Five Tips for How to Choose the Right Estate Agents

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When it comes to selling, people think about the price that their home could be worth and once listed, hope for a smooth sale. But it is the estate agent who will sell your property, so choosing the right person or company can mean either an accurate valuation or a lack of interest. The key to finding the best agent is to take your time and research, because whichever one you choose, you will be trusting them with your most valuable asset.

Here is some advice to help you find the right estate agent.

Check Their Credentials

In the UK, an estate agency must be registered with The Property Ombudsman. This is an official body that regulates the British real estate industry. Companies will often display scheme logos on their websites, so you can start to research from the comfort of your own home.

Be a Secret Agent

An easy way to understand how an estate agent works is to go undercover and pretend to be a potential buyer. Think about how they speak to you. Are they friendly? How do they describe the properties? Are they enthusiastic? This will allow you to see how your home would be marketed and if you would be happy with the service they offer.

Know Your Figures

All estate agents charge a percentage fee in exchange for selling your home, but the amount can differ from company to company. On average, this fee is 1.5%. Make sure you do your homework and are knowledgeable about the local housing market. This will give you leverage to negotiate on fees.

Ask Insightful Questions

You need to know how your property will be marketed and how long any agreement will last. Ask if your home will be listed in the local paper or if they use services such as Right Move. Enquire about viewings to find out if an agent will be present and if they operate outside of office hours. Also ask about the agent’s experience and find out how long they have been working in the local area.

Compare and Contrast

It is always advisable to get a valuation from at least three estate agents, as there are companies that will advise on a price that is too high to secure your property, or others that will undersell. Averaging figures will give you a solid guide price.

Seek prices from national chains as well as local estate agents who specialise in your area.

Always remember that when it comes to working with your estate agent, you are in the driver’s seat. Your home is entirely in your hands and the agent works for you, so voice opinions, ask questions and negotiate offers.

2015 Bedroom Design Trends

1 / 27 / 15

It’s a new year and perhaps it’s time for a refresh in the home. As the first place we see in the morning and the last place we see at night, our bedrooms are extremely important areas of the house. They should be a safe haven where we feel calm, comfortable and relaxed. So if you’re looking to redecorate this year, take a look at the 2015 bedroom design trends below.

Retro Designs

Retro has been a growing trend in interior design, bringing back key elements from the past such as retro colour themes, 50s flooring, 70 fabric patterns or 20s art deco furniture. If you don’t have the cash to fund a full renovation, the retro look can be achieved using the simple addition of colours, patterns or decorative ornaments. 60s retro in particular has been reported as a big trend for the coming year and this can be designed using the simple application of bold colour blocking.

Mixing Textures

Another popular trend in the interior design world is the use of different materials and textures. This eclectic mix of tweeds, leathers, woods or suede helps to add more depth and interest in your room, giving it a whole new dimension. For the bedroom, try fusing together the contemporary smoothness of dark leather bed boards with some interesting textures such as wools and silks, shaggy knits or tulle.

Open Spaces & Lighting

Clutter is out and space is in. If you’re a collector of trinkets and artefacts, it’s time to clear the room. Large open space is a trend for 2015 and one of the quickest ways to create a feeling of more space (even when you don’t have it) is to use the right lighting. But to do that it’s important to first understand what you require lighting for; ambience, accent lighting or task lighting. A well-lit bedroom should be able to offer all three and a great idea is to install ceiling spotlights along with some smaller lamps or wall lights to create a more relaxed setting.

Live Plants

It’s an old wives’ tale that you shouldn’t have plants in the bedroom. In fact, plants are said to improve the energy within you home and help you feel more relaxed. They emit very tiny amounts of carbon dioxide and are the most human-friendly air filters you can have. – so they are no danger to have in the bedroom. Nature was a big trend in 2014 and in 2015 we take this up a notch by adding real live plants into our décor, not just leaf or floral prints on our curtains.

Raw Wood

Upcycled furniture has been one of the biggest furniture design trends we’ve seen in recent years – so it’s no surprise that exposed wood and raw materials are going to be such a big hit. If you’re consider yourself to be rather creative, why not build your own wooden adaptations using some old, unwanted furniture? Visit Houseandgarden.co.uk for some upcycling inspiration.

The Benefits of Installing UPVC Doors in your Home

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Consumer spending represents an interesting political and economic talking point at present, as while it continues to drive growth in the UK it is considered by some to be the cause of considerable volatility. The fact that current economic growth in the UK is powered by inflated levels of government and consumer spending is a huge cause for concern for some economic experts, as this may not be sustainable over a prolonged period of time.

For now, however, it is fair to surmise that inflated levels of consumers spending are at least driving regional business growth. Households are also benefitting from higher levels of disposable income, which is enabling them to execute home repairs and remodel their existing living space. If you do decide to invest money in refurbishing your home, however, you will need to choose your modifications carefully and spend in a responsible manner.

3 Reasons to Invest in UPVC Windows

In the current market, investing in UPVC doors and windows represents an excellent use of your capital. There are numerous reasons for this, including the following: –

Create a More Secure Home

As a starting point, it is worth considering the fact that UPVC windows (and doors) help to create a more secure home. These fittings are extremely robust and durable, while they are designed to last and provide an almost impenetrable barrier between your home and the outside world. In addition to this, presence of anti-theft locks and surface design also reinforces the security appeal of UPVC fittings, subsequently adding value to your home and potentially reducing your home insurance premiums. This is no small consideration, especially for young families or vulnerable citizens who live alone.

Reduce Energy Usage and Costs

We live in an age of energy efficiency, as home-owners are increasingly aware of their responsibilities towards the natural environment. This is often reflected in the materials used to create interior and exterior fittings, and UPVC doors and windows provide a relevant example. Contemporary products are designed to offer significant heat insulation for home-owners, enabling them to retain heat during the winter and expel it in the months of summer. This will ultimately reduce your energy consumption and carbon footprints, while also leading to significant and long-term financial savings.

Create a Seamless Fusion between Interior and Exterior Design

In modern design terms, the garden is considered to be an extension of the home. This means that one of the most prominent trends is for creating a seamless fusion between interior and exterior designs, and UPVC doors can help to achieve this is a practical and effective way. These fittings tend to include a great deal of glass in their design, which optimises exposure to natural light and allows you to create a fluent aesthetic throughout your home and garden. While it achieves this fusion from a visual perspective, most UPVC doors have excellent sound insulation and prevent unwanted noises from disturbing you in the evening.

How to Sell Your Home Quickly and Still Get the Best Price

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Every seller hopes to achieve the best possible price for their home. However, if you need to sell your home quickly an estate agent will often advise that you market your property below the estimated market value. But who said you have to choose?

Before you start building an extension, here are some cheap and easy ways to ensure your home sells for a brilliant price in a timely manner.

Paint, Repair and Tidy

This applies to the interior and exterior of your home. Repair anything that is broken or damaged and tidy up to improve your home’s appearance. This includes broken guttering or lighting, as well as mowing the lawn, trimming hedges and using storage solutions to tidy away clutter.

Tip: Make sure you paint interior walls in neutral colours as this will appeal to a wider range of buyers.

Create Space and Purpose

You can create space by knocking down walls to create an open plan living area, something that can work brilliantly if your home is small. Add French doors and a patio to increase the amount of available ground floor space. Or remove trinkets and bulky furniture. Alternatively, you can create space by implementing different design techniques.

In addition, ensure that your rooms are functional. Add a small table and chairs to create a dining kitchen, or a bed in the study to create a second bedroom. A viewer needs to be able to see how the space can be used and function as a home.

Get Planning Permission

Rather than spend thousands of pounds on an extension that may not reap the size of financial reward you would hope for, only purchase the planning permission. Typically, this costs around £300 and can greatly sway a viewing in your house’s favour.

Tip: Before you submit your plan, look at the extensions that have already been granted on your street. Precedents may have been set by work that has already been done, so doing your research first will help to prevent your plan from being rejected.

Kitchen and Bathroom Repairs

The kitchen is often regarded as the heart of the home and both the kitchen and bathroom can greatly influence the outcome of a viewing. If these rooms are tired and in desperate need of a makeover, buyers are often put off as they perceive them as high cost areas to rectify.

Rather than install a modern suite or state of the art appliances, make small changes to make these rooms look fresh. Paint walls and ceilings, redo grouting, replace the toilet seat, repair chips in the sink or bathtub, paint kitchen cupboards and add new handles. The result? A huge transformation for a fraction of the cost.

Creating the Perfect Study Space for Kids

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Having school age kids can be a very fun time for parents. Teaching a child something new every single day and watching them grow and learn new things on their own can be extremely rewarding for a parent. Most parents understand that learning should occur not only in the classroom during school days, but also outside of the classroom. Therefore, it is great for parents to encourage studying with their kids when they are at home.

The best way to encourage kids to study outside of the classroom is to provide a great study space for them to go to. Parents can create a study room that will help their children focus and create. The study space should also be a comfortable space for kids to be in every single day. Any parent can create this space for their kids to promote learning and good study habits in the home. Here are some ideas for creating the perfect study space for kids.

Give them a safe space

Safety is the first thing parents need to think about with any space their kids will be in. it is important to know that the kids will be able to safely work in the study space without concern or constant supervision from the parent. Parents can use www.homesecurity911.com to ensure that their kids will be safe in any area of the home.

Choose an open location

Another way to ensure safety is for parents to have a clear view of their kids in the study space at all times. Using an open space or a space connected to another room can help parents keep an eye on their kids at all times and be close by if a child has a question on a certain assignment.

Utilize multifunctional storage

Storage space in a study area can often be limited, especially if it is a multi-function space. Parents can help this issue by using multi-functional storage spaces in their children’s study space. Some ideas include a desk bench with storage cubbies or a bookshelf around the desk.

Think outside the desk and chair

Many parents will want to give their kids a traditional desk and chair to study with. Though this may sound like the most reasonable option, it may not be the best for kids. Kids can often feel constricted and uncomfortable if forced to sit at a desk with a normal chair for too long. Parents can instead give their kids other study spaces, like a standing desk or a daybed to read on.

Keep easy organization

Organization can be a difficult task for kids, especially kids who are not motivated to clean up their mess. Parents can give their children an easy way to organize their things to make cleaning up at the end of the day easy and even fun. Having simple labeled cubbies and giving kids rewards for studying in their space and cleaning it up are all effective ways to help kids study more outside of school and enjoy it.

Image: http://pixabay.com/en/children-studying-togetherness-boys-286239/

5 Tips for Moving into a Smaller Home

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Downsizing often has had some negative connotation with it, but the term is actually a lot more accepted today. In an effort to not only save money, but also to free themselves from excessive clutter and large piles of disorganization, many people are making the decision to move out of their large home and into something that more appropriately suites their needs. This idea may seem crazy or impossible to some, but there are a lot of methods that anyone can use to downsize and live with less space.

Moving into a smaller home does not need to be stressful or overwhelming. There are a lot of great ideas that anyone can use to make the process of downsizing not only manageable, but also enjoyable as well. Purging old things and starting fresh in a space that fits perfectly for your new needs could be the best way for everyone to take back control of their lives and live more happily every day. Here are five tips for moving into a smaller home.

Choosing a Family Friendly-Floor Plan

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Deciding to start a family is a decision that changes everything about the way a person thinks. Instead of thinking about what movie to watch after dinner, they are thinking about how they are going to get their fussy baby through bath time. One big way of thinking that changes when a person becomes a parent, though, is what they value in a home. Parents need to have a space that will be safe and functional for them to raise their child in.

There are a lot of different things that can make a home family-friendly, or difficult for raising children. Each parent will have different opinions, but for the most part there are standard rules that parents like to follow when choosing a home for their family. Every new or old family can use these ideas to help them choose a home that everyone will love. Here are some tips for choosing a family-friendly floor plan.

Opt for open

More and more families are opting for an open floor plan instead of a closed or sectioned floor plan. Open floor plans allow parents to be on the opposite side of the home or in a different space while still being able to see their children. This is a great option for entertaining as well.

Choose the safest location

Location is an important decision when choosing a floor plan. Families want to have the most convenient location for everything in their home to save hassle and avoid potential problems. For example, a family would not want to have the nursery right next to the kitchen to avoid any disruptions while the baby is sleeping.

Think about cleanliness

A clean home is very important to every family. Parents want a clean space for their children to play in to keep them safe and avoid illnesses or accidents. However, messes are very common with children. Parents can think about these issues and plan accordingly with Daybreak townhomes. For example, they can opt for faux hardwood floors that are easy to clean spills off of.

Make a simple and transitional play place

A play place is often a very loose concept in a family home. Kids will play in every area of the home, but parents might want to maintain some style and design to their floor plan. Families can create a play area in the home that can be easily transitions to accommodate for other needs. For example, parents can create an art studio for their kids that can be quickly turning into an extra dining space for guests.

Leave room to grow

More often than not, a family will buy a home before the family is done growing and expanding, so that everyone can enjoy the home for a longer period of time. Families, then, should choose floor plans that allow them to grow and expand easily. For example, a family of three might fit perfectly into a three bedroom home, but when the family expands to four or five members, the home will be too small.

Image: http://pixabay.com/en/mom-caucasian-child-daughter-20666/

How to Keep Your Home Safe Over Winter

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Even if winter is one of your favourite times of year, there is no getting away from the fact that it can a tough few months for your home.

If you want to keep your house safe and secure over the winter months then here are a few simple tips you should be following.

Get the Pipes Ready

If you have ever suffered frozen or burst pipes at home then you already know the hassle, misery and expense this can bring. To stop them from freezing over it is a good idea to get them insulated by wrapping them with special material. There are different types of insulating material available, such as fibreglass and foam rubber options. The pipes in your attic are probably most at risk and should be seen as your highest priority.

The Best Hobbies for Families to Try Together

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We all want to do more things with our families but what are the best ideas for keeping everyone happy as well as for doing some family bonding?

The good news is that there are some very simple hobbies that you can carry out with your family that they will all love.

Play Some Sports

There are some terrific reasons for playing sports with your family. For a start, this is one of the best ways to stay fit while having some fun at the same time. It can ensure that you all get some fresh air and enjoy some memorable moments together too. There are plenty of sports you can play as a family and the more of you there are the more options you have to choose from. Even small family units can enjoy the likes of badminton and table tennis, though.

Travelling with Kids Doesn´t Have to Be a Nightmare

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There are few things in life better or more exciting than doing some travelling. Having said that, if you are planning on getting away with the kids you might be forgiven for feeling a little bit nervous about it.

Thankfully, travelling with kids doesn´t have to be a nightmare provided that you go about it in the right way.

Take Some Food With You

On most trips you shouldn´t find it too difficult to get hold of some food. However, it might be that you can only get hold of snacks or fast food in this way. This means that you should think about taking away some healthy food with you. This will help keep the young ones full of energy while you travel. Eating can also be a good way to pass some time on a long journey without the kids getting too bored.