Start the clock...

Once upon a time in an apartment in Lancaster...

I was sat down with a lovely lady yesterday at a viewing.  We sat quietly.  We made no noise.   This particular lady wanted to get a feel for the property.  She wanted to watch the world go by though the full height windows, while the sun glistened of her wristwatch.  She made no attempt to move from her seat.  She sat watching the cat attempt a tricky crossing on the very busy road outside.  She waited and watched while the bus dropped off and picked up passengers.  She sat still and quiet. 

She then stood and said the words ‘Thank you’.

In my surprise I asked why she had thanked me. She said for ‘your time’ and ‘for giving her time.’

It was at this profound moment that it dawned on me what I had done.   I had given her the time to fully appreciate her surroundings.  I had listened to what she said when we carefully wandered around.  I knew that her time was something she treasured

‘The best thing you can give someone is your time, because you are giving them something you will never get back’

Here are some quick tips top make sure you get the most from your agent whether you are buying or selling.

Considering a Sale?

 

Find out how long your valuation will take.  These vary from agent to agent, that way you can schedule your second agent in straight after.  Saving you time on what may be your only day off.

Viewings

Haven’t viewed in a while?  Find out how long is allocated for a viewing. Make sure you ask this question for each house.  It is important because often you spend longer choosing a new pair of shoes than your next house.  The last thing you want to happen is to be rushed round and make a hasty decision.  Already think you may like it?  Ask your agent to schedule extra time.  Take the time to sit down in the different rooms and really get a feel for the place.

Photographs

Ready to go?  Ask your chosen agent how long the photograph appointment will take.  Is it quick? Let’s hope your house is ship shape!  Now call me and ask me how long mine take, then ask me why!

Speak to you soon

Ps.   I hope that estate agents up and down the country take note: For some people, time is all they have, make it worthwhile and you will always be remembered.

 

Diagnosis & Treatment - Property Health Checks

There are many different occupations that one could choose, many different directions one could go in life.  I decided from an early age that helping people was what I do best.  I like to make a difference.  

The property industry is no different.  I like to take care of people. I’m a mother of two children, a daughter, a sister and soon to be, an auntie. 

I could have been a Doctor, as I love looking after people.  I have the compassion, the kindness I love the feeling of accomplishment and making people happy.  My job bares many resemblances to a Doctor.  In fact it is so similar, I felt it deserved it’s very own blog. 

Dr VMOVE

Home Visits 

This really is the only way.  This is where I get to meet you.  Sometime this is for the first time.  I come to you.  To make you feel comfortable and relaxed. 

Check-up’s 

Sometimes your house sale may have got a little head cold, it may have been on the market for a while.  Or you are simply considering a change of lifestyle, this generally requires a check-up with the doctor.  If you are embarking on a new chapter in your life, a big change, it is always advised to see your General Practitioner.  It is no different when you are thinking of selling.  You will have questions that require an answer and your current situation may need a thorough assessment. 

Background

Moving to a new GP requires answering lots of questions.  You have to be open and honest.  Instructing a new Estate Agent is much the same.  I want to know who you are, why you are selling and really what has prompted your sale.  This works both ways too, I would love to answer your questions too so you get to know, like and trust me.  By getting to know each other means I can help you in the best possible way. 

Routine Testing

I get to assess your home.  I get to see all the fascinating things you have done, and the features you are proud of as well as consider the factors that will sell your home in the best way.  I get to check all of your home & garden.  Having a passion for property makes this bit rather interesting indeed. 

Diagnosis

This is usually the part you have been waiting eagerly for. Your Diagnosis. My assessment of your home. My feedback. 

Treatment 

We have to treat the wound, consider your prospects based on my assessment of your tests, formulate a plan on how best to move forward.  This usually involves some bespoke guidance, on presentation and how to please your buyers and often little things that can make the biggest difference in getting your house sold. 

Prescription 

The things you need in order to execute a successful sale.  As discussed during treatment, this letter outlines what we have discussed.  It can usually be a lot to take in our first meeting and a nice reference point for sellers.

Monitor your progress

Your house sale is like everything else.  It needs nurturing, regular assessments and monitoring to get that sale and ensure that sale is a smooth process.  We like to keep you updated here, we like to work with you to ensure you are happy with every step you are taking.

Aftercare 

Handing over the keys is not the end for me.  Just ask.  We can make arrangements to have your locks changed for security or even arrange a decorator or a plumber.  We have tradesman that also have the same values as us.  That love to help.

Our service starts when you pick up the phone and doesn't stop when you move.

If you need some help?  Just ask me.  

 

 

PS:  We are offering a FREE HOME HEALTH CHECK to all those struggling to sell.  Give me a call and lets find the best treatment to aid your sale. 01524 230722
 

An injection of creativity may be just the answer

Can Happiness SELL your home?

Happy Homes

So, here I am, blogging, again.  This time it literally landed on my desk! 

A sweet.

A small bundle of happiness wrapped in a shiny purple and gold wrapper.  Delicious toffee coated chocolateness of a Cadburys chocolate éclair. 

It dropped from my ‘desk-shelf’, yes, I have a strange shelf on my desk, apparently a good place for sweets to hide.  This small and very welcome surprise made me very happy. This got me thinking.  Happiness is something every person wants and happiness attracts happy people, happiness breeds happiness…

…can happiness sell your home?

I think it can

I read a wonderful blog post from the delightful Samantha Ashdown which asked Estate Agents how you answer when you are asked the question ‘What do you do?’  guess what my answer was?

‘I make people happy.’

Why? Because I’m happy & I love what I do.

People buy things to make them feel better.  To make them look better, so they feel better.  They buy things that ultimately they think will make them happy.

How can happiness sell your home?

 

 

Create it.

A welcoming front entrance. 

Brighten up your entrance hall. Invest in mirrors, add lights and a clean your flooring to really bring that zing!

Light up your life

Light up any dark corners in a room with lamps.  Change your lightbulbs to the new halogen ones to make it feel brighter. 

Swap your dark ceiling light shades for light coloured ones to let the light flow.

Smell

According to recent sources white tea and fig is THE smell to sell your home.  But I think clean and fresh wins every time.  Throw open your windows and let the air circulate.

Home Descriptions

Make them positive.  Add in little extras that will please your target market.  It may be that there is a play area next door for those mums with a large brood or your patio might be the best place for dining. You may have a secluded area at the back, perfect for getting lost in a book with your favourite glass of wine. 

Describe the things that would make your buyers happy

NOW SMILE

 

Smiles are contagious  

Are you showing viewers round? Then smile.  Smiles are infectious.  Open your door with enthusiasm.  Be the happiest person they have ever met.  Be enthusiastic, use positive words to describe your home.  I love this bit, I love showing viewers round.  I got a message from one who said they loved the way I did it.  I even make my viewers laugh.  Why? Finding a home is stressful, you need your buyers to feel relaxed and at home, not stressed and uncomfortable.  (I have even made them laugh by accident, I may have slipped over just a little. The giggles from behind me were a tell tale sign that they noticed me fall face first onto the grass! I jumped up and dusted myself off.  They booked another viewing.) 

A good estate agent will smile.  A FANTASTIC estate agent will smile and make you smile with them through every step of selling your home.

Meet me, Yes you guessed it…this is me.  

Doing what I love.  So what makes me happy?  My children, the silly things they say, the funny things they do. The little noises they make when I kiss them goodnight when they are sleeping.

Do you know what else makes me happy?  Finding the last chocolate éclair and devouring it in one swift movement!   

I bet you thought I was going to say selling houses! That also makes me happy, it makes me ‘I can do a cartwheel’  happy.

This Lancaster driveway also made me happy. 

So what makes you happy?  I would love to know 

See you soon...

Ps.  I also know a joke, feel free to call me and ask me to tell you it! It's the only one I know.

 

 

The real reason you should hire a FANTASTIC estate agent

The real reason you should hire a FANTASTIC Estate Agent.

Each morning you wake up to a For Sale sign in your garden. Each morning you draw your curtains back and see FOR SALE miserably grimacing in your direction, and each morning you wish today would be the day your agent calls up and brings a viewer., not an offer, just a viewer, after all it’s been weeks maybe months.

You drink your luke warm morning coffee in your kitchen diner, wondering if your FOR Sale sign has a neon flashing light saying ‘don’t bother, I’m not worth it.’ After all your agent is gently prodding you to reduce your price.

Each solemn day at work is another day you are paying a mortgage on a house you mentally moved out of six months ago, expecting a flurry of viewers, a hive of activity and a couple of offers on the house you have loved so dearly over the last 8 years.  But that didn’t happen, long gone has the happy feeling that your next chapter is just around the corner, the weekly trolling the Rightmove app has grown tiresome missing out on houses as yours hasn’t sold.

 

Does this story sound familiar? You may need an injection of creativity a new direction and a bundle of happiness thrown energetically in your direction.

VMOVE have been around locally since 2013 and we have made quite an impact. So let me tell you what we do, and I will leave you with some tips to help you move from sale to sold!!! (ps. I best not mention the price, it’s eye wateringly good!)

1 - Clear, crisp and sparkling photography

This next line says it all. A recent Zoopla poll made me dance merrily around my office. It is clear, 83% of buyers say a poor photograph gives you a poor impression of a property. Buyers will turn away!!

Tip 1 – Get some super photography. If you’re not happy with your current pictures get them re shot. Haven't sold? Get them re-shot. Sunny day? Get them re-shot. At VMOVE our pictures are sharp and crystal clear from the outset.

2 – Lifestyles SELL – FACT

Now we really do, do things differently. Along with all your standard clear shots we do lifestyle shots of properties. These sell! Lifestyle shots are what every marketing expert does, it’s how Next sell clothes & homeware and how Mercedes & BMW sell their cars! They sell you a desire, Push your viewers ‘buy’ buttons and give them something to aspire to.

Tip 2 – Set the scene for your photography. Fresh new plants/flowers give a welcoming touch and don’t forget to clean your windows for a better quality light streaming through your windows.

VMOVE give you bespoke tips on creating this when we do your FREE home visit.

 

3 – Words speak volumes.

Words tell a story!! Do your buyers really need to know there is a plug socket in the corner? Maybe the view from the window would be more appropriate. Or maybe the mature trees behind the lens of the camera offer privacy, make sure this is mentioned. Your agent’s words speak volumes to your buyers. Think like a buyer, what would you like to know if you lived there? Imagine they aren’t familiar with the area, we have a lot of buyers from other areas, they wont know what you know so set your scene.

Tip 3 – Check your wording, make sure your agent has pointed out all your benefits. Such as, what you can use your rear patio for and especially if its sun drenched in the evening!

It’s things like these that make us different. It’s things like these that present your home in the best possible light. Your photos and write up are your front cover, get this right and you are on the home straight to a sale.

Wake up happy to a SOLD sign. Smile and plan your future with VMOVE.

Let VMOVE get YOU moved!!

We give you bespoke advice on every FREE home visit, we SHOW you enthusiastically how to get the most from your sale, your photos and your agent. We are here to guide, support and assist your sale from start to finish.

We know it’s not always an easy decision to move, but, we also know that the right agent can make a big difference.

We think out of the box…There’s much more room!

(check out our regular blog for more super tips on selling and our 6 part series to help you sell your house higher and faster!)

Until next time

　

　

　

　

　

　

Your local online agent, Finalist for Property Business of the year 2014, 3^rd place finalist for the Prime location blog awards and a TOP 10 agent with Zoopla’s Property Power 100 most influential Estate Agents in the whole UK!!! As previously heard on BBC Radio Lancashire twice!!!

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Get your 7 a day – How Fruit & Veg can also help you sell your home!

Super Fruit!

It’s in the news again how we now not only need our 5-a-day but now 7!!  Well guess what, your super fruit and veg can also help sell your house.  Here’s my seven superfood tips to get your property sold.

Single Fruit Centre pieces

Ever wondered how to get that wow factor in your kitchen.  Steal some style from professional designers and fill a large vase with just one type of fruit to suit your kitchen.  Try a Zesty lime or polished red apples.

Lemon Loveliness   

Lemons have many qualities, smell lovely cleanse your system but they also deodorise your home.  Try half a lemon in hot water and place on radiators to make your home smell fresh.  Use it in warm water in the microwave to loosen dried in dirt too.   Take one lemon half, sprinkle some salt on to the surface and use like a scouring pad on copper saucepans to leave a brilliant shine.  (Please test on a small area first and do not use on copper plated.)  

Country Kitchen 

Show your country lifestyle with a basket of wholefoods like carrots with tops and freshly dug up potatoes & onions.  Place on a worktop and arrange nicely.  If they are homegrown even better!!

Brilliant Bananas 

Use inside of banana skins to polish your indoor plants.  Then bury your skins for extra nutrition for your plants.  (Heard this somewhere before?  Yes in our Flower Power blog)

Plant an onion 

Have you ever seen the flower from an onion plant?? 

Need I say more?  Well,  Flowers can help sell houses!! 

Beautiful Blossom

Is your apple or cherry blossom flowering right now.  Get then surrounding garden tidied up and get a fab picture of it in full bloom.  You can then give this to your estate agent when you do decide to sell.  It’s so pretty your buyers will be srabbling to have this in their garden!!  I have once bought a house just to have the pink blossom!

Vegetable Patches

Have you got a vegetable patch.  Make the most of it, keep it neat and tidy. Use little handmade signs to show the buyers what you are growing, why not leave a sample for those more keen buyers.  They will remember you long after they have left.

There’s no reason not to get your new 7-a-day now. 

Enjoy.