A recent survey revealed the top six things that can put potential buyers off of your <<LOCATION>> property, and they are not all as obvious as you might think.

Clutter

Clutter can make rooms feel smaller and is very off putting to buyers, especially if they have to step over or go around it. Take some time to declutter your property. If you cannot bear to let go of items, then consider renting a storage unit to put some of your things in until you move.

Dirt

You cannot clean too much when you are preparing your home for a viewing. Potential buyers are trying to imagine whether they can see themselves living in your property. Yes, dirty properties can be cleaned, but most people find it hard to conjure up an image of what something can look like. So make sure that the image that you provide for them is a clean and welcoming one.

Clingy Sellers
Of course, you are anxious to know how a viewing is going and want to make sure that the potential buyers are shown all of the most charming parts of your property. However, sellers who loiter during a viewing are more likely to put buyers off than encourage them to make an offer. This is because potential buyers need to have the opportunity to visualise themselves living in your property, and that is much harder if the current homeowner is standing right in front of them, constantly reminding them of the life that they are living in the property.

Smells
Unpleasant odours are a big no-no for potential buyers. Make sure that you take the time to find the source of any unpleasant odours and deal with them. While you may be tempted to burn your favourite scented candle, be aware that no scent, however strong, can mask an unpleasant odour. Instead, you end up with a mix of the two scents, which can be very unpleasant. Fresh air is the most attractive scent to buyers, so make sure that your property has been well-aired before any viewings.

The Goldilocks Effect
If a potential buyer feels too hot or too cold, it will affect their perception of your home. You don’t want them to think of your property as ‘the cold house’ or ‘the hot house’. You want them to be as comfortable as possible during the viewing. 21°C is an ideal temperature, so consider adjusting your thermostat accordingly a couple of hours before each viewing.

Your estate agent
Rude and unhelpful agents don’t only annoy potential buyers; they may put them off purchasing your property completely. Take some time when selecting your agent to talk to them about the local area and their experience selling similar properties like yours. If you don’t find them to be knowledgeable and approachable, then your potential buyers won’t either, and it is important that when you leave them alone with your potential buyers during viewings, that they have the social skills to be able to turn a potential buyer into an offer.

If you would like more advice on what you can do to present your property in NW London in its best light during viewings or are considering selling your property in NW London and would like a free, no-obligation valuation, then please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 020 7759 2199 or send an email to enquiries@vitaproperties.uk.

Are you a landlord in NW London and unhappy with your letting agent?

Many landlords choose to put up with poor service from their letting agent rather than deal with the hassle of switching agents in the middle of a tenancy. Most will wait for their current tenancy to end and then make a move. Others won’t even do that, fearing that all letting agents are the same and that changing will be more hassle than it’s worth. This apathy is what bad letting agents rely upon, but it doesn’t need to be that way.

Not all letting agents are the same! We believe that a letting agent should provide you with excellent service, expert knowledge, professionalism, and helpful advice from when they first start finding you a tenant to when that happy tenant leaves.

We believe that happy tenants make happy landlords. The happier your tenant is with their home, the more likely they are to stay longer, thus avoiding any rental voids, and the more likely they are to take good care of your property.

If you are unhappy with your letting agent’s service, then it is highly likely that your tenant is too.

So what can you do? The first thing is, obviously, to talk to your letting agent. Discuss your concerns and ask them how they will be dealing with them and what they will be doing in the future in order to avoid these concerns arising again. This conversation may be enough to alleviate your worries. Just remember that actions speak louder than words. If you feel you are simply being placated each time you raise an issue, then it may be a sign that it is time to change agents.

Before that, though, you will need to check the contract that you have signed with them. Is there a notice period that you need to give or a fee that you have to pay in order to cancel the agreement mid-tenancy?

Once you have found this out, everything else is easy. Choose the new letting agent that you would like to take over managing your property. Don’t forget to check reviews and get recommendations from people you trust.

Once you have informed your current agent that you intend to change agents, your new letting agent can take over. They can collect all the paperwork and arrange for the name of the managing agent to be changed on the tenancy deposit scheme.

If you are changing your agent in the middle of a tenancy, you should give your tenants a call to assure them that it won’t affect their occupancy at all. Then your new agent can pop round to meet your tenant, do a quick property inspection, ensure that all paperwork is up-to-date and give them the new bank details that they will need to start sending their rent to.

That’s it; everything changed. It’s much easier than most people think it will be. Then you can relax knowing that your property is being looked after, and you no longer need to worry about it.

If you are a landlord and are not 100% happy with the way that your letting agent in NW London is managing it, then give us a call on 020 7759 2199 and we will be delighted to discuss how Vita Properties can help you make renting out your property stress-free.

Whether you are looking to sell your property or simply wish to make your home look more inviting to visitors, the very first thing you should consider is often the one most people overlook. They are so busy thinking about their interior decor and the tidiness of their homes that they often forget that the very first thing that people see is the front of their property. If your home’s kerb appeal could do with being spruced up but you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry; we have a few tips that will help you turn the front of your property from drab to fab in no time.

Front garden

If you have a front garden, then ensure that the grass is neatly mown. Clear your path of weeds and use a pressure washer to make it look its best. If you have borders, make sure that they are weeded and plant some nice flowers to help make your home look visually attractive.

Front Door

If the paint is starting to peel off of your front door or the hardware, like the handle or knocker, are looking a bit old and unloved, visitors may get the impression that the rest of your home is uncared for too. Treat your door to a fresh coat of paint and a shiny new door handle/knocker and your door will go from creating a sense of foreboding to being a welcoming entrance.

House number

Make sure that your house number is clearly visible. This will help both visitors and delivery drivers! If your house number is looking a bit old and tatty, consider replacing it with a shiny new one that reflects the care you take of your property.

Windows

Clean windows not only maximise the amount of natural light that you get inside your home, but they also affect the feel of your home from the outside. Clean windows make a home look cared for, and a loved home will always have more kerb appeal than a neglected one.

Exterior Lights

Many potential viewers will do a drive-by viewing before deciding whether to view the inside of your property. Due to working hours, most of these will be done in the evening, and most guests to your home will also visit in the evening, so ensuring that your exterior lights are all working is essential to make sure that your home is bathed in welcoming light and not shrouded in darkness.

Gates, fences and hedges

Check that your garden gate and fence are in good condition. Oil the hinges and check that the latch is in good working order. Replace broken fence panels and neatly trim any hedges.

Garage

While your visitors/viewers will not be entering your property through your garage doors, they do affect the first impression that they will have of your home, so make sure that they are in good condition and consider sprucing them up with a fresh coat of paint if necessary. Potential buyers will want to take a look in your garage, so make sure that it is clean and tidy.

If you would like more advice on how to improve your NW London property’s kerb appeal, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 020 7759 2199 or send us an email to enquiries@vitaproperties.uk  and we will be delighted to help you.

There are many reasons why people downsize in NW London. Selling your home and buying a smaller one is known as downsizing. If you are considering it but are still unsure if it is the best choice for you, we have listed the top five reasons why people downsize below.

Maintenance

The upkeep of larger homes is much more labour-intensive than that of smaller homes. This includes both the weekly cleaning and basic maintenance in addition to repairs. Perhaps you are discovering that you are less mobile than you once were, or maybe your priorities have changed, and you now place a higher priority on spending time with family and friends than on carrying out home maintenance. By choosing to downsize, you can spend less time maintaining your home and more time doing the activities you enjoy.

Space 

Families need more space as they grow, so you’ve probably moved around a lot over the years to make room for your growing family. However, after your children have grown up and left the nest, you could start to feel as though you are rattling around in a large empty house with numerous unoccupied bedrooms. It might be time to think about downsizing if you have more rooms than you know what to do with.

Health

Your health may be suffering as a result of having to maintain such a large home. It’s also possible that you have developed mobility problems and are having trouble navigating your house, even with modifications. In addition to being simpler to maintain, downsizing into a home without stairs can help with or be a good plan for any future possible mobility issues.

How do you feel while you are at home?

Your home should make you feel content, secure, and at ease. If your house doesn’t make you feel these ways, it’s time to start thinking about moving. This is especially true if staying at home makes you feel depressed, isolated, or afraid. Even if relocating won’t necessarily fix all of your problems, a new beginning in a new area might present you with the chance to meet new people and feel safer.

Bills

Costs increase with the size of the property. You may be considering downsizing to lower the size of your bills and make your monthly outgoings more manageable due to the dramatic increases in energy costs and the rising cost of living. Alternately, you might find that your outgoings have begun to exceed your incomings if you’ve recently retired or if you or your partner have started to cut back on working hours. Your bills may become easier to manage if you downsize.

Choosing to downsize can be an emotional decision. If you would like to have an honest and sympathetic discussion about whether downsizing is right for you please give us a call on 020 7759 2199  or send us an enquiries@vitaproperties.uk and we will be happy to help you reach the right decision for you.

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.