Hints and Tips

It doesn’t cost much to make a few simple changes that can make all the difference.

• First impressions last. A fresh coat of paint on the walls, ceilings and woodwork can transform the look of a home.


• Declutter! Don’t use a wardrobe or closet to hide all of life’s debris. Viewers are looking at making this house their home so they WILL be looking everywhere!


• A welcoming smell in the house is a great bonus when you open the door. Open the windows on the morning of the viewing. A pot of coffee smells great. Strong scented candles are a big no.  They can become overpowering.


• A tidy front lawn is a great advantage. Trim the hedges and grass. Weed the flower beds. A little TLC makes a huge difference.


• Try to avoid confusing the purpose of the rooms. If you have an “office space” in the corner of the kitchen, please remove it temporarily.  It takes from the available space and feel of the room.


• The kitchen is the heart of the home. Clear the counter tops.  Older kitchens can look brand new with a coat of paint. Only leave small appliances like a coffee machine, kettle and toaster on the counter tops.


• Secure all of your valuables!

Gather all the paperwork required by your chosen lender.
If you are PAYE employee, you will typically need to provide:

• Your most recent P60


• Your last three months’ pay slips


• The last six months of your bank account statements

If you are self-employed:

• Your last two years’ certified/audited accounts


• The last six months of your business bank account statements

You will also need a deposit of 10% at least of the purchase price if you are a first-time buyer and at least 20% if you are second time buyer.
Talk to a mortgage broker or your bank. See what’s on offer in terms of mortgage lending. Mortgage brokers will go to a number of financial institutions for you, ask the questions of various lenders, come back to you with mortgage solutions and talk you through your options and advise on the mortgage they believe is best for you.
Remember that a mortgage broker or indeed the bank do not make any money until you draw down the mortgage, so it is in their interest to work hard for you.

Selling a property can be a long, stressful process.
Once a buyer is found, we have some useful tips to help speed up this process for you. Remember, you can always contact us by phone or email for help!
BER CERTIFICATE
Before your house goes on the market you will need to get the BER certificate. This is a report outlining the energy rating of the property. We cannot advertise the property without it. We will be happy to give you list of registered BER assessors in your area.
PHOTO AND ADDRESS ID
We will need photo and address ID for all owners of the property. A bank statement / utility bill dated in the last 3 months along with your passport/driving license will be needed.
Your solicitor will need your PPSN, a copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable) as well as your ID.
TITLE DEEDS
If you have a mortgage on the property, the title deeds will be with the bank/building society. In order to issue contracts to the buyers your solicitor will need you to sign an authority for him/her to request the deeds. This can take a number of weeks so make sure you do it early!
Property Charges
Make sure the following charges are paid up to date:

• Household charge 2012
• Local Property Tax
• NPPR (if applicable)

Planning
Is all planning permission in place for the property. Have you made any additions or alterations that may have required planning? Make sure there is a grant of planning available from your local County Council.
Some extensions are exempt from planning but a certificate of exemption is required.
Septic Tank
If your property has a separate septic tank, make sure it is registered and check whether the septic tank and percolation area are inside your site boundary. Make sure any rights of ways are correctly shown on your property.
Management Company
If there is a management company in place in the development they will need to respond to a set of queries. This is known as a ‘requisition 37’. It can take a while to get this done so perhaps ask your solicitor to begin the process.