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Selling a Property? Check Out These 4 Tips To Increase Your Returns

December 26th, 2021 Posted in Property Investment
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In 2020, the pandemic and unstable economic climate have caused many families and households to gain interest in homeownership. In turn, this has caused a housing market bubble, which has caused the median home prices to skyrocket to 407,000 US dollars – an 18% increase compared to the previous year!

So, if you have decided to put your house or property on the market today, you can obtain great returns from your asset – especially as house prices are so high. However, the competition in the housing market has never been fiercer, and understanding how to make the most of your property is essential. If you are not sure where to start, check out the tips below. 

Selling a Property? Check Out These 4 Tips To Increase Your Returns - realtor with sold board
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Consider Staging the Property

If you have an empty or older property, your real estate agent might have suggested you stage your property to close the sale faster. However, of course, this service comes at a cost – but is it a cost worth paying)

The 2015 National Association of Realtors Home Staging Report tells us that staging a property can increase its market value by 10 to 20%. And, if you are looking to close the sale fast, you should keep in mind that staged properties are sold 85-90% faster than others. 

While this isn’t necessary, your home can gain value and find a new owner in less time. After all, potential buyers will want to imagine themselves living in the property, and an unkempt living space might not be so appealing!

Hire a Marketing Agency Specializing in Real Estate

When deciding to sell your home, you will have to treat your property as an asset. Just like in the case of other industries and sectors, to close the right deal, you will need to tap into the right market, target the right buyers, and understand what channels of communication to use. 

Working with a specialized marketing agency that focuses on the property market can help you brand your home. The marketing agency will be able to target potential buyers by demographics, income, marital status, location, age, and time of day. 

Invest in High-Yield Renovation Projects

If you are looking to buy a home, you should look at your finances early and complete all the projects to increase the returns from your sales before putting it on the market. However, not all renovation projects will yield the same returns! For example, renovating a kitchen or a bathroom are expensive projects which can increase your family’s comfort level but can prevent you from recouping the money spent. 

Instead, redoing the sidings, garden, flooring, and repainting the property are inexpensive tasks that can increase your home’s market value.

First Impressions Matter!

Nothing boosts the value of a property like its curb appeal. Your potential buyers are likely to feel an emotional drive and make up their first impression of the property within seconds of seeing it. 

Luckily, you can improve the curb appeal of your home by painting the exteriors, fixing the roof, landscaping the garden, and improving your driveway. And don’t forget to repaint your front door! 

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Considerations When Choosing the Right Property

October 13th, 2021 Posted in family finance, Property Investment
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Finding the right home to suit your needs can be a long and difficult journey. There are countless properties available out there, but at the end of the day, not every property will be ideal for you. You’re going to have to get to know exactly what you want to find one that ticks all of your boxes. Now, don’t be hasty with this process. Remember that your home is likely to be one of the most expensive things you’re going to purchase in the duration of your entire lifetime. At the same time, your home is going to be the space that you spend a lot of time. You’re going to want to make sure that not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but that it is practical for your day to day use too. Finally, you’re going to want to find the right property the first time around if possible. Purchasing a home and moving in requires a lot of time, effort and money. You don’t want to realise that the property isn’t meeting your needs soon after moving in, as this would mean going through the entire process again. Here are some things to consider when it comes to choosing the right house for you!

Considerations When Choosing the Right Property - house lit at dusk image
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Location

Let’s start with one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a house: location. Where do you want to live? Locations needs to be a really practical decision. Sure, you might want to live somewhere stunning, like overlooking the sea or at the foot of a mountain. But will you be able to get on with your day to day life in these locations? For some people, the answer to this will be yes, or they’ll be willing to adapt their life to be able to live here. But for the majority, the answer will be no. Many people want to live near their work to minimise their commute, near their family or friends to be surrounded by a support system or near good schools for their children. Some people will need to prioritise being near good public transport links or road links. You should also consider safety. You want to live somewhere with a low crime rate if possible. Then, consider price. You’re likely to find a great location in expensive neighbourhoods easily. If you have a stricter budget, this search may be a bit more difficult.

Property Features

Once you know where you want to live, you can start looking at property features of available properties in the area. Your search will have whittled down a lot, but you’re still going to have to compare individual properties to find the one that best suits you. Let’s take size as an example. How big do you want or need your home to be? If you live alone, you can browse anything from studio apartments upwards. If you have a family, however, you’re going to need more bedrooms and living space. 

These are just the starter steps towards securing your own home. Hopefully, the information will help to guide you onto the path for this exciting journey!

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4 Imperative Things To Consider Before Moving Home

October 12th, 2021 Posted in family finance, Property Investment
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Moving home is one of the most significant moments in your life. You’re taking your existence and taking it to an entirely new, different place. Whether you’ve only ever done it once or you consider yourself to be somewhat experienced in this field, you can’t deny that it holds a lot of importance. There are so many personal and financial connotations surrounding a home relocation, so it’s something that really should be thought about a lot. 

4 Imperative Things To Consider Before Moving Home - packing boxes image
Photo by Michal Balog on Unsplash

Because it holds so much weight and value, moving home should have a considerable amount of questions around it. You’ll have plenty of personal and recreational thoughts going into something like this, but you also need to take into account your finances and how your professional life will be impacted. The world will continue to spin and you’ll need to stay in control of your life when something as significant as this is undertaken. Here are a few questions that you need to ask (and talk about) before you commit:

Will You Be Able To Sustain The Home For The Long-Term? 

Whenever you move house, you aren’t really looking for a one-month stopgap – it’s going to be something that you are hoping to work on for years. If you don’t feel as though this can be something you can handle for close to a decade (or more), then perhaps you should rethink your decision. When the time comes to make a decision and if you are looking for a mortgage, you’ll be advised in all kinds of aspects. You’ll then be tasked with making a decision that could impact your personal and financial future. 

How Far Are You From Your Workplace?

Working is important, obviously. If you are moving to a place that impedes your ability to get to work and back, then perhaps the move isn’t right. If you work from home, then this kind of thought shouldn’t even raise your eyebrow. The same idea should be pondered if you have kids, though, as they’ll need to get to school.

How Are Your Underlying Costs Looking?

In terms of your overall finances, you’re going to have to look at your current regime and evaluate things. You’re going to have a lot of overheads already taking their toll on your bank balance and your savings. Whether we’re talking about basic needs, car insurance costs, debts you may owe, or anything of that nature. Take a look at this aspect before you make a significant decision.

Is It Situated In A Location Suitable For You?  

Whenever the topic of property or real estate is talked about, people always go straight to the location, location, location point. Where the home is situated matters an awful lot. If you (and your family) would like to be in a wonderful location with all of the right people, then you need to put in a little work and do the research. The location also matters due to the accessibility – people will need to be able to reach you and you’ll need to get to important places comfortably. 

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Things to Consider When You Want to Buy a Home

August 24th, 2021 Posted in family finance, Property Investment
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Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Your new house will not only be an investment, but it will also be the place where you spend a significant amount of time with friends and family. As such, there are many factors that should be considered before making the decision. to buy a home.

Things to Consider When You Want to Buy a Home - family home image
Photo by Binyamin Mellish from Pexels

Type of Home

There are three major types of homes, traditional, condominium, and townhomes. Traditional homes typically have more land around them which can be very appealing for those who like having privacy from their neighbors. 

They also tend to come at a higher price than other options because they usually require larger mortgages as well as upkeep costs such as lawn care and gardening services. If you would like to buy a traditional home find out more about how nhs mortgages can benefit you.

Condos offer less space but are often less expensive than traditional homes. Townhomes are a great option for buyers that want to have the benefits of both living in a condo and a house at the same time because they combine some aspects of each type.

The Size of the Home

The size of your family will determine how much space you need when purchasing your home. If you only live with one or two other people, then perhaps buying an apartment would be best for you since it often offers more amenities (such as gyms) which allow residents to maintain their fitness routines without having to drive elsewhere during non-peak hours. 

However, if three or four members make up your household, then maybe looking into townhome communities might be worth considering. These units offer enough room while still having the amenities that apartments offer.

The Cost

The cost of your home will depend on the type you choose to buy as well as where it is located and how big it is. 

Some options, such as townhomes are more affordable while others might require a larger mortgage payment. This would mean putting down more money upfront or requesting higher credit limits from lenders in order for them to make loans available.

Are There Schools Nearby?

If you have children who live with you, then one thing you should consider before buying property is whether or not the area has good schools. 

You can go online and look at different schools in your selected area when making your decision. This way you will know exactly what kind of school district you’re buying into.

Select the Right Area

The area that you prefer your home to be located in will depend on what your lifestyle entails. If you prefer to live close to nature then a rural environment is better for you. If you want to have access to some of the best schools as well as shopping centers and cafes then an urban setting is best. 

Figure out what is most important for you before making any decisions. This will make narrowing down options much easier. When you start visiting properties with an agent they can focus specifically on those areas, instead of wasting time going over places outside of your preferred location.

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How to Save Money when Upgrading Your Home

August 23rd, 2021 Posted in Money Tips, Property Investment
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Every once in a while, your house will need upgrading. However, renovations can set you back, as we all know. If you want to upgrade your home but can’t afford the most expensive of anything, that does not mean you cannot make a perfectly beautiful home. All it takes is a well organised plan with a little extra thought and consideration. By planning and choosing wisely, you will be able to do everything you want without breaking the bank. What’s more, it will look as if you spent a whole load more than you did. 

How to Save Money when Upgrading Your Home - paintbrush and paint image
Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

The Budget

Set an honest budget that you know you can stick to that won’t see you struggling for the foreseeable future. Also, it makes sense you make this budget out of the money you already have saved. Getting into debt for your project is perhaps not the wisest of choices. So, save for a while, see what you have at the end, and create an all-inclusive budget.

Time is Money

And to be honest, we mean it in reverse here. Don’t jump in and make any rash decisions. If you have a strict budget, you will want to be doing a lot of hunting about finding great deals. Think about doing a room at a time rather than gutting the entire house and going mad trying to do it up. This means you will need to set a list of priorities, for example, which aspect of the project is the most intensive. That will need to be done first. Also, taking your time, looking for recommendations as well as thinking about costs will avoid you getting a cowboy builder. Remember things such as electric need things such as an eicr report cost, which would be needed if you wanted to sell your home at some point.

DIY

A lot of smaller projects can be done by yourself. If you are lucky you may have a family member or friend to call on to help you. If you are not exactly up to scratch on all things DIY, then YouTube is an absolute must. You will be able to find almost anything you need to do on there. However, be honest about your skills. Sometimes you may end up wasting more money and time than it would have done to get someone in to do the job in the first place. So, yes DIY is a great way to save money, but don’t over-estimate your abilities.

Reuse and Reupholster

A great money-saving tip is to upcycle some of your existing materials. Everything does not need to be brand new. You can easily make furniture and even kitchen cabinets look new by giving them a makeover. Think sanding down and painting or varnishing. You can actually find a very unique style this way. Also, think about the second-hard market. Sometimes you really can pick up an absolute bargain that looks way better than anything in the brand new catalogues anyway. 

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