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Summer has arrived, and now is the time to get your garden in shape. The joy of having a lovely outside area that the whole family can enjoy was brought home to us by lockdowns, which taught us to use our gardens as an extension of our interior living space. So if you are keen to make the most of yours, then read on for our list of the most important tasks you can tackle this month in order to get your garden ready for your family to enjoy and help it grab the attention of potential buyers too.

Love your lawn

A perfectly mowed lawn is a joy to behold, and in a vote to find the top 50 fragrances in Britain, freshly cut grass came in third. Make sure you don’t trim it any shorter than 1cm since if you do, it can struggle to grow and leave you with a patchwork, unattractive lawn.

Weeds

Getting rid of weeds from your lawn, borders, and paths may seem like an endless chore, but it is one that is well worth doing. In addition to helping your garden look its best, removing weeds can prevent them from strangling your carefully chosen border plants. The longer you let them grow, the more difficult it will be to get them under control.

Have a clearout

Over the winter, sheds often turn into storage facilities for items that need to be tucked out of the way. This can result in a disorganised mess, which can make it difficult to find things. Take advantage of the sunny days and empty your shed of everything. Then divide the items into piles, one for keeping, one for throwing away, and one for donating. Before putting the keep pile back in the shed in an orderly fashion, give your shed a thorough clean.

Garden furniture

When it comes to cleaning outdoor furniture that has been left outside all winter, pressure washers are fantastic. However, a bowl of soapy water and some elbow grease will work just as well if you don’t have a pressure washer. Remember to wash your cushion covers in your washing machine to freshen them up.

A coat of paint

Give your wooden furniture, decking, and fence a fresh coat of paint. It will not only help it look its best, but it will also ensure that it is prepared to weather another Winter when it arrives, and it is unquestionably more pleasant to complete this task in the sunshine than at the beginning of Winter!

Don’t forget, a well-maintained garden can even increase the value of your property by up to 5%!

If you are considering selling your house in Sheffield and Rotherham and would like some advice on how to make your garden look its best, please give me a call on 07920 097 175 or send an email to linda.stringer@exp.uk.com and I will be delighted to give you my advice.

Moving home can be an emotional time. While you may be sad to leave your old home, you may also be looking forward to moving into your new one. Finding the ideal home for you and your family can be a challenging experience, and just when you think you have it all figured out and have signed all the documents, the most trying part of all begins: moving!

With a little forethought, you can help alleviate some of the stress of moving day and make moving to your new home a more pleasurable experience.

Start Now

If you are reading this blog, you probably have a moving date coming up, are actively looking for a new home, or are at least thinking about moving. It is never too early to begin getting ready to move. Decluttering is always the best place to start. Everyone enjoys a little procrastination, and it’s easy to believe that you have plenty of time, but the sooner you deal with all of your excess belongings, the less anxious you will be later on because there will be less to pack.

Get ahead

If you really don’t want to part with any of your possessions but know you won’t need them before moving, seize the chance to start packing and put those items in a box, tucked out of the way, so that they are ready to move.

Measure

Will your furniture fit in your new home? Finding out now will be less stressful than finding out on moving day and will save you from spending money to move furniture you can’t keep. See if a family member is willing to keep any items you have a sentimental attachment to until you move again. If not, consider it an opportunity to start fresh in your new house.

Label it

It will be simpler for the removal company (or you) to know which room to put each box in on moving day if you clearly label each box with its destination and contents. Clear labelling will also make it simpler to locate items if you need them last-minute and have already packed them. The same applies if you need something in your new house before you’ve finished unpacking.

The night before

Put all of your important paperwork, identity documents, daily medications, toiletries, chargers, and an extra set of clothes in a bag. Make sure your bag contains everything you’ll need to be able to spend the first night in your new house comfortably. You may find that you’re too exhausted on the first evening at your new home to begin unpacking.

Try to relax

It can be stressful on moving day. Avoid adding unnecessary stress by setting goals for how soon you must unpack or what time you want to arrive, as delays can happen. You will be far more resilient and consequently less stressed if any hiccups occur if you go into the day with a relaxed mindset. Just imagine how you will feel when you are settled in your lovely new home at the end of the day, and use that feeling to get you through the stresses of the day.

If you are thinking of moving in Sheffield and Rotherham and would like more advice on moving home then please do give me a call on 07920 097 175 or send an email to linda.stringer@exp.uk.com.

Over pricing

According to Zoopla, properties which are overpriced can take two months longer to sell than properties that start with a realistic sale price

If your property is overpriced, fewer people will see it, and those who do will compare it—likely unfavourably—to others in that price bracket. Price is one of the primary filters on online property portals.

The longer your property is on the market, the more inevitable it will be that you will have to lower your asking price. However, buyers are always more eager to view newly listed properties than reduced ones because they assume that properties that have been available for some time may have problems.

Over personalised

You are selling buyers their future home. If you have covered the walls with posters or personal photos, consider taking them down. That way, buyers can see the potential of a room without being overwhelmed by the sight of your personal belongings.

Neutral tones

When you put your home on the market, you need to keep in mind that if your taste is somewhat eccentric, it could cause a delay in the sale of your home and possibly result in a lower selling price. Buyers tend to be attracted to properties that they can easily personalise. Consider redecorating in neutral tones any rooms that are garishly decorated to increase your chances of a swift sale.

Take children and pets out

Potential buyers like to be able to quietly view your house. Being followed by children and animals, especially if they are allergic to or frightened of your four-legged friends, can make viewers feel uncomfortable and prevent them from taking a proper look at your property.

Declutter and clean

Dirty homes create an unfavourable first impression, and clutter can make even a large home feel cramped. Spend some time organising and cleaning your property. Cleaning your windows can increase the amount of natural light that enters your home. If it’s evening, turn on your lights to create a cosy glow. It’s cliché to prepare coffee and bake bread while viewings are going on, but fresh flowers and the smell of furniture polish can instantly make a property feel loved and cared for.

Choose the right estate agent

Choosing an estate agency solely because they suggested the highest asking price or because they were the first agent to value your property can result in issues down the line. Always ask several agents to value your property, and then discuss with them exactly why they believe it is worth the price they have suggested. Request to see examples of other nearby properties that they have recently sold, together with the sale prices they achieved and the amount of time they were on the market. When choosing an estate agent to sell your property, reading testimonials from previous clients is crucial.

If you are considering putting your property on the market in Sheffield and Rotherham and would like to discuss how my personal approach to selling your property can help you to maximise your sale price and achieve a quick sale please give me a call on 07920 097 175 or send me an email to linda.stringer@exp.uk.com.

Many homeowners put off home maintenance tasks because they think purchasers are going to want to make changes when they move in. This is a false economy that could both delay your sale and lower the price you receive for your property.

Some people are seeking a fixer-upper, but they anticipate that their desire to spend time fixing it up will be reflected in the price of the property.

A neglected property can also give prospective purchasers the impression that you don’t care for it and make them question what other, more serious issues might be hiding unseen.

Therefore, it can pay to take care of any odd jobs before you put your house on the market if you want to get the best price for it in Sheffield & Rotherham.

Kerb appeal

Your home’s exterior is the first thing prospective buyers will notice, and first impressions count. Ensure that your front door is undamaged and that the door knobs are in good condition. Make sure your front lawn is neat and that all of your gates’ latches and hinges are well-greased. Check that no tiles are cracked or missing from your roof.

Interior

Repair any holes/dents in your walls, and if they look tired, consider repainting them.

Make sure your flooring is in good condition by replacing any torn carpet and any broken or chipped floor tiles. If you have dogs, steam cleaning your carpets can be an effective way of rejuvenating them.

Take the time to check that all of your lightbulbs are functioning and repair any broken light fixtures. The appropriate lighting can make even the tiniest home appealing.

The most expensive areas for purchasers to update are bathrooms and kitchens, so it makes sense that renovating them can increase the value of your home the most. However, installing a brand-new kitchen is not essential to create an improvement. Sometimes all that is required to upgrade your bathrooms and kitchen is to fix leaky taps, running toilets, and make sure built-in appliances are in good working order.

Garden or outdoor space

Fix any broken glass window panes in your shed and remove any broken or damaged items, such as cracked plant pots.

Living in our homes day in and day out can often cause us to become blind to little issues that need to be fixed, but prospective buyers will see them since they are viewing your property with fresh eyes.

It might be quite helpful to ask a trustworthy friend or family member to spend some time walking around your home, pointing out anything that you might have missed.

Alternatively, I am always happy to come and give you some advice on how you can ensure that your property is market ready, just give me a call on 07920 097 175 or send me an email to linda.stringer@exp.uk.com. If you don’t have time or feel up to fixing issues yourself, I have a list of trusted local handymen I can recommend.

Would you like to know how to increase the value of your property in Sheffield and Rotherham? Read on for my suggestions.

1. Bathrooms and kitchens

These are the rooms that matter most to buyers. Kitchen and bathroom renovations can be costly or time-consuming. Prospective buyers can be deterred by the price or faff of replacing a bathroom suite or redoing a kitchen. 

According to a recent Magnet poll, 61% of buyers would be willing to spend extra for a home with a fully renovated or updated kitchen.

Remodelling your kitchen need not be very expensive. To give your kitchen a quick and inexpensive makeover, think about painting your cabinets, replacing the worktops and even tiles.

White bathroom suites are typically more popular than coloured ones, but if you can’t afford to replace the suite, painting the bathroom walls will significantly change how the space feels.

2. Extend or convert

If you have the budget, you can increase both the size of your property and its value by up to 20% by undertaking a loft conversion, a garage conversion or by adding an extension.

Top tip! Check with a local property expert first. It can be easy to over-extend and not end up adding value at all.

3. Make sure your property is structurally sound

Buyers may try to negotiate a lower price if a surveyor discovers structural issues because they will be responsible for paying to have the issues fixed. Therefore, being sure to address any issues before putting your property on the market will help you to get your asking price or perhaps even more.

4. Kerb appeal

The adage that first impressions count is true with people and property. Spend some time sprucing up the front of your property. Trim your grass and hedges, weed the paths, and if your front door is beginning to look a little worn and old, think about replacing or repainting it.

5. Consider your garden as an additional room.

Outdoor space is highly valued by post-pandemic purchasers, consequently smartening up your outdoor space can actually affect your selling price. Outdoor entertaining areas are very appealing to buyers and don’t cost or take much time to create. 

To help potential buyers picture themselves relaxing in your garden, consider creating a welcoming entertaining area with cosy garden furniture and lights. Keep in mind that neat and organised gardens are more appealing to buyers than ones that resemble jungles.

6. Go green.

Properties that are ecologically friendly and less expensive to run are becoming more and more desirable as energy prices climb. Properties with solar panels, wind turbines, and effective insulation stand out in the current market and fetch higher selling prices.

If you would like more advice on how to add value to your property please do not hesitate to give me a call on 07920 097 175 and I will be delighted to discuss it with you.

Are you considering downsizing? Selling your home and buying a smaller one is known as downsizing. There are several reasons why people downsize, these are my top five:

Maintenance

The upkeep of larger homes is more labour-intensive. This includes weekly cleaning and basic maintenance in addition to repairs. 

Perhaps your priorities have changed and you now place a higher priority on spending time enjoying yourself than on home maintenance. Or perhaps you are finding that you are less energetic than you once were. 

By choosing to downsize, you can spend less time maintaining your home and more time doing the activities you enjoy.

Space 

Families need more space as they expand, so you may have moved over the years to make room for your expanding family. 

However, after your children have grown up and left the nest, you might start to feel as though you are rattling around in a large, empty house with numerous unoccupied bedrooms. 

It might be time to think about downsizing if you have more rooms than you know what to do with.

Health

Is caring for your home having a negative impact on your health? Or it might be that you’ve experienced some mobility problems and are having trouble navigating your home despite adaptations. 

Many people decide to downsize into a home without stairs to help with or prepare for anticipated mobility concerns, as well as because a smaller property is easier to manage.

How do you feel?

Your home should make you feel content, secure, and at ease. If your house doesn’t make you feel these ways, it’s time to start thinking about moving. 

This is especially true if staying at home makes you feel depressed, isolated, or afraid. Even though relocating won’t necessarily solve all of your problems, a new beginning in a new area might present you with the chance to meet new people and feel safer.

Bills

Costs increase with the size of the property. You may be considering downsizing to lower your expenditures and make your monthly outgoings more manageable due to increases in energy costs and the rising cost of living. 

Alternatively, you might find that your outgoings have begun to exceed your incomings if you’ve recently retired or started to cut back on your working hours with your partner. Your bills may become easier to manage if you choose to downsize.

Choosing to downsize can be an emotional decision. If you would like to have an honest and sympathetic discussion about whether downsizing is right for you please give me a call on 07920 097 175

Whether you’re trying to sell your house or just want to make it more welcoming to guests, the first thing you should think about is one that many people overlook.

They often fail to remember that the front of their house is what people see first because they are too preoccupied with worrying about the interior design and cleanliness of their homes. 

If the kerb appeal of your home could benefit from some sprucing up but you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry; I have a few recommendations that can help you quickly transform the front of your home from shabby to fab.

Front garden

Make sure the grass in your front garden is mowed. To make your path look its best, remove all weeds from it and give it a good clean with a pressure washer. 

If there are any borders, make sure they are weeded, and add some pretty flowers to brighten the area up and make it look visually appealing.

Front Door

A dilapidated front door can give visitors the impression that the remainder of your house is neglected too, before they have even set foot inside. 

If the paint on your front door is starting to peel off or if the hardware, such as the handle or knocker, seems a little worn out, a new coat of paint and a sleek door handle or knocker can transform the entrance of your property.

Even just cleaning your door and buffing it dry with a microfibre cloth will go a long way toward helping to create the right first impression. 

House number

Make sure that your house number can be easily seen. Both visitors and delivery drivers will benefit from this! 

If your house number looks tired or outdated, think about replacing it with a brand-new one that better represents the style of your home and the care you give it.

Windows

In addition to maximising the quantity of natural light that enters your home, clean windows also have an impact on how your house looks from the outside. 

A home with clean windows looks well-maintained, and a well-looked-after property will always have greater kerb appeal than one that has been neglected.

If you have wooden windows, be sure to varnish or paint them as well for that perfectly manicured effect.

Exterior Lights

Before deciding whether to arrange an interior viewing, many prospective buyers will conduct a drive-by viewing. 

Due to working hours, most of these will be done in the evening. For the same reason, the majority of visitors and potential buyers will also arrive in the evening. 

Therefore, it is crucial to check that all of your external lights are operational so that your property is bathed in welcoming light rather than enveloped in darkness.

Gates, fences and hedges

Inspect the state of your garden gate and fence. Lubricate the hinges and make sure the latch operates properly. If your potential buyers or visitors have to battle their way through a broken gate to get to your front door, then it will instantly create a bad first impression. Trim any hedges neatly and replace any damaged fence panels.

Garage

Even though visitors/viewers won’t be entering your property through your garage doors, they are still one of the first things they will see, so keep them in good shape and think about giving them some TLC if necessary. 

Your garage will likely be viewed by prospective buyers, so keep it clean and neat. Use boxes or other storage to hide clutter quickly.

If you would like more personalised advice on how to improve your Sheffield and Rotherham property’s kerb appeal please don’t hesitate to give me a call on 07920 097 175 and I will be delighted to help you.

Spring sunshine and longer days are galvanising many of my clients to complete the tasks that have been put off over the winter. My advice is to always make sure to remember that any DIY work you undertake on your property should achieve two things:

1. To make your home a better and more enjoyable place for you and your family to live and,
2. To increase the property value in case you ever decide to sell it.

Did you know some DIY projects can actually lower the value of your property? Read on to avoid those and the other possible DIY mishaps that can cost homeowners thousands of pounds to repair.

Be realistic

We are all aware of the temptation to attempt to save money by performing tasks around our houses ourselves, but if you are not very skilled at DIY, think about hiring a professional to assist you.

Start small

Starting with small jobs is an excellent way to develop your confidence and talents. Start by fixing damaged kitchen cabinet handles, oiling squeaky hinges, and replacing faulty light bulbs. 

Small maintenance issues can give potential buyers the idea that your property is not cared for, which may make them fear that there are major issues they have not seen.

Kerb appeal

The front of your property should be the first thing you give attention to once you have completed all the smaller tasks. First impressions are important, and the condition of the front of your home is the first thing that potential buyers will see. 

Clean and tidy your front path, and consider giving your front door a fresh coat of paint.  A property’s value can increase by 2-3% with good kerb appeal!

Bathrooms

Avoid replacing baths with fashionable wet rooms. Due to families’ decreased interest in homes without bathrooms, fewer buyers will be interested in your home, which means there will be less competition for it, which could result in a lower sale price.

No DIY

There are numerous things you can do to improve your home even if you are not skilled at DIY and cannot afford to employ a professional. Deep cleaning and decluttering your home can both have a significant impact on how it feels.

Not all projects will add value to your home, and you should also be aware of the maximum price that your properties will sell for in your area to avoid spending more than you can recoup. 

If you are considering a big DIY project or major renovation, then do give me a call on 07920 097 175 to discuss how it will affect your property price. 

The most crucial choice you will make when selling your home is choosing an estate agent. Your choice of estate agent will have an impact on how much it sells for, as well as how quickly and easily the sale of your property proceeds.

Here are some ideas to help guide you to make the right choice for you, your property, and your circumstances.

Valuations

Keep an eye out for estate agents who inflate their valuations to get your business. When a property is priced too high, it usually takes longer to sell and almost always needs a price cut to attract serious buyers.

Estate agents spend years honing their ability to value homes. They have to learn how to assess how much property is worth by looking at its location, state, the current market and economic conditions, buyer demand, and any special features that might make each one more or less valuable.

Marketing

Agents that are proactive don’t only place ads on Rightmove. They keep an up-to-date database of clients who are actively looking to buy a property and will be aware of their readiness to move forward. 

Using social media, they interact with potential buyers. They also use both traditional marketing methods (like local property magazines, window displays, etc.) and cutting-edge online marketing on a variety of platforms.

Handling Offers 

A good estate agent will take the time to learn about the financial standing of your potential purchasers. They will learn details such as their financial situation, like if they have an Agreement in Principle for a mortgage. Are they trying to sell a property, and if so, where are they in the process? Are they in a chain if their property is up for sale? Are they interested enough in your property to be flexible with the dates of the exchange and the completion?

The best estate agents will be able to tell you if it’s a good idea to accept an offer or if there are other offers that are better because the buyer is more likely to go through with the purchase.

Progressing the sale

Many estate agents will hand off control of the transaction to the solicitors once an offer has been approved. Yet delays, poor communication, and frustration could result from this.

Proactive, personal estate agents like me will work to speed up the sale by talking to the buyers, sellers, and their conveyancers to make sure you can move into your new home as quickly and easily as possible.

If you are considering putting your property on the market, give me a call on 07920 097 175 or send me an email at linda.stringer@exp.uk.com to find out how a personal, one-to-one approach to selling your home can make all the difference.

If you are thinking about moving and want to be in your new home in  Sheffield and Rotherham in time for the summer, you need to put your house on the market as soon as possible. There is no time to waste because it typically takes 12 weeks from the time an offer is accepted until the sale is completed.

Spring is frequently seen as the ideal time of year to sell a house. Buyers come out of their self-imposed winter hibernation when it gets warmer, and the sunshine and spring flowers bring your outdoor areas to life, making them more appealing to potential buyers.

The fact that many families try to time their home purchase to coincide with the end of the school year is another reason why now is a smart time to list your property for sale. 

When the weather is nice, people are more willing to go out and look at properties. The longer days also make it easier to schedule viewings in the evening. Natural light improves the appearance of all properties, so always try to schedule evening viewings while it is still light. 

You may even be able to sell your property for more money if there are more buyers looking, as increased demand in the market has a ripple effect on prices.

Spring is also a great time to give your home a thorough cleaning. Freshen up the air inside your home by letting the crisp spring air in by opening all of your windows and doors. To bring colour and life into your home, don’t forget to take advantage of seasonal flowers by filling vases with vibrantly coloured blooms. 

All of these things will increase the attractiveness of your property to buyers, which will not only help you sell your property faster but may even help you achieve a higher selling price. 

The increased number of buyers will influence how quickly they make their decisions. Buyers will not delay as long if a house goes on the market because they will not want another buyer to snap it up first. 

Therefore, they are more likely to make an offer as soon as they have viewed the property, assuming they like it. For sellers, the good news is that this shortens the time their property will spend on the market.

If you are thinking of moving in Sheffield and Rotherham, then you should act quickly to take advantage of the increased number of customers, as a result of the improved weather, and their eagerness to complete their purchases in time to move into their new homes by the summer.

If you would like to be in your new property in time for summer, please give me a call on 07920 097 175 and I will be delighted to help you get moving.