Herald - Issue 421

v SPEAK TO THE EXPERTS FOR THE BEST ADVICE v 31st March 2022 • The HERALD • Page 63 7 & 9 THE MARSH, HYTHE, SOUTHAMPTON SO45 6AJ Ed Martin joins Pearsons in Hythe Ed has spent many years in the property industry. Coming from a land and new homes background and moving into lettings during the 2008 property crash. Ed is available to all landlords in the Waterside and New Forest areas with properties to rent. He offers competitive rates for fully managed, rent collection and tenant finder services. Currently Ed works Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays focusing on his marine and property photography business on his days off. A keen musician playing locally for years, Ed is always keen to chat to anyone about property and the potential to do business. Performing at a gig, in the Hythe Pearsons office or whilst he’s behind the camera, feel free to say hello. His door is always open.… Excuse the pun …  Contact Ed at hythelettings@pearsons.com or call him on 023 8084 4131 v ON THE HOME FRONT v PROPERTY SALES 2022: WHY HOMEOWNERS SHOULD SELL UP SOONER RATHER THAN LATER 2022 is shaping up to be the perfect year for UK homeowners to cash in. It’s a golden era to be a property owner in Britain. Average house prices rose to £271,000 in 2021 and then again to £276,000 in January 2022 - with sale pro ts shooting up right alongside them. Homeowners who sold last year cashed in £95,000 pro t on average - an increase of 14% compared to those who put their property on the market in 2020. With prices continuing to rise alongside in ation, all the trends are pointing in the right direction for homeowners. Data shows numbers improving year on year, meaning many are tempted to keep hold of their assets to rake in even bigger pro ts in 2023. However, some experts are saying that this year will be the best time to sell. e sharp rise in property prices is beginning to taper o and there is a real possibility the increased cost of living may detract potential movers in the coming months. Terry Fisher, CMO, WebuyAnyHomeExperts.com says: “Whilst house prices are higher than before, the monthly rise is showing significant signs of slowing down. A recent study by Halifax showed that the monthly rate of increase has now slowed to just 0.3%. Along with the forecast that two more interest rates will hit those looking for a mortgage, there is a chance we have reached, or are reaching the peak for seeing a significant return on your property.” How to Speed up Exchange & Completion e key to moving the transaction along quickly is for everyone to respond to requests for information or action right away. ere should be good communication between the buyer, their legal representative and their mortgage broker; similarly, the seller should converse with their conveyancer and estate agent to ensure things are moving along without problems. e Estate Agent should communicate with all parties, checking in regularly to progress the sale. It’s also helpful if you can agree exchange and completion dates to aim for right from the start, to give everyone a timescale to aim for. Help Needed in Search of Family History by Anne Green My Grandad Ernest William England is pictured here on the far le with several other soldiers at the time of the First World War. I am not sure but think the two older people may be my great-grandparents and the young lady my grandad’s sister. However, the young men pictured do not seem to match up to any of my grandad’s brothers. I would be so grateful if anyone recognising someone albeit their grandparent or great-grandparent would contact me via email: anngreen92@hotmail.com, or by post at: 92 Players Crescent, Totton SO40 9BD or telephone: 023 8086 3356. Romsey Young Carers e 16th March marked Young Carers Action Day. A nationwide day of awareness and action for young carers every year. Yet, have you ever heard the term young carer? In the last census, 166,000 young carers were recorded. However it is predicted there could be upto 800, 000 young carers in England alone. at means there are thousands of young people “who provide regular and ongoing care and emotional support to a family member who has a long-term illness, disability or addiction to drugs and/or alcohol”. ey are the forgotten heroes. Unpaid carers who sacri ce their childhood to care for a family member. e impact of being a young carer is profound, as children as young as 5 take on practical and emotional caring that most of us only take on as adults. Many will be isolated, struggle to do their homework, focus in school, socialise with friends and many will develop mental health issues. However there are young carers projects across Hampshire to give young carers support. Romsey Young Carers is a registered charity operating in Romsey and Southern Test Valley. ey take a whole family approach to supporting young carers, doing work in schools and meeting the family. “Its important to know you can talk when you need to… but not feeling you have to. I don’t like to upset mum by keep asking questions and she is with my sister in hospital mostly. Sometimes it makes me mad that my mum is always with her and then I feel bad for feeling like that.” Carer, aged 11 whose sister has life limiting disease. ey support their young carers by running four social clubs fortnightly across three age groups. At clubs, they follow exploration themes to help their young carers feel more con dent in themselves and explore their identity. ey also have lots of fun games and activities on o er! It is vital for young carers to meet other children in similar situations to reduce isolation and have much needed respite from their caring role. As well as clubs, each age group will get a trip or activity in the holidays. ese can range from dance or music workshops, cooking sessions, pamper days and their family summer picnic and Christmas party. Trips out are something many young carers will miss out on due to their family situations, so are vital to give young carers some child-hood back. “My mum became very ill when I was in year six. This all happened very suddenly. Over the past four years we have helped her gain back her confidence but she still has her off days. This affected me as I couldn’t express my feelings to anyone at home as I wouldn’t like to see her get upset. When I started to go to Romsey Young Carers I could share with others who knew what I was going through. Young carers have offered me certain activities which I wouldn’t be able to do with my family.” As a small charity they have to fundraise continually to keep the project going. ey rely heavily on volunteers who help with transport, at clubs and outings as well as befriend some of their most vulnerable young carers who need some time on their own away from their family situation. If you are a local organisation who think you could help, or are interested in volunteering with them, please contact them on: 01794 515908 or via email: admin@ romseyoungcarers.org.uk For more information visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ romseyyoungcarers or website: www. romseyyoungcarers.org.uk Can you volunteer to help Romsey Young Carers? Do you recognise any of these people?