What will the potential rise in interest rates mean for mortgages?

Over the last few months there has plenty of frenzied speculation about exactly when interest rates will rise and by how much. Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has kept his cards close to his chest, but he has dropped a number of hints that rises are coming in 2015.

Robert Sinclair, chief executive of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, expects the Bank of England to increase rates twice in 2015, bringing them up to 1%.

Interest rates have been fixed at historic lows of 0.5% since 2009 as part of a move to get the economy back on track after the global financial crisis hit in 2008. At the Bank of England’s August meeting, two members of the nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee (the body responsible for setting interest rates) voted to raise interest rates, the first split vote for five years. As seven members voted to keep interest rates as they were, no change was made, but it seems clear that a rise is going to be happening sooner rather than later.



But what does this mean for homeowners and the knock-on effect it will have on their mortgage repayments? An interest rise of just 1% would add £1,000 every year to the cost of a mortgage, meaning that those looking to buy or sell would be well-advised to get moving as quickly as possible to avoid the rate rise and the additional costs this would bring. Current homeowners should also reconsider their existing mortgage deal to make sure they are well protected against any interest rate rises.

Many current or potential homeowners are uncertain about how an interest rate rise may affect their ability to meet their monthly mortgage repayments. Research carried out earlier this year by Equifax suggested that 50% of people believe they would struggle from a financial viewpoint to meet an increase in their monthly mortgage repayment. Furthermore, for anyone looking to renew or take out a fixed-rate mortgage, it could be the beginning of the end for low fixed rates. With the prospect of an imminent rise, the big lenders have been gradually increasing the price of fixed rate mortgages over the course of this year. Certainly, the run of record-low mortgage rates would appear to be a thing of the past.

When it comes to choosing a mortgage with rising interest rates in mind, there are certain mortgages that can protect you more than others. If you want to have monthly repayments that are set at one price, a fixed rate mortgage gives borrowers certainty over what their mortgage repayments will be for the length of the mortgage term. In addition, if interest rates were to rise significantly your repayments would not become more expensive. The downside to this, of course, is that it works both ways, and you would not benefit should interest rates fall.

Tracker mortgages, on the other hand, track the Bank of England’s rate plus a pre-agreed mark-up. For example, your mortgage could be the base rate plus 3%. So, as things currently stand, you would be paying interest of 3.5%. Another option is a variable rate mortgage, which can provide cheaper interest rates as lenders battle to offer the best rate. Having said this, rates vary at the discretion of the lender and they can potentially raise the cost of your mortgage.

So with lots of homeowners looking to sell this January and an interest rate rise expected later in the year, not to mention the general election in May which will have an effect on people’s purchasing decisions, if you’re looking to get on the move in the property market the next few weeks is the perfect time to start looking at what houses are on the market.

At ChimneyPots we can offer a free mortgage quote from a regulated mortgage advisor. You can also calculate the mortgage you can afford with our online mortgage calculator. To see how much your property is worth, use our free instant online valuation tool. And for any additional advice on buying and selling, please contact us on: 08448 099931.

http://chimneypotsestateagent.co.uk/what-will-the-potential-rise-in-interest-rates-mean-for-mortgages/

Must know info for first-time buyers

Buying a house for the first time is one of the most important life decisions (and investments) many people will make. Given what is riding on this purchase, it is little surprise that first-time buyers can find the process thoroughly daunting.

As estate agents working across the South of England, we have taken the opportunity to provide some handy tips to buyers dipping their toe into the property market for the very first time.

Speak to a mortgage specialist
Before you even start actively looking to get on the property ladder, it’s prudent to seek advice from a specialist mortgage adviser. They will be able to give an overview of the market and match your individual needs to the correct mortgage products available, taking into consideration your income, credit history and deposit. Many advisers will also be able to provide you with a free mortgage quote.
Mortgage specialists can also make sure that you are eligible for a mortgage in the shape of an ‘agreement in principle’, which means estate agents will take you more seriously when you start viewing houses in earnest. Expert advice will also ensure you are targeting appropriately priced houses.

Do your research
As the famous saying goes, knowledge is power. And this is particularly apt advice for those looking to buy, as first-time buyers need to know as much as possible about the market and the area they are looking to live in. For example, how good are the local amenities and transport links? How safe or family-friendly is the neighbourhood? Search the internet or visit in person to get a real flavour of the local area.

Parental advice
Many first-time buyers are between the ages of 25-35. In these cases, parents who have gone through the experience of buying before can be a very good sounding board to turn to. They can offer sound advice and guidance, they’ll be more likely to tell you what they really feel, and they can point out any potential issues that you may not have taken into account. As well as this, the so-called Bank of Mum and Dad may be able to provide financial support to help you onto the property ladder.

Keep an eye on the finances
When you have bought a house, it’s not simply the mortgage repayments every month you have to worry about. You must also factor in the cost of utility bills, council tax, property upkeep and home insurance. First-time buyers, especially those who have been living at home, might be taken by surprise with these costs and need to learn how to budget effectively.

Borrowing more than you can repay is always a very bad idea, so you need to make sure your finances are in good order before you think about home ownership.

Browse around then pinpoint your favourite properties
Once you have decided on the one or two properties that appeal most, arrange a second viewing. Now is the time to ask the estate agent or owners any burning questions – e.g. the average cost of heating and telephone bills or queries about parking.

Put in an offer
When you have chosen your ideal home, the next step is to approach your estate agent, declare your interest and place an offer on the property.

Follow the legal process
If your offer is accepted and the purchase approved, you need to hire somebody to deal with all the legal elements of buying a house. This is known as conveyancing and is often done through a solicitors firm who will provide you with a conveyancing quote.

The final furlong
Even once the purchase is agreed it may be several months before you can move in as a number of issues inevitably have to be ironed out. At this time, it is important to reply to any correspondence quickly and decisively to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Further advice for first-time buyers can be found on our buyers guide. You can also contact us on 08448 099931 and search for properties for sale here.

How to be a successful landlord

Happy tenants and fully occupied rental properties is what every landlord is striving for. This is easier said than done, but being efficient, on the ball, thorough, fair, reliable and honest will ensure that your properties are tenanted much more than they are empty.

Using our knowledge as estate agents working across the South of England, we have put together a number of tips that will help you to be the best landlord possible.

Presentation is key
It might sound obvious, but keeping your property in tip-top condition will appeal more to prospective tenants. If the house you’re looking to let is attractive, well-maintained and well-presented, you’ll also be in a better position to charge higher rents. Subtle, neutral colours are best when it comes to décor, as these are likely to appeal to the widest audience.

Get an inventory
Having a comprehensive inventory of your property and its contents is absolutely vital. This inventory should be given to the incoming tenants on the very first day they move in and, ideally, they should check, sign and then return a copy of the inventory to you to confirm their agreement with it. Without a good inventory in place, you could leave yourself in a very vulnerable position if you then try to deduct money from a tenant’s deposit for alleged damages.



Play it safe
Keeping your tenants safe and sound is of paramount importance. Checks on all gas and electrical appliances should be carried out before your tenants move in, whilst they should also be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate. Landlords should also be fully aware of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Failure to carry out these measures could lead to a fine or, in serious cases, prison, so it’s absolutely vital that you put your tenants at no risk.

One out, one in
It might seem a little harsh, but this is how you should look at the turnaround period between tenants. You may be sad to lose good, long-term tenants, but there is unfortunately no place for sentimentality. Your rental properties are, first and foremost, an investment, and the worst thing for a landlord is an empty house that is losing rather than making money. Employing the services of a cleaning company, so the property can be returned to its very best state as quickly as possible, will make sure there is no delay in getting the next batch of tenants in.

Furnished or unfurnished?
Properties can be rented out fully furnished, part furnished or unfurnished. Typically, unfurnished properties are most popular, as tenants want to put their own stamp on the place they are going to call home. However, at the very least, you will need excellent quality carpets, light fittings and curtains.

Set a fair rent
It can be tempting to charge over-the-odds – especially with demand currently being so high – but it is always better to let a property at a reasonable rent than having it remain empty. Long-term tenants will also appreciate being rewarded for their loyalty with fairer terms.

To summarise, the trick to being a good landlord is to treat your tenants as you would like to be treated – build a relationship, react quickly to any issues, make them feel wanted. This will increase the chances of renewed tenancy and a regular, reliable stream of income.

Additionally, you should fulfil all your legal obligations to make sure your tenants are kept safe, go the extra mile where possible, and provide all the necessary information regarding council tax, car parking and local authority practices, as well as relevant emergency numbers and instructions on how to operate the boiler and heating. All this info can be put together in a tenant’s handbook, to give you and them clarity and peace of mind.

For advice on renting out your property, please contact us on: 0844 809 993. Chimney Pots also offer an instant online valuation of your rental property, while further information for landlords can be found here.

http://chimneypotsestateagent.co.uk/how-to-be-a-successful-landlord-2/

How to stay safe when selling your property this winter

As the nights draw in and the air turns colder, many people are happy to escape the chill by closing the curtains and locking the door when they get home from work.

For some house sellers, though, early evening may be the only time slot they have available to show prospective buyers around their property. As it gets darker much earlier, it is therefore important to take certain precautions to ensure a safe and successful viewing.

Displaying your property’s best features is a key part of the selling process and can contribute towards achieving the highest property value, but permitting strangers to enter your home without an appointment could be asking for trouble. Whilst a ‘For Sale’ board can be a great marketing tool, it may sometimes lead to someone turning up on the door and asking for a viewing right there and then.

As estate agents working across the South of England, we have used our knowledge to come up with a list of do’s and don’ts to guarantee a safe and hassle-free viewing experience…

Surprise visit
Should someone turn up unannounced, without an appointment, expecting to view the property there and then, you are well within your rights to respectfully refer them to your agent to rearrange for another time that better suits you.

Safety in numbers
If you are carrying out the viewing alone and don’t feel entirely comfortable with that thought, then don’t hesitate to ask a friend, family member or neighbour to accompany you.

Details, details, details
Ensure that you have the right name and contact details for each viewer and ask them to confirm these details upon arrival. This isn’t a paranoid or over-the-top measure; it’s just being sensible and vigilant.

Don’t give too much away
It’s important that you are kind, welcoming and courteous when conducting a viewing, as you obviously want to make a good impression and put across your home’s main selling points. However, it’s equally important that you don’t provide too much personal information. Also, be wary of any conversations that go down the path of your holiday or work plans, or questions about when the property is likely to be empty. It could be nothing, but it’s best to proceed with caution here.

Agent advice
If you do decide to go it alone and conduct the viewings yourself, it’s still a good idea to seek out your agent for expert advice on how to do it well.

If in doubt…
If you have any doubts about carrying out a viewing off your own back, ask your agent to conduct the viewing on your behalf instead. If this is the case, you should make sure that your agent has a set of keys and that the house is ready for a viewing at any time of the day.

Most house viewings pass by without a fuss, but it’s still important to be aware of the associated risks (however small these may be) to ensure you remain safe at all times when trying to sell your property.

For advice on buying and selling your property, you can contact us on: 08448 099931. To find out the value of your property, check out our handy instant online valuation tool.

http://chimneypotsestateagent.co.uk/how-to-stay-safe-when-selling-your-property-this-winter/

Calling all landlords: rents in England and Wales reach an all-time high

Rents have edged to a new all-time high of £768 per month across England and Wales, according to a recent Buy-to-Let Index. As a result, we believe that now is as good a time as any for landlords to let out their properties.

The average of £768 per month, recorded by Reed Rains and Your Move, is £10 higher than the September 2013 figure. Regionally speaking, rents in five out of ten regions of England and Wales are higher than a year ago. The fastest annual increase was seen in the East of England, at 3.1%, followed closely by the South West at 2.3% and London with a 2.2% jump in rents since September last year.

A new all-time record was also seen in September’s total gross returns of 13.4%, better than both August 2014 and the previous high witnessed in April 2010, when total returns reached 12.9%.
This means, in absolute terms, that the average landlord in England and Wales has seen a return on their investment. Before payments for upkeep and mortgage payments are taken out, landlords could expect an average return of £22,706 in the last year. This combines rental income of £8,379 and an average capital gain of £14,327.

If rent prices carry on growing at the same pace as the last three months, then the average Buy-to-Let investor in England and Wales could expect to make an overall annual return of 22.1% over the next year, or £40,489 per property.


This favourable market is widely considered to be due to a combination of low interest rates and steady growth in property values and with an interest rate rise not due until some time in 2015, it will remain an easy and profitable time for landlords to grow their portfolios.

Elsewhere, interestingly, findings released last week by Rental Raters show that many private tenants spend hardly any time at all inspecting a property before deciding to make it their home. They don’t tend to explore every nook and cranny with a fine toothcomb, as over half of tenants say ‘yes’ to a new home after less than twenty minutes viewing the property, whilst 19% will decide after less than ten minutes and, astonishingly, 14% of tenants will never even visit the property they plan to live in. In addition, 64% of renters will make just one visit to a property before choosing it as their new abode.

With tenants spending so little time picking over a property, it is therefore vitally important that landlords make sure the homes they are looking to rent out are in excellent order. They need to stand out in a crowded, fast-paced, ultra-competitive market, giving prospective tenants the ‘wow’ factor and making sure the property in question is too good to turn down. Upkeep plays a big part here.

Making sure the property is in great condition, by carrying out the necessary maintenance and repairs, will definitely appeal more to tenants than a house that is not so well-looked after.

Furthermore, with some people not even visiting properties in person before moving in, the online advert becomes all-important, as this is what would-be tenants will be basing their decision on. First impressions become vital. The advert, blurb and accompanying photos all need to appeal. This is where your agent will help you, using their expertise to make sure the advert is as attractive as possible as a selling tool.

According to recent findings, five tenants are now pursuing every rental property. With demand now hugely outstripping supply, the pressure on tenants to quickly secure a rental home is intense. This is where landlords can take advantage, by offering a good and reliable package in a quick and easy manner.

Estate agents working across the South of England, Chimney Pots offer a free and instant online valuation of your rental property. In addition, we provide a step by step guide for landlords. For any advice on renting your property, contact us on: 0844 809 993.

How to conduct a successful viewing

Many sellers like to be present at a house viewing and some even like to show prospective buyers around the property themselves. This is often because they feel that due to their intimate knowledge of the property, they may be able to put across its main plus points in a more convincing manner.

Using our experience as estate agents working across the south of England, below, we detail some of the key considerations for a positive property viewing.

Prepare for the viewing in advance
Giving your property the ‘show home’ treatment by making sure it is thoroughly cleaned, uncluttered and well-presented will improve your chances of securing a sale before the buyer has even walked through the door. Naturally, people will be more attracted to a well-cared for and well-kept house, so carrying out some TLC will give your sales pitch that added boost.

Depersonalise to ensure that the buyer can imagine the home as their own – if it feels too personal and homely still, the buyer might feel like they are intruding.




Don’t be too eager
You want to put across the best aspects of your home in a passionate way, but you must be careful to not go too over-the-top, as this could be off-putting to the would-be buyer. Try not to be too chatty – less is often more in these cases – and don’t bring emotion into proceedings. Buyers are likely to see straight through this, plus emotion and house sales don’t generally tend to mix well.

Make them comfortable
For a successful viewing, prospective buyers need to feel comfortable in their surroundings and they need to visualise themselves living in the house. The presence of a seller might make a buyer awkward, they might be more reluctant to snoop and explore every nook and cranny. Give them the freedom to explore and don’t be too overbearing. However, you should be on hand to answer questions when needed. If you’re clipping at the buyers heels throughout the whole viewing, they are less likely to get a proper ‘feel’ for the place and are therefore less likely to place an offer.

Avoid the clichés
Freshly baked bread and a pot of coffee to give off a warm and cosy vibe probably won’t sit well with buyers, who will spot your tactics from a mile off and will subsequently develop some cynicism about your motivations. Try and be as natural as you can and don’t try and predict what your buyers will be looking for. It’ll just come across as false.

Keep it friendly but professional
Be warm and courteous when welcoming your viewers, but be sure to keep things on a strictly professional basis. Being too over-friendly is often a tell-tale sign of a sellers’ desperation to sell.

Best room first
Begin the tour downstairs and always show off your best room first. Don’t be afraid to point out the main features and benefits, but don’t turn it into an overlong speech. Keep things short and sweet, and put across facts and major selling points in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

Follow-up afterwards
If the potential buyer leaves their contact details and indicates a desire to re-visit the property at some point, waste no time in contacting your estate agent to tell them this. The agent should then promptly follow up with the buyer and turn any concrete interest into a second viewing and a possible offer.

Finally, a few definite do’s and don’ts when it comes to viewings. Do make sure your home is in top condition; be friendly but not too over-enthusiastic; have copies of all domestic bills on hand; and keep the kids and family pets well away from matters.

On the other hand, don’t talk too much, don’t point out defects or DIY disasters (this kind of speaks for itself), don’t make disparaging remarks about your neighbours or neighbourhood and don’t set limits to the buyer on the property value. Leave that to your agent.

If you are thinking of selling your property and would like to know how much it could be worth in today’s market, you can get an instant online valuation using our value my property tool.

Alternatively, for any advice on buying or selling a property, contact us on: 08448 099931

Tips to make your property stand out from the crowd

Attracting would-be buyers in a crowded marketplace is one of the biggest challenges sellers face. There are steps you can take, however, to really make your property stand out from the crowd, upping the number of viewings you get and increasing the chances of a buyer putting an offer in.
Using our knowledge as estate agents working all across the South of England, we have come up with a number of things you can do to increase your chances of achieving a sale.

Think virtually

A virtual tour isn’t the same as a viewing in the flesh, but it’s the next best thing. It can give potential buyers a really good first insight into the property they may eventually acquire. They may get a gut feeling just from the virtual tour alone. It also offers flexibility, as prospective buyers can watch the tour on the move or whilst commuting on public transport.

Keep it subtle

Some people like quirky and unique décor, but the majority are likely to be put off by anything too bold or out-there. Neutral, unassuming colours work best. Would-be buyers want to be able to picture the property as their own and this is much less likely to happen if the place is adorned with the distinctive stamp of the current owners.

Carry out some TLC

It stands to reason that buyers will find clean, warm, well-looked after properties more appealing than ones that haven’t been given enough care and attention. Buyers, more so than ever, will be eagle-eyed about every little thing, and they may spot those little DIY jobs you’ve yet to carry out, or those fixtures and fittings that aren’t quite in ship shape. Carrying out a little bit of TLC will improve the look of your property and increase your chances of securing a quick sale.

Sell the property with photos

They say a picture paints a thousand words, and that saying rings particularly true when it comes to successfully selling property. You want to show off your property in the best light possible, you want to highlight its best attributes, and these things will more readily happen if high-quality, full-colour photos are offered. Making sure this is done professionally might cost a little more, but it will be worth it in the end if you get an offer for above your asking price.

Get the viewing right

This is your big chance to impress and really sell the merits of your property, so it’s vitally important that you get the viewing right. We understand that mistakes can be made and little details can be forgotten. In a previous blog we outlined how not to ruin your house viewing in an effort to steer you away from any possible pratfalls.

Embrace the ad

In this digital age, most people’s first port of call when it comes to property is websites like Rightmove and Zoopla. Here, the competition is intense, and you need to be very wily and on the ball to help your property stand out. Making your description short, sweet and emotive, and ensure that your advert is memorable and visually pleasing. Both of these things will help to entice potential buyers.

For expert advice on selling your property, please contact us on: 0844 809 9931. To find out the value of your property, check out our handy instant online valuation tool.

How to move home safely with young children

Moving house is a stressful experience at the best of times. Moving house with young kids in tow, however, means double the levels of stress as you try and keep the little ones free from accidents and injury. Below, using our experience as estate agents working all over the South of England, we detail the top tips for moving house with young children in a safe and secure manner.

Gate the stairs
If you have children under the age of two, it’s advised that you install safety gates on the stairs in your new home. If possible, this should be done before the child enters the house. This may seem like an over-the-top measure, but on moving in day the kids are bound to be excited and eager to explore their new home, making the scope for accidents greater. Distracted by the move, you may not be able supervise as closely as normal and the safety gates will help to give you peace of mind.

Familiarise yourself with the local area
This helps your children get used to the new roads and the volume and speed of traffic on these roads. If your young ones are changing schools as a result of the house move, a rehearsal school run is a good idea to get them used to their new surroundings.

Make the garden child-friendly
Whilst you unpack and settle into your new home, the garden is a good place for the kids to burn off all the excess energy that kids have. However, it’s a good idea to check the garden is child-friendly first, before allowing them to roam freely. They may be able to stray into the gardens of your neighbours or onto the street. If so, it’s important to secure these areas. If the garden includes a pond, it’s important to make it safe as soon as possible as babies and younger children can drown in as little as 5cm of water.

Check those windows
Inspecting all the windows in your new home, even those on the ground floor, is something you should try and do as soon as possible. If they open wide enough for a child to fit through or climb out of, it’s recommended that you fit a catch or window lock to prevent accidents from occurring. If your new property has a balcony, fitting a lock to the balcony doors and windows is also highly recommended.

Be careful with the furniture
Whilst you might just see it as furniture, toddlers and young children can see it as a potential climbing frame. Even if you haven’t yet planned out the room and decided where your furniture is going to go, it’s a good idea to keep it well away from windows until you do. Once you have placed everything in its final position, make sure to secure it in place, more so if it’s a cabinet or table.
For advice on selling your property, please get in touch with us on: 0844 809 9931. To find out the value of your property, check out our fast and easy to use instant online valuation tool.

Things to consider when moving home

Whilst moving home is often a positive thing, the process itself can be quite stressful. To make the move as smooth as possible, we’ve compiled some tips that may come in handy.

DIY or Professional?

Decide first whether you want to move all your belongings off your own back or hire out a professional removal company. In most cases, a professional company will be needed and will save you the hassle of breaking your back lugging about heavy objects. If you don’t have that many possessions and want to save money on hired help, make sure you that you get the right van – if it’s too small you would end up having to do more than one journey. Additionally, it’s generally cheaper to book vans on a weekday.

If you choose to go with a professional removal company, make sure you hire one at least two weeks before you move and check that the company is a member of the British Association of Removers. Shop around, get a few quotes from different companies, see if they can offer you any discounts. It does no harm to ask!

Packing

Moving can be the perfect opportunity to finally get rid of unwanted possessions – not much point in taking that broken ironing board or that old office chair to your brand new home. Donate the stuff that’s still in working order to charity shops and throw the rest in the rubbish – you don’t want to clog up the removal van or your new home with unnecessary items.

Also, give yourself plenty of time. Packing often takes longer than you might think, and some items will need more care and attention than others. Make sure you have lots of tape and boxes (strong ones that won’t break would be advisable), and consider using bubble wrap for your more valuable items.

Plan ahead, label the boxes (this will save you a lot of time at the other end), don’t overfill, and keep those fragile items safe.

Checklist

Getting everything ready for moving day can be an exhausting experience. The to-do list can seem overwhelming and you might start to think it is more trouble than it’s worth. This is where the humble but handy checklist comes into play.

List everything you need to do and tick it off as you go. Also, make a list of all your possessions so you don’t leave anything behind when packing up.

Who to tell?

When you move out, you’ll need to tell quite a few people that you’re doing so. Again, making a list of all those you need to contact would make things easier. Here are some of the most important ones to remember:

·         Water, gas and electricity companies

·         Telephone and internet service provider

·         Banks, loan companies and credit card companies

·         Inland Revenue, DVLA and local council

·         Employers, the schools your children attend

·         Doctors, Dentist, Opticians

This isn’t exhaustive, and you should double check if you need to give anyone else your new address before you move out.

Oh, and don’t forget to tell your friends, family and neighbours that you’re moving out and where you’re moving to!

We are estate agents working across the south of England, for more information and advice on selling your property, please contact us on: 0844 809 9931. What’s more, find out how much your property could be worth using our instant online valuation tool.

Choosing the right Estate Agent

Choosing the right estate agent is about more than who can offer you the highest priced valuation. A good estate agent will be able to get you the market value or above for your property, at a fair rate within a reasonable amount of time. You want to find an agent you are confident will handle all aspects of you property sale - so take time and do your research. As experienced Southampton estate agents working all over the South of England, we’ve come up with the following tips on how to pick the best estate agent for your needs.

There are now multiple ways to sell your property; using a traditional estate agent, online estate agent or acting as a private seller are the three most conventional methods in the UK. There are also fast house sale websites for urgent sellers and some people even sell property on websites like gumtree. There are pros and cons to selling through each of these options and for every different vendor, there may be a particular route that stands out.

Of course, estate agency services come at a cost, and although finding an agency with the lowest fees may be high on your priorities, cost is just one consideration. It may in fact benefit you more in the long run if you choose an agency with slightly higher costs that you are confident can handle all aspects of your house sale professionally and efficiently. 

Agents who charge lower costs may not cover all aspects of your property sale. Do your research; discover which agencies have experience selling properties similar to yours as they are more likely to have a large pool of potential buyers looking in your area. Speak to people you know to find out if they have used an agency they’d recommend. It’s worth asking, as you may discover a hidden gem you wouldn’t have found otherwise.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choice to a few agents, a tip coined by UK property investor, Samantha Collett is to call the agencies on your list, acting as a prospective buyer looking for a property. Not only will you get an idea of the agent’s knowledge, competence and the efficiency and professionalism of the firm itself, but you will also witness first-hand the way they will communicate with your future buyer.

Most high-street agents charge around 1%-2.5%, dependent on the contract you choose. Where online estate agents differ is that they offer alternative contracts and charge a fixed, up front sum as opposed to a percentage of the selling price. It is definitely something to consider, especially with the wide range of packages available. Online agents can often afford to charge lower fees because they don’t have large offices filled with employees and bills to pay for, although, this usually means that you have to at least conduct the viewings yourself.

The same questions apply to online estate agents; you want to know that they’re reliable and they have a high success rate of selling properties similar to yours. Here are a few questions you should consider asking you’re a prospective agency before putting your house on the market:

1.       How many properties like mine have you sold? What did they sell for?

2.       How long did it take to sell the properties and how many viewings were conducted?

3.       How many buyers are currently looking for properties like mine?

4.       What price would you market my property for? What price would you value my home for a ‘quick sale’?

5.       Can I have a copy of the agency's contract?

Also, it is beneficial if your chosen agent is either a member of Property Ombudsman, Ombudsman Services, or the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) – this confirms their credibility and gives customers the opportunity to register a complaint should the need arise.

For more advice on how to sell your property, please contact us on: 0844 809 9931. Additionally, find out how much your property could be worth using our instant online valuation tool.

Don’t ruin your house viewing!

Welcome to our blog. Over the coming weeks and months, using our experience as estate agents working all over Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth, we will be offering our best tips for house sellers and important property news related posts. Our first entry focuses on the difficult yet crucial process of house viewings.

Whether you are carrying out a property viewing yourself, or just preparing your home for a viewing to be undertaken by an estate agent, there are plenty of ways to get it right and plenty more ways to get it wrong. For many prospective buyers the viewing is the clincher, and visualising living in a property through first hand experience is most certainly more likely to encourage someone to part with their cash.

The most obvious thing to take care of before a viewing is clutter and mess. A property that is swamped in clutter can lose its appeal, and it can be difficult for prospective buyers to envisage its potential. Making the property tidy and clear will make all the difference, although we wouldn’t advise leaving it completely bare – it is a fine line, but showcasing the slightly lived-in feel can be beneficial.

Maximising light can rejuvenate a property for a viewing (not to mention making your last few weeks living there more pleasant). Keep the blinds up and open all the curtains; in our opinion, natural light shows a property in its best light. Make sure all lamps and wall lights have working light bulbs for visitors to test – these minimal touches can make all the difference.

Our last piece of advice is this: don’t let yourself get in the way of the property viewing. Nostalgia and anecdotes, although endearing, are likely to be counter-productive as far as prospective buyers are concerned. It is surprising how many vendors let emotion colour their discussions with prospective buyers. You may well be trying to sell the property, but your love for the place will quite often shine through during a viewing and it is important to get the balance right – don’t alienate the visitors making them think they will be doing you a disservice in buying the property.

So, you've done the hard part by finding people interested in your property who are happy to visit, hopefully our advice will help this go smoothly and eventually enable you to increase the property value of your home. If you are thinking about selling and would like to know how much your property could be worth, you can do so using our instant online valuation tool. For additional advice on selling, please get in touch on: 0844 809 9931.

Why Choose Chimneypots Estate Agent?

As we are a family run business, customer service is really important to us, which is why getting potential buyers to your door is part of our job. We offer an individually tailored service to each of our customers and we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to go through the services we can provide. 

We provide the same service as the High Street agencies but we do not have the high overheads and can pass this on to you, the customer.We would charge typically £750 plus vat to sell your home. But can tailor a package to suit your needs. With the market being so buoyant and with every Estate Agent saying that they can sell your house and have many buyers waiting why pay the high fees? Please do not feel pressurised to have a free valuation, but there really has never been as good a time as now to sell your property. It is true to say we are seeing a rise in sales and prices are being driven by low interest rates, higher employment and the easier availability of mortgages. 

We feel confident our staff here at Chimney Pots Estate Agents can give you the service you deserve and the people you can trust. Property selling can run smoothly and be a very satisfying experience, particularly when you have confidence in your agent.We will be open when we inspect your property and provide an honest opinion of the market value. 

You need to be wary of valuations that sound too good to be true as they can often be overvalued in order for an agent to get an instruction. Obviously pricing a property depends on market conditions but we carry out a thorough research of similar properties that have sold in your area to make an informed valuation of your property. We will offer you a suggested asking price as well as the price we feel confident we are likely to achieve.

Our Promise to you……..

1. Flexible & Convenient – Service to suit you – we’re not a standard Monday to Friday 9 – 5 estate agency. We are open 7 days a week.
2. RIGHTMOVE, ZOOPLA, FIND A PROPERTY, NEED A PROPERTY, PRIME LOCATION and many more.
3. A home visit with one of our trained valuers.
4. We’ll keep you updated with all the latest developments.
5. Dynamic & Pro active – in order to ensure that we make things happen for you.
6. For your total protection Chimneypots Estate Agents is a member of the Property Ombudsman scheme for both property sales and lettings
7. Marketing we will give you full coloured details, coloured Floor plans, virtual tour, for sale board and quality photographs.
8. I truly hope we might have the opportunity to meet with you shortly, so we can provide you with the information and assistance to help you make such an important decision regarding the selling of your home.