Rightmove has a new feature - click here to see how it works - it shows you whats on the market in the postcode you put in, what has been on the market and what things have sold for.
It's not quite like property bee but very interesting all the same.
Wednesday 20 January 2010
Monday 7 December 2009
Buying a house and the vendors want you to pay for their carpets
I'm of the opinion that carpets are something that you sell with your house. They're normally really well fixed down and will be a nightmare to get up.
So why do some vendors want you to pay for them?
It may be that they want to take you for every penny possible, or that they just really like their carpets and don't want to give them away.
This might be ok if they're new and in very good condition AND will match the decoration you want.
However if they insist on you paying for them you could
(a) insist on taking photos of them and the condition they're in when you agree to pay
(b) find out what sort they are
(c) find out how much carpet for the entire house would cost
(d) check under large items of furniture for any burn holes or rips.
(e) You could also refuse to pay for them and insist that any damage done in removing them is made good.
Removing carpets takes a lot of effort and is a dirty dusty job. If they're taking them to their new house then they have to have them refitted and recut so it's not quite a bargain solution for them - especially if it means them removing carpets that have been left. Taking carpets to the tips take s alot of trips for a full house as carpet is quite bulky.
If you love the carpets and don't want to have to fully recarpet then you might have to bite the bullet but insist on checking the quality of the carpet and insist that it's all removed if they take it up - else you'll end up with a house full of ripped up carpet!
Tell them you'll let them leave the carpets and dispose of them for them if they like but only if they leave them on the floors!
Insist on deducting the cost of a carpet clean if they make you buy them too!
So why do some vendors want you to pay for them?
It may be that they want to take you for every penny possible, or that they just really like their carpets and don't want to give them away.
This might be ok if they're new and in very good condition AND will match the decoration you want.
However if they insist on you paying for them you could
(a) insist on taking photos of them and the condition they're in when you agree to pay
(b) find out what sort they are
(c) find out how much carpet for the entire house would cost
(d) check under large items of furniture for any burn holes or rips.
(e) You could also refuse to pay for them and insist that any damage done in removing them is made good.
Removing carpets takes a lot of effort and is a dirty dusty job. If they're taking them to their new house then they have to have them refitted and recut so it's not quite a bargain solution for them - especially if it means them removing carpets that have been left. Taking carpets to the tips take s alot of trips for a full house as carpet is quite bulky.
If you love the carpets and don't want to have to fully recarpet then you might have to bite the bullet but insist on checking the quality of the carpet and insist that it's all removed if they take it up - else you'll end up with a house full of ripped up carpet!
Tell them you'll let them leave the carpets and dispose of them for them if they like but only if they leave them on the floors!
Insist on deducting the cost of a carpet clean if they make you buy them too!
Sunday 29 November 2009
Winter - a bad time to sell?
Winter is a traditional lull in the housing market.
Should you wait until Spring?
You could prepare your house for sale - and start spreading the word that you'll be putting iit up for sale in the Spring. Worth of mouth is sometimes a useful too and if you've found a buyer yourself you won't pay estate agent fees!
Should you wait until Spring?
You could prepare your house for sale - and start spreading the word that you'll be putting iit up for sale in the Spring. Worth of mouth is sometimes a useful too and if you've found a buyer yourself you won't pay estate agent fees!
Saturday 1 August 2009
Cheering up the outside of your property on the cheap
Ideally you don't want to spend loads of money doing up the house you're moving from.
Buy plants that can be put into pots and then you can take them with you. Don't include potted outdoor plants automatically. If the buyers want them, let them offer a few quid for them
Suggested plants include confiers (Dwarf ones) and winter bedding plants. These are very cheap and you get some pretty good colours too - look at these pansys from thompson and morgan.
They're ideal for flower beds or troughs outside your front door.
Very welcoming in winter, but not perhaops suitable for a swanky city centre flat where a palm might be more suited.
Keep them watered, fed and weeded too. Neglected plants look worse than no plants.
Buy plants that can be put into pots and then you can take them with you. Don't include potted outdoor plants automatically. If the buyers want them, let them offer a few quid for them
Suggested plants include confiers (Dwarf ones) and winter bedding plants. These are very cheap and you get some pretty good colours too - look at these pansys from thompson and morgan.
They're ideal for flower beds or troughs outside your front door.
Very welcoming in winter, but not perhaops suitable for a swanky city centre flat where a palm might be more suited.
Keep them watered, fed and weeded too. Neglected plants look worse than no plants.
Wednesday 4 February 2009
The house of my dreams
Has been reduced by £100,000.
Yup 100k. So it's still out of reach - but still my perfect dream house.
Ah well. I'll keep dreaming!
Yup 100k. So it's still out of reach - but still my perfect dream house.
Ah well. I'll keep dreaming!
Wednesday 28 January 2009
Books about selling houses
Play.com (UK) - Free Delivery - Books - Search Results: selling your house
All with free delivery
How to be Your Own Estate Agent: Learn an Estate Agent's Secrets and Save Thousands Selling Your House Yourself
Selling Houses: How to Sell Your House as Quickly as You Can for as Much Money as You Can
Anthea Masey & Andrew Winter
Buying and Selling Your House
Adam Walker
All with free delivery
How to be Your Own Estate Agent: Learn an Estate Agent's Secrets and Save Thousands Selling Your House Yourself
Selling Houses: How to Sell Your House as Quickly as You Can for as Much Money as You Can
Anthea Masey & Andrew Winter
Buying and Selling Your House
Adam Walker
Tuesday 27 January 2009
Homeswapper
Homeswapper
HomeSwapper is for social tenants (in rented property) who want a house swap (or flat swap). This is also called mutual exchange. If you live in a council house or housing association property you can swap. Join now and receive GREAT DISCOUNTS on membership - SAVE UP TO 30% when you register TODAY!
HomeSwapper is for social tenants (in rented property) who want a house swap (or flat swap). This is also called mutual exchange. If you live in a council house or housing association property you can swap. Join now and receive GREAT DISCOUNTS on membership - SAVE UP TO 30% when you register TODAY!
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