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    • Summer Selling for an Autumn Move

    Summer Selling for an Autumn Move

    Summer is a great time of year to sell your home. With bright, sunny days, gardens at their greenest and flowers blooming, your marketing photos will look fabulous!

    More daylight hours and generally better weather than at other times of year gives people much more opportunity to view your home at its best and brightest. And there’s nothing like a sunny day to put people in a great mood, which means they’re more likely to have a positive mindset when they’re viewing.

    So, how can you best take advantage of the benefits of selling during the summer?

    Snacks on table

    Photographs

    The marketing photographs in your brochure and online advertising play a huge part in enticing buyers to view your home. Importantly, they’ve got to be in line with the season, so if your home’s already on the market and the photos were taken earlier in the year, we’d suggest you replace them with some up-to-date ones.

    Have the interior photographed when there’s maximum daylight outside so the sun streams in through the windows, really boosting the natural brightness of your rooms. And if you’ve got a patio, balcony or terrace, open the doors and have a shot taken looking either inwards or outwards – it can create a really captivating image, with a hint of ‘summer holiday villa’, which could be hugely appealing to many buyers.

    Two great times to have exterior shots taken in the summer:

    1. In the middle of the day, in bright sunshine. If you’ve got a good-sized garden, a shot from the end – front or back – looking towards your home and taking in the lush colours of the trees, flowers and shrubs can look beautiful.
    2. On a clear evening, around sunset. A mid-length shot of the front or back against the twilight sky, with exterior and interior lights on, can be quite stunning.
    Outside shot, back of property
    Picture by Steven Barber

     

    Styling your interior for summer vibes

    The styling of your home is important at any time of year to help buyers imagine themselves living there, and it should resonate with the season. To give your home that summer vibe:

    • Pack away any dark, heavy throws and blankets and replace them with lighter fabrics
    • Floral cushions bring a summer vibe to any room
    • White bed linen will help make bedrooms feel bright and fresh
    • Scented candles are a great aspirational and welcoming accessory all year round, so choose some light, floral scents for bedrooms and living areas
    • Any aroma that reminds people of being on holiday, such as coconut, can boost their positive mood even further! You could have some fresh coconut cake in the kitchen or a coconut diffuser in the bathroom.

    Of course, the glass surfaces in your home should be gleaming whatever time of year you’re selling, but it’s even more important that they sparkle in the summer light. It might be worth having the windows and glazed doors professionally cleaned inside and outside before you put your home on the market and perhaps periodically until you secure a buyer.

    Indoor/outdoor living is becoming increasingly popular, so fling open your sparkling doors and windows before people arrive to view, and have plenty of plants and flowers around your home – particularly near doorways – to help the flow of greenery from inside to outside.

    Flower pots on windowsill

    Showing your garden at its blooming best

    Many gardens are at their finest during the summer, but it’s the time of year when everything is growing quickly, meaning it takes a little more effort to keep everything looking fabulous. Some of our clients choose to get extra help from a gardening services company while their home’s on the market – so why not consider doing the same? It’s one less job for you to do, and you can be confident your garden will always make the best possible impression on buyers.

    Styling is just as important for the outside of your home as the inside, so think about things you could do to show off how you enjoy the garden. If you already have garden furniture, great; if you don’t, then it might be beneficial to buy a reasonably-priced table and some chairs, as that can really help set the ‘lifestyle’ scene outside when people come to view. Put a vase of flowers on the table and lay out some refreshments – even if that’s just a big jug of freshly-made lemonade and some glasses. The garden will look even more welcoming and inviting, which will encourage people to stay longer to appreciate everything your home has to offer.

    Summer garden furniture

    Families on the move

    For growing families, being cooped up together indoors over the winter months often makes them realise it might be time to upsize! And with school-age children on holiday, summer is a popular time for families to look for a new home, as they can all view together, find something everyone loves and then move in early autumn without disrupting the middle of the academic year.

    So, while demand tends to be strong across all types of home in the summer, we usually find the ‘family home’ market is particularly busy – especially for those homes that have generous gardens. As children get older, many families really appreciate having extra space outside, so summer is the perfect time of year to sell homes with large lawns, where viewers can watch their young ones safely running about and enjoying the space.

    And with high demand comes buoyant prices, which means you may be able to get more for your home than if you try to sell in the winter months.

     

    Would an open house suit you?

    Summer is also a great time of year to have an open house, where different buyers can view at the same time over a period of a few hours. In nice weather, buyers can spread out through your home and garden, take their time to view – and, as long as it’s dry underfoot, you don’t need to worry too much about your carpets getting dirty! While it might not be the right strategy for every home, for some it can be very successful in creating a buzz and encouraging great offers, so speak to your agent about whether it could work for you.

    Stylish home entryway

    Moving in the autumn

    Once your summer marketing has led to a successful sale and you’ve found a new home that you love, you can start planning the next exciting step. Moving in the autumn has its benefits, as it won’t be too hot or too cold when you’re shifting all your furniture and possessions in and out of buildings and vans – which removals companies certainly appreciate!

    And here’s a valuable tip if you’re using a removals company: contact them as early as possible, even if you don’t have a firm moving date yet and particularly if you’d like to move on a Friday, as that’s the most popular day. They can come and do their survey of what needs moving, give you a quote and you have the opportunity to negotiate the best possible price.

    While some people find moving house one of life’s more stressful events, doing it in the autumn means you’re nicely positioned between the rush of the summer and Christmas holidays, so you should have some breathing space – and you’ve got the festive season to look forward to!

     

    So, if you’ve been thinking of selling this summer, or perhaps you’re already on the market and are looking for a new approach to secure a buyer in time for an autumn move, we’d love to hear from you. Give us a call on 01202 711169 or email sharon@moveon.biz and we can get things moving right away to ensure you take full advantage of the summer buzz!

    THE DEBT RESPITE SCHEME – 4th May 2021

    THE DEBT RESPITE SCHEME – 4th May 2021

    The pandemic has had a huge impact on people, their finances and their mental health. The government have looked at this and are introducing from the 4th May 2021 ‘The Debt Respite Scheme’.

    The respite is 60 days breathing space to help sort out the debts that have accumulated. The condition of this is that you must sign up with a debt advice provider authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

    If you have a tenant who has fallen behind in their rent and is struggling to keep up with their arrears, then this may help them. As a landlord you will not be able to contact them about their arrears or serve any notices during the 60 days. They must provide proof of the debt advisor and the tenant must have been accepted under the scheme. You can of course still contact them for other things such as Gas Safety Certificates.

    It is important to note that the tenant must still continue to pay their rent during the 60 days, the respite is there for them to work on a payment plan on their arrears. The tenant can only sign up to this once a year.

    If you would like more details on this, then please email me on sharon@moveon.biz.

     

    Remember a good agent is worth every penny when you know you can sleep peacefully at night.

     

    How to add thousands to your home with our…

    How to add thousands to your home with our pro styling tips

    One way to add value to your home is by renovating it; another is through increasing the amount of accommodation, by either building an extension or converting something like the loft or a garage to create an extra living room or bedroom.

    But if you don’t want to undertake that kind of building work, or you’re not able to because of planning or available space, the good news is, there’s another way you can add value – without calling any contractors! Read more “How to add thousands to your home with our pro styling tips” →

    40% of Tenancies Not Correct

    When it comes to claiming on tenant deposits, Tenant Voice recently claimed 40% of tenancies are incorrect, which often will lead to not only the tenants being awarded in their favour but also resulting in landlords being out of pocket.

    I have worked within the industry for over 30 years and owned Move On for 15 years. When you have been around for this long, there are rules we learn in books and training days, etc. and there are many things you learn through experience. I have got to where we have today due to the rigorous systems put in place. Those systems have been adapted over the years from experience.

    It always fascinates me that no matter how diligent our systems and checklists are, when we recruit a new person, something else will slip through. It does not concern me too much because we just simply add it to our checklist. All our tenancies are triple-audited by three separate pairs of eyes, prior to paperwork going out to be signed. I have often had staff ask me: “Do we have to do so many checks?” and my answer is…

     Yes, always.

    We are not perfect as humans, we are an extremely busy office and it is very easy to be distracted by a phone call or someone walking into the office, so triple-checking has to be done. To get a date wrong, a term wrong or have paperwork missing can result in the landlord not being able to claim through a rent guarantee warranty or in an eviction process as well as thousands of pounds of fines to the landlord and us as an agency.

    Deposits not protected or incorrectly prescribed information will find the landlord out of pocket of up to 3 times the deposit plus the deposit back.

    Renting out properties without the correct license will have the landlord not only fined/banned but also a rent repayment order of up to 12 months of rent.

    There are many agents out there, please don’t go for the cheapest, go for the one that gives you confidence that they absolutely know the law! In the end, the cheapest never ends up being the cheapest when it goes wrong!

    Keep safe,

    Sharon

     

    Remember a good letting agent is worth every penny when you know you can sleep peacefully at night.

    living room with caption '6 simple steps to prepare your home for viewings'

    6 Simple Steps to Prepare Your Home for Viewings

    6 Simple Steps to Prepare Your Home for Viewings

    We know from experience that the better your home looks and feels when potential buyers come to view, the more likely you are to get an asking price offer.

    living room with caption '6 simple steps to prepare your home for viewings'

    For many people, the decision about whether to buy a home is an emotional one, and we’ve found that, more often than not, they make that decision very quickly. By the time buyers see your home in person, they already know the size, layout and location, and the photos have been enticing enough for them to book the viewing. So this step of the buying journey is mainly about them making sure that your home is as good in reality as it looks in the brochure, and that it feels like the right place for them to live.

     

    Open Front Door

     

    Speak with your agent about how they can help.

    You may already have your own thoughts about how your home should be presented for viewings, but it’s always worth speaking to your agent to get their input. We’re dealing with buyers and showing homes every day and can often suggest things that might not have occurred to you.

    The best agents will have stylists on their team, who work together with a professional photographer to make sure that your home is shown in the most attractive light. Remember that these marketing photos are one of the key aspects that help to secure viewings, and that specific look is what your buyers will expect to see. So, while your home is listed for sale, the closer you can keep it looking to the images in your brochure, the better.

    Nevertheless, no matter how neat and tidy you are, there are always those last-minute tweaks and little jobs that need doing before a viewing. So here’s our handy checklist of 6 simple steps to ensure your home is perfectly prepared to welcome what could be your dream buyer:

     

    1. Make buyers feel great about your home before they even step through the front door

    First impressions really do count, so think about how your home looks as buyers approach it. One thing that sellers often forget is to check how the ‘For Sale’ board looks – is it clean and straight? If there’s any damage, let your agent know right away and they can arrange for it to be replaced.

    Try to ensure there’s somewhere for people to park their car, even if it means moving your own fifteen minutes before the viewing. Make sure the path to the front door is clear, the garden looks tidy and you have some welcoming potted plants at the entrance. Don’t forget the door itself – give it a wipe down, clean the handle and letterbox – and check that any outside lights are working properly.

     

    Breakfast at Table

     

    2. Make the space shine

    It’s really helpful if you can try to have the mindset that once your home is on the market, it’s no longer primarily ‘your’ home. You might have been used to leaving projects laid out across surfaces, having children’s toys and play equipment to hand and not worrying about keeping absolutely everything stored in its proper place. But buyers can often ask to view homes at quite short notice, so the cleaner and tidier you can keep each room, the less you’ll have to do at the last minute to get it ready for viewings.

    If you can get used to living in a clutter-free way and manage to stay on top of the housework, then all you should need to do before potential buyers arrive is perhaps run the vacuum around and pop your teacup in the dishwasher!

     

    3. Carry out a ‘fresh check’ on bathrooms

    When it comes to bathrooms and toilets, your two watchwords are: ‘clean’ and ‘fresh’. As with the rest of your home, if you can make sure they sparkle on a daily basis, then you should only have three little things to do before a viewing:

    1. Drop some scented disinfectant in the toilet or spray a gentle air freshener
    2. Make sure the toilet lid is closed
    3. Put out fresh towels.

    Tip: Keep a clean set of towels just for viewings, so that you can make a quick switch and then swap them back out once the viewing is over!

    Property Living Room

     

    4. A little bit of styling can make all the difference

    When you’re selling a home, you’re selling a lifestyle, so think about what little touches will help people feel good about the space and make them want to spend time there. Candles, flowers, high-end magazines and pretty soft furnishings work well in reception rooms and bedrooms, while a fruit bowl and some fresh herbs will add life to the kitchen.

    Use your marketing photos as a reference, and try to keep all these styling accessories in your home so that they just need a quick ‘condition check’ before viewings.

     

    5. Fresh baking really does work!

    It may sound like a cliché, but the smell of home baking really does appeal to buyers. Our sense of smell has a strong association with memory and can be highly emotive, so some freshly baked bread or cake in the kitchen might evoke memories of a happy childhood, while a coconut scent in a reception room, bathroom or bedroom might remind people of being on holiday.

    If you can fill your home with aromas that remind people of happy times in their lives, it will help them feel good about it – and they’ll be more likely to remember it in greater detail after they’ve left. Just remember that less is more, and if you’re going for a fragrance, make it subtle.

     

    Golden labrador sitting in front of a fireplace

    6. Pet patrol…

    Your beloved pet might be regarded as a member of the family, but not everyone is going to be a fan and some people may be allergic. The ideal solution is to take your pet out of your home while the viewing is taking place, but if that’s not possible, try to keep it contained in one room, along with beds, litter trays, etc.

    If relocating your pet is proving tricky, you could ask your agent to tell prospective buyers about it, then let you know if they have any concerns and you can discuss the best solution.

     

    At Move On, our team is always here to help, so if you have any questions about viewings or would like some more advice on creating the best possible first impression on buyers, just call on 01202 711169 or email us on sharon@moveon.biz. We look forward to hearing from you!

     

    Click here to view our latest properties for sale or to let.

    20-minute weekly workout when selling your home

    20-minute weekly workout when selling your home

    If your home’s currently on the market, how’s it looking? Sparkling and ready for viewings? Is everything in good working order? And how’s the marketing going?

    Of course, it’s your agent’s job to market your home and find you the perfect buyer, but that doesn’t mean you can put your feet up and leave them to it! You’re responsible for making sure that when people view your home, it makes a great impression on them – outside and in – and communication with your agent is a two-way street.

    Here’s our 20-minute ‘workout’ that all sellers should be doing each week:

    Make sure your home has ‘kerb appeal’. The view from the street is what people see first, and some buyers do a drive-by before they even book a viewing. So sweep the path, wipe down the front door and make sure shrubs and potted plants look good. While you’re there, check the doorbell works! 5 minutes

    Check your ‘For Sale’ board. Make sure it’s straight and clean. If it’s been damaged, ask your agent to put up a fresh one. 2 minutes

    What’s your first impression inside? Pretend you’re a potential buyer and look at your home with a critical eye. Does anything need tidying, tweaking or fixing – and are all your houseplants still healthy? 3 minutes

    Check all the lighting. Make sure none of your lightbulbs have blown. Common culprits are: undercounter and extractor fan lights in the kitchen, recessed spotlights and bathroom vanity lights. 5 minutes

    Speak to your agent. Regular contact keeps the relationship warm. They should be calling you with regular updates anyway, but it won’t hurt to remind them you’re actively engaged in getting a sale, and it keeps your home at the forefront of their mind when they’re speaking to buyers. 5 minutes

    Remember that most sellers won’t be doing this weekly once-over, so pop it in your diary and give yourself the best possible chance of achieving a great sale!

    If you’d like to chat through how we can help you attract the right buyer for your home, we’d love to hear from you! Give us a call on 01202 711169 or email
    enquiries@moveon.biz and one of the team will be in touch shortly.

    What to do when your home isn’t selling – 8…

    What to do when your home isn’t selling – 8 steps to boost your marketing

    You did it: you found an agent you liked, who loved your home and valued it at a price you were happy with. They put together an impressive marketing plan and the ‘For Sale’ board has been invitingly positioned at the end of the drive for a while. It seems like you’ve done everything right, so why hasn’t your home sold yet?

    Well, it could be a few different things. Some people believe it comes down to the price – and often that is a reason – but it’s not the only possibility.

    So how do you find out what’s stopping your home from selling, and what can you do to kick-start some real interest?

    1. Check out the competition

    Before you speak to your estate agent, it’s a good idea to gather some information about what’s going on around you. Have a search online for homes in the area similar to yours and see how they compare. What’s the presentation like and have they had to reduce their price? That should give you an idea of whether your marketing is along the right lines.

     

    1. Call your agent

    Have an honest conversation about your concerns. Ask your agent why they think your home’s not selling and what can be done to get things moving in the right direction.

     

    1. Find out what people think of your home

    Although the expertise of a good agent is invaluable, there’s also nothing quite like a bit of honest feedback. If your agent is on the ball, they should be asking everyone who views your home what they thought about it, then calling you to discuss whether any changes might need to be made to the marketing.

     

    If viewers thought the price was too high, what was the reason? If they thought there was a bit too much work to do, is there something you could fix or improve yourself for very little cost? In short, is there anything you can do to address the feedback that will make your home more attractive to buyers so they start making offers?

    1. Could you improve the presentation?

    Have another look at your home with a critical eye and ask yourself if it’s really looking its best. Your agent might already have offered their advice on how to style and present it for viewings, but maybe you could ask a friend to ‘view’ and give you their honest opinion about any positive changes you could make.

     

    One important thing to think about is: do all the rooms make sense for a buyer? You might have a conservatory that’s become a toy store for your family, but when you’re trying to sell, you’ve got to make every bit of space appear as valuable as possible. So, put away the toys and show the real potential of your conservatory. You could style it as:

    • a sunroom, somewhere perfect for curling up with a book
    • a dining room that makes mealtimes a bit more special
    • even a second sitting room, to give parents and children their own spaces.

    Likewise, if you have a small bedroom that you use as a walk-in wardrobe, pack away your clothes and stage it as a single room so that buyers can see exactly what value they’re getting for their money.

     

    While the inside might be sparkling, you’ve got to make sure the outside always creates a great first impression so that buyers feel good about your home before they even walk through the door. Some people do a drive-by before booking an appointment to view inside, so keep on top of your home’s ‘kerb appeal’. Make sure the lawn, shrubs and plants are tidy; sweep the drive and path; give the front door a weekly wipe-down – and don’t forget your ‘For Sale’ board. Check it’s straight and clean, and report any damage to your agent so they can have it replaced.

    1. Refresh your marketing

    Are the photos your agent took really showing your home in the best light? Do they grab your attention or could they be improved? Even if they’re already perfect, if your home’s been on the market for a couple of months and the seasons have changed, buyers will be able to see that your exterior shots were taken some time ago.

     

    Having new photos taken is an easy and effective way to reinvigorate your marketing. Go for a bright, sunny day and get the front shot from a few different angles so you’ve got options for changing the leading image online every now and then. Ask your agent if they can film an up-to-date video tour, and check whether they’re using the best apps and software.

     

    It’s also a good idea to update the copy in your advertising, particularly the headline, and make sure your home’s best qualities really stand out.

    1. Drop the price

    To get the best possible price for your home, try all the above before you look at a reduction. Have viewers said it’s too expensive, or are other similar homes also having to drop their prices because there’s an oversupply at the moment? If you do decide to go for a reduction, make it worthwhile. As a general rule, if a home was going to sell within 5% of its current price, someone would have made an offer already, so bring it down to a level that’s genuinely going to get more buyers interested.

     

    1. Take a break from the market

    If you don’t desperately need to sell, taking your home off the market for a little while can be quite effective, particularly if you come back with a new price, new photos and perhaps a new agent. Certain times of the year are quieter than others, and a good agent will know about seasonal and current trends and be able to recommend the best time to come back onto the market.

     

    Taking a break doesn’t have to mean your home’s not for sale, just that it’s not actively advertised. Your agent can keep the details ‘under the table’ and still give them to people they think might be interested, so you don’t miss out on your perfect buyer.

    1. Switch agents

    Sometimes an agent just isn’t the right one for you and your home. Perhaps they were enthusiastic at first, but now they don’t seem that motivated and you suspect they may have been over-confident with the price. Maybe they’re trying their best, but don’t have the right marketing skills. Or it could be that they’re simply not communicating with you.

    Bottom line, it could be time for a fresh start with a new agent.

    The relationship between an agent and their client is important – this is a significant transaction and you’re going to be working together to achieve the best possible sale. So, as well as making sure the agent you choose has a track record of selling homes like yours and a clear marketing plan, pick someone you really like. If they’re enthusiastic and positive about your home, they’ll pass that on to potential buyers and you’ll have the best chance of a successful viewing.

    If you’re ready to move on to a new home and need a marketing boost to help sell your current one, call us on  01202 711169 or email enquiries@moveon.biz and we’ll happily talk through what we think could make a real difference. No matter what the challenge is, there’s always an answer!

    THE DEBT RESPITE SCHEME – 4th May 2021

    THE DEBT RESPITE SCHEME – 4th May 2021

    The pandemic has had a huge impact on people on their finances and their mental health. The Government have looked at this and are introducing from the 4th May 2021 ‘The Debt Respite Scheme’.

    The respite is 60 days breathing space to help sort out the debts that have accumulated. The condition of this is you must sign up with a debt advise provider authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

    If you have a tenant who has fallen behind in their rent and is struggling to keep up with their arrears, then this may help them. As a landlord you will not be able to contact them about their arrears or serve any notices during the 60 days. They must provide proof of the debt advisor and the tenant must have been accepted under the scheme. You can of course still contact them for other things such as Gas Safety Certificates.

    It is important to note that the tenant must still continue to pay their rent during the 60 days, the respite is there for them to work on a payment plan on their arrears. The tenant can only sign up to this once a year.

    If you would like more details on this, then please email me on sharon@moveon.biz

     

    Remember a good agent is worth every penny when you know you can sleep peacefully at night.

    How to pick the right estate agent to make your…

    How to pick the right estate agent to make your home sale a real success

    When you’re selling your much-loved home, one of the biggest decisions you need to make is which estate agent to go with. Do you choose a local independent or a large national agency? Is it better to trust your sale to a long-standing high street agent or a newer, online-based company? Who’s going to get you the right buyer and the best price and also be there to answer all your questions when you need them to?

    Like so much in life, it’s a combination of due diligence and gut feeling. Having the right estate agent as your selling partner can make the difference between an ‘okay’ sale and a great one, so take your time deciding.

    Once you’ve got a clear idea of why you’re selling, your ideal timescale and your future plans, it’s time to do some online research. You can find out a lot about an agent by looking at their website and their google reviews.

    After you’ve narrowed down the choices, there’s the face-to-face meeting. This gives you the chance to find out more about the agent’s knowledge and expertise and get their opinion on how much you should be selling for. You’ll also be able to get a good feel for the people behind the company and how they deal with their clients on a personal level.

    If you’d like to speak to us about how we can help you move, we’d love to hear from you! Call us directly on 01202711169 or email sharon@moveon.biz, and one of the team will get right back to you.

    Keep safe

    Sharon

    Remember a good agent is worth every penny when you know you can sleep peacefully at night.

    ELECTRICAL CERT or £30,000 fine!

    ELECTRICAL CERT or £30,000 fine!

    In July 2020 last year it became mandatory for landlords to have an EICR (electrical installation condition report) certificate by a qualified electrician on their rental property and for this to be checked every five years. This was for all new and renewing tenancy agreements.

    From April 2021 all remaining rental properties, those with tenants who were in a rollover tenancy, must have the EICR certificate in place. Failure to have the certificate could mean a fine of up to £30,000.

    Landlords, if your tenant is in a rollover, you need to be completely aware of what type of tenancy agreement you have in place. If your tenancy is a statutory periodic tenancy then you should already have the EICR certificate in place as each month is considered a renewing tenancy. If your tenancy is a contractual periodic tenancy, then you must have one in place by the 1st April 2021. Please do double check your tenancy and ask your agent which type of tenancy they using.

    If you are not sure, then please send me a copy of your current tenancy agreement and I can check it for you for free  sharon@moveon.biz , better safe than sorry!

    Keep safe

    Sharon

    Remember a good letting agent is worth every penny when you know you can sleep peacefully at night.

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