Living in Less Busy Towns can be Better for You

Working in a large built-up area like Bradford is often an essential part of modern life.  However, this does not mean that our home must be smack bang in the middle of a huge metropolis!  There are plenty of smaller places to live and many of these will still be only a short distance away from our place of work.

Here are just a few good reasons why places such as Brighouse are a better place to live –

  • Less Crime

There is always a risk of crime, wherever you have a property. However, you are likely to see far less of it if you live in a small town like Brighouse.

And the great news is that you will find plenty of properties to choose from in this area when you visit a website.

  • Less Traffic, Less Pollution

Don’t you just hate breathing in all of those horrible exhaust fumes when you are walking along the street in Bradford?  There is far less traffic in Brighouse making it a much healthier place to live!

And there is also the safety aspect to consider; fewer cars on the street will mean less chance of accidents!

  • Just as Many Facilities

Just because you decide to move away from a big city, it does not mean that you will have nowhere to shop!

Most small towns will have a great variety of stores and you will also get a far better standard of service as well…  Because the shops in Brighouse are less busy, shopkeepers will have more time to talk to their customers!

  • A Greater Sense of Community

Living in a large city like Bradford will often feel pretty anonymous.  In fact, most people are lucky if you even know their next door neighbours these days!

However, towns like Brighouse will have quite a strong sense of community and this can make it a far nicer place to live.

If you are tired of big city problems, then why not take a look at some of the properties?  This could be a very wise ‘move’ indeed!

Who should landlords be pitching their properties at?

New data released jointly by estate agency Savills and property portal Rightmove shows that the private rental sector has doubled over the past decade. The number of people renting homes has risen from 2.5 million in 2002 to 4.8 million today and it’s predicted that one in five households will be private rental by 2016.

This of course means there is plenty of opportunity for those who are considering entering the market as a landlord and for potemtial for those who already own rental properties to expand their portfolio further in order to meet demand. But, what kind of tenants should they be aiming to attract, and why?

The massive growth in the private rental sector is in part due to the widening demographic who are now renting. Where previously young professionals may have found themselves on the property ladder by their early thirties, many are now choosing to rent instead. This gives potential landlords even greater choice over who they tailor their properties to. Though some may buy and renovate a property without their target audience in mind, it’s worth having a specific demographic to target. This way you can make choices such as how you decorate and furnish right through to what kind of landlord insurance you are likely to need more easily.

In times gone by the student market may have been seen as a more reliable demographic; university towns and cities will always have students who need to rent. However, with number of young professionals looking to rent booming and this demographic often looking to locate in similar areas, landlords may be wise to target both markets. This may mean decorating and furnishing in a manner that adequately straddles the needs of both groups, but it could also help to maximise rental yield.

If you are a landlord and want to keep up to date with the latest rental news, see: here

Rates and rising rents pushing buy-to-let boom, say experts

If you’re thinking of trying your hand at becoming a landlord, now could be a great time according to a recent article from thisismoney. Solid availability for buy-to-let mortgage deals, low interest rates and rising rents are apparently contributing to a new buy-to-let-boom. Of course, this is great news for those involved in the industry – everyone from specialist landlord insurers through to letting agents may benefit from this flurry of activity, but could you be benefitting too?

Speaking to the publication, Peter Gettins, of broker London & Country, said that buy-to-let was an “attractive prospect” but warned potential investors that they needed to do their research before joining the market.

“[P]rospective landlords need to go in with their eyes open and understand all the costs and risks. Even in a period of high demand, it’s important to understand the local market.”

If you are considering generating an extra income through property investment, or changing careers altogether and becoming a full-time landlord you can find information about the processes involved and your responsibilities with the National Landlords Association. As the leading association for private residential landlords in the UK they are well placed to provide advice about all the basics. See here for more.

Fashion trends that won’t break the bank

As the spring fashion trends are already coming into the spotlight, with designers making bold predictions about the coming year, we’ve decided to take a look at the incoming styles you can look forward to. Ditch the expensive materials and personally tailored outfits – this guide is all about the trends you can afford!

Knitwear

Knitted pieces will last out the winter and enjoy a spring outing too this year, with key pieces in grey wools becoming a popular way to inject a subtle texture to your outfit. Alternatively, aim for chunky-knit accessories for a statement piece, and skip the cashmere in favour of half-and-half sythentic wool with a bright print for a scarf that will add just as much to your look. The best thing about knitwear is that you can make it yourself, allowing you to stay on-trend and learn a new hobby!

Flora and fauna

Prints, prints, prints: expect to see lots of nature-themed outfits this spring, from animal print motifs to floral designs and even subversions of the classic bird print with cats and foxes. Owls are still big, and getting bigger; this bizarre trend is taking street fashion by storm, so don’t miss out! Marisota offer a range of floral tops and dresses at an amazing price, ideal for updating your wardrobe in a flash.

8-bit chic

Space invaders, neon colours and Gameboy motifs are all on-trend at the moment as retro style takes on a decidedly geeky trend. Avoid going overboard by looking through charity shops and car boots for genuine vintage accessories, rather than going overboard online.

Could retiring abroad save you money?

Rising costs of living and a number of disappointing summers mean that for many, the UK’s simply not the dream destination they’re looking for. So is there a way to retire abroad – and can it work out cheaper than staying in the country?

A new infographic published on Yahoo Finance seeks to answer this and other questions about moving away once you finish working – and the results offer a promising look into the financial implications of moving abroad. The most popular destinations are all far hotter than the UK – seems that most retirees are seeking a long-overdue extended holiday in the sun! – while many are built around entirely different cultures, such as the large-scale lifestyle or America or the laid-back attitude of Jamaica. Our main interest though was the cost – here’s a breakdown of some of the main findings:

–          Low property prices in Portugal, Barbados, the USA, Thailand and Jamaica were cited as major benefits of moving, suggesting that a number of expats move to get away from higher housing costs.

–          Low-cost or free healthcare was seen as another huge advantage, as especially in later life it’s useful to have a good system in place. Top choices for healthcare were Barbados, Australia and Greece.

–          An existing ex-pat community was an essential requirement to make the shortlist, an unsurprising find considering that many of us prefer to spend our free time among friends. Spain and Portugal have some of the largest communities, while close-knit groups can also be found in Malta and Australia.

Dining out on a budget

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and frugal romantics are still looking for the best way to treat themselves and their partners. While an intimate meal at home may sound nice, sometimes you just want to get out of the house and try something different.

If you enjoy dining out often, but find it can put a dent in your budget, it might be worth joining a diners’ club. These clubs give you access to a huge number of discounts, special offers and last-minute bookings, and are ideal for those living in the city. Sydney-based diners’ club Lunchalot provides just such a service, offering Australian city-dwellers the opportunity to try the vast range of top quality food available in the region.

There are also other ways to cut down your spending while you’re out. Consider sharing a starter and your sides to instantly cut your course prices in half, and look out for restaurants that allow you to bring you own wine – even with a corkage fee this can work out much cheaper than buying by the glass.

Cinema trips on a budget

Despite the increasing number of people with HDTVs and surround sound in their own home, the cinema is still a popular option for families across the UK – Skyfall grossed £20.1 million on its opening weekend alone, and sparked a whole range of exciting extras including a theme song by singer-songwriter Adele, a wealth of merchandise and even the excellent retrospective look at Bond cars through the ages by Evans Halshaw.

There are plenty of ways you can find cheaper ways to go to the cinema, meaning that you can still head out on a date or with family, but without breaking the bank! Orange Wednesdays are a popular option for many, offering half price tickets once a week in exchange for topping up an Orange SIM card. This doesn’t always work out as the best value, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you plan on going a lot, or if you’re thinking of changing to a new phone provider. Another option is to look into independent and local cinemas. You might find that they’re a week or so behind on showings, but there’s always a great atmosphere, and some promise comfy seats and a great screen for half the price of the larger cinema chains!

Credit ‘becomes increasingly expensive’

Credit is reportedly becoming more expensive, which could be bad news for anybody relying on their credit cards to pay for day-to-living costs.

Research conducted by Moneyfacts.co.uk highlights that since the beginning of the year there have been numerous increases to the rates and charges that people pay for using their credit cards.

It notes that in the past five months alone there have been 22 purchase rate increases, 15 cash rate increases and more than 30 increases to fees such as balance transfer fees and cash withdrawal fees.

The financial website asserts that credit card providers are tightening their criteria, making it difficult for anyone with a less than perfect credit rating to get a competitive deal.

“However, for those with an exemplary credit record there are still good deals to be had,” it adds.

The company advises that when looking to apply for new plastic consumers should think about how they use the card and opt for one which is suitable for their needs.

Recent research from the Fair Investment Company highlighted that people are increasingly opting for credit cards which offer financial incentives rather than ones which look attractive or make donations to charity.

Tips for choosing a savings account

One of the most common financial mistakes made by consumers is to fail to conduct proper research when selecting a financial product. Too often consumers automatically sign up for the likes of accounts, mortgages and loans with their current account provider, without exploring the other options available. This means they can miss some of the best deals available from a burgeoning online market that includes the likes of Secure Trust Bank.

When it comes to selecting a savings account in particular, it pays to be shrewd and look for something that suits your needs. Although interest rates have risen slightly, they do remain low, so consider if you can tap into higher rates by selecting an account that does not allow you to instantly access your cash. This includes regular savings accounts, or fixed terms Isas where you are likely to be penalised for making withdrawals. With this in mind, your main consideration when saving should be whether you are saving toward a long term goal or whether you are saving towards a rainy day. Should you need to retrieve your funds quickly when a rainy day arrives, this may mean sacrificing a few percentage points when it comes to interest accumulated along the way.