Globrix

Alternative website for browsing houses for sale or rent. Different style layout than rightmove.
Visit Globrix to see how it works for you.
There are drag bars once you’ve put in your search area that control the prices of the properties shown. To start off they’re at the ends of the scale for the given area.
number of bedrooms
You can adjust the number of bedrooms you’re looking for by clicking on the bedrooms option. This is a clever bit of stuff that shows you how many have each number of bedrooms! Helps you decide whether you need to widen your search area.
They also show freshness – how long it’s been on the market. Not as indepth as using other property tools available (such as property bee or property snake) but handy all the same.
The features bit is possible the best bit though as it lets you pick things like swimming pool and bowling alleys, as well as solar panels. Whilst these things might not be on most people’s searches just having the option to use this sort of detailed search makes it head and shoulders above other property search sites. It’s useful if you want an annex, a 3 storey property or some other quirk!

You can also adjust Tenure, Outside space, Condition, Features, Parking, Period, Bathrooms, Estate agents, Nearby stations, Nearby schools, Distance to stations, Distance to schools, Purchase status. It’s quite an interesting array of things you can look out for.

What should be the first photo on your rightmove ad?

first photo on rightmoveWhat do you expect to see as the first photo on your rightmove ad?
I think it should be the outside of your house. If it’s not, then I’m always suspicious why.
When you see the kitchen first do you think automatically ‘What’s wrong with the outside?’.
This is especially true if it’s not a really amazing kitchen. If the front of the property isn’t a stunner packed with kerb appeal, then what can be done about that? Sometimes nothing – especially when it’s a flat or shared access. However it rings warning bells straight away and of course you’ll see the outside when you either click the streetview option on rightmove, or visit the place, or just have a drive past to see what it’s like.
I suppose if you can get someone interested – if they pass the 11 second rule just on the inside, then they might like it enough to ignore how ugly it is on the outside.
You should also remember perhaps that as long as the house opposite is pretty, it doesn’t matter what yours looks like as you will be inside and unable to see it!

Robbie Williams House still for sale

Compton Bassett, WiltshireThis article from the times last Ferbruary says that Robbie’s house Compton Bassett House is up for sale.
Compton Bassett house is a 18th century mansion that now has a swimming pool, gym, tennis court! It’s a really lovely alsmot french style house that’s been beautifully done.
View it on rightmove now.
It’s even got a helicopter hanger! It’s got 7 bedrooms over three floors and it is very stylishly done out. The main lounge room with it’s pool table looks a great room for hanging about in!
The pool area is fantastic with male and female changing rooms plus sauna and steam.
It is right next to the church though which is perhaps not something everyone would want in terms of privacy.
If you want to be nosey on google maps then click here – you can see the house just below the large square of formal garden.
This house has everything on my wish list! (Pool, gym, tennis court … nothing to do with it being Mr RW’s house!)

A good look round

Looking at a house in detail

What do you need to look out for?
You should use all your senses. Listen to creaky floors that indicate a wooden floor in need or some attention. Use your nose to see if there’s damp or rot, or just dirty dog smell ingrained into the place. Use your eyes to look at everything.

Some people buy a house after just looking at it once. You should try and view at least twice – or at least make sure the viewing you do is in depth.

You can ask to look at any sheds or outbuildings. It’s always interesting to see that doors unlock and lock back up without major hassle.

You can ask to look at the boiler and make a note of the name of it. Ask if it’s got a service history you can see too. Sometimes there’ll be a sticker near the boiler to indicate when it was last serviced.
If there are individual room heaters then look at them too. Make a note of the name of them.

Have a look at the windows, window sill and above the window. Is the window double glazed? Is it intact or has it started misting up. Whilst you can replace panes there is a cost attached to that.

Look at the heating in each room. Is there central heating or is it individual heaters. Are they thermostatically controlled? Are they warm? (In winter it’s likely the heating would be on and so it’s easier to check.)

What condition is the ceiling in? Is it papered, painted or does it have ceiling tiles?

How old is the bathroom? Does it all work? Does it look like it’s used regularly? Look at any ensuites too. Look at the sealant around the shower and bath. Are the tiles nicely grouted?

Go outside and look at the roof from the rear and the front. You can look at the front elevation before or after your viewing but you might only be able to see the back when you have access to the back garden. Ask about any side gates or access.

What are the light fittings like? Do they all match? Are there lots of sockets? What is the fuse board like? What sort of electricity meter does it have?

If you have a particular item of furniture that you want to get in then you could ask to double check the measurements of a room so it can fit in. Remember to take a tape measure and have the measurements noted down with you.

Some people also take a small pair of stepladders so they can peer in to the loft space too – take a torch as well! Ask first of course!

Take note when looking at the smaller rooms too – is there only one way round a bed can fit in?

Ask how much the heating costs to run too. Bear in mind their energy use may be different to the way you use your heating. Ask if they have got the loft insulated, cavity wall insulation and look for draft proofing around the exterior doors.

In the kitchen have a look at how many units there are. Is there enough room for the fridge you have or want? What cooker fittings does it have? Does it have a gas connection? What lighting is in the kitchen? Often there is different lighting in the kitchen whether it’s spot lights or a long fluorescent tube.
You can ask where the stop tap is. Now is a good time to ask if they’re on a water meter.

What council tax band is it?

council tax band changeIt might well say in the estate agent details what council tax band the property is in, but how do you check to confirm it?
There’s a site that has the Council Tax Valuation List which shows you. You need to identify the billing authority – which you can do by picking from a drop down list or putting in the postcode of the property.
It’ll show the current band and if the band is going to go up! Look for the Band review pending indicator
When a property is improved (e.g. an extension is built), legislation prevents the VOA from increasing the existing band of that property until there is a “relevant transaction”. The relevant transaction can be buying the leasehold or selling the property.
It’s always worth double checking the council tax band of a property before you buy it – just so you can accurately budget your new house!

Does it need rewiring?

Does a house need rewiring?


Experts reckon that a house needs rewiring after about 30 years. Older style fuse boxes are a nuisance compared to modern RCD switch styles.


When you inspect a house look out for the numbers of sockets – they may be hard to spot, so don’t be afraid to ask the owner. This is something you could ask about on a second visit. Modern needs mean more sockets are needed than every before.


A standard rewire normally puts 2 double sockets in every room, with more in the kitchen. Of course if you’re having a property rewired you can ask for the sockets to be where you want them and to have extra ones added in. A standard rewire in the North West of England costs from £1500 excluding the cost of any plastering and redecorating that will need doing.


If you spot different types of light switch within the same house then the chances are wiring has been added to at some point. You could get an electrical safety check done if it concerns you.


A look at the fuse board can be revealing. If it’s an old type then you can pay to have just this replaced, but if you know you want more sockets then a full rewire might be an option.

As with all work get several quotes and make sure you’re comparing like for like with them.

There are firms that will rewire in a day, or you can employ a company that will do it in a few days. It depends on how much time you have as to which you pick. Getting it done quickly gets it all over with quickly though and means you shouldn’t be without electric overnight at any point!

how much does it cost to rewire a house? In 2009 quotes for a standard rewire of a 3 bedroom house with 2 lots of double sockets in each room, plus extra in the lounge and kitchen, cost £1500 excluding any plastering work. This was the same quote from several different types of companies.
Always get quotes from qualified electricians. Ask them any questions you have about wired smoke alarm systems, as these seem to be standard these days.

Mortgage TV ads

Tracker mortgage adThere’s one for a well known high street bank where a couple are on a tracker mortgage and they’re on a track on one of those hand powered handcar. They begin to struggle as it’s going uphill, implying the rates are increasing perhaps. The couple pull a lever and move without fees to a fixed rate mortgage which is on a flat level and therefore easier for them to move along.
Firstly I note that it’s implied a tracker mortgage is hard work. At the moment they shouldn’t be. The Bank of England hasn’t put interest rates up and they’re at their lowest level for hundreds of years.If you can’t manage your mortgage whilst interest rates are this low, then something is clearly wrong!
Secondly the flat level of track is indeed flat, but you don’t see the couple sliding back down the steep hill first. This implies that the fixed rate will cost at least the same as the highest level on the tracker mortgage.
I suppose the benefit would be that you know what rate it is and that it’s not going to go up suddenly if the BOE puts rates up. Will the BOE ever put the rates up though? Savers are desparing that they will!
Perhaps it’s a not so subtle way of this bank pointing out that rates will be going up soon and you should be prepared!

There’s also some silly comment about a squrrel. What’s the relevance of that? Nothing the advert says, but my interpretation would be that the squirrel isn’t relevant as people have not been ‘squirreling’ away money to help them cope during the rough times.

When neighbours become good friends

It’s very telling when you speak to the owners of a house, when you ask about the neighbours. If they don’t refer to them by name, or go very quiet you can guess they don’t get on very well.

It’s always easy to spot the lies too! When someone says their neighbours are lovely and quiet but you can actually hear the music playing through the wall, rattling the ornaments in the house you’re viewing, and then you can only assume that the owner is deaf, or desperate to move.

Some people avoid reporting neighbours to the council and the police when there are problems. This is because it would mean they have to declare a neighbour dispute when selling.

So how can you check out the neighbours?

You could go and knock on their door after you’ve finished viewing the house. That is something not everyone would feel comfortable doing. There are easy ways of finding out about the neighbours though. If it’s a hot day there’ll be people outside, smile and say hello and see if you can entice them gently into a conversation. Ask them where the nearest paper shop is, or if they have kids ask them where the nearest primary school is. Always take note that when stood on the road where the said amenity is actually placed and asking about it just makes you look silly!

Sometimes parking away from the property, maybe on the next street, is a good way of slowly walking past the neighbours gardens and having a nosey. If there’s an untidy garden nearby then it’s one you’ll be seeing often! It’s ok to buy the worst house on the street, but don’t buy the house next to the worst house on the street.

If you’ve got kids then take them for a second viewing. Try and get a sunny day not during school when it’s likely the kids are out and about. Kids often find it easier to talk to other kids, and it’d be nice to have the children’s input on what the neighbours are like. If you’re not moving from too far it’s possible they go to the same school as your kids do, which is always useful to know and can be very insightful!

If there’s a rusty car in the middle of the garden next door then it might not make them perfect neighbours! Does it make the house you’re viewing more affordable? Could you live next door to the Clampetts?

They’ll be your neighbours and it’s up to you to make the decision about how much finding out you do before you buy a house! Some people are happy to just take things as they come and make friends with the neighbours. If you’re sensitive about noise it makes sense to avoid noisy neighbours!

Mortgage lending at low

Mortgage lending at nine-year low
BBC Article interesting says: “Lending was just over a third of level seen in 2007, revealing the extent to which the UK property bubble has burst.”
The Council of Mortgages Lenders says it expects rates to rise soon too.
Why is this good news? It might not be if you’ve not got a good chance of getting a mortgage, but as prices are likely to drop, is now a good time to buy a house? I don’t think so – so keep saving your deposit!