Jan Forster

Jan Forster We are market-leading property experts with an enviable reputation for achieving results.

Jan Forster is firmly established as a market-leading independent Estate Agent in the North East with branches in prime locations throughout the region. We offer a personal and professional approach to buying, selling, letting and renting property along with a proven track record of achieving results. Jan Forster are members of The Ombudsman for Estate Agents, The UK Association of Letting Agents

and The Guild of Professional Estate Agents in our Gosforth, High Heaton & Forest Hall offices, assuring our clients of quality of service and peace of mind. To find out more about the full range of services we offer, visit www.janforsterestates.com or contact your local branch and speak to one of our friendly advisors.

01/06/2026

WHITLEY BAY | SEMI-DETACHED | £210,000 🧡

This spacious three-bedroom, semi-detached home is situated close to the ever-desirable High Street, and benefits from a wide range of handy local amenities and transport links in the area. Offering generous living accommodation throughout, the property is perfectly suited to families, first-time buyers and those looking for a well-connected coastal location. 🏡

See Full Listing: https://tinyurl.com/ZetlandDrive

Interested? Schedule your viewing today 📲 0191 236 2070

Today we’re saying a heartfelt “see you soon” to Lucy as she heads off on maternity leave. From all of us here, we want ...
29/05/2026

Today we’re saying a heartfelt “see you soon” to Lucy as she heads off on maternity leave.

From all of us here, we want to wish you the very best as you begin this exciting new chapter. 🧡

We’ll miss you around the office, but we couldn’t be happier for you and your growing family. Wishing you lots of love, happiness, and special memories ahead. We can’t wait to meet the newest addition. 🥰

Take care and enjoy every moment! 🎉

29/05/2026

| DETACHED | £395,000 🧡

This impressive five-bedroom detached home offers a superb blend of space, style, and practicality for the growing family. Occupying a prime position with a sunny rear aspect overlooking a future nature reserve, the property is also offered with the added benefit of no onward chain, ensuring a smooth and straightforward purchase. 🏡

See Full Listing: https://tinyurl.com/ComfreyDrive

Interested? Don’t miss out! Arrange your viewing today 📞 0191 236 2070

🏡 Why Rent-setting is More Important Than Ever for Landlords 🏡Rent setting has always been a critical component of any s...
29/05/2026

🏡 Why Rent-setting is More Important Than Ever for Landlords 🏡

Rent setting has always been a critical component of any successful buy-to-let.

Finding the sweet spot between charging enough rent to cover costs and make a return without alienating prospective tenants with high prices is fundamental.

And now, thanks to the Renters’ Rights Act, the rent-setting stakes have been raised even higher.

Under the new laws that came into force on May 1, landlords are banned from engaging in bidding wars or accepting rents above the advertised asking price.

Renters’ Rights also adds a layer of complexity to increasing the rent, should you decide later that it’s necessary to charge more.

Now rents can only be increased once a year, and you must provide at least two months’ notice.

Tenants can also challenge your decision via the First-tier Tribunal if they think the increase is above market rate.

So how can you ensure you set the rent at a level that is compliant, competitive and good for your property business?

Here are some useful tips to help you nail all three of these challenges.

🧠 Market knowledge

Landlords need to understand the local rental landscape. (Remember, if a tenant challenges you on a rent increase, you’ll need to demonstrate you understand the market rate.)

Do your research and consider how your rental compares to similar properties in terms of size, décor and location. It’s also wise to speak to a good letting agent who will have a detailed understanding of what other landlords in the area are charging.

🏜️ Fixtures and décor

The standard of finish at your rental property will strongly influence how much you can charge. Tenants will pay a premium for modern kitchens and bathrooms. A well-maintained, landscaped garden or courtyard will also be a major drawcard.

📍 Proximity to transport and amenities

Accessibility is a key issue, so factor in proximity to transport links, such as train stations, bus stops and major road networks, when evaluating how much rent to charge.

Nearness to amenities such as parks, restaurants, cafes and areas of outstanding natural beauty can also be important.

💰 Cost of living

Don’t forget to consider also the broader economic context.

You need to balance your costs (which have likely risen in recent months) with tenant affordability (you don’t want to price yourself out of the market and end up with an empty property).

If you’d like to discuss rent-setting or get an update on the local property market, give us a call today. 📞

🏡 Jan Forster Estates
📞 0191 236 2070.

28/05/2026

👀 Giveaway time- winner revealed! 👀

A huge congratulations to Edmund R. for winning our recent giveaway. 🥳🎉

You’ve bagged yourself a beautiful 🧺 picnic set along with a complimentary Listing Glow Up Package worth £195 from Jojo House Styling and Staging 🥰

Thank you to everyone who entered and showed their support- keep an eye out for more exciting giveaways. 😍

28/05/2026

🧡 COMING SOON 🧡

| SEMI-DETACHED | £160,000

This well-presented, two-bedroom, semi-detached home offers an excellent opportunity for a wide range of buyers, from first-time purchasers to those looking to downsize. Ideally positioned, the property benefits from easy access to a variety of local amenities, nearby green spaces, and convenient transport links, making it perfectly suited for modern living. It is offered with the benefit of no upper chain, ensuring a smooth and straightforward purchase. 🏡

To register your interest today, please get in touch with our team on 📲 0191 236 2070

📆 Is Now a Good Time to Sell a Property? 📆Selling a home is a huge undertaking, one that most of us do only once or twic...
28/05/2026

📆 Is Now a Good Time to Sell a Property? 📆

Selling a home is a huge undertaking, one that most of us do only once or twice in our lives.

So it's natural to want to get the timing just right to maximise your chances of achieving a successful sale.

But with so much to consider, from your personal and professional needs through to broader market trends, it can be difficult to know what 'the right time' really means.

If you're currently weighing up whether to list your home for sale, and perhaps feel a bit uncertain given all that's going on in the UK and further afield, here are a few useful questions to help you make up your mind.

📦 What is the impact of not moving?

Don't just consider the pros of moving. Also think about the impact staying put will have on your quality of life. If you're looking to relocate to reduce your commute, get your child into a good school or have more room for the family to run around, remaining in your current property could come at a personal cost.

📉 Should I wait until interest rates drop?

At the start of the year, many financial analysts predicted that several interest rate cuts could be on the cards throughout 2026. But a lot has changed since then (namely, the Iran conflict, which is putting pressure on inflation). If you're holding out for a rate drop, you could be waiting a long time. If anything, locking in a deal now could be a wise move, as some in the bond markets are predicting rate rises.

🏡 If it's a buyer's market, could I snap up a good deal?

If your moving plans involve selling up and then buying somewhere else, now could be a great time to make a move. There's no doubt that properties must be priced competitively and realistically in the current economic landscape, which is an important consideration for all sellers. But that also means when you come to buy (especially if you're upsizing), you'll feel the benefit of those competitive prices.

📅 If not now, when?

Only you can decide when it feels right to bring your property to the market.

But it's worth remembering the words of author and behavioural scientist James Clear: "Some people spend their entire lives waiting for the time to be right to make an improvement."

When you're ready to kickstart the next chapter in your life, please give us a call. We're here to help. 📞

🏡 Jan Forster Estates
📞 0191 236 2070.

🌟 Charming Semi-Detached House📍 Cornhill Avenue, , NE3💸 Guide Price £200,000🔶 Popular Area🔶 One Bathroom🔶 Three Bedroom...
27/05/2026

🌟 Charming Semi-Detached House

📍 Cornhill Avenue, , NE3
💸 Guide Price £200,000

🔶 Popular Area
🔶 One Bathroom
🔶 Three Bedrooms
🔶 Garage + Driveway
🔶 Handy Utility

➡️ This home benefits from NO upper chain ⬅️

See Full Listing 🥰 https://tinyurl.com/CornhillAvenue

We’d love to show you around! To arrange your viewing, please call our property experts on ☎ 0191 236 2070

🏡 How Landlords Can Plan and Prepare for New EPC RulesWith ongoing uncertainty in global energy markets, energy prices r...
27/05/2026

🏡 How Landlords Can Plan and Prepare for New EPC Rules

With ongoing uncertainty in global energy markets, energy prices remain a major topic of discussion.

For landlords, there’s an additional reason to focus on heating costs and the energy efficiency of rental properties — upcoming changes to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations.

Although the proposed deadlines have been pushed back, it still makes sense to start planning ahead.

Here’s what landlords need to know.

📋 EPC changes explained

The government plans to overhaul the EPC system to improve how energy efficiency is measured.

For the private rental sector, this includes updates to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).

Earlier proposals suggested all newly rented properties would need an EPC rating of C by 2028. However, the deadline has since been extended.

Under the revised plans, all rental properties will need to achieve an EPC rating of C by October 2030, unless a valid exemption applies. Properties that fail to meet the standard may not be legally rented out.

The proposed spending cap for improvement works has also been reduced to £10,000, including qualifying improvements carried out from October 2025 onwards.

Alongside these changes, a new assessment system — known as the Home Energy Model (HEM) — is expected to be introduced in October 2029.

This updated methodology will assess properties based on:

• Energy costs
• Fabric performance (including insulation and windows)
• Heating systems
• Smart energy readiness

✅ What landlords should do next

First and foremost, don’t panic.

The key is to understand the proposed changes and take a measured, well-informed approach. Avoid rushing into expensive upgrades without fully understanding what improvements are likely to deliver the best results.

At the same time, it’s important not to ignore the issue altogether.

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy, and the best course of action will depend on your property’s current EPC rating and condition.

The National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA) has offered the following guidance.

📌 If your rental property already has an EPC rating of C…

You may not need to take immediate action. However, it could still be worth obtaining a new EPC before October 2029, as properties with a valid C rating issued before then are expected to remain compliant for 10 years.

📌 If your property is just below a C rating…

You may want to consider making targeted improvements now so the property can achieve a C rating shortly before the September 2029 deadline.

📌 If you’ve already carried out major improvements…

If your property has been upgraded since the last EPC assessment, it may be worth arranging a new EPC to see how close you already are to achieving a C rating.

You may find only minor additional improvements are required.

📌 If the property has solar panels or a heat pump…

It may be beneficial to wait until the new HEM assessment system is introduced in October 2029.

The updated methodology is expected to favour properties with renewable energy features such as solar panels and heat pumps.

📌 If the property will require substantial upgrades…

In some cases, it may make sense to wait until the HEM system is fully introduced so improvements can be planned more strategically and cost-effectively.

Careful planning could help ensure you invest in the upgrades that deliver the greatest impact.

If you’d like advice on EPC requirements or support navigating rental regulations, our team is here to help. Contact us today. 📞

🏡 Jan Forster Estates
📞 0191 236 2070.

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