The doom and gloom of the national newspaper headlines regarding the UK property market would make you think Armageddon has arrived – this being the second most interesting topic to the Brits (the first being the weather!).
So, what is happening in the British property market? As with most things in life, the devil is in the detail.
How I made my first million and the lessons learned. In this series Jim Parker and Richard Cook are going to take you through the steps by step approach that took Jim from homeless and unemployed in his early 20’s to retiring at 38 years old a millionaire and financially free.
“As soon as I saw the photo, I knew it was the one!”
Such is the power of photography, and as a potential buyer’s first introduction to your home, it can make or break a sale.
Given how influential photos are, it’s surprising how many property listings have wonky, blurred or dark images – worse than many selfies! In fact, poor photography regularly crops up whenever we meet someone who’s having trouble selling.
The number of properties available to rent in Fife has dropped from 796 to 228 since February 2020.
The average rent a tenant has had to pay in Fife has risen from £591 to £830 since February 2020.
Many Fife landlords have cashed in on the post-lockdown property boom of the last two years and sold their properties to owner-occupiers – not fellow landlords.
The supply of Fife rental property isn’t near what is needed, which is of benefit to Fife landlords rather than Fife renters.
How I made my first million and the lessons learned. In this series Jim Parker and Richard Cook are going to take you through the steps by step approach that took Jim from homeless and unemployed in his early 20’s to retiring at 38 years old a millionaire and financially free.
This is the warts and all, laid bare story of Jim’s journey from the beginning. From his struggle with the school system, pivotal moments and key points that led to a change in direction, reprograming his mind for success, how he worked a full-time job while building a property empire as a side hustle and all the lessons learned from buying his first 30 properties including the massive mistakes and monumental victories.
Jim says, “Anyone could have done this, most weren’t prepared to pay the price. If my journey serves as a lesson to help other people get there quicker with less mistakes, it’s been worth telling the story. For some this will literally be a blueprint for success”
If you’ve missed the previous shows you can catch up on our play list:
If you are a private client of ours, including the ongoing support you will also receive an invite for the last Thursday of every month to a private zoom session which will be a deep dive into more detail on portfolio building. If you haven’t received your invite, please contact us to richard.cook@fifeproperties.co.uk
This is all about accelerating your wealth in 2022.
*We must point out that we are not financial advisors, and this is only our opinion of what we would do. Investments can go down as well as up so if you do want professional advice from a qualified advisor, please contact us direct and we will put you in touch with someone.
After the clocks go back and the nights start earlier, viewings at your home happen in a whole new light.
Most buyers will come for their first look in the evening on their way home from work, so instead of letting the sunshine in to make your rooms feel bright, autumn and winter are all about turning up the cosy.
It might surprise you, but longer evenings are one of the advantages of selling at this time of year. Buyers get to feel just how snug your home is after dark – something they rarely experience if they’re looking in spring or summer.
With that in mind, this week’s blog is all about turning shivery cold and bleak into snuggly warm and chic.
From irresistible first impressions to captivating interiors and night-time garden magic, you’ll find all you need to set the stage for perfect evening viewings.
THE FIRST SENSE OF ARRIVAL
The outside of your home is often where buyers linger the most, from meeting your agent as they arrive to looking back up the path when they leave. Get them excited about stepping inside with our handy checklist:
Scrutinise your windows and front door for any paintwork that needs a brush-up.
Have a porch lamp and hall light timed to come on at dusk, and ensure that any paths and driveways are lit (solar-powered stake lights still work in the darker months).
Clear paths of slippery moss and any obstructions that people may not see when it’s dark.
Always have some plant life by the front door – you can get pre-planted pots and baskets of blooming winter flowers at any garden centre.
Ensure your agent has a for sale sign outside to let viewers know they’re in the right place, especially if your door number isn’t clear from the road or your home has a name.
You’ve only got one shot at a first impression when buyers arrive at your home, so it’s really worth investing in making that moment count.
THE FEELING OF COMING HOME Everyone’s glad to get home when it’s chilly and cold, and evening viewings are all about giving your buyers the same heartwarming sensation you feel when you step inside your front door. For a successful start to every viewing, make sure you’ve covered these three essential elements:
Consciously or unconsciously, we all breathe in to smell the air when we walk into someone’s home. To create an aromatic heaven, update any reed diffusers or candles to natural scents of autumn and winter, like cedar, spruce and pine.
Although we’re all mindful of rising energy costs, your home should ooze a welcoming warmth to give your buyers an enjoyable viewing experience – go for a minimum of 19°C throughout.
Make your viewers feel right at home by leaving space on your hooks to hang their coats, and a spot for shoes in case they’re stepping out of the rain.
Many buyers make up their minds about a property before they’ve seen it all, and some within seconds of stepping inside. Once they’ve made that choice, it can be tough to turn it around, so it’s a wise move to capture their hearts at the start.
THE SEDUCTIVE POWER OF LIGHT
We hardly ever turn a light switch on during summer viewings, but lighting truly comes into its own during autumn and winter. The way your home is lit can transform how it feels, and even a quick change to softer-tone bulbs can elevate any room.
Lamps are much cosier than overhead lights, so have them on a timer for when it gets dark to give your viewers a warm welcome to each room.
Instruct your agent thoroughly on any specialist lighting to avoid them fumbling around in the dark or making it look complicated.
Firelight has a unique and unmistakable quality, so if you have an open fireplace and you’ll be home before the viewing, get it crackling in time for when your viewers arrive.
Talk to your estate agent about twilight photography to give your online listing an eye-catching and memorable injection of evening magic.
Finally, keep all the curtains open to show off your windows and extend the view beyond your rooms into the dusk or moonlight.
THE WARM TASTE OF TOASTINESS
Every room in your home can be a cosy haven for evening viewings, whether you use it every day or only occasionally. Try the following tips for upping the snuggle factor wherever your viewers roam:
Layer up on textiles like cushions, blankets and throws on armchairs, sofas and beds.
Add rugs to bare floors for warmer acoustics and atmosphere.
Display winter root vegetables like pumpkins and squashes on the kitchen counter.
Swap out threadbare towels and bathmats for fluffy, plush, soft replacements.
Give your agent access to your smart speakers for a background of warm and sultry music.
Give cold and empty corners an instant lift with plants in stylish pots.
As a final tip, put your Christmas decorations up as late as possible. If you can’t hold off entirely, start small with candle bridges in windows and cute Danish Nisse figures, then go full-on over the festive break when viewings tend to pause.
THE MAGIC OF NIGHT GARDENS
Gardens and balconies can get left in the dark on autumn and winter nights, but they’re one of the most valuable assets of any home. Fortunately, you don’t need bright blue skies, glistening grass or summer sunshine to create a glorious space that buyers highly prize.
Use lighting to add some evening sparkle, from bulb chains strung overhead, to solar-powered lanterns and stakes, to permanent fittings with soft-tone bulbs.
If your garden furniture is in a sheltered spot, leave it on show and dressed with weatherproof blankets and cushions to create a cosy and comfortable room outdoors.
Rake or sweep any fallen leaves once a week to keep your decking or pavers visible.
If your garden or balcony is an absolute summer stunner, leave some photos on a table or pinned to the fridge so your viewers can see how wonderful it looks.
What’s your next step?
Staging your home for perfect evening viewings helps you capture the hearts of buyers when they step inside from the cold and dark, so they can’t wait to come back when it’s light.
UK minimum wage for people over 23 to increase from £9.50 to £10.42 an hour
Top 45% additional rate of income tax will be paid on earnings over £125,140, instead of £150,000
Income tax personal allowance and higher rate thresholds frozen for further two years, until April 2028
Main National Insurance and inheritance tax thresholds also frozen for further two years, until April 2028
Tax-free allowances for dividend reduced to £1,000 next year and £500 from April 2024. Capital gains tax reduced to £6,000 next year and £3,000 from April 2024
