UK Real Estate News, Hints & Tips

How does your property condition affect property values? The condition the house is in will have a major bearing on the price it could potentially sell for. One must take into account the property size and potential for improvements. Improvements or even a basic refurb could be worthwhile to either maintain or increase the value of your property. Moreover, it isn’t just the overall footprint of your house; it’s also how you use the space that affects the price of your home. Improvements or even a basic refurb could be worthwhile to either maintain or increase the value of your property. You also might find that smaller, more basic improvements such as a new boiler, fixed roof, or double-glazing installation will actually prove to be better long-term investments as well as putting less immediate strain on your finances. Its all about cost – effectiveness. En-suites and stylish bathrooms in general are seen as highly desirable so if you have the opportunity to create one do so. And be careful about losing a bedroom when changing the layout of your home. Generally, the more rooms the better when it comes to bedrooms, and an upstairs bathroom is a must. Modern kitchens are also worth considering. Double garages are better than single garage or carports as many households have multiple cars. In addition, adding a conservatory instead of an extension while still an option, will add more value for less expense. It can make a new room that can be used for a home gym, an office, an extended dining area or just another room ro relax in. And lastly don’t forget to landscape the outside living area and gardens. You are welcome to contact me before you change the layout or do any refurbishment of your home to be sure what effect it’s likely to have on the value of your property. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy

What happens if I cannot pay my mortgage? Let’s be honest. Right now, through no fault of their own for some its getting tough. We are potentially facing a severe recession. Some even say a depression worse that the late 20’s early 1930’s. Many are asking what to do especially as regards their home. Interest rates are rising, inflation is getting worse and many are thinking (or needing) to sell their home. It’s often tempting to look to do a quick sale, even at a discount. But what if you need extra cash to settle some debts and have something left to move on with? Given many people typically live up to (or above) their means, selling at a big discount (below market value) might be the worst thing you could do. In the event the seller goes bankrupt or into an IVA, (a formal and legally binding agreement between you and your creditors to pay back your debts over a period of time) - the official receiver or insolvency practitioner has the right to look at their assets prior to them becoming insolvent. They have a right to challenge and overturn any transactions that disposed of assets which left the seller unable to satisfy any legal debts. In lay terms, this means a discounted fast-cash sale could be overturned leaving the buyer/investor out of pocket and the seller in deep trouble. It's an offence under the insolvency act to dispose of an asset which leaves you unable to satisfy your debts or to undertake any transactions to favour paying one creditor over another. Given mortgage lenders are aware of and vigilant over distressed sales, it makes sense to make yourself fully aware of what you can do to protect yourself and your assets. Whether you are buying or selling. It also makes sense to explore all options available before making any decision as to what fits your situation. Whatever you do make sure you're properly informed before you proceed. Hope this article was useful. Feel free to get in touch if you want to discuss how we can help. I am always here to help with respect, discretion and integrity. Repossession Rescue – Saving lives one home at a time.

How does Supply and Demand affect the property values? If you are selling or buying property, you’ve probably heard the phrase that it’s all about location, location, location, and to a large degree that’s spot on. Here is the one of several other factors to consider: Supply & Demand Perhaps one of the biggest factors, the number of properties up for sale, and the number of buyers competing for them has a major effect on the value of a home. Generally, if there are more buyers than sellers, values will go up. If there are more sellers than buyers, the values will come down. Due to the current economic situation, today we are in what is called a buyers market and prices therefore are likely to fall. By how much it is not certain. Some are saying 5% and some up to 21%. A lot will depend on demand which is still high and availability of financing for buyers. Last year the market rose quite considerably so property owners have benefited form that. So if you are considering selling to take advantage of those price rises now might be a good time before the market drops. If you are thinking of selling you are welcome to get in touch to discuss the best ways to still sell at the right price – or the price you want. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy

Does local infrastructure affect property values? Yes absolutely. Changes to local infrastructure can affect property values both positive and negatively. As an example, the planned high-speed railway (HS2) will mean those backing directly on to the new line may find their property values decrease from the extra noise created. Those living far enough away not to be inconvenienced by the line, but close enough to be able to easily use it, may find their property values rise as their house because more attractive to commuters. Local amenities also play a role. A lot will depend on your target buyer but how close you are to a shop or local transport like a bus stop or train station can also have an impact on the value of your home especially if your property is likely to attract people without their own transport. In addition, local schools or universities etc also are important especially if you are selling or buying a property that’s likely to appeal to families. The performance of local schools/universities will have a bearing on how much a house sells for. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy One must also consider the flood risk and as values could decrease in areas hit by flooding events. However research suggests properties hit by flooding only suffer from a temporary reduction in value. Usually, they have returned to their original value after just three years. If you are thinking of selling, then it’s important to know what is happening in your local area to take advantage of any new developments that could affect the value of your property.

Thinking of selling? Renovate to increase the value. It’s well known that renovating a house before you put it on the market can be worthwhile. However embarking on a renovation project can be a daunting process, whether it’s just a bathroom or an entire house. You will need the funds and the knowledge of how best to maximise the effect. First, you will need to evaluate whether you can renovate. Do you have the time – the knowledge and the money to do so. You need to know that if you do the investment and time required will pay you back. No funds and/or little knowledge. No problem. Mau Investments can help you. When you do renovate its important beforehand to decide who the potential buyer will be and tailor the renovation to suit the needs and desires of that buyer. And not necessarily what your taste might be. And don’t cut corners. Or try to get a job done for next to nothing. You will more than likely end up with a bad contractor. Don’t fuss over every little penny or you’ll alienate your contractor. You need to have them on your side. And yes you can do it yourself, no problem but getting professionals to do the job means the renovation is completed to a high standard. The extra money you spend will help to seduce and persuade people to buy.. Moreover, make sure you have all the necessary insurances before you embark on any home renovation project. I hope this has been helpful. If you’re considering selling any time soon, we should talk. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy

In the previous post we covered a few questions that a seller should ask their prospective agent. Here are some more: Can they offer advice on how to present your home to the best effect. And what tools/methods will you use to sell my home so that I get the price I want in today’s market? Often many agents do not have the knowledge or cannot/will not adapt to use alternative methods to ensure your sale. Ask the agent if they provide a weekly report and feedback from all potential buyers. The report should also include average days on the market (the longer the average time to sell, the lower the probability of achieving a premium sale price). Moreover, check to see if the agent is qualifying their buyers. Ask the agent if he/she has had any sales fall through. This can be noted by the sales agreed to exchange success rate. Some agencies are seeing a 40% fall through rate at the moment. Lenders are also becoming more cautious so ask the Agent to make sure potential buyers have the funds or access to them. Due diligence is more critical now than ever. And NEVER sign a time bound contract that exceeds 4 weeks. If they’re confident in the advice that they’ve given you and they are confident that they’ll give you a great service, they shouldn’t need to tie you in. Conversely if you are not happy with the agent’s performance confirm you cancel the agreement and last but not least, what will l be their plan if it does not sell? If you can’t get a satisfactory answer to the above questions get in touch. Mau investments – Property solutions made easy

How recent local sales evidence affects the Valuation of your Home. Sometimes (though thankfully not often), a home will not value at the price it has sold for, causing the contract to crash or negotiations to re-open. Stay abreast of recent sales evidence of property sales in your area by attending all auctions, and checking the real estate portals such as Right Move and Zoopla, leading up to and including the time of selling your home. Make sure when you attend an auction that you grab a brochure to make your notes and hand this evidence to the valuer. This up-to-the-minute information could be very useful, as sites commonly used by valuers can sometimes have information that’s 3 or more months old. Once you have decided to sell and as soon as you can your home needs to be presented in as pristine shape as possible. This includes the possibility of staging. Not only for the valuer but also later for viewings and open homes. In addition during the conveyancing process to avoid the sale falling through. In other words, don’t drop the ball and for example let clutter accumulate and the garden become unkempt. Has this information been useful? Please drop a line or leave a comment below. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy

Should I Downsize? In the last year or we have benefited from increases in property values. Now it appears they are about to fall and some say not recover until 2025. That means there could be an opportunity to sell now to profit from those rises and downsize. By doing so you will reduce monthly outgoings/bills. Current estimates suggest that you could make annual savings of over £500 on energy bills alone by relocating from a four bedroom to two-bedroom house, while relative savings on tax, insurance, maintenance and even mortgage payments could also be substantial. In addition by selling your house and buying a smaller, less expensive property you can free up equity locked in your home and use the proceeds to fund retirement, help children or grandchildren to buy their own home or pay off the shortfall on a mortgage. In addition, you could use that equity to invest in a rental property to add passive income. By downsizing you will also be able to reduce your maintenance burden as smaller homes obviously require less in the way of general maintenance. It’s wise to look to the future and consider how you would cope in future years. However, if you do decide to sell and downsize make sure you get the right price for your property. You are welcome to call me anytime to discuss how decluttering, repairs and a cost effective refurb is essential to consider first to maintain the value or even perhaps increase the value. You can do this whether you have to funds to do so or not as we can assist with that. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy

What is caveat emptor and do you need to be aware of it Selling a house is done with 'Buyer Beware' known as Caveat emptor - i.e. it's up to the buyer to discover anything that's wrong with your home. There are potential legal and financial repercussions for being less than honest with a potential buyer. To avoid legal difficulties, you will need to provide certain information. It’s important to know you’ll legally need to declare all of the positive and also the negative details of your home. Failing to do so could see you ending up in court. That’s because the buyer must have complete information to enable them to make the right decision before buying it. You should for example disclose information on and planning permission and your property boundaries between you and neighbours like having an ‘unregistered easement’ which may be something like a right of way that isn’t detailed on the title deeds will potentially cause an issue. Also its wise to notify any potential buyers of any neighbour issues Moreover, it is important also to disclose any building and alterations that has been carried out in the property. Plus, if any defects such as cracks appearing in the walls faster than they can be filled in etc. Of course you chosen solicitor will be able to guide you through what you need to disclose or not. That’s what they are there for. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy To learn more email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or call 01332981666 o

Should I sell my property empty? Short answer, I would recommend you don’t. People don’t buy houses, they buy homes. You aren’t selling a commodity. You are selling a HOME, a place where a family will LIVE, raise their children, have a refuge from the outside world. Even if you’re selling a tiny flat, you’re selling to someone who will bring their hopes and dreams of how their lives when living in this new space. Walking through empty rooms, or an empty house, is usually pretty depressing. So why would a buyer feel especially motivated to make an offer? Buyers can’t tell the difference between a 3x4m room and a 4x5m room if it’s empty. When you’re dealing with an unfurnished space, a potential buyer has no idea what to do with it or how to arrange it and will focus on the negative details. Buyers can also get distracted from looking at the house, thinking of such things as; is this a divorce or have they had to leave town in a hurry? Are they selling because they have money problems? If so they are likely to put in a low offer since the seller might be desperate.” Clearly this is not the situation to get you the best price for the property. Instead, I recommend staging your home. Its worth the investment. Staging is about showcasing an engaging, move-in ready home that creates an emotional connection with the buyer. Filling empty rooms and replacing outdated décor and furniture is essential by updating décor with on-trend, inviting style—particularly in living rooms, primary bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms—can make a memorable impression – and will sell the house for its true value and maybe even a bit more. If you are thinking of selling, let's have a chat. Mau Investments – Property solutions made easy

How does an assisted sale work? How it works is simple. An Assisted Sale basically then would be a legal agreement between a you – the seller and Mau Investments where we would agree a price the property is worth before and after the repairs/refurb if required. We can also help with funding for the repairs/refurbishment, accommodation costs while the refurb takes place, take control of your mortgage payments, property maintenance and council tax etc. Normally we would then sell the property with the assistance of a Real Estate Agent and pay you the agreed price, less expenses. So, if your property is clearly in need of repairs or restoration, and you've felt caught between the two unpalatable choices of selling below the market price or spending huge amounts updating your property, you may want to consider an Assisted Sale. In addition, if you are not in rush to sell, we have options available that will help go towards achieving the price you want without necessarily doing a refurb. Therefore, with no time, money or effort sunk into refurbishment or worrying about what to do to sell your property, you’ll shift your property at a much faster rate and potentially even get a little more than what your property was originally worth. Interested? Feel free to get in touch so we can discuss ways to help. Email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy.

Questions you should ask your Agent It’s important to ask your potential Agent a few important questions before you take them on to sell your house. Here are a few – and in a post following will add some more. Initially, you need to ask: What are the agent’s qualifications”? How long have they worked in the area? Can they show you a track record and offer testimonials? Can you call their testimonials yourself? Do they offer guarantees on performance? Its also important to evaluate their skill set, especially as regards negotiation skills (a good negotiator could be the difference of thousands of pounds to you) Moreover, you should also ask them to be upfront and tell you the negatives of your home and who are the buyers they will target. What will be their marketing plan – do they have professional images? Is their copy creative or is it bland? Where will they advertise? Social media for example is a must. as those things add up and if not what will it cost. If you can’t get a satisfactory answer to the above questions get in touch. Email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk

Why it's better to buy and sell “chain free” Chains occur when one home buyer is also relying on the sale of their own property before they can move. This creates a chain of linked house purchases, where each transaction relies on the success of every other transaction in the chain. Downward Chain Free is where the buyer does not need to sell to buy their new home, before they can purchase - such someone who has the funds or as a first time buyer. Upward Chain free is where the seller has no plans or needs the funds to buy another property themselves after they've sold. For example, someone selling a buy-to-let property or moving into rented accommodation. If the seller needs to purchases another property to live in, your completion date is also likely to be affected by the date when your seller can move into his new home too. Here are some chain free examples. As a buyer your purchase doesn’t depend on you selling your place first. The seller has already bought a new home. It’s an inherited or second home. It’s a new-build property. The property being sold is repossessed or sold by a company. The seller is moving to rented accommodation. The seller is relocating somewhere else in the UK or abroad. The seller is moving into retirement accommodation. There are many reasons why a property might be chain free, so it’s always worth selling chain free if you can and the buyer buying chain free. That means there’s less chance of the deal falling through. Hope that was helpful. You are always welcome to get in touch to have a chat. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy. dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or Tel: 01 332981666

Should I sell my home now? To determine if you should sell your home, you need to consider life circumstances, your financial situation like your affordability of meeting mortgage payments, do you have enough equity (the percentage you own) in your home to pay off your mortgage, the costs of selling, such as Agents fees, Legal costs, perhaps a Home Report, maybe staging costs and the costs of moving. Moreover, you may need to consider the cost of and renovations and/or necessary repairs. You aren’t required to make repairs but you will need to disclose them and may need to make a concession to the buyer if you don’t attend to them. Renovations can also increase the value if done right. In addition, you need to establish your ability to afford a new home – or whether you should downsize to save on household costs. You’ll also want to know what your house is worth, understand the local housing market, how long properties are taking to sell and why and how seasonal trends can impact your goals. You are welcome to get in touch to discuss the best ways to do this and the most cost-effective way that will ensure a sale at the price you want. Mau Investments - Property Solutions made easy To learn more email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or call 01332981666

Selling? And want to secure your property at today's value - or perhaps even more? With property prices falling and a buyers market it's getting harder to get the price you want, It's also taking longer to sell. Moreover some say this decline will last for quite some time. However, if you are not in a hurry to get your money out now from the sale - or cannot be bothered or have the funds to do any necessary repairs and/or a refurb in order to sell - and don’t want all the hassle of selling; there is another way. In addition, you will be likely to make more money than with the traditional way of selling. We can even offer you a break from your mortgage payments or if you have inherited a property make sure you get a higher value than its current worth. Interested? Get in touch to find out how. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy To learn more email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or call 01332981666

Should I sell my house now? In my opinion yes. If you want to sell your house now, with house prices now dropping after many years of house price increases and with prices expected to fall further in 2023, it might be a good time to capitalise on house price growth and the existing buyer demand before it wanes, especially if you’re selling a second home or rental property. Moreover, despite what commentators and the media are saying about house prices, people still need to move home for a myriad of personal reasons. These include: Mortgage rates rising making it unaffordable. Being ready to downsize to save costs or release equity Increasing debt, A life changing situation such as divorce or death in the family. You’re selling a second or inherited home Your family expanding and a need for more space Relocating for a job Its worth remembering that our homes are often our biggest financial asset, so it’s worth understanding what’s happening in the market and revaluating your personal circumstances when deciding if it’s a good time for you to sell now. That and making sure you get the right price and highest valuation you can. You are welcome to get in touch if you are considering selling to discuss options and how we can help. Financial Advice Disclaimer: Please be aware Mau Investments Ltd and its employees do not offer investment advice. Should you seek advice, please contact an independent financial advisor. Mau Investments – Property Solutions made easy. To learn more email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or call 01332981666

Selling your property in today’s market There is a lot going on in the market today causing concern. The biggest concern estate agents have for sellers this year is being unrealistic about what price they can achieve for their home, Many Agents are reporting a drop in buyer and seller activity with buyers making offers substantially below asking price. Sellers therefore need to be aware of comparable prices nearby and be realistic with their asking price. Another big concern is conveyancing times, which are taking longer. Plus, the impact of sales falling through which is rising dramatically. In addition is also an increase in homes that have been valued down by surveyors making it harder to get mortgages. This might be due to the expectations that house prices will fall this year. A slowdown of the market has been predicted for this year by many industry insiders, which is good news for buyers. Sellers, however can still take advantage of the property increases last year as long as they present their property well and don’t put their home up at an unrealistic price. Hope this helps. Get in touch if you wish to discuss what options are available to you to get the right price. Mau Investments - Property Solutions made easy To learn more email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or call 01332981666

Have you done any renovations prior to selling? If so , you need to know this. Many people have work carried out without receiving or only have partly complete building regulation certificates. Often, it's simply because they didn't know they needed it and it may have been carried out by the previous owner. However, it will come up during the conveyancing process when you sell your home since a potential homebuyer may be wary about the lack of permissions. Plus, potentially it could also devalue your property and the buyer may not be able to get a mortgage. Another factor to consider is that if the alterations fail at any stage you will have to redo them to comply with the regulations. In addition, you may face court proceedings and/or be fined. If you don’t have any certification however you still can apply for retrospective building control approval and a building control surveyor will carry out an inspection and assess whether it meets the relevant regulations and standards. However, if the work doesn’t meet the required standards you will be required to rectify any issues at your own cost. This can be both disruptive and expensive. Mau Investments - Property Solutions made easy For more information contact dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or Tel: 01 332981666

Selling A House With Solar Panels Solar panels are great. They save you a heap of money and are good for the environment, helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels but when selling you need to understand if you own the panels or does a third party lease the roof for the panels? If your roof space is being leased by a solar firm then you may find that a potential buyer may have some issues to get a mortgage. Homeowners signing a lease (typically for 25 years) will have strict criteria, such as the unconditional right to break the terms of the lease in the event of repossession in order to facilitate a quick sale. When selling the seller must also pay up the outstanding amount left on the lease. This will add another layer of legal complexity to the sale and is enough to put some lenders off. And the buyer is required to take over the lease following completion. This brings different legal issues and extra cost as the lender will need to satisfy themselves that the lease is in line with their lending policy. Presuming they don’t take the solar panels with them, you simply become the owner of said panels when you complete your purchase. For those who own the panels lenders will need proof of MCS certification when installed before approving a mortgage to check that the installation complied with guidelines (and building regulations) if applicable. Hope that helps Mau Investments - Property Solutions made easy To learn more email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or call 01332981666

Did you know that the winter months are quieter in the property market? In spring it tends to start to pick up again. However, here are my top few tips when selling. Most important is to make sure during viewings that the house has a warm (with heaters on) and inviting atmosphere with making sure both the inside and outside of your home are well lit, and that all lights, including security lights, are working. Make sure curtains or blinds are wide open to allow natural light inside good lighting. Also ensure driveways, paths are swept and the garden is tidy and entrances are appealing outside and viewers remove their shoes to avoid bringing in dirt, mud and snow. Check drains and gutters for dead leaves and not blocked and leaking. Check with your estate agent to find out their opening hours. Also don't forget to tell everyone that you are selling and ask friends to share the property portal link. Need any help? - email me dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk

What determines how quickly it should take to sell your property It depends on many factors, including your geographic location, (location, location, location) - the price, property size, competition (or supply and demand), desirability of the neighbourhood, schools, green parks and crime rates - and the type of property you are selling. In addition, and most importantly also the property’s condition/presentation. Homes that shine and sparkle tend to sell much quicker because they attract buyers who are not interested in those homes that need work. Moreover. most buyers will be attracted to those homes where they can visualise themselves living in and not in those homes that are cluttered and poorly maintained which makes them more difficult to sell. There’s also an issue for how close your property is to public transport. In addition you’ll need to appreciate that buyers will be less willing to move to an area with a pollution issue or high levels of crime. Finally, target your buyer. When we negotiate with buyers, we always qualify our buyers by applying the RAW principle – that is if a buyer is Ready – Able – and Willing. If you are considering selling get to touch to discuss ways of how we can assist you to maximise your sale. Mau Investments – Property Solutions Made Easy To learn more email dennis@mauinvestments.co.uk or call 01332981666