Many changes have occurred in the conveyancing sector during recent years with the industry having encountered great uncertainty. Data from last year shows the continuing political uncertainty, for example over the impact of Brexit, has had a significant impact on house buying. 2020 looks to be the most challenging period ever encountered by the sector, with the Coronavirus having an unprecedented impact on all areas of the economy.

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How was 2019 for conveyancers?

According to the UK Finance Mortgage Trends data for November 2019, 2019 was a challenging period for the property industry, including conveyancers. For the month of November 2019 there were almost 11 percent fewer mortgages for first time home purchasers completed than for the same period in 2018. Total mortgages for those moving home were also down by approximately the same amount, making it a difficult time for the industry.

2019 saw a huge deal of political uncertainty regarding the issue of Brexit and how this would impact on the economy as a whole, and on a micro level on individual buyers’ confidence in their incomes and jobs. It is likely that this uncertainty saw some potential home buyers and movers delaying the big financial decision of moving or buying their first home. It was hoped that the general election held in December 2019 and the certainty of Brexit occurring in January 2020 would ensure a bounce for the industry.

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What does the future hold in 2020?

With the UK general election held at the end of 2019 returning a majority government and Brexit occurring at the end of January 2020, the year began with less political uncertainty. The Conservatives now have a five year parliamentary term, removing the uncertainty that had plagued government. Although the continued impact of Brexit was an unknown factor, the property industry hoped to see confidence returning at the beginning of the year, anticipating that people would begin to make decisions that they had previously delayed due to the uncertainty.

According to the RICS housing survey published at the end of 2019, the outlook for transaction numbers in 2020 was however forecast to be static, despite the greater political certainty. The same survey predicted that house prices would rise this year but by only a small amount, no more than 2% year on year. It appears therefore that the traditional post election bounce is unlikely to have any great impact in 2020, although the RICS did hope that confidence would begin to return slowly to the housing market.

Low stock levels of properties on the market, static transaction levels and continuing lack of confidence by buyers were likely to translate into an uncertain and difficult time for those in the property industry. For those considering a move who do not have any urgent need to proceed, for example, a job relocation, the decision may well have been to stay put for the time being. Any conveyancer was therefore likely to find the market for their services challenging in 2020.

Traditionally, the spring period is one of the busiest in the property market, with conveyancers and surveyors finding themselves busy and house price growth strong. However, the position in 2020 is unprecedented. The outbreak of Coronavirus has affected the UK property market, firstly with buyers and sellers reluctant to commit to transactions and then the sector effectively being shut down for all but the most urgent existing transactions where contracts had already been exchanged.

When the government’s lockdown provisions are eventually eased and the industry is freed to work again confidence is likely to remain low. With buyers less confident about their purchases and banks likely to be more stringent with lending requirements, some in the industry may find greater demand for their services. Buyers are more likely to instruct a building surveyor to carry out a more detailed survey to ensure their money is being well spent. For further details about how a full RICS building survey from a building surveyor can assist an anxious buyer, please see for example building surveyor.

It is possible that once the government’s lockdown provisions are eased and the outbreak has peaked, those who have delayed house purchase decisions will look to return to the market. However, in many cases this will be dependent on their jobs still being available and normality returning to the mortgage market, making this a very uncertain year for conveyancers and others in the industry.

When the winter comes, concerns over rising fuel bills can take the edge of your festive spirit. Instead of following people around turning off lights, turning the heating off and wearing multiple layers, try some smart energy saving ideas and relax in the knowledge that you can live comfortably and save some money too.

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Many people do not fully understand how their central heating system functions. Read the manual and take some time to learn the optimum operating actions for your type of system. You can then use the controls correctly and heat your home in the most cost-effective way. For details on Boiler Servicing Cheltenham, visit a site like HPR Services, a leading Boiler Servicing Cheltenham company.

Turning your thermostat down by just one degree can save around £ 75 a year and you really will not see much difference in terms of temperature. Give it a try, you’ll be surprised!

Using a hot water bottle in bed at night is much cheaper than running an electric blanket. Under a blanket, your body will make itself warm and that heat combined with a thicker blanket should make it nice and toasty.

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Pulling furniture away from radiators is another easy tip for increasing the efficiency of your heating. If you have a settee sitting against a radiator, the furniture will be absorbing all the heat and stopping it from escaping into the room.

It is also advised to avoid hanging wet laundry in your radiator as this lowers the amount of heat that is released into the room so the boiler must run longer and work harder to maintain the same room temperature.

If you’ve never heard of the brise soleil system, then you are not alone. This is the name given to vertical or horizontal slats mounted to the exterior of a building to control the amount of solar heat and light entering into the structure. For more information on Brise Soleil, visit a site like https://alusystems.uk/

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What is the problem?

Modern buildings, which were constructed as workplaces or school contain large areas of glass to provide as much natural daylight as possible. It achieves maximum light and creates an open, spacious feel. The idea is to provide a pleasant environment focused on the welfare of the occupants.

One problem arising from this architectural style is how to control the temperature of the interior of the building which is largely glazed. Solar heat gained from the glass is mostly beneficial at certain times of day, especially during autumn and winter. However, it quickly becomes too much during the hottest time of the day and can cause problems with overheating, akin to trying to work in a greenhouse! Elevation also affects the amount of natural solar gain, with higher floors feeling the heat more than others.

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Problem solved

A useful method to control or reduce solar gain for greater comfort is to install a brise soleil. This structure is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional, because it scatters light. Combined with internal blinds for solar shading, the temperature is controlled more effectively. Brise soleil is French and means “sun breaker ‘. Slats or blades project out of the building, usually horizontally, to reduce heat and glare.

When most people think about drinking gin, they think about tonic. This is because gin is best known for being paired with tonic – but did you know that you can also mix gin with lots of other mixers?

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If you love gin and you want to try out some new mixers, we are here to help. Whether you enjoy the drink sat in your garden or served at Portable Bars as a part of a big celebration you have planned, it is always a big hit. Here are six alternative mixers for gin.

Soda

Soda may seem like a plain choice for gin, but if you add a few slices of lime (or lemon!) the drink will taste refreshing and delicious. It is also a low calorie option, which is ideal for people who want to lose weight!

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Bitter lemon juice

Bitter lemon juice pairs very well with gin. And don’t be put off by the name – in reality the drink isn’t too bitter; it has a delicious sweet kick.

Elderflower juice

Fizzy elderflower juice is also great with gin. You can buy this drink pre-made from most supermarkets, or you can make it yourself with fizzy water and elderflower cordial.

Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice doesn’t just work well with vodka; it can also be paired with gin. This creates a sweet, tasty drink – and cranberry juice also comes with lots of health benefits, so this is a fairly healthy alcoholic drink!

Ginger beer

Ginger beer is most commonly paired with a little lime and some whiskey, but it also works well with gin. This is because it adds some spice and sweetness to the gin, which is very delicious – just don’t forget to add a wedge of lime!

Cola

Coke and gin is popular in some areas, but admittedly this drink isn’t suited to everyone. However, it is perfect for people who can’t get enough cola!

Tomato juice

Tomato juice is commonly used in Bloody Marys, but you can also pair it with gin to make a Red Snapper. Sure, this drink isn’t as popular as the Bloody Mary, but it tastes great (and it is just as good for curing a hangover).

So if you love gin, consider trying out one of these options for a refreshing, tasty gin drink that will hit the spot.

The world’s first courier service is believed to have been formed in Egypt, four and a half thousand years ago.

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Since then, the industry has become a worldwide phenomenon, despite recent competition from the digital world. But according to Ibis World, although traditional postal mail delivery has declined in recent years, the market remains buoyant for specialist delivery services.

Delivering packages might appear to be a straightforward proposition, but as the following four stories indicate, life is not always as simple as we might wish it to be.

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1 Parcel up your children

On learning, way back in 1913, that the US postal service was now allowing large packages to be transported through its mail delivery service, one enterprising couple decided to entrust their most precious package of all to its care. Bundling up their eight-month-old son, they shipped him to his grandparents, trusting in the speed and safety of the national mail delivery system.

Their son arrived safely at his destination, and having spent just 15 cents on this unusual infant transportation system, the couple were quick to sing the system’s praises, leading to other parents quickly following suit. The US postal service, realising that this was not what the system had been designed for, quickly passed an amendment making it illegal to transport children via the national mail network. Now that’s not something that you would see on used pallet racking Ireland way sitting in a warehouse ready for picking!

2 Special delivery – straight to the kitchen!

Imagine the surprise experienced by one Dorset resident, when his brand new microwave was delivered right into his kitchen, thanks to the courier’s driving error. He’d intended to stop outside the house, and make the delivery in the more normal manner, but something, somewhere went wrong, and the entire van made its way into the kitchen too.

3 Bear lurking by front door

No one would condemn the Canadian delivery driver who found himself unable, or at least unwilling, to deliver a package. Well, finding a bear at the door would be reason enough to leave any parcel delivery for another day.

4 Trapped by a package

Spare a thought for the elderly couple who found themselves trapped when their delivery driver positioned their parcel in such a way that they were unable to open their own front door. Hard lessons were learned that day!

Natural light is essential, which is why we should be seeking ways to increase these levels of natural light as much as possible in our homes, as well as our workplaces. So, why is it so essential? Here are just some of the many wellness benefits:

It reduces levels of bad bacteria produced in the home and acts as a natural disinfectant.

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Increases levels of good vitamins B and D

Has recognised healing properties

Natural light helps skin healthy

UV rays in moderation are a natural antiseptic

Sunlight helps with digestion and acts as an appetite stimulator

Improves the function of the circulatory system

Increases the production of red blood cells and increases the number of white blood cells

Boosts the immune system

Increases the release of feel-good hormones such as endorphins and serotonin

Getting more natural light during the day helps people sleep better at night

Balances the body’s hormones

Provides a natural energy boost

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An effective way to increase natural light in the home is to install state-of-the-art, energy-efficient doors and windows. A great choice are Aluminium Bifold Doors. If you are looking for an aluminium bifold door click here

Sustainability – The use of natural light is free and requires no burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. This is a major benefit for the environment. By taking steps to increase the light in our homes, we can be happier, healthier and promote a more sustainable existence. One way to do this is by installing state-of-the-art, energy-efficient doors and windows.

As we have seen from the current world situation, a crisis scenario can be upon us very quickly. During the 1980s, at the height of the cold war, nuclear bunkers were commonplace across Britain. From the large, regional Government Headquarters such as Turnstile and Hack Green, to the smaller bunkers of the Royal Observer Corps. All of these had their place if the worst were to happen.

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As the cold war came to a close most of these fell into disrepair, and became abandoned and neglected (if you do want to go and see one that has been restored into all of it’s fascinating former glory, then visit Hack Green in Nantwich). But with the rise of nuclear brinkmanship and dangerous threats between the United States, Iran, Russia and North Korea in recent years, not to mention the current global pandemic, it is easy to see why preparing for doomsday is once again in the spotlight.

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When it comes to a bunker of your own, you may have limited resources. But you actually don’t need a great deal to make a small bunker. A garage is a great place to start – if you get it well secured it, with decent security and new doors from a company such as this Essex garage doors company, it will serve as a good store for bunker supplies that you may need to move down there and also you could build your bunker under the garage – away from prying eyes!

A basic bunker can be built by digging at least 3 feet underground – that way you are protected from radiation. Line the bunker with concrete and get a built-in air filtration system and that is your basic bunker.