Choosing a real estate agent is one of the most confronting challenges an owner must address when preparing to put their property on the market. Research from property technology company ActivePipe shows that 24.2% of sellers make their choice based on the personality of an agent. Reputation, conveyed by word of mouth, influences the decision…
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With the market stronger than ever, there’s never been a better time for buyers to learn the basics of assessing a property’s price before making an offer or attending an auction. Valuation is not a perfect science. You can never tell in a booming market when an auction will perform to expectation or go stellar…
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One of the challenges with preparing your home before a sale is the essential declutter designed to help give prospective buyers the best possible impression of your property. Nothing impacts on a buyer’s perception of room size more than clutter. Not only is it unsightly, it leaves buyers with the impression the room isn’t big…
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Finding asbestos can be a distressing experience when you renovate or buy given its well-documented history as a toxic material. Asbestos is a natural substance of thin fibrous crystals that if inhaled attacks the lungs, causing them to stiffen with deadly consequences. You might find asbestos in any pre-1990 home, as the material was used…
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The decision to downsize is often emotional, requiring you not only to say goodbye to the family home that holds so many memories but let go of possessions that no longer have a place in your life. Downsizing remains an important option for those approaching later years and looking for less stress. Once the kids…
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Installing a brand new bathroom is a great way to prepare your house for sale and achieve the maximum possible sale price. Brand new bathrooms and kitchens have the most impact on buyers during inspections, and they will certainly set your home apart from most of the properties currently for sale in the neighbourhood. Planning…
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When the heat in a booming property market eases down a notch, sellers need to become more competitive to maximise the value of their homes. Some buyers may feel they have the whip-hand, thinking they can low-ball you because the banks predict rising interest rates. But that’s not true if they’ve set their heart on…
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Deciding when to sell your home which is so often your great financial asset, is one of the biggest decisions directly affecting your wealth. Sometimes, a sale will be forced due to personal circumstances or a change in employment. But if you have a choice in the timing, then it pays to study not only…
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With so much attention on the current election campaign and the prospect of higher interest rates, it’s easier for first-time buyers to decide to wait and see where the market is heading. But that can be a mistake. Instead, you should focus on your own game and stick with your ambition to enter the property…
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Homeowners are refinancing in their droves, taking advantage of record-low interest rates to climb the property ladder, maximise the value of their existing property or hunker down for a rate rise. New figures show 363,978 properties were refinanced last year, an increase of 27.9% on 2022. One driver for this activity has been speculation about…
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