Do you have a spare bedroom?

Do you have a spare room in your home? The room that everything ends up getting dumped in? Some of us will use the room to do the ironing or keep suitcases in till you go on holiday. My wife uses this room to put Christmas presents in! Yes I know, its July! 
If you are thinking of moving house, it is essential that you give this room an identity. It has to feel like it's part of the house e.g. a bedroom, office or a playroom, not just a room you shut the door on. 

Here are some ideas of what you could turn your spare bedroom into:

A Bedroom
This may seem obvious, but dress the spare room an actual bedroom. A top tip we have found; if you are already boxing up and you don't want prospective buyers to see the boxes, dress the 'bed' with nice bedding and a colourful throw to go over the boxes so the buyer wouldn't know any different. (Think Joey in Friends with his Porsche). Put a lamp on a bed side table and add a few accessories. The result? You have achieved a room that you can now show off. 

A home office
There are a lot of teachers that want to move specifically to this area, so have a room in your house where they can bring their paperwork home. Show them that you have an area where they can work comfortably and keep their files. Invest in a small desk (Ebay), put a shelf on the wall and display a few books. Your room now has a purpose which will appear to many. 

A Playroom
If you have children and find that their toys are everywhere, create a playroom so that all their toys can be kept in one place. This will help the rest of your home de-clutter, make other rooms more spacious and also gives this room a purpose. If you have older children maybe consider creating a 'den' with a television and a sofa for a place they can relax. 

A craft room
Do you want a room that you can use especially for your hobby? Many people have hobbies and are actually looking for a space to do these. Transform your room in the similar way you would a study. Maybe consider putting some of your work on display too! By creating a room with an identity it will create a home that flows. Potential buyers will be able to get a better feel of how your home can work for them too. 

My name is Paul. I'm here to help you get the best price for your home. Follow our advice and we'll soon get you moving at a price your home deserves. 01279 426888

Pets photo-bombing

Hi, this is my house !

Let me in!! I want to be in the photo too!

Wouldn't you want some peace and quiet?

This is the lounge and this is MY rug!

I'm just playing with my ball, don't mind me!

Preparing your home for sale. The lounge

In some homes the lounge is the first room that you walk into, straight from the front door although most homes benefit of having a hallway. 

Because of this your lounge needs to be have a wow factor. It needs to be a place that your potential buyer can see themselves living and calling this their home whether it's for their sole use or a place for the family to gather. 

Many people feel that the lounge is one of the most important rooms in the house as it is the place families will spend a lot of time in - relaxing, watching TV, entertaining and socialising.

Because we spend to much time in our lounge, we often end up collecting clutter and making our lounge look smaller than it really is. 
Having a clear out and making your room actually feel like a lounge and not a large storage room. Showing more floor space can give the illusion that there is more floor space.

Try to clear children's and pet toys away. If you cannot put them away maybe store them in tasteful storage boxes or baskets. Make sure books and CD's are neatly stacked on the shelf. Keep your coffee tables clear or magazines, cups etc and replace them with a central display such as a bowl of fruit of flowers.

Finally, open your windows to that your home smells fresh and clean. Nobody likes a smelly home. 

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Would you like tailor made advice to help you sell your home? If so, please call Paul today on 01279 426888 or email paul.harten@hotmail.co.uk.

Read our Blog on First Impressions next!!  

First impressions really do count!

The hallway in your home is the very first reception space. It is essential that you make a good impression to your potential buyer.

Your hallway needs to feel welcoming. If buyers like your hallway they will want to continue to view your property. This is the first place your buyer will notice if your home is well-kept or untidy, fresh or smelly and light or dark. 

Stand back and take a look at your hallway, what do you have stored or even dumped here? It is time clear the space and get rid of the stuff that is making your hallway look smaller than it actually is.





Coats and shoes
Do you have so many coats that they are falling off the hooks? Put them away! Coats that are rarely worn can get put away in wardrobes upstairs or even tucked away in a cupboard. Avoid the temptation to throw your jacket on the stairs or over the newel post on the stairs. If you have have a nice feature staircase you need to show it off not hide it.

Shoes can also be a problem in this area as this is where they usually get kicked off here and left in piles. Consider investing in a shoe rack to avoid this. If they have to be in the hallway, store them neat and tidy and get rid of muddy smelly trainers. 



Daily Life
Daily life needs to be hidden away. By this I mean keys, post and even kid's school bags. If you have a pram or a child's car seat, put them in the car whilst viewings are taking place. You need to make your hallway feel as spacious as possible.

If your hallway is dark, try adding some feature lighting. Flowers add colour and polished flooring will make it look cleaner. The above photo tells us that this is a well cared for home. 
Your hallway greets your prospective buyer and its the final lasting impression as they leave.

What does your hallway say about you? 

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Would you like tailor made advice to help you sell your home? If so, please call Paul today on 01279 426888 or email paul.harten@belvoir.co.uk 

How to make your bedroom look bigger

Does your bedroom look small and crowded? Instead of considering to move house, take a look at our tips on how to make your bedroom look bigger. 

Remove all clutter
Clutter can make any room feel smaller. Try and remove all 'paperwork', extra pillows and unnecessary accessories. A fewer quantity of items that are larger can make your room feel bigger. Find a hidden place for your everyday items such as your purse, phone and clothes instead of leaving them on any empty horizontal surface. 

Bed
Everyone loves a large bed, but you don't need a tall bed. Although tall mattresses are popular, they can make your room feel smaller. Four poster beds can create a visual barrier in your room and make it seem smaller than it actually is. Consider having a wall mounted headboard and no foot board to gain a few inches of floor space. 

Bedding
Patterned bedding with many colours and shapes (floral) tends to draw your attraction straight to the bed and can make your room look cluttered. Simple solid bedding in a light colour will brighten you bedroom and make it feel larger. 

Light
Make sure there is plenty of light in your bedroom. Keep your curtains open to let in daylight and have several sources of light in your room instead of just one light. 

Mirrors
Mirrors make a room feel larger than it is. Consider having one large mirror in your bedroom will double the light's impact and make the space grow. 

Ceiling
Draw attention to your ceiling in order to bring your eye level up in the room. You can add a unique light fixture or paint the ceiling a light colour other than white. 

Lighter colours

Instead of dark and rich colours, go for lighter and brighter colours for your bedroom. You can have an all white room to make your bedroom seem very spacious. 

The importance of kerb appeal

"The idea of kerb appeal is to give your home an inviting look that makes the buyer want to stop and take a look inside".

Below are some tips on how to improve the external appearance of your home. This doesn't have to cost you a fortune but a little time and effort alone can work wonders.

If you want your home to look the best on the street, follow some of these handy tips!  

Paint your front door

Give your front door some love! This is probably the most important factor when it comes to kerb appeal as this is where your potential buyer will stand and wait until you, or your estate agent opens it. If you have a UPVC door it may be that your front door just needs a clean to get rid of any cobwebs or marks. If you have a wooden door you may want to freshen up the paint work. You might wish to go classical (like me), in which case black is always a safe bet. 

Your door furniture 
Take a look at your door handle, the letterbox, the number on your door and your door knocker. 

What does your furniture say about you? Rusty? Old-fashioned? Good door furniture can make all the difference. Keep your choice of furniture in character with the style of your home. If your home is modern, go for something contemporary! Think chrome or stainless steel. There are contemporary house numbers now available for the more modern home. 

Windows

Do you windows look clean? When I say clean I mean, do they sparkle? Clean windows make all the difference and can make a room look brighter. Grubby windows can make the property look like it isn't cared for. If they are painted or stained do they need to be freshened up? If they need replacing its a further expense they may wish to consider. You should also look at dressing your window. How do your curtains hang? Do you tie your curtains back slightly?What does your window say about your home?

Your frontage
Every home has a frontage. Even if your home opens out to the pavement. Keep it tidy and remove the weeds. If you are fortunate to have a front garden, cut the grass, trim the hedges, paint the fence and gate. Make it look spick and span! You want your property to look the best on the street!  For those without a front garden, how about a window box to brighten up the outside of your home? Some fresh flowers in a window box can distract your eyes away from the window too! 

Fascias and Guttering's

You want to create a perfect impression. Take a look at your fascias and guttering's. Do they need to be painted? If the gutter is growing weeds, please have them cleared out. 

Your next door neighbour
If your neighbours home is letting you down, you could make a suggestion as to how this would benefit you both. If they are elderly and their front garden is a little bit uncared for, offer your assistance. Remember this is going to help towards the sale of your home. 

If you truly want to sell the home then please consider the above! 

We offer a FREE house doctor service where we can advise you on what we think would be the best way to help sell your home, attract more buyers and get you the best offer.

Call us today to arrange your FREE appraisal or email Billy Smith ! 

How to spot troublesome tenants

Make sure you're aware of what is going on behind the walls of your rental property with the useful advice from the experts at Belvoir Harlow!
Sub-letting, damage to the property, benefit fraud, using the property for illegal purposes have all been hidden by the disguise of a 'good' tenant.
So, would you like to know the signs if your tenant is trying to hide something? 

Potential Offenders
Try and spot a potential offender before they even step through the door. When they register their interest for a property try and be thorough in your background checks. This will be easier for you to turn them away now rather than starting the eviction process later! 

   "Before any tenant moves into a property with us they will be fully referenced by Ref4Rents. This will include previous Landlord references, credit checks and employer references. We also check identity and obtain proof of current address which MUST be dated within the last three months. We DO NOT accept mobile phone bills as evidence, instead we prefer to use utility bills, insurance documentation or bank statements." says manager of Belvoir Harlow, Tracy Allen.
   When applicants are registering for a property we ask lots of conversational questions about them and reasons they are moving. We meet them at viewings and spend time with them during the application process so they are able to ask any further questions. Having a good relationship with new tenants from the beginning of the tenancy allows us to build a better picture of the type of people/person we are dealing with. 
   These types of tenants know to target private landlords as they know they are less likely to carry out background checks on them and they don't carry out regular inspections whereas Belvoir Harlow visit managed properties every three months. Private landlords, we recommend that you get a reference from a previous landlord or visit their current property. 

Property visits
Once the tenant has moved into the property it is vital that you carry out inspections. If you have a managed property with Belvoir Harlow we will visit your property every three months and produce a report so that our landlords are kept up-to-date and that the tenancy is running smoothly.
"Inspections throughout the tenancy are essential! If something is going on inside the property that is breeching the terms of the tenancy agreement, it is during the inspections that this will be noticed." says Paul Harten, Director at Belvoir Harlow.
Some tenants don't report maintenance issues or that there is damage to the property they just 'get on with it' - with inspections this allows us to notify the landlord that some areas in the property need attending to. Smoking can also be an issue, if a tenant has been smoking inside the property it is usually very obvious to spot.

Tracy Allen who carries out Belvoir Harlow's inspections explains further...
"At Belvoir Harlow we visit the property six weeks after the tenancy has started. The first inspection is to check the tenant has settled in OK and that there are no immediate problems. We do walk round the whole property to make sure that it is all in order.
After the initial inspection we carry out three-monthly inspections, booked at a date and time to suit the tenants (if they cannot attend we always ask permission before using our management set of keys). Carrying out inspections also helps to build relationships with tenants. I like to see the personal touches that the tenants put in their homes."

Excuses Excuses!
Is your tenant making excuse after excuse as to why they can't commit to an inspection? There may be a reason why!
After several attempts trying to book in a property visit with the tenant and them refusing we will politely suggest entering with our management set of keys. If they refuse our suspicions would be raised and we would externally visit the property by simply doing a walk by to see if the garden was being maintained or to see if the property looked occupied.
We also have reliable trustworthy contractors who would alert us to any 'odd' activity when they carry out the gas / electrical inspections. These appointment are a valid reason for us to insist on gaining access.


Be aware and alert
Regular communication allows you to deal with problems as they arise and will always bring to light any changes or concerns with a tenancy.
Don't be naive, keep yourself informed of any new tricks and trends such as benefit fraud or sub letting.
"We are fortunate at Belvoir Harlow as we have only had very few troublesome tenants. However, we have good relationships with our tenants so we would know if something serious or illegal was going on in a property that we manage" says Paul Harten (Director) at Belvoir Harlow. 

Something to make you all laugh

Estate agent photograph fails have brightened up my Thursday morning! You will look at these and think 'is this real' but yes, it is. Different estate agents have actually used the photos below to advertise their properties! 

1) Eww, not to sure I would feel comfortable going to the toilet whilst the dinner was cooking!

2) OK, this is just slightly over the top... 

3) Lets set the scene. It's a cold winters night looking at a drawing of a log fire.... 

4) At least you won't ever miss a delivery because you was on the toilet!















5) I'm all for testing colours to see how they look on walls but did the paint pot explode???

6) China dolls on their own are scary enough, but imagine this many in a bedroom!!!!! 


7) I guess you wouldn't be lonely?

8) Nope, still don't think there are enough mirrors here

9) The occupants of this property didn't even get a chance to get dressed before the estate agents were in taking snaps! 

10) This cat loves to photobomb

Are you tempted into buying-to-let but aren't sure how involved you want to be?

Buying a property is the first step! 

You need to think whether you are going to rent it out yourself or will you involve an agent?

Belvoir will deal with any problems your Tenant's may have and we have our trusted plumbers, electricians and other contractors if things go wrong. 
Please remember that managing the property by yourself is time consuming so we want to take the stress away from you.
You must also think about the void periods as a buy-to-let Landlord where you don't have anyone in the property and therefore no income. Belvoir have an applicant database of tenants who are actively looking for a property to rent. In this market we are letting properties within 24 hours of notifying our applicants and it being added to Belvoir, Rightmove and OnTheMarket so there is not an excuse for a void period.
Good, long term tenants help to avoid this! 
If you are managing the property yourself, keep up with the maintenance, make sure your property is a nice place to live and try and build a good personal relationship with your tenants.

If you would like to discuss the services Belvoir Harlow offer please Call: 01279 426888 or Email: tracy.allen@belvoir.co.uk

Are you tempted into buying-to-let

Choose your area wisely

You need to choose a property where people would like to live and call their home. This will be the key aspect of a successful buy-to-let investment.

So, you need to think, where are the good schools? Is there a bus route nearby? How close is the train station? How close is the hospital?

The size and style of the property will have an impact as to who your target Tenant is going to be. Young professionals will want a modern and stylish property. If it is a family, they will have plenty of their own belongings so will need a blank canvas.

Tenants want to make this rental property their home! Let them add their own personal touches by decorating.

If you would like tips on which areas to invest into and which to avoid... Contact Tracy or Beccy today! 01279 426888 or email tracy.allen@belvoir.co.uk rebecca.griffiths@belvoir.co.uk

10 top tips that will help to sell your home

Struggling to sell your property? We find the below tips help when selling a property and are what people look for most. You want to present your property in the best possible way so that you are achieving the best selling price and that it is sold as quick as possible! We love helping our clients and offer a free of charge service where we can offer any advise and tips that will help to sell your home. 

Remove evidence of pets - Unfortunately not everyone is a pet lover. Before the agent takes any photo's make sure you remove pet bowls, beds, toys and litter trays and make sure these are out the way when viewings take place. 

Towels Make sure your bathroom towels look fresh and fluffy and not like sand paper! Try and think - hotel standards. If you're like us then colour co-ordinated towels are a must! 

 

Kerb appeal - First impressions matter, especially when looking for a property to buy. When you look on Rightmove/Zoopla it will be the front of the property that they display, so you need to ensure that it is tidy! Sweep away leaves, mow the lawn(if you have one), move the dustbins so they cannot be seen and maybe plant some fresh flowers! 

Bed Sheets - Fresh bedsheets make all the difference to a bedroom. I mean we all know how nice it is getting into a freshly made bed, right? Always make sure that that the beds are made and look presentable! There is nothing worse than an unmade bed.

                

De-clutter - Remove anything that's not where it should be e.g put away shoes and piles of paperwork. It can also make your house look messy if things aren't put away and you want to make your property look clean and tidy.

Lighting - During the winter months, I would suggest preparing the rooms in your property before a potential buyer goes round. Turn on lamps and down lights around the house to make it look more homely. During the summer make sure the curtains are pulled and windows are slightly open, this will also help with the 

General cleanliness - Remember, this is going to be someone else's home. So, that cobweb you have left to hang there and the dust around the skirting board you have ignored now needs to go! If you want it cleaned professionally we have cleaning companies that we highly recommend. You don't want their eyes to be drawn to that straight away, you want them to focus on the property itself.

Smells sell - No one wants to smell odours from pets, cigarette smoke, damp or food, yuck! Open the windows slightly on a summers day, use an air freshener pouch or get a big pot of lemon, rosemary and vanilla and leave to simmer all day (this will make your whole house smell amazing!).

Tidy garden  - Make sure that your lawn has been mowed! Who wants to see an overgrown lawn? Not me! You're trying to create a 'this could be your home' impression. You could plant some flowers round the side of the garden and if you have any hanging baskets don't let them look like they have been left to die. 

                                    

Neutral is best - Try and keep rooms neutral, but it may need a new coat as you want it to look fresh. You can accessorise with a bit of colour to brighten up the room! Neutral gives you more to work with you aren't stuck with one colour scheme. This bedroom perfect for this summer, neutral with some orange and yellow. 

If you have any further questions please contact paul.harten@belvoirlettings.com or call 01279 426888. We can give you the advice you need! 

Information for Applicants

We realise that in this current market there aren't many properties!
It's free to register so please make sure you do as we have an applicant database who we update daily of any new properties, you with either receive a text or email with the property details that match your criteria.
As there is a shortage of property, it has become a normal protocol that we carry out 'block viewings' where multiple people view the property who have been given an allocated time slot. As there is always more than one person who views the property, to make sure the procedure is fair we will pass the applicants details on to the landlord to be decided.

Tips to secure a property quickly:o Ensure that you have registered with ALL the agents so you can be notified with the properties that meet your criteria.
o Try to register 6-8 weeks prior to your desire move in date. (Don't leave it to the last minute).
o You may need to flexible with the area that you would prefer, number of bedrooms, budget and furnishings.
o If you have a pet please tell the agent when you are registering as we will need to check with each individual landlord!
o If you are registered with us and receive a text message or email regarding a property you MUST call or text straight away to arrange a viewing.

If you would like to be kept up-to-date on new properties:
Like us on Facebook - Belvoir Lettings Harlow
Follow us on Twitter - BelvoirHarlow

If you would like any further information please call 01279 426888 or email the below:
tracy.allen@belvoirlettings.com
rebecca.griffiths@belvoirlettings.com

Pull Cords - Make it safe!

What to look for in new blinds and how to make existing blinds safer. 

This is a leaflet we are handing out to our tenants to make sure they are keeping their children safe by doing something so simple and keeping a pull cord out of their children's reach. 

Make sure that children's beds, cots, high-chairs and playpens are away from the window as they will be able to grab hold of the cord and this is how they get seriously hurt! Make sure that all cords are tied up out of children's reach or are high enough so they cannot get hold of them. 

If you would like to use this leaflet please follow this link we found it extremely helpful and think its a great way to make tenants aware. 

Pull Cords - Make it safe