Bateson Drive, Leavesden, WD25
£1,700 pcm
The Chapters, Radlett, WD7
£950,000
The Pantiles, Bushey Heath, WD23
£385,000
Villiers Road, Watford, WD19
£800,000
Kimble Crescent, Bushey, WD23
£1,000,000
Rainbow House, Watford, WD17
£325,000
The Coppice, Watford, WD19
£675,000
St. James Road, Watford, WD18
£450,000
Rockwell Court, Watford, WD18
£300,000
The Trafalgar, London Square Watford, WD24
£430,000
Silk Mill Road, Watford, WD19
£425,000
Glencoe Road, Bushey, WD23
£1,450 pcm
Lower Paddock Road, Oxhey Village, WD19
£400,000
Merry Hill Road, Bushey, WD23
£500,000
Capel Road, Oxhey Village, WD19
£795,000
The Clapton, London Square Watford, WD24
£340,000
The Egerton, London Square Watford, WD24
£300,000
The Kensington, London Square Watford, WD24
£500,000
The Barton, London Square Watford, WD24
£400,000
A PROPERTY AGENCY DESIGNED FOR THE MODERN WORLD.
There are a lot of estate agents out there. We’re different. In fact, we don’t see ourselves as traditional estate agents at all.
We’ve disrupted outdated practice and have proudly created a property agency designed for the modern world. When working with our proactive team, you retain control from the outset. We market your property until we find you the ideal buyer, or until you tell us not to, whichever comes first. And our unique fee structure means that you’ll only ever pay a fee that reflects our performance – the way it should be.
So, without further ado – Hello. We’re Browns.
Perry Brown MNAEA AARLA
Co-Founder
Robert White MNAEA AARLA
Co-Founder
HOW MUCH IS MY PROPERTY WORTH?
Step one in the pursuit of working with Browns is to arrange a time for a member of our team to visit your home, in order for us to assess its current market value.
UK Property Buyer Numbers Hit a Two-Year High
Rather than the usual end-of-year lull that comes from buyers and sellers winding down for Christmas, 2024 is seeing an acceleration in the UK property market in the final quarter.
Stamp Duty Change Expected to Spark Homebuying Rush
Home sales will "jump" at the beginning of next year as people try to buy before the rise in stamp duty, one of the UK's biggest lenders has predicted.
House Price Index: October 2024
Mortgage rates drop to lowest rates seen in 15 months as house prices rise and more homes are sold.
Rachel Reeves Will Not Raise Capital Gains Tax On Second Homes
The Times reports that capital gains on profits from the sale of shares and some other assets, which is currently levied at 20%, is likely to increase by “several percentage points”. But the rate will not change for second homes.
UK Housing Market Rebounds With Sales And Price Hikes
The UK housing market is showing signs of a rebound, with new data from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) highlighting a rise in house prices and sales due to falling borrowing costs.
Nationwide Cuts Rates to sub-3.75%
Nationwide is set to launch new competitive mortgage products, including a five-year fixed-rate mortgage at 3.74% and two-year fixes starting from 3.89%.
Autumn Property Market Sees Early Boost
As the property market enters the typically busy autumn season, early action is already underway, with both buyers and sellers capitalising on improved conditions.
The Renters’ Rights Bill Published
The Renters’ Rights Bill was published today and introduces a series of reforms designed to increase protections for tenants while maintaining a balance that allows landlords to manage their properties effectively.
House Prices Growing at Fastest Rate in nearly Two Years
Buyers are paying extra for energy-efficient homes and less for inefficient properties, the Nationwide house price index also found.
UK Property Market Set for Busy Autumn as Listings Hit 7-Year High
For-sale stock of homes up 14% in August compared with year before as interest rate cut boosts activity.
Interest Rate Cut Fuels Immediate Upturn in UK Property Market
The first Bank of England rate cut in four years has triggered an immediate upturn in the UK property market, as cheaper mortgages prompt interest among buyers and drive up house prices.
UK Inflation Rate Rises – Will it Affect Interest Rates?
The recent rise in the UK inflation rate to 2.2% could impact the timing and likelihood of interest rate cuts, but it may not entirely stop them from happening.
Rate Cuts to Fuel House Price Rises, Halifax says
Lower mortgage costs and more interest rate cuts could fuel a rise in house prices for the rest of this year, Halifax has said.
How will a Base Rate Cut Affect the Autumn Market?
Rightmove’s report states that one of the most pressing concerns in the current property market is the elevated interest rates, which are continuing to stretch affordability. Now, all eyes are on the Bank of England’s next meeting in August.
Nearly Half of Landlords Plan to Invest in Property in the Next Year, Survey Reveals
A recent survey by specialist lender Landbay shows a significant rise in landlord confidence, with nearly half (44%) of respondents indicating their intention to buy property within the next 12 months.
Only 1 in 10 Homebuyers Instruct a Home Condition Survey in Q1 2024
In terms of a survey split, the Index shows that 61% of buyers commissioned the RICS Home Survey Level 2, with a third (33%) taking out a RICS Home Survey Level 2 with Valuation and 6% opting for a RICS Home Survey Level 3.
Housing Market Continues Spring Revival
Rightmove says homeowners are springing into action, with Thursday 28 March seeing the highest number of new sellers coming to the market in one day so far in 2024, and the third largest since August 2020.
Proudly Supporting Bushey Festival 2024
On behalf of the team at Browns, I am thrilled to announce our partnership as headline sponsors for the esteemed Bushey Festival, marking a significant milestone after a successful inaugural year in business.
Halifax House Price Index Released
Today’s figures show that the events from last year are still weighing heavily on prospective buyers’ minds. While lenders have cut mortgage rates and wage growth has outstripped inflation, the turmoil from the past 12 months is still casting a dark shadow on demand.
Zoopla Data shows Confidence Returning to Housing Market
The property sector is showing signs of recovery and the outlook has considerably improved. Rent values have seen sustained growth, positioning real estate as reasonably valued in comparison to gilts and presenting growth potential.
What do the Latest Economic Figures mean?
The pressure is set to keep easing in the next few months, as inflation drops rapidly towards the Bank of England’s target in the second quarter of the year.
Inflation Set to Fall – but Interest Rates should Hold Steady
The Office for Budget Responsibility says inflation is likely to fall to 2% in the second quarter of this year.
Will the Property Market be Impacted by the Spring Budget?
The most significant help for the property market is likely to come from a drop in the rate of inflation.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) & SDLT Relief Results
HMRC has released a report highlighting the effect of stamp duty relief for first-time buyers (FTBs) following its introduction in 2017.
What is Happening to Rents?
Overall, while rental growth is slowing, the rental market is expected to remain buoyant, with rents continuing to outpace inflation throughout 2024.
Upcoming Budget an Opportunity to Boost First Time Buyer Market
A third of property professionals would like to see the reintroduction of Help to Buy or some government-led initiative to help boost the new build sector and first-time buyer marketplace.
Optimism in the Housing Market
Anthony Codling of RBC Capital Markets provides an optimistic view of the current housing market for investors, highlighting the resilience of the market despite challenges.
How to Add Value to Your Property
One of the most effective ways to increase the value of any residence is through architectural renovations. This can involve expanding the living space, adding unique architectural features, a guest house or self-contained apartment. Modernising property to your tastes and preferences is essential for a truly luxurious experience.
Mortgage Maze for First-Time Buyers But Buy-to-Let Investors Enjoy a Bounty
First-time buyers face tough task as mortgage product availability dwindles, but buy-to-let investors spoilt for choice.
The 99% Mortgage Explained
The UK government is reportedly considering backing home loans that would only need a one per cent deposit.
Housing Market Gains Momentum at Start of 2024
Average asking prices for British homes made the strongest start to the year since 2020.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House?
It’s tricky to know the ideal time to buy a house, and it’s unlikely you’ll time the market perfectly. In an ideal world, you’d buy at the point in time that both house prices and mortgage rates reach their lowest point.
Peak of Market Turmoil has Passed
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said his organisation is “optimistic” that the “peak of turmoil” in the property market has passed.
What to Expect from the Property Market in 2024
Built up demand caused by this year’s economic uncertainty indicates that 2024 will start off with a very active property market.
UK House Prices Rise for The Second Month in A Row
Over the last year, despite the wider economic headwinds, property prices have held up better than expected.
Further Evidence The UK Property Market Will Finish the Year on The Front Foot
UK house prices rose by 0.2% in November, after taking account of seasonal effects.
UK Property Market Catalysts for 2024
No one knows how hard the property wind will blow and from which direction but there are possible breaks in the storm next year to consider.
Industry Reacts as Chancellor Seeks to Put Economy “Back on Track”
Amid the highest tax burden since the second world war and sky-high mortgage rates, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered an Autumn Statement that seeks to put the UK economy “back on track”.
How Could an Autumn Statement Stamp Duty Incentive Help the Property Market?
Historic data suggests that this should likely bring about an increase in sales volumes and house prices.
High Mortgage Costs Are Taking a Toll on the UK Housing Market
High mortgage costs are taking a toll on the UK housing market, with average new seller asking prices suffering the sharpest fall in November for five years.
Experts Agree that UK Will Avoid Housing Market Crash
As the rate outlook improves and mortgage rates stabilise and continue to improve, that could see buyer confidence begin to improve into next year.
Buyers Still have an Appetite to Transact, Even in Tough Market Conditions
October saw a 0.9% rise in UK house prices, after taking account of seasonal effects.
The Politicians Are Talking About Housing… And That’s No Bad Thing
It is hard to get away from politics these days, in any part of the world. For the housing market, it could be rather important.
83% of Homeowners Unphased by Cooling Property Values
New research from eXp UK, the platform for personal estate agents, reveals that homeowners are largely unconcerned about cooling house prices, caring more about having a home to call their own than sitting on a profitable investment.
Pace of Monthly House Price Decline Slows as Market Continues to Weather the Economic Storm
UK house prices fell further in September, edging down by -0.4% on a monthly basis.
Interest Rates Frozen for First Time in 15 Months: Have Mortgage Rates Now Peaked?
Since the Bank of England base rate started making large jumps around the middle of last year, mortgage rates have increased significantly from the historic lows that borrowers had enjoyed since early 2015, when the average two-year fixed rate dropped below 2% and the average five-year fixed went sub-3%.
Some Very Welcome Rate Relief for A Resilient Housing Market
This was not anticipated by the markets, even in the minutes ticking up to the announcement, so this paved the way for mortgage rates to come down even further.
Buy-To-Let Rental Incomes have Increased by 8.7% Despite Rising Costs & Government Pressure
Landlords in England & Wales have seen their rental portfolio income increase by 8.7% in the past year.
Average UK Rental Prices Continue to Rise Across All Regions
The continued rise in rental prices comes at a time when there has been a record increase in mortgage interest rates.
Entering a New Age of Urban Workspaces
Working patterns were changing before we had ever heard of Covid-19. Flexible workspaces were already on the rise, while more and more employers were embracing flexible working to attract and retain the best talent. But the pandemic undoubtedly kicked this trend into overdrive.
Improved UK Housing Affordability Offers Hope for Young Buyers
The UK housing market has witnessed an improvement in affordability for young buyers due to rising wages, partially leading to a decrease in property prices.
Why We Need A Reasoned Approach to Green Belt Release
As a result of changes in approaches to development today, new communities have the potential to be attractive, primarily ‘green’ spaces which significantly boost both the aesthetic and biodiverse qualities of the land.
The Political Game Around Homeownership
As we hit summer next year, expect electoral promises around increasing housing supply and reintroducing schemes designed to kick start the housing market by enabling first time buyers access to the market, in return for your vote.
Halifax House Price Index: Housing Market Displays Resilience
Average UK house prices edged down slightly in July, with the monthly fall of -0.3% equivalent to a drop of around £1,000 in cash terms.
The UK Property Sector is Undergoing a Technological Revolution
For many years, the UK has had one of the strongest property market data infrastructures which has been a key element in the UK being recognised as one of the leading global property markets.
Renters Reform Bill Delayed Until Autumn
While the Bill has not returned to the Commons for a second reading, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has seized the opportunity to question Housing Minister Rachel Maclean and her team from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) on the details of the Bill.
Property Prices & Market Expectations Less Negative in May than Previous Months
The Royal Institutions for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have expressed a more positive outlook for house prices, despite rising interest rates that are expected to impact buyers’ affordability. RICS’s reported that new buyer inquiries, prices, and expectations for the market were all less negative in May compared to previous months.
The Specialist Lending Sector is on An Upward Trend: Here’s Why
The UK’s property market and the lending landscape have undergone an exceptionally turbulent period. Inflation has remained in double figures, while the Bank of England has embarked on a rate hiking cycle that has culminated in a rapid rise in interest and mortgage rates. Consequently, during the fourth quarter of 2022, numerous lenders opted to temporarily halt or withdraw their products.
An Important Time for the Mortgage Rate Outlook
The Bank of England has raised interest rates 12 times since the end of 2021, a record run, as everybody is surely aware. Few expected this before it happened, either among forecasters, in the financial markets, and among mortgage borrowers.
The 100% Mortgage for England’s 4.6m Renters
Tuesday (9th May) saw Britain’s fourth biggest mutual, Skipton Building Society, launch its 100 percent Track Record Mortgage to help the 4.6million households across England, who are privately renting, get onto the property ladder without a deposit.
Confidence is Up, But Higher Interest Rates Are Biting
This is an interesting spring for the housing market. For every negative indicator, there is usually a more positive one and, while conditions have clearly improved in comparison with the panic of last autumn, housing is still adjusting to the higher interest rate environment.
Tax Changes from April 2023: What Landlords Need to Know
Over the last couple of years, the Government has made several changes to how income and profits are taxed. Here’s a round-up of what you need to know for this year as a landlord and property investor.
First-Time Buyers: What Schemes Are Available to Help People Pave the Way to Home Ownership?
So, how can first-time buyers in England navigate the journey of buying a house and take steps to try to mitigate any negative financial impact of the process?
UK Investor Confidence Remains High as Majority Expect to See a Return Over the New Financial Year
A survey of UK investors commissioned by peer to peer real estate investment platform, easyMoney, has found that 80% have confidence that their portfolio will bring a return over the new financial year.
Recent Hangover of Uncertainty Surrounding The UK’s Housing Market May Be Coming to A Close
Zoopla’s latest House Price Index has revealed that the recent hangover of uncertainty surrounding the UK’s housing market may be coming to a close.
"After our initial meeting with Browns, we were impressed by their unique approach, which diverges from the traditional estate agent. Hertfordshire’s answer to The Modern House, setting the standard for the future of local estate agency!"
– Grant Forsyth, Local Seller
"Absolute delight to work with. To be honest, having worked with a few estate agents in the past, Browns put them all to shame. Browns were friendly, engaging and passionate, they also have a relatively unique proposition that marks them apart from every other estate agent I spoke with."
– Christopher Springall, Local Seller
"Transparency and honesty are at the forefront of their work ethic, and I would highly recommend Browns to any prospective seller or buyer."
– David Lazarus, Local Seller
"After viewing a property with Browns I thought it was refreshing to meet a very different kind of estate agent, we then went on to list our property with them and from start to finish, Browns have been amazing! Knowledgeable, professional and a new wave of estate agent which others should strive to be more like!"
– Emily Darlington, Local Seller
"Personable, knowledgeable and always willing to discuss the sale of my property and the market. After having a few less than satisfactory experiences working with other estate agents, Browns have completely changed my opinion on what estate agency is."
– Franki Alpert, Local Seller
"To say the experience with Browns was brilliant is an understatement, it was the best decision we made to go with them. It's so far removed from the traditional way estate agents work and better in every way. "
– Maiko Skorupski, Local Seller