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With the current state of the market it is worry for all of those putting property up for sale that it will remain on the market for ages. For those who are wishing to pursue a speedy sale however, there are a number of strategies that if implemented, can considerably improve the chances of a sale. Fundamentally these tactics focus upon the mind of the buyer, making a property as attractive as possible in order to secure a quick sale, at the right price.

Part of getting into the heads of the buyer is to realise what part of the market you are likely to be focussing your efforts upon. By thinking of the kind of buyers that would like your property it is possible to focus your tactics upon them. This means marketing effectively and creating a property that falls into a distinct category. For example a two bedroom flat is less likely to attract families and more likely to attract young professional couples. That said, it is wise not to restrict yourself completely to one market sector, by leaving your options open, you stand more chance of securing a deal.

One of the most touted reasons for those selling property is to keep the home de-personalised. While the photos and ornaments that adorn surfaces may fill you with joy, this can restrict the thoughts of potential buyers when they are viewing. If a home is devoid of personal effects, it will be that much easier for the viewers to imagine themselves living there, and hence they will be more likely to put in an offer. First impressions are vital so the large family portrait hanging in the hall should be removed.

Another tactic that is used to de-personalise homes applies to the colour schemes in rooms. Once again, the bright colours that you may feel define you will not entice many buyers. More advisable is to redecorate in neutral shades such as creams and whites; this gives potential buyers the impression that the property is a blank canvas that they will be able to stamp their mark on. Redecorating will also revive tired rooms, making them fresh and attractive..

For those who feel that redecorating is not worth the effort when pursuing a quick sale, a worthwhile strategy is to de-clutter and clean the property. If you can, hire an industrial wet and dry vacuum cleaner to deep clean the carpets, this will do much to expel nasty smells and make them look almost new. Additionally it can be wise to rent storage space and move some furniture and items to this area. For instance if your living room is packed with sofas but has little room to move, removing some of the furniture will do much to create a sense of space in the room. Additionally, by taking items out of lofts and garages, prospective buyers will be given the impression that the home has a great deal of storage space.

In terms of cleaning it is worthwhile to give the property an expansive clean before the first viewing. By dong this early on it is possible just to touch up the home before each viewing thereafter. It can be difficult to keep a home tidy though, especially with children, but to save yourself a monumental cleaning task before each viewing, maintaining cleanliness is essential.

Hopefully this advice will give sellers an idea of the best ways to secure a speedy deal. By using a little bit of psychology it is possible to make your home more attractive to buyers.

Real estate expert Thomas Pretty looks into how certain tactics mean property for sale will sell quicker.

The Essex town of Colchester is regarded by many historians to be the oldest in the UK. It was an important Roman settlement due to its preferential position on high ground as well as close access to the sea. This meant that it was ideally placed to control the local population whilst being a centre for trade. Today the importance of this position is recognised by many homeowners with many estate agent services offering a range of properties from large and luxurious houses, executive high rise flats and even quaint terraced cottages. The sheer range of properties in Colchester shows the rich history of this town. For anyone looking for property in Colchester, utilising an estate agent is strongly advisable; the gaining of local knowledge cannot be underestimated. But when using an estate agent what are the key considerations? Hopefully this article will help those achieve a great service at the right price.

Firstly, those looking to buy or sell property should realise how important it is to create a balance between fees and services. It is normally the case that if you are paying next to nothing for an estate agent, the services will not be great. Naturally fees will always be applicable but by understanding that you are paying for a service and that service should be value for money your experience should be greater. Prices are mostly negotiable, but remember that if you bargain too successfully, chances are that the agent will be less likely to work hard for you if you are paying less.

The next step of utilising an estate agent is to sign a contract that gives both parties, the agent and client legal documentation containing the responsibilities of each. As with most contracts it is vital to recognise the importance of care when purveying the contract. Poring through it with a fine comb is advisable, as is asking for an explanation of any misunderstood clauses. One of the more important clauses is the time period that the seller will be tied to a particular agent; on average this is around six weeks, if it is any longer it may be worth asking for a new contract. As well as the temporal agreement, most experts agree that avoiding ’sole selling agreements’ are worth avoiding.

That said it is not always advisable to secure the services of as many agents as possible. It is easy to fall into a situation where many agents are attempting to sell a property and yet none are performing their roles effectively. If only one agent is used, it is more likely that they will be able to devote time and energy to the sale. Even so, if agents have worked together in the past and have a good working relationship, their combined efforts may result in a quicker sale.

Whenever we meet people it is too easy to judge on first impressions. While we may be wowed by a slick estate agent and less impressed with a quiet representative it is always advisable to research their services thoroughly. Ask for examples of their work and look into their success rates in terms of speed of sales and how close to the asking figures they normally expect to secure. When meeting with many agents, taking notes so you can make a direct comparison later will mean that you are able to make the most logical and effective choice.

This is general advice that is applicable worldwide rather than purely in the town of Colchester. When you are paying for agency services remember that value for money should be your primary concern. You pay an agent for them to ease the sale or acquisition of a property, if they are ineffectual, move on to another who will meet your requirements.

Real estate expert Thomas Pretty looks into the importance of finding the right estate agent Colchester services when looking for property in the vicinity.

When you realize the prices that homes in your neighborhood are selling for, you may realize that you have a lot of equity built up in your home. This is especially true of homeowners in the UK, where the prices of homes have been consistently rising over the past few years. As a homeowner, you could be sitting on a sizeable nest egg if you were to sell your home with the profit you could make. You could pay off your mortgage and have enough money left over to make a down payment on another home or be able to do quite a bit of traveling. Many homeowners have decided to sell to cash in on their investments and downgrade to a smaller property when their children have grown and left home. However, there are factors that you have to take into consideration when selling your home because you have to view it through the eyes of a potential buyer.

You should start by disassociating yourself from your home. Walk through it as if you were a buyer rather than a seller. To prepare your home for sale, you have to depersonalize it for showing. This means you should try to reduce the number of personal mementos and pictures you have around the home. You want the buyer to imagine his/her own photos or artwork on the walls or on the fireplace.

Think about the amazing amount of junk you have accumulated during your years of living in the house. Buyers who come to see the home do not want to see clutter. They will have a difficult time seeing past this and imagining themselves living here. Sort through everything you have to distinguish the old from the new. If you do not use it and it has not any monetary value, the best thing to do is to throw it out. Make sure your kitchen counter is clean and if necessary place essential items in a box in a closet. Try not to have any knickknacks around the house. You can think of it as preliminary packing because you will have to pack it all up anyway when you sell the home.

Buyers will look in closets and open cabinet doors. You should try to have the things inside arranged neatly. When buyers see that you are organized they will also have the feeling that they will not have much cleaning to do after you move out and they take possession of the home. If you know that you have too much furniture in some rooms but you dont have anywhere to store it, you can rent a storage unit. Then you have the furniture ready for another place when you do sell. You can also have a flea market and sell off some of your used furniture especially if you plan to move to a smaller property where you will have even less space.

If there are any window coverings that you want to keep, remove them before you show the house. When a buyer looks through the home, if there are window coverings, they will be included in the sale. So if you remove them first, the buyer will not insist on them being part of the sale agreement. This also includes such things as removable rugs on the floor or a fireplace.

The next step in making sure your house is ready to put on the market is to make any necessary repairs that may turn off potential buyers. This includes replacing any cracked or broken tiles, making sure any holes in the walls are repaired properly, there are no leaky faucets or cabinet doors that dont close properly. Neutral colors work best because the decor you choose may not be in the same taste as the buyer. You can repaint the walls a neutral color. Remember that what was in fashion when you moved into the home may not still be in fashion now, such as flowery wallpaper. It doesnt cost a lot of money to remove any wallpaper and paint the walls.

The house must be sparkling clean before potential buyers come to call. Prepare a checklist of things you need to do and then check them off when they are completed. Wash the windows, dust all the furniture, wash the floors, make sure there are fresh towels in the bathroom and that the beds are made. You should not have any clothing lying around the bedrooms. Put everything in the drawers or hang it in the closet so that the rooms look neat and tidy.

Once you have carefully scrutinized, repaired and cleaned the interior of the home, then its time to tackle the exterior. Make sure that all the doors open and close properly and that the outside of the home is clean and tidy. If there is any peeling paint on the windowsills, scrape it off and repaint. Trim the brush or hedge around the lawn and make sure the lawn is mowed.

Peter Kenny has been writing financial articles for 10 years and is a writer for The Thrifty Scot, please visit us at Remortgage Loan and Personal Loans
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This report is written for anyone interested in selling their property quickly.

Selling property can be one of the hardest and most stressful things you can do in your life. 90% of people sell through an estate agent so it must offer some advantages. So, should you do the same?

Well, it depends on time pressure you are under. When selling through an estate agent you will normally have to go through these stages:

1. You need to pay for and complete any renovation and refurbishment necessary (2-3 weeks)
2. You will need to conduct multiple viewings (4 to 8 weeks)
3. If your estate agent finds you a buyer, you will need to wait a few months for the buyer to arrange a mortgage (8 to 14 weeks)
4. If the buyer is in a chain, you will need to wait for their home to sell before yours can be purchase (2-3 weeks)

This can take between 4 to 7.5 months! That is a long time! It is a also a sad fact that 1 in 3 chains break down at the last moment due to buyers pulling out. It only takes one person to pull out and the whole chain falls apart.

How to sell in less than 4 months
However, even with these obstacles in mind it is still possible to sell your home in less than 4 months by these following tips (and having luck on your side):

1. Get a reliable, reputable agent.
2. Finish off any necessary DIY jobs
3. Thoroughly clean and de-clutter you home
4. Depersonalise your house and go neutral

It is worth remembering, “buyers are not looking to buy property. What they’re really looking to buy is a better life - property just happens to be the way they’ll get it”

The problems with Estate Agents
In response to many complaints about estate agents the Office of Fair trading conducted a study and found serious concerns over the way estate agents serve the public.The consumer group Which? has also conducted research and found evidence of serious violations of the law and a massive 50% of consumers voicing dissatisfaction over the service received from their estate agent. They said:

“Consumers entering the home-buying or selling process are substantially disadvantaged by the way estate agents currently operate”

Now, in fairness there are some great estate agents out there but they seem to be hard to find. Will you be lucky enough to uncover a good agent? Are you prepared to pay 1.5 - 2.5% +VAT (i.e. the price of a new kitchen) to find out?

So what it the alternative??
One of the more popular alternatives if you need a quick sale is using a specialist home buying company to help you. They can purchase your property directly from you with out the need to go through an estate agent.

Selling Fast to Cash Buyers & “Sell and Rent Back” Specialists
First things first, it is important that you understand that using a specialist property buying company should only be considered if your need for a quick sale is greater than your need to sell for the best price.

Typically you find yourself in need of house buying specialist if:
1. You are in financial difficulties
2. You are being threatened with repossession
3. You would like to sell your property & rent it back
4. Your chain has collapsed and you’re totally desperate to sell
5. You need money quickly and remortgaging is not an option
6. Bereavement or divorce means you need to move-on as quickly as possible
7. You’ve inherited property that you want to cash-in quickly
8. You’re emigrating and your property is proving difficult to sell

How Quickly Can Quick Cash Buyers Act?
Exchange of contracts can take anywhere between a few days and 3- 4 weeks. Completion can then be fixed to suit you but the norm is completion within 3-4 weeks.

How Much Can You Expect to Sell for?
Anywhere between 75-85% of your properties open market value (80% is the average). Open market value is the price a property would sell on the open market within 3 months. This is typically less than the price estate agents advertise properties at as they expect to make offers.

So, the main service home buyer service can offer you is speed and a guaranteed sale.

Certainty and speed are rare commodities when selling property. For this service you have to be willing to sell at a discount. That is why they will buy your property between 75%-85% if its market value.

What other benefits can these companies provide?

A good company will offer to:
1. Pay your legal fees (up to GBP 500 which normally covers
them all)
2. Pay any survey and valuation fees
3. Allow you to stay in the property after selling (rent back)
4. Meet their promises on price and completion date
5. Adhere to some Code of Practice from a recognized body such as the National Association of Sale and Rent Back (NASRB).

A Word of Warning!
Beware of any company that does not offer the benefits above. Some companies charge for valuation fees regardless whether they buy the property or not. Also beware of companies that string you along and then reduce their offer at the last minute when you are at your most desperate.

Carl Robinson is an experienced property consultant and investor. If you want a quick home sale visit Quick Home Buyers for a no obligation offer on your property and a free comprehensive report on how to sell quickly.

Whenever selling property it is vital to have an accurate valuation in order to arrive at a realistic, yet profitable asking price. There however ways to make your property more appealing to buyers that will fundamentally increase the value. Whether the property is undergoing a valuation by an experienced surveyor or estate agent the following advice will increase the eventual figure. It may require an investment of time and money but ultimately will be a worthwhile pursuit.

The most important room in any house, flat or apartment is the kitchen. The majority of buyers want to see a modern, contemporarily styled kitchen that is spacious and well laid out. A kitchen that has wide expanses of worktops and cupboard space will increase the valuation figure. Additionally the materials used in the construction of the kitchen are important; for instance, most buyers like to see a kitchen built from quality materials such as solid wood and stone. As well as the materials, having modern appliances in the kitchen, even if you are intending to take some of them with you when moving will increase the appeal to buyers. Most experts agree that a window over the sink is a strong selling point that will increase the valuation but if this is not possible, having a light and airy space will suffice.

The second most important room in any valuation of your property is the bathroom. Like the kitchen, buyers want to see a well designed and spacious bathroom. The modern trend is to have large bathrooms, with large luxurious showers and where space is permitting, areas to sit and lounge. The bathroom is no longer a place to purely wash; today it is a space to be shared, much like a spa. If you are planning to invest in a powerful shower it is important to ensure your plumbing system can cope with the load, after all if the buyer has to further invest in a new high pressure system after purchasing the property, the valuation will most likely reflect this cost. The majority of experts agree that if any room is worth serious investment, the bathroom is a good place to start.

After the bathroom and kitchen property experts mainly put the master bedroom in third spot. While this may vary as some buyers will want a spacious lounge or large children’s bedrooms, the majority like to see a master bedroom that is well appointed in the property. Adding an en suite bathroom can also be a powerful selling point that will add to the valuation figure. Space is a vital concern, as is having enough wardrobe space in order to keep a clean and minimalist look. If you consider the bathroom and kitchen too expensive to renovate, clever use of furniture in the master bedroom can entice some buyers.

As previously stated when renovating a property to achieve a higher valuation the materials you use are vitally important. Natural materials are extremely in vogue at the moment and will appeal to many buyers. These types of materials can however be expensive; for a money saving alternative the clever use of substitute materials can create the same sort of effect as natural materials. As well as wood and stone, any carpeted areas should have high quality, nearly new carpet. Old carpets will reduce the valuation figure as the buyer will have to re-carpet the entire property at great expense. Laminate floorings are a cheaper alternative although the quality of the laminate should once again, be high.

Hopefully this advice to assist your renovations should result in higher valuation figures. Ultimately your objective is to appeal to buyers as well as the agents. Fundamentally they are one in the same; if you can appeal to the prospective buyers with a great kitchen, bathroom and master bedroom you will be able to market the property for a higher price. It may require a personal and financial investment, but ultimately this investment will reap rewards.

Real estate expert Thomas Pretty looks into ways to increase a property valuation with the clever use of renovations.

One of the biggest reasons that homes for sale by the owner often do not sell very quickly is due to the vendor not knowing how to advertise the property effectively. FSBO does not have to be intimidating and the following tips will prevent you having to fork out costly real estate agent fees when selling your home yourself.

The key to selling your house quickly is by using effective advertising such as that offered by several real estate web sites in the U.S. Some sites allow FSBO home listings to be posted free, so check what is available in your area. When placing your ad, include several flattering pictures of your home and keep your advertising copy short and simple. Make sure that you stress attractive characteristics, employing words and phrases that are appealing to prospective purchasers. Terms like Newly Remodelled, Close to All Amenities or Priced below Market are good for starters.

Another important tool in your marketing arsenal are lawn signs. If you also attach some form of container with information sheets to the sign, any prospective purchasers will have instant access to your contact info.

Before you put your house on the market, it must be immaculate inside and out. Homebuyers are attracted to clean, spacious and appealing homes. Remove all clutter and clean your home thoroughly, including the carpeting and windows. Do not underestimate the power of curb appeal. Trim the trees, plant colorful flowers and make sure your lawn is neat. Another instant turn off for potential buyers is to be overpowered by a not so sweet smelling house odor as soon as they set foot inside your front door. If you have pets, you need to make sure that the air is not permeated with that all too familiar doggy smell. Although it is better to get rid of the smell at source instead of attempting to disguise it, some essential oils put in discrete locations around the house can make the world of difference. Since you probably do not notice the odor yourself, invite a friend or neighbor over to give you an honest second opinion.

The actual asking price is another key factor in the ability to sell your home rapidly. Over pricing when selling a house is the biggest reason why many homes for sale by the owner do not move. A good guide to being able to price your home properly is to check local realty listings to work out the average going rate for similar properties in your area. As a general guideline, if you pitch your selling price at about ten percent higher than the actual going rate, you will likely receive offers, and hopefully a sale, very close to the true market value of the house.

One service that you should not do without is that of an attorney who is knowledgeable in the intricacies of home dealing. A survey by a professional home inspector should also be carried out, to find any problems that you may not be aware of.

Selling a home yourself can be time consuming, but the financial rewards are tremendous. Presentation together with proper pricing and effective advertising should see your property being sold in no time at all. Educating yourself about the nuances of the real estate market in your area will make you as effective as any realtor but without the costly fees.

To learn much more about Selling Your House For Sale By Owner, visit http://www.homelivinganswers.com/fsbo/ where you will find this and much more, including How to Choose the Best Types of Homeowners Insurance

Home prices in Houston Texas have held steady while the rest of the nation is seeing an over 7 percent decrease in home prices. In the 1st quarter of the year Houston Texas saw an increase in home prices of approximately 0.8 percent. The median home price is now 148,400. This is good news if you live in Houston.

Although there is good news if you are a home owner in Houston, 0.8 percent is not much of an increase and if you purchased your house at the peak of the real estate market you can be sure that this slight increase has not had much affect in your home value. In fact even with the slight increase in home appreciation there are still many home owners who can not afford their mortgage and are falling into foreclosure.

If you are from Houston Texas than you know the hard situation you are faced with if you need to sell your house. If you purchased your home recently you probably owe more for your house than what it is worth. You can not afford your house so you know you need to sell it, the problem is who do you sell to?

Well believe it or not there are home buyers who are buying houses in Houston. Many people do not know that professional home buyers or real estate investors buy houses throughout the nation. Home buyers are real estate investors who some times buy properties and hold for long term investments, thus allowing them to pay more for your house.

If you owe more for your Houston Texas house than what it is worth then you should consider selling your house to a professional home buyer. They will negotiate with the bank to get your name released from the mortgage and complete a successful short sale. This way you will not get a foreclosure status on your credit report, which will save you lots of money and hassle in your future.

You should also consider contacting a professional home buyer if you need to sell your home fast. If you are behind on your mortgage payments, being relocated by your job, inherited a house and now want to sell it, going through a divorce, or have family health problems and need to sell your home.

There are many ways to sell your house. You can sell it For Sale By Owner, list your home with a real estate agent, or you can sell your house fast to a local home buyer. Some times the fastest and best way to sell your house is to sell to a real estate investors. This allows you to get your equity from your house fast and move on.

So if you own a Houston house, or any house for that matter and are near foreclosure, or need to sell your house for one reason or another, do not give up. Contact your local home buyer and get a free consultation on your home selling options. There is no charge for any services provided by professional home buyers so you have nothing to loose.

Sell My Houston House to a local home buyer?

Living and moving house in London can be an extremely expensive and troublesome affair. Thankfully estate agents in the capital can help to find the right properties whilst also helping you to find suitable buyers. London has so many different types of property and distinct areas that the local knowledge provided by estate agents can be invaluable. How else are you supposed to know about the local nightlife, schools and shopping facilities? Ultimately the power of local knowledge is highly desirable. When selecting estate agents however there are a number of factors to consider; here are some of the most important:

Firstly you will get what you pay for when hiring estate agents. Just because an agency quotes you the lowest price, it does not mean that they will be able to supply you with the best deal. Fees are naturally an important consideration but should not be the most important; ultimately you want to receive the best service, even if this means paying a little more. Fees are always negotiable and it is always advisable to haggle for the best price, however try to remember that the less you pay the less effort the agent will devote to your cause. Fundamentally it is about balancing cost against service.

As with most serious considerations it is always advisable to take a great deal of time and care reading over the small print in the contract. One of the important factors is the time period you will be tied to the agent for; around six weeks is normal, any longer is rarely advisable. As well as the temporal factors, clauses such as ’sole-selling’ agreements should be avoided. These will limit your opportunities to use as many agents as possible in your selling efforts.

That said using multiple estate agents is not always the best idea, in London there are so many services it is easy to think that more agents will mean a faster and more profitable sale. This is not always the case however; there is an element of “too many cooks” syndrome arising, the result being absolute chaos. It is possible to find a balance if the agents can work well together and for some sellers using the multiple agency approach has worked extremely well.

It is sometimes the case that we will judge an agent as soon as we meet them. While first impressions can be important they are not always the best guidance when making logical and sensible choices. Ultimately after you have met a host of agents and weighed the pros and cons of each it will be time to make the decision of which to use. You can weigh an agent’s ability by looking at their past record and assessing the average time of sales and percentage they may take. Try not to buy into sales technique and keep a clear head and you should be able to secure the right service.

Of vital importance once you have hired an estate agent is to communicate with them on a regular basis. In the same vein your agent should be able to reciprocate your efforts and fundamentally should always be in contact. Having an agent that will inform you of changes as they happen is the ideal situation; once again your choice of agent is essential in finding one that can communicate effectively.

Hopefully this advice should make the process of buying and selling property that little bit easier. If you remember to keep a methodical approach at all times and realise the importance of local knowledge you should be able to move happily with the minimum of stress.

Real estate expert Thomas Pretty looks into how estate agents London services can help buy and sell property by providing unique local knowledge.

With today’s real estate market conditions, you have to really know what you’re doing to get your home sold. This article contains some great tips and explanations on how to sell your home in today’s, especially tough, Florida real estate market.

Here are some helpful hints on how to sell your home in today’s Florida real estate market.

1. Understand what “market value” means.

It’s not what your friend sold his house for two years ago or even two months ago. It’s not the value your latest tax assessment was based on or what an appraiser said the house was worth a year ago. It is exactly what someone is willing to pay for your house today. Hence, price realistically and broaden incentives, such as closing costs and throw-ins like appliances, flat-screen televisions, etc. There is an old saying: “There’s nothing wrong with a home that the right price can’t fix.”

2. Don’t be an as-is seller.

That is, unless you absolutely have to be one. Potential homebuyers aren’t looking for fixer-uppers in the current market unless they are rock-bottom, bargain-basement priced. Large volumes of foreclosed homes are already being sold in poor condition at auction.

3. Hire a top performer.

These days, you need an agent who outshines the others and routinely posts better-than-average sales numbers year after year. Agencies may try to steer you toward less-seasoned agents, but if you’re paying the commission, then the hire should be your call. The best agents have an innate sense for that right price and right marketing plan. They can suggest the necessary repairs and tweaks while targeting your home to the right buying group. Caveat: In selecting an agent, the percentage of listings sold is generally a better performance barometer than a high volume of sales.

4. Know your market’s nuances.

No two markets are exactly alike. Yes, most sellers are now swimming upstream. But there are always counter currents to consider. In many areas, modestly priced homes have bigger buying pools because tighter mortgage qualifications are keeping buyers out of more expensive homes. A little research and a savvy agent can give you an edge and an education.

5. Use the Internet.

According to a reputable website, total time spent online rose 24.3 percent from the fall of 2006 to the fall of 2007. Yes, people are still scoping out newspaper classified ads and real estate listing magazines, but more and more Americans have been wired to at least start their home shopping online.

6. Use other people’s money.

You don’t have to sell for a big loss to get out from under your rising mortgage payments. If you can, rent out your home for a sum that covers your house payments, insurance, taxes and maintenance costs. Do try to roll in a slight buffer to cover unanticipated expenses. And realize you’ll need capital to refresh the place when the market stabilizes and you take off your landlord hat to prep the home for sale again. Or consider offering lease-to-own terms to your renter and you may not have to worry about the future sale.

7. Become a “lender.”

Tough times call for unconventional measures. Consider carrying part of the buyer’s note with interest, secured by an asset belonging to the buyer. Do so only after a thorough credit check and only if you can afford to wait for the balance of the purchase price. This, by the way, is not a game for the faint of heart.

8. Simplify and neutralize.

In this sales environment, you’ve probably already been told to focus on curb appeal, add fresh landscaping and de-clutter the house by removing family photos and heirlooms or other items you don’t need or use on a daily basis. But let’s take it a step further. Paint your rooms a neutral color. Hire a redesign or home-staging firm to help you present your home in optimal condition and give potential buyers a chance to envision their possibilities there. And while you’re at it, get a pre-listing inspection, which will reveal any defects your home has and allow you time to make repairs. Then provide a copy of the report to buyers, attaching a list of the fixes you made.

Buyers are in an enviable position, with plenty of homes on the market, and sellers who are willing to bargain.

Carey Frankel
Phyllis Frankel Realty Group
Contact Us: (800)999-0245 or Email Us
Working with buyers, sellers and investors in all of the Northeast Florida real estate areas to include Jacksonville Florida and Ponte Vedra Beach.

The valuation of a property is a combination of skill, knowledge and guesswork. Ultimately the guesswork element can be made as educated as possible by combing the first two elements. By looking at certain factors however the discrepancies in valuation figures can be minimised. Hopefully the following information containing some of the most important factors involved in a property valuation will help both buyers and sellers understand the process more succinctly.

One of the most important, if not the most important factor in a property valuation is the location of the property. Naturally your house will be worth more if it is located in Notting Hill rather than Baker’s Arms. Realising that location is above all the most important factor is vital if you are to be realistic in the valuing of your home. Additionally, the type of property and how these properties are selling in your area are also importantin the valuation process.

In terms of the strategies you can employ to increase the valuation figure the best place to start is the kitchen. Most real estate experts will agree that the kitchen is regarded by most buyers to be the most important room in the house. Subsequently if you want a high valuation it is a necessity to have a well laid out and spacious kitchen. Buyers want high quality materials; especially for the floors and worktops, as well as this, the appliances are also important in the valuing process.

While the kitchen is generally regarded to be the most important room, second to the kitchen is the main bathroom. Buyers want a bathroom that is well equipped, that has enough space for two people and the room to walk and lounge around. In most modern bathrooms, as well as a luxurious bath, large showers with multiple heads and opulent enclosures are extremely popular and will almost certainly add value to a property. Understandably, if you are installing these types of features, having sufficient water pressure and drainage are fundamental. Property experts agree that if you are to invest anywhere in a home, the bathroom is a great place to start.

After the bathroom and kitchen have been considered, the next most important room to buyers is the master bathroom. Most will want a bedroom that is well appointed in a prominent position in the home; making it a great selling point that will add to the value. Additionally however an en suite bathroom is a key feature that can make a property more appealing. As well as an en suite, built in wardrobes can add value and once again, space to lounge and walk around is an important factor.

The materials used for construction are of vital importance in any valuing process. Currently the fashion is to fill homes with natural materials; wood and stone are perfect for floors and if affordable should be utilised extensively. Simulation materials can be used but if a buyer has a keen eye will mostly probably be noticed and hence reflected in any offer made. Carpets are an important element to a home and once again quality materials are important. If they are worn it is normally worth replacing them before a valuation, if it seems that replacements will be needed, the valuation will most likely reflect this. Just like the floors; windows, doors and the roof should also be in a good state of repair for a high valuation. Any maintenance costs that will be incurred once a buyer has moved in will usually be subtracted from the price offered.

By understanding these factors it should be possible to alter your home in a way so it will be valued higher by both estate agents and potential buyers. These factors are in no way everything that needs to be focussed upon but give a general guide into the best ways to improve value. By remembering the importance of the kitchen, bathroom and master bedroom as well as construction materials a higher price should become a reality.

Real estate expert Thomas Pretty looks into factors involved in a property valuation and how homeowners can increase the value of their home.