According to many entrepreneurs and self-made millionaires, investing in property is one of the most dynamic, exciting, and best of all, lucrative opportunities in investment available. Sure, there are quicker ways to make money sometimes, but not many, and few of them are as dependable as investing in property. No matter what else happens, people will need homes to live in, office buildings to work in, pubs to drink at, and hotels to stay in, and so investing in property is really a way to make money off of the second most indispensable human need, next to food. Along with the property comes the land of course – and land is a diminishing resource and over the long term will always increase in value due to the basic economic laws of supply and demand.
April 12, 2007
April 11, 2007
How to sell your house on the day
So your house is ready. It is spick and span and looks like a show home. You are waiting expectantly, and probably rather nervously, for that knock on the door from your first potential buyers. Experienced estate agents have all sorts of little psychological tricks up their sleeves designed to turn viewers into buyers. However, you won't necessarily always have an estate agent on hand to show people around, so it is worth picking up a few tips from those in the know.
Selling homes guide the study
A study can be a useful addition to a house, especially as an increasing number of people now work from home at least some of the time. However, if you only have 2 reception rooms, most buyers, especially families, expect to see them clearly defined as a separate living room and dining room, so converting a dining room into a study will not help you sell your house. Upstairs too, a small room fitted out as a bedroom is more attractive to buyers than a house with fewer bedrooms and a study.
Selling homes – the garden
A tidy front garden creates a good first impression and an outside eating area is always popular with buyers. Except in the city way where outside space is a big selling point, gardens are rarely the deciding factor when it comes to selling your house. However, this doesnt mean you can ignore them, and just like any other aspect of your house, it is important to look at your garden through the eyes of your potential buyers.
Using estate agents
Estate agents vary in the amount of commission they charge. There may be many reasons why you might not want to go with the agent charging the cheapest commission. Not may people realise that the amount of commission is negotiable. For example, you might be able to negotiate an agent who normally charges 2.25% down to 1.75% or 2%. However, to avoid arguments later, it is important to have this in writing and inserted in your contract. Also, estate agents try and tie you to an exclusive contract for 12 weeks or 3 months. An estate agent who cant sell your house in 4 weeks is not worth their salt, so only agree to sign up for 4 weeks, after which you will be free to take your business elsewhere.
Dining room tips to sell your property
No home should be without a clearly defined dining room or dining area. Even busy professionals, who may not do much cooking, like the idea of entertaining their friends around a candle-lit table. And families who eat most of their meals on their knees in front of the TV still aspire to the ideal of large family gatherings in a spacious dining room or dedicated eating area in a fashionable kitchen diner.
Selling your house – know the competition
Getting the right price is absolutely critical to getting a fast and profitable sale, which is why it is worth spending some time investigating the local opposition before you call in any estate agents for a valuation. Put too high a price on your house and it will languish unsold, and a house that remains on the market for more than a few months will struggle to find a buyer. Put too low a price on your house, and you may have the buyers queuing up, but you will always wonder if you could have sold if for more.
Selling your home – getting best price
Most people do up their homes not because they want to sell them but because they want somewhere comfortable and stylish to live. Having a beautiful home is now a major status symbol; it is as important as driving the right car or taking holidays in the smartest resorts.
Buying a home is the biggest investment that most people make and even through you may intend to stay put for many years, it is still important to be aware of which improvements are likely to make you money; which will recover the investment; and which may not be worth doing at all financially, but which you may decide to do anyway because they will bring you pleasure.
Selling your house – get a quick sale
Every home is different, and what sells one house may not sell another. But there are still some basic ground rules that work like magic in almost all homes, whether they are large, medium or small. Before putting your home on the market, use the following tips as a check list. These basics are always followed by people who successfully sell their houses and they come up time and time again:
First impressions count – Tidy up the front gardens, getting rid of dead pot plants and rubbish bins.
Tidy up – This might seem very obvious but estate agents will tell you that they are constantly surprised at how many people expect to sell their houses with dishes in the sink and clothes all over the bedroom floor.