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It can be quite exciting and inspiring to buy a home for the first time. However, it can be quite tiring and stressful if you are a first-time buyer. This article will give you a couple of tips that will help you make sure that the process of purchasing a house is enjoyable and stress-free.

1. Set your Budget

Before starting your research, we suggest that you think about financing this purchase. If you cannot pay in cash, you will have to borrow the required money through a mortgage. For a deposit, you will also need a lot of cash. Typically, it is between 5% and 10% of the value of the property you want to purchase.

2. Identify your Needs

Once you have set your budget, your next move is to look for a property that can meet your needs. Now, if you want the property located near a certain workplace, station, or school, you may want to mark them on the map. This will help you identify if the property is near the spot. Apart from this, you may want to prepare a list of all the stuff that you desire in your property.

3. Put your Home on the Property Market

Some buyers want to sell their existing home prior to looking for a new one. According to experts, it’s not a great idea to do so. If you have not put your existing home on the market, you may not be able to secure the deal that comes your way.

4. Start your Property Search

Ideally, you may want to start your research on the internet and the websites of popular real estate agents. Most of the websites allow you to filter the search results by the number of bedrooms, price, and location.

5. Sort the List

It won’t take you more than a couple of hours or days to create a list of properties that might meet your needs. So, what you need to do is create a shortlist list of the ones that can satisfy your criteria. It is not a good idea to look at a lot of houses in a day. The reason is that this will make you forget the details quickly.

6. Make an Offer

Once you have decided on a property that can meet your needs, you may want to decide on the price that you need to pay. It is important to keep in mind that every property comes with an asking price. And there is the price that you will be willing to pay. So, your role is to negotiate with the seller before making payment.

7. Agreeing on the Price

Once you have made an offer, it is up to the seller to accept or reject it. If they say that your offer is too low, you may have to offer a higher amount. Once the negotiation is over, your offer will be accepted and the deal will be done.

Long story short, these are some of the tips that you may want to keep in mind when looking for a home to buy for the first time.

Opportunities for real estate investment for foreigners is wide and varied in the United States. It doesn’t matter where you’re from and what currency you’d be using to purchase a property, you have a property waiting for you.

There are generally three kinds of real estate investment available to foreigners. These investments include the commercial estate investment and residential property investment. Residential properties are further classified into single family properties, apartments or condominiums and recreational properties. Regardless of what kind of real estate you are interested in, there are all sorts of tax ramifications, financing options and legal requirements that you have to deal with.

Why Should You Invest in the U.S. Real Estate Market?

You’ve probably heard of the increasing number of foreign real estate investments in the United States. This is not surprising. With the troubles that the real estate investment market is facing in the United States, greater opportunities in real estate investment were opened to foreign investors.

With the dollar’s value in its all time low, foreign investors are finding real estate bargains all over the United States. There are no shortages of deals in this market. More and more distressed properties are being sold everywhere and foreigners are pouring in millions buying these foreclosed or distressed properties. The United States real estate has become a fairly attractive long-term investment for foreign investors.

In November of 2006, the National Association of Realtors released a report entitled „Foreign Investments in U.S Real Estate: Current Trends and Historical Perspective“. The report showed that there has been a steady increase in foreign real estate investment in the United States. This is especially after the euro and the loonie became stronger in the face of the continuous devaluation of the US dollar. Prime bargains were opened to foreigners. Many foreigners have now looked into the possibility of retiring or settling in the United States.

If you’re a foreigner, you would find a lot of reasons why you should invest in the United States real estate market. Aside from the fact that the floating exchange rate has given you a lot of leverage over the bargaining table, the financial market is a pretty good reason why you should invest in the US real estate.

The financial market in the United States in relation to the real estate market is quite liberal and the restrictions against foreign investors are pretty reasonable. This is ideal for foreign companies that are seeking to invest in the real estate market in the United States in order to avoid tariff restrictions and are considering setting up an office or a company in the United States.

Furthermore, despite the devaluation of the US dollar and the wide foreclosures of a lot of property, the real estate market remains to be stable, though slightly shaky, due to foreign investors‘ capital appreciation. Domestic real estate buyers may not necessarily share the same opinion, but the market has remained to be strong for foreign real estate buyers. This may be largely credited to the fact that there is minimal risk for them.

Why are Foreign Real Estate Investments Safe and Profitable?

There are a lot of investments you can make, but the safest you can make right now is investing your money in real properties. This is another good reason aside from the fact that you can make a pretty nifty profit, if you like, particularly now with the widespread property foreclosures and seemingly continuous US dollar devaluation. This is especially true if you are going to use the euro or the loonie when making your investment.

But why is US real estate investment safe for foreigners?

It is undeniable that stock investments are not a safe avenue at this point. The recession has not only affected the US economy; the same recession has greatly affected worldwide stock investments. Stocks values are dropping. It is also a fact that even without the current economic situation, stock values fluctuates.

On the other hand, real estate investments are pretty stable if you would compare it to stock investments – or even bond or mutual fund investments. With real estate investment, you’d be putting your money in an investment that would grow in value as years go by.

What are the Benefits of Foreign Real Estate Investment?

US state government supports foreign investments and along this line has formulated various tax breaks to encourage foreign investment on real estate. Many of these tax breaks are not available in many countries. In fact, most countries would frown at foreigners owning real properties within their territory.

Foreign real estate investment in the United States is open to everyone. As long as you can afford to buy the property or at least comply with the mortgage requirements and payments, you can secure for yourself a pretty good property in the United States. Again, with the current economic situation of the United States, this is the perfect chance for you to make an investment.

Another great benefit that you can take advantage of is the availability of mortgage financing. Lenders have opened their doors to foreign investors who are looking into purchasing a property. So, you don’t have to actually deplete your bank account. You can actually secure a mortgage loan and gradually pay it off.

I’m Canadian, What Are My Financing Options?

There is a steady increasing rate of Canadian real estate investors in the United States; and accordingly, the government has made certain that they have attractive financing options available to them.

If you’re Canadian – or if you’re a foreigner – you’d find a lot of reasons why you should buy a piece of real property in the United States. For Canadians, the parity of the currencies or the apparent devaluation of the US dollar is a pretty good reason itself. But how do you finance your purchase?

There are various financing options available to you depending on which state you are in. In Arizona, for instance, you’d get favorable financing terms if you are purchasing a property for recreational purposes, that is, you do not derive any income or benefit from your purchase or ownership. You will be required, however, to sign up a disclosure agreement and give a 30% down payment for your loan. To qualify though for a loan, you may be required to show availability of liquid reserves for a period of three to six months. You may also be required to present a minimum of 3-month bank statement.

If you are purchasing a property for investment, you’d probably meet stricter terms. Requirements may be more stringent. For instance, you could be required to give a down payment of more than 30% and you may be required to show one year worth of liquidity reserves.

Regardless of your reasons, if you feel like you can fulfill the requirements of a financing loan, you can then proceed to actually applying for a mortgage loan. Also, keeping yourself updated with the financing terms flux may be a wise idea.

Understanding the Tax Ramifications of Real Estate Investment

The first foreigner to have ever bought a real estate property in the United States was Peter Minuit. This opened the doors to foreign real estate investors. After a couple of centuries later, foreign real estate investment has grown into huge proportions, accounting for billion-of-dollar worth of industry.

The low risk attached to US real estate market, the availability of countless properties, and the steady market liquidity attract foreign investors in droves. The initial snag, however, is the process of understanding the legal ramifications of foreign real estate investment.

What you have to understand is that foreign investment in the United States can take a lot of forms. A foreigner has various options. He can acquire direct interest. He can acquire an interest in the real estate through a partnership, a corporation, or a limited liability company. The latter is the typical structure used by foreign investors.

Limited partnership or Limited Liability Company offers financial protection or indirect asset protection, especially in cases of bankruptcy, law suits and taxes. Foreign investors are generally taxed on the property as if they hold the property in direct interest.

Ideally, you should secure the services of a real estate accountant to help you out with the tax ramifications, but it would help if you, at least, know the basics before you actually talk to an accountant.

There are tax consequences that you have to deal with when you buy a real estate in the United States. You would need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number which you will use with all your tax transactions. Your investment in real estates can be treated as a portfolio investment and will be accounted for as an investment income which can either be fixed or a periodic income. This is typically taxed at 30% on gross revenues. This tax though does not apply though to all foreign investors. Tax rates would vary depending on the tax personality the foreign investor opted for. For instance, a corporation would be taxed differently.

Other things that you should take note of are availability and requirements of tax refunds and state tax laws on real estate properties as they may differ from federal laws, among other things.

By knowing all these things, you may save yourself from a lot of hassles when you finally approach a real estate accountant. You’d be in same wavelength when you finally get down to talking business. It is, however, very important that you secure the services of an accountant. You’d have an easier time dealing with the taxes ramifications. You’d also have assistance ensuring that you comply with all the accounting aspect of your investment. This is especially true if you are purchasing a real property for investment purposes.

Do You Need to Secure the Service of a Real Estate Lawyer?

If you are considering buying a property in the United States, you need to secure the services of a real estate attorney – someone who could help you with the legal issues concerning your purchase. It is tempting to forego securing the service of a lawyer to save money, but this could cost you a lot of money in the long run. Make sure that you have an experienced and trustworthy lawyer to help you out. Make sure that you have thoroughly checked out his credentials, profile, history of successful cases handled by him, and other factors that would influence your decision. You could check online and look for a lawyer working within the state where you are considering purchasing a property.

Functions of a Real Estate Lawyer

There is no actual distinctive function for a lawyer in a real estate case. However, you would really need the assistance of a lawyer for various tasks. A real estate lawyer would review the sales contract for you. He would also check on the title and other documents relating to the property. A lawyer would also review your mortgage contract and make the necessary adjustments or corrections. You could also get him to review with you the legal and tax issues concerning the purchase. A real estate attorney could also make the necessary adjustments relating to various expenses and costs involved in the purchase. He would assess your eligibility for tax refunds and draft the documents and statements relating to this.

Putting it simply, a real estate lawyer will be your watchdog. He would guide you through the whole process of purchasing a real estate in the United States in order to make sure that you will be legally protected. You will have a capable and trustworthy liaison to help you out with the contract. He will also face legal disputes if any arise.

Tips on How to Invest in Real Estate Successfully

Now, if you’ve fully bought into the idea of real estate investing in the United States, you might just want to know how to go about investing in real estate successfully. If you want to be successful in this venture, the first thing that you have to avoid is overanalyzing. Of course, it is a good idea to carefully think through your actions but it is a bad idea to overanalyze your investment to nonexistence. You might lose a great opportunity.

Before you purchase the property though, it might be wise to check the property value. If it sits well with you and you can reasonably afford the property, go ahead and make the purchase.

If you are considering the property for a quick flip, make sure that the property is in perfect condition and in good area. This is to ensure that you could double or actually triple your return of investment. If you can inspect the property yourself, do so. If not, a good and trustworthy agent can help you with this task.

Another important thing to remember when you’re buying real estate is good financing. You should take your time to carefully consider all your financing options. Foreign investors can email in their queries to various lending institutions. It is a good idea to make sure that you’ve had their terms and rates on paper because they tend to change these terms and charge you with a lot of junk. Your real estate agent can help you with reviewing the escrow charges.

The bottom line, however, is that it is very important that you do your homework before you actually buy a real property. Investing in real properties in the United States can be profitable especially during these times. In fact, it may be the wisest and most perfect investment you can make right now.

Waterfront property is immune to most market trends, and for good reason. Splendid summers can be spent on a lake or river, promising family bonding time and decreased stress. Full-year houses and cabins are becoming more frequent. They can also be converted into permanent residencies that promote privacy and communing with nature. A waterfront house for sale is rarely on the market for long and should be pounced on by interested buyers.

Privacy

Privacy is an increasingly valuable commodity. With lakefront property, real privacy is obtainable. The distance between homes and dense foliage dampens sound, leaving the owner to appreciate their thoughts and conversations with friends and family. With limited space for development, no houses will pop up between the property and water’s edge, resulting in a clear view of the water. A waterfront house for sale will also likely feature a private dock, or at the very least, an intimate, walk-up access to the shoreline.

Fun Water Activities

Water activities are a great way to bond with families and friends. The water presents a wide range of options for fun, such as fishing, skiing, swimming, and boating, among others. Many of these activities cannot be replicated on land and give a thrill of being unique. Even simple activities like reading a favorite book while drinking a cup of coffee are suddenly mystical when paired with a lake sunset.

Limited Supply

Substantial property directly on a body of water is rare and priced accordingly. They retain their value, especially compared to fluctuations of city housing, and can be sold at almost any time if need be. When not in use, renting cabins can provide large profits. Owning a waterfront property requires some amount of upkeep. However, a house for sale in an area that is desirable can be a great family experience, as well as a smart investment.

Closeness to nature

While this depends on the area, lakes and rivers are a natural habitat for a plethora of wildlife. You can watch birds from the dock, fish for sport or food, catch the occasional appearance of deer or owls, and experience an intimate moment with nature that a city cannot duplicate. Of course, having a fully operational house means that nature can be enjoyed on the individual’s terms, which is especially important in humid climates and at night.

Health Benefits

Many studies have shown that spending time close to water has immediate health benefits. For those who have spent time around or on water, this should come as no surprise. Spending time on the lake creates a serene atmosphere that reduces stress. For those who are used to living in a city, the clean air and decrease in noise and light pollution will be a welcome change.

Let’s get right down to it, shall we:

Best REALTOR Slogans

#5. „My job is your future“– Good. So you understand how big of a deal a home purchase is for me.

#4. „Purveyor of fine homes to fine people“ – Not bad; a little boring, but you have a good command of the language and demonstrate strong commitment to a targeted market.

#3. „Sold in 100 days, or I’ll buy it“– Does this belong in the top 5? Yes – because you stand out, commit, and I know I’ll have a guaranteed sale within 4 months.

#2. „I Never Forget You Have a Choice“– That’s what I like to hear – you’ll always have the right motivations while we’re working together.

#1. „Anyone can sell your home. I can sell it for more.“ – Strong, assertive and straight to the point. Let me put you to the test.

Worst REALTOR Slogans

#5. „A Realtor You Can Trust“– Sounds like something your parole officer told you to say.

#4. „No Fancy Punchlines – Just Great Service“– Does this constitute an oxymoron? (Definitely a moron)

#3. „It’s the Energy!“– What does that even mean? I think your doctor over-prescribes stimulants… Out of curiosity, what’s his name (my friend wants to know…)?

#2. „Everything I Touch Turns to Sold!“ – Ha ha! It’s funny, I’ll give you that. But now that the joke’s over can you introduce me to a real REALTOR?

#1. „Spouses Selling Houses“ – Do you include domestic disputes with showings?

Conclusion

This was a tough article to write because there are at least 20 terrible catch phrases for every good one. Some rules of thumb:

• Use common sense – No one wants to hear you state the obvious – and no one is interested in self-indulgence. There’s also not much room for humor (there are exceptions of course), so keep it professional.
• If you say something bold in your slogan, make sure you’re willing to eat, sleep, and breathe by it.
• If you can’t come up with anything good, don’t worry: Clients won’t notice that you don’t have a catch phrase, but you might lose clients if you have a bad one.

Filled with homes that are less than twenty years old and in good condition, the Hemingway Woods Subdivision located in Lake Orion, Michigan is a great place to live and raise a family.

The location of the Hemingway Woods Subdivision allows quick commute to many popular places inside and outside of Lake Orion. The subdivision is only ten minutes from The Palace of Auburn Hills, providing a short trip to Pistons games, concerts, and other activities. The Pine Knob Ski Resort is only fifteen minutes away from the subdivision, also providing an easy trip for some fun in the snow. Major roads such as West Clarkston Road, Joslyn Road, North and West Baldwin Roads, and South Lapper Road are just minutes from the Hemingway Woods Subdivision to provide quick access to many places.

Children living in the Hemingway Woods Subdivision can attend the neighborhood elementary school, Pine Tree elementary, or attend one of the three focus elementary schools: Carpenter Elementary, Stadium Elementary, or Orion Oaks Elementary. This gives the students and parents several options as to which school to attend. The neighborhood middle school for children in the Hemingway Woods Subdivision is Scripps Middle School, and for high school the children attend Lake Orion High School. All of these Lake Orion community schools have been praised for high achievement and fantastic opportunities.

The Hemingway Woods Subdivision is not only the location of some wonderful homes; it is also filled with wonderful people. The subdivision can be found on Facebook and on Twitter. Both of these resources make it easy for residents to keep in touch with the happenings of the subdivision.

So check out the Hemingway Woods Subdivision of Lake Orion, Michigan today to find nice homes, an overall great location, an honored school district, and wonderful people. It is a great place to live.

Houses for sale will receive more offers when an open house is staged correctly. The reason that this works so well is that clearing out the homeowners personal things potential buyers can see their things in the houses for sale easier. To stage a correct open house and receive more offers for the home, there are steps that you must take.

Step one

Look at your home with a buyer’s eye and see what turns you off about the home that can be fixed for a small amount of money and little time. One thing that is an easy fix it change unattractive paint colors. It is best if you choose neutral colors or some shade of white. This makes it easier for a potential buyer to picture the walls done in their favorite colors.

Step two

Once you have any paint issues taken care of look at any fixes that need to be dome to the outdated or dated areas of your home. For example, in the kitchen the cabinets can be updated by just changing the hardware. If they have been painted and the paint is peeling, you should scrape the paint off and either paint them again or varnish them. Although it could be expensive and time consuming if the floor is tile or linoleum and it is stained or cracking you should replace it. No potential buyer wants to walk into a room and see stained, cracked flooring. This goes for the bathroom also. In the bathroom, make sure that if there is tiling around the tub or the shower you need to make sure it is clean, mildew, and mold free. You also need to make sure that the carpet is clean and odor and stain free.

Step three

Many houses for sale have small repairs that will need to be repaired before hosting an open house. Take time to check out every room for any repairs such as loose floorboards, a missing railing on the staircases, cracks in the walls, electrical sockets that do not work, or burnt out lights.

Step four

Rent storage unit and move personal accessories and unneeded furniture to the unit. This can include small or large pieces of furniture that does not need to be in the home, personal collections, and family photos. You can make the rooms look more spacious if you keep the furnishings down to the basics. Make sure that every room serves a purpose like a family room, bedroom, etc. You can add accent pieces but not more than is necessary. These pieces can include plants, artwork, and pottery. Make sure that the lawn is mowed.

Following these tips for a successful open house will get more offers on houses for sale.

It seems that not many people talk about it, but one of the best methods for making money online is to sell ClickBank products on eBay. This method has many advantages when compared to traditional affiliate marketing or normal eBay sales. The advantages are huge, and that is one of the reasons no one seems to be talking about it.

I’m in a good mood today however, so I figured I would let some of you „starving affiliates“ in on a little secret for selling ClickBank products.

To sell ClickBank products on eBay, all you need is a classified ad that will cost you only $9.95 for 30 days. This is a bargain when you consider the amount of traffic you will get! An average eBay ad will generate 200 visitors per month, meaning that you are paying about 5 cents per click! This same traffic on Google AdWords would probably cost you at least $50 if not much more.

So what are the benefits to using classified ads to sell ClickBank products on eBay? Well first of all you must use a classified ad because eBay no longer allows ebooks to be listed under the regular auction format. This is fine however, because you can still make a lot of money using classified ads.

In addition to the traffic you receive from just one eBay ad, you also are getting targeted traffic from people who are looking to buy. Think about it: most of the people browsing on eBay are looking to buy something. So what does this mean for you? It means that your conversion rates will be much higher since these people are actually looking to buy products!

There are too many advantages to sell ClickBank products on eBay to list here, but I can tell you the average eBay classified ad brings in between $60-$100 a month in pure profit! So just think if you had 100 ads a month running on eBay promoting various ClickBank products? That is an extra $6,000-$10,000 a month in affiliate revenue just using the power of eBay.

My advice is to learn as much as you can about eBay classified ads in order to increase your affiliate commissions today!

According to the real estate experts, summer months are the best time to sell a home because in these months the path to your living place is cleared and the buyers can reach without much difficulty. The opposite happens in the winter months. The path to your home is not cleared and the buyers prefer to stay at home to save themselves from the cold weather. Selling a home is not an easy job and the winter months make the challenge more difficult.

Reduced daylight, dropping temperature and the adverse weather conditions are the reasons that make the home selling procedure too difficult for a homeowner. Although the procedure becomes difficult but nothing is impossible so if the homeowners try to remove these reasons responsible for creating difficulties then they can sell their home. Study the following tips if you are a homeowner and want to sell your home. The correct application of these tips will make the selling procedure easier.

Clear the way to your home

The path for the buyers from the street to your home must be clear. If there are lot of sheets of ice in the path of the buyers then clear the way by sprinkling sand so that the path becomes less slippery so that the buyers can reach your home safely without falling. If it rains high then you can use a container or the rubber mats. The container can be used for holding the wet umbrellas.

Make your home look bright from inside

You should make your home look bright from inside. You can do this by switching on all the lights and also allow natural light by opening all the windows. This would make your home look more attractive to the buyers.

Concentrate on impressing your buyers

You should concentrate on all the factors that can help you to impress your buyers because your first impression will play an important role in the buying decision of the buyer. You can do this by cleaning every corner, washing windows, change the curtains, vacuum the carpet, polish floors and clean the garbage. You can also welcome your buyers by maintaining the favorable temperature inside your home. For example, if there weather is cold then do not forget to check whether your heating system is functioning properly or not. The appetizing winter food can work towards impressing your buyers.

Provide specific information

The buyers may ask you the questions when they visit your house so you should be prepared and ready to answer all their questions. If you are offering other items also with your house on sale then tell your buyers about those items and also tell the value of each.

The tips explained above will help you to sell your house in the unfavorable winter season also. Some sites also provide the knowledge of home selling tips such as Simple Real Estate Contract, eHow, EzineArticles, eHow, or Tuscaloosa Real Estate.

When spring is in the air it means that not only is summer right around the corner but that the real estate market is about to pick up, and a serious amount of houses are going to be bought and sold over the next few months. The first question that is usually going to come up when someone starts to think about selling their home is if they should use a real estate agent or if they should try to sell the for sale by owner. In this article we will talk about what for sale by owner really is all about and if it is the right pick for your situation.

What Does FSBO Mean?

A for sale by owner sale is any type of sale that the owner is going to be handling the process by themselves. The home is not being handled by any type of real estate professional during the sales process. In the US it is not required to have a real estate agent during the home sale process, however some states do require a real estate attorney to be involved to make sure that everything is done legally.

The FSBO route can be done through a variety of methods. The majority of homeowners in the U.S. use the traditional for sale by owner process in which they mimic the process of an agent but become the agent of their own home. However, that is not the only method. FSBO sellers can sell their home during a home sale auction, trade the home with another owner, or sell directly to an investor.

The Advantages of FSBO

The most enticing advantage of FSBO is the savings of a real estate commission fee. When working with a real estate professional, they usually charge between 5 to 8 percent of the purchase of a home upon closing. This can be quite a significant amount for many homeowners. For example, if your home sold for $300,000 using a real estate agent, that would mean that you would forgo $15,000 to a real estate agent at the conservative percentage of 5 percent. That is thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands for many owners, that is taken out of the profit of selling a home that could be used for a vacation, college funds, and retirement savings. So why use a real estate agent if you don’t have to?

The Disadvantages of FSBO

The reasons that most people choose to sell through an agent is because the process of selling a home can be very complicated, time consuming, and tedious. If you are selling privately you are going to be responsible for listing, marketing, showings, negotiations, and the closing all by yourself. A buyer may ask you questions about the home or the home sale process that you are not sure of the answer.

Those wanting to sell in this way must put in the time and effort to be well-versed in the real estate process themselves and willing to do what it takes to get their home sold. Sellers that are unable to commit the time may have a house that stays on the market for months before the owner breaks down and uses a real estate agent. Thus, if you have full time job or business, a huge family, or an otherwise full life or going through a large life change, it will be difficult to sell your home on your own–not impossible, just difficult.

What FSBO Doesn’t Mean

Just because you are selling your home on your own does not mean that you have to do each step of the process on your own. There is more to the real estate world than just buyers, sellers, and agents. For a flat fee, a listing agent can help you list your home. A home appraiser can evaluate your home for the best selling price. A real estate attorney can walk you through the details of any offer right up until closing. Thus, you can still have professional help in parts of the sale that you are not comfortable handling.

With the continuing uncertainty in the property market, many homeowners are choosing to stay put for the moment rather than move. Instead, many people are deciding to invest time and money in their existing property to improve and modernise their living space. It is generally assumed that you will recoup the cost of your improvements when you sell the property, but it all depends on what you choose to do to your home. Certain ‚improvements can take thousands off the price of your home rather than adding value.

Double glazing

One of the most popular improvements that many homeowners choose is double glazing. Old windows and doors in bad repair can let the appearance down on a home and lose valuable energy. So, replacing old units with draught-proof, energy-saving, security enhanced and low maintenance double glazing units can be a real improvement. In a street where most of the houses have double glazing such an improvement becomes a selling advantage. A conservatory is a popular way to extend your living space and improve your property.

However, if you own an older, period house then shiny white uPVC frames can be an unpopular choice to a prospective buyer, so you need to consider other options, such as wooden replacement windows or whatever suits the property’s style.

Exterior finish

The outside of your house is the first impression that a prospective buyer gets, so it is important to keep it in good repair.The brickwork or masonery, or any damaged pointing should be repaired. One of the worst ‚improvements‘ cited in the survey was stone-cladding or pebble-dashing the outside of the property – a lot of people don’t like the look and it tends to put them off purchasing.

Interior

Redecorating your home is a low cost way to give it a face-lift and should be considered an investment. However, if you are planning on selling shortly consider decorating with neutral colours, as most people who move into a new home prefer a ‚blank canvas‘ to work with, rather than difficult to cover more vibrant decor.

The same applies with carpets – if you have worn or stained carpets then it is advantageous to replace them with basic neutral-coloured carpet, but fitting your home throughout with new carpet is not considered a good investment any more. A lot of people now prefer laminated flooring or like to select their own carpets to fit in with their personal colour scheme. Textured walls and ceilings are another no no!

Expected basics

A good central heating system is now almost essential to most people’s requirements in their home. Also, a modern bathroom and fitted kitchen is generally expected. So, any money spent on these is generally looked on as an investment. However, if you are shortly putting your house on the market, it is not wise to invest too much in say the latest top kitchen equipment, and if you have to replace the bathroom fittings then white is the popular choice!

Extensions

If an extension is done well, then it can add value to your home and provide extra living space. Attic and loft conversions are most popular, because they don’t take away any precious garden area.

Adding a garage, if you don’t have one, can bring an advantage to your property. If you don’t want the expense of building a garage then even a parking space, such as a driveway, is preferable to properties with only street parking to prospective buyers, if they are car-owners.

Loans are readily available for financing home improvements but make sure they are the right kind of ‚improvements‘.

Top value home improvements

• Replacing old windows and doors
• A Conservatory
• Redecorating
• Central Heating
• A Loft/Attic Conversion
• A Garage

Worst ‚home improvements‘ to avoid

• Stone-cladding or pebble-dashing the exterior
• Textured ceilings or walls
• Double-glazing on a period property
• A third bathroom
• Swimming pool