So, you’ve found the home of your dreams…what next?  Well, one of the things we always get asked is what is the difference between a mortgage valuation and a survey? If you want to find out what lies beneath the surface of the property, a valuation alone just won’t cut it. And here is why. Many people wrongly assume that a mortgage valuation is the same as a survey and can often use the term...

Maintaining your property is one of the most important aspects of owning property, even more so in winter time.  The season’s infamous weather and decrease in temperatures means we must all take steps to make sure our homes are safe and warm this time of year. It’s a good idea to carry out a few quick jobs around your home and garden to prepare for the colder weather. There are many easy,...

CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY - WHAT IS IT? On Friday 14 December thousands of people up and down the UK will start their day by pulling on a Christmas jumper for a great cause – to help create a brighter future for children. Watson staff will be joining in at all of our offices/branches - it’s all about getting everyone together in your most Christmassy, silliest or trendy Christmas jumpers!!  By donating...

Our opening hours over the festive period are as follows: Monday 24 Dec - Closed Tuesday 25 Dec - Closed Wednesday 26 Dec - Closed Thursday 27 Dec - Open 9am to 5.30pm Friday 28 Dec - Open 9am to 5.30pm Saturday 29 Dec - Open 9am to 4pm Sunday 30 Dec - Closed Monday 31 Dec - Closed Tuesday 1 Jan - Closed Our offices will reopen as usual at 9am on Wednesday 2nd January 2019. For out of of hours...

There are further changes coming to the lettings industry in 2019. We thought it would be useful to provide a brief overview of a couple coming up – one that provides value to tenants, the other to landlords: Tenant Fees Bill The Tenant Fees Bill will set out the Government’s approach to banning letting fees paid by tenants in the private rented sector. This is currently going through legislative...

What would granny say?   With more people living longer and less bungalows being built, single storey homes are in demand. Nick Eley, from Watsons, discusses. Bungalows have been in Britain since the 19th century although the most amount were built between the two world wars. Some built in the 1930s were very basic in design but this has changed hugely with single storey homes now offering palatial...

More people search online for a new home over the Christmas period than any other time of the year – and looking at official figures supplied by Rightmove this month, we can expect more of the same again over this Christmas period and into 2019!! Over the last several years, there has been a steady increase in the number of active buyers looking for their new home online over the Christmas period, with...

Our talented team of Chartered Surveyors and Registered Valuers are all members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). We have individual surveyors based throughout the East of England, with surveyors in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, County Durham and Tyne & Wear. We've put the spotlight on Mark Fidgett, one of our Norfolk-based Chartered Surveyors who opens...

We buy with our eyes and nothing helps sells a house more than evocative photographs. But when a house is completely empty, how do you sell that all important concept, a lifestyle? Nick Eley, partner at Watsons, can help you.   There are all kinds of reasons why you may need to sell a property that is empty. It may be a new home, you may sometimes have to move out of a house before you sell it and you...

What do you need to know when buying a house near a river or on the Broads? Or do you have one to sell? Nick Eley, partner at Watsons, discusses the options and what you need to know before taking the plunge. There is nothing more tranquil than living close to a river or waterway. Imagine being thrilled when you spot say, an otter or a kingfisher, as well as enjoying an ever-changing view, like a...