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Top tips for asuccessful

move or homeimprovement

MOVING from, or improving, your house isa massive decision, whatever the reason foryour upheaval.

If you’re planning to sell, you will need tocontact an estate agent who will value andthen promote your home with a `for sale’notice in the garden, details in their office`shop window’ and on popular internet prop-erty search sites.

Whether or not you’ve found a new prop-erty to move to or not, it’s always worthplanning in advance and starting to pack upyour precious belongings.

Likewise if you’re planning on a major refitlike a kitchen or bathroom, you will need toprepare your home accordingly.

In the following pages, you will find lots ofhelpful hints and tips to help you clinch asuccessful and quick sale or make improve-ments.

These include how to make your housemore appealing to would-be viewers and howto make the most of your space and indi-vidual features.

Read on to find how what potential viewerswill be looking for and how you can negotiatea successful sale.

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Points to consider when selling your homeTHERE are various points to consider when youput your house on the market.

A feeling of space

Creating a feeling of space is important whenselling your home. If a home is too overcrowded it’shard to see a property’s potential.

Whether it be a bulky bookcase, extra wardrobeor exercise equipment that gathers dust in thecorner, it all makes a room look smaller.

To avoid a potential buyer’s first impressionbeing one of clutter, why not place a few items instorage, thereby making rooms feel light andairy?

Storage facilitiescome in a wide rangeof sizes, and manycompanies will beable to recommendthe best size for theamount you want tostore.

E v e n p u t t i n gitems such as oldclothing or unusedtoys into storage cancreate additionalspace.

M a ny s t o r a g ecompanies can comeand collect the itemsas well, saving you ajourney.

Alternatively, ifyou can’t afford toput larger items instorage, ask a friendor relative if they’reable to keep hold ofsome items for you.

Maybe someonehas a garage theydon’t use. If not,then at least ensureal l your smalleritems have a place inthe home – no viewer wants to be moving aroundtoys on the floor or shoes scattered in the hall-way.

In addition, try and ensure there is a clear pathinto each room.

People don’t want to be squeezing throughdoorways or around coffee tables.

Keeping your rooms free of excess items issometimes easier said than done, but take eachroom at a time, analyse the way it looks and try toimprove it.

After all, if storing items increases your chancesof a sale, isn’t it worth it?

Have you ever wandered into someone’s houseand been hit by an usual smell, whether it be apleasant one or not?

Make sure your house smells fresh

First impressions are not only created with theeyes, but also our other senses such as our sense ofsmell. So when potential buyers are due to arrive,try a few tricks to ensure the right ambience.

Placing a vanilla pod in the oven and putting outfresh flowers can have the desired effect.

It’s the nasty smells that could put potentialpurchaser off.

Stale smoke and pet aromas are some of thebiggest turn-offs so, if you smoke, try to do sooutside from as soon as you put the house on themarket, or before viewings place your pets outside

and make sure you spray air-freshener around tomask the nasty smells.

Steam cleaning carpets and other soft furnishingscan also help to remove lingering smells.

Remember, you may have got used to certainaromas in your house and may not even notice thatsomething smells particularly strongly.

So by following a few simple ideas, your homecould have all the right odours to aid a sale.

Colour is a personal choice

Bright tangerine or a wild patterned wallpapermay be to your taste, but the decor in your home

could be off-puttingto potential buyers.

Some people findit difficult to see pastwhat is right in frontof them. Often theydon’t have the visionto see the potentialof a property.

So, before viewingcommences take astep back, analyseyour space and per-haps tone downsome of your roomsto a more neutralshade.

Opt for simplecolours (nothing tooharsh) like creams,browns or golds.

The cream givesthe room a natural,s i m p l i s t i c l o o k ,while the brownsand golds can bringa touch of warmthand character.

You don’t have tocompletely redecor-ate, but you wantviewers to feel they

could live in your home and the easier you makethat process, the more chance of a sale.

Alternatively, you could choose light colourssuch as creams with spring green accessories, givingthe room a fresh, clean look.

Lighter coloured walls create the feeling of spaceand allow rooms to seem brighter.

Add those finishing touches

Don’t think things are going to look cold andstark with plain walls. Use home accessories tocreate warming colours and tones.

Many people have accumulated a whole range ofaccessories for their home over time, so, if you havesome extra, try to use these in the rooms you’reredecorating to save cash.

If you want to add a few extra touches thenbargain stores often have a selection of scentedcandles – opt for light scents such as vanilla – andneutral ceramic vases that could be the homelyadditions you need.

Cushions, mirrors, new furnishings such as bed-ding, pictures etc are all ways to make your roomsfeel inviting.

By thinking ahead, you could even take yournewly acquired accessories to your new home,therefore saving you money.

Remember these visitors to your home are poten-tial buyers so take all steps to make their visit amemorable one.

If you are thinking about Buying, Selling or Letting and would be interested in knowing more

about how we can help you get moving, call us now on 01484 439080

Open ‘til 9pm weekdays

Committed to everyone looking for a home

LET’S take a look at some of the reasons why peoplemove house.

Chris Haigh (pictured above) is hoping to move fromher unique property at Huddersfield’s Kilner Bank tolive nearer her elderly father for whom she cares on adaily basis.

She is keen to buy herself a new home in Mirfield soshe is both nearer to her father and to her twobusinessess in the centre of the town.

Her bungalow, which is quite close to the centre ofHuddersfield but also very peaceful and private, hasbeen extended in recent years and would make an idealfamily home. With four bedrooms, a separate annex anda large conservatory, it is perfect for a larger family whoenjoy peace and quiet.

Chris and Jacqui Preddle (pictured above) haverecently put their Holme four-storey cottage on themarket but hope to move to a larger home in the samevillage.

This charming cottage at 89, The Village, Holme, hasbeen the home of Chris and Jacqui for the past six years.Now however, they find with their grandchildrenvisiting, they need a slightly larger home.

They love the village of Holme so much they areplanning to stay within its boundaries.

Jacqui said: “We have lived in Holme for 11 years andin this house for six. Originally this was going to be ourforever home but circumstances change and we reallyneed a little more space for visiting family.

“We want to stay in Holme village because there is areal community feel and the people are lovely. There isquite a mix of elderly people and younger people withfamilies living in the area.’’

A move to Winchester in on the cards for Ian andLinda Day (pictured above) who currently live inPriory Cottage within the Kirklees Hall estate.

Their’s must be one of the most prestigious addressesin the area.

Priory Cottage is situated in the grounds of theKirklees Hall Estate, close to Clifton village and just ashort drive from the centre of Brighouse.

The two-bedroomed cottage has been home to Ianand Linda for the past 12 years, after the hall and itsbuildings were all converted into residential dwell-ings.

Today 15 homes have been created in the groundswhich all enjoy a wonderful outlook on beautifulparkland, a cobbled courtyard, walled garden andrestored historic stone properties.

Ian and Linda are planning a move to the city ofWinchester to be closer to their sons and grandchil-dren.

Malcolm and Patricia Drake (pictured above) areplanning a move to Meltham after they sell their houseat Scammonden.

Their house Shaw Clough has been home to thecouple for the past 10 years but now they have boughta new smaller property, in Meltham, which will alsoprovide accommodation for Patricia’s elderly mother.

Their move is tinged with sadness, however, as thecouple say they have loved living in their countryretreat.

But now their children have grown up and left thefamily home, the house, which is situated on the road toScammonden Reservoir, is just too large.

*All these people have previously been featured inthe Examiner’s Our House property feature whichappears every Thursday.

Look at yourhome througha buyer’s eyes

SO why do people move house?There are various reasons

including wanting a larger prop-erty for a growing family ordownsizing as children fly thenest.

Some move for financial reas-ons to a smaller abode and otherreasons include family or workcommitments.

Others find themselves lookingfor an older characterful propertyand others are seduced by a newdevelopment which offers easierliving and a home with all modcons and brand new fixtures andfittings.

The sales particulars are usuallythe first point of contact forpotential buyers.

So, photography is vital if youare to do your home justice.

Photos form a key role in mar-keting your property so you needsomething eye-catching to attractthose all important buyers.

The internet now plays a vitalrole when it comes to selling yourproperty and having professionalphotographs taken could meanthe difference between individualsstopping on your property ornot.

Too often sellers discount themerits of good photography andopt instead to take photos them-selves or have the estate agent do itfor them, which often results ingrainy or out-of-focus images,that fail to do the property justiceor make an impression on buy-ers.

As a general rule of thumb,photographs need to be high res-olution jpegs in order to get the

best results when reproduced inprinted sales particulars.

In order to prevent images frombeing so dark that buyers can’tmake out what’s in the room,make sure photographs are takenwhen natural light is at its bright-est – ideally in the morning – andswitch all interior lights on.

A common mistake on prop-erty photographs is when the pho-tographer’s reflection can be seenin glass-fronted cupboards, mir-rors or windows, so if you aretaking the photographs yourself,take care where you stand so asnot to inadvertently end up in thephoto yourself.

Interiors can be tricky to pho-tograph well, as it can be hard toget all of the room into just oneshot.

For the best results, try settingyour digital camera to wideangles.

Declutter the area being photo-graphed, remove any unnecessaryitems and ensure the room looksas striking and pristine as it can.

With digital photography youcan take as many shots as youwish, so don’t settle for the firstone you take.

Try to look at each photo withfresh eyes, as if you were seeingthe room for the first time.

As the saying goes, ‘a picturesays a thousand words,’ so makesure your’s tick all the rightboxes.

Look at your house as if youare the buyer and be ultra critcial,getting rid of all clutter.

22 Queens Street HuddersfieldHD1 2SP

T: 01484 483800 F: 01484 533490E: lh1@wilkinsonwoodward.co.uk

W: www.wilkinsonwoodward.co.uk

Taking the stress away when selling orbuying your new home

It’s not just about location, location, location.....WHEN it comes to valuing your home, many points haveto be taken into account.

That said, location is key, as is the size of the property,its layout, and its standard of upkeep.

Once you have decided to sell, check out similar styleproperties in the area, and note their asking prices.

This will give you a good indication of what yourproperty is worth.

Naturally, an immaculately presented property willstand head and shoulders above the rest.

What’s more, it will command a higher price.Ask at least three estate agents to come and value your

property.Also, be sure to probe each for their comments on how

to improve your property’s saleability.Don’t take their comments personally; these are profes-

sional people, so use their input wisely. Remember, theywill be looking at your property through viewers’ eyes.

Estate agents understand your home may have beenlived in for many years, and that it is unlikely to look likea show home.

That said, by keeping the decor neutral, you will appealto a the majority of potential buyers.

Once you have your valuations, don’t simply go for thehighest. If it seems a lot more than you were expecting,you may struggle to sell in the long-run, even though thehigher price may seem more attractive initially. Andproperties that stick attract cheeky offers.

If you are not in a hurry to sell, don’t take the first offeryou receive if it is considerably lower than you hoped. Bysitting tight – within reason – you will not have to sellyourself short.

To move orimprove: that is

the questionSHOULD you move or improve?

This is the million dollar question.Many people today are deciding to stay

put and improve their homes to give themextra space and living accommodation.

So do you start to pack up your belong-ings and put the house on the market, ordo you make an action plan to improveyour property.

When it comes to valuing your home,many points have to be taken into account.That said, location is key, as is the size ofthe property, its layout, and its standard ofupkeep.

Once you have decided to sell, check outsimilar style properties in the area, andnote their asking prices. This will give youa good indication of what your property isworth.

Naturally, an immaculately presentedproperty will stand head and shouldersabove the rest. What’s more, it will com-mand a higher price.

Ask at least three estate agents to comeand value your property. Also, be sure toprobe each for their comments on how toimprove your property’s saleability. Don’ttake their comments personally; these are

professional people, so use their inputwisely. Remember, they will be looking atyour property through viewers’ eyes.

Estate agents understand your homemay have been lived in for many years, andthat it is unlikely to look like a show home.That said, by keeping the decor neutral,you will appeal to a the majority ofpotential buyers.

Once you have your valuations, don’tsimply go for the highest. If it seems a lotmore than you were expecting, you maystruggle to sell in the long-run, eventhough the higher price may seem moreattractive initially. And properties thatstick attract cheeky offers.

If you are not in a hurry to sell, don’ttake the first offer you receive if it isconsiderably lower than you hoped.

Experts in the letting and property sec-tor are always in need of new landlords astenants are looking to move in.

Based in Marsh with 10 years experi-ence, Move In Properties is currently look-ing to let and property manage homes andwill also sell your home for just £499.

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Professionalhelp to transfer

home ownershipWHETHER you are either buyingyour first home, or moving up theproperty ladder, you will need to enlistthe services of a solicitor to carry outthe conveyance.

Property conveyance is the transferof legal ownership of a propertybetween two parties. In the case of ahouse sale, this means the changeoverfrom the current owner to the newone.

Once a buyer has submitted a finaloffer and had this accepted, then theprocess of transfer can begin.

This is the time when you need tofind yourself a solicitor to carry out allthe legal requirements of a house sale.

Some estate agents will recommenda solicitor but many house sellersprefer to use the services of a longestablished family solicitor.

Property conveyance begins afterboth seller and buyer have reached anagreement on price and other details.

In many cases the transfer of prop-

erty is a relatively smooth process whilein other cases there can be many issuesto be resolved.

Any disputes such as land boundar-ies, public footpaths, access etc all needto be ironed out to the satisfaction ofall parties.

Part of the process involves notifyingthe Land Registry about who owns theproperty and also sorting out thepaperwork for the official deeds.

Many of the larger law firms havespecialists who deal with property con-veyance.

He or she will also need to have sightof any mortgage which has beensecured to purchase the property.

Transferring property from oneowner to another is a complex proced-ure and needs to be coordinated by alegal specialist.

If an individual attempts this processwithout such help, there are manypitfalls which can occur.

Do your research first before you sellWHEN selling your home, choosing the right estateagent could save your invaluable time, money andstress.

Always check an agent is a member of a profes-sional body, such as the National Association ofEstate Agents (NAEA). That way, you can be surehe or she sticks to stringent codes of conduct andpractice.

It may be tempting to opt for the estate agent whovalues your home the highest.

However, do your research first, and find out theterms, expected fees and services offered.

What’s more, read any contract and small printcarefully, so you can be certain you will not be tied infor long periods of time.

Checking that your chosen estate agent can surveyas well as market your property could simplifymatters, too.

Finally, do not be obliged to sell your propertythrough the same estate agent you are purchasingfrom. It may not necessarily culminate in the bestlong-term solution.

Have you considered buying a new build prop-erty? If you are struggling to sell your own home, itmay be worth visiting a local new build developmentas there are often schemes, such as part-exchange onoffer which will make your move easier.

New build properties have a host of advantagesincluding improved energy efficiency and lowerrunning costs, all-new fixtures and fittings and theadded peace of mind of a National House BuildingCouncil (NHBC) Buildmark warranty.

In addition, you have a blank canvass to workwith. A place to stamp your own ideas and person-ality on with everything being new, unused andfresh.

Ideal for those who might not want the hassle ofselling their own home, incentives for new builds willvary depending on the developer but usually includethings such as part-exchange, shared equity, thedeveloper paying your deposit, legal fees or stampduty; or the developer may sell your home for youeither themselves or through a recommended localestate agent.

This alternative to buying an older property couldbe the answer you are looking for.

Seek professional advice when buying or selling a home

Find your ideal propertyon the world wide web

SURFING the ‘net’ is now one of themost popular ways to search for aproperty.

Estate agents are spending thou-sands developing their on-line offer toensure maximum coverage for the cli-ents’ properties.

The internet is so accessible andenables potential buyers to view prop-erties all over the country.

So someone from Dagenham maybe looking at a property in Denbigh ora family from Carlisle may be search-ing for a home in Caernarfon.

The world is definitely getting smal-ler when it comes to viewing propertiesonline.

Property websites not only allowbuyers to view your living room, kit-chen and bedrooms but it also savesthem time when choosing which prop-erties to arrange a viewing for.

This is why it is essential that your

property looks its best, that the imagestruly depict what’s on offer and thatthe particulars provide all salientinformation in an easy to readformat.

Of course, websites only give view-ers an idea of your property, you cannever really get the feel for a propertyand the area without visiting, but thesedays, if it looks bad online, people mayjust dismiss it without even taking asecond look.

Apart from a face-to-face meetingwith an estate agent, visiting theirwebsite before choosing who will mar-ket your home could help you makethe right decision.

For example, is the site easy tonavigate through, is the layout anddesign appealing and does the searchengine meet your property’s criteria?Does the estate agent only advertise onits own website or will your propertybe placed on other sites?

Depending on the estate agentyou’ve chosen and its website, you mayalso be able to put a virtual tour ofyour property online, which is greatfor giving people a better idea of thesize and layout.

The more exposure your propertygets the better chance of a sale, sousing the internet is an essential tool.

Give your home some kerb appealIT’S not just the inside space thatneeds attention when it comes toselling your home. The outside,too, needs some careful TLC.

When potential purchasers visityour house, you want them to beable to visualise themselves relax-ing in the garden on a sunny day.

However, if your garden haspiles of dead leaves, damaged fen-cing or chipped paintwork onshow, it’s not going to create theright ambience.

So, begin by clearing awayunwanted leaves, trim back deadplants and, where possible, mowthe lawns.

Fix any damaged items such asloose panelling and wash downany paths or driveways to improvethe appearance of your outdoorspace. It’s amazing how muchbetter a patio or path will lookonce it’s been jet washed or hoseddown.

Look around your outdoorspace. If you have a pebbled orgraveled area, do you need to topup the stones? If you can start tosee the ground below, viewers maythink it’s looking a bit tatty, so justlevel out the gravel and pour on anadditional bag so it looksfresher.

Think about any water featuresyou have.

Whether it’s a bird bath orfountain, check moss or dead

leaves haven’t gathered in thebasin.

Plus, if you have a pond, ensureit looks like an area you’d want toenjoy a drink by in the summer,not a swamp you’d want to steerclear of.

Make sure your path and driveis also clear of any weeds and takea look at your shed or workshopand try de-cluttering.

In addition, a fresh coat ofpaint on a timber shed can give ita new lease of life and also helpagainst any weathering.

Also, it’s not a pleasant job, butensure any guttering, drainpipesand grids are all flowing freely.

If your doors and windows arelooking less than perfect andshowing their age, then its evenworth thinking about replacingthem as well to add instant kerbappeal to your home.

It’s all about the initial impactwhen potential buyers first stepfoot onto your property.

You want it to be a positive andwelcoming experience, so tidyingand freshening up tired lookinggardens, is certainly a job worthdoing.

When a prospective buyerwalks up the path to your home,he or she wants to see a house thatlooks neat and tidy, and morethan anything else, welcoming.

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A stylish look for the great outdoorsIT’S not just the inside space that needsattention when it comes to selling yourhome. The outside, too, needs somecareful TLC.

As the harshness of winter fades, ourgardens spring into life with fresh shootsand splashes of early colour.

When potential purchasers visit yourhouse, you want them to be able tovisualise themselves relaxing in thegarden on a sunny day. However, if yourgarden has piles of dead leaves, damagedfencing or chipped paintwork on show,it’s not going to create the right ambi-ence.

So, begin by clearing away unwantedleaves, trim back dead plants and, wherepossible, mow the lawns.

Fix any damaged items such as loosepanelling and wash down any paths ordriveways to improve the appearance ofyour outdoor space. It’s amazing howmuch better a patio or path will lookonce it’s been jet washed or hoseddown.

Look around your outdoor space. Ifyou have a pebbled or graveled area, doyou need to top up the stones? If you canstart to see the ground below, viewersmay think it’s looking a bit tatty, so justlevel out the gravel and pour on anadditional bag so it looks fresher.

Think about any water features youhave. Whether it’s a bird bath or foun-tain, check moss or dead leaves haven’tgathered in the basin. Plus, if you have apond, ensure it looks like an area you’dwant to enjoy a drink by in the summer,not a swamp you’d want to steer clearof.

Make sure your path and drive is alsoclear of any weeds and take a look atyour shed or workshop and try de-clut-tering.In addition, a fresh coat of painton a timber shed can give it a new leaseof life and also help against any weather-ing.

Also, it’s not a pleasant job, but ensureany guttering, drainpipes and grids areall flowing freely.

It’s all about the initial impact whenpotential buyers first step foot onto yourproperty. You want it to be a positive andwelcoming experience, so tidying andfreshening up tired looking gardens, iscertainly a job worth doing.

One major way to add value to yourhome and give the outside a real wowfactor is to invest in a new look for yourdriveway.

Local paving specialists can give yourhome a drive to be proud of which willalso give your home a new lease of lifeand a stylish exterior. Various designsare available to create concrete drive-ways, cobble, tarmac or block pavingdrives and patios. Pattern imprinted con-crete and decorative concrete is alsoavailable.

All styles are available to suit bothmodern and traditional homes.

Most garages are rarely used for pur-pose, ie. housing a vehicle. Instead wecram our garages with an array of art-icles which we never use and which sitgathering dust for time immemorial.

However, when selling your homepotential buyers are more inclined to

view your home if there’s a garage, asextra storage space and a place to storethe car is always welcome.

So, it’s important to clear anyunwanted junk from your garage beforeviewings commence. Be ruthless. Itemsthat have been sitting there for 10 or 20years are never going to see the light ofday, so get rid.

Put things in boxes and clearly labelthem, then store them on shelves tomake the garage look neat and tidy.

Start by throwing out all of the obvi-ous rubbish – broken furniture, festivedecorations from circa 1976 and oldpaint pots. Next, move onto things youno longer use but are still in a goodenough condition to sell second-hand.

Anything left that you need to handuntil you have moved, such as lawn-mowers and tools, should now be organ-ised and arranged neatly to maximise thesense of space.

Fitting a light to your garage, even if itis just a battery powered light stuck tothe wall, can also help transform it froma dark and dingy place to a usablestorage space.

With your garage now clutter-free,make sure you don’t park your car thereduring viewings, as buyers may want tohave a proper look around to see whatstorage space is available.

Sprucing up your garage could bewhat tips a sale. After all, a garageshould be seen as an asset rather than ajunk yard.

Transform your home with a new driveway. (above) This example is from local specialist Impress Paving. Pictured below a garden water feature

Make a world of difference to your homeFit new windows, doors, a conservatory or an orangery to give your home a new look

AS we enter the summer period, it becomes ever moreapparent that natural sunlight is a means to a happier frameof mind.

So it stands to reason that a home flooded with naturallight will create a bright and airy feel, which will hopefullyboost its saleability.

The value of natural light in selling a property cannot beunderestimated. Incorporating features such as Frenchdoors, large picture windows, bay windows and sky-lightswill enhance the appeal of your property.

Consider installing picture windows to fill rooms withlight and give panoramic views of the outdoors. In commonareas of the house, French windows are an ideal way to bringnatural light indoors, whilst also giving easy access to thegarden.

Equally, sky-lights can transform dark and dim rooms –like lofts or ground floor rooms with sloping or angled walls– into bright, well-used spaces that will appeal to a range ofbuyers.

If installing new windows, sky-lights etc proves tooexpensive, then there are other ways to create the illusion ofmore light.

Mirrors are an effective way to make rooms feel light andairy or redecorating with the latest ranges of light-reflectivepaint to help small spaces appear brighter and replacinginternal walls with glass brick partitions.

With careful planning and a little creativity, you can createa home where natural light oozes through every room thusproviding the right ambience for potential buyers.

Invest in an orangerySEE the light with an orangery.

In recent years orangeries have become verypopular and look set to take over from traditionalconservatories.

For a household with a lot of space, an orangeryis a great choice.

Historically orangeries were used for - surpris-ingly enough - growing oranges and other citrusfruit.

Historians believe that the fashion for owning anorangery began in the 17th Century in Holland.

The trend later spread to England and it isbelieved that the first orangery was built in Surrey.

With people bringing orange seeds back fromoverseas, the trend for orangeries increased.

Merchants also began to import orange trees toshow off their wealth along with other citrus trees,banana plants and pomegranates.

Because of their fragile nature, none of theseplants would normally survive a NorthernEuropean winter so English gardeners had to comeup with innovative ways of protecting the delicateplants.

The birth of the orangery was upon us.Orangeries were built with south facing glass

windows to let in as much light as possible to helpthe tender plants.

Today’s fashionable orangeries tend to be largerbuildings than conservatories and have more sub-stantial solid walls, making them have the feeling ofa true home extension.

Home owners who can afford are opting for anorangery to create a real feeling of extra space.

Pictured above are two examples of work by Sash Windows

The sort of fruit that the orangery wasoriginally intended for

Create a touch of luxuryfor your smallest room

THEY say a kitchen and bathroom cansell a home.

But not if your bathroom is full ofgreen mould, has a loose toilet seat anddiscoloured grout!

That is not appealing.Your bathroom should be inviting, a

place where you can relax and wallowafter a hard day’s work and if potentialbuyers can visualise themselves soakingin a hot bath or standing under a steamyshower, then you are halfway there toselling your home.

It’s true, there’s no point spendingthousands on a new bathroom if youplanning on moving, but there’s plentyyou can do to spruce up the room.

Fit a new, simple white suite, forexample. Look out for a sale bargain soit’s not too pricey to pick up a suite at areasonable price.

One key thing to remember is that themajority of people expect a shower,whether that’s over the bath or a separatecubicle. So, if you don’t have the cash tosplash on a new suite then it’s worthinvesting in a shower if you don’t alreadyhave one.

Putting in an electric shower over thebath, with a new-style glass showerscreen, is a great way to attract buyerswithout the hassle of getting an wholenew suite.

Of course, your bathroom may notneed any work at all, but just ensure thoselittle extras are taken care of. Accessorisewith matching towels, bath mats andcandles and plants.

These items can all help to create the‘showhome style’ people often want and,with a few tweaks, you could have the

perfect bathroom.Do remember to stay away from garish

colours as bright yellows or greens, forexample, can be a turn off for somepeople, so stick to subtle yet stylish.

Then there’s the tidying up of the walls,tiles and flooring. Ensure any discol-oured grouting is taken care of, if youcan’t get it beautifully white after a touchof bleach and elbow grease then you canget grouting pens which can whitenbetween the tiles to create a clean freshlook.

Flooring can make all the differencetoo as no one wants to see a grimycarpet.

The new-style cushion vinyl flooringgives you the option of many colours andstyles, plus it’s relatively inexpensive.

Another key factor to consider is thesmell in your bathroom. Make sure it’sodour free and, maybe leave the bath-room window open when you have aviewing to allow fresh air in.

Giving your bathroom the once overand making sure it’s pleasing on the eyefor potential buyers is time well spent.

An oasis of calmin your bathroom

GET the water running, nice andhot, then sink in and unwind inthe comfort of a sumptuous newbath, while you lie back andsurvey your beautiful bathroomsuite.

That’s the dream you have tokeep in mind if you’re planningto rip out the old and install thenew, when it comes to bathroomdesign.

Working on a new bathroomcan be a hassle, especially as thefamily bathroom is an essentialpart of your household’s morn-ing preparations.

If you employ a reliable teamof plumbers and bathroom fit-ters then it shouldn’t take toolong before your new bathroomis ready to enjoy. And it’s worthkeeping in mind that, at the endof the process, you’ll be able tosoak in a relaxing bathtub andluxuriate in your new surround-ings.

So, what’s popular right nowin terms of bathroom design?Well the colourful design trendthat is affecting most rooms ofthe house has also popped up inthe bathroom, as has the pop-ularity of natural materials.

One very important trend isthat fixtures within the bath-room be eco-friendly. So showersshould be energy efficient andtoilets should save on waterused.

S imi lar ly, bathtubs areincreasingly eco-friendly.

There are some innovative newacrylic bathtubs with built-inLED lights. LED light fittingsare proving increasingly popularin the bathroom. They are

ultra-energy efficient and look great.Modern bathtubs can be fitted with

sensor driven control systems that helpregulate water temperature and pres-sure which can save up to 60% of water.A very stylish way to save the planet.

The same sensor technology can beused in sinks to set the water temperat-ure at the correct level for you, sosaving the need to run the tap andwaste water. The sensors can even letyou know if you are wasting water.

Continuing the environment-ally-friendly theme, energy and watersaving whirlpools and showers aretrendy options for this spring.

Alternatively, top-of-the- rangemodern showers are also available thatoffer spinal and foot massage withwater jets, aromatherapy and ozonetherapy. Sounds very luxurious.

Materials proving popular in bath-

rooms fixtures and accessories for 2011include items made from eco-friendlymaterials, plus glass, stainless steel andwood. In order to protect woodenflooring and bathroom furniture,moisture-resistant finishes are increas-ingly being used.

Other interesting possible additionsto your bathroom include installing abathroom heater. These are specificallydesigned for the bathroom and canensure the temperature in the bath-room is set just right for your personalpreference. After all, there’s nothingworse than getting out of the showerand finding the rest of the room is justtoo cold for you!

Last but not least, put the finishingtouches to your bathroom with tiles,heated towel rails and a stylish bath-room cabinet.

Your kitchen is the heart of the homeALL the best parties end up in the kitchen -even if it’s not big enough to swing a cat.

It’s a fact of life and one which no-one canexplain. People are drawn to it as thoughcaught by a magnetic force, sucked into itsepicentre.

It’s a strange phenomenon the kitchen.You either love it or hate it, usually depend-ing on your culinary skills, but a stylishkitchen can be a key factor when selling yourhome.

Restyling your kitchen is a huge invest-ment, but according to the Royal Institutionof Chartered Surveyors (RICS), kitchenimprovements can add up to four per cent tothe value of a property, so although thedecision on which kitchen to choose may bedetermined by price, in the long run spend-ing that little bit extra will add value to yourproperty and hopefully go a long way tomaking a quick sale.

As such, when planning a new kitchen, itmakes sense to seek professional help.

Most kitchen retailers will help you designand plan your kitchen from scratch and withcomputer aided technology, it is possible tosee what your proposed kitchen will look likeon screen.

Not only does this enable you to eliminateany problems before work begins, it can savetime and prevent you getting carried away byadding luxurious and expensive non-essen-tials that will take syou over budget and chipaway at the potential financial benefits.

To have all the ingredients for a quick sale,before you start any work you should alsothink about what features will be essential toyour target market.

Do you need a dining area?

A family, for example, will consider adining area essential, whilst including kit-chen appliances will boost your property’sappeal to young couples and first-time buy-ers who may not yet own any white goods.

Contemporary kitchens incorporatingchrome finishing and state-of-the-art light-ing are very now and by using glass and openfronted shelves together with a combinationof different furniture heights and cupboarddepths, you can create the illusion of space,

where even the smallest kitchen resemblesDr Who’s tardis.

Stainless steel is a major trend in bothmodern and traditional kitchens and is likelyto remain a strong influence in kitchens forsome time to come.

High-gloss units and innovative storagesolutions, such as larder units and bi-foldcupboards, are also proving popular, but it’sessential to choose a kitchen which is inkeeping with the rest of the house.

Replace existing doors

Alternatively, if you feel a full kitchen refitis not necessary and your kitchen units arestill in good condition, you could considerreplacing existing cupboard doors, worktopsand handles with new ones as this candramatically refresh the look of a tiredkitchen for a fraction of a cost of a fullrefit.

Add the right colours

From simply colour coordinating yourkitchen bin, bread bin and storage tins, toembellishing your worktops with eclectic,vintage-style biscuit tins, designer utensilsand cool cookbooks to show off your culin-ary knowledge, the right accessories canreally help to transform your kitchen andgive it showhome style.

A kitchen should satisfy your appetite fordesign and clever ergonomics, as well asbeing practical and creating that wow factorfor potential buyers.

Adding a new kitchen can be great for a sale, or add the finishing touches to your home ifyou’re staying put

Pictured (above) stylish kitchen designs in a range of bright colours from theBattaglia showroom in Birkby

Think simple for a bold statementFINDING the right balance in your house which isboth inviting for potential buyers, yet neutralenough so they can visualise their own belongingsin place can sometimes be a challenge.

Of course you don’t want to completely redecor-ate before you move house but it may be worthtoning down some of your rooms if they’re designedin striking shades.

Maybe one of your children has decided to marktheir territory with bold colours and posters spreadacross the walls.

Viewers need to see this room as a place they canuse themselves so a touch of redecorating may becalled for.

Opt for simple colours (nothing too harsh) likecreams, browns or gold.

Cream gives a room a natural simplistic lookwhile browns and gold can bring a touch of warmthand character.

Alternatively you could choose light colours suchas creams with spring green accessories, giving theroom a fresh clean look.

Lighter coloured walls create the feeling of spaceand allow rooms to feel brighter.

Don’t think things are going to look cold andstark with plain walls. Use home accessories tocreate warming colours and tones.

Many people have accumulated a whole range ofaccessories for their home over time, so if you havesome extra, then try to use them in the rooms you’reredecorating so you don’t have to buy anythingextra.

Although if your accessories don’t match, thenobviously don’t use them.

If you want to add a few extra touches thenbargain stores often have a selection of scentedcandles. Opt for light scents such as vanilla. Neutralceramic vases could be the homely addition youneed.

If you do decide to buy extra accessories for yourhome, whether it’s new cushions for the living room,a mirror for the hallway or new bedding, be sure tomake it items you really like . That way you can takethem with you to your new home and proudlydisplay them in their new rooms.

Neutral shades with splashes of colour are a great ideato show off your home. More inspiration from Swift

Blinds & Curtains Ltd (above and left)

Inspired decor from Swift Blinds & Curtains Ltd of Lockwood

Give your homethe feeling of

space and lightWHEN deciding to sell your home youshould take a step back and objectivelylook at the space available.

To ensure it appeals to buyers, it’simportant to maximise your property’spotential and ensure you make the most ofevery inch of space.

For example, you may have a small boxroom which is currently being used as astorage room. This will be very off-puttingto buyers, so turn it back into a functionalroom such as a study or bedroom.

Add in a single bed and a wardrobe sopotential buyers can visualise it as theperfect room for a little one.

Alternatively, add a few bookshelvesand a desk, and hey-presto you have astudy or work environment. Remember tokeep it neat and tidy and use clever storagedevices to avoid unwanted clutter.

Many people work from homenowadays or have children who need aspace to study in, so it’s the ideal solu-tion.

Alternatively, you can always add a sofabed. This creates more of a guest bedroomthat you can use from time to time or whenyour children have friends over.

It’s important when showing viewersaround that they see the potential of yourhome and that when describing the roomsyou offer alternatives, such as ‘this couldbe used as a study or a guest bedroom.’

The words ‘it’s a bit cluttered’ and ‘it’sour junk room’ should never be uttered.

Once you’ve sold your home, you havethe joy of the move!

How on earth do you get an entirelifetime into just a few boxes? The key isplanning and organisation.

Moving is not a prospect any of usrelish, but when needs must it’s essential touse packing as a way of sorting throughyour belongings and ruthlessly throwingout unwanted items.

After all, if you haven’t used somethingover the last couple of years, the chancesare you’re not going to.

Whether you’ve lived in your house fortwo or 20 years, there are a thousand andone things to remember when you’re mov-ing so, with all your old junk now relegatedto the tip and an offer made on your home,gather plenty of cardboard boxes, binliners and bubble wrap and start yourpacking.

Begin with non-essential items that youwon’t need until after you’ve moved in.Label everything clearly so you know whatgoes in which room in your new house.

Try to arrange your moving days to fit inwith your lifestyle. For example, avoidbusy times such as school holidays. Thinkabout how you’ll transport everything toyour new home and decide on whetherhiring a van will do or whether a removalcompany is the way to go.

Larger items will need to be transportedwith care and don’t forget to take measure-ments to ensure your furniture will fitthrough your new front door, or willwindows need to be removed?

Don’t forget to inform relevant peopleand companies of your change of address,such as banks, credit card companies,utility companies, council tax, doctors anddentists for example.

Keep hold of any household bills andletters containing vital information likeaccount numbers and customer servicephone numbers to help you.

Take meter readings to ensure your lastbill is accurate.

Above all, try to stay calm, cool andcollected. Don’t panic and call uponfriends and family to help.

Moving to a new home should be anexciting experience, so take a deep breathand enjoy the move.

Today several specialist storage com-panies based in the Huddersfield area canprove invaluable for people both movinghome, and also looking to store theirvaluables.

Personal documents, such as insurancedetails, passports etc can be stored securelyfor just a small charge.

Equally large items of furniture, or eventhe contents of a full house, can be storedin specially constructed secure units.

All these specialists are quite happy todiscuss your needs and advise you accord-ingly.

Make use of your loft spaceACCORDING to the Royal Institute of CharteredSurveyors (RICS), transforming your loft intouseable space could increase the value of your homeby as much as 25%.

So if you’re thinking of selling your property thisis one home improvement that is well worth theinvestment.

You will need to seek planning permission fromyour local council and from your neighbours if youlive in a semi-detached or terrace house, and find areputable builder. Ask friends and family to see ifthey can personally recommend any suitable trades-men and always obtain quotes from two or threebuilders for the work required.

Creating much-needed extra space can be a lot ofhard work, but you’ll reap the benefits and it couldgive your property the edge over other similarproperties for sale in your area.

If you’re considering creating a loft conversion inyour home, first things first, grab a torch and tapemeasure and see how much space is actually upthere. Next you should consult an architect or a

specialist loft conversions company to talk throughhow you imagine the final conversion and haveplans drawn up.

John Hall, from Architect Your Home, advisesputting a realistic and practical programme in placefor the project and budgeting properly. He says:“Have a very firm idea of the amount of money youcan afford to spend and discuss this with yourarchitect and builder right at the outset.

“You’d be amazed at how many people don’treally consider a budget. It is also good practice tohave a contingency fund for those issues that cropup unannounced.”

Once you have an idea of the costs involved,before you start any work it’s essential to work outa timescale for the project. Set a budget for theconversion including the cost of all contractors,materials required and finishing touches to presentthe loft conversion in the best possible way topotential buyers. It’s also important to stick to theplan and not swap and change as this will add timeand money to your build.

Items such as electrical sockets, windows etc needto be considered. It’s vital to get as much light aspossible to give a light and airy feel to your newroom.

Sky-lights are the most space-saving but dormerwindows could work as well. Although these doextend outwards, so make sure they look aesthetic-ally pleasing from the outside.

It is also advisable to speak to your estate agentand find out what similar properties in the localarea have sold for and get a rough idea of how muchthe loft conversion is likely to add to the value ofyour property once it is complete.

Remember, not every loft is suitable for conver-sion and costs can vary significantly depending onthe property.

Do your research, add up the financial impactand then make your decision.

After all, there’s no point in going to great lengthsto increase your floor space, if you won’t reap thefinancial rewards.

Create space with a loft conversion. Ideal for a bedroom, office/study or extra relaxing area

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Keep warm and be energy efficientIS your home energy efficient?

An energy efficient boiler will not only keep your currenthome warm economically, but will also help if and when youare thinking of selling your house.

However there are a surprising number of houses inHuddersfield and the surrounding area that are not connec-ted to the gas network - even in the built up areas!

In the 1960s and 70’s electric storage heating or oil wasvery much the preferred heating means.

Typically this might still be the case today in a houseowned by an older person who moved in on getting married50 years ago.

Gas was never laid into certain properties and still isnot.

This deprives the owner of ever installing a 90% + highefficiency gas boiler and more importantly saving thousandsof pounds in fuel costs over the years, costs which can evenbe influenced by Middle East wars.

Metro Maintenance Ltd, (being the main accreditedinstaller of high efficiency Worcester boilers in the area ) hasaccess to a package of grant aid (up to £1,750),towards thecost of having gas laid into a property.

This normally applies to all older persons and others oncertain benefits or those who live in deprived areas or whospend large amounts on keeping warm.

Changing fuel from electric, oil or coal can also attractfunding of up to £400 to £500 for anybody, any age, onbenefits or not.

Once gas is installed, a high efficiency Worcester boilercan be expertly fitted and left with a free six years ( five yearsafter August 2011) parts and labour warranty.

Metro Maintenance Ltd will be more than happy to assistwith any grant applications, plans and technical questionsthat may arise. They can be contacted on 01484 456456 orthe website dedicated to this opportunity which iswww.456456.co.uk

Make sure your house is warm and cosyCREATING a warm and friendly welcome to potentialbuyers is a must when selling your home.

Turning on your central heating, especially on a coldday, will help to improve your home’s ambience, but if yourcentral heating system is a series of loud clangs and bangs,it may not work to your advantage.

Many systems become outdated and need replacing andit’s not good for buyers to be accompanied by disconcert-ing noises and hisses when viewing your home.

A new boiler and heating system is, in fact, an attractiveproposition and plus-point for viewers.

The last thing potential buyers want to think about isfixing a boiler if it breaks - leaving them with no heating orhot water.

Modern heating systems are likely to be more efficientand save money and there are grants and schemes availableto help with the financial impact of getting a new boiler.

There is criteria to achieve, but it’s worth checking outwhat you may be able to get.

Log on to www.direct.gov.uk for more information, or,for details of the British Gas boiler scrappage scheme, visitwww.homeheatingguide.co.uk.

The current lifespan of a boiler is around 15 years, andfitting an A-rated, high-efficiency condensing boiler withthe correct heating controls can make a huge difference toyour heating bills over time.

If you replace an old G-rated boiler with a new A-ratedcondensing one, and upgrade your heating controls at thesame time, you can save up to £235 a year, which is apositive you can point out to potential buyers.

So, with an initial investment you can warm up yourhome for potential buyers and add another item to the listof positive points when selling your home.

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Make sure your home is safe and secureSAFETY is a key factor when buying a home.

The area where the property is located is important,but also having a secure home can give people thereassurance they need.

Today, most homes have house alarms, but it’s alwaysworth pointing it out to people when they come to viewyour property.

If you’re thinking of having an alarm fitted (seephotograph left),then have a word with a local expertwho can advise you on cost, fixings etc.

Likewise, if your windows can lock then mention thattoo, they’re little extras that just might help to secure thedeal.

It’s not just inside the home that counts, either – makesure your back gate looks sturdy and secure, as well asyour fencing or walls.

Viewers will want to feel safe when buying a newproperty and if there’s a hole in the fence or the gatewon’t lock properly then it may put a touch of doubt inpeople’s minds.

Also, if you have secure parking, whether it’s in agated parking area that many apartment buildings have,or a private garage facility, again these are certainlyworth pointing out to viewers.

People want to know their car is secure, too.It may be a small item on a long list of positives, but

it’s amazing what will swing a purchase when it comesto selling your home and having a secure, safe environ-ment is bound to be a consideration.

Get the DIY bug and give ita go to improve your home

WITH the housing market and the financialoutlook uncertain, taking the ‘improve, don’tmove’ route remains the option for many.

While this can be frustrating for those of uswith designs on moving onward and upward, itcould also be a blessing in disguise.

This is a time to sit back and reflect on ourhomes, decide what we really want out of themand how we can improve them to suit usbetter.

You may find that you really don’t need theexpense of moving at all, you just need to thinka bit more laterally about creating space, or evenjust finding better ways of using your existingspace.

Giving your kitchen a makeover or creating anew look for your bathroom needn’t cost theearth but can make a huge difference to theoverall look and feel of your home.

A lick of paint here, some new soft furnish-ings there – they might seem like small steps, butcan make a world of difference to a tired andoutdated colour scheme.

With the weather improving and the nightsgetting lighter, now is the time to start makingthe most of your outdoor space as well.

If you’re a keen DIY enthusiast, then why nothave a go at transforming the garden, creating apatio or updating fencing etc.

DIY enthusiasts can find loads of help andadvice from local specialist outlets who have agreat range of materials just ready to be used toimprove your home. DIY help, advice and materials available from local specialists including Naylor

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