’ll need to think about, particularly if you’ve got a mortgage on the property, as a few months without tenants can quickly lead to significant extra costs. Changes in government legislation in recent years have also made owning a second property far less profitable than it once was, with increased taxes affecting profit margins for landlords. You should also bear in mind that being a landlord can be quite a hands-on role, even if you employ a letting agent or property management company to look after the property. Ultimately, things like repairs and maintenance costs will fall on your shoulders, and a lot of would-be landlords are surprised by the level of responsibility that comes with owning a buy-to-let. Pensions – The Pros Compared with property, a pension is usually a far more hands-off way to grow an investment. In many cases it’s as simple as putting money into a pension pot each month and watching it grow, and especially if you have a financial adviser that you can trust to manage your affairs. After all, there are no tenants or maintenance repairs to think about when you compare it to a buy-to-let property for example. Another major plus point for pensions is the fact they attract tax relief. So instead of seeing lots of your investment go into the government’s pocket, you’ll actually be benefiting personally, with pensions being the most efficient investments from a tax perspective. Pensions – The Cons The main downside to a pension is that you can’t access any of the money until you’re at least 55. However, as it’s an investment for your retirement, this shouldn’t be an issue, and in some ways, this can be a blessing, as it stops you from pulling the money out on a whim. Another possible downside to a pension is the fact it’s invested in stocks and shares, meaning it could fluctuate. However, as with property, it tends to go up over time, and you have the option to decrease your risk if you wish to. The Verdict Ultimately, it comes down to personal circumstances to determine what’s right for you. When it comes to tax benefits, pensions are the clear winner as they attract tax relief, whereas landlords have been hit with ever-increasing tax bills in recent years. However, when it comes to growth, property fares better than pensions, with house prices reaching record highs in recently, especially in certain parts of the UK. As with any investment, there’s risk involved with both options, and while property can be more lucrative if you find the right place, it’s also widely considered to be the more risky of the two options. If you’re unsure how to invest your capital then it’s always a good idea to consult a financial adviser. Have questions about investing in property or becoming a landlord? James Gorey Estate Agents are your local property experts for the South East London and North Kent area. Call us on 020 3633 9866 or email info@jamesgorey.com to find out more about investing in South East London and North Kent.