HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT ESTATE AGENT

07Jan

Estate Agent at Blue Door

In this guide: Do your research | Ask questions | What are their fees? | Are they Propertymark Protected?

How to Pick the Perfect Estate Agent

Choosing the right estate agent is very important and will have a big impact on how quickly you sell your house, and at what price. Contrary to common thinking, not all agents are the same and some will be more effective than others.

Do your research

When it comes to choosing an agent to sell your home, it helps to firstly make a shortlist of possible agents. It’s always a good idea to speak to others about their first-hand experience, so start by asking family, friends and neighbours for their recommendations.

Whilst comparing facts, like how quickly they sell property, how close they come to achieving the asking price and how successful they are, are important, you’ll also want someone who is experienced, enthusiastic and helpful, and a good estate agent will be punctual, friendly and able to offer expert advice.

Why not also take a look at their listings on sites such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket and check how they are marketing other properties they’re currently selling - do they include attractive pictures, list all the important features, have a floorplan?

Customer review websites like TrustPilot or Feefo or Google or Facebook Reviews can also be really helpful when searching for reputable companies with honest customer feedback.

Ask questions

Once you have a shortlist of three or four possible agents, head in to their office (if they have one) or give them a call, and ask them to provide a valuation for your property. This is a chance for you to check their communication skills, professionalism and knowledge.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and make sure to gather as much information as possible – you’re going to need it when it comes to making a decision about who you want to sell your home. Here's a list of essential questions you should be asking each agent:

Do you live locally?
What can you tell me about the market in my area?
How many properties have you sold in my area?
What kind of prices have you achieved for sales similar to mine?
How long have you been in the real estate business?
Are you a member of NAEA Propertymark?
Do you have a team of people to help with my sale?
What are your working hours and will you or a colleague be contactable on weekends?
What would you do if my property wasn’t selling?

Every agent who visits you should be able to tell you the price they suggest marketing your home for and the price they expect to achieve (although it’s important to note that these may not be the same), details of their fees and the costs associated with marketing your home and specific contract details such as tie-in periods.

What are their fees?

Then you will need to look at the nitty-gritty of the contract and the agent’s fees. If you are selling your house using a traditional, high-street estate agent, their fee will typically be based on a percentage of the price paid by the buyer - this is called commission.

You may find that other agents charge a single, flat fee. What is included can vary dramatically, however, and it's likely that different packages will be available for different price points, so make sure to check what you're getting for your money.

In order to avoid unexpected costs, don’t sign anything that you don’t understand and be sure to ask about anything that is not clear.

Are they Propertymark Protected?

NAEA Propertymark Protected agents will give you the assurance that your estate agent follows best practice, meets all requirements of the profession and works to industry standards.

We always recommend that you use an NAEA Propertymark estate agent. They hold Professional Indemnity insurance and if they are holding monies are required to be covered by Client Money Protection to give you peace of mind throughout the sale of your house.

Finally, choose someone you have felt comfortable dealing with and who you feel you can get along with.

If you are thinking of selling or just need some property advice just give us a call on 01364 652652.

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more

Jan 02 2019

9 Top Tips for Selling Your House (AND 3 MISTAKES YOU SHOULD AVOID)

02Jan

Red door and blue door

9 Top Tips for Selling Your House (AND 3 MISTAKES YOU SHOULD AVOID)

Moving house is one of the most stressful things you will ever have to do so we want to lend a helping hand to make the process a little easier. We've put together 9 of our best tips to help you sell your home.

1. First impressions count

Most buyers form their first impressions within seconds of walking through the front door. If you have a front garden, spend a little time sprucing it up. A few plant pots and a clear pathway can make the front of your house more appealing.

Quick Tip: Don’t forget to clean your front door, it can make a huge difference.

2. Clear worktops and declutter

A tidy room should never be underestimated, especially as dirty or cluttered rooms can be an immediate turn off for some buyers.

So take some time to clean each room from top to bottom paying special attention to high impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. You should also think about having a spring clean; if there’s too much furniture, and things like children’s toys and unused gym equipment lying around, it can make the property feel smaller.

After a deep clean your home will smell fresh and be much more appealing to potential buyers.

3. Add a lick of paint

Neutral colours are appealing to buyers; a fresh coat of paint will brighten up your home and will allow would-be buyers to envisage themselves living in the space.

4. Crack out the toolbox

Straightforward DIY jobs such as filling holes in walls and checking for clogs in the guttering are easy to do and is one less thing your buyer needs to think about doing once they’ve moved in. Getting any problems fixed before putting the house on the market is a smart idea.

Kitten

5. Think about your pets

Whilst you might think your pet is adorable, others may not. Potential buyers may be allergic so make sure any pets are confined to one room (such as a utility room or the garden) or removed from the home during viewings. Animals can also detract attention away from your property, leaving them with a neighbour or family member will ensure buyers are kept focussed on your home.

6. Brag about your broadband

Broadband speeds are serious business in this day and age and just advertising the presence of fibre optic cables in your area could be enough to encourage buyers.

7. Think smart

Smart home technologies are increasingly important to buyers, smart technology such as Hive, which gives mobile control over heating systems, is a feature worth considering. If it moves your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) up a band, it could add thousands to the sale price.

8. Consider an open house

An open house can be a major benefit for sellers, and setting aside one or two days to open your house up to the public will save you time in the long run. Spare yourself the effort of cleaning your house from top to bottom every other day and answering the same questions over and over by getting most of your viewings out of the way in one go.

9. Pick the right agent

Choosing the right estate agent is very important and will have a big impact on how quickly you sell your house, and at what price. Using a Propertymark Protected estate agent will give you the assurance that your agent follows best practice, meets all requirements of the profession and works to industry standards.

For more information see our how to pick the perfect estate agent guide

3 COMMON MISTAKES THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID

We have asked NAEA Propertymark estate agents to reveal the mistakes that vendors make when selling their property. Their top answers were:

1. Overpricing

The first thing your buyer sees is the price, so when it comes to valuing your home, it’s got to be done right.

An overpriced property could deter anyone from arranging a viewing and making an offer. You should seek the help of a professional estate agent who will use their expertise about the local market to give you a fair price.

It’s worth doing your own research too though – how much are other properties in your area being marketed for? What does your home offer that other ones in the area don’t? Be realistic and don't let pride cloud your judgement and lead to overpricing.

2. Bad Photos

When it comes to selling a property, a picture really is worth a thousand words; with more buyers searching online than ever before, great photos are an absolute must. Avoid photos with bad lighting or any that are blurry and poor quality.

Your estate agent should take professional standard photos to help market your home, so make sure the property is tidy, the curtains are open, and all the light bulbs are working before they come over.

3. Too Much Personality

It’s important that your home doesn’t feel over-personalised. Remember, not everyone shares your taste and future buyers need to be able to see themselves living there with all their possessions. Family portraits, keepsakes and loud colour schemes can distract buyers from seeing your property’s full potential.

If you follow our tips and avoid these pitfalls hopefully you will have a successful sale in no time!

Source: Propertymark

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more

Dec 20 2018

Video: How to upgrade your home for less

20Dec

The home you purchase isn’t always your dream property, but you can turn your property into the home of your dreams with a few quick fixes. Here are some tips to upgrade your home for less.

1. Paint your kitchen cabinets

Freshly painted cabinets give the kitchen an update without the cost of a full renovation. Choose light colours to brighten the space.

2. Add mirrors

Mirrors can make any space seem larger and are an easy way to ‘open up’ a room.

3. Invest in landscaping

Consider adding some landscaping to the front of your property. A tree or two works well in a more rural environment, and never underestimate the power of a few potted plants in an urban home.

4. Add wooden floors

Wall-to-wall carpet is no longer a popular choice, as homeowners now prefer wooden floors that they can choose to put a rug on. Consider vinyl flooring in a wooden pattern to get reclaimed wooden floors for less.

5. Freshen the front door

First impressions count, so choose a front door in a neutral glossy shade or pick a bright colour with personality.

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more

Dec 04 2018

How to renovate on a shoestring budget

04Dec

Wanting to make a good impression and make your home stand out in the crowd doesn’t have to cost the earth. There are numerous budget-friendly ways that you can use to make your property more appealing to potential buyers and increase your chances of selling for the highest possible price.

You can make a big impact without spending big money, too. Subtle, well-thought-out and inexpensive updates are sometimes all that is needed to make a lasting impression and give you the edge in the market.

Here are some budget-friendly updates you could do before listing your home:

Start with a renovation checklist

Before doing anything else, walk through your home and visit each room to make a list of what needs to be repaired or replaced. It’s might be difficult, but try to be objective, focusing on how buyers would view your home. A second opinion from a friend or family members could help during this process. Look for outdated styles and fixtures, bold patterns and colours, unfinished projects and over-cluttered cupboards or countertops. Consider which elements showcase the home in its best light and what doesn’t. Once the checklist has been established, the next step is to set a budget and make time to complete the tasks.

First impressions count

It takes people just 15 seconds to decide whether they like a house or not. That just highlights the importance of making a good first impression. A buyer’s impression of your home is not only formed by what they see on the interior but starts from outside the property walls. People passing by will judge whether they want to have a look at the property by the way it looks from the street. Curb-appeal is vital and contributes to the success of attracting buyers. Start maintenance outside the property and work your way inside. Basic updates such as painting or refinishing of fences sheds and garage doors, cutting the grass and planting some flowers can improve the look of a home from the outside.

Use transitional styles

Every home will have a style that is as unique as the people who own it. Ideally, you want to incorporate modern aspects into the home without losing its character and warmth. A transitional style walks the line between traditional warmth and homeliness, and the clean lines and subdued tones of a contemporary look. You want to tick the ‘just right’ box – not too cold or formal and not too fussy.

Kitchen and bathrooms are key

As some of the most frequently used areas in any home, the kitchen and bathrooms will be a focal point for buyers. Pay extra attention to these areas to ensure they are fresh and look great. Things such as stained shower stalls, broken or missing grout and leaky taps or dated cabinet hardware are easily replaced at minimum cost. Exposed pipes in the bathroom can be boxed in and hidden.

If laminate on kitchen doors is warped, there are companies who will re-laminate the kitchen doors and carcasses for a fraction of the cost of replacing them. A fresh backsplash is also a great way to update the look of the kitchen while giving the impression of a much bigger renovation. A new kitchen backsplash is surprisingly affordable and DIY-able.

A fresh coat

A new coat of paint is an inexpensive way to revitalise the home, especially if you have the skills to do the job yourself. Paint can breathe new life into a dated space and can be used in a variety of applications on walls, doors, cabinets, fixtures and even tiles. It is best to stick to a neutral muted colour palette when deciding on which paint to select, as these colours will appeal to the largest number of people.

Replace or repair skirting boards

It is possible to repaint the skirting boards, but sometimes they can be over-painted and in need of a refreshed look, especially next to repainted painted walls or new carpets. At approximately £1.25 per metre, it’s a cheap fix and there are online companies offering a wide range of styles, meaning you can match styles with any skirting boards you wish to keep.

Replace internal doors and door handles

If your property was built in the ’70s and you still have the original doors and handles, then they are nearly 50 years old. It’s safe to say that these types of doors and handles will not be coming back into fashion anytime soon. Handles cost as little as £7.99 each, while a door will cost around £46.99 depending on the style and material chosen.

Put up new window coverings

New window treatments can enhance a room without requiring much effort. You can find reasonably priced and easy-to-install shades, curtains, and rods at stores such as IKEA.

Light switches and electric sockets

Another cheap but highly effective update, replacing the light switches and electric sockets won’t break the bank but will bring the home into this century. A switch will cost around £1.32, while a socket will set you back approximately £3.89. Think safety first – always employ a professional when replacing electrical elements.

Repair failed double-glazed windows

While a blown double-glazed window was once very expensive to repair, this is no longer the case. There are many specialist companies who can remove moisture from inside the failed double-glazed glass, clean and re-seal your windows for a fraction of the cost of buying new double glazing.

Hang wall art

The look of a room can be completely changed simply by hanging artwork. Before making holes in the wall, layout the artwork on the floor to get the right arrangement if there are more than one or two pieces. Markets, antique stores and second-hand shops are great resources for finding expensive gems.

Updating your home doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. By making these small changes before listing a property, you are giving yourself the best possible chance of setting your home apart.

To find other budget renovation tips check out our video on 'How to upgrade your home for less'.

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more

Nov 02 2018

TENANTS: Don’t let damp and mould get the better of you this winter!

02Nov

Click here to open the infographic in a new window

As the nights draw in and the temperatures start to fall, there’s plenty to get excited about; the build-up to Christmas, New Year celebrations and Spring just around the corner. There is, however, a less exciting aspect of winter that could end up costing you if you don’t take precautions: damp.

What is damp?

Damp is the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building. Often manifesting itself in ugly dark patches of mould and grime on walls, floors and ceilings, damp can wreak havoc on the structure of your home, and repairing the damage can cost a great deal of money. In short, it’s no laughing matter.

What causes damp?

As it gets colder outside, temperatures inside houses start to rise as homeowners and tenants put the heating on and then try to keep warm for as long as possible by keeping all doors and windows tightly closed. This is great for keeping us toastie and snug, but it can cause problems.

Warm air trapped inside a house without a means of escape will start to form condensation on surfaces colder than the dew point of the air outside, leading to the moisture you often see building up on windows and walls. This can lead to what’s known as ‘condensation damp’, the most common type in the UK. It’s estimated that around 1 in 5 homes in the UK are affected by this type of damp.

Condensation forming on a window may be an early indicator of damp.

How can you protect your home?

One of the most crucial factors in preventing damp is allowing good circulation of air. In winter, we tend to try to conserve as much heat as possible, keeping heating on, and windows and doors closed. The indoor humidity created when the radiators are on has nowhere to go and starts contributing to damp. In order to allow good circulation…

…try to keep windows open for short, intermittent periods each day.

If your radiators are on, they’ll still be adding to the interior humidity, even if a window is open. To minimise the humidity they create…

…have your radiators on at lower heat for longer periods.

Another common problem that contributes to damp during winter is drying laundry. When the weather is too bad to allow you to dry your clothes outdoors, shirts and socks end up on the radiators, releasing moisture into the house. Try to take of advantage of any clear, windy days to…

…dry your laundry outside as often as possible. Alternatively, dry them in the bathroom with the window open and the door shut.

As you might expect, water vapour is one of the worst contributors to dampness in the home and can be generated by a number of sources. To mitigate this, when taking a bath or shower, you should always do so with the window open, or with the extractor fan on if one is installed. Likewise, in the kitchen, try not to boil the kettle longer than is necessary, and keep lids on boiling pans where possible. In short…

…keep the amount of steam and water vapour in your home to a minimum.

What else can you do?

If you believe damp or mould is present in your home, speak to your landlord immediately. The sooner the problem is identified, the sooner it can be addressed, and if you don’t make your landlord aware in a reasonable timeframe, it could be you who has to foot the bill for redecoration!

What can landlords do?

Be sure to make regular checks of the property, and look for signs of mould during every inspection. This is often where issues such as damp are noted, allowing you to deal with them before they become a problem.

If your tenant alerts you to the fact that there may be damp in your property, have it thoroughly checked by a qualified professional. Dealing with damp can be expensive, so preventative measures should be a lot cheaper than dealing with the problem once it manifests itself.

Before your tenants move in, have the property fitted with vents and extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Try not to use non-porous paints or wall coverings, as these stop the walls from ‘breathing’. If you have laminate flooring anywhere in the property, have the floorboards underneath checked by a qualified professional. Damp can form if laminate is laid too tightly on floorboards.

With damp it pays to be vigilant. If you suspect it may be present, have it checked out immediately.

If you have any questions regarding your rental property please contact Sawdye & Harris on 01364 652652

Source: DPSblog.com

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more