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Aug 2, 2021
The Garden Improvements That Add The Most Value To Your Home in Chorlton
Many people wanting to sell their home focus on preparing it for sale which makes perfect sense! But, you should also be looking at what your garden offers to a potential buyer. After all, more and more of us are spending time at home and so want the outdoor space. So, what sort of garden improvements should you be doing to add value to your home? Here, we at Property Genius take a step outdoors and share our top tips on garden improvements you can action immediately. These tips won’t necessarily add monetary value to your home, however they will certainly make your property more attractive to potential buyers. FIX IT UP: COMPLETE OUTSTANDING GARDEN JOBS First of all, fix things. You know that fence panel you have been meaning to sort for a while now? Get it done. That outside tap with a slight leak? Sort it out. And as for that cracked paving slab on the patio right by the French doors? Come on, either do it or get someone in to have a look at it! Seriously, gardens are so important and they have to look good. If someone sees a messy, overgrown garden, they may have difficulty seeing past the weeds and miss the potential. They’ll see hard work and that is not for everyone. It also makes people wonder just how well you have looked after the rest of your home. HOME OFFICE: ADD A GARDEN STRUCTURE As we have said, more and more of us are spending time at home. Working, but at home. There are pitfalls to working at home, and one of those is finding a balance between work and home life. The easiest way to separate the two is to – separate the two! A garden office provides that distance to lock yourself away and work without home life getting in the way. You can also step out of your garden office at the end of the working day, lock up, and then, quite literally, go home. Costs of installation (and quality) vary, so you’ll need to do your homework. DINE OUT: CREATE OUTDOOR EATING SPACES When the summer sun hits the sky, we all love being outside. Dining al fresco is something to cherish. Imagine a lovely breakfast on the patio or a BBQ with friends as the sun sets. A nicely maintained garden patio or decked area will work wonders for your home’s appeal to a prospective buyer. If you have garden furniture, arrange it so that people can picture themselves there. LIGHTEN UP: ADD MOOD LIGHTING TO THE GARDEN Adding value to your garden could mean making it more appealing. Use lighting to lift darker areas. You could add small solar lights to light up pathways, or a net of twinkling stars woven over a tree’s lower branches. You could have a fixed, electric light too, either for cosmetic purposes or security. It fully depends on your budget. What is certain is that good use of lighting will benefit you when it comes to selling the property. HOME TAKEAWAYS: EATING OUT…IN! Eating at home rather than eating out has become the norm so it’s unsurprising that there are items you can purchase to enhance the experience – a bar area for example, or a pizza oven maybe. Some potential buyers will love that you have something there for them to make use of. These things won’t add much to the actual value of your home, but, what you are doing is adding value and standing out. OUTSIDE AND IN: MERGE THE TWO When you think of the garden, also think of how the garden and the house work together. For example, how do you exit the house to go into the garden? Could you add bi-fold doors to the property? This will be relatively costly, but the impact means you are more likely to add real value to the house. When you are thinking of garden improvements, you can think big but you should also think small too. You could do some building work, or you could just ensure you get the small things done well. You could install a fake grass landscape, or you could make sure real grass is cut properly. Whatever you do, or are thinking of doing, ask us for our opinion as we are more than happy to share our advice and expertise. Property Genius are your local property experts for the Chorlton, Manchester area. Call us on 01618813028 or email contactus@property-genius.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.
Jul 26, 2021
How Do I Pick the Best Lettings Agent in Chorlton, Manchester?
If you’re a new or inexperienced landlord, or you simply don’t have the time to manage your property, then it may be time to consider hiring a lettings agent to manage the property for you. But how can you ensure you’ve found the right one for you? Our handy tips will help you to pick the best lettings agent in Chorlton, Manchester. ● ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS If you have family or friends who rent out their properties nearby, or you know any other landlords in the area then ask them who they use, and whether they would recommend them. Word of mouth is often the most effective form of marketing, and there may even be a referral bonus for both parties. ● CHECK THEY ARE REGULATED This is absolutely essential if you’re going to pick the right lettings agent for your property. As with most industries there are a few cowboys out there looking to make a quick bit of cash, with minimal experience in their field. As a minimum you’ll want to choose a lettings agent that’s registered with the Property Ombudsman as this is a legal requirement, but it’s a good idea to find one that’s a member of the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS), or the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA Propertymark). Property Genius are proud to be members of both the TPO and ARLA Propertymark. ● COMPARE FEES You don’t have to pick the first lettings agent you find, so contact a few agents and find out their fee structures. Remember, it’s not always a good idea to just go with the cheapest to save money. Check with each of the agents what’s covered in their fees, as you might not be comparing like for like and could find yourself getting stung with hidden charges. It’s important you feel comfortable with your chosen lettings agent too and are happy with their level of knowledge, service and expertise. ● DECIDE WHICH SERVICES YOU NEED Some lettings agents may be better than others depending on what services you require. For example, are you looking for a lettings agent that just finds a tenant and sets up the initial contract, leaving you to manage the property once they’re in situ? Or are you looking for a lettings agent that takes care of full property management on your behalf, including complaints and maintenance issues? Deciding what level of service you want can be a key factor in choosing the right agent, especially if you don’t live close to the property. ● CHECK WHICH MONEY PROTECTION SCHEME THEY ARE IN All lettings’ agents are legally required to hold tenants’ deposits in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme. They are also required to be a member of a client money protection scheme (CMP). They’ll need to have a certificate confirming this, which is displayed prominently in their offices and on their website. If it’s not visible then ask to see it, and if they don’t have one then it’s a huge red flag. ● ASK ABOUT THEIR MARKETING STRATEGIES Find out which property sites they advertise on and do some research yourself. A quick search on the big three – Zoopla, Rightmove and On The Market – will help you to get an idea of how well they market their properties, and how successful they are at renting them out efficiently. Is the lettings agent active on social media? Do they have a blog or news page? How active are they in the local community? All of these things will have a bearing on their reputation in Chorlton, Manchester. Look for things like photos and descriptions. Have the photos been taken professionally? Are the descriptions well written and error free? You want to employ the most professional agent you can find, so one that takes blurred pictures and makes sloppy spelling errors isn’t likely to be the best one you can find! ● FIND A LETTINGS AGENT YOU CAN BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH The relationship between the lettings agent and you, as their client is a very important one, that will hopefully be for the long-term. Therefore, it’s worth getting a feel for them to find out if they’re a company you’ll want to do business with in the long-term. There’s no point choosing an agency you don’t trust and can’t get hold of just because they’re the cheapest option. Find out when their opening hours are. Can you get hold of them on a weekend for example? How often do they carry out inspections and which tradespeople do they use? Think about all the potential issues that could arise and make sure you’re happy with the answers. And finally, check what the notice period is, just in case you do decide to leave them and go with another agency in future. Looking for a reliable lettings agent with a great reputation? Property Genius are your local lettings and property management experts for the Chorlton, Manchester area. Call us on 01618813028 or email contactus@property-genius.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.
Jul 19, 2021
How to Avoid Losing Your Rental Deposit
When you first begin renting a property, your new landlord is highly likely to ask for a deposit before letting you move in. Typically, this is 5 weeks rent payable upfront, and can’t be more than this due to legislation. Your landlord is legally required to protect your deposit in a tenancy deposit scheme. When you come to move out they’ll refund your deposit in full, unless they have a justifiable reason to keep some of the money. This could be because: You owe rent You’ve damaged the property. For example, you may have stained the carpet or damaged the walls with fixings You’ve lost or broken items from the inventory, such as furniture or electrical appliances The property is not as clean as it was when the tenancy started To avoid losing your rental deposit, here are our top tips to ensure you get your deposit back in full. 1. TAKE PICTURES WHEN YOU MOVE IN Unfortunately there are some unscrupulous landlords out there, who may try to keep your deposit for damages that were already there when you moved in. Having photographic evidence on day one means you can challenge your landlord in the event of this happening. Not all landlords are likely to do this of course, and some may even be unaware of day one issues, especially if they’re ‘hands off’. Therefore take some pictures on the day you move in, and also be sure to let the landlord or letting agent know of any issues immediately, so they’re aware that you weren’t the cause of them. At Property Genius, we’ll provide you with a detailed online photo inventory report where you can make your own notes and upload your own photos if you feel it could do with a bit more detail. It’s important to have an agreed understanding of the condition and cleanliness of the property at the start of the tenancy. 2. READ YOUR CONTRACT CAREFULLY It’s surprising how many people just blindly sign their tenancy agreement without checking the details. For example, there may be information contained there detailing whether you can decorate, or hang pictures on the walls, and there may be reasonable maintenance requirements that you’re expected to stick to, especially when it comes to the garden. Make sure you read through the contract in detail and if you’re unsure of anything, ask your landlord or letting agent to clarify it and have it written down. This will go a long way to avoiding disputes further down the line. 3. CHECK YOUR INVENTORY Before you sign your contract, make sure you’ve toured the property and agree with everything that’s on the inventory. If anything’s missing or damaged, don’t assume that it’s an error or that the landlord is already aware and will be fine with it. Make sure you let them know, and have the inventory amended. It may seem like a pain at the time, but it’s the sort of minor detail that can come back to bite you in the long run, so check that everything on the inventory is present and in working order, or that you’ve notified the landlord before signing your contract. 4. STAY IN CONTACT WITH YOUR LANDLORD Whether you have a direct relationship with them, or via a lettings agent, it’s a good idea to touch base from time to time so they can keep an eye on the property’s condition, and you can report any damages or issues to them as they arise. It’s important to notify your landlord of any damages or problems as and when they occur, rather than let them build up until the time you move out. This avoids nasty surprises for them, and it means they’re more likely to be receptive to any issues that arise if you’re upfront and honest with them. 5. LOOK AFTER THE PROPERTY You should treat your rental property as if it’s your own home, and this means keeping on top of it by maintaining a good standard of cleanliness and basic maintenance. Reasonable wear and tear such as faded curtains and worn carpets are likely to be accepted, but stained carpets, damaged walls, broken light fittings and greasy ovens are a big no-no if you want your deposit back in full. Therefore, make sure you keep the place clean and tidy, and don’t allow any scuffs and scratches to build up too much. Stay on top of the cleaning and fix any minor issues as they appear such as mouldy sealant around showers and baths. If you’re unable to do it yourself then contact your landlord to get the professionals in. Another sure fire way of losing your deposit is to bodge things like electrics or plumbing, so don’t risk any repairs you’re not comfortable with. A good litmus test is to take a good look at the property when you vacate, and ask yourself if you would be happy as new tenants to move into the property as you have left it. WHAT IF MY LANDLORD WITHHOLDS THE DEPOSIT? Start off by talking to them in person. It may just be a case of crossed wires that can be sorted quickly and easily. If your landlord still won’t return your deposit then ask for them to state the reasons why in writing. You can then check which tenancy deposit scheme your money is being held in and contact them for help resolving your dispute. There are three government-approved tenancy deposit schemes, and they all offer free services to help resolve your dispute. If your landlord hasn’t protected your deposit in one of the schemes then you may be able to claim compensation. Property Genius are your local property experts for the Chorlton, Manchester area. Call us on 01618813028 or email contactus@property-genius.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team about our property management services.
Jul 12, 2021
Has Your Property Been Under or Overvalued?
When you put your property on the market, you put your trust in us – the experts you have chosen. We have the details, we know your expectations, and our aim is to get you moving as soon as possible. Sometimes, different agents will come to other prices and of course, there are reasons for this, such as an estate agent simply trying to win your business or perhaps a different level of experience and knowledge. When talking with home movers in Manchester, we’ve discovered that many people do indeed wonder about whether or not their property has been priced correctly. You’ve probably heard phrases like “priced to sell”, but how do you really know if your property has been undervalued or indeed overvalued? And why does it matter? So, let’s look at how you can tell whether your property is on the market at the correct price. WHAT IS THE RIGHT PRICE? In some respects, this is the million-dollar question. Is your property in Manchester priced on the low side to sell quickly, or is it priced relatively high so that you can potentially make more money? Well, actually, the right price is only ever about what you and the buyer agree to so that a sale can move forward. No other prices really matter! Top Tip: Define what price you want or need to sell your house for and if you are prepared to lower your expectations if the need arises. IS MY PROPERTY OVERPRICED? Are you frustrated because you seem to get a lot of viewings but no offers? Well then, one of the reasons could be that your house has been overvalued. Potential buyers might like the look of your house but fail to view because they feel the asking price is too high. They may view, and they may love it but still feel it’s not worth the price-tag. Not all potential buyers will feel they can risk putting in a low offer either. If you are enjoying lots of viewings but no offers, these are clear signs that something may need tweaking, particularly if similar properties nearby have sold. Top Tip: If you do feel things need to change, do not be afraid to speak with your estate agent. After all, it’s in their interest to get a sale, so if their strategy needs to change, it should. IS MY PROPERTY UNDERVALUED? To define undervalued, you have to look at a few different factors, including how much you are prepared to sell your house in Manchester for. You might get an offer, or multiple offers, super quickly and this may worry you into thinking you could have achieved a higher price. But that is not necessarily the case. A good estate agent will ensure your home does not stagnate on the market! Conversely, if you are getting no viewers and your property is on the market at a lower price than similar homes which have sold nearby, an under-valuation might be making people wonder if there is something wrong with your property! Top Tip: Do some research of your own into similar properties on the market in Chorlton, Manchester. If yours appears obviously low, speak to your estate agent. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH We at Property Genius use our local experience and knowledge to advise you of what we think your property is worth. Sometimes though, we suggest having a look on the internet yourselves as well, this can give you peace of mind that we’re on the right track. There are so many tools at your fingertips, and you should use them! Go to the search engine of your choice and search for house prices in your area. There are sites that not only give you properties that are currently on the market but also offer up what a property has sold for in the past too. You could also make use of online valuation tools if you want a second opinion. However, bear in mind that these are not always accurate, and it’s best to speak to professionals who have local knowledge and experience. Top Tip: Compare similar properties in Chorlton, Manchester as you’re likely to get a good comparison. If you compare a similar house, but in different localities, then different factors will affect prices. WHAT NEXT? Speak to your agent. We cannot stress strongly enough that communication is key. If you have concerns and you’ve done some research, then talk to your estate agent. Maybe it’s time to review how they are operating and whether or not they need to change. Top Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask the questions and challenge. It’s your property that you are selling; you are in the driving seat. Property Genius use our skill, experience and local knowledge to place your property on the market at the right price. If we can help you, give us a call on 01618813028 or email contactus@property-genius.co.uk and we will be delighted to help.
Jul 5, 2021
How to Get Your Manchester Property Photo Ready
Photographs are an essential step when selling or renting your home in Chorlton, Manchester and are integral to an effective marketing strategy. Your photos need to look fantastic and stand out in a busy market. The images need to be an accurate and honest representation of the property, which is why staging your home before we arrive is crucial. If you are not hiring professional home stagers, there are some simple steps you can take to prepare your home in the best possible way before we send our professional photographers out to capture your home at its best! PAY ATTENTION TO THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY Even the nicest of cars cause distraction. Remove your vehicle from the driveway to give the viewers the full impact of the outside space and an unobstructed view of the front of the property. Additionally, ensure garage doors are closed. Small changes will make a significant impact on the overall quality of the photography. If you usually keep the bins at the front of the property, ensure they are hidden away out of any shots. Thoroughly clean windows and windowsills to provide that the all-important front image of the home is immaculate. Take some time to tidy the front garden, giving the best first impression. Mow the lawn, trim back any hedges and remove any empty plant pots that may be lying around. MAKE YOUR GARDENS ATTRACTIVE Gardens are often a huge draw for potential buyers, both those who are breaking free from the rental market and those climbing up the property ladder. Gardens are subject to personal taste, but neat lawns, clean decking, smart patios and clearly defined eating areas are what buyers want, so take time to prepare them before the arrival of your photographer. SHOWCASE YOUR BEDROOMS Remove any signs that may be stuck on bedroom doors, especially common for children’s rooms. Store away any children’s toys which may eliminate part of your target audience. If you don’t have the storage room, hide them in the car while the photographer is working! Make all the beds and plump up the pillows. If any cushions are looking past their best, hide them out of shot. Items like this can do more harm than good and make the whole room look tired. ADD SPARKLE TO YOUR BATHROOM Bathrooms and kitchens are the main rooms that can really draw viewers to a home. Simple hacks in the bathroom can drastically elevate your photographs. Simply make sure the toilet seats are down, and mirrors are sparkly clean with no watermarks or smudges. As bathrooms are often small, create space by being as minimal as possible. Store away cosmetic items such as shampoo, lotions, or razors. The bright colours of the bottles can be unattractive and distracting when photographed. REMOVE KITCHEN CLUTTER Kitchens are the heart of the home, and a beautiful kitchen is often the factor that convinces unsure potential buyers. Clear all surfaces, leaving minimal appliances in view. This will prevent clutter from causing distraction and give the illusion of a bigger and fresher space with plenty of work surfaces. DON’T DISTRACT WITH ELECTRONICS Turn off the TV and any computers and make sure there are no loose electronic devices left on countertops, which are distracting for people viewing the images. The last thing you want to see are beautiful images of your home with a distracting TV show in the corner of the otherwise perfect image. LET IN THE LIGHT Open curtains and blinds wide to let the natural light flow through the home. Your photographer will then be able to manipulate the light to show your home in the best, most natural way possible. If you have blinds, open them tilted upwards. This will push the natural light towards the ceiling, allowing it to illuminate without being too harsh for photography. GIVE YOUR PETS A DAY OUT! Although you love them, it is best to keep pets out of your listing photographs whether it is a cat, dog or hamster, if possible, remove the pet from the home for the whole day, as this will give you an excellent opportunity to clean, ready for staging, and prevent them from getting in the way of the photographer. In addition to the pet itself, make sure any pet toys, food bowls and beds are out of shot. Furthermore, tidy up the garden, ensuring no waste or pet toys are lying around. Call the friendly team at Property Genius now on 01618813028 – we use professional photography as standard!
Jul 2, 2021
July 2021 Update
The lettings market is ramping up as we head into summer, the busiest time of the year for the private rented sector. That hasn't stopped the news cycle, however, with the government announcing how right to rent checks on EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens will be carried out from 1 July 2021. Plus, it also confirmed that virtual checks on all other nationalities will continue until 31 August 2021 While all eyes were on the sales market ahead of the June 30th Stamp Duty Holiday deadline, the lettings market recorded a strong month according to the Goodlord Rental Index, with voids continuing to decrease and rents strengthening across England. CHANGES TO RIGHT TO RENT CHECKS FOR EU, EEA, AND SWISS CITIZENS AND EXTENSION OF "COVID-ADJUSTED" CHECKS The government has confirmed how letting agents and landlords will check the right to rent status of EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens from 1 July 2021, many of whom will no longer be able to physically document their right to rent in England after this date. Citizens from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who have successfully applied to the EU Settlement Scheme or for a UK visa will need to use the government's new "View and Prove" online service to share their right to rent status with landlords and letting agents. Meanwhile, the government has extended the virtual right to rent checks on all other nationalities in England by an extra month to 31 August 2021, to reflect the extension of lockdown restrictions. The government has also dropped its requirement for letting agents and landlords to carry out retrospective right to rent checks on tenants for this period. We check your tenants' right to rent as part of all of our services, but if you have any questions on the changes, don't hesitate to get in touch. WIND DOWN OF FURLOUGH SCHEME BEGINS WITH REINTRODUCTION OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS Businesses using the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - also known as the furlough scheme - will be required to make a contribution to the cost of their furloughed employees wages. From 1 July 2021, the government will reduce its contribution to 70% of wages, down from 80%. The level of the employer's contribution will increase to 20% in August and September, until the scheme ends on 30 September 2021. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 11.5 million employees and 1.3 million employers have been supported by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Although the number of people using the scheme has dropped significantly since the beginning of the year, the most recent government data shows that at least 3.4 million people are still relying on furlough for their income. The end of the scheme could lead to a rise in unemployment, putting some tenants' incomes at risk. Forecasters at the Bank of England, as well as the government's spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, are "expecting a small rise in unemployment after furlough ends". We're still keeping in touch with your tenants to ensure that we're up to date on their current situation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch. OPTIONAL: We offer Rent Protection Insurance, which pays out for up to 15 months’ worth of rent, and it will continue to pay out for 75% rental payments for up to two months after vacant possession. The policy is designed to protect you against the risk of a tenant not paying their rent, breaching their agreement or damaging the property. Get in touch if you would like to learn more.
Jun 28, 2021
Is Owning A Rental Property in Manchester Worth It?
Have you been thinking about buying a property to rent out? Perhaps you’ve been looking at ways to invest some money and have seen that property could be a good option. After all, everyone seems to be doing it, don’t they? You may have done your homework, and carried out lots of searches online, seeing many good things but also seeing quite a few potentially negative things too. So, what’s it all about? Is owning a rental property in South Manchester worth it? Here, we take a look at owning a rental property, to help you make a decision. If you’re thinking about investing in the area, come and chat with us as we are experts! IS OWNING A RENTAL PROPERTY IN CHORLTON, MANCHESTER AN EASY WAY TO MAKE MONEY? Firstly, let’s dispel the myth that becoming a landlord is an easy way to make a few quid, to get rich quick and to have an easy life. If you think this, then you may need to stop and think again. It’s true, being a landlord is a great way to invest money that might otherwise sit in the bank earning very little interest. But you have to think of the long game. A property may well sell for a lot more than you paid for it and so you will make some money that way. The rent should cover the mortgage repayments but don’t forget the additional costs such as insurance, maintenance and gas and electrical safety checks. All these things have to be managed too – they don’t just happen. Top Tip: Do your research and then do some more. Look at all the pros and the cons of owning and renting a property and make sure you do the maths. CAN OWNING A RENTAL PROPERTY BE TREATED AS A ‘BUSINESS?’ Being a property owner brings some great rewards, and not just financial. You must treat it as a business though. As you will be your own boss, you’ll be making decisions that you believe to be right and doing things that you know will bring you, personally, financial rewards, and that’s the key to getting it right – treat it as a business. If you look at it as a little hobby, you may not keep up with the legal side of things, or you may become a little lax when it comes to making sure certificates are up to date – and you really cannot afford to do that. Top Tip: If you think you’d like to own a rental property but need a helping hand on the managing and lettings processes, please get in touch with us. It’s what we do for a number of landlords in the Greater Manchester region. IS OWNING A RENTAL PROPERTY TIME-CONSUMING? One of the things that people underestimate when they are thinking about becoming a buy-to-let landlord is time. If you have time to look for a property, to go through the purchase process, to manage the property, to maintain it, it can be a great thing to do. If you don’t think you have the time, employ the services of a lettings agent. A lettings agent can either find a tenant and do the legal paperwork at the start of a tenancy, or they can do all that and then manage the property on your behalf too. Top Tip: Don’t write off becoming a landlord if you don’t think you have the time. Property Genius can help you achieve your goals without impacting on your precious time. WHAT ABOUT EXPENSES? Let’s say you’ve found what you think is a great property. It’s in the right area of Chorlton, Manchester and in a location where you will get a reliable tenant paying the right sort of rent. Brilliant – a rental property makes perfect sense. But! Don’t forget the expenses. There’s the legal fees to think about, potentially the mortgage fees too and additional costs if you need to make repairs. Top Tip: It sounds simple, but always do the calculations and make sure the numbers stack up. If you don’t want to spend money on repairs and bringing a property up to date, then this also shapes what sort of property you buy. OWNING A RENTAL PROPERTY IN CHORLTON, MANCHESTER IS AN OPPORTUNITY AWAITING YOU RIGHT NOW! There has been a lot of press about house prices doing really well right now. That’s great news for the property sector in general, but there are also still opportunities to be had. You could snap up a potential buy-to-rent property and with some work it could well be a solid investment for your money in the long-term. Top Tip: Talk to estate agents like us in Chorlton. We know the area, so we know where the opportunities lie, and we know what makes a good rental property. There are lots of things to get right when you own a rental property, but with the correct advice and support, you can create your own future. Give us a call on 01618813028 or email us at contactus@property-genius.co.uk for expert advice on buying a rental property in Manchester.
Jun 21, 2021
Common Mistakes That Can Reduce the Value of Your Property in Chorlton, Manchester
Selling your home in Chorlton and South Manchester is a huge undertaking, so of course, you want to make the right decisions to achieve the proper resale value for it. Some of the decisions surrounding resale value are more involved than the basic preparation you do when placing your home on the market and of course, these specific decisions can be made months or years before you actually consider selling your home, so you may not even think about it until it’s too late and the value of your home has plummeted. So, if you’re considering selling your home anytime soon, it’s time to start thinking about your property through the eyes of potential buyers. As property experts, here at Property Genius we know all too well the common mistakes you may make that can reduce the value of your home. But we also know how to remedy them. SETTING THE PRICE UNREALISTICALLY HIGH Everyone would like to think their home is worth more than their neighbours’ home, especially after finishing a renovation or upgrade of some kind. However, the truth is that your home is really only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. You have to be realistic about the value of your home when setting your price. If you set your price at an unrealistically high number, it could sit on the market for months without selling. The longer a property is on the market unsold, the more unattractive it becomes to potential buyers. You may inevitably end up slashing the price to meet expectations, which may make potential buyers question why the price has been reduced so much. It’s a position you don’t really want to put yourself in, so getting a realistic valuation from the start is important. At Property Genius, will always provide you with an honest market appraisal to ensure your property attracts interest and provide compatibles and market report to back it up. NOT DEEP CLEANING YOUR HOME BEFORE VIEWINGS Nobody wants to view a home that is dirty for two main reasons: one, it’s definitely not appealing, and two, it invariably means that the new homeowner will eventually need to spend time, money and effort cleaning it themselves. Major issues like carpet stains and grubby or mouldy tile grout can leave a poor impression on potential buyers when they view your home. In terms of carpet stains, you may be used to ignoring them every day but an interested buyer will notice them immediately. If an offer is forthcoming, your buyer may then look to negotiate on the asking price to cover the cost of replacing the carpet or having it professionally cleaned before moving in. In terms of tile grout, ignoring it is detrimental to the sale of your home. It’s one of the most tedious chores, yes, but leaving dirt along your tile grout can create permanent discolouration, ruining the look of your tiles forever. Even worse, if the area is humid, mould and mildew can build up and can become a major problem. When it comes to cleaning, being proactive is the best course of action. Make sure you regularly clean your home and deal with any spills before they set, which makes them much more difficult to remove later on. NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINING YOUR HOME Taking care of the mechanics of your home is important, especially when it comes to your plumbing and heating. These are directly related to your monthly utilities and can be costly to repair when a big problem arises. Sometimes these issues are unavoidable, but with the right maintenance and care in the long term, smaller problems can be taken care of with plenty of time before they get worse. Potential buyers are likely to ask questions about the state of the plumbing and heating and will be less likely to want to offer on a home that has a history of high utility bills or will need major repairs in the near future. NOT UPDATING DECOR Old, outdated design trends will make your home look dated, which can lower the value of your home simply because potential buyers know they will need to spend money to update the decor once they move in. Wood panelling is a major culprit in this regard, even if it’s restricted to small areas. Viewers will be a little more inclined to offer on your property if the decor is modern and fresh. LETTING PERSONAL TASTE GET INVOLVED When showing your home to potential buyers, you’re trying to get them to imagine their new life in their new home, so having your personal taste right in front of their noses can make this difficult for them. Brightly painted walls in colours that are unusual, having too much wallpaper, or having unique or over the top design elements throughout your home is a major turn off. It just means more work once the new owners move in as they try and get the property back to a neutral state. Before putting your home on the market try and make it look as neutral as possible so it can appeal to a wider number of people. Painting the walls and stripping wallpaper is a good start! CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL STORAGE ISSUES Your buyers will need to start imagining their own possessions in your own home, and part of that will be understanding what storage is available. If you’re struggling for storage yourself, you certainly don’t want to show that’s the case. Put things away so everything looks like it has its place. If you’re struggling to find homes for everything, consider a spring clean and keep the things you need. Put laundry away, hide the exercise bike, put the children’s toys away and get the kitchen worktops free of clutter. For no-obligation advice on buying or selling a home in South Manchester please contact our expert property team at Property Genius on 0161 881 3028 or call in and see us. We look forward to seeing you.