Whether you’ve made a significant profit with rising house prices and you want to cash in, you’ve decided to relocate or you simply want a change, the property market is most certainly a seller’s market at the moment. But even with the market thriving as it is, there are still ways you can maximise your chances of finding a buyer for your home. If you’re getting ready to market your property, these tips can help you prepare your home in the best way for maximum kerb appeal.
Why prepare your home for selling?
It may seem counterproductive to spend time and money doing up a property you don’t intend to live in long-term, but there are several reasons why you should prepare your home for selling. A property that looks its best will get a higher valuation which is the first step in the selling process, helping you to maximise your profits. It’s also a fact that the longer your home sits unsold on the market, the more likely you are to need to reduce the asking price to get a buyer, so it pays to make it as desirable as possible. Presentation makes all the difference between a house that sells immediately for the full asking price or higher, and one that sits for months with minimal interest.
Maximise kerb appeal with exterior maintenance
First impressions are incredibly important when you’re selling a property, so it’s not just the interiors you need to think about but also what your home looks like from the outside. Fix up the front garden, deal with any chipping paint on the front door or window sills, and make sure that fixtures such as guttering are fixed in place and clean. If your home is looking a little more drab than you’d like, it may also be worth investing in a repaint of the exterior or at least power-washing to remove dirt and grime that can build up over time.
Prepare for potential questions
Prior to having people view the property, get yourself prepared with answers to any potential questions that they may have. Buyers want to be sure they’re buying a secure property that doesn’t have any potentially costly problems, so they may have questions regarding flooding in the area, for example, or if the property has ever had any issues with subsidence. Having these answers ready can put a buyer’s mind at rest and ensures that you’re providing them with the right information.
Fix any damage
It’s really important to carry out any routine maintenance before you put your house on the market, as you never know what a viewer may spot when wandering through your home that could put them off making an offer. Often, it’s those small tasks that we run out of time for that can affect how a property appears to an onlooker, and they could affect how much you wind up being offered on your home. Buyers mentally reduce the offer they consider making if they see that the home needs problems fixing. So, it is a worthwhile investment of your time to go through the property and tackle those niggling jobs that need finishing.
You want to help a potential buyer visualise themselves in the home when they’re viewing it, and that’s much easier if each area of the property has a distinct purpose. Rooms that look too cluttered or are filled with mismatched furniture can make the property look in disarray and impedes the flow of the property. So, when you’re decluttering your home ready for selling, try to organise the property to demonstrate to a buyer that there’s ample storage and that there’s room for everything, without needing to have areas serve double duty.
Get multiple valuations
Even if an agency values your property at the price you were expecting to get, don’t settle for the first valuation you receive. It’s worth speaking to multiple agencies and having several valuations before you put your home on the market to make sure that it’s genuinely worth what you’ve been told and that it’s in keeping with other properties in the area. An agency may want to appeal to you by giving you a favourable price, but if you’re sitting higher than every other similarly-sized home on the market, it’s going to take you far longer to sell. Do your research so you can be sure you’re going with the right business, at the right price.
You want to make it as easy as possible for a buyer to see themselves living in your property by helping them to get that love at first sight feeling. That’s difficult to do if your home is filled with elements of your own personality and character. Depersonalise the space to create a neutral canvas that your viewers can then insert themselves into and picture their own furniture and furnishings in. Similarly, you can stage the property to make it more visually appealing, such as having fresh flowers on the dinner table or garden furniture on the patio. They are neutral elements that may seem insignificant but they create an enticing illusion that helps someone see themselves living in the home.
Naturally, moving home is expensive and you don’t want to spend more money than you have to when putting your property on the market. But there are some things that are certainly worth the time and money in order to make your home as appealing to a potential buyer as you can. From carrying out those DIY jobs you’ve been putting off to making sure you’re prepared with as much information about the property as possible, and keeping the property clutter-free, these tips can help you to sell your home as quickly as possible.
Perhaps you have land available on your property and you are wondering how to make the space usable. You could be dreaming of building the perfect guest house for your out of town family, or to rent out on the Airbnb market. Many homeowners are looking for ways to make a passive income from building guest houses.
Before you get out your hammer and nails, there are a few important things to consider. A guesthouse has many benefits, but it’s important to consider your build before you get started.
Things like what purpose you hope to use your guesthouse for, what type of materials you will use, and investigating your homeowners insurance policy are just a few things you need to think about. Let’s take a closer look at a few important things that you should consider before building a guesthouse on your property.
If you are considering building a guesthouse, you probably already have a use in mind. If you are looking to create an opportunity for extra income, your guesthouse will be used as a rental property. If you have a big family, you may use your guesthouse to accommodate your family and friends, or you may have an aging parent or family member that you are getting ready to move in. Once you know the purpose of your guesthouse, it will help you figure out your design.
A guest house for your family may need to have multiple bedrooms or the ability to sleep more than two people. A rental guest house needs to be simple and comfortable for guests. A mother-in-law suite will need to include safety features to protect your senior parent.
Size
The size of your guesthouse will largely depend on the amount of acreage you have and your budget. If you are looking to create a multi-room, multi-floor guest house, your square footage is going to be larger than a simple guest suite.
Take the time to measure out with spray paint or ropes on your lawn to get a physical idea of how large or small you want to make your guesthouse. Once you decide on a size, you can start to break ground.
Local Laws
Each country has different laws about building residential structures. Before you start your building project, you will need to check out the local laws. You may need to get building permits before you start your project.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing the materials for your guesthouse. From a prefab structure that comes in a kit and is largely made from recycled materials, to a shipping container that is customized to create a unique guesthouse, you will need to consider your building materials early in the process.
Costs
Your guesthouse project should begin by setting a firm budget. As with any building project, you may run into problems that will add more to your budget. Always plan for a bit of wiggle room in your project budget. Your budget will help you mandate your materials, the size of your guesthouse, and the design details.
If you are thinking about building a guesthouse on your property, you will have a big project on your hands. Follow these tips to help you make your plan for building a guesthouse.
Whatever name the latest storm gets, one thing is certain: it can wreak havoc, especially on your property. Worse, you may not notice the damage until a wet patch on your ceilings or shards of glass litter your landscape. That’s why a post-storm check is so important, catching any difficulties early on. Here are some common signs to look for…
Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pexels
A watertight roof is easy to take for granted until it cracks, so check it first after a storm. Your insurer will ask for clear images of the damage and notes on what work has to be done if you locate any missing tiles. Check for loose tiles after a storm to replace them before the next one.
Next, call your insurer’s helpdesk or find a reliable Roof Repairs service as soon as possible — if additional damage occurs after a storm, you may be held liable. Even if only one or two roof tiles are missing, it’s worth repairing soon. Water intrusion into your property can lead to rotted roof timbers and damaged adjacent tiles.
Wind-blown debris might imply shattered windows or glass in garden sheds, cold frames, and greenhouses. Like roofs, it’s advisable to get a broken window repaired or replaced as quickly as possible after consulting your insurer. If the same window is always broken in a storm, consider installing shutters to protect the glass.
Replacing garden glass protects the contents of a shed and may be done by yourself if you know what you’re doing and have the correct protective gear. If not, a glazer can assist you to remove the leftover glass and replacing it. If there are any fragments left in the frame, remove them with safety goggles and strong gloves, recycle the glass, and replace it with a new pane manufactured to fit. Alternatively, shatterproof clear acrylic can be used to replace the broken glass.
Garden furniture, outdoor heaters, bird tables, and plant pots should all be checked before a storm. Due to the nature of severe weather, wheelie bins, plants, and ladders may end up in somebody else’s garden. Check your outbuildings, such as your shed or garages, for signs of damage. Make sure the roof is intact, the windows aren’t broken, and the gutters are secure, as leaks can cause rot and decay.
Storms can also uproot trees and branches, so take photos of any damage to your home or outbuildings. If they’ve dropped harmlessly on your property, all you need to do is pick them up. Find a tree surgeon to tidy up the timber, remove damaged branches, and grind the stump if necessary. They can also tell if an uprooted tree can be replanted.
Gates, fences, and hedges are frequently damaged by storms. Your insurance won’t cover them, so you can either find a qualified tradesperson to fix or replace them or do it yourself.
Get your gas and electricity checked if heavy rain has entered your home after a storm. A Gas Safe registered engineer can check your pipes for leaks, while an electrician may inspect your wiring and appliances before re-connecting them.
Consider replacing any damaged or worn-out furnishings or appliances. Keep these because insurance may ask to view them. Leaving damp carpets in place helps prevent shrinkage. Resist the urge to renovate right immediately — your home may need weeks to completely dry out. Purchase airbrick coverings and flood boards for doorways to prevent rainwater from entering your property again.
These are all important areas to get checked out after any storm. If you don’t you could run the risk of a more expensive repair.
Every room needs some maintenance and care to make sure that they are able to healthily and safely take care of your needs. However, there are some parts of the home that need more attention than the others. Alongside your heating and air conditioning if you have it, your plumbing is a part of the home that you can’t let fall into degradation. As such, it’s a good idea to make a few checks every year, including the following.
The taps throughout the home are some of the easiest to check for issues. Turn them on, let them run for a few seconds, and turn them off. Leaks will need a plumber to fix, but if you notice that any are feeling stuck or harder to turn, you might be to fix it yourself if you can replace the washer. This commonly wears out on hot water taps. Just be sure to turn the water off at the mains.
The pipes
The pipes are the veins of the household plumbing, you have to make sure they’re all working effectively. Leaks, damage, and blocks can hold up your entire water supply so be sure to check the pipes wherever you can and invest in replacements like decent metal pipe if you need to. A plumbing inspection might be necessary to find any hidden issues, but most pipe problems are fairly simple to spot.
The drains
You should do a health check of all of the drains around the home. A way to do this is to fill the sink or bath up with enough water that the drains are going to have to run for a few seconds to clear away the water. Keep an ear and nose out for the signs of blocked drains, including slow drainage, unpleasant odours, and gurgling noises. If you sense any, you might be able to plunge it or use a chemical drain cleaner.
The gutters
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It might not always be considered part of the plumbing system, but it involves safely directing water away from the home so we’ll put a reminder here. Gutters can get blocked, especially after bad weather, so check to see that there isn’t leaves and debris blocking them. If there is, clear it out, or it can start to lead to leaks going down the wall and even working their way through the cracks of the home since there’s nowhere else for the water to go.
The sewage systems
You might not consider it a part of the home worth looking at very often, but you should always keep an eye out for the signs of a sewer clog that might be about to happen. If you see any of these, then you need to get a plumber ASAP to clear it up.
You might not need to get an annual servicing for your plumbing, you might do just fine with checking it once a year and reporting in if there are problems. Don’t think that it should stay out of mind just because it’s out of sight. Make the effort to check on it so you don’t get surprised.
Leaving on vacation, you expect to leave everyday life behind you and finally relax without any regard for the outside world. But as you bathe in the sunlight on a sandy beach, you might be suddenly struck by an overwhelming worry about your house that is currently empty and vulnerable to all sorts of threats.
Being hundreds of miles away, you have no control over what is happening back at your house. That is why you need to prepare your property for any potential mishaps and set it to vacation mode to ensure its security. Going on vacation mode includes such measures as shutting off the water, unplugging unnecessary electronics, and preparing for severe weather conditions.
The anxiety caused by the thought of finding your property in ruins might prevent you from fully enjoying your trip. Luckily, by following the tips below, you should be able to keep it safe with ease!
During severe weather conditions, such as a strong gales or blizzards, you want to make sure that your home is safe. If the area that you live in is likely to be affected by severe weather conditions, you might want to put any items that might get blown away by strong winds in the basement or in the garage, as well as install storm shutters.
In addition, it is worth noting that with heavy storms comes the risk of floods and power outages. With no electricity, your pump will not be able to remove the water from your basement if it happens to get flooded. As a precaution, you could invest in a power generator that would turn on automatically in case of power failure. You have plenty of power generators to choose from, including Predator Generators 9000, or the ones designed by Yamaha or Duromax.
Unplug Unnecessary Electronics
To save energy, unplug all unnecessary electronics, such as computers, television sets, or your beloved Sonos Play 5. First, it will help you save money. Second, if a power surge occurs, nothing will get damaged. If it is not used to keep the property safe or preserve something, turn it off. In addition, you could empty the fridge and unplug it, too. You will not be needing the food that is inside it for a long while, and unplugging it is likely to help you save a significant amount of money.
Shut Off the Water
An important thing to do when you go on vacation is to shut off the water supply, as just a small leak can lead to serious problems, including a flooded house. To prevent water damage, make sure that all taps are turned off and that the main valve is closed.
Speaking of fridges, you should empty the fridge before you leave. If you leave any perishables inside it, the said perishables will begin to rot and smell in a few days, attracting insects and other pests. So, products such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and all the leftovers should be removed.
Adjust the Thermostat
If you are leaving for an extended period of time, you should keep the thermostat between eighty-five and ninety degrees Fahrenheit during summer vacation. It will help you lower energy bills, and it will protect your property from moisture and mould. The easiest way to do it is to use a programmable thermostat that can adjust temperatures automatically.
Put Lights on Timers
While you are away, make sure that the lights are turned on and off in the evenings. As your home is standing empty, it becomes an easy target for burglars. When your lights turn on each night automatically, you will create an illusion that someone is inside, which might discourage thieves from breaking into your property.
You can have a family member come around and turn the lights on and off for you every day, but the easiest way to go about doing it is to put lights in a few places around the house on special light timers. You should be able to get such a timer at a local electronics store.
As your home is standing empty, it can end up being targeted by burglars. If your property is equipped with a security system, make sure that everything is in order. Check each component of the security system, including the alarm system and motion sensors. Also, do not forget to check all doors and windows and fix or replace any locks that are broken or malfunctioning.
Hide Any Valuables
It is important that you take additional measures to protect your property while away for holidays. It might seem unlikely, but your house can end up being broken into. When burglars break into a home, they look for valuable items. It might not be difficult for them to find jewellery, cash, expensive electronics, and other things of value, particularly if you place such things in obvious hiding places or do not hide them at all.
A smart way to prevent burglars from stealing your possessions is to hide them in a great hiding spot. For example, you can easily hide your valuables in a small box and then place the box in a safe. If someone breaks into your house, they will not have time to figure out how to unlock the safe, preventing your valuable from being stolen.
Ask Someone to Water the Plants and Check on Things
If you are going on vacation, find a neighbour who can check up on your property regularly. Make sure to give them a spare key so that they can enter the house and make sure that everything is in order. It is a great way to add another layer of security to your home. In addition, you will be able to have peace of mind knowing that your home is safe. As they are inside, they might as well water your plants so that they do not wilt in your absence.
In Conclusion
To protect your home while you are away on holiday, you will need to do a few things before your departure. Make sure that all locks and security systems are in order, unplug any unnecessary electronics, switch off the water supply, and remove any perishables from your refrigerator. In addition, you can ask someone to check up on your house and water your plants.
By doing that, you can save money and prevent your property from getting damaged. But even more importantly, it will give you peace of mind on vacation. You will not have to worry about your home while you are relaxing and enjoying yourself!
