Useful Articles
Property Photography Tips for Estate Agents on a Budget
Great photography sells properties. Research consistently shows that listings with high-quality images receive significantly more online views and enquiries than those with poor or missing photos. The good news is that you do not need expensive equipment to take effective property photographs - a modern smartphone and some basic technique will get you most of the way there. Before You Shoot: Preparation The single biggest factor in good property photography is not the camera - it is the state of the property. Before you take a single photo: Ask the vendor to declutter every room, clear kitchen worktops, and tidy gardens Turn on all lights and open all curtains and blinds Close all toilet lids Remove personal items like family photos, toiletries, and children's drawings from fridges Straighten cushions, make beds, and hang towels neatly Remove wheelie bins and cars from the front of the property Equipment A smartphone from the last three to four years will have a camera capable of producing listing-quality images. If your phone has an ultra-wide lens (0.5x), use it for interior shots - it captures more of each room without the extreme distortion of a fisheye. For exterior shots, use the standard 1x lens. If you want to invest in one piece of kit, make it a smartphone tripod (around £15-£30). This eliminates camera shake, keeps your horizons level, and ensures consistent height across all shots. Shooting Technique Interiors Shoot from doorways or corners - this gives the widest view of each room and avoids making spaces look smaller than they are Hold the camera at chest height - shooting too high makes rooms look cramped; too low makes them look distorted Keep the camera level - vertical lines (door frames, walls) should be straight, not leaning. Use your phone's grid overlay Shoot in landscape orientation - always. Portrait photos of rooms look amateurish on property portals Aim for three to five photos per room - but only use the best one or two in your listing. Show enough to give a complete picture without overwhelming the viewer Exteriors Shoot the front elevation from across the road if possible, getting the full property in frame Overcast days often produce better results than bright sunshine, which creates harsh shadows Include the garden from an elevated angle if you can - it makes gardens appear larger Capture any standout features: period front doors, bay windows, a long driveway Editing Keep editing minimal and honest. Straighten any slightly crooked horizons, adjust brightness if rooms look too dark, and crop out distracting elements at the edges. Free apps like Snapseed or the built-in phone editor handle this well. Do not use heavy filters, remove structural features, or edit in blue skies. Misleading photography creates distrust and wastes viewing time when buyers arrive and the property does not match the images. Image Order and Selection The first image in your listing is by far the most important - it is what appears in search results and determines whether someone clicks through. For most properties, this should be the best exterior shot. For flats or properties with unremarkable exteriors, lead with the most impressive interior room. After the lead image, arrange photos in a logical order: exterior, hallway, reception rooms, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, garden. This mirrors how a buyer would walk through the property during a viewing. When to Use a Professional For high-value properties, new developments, or properties that need to stand out in a competitive market, a professional property photographer is worth the investment. Expect to pay £100-£250 for a standard residential shoot. Some photographers also offer drone shots, floor plans, and virtual tours as add-ons. Image Specifications for Domovita For best results on Domovita, upload images in JPEG format at a minimum resolution of 1024 × 768 pixels. Images are automatically optimised for fast loading, but starting with a high-quality original ensures the best possible presentation across all devices. Well-presented photographs are one of the simplest ways to increase enquiries on any property. A small investment of time in preparation and technique pays for itself many times over.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know An Energy Performance Certificate - almost universally known as an EPC - is a document that rates the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). EPCs are a legal requirement in the UK property market and affect both buyers and sellers. Understanding what they mean, when they are required, and what the ratings imply can save you time, money, and surprises.
What to Expect When Selling Your Home: A Complete Timeline
What to Expect When Selling Your Home: A Complete Timeline Selling a property involves more steps than many people expect - and more parties, timescales, and potential complications than the straightforward transaction it can appear to be from the outside. Whether you are selling for the first time or have done it before, this timeline walks you through the entire process from the decision to sell through to completion day.
Material Information: What Estate Agents Must Include in Property Listings
Since the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team updated its guidance, estate agents in England have a clear obligation to include material information in property listings. Getting this wrong can lead to enforcement action under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) - and, just as importantly, wastes everyone's time when key facts only emerge after viewings. This guide explains what material information is, what must be included, and how to get it right on every listing. What Is Material Information? Material information is any fact about a property that an average consumer needs to make an informed decision about whether to enquire, view, or make an offer. Omitting or hiding material information is considered a misleading omission under the CPRs, which is a criminal offence. The National Trading Standards guidance organises material information into three parts: Part A - Information That Must Always Be Included in the Listing Council tax band (or domestic rates in Northern Ireland) Asking price (sale) or rent amount and payment frequency (lettings) Property tenure - freehold, leasehold, commonhold, or other Property type and number of bedrooms EPC rating (where required under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations) Part B - Information That Must Be Provided Where Applicable Lease length remaining (if leasehold) Service charges and ground rent (if leasehold or managed) Shared ownership or shared equity arrangements Council tax payment amount Flood risk Whether the property is in a conservation area Listed building status Restrictive covenants or planning restrictions Rights of way or easements Mining or subsidence risk Utility types (mains gas, electric, water, drainage - or alternatives) Broadband and mobile signal availability Parking arrangements Building safety issues (e.g. cladding, structural concerns) Part C - Information That Must Be Provided If Known Accessibility and adaptations Coalfield or mining area designation Neighbouring planning applications or developments the seller is aware of Any other fact that a reasonable buyer would consider important Lettings-Specific Material Information For rental listings, additional material information includes: Deposit amount and which protection scheme will be used Whether bills are included in the rent Furnished, part-furnished, or unfurnished status Any fees permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 Minimum tenancy length Whether the landlord requires a guarantor Pet policy How to Comply on Domovita When listing a property on Domovita, the submission form includes dedicated fields for tenure, EPC rating, council tax band, and other key details. Fill in every applicable field - do not leave them blank or enter "TBC" unless you genuinely do not yet have the information and are actively seeking it. If information is not yet available, you should obtain it as quickly as possible and update the listing promptly. For details that do not have a dedicated form field, include them clearly in the property description. A best practice approach is to add a "Key Information" section at the end of your description covering service charges, ground rent, lease length, flood risk, and any other Part B or Part C items relevant to that particular property. What Happens If You Get It Wrong? Local authority Trading Standards officers can investigate and prosecute breaches of the CPRs. Penalties can include unlimited fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment. Beyond enforcement, omitting material information leads to collapsed sales, wasted viewing time, and damage to your professional reputation. Practical Checklist Before listing, collect all Part A information - do not publish without it Check Part B items against the property and include every applicable one Ask the vendor directly about Part C matters and record their responses Review every listing before publication to ensure nothing is missing Update listings promptly if new material information comes to light Keep records of what information was provided and when This guide reflects the National Trading Standards guidance current as of early 2026. Always refer to the latest NTS publications and seek legal advice if you are unsure about your obligations under the CPRs.
What Are Property Title Deeds and Why Do They Matter?
What Are Property Title Deeds and Why Do They Matter? Title deeds are the legal documents that prove ownership of a property and record its history. They are central to every property transaction, yet many buyers and sellers have only a vague understanding of what they contain and why they matter. This guide explains what title deeds are, what they include, and what you need to know when buying or selling.
First-Time Buyer Guide: Schemes, Grants and Help Available in 2026
First-Time Buyer Guide: Schemes, Grants and Help Available in 2026 Getting onto the property ladder for the first time has become significantly harder over the past decade. Rising house prices, tighter mortgage affordability rules, and reduced stamp duty relief since April 2025 have all made the first step more challenging. However, a range of government-backed schemes, savings tools, and support options remain available. This guide covers what is still on offer in 2026.
Leasehold vs Freehold: What Is the Difference and Why It Matters
Leasehold vs Freehold: What Is the Difference and Why It Matters Whether a property is freehold or leasehold is one of the most fundamentally important things to understand before you buy. The two tenure types come with very different rights, responsibilities, and long-term implications - and failing to understand the distinction can lead to significant costs and complications down the line.
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale: Presentation Tips That Work
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale: Presentation Tips That Work First impressions in property sales are formed faster than most sellers realise - sometimes within seconds of a buyer pulling up outside. The good news is that most of the things that make the biggest difference cost little or nothing. This guide covers the practical steps that consistently help sellers attract more interest, achieve better offers, and sell more quickly.
How Much Does Conveyancing Cost in 2026?
How Much Does Conveyancing Cost in 2026? Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from seller to buyer. It is a mandatory part of every property purchase and sale in England and Wales, and the cost varies considerably depending on the firm you choose, the property type, and the complexity of the transaction. This guide breaks down what you should expect to pay - and what to watch out for when comparing quotes.