Whether you’re a lifetime renter, or you just need a place to stay while you house hunt for your dream house, we think it’s still important to show your home some love.
Just because you don’t own the property doesn’t mean you can’t have it nice. Here are 9 things you can do to make sure your pad is perfect:
Always Ask for Permission: First thing’s first and if you intend decorating your rented space then before you go ahead with any decorating or lasting changes then please ask your landlord if it’s ok first because you don’t want to lose your deposit.
🏠 Paint the Walls: The cheapest and easiest way to transform your rental is to paint the place. Stay away from bold colours and instead stick to neutral colours that make the property look light and bright. A freshly painted property will not only look good but feel fresh and clean too.
🏠Put Down a Rug: If you are a bit fed up with the flooring in your rented apartment or house then one of the best things to do without breaking the bank it to buy an oversized rug that will tie your room together. Plus, when you leave, you can take it with you.
🏠 Accessorise: One of the best ways of making your rented accommodation feel more like your own home is to accessorise. Buy cushions, throws, mirrors, plants and ornaments and dot them all about the place to make it feel more homely.
🏠 Use Bookcases Instead of Shelves: Try not to put up shelves in your rental because that will leave big holes in the walls and that might mean you not getting your deposit back. Instead use free standing shelves or bookcases to store your things.
🏠 Buy Some Statement Furniture: Ok so maybe you can’t do much with your surroundings or your landlord isn’t keen on you decorating, well that doesn’t mean you still can’t transform the property by adding some statement furniture to it. Buy a bed with an oversized headboard, invest in a sofa that you can also take with you to your next place or pick up some cabinets or side tables that will make you feel at home while keeping the landlord happy.
It can be easy to put your own stamp on your rented accommodation when you know how! Just simple changes can make a huge difference to the look and feel of the place and allow you to feel more at home in a property you don’t own.
#TipOfTheDay People are often buying into a lifestyle as much as a property. Show them the attractive side of your lifestyle and show people how amazing it would be to live in your property.
Important tip for buyers! Before you start home shopping it's essential you get pre-approved and have a mortgage decision in principal in place. This means a lender is willing to loan you the money you need and it shows and estate agent you are a serious buyer.
If you are looking to apply for a mortgage this year then there are four key things to remember:
✔️Check out your credit score: If you have a good score then you are more likely to be approved for a mortgage that has good terms and conditions.
✔️Sit down and work out your budget: Make sure you know your finances and you have the extra money you need over and above the mortgage required for the property.
✔️Have proof of income: When applying for a mortgage it's crucial you can prove what you earn so that you can illustrate you can comfortably make the repayments.
✔️Get professional help: If you can then please consult a mortgage broker or advisor as they will guide you through the whole process which will mean a huge weight being lifted from your shoulders.
If you would like any advice on applying for a mortgage then please get in touch today!
What is home equity? This is a question we get asked a lot.
Home equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and the current value of your property. In simple terms, equity is how much of your home that you “own”.
Do you know how much equity you have in your home?
It can be a great financial tool that you can use to help pay for big expenses like a home renovations, high-interest debt consolidation or other expenses. If you need a large amount of cash, you may want to consider borrowing some of the equity you have built up in your home.
#HomeStagingTip Your entrance hall is super important as you want to give buyers a great first impression when they walk through your front door. Make sure it's tidy and smells nice.
#TipOfTheDay When decorating your rooms it can be easy to forget about painting your radiators or buying covers for them. An ugly or old looking heater can really put a dampener on a room.
Selling your home is an exciting time, but it’s no time to get complacent and just expect offers to come rolling in 💪
Here are 5 things you should expect after your home hits the market:
📱 Pictures v Reality: Your home needs to closely resemble its listing photos as much as possible, so take this time to get rid of clutter to pique buyers’ interest and make rooms look as spacious as possible
🖼 Criticism: Your taste isn’t the same as everyone else’s so prepare for your home to be critiqued. Don’t take it personally, though. Take it as constructive criticism and use it to best prepare your home for selling.
🖌 Repairs: They say never judge a book by its cover but this isn’t always true when it comes to your home. If it isn’t up to scratch, you won’t get offers. Simple things like gardening, small repairs and a lick of paint can make a big difference so pick up those brushes!
🕛 Schedule: You’ll find you’ll have to chop and change plans to accommodate viewers and also factor in no-shows, so be prepared to be as flexible as you can
💷 Expenses: If you're selling your home to purchase another, you need to take into considering addition costs i.e. energy performance certificates, final bills and removals.
Thinking of selling? Get in touch today for some free advice.
It's important to hire an Estate Agent who showcases their listings using the best professional photography because good marketing will lead to a great offer.
#TipOfTheDay Minimalist homes sell quicker than cluttered properties because buyers can see themselves living there easily. It's the cheapest and easiest thing you can do that will make a difference when selling your home.
Downsizing is becoming increasingly popular and can often make practical and financial sense if your home is too big or is too costly to run
🏠 If you’re looking to move into a smaller home, here are 5 things to consider:
👀 Look to the future: You need to look at exactly what you’ll need, so consider location, amenities, ‘hobby’ rooms and space for when family come to stay.
♻ Declutter: Be ruthless and donate or sell off things you know you won’t use. Don’t sit on the fence and take stuff with you - you’ll only end up cluttering up your smaller space.
📏 A good fit: Measure the furniture you’re taking and also the rooms they’ll be going into. There’s nothing more frustrating than carting it all to your new home only to find it doesn’t fit.
🛋 Move around: With less room to experiment with, be prepared to rearrange the furniture you have a lot until it feels right for you.
🍷 Housewarming: Once things are set the way you want them, get your loved ones around for dinner or drinks. Having the people around you that are the most important in your life will put you at ease straight away.
