Fall in love with a new home

12 COVER STORY Flights of fancy Make a good impression on Valentine’s Day; book a romantic break away

PROPERTY

Fall in love with a new home Top tips on how to search for your perfect property

Make your own garden of Eden Show your garden some love and get passionate about your patch again

Upgrading windows and doors What you need to consider when replacing your windows and doors

Should you furnish your lettings property? As a landlord, should you furnish your property or let your tenant do it?

Our latest instructions Take a look at a selection of our latest properties on the market

FOOD 20 About us Get to know us a little better and see why we are your agent of choice

8LIFESTYLE

Benefits of a vegan diet We take a look at the health benefits of a vegan diet 9 Vegan delights Here we feature a tempting recipe that’s sure to whet your appetite

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Cleaning hacks you can’t live without Our favourite cleaning hacks to make cleaning your home easy and cost effective

SPORT

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The Champions League The Champions League returns with the ‘Last 16’ games kicking off this month and running through to the 18th March

WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY ISSUE! W e’re not quite sure how January has flown by so quickly already; just where has the time gone? If you’ve been thinking about moving but not started the process yet, then now is as good a time as any. Not sure where to start? Then come and have a chat with us. As your local independent estate agent, we have all the tools you need to get you moving – including a FREE personalised website for your property so that you can share it on social media. And this issue of our magazine will also give you plenty of support and advice on property; from falling in love with a new home, creating your own garden of Eden, and where to start when replacing doors and windows. Pl us, if romance is in the air, then take a look at our top tips for romantic getaways this year; you will (and your loved one) be spoilt for choice on where to head to. They say that the way to someone’s heart is through food – and what can be more on trend then a vegan recipe to dish up and impress with? We reveal the health benefits of taking on a vegan diet. Plus, we also feature a delicious recipe to introduce you to the variety that a meat and dairy free diet can provide. Until next time. Linda McKeown Editor Searching for your perfect property is much like trying to find your perfect partner

You need to go on dates and get to know each other before taking that step to be together. However, for houses, dates become viewings and the true test of getting to know each other comes after the purchase is already complete. Which is why it is good to be picky when it comes to choosing your perfect property.

Sometimes your perfect property isn’t ‘the one’ in the long run, because of location, lack of space or even character. Therefore, w hen it comes to searching for property love, it pays to be specific when it comes to your joint wants and needs; and to compromise (if only love was so easy!)

The main things to consider when finding your perfect property are the number of bedrooms, size of the garden, location, off-road parking, ability to extend, the number of reception rooms and closest schools. Sit down with your partner and get these things confirmed before you view.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT Maybe you and your partner will fall in love with a property at first sight but take it slow and don’t get too carried away. Just like life,

TOP TIPS TO FIND A PROPERTY YOU’LL LOVE

Sit down and make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves Get specific with your requirements Confirm your budget

Go on multiple viewings of each property Make compromises with your partner Don’t overstretch your finances

THAT LASTS PR PERTY L VE HOW TO FIND

if you build something up too much you just may set yourself up for disappointment. Try to go into any property viewing with an open mind. Your favourite property may disappoint, while the one you didn’t want to view could be perfect.

And your perfect home will probably be the most expensive thing you ever buy. That is why it’s important to make sure it’s the right one. Try to go on multiple viewings. Like a first date, on your first viewing, you will only see the good things or bad things about the property. Go on a second viewing and get to know the property better before making a decision.

Just like at the start of any relationship, it is easy to get into debt, by going on expensive dates, buying new clothes and trying new things. With a property, you may be tempted to spend more than you had planned but be careful not to overstretch yourself. Your perfect property may turn into a nightmare if you don’t have any spare cash to do odd jobs, or even go on a date once a while! THE COST OF LOVE

conveyancing fees and survey fees. To get things moving swiftly, you will need these ready for as soon as your offer is accepted. You don’t want to find your perfect place only to find yourself short and lose it. Be upfront about your finances from the start of the process.

Your perfect home will probably be the most expensive thing you ever buy

Remember the other costs involved too, such as mortgage broker fees, Be realistic. This may or may not be your forever home. Aesthetics are always a major factor when it comes to both romance and property. However, look beyond the current state of the property and focus on what you could see the property becoming. A perfect relationship needs work, and the same is true for the perfect property. LOVE THAT LASTS

Look beyond the current state of the property and focus on what you could see the property becoming

Look into planning permission early to see whether it’s likely that they’ll allow you carry out any work you wish to undertake, such as an extension,

dropping the curb for off-road parking or changing the windows and

doors. You don’t want to have big plans for your forever home, only to find out you can’t carry them out.

Love is a two-way street. Sit down with your partner to agree both of your needs. Your perfect property may not be theirs, but by working together you can agree on the nice-to-haves and the must-haves of a home you can share and enjoy together. Just like some people enjoy reading at home while others feel the need to be outside, there is always a way to compromise for the greater good of your relationship. A JOINT LOVE AFFAIR

For every compromise on one’s behalf, the other partner could get something in return. For example, if one of you has green fingers you know they’ll want a nice garden and if the other works from home or enjoys their peace, try to get somewhere with a snug or study. Just like a working relationship, compromise is always the way forward.