Tag: housingmarket

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Could this be the magic solution that will help you to sell your property?

feng shui to sell your home

If you’re about to put your home on the market, you might be considering ways to make a few changes here and there that will help guarantee a sale, particularly if you’ve already set your heart on a property to buy. Read more to see if you can use Feng Shui to hack your way to a speedy sale this summer.

Originally practised in China, the ancient art of Feng Shui involved arranging an environment to achieve harmony and balance. Often believed to change the flow of energy in a property and be able to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, could it be the secret to achieving a sale of your property?

Open up the spaces

Ensure there is open flow in a room and you are not closing off the area with furniture. Ideally, you wouldn’t want a door to be blocked off by furniture, but also, you might want to ensure that there are no rooms that you need to edge around the furniture to get in. 

Pay attention to the ‘feel’

This may be a bit airy fairy, but the feel and atmosphere of your home can have an immense impact on your potential sale. If you get it wrong, you could scupper your plans to move completely. Buyers are looking for a welcoming feel that is comforting and calm. Ensure the property is well-lit by opening all blinds and curtains and turning on every lamp. It is also essential that the home smells nice, so let the property air before viewings by opening the windows and perhaps use wonderfully scented candles and air fresheners.

Don’t horse around!

Bring a metal horse ornament into the home in a running position. This is a Feng Shui method that can detach the energy of the occupants as it declares their intention to move on to somewhere new. If you decide to sell your property, the chances are that you’ve fallen out of love with your home for whatever reason. Position your running horse so that it is running towards the front door, symbolising your move towards your new life and home. The running pose is apparently very important; a static horse would suggest you’re staying put and may hinder your sale.

There is, of course, no scientific evidence to back up the art of Feng Shui, but some of the principles make great interior design sense, regardless of their ability to ward off evil. And if you want to move, there can’t be any harm in giving these tips a go to help encourage a buyer to fall in love with your property. 

Contact the managing partner in your area to take the first step towards moving into your new home.

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Landlords, are you charging the correct rent? Top tips to increasing your rent like a professional.

landlords pricing rent

The average tenant stays in the same property for around 2 or 3 years. But a lot can change in that time. If you’ve managed to keep the same tenants in your property for more than 2 years, have you considered whether the rental amount is still correct? Read this article to find out more.

If you employ a managing agent to look after your property and tenancy, you needn’t worry. Letting agents are at the coal face of the letting market, and so will be making sure that, as the market changes, the existing tenancies are kept up to date and all landlords receive the correct rent for their properties. 

But, if you manage your tenancies yourself, you might not be making the most of your investment. The property market has changed dramatically over the last few years, with a shortage of rental properties leading to increased rental prices. Therefore, if you have not assessed your property for a few years, you could be leaving money on the table. 

The average rental price for a property in the UK is £1190 (according to The Guardian in April 2023), which is an increase of 10% since last year.

Most self-managed landlords are either unaware of how much their property could be worth, how to increase the rent, or how to navigate the process. This could mean that most self-managed landlords miss out on potential income. So how can this income be unlocked? What is the approach to increasing the rent on your rental property?

Call in the professionals. 

The easiest option is to employ a managing agent. If your tenant is still in situ, you can outsource the management of your tenancies to a managing agent at any time, even in the middle of a tenancy, without any problem. The agent will perform a full audit to ensure everything is up to date and running correctly. They’ll be able to provide you with an accurate rental valuation, and if the rent is too low, they’ll be able to set a rent increase in motion for you. Nice and straightforward, and you will probably find that the rent increase will more than cover the monthly management fees for the agent. 

Serve a notice 

If you decide to go it alone, you’ll need to serve a Section 13 notice, in writing, to your tenants, formally informing them of the increase in rent and issuing the correct notice period. 

The key to a rent increase is to ensure you are fair. The tenants are used to budgeting for a set figure each month; if you increase by a substantial amount in one fell swoop, your tenant may not be able to afford the sudden rise in outgoings. It could cause your tenant immense distress if their monthly outgoings increase suddenly, particularly when experiencing a cost of living crisis.

If you’ve neglected to keep the rent in line with market value, you may have to take that on the chin and accept a slower rent increase process rather than a sudden jump up in price. Otherwise, regardless of the distress caused, you may find that the increase is unmanageable for the tenants, and they’re now unable to make the payments. 

You must consider that some rent, albeit at a slightly lower rate, is better than no rent and a complete breakdown of the relationship between you and your long-term tenants. 

If the increase in value is only £25 per month, you might decide it isn’t worth the upheaval and distress. After all, if your tenants move out due to the rent increase, you’ll lose more income than you would gain by re-marketing the property. But, if the rent is £100’s lower than it should be, this must be addressed promptly. Tread carefully, though and be sympathetic to your tenants.

If you need some guidance on navigating a rental increase with your tenants, contact our property experts today.

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Get your home sold this summer with these top tips

tips to sell your house this summer

It can be disheartening to not sell straight away. As frustration rises, it is natural to consider throwing in the towel and giving up, removing the property from the market and deciding reluctantly to stay where you are. But what if there was a way to give things a little boost so that you can sell your home and move to the property you’ve been dreaming of?

Whether you are already on the market and haven’t found that buyer yet, or you had a sale but it fell through, you probably need a refresh to boost your marketing to get a sale before the end of the summer.

These tips should help you find success:

Gather information

First, you need to take a look at the marketing and interest that you have had – has there been any constructive feedback? Have you had any offers yet? Have other properties similar to yours already sold?

Analysis

Carefully consider the information that you have gathered. How many viewings have you had? How does your property listing compare to other properties that have sold?

Be reasonable

Of course, we all want our home to be worth a lot of money, but if you have had low viewing numbers and/or low offers, it may be time to consider a price reduction. 

Refresh

Is the marketing of your property showcasing things in the best way possible? Maybe it is time to consider re-taking the photographs or rewriting the description to encourage more viewers.

Implementation

Come up with a plan to refresh and renew your marketing and implement it as if it was a new launch to the market to try a recreate that buzz that you had when you initially marketed the property.

Fisher & Partners can advise you on this process, and of course, we will also relaunch the property through our internal systems to match it up to buyers on their database. The idea is that if it is all starting to feel a bit stale and same-y, reinvigorate the marketing and spice things up a bit. 

Make the most of the summer weather with new sunny photographs, and perhaps consider staging some areas of the property for the images. And, if the price is a little high compared to other properties that have already sold, maybe an adjustment will help you achieve a sale.

Inactivity is the worst thing you can do when a property is not selling. Doing nothing will certainly not encourage a sale and will result in… well, nothing. Be proactive and change things up, and you will be negotiating offers in no time. 

After sitting on the market for too long last year, the owners of this breath-taking family home in Ascot recognised the need for a new and more dedicated estate agent. Through our innovative marketing approach and sheer determination, Fisher & Partners successfully sold it in less than six weeks on the market.

To find out how we could help you sell if you are stuck in a rut, we would be delighted to help you so please get in touch.

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Ask the right questions when viewing a property.

questions to ask homeowners

When searching for a new home, most of us will create a shortlist of properties that interest us and arrange to view them. But what should you do at the viewing appointment? 

Of course, you must look at the property and decide if you like it and want to buy it. Could you see yourself living there? But this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are crucial pieces of information that, if you know the answers, can assist with your offering process. Ironing out those questions at the viewing appointment makes sense to ensure that you are armed with all of the information before making any decisions or offers. 

These 13 questions are essential to ask; the answers will help you shape a sensible offer and negotiate effectively.

Why is the owner selling?

Often, this will be due to personal reasons, whether a relocation for work, more space needed for a growing family or perhaps a downsize. It is an excellent question to ask to understand the sellers’ motivations.

How long has the property been on the market?

The longer a property stays on the market, the more questions will be raised about it. Is there a reason that no one has offered on it yet? Perhaps you could put in a slightly lower offer?

What price is the seller looking for?

You will often find that the marketing price and the selling price of a property are different. Whilst you will probably not be given a figure that the seller will definitely accept, you may be able to find out how negotiable the sellers are.

Have the sellers already found a new home?

This question will tell you about the timescale of the sellers. It will also tell you if there is time pressure for the sale to complete, which is essential for you to know and ensure that your timescales match up. Is there an urgency for them to achieve a sale before they miss out on the property of their dreams? Is there room for negotiation because they are in a rush?

Is there a chain?

If the sellers have already decided on a property to buy, there may be a chain. The more parties involved in a chain, the more complicated the property transaction and legal process might be, which could impact the timescale.

Have there been any offers?

The actual figure of any offers that have been made before is confidential, but it can be helpful to know that there has been other interest so that you can gauge where to pitch your first offer.

Have any significant renovations been made by the owners?

If an offer is accepted, you will need paperwork to prove that any significant works were signed off properly. This is useful to discuss at this stage so you know beforehand before making an offer, as it can cause delays with the solicitors later.

What is included in the sale?

Items can sometimes be included in the sale or negotiated separately. Knowing what is included with the price will allow you to fully negotiate a deal to include other items you may be interested in.

Have there been any surveys?

Whilst the copy of the survey report will most likely not be available for you to read as it belongs to the person who paid for it, the estate agents will be able to tell you if the survey results caused a previous sale to fall through. 

Listed/conservation

There are finer details that could impact your life in the property, so it is critical to find out beforehand. If the property, or any part of it, is listed or in a conservation area, this will impact what you can do to the property after buying it. And in our area, its good to ask about any Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) for large trees on the property.

School catchments

If you already have school-age children or are thinking about starting a family, the school catchment area will be vital information for you. Families have moved house altogether to get their children into the school of their choice. We’re very fortunate to have many excellent schools in the neighbourhood, both state and independent.

Transport links

If you have to commute to work, the time it will take you and the convenience of the transport links will soon be significant to you. Adding an extra 30 minutes to your commute will cost you 5 hours of free time each week! And if you have to cross a busy junction or the traffic is renowned for congestion, you may lose even more time. 

Tenure

If the property is freehold, you are offering to buy the property and the ground it sits on. But if there is a flying freehold or a lease of some kind, then you will be bound by the terms for the duration of your time at the property. You will need to know the details – the length of the remaining period, the cost of the ground rent, and any prohibitive regulations will all impact your ownership of the property. 

The answers to these questions will help you understand the market, the seller’s urgency, and your potential negotiation power, enabling you to make a good offer that is more likely to be accepted. 

All of this will help you build a complete picture of the property, which goes much deeper than a simple viewing where you will only be decided based on the surface-level interest in the property’s general appearance. It’s a bit like having a blind date and deciding to marry that person without getting to know them first.

If you’re thinking about moving, sign up for our property alerts to be notified of new listings before they hit the portals. Or reach out to the Managing Partner for your area to discuss your wish list for a new home. We’d be delighted to help.

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Can the interior design choices you make affect the value of your property?

Interior Design Choices

Our homes are our castles, and we like nothing more than styling and personalising them to our own tastes. DIY is a huge business in the UK, and almost all of us have an ongoing project, improving or changing some aspect of our home, changing wallpaper, paint colours, or maybe even tiles and flooring. But how much could this DIY obsession affect the value of our home?

Interior design is a huge industry; from bespoke interiors to magazines showcasing beautiful homes, there is a fascination with interior design, and trends seem to change dramatically as the years go by – who remembers those floral chintz sofas from the 80s?

As trends change with the seasons, new styles and colour schemes increase and decrease in popularity. One moment we’re all painting our homes white and grey, and the next, we’re buying vibrant jungle-themed wallpaper. But is there a point when your personal style will begin to have an impact on the value of your home? Could a wallpaper pattern really decrease your home’s value? 

The interior of a home can make or break a sale. If you are too ‘out there,’ you may put buyers off. Or at least have to pinpoint the exact buyer who is a) looking to buy a property, b) is looking to buy a property the size, style and location of yours, c) at your asking price, and finally, d) with your exact taste in interiors. That is quite a lot of factors to find a buyer for your home, isn’t it?

A manor house would be lovely to buy but imagine the entire interior is bright red, filled with gold-plated fittings, frilly furniture, tasselled lampshades and taxidermy on every shelf. Would you pay the asking price? Or would you make a lower offer because you’d have to arrange for the decorators to come as soon as you completed the purchase? Unless, of course, you happen to like that sort of thing. 

Retro interiors, particularly from the 60s and 70s, are often very popular as long as it’s a nod to the era and not an exact replica. The idea is to incorporate hints into the property from that time, not turn your home into a museum. Avocado bathroom suites might be coming back into fashion, but it could be more likely to put a buyer off. 

Minimalist styles tend to work best and could be the perfect solution to selling your home for the highest possible price. Simple, clean and tidy, a minimalist interior would likely feel empty and sparse to the owner of the red taxidermy house. However, it is most likely to appeal to the largest number of would-be buyers, which is the key when selling your home. 

Scandi interiors are ever-popular for this very reason. It is a simple style without any overbearing patterns or colour schemes to put anyone off. And rather than dull and clinical, there are often pops of colour to create interest and add cosiness to the property.

In an ideal world, your home will attract many buyers with multiple offers, increasing the demand and, therefore, the value. If your home is so quirky that you really have to find the one buyer that will like it, there is limited demand, which could affect the value negatively. 

So, by all means, personalise your homes, but if your taste is very quirky, would you be better off toning that down a little when you decide to sell? 

If you are thinking of selling your home, get in touch with the Managing Partner for your area to arrange a valuation today, or start with a very quick online valuation to see your property’s current market potential.

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When selling a property, is it essential to have printed brochures?

property brochure

99% of Property searchers will start their search for a property online. It is convenient and time-saving, not to mention far more enjoyable, to search for a new home whilst sitting on your sofa instead of trailing around the town centre visiting different agent’s offices. 

The purpose of a property brochure is to showcase the property and its features and benefits. This is still important, only now it needs to be online. Because of this need to prepare an online presence for each property, agents can utilise many more tools and strategies to sell properties than simply a printed brochure.

From high-quality presented video walk-throughs like mini tv shows to a virtual tour that allows the viewer to view the property as often as they like, technology has come so far that there are many ways to market a property sale now.

But, a brochure is still needed; it is just not required to be printed. Digital downloads of brochures will allow buyers to see the property from home without harming the planet and filling up the recycling boxes. 

To promote a property for sale, there must be some marketing materials that can be easily emailed to potential buyers. The extent of this marketing material depends on the agent and the seller, but something must be produced to showcase the property. 

You need some way to show the interior, layout and the property’s main features to entice potential buyers and encourage them to view. Using either a floorplan or a virtual tour to show the layout and images or a video to show the interior style and size of the property. The written description is where you can sell the lifestyle, describing the property in a way to promote the best features of the property. The wording works particularly well when you want to highlight an element of interest in the property but is not seasonal. For example, Christmas dinner/Christmas morning, but you’re trying to sell your home in summer. Or summer BBQs when you’re trying to sell your house in winter. 

Although, likely, printed brochures are not going to be made any more – after all, they are expensive, bad for the planet, and end up in the recycling bin more often than not – a digital brochure will still be created to showcase your property in all it’s glory. 

The content of that brochure will need to have written descriptions that showcase your home and encourage searchers to come and view it. It will also have beautiful images so searchers can see the property and be excited about the real-life viewing. 

But, consider for a moment that rather than simply writing a list of rooms and measurements, and rather than mentioning where every plug socket and tv point is, use the brochure to tantalise the tastebuds of the property searchers. 

Show the viewers about their future in the property and the memories that they will make. Encourage them to view rather than hit them with a list of facts about the house. Sell the lifestyle your property will allow them to have and showcase how it will be the best for family parties, summer BBQs or Christmas morning. These are occasions throughout every year that homeowners will want to host or arrange, and you can show them that your home would be perfect for them.

Of course, no one will buy a property because it is quite good for BBQs, but if your home ticks every other box, it could be enough to push them into offering on your home rather than someone else’s that they may have on their shortlist. 

There are ways to promote a property without creating a brochure, such as a video walk-through presented by the agent in a TV style to allow the agent to highlight all of those features. Still, a viewer will not watch a 30-minute presentation video. So, a combination of video, floorplans, images, and great words all work together to market a property in the best way possible. 

Fisher & Partners is transforming the way property is sold. We invest heavily in videography and digital marketing of our homes to ensure that potential homeowners are able to get a sense of how it would feel for them to live in your home. Since you work with a managing partner from start to finish, you can ensure the features and benefits of your home are showcased effectively. If you’re considering listing your home on the market, we’d be delighted to give you a current market appraisal and discuss our services.

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Are You a Homeowner With Pets and Planning to Sell your Property?

sunningdale with pets

Sunningdale and its neighbouring villages are renowned for being pet-friendly communities. Your furry friends are an essential part of your family and homes. However, when it comes to selling your property, it’s important to consider how your pets may impact the process. We’ve compiled a list of tips to help you navigate selling your home while managing your beloved pets.

Prepare for Viewings with Care

While it’s not always practical to remove your pets from your home, it’s ideal to have them out of the way during viewings. If you have dogs, arrange for a family member or friend to take them for a short walk or have them safely secured in the car during the viewing appointments. This allows potential buyers to focus on the unique features of your home without distractions.

Conceal Bowls and Bedding

During viewings, it’s best to hide your pets’ food and water bowls, as well as their bedding. These items are not selling features and may not make a positive impression on buyers, regardless of their love for animals. Store these temporarily in a cupboard, the garage, shed, or even your car while the viewings take place. Once the potential buyers have left, you can bring back your pets and their belongings.

Create an Inviting Environment

Before each viewing, take the time to freshen up your home. As Sunningdale residents know, our noses can become accustomed to familiar scents. Open the windows to let in fresh air and consider using air fresheners or scented candles to give your home a pleasant aroma. Opt for popular scents like vanilla or explore floral options for a refreshing spring atmosphere. Clean scents like linen or relaxing lavender can also create a welcoming ambiance. By appealing to buyers’ senses, you increase the likelihood of leaving a positive impression.

At Fisher & Partners, we understand the unique challenges of selling a home with pets. Our Managing Partners are ready to provide you with accurate valuations and expert advice to maximise your property’s potential. Get started by requesting a free, no-obligation online valuation or reach out to our team today.

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How an Estate Agent will Value Your Home at a Property Valuation

When valuing a property, an estate agent will take into consideration several factors, including…

1. Location 

The location of the property is a crucial factor in determining its value. Homes in highly desirable areas, such as those close to good schools, transport links, and amenities, are likely to be worth more than those in less popular locations.

2. Size and layout

The size and layout of the property will also affect its value. Larger homes with more bedrooms and living spaces will generally be worth more than smaller properties.

3. Condition

The condition of the property is also a significant factor in determining its value. A well-maintained home that is in good repair will be worth more than a property that needs a lot of work.

4. Age and type of property

The age and type of the property will also impact its value. Newer properties or those with unique architectural designs may be worth more than older, more traditional homes.

5. Recent sales of similar properties

Estate agents will also look at the sale prices of similar properties in the local area to get an idea of the current market value. This is often done through a comparative market analysis (CMA).

If you are looking to move, whether that is in the near or far future, we would be delighted to help you on this important journey.

Please get in touch with us by visiting our Contact Us page, or by booking a valuation on our Valuation page. 

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Turning Your Dream Home into a Reality – Architect Tips with Ascot Design

When creating your dream home, you of course want to work with the best of the best in the industry to achieve your desired outcome. Ascot Design is an award winning architects who serve both private clients and the public sector. They are based in Berkshire, UK but work on and deliver projects worldwide.

We were delighted to chat with Alex Horder, the Managing Director at Ascot Design, about their world-leading architectural practice. He shared with us current architectural trends, what to consider when designing your home, as well as more information about the fantastic service they offer.

Watch our coffee morning with Ascot Design below to find out more…

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5 Easy Steps to Prepare Your Home for Viewings

Selling your home can be a stressful process, but we believe that with a thorough plan and understanding of the process it doesn’t need to be. One key element of selling your home is viewings, and often not enough thought or effort goes into this. Our top tips are…

1. Declutter

Where possible limit the number of items that personalise the house such as family photos, memorabilia, collections, and furniture. Remove excess items that make rooms appear cluttered as this will give potential buyers a better impression. 

2. Repair

Make sure to repair any known defects in the house, such as broken windows, leaky faucets, or damaged flooring. Potential buyers won’t be interested in a home with a long punch list. 

3. Paint

Freshen up paint colours in each room of the house with neutral tones and finishes. Neutral colours will make the house more attractive to potential buyers and may also increase its resale value. 

4. Stage

Staging the house can help potential buyers envision how the space can be used and also present it in its best light. Use simple and stylish decor to make the house feel inviting, intimate and attractive to potential buyers. 

5. Clean

Consider having a deep clean to make sure your house is truly looking as good as it possibly can, making it easy for buyers to fall in love with it.

At Fisher & Partners we will always be on hand to advise and guide clients in order to get the best possible route for them. By working closely together we can make sure that the whole processes is as smooth as possible for you. 

If you are considering a move, are struggling with your current estate agent or simply need some advice, please contact us and we’d be delighted to help.