Very Quick House Sale

WHEN it comes to selling your home, it needs to stand out from the competition. So, before you start looking for an estate agent, follow our value-adding tips.

1. Revamp the entrance

First impressions count, particularly if you’re about to put your house on the market.

By painting the front door in a strong colour, such as red or blue, updating doorway furniture and the entrance mat, you’re sending a message that your home is up-to-date and well maintained before anyone even crosses the threshold.

2. Refresh with paint

Painting the interior can lift the mood of your house and it’s inexpensive if you’re willing to do the work.

If your budget allows, tackle walls yourself and get professionals in to do the ceilings, as these can be hard going on the neck.

If you’re taking the DIY approach, tackle one room at a time. Choose a warm, dry day to start, move all of your furniture into the middle of the room and do the first coat in the morning. As most paint needs only a few hours between coats, you can do the second later in the day and have the room finished by the evening.

Bigger rooms will take more time of course, but the one-room-at-a-time method limits disruption.

3. Update flooring

Getting carpets cleaned can make a huge amount of difference to the look (and smell) of a home, so calling in the professionals is well worth considering.

However, no amount of cleaning is going to lift a floor covering beyond its use-by date, so it may be time to replace what you’ve got.

If floorboards are showing a little too much wear and tear, have them re-sanded, washed, stained, painted or simply resealed. If you decide to rip up old carpet and find old dirty floorboards underneath, mix up a solution of boiled linseed oil, turpentine and white vinegar in equal parts and test a patch with a lint-free cloth to clean and feed the timber.

If the wood looks good, you may have unearthed a gem.

4. Quick kitchen fixes

New cupboard doors and handles update a kitchen in a budget-friendly way. “For a pre-made cupboard door off the shelf, the cheapest option is a laminated door for around $15,” says Amanda Falconer, author of The Renovator‘s Survival Guide.

“The typical cupboard door is about 600 by 720 millimetres and you should be able to get a two pacpolyurethane finish for around $50 a door.”

If you can get away with just painting the doors, Amanda likes the product ESP (Easy Surface Prep), by Flood Company Australia, over which she says “you can paint on almost anything”.

Another option is to replace the benchtop, but consider what will work with your floor, says Judy Dymond, a colour consultant for The Laminex Group.

“As your floor is probably the largest area of singular finish, ensure you take the colour and pattern into consideration.”

If you can stretch to changing cabinetry doors and benchtop, “think about combining timber looks for lower and upper storage with a solid colour that complements and links into your benchtop selection,” says Judy.

“You can create impact with contrasting lower and upper cabinetry with your benchtop acting as the link.”

5. Replace splashback

Sometimes making one major change in the kitchen is enough to lift the whole room, so if you don’t want to mess with the cabinetry, cast an objective eye over the splashback as it’s a way to inject some personality into the room without going over the top.

Glass splashbacks are still popular but, at about half the price, acrylic is a cheaper alternative.

There’s a great colour range on the market as well as clear options so you can personalise your selection with wallpaper, for instance. The only limitation is that acrylics can’t be used directly behind stoves.

6. Change the light switches

Often, it’s the details that count and standard white light switches tend to look yellow over time.

Getting an electrician to replace them isn’t a costly exercise and you can often pick up everything you need at a big hardware store, so the major cost will be labour. Many brands make coloured or metal switch plates, but consider the fact switches tend to be utilitarian items that don’t need to be made a feature of.

7. Rethink window treatments

Sometimes, you don’t realise how grubby a window is until it’s obvious. In the meantime, the dirt is building up and affecting the quality of light.

Get the glass sparkling, check latches are working correctly and contact a glazier if any panes are cracked or need replacing.

“Putting up a new blind or curtain can be a great start to adding or changing the style of a room,” says Shaynna Blaze, interior designer on The Lifestyle Channel’s Selling Houses Australia.

“For a sleek look, use roller (also known as Holland) or Roman blinds made from simple fabrics and colours. To add extra warmth and style, use shutters or timber venetians, and then there are curtains to add luxury. Window treatments aren’t something we change often in the lifetime of the house, so make sure you wait and save for the best quality you can afford.”

8. Makeover the bathroom

“You can get a quick lift by replacing the toilet, sink and tapware,” says Amanda Falconer.

“A new toilet gives the impression of cleanliness and a new sink and taps can also help turn an ordinary or tired bathroom into something more modern. There are sinks of almost any shape and colour available, but more organic shapes are the current trend.”

If you want to go purely down the DIY route, think about painting the existing tiles. White Knight makes high-gloss tile paint as well as a nifty little Grout Pen, for painting over discoloured grout.

9. Fit new taps

If the bathroom and kitchen are basically in good shape but just in need of a little updating, look at the taps.

By fitting new, good-looking, matching taps, or taps that link aesthetically, you’re bringing a sense of cohesion to the house. Good taps also suggest good plumbing.

10. Groom the garden

Winter is the perfect time to pull on the garden gloves and get stuck into the backyard.

After a general tidy up, look at any gaps in planting that need to be dealt with. If you’re putting the house up for sale, gather reasonably established potted plants to fill up these holes as you can take them with you when you go.

Get hold of a high-pressure hose and give paths and paintwork the once-over. Clean the barbecue and give outdoor furniture a scrub and, if needed, an oil, as spring is just around the corner.

By Vera Klein, Notebook

People may need to sell their home for many reasons, such as some unexpected turn of life or the need to move to a new area. Everyone gets stressed when selling their home.  Sometimes they need to sell their home quickly otherwise homeowners can become burdened with two separate mortgages.

When you are selling a house you should keep in mind some important factors such as price, condition of home and publicity. Here are some tips how to prepare your home for the market and sell it quickly.

Fix your Price

When you determine a price you should consider some facts such as pricing it correctly. The market is always changing and fluctuating, so be sure that your asking price is based on the comparative market analysis. Your estate agent can you help in this case. You can also go through the current issue of the property newspapers and online information for a better idea of local prices.

Condition of Home

The condition of your house should be relative to your asking price.  Make sure that all defects are repaired before showing the potential buyers around.

1. Complete DIY jobs First

People are usually reluctant about DIY jobs such as general electrical work,  roofing work, removing or redecorating etc. Do any outstanding jobs to give buyers less reasons to walk away or offer a lower price.

2. Concentrate on the appearance of house from the outside

No one expects to buy a shabby home. If the outside of your home looks neglected, it is very difficult to convince home buyers to tour the inside, no matter how beautiful it’s interior. Make sure the outside looks inviting and offers good “kerb appeal”.

3. Freshen up the front door

The front door is your home’s first important impression to potential home buyers.  So make sure that the front door is perfect. If the current front door is damaged, replace it with a new one.

4.Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and Bathrooms accumulate the most dirt and the most clutter. A tidy and clean kitchen and bathroom attract the buyer more. Replace the shower curtain, display fresh towels and a new soap to draw the attention of the buyer.

5. Arrange the Rooms according to Buyer’s Expectations

People want to see the rooms as they are expected. That means if they are ready to pay for three bedrooms they want to see three bedrooms not two bedrooms and a study room. In this case you can add a sofabed in your study room so that it gets the look of a bedroom.

6. De-Personalize your Home

A buyer imagines themselves in your property and they cannot do this with your personal things around. It’s important to pack your things away if you have ‘collections’ or hobbies. Buyers imagine their own photos on the walls, so pack up personal photographs. This will also help you to mentally prepare for the shift.

7. Remove all unwanted furniture

With less furniture a home looks more beautiful. So you can remove pieces of furniture that block the walkways and put them in storage. You can also remove extra leaves and other unnecessary from your dining table to make the room appear larger. You can also put daily necessary items in a small box when they are not in use.

8. Self Scrutiny

Go outside your house, open the front door and stand there. Now ask yourself if you are intended to go inside. You should also be careful whether your house welcomes you or not. Pots of flowers near the entry make a welcoming feel and make the home seem newer and which is worth to draw the attraction of the buyer.

Publicity

You can contact with a reputable and professional cash buying company that can expose your home and advertise for your home. It will ensure you to get a handsome price. But you should choose your cash buying company carefully. Many companies now offer to cover legal fees, so try and find one of these. Don’t be misguided by attractive advertisements such as “sell your home in 24 Hours” because it is usually impossible.

So fix and list everything that is undesirable about your house. I Hope that these tips will be helpful for you to sell your home quickly at an acceptable price.

UK landlords are buying more properties than they are selling for the first time in two years, says the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). 

In the ARLA Members’ Survey of the private rented sector for the first quarter of 2009, more than double the number of agents reported that landlords were buying properties than in the previous three months. A lower number said that landlords were selling properties. 

With the evidence of these figures, ARLA believes sentiment concerning the buy-to-let market is changing for the better. 

This confidence has arisen despite ARLA members reporting an oversupply of properties in the rental market. This oversupply is a result of “reluctant landlords” who are entering the lettings market due to difficulty selling their house or flat. 

Ian Potter, operations manager of ARLA, said: “The data shows that there are bargains to be had in the property market at the moment for those with a keen eye. This substantiates our belief that buy-to-let remains a viable long-term investment vehicle. 

“And whilst in general it appears that there is an oversupply of rental properties to let, this does not mean that in certain areas of the country there isn’t a shortage of property. It very much depends on the type of property, the experience of the landlord and the quality of advice they receive that makes the difference in identifying a good opportunity to invest.” 

The ARLA quarterly survey also showed that rental returns have remained largely consistent in the last three months since the previous report. The return on flats across the country is unchanged at 4.9 per cent whilst houses are down slightly from 4.9 per cent to 4.8 per cent. 

Ian Potter commented: “With interest rates at an all time low the figures speak for themselves. Flats clearly offer a sound return on investment against saving rates, particularly if you’re not looking for quick capital uplift. 

“The signs are showing that it’s a buyer’s market at the moment, providing of course you can get the finance. But clearly the interest is there and lenders need to sit up and take notice. 

“These figures do not represent a move back to the imprudent days of landlords being indebted to an irresponsible level and struggling to pay their many mortgages. Rather it shows that the buy-to-let market is going back to basics, to what it was originally meant to look like and achieve when it was set up some years ago.”

1. Finish those DIY jobs

It’s common for people who are selling their house not to bother with finishing off all those little (or sometimes large!) DIY jobs. But these can be really off putting to a potential buyer. Furthermore, if your buyer instructs a full survey or a Homebuyers Report all these things will be noted and you may be asked to reduce your price accordingly.

2. Get rid of the clutter

No one wants to look at your pile of videos, tools, dirty washing, kid’s toys, dog bowls… No one expects your property to look like a show home but they will expect you to have made an effort to show it to its full potential, especially if you are selling it for a top price.

3. De-personalise

A buyer or tenant needs to imagine themselves in your property and they cannot do this with your personal things around. It’s especially important to pack your things away if you have ‘collections’ or hobbies. This will also help you to ‘mentally prepare’ for the move.

4. Clean

This cannot be stressed enough. Women will make the decision on purchasing a property 99 times out of 100. Even the bachelor will get his mum or his girlfriend to take a look! Most women can spot dirt from a hundred paces – and to live with someone else’s dirt – YUK!

5. Kerb appeal

Most people will see your property for the first time ‘driving by’ and will not waste their time viewing if it’s not what they want from the outside.

If your property doesn’t get them through the door you’re wasting your time. Once through the door, the majority of people recall getting that ‘it felt right feeling’ when they enter a property. If your entrance is warm and welcoming they will get that feeling.

6. Kitchens and Bathrooms

These places accumulate the most dirt and the most clutter. A tidy and a clean are all that these rooms usually need. A new shower curtain and fresh towels will go a long way as will ditching the curled up toothpaste tube and the sliver of soap!

7. Keep it neutral

If you do decide you can’t get away with not decorating before selling, opt for warm neutral colours; creams, peaches and beiges all work well for carpets and walls.

If you need to liven the place up, add some subtle co-ordination with accessories that you can take with you, rather than big bold splashes of colour.

8. What’s that room?

Make sure each room appears to be used as intended. If people are paying for a three bedroom house they expect to see three bedrooms, not two bedrooms and a storage room! If you use a bedroom as a study/laundry room/storage room then put in a sofa bed you gain a comfortable place to sit and still give the appearance of a bedroom. The same goes for conservatories.

9. Don’t market an empty property

Just as you need to de-personalise so buyers can see themselves living in your property you also need to ensure that you don’t go the other way by leaving it empty. You don’t want them to have to work too hard at using their imagination as they just won’t bother.

If your property is empty, they may not be able to imagine how it could look furnished. Rent or borrow some furniture so that the property looks more homely. And don’t skimp by not bothering with the accessories.

10. Use multiple estate agents

If you tie yourself into one agreement with an estate agent you could be prevented from appointing another one for as long as 3-6 months! If they can’t sell your property this is the worst position to be in so advertise your property with multiple agencies; at least 3.

The downside is you will often pay more fees as sole agencies will reduce their fees knowing they don’t have to compete with another agent. But you probably won’t mind paying a higher fee if the property is sold.