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Owning property is often held up as the peak of financial achievement. But, while there are many good points about owning property, it’s important to bear the advantages of renting property in mind as well. In this blog, we look at the advantages of renting property, both in general terms and in the context of 2023’s high interest rates. What are the advantages of renting property versus owning property?

Viewing a house or flat is exciting – you could be visiting your forever home for the first time! While viewing potential homes can be fun, it’s important to keep a level head and consider the bad points as well as the good ones. Above all, you should ask your estate agent questions about the property. If you find out something that proves to be a deal breaker, it’s better to know immediately. If you wait until the conveyancing process, you could find yourself having to pull out after you’ve already spent money on the survey. On balance, it’s better not to make an offer at all than to pull out of the purchase. In this blog, we share our eight questions to ask when viewing a property.

Skipton building society made the headlines recently by being the first lender to offer a 100% mortgage since 2008. 100% mortgages could be a way to get onto the property ladder even if you haven’t saved a deposit, but they’re not without their pitfalls. In this blog, we look at what is meant by a 100% mortgage and identify the pros and cons. Please note that Cobbles are estate agents, not mortgage brokers. You should seek professional advice from a mortgage broker before making any big decisions.

If you’ve decided it’s time to put your property on the market, the next step is to find the right estate agent. Of course, we hope you’ll choose us! However, it really is up to you, and the most important thing is to find an estate agent who speaks your language and you can work with. In this blog, we look at the factors you should consider when you’re choosing an estate agent to sell your Guildford property.

Non-payment of rent is always an uncomfortable subject. It’s important to remember that it can happen for a number of reasons, from simple mistakes to financial problems. For landlords, non-payment of rent means a hole in the budget and problems with buy-to-let mortgage repayments. In this blog, we look at the service estate agents like Cobbles provide to landlords when tenants do not or cannot pay the rent. These services are available to landlords who use the “rent collection” and “fully managed” services, but not to the “let only” landlords.

Whether you’re new to renting property or you’re a lifelong tenant, you might have some questions about your tenancy deposit. Certainly, it’s an additional expense when you’re renting and something to incorporate into your budget for the first month. Fortunately, if the tenancy reaches the end and the property is still in great condition, you’ll get the budget back to put towards your next property. Let’s take a closer look at tenancy deposits.

Renting property with friends can be fun, but it’s important to keep on top of shared expenses to avoid tension and arguments. In this blog, we look at what expenses you might share, ways of splitting bills and what to do if one of your housemates doesn’t pay their share.

A conveyancer, also known as a conveyancing solicitor, is a specialist property lawyer. Appointing one is an important part of your house purchase or sale, as the job they do is not usually one you can do yourself. In this blog, we look at what conveyancers do and why you need to appoint one when you’re buying or selling property.

Damp patches and black mould can be a problem in rental properties. Black mould not only looks horrible, but it can also be bad for your health, and cause damage to both the property and your possessions. In this blog, we look at who is responsible when damp and mould occur, and what tenants can do to keep their rental property warm and dry.

With low-fee and even no-fee estate agents popping up on TV adverts and online, some sellers may feel tempted by the promise of a bargain service. However, at Cobbles, we feel that good service, realistic offers and prompt action are as important to consider as the question of fees. In this blog, we look at the real cost of using a low-fee or no-fee agent, and what you should consider when you’re choosing which agent to instruct.