Some hot tips on how to market-ready your home for sale:

•  First impressions count so don't neglect the entrance to your home – make it appealing.

• Mow the lawns, tidy the garden (front and rear), paint window sills if needed and ensure the view through the front windows is warming too! Try to keep the rooms tidy – even when not expecting a viewing, as people can stop ad hoc and peer into your home just on the off chance.

• Before putting the house on the market, freshen up tired, marked walls with a coat of neutral paint if at all possible.

• Try to complete those outstanding DIY projects too! Fix those cracked tiles or dripping tap!

• A general tidy, dust, clean and de-clutter.  Put fresh clean linen on the beds.
  

• Having a fresh clean bathroom with a a sparkling shower screen or new shower curtain and white fluffy towels on display, removing grime from around the bath and tiles can make a huge difference.

• A clean shiny kitchen sink and de-greased hob is more of a turn on than a turn-off!

• Eliminate any animal smells with a sprinkling of pot pourri or similar ...fresh filter coffee on the boil or the smell of home-made bread baking works wonders!

• A pretty array of white roses or flowers in a vase enhances the interior design aspect of a room.

• Define each area/room. Prospective purchasers can then visualise where they will be able to put their own furniture, personal items. Sell the lifestyle.

• Use lighting to its best advantage, subtle lighting can create the right atmosphere in certain rooms and/or candles too.

• Use mirrors to reflect light.

• Most properties have a good and bad side to them so avoid showing people the downsides, highlight and comment on all the good points on your home! If you are showing people round the property yourself, decide in advance in which order you are going to show the rooms. Let the prospective purchasers enter the room first, then follow them in. This allows the viewers a better view of the room and, if it's a small one, will help it feel larger. Think about the benefits of each room and share your thoughts.

• Be confident and positive about your property, antcipate questions and have the information ready, such as guarantees and Council Tax, etc. Remember to advise about the plus points of living in your geographical area - eg good schools, a local swimming pool, commuter links, etc.

• Not willing to drop the asking price? Try and remember buyers will only pay what they perceive your house to be worth. It needs to be presented at its best to clinch that sale!

• Ideally, display a FOR SALE board.

• And do listen to your Estate Agent. The highest offer may not always be the best. How are the purchasers funding the project, for example? Ask to see the mortgage in principle letter if necessary.

• We all want the best price for our home, but if it’s over priced, it simply won’t attract viewers, let alone offers. Let our research be your guide here. Take your agent’s advice.

• Always keep in regular contact with your Solicitor and Estate Agent to ensure channels of communication stay open.

• And if you prefer to leave the viewings to the Estate Agent, let us know! We are here to sell your home on your behalf and offer advice on interior design and full relocation package.

FIRST TIME BUYERS:

• With property prices currently stagnant, now could be a good time for first time buyers to step on to the property ladder. With the current lower interest rates it is cheaper in some cases to buy rather than to rent a comparable property.

• Take advantage of the current offer of no stamp duty payable for first time buyers on properties costing less that £250,000.

• Another advantage - for the vendors too - is that, as a first time buyer, you do not have a property to sell and can, therefore, complete on a purchase more quickly.

• So what is stopping 1st time buyers? The deposit – usually at around 24% of purchase price. However, there are still good mortgage deals to be had, requesting just 10% deposit. Regularly isit the financial pages in the papers and the legitimate websites to find out which financial houses are offering the best current rates!!

Why Choose Bromleys Independent Estate Agents?

1.  Using your local independent Estate Agent not only provides a more personal, friendly service and local expertise, but we generally offer our clients a more competitive rate than the 'High Street franchises'.

2. We know your local neighbourhood!

3. As Sole Agents – This type of Agreement motivates your Estate Agent to work on your behalf even more so to sell your property. Why? It is usually harder to negotiate the Terms of Business if you are entering into a Joint Agency or Multi Agency Agreement.

4. Joint Sole Agency – Commission rates are higher therefore it is more difficult to negotiate terms of business and as with.....

5. Multi Agency Agreements, this also an expensive way to sell your property and can illustrate a 'sign of desperation/urgency' to sell. Agents prefer not to do business this way.

   Talk to Bromleys without obligation.  - 01543 878111

BROMLEYS – your local Estate Agent – is now under new management.  Whilst remaining an independently owned Limited Company, with Linda Whitehouse, CEO, at the helm, her dedicated team of professionals aim to offer the highest standard of customer service in all aspects of:

• Property sales
• Property purchase
• Lettings
• Property management
• Overseas property investment

“We aim to guide our customers through their property transaction process, albeit in property sale, purchase, letting (as a landlord or tenant) or as an investor, every step of the way in a professional, helpful and caring manner”, quotes Linda Whitehouse.

Whilst property prices are one of the most subjective discussions in the UK – whether prices are going up or down, everyone would like to anticipate what the future holds as it has such an effect on our economy and a knock on effect of our own personal wealth, security and investment.  Very few forecasters predicted the market to stabilise this year.  However, not only have prices appear to have stabilised, we are even seeing price rises in areas where demand is higher than supply!

Bromleys aim to provide a fair and realistic valuation of your property, taking into consideration today’s economic climate.

Positive news for all home sellers – with the Government suspending home information packs (HIPS - which were introduced in 2007 in England and Wales) – it means that sellers will be able to market their home for sale without having the costly exercise of having to pay out hundreds of pounds upfront.  The suspension of HIPS should, therefore, and appears to be adding to the recovery with would-be sellers returning to the market, giving buyers more choices which, in turn, will help stabilise house prices and return confidence in the market.

However, with the Government still being committed to greener housing, an EPC will still be a legal requirement for anyone wishing to sell or rent out their property.  The EPC grades the energy efficiency of properties on a scale of A – G, with the most efficient in homes being band A.  The Certificate takes the form of a chart, setting out the property’s energy performance and environmental impact, as well as any steps that could be taken to improve the property in this respect.

Bromley can offer this service to our clients.

Positive news for first time buyers – Stamp Duty (Land Tax)

From 25 March 2010, first-time buyers purchasing properties worth up to £250,000 will pay no stamp duty. The plan is for this to continue for two years. This means that 9 out of 10 people buying their first home will not be liable for the tax.   However, this concession will be partly funded by an increase to 5% in the duty on homes costing £1m or more, which will see buyers of these properties having to hand over a minimum of £50,000 in tax. This latter change will come into force next April.

Positive news for lettings – Landlords and Tenants

Due to unprecedented demand, Bromleys has set up a lettings division and urgently requires a selection of houses and apartments for rent.

Regulation is of paramount importance with ever changing legislation.  As a Member of the RLA and Property Ombudsman, we aim to provide best practice for both tenants and landlords and in all aspects of property management.

Positive news for those wishing to relocate

Bromleys can provide a full relocation package, assisting both companies and individuals whether their relocation is within the UK or overseas.

Positive news for Investors/Overseas Property

With over 20 years experience in the overseas property market, Linda Whitehouse and her dedicated team can advise you on the best places to buy and guide you through the buying process which varies from country to country.  We work with our clients individually on a one-to-one basis with their overseas advisor assisting you every step of the way.

Caribbean Focus:

Consider investing in a 5-star fully furnished freehold property on a Caribbean Beach and Spa resort – 100% finance (subject to status).

• Properties currently available to purchase off plan and up to 50% below current market value
• Receive GUARANTEED rentals over 2, 5 or 10 years @ 10% return pa, followed by 50% net room rate share
• You pay £1,000 reservation fee, 100% finance (sts) – developer pays monthly repayment on loan for 30% deposit
• 70% developer loan on completion
• All Caribbean properties suitable for SIPP investment*
• 30 days free use per year (except SIPP investors)
• ‘Limited Period’ special offer – September and October dates only!

In the meantime, for further information/advice on any of the above items, please don’t hesitate to contact Bromleys Estate Agents on:  01543 878111 or e-mail info@bromleysproperties.co.uk