Selling your home is the biggest emotional and financial investment that you will make, and on paper it may seem like a good idea to sell your home privately if you are looking to move, however, deciding to take on board this huge task without the help of an Estate Agent could be a huge and costly mistake.
While there are no doubt some benefits to this approach, sellers must be aware of the downsides of coordinating their own sale and weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision.
The main drawcard for a private sale is the potential for cost savings – namely Estate Agents fees the other benefit is that the seller gets the opportunity to meet the buyer face to face, which sellers don’t often get through an estate Agent – however, as this is a Business transaction becoming ‘pally’ with the buyer can often be a disadvantage further down the line if there are issues as the sale moves towards completion.
A private seller with no prior Estate Agency experience may have limited knowledge of the process of selling a property and the complex legislation that goes with it – whilst they may be able to research what’s involved, they still potentially lack the benefit of past experience and may put themselves at risk of non-compliance with property legislation which can be complicated and costly.
The biggest drawback could be that the seller may not have the skills to appraise the property – a natural reaction is to overprice and therefore deter potential buyers and have a property that sticks on the market with little interest or under-price and therefore receive a lower offer.
The current property market is seeing lots of fluctuations as a result of Covid-19 – an office and a large garden can add a price premium – open plan was very much an ‘in-thing’, but since lockdown, this may be a drawback as more individual rooms can be a big bonus – a summer house in the garden currently can add a premium too. The stamp duty holiday has also had an impact on pricing. At David Phillip Estate Agents we have access to many pricing portals, we are obsessive about looking at the direction in which price houses are going, hence we are able to advise on a realistic but competitive price.
The seller may lack the skills and knowledge to negotiate the sale, this in itself can be an intense and stressful period – Estate Agents do this every day and because they are not so emotionally invested in a property, this is a normal part of their role. A private seller may be too close to the property to see any issues that may turn a buyer away – one person’s taste may definitely not be that of another, and how do you tell the seller that there property really is not in a fit state of repair or decoration. An Estate Agent will be able to provide valuable advice on how to get the property ready for sale and what can be improved to raise the sale price including improving kerb appeal .
So the price has been agreed, the photographs then need staging and taking by a professional photographer, using an i-phone to take photos will have a negative impact on the marketing of the property, and where do you start with organising the 3D virtual tour, the for sale board, the Floor Plan and the EPC if one is required.
When selling your home it is important to reach the greatest audience possible – motivated people looking to move – we pay over £2,000 a month on Rightmove alone, and because we use Premium listings, your property can appear right at the top of the searches and therefore attract more people looking to buy. Your Agent should also ensure that your home goes onto more than one portal than Rightmove, we use Zoopla, On the Market, Prime Location, Boomin, One Dome and All Agents as well as having an intuitive website www.davidphillip.co.uk
A private seller may know someone (usually a friend) who has expressed an interest in purchasing, an Estate Agent however will have a relevant and fresh database of people looking to move into the area and into a specific type of property – by selling yourself, you are likely to lose out on this group of motivated contacts who are invariably ready to buy.
Looking from a buyers point of view, it is generally considered more trustworthy to buy through a reputable Estate Agent with 5 star reviews (take a look at ours on All Agents) and if there are two people looking to make an offer on a property then it would definitely make more sense for the vendor to avoid the ‘private sale’ offering.
Finally, it is always best to have an outside, unbiased opinion when selling your home which is something an Estate Agent can provide.
And once the property is sold then, the post- sale element starts – which can be even more stressful, particularly if the chain is a long one.
So if you are looking to sell your home and think you can save money going down the ‘private sale option’, take a look at our Firer fixed fees – not only do they potentially save you money but they give you choice too.
Selling your home is the biggest financial and emotional investment there is, so why not speak to a reputable professional Estate Agent, call David Phillip Estate Agents on 01134 676 400 A: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds.
More than 150,000 people signed up in the first few days to offer accommodation to those fleeing the war torn country as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The scheme allows people, charities, faith groups and organisations in the UK to provide a route to safety for Ukrainians, even though they may have no ties or relatives currently living in the UK.
If you already know a Ukrainian National (or immediate family member), you can help them apply for a visa under the Ukrainian sponsorship scheme. If they do not have a sponsor, they will be matched with people or organisations who have recorded their interest through the service on the Government website.
The Government has said that there will be no limit on how many people can use the scheme and has launched guidance for UK sponsors – accommodation can be offered for at least six months and can be anything from an empty room to an unoccupied home.
The guidelines areUkraine as follows:-
Phase one of the scheme opened on March 18th for visa applications from Ukrainian applicants who have named people in the UK willing to sponsor them – one application is required.
Once you have recorded your interest then the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will contact you about your interest.
Checks will be made as part of the visa process, your local authority will be asked to check the accommodation and living arrangements – they will then decide what DBS checks are needed, for which you will not have to pay.
It is unlikely that your guest will be familiar with the layout of your local area or how to get around easily. Some practical advice on things like getting to and from your home, where local shops are and where to catch buses and trains. As a sponsor you are not expected to provide transport for your guests throughout their stay.
It would be helpful to direct your guests to public services, for example, this could involve helping to contact and register with a Local GP and NHS dentist.
Think about how your day to day will work, can they help themselves to food, will you eat dinner together – this is not something that you would be expected to provide although there is nothing stopping you if you wish? What about changing sheets, duvets and washing clothes – how will you ensure they get enough privacy?
You cannot charge for a room but you will receive what is classed as a ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month.
This payment is limited to one payment per residential address which will be made in arrears.
Thank you payments will not affect benefit entitlements and will remain tax free, the £350 will also not affect any council tax discounts.
The Government recommends you check with your landlord, freeholder or mortgage provider about whether they have any policies which you need to factor in such as pets.
The government has said that insurers have agreed that for homeowners accommodating Ukrainian Nationals in their home there is no need to contact your insurer on the basis that they are accommodated as non-paying
If your guest moves out of your home for any reason, you need to inform your local council as soon as possible to let them know that you are no longer eligible for monthly payments.
At the end of the six months guest hosting, you may continue to host beyond the six months, but if you don’t wish to continue, you should let your guest know in plenty of time so that they can make other arrangements – 2 months’ notice is deemed acceptable.
Guests will have access to public funds and, after leaving your home, will be entitled to rent a property like anyone else.
If you require further information, all details are available on the Government website.
Information provided by David Phillip Estate Agents, 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds t: 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk
As of April 1st the price of energy is rising and households will be set with higher household bills each month.
At David Phillip Estate Agents, read my blogs advising on ways to save money or energy.
Today my blog is about the boiler upgrade scheme and Heatpump grants.
A new scheme worth up to £6,000 offering heat pump grants to homeowners in England and Wales launches this week – this will encourage homeowners to install low carbon heating systems to help with the upfront cost of low carbon heating technologies.
Providing they meet the criteria, low carbon systems that are installed on or after April 1st will be entitled to this grant providing, they meet the criteria.
Householders who own their own properties requiring a ground source heat pump will receive £6,000 however most house owners joining the scheme will receive a £5,000 grant to help cover the cost of installation of an air source heat pump.
The cash is designed to help cover the cost of the heat pump or biomass boiler, the installation, and any required changes to your home such as having new radiators installed that work with the heat pump.
The average cost of installing a new system will be around £10,000, so the current grant will help towards that cost depending on the size of your home. It is intended that the grant will make the cost of installing a heat pump like that of getting a new boiler.
Most homeowners in England and Wales will be eligible for the grant, although it won’t be available to those in social housing and new-build properties (unless you are building your own home).
As part of the criteria, you will also need to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.
With this scheme, you won’t apply for the grant directly, the first step is to find MSC certified installers in your area – get a quote from a couple of installers listed so that you can compare quotes to get the best deal. The heat pump installer will then apply to Ofgem, the energy regulator for a grant on your behalf – once reviewed, Ofgem will issue a voucher confirming the amount of the grant.
The installer will have a set amount of time to install with around 3 months for most installations.
To confirm that the eligibility criteria have been met, the installer will issue a ‘microgeneration certification certificate’- they will then submit this to Ofgem who pay the amount directly to the installer – you will then be sent a bill for the outstanding amount.
What is a heat pump? – looking like air conditioning units on the outside of the building like a fridge in reverse they absorb into a liquid refrigerant from the outside. A pump compresses the liquid to increase the temperature, then condenses the liquid to release heat. The heat is then sent to the hot water cylinder and radiators.
Much more efficient than a gas boiler the pumps which are powered by electricity, extract heat from the environment – even if the outside temperature is low. The house will warm a little slower than when you ‘put the heating on’ with traditional gas central heating.
So, as the cost of heating increases, these are two ways of becoming more energy efficient whilst also taking advantage of the Government Grant schemes.
April is also a great time to think about selling your home. If you live in Bramhope, Adel, Pool-in-Wharfedale or Otley call David Phillip FRICS for a free market appraisal on 01134 676 400
A: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds w:davidphillip.co.uk e:info@davidphillip.co.uk
The Property industry has broadly welcomed measures introduced yesterday by Rishi Sunak at the Chancellors Spring Statement, although he steered clear of focusing too much on housing. After the stamp duty holiday introduced during the pandemic which is one of the most positive things for home buyers the Chancellor has initiated, it was unlikely that another such initiative would be introduced.
Amid reports that inflation could average around 7.4% or higher this year, his statement yesterday was primarily designed to help reduce the spiraling cost of living.
There was a reduction in VAT on the installation of energy saving materials in residential properties from 5% to zero for the next five years while £500m was put into the household support fund.
He also reduced fuel duty by 5p but did not abandon plans to increase national insurance by 1.25p
Other measures in the Chancellors announcement included VAT on solar panels, heat pumps, roof insulation and other saving measures being reduced from 5% to zero for five years. This could save £1,000 on a solar panel installation to a typical household
David Phillip said “despite increasing interest rates, growing inflation and rising fuel prices, this has not deterred the housing market, in fact this was clearly shown by Rightmove confirming a new record high in its recent house-price index with Yorkshire and Leeds fairing particularly well overall.
With supply currently tight and mortgage rates low this is a great time of opportunity for people considering selling their home as we move into the Spring market”
So, while there were no major property initiatives announced yesterday, the savings should provide a small amount of breathing space to consumers.
If you are looking to sell your home and live in Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge or Pool-in-Wharfedale and would like a free market appraisal call David Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400 http://www.davidphillip.co.uk
“The new supply of homes has risen above 2021 levels and is approaching the scale of new listings seen at this time of year before the pandemic hit in 2020 – this signals that the market is starting to move back towards more normal conditions. However, total supply of stock remains tight, which will continue to put upward pressure on pricing” stated Grianne Gilmore, the Head of Research at Zoopla.
Average house prices rose by + 7.8% in the year to January, taking the average house price to £244,100 – Yorkshire saw an increase of +8.5%, above the national average with Leeds at position seven in the UK, with a rise of 8.2% - this is second after Sheffield (8.7%) in Yorkshire.
Average UK house prices rose by 0.9% in the three months to January. Price growth gained momentum during most of 2021 after one of the busiest years the market had ever experienced.
There are signs now that price growth is starting to ease. The market though is highly localised however, with price growth ranging from 16.6% in Powys in Wales to -2.2% in the City of London.
Liverpool leads the City growth at 10.3% with price declines of -0.3% in Aberdeen.
When it comes to the type of properties being listed, there is welcome news for the markets, particularly in Bramhope and Adel with a high concentration of families moving - there has been an annual rise of more than 10% in new listings for larger three and four-bed detached homes.
In fact new supply across all of the most common property types have risen year on year, meaning more listings in the last two months than in the same period in 2021. Family homes are also selling very quickly with 3-bed houses across the UK (excl London) reaching sale agreed in an average of 23 days after being listed.
Zoopla stated that they expect 1.2 million home sales this year, down from 1.5 million in 2021 (the year of the stamp duty initiative!) and that the average house price growth will be between +2% and + 4% at the end of the year.
Rightmove has said that 2021 was the busiest year in its 21 year history, it expects real estate transactions to decline and return to pre-coronovirus pandemic levels this year but was still confident of robust growth.
David Phillip commented “we have had an excellent start to 2022 across all type of properties, we have sold a couple of apartments in Bramhope, but have also listed a property on Hall Drive, Bramhope for £1 million and Riffa House Farm in Leathley for £1.35m – there certainly are many people looking to move to the North Leeds area, and the speed at which we are selling and completing on properties reflects this”
If you are thinking of selling, then Spring is a great time to move – for a free market appraisal call David Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400, a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds. W: davidPhillip.co.uk
If you are considering selling your home, then March could be a great time to do so?
The strong level of demand in March traditionally means sellers could be met with the highest number of potential buyers and competition for homes tend to be strongest too according to Rightmove.
Rightmove analysed their home-moving data over the last 5 years (excluding during the pandemic which didn’t follow the traditional trading patterns) and saw that March tends to be the month when more sellers put their homes on the market, and the high level of buyer demand makes it the strongest month to sell a home.
In Spring, people aren’t away for their main holidays or busy with Christmas celebrations, the gardens are coming into bloom, the sun is hopefully out for longer and the weather is milder (ideal for looking at the gardens of the lovely properties we sell).
David Phillip commented “for those considering selling this year, outside the pandemic March has historically been the best time to come to Market when the levels of demand means sellers are likely to be met with multiple potential buyers competing for their home”.
But if you are not quite ready, don’t worry as April is the next best month followed by May.
So, if you are considering selling then call now for a free Market Appraisal with David Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400. w:http://www. davidphillip.co.uk
More than 4 in 10 home-owners have re-purposed part of their homes during the pandemic according to Zoopla. Amongst the 14% who said they had made changes, more than half say they have entirely re-purposed bedrooms, amongst the Uk’s 24m privately owned homes during the pandemic, this equates to a whopping 8,856,000 bedrooms that have been lost.
Nearly 1.3million home gyms have been created, alongside 900,000 home cinemas or music rooms and 984,000 home bars. As more home tuition was taking place during the pandemic a further 688,800 rooms have been turned into dedicated classrooms.
With hybrid and remote working now set to be mainstay for many people, almost half of those people who have made changes, has been to create a home office, which equates to over 4.5 million across the UK, with 58% saying they plan to keep it going forward – many homeowners it could be argued have been forced to give up living space for the benefit of their employers.
The re-purposing has come at a cost, Zoopla’s research shows that homeowners who adapted their homes spent an average of £3,714, with gyms costing on average £1,568, home cinemas £3,841 and home offices on average £1,735.
For those who have had to re-purpose rooms, more than half say this has meant they have had to compromise on their space at home, leaving some owners less than happy with the remaining space they have.
Amongst those who have, 28% say they now have less space for guests to stay (although during the pandemic this wasn’t an issue!), 21% say they have less or no privacy and 11 % say that their children must share bedrooms.
This feeling of not being completely happy with the home comes predominantly from younger homeowners who are likely to have smaller properties and are more likely to work from home. For many, having to change their home setup during the pandemic has highlighted the need to find somewhere new and better suited to their changed needs. Of homeowners who have spent money on making changes, nearly one third say that has made them consider moving home.
Andrew Marshall, Chief commercial office at Zoopla says: “It’s clear that our homes have changed substantially as a result of the pandemic, with home offices in particular becoming a regular fixture across UK household.”
“Our research also highlights the opportunity for agents to focus on the versatility of their listings when marketing them to potential buyers – and we’ve heard this first-hand from agents out on valuations too. It’s no longer just about marketing a four bedroomed house – a three bed plus home office is proving to have a real attraction amongst buyers in a post lockdown world.
David Phillip commented “we see the fact that people are re-purposing their homes as a promising outlook for the housing market more broadly, with many homeowners now deciding to look for a property with more space. We are positive that this impetus will help release more supply to the market over the coming months”
If you are considering upsizing and selling your re-purposed home in Bramhope, Adel, Pool-in-Wharfedale Otley or Cookridge and would like a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS call 01134 676 400
W: davidphillip.co.uk a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds.
Storm Dudley and Eunice are currently battering the UK, Yorkshire and Leeds haven’t escaped the battering with the wind and rain causing damage and some flooding.
If winds are blowing above 50 mph, then this is when you can unfortunately start seeing damage to your home, with trees toppling, power lines coming down and debris being blown around.
All this relentless weather can leave you with a damaged roof and even cause leaks that can impact your home interior too. Once the storm has passed, it is important to check that your roof is not damaged, document any problems and work with your insurance company.
By following these steps, you can ensure that any damage is noticed quickly-
Windows and doors can also be vulnerable to wind damage and flying debris. Inspect your windows for cracks, holes, broken panes and damaged frames – watch out for broken shards of glass to if your windows have been damaged.
So, if you are unfortunate to have taken the brunt of the storm and need roof repairs, the first thing to do is call your insurance company, they will arrange for a roofer to provide an estimate for the damage and arrange for any temporary repair.
Hopefully we will escape too much damage over the next few hours as storm Eunice is forecast to hit the Leeds area, in the meantime we hope that everyone stays safe and there homes go without damage too.
David Phillip Estate Agents, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, t: 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk
At David Phillip Estate Agents we use the best technology to enhance the Customer Experience for both the vendor and the buyer. 3D virtual tours are a key part of our product offering – Take a walk around our 3D virtual tours, they are immersive, safe and can be viewed from the comfort of your armchair whenever convenient.
So, what is a 3D virtual tour?
3D Virtual tours are the most realistic, immersive, in-depth and safe way to view a property online from anywhere in the world. Providing viewers with a ‘really there’ experience and the opportunity to explore the property before a ‘physical’ second viewing. 3D virtual tours can be viewed on any device and are really easy to navigate
Benefits to the seller
Benefits to the Buyer
What does the 3D virtual tour include
So if you are looking for an agent that is not just about marketing your home through static photos and literature, then David Phillip Estate Agents provides you with a more modern and immersive experience. Take a walk through our stunning property at 4 St Giles Garth, Bramhope- https://homeonfilm.live/v1/b080fe84079f and if you would like a second ‘in person’ viewing call 01134 676 400
If you are looking to sell your property in 2022 then you’ll love what David Phillip Estate Agents has to offer :-
We know you’ll love our end to end Customer Experience - we don’t just list your home but hand hold you right through to completion and beyond - we work with some of the best local companies to support your move. Take a look at our 5 star reviews on the All Agents website – we love what our Customers are saying about us.
We are 100% recommended, 100% sales valuation accuracy and 100% sales fee satisfaction on All Agents – you can’t get better than that!
You’ll love the fact that we work 24/7 – using some of the best technology and modern sales techniques – ask us about 3D Virtual viewings, Property Profile Plus, QR codes and Hi-Viz for sale boards to name just a few.
We will market your property on all the Key portals of Rightmove, Boomin, On the Market and Zoopla to ensure your home reaches the biggest audience too – you’ll love that we have Featured properties and Premium listings on Rightmove.
Our fairer fixed fees will save you money and uncertainty - whilst giving you choice too – everyone loves value for money.
You’ll love our local knowledge and experience – you’ll be dealing with David Phillip FRICS who has been successfully selling houses in North and West Yorkshire for over 30 years.
So on Valentine’s Day, why not call us on 01134 676 400 for a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS – we’d love to help you move home in Adel, Bramhope, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley and Cookridge.
W:davidphillip.co.uk a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds e: info@davidphillip.co.uk
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