Month: July 2020

Want to add value to your buy-to-let home for the post-lockdown boom? According to our study, make sure to highlight gardens, natural light and large bedrooms!

With Brits across the country continuing to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic, spending all that time indoors has encouraged millions to take up DIY projects in a bid to improve the overall surroundings of their new offices.

In order to uncover shifts in the UK’s most valuable and desired home features, CIA Landlord asked 1000 Brits what they’re looking for in their next home post-lockdown.

Ranked: The UK’s Most Desired Post-Lockdown Home Features

Gardens have been revealed as the most popular feature Brits are looking for in their next home, followed by lots of natural light and large bedrooms. The importance of having an outdoor space to enjoy during lockdown has made its mark with over 44% of Brits wanting their own piece of nature in their next home.

The survey revealed that for a home with these 10 most desired features, Brits would pay on average a whopping £89,942 more on top of their current budget!

Fast internet makes the top 5 features as thousands of Brits are spending lots of time at home for work making internet speed a very important factor.

Of the most popular features, a third of Brits also selected cleanliness as an important feature that will attract buyers.

More Than a Quarter of Brits Say New Carpets, Lights and Home Offices Will Add the Most Value to Homes This Year!

New carpets, lights and a home office adds the most value to a home according to Brits who ranked popular DIY projects that have taken up during lockdown.

When asked what DIY improvements or amenities would add value to a home, newly painted ceilings & front doors and even plants made the top 10 most valuable to implement on a budget too.

Brits Looking to Spend on Average £324,701 on a Post-Lockdown Home in the Next Year

According to our findings, the average home price for the UK post-lockdown will be £324,701 in the next year.

The gap between different genders owning homes is also apparent with British men looking to buy a home worth on average £362,404 versus females at £284,025.

The above table identifies the average house prices by age group in the next year, with Gen Z’s looking to spend £232,813 vs. boomers at over £292,722. The highest age bracket will be 45 to 54 year olds looking to spend an average of £340,278!

Countryside, Quiet Roads and Beaches Revealed as the Most Desired Post-Lockdown Areas for UK Buyers and Renters

Over the next year, the housing market will notice an increase in areas that are away from the hustle and bustle of highly populated areas.

There will be a shift in those living from the suburbs to further in the countryside with commuter towns noticing a further decrease as well.

Half of Brits Want to Move to Quiet Neighbourhoods, Low Crime-Rate Areas and Be Close to Amenities Post-Lockdown

When it comes to what type of neighbourhood Brits are looking to move to, the most important features go hand in hand with the type of areas Brits are looking for. A large percentage of brits want to move to areas that are quiet with almost a quarter wanting to be close to a hospital as well.

Cottage, Urban Modern, Neutral and Coastal were Revealed as the Most Popular Interior Design Styles for Homes Post-Lockdown

Analysing the most popular design styles that Brits want post lockdown, more than a quarter of Brits are looking for homes that are either cottage, urban modern, neutral or coastal styles as the top 4 interior styles.

When analysing regional preferences, Londoners opt for a more urban modern style while residents in Nottingham are looking for a coastal getaway style. Cottage-style homes are the most popular in East Anglia, the South West, Wales and Yorkshire while neutral homes take the top spot in the North West, Scotland and the West Midlands.

These Are the Worst Colours to Use in Your Post Lockdown Home, According to Brits

Our survey revealed the colours that were least popular to Brits that should be avoided when looking at upscaling your buy-to-let home. Pink, Turquoise and Indigo were revealed as the least popular colours with less than 3% of Brits wanting these colours.

Methodology

In order to uncover the most important home features for Brits post lockdown we partnered with One Poll to survey over 1000 Brits who are looking to rent or buy a home in the next year in July 2020.

Data

Full data available upon request.

Notes to Editors

If you’re interested in covering our study, we only ask to please refer back to this study with a link to this post.

PR contact: sarah.fleming@kaizen.co.uk

A new study by CIA Landlord highlights the most popular budget DIY projects people have been doing during lockdown and the value that they add to your home!

During lockdown, more than 56% of Brits engaged in DIY projects around the home with online sales of home improvement and gardening retail products growing by almost 50%.

A new study by CIA Landlord has found the most popular and valuable DIY projects you can undertake to improve the value of your home. The study reveals the most cost-effective DIY projects Brits can easily undertake and how much more prospective homeowners and renters are willing to pay for a home with these features.

A Home Office Is the Most Valuable DIY Feature With 27% of Brits Wanting One in Their Future Home

With so many Brits working from home, it’s no surprise that a home office is the most valuable addition to your home. Landlords and homeowners wishing to up their homes market price should consider installing the home office of roughly £1,715 to significantly improve its value.

When creating a home office, it’s important to use your space effectively and avoid creating a cluttered environment if the room is smaller than average. Creating a poor home office could put you or your tenants health at risk so it’s important to consider all the aspects you would find in a regular office. It’s important to invest in the right equipment and it’s worth spending a bit more to ensure your technology is up to date and working properly.

A good WIFi connection is crucial, as well as a plug extension with multiple sockets, a monitor, speakers and a chair which supports your neck and back. When choosing a space, look for lots of  natural daylight and a colour scheme which is either neutral shades like grey and cream to avoid distractions or incorporate purple or yellow which is known to stimulate the imagination

New Carpets, Curtains and Lights Are Some of the Most Valuable and Affordable DIY Projects Brits Can Do

Most manufacturers advise replacing a carpet every 10 years, as signs of wear show on the major walkways. Costing typically, £700 pounds to install, 43% of women in the UK say they would pay more for a home with this feature. New curtains on the other hand cost only £23.50 to do yourself and 25% of people looking to rent would pay a significant amount more for this surprisingly affordable feature.

New lights are another simple and cost-effective DIY project costing as little as £7. However, with more than 28% of Brits willing to pay more for new lights in a home, this simple installation is not to be overlooked. The other most valuable DIY projects include:

Painted Floorboards, Cabinets and Sinks Are the Least Valuable DIY Projects You Can Undertake in Your Home

Conversely, while painting your cabinets and sinks is an affordable task to take on, less than 10% of Brits deem value to the upgraded features. Painting your floorboards garners a similar response throughout the UK in everywhere but Northern Ireland, where 24% are willing to fork out more for a home with the £24 project carried out.

While a home bar seems beneficial in theory, prices start from £1,610 to install yourself and only 14% of the UK feel it adds much value to a prospective home. The other least valuable projects include:

Amazon, John Lewis, IKEA and Debenhams Are the Most Trusted Brands to Invest in for Your DIY Projects and Furniture

When looking to invest in new pieces of furniture, paint or tools for your DIY project, 40% of Brits would trust Amazon’s products. Similarly, John Lewis, Ikea and Debenhams are top contenders for home improvement buyers. Ikea is the most trusted among the younger demographic with 53% of those under 24 happy to invest there while John Lewis is the favourite among those 55 and older.

On the other hand, some of the least trusted brands include Loaf, Go Modern, Swoon and the Wallpaper store with less than 6% of Brits trusting these stores for home improvement purchases.

The other top trusted home improvement brands include:

Bosch Is the Nation’s Most Trusted Home Appliance Brand Followed by Dyson, Samsung and Black & Decker

More than half of the UK population would trust Bosch products more than any other in a home and with 71% of those 65 years old and older trusting it above all other products, the German brand has been a favourite for generations.

Bosch is followed by Dyson, Samsung, Black & Decker and Russell Hobbs, the most trustworthy home appliance brands in the UK. Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Frigidaire on the other hand are some of the least trusted brands among the UK population.

The most trusted home appliance brands include:

DIY projects not only add value to your home but can also benefit your mental health. 40% of Brits say that engaging in DIY makes them feel satisfied and it can also help you learn a new skill with more than a third of Brits eager to learn more homemaking skills.

“Taking part in activities that engage self-discipline, willpower and diligence have been shown to have a positive influence on brain health. Whether this is sticking with positive lifestyle choices, committing to regular attendance at a class or upholding a specific responsibility to others, the process of exerting a level of discipline is great for brain maintenance in later life.” says Dr. Rachel M Allan, Chartered Counselling Psychologist

Methodology

The most popular DIY projects were selected by search volume data using Ahrefs and analysing the top DIY projects undertaken during lockdown alongside survey results from a survey carried out in July 2020 among 1000 UK respondents who are looking to buy or rent a home in the next year.

Survey Results

A study was conducted in association with One Poll in July 2020 among 1000 UK respondents who are looking to buy or rent a home in the next year.

Data

Full data is available upon request.

Notes to Editors

If you’re interested in covering our study, we only ask you to please refer back to this study with a link to this post.

PR contact: ailbhe.hanratty@kaizen.co.uk

If you could work abroad anywhere in the world, where would you go?

At the beginning of 2020, the idea of working abroad was just a pipe dream for many employees. Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, working remotely has become the norm for billions across the globe – making it feasible for many office workers to relocate in the future.

In this study, CIA Landlord Insurance has revealed the top international locations to move to post-lockdown to save on expenses while still earning your current salary and living abroad in a similar time zone, either permanently or temporarily.

The study takes into account a variety of cost and popularity factors to highlight the best destinations that both save your pocket and allow for some escapism!

Top 25 Dream Remote Work Locations to Move to Post COVID-19

Madrid Revealed as the Best City to Relocate to for Remote Working, Followed by Istanbul and Budapest!

With an extremely high amount of annual tourists, cheap flights and a low cost of living – Madrid comes out on top as the best location to move to for remote working based on a variety of cost and popularity reasons. On average, the country welcomes over 82 million tourists a year, and with over 594 attractions to visit – there will never be days short of new places to explore in the city. Despite its relatively high rent for a 1-bed (£895), flights to and from the city of London will cost you nothing short of a £46 return – allowing freedom when it comes to travelling cheaply.

Top 10 Cities to Relocate to for Remote Working

The top 10 locations in our study highlight how much cheaper you could be living on your current salary. With most of the locations in Europe, you’ll be a short flight away from travelling back home with ease. If saving on the cost of living is your most important factor, Tirane in Albania is the best option with rent for a 1-bed at £270, takeaway for £4 and just 30p for a ticket on public transport – it really doesn’t get much cheaper than this.

If you wish to prioritise your work and timezone, moving to Lisbon where there is no time difference would be the perfect relocation option – but it doesn’t come cheap at an average of £808 for renting a bed in the city!

Monaco, Geneva and Vaduz Are the Worst Cities to Relocate to for Remote Work

Despite its close time difference (GMT +1) and cheap transportation cost (£1.80), Monaco is officially the worst city to relocate to for remote working. With extortionate average rent costs of £3,499 and high average takeaway costs of £25, this city does not come cheap making it the worst option for digital employees.

Despite similar time differences (GMT +1) both Geneva and Vaduz have much higher costs of living than the likes of London with average 1-bed rent prices at over £1,500 – making it more feasible to be employed in the city allowing for a higher annual salary to support these extortionate costs.

Top 10 Worst Cities to Relocate to for Remote Working

What the top 10 worst cities highlight about working remotely is that no matter how much you might love going on holiday in a city, living there remotely takes into account a lot more costs factors you might have not considered before. With popular cities including Amsterdam and Copenhagen making the list despite having high annual tourist numbers of over 8 million and 12 million respectively, high rent prices and living costs make it inconceivable to relocate to for remote work no matter how many attractions or cheap flights there may be.

Best Cities to Relocate to for Cheap Takeaway Food and Pints

If you’re looking to broaden your food horizons and save on food and drink whilst working remotely abroad, Antananarivo in Madagascar has the best savings on takeaway and pints near the UK at £1.35 and 62p respectively.

Istanbul also features in the top 10 ranking, as well as ranking overall 2nd in the best cities to remote work from.

Here are the cheapest cities for takeaway food and pints in our ranking:

Best Cities to Relocate to for Cheap Bills, Rent and Wifi Cost

If cost of living and saving is the most important factor when it comes to considering moving abroad and working remotely – Minsk is an ideal choice with rent for as little as £318 and wifi + bills at just £53 a month. However it’s worth noting that an average return flight will cost you £152 as well as factoring in the 3 hour time difference – but if you prefer the lie in for your 9am call then Minsk could be the perfect place for you!

Here are the top 10 affordable cities if you’re looking to relocate and work remotely abroad:

Best Cities to Relocate to for Cheap AirBNB Rentals

If you fancy a getaway without having to commit to the burden of rent and bills – renting out a home on Airbnb could be the perfect option for your remote working adventure.

Minsk ranks first for cheapest AirBNB costs at an average of £16.20 a night, followed by Tirane, Sofia and Belgrade which all offer homes at an average of £18/night!

Split and Budapest also make the ranking at just over £21 per night – the equivalent of £630 over a month if you were looking to stay a few weeks instead of permanently relocating for remote work.

Here are the top 10 cities to relocate to for affordable Airbnb rentals from the UK:

Considering Moving Abroad to Work Remotely Once Travel Restrictions Ease? Here Are Our Top Tips:

For the first time in our lives, thousands of Brits have not only the urge but the ability to work remotely once travel restrictions ease. Now that more and more companies are adopting remote working policies, Brits, and Londoners in particular, have many wondering why they’re cooped up and paying an extortionate price on rent and food when they could be saving and living somewhere with more space and freedom.

Firstly before you dive into considering your options to move abroad, it’s important to take into account the following tips:

• Ensure you do your research into visas that are available post-lockdown

If you’re lucky enough to have a company that will let you work abroad permanently – before you consider moving anywhere, it’s important to do your research on the visas and taxes that may be applicable to you when you’re in another country. For example, Barbados has recently announced that it’s giving out 12-month visas allowing anyone to come to remote work from its islands.

• Choose a city that caters to your most important needs

Cost of living is a huge factor to consider if you’re looking to save on the prices of living in the UK – however, it’s important to ensure that you’re also researching other factors such as things to do or places to visit when you get there. The worst thing you’d want to do is relocate for the sake of saving money!

• Consider lifestyle factors like climate, ease of returning ‘home’ and even insurance

Other factors that may not be as obvious such as the weather, landlord insurance or how far you are away from a flight home are just as important to consider as the cost of living. It’s important to note that while you may be saving money, you may not be happy with the location as a whole so make sure you put a lot of thought into the locations you’re considering!

Sources and Methodology

In order to calculate the best cities to move to for remote working we analysed 12 cost and popularity factors weighing them differently to account for factors that were deemed more crucial than others including the cost of a takeaway, flight cost, rent price, cost of an Airbnb, time difference, number of tourists (2018) and number of landmarks.

We used the timeframe February 1st to February 28th 2021 to calculate the prices for flights and Airbnb costs. The airbnb costs were taken from averaging the first 5 costs per location.

• https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions 

• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.ARVL

• https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/

• https://www.google.com/flights

• https://www.airbnb.co.uk/ 

Notes to Editors

If you’re interested in covering our study, we only ask you to please refer back to this study with a link to this post.

PR contact: sarah.fleming@kaizen.co.uk