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Dougmal Harcourts - The Property People
Showing posts with label property. Show all posts
Showing posts with label property. Show all posts

Friday, 7 February 2014

Knowledge is Power

When it comes to selling your property, knowledge of the current market will certainly help you plan for the future and put you on the road to selling success!

Before you decide to sell your property, you should first do some research to find out what other comparable homes are selling for in your immediate area, and how long they are taking to sell. This will greatly aid you in many future decisions, such as finance and planning. Having this knowledge should also reduce your anxiety throughout the whole selling process.

So how to you acquire this knowledge? The easiest and most efficient way is through gaining a formal Market Appraisal Report from a reputable and local real estate agency. A Market Appraisal Report should not have any strings attached – it should be “obligation free” with the information extracted from a reputable property database company that gains the information from government records. Ask questions if you are not completely sure of any information. Be wary of taking verbal property pricing opinions and comparables as fact!

Pricing information can also be gained by keeping a close eye on the market, attending auctions, and speaking to others who have recently bought and sold in the area.

Once you are comfortable with price, it’s important that you choose an agent that will market your property in front of the highest amount of relevant buyers. Ask the agent to explain in detail what they will do for you when marketing your property – again ask questions to fully understand how these marketing activities will bring the maximum amount of ready buyers to your door.

When choosing an agent, you’ll find that the agent with the cheapest commission is probably not the best – that’s why they discount their fee! Focus on the agents’ communication skills, negotiation skills, and their track record - as it is these attributes that will determine your final sale price. Choosing a proven agent that has superior negotiation skills and effectively works with all buyers will gain you a higher final sale price that will positively impact your bottom line!

Friday, 24 January 2014

Top Home Improvement Projects

If you're thinking of selling your home in 2014, or you just want to improve your home’s value, it's important to spend your time and money on projects that will bring you the most return on your investment.

Here are 8 home improvement projects you should consider:

1. External spruce up!
The first impression your home makes on buyers is its external appearance. If your home's exterior is looking tired, a paint job and/or fixing any issues should be a priority. Also pay attention to gardens and landscaping, as a little bit of money and effort can greatly improve the street appeal of your home.

2. Replace your front door

A new front door makes a great first impression on buyers! If your front door doesn't need replacing, a coat of paint can do wonders. Also look at your garage door and give it some attention if needed.

3. Add a deck or patio

No matter where you live, buyers are looking for outdoor living space. If you already have outdoor space, consider making it more attractive with a water feature, an outdoor fireplace, BBQ area or improved landscaping.

4. Add space
Depending on your budget and your goals for your home, an extra bedroom, extra bathroom, a finished attic or an expanded living space can increase the value of your home.

5. Improve your kitchen
It is true that buyers look carefully at kitchens and bathrooms. Be careful not to overspend on improving your kitchen. You may be able to do one or two things, such as replacing the appliances and painting the cabinets, or just replacing the bench tops with Caesarstone or granite to improve its value.

6. Work on your lighting
Today's buyers like brightly lit rooms. Change any window treatments to maximise the natural light into your home. Also look around your home and see if you need to upgrade or add more lighting.

7. Update your bathroom
Consider cost-effective minor upgrades to update your bathroom. Perhaps replace the fixtures, the mirror, repaint, and jazz it up with some flowers, candles or other low cost accessories.

8. Organise your storage spaces
High on the list of priorities for today's buyers is adequate storage. If your home lacks storage, you can increase its efficiency and appeal with closet organisers.

Most importantly, when improving your home be careful not to over-spend!