What can British homeowners do to recession-proof their life? - The Times, 15/04/2025

The Times, 15/04/2025

What can British homeowners do to recession-proof their life?

Quoting Sara Ransom of Stacks Property Finders

Sara Ransom, a buying agent from Stacks Property Search, has seen more of her London clients taking in lodgers recently. “You’re talking about people in the £800,000 to £2 million price bracket,” she says. “They’re stretching to buy a bigger house now, rather than in five years’ time, to save on paying stamp duty and moving costs twice. They need to earn a bit to ease the mortgage and running costs.

“Quite often it’s younger families with one or two babies; they will rent the room in the loft to a student.”

Ransom recommends buying houses with a lower-ground floor and separate entrance, loft conversions or a studio at the end of the garden.

She says students are ideal. “They don’t pay top dollar, but they’re away in the holidays so they’re not a permanent fixture. New graduate lawyers, bankers and traders are also good – they’re working all hours, so they’re not around much and they’re not going to be party mad: they’ve got to get up at the crack of dawn.”

If lodgers don’t have their own kitchen, Ransom suggests giving them set hours to use yours, when the family isn’t dining.

Read the full story here

Start your property search today

Call us on +44 (0) 1594 842880 or complete the form below

How we can help you

View our property finder services

When making probably the most important financial decision of your life, it pays to have the right advisors at your side.

Property Finder Service

We search high and low, on the market and off the market, and we keep hunting until we’ve found the right property for you. Next we negotiate the best price and terms on your behalf. And then we make sure you enjoy a hassle-free move.

Downsizing or Resizing

Retirement or semi-retirement is an exciting stage in life. Finding the right home to live in and enjoy it to the full is important. We know that and will do all that we can to understand what you’re looking for… before starting to search. And search we will, until we find the house of your dreams.

Moving from Abroad

Relocating is time consuming and stressful. We regularly work with clients who live abroad. We hunt, short-list, prepare your viewings, and make the search process as easy as possible. We oversee the negotiations, manage the conveyancing, and deal with the headaches, so you can concentrate on other aspects of your move.

Holiday Home Hunt

A holiday home is often an interesting mix of investment and heartfelt connection. You want to use it, but you may well also be keen for others to use it too. We can advise you on what factors to consider in making your decision. And we can then find the perfect holiday home for you to enjoy.

Investing in UK Property

Others say, ‘location, location, location’. We say, ‘location, purpose, price, capital growth, rental returns’… the list goes on. Knowing the market is critical. Local knowledge is key. We ensure all aspects of your investment decision are addressed. Finding, analysing, negotiating, and completing… it’s what we do.

“You showed fantastic attention to detail, anticipated all eventualities, and provided timely and practical help and guidance every step of the way. Above all, you supported me in making my own considered decisions, and I am so grateful to you for all your help in getting me to where I am now!”

“We firmly believe that without Rachel and her skilled negotiation we would not have secured the property.”

“We felt they genuinely wanted to help.”

“Stacks’ performance on this assignment has been absolutely outstanding and more than met my expectations. Her understanding of the brief and the ‘after-find’ service set a standard of professionalism that I have not met before.”

“It is not often that one is pleased to part with money but I can truthfully say that I am on this occasion. You have earned every penny of this cheque and what is more, you have done it with great courtesy and good humour. It has been very pleasant working with you. You really did take most of the stress out of our house hunting.”

“Encouraging me to think creatively about what could work for me.”

“Finding a plot not yet on the market and persuading the developer to enter into an exclusive contract with me to build to my specification.“

“I was impressed by the efficient, kind and courteous service provided by Stacks”

“Stacks were a tremendous help and we would never have found our home without them. She is a lovely person with a great sense of humour which was essential during some of our tricky negotiations“

“You gave a much-valued ‘younger’ perspective on our situation, which was a real asset”

“We found the service extremely helpful and professional at all times”

“I have been delighted with the service I have received from Stacks and will not hesitate to recommend Stacks in the future.”

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive updates about the world of property, straight to your inbox.