How to Spot an Unethical Estate Agent

Selling your home is a significant life event, and the last thing you want is to be misled by the unscrupulous practices of a minority of estate agents.

These agents and their actions give the industry a bad name.

We’ve no time for them, and neither should you.

The good news is we’re about to shine a light on some of those practices so you can look out for them and act to avoid agents who use them.

Homeowners deserve transparency and fairness when … Continue Reading…

Inherited a Rental Property? Here Are Your Options

If you’ve just inherited a rental property, then you may be wondering what your options are.

While you won’t need to make any decisions on the spot (it usually takes many months to settle an estate), it’s good to start thinking about the issues you’ll have to address in time.

The first is what you intend to do with the property. Assuming you don’t want to move in yourself, your options are to:

Continue to rent the property out. That way, you’ll earn … Continue Reading…

Thinking of Selling in Spring? Here Are Five Questions to Ask an Estate Agent

If you’re mulling over a move this spring, there are several key decisions to make.

Choosing the right estate agent to sell your home is one of the most important.

To help you make an informed decision, here are five important questions to ask any estate agent:

1. What process do you use to value my home accurately?

How an agent values your property reveals their market knowledge and commitment to getting you the best possible price. An experienced agent should provide a comprehensive … Continue Reading…

Where Many Real Buyers Come From – National Connections

One of the myths of selling a property is “put it on the internet and the buyers will flock to you”.

Sellers have found out the hard way this is not true. Buyers may use the internet to make an initial approach to an estate agent but more often than not buyers are introduced to properties by a physical conversation with estate agent’s staff.

All the technology and automation we have at our disposal are great tools for generating leads but the … Continue Reading…

Seven Super Simple Tips to Sell Successfully this Spring

Spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation, making it an ideal time to put your property on the market.

With the days getting longer and the weather warming up, potential buyers are traditionally more inclined to start their search for a new home.

To ensure your property stands out in the competitive spring market, here are seven key steps to prepare your home for a successful sale.

Each of these steps combines tried-and-tested techniques with a sprinkle of seasonal savvy, aiming to … Continue Reading…

Why Accurate Pricing Is So Important – Especially in Spring

Introducing the Goldilocks Principle

When valuing a home with a view to selling in the spring, it’s easy to be tempted to set your price too high, hoping to cash in on a bigger profit.

Alternatively, some may go too low, with the aim of a quick sale.

But as we’ve learned over the years, the ‘Goldilocks Principle’ of property pricing is fundamental to your success.

It’s particularly relevant in the spring, as there’s a window of opportunity due to potential buyers awakening from … Continue Reading…

Five Books to Help You Seal Your Dream Property Deal

A great property deal can set you up for life and allow you to leave a legacy for your family.

But a bad deal or no deal (if you miss out on your dream home) will haunt you for years.

So, how can buyers and sellers ensure they come out on top in the property game?

Working with a great estate agent who understands the local market certainly helps – we’d go so far as to say it’s the most crucial factor.

But it’s … Continue Reading…

Five Top Reasons Home Sales Collapse and How to Avoid Them

The journey of buying or selling a property is often filled with anticipation and excitement.

However, it can also be fraught with unexpected challenges that might cause a sale to fall through.

As experienced local estate agents, we’ve seen our fair share of transactions fall by the wayside.

This article shares insights on why these issues arise but, more importantly, how to avoid them.

Financial hiccups

One of the most common deal-breakers is financial issues. This could be anything from a buyer’s mortgage falling through … Continue Reading…

Not Happy with Your Estate Agent? Here’s How to Switch

They say selling a home is a marathon, not a sprint, but what happens if your sale is progressing at a snail’s pace or going nowhere?

How can you get things back on track and find a buyer who will go the distance?

One option – and it’s a big move – is to switch agents.

Sellers usually take this step when they’ve grown frustrated with a lack of progress and feel that a fresh start is needed.

If your agent has gone from … Continue Reading…

Love at First Sight: Knowing Your Home’s Admirers This Valentine’s

This week, we couldn’t write an article that ignored Valentine’s Day, complete with love themes and romantic puns. So, here goes.

Knowing what sort of property a buyer will fall head over heels for is a skill any good, experienced agent has honed from years of matchmaking.

With that in mind, below we look at the five most popular property types in the area and the type of buyers who are often smitten by them.

The charming semi-detached

Young families and professional couples … Continue Reading…