SoldOut goes Online!!!

With technology evolving each day we need to keep abreast in order to maintain high levels of services. Technology is moving at a rapid pace and with the future at your fingertips it has become a crucial component in our daily lives. For this reason, SoldOut has decided to fully embrace the new exciting world of technology.

With a simple twist of your finger, you are now able to get the very latest property news, in depth articles from experts within the industry, luxury property reviews, monthly car reviews, and so much more.

And with a database of over 100 000 property professionals, advertisers are guaranteed much larger exposure, more than what a publication could offer. Advertisers are also able to now monitor their response through monthly statistics reports. With a click away your advertisement will be reached by thousands of people worldwide.

Online is fast becoming the crucial driver behind the future and SoldOut-Online is right in front. So why wait? Be part of the excitement, be part of SoldOut-Online.

SoldOut-Online.co.uk will officially launch on the 1st May 2009.

It is time to put your mouse to good use, SoldOut-Online.co.uk is here!

The grass is greener on the Eco side

Designed as a catalyst for environmental sustainability, living life the green way is not only about conserving energy and water, limiting carbon emissions and reducing waste, it also plays a fundamental role in economic improvements, producing affordable yet sustainable homes deserving for the future generations.

Although the idea of eco building sounds like a good idea, it has caused much debate under a series of industry professionals. Nevertheless, green seems to be the way to go. Today more people are striving towards living a more environmental friendly lifestyle.

Eco homes takes the following into concern:
Energy
Transport
Pollution
Materials
Water
Land Use and Ecology
Health and Well Being

So what side of the fence are you? If green is your colour, drop a line or two and say what the colour green does for you!

HIP’s- don’t lie

The inauguration of the new legislature of HIP’s has caused quit a stir amongst many property professionals and home sellers. Question is, is this because HIP’s is not really beneficial or because its seen as too much red tape? And with 30 questions to be answered, it all seems like you are on trial awaiting dead sentence!

Okay its not as drastic, and might not be at all, but with speculations about ‘being sued if incorrect information is given’ going around, people are bound to fall into despair mode. And who can blame them, if even experts calls for HIP’s to be abolished, shedding everything but light on it. Surely the average person will follow the same route.

Whether we like it or not, HIPS is here to stay, and see it this way, by having the information upfront, buyers are likely to make an informed decisions on whether to buy the property instantaneously.

So start swinging your HIP’s rather then breaking your head, its much more beneficial!

Why you need a good agent

Its a tough market out there. Whether you renting, buying or selling you definitely need the knowledge and negotiation skills to make it in the property market. Entering can be quit overwhelming, especially with the unsteadiness the market shows in the difficult times we facing.

With all this said, it is clear that having a good agent can only benefit you and your endeavors. Buying or selling has become tricky business therefore having an agent on your side can definitely make the world of difference.

Choosing An Agent: Ten Things To Remember

How do you find a good agent? James Brooks offers the following tips:

1. Word Of Mouth: Sellers should check that the agent has a good reputation. Ask around and neighbours will always have a point of view: word of mouth is very valuable.
2. Do Your Homework: Use listing sites to look for similar properties in your area and see what the asking prices are – but remember: selling prices usually differ from the asking price.
3. Be Wary Of The Desperate: Sellers should be immediately alarmed by an agent who over-values their property. Don’t trust an agent who always tells you what you want to hear. Buyers are active at the moment, but only at the right price.
4. Justify Valuations: Look at the agent’s track record. Ask to see similar properties that they have recently sold. Ask them about the current market and what can be done to secure a sale. If they’re not convincing, look elsewhere.
5. Pretend To Be A Buyer: Pop into their office pretending to be a buyer. The seller should be looking to see if the branch is busy, if they receive a good service from a buyers’ point of view and the types of properties that are suggested to them. The question really is: do I trust these people to sell my house and do a great job of it?
6. Managing the Process: Once a sale has been agreed, managing and communicating with the chain is very important. The agent needs to keep all parties happy and the deal on track. Ask the agent how they deal with the process, ask for examples of recent deals, and the kind of problems you might encounter in the current market.

To these, Russell Jervis, managing director of Haart, adds four more:

7. Have They Sold Properties Like Yours? Check they have handled properties similar to yours by researching websites and newspapers. Another good tip is to look at the sale boards in your area to find out which agent has the most sold boards.
8. Testimonials: Check for testimonials – a recommendation from another client is worth its weight in gold.
9. Have They Buyers On Their Books? Check that they have applicants on their books looking for your type of property. Any agent worth their salt should have a selection of potential viewers they can contact.
10. How Will They Market It? Find out how the agent will market your property. They should be able to offer your property maximum exposure on both the web and through newspaper advertising. Is your agent’s office buzzing with the sound of negotiators on the telephone or are they just sitting behind a computer screen?
(www.findaproperty.com)

Give your house a face lift

Your home is your haven. Regardless of size, area or price, everyone’s home plays a significant role in their life.

A place to break away from everyone and all worldly things, a safety net for all families, where you feel a sense of belonging and most importantly a place where memories are created which lasts until eternity.

Your house reflects your personality and of course, your pocket. And with most pockets being half empty due to the economic downturn, it has an impact on your house, leaving it looking rather dull.

Let’s face it, with everyone watching their spendings, the last thing on their list of things-to-do is to renovate.

Here are a 5 easy and affordable tips on how to give your house a face lift:

1.Keep it tidy -Remember first impression count, the neater your house, the better.
2.Get rid of clutter- If you haven’t used it in 6 months donate or sell rather then creating a disorganized mess.
3.Upgrade landscaping- Remove dead grass, old bushes or trees. Try and plant according to the season.
4.Paint- If possible, redo the painting of the entire house, this makes for a more modernized look.
5.Get rid of old, outdated items- Doesn’t mean because its old its antique (collectible decorative items), if not appealing and useful, get rid!

Charity begins at home

It is a known fact that in the UK (as in many other countries) the demand of housing outweights the supply. And with so many empty houses and abandoned buildings it is with little a doubt that action needed to be taken.

Boris to the rescue!

Boris Johnson, mayor of London has announced a multi million pound investment that will assist in renovating empty homes/ buildings into family homes. Seems like Boris is a man of his word! *Sigh* If only we had more Boris’s out there!

According to the mayor this will significantly improve London’s housing stock and with so many people seeking housing, this is definitely the way to go.

Go Boris!

Your property, your investment

With the credit crunch upon us, cost cutting has slowly but surely become second nature to most of us. And with the decrease in property value, people tend to rent out rather than buy. This is not only to reduce responsibility but also to eliminate the costs of ownership.

Whether its a holiday home in the Carribean or just another apartment around the corner, renting out your property can not only keep the pounds rolling in, but can also help with keeping your income stream afloat.

Rather then having it stand empty, use it to your advantage. Besides, to survive the downturn one has to think outside the box and find solutions to the problems.

So why not take the leap of faith? You got so much to gain and so little (if anything) to lose.

What is Home Staging?

Dressing a House for Success…

It’s all about creating illusions. It is how an illusionist would sell a house. It is beyond cleaning, extending and decorating. It is all about perfecting the ability of creating moods. Staging your house makes it look brighter, cleaner, warmer, loving and most importantly bigger, making home buyers want to make it a home.

Opposed to what you might think, staging is more than just preparing a house for sale. It is all about dressing the house for sale and highlighting its best features through clever staging. It is like being the make-up artist, you should only use make-up to highlight someone’s facial features. But remember, less is more in this case, as soon as you put too much on, it will look awful, not to mention fake. So take it one step at a time allowing you to get the most out of the house!

It’s not what you say but how you say it.

Honesty is the always the best policy to stick by, however this does not mean that you have to be overly blunt with the person you are dealing with.

When showing clients around a property, it is likely that you will have some negative aspects to point out to them. If the problem is fairly minor, but does require attention, you do not have to go overboard when describing the issue as this might scare them off. Instead, a better option is to recommend that the client seeks professional assistance before making their final decision. This way you avoid lying to or losing your client whilst gaining a good reputation for yourself.

Making your dog a part of the family

 

 

•If you have a large area, consider having a fence right around, your dog will thrive.
However, if you have a limited budget, fence off a small area; do this somewhere near your house so the wind won’t irritate your dog. Ensure that there is sufficient sun, shade and shelter.

 •A dog box is a wonderful thing to have. Get one according to the size of your dog. It might be best to do this away from the traffic and pedestrians.

•The best gate to have is a double-gate that opens to the inside, so that your dog can’t get out when someone enters.

• Don’t leave your dog alone for more than 24hrs and make sure it’s always got enough water. The two obvious types of fencing are chain link, or some kind of mesh-wire. This makes escaping impossible and can’t hurt the dog.

Every dog is different, so make sure you take their size and personalities into consideration. And remember, your dog is your best friend!