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Landlord – prepare your properties for winter with our guide

As we head towards the Winter months, now is the optimum time for landlords to prepare for the potential issues that may arise from the harsher weather. Spending a little time and effort now may well save money further down the line in the event of an accident or repair cost. Here’s our list of essential landlord checks:

Boiler Service

The number one priority for every landlord should be checking that the boiler in your property (or properties) is in good condition, as repair costs can be extremely expensive. Book a boiler service to ensure that everything is working correctly and safely as boilers can break down with the surge in gas consumption that comes in the colder months.

Protect the Pipes

Adding lagging to your pipes (specially designed pipe insulation) is an inexpensive measure which will give you peace of mind knowing that your piping will not burst due to freezing and splitting. Focus on pipes in external areas and lofts which may be subject to the most extreme temperatures and you should avoid any problems as the cold sets in.

Smoke and CO Alarms

In line with regulations interlinked smoke alarms must be installed in each hall on each floor including every reception room and a heat detector in the kitchen – now is the perfect time to double-check these are in good working order and that your tenants are safe in your property. If your rental property has a fireplace (or solid fuel appliance) or central heating system then an additional carbon monoxide alarm must be fitted within one meter of the appliance in the same room, as the chances of these items being used increase astronomically in winter.

Open Dialogue

One of the key pieces of advice that we can give to protect your property through the winter is to create healthy dialogue with your tenants. As they are living in the property day-to-day, they will be able to tell you about any smaller issues so that you know how to avoid any larger issues. Make sure your tenants know where the stopcock is in the property, where the fuse board is located and who to call in case of an emergency. This could be invaluable in saving you time and money.

Protect the Roof

Chipped, cracked or dislodged tiles on your roof could lead to significant water damage and in cold temperatures this can lead to structural issues with water freezing and expanding. Double-check that your roof is in tip-top condition, and whilst you’re at it take the time to clear out your gutters to avoid blockages when the inevitable rain falls.

A Guide to Designing a Child’s Bedroom

Designing a child’s room can be tricky; there are a number of factors to consider so it is hard to know where to begin. Design trends are forever changing and your child is constantly growing, so it is important that you consider a few things before starting.

Striking the balance between fun and practical is a challenge and designing something that your child does not grow out of too quickly is not easy, but by taking the time to think it over, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and create a space that is fun for them and easy for you to manage.

Draw Up A Floor Plan

Before you start buying all sorts of cute and colourful furniture, it’s important to remember that depending on your child’s age, this room could have a variety of functions.

Have a think about what the room will be used for and draw out a plan. If the room just needs to be a comfortable place to sleep then you should have plenty of freedom, however, if it also needs to be an area to play and study, you’ll require a good amount of floor space and maybe a dedicated little corner for a desk.

Everyone’s home and preferences are different but you want to get as much out of the space as possible, so take a moment to consider the role that the room will play and how it may change over the next few years.

Choose The Right Colour

It may be tempting to simply ask your child what their favourite colour is and then start buying paint or wallpaper.

While it is a good idea to include your child in the design of their room, if their favourite colour resembles a highlighter pen, then your best option is to go with the more neutral shade of that colour.

Your best strategy is to aim for a colour palette that nicely blends with a variety of furniture and will not look so childish once your child turns into a teen. Save yourself a redecoration job in 18 months by picking a colour that will age well with the rest of the ever-changing décor.

Decide On The Flooring

When it comes to flooring you have a few options, all with their pros and cons, so you just have to decide which will be best for you.

Carpet helps keep the room a little warmer but is vulnerable to stains. Hardwood is much more durable and easy to clean but does not provide much cushion for a child that is a little more clumsy than most. You could also opt for rubber flooring that does offer the benefits of both carpet and hardwood; however, it is the most expensive option of the three.

The flooring that is best for you is dependent on the age of your child, but research your options while keeping your budget in mind and make sure your choice of flooring compliments the room and doesn’t break the bank.

Getting The Furniture Right

There are two key things to keep in mind when choosing your furniture, functionality and lifespan.

We’ve already established that space is a valuable commodity so finding multifunctional furniture can be a real lifesaver.

Beds that have storage built in underneath are quite easy to find and the extra storage they provide can go a long way, as well as free up more of the room for other essential items. This also gives you an opportunity to get a little creative and look for ways to combine 2 items into one such as adding some padding to a desk or dresser so that it also can be used as a changing table.

The other consideration for furniture is its lifespan. There is a lot of cute miniature beds, tables and chairs that might look great, but you must remember that they will grow out of it quicker than you think. A good strategy would be to buy some furniture that they can grow into. Their small clothes may not justify full sized dresser just yet, but it will not be long before you are looking for extra storage space and their feet are hanging out of the end of the bed.

Add Character Through Accessories

Now that your room has been planned out, you have chosen your colour palette, had the flooring fitted, assembled and placed the furniture, it’s time to add character.

The great part about this phase of designing the room is that because the rest of the room’s features were kept neutral and timeless, you can now give your child a good amount of freedom to add their own personality to the room from accessories.

Whether it’s action figures, bed covers or posters, you can basically style the room however you want and the best part is, these accessories can be easily replaced and changed over the years at the same rate as your child’s taste in décor shifts from one thing to the next.

Easy steps to decluttering your home

 

Do you sometimes feel as though you’re drowning in a sea of clutter? Or that your house has become more and more disorganised? Well, now’s the time to hit those common, messy areas!

Start by sorting through everything you own

Getting started is always the hardest part but performing an audit of everything you own is a great first step. Gather common built-up items like books, items of food, jewellery, paperwork, loose batteries or anything you’re saving “just in case”. Find out how many duplicates or useless items you have and throw them away. Whatever there is leftover, sort and store them properly.

Next… tackle the wardrobe

Let’s face it, a wardrobe is a totally different beast to the random things you tend to collect.

A good system to operate in the future is a one in one out system. Every time you buy a new item of clothing, throw away an old item.

Whilst you’re at it, you should tackle your sock drawers. Throw away any old and worn out items, and add an organiser to the draw to keep everything separate and neat.

Sort out your utensils drawer

You know you’ve collected too much cutlery when the draw starts to stick. Take everything out of the drawer and throw away those useless tools (like your melon baller or your citrus juicer) and add a divider to better divide your essential utensils.

Organise your garage, shed and/or loft space

Transparent boxes are your best friend when it comes to organising your storage spaces. You can stack them all on top of each other and you can see all the contents you’ve stored inside them, meaning you don’t need to go through a hundred boxes to find something.

Get the kids involved

Encouraging your kids to keep their bedrooms neat and organised  (easier said than done) is a brilliant way to keep one of the messiest areas of your house neat and tidy.

Introduce them to the idea of donating unwanted toys to charity shops and how doing so can have a positive impact on the lives of others. It’s also a vital life skill your children will need to learn, so everyone wins!

A Guide to Loft Conversions

For some of us, a great option to increase the floor space in our homes is to move upwards into the loft area. However, if you’re considering converting your attic space into living space, there are a few factors that you should consider before starting any work…

Is it worth it?
When you are weighing up the potential of a loft conversion, it’s worth deliberating whether the cost of the work is equal to the value which you are adding to your property, so that you don’t end up overspending with no hope of recouping the costs when you decide to sell up. A loft conversion can add up to 20% to the value of a property, a significant amount; however, the cost of completing the works can vary depending on the type of space that you have available and the complexity of the requisite works. Shop around for your building quotes so that you have multiple options and then compare property prices in your area that have had loft conversions to see the difference in price; this should give you a strong idea in terms of budgeting and is it worth it.

Is my loft suitable for conversion?
Not all lofts can be converted into bona fide living space, as there are some caveats in terms of the available head height in the area, the pitch of the roof, the structure of the roof and obstacles such as water tanks or chimneys which may obstruct the area. When you measure from the bottom of the ridge timber to the top of the ceiling joist, you need to have at least 2.2m of usable space for a conversion to be suitable.

Do I need planning permission?
Depending on the type of conversion that you are implementing, you may not need any planning permissions whatsoever. “Permitted Development” rules grant rights to enable homeowners to undertake some types of building work without the need for any permissions. If you are completing a simple conversion, with no structural changes to the roof, then you will most likely not require planning permission, making the process a lot simpler. To read about “Permitted Development”, see the Scottish Government guidelines here: http://ow.ly/kion30puxur

How do I intend on using the space?
One of the most important questions to ask yourself before you commit to the building work is what exactly you need the extra space for. In some instances, this will be an easy question to answer; for example, if you’re a growing family in need of an extra bedroom. However, for others, the use of the room may not be so clear-cut. If you’re adding the extra space simply because you’re feeling a little squeezed for space in your property, then a loft conversion may well be the wrong answer as, although you’ll be increasing your living area, you will most certainly be losing useful storage metres. If you are looking for more space, then consider moving into a more appropriate property in your area – you may well have made a profit on your current property which would enable you to upsize.

Don’t fall foul of your insurer
Before completing any works on your property, ensure that your insurer has been fully briefed with regards to the possible changes to your property as you don’t want to invalidate your home insurance. Adding value to your property may affect your premiums, and any building work being completed (such as floors being taken up or electrics changed) can result in damage to the property which may not be subject to insurance claims.

Finally, getting the right contractor is key here. One that has a track record and comes in on the price quoted. Get everything written down in black and white so there are no arguments at the end over who should have done what. Effectively you’re drawing up a contract of works to be completed at the price quoted. Think about: How long have they been trading, ask for references and call these people to check how it went for them, plus google their name to make sure there are no horror stories. Check Facebook as well. Be prepared to make reasonable staged payments but always make sure you do not pay too much too soon leaving yourself in a vulnerable position should the contractor not live up to his/her word and you have to get someone else to finish off the job. It’s also worth getting a professional to inspect and sign their work off at various stages before you pay them to make sure it’s correct. Above all else get professional help and don’t try to cut back on essential costs if you have no experience in this or you could lose everything including the original house if it’s not done right.

The 5 best ways to add value to your property (4 min read)

When we decorate our properties, it is often driven by personal preferences in order to make a space fit into our own idea of what is stylish. However, if you are not just looking to decorate a space but to maximise the potential value of your property, then this guide explores the best ways to add value to your home.

Solve Existing Issues
Don’t jump straight to improving the appeal of rooms in order to gain the “wow factor”; instead, make sure that your property is structurally sound. It may have less cosmetic impact, but a house with a leaking roof, subsidence or damp will severely hinder you in achieving a strong asking price due to the perceived costs and effort in fixing the issues. Take the time to assess your property and ensure there are no major defects, and this will give a solid foundation to achieve the best price on the market as buyers will not be scared away by problems, nor will they be able to barter the price down.

Central Heating
Take a look at the central heating system in your house – If your central heating is on its way out then replacing this is more than likely to add value to your property as it is another issue which has the potential to put buyers off. Although the initial outlay for the central heating refit may seem high, you should more than recover these costs when selling the property as it is another key point which will assure buyers that your property is well-cared for.

Extra Space
Adding additional living space will always attract buyers as this offers them versatility in the way in which they will use the property. However, before you convert that loft or garage, we would recommend doing a little research. A converted loft can add thousands to the asking price of your property, so it is certainly something to consider – before you undertake this take a look at similar properties in your area and do some investigation as to what the top-selling price has been lately. There will be a ceiling price for the properties in your area and therefore before you add a room, make sure that there is the potential to recoup the cost or more in the asking price.

Decoration
If you want to add value without any major outlay then picking up the paintbrush could be the answer. Freshen up any decoration that has seen better days around the house and do the same in the bathroom, checking on any sealants to ensure they are crisp and clean. Clean up a few simple defects and buyers will see your property in an entirely different light and could be willing to pay more for a home that they perceive to be in excellent condition. This should extend to the frontage of your home, so ensure lawns are mowed and outside areas look cared for. Kerb appeal is everything and first impressions count.

Kitchens and Bathrooms
That old saying that homes are sold due to their kitchens and bathrooms is so true. Having a modern kitchen and bathroom will add considerable value to your property, as well as generating much more interest from buyers. If you don’t want to invest in a brand-new kitchen and bathroom, then update them in order to make them more sellable. Kitchen cabinets can be painted to modernise them and changing the door handles to something sleeker will also help to create the feeling of a newer space. In the bathroom, refresh the paint on the walls, keeping it as neutral as possible, and ensure that the space is bright and airy – add mirrors to make the space feel bigger and use accessories to add colour.

This is clearly a different take on the typical advice and some of these top tips can be done at an inexpensive price which can completely revitalise your property so it’s often worth doing when selling to enhance the buyer experience as it often translates to a higher offer.

However, do your sums. Work out how much it would cost first, get quotes from local contractors and do some research on the valuation now and the valuation after the work. Then work out if it’s worth doing. Getting a local Estate Agent to help on the valuations and give practical advice will pay dividends but make sure you choose one with a proven track record and experience in refurbishments.

6 Simple Kerb Appeal Improvements for Homeowners in Fife (4 min read)

Making a good first impression is key when presenting your home for sale. Potential buyers and renters are always extra vigilant when it comes to viewing properties, from the front gate to the back garden, meaning it’s even more important to present your home in the best light from the start. Continue reading 6 Simple Kerb Appeal Improvements for Homeowners in Fife (4 min read)

The best ways to add value to your property

When we decorate our properties, it is often driven by personal preferences in order to make a space fit into our own idea of what is stylish. However, if you are not just looking to decorate a space but to maximise the potential value of your property, then read our guide which explores the best ways to add worth to a home.

Solve existing issues

If you’re thinking of adding value to your property then don’t jump straight to improving the aesthetic of particular rooms in order to gain the much-lauded “wow factor”; instead, make sure that your property is structurally sound. It may have less cosmetic impact, but a house with a leaking roof, subsidence or damp will be severely hindered in achieving a strong asking price due to the perceived costs and effort in fixing the issues. Take the time to assess your property and ensure there are no major defects, and this will give a solid foundation for your property to achieve the best price on the market as buyers will not be scared away by problems, nor will they be able to barter the price down.

Central issue

Take a look at the central heating system in your house – does it look modern and fit-for-purpose or is it on its last legs? If your central heating isn’t quite up to scratch, then replacing this is a sure-fire way to add value to your property as it is another issue which has the potential to put off potential buyers. Although the initial outlay for the central heating refit may seem high, you should more than recover these costs when selling the property as it is another key point which will assure buyers that your property is well-cared for.

Extra space

Adding additional living space will always attract potential buyers as this offers them versatility in the way in which they will use the property; however, before you convert that loft or garage then we would recommend doing a little research. A converted loft can add thousands to the asking price of your property, so it is certainly something to consider – before you undertake this do take a look at similar properties in your area and do some investigation as to what the top selling price has been lately. There will be a ceiling price to the properties in your area, and therefore before you add a room, make sure that there is the potential to recoup the cost in the asking price of the property.

Decoration

If you’re looking to add value to your property without any major outlay, then picking up the paintbrush could be the answer. Freshen up any paint that has seen better days around the house and do the same in the bathroom, checking on any sealants to ensure they are crisp and clean. Clean up a few simple defects and potential buyers will see your property in an entirely different light, willing to pay more for a home that they perceive to be in excellent condition. This should extend to the frontage of your home, so ensure lawns are mowed and outside areas look cared for.

Kitchens and bathrooms

That old saying that homes are sold due to their kitchens and bathrooms is true, to an extent. Having a modern kitchen and bathroom will add considerable value to your property, as well as generating much more interest from potential buyers. If you don’t want to invest in a brand-new kitchen and bathroom, then update your current spaces in order to make them more sellable. Kitchen cabinets can be painted to modernise them, and changing the door handles to something sleeker will also help to create the feeling of a newer space in the kitchen. In the bathroom, refresh the paint on the walls, keeping it as neutral as possible, and ensure that the space is bright and airy – add mirrors to make the space feel bigger, and use accessories to add colour into the space.

Fife Properties Group Office Owner, Jim Parker commented, “A different take on the typical advice and some of these top tips can be done at an inexpensive price which can completely revitalise your property so it’s often worth doing when selling to enhance the buyer experience as it often translates to a higher offer” Fife Properties currently offer a FREE initial consultation service which not only provides an idea of the current value of your property but gives extremely useful advice on maximising the value when selling. To book click the link: https://www.fifeproperties.co.uk/property-valuation/

Getting the Most Out of The Wasted Space in Your Home

The majority of homeowners are guilty of not getting the most out of the available space in their home. Get the most out of your house we have put together some ideas for getting the most out of your home.

Create a micro office in your home

Depending on the size of your home, sometimes taking over a room to create an office just isn’t feasible. Why not create a micro office? A small desk or a sturdy shelf can be installed in a small area of wasted space to create the perfect working area.

Build in a multi-tasking bench

Some homes feature a huge landing and wide windows which go completely to waste! A multi-tasking bench, with storage capabilities, colourful pillows to brighten up the corridor is the perfect way to make use of the some of the space that traditionally goes to waste in most homes.

Put up some shelves

Shelves are more than just a solution to storage, it’s also a great way to decorate the wasted space in your home. Colour code your books to add a splash of colour to your rooms.

Reading nook

Unused spaces in the corner of the room or in a window alcove can be perfect for creating a reading nook. A comfy chair, a table for your drink and a pile of books is all you need to create a comfortable place for getting to know a new book.

Ceiling shelves

Most shelving units only make use of a small portion of the available space. Placing shelves on top of other units, such as the kitchen counter, or in nooks and corners with built-in cabinets, and ensuring the shelves measure up to the ceiling making usage of all the available space.

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