With the holiday season upon us, the quest for the perfect gift can often feel daunting. In our latest expert interview, we delve into the world of thoughtful gifting with Georgina, the vibrant owner of Pretty Shiny Shop in Finsbury Park. She shares her insights on sourcing unique home gifts that will delight your loved ones this Christmas and into 2025.

As twinkling Christmas lights replace For Sale signs along your road, you might assume it’s time to hit pause on your property plans until January. But hold that thought! While it’s true the festive season isn’t traditionally associated with buying and selling, it can offer some unexpected opportunities. Before you pull your property from the market or shelve your Rightmove app, let’s explore why keeping your home on the market during the holiday period could be your secret Yuletide weapon.

Join us as we catch-up with personal stylist and wardrobe wizard extraordinaire, Lydia Bannister on all things decluttering your wardrobe. Decluttering your wardrobe can be an overwhelming task, but a short-term effort is better than long-term closet chaos. Treat it like an act of self care and approach it with kindness and it *might* even become fun! Having a clear out is about creating both physical and mental space, but it’s also a really good way to check in with yourself and acknowledge who you are and what you need from your clothes at this point in your life. A cleared out closet decreases anxiety and stress, increases creativity and saves SO much morning chaos.

So, you’re thinking of selling your home? The first step to unlocking its worth is to invite an estate agent over for a valuation. That’s where the magic (and market insight) happens. With a solid valuation in hand, you’ll know what kind of price to aim for and what buyers might pay. But how does an agent come up with that number? Read on for the Davies & Davies inside scoop…

For a limited time, we’re dropping our sales fee to just 0.75%+VAT for owners looking to sell in N8. Yes, really. This is your chance to sell your home without losing a chunk of your profits in the process. If your home’s in the ever-popular N8 area (think leafy streets, quirky cafés, and a ton of buyer demand), we’re talking serious potential. We’re here to make sure you don’t leave money on the table.

Being a landlord can be rewarding, but it’s also a role that comes with responsibilities and risks. Along with managing tenants and keeping properties up to standard, landlords face the unexpected – from sudden rent arrears to legal battles over possession. But there’s good news: with the right protection, you can shield yourself from worst-case scenarios. In this blog, we’ll share why Rent and Legal Protection is an absolute must for landlords. Take it from us – we've seen firsthand how valuable this safeguard can be.

Securing a mortgage as a self-employed person can feel like solving a complex puzzle, just with a few more hoops to jump through. But don’t run away just yet! With some prep and savvy guidance, self-employed applicants can navigate this process smoothly and actually enjoy being ahead of the curve. Here’s the Davies and Davies guide to help self-employed go-getters tackle the mortgage scene with confidence.

If you're on the hunt for property prices in North London, you’ve landed in the right place! We’ve done the legwork, diving deep into Zoopla’s latest data, so you don’t have to. Got your eye on something fancy or looking to bag a deal? Whether you're looking to splurge or snap up a bargain, we’ve got the inside scoop on where you'll get the best value for your money in North London. Let’s dive into North London’s priciest, and cheapest, postcodes.

In North London’s competitive property market, it can be tricky to know if your home is priced just right. With prices on the rise and fewer homes available, you’d think selling would be easy. But despite an impressive 11.2% year-on-year price increase in May, only 1 in 20 asking prices were slashed by 9%. So, how can you tell if your home has been priced to sell or if it’s destined to languish on property portals? Let’s dive into the dos and don’ts of valuing your home and how to spot the warning signs of an inflated asking price.

When it comes to selling your home, there’s nothing worse than giving potential buyers “the ick”—that gut-wrenching feeling that makes them want to run for the hills (or at least to the next viewing). Whether you’ve heard the phrase bandied about in your last relationship and wondered why they suddenly ghosted after you wore a pair of swimming goggles that one time, you get the gist: it's a dealbreaker, a turn-off, a small but unavoidable reason to say "no thanks.” So, what are common property icks that make potential buyers swipe left on your home? Let’s dive into the 10 biggest offenders ranked by most common, according to a recent survey, and more importantly, how to avoid turning your property into a real-life House of Turn Offs.

So, you’ve got a degree under your belt, a lifelong love for late-night ramen, and a mountain of student debt taller than a high rise in Hampstead. Fear not! While purchasing a property may feel like trying to find a parking spot in Camden on a Saturday, it’s not impossible. Just think of it as a final exam, one that you can ace with a sprinkle of Davies and Davies trademark know-how…

More and more couples are choosing the “let’s-live-together-but-not-get-hitched” route. According to the latest stats, about 22% of UK couples are living together without tying the knot or entering into a civil partnership. That’s around 3.6 million cohabiting couples, more than double what it was back in 1996. But, before you settle in and start binge-watching Love Is Blind together, it’s important to know that your rights as a cohabiting couple are quite different from those of married folks. Spoiler alert: there’s no such thing as a “common-law spouse” in England and Wales, no matter how long you’ve been sharing the remote. Sorry.

Yes, buying a home can feel like navigating an assault course on SAS Who Dares Wins - stressful, intense, and you might end up on a cliff edge in a rickety old studio flat, wondering how you got there in the first place. Because homeownership isn't just about finding a place to live; it's about investing in your future, building equity, and creating a space that reflects your personal style and needs. With so much on the line, it’s crucial to approach house hunting with a level head and a well-thought-out strategy - just like a special forces operator. So pop the kettle and your helmet on, and let's (safely) dive into the top 10 dos and don’ts of buying your first home.

Gone are the days when a good reference and a deposit were your golden ticket to a new home. Fast forward to 2024, and you'll need a bit more flair to land that dream pad. With a 40% increase in tenant numbers since 2019 and a 35% drop in available properties, the rental market is more competitive than ever. Rightmove reports an average of 25 inquiries per listing, up from just 8 pre-pandemic (apocalypse) times. So, how do you go about outshining other tenants in this wacky rental race? Don’t worry, Davies and Davies are here to spill the beans on how to really stand out and snap up that dream abode before anyone else gets a look in…

Breaking up is hard to do, but breaking up with a joint mortgage can be a whole new level of complicated. So, you've consciously (or unconsciously) uncoupled, and now you're left wondering, where did our joint Netflix subscription go? Though you both signed on the dotted line of that Stroud Green terrace, dreaming of a future filled with cosy nights in and lazy Sunday mornings… alas. Love is fickle, and now you find yourself navigating the treacherous waters of separation. What's next for that shared mortgage and Netflix plan? Davies and Davies are here to guide you through this murky sea of property ownership drama with a strong cup of tea and a tissue box full of joint mortgage know-how.

Come on in, landlords and don’t forget to wipe your feet on your own welcome mat. So, you've got new tenants moving in soon? It's time to put on your landlord hat and buckle up for the true adventure that is renting out your property. But before your tenants start plotting where to put their favourite houseplants or debating the best spot for their cosy bean bag chair, let's make sure you've got everything in order. Here’s our five point essential guide to help you prep for your soon-to-be happy new tenants.

If you've ever felt like deciphering types of tenancy is akin to cracking secret codes, fear not - your Davies and Davies property guru is here to shed some light on the various types of tenancies you might encounter on your journey to finding the perfect rental abode. So grab your £5 flat white (/the real reason you’re still renting apparently), settle into your rented faux leather two seater, and let's find out once and for all which tenancy type is you all over…

Well hello there, property owners, aspiring landlords and first daters. So, you’ve decided to get your property valued. Great move! Now comes the fun (daunting) part: making sure you ask all the right property valuation questions during that all-important meeting. Think of it like a first date - you want to know as much as possible before committing. And without getting sauce down your shirt in the process. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back with the top eight questions you need to ask to ensure you’re getting the best advice. And no, it isn’t actually a first date so you can put that rose away Brian.

Navigating the UK mortgage jungle just got a tad easier with the launch of the 'Own New Rate Reducer' scheme in February 2024, where mortgage rates don't just dip; they do a full-on swan dive. It's hailed as the latest magic trick by Own New, a property finance maestro that's teamed up with lenders and homebuilders, to make owning a new build not just a dream but a very achievable reality.

Are you tired of scrolling through endless online listings for rental properties, only to be disappointed when you finally view them in person? Well, fear not my fellow renters. For we have compiled a list of essential rental viewing questions that will help you determine if that dream apartment is really the one for you.

Is the closest thing to a garden right now the mould currently growing on that forgotten coffee cup under the sofa? Are you drooling over Insta’s endless reels of ivy-clad courtyards with rose archways and beautiful blossom trees? While some indoor house plants wouldn’t go amiss to start, if you have a small patio, balcony or even just a windowsill, there’s still plenty of scope to create an urban oasis. Transforming your no-garden space into an urban oasis isn't just a dream. It’s becoming crucial for our wellbeing (and bragging rights on how on earth you've turned a tiny balcony into a slice of paradise). With a little creativity and the right know-how, you can also maximise your property's potential should you be thinking of selling...

Well, well, well, 2023 was quite the rollercoaster for our dear housing market wasn’t it? Prices dropped for the first time in over a decade, leaving homeowners in a bit of a tizzy. But fear not, sellers - it's not all doom and gloom for 2024. Research has shown that despite the fall in prices, 93% of sellers still made a profit. Who says those pesky avocado-smeared millennials can't be homeowners, eh? Now let's get to the juicy part: how much moolah did these lucky sellers make? Well, the average gross gain was a whopping £74,000. That's enough to pay off your student loans and still have some left over to feed your secret chipotle habit.

As self-confessed experts in the North London property market jungle (since 1925 darling), and homeowners ourselves, we know all-too-bloomin’ well the wild ride that is selling your home. One of the most important steps in the snakes and ladders game of property is the almighty property valuation. Often a forgotten move, it is the most crucial in finding the sweet spot when it comes to selling up and moving on. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, the process of valuing a property can be both daunting and confusing all at once. Like a game of Twister with your in-laws after one too many lunchtime mojitos. Well, that’s where we come in (and put the board games away). You need an expert guide to value your property and navigate the process like a PRO. Who’s got questions? Let’s start at the beginning, shall we…

As proud, stray hair-covered pet owners ourselves, we understand the struggle of finding a rental property that welcomes our furry chums with arms as wide as ours. Dog-gone are the days when our beloved pets were seen as a hindrance to finding a place to call home. These days there is an increasing demand for pet friendly rentals, and it's not hard to see why. Pets bring joy, companionship, and a whole lot of (mess) love into our lives, so it's only fair that they should have a place to call their own too (and maybe even a whole bedroom too).