Catch up with our New Talk Show on Time FM 106.6

Feel free to use this bespoke Newsletter as you wish. Opt in or out of news dependent on category. This is a fantastic way to keep in touch with the property market and to get a good feel of current market conditions. Catch up with our weekly chat show where we talk property on the biggest local commercial radio station TIME 106.6FM.

Oakwood Estates Team Up With TIME FM 106.6

Oakwood Estates have teamed up exclusively with Time 106.6 FM to take part in a weekly show which has a Measured Catchment Area population of 383,000 (Data provided by OFcOM) listeners across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hertfordshire and Middlesex. You can tune in every Friday between 12.15pm-12.45pm for our featured discussion ‘Property Matters with Oakwood Estates’.

We utilise the ‘What’s hot this week?’ feature to discuss properties that we are currently marketing for sale. This feature has been particularly successful with Open Homes which take place at designated times over the weekend.

CLICK HERE and listen too last weeks show on 24/05/13 where Josh Godfrey of Oakwood Estates talks about First Time Buyers, Impact of Cross Rail and the condition of the current market and topical property matters.

CLICK HERE and listen to todays show on the 31/05/13 where Josh Godfrey advises what to do or not to do to your home and tips when investing in property.

The Property Ombudsman

When do you tell the tenant that the landlord is selling the property?
Click here to read The Property Ombudsman.

Tenants’ risks and responsibilities

Tenants don’t need to insure the property that they are renting but they should seriously consider the value of the goods that they own – their personal belongings.

Your landlord should have a comprehensive landlord’s insurance but this is unlikely to cover the possessions that belong to the tenant. Think of the various items that the tenant is likely to own – computers, cameras, phones, clothing and perhaps the television and some furniture.

As part of the process the tenant should insist on a comprehensive inventory being undertaken by an independent professional (An independent inventory clerk) – this way there can be no argument about the state of the property when it was initially rented. This can be useful when the tenant leaves the property as some unscrupulous landlords try and retain the deposit claiming spurious damage has occurred to the property. By the same token a full inventory also protects the landlord should damage occur.

The tenants can usually tailor make the cover that they require. Costs start at around &2 per week depending on the value and perceived risk. Because most agents are not covered by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) they cannot give specific advice on insurance. However, as an introducer, the agent is allowed to pass the tenant to an insurance adviser.

First Impressions Count

Here are some thoughts on how to make your home more attractive to a potential buyer:

• Outside

Make sure that the house does not look a mess outside. Tidy up. If you can, hide the bins behind a screen. Put in some pot plants – feed and water them as dead and dying plants are worse than no plants. Consider painting the front door – make it welcoming – put a new mat down!

• Inside

Make sure that the hallway is de-cluttered. Yes, it’s how you’ve always lived but no-one coming in is interested in your old boots or bicycles. Try and lighten up the space – consider mirrors to make most of the light. Leave the lights on in the hall so that when your prospect comes to view it is light.

• The kitchen

Many people regard the kitchen as the heart of the home. You have to make the kitchen welcoming and to give your prospects the good feeling that they could imagine themselves cooking and eating there. Tidy up the kitchen and de-clutter. Remove piles of post and all those notes that you hang up on the walls – make sure that your kitchen cupboards have been cleaned inside and out - you’d be surprised at how many people nosey inside your drawers!

• Utility room

Make sure that you de-clutter and tidy up the utility room. Don’t leave a pile of clothes there for washing or ironing. Don’t leave a dripping tap un-mended.

• Bedrooms

Make sure that the beds are all made. If you have bunk beds then take off the top level to make the room look larger. Make sure that the bedrooms look fresh – would you want to sleep in a smelly room?

• Bathroom

Make sure that the towels are hung up. Put some nice soap on display. Try and give the bathroom a fresh feel. Fill in any cracked plaster. A good paint job in the bathroom is not expensive. Also make sure that the taps don’t drip – it really puts buyers off and it doesn’t cost much to mend!

• Lavatories

Make sure that the seats are down. A bit of bleach never goes amiss!

• Garden

Even if your prospects are not gardeners they all want to see a nice garden. Make sure the grass is mown and weeding has been done. Remove dead or dying plants. If you have garden furniture then ensure it looks neat and tidy.

Finally, think light and space. The whole idea is that you invest a little time and a little money to ensure that you achieve a sale at the best price you can achieve. Remember, a well dressed home sells quicker and, more often, at a higher price.