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What does 2022 hold for you and your home in Herts, Beds & Bucks.
With every new year we have expectations of the year ahead; we always hope it is better than the last, and during a pandemic we wish that even more. Yet, as we know, there will be a few challenges for us this year as economists predict that our living standards will deteriorate . But there is also some light too, whether you’re looking to move home or stay put, it is always good to be prepared. Our team at Deakin-White have come together to give you an insight into what 2022 holds for you and your home.
Base rate increase
If you didn’t have your eye on the ball last month, you may have missed the Bank of England’s surprise decision to increase the base rate to 0.25% from 0.1%, after the Monetary Policy Committee approved the decision. This is the first rise in more than three years. How does this affect you? The central bank uses the base rate to charge other lenders and banks when they borrow money, which in turn influences the rate at which you borrow and savers earn. This may only equate to a relatively small increase in your monthly payments for those with a variable rate mortgage, and if you have a fixed rate deal you can breath a sigh of relief as you are protected for now. Should you be looking to secure a new mortgage you will find that the rates are higher.
Buying a home
If you were looking for a home over the last 18 months you will know you have been caught up in a frenzy where available properties have been few and buyers many. This lack of supply over demand saw house prises rise and many buyers missing out on properties and even not even getting a viewing. We predict that this year will see things starting to balance out a bit. We have already seen an increase in requests for valuations from sellers in Herts, Beds & Bucks. It’s not just us that have seen an increase in valuation requests, Rightmove have also stated that they have seen a 19% increase in requests compared with this time last year. We’re excited with the range of homes that we predict will be coming on to the market in the new few weeks.
Selling your home
Last year was most certainly a sellers’ market but we do believe this year we will see more stability in the home counties housing market, although we still expect it to be strong for sellers. "If you do decide to sell your home in the new year, your chances of finding a buyer are very high, as we’re still seeing huge levels of buyer demand, and not enough homes available to buy”, according to Rightmove's property expert Tim Bannister. We have many buyers registered with us at Deakin-White who are still looking for their first or next home. If you’re curious about the current value of your property or thinking about moving, give our team a call.
Make your finances a priority
Regardless of what ups and downs this new year will bring, you have the power to get yourself in a healthy position financially. We can all make small changes here are there that can help towards a deposit, a new bathroom, or even simply improving your quality of life. When is the last time you did a rigorous assessment of your outgoings? You will be surprised by the number of people who don’t realise they are paying small subscriptions out for one thing or another every month. Be frugal about shopping and more so about what you waste – every positive change you make at home will have an impact one way or another to your monthly finances.
What is in your 2022?
New year plans and resolutions can often change or be put on the back burner as life takes over, but whatever you do this year, always keep a watchful eye on what’s happening financially around you. Placing yourself in a financially savvy position will only be of benefit when you decide it is time to move home and when that time comes, we will make sure that your money is invested wisely.
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Deakin-White have agreed 21 sales so far this month. That’s at least one properly sold subject to contact every day in November.
This is unusually high for November, and we still have a very high demand for properties in this very buoyant market.
We have clients who have been pre-qualified by our Deakin-White Team and are waiting for a property to come on the market which ticks their boxes.
If you are considering selling now or in the near future, please contact Deakin-White to arrange a valuation as we most probably have a client who would buy your property today.
Click here to book a valuation: https://www.dwrealestate.co.uk/valuation
Click here for the latest market insight for your local area: https://dwrealestate.research.homesearch.co.uk/property-results
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by Wayne Bettess of Your New Boiler - www.yournewboiler.com
What are heat pumps?
There are two types of heat pumps, air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps.
Air source heat pumps look and work very similar to air conditioning units, just in reverse. It is extracting heat from the air.
Ground source heat pumps extract heat from the ground via a network of pipes buried in the garden.
How much does a heat pump cost?
Well, you may want to sit down here; the cost of supplying and installing an air source heat pump can range from £8,000 to £15,000.
A ground source can be even higher, starting at £15,000 up to £30,000! Compared to an average of £2,000-£4,000 for a boiler replacement!
Please note, you may still need a boiler! Heat pumps may not fulfil all your heating and hot water requirements.
How much room will a Heat pump take up?
Air source heat pumps are not big appliances; They are generally rectangular, about the size of a tumble drier or washing machine. They get mounted on the property’s exterior with pipes that enter the building to connect to the internal system.
Ground source heat pumps need more space as they require boreholes to be drilled in the garden and pipes running back to the house to be connected to the pump and equipment. For many UK households, ground source heat pumps will not be the solution.
What is the Government offering?
The Government have said they will issue grants of £5,000 to those households that install a heat pump. This does not launch till next year (April 2022) . There are very limited funds available. It is estimated that the grant will help 90,000 heat pumps be installed in the UK. This is a relevantly small amount when you compare it to the boiler sales in 2019 alone, which was well over 1.5 million boilers sold.
My boiler is broken or unreliable, what should I do?
If you are experiencing problems right now, you are very unlikely to receive any help from what the Government has announced as it doesn’t launch till 2022. Unless you have 10-20 k spare to invest into a green heat pump solution right now, then your best bet would be to get the boiler replaced by a local, family-owned new boiler installation company.
Boris Johnson says: “We’re going to make carbon-free alternatives cheaper to install so that when you or your landlord next come to replace your boiler it makes more sense to go with a cleaner, more efficient replacement that you know will help the planet.”
I really hope this article has helped you understand a few things about heat pumps. Please share it with anyone that you feel may find the information valuable.
If you are based in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire then please visit our website www.yournewboiler.com for a free quote on replacing your boiler
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Four New Year’s resolutions to refresh your home in 2022
As the bells chime and the sound of Auld Lang Syne lingers in the air, we see a new year as a fresh start, a clean slate as it were, and many of us make resolutions. With aspirations to get fitter and healthier very often on the cards, yet have you thought about making a few resolutions for your home which could be easier to keep? Whether you have plans for a move in 2022 or not, your home is a place where you relax, recharge, spend time with loved ones, and we think it deserves a pamper or two along the way. That’s why our team at Deakin-White have come up with four New Year’s resolutions to refresh your home in 2022.
1. Why wait until spring
The tinsel is coming down, and the lights are being put away for another year, and whilst you are de-Christmasifying your home what better time to have a sort out, too. With all the new goodies you have received and that pile of kids’ toys battling for space in the cupboards, what better time to have a sort out so your home is all sparkling ready for the year ahead. After you have done reorganising, what about a deep spring clean? You can pull away the cobwebs of the past year and feel like you are having a brand new start.
2. Let’s get organised
How organised is your home? If you’re a fan of The Home Edit you can be envious of how they completely transform people’s spaces into a dream of organisation. With containers and baskets and lots of labels, a space which was a bit chaotic transforms: everything has a place, and things can be easily found – imagine that!! Now, you may not wish to organise your wardrobe, fridge and cupboards to such an extreme extent, but there is something to be said for having a few ‘organisers’ to help keep things tidy.
3. Add some colour
One of the most cost-effective ways to completely change the look and feel of a room is to change the colour scheme. Colour has a powerful way of affecting our behaviour, moods and thoughts; it can soothe us when we feel frazzled and can also heal our energy when we need it too. Even if you are not brave enough to add colour to your walls, you can do it through accessories and artwork. But which colour should you choose?
Pantone have invented a new shade for its colour of the year 2022: Very Peri is a happy periwinkle blue. They describe Very Peri as the “happiest and warmest of all the blue hues.” Blue certainly seems to be the colour of 2022, as it is also the choice of Dulux’s colour of the year – Bright Skies™. Dulux describe Bright Skies™ as a “light, airy and optimistic blue that’s good for the soul. It promises to open up and revitalise your home.”
4. Fill with green
In the spirit of getting healthier in the new year, how about spreading that to your home too. Adding plants to your house not only adds beauty and a touch of comfort but also offers strong health benefits too. Our homes can been filled with what are known as ‘off-gas’ pollutants which come from man-made materials; many houseplants can absorb these toxic substances, making them efficient air cleaners.
NASA scientists have actually done extensive studies on the air cleansing power of house plants and have even put together a list of indoor plants that cleaned the air most efficiently, including many household favourites such as: aloe vera, spider plant, peace lily and Chinese evergreen. House plants improve more than your home’s air – they also have healing powers for you, too. They are also known to improve your mood and lower stress and anxiety as well as reducing fatigue. If you work from home they can help to improve your performance and focus, who knew adding some green to your home could have so any positive benefits.
There’s no place like home
With the days short and colder, it is known that refreshing your home can boost your mental health, and who wouldn’t want to start the new year feeling refreshed too. And should your hard work start you thinking of pastures new, then we are here to ensure you keep the resolution of a new home too.
To find out about what is happening in the property market, give our team a call.
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The weather has turned, from heaving downpours to chilly temperatures, those woolly hats and thermal coats are now becoming the norm. We know that many people are worried about keeping warm this winter with the rising cost of energy bills and as such, according to the Energy Saving Trust, four out of ten of us will be avoiding switching the heating on. With more of us working from home than ever before, being cold will certainly be a hindrance to productivity. With this in mind, our team at Deakin-White have come up with some ideas to help you and your home stay warm this winter.
Change your habits
The last thing we would suggest is being very uncomfortable and cold so if you need to put the heating on can you turn your thermostat down by one degree? By doing so, it is estimated you can save up to around 10 per cent of your fuel bill.
Soft furnishings
Making a few new additions to your home’s interior décor can help keep the warmth in, which can only be a bonus. Thermal curtains can provide your room with extra insulation via ‘triple weave technology’; they also have blackout and noise-reducing capabilities, so not only can they help to keep the heat in but they also can keep your room cosy.
Rugs are also another way to add additional insulation, around 10 per cent of heat can be lost through uninsulated floors. Whether your floors are insulated or not, the addition of a stylish rug will be a great way to keep your home snug this winter. Draught excluders are probably not something you had thought of as the ideal accessory for your home, but those retro beauties can really make a difference in keeping the cold air out. There are a wonderful array of styles available on the market these days, you are bound to find one to match your colour scheme.
Additional warmth
There doesn’t seem anything sexy about having an electric blanket, but we bet that when you venture upstairs and feel the chill in the air, you will be delighted to snuggle under the covers to glorious warmth rather than experience the sudden shock of icy sheets. An extra blanket or throw is an ideal accessory to any room, something to cosy into whilst watching a movie, or an extra layer on your bed.
Another way to add extra warmth is through a good old hot water bottle – quick and easy, there is no more perfect way to eliminate any chills when you arrive home. You can choose from those full of beans which you can heat up in the microwave or a traditional boiled water filled one.
Extra warmth
Of course it is always beneficial to put on an extra layer but make sure it is a thermal one; you don’t need to be heading down the ski slopes or hiking over the moors to wear such clothes. Good winter woollies are worth their weight when it comes to colder days and nights, a good pair of warm slippers can keep your feet warm which will also help your overall body warmth. Underlayers such as thermal leggings, merino wool tops or even an extra vest will all help to keep you feeling comfortable when things get chilly.
Your feet are one part of your body you should really ensure are kept toastie, because if your feet are cold you will start to feel cold all over. If your slippers are not doing the trick, look into an electric foot warmer, and you will soon start to feel those shivers disappear.
Film, Foil and Bleed
If your windows can be a little bit draughty, you may not have the funds to replace them at this time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. There is an easy solution available on the market and that is with secondary glazing film which can help insulate the glass. The sticky film is easy to apply and will add an extra layer for protection from the elements.
When you switch your heating on you want to ensure you get every ounce of warmth for your hard- earned pennies, and another easy solution is to use radiator insulation foil. This padded self-adhesive foil just sits behind your radiators and makes sure the heat is radiated into the room, making cosier spaces ideal for the winter months ahead.
When is the last time you bled your radiators? When you have your heating on you want them to be working at their best and any trapped air will stop the warm water circulating around your radiators properly and as a result it will take your rooms longer to warm up.
Keep the chill out
We hope some of these ideas will help keep you and your home warm this winter. If you are selling your home at the moment and it feels like you’re out in the cold, we can warm up your sale. Give our team a call.
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The summer has well and truly gone, and there are even signs that Christmas will soon be here, judging by goods in the shops and some ads on TV. But before we deck the halls and hang the tinsel, we have a more eerie celebration on the cards, when the spooks and ghouls rule the night. Since the fright night has been somewhat reduced over the last couple of years, we know that many of our local residents are looking forward to celebrating in style. How should you decorate if you decide to sell your home this Halloween?
Does spooky sell?
Even though the stamp duty holiday has ended, we are still seeing buyers eager to find their next home in. And don’t worry if your home has it’s own Casper or requires the Ghost Busters because, according to a recent study by Inventorybase, you could actually scare your home’s value. The study found that homes that look (supposedly) haunted had sold by 18% more than their more warm and welcoming neighbours. That being said, we find that today’s buyers are looking for a home and not a house of horrors, so before you make any haunting mistakes, we have put together some decorating tips.
Eliminate the cobwebs and spiders
Although cobwebs and spiders are the perfect companions for Halloween, they are not looked on so favourably by buyers. So, before you put up any seasonal décor make sure your house has been decluttered, as adding more items will make your home feel disorganised and smaller. Also, give your home a deep clean, it doesn’t look good when buyers have to run screaming from a smelly fridge or an unsightly corner.
Tame for gore
Of course you may wish to decorate your home to give your family a Halloween to remember, but don’t go overboard. Remember buyers are coming to see your home, and they need to be able to see it and all the key features that it holds. Not everyone loves Halloween, and it isn’t only young children that could be put off by scary and gory decorations. If you’re having a party, decorate for that and then pull it back ready for any viewings.
Treat the senses
Selling your home is all about the senses, so don’t forget to treat your buyers with some autumnal scents. This season has some of the most delicious aromas, from gingerbread to pumpkin spice and cinnamon, but use them carefully and make sure you avoid any artificial scents as these can be overpowering. Whether you bake an aromatic traybake for a viewing, or add these natural smells in another way, don’t forget to treat your buyers’ senses.
Elegance over tacky
Who doesn’t want to go overboard with gory and spine-chilling decorations, but if you’re selling your home we are afraid you want to make sure you make the best impression. Try to keep things elegant, and there are many beautiful home decorations available to add some shivers rather than some frights. Make sure your choices complement your home’s existing colour schemes, and use warm, earthy tones. You also need to keep your decorations looking fresh, especially if you’re using real pumpkins and flowers; buyers don’t want to see smelly rotten displays, that’s another way to give buyers a scare.
Don’t hide your features
What beautiful and wonderful features does your home have? One thing you need to make sure is that your decorations celebrate these rather than hide them, which is why you need to decorate strategically. Add touches that will accentuate fireplaces, brighten dark corners and highlight beautiful period features. Ensuring your décor works with your home, rather than against it, will also appeal to potential buyers.
A six sense
Buyers have a sixth sense when it comes to knowing whether a home is right for them, and you don’t want to put any barriers in the way. Therefore, this Halloween, don’t make any haunting mistakes and eliminate the cobwebs, tame the gore, treat the senses, keep it elegant without hiding any features. If you would like more advice on how to prepare your home this October, please call our team.
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If you are thinking of selling your home in the new year then you need to act now. But why? New year is weeks away, surely you can get all the hustle and bustle of Christmas and the celebration of the end of 2021 out of the way before you start to consider placing your home on the market? You may decide to think again when you have read our reasoning.
You could miss out
This has certainly been a year where the number of properties for sale has been low and buyer demand extremely high. Yet even in this sellers’ market you can still miss out if your home isn’t visible online for the busiest season of the year. Whilst most of us are trying to put together our kids’ latest toys, or nodding off stuffed full of Christmas dinner and chocolate, millions of us are spending our time looking for a new home.
Rightmove has reported that there was a 50% increase in the number of people scrolling through their website on Boxing Day last year compared with the year before. This post-Christmas surge has actually become the norm and as a result, at Deakin-White we like to get sellers prepared so we can launch marketing their home to hit this influx of buyers.
"As soon as Christmas Day is out of the way there’s a boom in people searching for property on Boxing Day, perhaps with time available during the holiday season and the resolve to enjoy their next Christmas in new surroundings. That is likely to push prices higher again and increase the competition from other buyers. Some of those additional buyers will also be new sellers who have held back from launching their property to market until this Boxing Day buyer boom, judging it to be a good time to sell and to move in 2022,” states Rightmove’s Director of Property Data, TimBannister.
No time to waste
Whether you’re happy for your home to be marketed now or prefer to wait for the post-Christmas rush, we want to get things moving straight away. Having Christmas photos looks lovely at this time of year with your tree & decorations, come January when we head back to normality, we can come round and take new images so your marketing doesn’t look dated.
Be clear
If you wish marketing to start before Christmas, be prepared for buyers wanting to view your home. There is nothing more off-putting than trying to view a property that is not available or inflexible to meet your needs. You could do more harm than good by undertaking this approach, but you may wish to stipulate that viewings can be undertaken until a specific date and commence again in the new year.
As we have mentioned it is the period between Christmas and New Year that sends property website servers into a frenzy, so if you want this Christmas just for you and your family, then request your home be marketed to hit this busy time so you can tap into all those incredibly keen buyers eager to move into their new home in 2022.
On the move
It is funny how the thought of a new year, a new beginning, drives so many people to want that new beginning to be in a new home. If you see your 2022 within different surroundings then get in touch with our team today so we can ensure that you can enjoy Christmas and truly have something to celebrate in the New Year. Call our team today and let us help you sell your home.
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Watching fireworks, especially for children, with all their sparkles, unexpected flashes and colours can be extremely exciting, but for your dogs Bonfire Night and fireworks is like living through a horror movie. Pets can often react by running away as a way to escape the noise, but there are things you can do to help to reduce your dog’s stress levels. With organised events in and family parties and the nights getting darker sooner, there are bound to be celebrations this autumn and winter that will involve fireworks. This is why our dog loving team at Deakin-White have put together some advice on how to support your dog through Bonfire Night.
Create a place they can feel safe
Firework fright has been known to see dogs jump over or dig under fences, and even shatter windows – this is why it’s important to keep your dog in an area of your home where he or she feels safe and sheltered. Having a designated place to hide that is dark can make your pet feel more secure. The minimum you can do is to keep your windows and doors closed, but a sheet draped over a table can be a great solution.
Dogs that have their own crates should not be locked inside them, as this can make things more stressful for them, but again place a blanket over the top and keep the door open so they can decide when to go in and hide. One thing you should try not to do is confine them to a room, they may feel happier curled up in their favourite space rather than being told where they can or cannot be.
Plan if you can
The last thing you want to be doing is taking your dog out for a work when fireworks are going off. Therefore, where possible, take your dog for a long and energetic walk before night draws in as the fireworks’ loud noises, flashes and even the smell of smoke can all send your pets running. If you can, tire your dog out before events and displays start and keep their final toilet trip for when the quiet returns.
You also don’t want your pets escaping due to their anxiety, so lock your doors and keep them safe, and if possible in an area of your home where the sounds outside are minimalised. They could become destructive if stressed, so you may wish to remove things that can be damaged or be harmful if chewed.
Distract them
One of our friends always puts classical for pets on their Alexa when they leave the house, this soothing music is believed to help to reduce your pet’s stress. Other pet owners like to leave the TV on, but anything you can do to drown out the sound of fireworks to distract them can only be a good thing.
It isn’t just background noise that can distract your fur baby but also a long-lasting chew, or a toy that keeps them occupied. If you dog has a favourite long-lasting chew, get one ready for the night, so they can enjoy a delicious treat whilst they enjoy Netflix.
Keep it normal
Dogs are so in tune with their owners, they can sense when you’re stressed, feeling ill or unsettled, so act normal, and no matter what is going on outside keep your normal routine. Being overly attentive to your pet and even following them around your home can make them even more confused. Encourage them to play with a toy with you, or let them cosy next to you on the sofa, but just let them make the decision on what they will feel happy to do and when.
Keeping everyone happy
We know as dog owners how you can worry about your beloved furry family member on Bonfire Night, but we hope our advice will ensure you can try to keep everyone happy and safe from fireworks.
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We have just been through a period of unprecedented demand for houses, but now the stamp duty holiday is ending, this autumn could be slightly slower. With this in mind, it is more important than ever to attract potential buyers and, more than that, ensure that your home is everything that a potential buyer is looking for. If your property is on the market and you’re not getting the results that you expected, here are seven possible reasons why your home isn’t selling.
1. Signs of damp
When a potential buyer walks into your home they want to be filled with love and excitement – one sure thing that will turn their vision of dreams into a nightmare is those little black marks that scream damp. Damp is not one of those jobs you should leave to fate and chance – you need to manage the situation before you place your house on the market.
We can all get scrubbing in the bathroom and kitchen, and you may have the skills to freshen up grouting around sinks, baths, showers and tiles, but if you know that your damp needs the opinion of the experts, get a survey as soon as you can so you know what you’re dealing with. The best course of action would be to get the works completed all ready before the ‘for sale’ sign goes up – it’s not the best idea to leave these types of jobs for buyers, as they will certainly be looking for a cheeky sale price if you do.
2. Love thy neighbours
No matter how amazing your house is, one thing that buyers will be considering is what your neighbours are like. No one wants to live next to people who are going to make their home life miserable, they want to know that their neighbours are friendly. Don’t be surprised if potential buyers pop next door for a quick chat or ask your estate agent questions about what the local community is like.
It is your responsibility – and a legal requirement – to be honest about any issues you have had with neighbours and during the sales process, but don’t wait. Be upfront and give buyers the full details when viewing rather than during the sale process – losing a buyer before offers are made is an easier pill to swallow than further down the line when you could lose your next home too.
3. Parking
Let’s talk about parking, as we know this is a massive issue for many homeowners whose properties don’t have a big enough drive for their vehicles – or no drive at all. If your home doesn’t have a drive or parking space, there is no way you can create one, but you can provide information for potential buyers that could smooth over the issue. Where do you park your car? You may have a sneaky spot that buyers would have never considered, or an informal agreement with a neighbour. The buyer may not be familiar with the area, which is why it’s a great idea to provide them with details on public transport, as this could answer any questions they have about commuting.
4. Volume of traffic
Location, location, location could also mean that your home is near a very busy road, which is never something that’s listed on buyers’ wish lists. Although this could be a negative, what does your home or neighbourhood have to counteract that? Your garden might be a lovely haven where the noise isn’t that noticeable; or perhaps the area has a wealth of amenities and facilities, which could increase the appeal of the location. Focus buyers’ attention on the positives and they may realise it is a small compromise worth making.
5. A little whiff
Does your home have a unique aroma? It could be from having pets, a hobby or your culinary experiments. There are some smells that help to sell houses – buyers will hear their belly rumble at the smell of fresh bread, or the feeling of cleanliness evoked by crisp fresh washing. Buying a home is a sensory experience and you need to make sure you take into account your buyers’ sense of smell when selling your home.
Give your home a deep clean before you contact an estate agent. Make sure you clean carpets and fabric-based furnishings, such as sofas and curtains, where aromas can linger. Try and place natural scents around your home rather than artificial ones, which can sometimes be overpowering on the nostrils. Fresh flowers, lavender and herbs are the perfect way to add colour and a subtle, natural scent that buyers will love.
6. No garden
There is no doubt that after having been through a pandemic we all appreciate and desire outside space more than ever before. If your house doesn’t have a garden, it doesn’t mean your home is less desirable, provided you make the most of it. From a tiny patio, a shared courtyard or a lovely balcony with views, whatever space you do have, spend time preparing it for sale. Any space can be transformed with the introduction of plants and flowers and an area to sit and while away the hours.
If you have no accessible outside space, what can you do to bring the outdoors in? House plants have had a resurgence in recent years and can make your home feel like it’s connected with a green space. What parks or walks do you have close by? Highlight these places to your buyers so they know that even if they don’t have a private space in the sun, there are plenty of areas around them to explore.
7. Yes, it is all about the price
Selling your home is also all about getting the price right! Yes, prices fluctuate and so the figure that next door achieved a few months ago could be very different to what your home is worth today. You also need to do your research to ensure you have chosen an estate agent that understands the local property market and has a solid marketing strategy for attracting buyers and selling your home. If the price of your property is too high, it could be sat on the market a while and may end up having to be reduced further down the line. Getting the sale price of your property right from the start is crucial for a quick and successful sale.
Let’s get it sold
Who wants to be pondering why their house isn’t selling? Give our team a call, as we make it our mission not just to list houses but to get them sold. Start the process of selling your home by calling Deakin-White.
