The Storage industry has grown dramatically over the last twenty years. New self storage warehouses have been sprouting up in every urban neighbourhood, offering a complex array of promotional offers and variable tariffs. This makes it challenging for the consumer to decide which company and which product best suits their needs.

It invariably boils down to everyone’s individual needs and having enough choices available to line the two together. That’s why one-size-fits-all won’t match everyone’s requirements, and something will inevitably have to give. At Aussie Man & Van, we’re conscious of this and strive to be flexible wherever is necessary. In this blog, we’ll look at household storage in more detail.

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There’s no denying it; moving house is a big event.  With so much to do, it can very quickly start to feel overwhelming.  The best way to cope with an imminent move is to break down the jobs that need doing into smaller chunks. That way, they can be easily managed, and you can avoid becoming overly stressed. What’s more, you’ll know how to regain focus by creating a plan for your entire relocation.

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Following last months announcements that buyer enquiries had risen in January, 19% of surveyors confirmed that house prices have also risen, up from 11% in December.

It’s also the first time since July 2018 that more RICS members have reported a rise than a fall in house prices. There is also optimism amongst the members that this trend will continue through 2020.

As a final boost to the housing market the number of mortgage approvals is also rising with December seeing 1,500 more approvals than in November. It appears the political certainty has been of great benefit to the housing market and this could be a good time to buy and sell.

If you are looking at moving, IRIS removals offers a complete professional service. Contact us for a quote.

Knight Frank, the estate agency, is reporting a steep rise in the number of buyers registering in the early part of January. The number of buyers registering an interest in the second week of January rose by 92% compared to the same week last year.

It appears to be a post election boost with Rightmove also reporting house prices have risen by 2.3% since the election. It’s another positive sign regarding buyers willingness to transact whilst supply still remains relatively low. 

Supply increases in spring but if you’re thinking of selling this year, it is worth looking at your options now.

Should you find the right property and need a professional removal service IRIS removals would be happy to offer you a quote.

IRIS Removals is heading to the top of the league as sponsors of Oxford Leys FC. Currently in Division One of the Oxford City Football League, they are unbeaten in the first 7 games of the season and very much have their sights set on the top spot!

Manager, Jacob Earl said “We are a local men’s team based in Blackbird Leys, playing in the Oxford City Football league, proudly sponsored by Iris Removals. We have been running for about 5 years, now in our second season of Saturday football. We are doing very well, and are currently unbeaten. Next season we will be looking to be promoted, and join the Oxford Senior League.”

Having previously announced our sponsorship of the grassroots U12s team in Bloxham, the team at IRIS Removals are delighted to spread our support across Oxfordshire and into the adult football scene.

In an attempt to improve the number of home owners, particularly among young people, the government have announced a change to the shared ownership scheme. Under the previous system people could buy a proportion of their home, which can be as little as 25%, and then pay a subsidised rent on the rest.

10% portions of the home could then be purchased, allowing for more of the home to be owned. Under the new plans 1% increments will be considered, making it easier to buy more of the home.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said, “Building the houses this country needs is a central priority of this government. We know that most people still want to own their own home, but for many the dream seems a remote one. My mission is to increase the number of homes that are being delivered and to get more young people and families onto the housing ladder, particularly those on lower incomes.

Help to Buy, the cut to Stamp Duty and our home-building programmes are already making a real difference, but I am clear we need to go much further if we are to make the housing market work.”

This is good news for Oxfordshire with new housing popping up across the county from Banbury and Bicester to Abingdon and Watlington, it will hopefully provide greater opportunities for Oxfordshire residents.

ISLIP VILLAGERS AIM TO FIND 300 CYCLISTS TO JOIN THEIR ‘BIG BIKE RIDE’

The 2019 Westminster to Islip bike ride is once again being sponsored by IRIS Removals.

 “Absolutely delighted to be involved with sponsoring and indeed the logistics of collecting all the bicycles for delivery down to Westminster Abbey. This is our third time of being involved and it certainly has got bigger and better every time in terms of the number of participants. It’s a really joyful and wonderful event so do get involved. We promised to look after your bicycle too!” – Graham Smalley Managing Partner

More information about the ride itself can be found below:

A team of villagers from Islip, Oxon are inviting cyclists young and old to join in a day of cycling on Sunday 7 May 2017.  The event which is being held for the third time offers cyclists a fun day out and the opportunity to raise money for a charity.  Three rides have been organised to suit everyone from tiny peddlers to keen cyclists.  All entrance fees will split between two village organisations (Friends of Dr South’s School and St Nicholas Church) and riders are encouraged to seek sponsorship in aid of a charity of their own choice.  The target is 300 cyclists and to raise £10,000.  The ‘Big Bike Ride’ has been kindly supported by Breckon & Breckon estate agents and Isis Removals & Storage both based in Oxford.

 The Big Bike Ride is approximately 65 miles from Westminster Abbey to Islip and will symbolically link Islip, the birthplace of Edward the Confessor with the Abbey he founded.  The proposed route will take in sights such as Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, follow the Grand Union Canal, then travel through the Chilterns via Great Missenden and Princes Risborough before reaching Thame and finally Islip.  The Reverend Professor Vernon White, Canon of Westminster will set the riders off at 9am with a blessing in The Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey.

The two other rides are Nearly There which is approximately 18 miles from Thame Market Square to Islip and Tykes and Trikes which is a very short ride in the village for children and includes a ‘decorate a bike’ competition.

The Big Bike Ride organisers are inviting local small charities or community organisations who might not have the resources to organise an event of this size themselves to put forward a team.  These teams will then each raise sponsorship funds for their own cause.  Individual riders can also seek sponsorship for a good cause of their own choosing.  Charity groups who have already signed up include Oxfordshire based Bookfeast who run book clubs for primary schools & elderly people promoting literacy.

This month, IRIS Removals were proud to support the Islip Big Bike Ride – and what a day it was! With over 200 riders raising over £10,000 for the Islip village church and school, our Big Bike Ride cyclists rode from the heart of London at Westminster Abbey all the way to Islip.

There were lots of smiles and happy, hard-working faces – our team included! – alongside the event volunteers, who all did an incredible job of running the sportive,  and the riders had a great time by the looks of things too!
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Effective packing is the first step towards effortless moving. To do this, you need to plan your packing in such a way that loading and unloading procedures are simple. For this you need a worksheet in which you can list out the things to pack, and any packing materials and packing tapes you may need to use. Make three columns in your worksheet with the three headings. A sample worksheet could look like the one shown here. Read more…

Moving home in the warmer months certainly has its advantages, not least the lack of school commitments or bad weather to pile on additional unwelcome hassle and stress. That said, there are certain disadvantages too, such as the higher prices that removal companies often charge at this time of year.

So, how can you ensure that such an important and sensitive operation as a house move goes well for you and your family during the summer months? Read more…