If you’ve chosen summer as the season to move home, we’ve compiled a bucket (and spade) list of top tips to help get your home ‘beach body’ styled for the market.

 

 

Sizzling barbecues, borders buzzing with the soft sound of bees around the lavender and hours of daylight to show off your home at its very best. Summer certainly can cast a positive light on your home, so let us direct you to the sunniest spots and help you avoid stepping into the shadows.

 

 

 

1. Develop a green finger

 

 

In theory, your garden has never looked better.

 

 

Colours are at their sharpest, borders are filled to the brim with healthy shrubs and flowers and the grass is a lush, green baize.

 

 

Summer is the month for uninhibited growth.

 

 

Mow the lawn twice weekly to ensure it remains in peak condition, or on a weekly basis in particularly dry spells.

 

 

For larger lawns, consider creating a feature by adding a diagonal pattern. This is fairly straightforward on rectangular or square lawns. For circular or irregular lawns, begin by identifying a focal point across from the widest point on the lawn before lining up the mower.

 

 

Remember not to mow while the grass is wet, as this could damage the turf.

 

 

Weeds also love the summer sun, so if you are struggling to keep on top of the borders, try adding a thick layer of mulch to keep weeds at bay.

 

 

Consider the garden as an extension of your home, more so than ever in summer. A collection of fragrant herb pots outside the kitchen door can evoke sensory pleasure in your viewer and whet their appetite! Thyme, rosemary and mint are all hardy growers and can be picked up easily at garden centres and supermarkets.

 

 

If you don’t tend to spend much time in your garden, it might be worth taking a tour and identifying peaceful pockets for reading or suntraps you can recommend to viewers. Also, be sure to keep hedges and bushes trimmed back around paths and seating areas so your viewers don’t come across any obstacles during their tour.

 

 

Cat owner? Be sure to check the back doorstep before a viewing in case your feline friend has deposited any ‘tokens of their affection’!

 

 

 

2. Lift the mood with sunny accents

 

 

It’s not necessary to do a full-scale redecoration of your home prior to selling in the summer, but the addition of some sunny accents can lift the mood considerably. After all, nobody wants to step out from the bright sunshine and into a gloomy cave.

 

 

Swap heavier textures, such as velvet throws and woollen rugs, for lighter linens and cottons. Maintain that ‘Hygge’ cosiness with Scandi-style weaves. You don’t need to pick bold colours; billowing Gatsby whites and creams will do just as nicely.

 

 

House Beautiful lists 70s Scandi as the number one trend for summer 2019, quoting the Head of Design at Dunelm, Debbie Drake, as highlighting macramé planters, earthy palettes, geometric prints and accent colours as key picks for this season.

 

 

If all else fails, a splash of bold colour can invigorate any room. A turquoise vase, a yellow cushion or a fuchsia throw are all low-cost elements that can invite a touch of summer into your home.

 

 

Why not get really creative and use a rectangle of artificial grass for your back doormat?

 

 

 

3. The windows are the eyes to the sale…

 

 

Ok, we’ve played with that idiom a little, but for good reason. If eyes are the window to the soul, windows are the eyes to your home…and they are more noticeable than ever during the summertime.

 

 

Windows capture the view from your home, possibly quite a spectacular view, and as such they need to be properly maintained at all times.

 

Summer can be particularly tough on windows; dry spells cause loose dirt to be blown about, heavy pollen counts combined with occasional showers can leave your glazing looking less than dapper.

 

 

Crystal-clear windows not only enhance the natural beauty of your home, they let in more light.

 

 

It’s best to plan ahead with this one, cleaning windows on a hot sunny day is not recommended as they will most likely dry streaky. Instead, pick an overcast day.

 

 

Be kind to the environment and leave the expensive brand window cleaners on the shelves. For really dirty windows, add a splash of vinegar to a bowl of warm water. Begin at the edges of the windows and move towards the middle, rinsing your cloth regularly. After washing, a dry cloth should help to remove any streaks.

 

 

If your windows are palatially sized, don’t be afraid to call in reinforcements from the professional realms. The importance of sparkling clean windows cannot be understated.

 

 

An often-overlooked element in summer house styling is curtains. Heavy drapery can appear imposing during the summer time, so consider taking down particularly wintery fabrics prior to viewings.

 

 

Consider also the neatness of drawstring blinds. A well-placed piece of tape can help to conceal unsightly, dangling cords.

 

 

 

 

4. Make your home a refuge from the heat

 

 

 

When the sun is cracking the flags outside, make your home a place of refuge for your wilting viewers.

 

 

Invest in an attractive glass jug, perhaps a vintage tray and some colourful tumblers, and be ready with the freshly squeezed lemonade on those swoon-inducing hot afternoons.

 

 

Invite some cooling greenery into your home. Peace lilies can survive even the most negligent of owners! For the kitchen, consider a trailing plant such as ivy. In addition to adding an aesthetic element (ivy comes in a variety of yellow, white, green and black hues), ivy helps purify the air of mould and bacteria.

 

 

Another hardy kitchen plant is aloe vera; handy when kept close to the cooker as its gel offers a soothing salve for burns.

 

 

Freshly cut flowers from the garden are a simple and effective way of brightening up the room. Try to match the colour to your room’s scheme. A few sprigs of soothing lilac in a guest bedroom creates both aroma and colour for your visitors.

 

 

 

 

5. Splash the colour upstairs

 

 

Create the ultimate room of refreshment for viewers by ensuring your bathroom is ready for the season.

 

 

An easy way to add a splash of colour is to purchase vibrant coloured towels for the bathroom. Daffodil yellow, coral red and aqua blue all convey that summer-holiday beach-umbrella vibe.

 

 

Match them with a similarly-coloured bath mat and even accessorise your toothbrush for a low-cost makeover.

 

 

Adding pastel tones to the walls such as honey, elderflower and soft sage can also reinvigorate your bathroom ready for the summer season.

 

 

When it comes to styling your bedroom for summer, begin with a de-clutter and spring clean. An overloaded bedroom can be oppressive and off-putting.

 

 

With a blank canvas to work with, it’s time to create a masterpiece.

 

 

Why not invest in a white cotton bedding set? Put practicality to one side and embrace the cool tones and purity of alabaster.

 

 

Burning a Jo Malone Orange Blossom scented candle by the bed in place of a heavy shaded lamp can bring the lightness of the solstice to your bedside table.

 

 

Trade your blackout curtains for wooden shutters, a simple switch that allows you to adjust light levels in the day time and provide you with total darkness at night.

 

 

Tuck your heavy feather duvet away in the bedding box for the summer season, and invest in some Egyptian cotton sheets.

 

 

All that’s left to do now is to apply the sun-cream and sit back and marvel at your handiwork. All in a summer day’s work.

 

 

 

 

If you’re now or soon to be an empty nester, why waste money on space you don’t need? If it’s just you and your other half now, or perhaps just you, why not downsize to a smaller home or apartment to save not only on your mortgage but also on utilities, repairs, cleaning time, and more?

 

 

From helping hundreds of people to downsize, we know that moving into a smaller home is not a decision most people take lightly. Even though your home may be consuming more time, effort and money than you want to give it, it’s often an emotional wrench to leave behind a house that’s been a home for you and your family for many years. We understand that.

 

 

Our experience is that most of the best questions can be divided into three subjects: time, enthusiasm and finances.

 

 

Time

 

Choosing the right timescale is important when you’re downsizing. Having your last Christmas in a family home can be a way of coming to terms with a move and giving yourself time to plan it effectively. Pick a date in the future that works for everyone, and work towards it, a step at a time.

 

 

Enthusiasm

 

It’s much easier to look forward to moving when you know where you’re moving to. Whilst it’s tempting to sell first before you view other houses, having your next home in your mind can help keep you motivated and positive about your move

 

 

Finances

 

Plan out the financial implications of your move in detail, including the consequences of achieving a sale at less than your expected asking price. Most downsize moves release equity, and knowing how what you plan to use surplus funds can help to give you a goal to reach for.  Maybe now is the time for that long-awaited round-the-world trip, or to buy a new car. Whatever it is, planning will help make it more of a reality of your home move.

 

  

 

Planning to downsize: your checklist before you sell

 

Having a checklist of what you need to do before you put your home on the market can help you feel in control of your downsize move.  So we’ve put together this short list to help you stay on track:

 

 

 

q  Plan your finances to see the price you need/want from your sale

 

q   Draw up a wish-list and a must-have list for your next home

 

q   Create a Rightmove alert according to your criteria

 

q   Decide on a date to put your home on the market

 

q   Choose three estate agents and arrange consultations with them

 

q   Choose the estate agent you want to work with

 

q   Go through your home and make a list of any outstanding jobs

 

q   Make a list of any accessories to buy to dress your home for photography

 

q   Approve the images for use in your marketing

 

q   Sign-off the brochure once you’re happy with it

 

  

 

Focus on your future

 

 

It’s sometimes an emotional decision to downsize, and usually not an easy one to make. But the benefits of moving on, in every way someone can move on, can often outweigh these difficulties. Finding a new sense of freedom, being closer to family and loved ones, meeting new friends, discovering new hobbies and interests, and the relief of a secure financial future, can all make moving home after a bereavement a new start, in every sense of the word.

 

 

It takes careful guidance and assistance from an estate agent to help someone through this process.  The sale of the house itself is only the tip of the iceberg; the real work comes in the separation process, and a really good agent will not only help make this as smooth a transition as possible, they will also help in the more practical aspects of the move too. They should have excellent supplier contacts to help source someone to help with the home organisation, de-cluttering, storage, packing and moving, and may also be able to help find a new home too. In this situation a really proactive, and genuinely caring professional will be worth their weight in gold, especially if the homeowner doesn’t have close family or friends who could help them.

 

 

Sometimes it feels that deciding to move means you’ll have mountain to climb if you do. Preparing your home for sale, meeting with relevant estate agents, trying to assess the best deal in terms of service, fee and valuation, then choosing images, signing off a brochure, having your EPC drawn up – and this is all before your property actually comes to market. No wonder it feels as if you’re about to embark upon a huge climb.

 

 

But as with any arduous journey, finding the right guide can make all the difference. And we’d love to be your guide, to help you reach your personal moving goal, whatever that may be.

 

 

We’d love to have a chat with you about your moving plans, even if you don’t yet feel ready to move. You can pop us an email at hello@sawdyeandharris.co.uk or call us on 01364 652652. We also have lots more information about selling your home and are here to help smooth your move.

 

JUNE HOUSING MARKET UPDATE

 

When you have your home up for sale, time seems to stand still. You’re in limbo, caught between your old life, and your new one, with no way of knowing when you’ll be able to move on – both literally and emotionally.

 

As the weeks turn into months, and the viewings dry up, it’s easy to become despondent and dispirited. Especially when you see house after house in your area sell, even those that came to the market long after your house did. 

 

You can’t define why no one seems to want your house; you chose a professional estate agent; your asking price is about right; you have kept your house looking lovely for viewers, so what’s gone wrong?

 

Firstly, you’re not alone. Since 1846, Sawdye & Harris have worked with homeowners that have also been completely demoralised by their inability to move on. With some discreet research, we have often found that their marketing strategy was flawed, and their online presence sadly lacking in quality; none of which was their fault. 

 

Secondly, if you find yourself in this position, with a lack of viewings, having had your house on the market for months or even years, our ‘Re-launch Strategy’ will refresh your marketing – and hopefully your motivation too – and get your house sold for the price you want.

 

Time to start again

 

We suggest a return to basics. In essence, you are going to pretend you have never tried to sell, and instead plan a launch of your home to the market. This time though, every aspect of your marketing campaign will be perfect, right from the start. 

 

·         Take your house off the market

 

This probably feels counter-intuitive, but it can help to revitalise your home sale. A break from the market has several advantages: it gives you a break, it stops your house becoming stale and it gives you the chance to take stock and plan a launch properly.

 

·         Give your agent notice

 

If your agent demands a notice period, then give them formal notice in writing; you can always rescind this later if you change your mind. Ask that during the notice period your house be withdrawn from any online advertising. This will give you the space you need to start planning your re-launch.

 

Prepare your home properly

 

Make sure your home is ready for photography and viewings. Perhaps this is a step that you rushed or even overlooked the first time you put your property on the market, but it’s vital you spend time and effort, and even money, on this very important preparation for marketing.

 

·         Consider marketing your home with a new estate agent

 

The estate agency you have used to market your home previously may not be the best to re-launch your house to market effectively. After all, they have tried and failed to sell your property.

 

Whatever the reason, their motivation and enthusiasm for selling your home after trying for some time without success, is bound to be low. Sometimes you just need an agent with a fresh attitude and new enthusiasm to add new life into a marketing campaign.

 

Don’t just choose the agent with the lowest fee and highest valuation. Take a considered view on their professionalism, their success locally, and whether you like them or not. After all, you’re going to be working quite closely with them for some time.

 

·         Review your photographs

 

Take a critical and if you can, objective view of the photography used by your last agent or agents to market your home. Is it really good enough? Look at the photographs of the best homes marketed online by Savills, Knight Frank and the other premium agents. Does it compare, or do your images look like the agent has just snapped them in a hurry on their small point-and-shoot?

 

·         The ‘write’ way to sell your house

 

Once you have your home presented beautifully and some gorgeous photographs, the next step is to turn your attention to your written description. The words used to describe your home in your brochure and online advert need to persuade a buyer it’s worth the time and effort to view your home.  

 

·         Name your price

 

The final decision to make before you are ready to re-launch your home to the market, is the asking price. Ask yourself:

 

Does your agent support it? If you set your asking price way above that which the agent recommends, their lack of support could well be evident in the way they talk about your property to their team and also to buyers

 

Is there precedent? If your home is unique, there may well be a lack of comparable properties, and therefore you have much more flexibility in the price you choose to market your home at. However, if you are in a row of similar properties, chances are that there will be plenty of historical evidence to guide you into choosing an asking price that fits in with those of your neighbouring properties.

 

Does it fit in with an online search?  Currently, 93% of property searches start online (source: Rightmove). You need to choose an asking price that will ensure your home is found by the maximum number of buyers searching the property portals. To maximise the number of buyers who will see your property, stay away from the 9s, such as £499,999, and instead choose a rounded figure that fits in with the price bandings the online portals use, such as £500,000.

 

Ready, Steady, Launch!

 

You’re ready to launch, this time, with success! 

 

Taking back control of your property sale can feel empowering and motivating. The steps might be simple, but not necessarily easy.  And that’s where we come in.

 

If you’re struggling to sell your home, maybe we can help you to move on. Let’s have a chat so we can understand your moving plans and guide you through the options. You can pop us an email at hello@sawdyeandharris.co.uk or call us on 01364 652652  We also have lots more information about selling your home so get in touch today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is the 1st June 2019 – a day of great change,  time for a change in how we all do things with regards to hashtag#lettings, its a new era for the industry and one we must all embrace.

In an industry that is evolving, with increasing legislation, landlords need the best quality service,  and now more than ever need a letting agent who is professional knows what they are doing and being hashtag#ARLA   Propertymark is  ahead of the game. Find out more in our video update ….