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Snow crystal on your Roof , A risk for your home, Your Roof and Your electricity bills

Snow crystal on your Roof , A risk for your home, Your Roof and Your electricity bills

Kind attention domestic proprietors

 

Now’s the time to look into your roofs and eaves for snow crystal for your roof, as that is the maximum commonplace indicator of a heat loss trouble.

 

Snow on a roof is typically a good sign as it method warmth is not escaping from the attic and melting the snow above. However if there are snow crystal for your roof or the facet of your private home, this can often suggest simply the other.

 

Most snow crystal on home will shape because of warmth escaping via attics that is usually as a result of insufficient insulation. This escaping heat will warm the roof sheathing and reason the snow on the shingles to soften. The melted snow then runs down the roof till it meets the roof overhang, where the temperature is a great deal colder. It then refreezes into massive hundreds of ice growing snow crystal.

 

This ice also creates a barrier for additional snow that melts for the duration of the winter, producing a pool of water literally subsidized up via this “ice dam”. The pooling of water can cause severe troubles which includes. Harm to shingles-water can gather beneath the edges. Warping and detaching of eaves troughs.Rotting timber inside the roof.Water harm to drywall, plaster and furnishings from ice melting into the residence.Snow crystal falling on people.Ice build-up on sidewalks or stairs.

 

Those troubles can be steeply-priced to restore, however there are a number of movements people can take to solve these issues. Preventing air leaks from the warm wet interior of your residence via to the cooler attic ought to be the primary precedence. A heated house is sort of a chimney – a field of warm air surrounded by way of cold air that has a tendency to attract air in at the bottom and launch it on the top. In iciness this is intensified as warmth pushes via the pinnacle ceiling into the attic. Making topics worse, warm air incorporates with it humidity, that condenses within the attic and can reason different harm.

 

Those troubles can be steeply-priced to restore, however there are a number of movements people can take to solve these issues. Preventing air leaks from the warm wet interior of your residence via to the cooler attic ought to be the primary precedence. A heated house is sort of a chimney – a field of warm air surrounded by way of cold air that has a tendency to attract air in at the bottom and launch it on the top. In iciness this is intensified as warmth pushes via the pinnacle ceiling into the attic. Making topics worse, warm air incorporates with it humidity, that condenses within the attic and can reason different harm.

 

Pointers to lessen warmth loss on your home

 

Attic hatches or doors want to be each insulated and climate stripped.

 

Seal pot lighting fixtures or keep away from putting in them on the pinnacle floor. When you have already hooked up unsealed pot lighting, you could want to consider having a professional install an enterprise accepted pre-made plastic cowl to insulate the existing pot lights. This can assist you to seal the light box and decrease warm air from escaping.

 

Toilet fans want to be ducted outside. Ensure that they’re well vented.

 

HVAC Registers in your property has air vents inside the ceilings, remove the vent covers and caulk the joint among the ducting and the ceiling.

 

Homes with 1/2-storeys have triangular attics at the edges of the uppermost ground and are therefore liable to heat air infiltration on the ground joist location.

 

Duct work can be poorly sealed at joints and can leak air. In iciness, duct work that travels through an attic will leak warm moist air without delay into the attic.

 

Plumbing Stacks and Chimneys are foremost resources of air leakage. it’s miles exceptional to seal these wherein they skip thru the attic floor. For steel chimneys interior a chase or for vintage masonry chimneys, you need assist from an expert to ensure proper sealing and to avoid fire hazards.

 

Sealing air paths which are most effective handy from the attic may be a project. Restrained get right of entry to and the risk of going thru the ceiling may be motive sufficient to hire a professional. The fee of those solutions will vary relying on the dimensions and form of the Orangeville house, as well as the quantity of air leaks. The costs to make those upgrade normally variety from $ $5,000 TO 10,000

 

This is a small funding compared to the cost of the capability water harm.

WINTER PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME

WINTER PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME

Maximum home renovation sports are seasonal. Seeing as we are well into the useless of, here are some tremendous maintenance ideas on your Orangeville home.

 

  1. 1. Take a look at and easy or update furnace air filters every month all through the heating season. When you have ventilation gadget, consisting of an HRV, filters must be checked every months.
  2. 2. Vacuum bathroom fan grill.
  3. 3. Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning well.
  4. 4. Vacuum radiator grilles on returned of refrigerators and freezers.
  5. 5. Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and update batteries.
  6. 6. Check the pressure gauge on all fireplace extinguishers; recharge or replace if vital.
  7. 7. Take a look at the basement floor drain to make certain the lure carries water; refill with water if important.
  8. 8. Reveal the interior of your property for excessive moisture ranges. Through the years immoderate moisture can motive harm through the years and pose health issues. Take corrective movement if required.
  9. 9. Make sure fuel meters, fuel appliance vents, exhaust vents and basement windows are clean of snow.
  10. 10. Examine windows and doorways for ice accumulation or cold air leaks, take notice to restore or replace inside the spring.
  11. 11. Reveal outdoor vents, gasoline meters and chimneys for ice and snow build up. Seek advice from the best Orangeville contractor or your gas software for information on a way to competently cope with any ice issues you could discover.
  12. 12. Testsump pumpsan line to ensure right operation, and to ensure that there are not any line obstructions or visible leaks.
  13. 13. Put off interior insect displays from home windows to allow air from the heating gadget to hold condensation off window glass and to permit more loose solar electricity into your private home.
TIMBER BURNING HEARTH POINTERS

TIMBER BURNING HEARTH POINTERS

Have the chimney in your private home cleaned at the start of the season and earlier than starting your timber-burning hearth, stove or insert.

 

The main purpose of fires from wood-burning home equipment is the result of creosote (unburned gasoline) that has gathered within the chimney.

 

It is a superb idea to have the operational parts of your fireplace inspected yearly. Any gasket cloth ought to be inspected and changed as require. For instance, the gasket sealing the door, the door glass, and the ash unload. If an hermetic equipment is operated without these gaskets effectively sealing the openings, extra air can leak into the firebox, developing an over fire situation, which may also permanently harm the appliance.

 

If your wood-burning appliance has a blower, easy it often. It’s vital to save you the accumulation of dirt, dust and hair at the blower. There may be no filtering device on those blowers like on a furnace.

 

Preserve the brick lining in your wood burning equipment. Make sure to replace any damaged or deteriorated brick. While cracks in the lining are not a difficulty, if the brick lining is deteriorated to the factor that the metal frame is exposed, the warmth from the hearth can motive everlasting harm to the equipment.

 

It’s additionally important to burn the right sort of timber. By no means burn handled wood. In case you are unsure, don’t burn it. Realize your timber.

 

Use simplest dry, easy, herbal wooden. Wooden need to be cut, split and stacked in a covered location for approximately six months earlier than burning.

 

Another important point is to ensure you update the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you’ve got in your property to make certain these protection video display units are working nicely.
Talk over with your nearby Chimney Sweep for expert services.

 

Gasoline burning home equipment

 

Have a qualified technician carrier the equipment in your house, together with having the airlines of each the pilot and most important burners wiped clean to make sure they’re operating efficiently.

 

In case your gas-burning equipment has a blower, easy it. In contrast to your furnace blower, those blowers do now not have a filtering device to save you the accumulation of dirt and hair at the blower. As the dust accumulates at the blower blades, the balance of the blower will alternate, inflicting premature sporting of the bearings. The dirt also insulates the motor; preventing it from being cooled, and can subsequently purpose the motor to cease up.

 

When you have optionally available far off transmitters be sure to replace the batteries in it and in a few instances, in the receiver as well. Even when now not being used via the hotter months, the energy held in a battery is slowly depleted.

 

Once more, always make it a factor to replace the batteries and take a look at any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you’ve got in your home to make sure those protection monitors are working nicely.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE A CLEVER PROPERTY INVESTOR

RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE A CLEVER PROPERTY INVESTOR

Property investment (and in that case nearly everything in life) can be a matter of trial and error, so wouldn’t it be great to have the beauty of hindsight now? Here are 12 simple tips that can help you become a smarter property investment and hopefully avoid some of the pitfalls.

 

Be inside the driver’s seat of your very own life

 

It’s important to be the pilot in your life and not simply a passenger, as you are responsible for all the things that happen to you, both good and bad. Your actions and thoughts have an effect on your net results, so back your decisions and take full ownership of them.

 

Remain fixed in your goals

 

Setting goals and regularly reviewing them is one way to keep your focus on what’s important and to help you take action that will move you closer to toward where you want to go. It will also help in times when motivation may be lacking, reminding you of how much you’ve achieved along the way.

 

Your mind-set influences your reality

 

When things happen in life that we don’t like, we can either choose to see them as a problem or as a solution waiting to be discovered.

 

When you have a positive attitude instead of a negative one, you start to see things and viewpoints that were invisible to you before.

 

You should provide to get lower back

 

If you want to increase the value you receive (be it money, love, kindness or opportunities) you have to increase the value you give.

 

You never know where it may lead you!

 

Be proactive in place of reactive

 

There seems to be three types of people – those who make things happen, those who watch what happens, and those that sit and wonder “what just happened?”.

 

Be in the first group and always be on the lookout for opportunities to grasp.

 

Make your time be counted

 

Just as you are careful about how and where you invest your money, you should also be careful as to how you invest your time.

 

The Pareto Principle says that 80 per cent of the value we receive comes from just 20 per cent of what we do with our time.

 

So what things do you spend your time doing that take a lot of energy yet deliver few results?

 

Errors suggest growth

 

Sometimes negative experiences, mistakes and failures can be even better than a success because they teach you something new which another win could never teach you.

 

If you get it wrong, learn from your mistake and make it count by doing it differently next time.

 

One “failure” can help you create many successes.

 

Don’t waste a while disturbing

 

When confronted with a challenge, put things into perspective by asking yourself:
What’s the worst that can happen?
What’s the best possible outcome? and
What the most likely thing that’s going to happen?
Time wasted worrying is time that could be spent identifying opportunities and taking action.

 

Attempt not to compare yourself to others

 

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side!
When you compare yourself to others you let the outside world control how you feel about yourself.
Instead strive to become the best you can be and look at how far you have come, what you have accomplished and how you have grown.

 

The financial system and funding markets circulate in cycles

 

That’s mainly because most of us get swept up in the optimism or pessimism of others.

 

Of course, no two cycles are ever the same, but investors need to know that each downturn paved the way for the next boom just as each boom sets the scene for the next slump.

 

It’s crucial that traders revel in the surprise this is compounding

 

Wealth is created by building a substantial asset base and holding onto good investments for a reasonably long period of time, reinvesting the income you’re receiving and allowing your capital gains to build up.

 

Every 12 months there may be an unknown

 

An unforeseen event or situation that blows all our carefully laid forecasts away is why it’s critical to have a contingency financial buffer.

Sell Or Rent Your Family Home?

Sell Or Rent Your Family Home?

Whatever the reason may be, you may be faced with the decision to move away from your family home. Should you sell or should you retain the property and rent it out? Everyone’s circumstances are different, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, however here is a list of 10 key considerations to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

 

1. WHICH OPTION MAKES THE MOST SENSE FINANCIALLY?

 

Cash is king in these situations and you need to work out what you can and can’t afford.
Start by preparing a detailed budget, covering the period you will be away.
Your budget should account for all income and expenses associated with renting out your home, together with the costs associated to renting or buying your ‘new’ home.
Once this has been done, prepare a similar budget that assumes your property was sold.
This will quickly show you which option is the more financially feasible one for your circumstances, which may reveal the best course of action.

 

2. WHAT CAN YOU HANDLE EMOTIONALLY?

 

Selling your family home can be quite an emotional experience.
You’ve built a life in this home and with this you have some wonderful memories.
On the flip side, it can be equally tough renting your home out to a total stranger.
Property investors are usually objective and detach emotion from the property they’re renting out, otherwise mistakes can be made and financial returns adversely affected.
Of course, if you’re planning to come back to this home in the future, then the strategy of renting out your home might focus on maintaining your asset and earning some cash to cover the holding costs while you’re away, rather than maximising investment returns.
If you think you’ll have major emotional problems with renting your home out to a stranger, selling the property might be the best option.

 

3. IS THERE IS THE RENTAL DEMAND FOR YOUR PROPERTY?

 

Before putting your home on the rental market, you need to do some research and find out what the rental demand is in your area and see what the average rent level is.

 

This is an important part of your budgeting process.
If rental demand is low and/or vacancy rates are high in your area, that’s not good from a financial or a security perspective – you don’t want your property sitting vacant for extended periods of time as it could be the target of vandalism and theft.

 

4. IS THERE GOOD POTENTIAL CAPITAL GROWTH FOR YOUR PROPERTY?

 

While there are no guarantees when it comes to predicting price movements, there is enough information out there that can give you a good indication of what to expect.

 

If the market is expected to remain buoyant with strong demand, and if it is likely to be maintained while you’re away, then this indicates that it might be in your best financial interest to hold onto your home so you don’t forgo any future capital gains.

 

On the other hand, if the market has reached its peak, or is nearing its peak, it might be a good time to sell, especially if there’s some uncertainty over how long you’ll be away and whether you want to return to the same property.

 

In other words, bank your tax free profits now rather than risk them when you return.

 

5. IS BEING A LANDLORD FOR YOU?

 

Renting out your property is essentially turning it into a business and you have responsibilities as the business owner to make sure it is adequately resourced, funded and fit for purpose.

 

You have to be prepared to take on or manage all relevant aspects of being a landlord, and more, while you’re away.

 

You must ensure you have the right people in place (e.g. rental agents, accountants, tax advisors, legal advisor, tradespeople etc.), adequate cash flow to meet all outgoings (it is likely your home will be negatively geared, meaning the rent earned will not cover all property holding and operating costs) and be prepared to discharge your legal and commercial responsibilities.

 

6. IS THE PROPERTY APPROPRIATE FOR RENTING?

 

Your home must be habitable, safe and free of any defects that may adversely affect the enjoyment and use of the property by your tenants.

 

You may need to do some repairs and maintenance work on your property to bring it up to marketable standards, not to mention to meet your legal responsibilities.

 

This will cost money, so you will need to decide on whether it’s best to invest or sell based on affordability and commercial considerations.

 

7. ARE YOUR TAX AFFAIRS IN ORDER?

 

There are a plethora of tax considerations to take into account when renting out your family home, so you should seek independent financial and tax advice before doing so.

 

For instance, while you want to maximise your allowable deductions (including depreciation), you also want to minimise your tax liability and protect your home’s capital gains tax exemption.

 

Therefore, tax planning and understanding your tax situation is vital when deciding whether to rent or sell.

 

8. DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE RIGHT?

 

The family home is usually held in joint names (e.g. husband and wife, life partners, defector partners and so on).

 

While this is quite normal to help ensure succession in case of death and helps protect everyone’s interests in case of separation, it might not be optimal when it comes to property investment.

 

Adequate tax planning is required and it is very important to obtain legal advice around things such as the rights, obligations and impact of transferring the home into one name if that course of action was chosen for tax purposes.

 

9. IS YOUR HOME LOAN THE BEST AVAILABLE?

 

There’s not much difference between a home and investment loan these days as the features and benefits are pretty similar.

 

The key question revolves around the appropriateness of the product to help you achieve your financial, investment and personal objectives.

 

A loan taken out to buy a family home may not be appropriate for an investment property.

 

It might pay to do an investment loan health check that takes your cash flow, tax position and how long you are likely to be away into consideration.

 

10. TRUST YOUR GUT!

 

A final consideration is to trust your gut.
Reflect on what feels right as well as what makes financial sense.

TAKE THESE TIPS TO GET BETTER VALUATION OF YOUR HOME

TAKE THESE TIPS TO GET BETTER VALUATION OF YOUR HOME

Take these 10 tips to get better valuation estimation on your property

 

1. KNOW YOUR BEST USE AND PAY FOR THE RIGHT VIEWPOINT

 

Banks want to grantmoney quickly and with minimum confusion.

 

If a standard valuation is all that’s required, they’ll instruct the valuer to proceed on this basis, effectively defining the user under which the property is assessed.

 

This means your splitter block or potential small development site will be treated the same as every other house in the neighbourhood – unless you step in.

 

With current technology, a standard house valuation can be turned around in hours.

 

If you have added development potential, the comparable sales and details of approvals will require time to sift through and, like all of us; valuers want to be paid for doing extra work.

 

Don’t forget to furnish the valuer with all the necessary information too.

 

If you have plans, approvals and costs, hand them over.

 

2. DON’T HIDE TRUTH

 

Remove one of the great killers of valuation-dependent finance – doubt.

 

Valuers spend their days looking at all sorts of property and they will rarely miss something that rings alarm bells.

 

If they see something suspects, it will go in the report.

 

A great example is internal plasterboard fractures.

 

Often, it’s the case an expansion joint wasn’t put in during the original build and a change in weather can see a house shift slightly.

 

Suddenly, a fracture can cause a valuer to wonder whether there aren’t underlying structural issues.

 

If you think your home has telltale signs of a bigger problem, put it beyond question.

 

Have a building inspector come over and give it the all clear (or otherwise) before you get a valuation.

 

Let your financier know so there aren’t any surprise additions to the risk profile in the report they receive.

 

This advice extends to things like perceived encroachment onto neighbouring properties, improvements to the home that don’t look to have council consent, leftover evidence of long-gone white ants or issues of rising damp.

 

While valuers aren’t building inspectors, these sorts of things when flagged in a report can play havoc come finance approval time.

 

3. DIY – ORDER YOUR OWN

 

By cutting out the financier, you can present your position on the property’s value directly to the professional preparing your report.

 

In addition, you have a chance to discuss elements of the property prior to the completion of the report that will help improve your outcome.

 

Will attending to an unkempt garden or finishing off the extension help your figure? Just ask the person actually assessing your property.

 

Apart from personal integrity, valuers are held to rules of ethics under a registration system and a governing body.

 

The advantage in ordering your own valuation is getting the rundown on the whole process behind the report before your lender sees it, so there are no surprises.

 

An additional benefit to this approach is the ability to shop around your finance.

 

As the instructing party, you’re able to choose which organisation can use your report.

 

If one lender knocks you back, simply move onto the next, ensure your valuation report is acceptable to them, have the valuer agree to its use and lock in the finance.

 

In most instances, it’s simply the case that a valuer can provide a letter re-assigning use of the report.

 

The one important proviso is to confirm, via your bank or broker, the valuer you choose is on the panel of accepted professionals before you give the go-ahead, otherwise you could end up with a great report that won’t be accepted by your lender of choice.

 

Likewise, some lenders won’t be acceptable to your valuer so check this too.

 

One of the main reasons property owners don’t instruct the valuer themselves is cost.

 

Banks will get reduced fees due to the large number of assessments they order.

 

If you want the ability to own and use the valuation report, it will cost more.

 

It can, however, be worth it with direct access to the valuer meaning you can discuss additional sales evidence and missed features before the report is sent to the lender.

 

This will give you an opportunity to ensure nothing gets lost in translation.

 

4. FINISH THE UPGRADATION

 

It’s no good suggesting the half-removed kitchen cabinetry will be replaced during the next school holidays.

 

The valuer has to highlight the effect this has on the home’s saleability in its current state, and this could mean unfavourable comments and risk ratings.

 

Not finishing up the renovation works can impact your end figure.

 

5. ESTIMATE RIGHT

 

When preparing to do an assessment, the valuer relies heavily on your estimate of the property’s worth.

 

It helps determine the best sales evidence to source and can save time and trouble when trying to finish the job.

 

6. CLEAN UP

 

Valuers know a dusty bench top is of no consequence to the figure, but a beautifully presented home indicates ongoing and attentive maintenance by the owners, something any inspector will view with favour.

 

There’s also a point where properties stop being just untidy and start becoming rancid.

 

If you’re dodging piles of clothing and stepping over dirty dishes from last week, then this will create a saleability risk.

 

Some properties have gathered so much debris and clutter it’s no longer possible to see the walls.

 

If a valuer feels a comprehensive inspection of the property is impeded by clutter, it will be mentioned in the report.

 

7. MAKE A CASE

 

If you want to convince a valuer, show them the sales evidence.

 

If you believe your property is worth ‘x’ amount of dollars, you need to explain why you think it’s worth that and you need to have written evidence of actual sales within a six-block radius within the last six weeks of comparable properties – not listings and not offers – actual sales.

 

Special and desirable enclaves exist in a lot of suburbs.

 

Banks will have guidelines on acceptable evidence – usually its properties sold within a 500-metre radius of the subject property, completed sales within six months of the valuation date and with sales prices within 10 percent of the assessed figure.

 

A tip here is to make sure you check on recently contracted sales that may not have appeared on the usual market date sites.

 

Try ‘sold’ property searches on your favourite real estate listing site as a kick-off point.

 

8. TURN UP, BUT DON’T OVERSELL

 

If you want to maximise your property’s potential, it’s a good idea to be at the inspection – just don’t get in the way.

 

Valuers are often heavily booked to get through several properties a day.

 

It’s not a case of rudeness for them to want to go through the inspection process in their own familiar and set order.

 

Features such as air conditioning and security grilles are obvious, but your hidden laundry chute, soundproof insulation or underground wine cellar may not be.

 

House plans can also prove useful – particularly if the home is of unusual architectural design.

 

Most valuers will give you a rundown of the features they’ve noted at the end of the inspection. This is often your best chance to double check all the good stuff has been included. Also make yourself available by phone for any future follow-up queries.

 

9. ANSWER THE CONTRACT PRICE UNKNOWNS

 

A valuer will have regard to the figure on the contract of sale, but if it doesn’t marry up with the available evidence, then questions are asked.

 

There are few individuals who could land on the exact dollar value every time for every property.

 

As such, the valuer creates a likely value range and if the contract price falls within this range, they’ll usually come in on the dollar.

 

If not, then further enquiry is necessary.

 

Perhaps a real estate agent friend is selling the property commission-free for you, or there are chattels of some value included in the sale.

 

Is the vendor distressed?

 

By ensuring the valuer is aware of these additions and subtractions, you can be certain they won’t dismiss the contract price out of hand as unreasonable in their report.

10. FOLLOW UP AND BE CIVIL

 

It’s difficult not to be emotional about your property.

 

You found the perfect pad, put your heart and soul into its upkeep and renovation, and know what every squeak and creek means amongst its timbers – then along comes someone who spends 20 minutes wandering around and puts a figure on it that’s insultingly low.

 

The cheek of them!

 

In reality, valuers don’t have it in for you.

 

If a figure comes back at less than expected, catch your breath and see if you can get a copy of the valuation.

 

If not, at least get a rundown on what sales were used and how they compared to your home.

 

If after an objective look, there’s a case to mount that the figure is too low, then take steps.

 

Put together your argument and head back to the bank or broker, armed with an appropriate stance.

 

If the bank commissioned the valuer, then calling the valuer direct won’t be of much help initially.

 

Your lender or broker will usually be open to addressing your concerns with the valuer.

 

Remember to be polite.

 

A rabid and illogical response to a valuation won’t help the process.

 

If you put together a reasoned argument as to why you believe the figure is too conservative, you’re more likely to get a fair response.

 

Locking down a valuation report with the best possible commentary and assessment isn’t so hard.

 

A common sense approach to dealing with the valuer and their task can yield rewards.

 

By simply doing some homework and painting your case in the best light, you may well get over the line and on your way to a ‘yes’ from your financier.

Causes Why Your Home Isn’t Selling

Causes Why Your Home Isn’t Selling

Has your home been on the market for sale longer than 4 months? Is the For Sale sign out the front just a reminder every day that you still haven’t reached the next stage.

 

Presentation- Is your home presented neatly. Buyers aren’t buying your furniture, but it definitely helps them imagine what it would look like with their furniture in the house. It can help detract from every little flaw which may otherwise be looked at.

 

Pricing- Who’s chosen the pricing for your house? Either way, it’s wrong, which is the main reason a home will not sell. Any home no matter what condition or state will sell at the right price, it may not be what you want or what your agent has “promised” he/she will get you in your initial appraisal to get your listing. However, if you have an unrealistic price on your home, IT WON’T SELL.

 

Promotion/Advertising- How and where is your property being advertised? You should be investing 1% of the value or your property into advertising. If an agent is not charging you advertising ask why? Where is my property being advertised? You need to invest a little to gain a bigger return. If an agent isn’t charging you advertising, who is paying for it? They are, and that means they MUST sell your home at ANY price to recuperate the money they have spent on the advertising or they will be out of pocket.

 

Photos- You MUST get professional photos. I have seen so many properties with non-professional photography and they just look shocking. Apart from the fact they don’t show the property is its true light and character they make the property look smaller and will deter people from even coming through. When your photos are taken, clean your benches and tables and make your house clutter free.

 

Agent- Who have you chosen to sell your property? Are they local? Do they have results? Can they prove it? What is there rate of length of time on the market? You don’t want to be going with an out of area agent, that doesn’t know the market. You also don’t want to be going with an agent that is in the area whos average time on the market is 200+ days. And do you really want to go with an agent that has 20+ properties on the market compared to an agent that is passionate and willing, who will more likely give you all of their time and energy that only has 1 or 2 properties on the market. Don’t always go with that big name that you see, whos signs are up forever!!

When is the Prime and Worst Time of Year to Sell?

When is the Prime and Worst Time of Year to Sell?

WHEN IS THE PRIME TIME OF YEAR TO SELL?

 

Deciding when to put your property on the market can be a daunting decision, and often it can feel like there are just too many variables to consider. If you’re an aspiring seller, your brain is probably buzzing with questions like…

 

Luckily, there are a few general rules you can follow to get the best outcome for your home. Read below for the best and worst times of year to sell your property…

 

SO, WHEN IS THE PRIME TIME OF YEAR TO SELL?

 

According to our research, summer is the best time to sell. This is because people have been researching, saving and doing life admin over the cold winter months. They are now ready to leave the house, purchase their new home and have everything exchanged well before the Christmas holidays chaos (spoiler alert, nobody wants to move during Christmas!).

 

However, it isn’t a secret that summer is the most popular season! Unfortunately, this can lead to an over-saturated market and less opportunity to reach a buyer if you’re property doesn’t stand out from the crowd.

 

With this in mind – regardless of the season, it’s crucial to make sure your home presents as good value for money compared to other similar homes up for sale at the time. Take a look at our 5 tips to sell your home faster to help you gauge a competitive price for your home…

 

WHEN IS THE SECOND PRIME TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME?

 

After summer, we recommend the second best time to sell as autumn, where the market is still busy, but a little quieter which can mean less competition for buyers. Autumn and summer also offer the best weather to show-off your properties best features. Those cool Autumn/Summer days allow potential buyers to both pictures themselves snuggling up by the fireplace and taking a dip in the pool.

 

WHEN IS THE WORST TIME OF YEAR TO SELL?

 

It logically follows that over the Christmas school holidays is the worst time of year to sell, as many buyers are busy tying up loose ends for the year, work, and preparing their household for their summer holiday plans.

 

Most sellers are owner-occupiers and nobody wants the stress of weekly home-opens AND moving when the family Christmas catch-up is looming, and all their time is booked for end-of-year events at work, and wrap-up assemblies for the kids school.

 

Summer is also a season that should be avoided due to the lack of buyers – and the fact that everyone’s expendable income is taken up by Christmas, New Years and other holiday season expenses!

 

While summer and winter might seem like a smart time to sell due to the market being less saturated, there are also less buyers searching for their new home. Potential buyers can often be deterred from stepping out and exploring the market by the hot and humid or the cold and windy weather, and by being busy with life commitments themselves!

 

WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU CONSIDER?

 

Now that you know when the best time of year to list your house for sale, make sure you also do your research and keep on-top of industry news, trends and median price reports, so you can enter the market well informed.

 

Being aware of taxes, benefits and restrictions that the government are enforcing or have enforced, allow you to be prepared for inclines, declines or changes in potential buyers. It’s always a great idea to speak with a few real estate experts in your area – they can give you a good gauge of what the current market is like, and what your home could achieve. This will arm you with the best knowledge to sell your home, quickly and easily!

COST-EFFECTIVE IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN HELP YOUR HOME SELL QUICKLY

COST-EFFECTIVE IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN HELP YOUR HOME SELL QUICKLY

If you are going to make improvements to your home, the best thing you can do during these changes is to remain as Eco-friendly as possible as this become the new trend. This can include updating the insulation, replacing old appliances, including the water heater, with Energy Star versions, as well as other green living changes. Not only will all of your environmentally friendly changes appeal to any new prospective home buyers, they will also increase the value of your home so that you can remake any money paid out for these updates.

 

Another way to improve your home and property is to modernize the spaces with in your home. You can do this by adding on an addition, or knocking down a wall here and there to create a more open living plan. Again, going about either of these changes in a green way will only help better your chances of selling your home faster.

 

Do not be afraid to reuse good materials to avoid creating too much waste. Once you have made these structural changes, you can consider outdoor improvements to the front and backyards, which may include a new stone walkway, a pretty garden, a deck, a gazebo, an outdoor living space, etc. These are all curb side additions that will attract more buyers and help sell quicker!

 

As you get closer to putting your Home on the MLS Market, you can make more aesthetic oriented changes. This may include staging your home by creating curb appeal as well as redecorating the home so that most of your personal possessions have been removed.

 

Small details such as cookbooks in the kitchen, pretty soaps in the bathrooms with a new, fluffy towel on the towel rack, mirrors creating the illusion of space and increasing light play, and other well-placed touches can work to make your home more desirable.

TAKE THESE STEPS TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME

TAKE THESE STEPS TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME

Some home features have always been big sellers to those looking for a new home, like an updated kitchen and bathrooms, while other features are new to the market and appeal to younger buyers – such as integrated smart technology.

 

It’s a no brainer then that keeping your home updated and fresh is vital to increasing its value.

 

Here are some home updates for you to consider helping you sell your home for more. Each of these features is quality investments, so you can rest easy knowing that they won’t age or outdate in the near future!

 

1. WASHROOM REMODEL

 

Moisture issues and regular use can cause bathrooms to require more remodeling attention than other areas of your home, but in our experience, most buyers will be enticed by an updated washroom (and kitchen, but more on that later)

 

This is why it’s a good idea to update the features in both your full and half baths every three to five years. This way, you avoid having to complete a total overhaul once you decide to sell your home.

 

Lighting: Want to make the biggest impact for the lowest cost? If your bathroom is dark and dingy, consider going light shopping.

 

There are a range of affordable looks you can choose from to suit your bathroom, including:

 

Pendant lights

Downlights

LED downlights

Concealed lighting

 

Whatever your preferred design is, making sure your bathroom is well lit should be at the top of your priority list.

 

Shower + Bath Tub: If your current shower and bathtub are outdated (if it’s chipped or it’s a bright shade of mauve or seafoam green, sorry but the buyer consensus is – it’s ugly), consider installing a new shower or free-standing bath tub and then re-caulk the area every so often to avoid cracking, discoloration and water leakage.

 

Just a shower? If you’re without a bathtub and have the space in your stand up shower, double shower heads are a very popular and appealing feature to home buyers. They’re luxurious, convenient, and timeless.

 

2. KITCHEN UPDATE

 

The kitchen has long been one of the most important features of a home for buyers of all ages. An open kitchen area with plenty of dining space and counter seating is a top priority for any homeowner looking to capitalise on their investment.

 

If you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time when you walk into your kitchen, it’s advisable to remodel the space and then make small tweaks over the years.

 

A few pointers:

 

Sleek, modern kitchen cabinets are favored over older, ornate wooden-style ones.

 

When it comes to kitchen counters, granite is appealing to many buyers, but quartz countertops have become the new gold standard.

 

Stainless steel is another great buzzword that sticks out to modern home buyers. Replace your old appliances with those made of stainless steel for a more polished look.

 

A double sink recess (if your kitchen countertop has the space) is considered a must have for buyers (particularly families… lots of dishes)!

 

An updated kitchen can totally transform the feel of a home, so if you’re to update anything in your home first, the kitchen would be our top pick.

 

3. ENERGY EFFICIENT FEATURES

 

As the world becomes more environmentally aware, many home buyers are seeking out properties with energy efficient appliances and features. A prime example is solar panels, which can be very costly, but can offer enormous savings on energy costs.

 

Installing solar panels is a major project, so it’s not recommended that you take on this work solely for the purpose of selling your home, but if you’re interested in making your home more environmentally efficient, and you plan to live there for a while, they can be a great long-term investment (for both you, and potential buyers in years to come).

 

Aside from solar panels, a smaller, more affordable home improvement you could make to lower energy costs is to replace your windows.

 

These are a common feature in energy efficient homes, as old windows can become loose and let in outside air. This then allows unwanted cool or warm air into your home, making your central air work harder to maintain the set temperature.

 

And if you replace your windows just before you sell, the benefits are twofold – you add value to your home.

 

4. SMART TECHNOLOGY

 

From lighting and security to music systems and thermostats, there’s nearly an endless list of ways to incorporate smart tech into your home.

 

Our advice is, think about when you want to sell your home. If you’re selling now – it might be worth adding a cool new tech feature to entice the current buyer pool. But if you’re not planning on selling for five years or so, it might be worth waiting – in five years’ time your choice of “smart tech” might not be considered “smart” any more…

 

Just think about how often all those Apple products are updated.

 

If you are after the latest and greatest technology, the most desired feature is the new Nest Thermostat, which can determine which temperature you prefer to keep your home at and develops a schedule to efficiently heat and cool each room. This is especially coveted by buyers with families.

 

If you’re after a few smart technology options that can stand the test of time, think about installing some outdoor cameras or alarm systems. Buyers will always value their privacy and safety, so even if these features aren’t brand spanking new, they will still be viewed in a positive light.

 

5. ADD A PORCH OR BACK PATIO AREA

 

Aside from indoor features, many home buyers look to a property’s backyard before making a decision on whether or not they are interested in buying. A porch or back patio is the perfect space to host outdoor gatherings or relax with the family in the evenings.

 

If you already have one of these areas, consider updating the space with new, stylish flooring, an outdoor kitchen area, or some outdoor ceiling fans. Though you likely won’t be selling your outdoor furniture with the home, it’s important to have a cohesive design and theme within the space to help potential buyers imagine themselves relaxing on the patio.