Ever wondered if you should consult a real estate agent before doing renovations ahead of selling your home?
It’s the job of real estate agents and brokerages to help clients buy or sell homes at the best price possible and they exert every effort to make sure that they can provide good, reliable service. For example, brokerages make use of tools like Broker kit to find the best real estate agents; these agents will then work with clients to make sure that they get the most from their investment.
In short, real estate agents are the best people to consult if you’re interested in boosting the value of your property. In fact, you should check in with an agent before you make any major renovation or remodelling decisions! Why? Here are a few key reasons.
You Can Avoid Over-Improvements
Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash
If you’re planning on selling your home, the first thing that comes into mind is to improve it to drive up its market price. It sounds logical, of course, but remember that not every addition will give you a decent return on investment. For example, if your house only has one bathroom, adding a second one is usually a good investment. On the other hand, a pool or a hot tub may not be preferable to some buyers depending on the market.
A real estate agent has knowledge of the existing industry trends, so if you consult a real estate agent, you’ll have proper guidance on what kinds of improvements you should do. Sometimes, what you think might be a valuable addition isn’t really what buyers are looking for in your area.
You Can Keep or Add Valuable Features
In direct contrast to over-improvements, working with a real estate agent in renovating or remodelling your home helps you keep valuable existing features. Some of the things you may want to keep include hardwood floors, spacious closets, and large windows. If your home has an open floor layout, you should consider keeping it as well so that the new owners can divvy up the rooms the way they want.
Of course, real estate agents will give you their input about which features to actually keep. For many homeowners, hardwood floors are desirable. However, the location your house is in may dictate otherwise. In the same vein, you may personally like a large bathroom but the market may be more in favour of walk-in closets. Before you make any changes, wait for advice from your agent.
Consult a Real Estate Agent for Design References
Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash
Different homeowners have different tastes when it comes to home architecture, themes, and decor. Nevertheless, there are some trends that can influence or even dictate a house’s sale price—and a real estate agent would be well aware of these trends. If you want to get the highest possible value on the sale, follow the advice of a reliable real estate agent.
The most important thing to remember is that at the end of the day, if you’re selling your house, your design preferences should take a backseat. This is especially true if you’re already living somewhere else or are leaving soon.
You Can Get Referrals and Save Money
Major home renovations or remodeling projects cost a lot of money. They also require good contractors or else you might spend even more money because of botched construction work. The problem is that it can be difficult to find contractors who are not only good but also don’t charge exorbitant fees.
Fortunately, real estate agents are guaranteed to have connections in the building and construction industry. From carpenters and plumbers to roofers and painters, a real estate agent can point you in the right direction. They may even be able to help you haggle and get lower rates (within reason, of course). In addition, real estate agents can also refer you to interior decorators and furnishing suppliers.
Last but certainly not least, if you’re planning on selling your home, it’s best to hold off on all renovations until after you’ve consulted a real estate agent. Why? Because it may end up that you don’t need renovations at all to get the best value for your home.
What you have to keep in mind is that there’s no way to know for sure what will “sell” in the future. There’s always the economy to think about, as well as design trends. The area where your house is located can also affect the features that buyers value. For example, if you live in an area where families tend to settle, a bigger dining room may be preferred more than a walk-in closet in the master.
You won’t know, however, until you consult a real estate agent. Once you do, you’ll have a better idea about the changes you need to make. In the end, you may only need a little bit of touching up instead of having to do major changes.
Whether you’re planning to sell your property in the short or long term, it’s beneficial to consult a real estate agent before you renovate. Indeed, you should contact a real estate agent as soon as you decide that you want to sell your home. Doing so could save you a lot of time, money, and effort.
It is rare for anyone to spend their entire life in one house. In fact, you will probably move several times in your life before you find a home that you want to settle down in. Moving house is stressful for several reasons; however, the main issue that movers face is deciding upon the right house.
Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, and you don’t want to end up making a poor choice. It could be a while before you can afford to move house again, so finding the right house is imperative. So, how can you tell if a new house is going to be right for you? Read on to find out.
It Is Affordable
The biggest hurdle that home buyers face is the financial burden. Buying a house isn’t cheap, and there are plenty of additional expenses to think of on top of the asking price. You will have to set a budget for what you can afford. Sites such as ezhomesearch.com allow you to look at homes for sale in your price range.
For example, real estate in Greenville will have a different cost of living than in other areas, and there are also real estate agent fees to think about. The right home for you is one where you can reliably pay your bills and have enough money left over to accrue savings and engage in fun activities. Make sure you have created a plan for your expenses before you decide upon a new home.
Once you have your financial requirements out of the way you can start to think about your individual needs. You have probably decided to move house because your current home is lacking in something crucial for the next stage in your life. You may be moving into your own place for the first time, ready to start a family, or settling down to retire. Whatever stage in life you are at, it is important to assess a house to find out if it is the adequate space you require.
Having enough space also refers to all your previously owned possessions. You may live in a home that has enough furniture for two bedrooms and a dining room, but the property you have viewed can accommodate three bedrooms and has no space for a dining table. It is incredibly awkward to have a dining area upstairs, so make sure you can actually visualize your furniture fitting appropriately in the space available.
Location
A new home is more than a few rooms and a garden. It encapsulates everything from your neighbours, your street, and local towns. All these elements work in tandem to provide you with the perfect living situation, and if just one of these items presents an issue, then it is wise to avoid moving to the area.
If you are still working, you will need to make sure the local area has clear roads for your commute. If you have a young family, then it is best that there are good amenities in the area such as schools and parks. Remember, there is more to your daily life than your address, so make sure that you keep this in mind when searching for the right house.
There Are No Previous Issues
The housing market is full of laws and regulations that have been implemented to protect both property buyers and sellers during the moving process. Even the smallest issue can present a real problem during this time, and some families may not have the finances available to fix these issues. However, some things are easy enough to hide, and by the time you notice a problem the seller is long gone.
While a house for sale may look like a dream property on the surface, there could be a long-standing issue that has caused the previous owner to sell up. They could have had troubled neighbours, repairs they could not afford, or a recent change to the local district could have diminished the quality of life in the area. You don’t want to be saddled with someone else’s burdens, so make sure you understand why the previous owner is selling before you commit to a purchase. There is rarely anything sinister going on when someone puts their house on the market, but it never hurts to double-check.
There is something to be said about having a gut feeling. While there is no empirical data to back up a strong sense of belonging, you can often trust your initial feelings when it comes to a big decision.
You may experience a strong feeling of excitement when you find a property that you like, and you should take this as a good sign. If this excitement doesn’t fade when you book your second or third viewing of the property, you likely have a strong contender for a home that is right for you. Try to remain objective throughout the rest of the buying process, but do not count out your initial instincts.
Everyone Agrees
Even if you are moving into a new house on your own, there are going to be other people in your life that this change affects. Your friends and family will also want to see you in a place that makes you happy, so make sure you include them in the decision where possible. What’s more, these individuals will also have a set of experiences of their own, which means they can provide insight into areas with which you are unfamiliar.
You Haven’t Compromised
A common mistake that many people make when they want to move house is that they move too fast. You can easily search for all the houses that are currently available and place a bid on the property that most suits your needs, but this home might just be the best of a bad bunch.
The housing market is always in flux, so try not to compromise on a house just because it is available when you need it. It is fine to wait for a more suitable property to show up, so make sure you hold on and don’t rush into anything until you are perfectly happy with your decision.
A good sign during any house viewing is when you begin to place your existing furniture about the place. Perhaps you start to imagine your daily routine within these walls or all the new possibilities that this move now facilitates.
Only you know what you want out of life, so if a property feels like it is going to take you to the next part of your journey then it is probably the right type of house for you. However, you may also need to make some adjustments to live comfortably in an area, make sure you find out how much you are willing to compromise before committing to buying a house.
The right home means something different to everyone, so don’t just take our advice. Have a good think about where you want to live and put a strategy in place to make it happen. It may take some time, but the right house is out there for you if know where to look.
Owning a home can be a very rewarding experience when you’re prepared to maintain it. It’s a big responsibility but your hard work will be worth it when you have a beautiful and comfortable place to live.
If you’re a new homeowner or are simply looking for ideas for how to keep your home in good condition then you’ve come to the right place to learn more. Here you’ll discover some ways in which you can make sure your home looks great and that you’re able to truly enjoy all it has to offer.
Keep your home in good conditionby cleaning and decluttering it frequently instead of living in a mess. Follow a regular cleaning schedule and keep the supplies handy in each room for quick wipe downs throughout the week. Also, dive in a bit more and perform a deep clean of your property a few times per year. Get rid of the items that you’re not using and that are taking up space so you can make room for what you need and love. Remember to not only keep the interior clean but also the exterior such as the gutters and landscaping.
Inspect it for Damage
You may not know what needs your attention or is broken until you take the time to inspect your property for damage. Keep your home in good condition by looking around and identifying where the issues are currently. Some projects likeRoof Repairs or water problems simply shouldn’t be put off for another day. Contact the right professionals to help you take care of these types of issues and damages so that you can live well and stay safe living in your property.
Start by getting organised and knowing what you need to tackle annually in and around your home. Create and followseasonal home maintenance checklists and address each item one by one. This will help you create a healthier and happier home to live in and you’ll feel at ease knowing that problems or to-dos are being taken care of instead of piling up over time. Make a plan and put your tasks in priority order and determine if you can do them yourself or if you’ll need to hire help and a contractor to perform the work.
Owning a home is a financial investment and it’s going to cost you money to maintain your property and keep it looking attractive and in good shape. Save up your money now and create a home andrenovation budget that you can turn to when you’re ready to make some updates. You may also want to start an emergency fund for other household costs such as making major repairs and having to deal with unexpected problems that will inevitably arise when you’re a homeowner. Take a look around your home and figure out what projects you want to tackle now and in the future so that you’re prepared to cover the costs and follow through with them fully.
Selling your home can be a difficult process. It can take months or even years to find the right buyer, and sometimes you are forced to make concessions on the price in order to make a sale. If you need to sell your home fast, there are a few things that you can do to speed up the process.
1. Boost Your Curb Appeal
One of the most important things that you can do when selling your home is to make sure that it has good curb appeal. This means making sure that the exterior of your home is in good condition and that potential buyers will be able to see its potential from the street. There are a few simple things that you can do to boost your curb appeal, such as power washing the exterior of your home, painting the trim, and planting some flowers.
2. Sell to a Professional Home Buyer
If you need to sell your home fast, one of the best things that you can do is to sell it to a professional home buyer. There are companies that specialize in buying homes quickly, and they will often offer you a fair price for your property. This can be a great option if you need a home buyer fast and don’t have the time to wait for a traditional sale. Most of these home buying companies will buy your home as-is and for cash, so you won’t have to make any repairs or wait for a loan to go through.
3. Declutter and Depersonalize
Depersonalizing your home means removing all of your personal belongings, photos, and mementos from the space. You want potential buyers to see themselves in your home, and that can be difficult if they are constantly reminded that it is yours. By removing your personal items, you’re giving buyers the opportunity to do just that.
If you have a lot of stuff, we recommend renting a storage unit for the duration of your home’s listing. This will give you somewhere to put all of your things while still making your home presentable to buyers.
In addition to depersonalizing your home, you should also declutter it. This means getting rid of any excess furniture, clothes, and toys that you don’t need. The more clutter there is in your home, the smaller and more cramped it will appear to potential buyers.
4. Reduce Your Price
Credit: I Wei Huang/Shutterstock
If you need to sell your home fast, one of the best things that you can do is to reduce your price. This will make your home more attractive to potential buyers, and it will also help to increase the number of showings that you get. Make sure that you do due diligence when pricing your home, as you don’t want to price it so low that you end up losing money on the sale.
Selling your home doesn’t have to be a long and drawn-out process. If you need to sell quickly, there are a few things that you can do to speed up the process. From boosting your curb appeal to selling to a professional home buyer, there are a few ways that you can make sure that your home is sold in no time. Keep these tips in mind next time you need to sell your home fast.
Property development is often an incredibly lucrative business to get into. However, there is more to it than simply renovating or building houses. There are a number of pieces of legislation that need following in order to ensure that the development is legally compliant. Failure to do so can result in serious repercussions. One such aspect of property development is conducting site surveys; read on to find out more about why site surveys are important and the different types involved.
If the site has existing buildings on it, then it makes sense to carry out an existing building survey regardless of whether you are keeping the structure or not. Surveyors provide a valuation of the structure. They also assess the condition of the structure and the impact that demolition would make.
Geographical & Geotechnical Surveys
These surveys are carried out to assess the ground and evaluate the physical conditions, such as the type of soil or whether there are a lot of rocks, et cetera. The subsurface conditions can make or break a development effort which is why they are important. They are needed to identify any potential roadblocks, and they can often help to provide you with solutions that you can use to overcome them.
Topographical Surveys
Topographical surveys are somewhat similar, but it is more about the surrounding characteristics of the land, both natural and manmade. It looks for things like slopes, watercourses, boundary lines, roads and paths. For the most part, local authorities won’t sign off on a project without this survey. The features found can have a significant effect on your plans for the site and what you can realistically achieve with it.
Credit: Shutterstock
Ecological Survey
This form of survey is all about the local wildlife. It aims to identify any habitats and species living onsite, usually reptiles, mammals, birds or bats. They are often a legal requirement. The identification of a species onsite is not necessarily a roadblock, but plans will need to be made to relocate the creatures with as minimum disruption as possible. Ecological surveys can also take into account the botanical aspects of the plot or site too.
Tree Survey
Tree surveys are as they sound; they provide you with a thorough examination of the trees on your site. You can then make an informed decision about what to do with said trees. The insights gathered from tree surveys can also help you when it comes to applying for planning permission, to identify health and safety risks or minimise the damage to protected trees. For example, some trees will need to be built around and left undisturbed, whereas others might be replanted or removed from the site completely.
Flood Surveys
Some areas of land simply cannot be built on or developed; it is not always apparent what constitutes a flood risk which is why a flood survey needs to be carried out. Not all flood plains are obvious. They are necessary for planning and development applications. Failing to complete this survey can have legal repercussions as well as cost a lot of money to rectify. Older homes or homes built too closely to bodies of water are at more of a risk thanks to climate change.
Boundary Survey
Boundary surveys are carried out to map out the outer boundary of the plot. It ensures that you don’t go out of your plot or compromise the development by encroaching on someone else’s property or land. Often the old boundary records are used or the sale information.
Image: Shutterstock
Why Carry Out Site Surveys?
Surveys are carried out for a number of reasons. Primarily, they help to ensure that the project goes ahead as smoothly as possible. While they might seem like a hindrance and an extra expense or several, the surveys only seek to weed out potential issues that you would otherwise encounter throughout the development process.
The surveys also ensure the legal compliance of your project. They make sure that your project is safe both for the local community, wildlife and the people who will eventually live in your property. Failing to carry them out can have a catastrophic effect on those around you. For example, you can damage ecosystems beyond repair, or you could unknowingly be building on an unsuitable substructure, or you could be opening the homeowners up to dangers.
Finally, think about your reputation if you were to progress through your development without carrying out the proper checks and surveys. You would quickly gain a reputation for cutting corners and producing unsafe properties, and harming the local wildlife. Therefore, ensuring that all of the necessary surveys are conducted makes you more trustworthy and reliable in the eyes of business contacts and customers too.
How to Tell Which Surveys to Carry Out?
There are a number of surveys that you have to carry out legally in order to get planning permission, but this can vary depending on the local authority that you are dealing with, so be sure to do your research. You can also get a good idea of what surveys you need to carry out from simply looking at the plot. For example, if there are no existing structures, then you probably don’t need to carry out the existing building survey, et cetera.
In Conclusion
Carrying out surveys often seems like a tedious extra expense that can delay the start of your project or jeopardise your chances of securing planning permission, but they are important. Failing to do your due diligence when it comes to surveys can have a significant effect on your business. Make sure that you have done your research and consulted the local authority as well as national requirements to ensure that you haven’t missed or forgotten anything.
