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Our new and improved website is now live!

We have had a busy few months at Urban Union with the latest release of properties at Pollokshaws Living which sold out in just one weekend, along with upcoming release at Pennywell Living.

Alongside our ongoing developments and property releases, we are delighted to launch our brand-new website that not only looks as vibrant as our communities but provides even more ways to view and enquire about properties for sale. Our new website enables the user to find out more about the areas, communities, and the property market in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Updates to our website

You are probably aware that in our rapidly changing digital world, websites need a refresh from time to time to enhance the user experience so that people can find what they need quickly and easily.

If you take time to explore our new website you will find that we have updated the development pages, allowing you to see, at a glance, which units are available, coming soon or sold. We also have the facility for you to register your interest in specific upcoming developments and releases, and to view area guides for the areas that we are currently regenerating.

In addition, our News section has a range of useful information including interiors advice, mortgage, finance and housing market information, details on our community benefits and case studies on previous happy buyers.

One of the big changes we have made is to include virtual tours of our property types so you can really get a feel for what it’s like to live in an Urban Union home. We have also added a ‘What’s Available Now’ button so you can see what’s available at the touch of just one button.

Finally, once you’re ready to take the next step, we have information on the reservations process, a mortgage calculator and a simple contact form so that one of our sales advisors can get in touch with you to provide more information on our developments.

We really hope you enjoy using our new website, and if you have any queries or questions about the site or would like more information on one of our developments, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

 

How Smart is your Home?

Smart technology in your home means that you have electrical items connected to the internet – they could be linked by WiFi, Bluetooth or 4G. It allows you control your electrical items through your smart phone or other device such as an iPad or tablet. It enables you to turn plugs on and off, use voice control for your lights, link up devices to Google or Amazon Alexa and even see and talk to someone who’s at your front door whilst you’re out. As technology gets smarter so do our homes and even now, you can put on the kettle or heating ready for when you walk through the door.

Homes built today are smart, energy efficient and secure. It is estimated that 45% of homes in the UK have smart home technology and this is expected to rise to 85% by 2026 according to research by Statista. They can help you to save time, money and even the energy you use in your home.

By adding integrated smart technology to your property, it could even add value as many buyers are looking for more convenient ways to live and smart home integration does exactly that.

Energy efficiency

When you purchase a newly built home you can rest knowing that your home has a high EPC rating which means that your home will be energy efficient. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of a property and is represented by a scale from A (most efficient) to E (least efficient). This rating indicates the energy use of a property along with the typical energy costs, as well as recommendations about what you can do to make the home cheaper to run.

How does a smart home help you save on energy?

When you purchase a newly built home, you will usually have the best available bandwidth for broadband. This will make it easier to connect smart technology to help you run your home.

Smart technology lets you turn appliances on and off as you need them – whether you’re in the home or not. If you forget to turn off the lights or heating when you leave the house, you can do it as soon as you remember from your connected device, without having to be in the property.

In addition, you can set timers and schedules and even analyse your usage to help you make changes that will save you money.

How does a smart home keep your property safe and secure?

The great thing about a new home is that it will be safe and secure from the minute you move in. Windows and doors will be high quality with modern locking mechanisms.

By installing smart systems, you will be able to keep an eye on your home wherever you are and at any time of the day. Surveillance cameras which are now cheap and easy to install can be used inside your home and outside and can be accessed via your mobile device. You can set the system to alert you to movement and on some cameras, you can sound an alarm or even talk on a speaker to ask people what they want. Just the presence of a camera can sometimes be enough.

A smart doorbell lets you see who’s at your door when you aren’t at home and instruct them to either come back or, if you’re expecting a delivery, to ask them to redeliver or take it to a trusted neighbour.

You can also run smoke and C02 detectors from your devices.

Energy efficiency is also high on the list for buyers, and smart homes can help keep energy usage to a minimum.

Here are some simple things you can do to make your home smarter!

Choose a system that you can easily add to – by choosing one system for example Apple, Google Home or Amazon, you can work all of your smart devices from the same system rather than relying on several. Some plugs only work with Alexa for example, and so you’ll only need one app on your phone. However, you can still mix and match if you need to.

Speakers

Smart speakers enable you to control many aspects of your home including cameras, doorbells, lights, heating and appliances. This will need to be compatible with any plugs or bulbs you purchase.

Plugs

Smart plugs are a simple way to make your home smarter. They act like a barrier between your existing plug and your appliance. Once you have set it up on your phone or device you can simply log into the app or use voice control with your speaker and turn it on and off as needed. You can also schedule some plugs to turn on and off.

Heating

Smart heating is one of the most popular ways to make your home smarter. You can connect your phone to the thermostat and have control over your heating from anywhere in the world. It can also work with your phone’s GPS and turn the heating on when it knows you are on your way home. It also knows when you have left via the front door and will turn off the heating for you.

This is a great way to save energy and keep your bills down as you won’t ever be in a situation where your heating has accidentally left on all day and you can adjust the schedule to your plans as soon as they change. They also give you advice on how to save energy and suggest changes to help you manage the temperature in your home.

Security

Security is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. As well as choosing a home with new windows and a secure entry system, you can install cameras and video doorbells to give you control over your home and let you see who’s outside. You can be alerted to movement or sound and can record any events so you can see who has been at your property whilst you are at work or on holiday.

We hope these tips have been helpful – starting with a newly built home means that you’ll have super fast connectivity and energy efficiency as standard, giving you the perfect basis to make your home smarter and more efficient.

Pennywell to be Inspired by New Community Art

Together with the City of Edinburgh Council, award winning regeneration specialist Urban Union has appointed North Edinburgh Arts to deliver an engaging Art Strategy as part of its work at the Pennywell Living development in Edinburgh.

The strategy has community engagement at its core and will deliver three distinct outcomes: inspiring hoarding panels, a Creative Community Chest and new Pennywell Heritage/Art Trail.

Lead Artist Ross Macrae will kick start the strategy alongside a series of invited guests, who will create 10 engaging panels incorporating wayfinding and local icons to the existing hoarding around the Pennywell development. A key strand of the strategy is community engagement and local young people will have the opportunity to attend masterclass sessions with Ross and the guest artists where they will demonstrate skills and techniques in spray painting and other mediums. The workshops and artwork creation have been running since April and are expected to continue into August.

With £3,000 available through the Creative Community Chest for micro projects across the North Edinburgh Arts membership area, local charities and constituted groups will also be able to apply for one of 10 grants of up to £300 which will be used to deliver creative content for the local community. The Creative Community Chest will be managed by the One City Trust and open over the summer.

The final element will be the introduction of a heritage/art trail for Pennywell. Appointed through an open call, the selected artist will create and deliver six permanent artworks in and around the Pennywell area. With the aim of enhancing local pride, the artworks will become meeting points, way finders, conversation starters and points of connection. Local residents are invited to get involved in the process which will commence in September 2022 and over the following 12 months will include 24 engagement activities for all ages, culminating in the installation of the art in August 2023.

Neil McKay, Managing Director, Urban Union, said: “We have been an active member of the local community for the last eight years and we are pleased that our public art strategy for Pennywell is now in place. The regeneration that has already taken place in the area will only be further complemented and enhanced by these plans which will bring wider benefits.

“The key to making these three distinct programmes a success will be the involvement of the local community. The art which will be created needs to reflect the rich social heritage of the area and the character of the communities who live and work in and around the Pennywell area.

“We look forward to continuing our engagement with the local community as our Phase 3 works progress and to seeing their ideas come to life through the unique opportunity that our Arts Strategy will provide.”

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “There is going to be so much to enjoy in North Edinburgh this summer. This programme is a real celebration of local people and all of the regeneration which has taken place.

“We’ve supported significant investment in Pennywell and Muirhouse, with new green spaces and a civic heart, brilliant sport and culture on the doorstep and plans for new community hub – plus of course hundreds of much needed, quality, affordable and social homes. It’s one of our 20 minute neighbourhood projects and you really can see the area flourishing.

“What’s been so special throughout this redevelopment is that residents have been really involved, with projects empowering people to reconnect with their area and initiatives to welcome new neighbours in. North Edinburgh Arts has been central to this and will now help us to bring permanent artworks to the area, which local people will also shape. We can’t wait to see the entries.”

Kate Wimpress, Director, North Edinburgh Arts, said: “North Edinburgh Arts has worked with Urban Union over the last eight years bringing creativity and community to each stage of the development. This has ranged from one off craft workshops, and arts activities for young people, to the development of temporary play spaces, and the permanent, much loved, Butterfly Garden on Pennywell Road. With support from Urban Union and the City of Edinburgh Council this current set of projects allow us to tap into local interests, expertise and enthusiasm once again and we look forward to sharing the results and the pride of our place with local residents, neighbours and visitors alike.”

Urban Union is developing 134 new homes and apartments as part of Phase 3 works at Pennywell Living and has been working in conjunction with the City of Edinburgh Council since 2014 to regenerate Pennywell, creating a vibrant residential area.

The extensive development is the result of a major investment of £42 million by The City of Edinburgh Council and includes £7.9 million grant funding from the Scottish Government. The project is part of the wider Council led regeneration of Pennywell and Muirhouse which has seen over £100 million invested in new homes, infrastructure, retail and community facilities.

To find out more about any of the initiatives, please contact info@urbanunionltd.co.uk.

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Downsizing? Here’s What to Consider

Moving to a smaller, more manageable property can be a great opportunity to save money and enjoy the things you love with the equity you have freed up by selling your home.

Referred to as downsizing, it’s often something people consider when their children have left home, and they are struggling with the upkeep costs and maintenance of an older, large property.

Although most people spend years wanting to upsize their living space, downsizing is the ideal solution if you’re simply eager for change and want to simplify your life.

Downsizing Advantages

There are lots of advantages to downsizing. If you have owned your property for several years, it will have increased in value – especially with the house prices rises we have seen since the start of the pandemic. According to Halifax, house prices went up by over 10% in the 12 months to February. You might have either paid off your mortgage in full or be close to doing so.

If this is the case, by selling your home and purchasing a cheaper property you will have equity left over to use for travel, a new car or even just to boost your retirement fund. You’ll have less upkeep, lower monthly bills, and reduced running costs.

Downsizing also gives you the opportunity to live in a home that is better suited to your needs and future-proofed for when you are less able. It could be on one level so that you won’t have to contend with stairs, have a smaller more manageable garden or be a newer property that won’t need maintaining.

Downsizing Disadvantages

It can be very difficult to move out of a family home if you have an emotional attachment to it. This is often the case if you have had your home for many years and have raised children there. Downsizing also means that you will have too many possessions to fit into a new smaller, home and getting rid of items can be difficult.
The chances are that there’s no need to downsize but it could improve your quality of life. In that case, you might want to consider equity release instead.

Bungalows are a popular choice for downsizers, but it’s worth considering that these are usually older properties and will need to be maintained just the same as a larger house. A new build home could be a better option in the long run.If the area in which you live doesn’t have any suitable properties, it can be difficult changing area meaning you don’t see friends or family as much and need to change your doctor/dentist/optician who you may have good relationships with.

When to Downsize

You can downsize at any time of your life. It could be once the children have left home and you have an ‘empty nest’ or it could be following a loss or divorce. If you’re considering downsizing, it’s essential that you do some due diligence on where to buy, how much you will need and what it will cost in fees. You also need to think carefully about how you’re going to reduce your possessions after all, you may have accumulated a lot of things over the years. The first thing you do – which could be the hardest – is to declutter to make it easier when you move.

If you aren’t looking forward to change and are moving because you can’t afford your existing home or need to free up money, it can be a difficult decision.

Preparation is Key

If you are thinking of downsizing, there are some things you can do now to make the right decision:

  • Make a list of the reasons you think downsizing could be the right move. Is there an alternative solution?
  • If you’re looking forward to downsizing, think about where you’d like to live. Do some research to find out the asking prices in the area, how much properties are selling for and what the availability is like.
  • Talk to a financial advisor to find out what your options are for equity release and to discuss what you will do with any money you free up from the sale of your home.
  • Start to declutter and get rid of things that you don’t want or need – you could donate to charity, give them to family members or sell them. This is a good opportunity to clear things out and save money on removals.
  • Prepare your home for a sale – are there any pressing repairs that need to be undertaken before selling, or would a lick of paint and redecoration boost your selling price? Talk to estate agents and get their advice.
  • Start to view properties for sale and register with estate agents so you can be alerted to properties as they become available, this could help you get ahead of other buyers.

If you’re looking to downsize, we have current availability for one- and two-bedroom apartments at Pollokshaws Living that would be ideal for downsizes. Find out more.

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