<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Homes On Sale Blog</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog</link>
	<description>Just another WordPress weblog</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:43:06 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4</generator>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
			<item>
		<title>Conveyancing Quotes Online &#8211; A Way to Save Money</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/conveyancing-quotes-online-a-way-to-save-money/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/conveyancing-quotes-online-a-way-to-save-money/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:43:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying a Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Online]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buy House]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buy Sell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buying Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cheap Solution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consumers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conveyancing Quote]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conveyancing Quotes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conveyancing Solicitor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[High Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Important Things]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Job]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Legal Documentation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matter Of Minutes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mountains]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Multitude]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Quote]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pennies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sit]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you&#8217;re trying to sort out the multitude of issues that can arise from trying to buy or sell a house, a little professional help can go a long way. You&#8217;ll be amazed at how much time you could spend trying to sort something out yourself when it would have been much easier to hire [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When you&#8217;re trying to sort out the multitude of issues that can arise from trying to buy or <a title="buy and sell property" href="/"><strong>sell a house</strong></a>, a little professional help can go a long way. You&#8217;ll be amazed at how much time you could spend trying to sort something out yourself when it would have been much easier to hire a professional to do the job for you. The most important part of the buying and selling process is the legal documentation which transfers the ownership of the property you are looking to buy or sell. This process is best handled by a conveyancing solicitor who can take you through the whole process at an affordable price and ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Most people at this point would simply go into town to try and find a local conveyancing firm, but it could be that you are able to find a much cheaper option without even leaving your house!</p>
<p>A great way to find a <strong>cheap</strong> solution to your <strong>conveyancing</strong> needs is to look online and get a quote from a reliable source. All you have to do is sit there and fill out a short form, in a matter of seconds you can have a full quote presented to you from a high quality, reliable, <a title="Compare conveyancing solicitors" href="http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk ">conveyancing solicitor</a>. Often, these firms will be able to charge less because much of their business is conducted online, allowing them to reduce their own costs and hand these lower prices onto consumers. You can enjoy the luxury of being presented with your very own, customized, conveyancing quote within a matter of minutes!</p>
<p>The buying, selling, or remortgaging process is often quite daunting, with mountains of documentation and money flying all over the place. Unfortunately this often means that the truly important things get left out, or are not prioritized enough. The best thing to do is make sure you have complete professionals handling the different tasks at all times. Finding a conveyancing solicitor can be a great way to ensure you find someone both professional and affordable, so you can watch the pennies whilst also enjoying the ability to relax instead of stress. Try to make sure that one of the first things you do is to get a quote online, it takes such little time that you really don&#8217;t have to put any effort in, it can save you both time and money.</p>
<p>More and more people are turning to online conveyancing quotes in these difficult economic times, as people struggle to keep costs down and moving house is fraught with danger. If you&#8217;re really tight for cash, but you also want the very best service, then looking online is almost certainly the option for you! It&#8217;s no-risk and carries with it dozens of benefits, so you really can&#8217;t go wrong by spending just a few short moments filling in a few boxes on a website. You&#8217;ll never know how much money you could save until you at least try, so get started today and see how easy it can be!</p>
<p>Conveyancing is a something best left to professional conveyancing solicitor. Locating a solicitor to carry out your conveyancing can be tricky, and the fees vary greatly with little difference in service to warrant the price differences! So why not compare conveyancing fees online visit</p>
<h2><a title="Compare conveyancing quotes" href="http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk "><strong>*** Homes On Sale Conveyancing </strong>***</a></h2>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=119&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_119" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/conveyancing-quotes-online-a-way-to-save-money/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What Exactly Does a Conveyancing Solicitor Do?</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/what-exactly-does-a-conveyancing-solicitor-do/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/what-exactly-does-a-conveyancing-solicitor-do/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:11:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying a Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Commercial Conveyancing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[compare conveyancing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Contact]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conveyancing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conveyancing Solicitor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conveyancing Solicitors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Information Pack]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medium Sized Businesses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Office Space]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sorts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trekking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Writing A Letter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=117</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Conveyancing solicitors are extremely busy people, often dealing with a number of different cases at any one time. They are also incredibly important if you want the process of selling, buying, or remortgaging your house to go smoothly. It helps to understand the sort of work a conveyancing solicitor does before you hire on, and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Conveyancing solicitors are extremely busy people, often dealing with a number of different cases at any one time. They are also incredibly important if you want the process of selling, buying, or remortgaging your house to go smoothly. It helps to understand the sort of work a <a title="Compare conveyancing quotes" href="http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk ">conveyancing solicitor</a> does before you hire on, and it can also help you understand the type of conveyancing you will need for your particular situation. A <strong>conveyancing solicitor</strong> could deal with either commercial conveyancing or residential conveyancing. The former is primarily for firms and businesses looking to buy office space for example. The latter deals with the consumer side and with those people looking to buy, sell, or remortgage their house.</p>
<p>The firms that you find on the high street will generally be dealing with the consumer side of things, or potentially small to medium sized businesses. These are the firms that you want to look out for to help you with the process you are about to embark on. These sorts of firms can also be found online, which can be a much easier way of finding a conveyancing solicitor than trekking around your local town! You probably won&#8217;t find too many commercial conveyancing firms on your local high street, but you really don&#8217;t have to worry about them unless you&#8217;re looking into big business.</p>
<p>To start with, you&#8217;ll want to contact the conveyancing solicitor with a simple letter explaining your needs. The solicitor will then get back to you with a letter talking about the different aspects of the process and their fees or charges. Once you have accepted their conditions you will want to confirm the agreement formally by writing a letter explaining your acceptance. Once this has been done, you&#8217;ll need to supply your solicitor with all the relevant information for your house and any other details that they may need. This is where something like a home information pack comes in handy, because it&#8217;s important your solicitor knows exactly what is going on.</p>
<p>The solicitor will then take charge of the handover between the prospective buyer or seller of the property, and will get in touch with the solicitor of the other party. The two solicitors will then formalise an agreement based on all the information both parties have available. The seller must then provide the deeds of the <a title="buy and sell property" href="/">property</a> in order to ensure a quick handover. Any other registry papers must also be handed over to the other party. Once this has been done, your conveyancing solicitor can then draw up a contract which will be signed by both parties; initially he will draw up a draft which can be seen by everyone involved, before a more formal version is finalised.</p>
<p>Once the contract is signed, the process is pretty much finished and all that remains is for a date to be organised for an official transfer of ownership. Once this is done, and assuming everything has gone smoothly, you should be able to move into your new home right away! As you can see, a conveyancing solicitor can be an extremely valuable asset as the complicated process can be overwhelming to begin with.</p>
<p>Conveyancing is a something best left to a professional conveyancing solicitor. Locating a solicitor to carry out your conveyancing can be tricky, and the fees vary greatly with little difference in service to warrant the price differences! So why not compare conveyancing fees online visit Homes On Sale Conveyancing to get the best deal.</p>
<h2><a title="Compare conveyancing solicitors" href="http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk ">*** Compare conveyancing solicitors online ***</a></h2>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=117&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_117" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/what-exactly-does-a-conveyancing-solicitor-do/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Getting a Conveyancing Quote Online Fast</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/getting-a-conveyancing-quote-online-fast/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/getting-a-conveyancing-quote-online-fast/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:09:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying a Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[compare conveyancing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conveyancing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=115</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Buying, selling, or remortgaging a house can be one of the most stressful things that you do in your life. They are fraught with difficulties and can lead to major domestic issues and unnecessary anger, but unfortunately you have to just try and get through them. However, there is one way to solve this issue [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="body">
<p>Buying, selling, or remortgaging a house can be one of the most stressful things that you do in your life. They are fraught with difficulties and can lead to major domestic issues and unnecessary anger, but unfortunately you have to just try and get through them. However, there is one way to solve this issue and that is to hire professionals to sort things out for you. Don&#8217;t for one minute think that you are going to get away with muddling through things yourself, because you&#8217;ll just end up making the whole process an absolute nightmare. Most people are worried about the costs they could incur by hiring someone to do the conveyancing, but if you know what you are doing then you can actually get a very reasonable price for this kind of service.</p>
<p>The best way to save money, and get a fast quote for <a title="conveyancing quote" href="http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk/" target="_self">conveyancing </a>services, is to look online and fill out some details on the website of a reputable company. Within a matter of seconds you can have a fully detailed quote that will cover all of the details that you need to know about the conveyancing. The things you will be asked depend largely on the type of conveyancing service you need, but the form literally takes a few minutes to complete and the information should be relatively easy for you to fill in. You can&#8217;t really go wrong with getting a conveyancing quote online, because it&#8217;s so easy but also completely free. You don&#8217;t have to meet with a pushy firm of solicitors where you feel obligated to choose their highly expensive quote, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. You can very quickly know exactly how much to budget for conveyancing and begin to plan the other areas of your purchase or sale. Once you&#8217;ve found yourself a decent quote, you can sit back and relax, instead of stressing about the major changes you&#8217;re about to undergo, you can enjoy them safe in the knowledge that a professional is handling the legalities for you.</p>
<p>Whilst the economy struggles under the weight of a massive recession, it is becoming extremely difficult for people to afford to move house, but sometimes it is an absolute necessity so those people need to save as much money as possible. The most popular way to do this has become to look online to find a quote, primarily because it is so easy to do and can save massive amounts of money in a field which most people don&#8217;t understand fully. Conveyancing is a tricky subject and it can be hard to understand the legal jargon that you&#8217;re presented with when you start trying to move or remortgage your house, so it really is very important that you look for some professional help to take you through the whole process. There&#8217;s nothing like having someone on hand to help you through difficult times, so get a conveyancing quote online and you could save yourself a great deal of money, and time!</p>
<h2><a title="Compare conveyancing quotes" href="http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk/">*** Get great deals on Conveyancing here ***</a></h2>
</div>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=115&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_115" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/getting-a-conveyancing-quote-online-fast/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The UK Property Crash and How Long it Will Affect the Markets</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/the-uk-property-crash-and-how-long-it-will-affect-the-markets/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/the-uk-property-crash-and-how-long-it-will-affect-the-markets/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:16:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[property crash]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/newblog/?p=7</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is no secret that the UK property market is experiencing a downward spiral. Many experts are warning that property prices can even drop to 25% in the next couple of years with the current credit crunch reeling its ugly head on the UK real estate property market.  Certainly, this is not good news [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-8" title="Large house for sale" src="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/newblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/5194_19710-3532_IMG_00-150x150.jpg" alt="Large house for sale" width="150" height="150" />It is no secret that the UK property market is experiencing a downward spiral. Many experts are warning that property prices can even drop to 25% in the next couple of years with the current credit crunch reeling its ugly head on the UK real estate property market. <span> </span>Certainly, this is not good news to those who have invested or are planning to invest on real estate properties in the UK.<span> </span>These developments have affected the way people plan their investments and purchases of real estate properties in the United Kingdom. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">There are varying takes on the property crash in the real estate market. Some forecasting companies such as Global Insight think that the prices of real estate property in the UK can drop up to 20 percent or even higher in the next couple of years unless there Is no aggressive moves to counter the possibilities of a recession. Even real estate experts such as Knight Frank who are noted for being optimistic on the real estate market have begun to sing a different tune, warning of the dangers of the UK property market reaching a disastrous state. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">While there are some who compare the UK property slowdown to what happened in the 90&#8217;s when house prices dropped tremendously, the prevailing sentiment is that the current conditions of the UK property market resemble the slowdowns experienced in 2004 to 2005. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">No one can exactly say how long the recovery period will take. There are those who think that today&#8217;s situation will be similar to what happened in the 70&#8217;s, when home loans were restricted, causing the drop in house prices. If this prediction holds true, then recovery can happen in two years, as what happened during that decade. However there&#8217;s still the possibility of the crunch affecting everyone 4 years from now, especially if the credit troubles continue hounding the economy. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">While the UK government has stepped up its efforts to intervene in the UK real estate property cash, including a </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">£<span>50 billion mortgage assistance, there are many real estate experts who agree that this may not be enough to boost the real property market. This is considering the extent of<span> </span>the drop in prices of UK real estate properties. It seems that the price crunch is being felt everywhere in the nation. According to the latest figures, prices of real estate have decreased by as much as 3% in the UK in the first three months of 2008. This means that for the past 12 months, prices of houses and other real estate properties have dropped by at least 1 percent across UK, the first time it has happened since 1996. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">Almost all of those who are involved in the real estate market are severely affected by the property crash in the UK real estate market, except for those who are superbly wealth and thus, does not have to borrow money in order to buy or invest in properties. Small landlords, on the other hand, are feeling the effects of the property crash as this has affected their earning potential as well as access to credit since banks are tightening up. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"> </span></p>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=7&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_7" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/the-uk-property-crash-and-how-long-it-will-affect-the-markets/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Selling Your House 100 Things To Do</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/selling-your-house-100-things-to-do/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/selling-your-house-100-things-to-do/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:50:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[property tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sell house]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[selling tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/newblog/?p=3</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[REPAIRS 

The rule of thumb is, &#8220;if something needs repair, fix it!&#8221; There are probably many things in your home that you have simply become used to over time, things that you have been &#8220;promising yourself&#8221; that you will attend to. Well, now is the time. The buyer will mentally add up the cost of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>REPAIRS </strong></p>
<ol>
<li>The rule of thumb is, &#8220;if something needs repair, fix it!&#8221; There are probably many things in your home that you have simply become used to over time, things that you have been &#8220;promising yourself&#8221; that you will attend to. Well, now is the time. The buyer will mentally add up the cost of repairing all those minor flaws and end up with an amount that is generally much higher than what it would cost you to do the repairs. You might be saying to yourself, &#8220;These repairs aren&#8217;t any big deal&#8221;, but the buyer might think, &#8220;If the owners didn&#8217;t take care of these little items, then what about the roof, or the furnace?&#8221; Small needed repairs or perceived owner neglect and will either lower the purchase price or lengthen the time required to sell.</li>
<li>Check all walls for peeling paint and loose wallpaper.</li>
<li>Concerning large repairs, in today&#8217;s climate of open disclosure and vigilant professional <a title="home inpections" href="/" target="_self">home inspections</a>, the rule is: Treat a buyer as you would yourself. Repair any problems with major systems or offer an allowance for the buyer to make repairs after closing. Always disclose anything that you know about the property. Having been a consumer yourself, you know that buyers will more readily make a purchase decision with someone whom they can trust.<strong>CLEANING</strong></li>
<li>Every area of the home must sparkle and shine! Each hour spent will be well worth it. Would you rather buy a clean car, or a dirty one? Would you hurry to buy a pair of shoes with mud on them?</li>
<li>Clean all of the windows, including attics and basements.</li>
<li>Clean all wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs. Clean and polish linoleum, tile, and wooden floors. Consider refinishing wood floors if necessary.</li>
<li>Clean and polish all woodwork if necessary. Pay particular attention to the kitchen and bath cabinets.</li>
<li> Clean and polish all of the light fixtures.<strong>NEUTRALIZING</strong></li>
<li>Be cautious about selecting colors when painting or replacing carpeting. Your objective here is to make your <strong>home appeal to the largest possible buying segment</strong>. Consider facts such as, how many of the available buyers would be able to move into my house with their own furniture and not have to replace the carpeting. Position your home on the market to be as livable to as many people as possible, and to allow the buyer to mentally picture the home as their own.</li>
<li>Forget your personal taste, as the market is always demand driven! The average buyer will have a hard time looking beyond blue carpeting and bold wallpapers. Consider replacing unusual or bold colors with neutral tones. Two coats of off-white paint may be the best investment you could ever make.<strong>SPACE MANAGEMENT</strong> (This involves creating the illusion of more space)</li>
<li> Arrange furniture to give the rooms as spacious a feeling as possible. Consider removing furniture from rooms that are crowded. If necessary, store large furniture.</li>
<li>Pack up collectibles &#8211; both to protect them, and to give the room a more spacious feel. Leave just enough accessories to give the home a personal touch. Dispose of unneeded items.</li>
<li>Remove all clutter, and make it a habit to pick up clothing, shoes, and personal possessions each day for possible showings.</li>
<li>Empty closets of off-season clothing and pack for the move. Organize them to demonstrate the most efficient use of space. Leave as few items on the floor or shelves as possible.</li>
<li>Use light to create a sense of space. All drapes should be open. Turn on all of the lights throughout the home.<strong>ATMOSPHERE</strong></li>
<li>A clean-smelling house creates a positive image in the buyer&#8217;s mind. Be aware of any odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets, etc. that may have an adverse effect on potential buyers. Remember that some people are much more sensitive to odors than others. Smokers rarely notice the odor of tobacco that fills their homes, and pet owners may be oblivious to objectionable doggy odor.</li>
<li>You can use products like carpet deodorizers, air fresheners, and room deodorizers, but the best strategy is to remove the source of the smell rather than cover it up.</li>
<li>Unfortunately, often the only way to remove the smell of pet urine from flooring is to rip up the carpet and padding and replace them. If this is preventing the sale of your home, don&#8217;t hesitate to make this investment.</li>
<li>If smoking and cooking odors have permeated your home, have your carpets and furniture cleaned, and air out or dry-clean your drapes.</li>
<li>Mildew odors are another no-no. Don&#8217;t allow wet towels to accumulate in hampers, or dirty laundry to pile up in closets.</li>
<li>Once offensive odors are removed, consider adding delightful ones. Recent studies have shown that humans have strong, positive responses to certain smells. Cinnamon, fresh flowers, breads baking in the oven are all excellent ways to enhance your property for sale.<strong>STAGING</strong></li>
<li>Study magazine ads or furniture showrooms to see how small details can make rooms more attractive and appealing. A vase of flowers, an open book on the coffee table, a basket of birch logs by the fireplace, etc., are touches that can add a special effect and make a difference in the room. Be careful not to over clutter.</li>
<li>The use of a brightly colored pillow in a wing chair, or a throw blanket on a couch can add dimension to a sterile room.</li>
<li>Soften potentially offending views, but always let light into your rooms. Replace heavy curtains with sheer white panels. Never apologize for things you cannot change. The buyer will either decide to accept or reject the property regardless of the words your say. Just present the home in the best way possible with complete honesty.</li>
</ol>
<p>25. Go through your photo albums and select pictures of your house and yard during all four seasons. If hung at eye level in a well-lighted area, the pictures will speak for themselves and give you yet another selling edge.<br />
26. Take advantage of natural light as much as possible by cleaning windows, opening shades and drapes, etc. Add lamps and lighting where necessary. Be sure that all fixtures are clean and have working light bulbs. Increase the wattage of the bulbs in the darker areas.<br />
THE EXTERIOR<br />
Check your home for any needed maintenance just as a buyer would. Repaint or touch-up as necessary. You can&#8217;t make a better investment when you are selling your house. Don&#8217;t let the outside turn buyers off before the inside turns them on.<br />
27. Color has the power to attract. A tub of geraniums, a pot of petunias, or a basket of impatiens on the front steps is a welcoming touch.<br />
28. If you are selling during the winter months, consider using a wreath of dried flowers on the front door, or an attractive milk can on the porch.<br />
29. If you have a porch or deck, set the stage with pots of flowers and attractively arranged furniture.<br />
30. Check to see that all doors and windows are in good working order. Give special attention to your home&#8217;s exterior doors and front entry. Clean and paint doors if necessary. Remember that first impressions are likely to color the remainder of the house tour.<br />
31. Wash all windows and replace any broken or cracked windowpanes.<br />
32. Screens should be free of any tears or holes.<br />
33. Inspect all locks to ensure that they are functioning properly.<br />
34. Check for loose or missing shingles. Clean out gutters and down spouts. Touch up peeling areas on gutters.<br />
35. Invest in a new doormat that says, &#8220;Welcome&#8221;.<br />
The Yard:<br />
36. Make sure the yard is neatly mowed, raked and edged.<br />
37. Prune and shape shrubbery and trees to compliment your house.<br />
38. Consider adding seasonal flowers along the walks or in the planting areas. Display plants in things such as a well-placed wheelbarrow, or an old-fashioned washtub. Nasturtiums, petunias, impatiens, and verbena are flowers that are easy to maintain if watered regularly. Try a row of sweet smelling alyssum to line a short sidewalk, or plant some perky dwarf marigolds to form a cheerful oasis of color in your yard.<br />
39. Add an inch or two of bark mulch around your shrubs and trees.<br />
40. Set up your old badminton or volleyball net &#8212; suggest a scene of family fun!<br />
41. It is important to devote at least one area of your yard to outdoor living. Buyers will still recognize a scene set with picnic table and chairs and respond positively to it. Cover your picnic table with a fringed, red-and-white checked cloth topped with some plastic plates and glasses. Bring out the barbecuing equipment, and buyers will almost smell the hot dogs cooking!<br />
The Driveway:<br />
42. The driveway is no place for children&#8217;s toys. Not only are such things dangerous, the clutter is unsightly.<br />
43. The surface of your driveway should be beyond reproach, as it&#8217;s one of the first things a buyer will see when he drives up. Sweep and wash the driveway and walks to remove debris, dirt and stains. Repair and patch any cracks, edge the sides and pull up any weeds.<br />
ROOM-BY-ROOM ANALYSIS<br />
The Front Entry: Whether a graciously proportioned center-hall or a small space just large enough for a coat rack and tiny table, this part of your home deserves particular attention.<br />
44. Study your entry hall and ask yourself what kind of impression it makes of your home. Dried flowers or a small plant can make a striking focal point on a hall table any time of the year.<br />
45. Virtually any entry hall will benefit from a well-placed mirror to enlarge the area.<br />
46. Your entry hall&#8217;s flooring will be observed carefully by the prospective buyer. Make sure the surface is spotless, and add a small rug to protect the area during showings.<br />
47. The entry hall closet is usually the first one inspected, therefore it needs to appear roomy. Add a few extra hangers. Hang a bag of cedar chips or a pomander ball to give a pleasant, fresh scent. Remove all out-of-season clothing.<br />
Living areas:<br />
Think of these areas as if they were furniture showrooms. Your job is to make each room generate a positive response. Add touches that make a room look truly inviting.<br />
48. Sweep and clean the fireplace. Place a few logs on the grate to create an attractive appearance. You are welcome to have a fire going for showings during the winter months, this creates a great atmosphere.<br />
49. Place something colorful on the mantel, but don&#8217;t make it look like a country craft store.<br />
50. Improve the traffic flow by removing excess furniture. Have easy traffic flow patterns. Be sure that all doors open fully and easily.<br />
51. Draw attention to exposed beams or a cathedral ceiling with special lighting. Be sure to remove any cobwebs and dust.<br />
52. Remove oversized television sets if they dominate the room. If necessary, substitute with a smaller one until you move.<br />
The Dining Room:<br />
Avoid going overboard to be effective. Any stage setting that you create should reflect the character of your entire home appropriately.<br />
53. Set the scene by setting the table with an attractive arrangement. Add fresh or silk flowers as a centerpiece.<br />
54. Visually enlarge a small dining area. If your dining table has extra leaves, take one or two out. Consider placing your dining table against a wall, and remove any extra &#8220;company&#8221; chairs. Consider putting oversized pieces in storage until your house is sold.<br />
The Kitchen:<br />
Pay particular attention to your kitchen as this room continues to be the &#8220;heart of the home&#8221;. A pleasant, working kitchen is near the top of the list of priorities for most buyers, and is a room that is scrutinized closely.<br />
55. Avoid clutter! Clean counters of small appliances and store whenever possible to maximize the appearance of work spaces. Check the counter top around your sink, and remove any detergent or cleanser that may be cluttering the area.<br />
56. Sinks, cabinets, appliances and counter tops should be clean and fresh.<br />
57. All appliances should be absolutely clean, bright, sparkling, and shiny!<br />
58. Clean off the top of the refrigerator! If you must use that space for storage, use baskets and bowls to camouflage the items kept there.<br />
59. Set the scene with an open cookbook, a basket filled with fruit, a basket of silk flowers, or a ceramic mixing bowl and wire whisk.<br />
60. Create the aromas associated with happy homes! Bake some cookies from pre-mixed, refrigerated cookie dough, start baking a loaf of refrigerated bread dough, or pop a frozen apple pie in the oven. A delightful kitchen aroma can be created with commercial potpourri preparations.<br />
61. In the heat of summer, place a bowl of lemons or limes on the counter to provide a fresh and pleasant aroma.<br />
62. Clean and organize all storage space. If your cabinets, drawers, and closets are crowded and overflowing, buyers assume that your storage space is inadequate. Give away items you don&#8217;t use, store seldom-used items elsewhere, and reorganize the shelves. Neat, organized shelves and drawers look larger and more adequate for prospective buyer&#8217;s needs.<br />
63. Large, cheerful kitchen windows are an advantage and should be highlighted as a special feature of your home. Take a critical look at the window treatment. Make sure it is clean, sharp and up-to-date. Do the curtains need washing or the blinds need cleaning? Would the window area look better without any window treatment?<br />
64. If you have a counter top eating area, set two attractive place settings with coordinating napkins and place mats, and place cushions on the stools.<br />
65. Set the table for an informal meal with bright place mats and a generous bowl of fruit as a centerpiece.<br />
Laundry Room:<br />
A separate laundry room is a true asset and is one of the most frequent requests that buyers make during a home search. Don&#8217;t hide this treasure behind closed doors. Spruce up the room and open the door proudly for inspection.<br />
66. Add a fresh coat of paint or put up cheerful wallpaper.<br />
67. Organize all closets and storage areas<br />
68. Keep current with your laundry. Remove or store all dirty laundry in a closed container.<br />
69. Clean and polish the washer and dryer.<br />
70. Consider adding an attractive, coordinated throw rug.<br />
Stairways:<br />
Stairways should provide an attractive transition from one level of your home to another.<br />
71. Make sure the stairs are safe! Stair lighting should be more than adequate, and stairs must be clutter free. Stair railings must be tight and secure, and all runners or carpeting securely tacked. Remove any items from the surface of the stairs and store elsewhere. Check the condition of the walls, and paint or re-wallpaper if necessary.<br />
72. If the stairs are a focal point of the main living areas, carefully choose accents to improve the visual appeal. If you have a wide, gracious staircase, emphasize this feature by hanging a few pictures along the wall. Draw attention to a handsome lighting fixture by polishing the brass and dusting each small light bulb or crystal prism. Any stair landing should also have an attractive focal point, be it a fern on a plant stand, a dramatic poster, a chiming clock, or maybe a special chair on a large stair landing. If the staircase is narrow, fool the eye by minimizing clutter.<br />
Bedrooms:<br />
Imagine for a moment that you&#8217;re in the &#8216;bed and breakfast&#8217; business. How would you change your home&#8217;s bedrooms to appeal to a paying lodger? Naturally you would make up the beds with your prettiest sheets and comforters. Maybe you would add a vase of flowers on the dressing table or a cozy armchair in the corner. Every bedroom in your home should invite prospective buyers to settle right in.<br />
73. Large master bedrooms are particularly popular among today&#8217;s homebuyers. To make your bedroom appear larger, paint the room a light color, remove excess furniture if the room is crowded, and minimize clutter to maximize spaciousness. Aim for a restful, subdued &#8220;look&#8221;.<br />
74. A private bathroom off the master bedroom is a real plus. Decorate to coordinate with the color scheme of your bedroom, creating the &#8220;suite&#8221; effect.<br />
75. Virtually all buyers are looking for a house with plenty of closet space. Try to make what you have appear generous and well planned. Remove and store all out of season clothing. Remove any items from the floor area, as this will make a closet seem more spacious. Arrange all shelves to maximize the use of space.<br />
76. Make sure all articles in the closet are fresh and clean smelling. When prospective buyers open your closet door, they should be greeted with a whiff of fresh smelling air.<br />
77. Make sure all closet lights have adequate wattage and are operating. Add battery operated lights to those closets that lack them. Lighted closets look bigger, are more attractive, and allow buyers to inspect the interiors easily.<br />
78. Take the time to explain the importance of marketing to your children. Encourage them to participate in preparing your home for showing, emphasizing the principle of appealing to the widest possible market segment. Ask your children&#8217;s cooperation in making their beds and picking up their rooms prior to showings. Consider promising a special reward if they willingly participate in your house-selling goals.<br />
79. Have them pack up any items that are not currently in use and dispose of unused possessions.<br />
80. Remove any crowded, unusual, or personal wall hangings such as posters, and store them until your home is sold.<br />
Bathrooms:<br />
Wise sellers take special pains with preparing their bathroom(s) for scrutiny by strangers. The bathroom is a room after all, and a very personal one. Prospects will inspect yours carefully, so be sure it is immaculate. Cleanliness is the key! Make sure that all surfaces are spotless.<br />
81. Replace worn or dirty shower curtains, clean and repair caulking, and remove non-skid bath surface decals that are in poor condition.<br />
82. Clear off countertops and store all personal care products out of sight.<br />
83. Repair any faucets that leak or do not function properly. Clean off mineral deposits with vinegar or commercial products.<br />
84. Clean and organize all cabinets and drawers. Check the medicine cabinets, discard old prescriptions, and polish the shelves. The same goes for the storage cabinet under the sink.<br />
85. Remember to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Play down dominate colors with contrasting neutral colored towels and accessories. If your bathroom is mostly white or neutral, add a few cheerful accents of color and use towels in the popular new shades. Don&#8217;t hesitate to buy a few new towels or a rug, as you will be taking them with you to your new home anyway.<br />
86. Scrub and wax an old floor. Cover the largest area you can with a freshly washed scatter rug.<br />
87. Decorate and personalize creating a pleasing, individual look. Consider bringing out your best towels and perfumed guest soaps. Add a plant for color and freshness.<br />
88. A gentle hint of fragrance in the air is fine, but keep it subtle.<br />
Basement:<br />
89. Clean and organize the basement. Be sure that the stairs are cleared, well lighted and that the handrail is secure. Remove and dispose of any items that you will not be taking with you. Pack other items neatly in boxes and arrange them neatly in the center of the room so those basement walls can be inspected.<br />
90. Make sure your major systems such as the furnace and electrical service are operating properly. If appropriate, vacuum out the furnace, and install a clean filter.<br />
91. A dark, damp-smelling basement, will have trouble selling. Clean up mildew stains, throw out any upholstered furniture that retains that musty smell, and check the basement walls for high water marks. Many basements are a turnoff simply because they&#8217;re too dark. Increase the wattage of your existing light bulbs, and if needed, install a few more lights. Be sure, however, to disclose any problems with your basement drainage system. Most states require that sellers list adverse defects of material significance. This should be noted as exceptions to the seller&#8217;s warranties.<br />
92. As a final touch, take a damp cloth and wipe off any dust and grime from the surface of your water heater and furnace. Apply a coat of wax when you are finished.<br />
Garage:<br />
93. Sweep and wash the floor to remove dirt and stains. Organize tools, garden equipment, bicycles, etc. A clean, organized garage appears larger.<br />
94. If the area is dark, add more light. If it is small, and accommodates only one car, remove your car before buyers visit. An empty garage always looks larger. If a two-car garage has very little extra room, remove one of your cars so that buyers can make their inspection in comfort.<br />
95. If the basement is appropriate to use as a recreation area, set up your ping &#8211; pong table (with balls and paddles as props), hang some bright posters, put down an area rug, and you&#8217;ve transformed the place into a teen retreat. Your setting does not need to be complete and shouldn&#8217;t cost a large amount. It&#8217;s only meant to suggest further possibilities to buyers.<br />
96. Clear off and organize the workbench in your basement and draw attention to it as a sales feature. Make sure the lighting is excellent, and stage the area as a comfortable place in which to work. Add a throw rug as cushioning against the cement flooring.<br />
Attic:<br />
Whether a high-ceiling room or a crawl space under the eaves for storage, your attic area will be examined and should not detract from the well-kept appearance of your house.<br />
97. If your attic is reached by a steep flight of stairs, be sure they are clear of objects and well lit. If your attic space is reached by a folding set of stairs that you pull from the ceiling, be sure the mechanism is well oiled and there is adequate lighting.<br />
98. Spruce up your attic space, hide the mousetraps, and install bright lights. If your attic does have windows, be sure to clean off grime and let in as much light as possible. Clean as needed.<br />
99. Get rid of anything that you don&#8217;t plan to move to your new home. Place remaining stored material neatly in boxes and trunks, and position away from the walls.<br />
100. If the attic is windowed and can be expanded under the current municipal building codes, be sure to inform your prospective buyers of this potential. Be sure to verify this information first.</p>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=3&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_3" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/selling-your-house-100-things-to-do/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cheap Home Information Packs &#8211; Why Pay Too Much?</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/cheap-home-information-packs-why-pay-too-much/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/cheap-home-information-packs-why-pay-too-much/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:12:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying a Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap home pack]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home information pack]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=111</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
The Home Information Pack (HIP) caused quite a stir when it was first introduced in 2004. Many people felt that it could cripple the property market as people would have to go over an extra hurdle to be able to sell their house. However, despite this controversy the Home Information Pack has been widely regarded [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="body">
<p><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-112" title="Woman just completed house purchase" src="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/womanwithkeys-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />The Home Information Pack (HIP) caused quite a stir when it was first introduced in 2004. Many people felt that it could cripple the property market as people would have to go over an extra hurdle to be able to sell their house. However, despite this controversy the Home Information Pack has been widely regarded as a success story, since it has freed up a great deal of time in the buying and selling process, and improved the information available to buyers. You no longer have to worry, for example, about any nasty shocks late on in the process when you find out the house you so wanted to buy was actually built on nuclear waste! Ever since Home Information Packs have been introduced, buyers have been protected much more and sellers now have to be completely upfront about any issues that the property has. Even though the Home Information Pack can take time to be put together, once you have done it you can supply it to anyone who is looking at your property, and it can also save you a great deal of time trying to explain everything there is to know about it.</p>
<p>The Home Information Pack is essential a group of documents which explain different aspects of the house, such as energy performance or the age of the property. There is a great deal of information which has to be presented and it is for this reason that many people are put off selling their house, since they are concerned how long it will take them to put together all this information. However, there are now firms which can handle the whole process for you, saving you a great deal of time and hassle. You can have a home information pack within a matter of days for a small fee, allowing you to concentrate on the more important aspects of the selling process. In the time it would have taken you to put together a HIP, you could be making adjustments to the house so as to increase its value in the mind of the estate agents and prospective buyers.</p>
<p>One of the best ways to get a cheap Home Information Pack is to look online, all you have to do is fill out a short form and within a matter of seconds you will know exactly how much you will have to pay for the firm to put together the HIP for you. It&#8217;s as simple as that and can save you a huge amount of time and money!</p></div>
<p>Get the best deal on your <a id="link_89" href="http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk/hip.php" target="_new">home information pack</a>. Our system offers you the cheapest home information pack available in the UK. The service is fast and efficient get a free no obligation quote <a id="link_90" href="http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk/hip.php" target="_new">http://conveyancing.homesonsale.co.uk/hip.php</a>.</p>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=114&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_114" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/cheap-home-information-packs-why-pay-too-much/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Things That Real Estate Agents Don’t Want Their Prospective Buyers To Know</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/the-things-that-real-estate-agents-don%e2%80%99t-want-their-prospective-buyers-to-know/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/the-things-that-real-estate-agents-don%e2%80%99t-want-their-prospective-buyers-to-know/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:53:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying a Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[estate agents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[realtors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=81</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is a Real Estate Agent?
In the business sense, real estate agents are persons who act as a bridge between 2 parties who would like to engage in a real estate business or transaction involving a certain land or property which involves selling, lease, rental or the like. The 2 parties are the seller and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What is a Real Estate Agent?<br />
In the business sense, <a href="/">real estate agents</a> are persons who act as a bridge between 2 parties who would like to engage in a real estate business or transaction involving a certain land or property which involves selling, lease, rental or the like. The 2 parties are the seller and the buyer. They act as clients which the agent will have to deal with. An agent can also be manifested by either a single party or an organization or group of agents working together to give service to various people who need assistance for their business involving real estate.</p>
<p>Real Estate agents can also be called real estate brokers, estate agents or a real estate sales persons. Obviously, sales and marketing are prime objectives of a person doing real estate business. When agents assist their clients in marketing their property in terms of sellers or looking for a property that would fit their needs and budget, in terms of buyers, they try to give the best possible options and services.</p>
<p>To become an agent or a broker under the real estate business, one should have a license in order to practice the profession with the standard fees and charges due them. By this, the agents are able to engage with their prospective clients with regards to the different aspects of the business. The transactions between an agent and a client involve various facets which are very important, especially for the client to know. But in the course of the business, there are things which Real Estate agents would keep from their clients as this would be possibly be their edge in marketing or selling their service.</p>
<p>Top 3 things which Real Estate agents don’t want their prospective buyers to know<br />
In a real estate business, not everything will be divulged to the client. Of course, agents will have to know the ins and outs of the business and thus get a way to transact with them along with their knowledge, charm and convincing power.</p>
<p>In dealing with the clients, there are things that are opted not to be told and these are the following:</p>
<ol>
<li>An open house usually works very beneficial more to the agent than to the client. In an <a title="buy home" href="/" target="_self">open house</a>, potential buyers are able to have free access and visit to the property that is being sold or leased. This would mean that a lot of guests are thus expected to visit the site, but just a small probability for the property to be sold. The agent may not inform the client of the possible outcome of having an open house and by this, the downside of having an open house in terms of all the hard work and preparation is now on the hands of the client.</li>
<li>Agents will tell you that their fees are negotiable. But actually, they are not. They would actually get potential clients who can commit to them in terms of selling and buying at the same time so they can get more transactions than just having one. Agents will give “discounts” but in reality, even if the fees that they require are smaller for each project, when you sum them all up just for one client, it is equals to more than what is expected for a broker’s fee for just a singular client.</li>
<li>Another thing that Real Estate agents don’t tell their clients is the quantity of prospective buyers who are interested in the property that is being sold. At this point, the agent has in his hands the option to choose who among the prospective buyers he will present to his client for a possible good transaction. In this way, the coming in of the buyers is filtered by the agent and thus, do not allow full transparency of the whole process of the <a title="selling your home" href="/" target="_self">real estate</a> transaction that is on going.</li>
</ol>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=81&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_81" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/the-things-that-real-estate-agents-don%e2%80%99t-want-their-prospective-buyers-to-know/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Real Estate &#8211; Manage Your Exposure</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/real-estate-manage-your-exposure/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/real-estate-manage-your-exposure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:34:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Buying a Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[property investment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=79</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Managing the risk associated with investing in real estate is key to protecting yourself from loss. The most important aspect of risk management in real estate is to know the law. It’s essential that you have a working knowledge of the real estate legal structure and requirements.
After you’ve researched property availability, cost, and buyer interest, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Managing the risk associated with investing in real estate is key to protecting yourself from loss. The most important aspect of risk management in real estate is to know the law. It’s essential that you have a working knowledge of the real estate legal structure and requirements.</p>
<p>After you’ve researched property availability, cost, and buyer interest, you’ll need to hypothesize about what the future holds for your market. Will prices go up or down?</p>
<p>When considering your risk, keep the following points in mind:</p>
<ol>
<li>Think about the local economy. Are there jobs available or are most companies in the area losing jobs? Are new homes being built more or less than over the past 5 years?</li>
<li>Make wise financing choices. When picking your funding source, think about how long you plan to keep the property. Adjustable Rate Mortgages(ARMs) are attractive because of their lower down payments and lowerrates. You can pick the duration of the loan – typically either 1,5, or 7 year ARMs – and your rate will be adjusted to the prevailing rates after this period of time. If you plan to hold onto a property longer than the ARM, ARMs can cost you more because of the higher interest rates. It may be more prudent to opt for a fixed rate mortgage with the shortest length you can handle financially.</li>
<li>Pay a large down payment to reduce your risk. If you can put down 10%, you’ll have instant equity in the property, and most likely get a better interest rate.</li>
<li>Be creative with your mortgage payments. Make larger monthly payments then require, or make one extra payment a year you’ll reduce your principle.</li>
</ol>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=79&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_79" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/real-estate-manage-your-exposure/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Using Colors to Sell Your House</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/using-colors-to-sell-your-house/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/using-colors-to-sell-your-house/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:05:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Selling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sell house]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[selling tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=77</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are home buyers that are quite finicky, but there are also a lot of buyers that only takes an instant to decide that he/she has fallen in love with the house.  What is the best color to paint your house with to be able to catch the attention of a prospective buyer?
What is the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are <a title="homes for sale" href="/" target="_self">home buyers</a> that are quite finicky, but there are also a lot of buyers that only takes an instant to decide that he/she has fallen in love with the house.  What is the best color to paint your house with to be able to catch the attention of a prospective buyer?</p>
<p><strong>What is the Most Ideal Color For Selling A House? </strong><br />
When people attend parties, they spend a considerable amount of time grooming to look their best.  This is because fascination is the major aspect in starting a relationship.  The same principle applies to a house.  Before you put your house on sale, you should make sure that it looks attractive inside and out for its dates with prospective buyers.  The house’s color plays a vital role in the attracting arena.</p>
<p>Singly, colors cannot do the job perfectly.  The best color is the one that complements the total structure of the house and the entire surrounding of the property.  Let us see some of the concerns here:</p>
<ol>
<li>The color should at least be in harmony with the colors of the other houses in the neighborhood.  If you choose a clashing color combination, your house could stick out like a sore thumb.</li>
<li>Highlights. If you want to emphasize a specific part of the house, paint around it using light colors to easily catch your buyers’ attention.</li>
<li>Hide It!  On the other hand, parts of the house that you want to de-emphasize, paint them with dark colors so that they will not be easily noticed.</li>
<li>A large expanse of flat surfaces like the side of the garage should have a washed out look.</li>
</ol>
<p>So after deciding on the colors, let us have some fun.  Make a list of all the colors, purchasing only small cans of each color.  In a hidden part of the house, paint the walls in with sample strokes perhaps measuring 2 feet long and 1 foot wide.  To see the effect both ways, paint an area that is shaded and the other which is exposed to sunlight.</p>
<p>To see the final effect of the colors, wait for a few hours to get the paint completely dry because wet paint has a different effect than dry paint.</p>
<p>As soon as the paint is completely dry, then you can give your verdict as to what color will really make the house attractive.  Sometimes as colors are applied the final effect is not we expect it to be.  You could experiment on other colors if none of your experiments turns out to be suitable.  Nevertheless, after making your choice and finally applying it to your house, you just have to cross your fingers that your taste is the same as your <a title="buy property" href="/" target="_self">prospective buyers</a>.</p>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=77&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_77" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/using-colors-to-sell-your-house/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tips To Beat The Credit Crunch</title>
		<link>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/tips-to-beat-the-credit-crunch/</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/tips-to-beat-the-credit-crunch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:17:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money saving tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=74</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Credit crunch or not, it seems as though £100 just does not go as far as it did in recent times.  We are all concerned about getting the most from our money.  After all, enough sweat and tears has contributed to us earning it.  So how can we make sure our money covers as much [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Credit crunch or not, it seems as though £100 just does not go as far as it did in recent times.  We are all concerned about getting the most from our money.  After all, enough sweat and tears has contributed to us earning it.  So how can we make sure our money covers as much as we want?  We’ll look at a few tips to help you.<br />
<strong><br />
Who Are These Tips For?</strong><br />
If you recognise that you spend more now for the same products each month then you will benefit from the tips that will follow.  Whether you are a parent or a student, office worker or company director, sooner or later you may feel the crunch so we hope the following tips will be of use to you if or when that time comes.</p>
<p><strong>Credit Crunch Tips </strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Purchase in ‘goods in season’.  Many supermarkets will offer sale on goods that are in season so this is one way to save money.  If you are looking for goods that are not in season you will no doubt pay more.</li>
<li>Save your food.  You can do this by planning what you’ll eat for the week and shopping for these items only.  This way you have less chance of wasting food</li>
<li>Take your lunch to work.  Many people underestimate how much this could save you.  Depending on how much you spend on lunch, if you were to add up the cost over a year, you could probably have enough for a holiday for two.</li>
<li>Buy in bulk.  Non perishable items can go a long way and you will save money per item due to the bulk purchase.</li>
<li>Can you give up your morning cappuccino?  You could save a tidy sum by making your own coffee.</li>
<li>Try canceling your cable subscription and opting for freeview for example.</li>
<li>Look into the option of <a title="london car share ads" href="http://london.photoads.co.uk/community/car-share/" target="_blank">carpooling</a>, cycling or taking the bus.  While this option may not be adequate for everyone, if it is possible for you, it should be considered</li>
<li>Holiday locally.  There are many beautiful and affordable locations to take the family in Great Britain</li>
<li>Insulate your home so you will not lose pennies due to heat escaping your <a title="buy property" href="/" target="_blank">property</a></li>
<li>Invest in energy saving light bulbs to reduce your electricity costs</li>
<li>If you have many credit cards, try to consolidate the debt or at least transfer to a low interest rate <a title="compare credit cards" href="http://www.cheaper-credit-card.co.uk" target="_blank">balance transfer card</a>.  This way most, if not all of your money, will go towards reducing your debt</li>
<li>The final and most important step is to make a budget and stick to it.  If you know how much is coming in and going out, you are more likely to keep in control of things.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Summary</strong><br />
We hope the above tips to beat the credit crunch will help you.  Some of them will call for sacrifice, but hey, we can’t always have our cake and eat it too.  For every pound you spend, that is one pound less to save so make sure you manage your <a title="check your uk finances" href="/finance/" target="_blank">finances</a> wisely.</p>
<p class="akst_link"><a href="http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=74&amp;akst_action=share-this"  title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." id="akst_link_74" class="akst_share_link" rel="nofollow">Share and Save</a>
</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.homesonsale.co.uk/blog/tips-to-beat-the-credit-crunch/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
