http://www.wareandco.com/news_rss.asp Allinta CMS V2.4 - www.allinta.com http://www.wareandco.com/news.asp#n1 http://www.wareandco.com/news.asp#n1 Selling your home is an exciting time and choosing the right estate agent to help you is an important decision. Many people make the mistake of assuming all agents are the same, and opt simply for the company that offers the lowest commission rates or the highest valuation. Don't be fooled into thinking this is all that matters though - there is much more to selling a home than money...Before you even think about inviting an agent to your home, pay them a visit as a prospective buyer, looking for homes similar to yours. You can tell a lot about how well an agent will do with your own home this way. Put yourself in the position of the buyer - are the staff friendly and helpful? Do they offer you a good selection of relevant properties? How proactive are they at adding you to a mailing list for follow up? If they are happy to let you browse and don't interact, chances are they won't do a good job of selling your home.Ask for recommendations from friends and family, and look for an agent that is well-established, and who knows the area well.Once you have a short list of potential agents, invite them to your home to value your property. Prepare a list of questions in advance that you want to ask so that you get all the information you need. You should be finding out about the agent's track record at this stage - how many properties similar to yours have they sold recently? How many viewings do they get on properties like yours? You also need to make sure you are clear up front on the details - who is going to be doing the viewings and how and where do they intend to market your home? Ask for a copy of the contract, and information about fees, including details of exactly what you get for your money, as not all agents offer the same package of services. If you are not sure about anything - ASK!Once you have chosen an agent, you should expect plenty of viewings, feedback from potential buyers, and regular updates. You are paying for a service, so don't be afraid to check up on how they are marketing your home and how actively it is being promoted. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wareandco.com/news.asp#n2 http://www.wareandco.com/news.asp#n2 Becoming a landlord for the first time can be a daunting prospect – how do you go about finding suitable tenants, drawing up tenancy agreements, collecting rent? If you’re thinking of letting a property in Somerset, you can always ask Ware and Co for advice, but in the meantime here are our top tips for finding tenants and securing the best possible deal: Can you afford it? Earning income as a landlord can sometimes seem like an easy way to make money, but that’s far from the case. Property is a long term investment, and you need to plan your finances carefully in the first instance to make sure your plan is a profitable one. Take into any mortgage repayments, account agents’ fees, maintenance, repairs and void periods, when your house might be empty between tenants. If in any doubt, take independent financial advice. Do your research: Letting agents will be able to advise you on what to charge for your property, but you may find it useful in the first instance to look around at similar flats or houses in Taunton and Somerset to see what the average rents are. The rent you can charge will depend on factors such as location, proximity to schools, transport links and local amenities, as well as the size and condition of your property. Keep and open mind: Many landlords make the mistake of being too prescriptive about the type of tenants they are looking for, and excluding certain groups altogether. Stay flexible, and let your agents be your guide when it comes to picking the best tenants for your property. Keeping up appearances: Just like buying a home, first impressions really do count, so your house needs to be in tip top condition if you are going to attract the right tenants at the right price. Carry out any repairs that need doing, tidy up the front garden, and don’t let yourself down with scruffy paintwork! If you own a house or flat in Somerset that you are looking to let, Ware and Co can take the hassle out of the process with our tailor-made landlord service. We can do everything from collecting references and rent to preparing inventories. Please contact us for more information about how we can help you let your property. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT