TOP SELLING TIPS 6

Killer Kitchen.

No this does not relate to the Latest B Horror Movie!

The most Valuable room in your Home. Worth more per square foot than any other and can make the difference if the buyer is unsure.

Therefore, it is worth considering spending some money to get the Sale. Changing the Worktops is expensive but can add serious value. Consider changing just Drawer and Door fronts as this is considerable cheaper and often just as effective.

It may be worth looking at Plumbing fittings/ White goods and changing if you feel it may make the difference. Just remember you may sell quicker, but you will probably not re-coup their full cost.
More soon!

Property Focus: Sherbourne Way

Sherbourne Way


On the Market for £290,000 this looks like a good value 4 Bed Detached Property.
Sherbourne Way is a Quiet cul-de-sac just of Brecon Way. If you are like me, an avid dog walker, you'd like the fact its so close to Mowsbury Park!
On the Ground Floor we have a spacious lounge/diner with conservatory attached. Kitchen/Breakfast Room with a separate utility room. Hall with Downstairs WC round things off nicely. Off road parking and a garage pander to your Automotive needs.
Upstairs we have 2 Doubles, 2 Singles and the Family Bathroom.
A nice family home, well worth looking at, even if the Photos do look a bit overexposed!

TOP SELLING TIPS 5

COLOUR ME BAD?

So you like Pink do you? Or is it Purple that really does it for you.
Trouble is not everyone agrees, so time to break out the Paint.

If you have any walls that need attention then get cracking. Just remember, neutral paint will make your home seem lighter and bigger.
It will enable the viewers to more easily imagine how they would adapt the rooms to their needs.
They can move in not have to worry about that Bright purple or Green.

Don't forget the Front Door. A good coat of freshly coloured paint, be it a nice Deep Red, Blue or Green will create a good first impression.

Property Focus: Harrington Drive

Harrington Drive

This week we have this unusual three bedroom extended family home. Although address is Harrington Drive, it faces onto Rowallan Drive. On the market for £270,000 Corner Plots like this are invariably generous. This case proves the point, having been extended, a conservatory added and a good sized Garden to boot! Entrance porch, downstairs W/C, lounge, kitchen/diner and conservatory provide the accommodation downstairs. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms, one single and family bathroom. Off road parking leading to a single garage are situated to the rear of the Plot. Its nice to see that the Garden is beautifully maintained and adds to the Attractiveness of the Property. A very nice Family Home at a reasonable Price.

TOP SELLING TIPS 4

Now to the Back Garden.


If you garden looks like something from a War Film or from the Amazon Jungle then its time to Act.

Time to go to War on those Weeds!

Trim Back any overgrown Shrubs or Bushes (don't worry they'll grow back quickly at this time of year- just remember to leave some green!)

Cut and trim the Lawn. Repair any Patches with fresh turf or Seed. Put in some border plants add a bit of Colour. Either in Pots if you have any or in the Beds.

If you have Outbuildings/Sheds, Make sure they look well maintained and not like they're about to fall down.

If you have a Garage try to Tidy that a Bit, even better, put your Car in it when you know someone is viewing.

If the Garage Door is a bit Rusty then a rub down and a lick of Paint will transform it.
Just remember, Gardens grow, so you'll have to keep on top of it

Thanks for now

A Tale of two landlords

A landlord popped into our office the other day , who has a managed portfolio and wanted to know what happens when a tenant fails to pay rent.  We told him the story of two landlords , two different tenancies. Both fully referenced however one landlord decided to take out Rent and Legal insurance and one didn't.

Both tenancies commenced without any hitch. However after a  couple of months due to a change of circumstance the tenants got into rent arrears.

This is where it changes

Landlord A :  had paid £140 for rent and legal insurance

When the tenant got into 2 months of arrears , we informed the insurance company. And they commenced paying the rent. And also commenced legal action at no extra cost. They served the appropriate notices and also attended court. And whilst this process took place the rent still got paid.
Eventually the tenants vacated before a bailiff was called and at this point the insurance company offered the following support :
Once the property is ready to be re-marketed, there will the potential to claim extra rent guarantee The policy also provides cover for the pursuit of a property damage claim against the former tenants. We will need to provide the solicitors with any evidence we can, in relation to the same. The solicitor will need to then investigate whether the claim has reasonable prospects of succeeding. Presuming that they believe it does, the insurers shall continue to indemnify the costs of pursuing the claim.  The solicitor will also continue to pursue the former tenants for recovery of the rent.

Landlord B :  hadn't taken any insurance

The landlord had to instruct a company to act for him
Their in-house legal team serve notice on the tenant cost £117.00
Choose Section 21 for Accelerated possession only (£802 includes court fee, solicitors fee and VAT)
Choose Section 8 for rent arrears and possession (£859 includes court fee, solicitors fee, advocate fee and VAT)
Checking your notice, proceedings issued, court date set and advocate instructed. He appears before a judge to get a possession order.
If the tenant doesn't leave by a date set by the court. Arrangement for officials to remove the tenant. Cost between £227 and £780.00
Don’t forget that during this time the tenant may still not pay any rent so this could still be accumulating.  And this process could take up to 2 months,  if the rent was £600 per month this could add up to £2400.  And there may be additional costs for dilapidations.

In summary Then:

Landlord A : total  cost £140.00
Landlord B : total cost £4156.00 possibly more

I know which Landlord I would prefer to be !!!!

If you want to know more about our rent and legal insurance call the office or pop in and see us.

TOP SELLING TIPS - 3

First Impressions

Stand outside your Property and look at it?
What do you see?
Does it look tidy?
Imagine you are a buyer looking round the Area. Does your property have Kerbside appeal?
If not take steps to address. If you have a Front garden, get the gloves and get weeding.
Put in some colourful Border Plants to Brighten it up.
And make sure your House number is prominent!

Remember, first impressions are important and Set the Tone for anyone visiting.

TOP SELLING TIPS - 2

Fix and Clean.

Remember the Mice from Bagpuss?!

Get cracking on all those little job that need doing. Fix holes, repair broken door knobs, replace worn out Carpets,
Sort out that Cracked tile in the Bathroom. Anything that is broken that will feature in your Home.
Then get cracking on that cleaning!
De-limescale, clean and repair tile grout/bath seals, Vacuum, Clean Carpets/Curtains/Nets.
Wash the Windows etc etc
This will make the place more appealing and allow viewers to imagine living there.
Ask yourself. Would I want to be repairing/cleaning the day I move in?

Case Study: Fulmar Road

After Last weeks shocking Property Focus on Poplar Avenue, I thought it appropriate to illustrate. How it should be done with the Help of Our Friends at Urban & Rural

Fulmar Road

This Property was offered for Sale on Rightmove on August 28th. It had sold within 48hrs. Why?
It is clearly evident that the Team at Urban & Rural have put some time and thought into it Presentation. There is an interesting, short but Concise Property Summary. There is a detailed Floorplan and the Map/Street-view is pointing to the Right Area of Bedford. There is an EPC. All these are Basic things that the Agent should be doing as a matter of course.
It is clear that the Owner has worked with the Agent when it comes to the Photographs. They are both good quality and the shots appear clutter Free.
All this combines to make the Property an attractive Proposition, which in turn will encourage serious Buyers to want to view.
It just shows you, that it pays to be careful with who you choose as your Agent.

Email Link if you want to comment

TOP SELLING TIPS - 1

Preparing your Home for selling is essential, as not only will it help sell quicker but may also add to its Value.
So remember - If you FAIL to PREPARE then PREPARE to FAIL

Just put yourself in the position of a prospective Buyer and try to view you home as they would. Honestly Ask yourself, would I buy it? What would put me off? Go round your house and look at it objectively. List down the Postives and the Negatives.

Now lets get to work on those Negatives.......

Property Focus: Poplar Avenue

Found this on Rightmove Earlier today. Looks like it might be a good Buy at £300,000. A 4 Bed Semi-detached like this is on Poplar Avenue is usually very generous in its accommodation. I think?

Poplar Avenue

And there in lies the Problem, The Agent has really cut too many corners with this. If I were the owner I would, quite justifiably, be a bit miffed. Even the Click Through Brochure doesn't tell you anymore.
Does the Agent even want to Sell? Why such an obvious Lack of Information? Are they just chancing there arm hoping that they get away with the absolute minimum?

Elevation? More like demotion....

If you are, or know the Owner you might want to do or say something.

Email Link if you want to comment.