Tag: property sale

How to buy a new home in Canada with confidence

How to buy a new home in Canada with confidence

Buying a new home can be a seriously daunting prospect. With so many different things to consider and so much to organise, it’s easy to become overwhelmed during this process. If you’re selling your old home at the same time as buying a new one, then you have twice as much to consider and twice as much to get done!

Although it can be challenging, buying a new home should also be a joyful experience. The following tips are designed to support you through this time and to ensure you make the best decisions as you go.

illustration of budgeting

Stick to your budget

Taking on a new long-term financial responsibility can be one of the most stressful things about buying a new home. The cost of any house is likely to be a significant one, and before you embark upon this process, it’s a good idea to be completely certain of what you can afford.

Being entirely aware of your budget is the first step, and the second step is being able to stick to it!

In your search, you may come across properties that you fall in love with that are out of your price range. Try to take a sensible approach to this, and only look within your budget. This can ease the disappointment and can also keep you from over-stretching your finances.

Remember, there are often hidden costs involved with buying a house. Make sure you do your research to be fully aware of what’s involved. This will help you to avoid surprise charges later, which can squeeze your pocket and add to your stress.

Illustration of a real estate agent

Choose an expert real estate agent

Finding the best real estate agent is important when you are buying a new home. The right agent for you will be someone who can put your mind at ease while also making sure everything gets done on time and with precision.

Ontario is one of the most popular choices for house hunters, and many locals have chosen to work with expert Mansfield realtors when buying a home here.

Ask around for recommendations and also do your research online. It can also be worth meeting a potential real estate agent in person before deciding to work with them, so you can check that you feel comfortable with this person.

Illustration of a man moving cardboard boxes

Be prepared for moving day

Once all of the hard work of finding and buying a home is complete, you have still got the final task of moving in.

Many home-owners report this as being the most stressful moment of buying a new house, as they move all of their belongings from their old home to the new one.

If you don’t already know a reliable moving service, then check out reviews of relevant companies online. This will help you to know who you should choose for this important task. Be sure to confirm all of the details in advance, so there are no big surprises on the day such as timings, van size and the locations of point A and point B.

Moving day also generally entails getting your services hooked up and reassembling your furniture when it arrives. Therefore, make sure you’re aware of just how much time and energy this day is going to require!

Illustration of people shaking hands over a house sale

Enjoy your new home

When you’re buying your home, try to remember that the difficult moments are temporary and that you’ll soon be settled in to enjoy your new home. If you do encounter any bumps in the road on your house-buying journey, then try to look ahead to this point in the future to keep the smile on your face!

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5 steps to increase your property value

5 steps to increase your property value | H is for Home

Are you thinking of selling your home? If the answer is yes, you’ll want to maximise the amount of money that you get from the sale, and you’ll be surprised at how much more you could get by making a few changes. In some cases, you’ll need to spend a little bit of money to increase the value of a property. While this may seem counter-intuitive, you should be able to recoup this in the added value. There are also a few simple and affordable changes that you could make, so try a few of the following to increase the value of your home prior to putting it on the market.

Cottage with white picket fence

  1. Improve the curb appeal

First impressions count for a lot when it comes to houses (and many other areas of life). It’s for this reason you should start by making your home as attractive as possible from the outside. Here are a few ways that you can do this:

  • Repaint the front door
  • Replace door furniture
  • Clean the windows
  • Upgrade the front gate
  • Tidy the porch
  • Flowers/plant life

Man filling holes in wall with Poly-filla

  1. Carry out repairs

Few people want to purchase a home that needs work, and it could result in offers lower than the asking price. Therefore, it’s worth spending a little bit of money carrying out any repairs that need doing (or do these yourself if you’re able).

Large lawned garden with pink flowering tree

  1. Tidy up the backyard

It’s easy to forget about the garden when you’re preparing your home for viewers, but this is one of the most important factors for many people. Therefore, you should always tidy up your backyard before a viewing and make it an attractive space. This could include:

  • Mowing the lawn
  • Trimming hedges
  • Cleaning garden furniture
  • Repainting the fence
  • Putting in new plants

Brown plastic spray bottles of bathroom and kitchen cleaners

  1. Update bathroom & kitchen

When people look around a property, they’ll like it to feel as fresh and new as possible. The bathroom and kitchen are areas which can often feel dingy and lived in which will almost certainly deter a potential buyer. Making a few updates in these areas (along with a deep clean) could help you to win over viewers and raise the asking price.

Google hands-free smart speaker on a table

  1. Add smart technology

Smart technology is a sure fire way to impress your visitors especially if they haven’t seen it before. This technology can make many areas of daily home life much easier and also boost security, so it’s an effective way to raise the asking price. Read their guides on wiredsmart.io to learn more about different types of smart technology, such as:

  • Smart doorbells
  • Smart locks
  • Security cameras
  • Smart thermometers

These are all excellent ways to increase the value of your home. Making these changes could enable you to ask for a much higher price when you put your property on the market. In addition, it could help you to boost your budget for your new home or simply pocket some extra cash. While it can take a little time, effort and sometimes money to increase the asking price, it will always prove to be worth it if you can raise the property value.

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7 Surefire improvements to add value to your property

7 Surefire improvements to add value to your property | H is for Home

Not only can home improvements make your time spent at a property much more enjoyable, they can also benefit future saleability and actually increase the value of the property. Here are 7 renovation ideas to suit all budgets and time-scales.

Tins of paint and rollers for painting walls

Whip out the paintbrush & roller

Give the entire house a couple of coats of emulsion. Areas such as around doorknobs and light switches can look grubby & uncared for – and flaking paint can raise unnecessary alarm bells for potential buyers. If you’re trying to sell your house opt for magnolia, cream or white walls. It might seem a bit boring and unadventurous, but research shows that they’re most agreeable to viewers.

Narrow cloakroom with diamond tiled floor and walls wallpapered with fish designcredit

Install a downstairs cloakroom

It will save you and guests having to go all the way upstairs – and it’s amazing how often the sight of a downstairs loo is greeted by positive exclamations of relief by house viewers. This facility can be sited in all kinds of under utilised spaces such as former larders, pantries or under-stairs cupboards. You could even steal a corner of a large room to accommodate it. Costs could be relatively low too, especially if the connection of pipes to existing drainage is straightforward.

Compact kitchen

Change the cupboard doors, handles and worktops

This improvement is much cheaper than ripping out entire kitchen cupboard carcasses – and the transformation can be just as dramatic. You could give a drab old kitchen real wow factor relatively easily. Different, distinct looks can be achieved from the same starting point, whether it be modernist & sleek, vintage industrial or rustic country. Be creative and have fun, but choose a style that suits the character of your house.

Studio loft conversion

Convert the loft

This can be done to varying degrees, from simple boarding out and installation of power, heat and light – right up to the creation of luxury bedrooms with en suite facilities. The more simple options can provide useful storage, craft or office spaces. A total renovation with associated roof & wall alterations, installation of windows, bathroom, electrics, heating and so on might run into the thirty or forty thousand pound region. However, the creation of extra bedrooms is almost guaranteed to add value – and it will be a godsend to a growing family whilst you’re still in residence there. The conversion of former loft spaces can produce some very interesting, characterful and memorable rooms which is always a plus point when it comes to selling.

Wall-mounted boiler

Upgrade the boiler

It puts a potential buyer’s mind at ease knowing that the central heating system isn’t going to breakdown at the first hint of sub-zero temperatures. A new boiler will cost about two thousand pounds. It provides more reliable service and a certain peace of mind. An old tatty boiler will usually require expensive ongoing repairs and cost much more to run in general. It’s hardly likely to fill buyers with any confidence about the general condition of your property either. Boiler installation from My Plumber is a recommended route to take to tackle this particular job. Also, the energy efficiency rating in your Home Information Pack (HIP) will surely benefit from an efficient, well-maintained boiler.

French doors leading out on to a patio area

 

Build a summer house

Whether it’s an office at the bottom of the garden, hobby space or man cave – some form of summer house will prove attractive to many home owners… and buyers too. A place to escape! You could install Aluminium French doors leading out into the garden. Light can then flood in – and there’s no better way to connect indoor & outdoor living spaces. These doors can be a very successful addition to kitchen, conservatory and bedroom areas too.

Green lawn mower on grass

Tackle the weeds

Whether you have an acre of land or just a small patio make sure that, at the very least, it’s clean and tidy. A major outdoors project will be very off-putting to most buyers. Going a bit further than tidying up is highly recommended, of course. Essentially, an attractive garden area provides an extra living and socialising space. In addition to growing plants or vegetables, you can create cooking and dining areas with seating, a barbecue and even a pizza oven. Heaters and fire pits allow you to stay outside long after the sun has gone down. And, if you have the space, there’s also the option of installing a hot tub or saunas.

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Avoid these rookie mistakes when selling your home

Avoid these rookie mistakes when selling your home

Selling your home isn’t easy, and it can be an expensive and time-consuming process. There are all the expected stresses, and you may be tempted to give up and stay rooted where you are. However, you can make your life easier, and sell your home faster, by avoiding the mistakes we mention in this post. So, if you’re planning on selling your home any-time soon, take the following into consideration to achieve a fast house sale.

Woman sitting and thinking about a house

Mistake #1: Not shopping around

In all aspects of your home sale, compare the prices and online reviews of the people who will be helping you. Talk to different estate agents in Lewisham, and find out how much they charge in fees. While you may be tempted to go for the cheapest, you should also research their reputation and how effective they are at selling. You can also tell a lot from their website, and how well-advertised their other properties are. You should also compare conveyancing solicitor quotes here, as while you can sell your house without an estate agent, you can’t forego the legal side of things. And again, do your research, asking solicitor firms for testimonials, and seeking the wisdom of family and friends who may have advice on who to work with.

House marketing

Mistake #2: Not adding value to your home

To ensure your home sells faster, there are a variety of ways you can add value to your home. There are lots of things you can do, such as renovating certain rooms in your property or installing smart technology, but if money is an issue, the least you can do is add a lick of paint to the interior and exterior of your home, get on top of any repairs, and tidy up any area that looks worn and not terribly presentable.

House made from jigsaw pieces

Mistake #3: Putting off the home buyer

When it comes to those all-important home showings, your home needs to be presentable. If your house is in a mess, with dishes piled high in the sink and with clutter on the floor, and if you have pets and children running around leaving disaster in their wake, then you aren’t going to give a good first impression to buyers. Similarly, if you don’t give potential buyers room to use their imagination when looking around, perhaps because you’ve gone overboard with renovations when adding value, and designed the home as you’d like it to be, or if you insist on following the buyer around the house giving them your suggestions, you’re going alienate their sensibilities. Ensure your home is presentable, consider what else might put the buyer off your home and, if need be, go out for the day and let the estate agent do their job and show the buyer around without your intervention.

House for sale illustration

Mistake #4: Setting the property price too high (or too low)

When selling your home, you want to get as much money as you can, while beating off the competition. But by selling your home at too high a price, you may not be in line with the current housing market. If the buyer can buy a similar house for cheaper elsewhere, then they probably will do. If you decide to set your home at lower than the expected price, the buyer might ask why this is the case. Rather than have the incentive to buy your property, they may determine something may be wrong with it. And even if they do buy, you may run at a loss! To make a wise decision, speak to your estate agent. They have more idea about property prices than you do, and they should give you the right figure to both profit you and attract the attention of home buyers.

House and man with a megaphone

Mistake #5: Not making the effort to market or sell your property effectively

The estate agent will do much of the marketing for you, by advertising on their website, and any that are affiliated to them. However, you can put the effort in yourself. Advertise your home on social media, and provide links to the estate agent’s website. Consider setting up your own website or blog to market your property, and again, link your social media followers (and their friends) to the site. Place ads in the classifieds too, or directly approach people you know who are currently house hunting. The more you can do to sell your property, including the unusual ideas here, the higher the chance of a speedier home sale.

House frontage illustration

Finally

We hope this advice was useful, and that it alleviates the stress you’re probably feeling if your house is up for sale. And if you have any further advice, perhaps from your experiences now or in the past, then be sure to let us know. Good luck with the sale, and thanks for reading!

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