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House hunting in a hurry can be incredibly overwhelming but there are certain steps you can take that will help to take some of the stress out of the process.

In an ideal world you would want all the time in the world to land your dream home. However, it doesn’t always work out like that; maybe you have to relocate for work or there is a change to your personal or financial circumstances. Or it could just be that demand outweighs the supply of quality homes in the areas where you want to move to and you have to be quick on your feet before your dream house gets snapped up.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to take months to find an awesome house. Here are five things you can do to speed up the whole process for yourself and all parties involved in a house sale:

1. Contact all local Estate Agents

Any good, trusted and professional Estate Agent will always be the first in-the-know when it comes to properties that are getting ready to hit the market in their local area before anyone else does. Build a good relationship with them, get added to their mailing list, watch their Social Media channels and call them regularly to make sure you don’t miss out.

It’s really important to be clear about what you want and what your budget is, so be sure to let the agent know all of these essential details when you get in touch.

2. Get your finances in order and get pre-apporved

First thing’s first: get your deposit finalised and get your mortgage-in-principle in place. The best way to do this is by contacting a mortgage advisor who will take the stress out of the process for you. You can’t go house hunting if you don’t know what you can afford, plus, many Estate Agents won’t even let you through the door of a house if you haven’t been pre-approved.

3. Make a list of things you need to have

If you’re in a rush to buy, never waste time looking at houses you know will not suit your needs. Therefore, you should draft up a list of things you really want to have in your new house as well as all of the amenities you want to have. Do you want an office at home? Do you want a private garden? Are you after a house or an apartment? Know what you’re after and cut out any uncertainty.

4. Search areas with a lot of stock

Don’t waste time looking at areas that don’t have that many homes available as competition will be high. Instead, choose neighbourhoods that have plenty of houses on offer that meet your needs.

5. Make informed decisions

If you need to purchase a new home quickly you have to be careful that you aren’t jumping in with both feet and getting in over your head. Speed may be of the essence but it’s still important to make informed decisions before you put in that offer. Remember to ask questions and to do your research. Just take a moment to understand all the consequences before moving forward with your purchase.

There is not any guarantee that buying your dream home will be plain-sailing, but as long as you have things sorted on your end with all of these handy tips, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be getting ready to pack up and move in no time!

Thinking of selling your home in Marple or the surrounding areas? Get in touch today for a free home valuation.

9 Staging Secrets to Get Your Home Sold

Staging your house for sale can make a huge difference to the offer you receive and the length of time it sits on the market. In fact the latest statistics suggest a staged home will sell on average 25% quicker than one that hasn’t been.

So, here are 9 staging secrets to get your home sold:

DECLUTTER

When you say declutter to someone the first thing that springs to mind is clearing out wardrobes or kitchen cupboards. But have you ever thought of decluttering your furniture? A professional stager actually removes half a homeowner’s furniture to make a house look bigger. So have a look around and see what you can throw out, pack away or pop into storage for a few months.

GROUP YOUR FURNITURE

A common staging misconception is that pushing your furniture up against a wall instantly makes the room look bigger. However, the truth is, to make your room look bigger and more inviting then it’s best to float your furniture in each room away from the walls. Just remember to make sure that your furnishings are placed where traffic can still flow through the room.

TRANSFORM SPARE ROOMS

Get rid of that spare room that has only ever collected boxes or other junk and turn it into something functional. Make it into an extra bedroom, a home office or reading room. Buyers want to see themselves living in the property and this helps them to do that.

GREAT LIGHTING

Great lighting is a must when you’re staging your home for sale. You can flood a room with natural light if you put mirrors on the walls opposite light sources. Also, make sure you include table lamps and floor lights in your rooms as that creates ambient lighting. Never use the light in the middle of your room as your main source of light as it won’t show your room off to its best.

GO NEUTRAL

If you’ve a bright pink room or have invested in wallpaper that has a unique pattern then a fresh lick of paint can go a long way. Off-white, creams and neutral soft greys can transform your home into a modern fresh canvas for a potential buyer. If you do want to be a bit bold then please make sure it’s only on a feature wall.

USE YOUR GARDEN

Fancy flowers and floral arrangements can be pricey but you can get the same effect with a simple bunch of flowers from the supermarket or by picking some flowers from your garden. Just keep the arrangement simple and throw in a little bit of colour. Flowers can instantly bright up a room.

GET A QUICK FACELIFT

Give your kitchen an instant facelift by painting cabinet doors or drawers or by vinyl wrapping them. It’s a cost effective solution and the results can be incredible. Also, tackle your bathroom by freshening up the grouting or sealant for quick results.

FINISH THOSE REPAIRS

Unfinished home repairs can really put off potential home buyers. If you need to touch up the paintwork on a chipped banister or replace a wonky door handle then please do it. Don’t give a buyer ammunition to negotiate a lower price for your home. So finish those repairs you’ve been meaning to do for years and you’ll reap the rewards.

CLEAN YOUR HOME

We’ve saved the best for last because this is the most important tip- clean your house from top to bottom. A dirty house is a massive turn off for potential buyers. Make sure your home is spotless, scrub the kitchen and bathrooms and eliminate any odours- especially if you’ve pets or smoke. If you can afford it then get professional cleaners to come in and blitz the place, as buyers want a nice, fresh welcoming home they can see themselves building a life in.

So, there we have it, just a few simple, affordable tips that can make a huge difference to the sale of your house.

Thinking of selling? Get in touch with me today for a FREE home valuation.

Selling a property can be a very confusing and lengthy process but having a good solicitor or conveyancer will help it to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Here is an easy step by step guide to the whole conveyancing process.

Find a Conveyancer

The conveyancing process formally starts when you’ve accepted an offer on the property.

However, it’s recommended that you have a conveyancer in place before accepting an offer so that they can get the process started immediately and avoid delays.

When it comes to choosing a conveyancer, speak to two or three and get some quotes before deciding who to go with. I can help with recommendations for tried and tested firms. Alternatively, if you have friends or family who have recently moved, find out who they used and if they were happy with them.

Don’t just go for the cheapest option, it could cause major issues further down the line if they cut corners!

Sign the Conveyancer’s Letter of Engagement and Verify Your Identity

Once you’ve chosen a conveyancer and discussed the fees involved, you’ll need to sign their letter of engagement. It’s only at this point that you commit to using their services. You will also need to verify your identity and address in the form of a passport or driving licence and supply a mortgage statement or utility bill for example.

Complete Questionnaires

Your conveyancer will send you some forms to complete, including a Property Information form and a Fittings & Contents form.

It’s vital that you complete these honestly, as failure to do so could lead to delays later in the process.

The Property Information form is where you tell the buyer about any changes that have been made to the property, such as extensions, solar panels or a loft conversion. You’ll also need to provide any supporting documents you have, so if your double glazing is still under warranty or you have paperwork to show that your boiler has been serviced in the last 12 months, you will need to provide copies.

When it comes to fittings and contents, you don’t need to decide what you’re leaving behind at this point, you can confirm later or leave it open to negotiation. Your conveyancer will be able to advise how to complete the form if you get stuck.

Speak to Your Mortgage Provider

Assuming that you have an outstanding mortgage on your property, you will need to contact your mortgage lender and inform them that you’re in the process of selling. They’ll be able to advise you about paying off your outstanding balance when the sale goes through, or porting your mortgage, which essentially means transferring it to your new property.

Draft Contracts

When your conveyancer has received your completed forms, they’ll draw up a draft contract to send to the buyer’s conveyancer.

The contract will outline which fixtures and fittings are to be included, along with copies of all the supporting documents you’ve provided.

It will also give a date for completion, which is typically around two to four weeks after the exchange of contracts.

The draft contract stage is usually the point where most of the negotiations take place, including the final price of the property.

It’s also at this stage where you’ll need to allow for the buyers to have a surveyor come in and inspect the property. Depending on the answers you’ve given in the questionnaire the buyer may also want other professionals to come in and carry out inspections, such as a plumber or electrician.

They may also request that you pay for the costs of any further inspections or repairs, but you will be under no obligation to agree to this. However, it’s at this point that a buyer may try to renegotiate on the final price of the property to take the extra costs into account.

Exchange of Contracts

Once the buyer is satisfied with the condition of your property and a final agreement has been reached on the price, including all fixtures and fittings, your conveyancer will exchange contracts with the buyer’s conveyancer.

Between Exchange and Completion

At this point both you and the buyer are fully committed to the sale of the property. You’ll receive the buyer’s deposit and if either party pulls out, they’ll open themselves up to legal action.

Completion

This is the day on which you hand over the keys to your property. The completion date is usually around two to four weeks after the date of exchange, but you can ask for this to be extended, or in some cases, shortened.

The date of completion is also the date on which you’ll receive the outstanding balance for the property from the buyer.

If you are planning on selling in the Stockport area soon, why not get in touch with me on 07770 976137. I’ll be happy to advise you and help with your conveyancing needs.

Today. 17th December 2022, marks a year since I became my own boss and I’m so happy to still be here!

There’s been highs and lows.  I’ve laughed and I’ve cried. I’ve panicked and I’ve triumphed.  I’ve asked for help and it’s come from not only friends and family, but colleagues who until recently I hadn’t met and even strangers who’ve offered their time and help to keep me on track.

From a standing start, I’ve built a cracking little enterprise I’m so very proud of.  Although I live on the edge of insanity a lot of the time, I love what I do and who I do it with.

I have sold 14 properties, 10 of which have safely completed, 4 are still going through not to mention another 5 that for one reason or another didn’t make it over the line.

I’ve met some wonderful people along the way and have ultimately done what I set out to do; to help people move on to their next chapter by giving them the very best advice and the attention they deserve.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way and to those who continue to have my back.  I salute you.

Here’s to 2022.

I read an article about giving gifts recently – five ways you can give gifts better than Santa – and it made me think about how I work with people.

🎁 Give solutions, not more problems

The road to a house move is seldom plain sailing so ride the storm, don’t shy away from problems, find the solution and get it DONE!

🎁 Be practical, not flashy

Give realistic advice – don’t get carried away

🎁 Give gifts that keep on giving

Good advice and regular communication

🎁 Put the ‘present’ in presentation

Put love into marketing the property and the buyers will come

🎁 Create an experience

Want to be just another number? Get a big firm out.

Want to feel valued and important? Work with a bespoke agent.

If you are thinking of moving or struggling to sell, contact me today to discuss how working me can help you get to where you want to be.

Welcome to our round-up of some of the property news stories that have caught our eye this past month.

Prices Remain Strong

The average price of a house is still on the up, according to analysis of the figures by Halifax.

Looking at all the stats, the bank noted that through September the average UK property price is now priced at a record £267,587. What’s more, annual house price inflation is up to 7.4 per cent, from 7.2 per cent.

This is interesting because the Stamp Duty deadlines have passed, and so it is good to see prices still buoyed.

The slight fly in the ointment might be the fact that the Bank of England figures show the number of mortgages approved to finance house purchases fell in August 2021 by one per cent.

Perhaps there is a slight softening of the market overall.

Here in Stockport, we are still selling properties for, or above, the asking price. What’s more, it is only taking days for some properties to sell, and just hours for properties to rent out.

If you’ve been thinking about doing something with your property, now is still a good time.

Overall though, supply is still down.

An ongoing issue in the property market has been further highlighted in a report that looks at key trends in the sector.

Landmark Information Group’s Property Trends Report shows that for a fifth consecutive month, there has been a low number of properties coming to the market. Demand, as they say, is outstripping supply.

There could be a number of reasons for this, but we would say that if you really want to sell, get your property on the market now. There will be interested parties lining up to look around and any one of those could be a potential buyer.

Negotiating Confidence

Around 64 per cent of UK homebuyers and renters say they feel confident negotiating over property prices, reports PropertyWire. But six in 10 admit “the biggest challenge is timing and knowing when to negotiate”.

It’s an interesting one. On the one hand, people say they are confident but actually, they don’t really know when to negotiate.

It’s what one might call a paradox. But, there’s a way through. Use an estate agent who can use their knowledge and expertise to negotiate at the right time.

We can do that for you! We know the Stockport inside out and so are able to take action when we need to.

Going Green Paying Off

Have you installed eco-friendly systems in your home? If you haven’t, you could be missing out.
This has been written about by many, including Property Reporter, which says that property website Rightmove has looked at house prices and Energy Performance Certificates.

It’s been reported that people who have “upgraded their rating from an F to a C, are adding an average of 16% to the price achieved for their home”.

That’s a huge jump, but before you do anything, have a look at the costs involved and the efficiencies made. You’ve got to make sure the figures work for you. If you need any advice on this, give us a call on 07770976137.

Nikki Davies, Powered by eXp are your local property experts for the Stockport area. Call us on 07770976137 or email nikki.davies@exp.uk.com to find out how we can help you buy a new home or sell your property.

Did you know that the festive season can be a wonderful time to sell your house in Stockport?

Yes, of course, many people are thinking about presents, Santa, food and drink, but it can also be a great time for you to consider selling your home.

Why? Well, we’ll explain in just a moment.

First though, if you need help deciding whether to sell or if you’re looking to buy a property in Stockport, whatever the season, then I can help you. You can call or WhatsApp me on 07770976137 or drop me an email to nikki.davies@exp.uk.com.

So, is Christmas really a good time to sell?

Christmas is a time when many professionals such as surveyors and conveyancers take some time off, meaning that the sales process can slow down. But it’s usually only for a couple of days, so if you’ve got all your legal paperwork lined up, efficiency should almost be maintained.

But paperwork aside, what about your property at Christmas?

Present Your Home in the Perfect Light

You may have more available time at Christmas to be able to stage your home ready for viewings. Presenting your property is one of the critical things to do to make prospective buyers picture themselves at home. Little touches showcasing your home as a fantastic, warm and joyful house can help sell the dream to a prospective buyer.

Add Festive Atmospherics

Turn on your outside lights, festive or otherwise. Similarly, some indoor atmospheric lighting works a treat to show how welcoming your home is. Don’t go over the top though! Choose subtle side lamps to cast a soft glow.

Sleigh Ahead of the Game!

Many people believe that Christmas is not the right time to put their house on the market….so they don’t. But fewer homes on the market means less competition, so actually, it’s a great time to be selling. Even if the process doesn’t gain momentum until the New year, you’ll still be ahead of the game.

Take advantage of this opportunity and make sure you’ve got everything in place should you accept an offer, and your buyers want to move quickly. It may be Christmas, but legal professionals will be available in the run-up to the holidays. Hold a conversation with conveyancers beforehand, and you’ll know exactly when they are working and how to get hold of them should you need to.

Family Time Leads Online!

Another thing to think about is that Christmas is often about family. But spending more time than usual with extended family can take its toll! Escaping online is common. In fact, housebuilders have reported that Christmas Day and Boxing Day are two of the busiest days for web traffic to their sites.

Families spending time together often prompts talk about the potential for moving to a new house. And, what about all those new phones and tablets received as Christmas presents! This presents even more opportunity for going online and potentially searching for properties!

There’s ‘Snow’ Time Like the Present

If you delay putting your house on the market, you’ll ultimately be postponing the sale of it. Based on our experience, we say take advantage and get it listed! Preparing the particulars takes time, as does the taking of photos and creating floor plans. So, if you set the ball rolling now, you’ve already made the first move. Wait until after Christmas, and you may find more properties coming to market, and your property won’t stand out as much.

New Year, New Move

Christmas can be a great time to move home, but there’s often a lot going on. Remember though, your move doesn’t have to happen straight away. Be patient, get your processes and planning done, and then by the time the new year comes around, you could be looking at getting the keys to your new home.

It can be a dream, but to make it happen, you need to set things in motion.

• Plan how you will tackle packing for the move
• Think about whether you can gift things or recycle items
• Think about getting boxes ready
• Talk to the conveyancers
• Search for removal firms
• Note down who you need to notify

In essence, simply prepare.

I am here to help guide you through selling your home in Stockport at Christmas – get in touch today to chat about your next steps.

Vector cartoon stick figure drawing conceptual illustration of two men or neighbors looking from window of family houses and arguing or having fight.

There’s no denying that selling a home involves paperwork. When preparing to sell, you’ll need to declare various things to your estate agent. While you may be worried about having to share potential issues from the past, it’s important to remember that what you disclose won’t necessarily put buyers off. An old building can be seen as an ‘opportunity for modernisation’. Planning permission from neighbours can be recognised as ‘potential to extend’. Plus, a good estate agent can find the right buyer no matter the circumstances.

To prepare you for the sale, here are seven of the most important things you’ll need to declare to estate agents about your home.

1. What you plan to take and leave

When you sell up, you’ll need to complete a ‘fixtures and fittings’ form. This will tell buyers what you plan to take with you when you leave, and what will be left behind for them. It’s important to establish these things as early as you can, as it can be a top question asked at viewings.

2. Renovation work

While this is a legal requirement, it’s also a great selling point. If you’ve recently renovated the kitchen, had an extension put in, or remodelled the bathroom, then you’ll need to declare the renovation work to estate agents.

3. Planning permissions in the area

Usually, you’ll get a letter from your local council informing you about the planning permissions requested by your neighbours. If you’ve had one of these letters recently, or if you get one during the sale of your home, then it’s important you declare it to your estate agent.

4. Denied planning permissions

If you applied for planning permission yourself and it was denied, it’s important that you disclose what you applied for and why it was declined to your estate agent.

5. Disputes with neighbours

If you’ve had a long-standing dispute with any of your local neighbours, you need to tell your estate agent about it. They are obligated to inform prospective buyers about the issues you’ve had with the people living around you. While it may seem trivial, if a buyer finds out later that you lied, it can be a very serious issue.

6. Pests or Japanese knotweed

Even if it was a problem long ago, your estate agent will need to know whether there was a pest invasion in your home, or if you’ve ever experienced Japanese knotweed in your garden.

7. Green deal loans

If you have one of these loans, you’ll definitely know about it. It’s a government loan that allows you to make improvements to your property and repay the costs using your energy bill savings. If you move, these debts get passed on to the new owners, so it’s absolutely essential to declare them to your estate agent.

We’re here to help

Even though it may sound daunting, with our help, we can make the selling process as easy as possible for you. At Nikki Davies, Powered by eXp, we provide expert help, guidance and support every step of the way.

To start the conversation, get in touch today by calling 07770 976137 or via email at nikki.davies@exp.uk.com.