Home staging is the process of getting your house ready for a prospective buyer to view. Setting the scene can help potential buyers view your property in the best possible light. It is intended to draw attention to your home’s strengths rather than mask any flaws.

When staging their homes, people frequently make a few big mistakes. Here at Vita Properties, we have identified the top three home staging no-nos: 

Old-fashioned or worn-out bathrooms and kitchens

Bathrooms and kitchens have the power to make or break a sale. The expense may be putting you off renovating these rooms before you move, but potential buyers will also be apprehensive about the cost of doing them up. They might even cause them to worry about whether other areas of the property have been neglected. It is a good idea to prioritise updating these rooms before putting your property on the market because no amount of artfully positioned plants or tastefully organised cookware can make outdated or worn-out kitchens and bathrooms look better.

Defective Flooring

Rugs are excellent for unifying the decor in a space or separating areas in a multipurpose room. However, they are useless for covering up flooring issues. The majority of flooring problems can be felt when stepped on, so adding a rug to cover them up can appear dishonest and turn off potential buyers.

Rugs might, to some extent, help to make an ageing carpet look better, but realistically, they will not be able to entirely cover up a worn-out or unclean carpet. Having your carpets steam cleaned can help if you can’t afford to replace them.

Undesirable odours

No matter how spotless or tastefully designed your property is, if it smells terrible, most people will be put off. It is best to take care of any lingering aromas like pet odour, cigarette smoke, or other unpleasant odours before you begin having viewings. No amount of plug-ins or scented candles can effectively mask odours that are already there, and they may even create an unpleasant combination of scents. If you want to get the best price possible for your property, choosing to have your furniture, carpets, and rugs professionally cleaned can be a very valuable investment.

It’s crucial to take a critical look at your home when you are preparing to put it on the market. Identifying any areas that need a bit of sprucing up or that could be enhanced with a little bit of staging can make a real difference to both how long it takes for your property to sell and its sale price. We know how hard it is to view your own home through impartial eyes, so we are always happy to come out and give you our professional and tactful opinion.

If you are thinking of putting your home in NW London on the market please do give us a call on  020 7759 2199 and we will be delighted to assist you.

Over pricing

Zoopla has conducted research on the effect of the initial price properties were listed for on their final sale price. They discovered that properties that were overpriced can take on average two months longer to sell than properties that start with a realistic sale price.

One of the key filters on property websites is price, so if your property is overpriced, fewer people are going to see it and those that do will be comparing it, likely unfavourably, to others in that price bracket.

Inevitably, you will have to lower your price as your property remains unsold. Buyers, however, are always more interested in seeing properties that are new to the market, as they believe that there must be something wrong with properties that have been on the market for a while.

Over personalised

You are selling your buyers their future home. If you have covered the walls with posters or personal photos consider taking them down. That way, buyers can see the potential of a room without being overwhelmed by your personal belongings.

Neutral tones

When you put your property on the market you need to remember that if your taste is rather eccentric, it can delay your property selling and maybe even lower the price you eventually get for your home. Buyers like properties that they can put their own stamp on. If you have any particularly garishly decorated rooms, do consider redecorating in neutral tones to increase your chances of a quick sale.

Take children and pets out

Potential buyers want to be able to look around your home in peace. Being trailed by children and pets, especially if they are allergic to or terrified of your four-legged friends, can not only make them feel uncomfortable but will also ruin their opportunity to look at your home properly.

Clean and declutter

Dirty houses immediately make a bad impression, and clutter can make even a large house feel claustrophobic. Take some time to declutter and clean your house. Cleaning windows can increase the amount of natural light entering your home; if it is evening, turn on your lights to create a warm glow. Making coffee and baking bread during viewings is a cliché, but the smell of furniture polish and fresh flowers is an easy way to make a home feel loved and cared for.

Choose the right estate agent

Choosing the first estate agent who comes to value your home or selecting an agent simply because they suggest the highest price can lead to problems further down the line. Take time to ask several agents to value your home and discuss with them why they think your property is worth the value they have suggested. Ask for examples of other local properties that they have sold in recent months, the prices they have achieved for them, and the length of time that it has taken to sell them. Reviews from past clients are invaluable when choosing an estate agent to trust to sell your property.

If you are considering selling your property in NW London and would like to know more about how we can help you, please give us a call on 020 7759 2199 or send an email to enquiries@vitaproperties.uk.

Purchasing a buy-to-let property can be an excellent and rewarding investment. If you choose the correct property, then a good long-term income from your investment is nearly guaranteed. However, as with all investments, there are always risks. To try to mitigate these, here are a few things that you should bear in mind when looking for your perfect buy-to-let property.

Know your target market

Who is your target market? If your target market is students or young professionals, you need to keep in mind their budget and ensure that you do not purchase a property that will be too expensive for them to afford. Remember at all times when viewing potential properties that you are not looking to fall in love with a property for yourself. Buying a rental property should be a decision made with your head, not your heart. Having said that, it can often help if you try to view a property through a potential tenant’s eyes, as that will allow you to see the things that might put a tenant off of your property.

Location, location, location

Look at local amenities and transport links and choose an area that will be attractive to your target market. For example, students will need to be close to their lecture halls and local amenities. Being within walking distance of local restaurants and bars would make your property even more attractive to them. Families, on the other hand, will be interested in the catchment areas of the local schools and how peaceful the area is. It can be wise to invest in areas that you know well, as your knowledge can help you select a tenant who will enjoy living there. Remember, happy tenants equal long-term renters, which means fewer rental voids!

Go big?

Smaller properties often have fewer rental voids than larger properties, as it can be harder to find tenants for larger, high-rent properties. That is not to say that you should not invest in a larger property, but you must be especially aware that if you do, you should take care to ensure that it is both attractive to your target market in terms of the make and type of property and in a good location for them.

Do your homework

Property prices rise and fall. Large profits can be made from rental income when interest rates are low, but rising interest rates can be a cause for concern for landlords. Make sure that you are aware of current trends in the market and keep on top of them even after you purchase your buy-to-let property in order to ensure that you are aware of and therefore can prepare for any upcoming issues.

If you are considering purchasing a buy-to-let property in NW London and have any questions or would like to join our early bird list to become one of the first to find out about our new listings then please give us a call on 020 7759 2199 or send an email toenquiries@vitaproperties.uk and we will be delighted to assist you.

The rising cost of living is affecting everyone, and online forums are buzzing with tips on how to reduce your outgoings. If you need some money-saving tips, then look no further. We have rounded up our favourites here.

Don’t leave devices on standby
‘Vampire devices’ are estimated to cost the average household £147 a year.

LED bulbs
Switching to LED bulbs may be an expensive upfront cost, but they can use up to 85% less energy to run than a traditional 60W bulb. They also tend to last significantly longer, so they will pay for themselves in months.

Use a comparison website
Check that you are on the cheapest energy tariff possible by using an online comparison website.

Smart thermostats
These automatically turn your heating down when you leave the house, so you can avoid paying to heat your home when no-one is there. 

Don’t use your tumble dryer
Take advantage of the warmer days to dry your washing outside or invest in a heated drying rack for rainy days.

Nighttime savings
Check to see if your energy company charges less for energy used at particular times of the day. Many companies charge less for energy between 10pm and 5am.

Don’t put too much in
It might seem like a sensible idea to put as much in your washing machine or tumble dryer as you can to avoid having to run it a second time, but if your machine is too full, it will not only struggle to adequately wash or dry your clothes, but it will also use more energy to run as it has to work harder.

30 degrees
Your washing machine can use up to 50% less energy when it is run on a 30-degree cycle instead of a 40-60 degree one, and experts say that your clothes will be just as clean.

Eco cycles
These do take longer, but they are more energy efficient.

Dryer Balls
These separate the washing inside your tumble dryer, which allows the air to circulate better. This, in turn, helps the water evaporate quicker.

Look down
Most supermarkets stock cheaper versions of items on the lower shelves, so make sure that you always look down.

Look for yellow stickers
Supermarkets often reduce the price of stock that will shortly be out of date throughout the day. If you are undecided about what to have for dinner, this can be a great way to get a bargain.

Batch cook
Batch cooking saves energy as you cook several meals at once in your oven. Use your microwave to reheat these meals, as it is much more energy efficient to reheat food in there than in the oven.

Just a cuppa
Only put as much water in your kettle as you need, so that you are not wasting energy boiling water you won’t use. Use your kettle to boil your cooking water before putting it in the pan, as it will use less energy than a hob to bring the water to the boil.

Bulk up
Use frozen vegetables to bulk up recipes that contain mince. Lasagne, shepherd’s pie, and spaghetti bolognese all work well with 50/50 quantities of mince and frozen vegetables, and it may even encourage your children to eat more vegetables.

If the rising cost of living is making you consider downsizing in NW London then please do give us a call on 020 7759 2199 or send us an email to enquiries@vitaproperties.uk and we will be happy to help you to come to the best decision for your family.

According to Which?, 28% of people experience a property purchase falling through. So here are our top tips on how to keep the house-buying process progressing smoothly so you can avoid it happening to you.

Avoid joining a chain if you can!

This applies to your choices as both a buyer and a seller. Once you become part of a chain, you are subject to any issues, such as buyers pulling out, in the chain. Many of us do not choose a property with our heads but instead, let our hearts make the choice for us. However, if your heart happens to choose a property without a chain, then your head will definitely thank it for it as it can save a lot of headaches!

If you are lucky enough to have multiple offers made for your property, choosing the one that has no chain can turn out to be a savvy decision for the same reason.

Set a realistic timescale

Make sure that you have a discussion shortly after your offer has been accepted about your preferred timescales. While you may need to accept that buying and selling properties may take longer than you would like due to the complexity of the process, it helps if everyone is working towards the same date as it tends to focus minds.

Be organised

Make sure that all of your paperwork is in order so that you do not cause any delays. It can be particularly helpful to make sure that you have all of your paperwork to hand so that if a query should arise, you won’t have to delay responding while you find it. Making sure you are easy to get hold of can also mean small queries can be answered quickly, avoiding any hold-ups.

Make sure you choose the right estate agent

Estate agents are not all the same, so beware of selecting your agent based purely on their fees. Instead, select one based on their experience and ability to help keep your house sale moving. Looking at reviews is a great way to find out how an estate agent has handled previous house sales. It is also important when you are selecting an agent to make sure that you are on the same wavelength and get along. Remember, the way they treat you is also how they will treat any potential buyers.

Part of our job is to help progress your house sale and chase things up where necessary. We liaise with the buyer, seller, and solicitor and ensure your house sale and purchase go through as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Think outside the chain

If something goes wrong in your chain, consider selling and renting a property to avoid losing your buyer. This also puts you in a strong position when you find another property to make an offer on, as you will then be chain-free.

If you would like to know more about how we can help you sell your property in NW London, please give us a call on 020 7759 2199 or send an email to enquiries@vitaproperties.uk.

All landlords want a good tenant. Even better is a good tenant who wishes to rent your property for a long time as it means you won’t be faced with rental voids or the stress of frequently having to find new tenants. Long-term tenants also tend to take better care of properties as they are more likely to treat them like their homes rather than as just temporary accommodation.

So how can you find your perfect tenant? Here at Vita Properties, we know that the best way to attract your ideal tenant is through targeted marketing and consistent good service. So what does that mean?

Identify your perfect tenant

A listing is just like a dating profile. If your ideal tenant finds the listing for your property online and doesn’t like the look of it then they won’t bother to consider it. So first take some time to think about who your ideal tenant is and then consider if there is anything you can do to make your property and your online advert more attractive to them.

Location, location, location

Highlight the proximity of the local services and attractions that your ideal tenants would use. For example, if you would like to rent to students then mentioning the distance to the university would be a good start. For families let them know which school’s catchment area your property falls within and for young professionals focus on distance to transport links and local nightlife.

Take an objective look

Try to see your property through the eyes of a potential tenant. Is your property in need of a fresh coat of paint or are there things that you have been meaning to fix but haven’t got around to yet? Things like this can be a red flag for a tenant as it may give them the impression that you are a neglectful landlord.

Research

Look at similar properties in your area to ascertain what your competition is offering and make sure that you are not trying to set your rental price too high in comparison to them. Good tenants always have their pick of properties so do not price yourself out of their search by setting your rent too high. It can also lead to it taking longer to find tenants so the rental void may cancel out any gain you make from the higher price.

Choose your letting agent carefully

If you want good, long-term tenants then choosing the right agent to manage your property long-term is as important as choosing an agent who will be able to market your property well and find tenants fast. The key to getting long-term tenants is to treat them well and if your managing agent does not do that then you will have a high turnover of tenants and word will soon get around amongst tenants that it is unwise to rent through that particular agent reducing your pool of potential tenants. Here at Vita Properties, we have been responsible for managing hundreds of properties in NW London and our happy landlords and tenants are proof that we truly are agents who care.

If you are a landlord and would like to discuss how we can help you both find good tenants and keep them long-term or are a potential tenant looking for a property to rent in NW London then please give us a call on 020 7759 2199 and we will be delighted to help you.

Clean and clutter-free properties always sell faster than dirty and cluttered ones. Clutter has the effect of making your property look smaller which is the last thing you want when you are trying to make your property look as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

During viewings, buyers are assessing your property to ascertain whether it has ample space for themselves and their families to live in and enjoy. If every surface and perhaps even parts of the floor are covered by your belongings then that can be enough to put many viewers off of your home as they are distracted by the sight of them rather than focusing on your home’s positive features.

So if you are thinking about putting your property on the market or have already done so, now is an excellent time to declutter your home. If you need an idea of where to start then take a look at our top five decluttering tips.

Ask for help

Tough jobs are much easier to do if you have help so ask a friend or family member to spend a day with you helping you to declutter and sort your belongings.

The One-Year Rule

If something hasn’t been used for at least a year then you probably do not need it. You then need to decide whether you would like to keep it for sentimental reasons, or if it should go in the bin or be donated to a charity shop. 

Keep, Rubbish, Donate

Label three boxes with keep, rubbish, and donate. Then pick up an item and decide which one of the boxes it should go in. Do this with every item in the room but bear in mind as you do it that once the keep box is full you will need to put everything else into either the rubbish or donate boxes.

Throw away things that are broken

If after a week you haven’t fixed something that is broken then you are unlikely to. You also probably don’t need it if you haven’t bothered to fix it.

One thing in, one thing out

This simple rule will prevent you from allowing clutter to build up again after you have decluttered. Every time you bring something new into your home you must get rid of one thing.

If sorting out your clutter seems too overwhelming at the moment renting a storage unit and putting your excess belongings in it until you are ready to sort through them is a better plan than leaving them laying around for a potential buyer to have to step over. 

Every time keeping your house clutter-free starts to seem hard just remind yourself that space sells, clutter doesn’t.

We are always happy to give you advice on things that you can do to help ensure that you achieve the best price possible for your property in NW London, so please feel free to give us a call on 020 7759 2199 and we will give you our professional and tactful advice!