tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66635633678918030942024-03-13T22:25:18.520-07:00tips on selling your houseDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-18805479638867262272010-01-20T01:40:00.000-08:002010-01-20T01:42:01.174-08:00Rightmove new featureRightmove has a new feature - <a href="http://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-value.html">click here to see how it works - it shows you whats on the market in the postcode you put in,</a> what has been on the market and what things have sold for.<br />It's not quite like property bee but very interesting all the same.Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-43763365152708476332009-12-07T04:03:00.000-08:002009-12-07T04:10:08.959-08:00Buying a house and the vendors want you to pay for their carpetsI'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.<br /><br />So why do some vendors want you to pay for them?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />This might be ok if they're new and in very good condition AND will match the decoration you want.<br /><br />However if they insist on you paying for them you could<br />(a) insist on taking photos of them and the condition they're in when you agree to pay<br />(b) find out what sort they are<br />(c) find out how much carpet for the entire house would cost<br />(d) check under large items of furniture for any burn holes or rips.<br />(e) You could also refuse to pay for them and insist that any damage done in removing them is made good.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br />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!<br /><br />Insist on deducting the cost of a carpet clean if they make you buy them too!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-49605911538077502612009-11-29T03:21:00.000-08:002009-11-29T03:23:46.273-08:00Winter - a bad time to sell?Winter is a traditional lull in the housing market.<br /><br />Should you wait until Spring?<br /><br />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!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-30426397200287721762009-08-01T06:53:00.000-07:002009-08-01T06:56:06.819-07:00Cheering up the outside of your property on the cheapIdeally you don't want to spend loads of money doing up the house you're moving from.<br /><br />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<br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.gardenandgardener.co.uk/2009/08/01/pansy-universal-f1-mixed/">pansys from thompson and morgan</a>.<br />They're ideal for flower beds or troughs outside your front door.<br />Very welcoming in winter, but not perhaops suitable for a swanky city centre flat where a palm might be more suited.<br /><br />Keep them watered, fed and weeded too. Neglected plants look worse than no plants.Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-6256621255740284802009-02-04T13:37:00.001-08:002009-02-04T13:37:50.208-08:00The house of my dreamsHas been reduced by £100,000.<br />Yup 100k. So it's still out of reach - but still my perfect dream house.<br /><br />Ah well. I'll keep dreaming!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-32472820811845010742009-01-28T14:45:00.000-08:002009-01-28T14:48:31.198-08:00Books about selling houses<a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?platform=dl&awinmid=1418&awinaffid=12464&clickref=selling&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.play.com%2FBooks%2FBooks%2F6-%2FSearch.html%3Fsearchstring%3Dselling%2Byour%2Bhouse%26searchtype%3Dbookall%26searchsource%3D1" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.play.com/Books/Books/6-/Search.html?searchstring=selling+your+house&searchtype=bookall&searchsource=1'; return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''; return true;" target="_top">Play.com (UK) - Free Delivery - Books - Search Results: selling your house</a><br /><br />All with free delivery<br /><br />How to be Your Own Estate Agent: Learn an Estate Agent's Secrets and Save Thousands Selling Your House Yourself<br /><br />Selling Houses: How to Sell Your House as Quickly as You Can for as Much Money as You Can<br /><br />Anthea Masey & Andrew Winter<br /><br />Buying and Selling Your House<br /><br />Adam WalkerDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-8126133355357786112009-01-27T14:48:00.000-08:002009-01-27T14:50:04.357-08:00Homeswapper<a href="http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=2282&id=12464" target="_blank">Homeswapper</a><br /><br /><!--START MERCHANT:merchant name Homeswapper from affiliatewindow.com.--><br /> <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?s=134315&v=2282&q=84614&r=12464"><img src="http://www.awin1.com/cshow.php?s=134315&v=2282&q=84614&r=12464" border="0"></a><br /> <!--END MERCHANT:merchant name Homeswapper from affiliatewindow.com--><br /><br />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!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-18128203815234714882009-01-20T07:15:00.000-08:002009-01-20T07:16:03.282-08:00Want to move?Just seen this ad elsewhere:<br /><br />Are you fed up with your home? Would you like to move, but your partner doesn’t want to?<br /><br />If you’re unhappy with your current home and would like to explore the options available to you, a new TV series may be able to help.<br /><br />For further info, please contact:<br /><br />Matt Kirkham<br />Hotbed Media<br />Tel: 0121-248 3905<br />Email: development @ hotbedmedia.co.ukDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-57505663974504800412009-01-14T03:11:00.000-08:002009-01-14T03:14:26.258-08:00House web<a href="http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=111&id=12464" target="_blank">HouseWeb</a><br /><br /><!--START MERCHANT:merchant name HouseWeb from affiliatewindow.com.--><br /> <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?s=1626&v=111&q=865&r=12464"><img src="http://www.awin1.com/cshow.php?s=1626&v=111&q=865&r=12464" border="0"></a><br /> <!--END MERCHANT:merchant name HouseWeb from affiliatewindow.com--><br /><br />Advertise direct with HouseWeb, the UK's pioneer of property sales online. Packages start at £47,Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-88470864489022376822008-07-07T06:33:00.000-07:002008-07-07T06:34:22.686-07:00New BathroomWhy not put a new bathroom in? Buyers like brand new bathrooms and kitchens and <a href="http://www.diyfreebies.co.uk/wickes-bathrooms.htm">Wickes rangbe of bathroom suites is fantastic and they have up to 50% off</a>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-45624106133052923842008-06-15T15:01:00.000-07:002008-06-15T15:02:23.536-07:00Locate TV - find tv shows you want to watch<a href="http://www.locatetv.com/tv/property-ladder/27809" target="_top"><img src="http://www.locatetv.com/tv/property-ladder/27809/205x103_standard.gif" alt="Property Ladder at LocateTV.com" title="Click to see LocateTV results for Property Ladder. Always up to date, always relevant to you." border="0" /></a><br />This will take you to locate.tv which is an amazing site that shows you when your favourite TV shows are on next.<br />It's brilliant.Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-20659053584836730392008-05-23T00:41:00.000-07:002008-05-23T00:44:06.014-07:00Identify each roomIf you are marketing your home as a three bedroomed property make sure it has three bedrooms - you need to show each room can holld a bed, and ideally if it's a double bedroom you need to put a double bed in it.<br /><br />If your spare room is full of junk it won't hit the mark as a bedroom unless it has a bed in it. Sort out the junk!<br /><br />If you use your spare room as a study then you should put a guest bed in too - some of the guest beds look nice with a few cushions as an attractive place to sit.<br /><br /><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-89988895159767052192008-05-22T07:01:00.000-07:002008-05-22T07:06:54.863-07:00Pets or pestsLots of people don't like pets. Some people just don't like them, and some have a positive fear of them.<br />Remove as many traces of your pets as possible.<br /><br />Get the dog out on a walk whilst people come and view.<br /><br />Hide pet food dishes. Keep them in a sensible place if you have to have them out.<br /><br />I've heard recently about someone viewing a house who was horrified to find pet dishes upstairs. It's not that horrific unless there are rotting bowls of cat food, but I spose if you don't like pets you'd fine them a bit repulsive!<br /><br />So keep the pets out of the way!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-36702077297521529692008-05-21T00:44:00.000-07:002008-05-21T00:53:05.188-07:00The bathroomwhen you sort out your bathroom throw out all the empty shampoo bottles you've been hoarding. If there's dribbles left in them empty them all into one and ditch the rest.<br />Wash soap dishes, and all shelves and surfaces. Tidy everything away apart from any glamourous bottles of expensive stuff. Put a plant in if you've got room.<br /><br />Coordinate blinds, shower curtain and towers. Have a set of brand new fluffy towels you bring out just for viewings. This makes the bathroom look very luxurious.<br /><br />Get any nasty pipework boxed in and hidden. This makes the bathroom look loads better and makes it easier to clean! Less pipes to dust!<br />Hide away the cleaning materials once you've finished cleaning.<br /><br />Keep the seat and lid down. Keep the door pulled too.<br /><br />Ditch nasty carpet or lino!<br /><br />Cleaning the bathroom. As well as a thourough deep clean of the bath, toilet, basin and shower clean the grout between the tiles. Make it white and sparkly however you have to! You can get grout pens or get them regrouted.<br /><br />Make sure there's a mirror and that it's sparkling clean.<br /><br />If you've got an aging or coloured bathroom suite you might have to think that it might have to be replaced. Be prepared to negotiate on price if you don't want to replace it yourself.Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-81568783836153780182008-05-19T08:07:00.000-07:002008-05-20T06:58:19.136-07:00Sweet smell of successMake sure your house smells sweet.<br /><br />Pet smells, food smells, stinks and stenches will put people off.<br /><br />Keep your house smelling nice. Keeping it clean is essential - wash out any bins, clean the bathroom, make sure dinner isn't cooking when people view.<br /><br />Introduce nice smells. Freshly squeezed oranges smell amazing, bread baking is an old one - but risky if you let it burn, flowers are a nice though lilies can be operpowering.<br /><br />Pot pourri is useful but not in excess,Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-12354947665439645472008-05-19T06:22:00.000-07:002008-05-19T06:24:43.500-07:00Picking the right estate agentInterview them for the job.<br />Do they offer you a copy of their contract of their terms and conditions?<br /><br /><br />Do any of them have an eye on the market, mentioning a quick sale price? <br /><br /><br />Ring them all up and ask them as if you were planning on buying in the area. How do they deal with you? (ok, get someone else to do it, or use a relatives address and name) - but this way you know how they deal with people. Doing this first might save you time interviewing them! <br /><br />Ask them how many people they have on their books wanting houses like yours.<br /><br />Chances are they all get the same customers - so you want someone who's efficient and easy to deal with.<br /><br />What tie in did they all ask for? What fee? Will they negoiate?Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-82604344030579690312008-05-18T11:32:00.000-07:002008-05-18T11:34:12.107-07:00Everything must have its placeEverything must go somewhere!<br /><br />Hide the vacuum cleaner and the ironing board, but find room somewhere sensible for them! People want to know you've lots of useful storage available.<br /><br />And viewers do open cupboards!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-4599481847478952702008-05-17T05:10:00.000-07:002008-05-17T05:11:35.382-07:00Radiators and heatingIf you've got radiators then make sure they're sparkling clean. You can touch up old ones with radiator paint.<br /><br />Get together the info on your boiler. How old it is, when its serviced, how much does the service cost, what life is left in it, how good it is.<br /><br />Make sure you dust round the radiators as the can become dust traps.Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-50123281197538284412008-05-15T00:55:00.000-07:002008-05-15T00:59:39.854-07:00Drive by viewingsPeople need to be drawn to your house as they drive or walk past. They need something to stand out and make them want to explore inside. They want the kerb appeal factor to be high.<br /><br />Achieve good kerb appeal with<br /><br /><ul><li>Fresh looking paintwork</li><li>Roof in good order</li><li>Garden neat and tidy</li><li>lawn mown</li><li>bins out of view</li><li>house number clearly displayed</li><li>paths clean and swept</li><li>hedges neatly trimmed</li><li>hanging baskets full of flowers<br /></li><li>empty drive way</li></ul>Once you've got them in the inside must live up to the same standardsDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-62002280071698713952008-05-14T00:10:00.001-07:002008-05-14T00:42:05.844-07:00Questions that might get asked on viewingsAny disputes or noise issues with the neighbours?<br /><br />Why are you moving?<br /><br />Have you ever been burgled?<br />Have you ever flooded?<br />Has anybody ever been murdered here?<br /><br />When was property last rewired.<br />How old boiler & ch system, is it checked regularly by BGas or registered corgi guy.<br />How old is roof - does it have any problems?<br /><br />How long they have lived there?<br /><br />If a flat, how much is service charge?<br /><br />has the house suffered from any subsidence problems ?<br /><br />What council tax band is it?<br /><br />What did the previous owners do to the house? Is work under guarantee still?<br /><br />Is there a good school near by?<br />Any good places for our kids to hang out--playground maybe? This might reveal it's a living hell if all the kids from miles around hang out near there<br /><br /><br /><br />How are the neighbours? Are they nice? Do they have kids?<br /><br /> Is there anything really noisy nearby? (Pub, hotel, chippy, fire station, police station, motorway, industrial units)<br /><br />Is the property on water meter?<br /><br />What work have they had done? And when was it done, is it still under guarantee or warranty?Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-8413724680230688812008-05-13T14:56:00.001-07:002008-05-13T14:57:03.075-07:00Put your coat awayMake your hall look spacious by simply putting virtually all coats (and scarves and bags) away upstairs and not have the coat rack overstuffed with coats!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-69856866113691670672008-05-12T14:02:00.000-07:002008-05-12T14:03:49.629-07:00Fruity ideasHave a huge fruit dish packed with lovely clean fresh fruit in the kitchen. It can look amazing and better than art! It'll add scent too if you use some citrus!<br /><br />It'll bring an air of health and good eating to the room! <a href="javascript:void(0)" tabindex="10" onclick="return false;"><span></span></a>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-67280826883241708062008-05-11T06:23:00.000-07:002008-05-11T06:26:24.885-07:00Why are you sellingBuyers are trained to ask this question - why are you selling?<br /><br />Good reasons<br /><br /><ul><li>Moving for work</li><li>moving for family reasons</li></ul><br />Bad reasons for moving<br /><br /><blockquote><ul><li>house too small</li><li>horrid neighbours</li><li>too noisy round here</li><li>no parking</li><li>Can't afford mortgage</li><li>Split up need to sell</li></ul><br /><br /></blockquote><br /><br />If you tell your buyers you're desperate to sell, they'll put in a lower offer.<br /><br />So give them positives for moving and tell them how lovely it is living round here and how much you'll miss it!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-55929584842243276352008-05-10T06:04:00.001-07:002008-05-10T06:07:16.242-07:00Spacious homesDo spacious homes sell quickly?<br /><br />How can you make your home more spacious?<br /><br /><ul><li>declutter</li><li>remove excess furniture</li><li>use smaller items of furniture,<br /></li><li>have dining table for 4 if dining room is small</li><li>depersonalise the space by removing excessive photos and paintings from walls</li><li>paint throughout in a neutral colour</li><li>use same colour carpet throughout. This makes the spaces flow and feel bigger</li><li>Clean windows, pull back curtains completely</li><li>Remove items from windowsills</li><li>Declutter inside wardrobes</li><li>declutter under the stairs.</li><li>hide the vacuum cleaner</li><li>fold down clothes dryers in the garden, put them away if possible</li><li>Clean the garden of toys</li><li>Park the cars elsewhere (well up the street!)</li></ul>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6663563367891803094.post-61413017909074466062008-05-09T15:07:00.001-07:002008-05-09T15:12:59.335-07:00Quick tidy up hints for viewingsSome emergency tidying up hints - when you're short of time before a viewing<br /><br /><br />1. Take the laundry basket and pick up the things that need to be put away. Don't put them away separately, keep them in the basket and hide the basket in a cupboard! Don't forget to sort stuff out after!<br /><br />2. Next run the vacuum round the main areas.<br /><br />3. Clean the bathroom. Quickly. You should have done a thorough clean at the start of the sale process so it shouldn't need much work<br /><br />4. Boil the kettle. Make a cup of tea for yourself, pour another cup of boiling water and pop some scenty things in - a clove, some cinnamon, or a drop of essential oils (lavender perhaps)<br /><br />5. Spray a quick squirt of furniture polish near the front door - not on slippy floors though!<br /><br /><br />6. Finish tea, rinse and hide cup, smile and read through the list of notes you've made about showing people round your home!Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879200350200965725noreply@blogger.com0