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How to pass your Home Report
Top tips for homeowners looking to prepare a house for sale before you book your property inspection report.
If you’re hoping to sell your home this autumn/winter, or in the new year, you’ll need to book a home report survey.
Carried out by a surveyor, a property inspection report will assess the structure of your home and reveal any structural concerns and signs of subsidence, as well as highlight any major repairs that need to be fixed. Passing a home report survey will help build trust with potential buyers and give them the reassurance they need that your home is in good condition.
Having a clean home report survey will help you to attract prospective buyers, but failing to pass your home report could cost you a significant amount of time and money!
So, before you book your property inspection report and put your home on the market, learn from our expert advice. Top tips for homeowners looking to prepare a house for sale in winter.
Prepare Your Home For A Property Inspection & Home Report
There are around 7 property inspection report pitfalls that you could fall into during a home report. Being aware of what a surveyor will be looking out for during their report will help you avoid these common issues.
1: Structural Stability & Foundation Issues
One of the main things a surveyor will assess is how sound your foundations are and whether the property is structurally safe. They will be looking for signs of uneven flooring, bulging and subsidence. A surveyor may also inspect door and window frames, decking and fences. Rather than wait for a surveyor to flag up a structural issue, carry out your own investigation and try to make sure your home is solid, stable and structurally sound before putting it on the market.
2: Plumbing
Poor pipework and blocked drains can easily be spotted during a property inspection report. If you know you have an issue with plumbing, it’s better to replace plumping, improve water pressure and only sell your home when it’s ready to move into. Faulty plumbing can put off first-time buyers, who are searching for a property to move into straight away, especially during the colder months of the year when hot water is essential.
3: Electrics & Wiring
A home report will also assess your electrics and wiring to check whether they pose a fire risk. During a property inspection report remove any extension cords and multi-plug extensions that could be considered a health and safety issue.
4: Dreaded Damp
Mould, mildew and rising damp can all be flagged up during a home report, but these issues should be fixed before booking a property inspection report. If you know you have a damp or ventilation issue, hire a professional who can locate the source of the problem and put things right before you try to sell your home.
5: Central Heating
The UK is renowned for bad weather so when it comes to central heating, buyers won’t appreciate inadequate heating. To boost your property’s appeal check your central heating system is working well and your home is well insulated. This will give buyers a green tick when it comes to energy-saving potential and will help you pass your home report too.
6: A Good Roof Over Your Head
A surveyor will be looking for physical deterioration of the roof, leaky gutters and holes. If you know your roof is in need of a bit of TLC, consider making the relevant repairs or investing in a new roof before putting up the ‘for sale’ sign.
7: Lock, Keys & Alarms
Safety is a priority when it comes to buying a new home, and a property surveyor will inspect your front door, garage, patio doors, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replacing and upgrading these safety and security features can be done fairly cheaply, so there really are no excuses here.
For more advice and information about selling your property feel free to contact us.
Posted 18/09/2023 by AMAZING RESULTS!
Your guide to hiring an Estate Agent
In this blog, we’ve outlined the top 10 attributes as your guide to hiring an amazing Estate Agent.
Your Guide to Hiring a Professional Estate Agent.
When you’re selling a home, it’s crucial to work with a qualified Estate Agent. Not just a professional, but an experienced Agent and a local market expert. So how do you ensure you’re hiring a Professional Estate Agent?
There are currently more than 20,000 Estate Agency professionals in the UK. With so many options to choose from, how do you choose the right Agent?
According to the National Association of Estate Agents trust and reputation are the top deciding factors sellers use when deciding upon an Estate Agent.
But how do you measure trust and reputation … and what criteria can be used to help you make your decision?
In this blog, we’ve outlined the top 10 attributes that amazing Agents possess in order to be successful in getting your home sold!
Communication skills
As a house seller, one of the biggest frustrations for people is a lack of communication from their Estate Agent. It is important that your Estate Agent is able to listen to and provide feedback on you enquires.
Estate Agency isn’t really about houses. It’s about people. Yes, they need to know about property and market conditions, conveyancing and mortgages. They will handle negotiations, offer sales advice, arrange viewing appointments, show prospective buyers around properties and provide support throughout the entire sales process. But to be successful, they really need to know about people, and how to read them. That’s where good communication comes in.
Engaging Personality
This is a trait that most sellers’ would assume that all Estate Agents have, and unfortunately, that is not the case.
At its heart the property business is sales-oriented, so it is important that your Estate Agent should be personable and is somebody you would like to talk to.
A good Estate Agent doesn’t just sell properties—they sell themselves. People will respond to they have a great attitude, are professional and honest, have confidence in their abilities, and get a sense of fulfilment by helping others.
Local Knowledge
If you’re selling a home, Professional Estate Agents have the experience pricing homes optimally for the market, and creating a plan to minimise the time spent selling the home. This will help you sell for your desired price, and avoid costs like additional mortgage and utility payments or losing out on a new home.
Your Estate Agent should know everything that’s important about the location surrounding the properties under their control. They need to know where schools are, what the crime rate is like and what the area is like to ensure they price correctly and sell appropriately.
It is incredibly important for the person selling a home to have recent sales experience and success at selling homes in the area.
Tech-Savvy
The online market has become one of the top tools in the Estate Agent’s arsenal and it is important that yours knows how to use the web to your advantage. Many successful Estate Agents know how to properly showcase a house to make it more marketable with creative online descriptions, floor plans, professional photography and Video Property Tours to attract the right buyers.
The average Estate Agent may not be utilising the latest tools and technology to make the transaction easier and more cost effective for their clients. Any Estate Agent that is not advertising on all the UK’s top property portals like Rightmove, Zoopla, S1 Homes & Primelocation should be avoided by you.
Organised
In a fast-moving property market a good Estate Agent needs to be well-organised. They will usually be handling multiple properties and clients at a time, so failing to organise correctly can lead to issues being missed.They need to follow up with leads, communicate well, pay attention to the needs of their clients and they will sell more homes. This is especially true in a hard-to-sell market.
Proactive Work Ethic
Nothing comes without a little hard work and the same is true of the property market. It’s not enough just to put a ‘For Sale’ sign in your front garden, advertise it online, wait for an enquiry and expecting it to sell! Being a top producing Estate Agent requires a great work ethic. They must have the tenacity to pursue every lead and the hustle to aggressively market your property in order to have success.
A good Agent should be proactively calling potential buyers, communicating with existing customers and constantly chasing new leads. Market experts can make sure you only deal with qualified buyers, not the “window shoppers” who can waste your time. The key element of being proactive is keeping the client well informed. Sellers want an Agent that is tenacious. They follow up quickly after every time the home is shown. They appear to work hard and they rarely give up.
Strong Negotiation Skills
The job of a Professional Estate Agent who is representing a seller, in a nut-shell, is to get the most money for their client’s home in the least amount of time! Amazing Agents truly set themselves apart in their ability to negotiate.
Property negotiations can be challenging, even for seasoned professionals. It takes skill, experience and knowledge of how to fight for the seller’s best interests. While any Estate Agent can enter negotiations to buy or sell a home, they may not know the effective strategies to exit those negotiations with the result you want.
Connected
Your Estate Agent should know how to get what you need, when you need it. This means paperwork, planning, building warrants, decorators, gardeners and anything else that can help you along the way. Having a large network of business connections ensures all of the red tape is handled swiftly.
This list of service and business connections should include potential buyers and all the other professionals in the property industry, such as Specialists, Surveyors, Solicitors and Independent Mortgage Advisers.
Testimonials
As the saying goes: “The proof is in the pudding.” A good Estate Agent will always have their clients needs as their top priority and must be able to show where they have succeeded in dealing with properties in the past. They should be able to give you positive references from any of their past clients and be happy to provide testimonials and examples of their work.
The most successful Estate Agents will get a large percentage of repeat and referral business.
Honesty & Integrity
A Professional Estate Agent is a trusted guide in the home buying and selling process. Clients look to their Agent for guidance and expert advice on how to approach their sale or purchase. Honesty is all-important in the property market.
Being a member of a professional organisation such as ‘The property Ombudsman’ is one way to show they practice high ethical standards. To become a member, you must pledge to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Sellers need an honest Professional Estate Agent, one that will tell them like it is, even if it’s not the easiest to hear. This type of person will lay out exactly what the seller can expect, from sale price to timing and more. In the end, honesty will save sellers lots of worry.
Are you thinking about selling your property in 2022/23?
Now that you’re armed with the 10 Things To Expect From Your Estate Agent When Selling A Home, you’re ready to start working with the best possible Estate Agent.
We’d love an opportunity to win your business. Book a FREE property valuation today to find out how true market experts can help you achieve the best possible price, in the shortest possible time.
Or call your local AMAZING RESULTS!™ Agent to arrange a FREE valuation of your property on 0800 999 1565.
For more advice and information about selling your property feel free to contact us.
Posted 10/09/2023 by AMAZING RESULTS!
The ABC’S of buying a home
When it comes to buying property, follow these ABC’s & you’ll cover most of everything you need.
When it comes to buying property, there is no shortage of advice to look through or consider. This is a good thing but as there is so much information, you may actually feel overwhelmed at times when you are looking to buy a property. It is often helpful to break information down into smaller pieces, because this allows you to consider what you really need to know from day one … Many people like to consider a big decision with respect to an ABC notion, because if a decision can be broken down into three aspects, it makes a lot easier to come to a decision. There is clearly a lot of factors you need to take on board when looking to buy a property, but you’ll find that the following ABC gives you an ideal starting place to move forward from: Assistance If you can follow this ABC when buying a property, you should find it easier to make the right decision with respect to buying a home. Assistance There is a great deal to be said for getting as much assistance and guidance as you possibly can. Buying a home is the biggest decision you will make in your life. If this is the first time you are buying property, you want to be as informed as possible and even if you have bought property before, there are so many changes and updates to the property market and how people buy and sell, it always makes sense to get help from the professionals who operate in the property market every day. A good example of the sort of professional you want on your side when buying property is a good estate agent. Local knowledge is essential when looking to find a home but you also want an estate agent that will listen to you and your needs. It is likely that you will certain criteria that you need to find for your home and a good estate agent will take these requests on board and make this the starting point of your house-buying plans. Of course, there are other ways you can seek out assistance in buying a home. There are still Help To Buy schemes in operation in the UK with the Government providing backing for people saving for a deposit or buying a new property. Be sure to look for information on what is available to you. You’ll also find that asking friends or family members who have been through the home buying process to be good people to speak to. You want to prepare yourself for the house buying process as much as you can so finding out about people’s horror stories or successes in the market will help you be as informed as you can before making a decision. Budget Your budget is at the heart of everything you do in the property buying process, and this should be something you spend a lot of time and effort on. Make sure that you take steps to save up as much of a deposit as you can, that you have money available for the point when you buy a home and that you know what your finances can take with respect to making monthly payments for your mortgage. An issue that many people have is that they take their mortgage costs on board but they often overlook all of the other monthly payments they need to make when owning a home. Yes, you may have worked out you can pay your mortgage but have you also taken your utility bills, council tax, TV licence, commuting costs, food and drink bills, clothing and entertainment costs into consideration. You’ll find that owning a home brings about a lot of responsibility and this means you need to make sure your budget is robust enough to handle a lot of expenses. There is also the fact that there are a lot of up-front costs associated with buying a home. If your mortgage has been approved, you then have solicitor costs, the cost of reports associated with the purchase, you may have stamp duty charges to consider and then you have the cost of moving. This means home buyers need to have access to a lot of funds at the point of buying a home as well as being able to meet monthly payments. You should also look into improving your credit score in advance of applying for a loan. Your credit score and rating will impact on the mortgage you are offered, so the more you can improve this rating, the better your chances will be of getting a good mortgage. Choose a property If you’ve got your budget and finances in place and you have received as much support as you can, you then have to choose a property and then pursue it. A lot of people have doubts and concerns about buying a home, and it is essential that people understand that there is no such thing as being 100% sure about buying a home. However, if you have undertaken your research and the home offers you all of the different features you require, there will come a time when you need to choose a property and the press on with an attempt to buy the property. For many people, this is the hardest task and there is an argument to say that the C could stand for Close The Deal. There will always be a reason to have worries about a move, but anyone seriously looking for a home will have to step up and place an offer at some point. While there is a lot to consider about buying a property, if you follow the ABC’s, you’ll find that you cover most of everything you need. For more advice and information about selling your property feel free to contact us. Posted 01/09/2023 by AMAZING RESULTS!
Budget
Choose
There is also a great deal to be said for speaking with an independent mortgage advisor. This will give you a chance to go over your budget and help you find the loan that fits best with your needs and requirements. If you are buying your first home, you may not know how many different mortgages are available, and the first mortgage you get offered may not be the best for you. Working closely with an advisor that has access to a wide range of mortgages will increase your chances of finding the best option for your needs.
Time to change your Estate Agent?
Discover the benefits of using a professional estate agent and how to sell your property and save time and money.
5 reasons to switch your Estate Agent today!
The Scottish property market is still considered a sound investment, but there are always ways to make investing in property or selling your home faster, cheaper and easier than ever. Choosing the right Estate Agent is one way to considerably reduce your expenses, and if you think your Estate Agent isn’t living up to your expectations, it might be time to change.
An Estate Agent’s role is to help you market your property and help you to sell it, along with liaising with mortgage brokers, solicitors, and surveyors, but if they are inexperienced, unmotivated or simply not pulling their weight, it’s OK to move on and take your business elsewhere. From problems with communication, poor marketing strategies and a lack of management here’s 5 reasons why you should switch your Estate Agent!
5 Reasons To Switch Estate Agent
If you’re thinking about switching your Estate Agent, here are 5 signs that you’re making the right decision!
1: Go Digital & Save Money
Estate Agents can be expensive, especially if your property has been on the market for a while. Rather than keep wasting money with no sign of a sale, why not switch to an online Estate Agent. Make sure to only pay an Estate Agent when you sell your home and not agree to pay upfront. This can mean losing money if you decide to switch or go online. Since online estate agents don’t need to cover the expenses of an office, it’s often far more affordable to go digital than stick to a traditional approach to selling a property. This virtual and bespoke style of service is gaining popularity across Scotland, so it’s certainly worth taking a look.
2: Marketing Efforts Are Poor
If your property hasn’t sold yet, it might not be due to the location or the property market. Many homeowners and property investors struggle with Estate Agents who are not experienced in digital marketing strategies and fail to develop their skills. If you believe the Estate Agent you’re currently using is not innovative in their marketing approach and haven’t invested time into marketing your property professionally online, it’s time to take back control. These days, more buyers spot future investments or their next home online, and in particular on social media, so it’s important that your property receives social media exposure to gain interest. If it’s not being marketed well online, it’s time to switch Estate Agents.
3: Time Is Money
For many property owners, time is money and if you’re yet to close on a sale, this is a clear sign to ditch your Estate Agent. By moving onto a new team, who might have more experience, a different strategy or can attract international buyers, you could make a sale faster. There is no shame in moving on and trying a different Estate Agent so don’t worry about hurting their feelings, you have already given them a chance and unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out.
4: Scotland’s Property Market Trends
Time is also of the essence, and the property market in Scotland can change significantly within 24 hours. A professional Estate Agent should be able to help you and provide relevant market insight to allow you to make a quick sale. Without this key data relating to buying trends and house prices, you might fail to meet the deadline and sell your property.
5: Don’t Accept Mistakes
Spelling mistakes in property listings, poorly edited images and failing to turn up for viewings, do not accept any of these simple mistakes from your Estate Agent. You are not doing them a favour, and it is their responsibility to be professional and on time. If your Estate Agent has made a pretty big mistake or is lacking professionalism, move on! There will always be another Estate Agent ready to take on your property and uphold their reputation.
For more advice and information about selling your property feel free to check out our website.
Posted 20/08/2023 by AMAZING RESULTS!
5 great reasons to be an Agent
If you have a passion for property and love working with people, now might be a great time to start your new career.
If you have a passion for the property market and have always thought about becoming an Estate Agent, now might be the best time to launch your new career.
While the global pandemic has paved the way forward for entrepreneurism and remote work, online, self-employed & Franchise Estate Agents are on the rise. Able to offer homeowners high-quality services to buy and sell their properties, an Estate Agency has the potential to thrive online and in the current economic climate.
So, here are 5 reasons to start an online Estate Agency business right now.
1: Online Estate Agent & Remote Work
If you enjoy working remotely, being an online Estate Agent will give you the freedom and flexibility to set your own working hours and manage your own time. Rather than be restricted to work from an office, technology has now enabled Estate Agents to work virtually and provide the same if not improved level of services. So if you have a high-speed internet connection, experience in sales, customer service or as an Estate Agent, and interest in the Scottish property market, this could be the perfect way for you to work remotely or from home.
2: Become Your Own Boss
Setting up your own business unlocks a huge amount of benefits. From becoming financially self-sufficient to learning the ropes when it comes to managing and growing a start-up. If starting from scratch as an online Estate Agent seems daunting, you can take advantage of training courses, technology and operational support of an established brand to launch your business.
3: Maximise Your Passion For The Scottish Property Market
An Estate Agency can generate high-commissions for selling properties, so if you already enjoy learning about the property market, or have previous experience within the industry why not maximise your existing knowledge. You can specialise in certain areas of the country, or focus on luxury homes, overseas properties or perhaps commercial real estate. Spend time doing what you’re passionate about and never work a day in your life.
4: Affordable Investment To Start Your Own Business Or Open A Franchise
If you invest in yourself or a Franchise, you can leverage from an established Estate Agency without risking your life savings. An initial investment for an Estate Agency self-employed role or Franchise can be as low as £2,000, but some can be as high as £25,000, so doing your homework first is key. But an initial investment will mean having an established customer base which means minimising your risk and being able to focus more time on marketing and generating sales, than building a brand.
5: The Resilient Property Market
The property market in Scotland is a resilient one, and according to some experts now presents itself as a prime time to position yourself as an Estate Agent in your local market. While Brexit caused a lot of concern among property investors, not to mention the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a recent survey 51% of people said that the UK property market would remain an appealing investment despite the global pandemic and post-Brexit relationships.
To learn more check out our recruitment page.
Posted 10/08/2023 by Colin Jenkins of AMAZING RESULTS!
7 Expert Tips to get a Mortgage
In this article, we’ll share 7 expert tips on how to get a mortgage.
7 Expert Tips on How to Get a Mortgage As someone who has gone through the process of getting a mortgage, I know how daunting it can be. From understanding the different types of mortgages to navigating the application process, there’s a lot to consider. However, with the right knowledge and guidance, you can master the mortgage process and get the home of your dreams. In this article, I’ll share 7 expert tips on how to get a mortgage. Understanding the Different Types of Mortgages Before you start your mortgage journey, it’s important to understand the different types of mortgages available. The two main types of mortgages are fixed-rate mortgages and tracker or Standard Variable Rate mortgages that are usually linked to the Bank of England’s Base Rate, so can change over time. A fixed-rate mortgage has a set interest rate for the life of the loan, which typically ranges from 15 to 30 years. This means your monthly payment will remain the same throughout the loan period, providing stability and predictability. It’s worth noting that around 95% of all new mortgage loans taken out in 2022 were on a fixed rate. On the other hand, a tracker or Standard Variable Rate mortgage has an interest rate that can fluctuate based on market conditions. While a tracker or Standard Variable Rate can offer lower initial interest rates, they can be risky as your payments can increase significantly over time. Tips for Improving Your Credit Score Your credit score plays a significant role in the mortgage process as it affects your ability to qualify for a loan and the interest rate you’ll receive. Therefore, it’s important to take steps to improve your credit score before applying for a mortgage. One way to improve your credit score is to pay off any outstanding debts and keep your credit card balances low. You should also avoid opening new credit accounts or taking out any new loans before applying for a mortgage. Another tip is to check your credit report for errors and dispute any inaccuracies. You’re entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the two major credit bureaus (Equifax and Experian). There are many things mortgage lenders will take into account when deciding whether, and how much, to lend to you. Your credit score is important as it’s often the first things lenders will look at to give an indication of how well you’ve handled money in the past. How to Save for a Deposit Saving for a deposit can be one of the biggest challenges when it comes to getting a mortgage. The general rule of thumb is to aim for a 10% deposit, however, a mortgage calculator can be a great tool to give you an idea of how much you could borrow, based on the size of your deposit, and your income. But that’s not the only thing a lender takes into account when considering how much they’re prepared to loan to you. To save for a deposit, consider setting up a separate savings account specifically for this purpose. You can also cut back on expenses and increase your income by taking on a side job or selling unwanted items. Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before you start house hunting, it’s important to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves submitting a mortgage application and apply for a Mortgage in Principle providing documentation on your income, assets, and debts. After you’ve completed the application, you’ll be given a personalised result showing how much you could borrow with a mortgage. It’s worth noting that this isn’t a full mortgage offer, but it can be really helpful when you’re looking to buy a home, as it’s a good indicator of how much a lender is prepared to loan to you. Getting pre-approved can give you a better idea of how much house you can afford and provide more leverage when negotiating with sellers. It also shows sellers that you’re serious about buying and can speed up the conveyancing process. Keep all of the associated paperwork handy, as you’ll be able to use it when you’re ready to make a full mortgage application. And remember, you’re not committing to anything by applying, and your credit rating won’t be affected. Choosing the Right Lender Choosing the right lender is crucial to a successful mortgage process. You should compare rates and fees from different lenders and ask about their experience with the type of loan you’re seeking. Though you’re able to apply for a mortgage directly with a lender yourself, you might find it helpful to use a mortgage broker or adviser when you’re applying for a mortgage. Mortgage brokers are qualified to give independent advice, so will be well placed to tell you which is the best deal for your circumstances. They can look at a range of mortgage products for you and help guide you through the full mortgage application process. Navigating the Mortgage Application Process The mortgage application process can be lengthy and complex, but with the right guidance, it can be manageable. You’ll need to provide documentation on your income, assets, debts, and employment history. It’s important to be responsive to your lender’s or Mortgage Broker’s requests for information and to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Common Mistakes to Avoid There are several common mistakes to avoid when getting a mortgage. One is taking on too much debt before or during the mortgage process, which can affect your credit score and debt-to-income ratio. You should also avoid making large purchases or opening new credit accounts during this time. Another mistake is not being honest on your mortgage application, such as exaggerating your income or assets. This can result in a denied application. Finalising the Mortgage Process Once your application is approved, you’ll need to finalise the mortgage process by signing the loan documents. It’s important to review the loan documents carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand something. You should also ensure you have enough funds available for solicitor costs and any required deposit. Conclusion Getting a mortgage can be a complex process, but with the right knowledge and guidance, you can navigate it successfully. Understanding the different types of mortgages, improving your credit score, saving for a down payment, getting pre-approved, choosing the right lender, navigating the application process, and avoiding common mistakes can all contribute to a smoother mortgage application. By following these expert tips, you can master the mortgage process and get the home of your dreams. Please note: AMAZING RESULTS! is not authorised to give financial advice; the information and opinions provided in this blog is not intended to be financial advice and should not be relied upon when making financial decisions. Please seek advice from a specialist mortgage provider or independent mortgage adviser. For Fee-free, expert mortgage advice. Call our expert advisers now on 0800 999 1565. YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Posted 20/07/2023 by Jane Cameron of AMAZING RESULTS!