Category: blog

It’s probably fair to say that if your bathroom is rocking an avocado or peach suite against a backdrop of lurid pink tiles, then it’s pretty out-dated and, unfortunately if you are selling your home in Gloucestershire, this can stop potential buyers in their tracks.

Most of us like a modern touch within our homes – after all this is the 21st century – and it’s nice to feel like you are actually living in the correct century, so even if you are not looking to sell your property in Gloucestershire, but are perhaps in the process of purchasing a new home, renovating your bathroom will allow you to get creative and achieve a fresh new look.

Here are four major benefits a bathroom remodel can offer:

1. You will see an increase in the value of your home

Even a small remodel such as replacing the suite and adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls will add value to your property. The majority of properties that undergo renovations in important areas such as the bathroom (or kitchen) end up seeing an increase in value as it improves the appearance and appeal of your home overall.

2. You will save money

If you are renovating due to the need to replace damaged, faulty or old bathroom furniture such as a leaking toilet, rusty radiator or inefficient boiler then you will save money by replacing these with more energy-efficient solutions.

3. You will feel more relaxed

It’s not only your home that will benefit. Your bathroom will become your oasis of calm. If you are used to attempting to chill out in an unattractive, messy, old-fashioned bathroom in various shades of pastel, imagine how it will feel to unwind in a brand new warm and modern space decorated in soothing colours designed to help you fully relax. Your new bathroom can give you that experience.

4. You will reduce clutter

A lack of storage invites clutter, so your renovation should involve incorporating plenty of storage solutions. A tidy bathroom is a tidy mind!

If you’re planning to sell your home in Gloucestershire soon, remember that buyers will always appreciate an updated and clean bathroom and you may end up achieving a higher offer for your property too!

For friendly, expert property advice, contact TG Sales & Lettings on 01452 300822 or call in to our office in Gloucestershire for a chat.

A few of us have signed up to support Hope For Tomorrow in the 1000 mile challenge.  The challenge started on the 1^st July 2020 and we have 12 months to complete it……wish us luck!

As you can imagine, most of us are office based and sitting in our chairs on a daily basis, so we have got to find the time to walk 2.73 miles per day.  This might not sound a lot but when you are at your desk 8 hours a day we need the MOTIVATION for evening and weekend walking 😊

So, would you be willing to go the extra mile for Hope For Tomorrow?

Health & Hustle have joined forces with Hope for Tomorrow to launch an active scheme where you pledge to walk, jog or run 1,000 miles over the course of the year to help keep the wheels turning on our Mobile Cancer Care Units.

Walking is good for improving your physical health as well as your mental health. This, in turn, benefits the health service. If walking’s not your thing you could run, cycle or swim.
You have until 30th June 2021 to cross the ‘finish line’ so why not join in and raise money or donate 1p per mile for someone who is taking the challenge.

Once registered you will receive your tracking pack, along with the Just Giving link to the challenge, where we would encourage you to set up your own fundraising page or if not share the main link. After the event you will receive your t-shirt, medal and certificate

Any age can get involved, so why not encourage your friends, family and sports groups to join you?

Register today for £20 to secure your place

https://hopefortomorrow.org.uk/product/1000-mile-challenge/

*Please note your details will be shared with the Health & Hustle team in order to track your progress*

1. Location

Gloucester is a small city which makes it easy to get around and it also benefits from ideal commuting distances to Bristol, Birmingham and South Wales. Nestled in the Cotswolds, you’ll find history and nature in abundance and with huge amounts of investment attracting many businesses to the Docks area, Gloucester has a lot going for it and an exciting future.

2. Flexibility

The rental market is strong and as lifestyles become more flexible, so too will people’s housing needs. For people who want to study or move between jobs frequently, renting is the ideal solution. Gloucester is home to several large industries as well as a University meaning a steady influx of people requiring short-term housing options.

3. House Prices

An increasing population and a national shortage of housing have pushed house prices up to a point that many first-time buyers can’t get on to the housing ladder. Renting offers them a chance for independent living is cheaper and can give people the time to save up for a deposit.

4. Rent

By using one of Gloucester’s professional letting agents, you’ll know that you’ll be getting your rent paid on time. This is crucial if you have a buy-to-let mortgage and need to make payments on time.

5. Property Checks

As a landlord, you’ll have certain responsibilities to keep your rental home safe and functioning. A Gloucester letting agency can take the stress out of this and carry out these checks for you, updating you and taking care of arrangements for any maintenance work.

6. Tenants

Whether you’re aiming your property rental at professionals or students, Gloucester has large communities of both. Finding the right tenant can be time-consuming and costly so it’s a good idea to use an agency who have the expertise to do this on your behalf.

7. Relax

With its prime location and growing population, Gloucester is ideal and your property won’t stay empty for long. Letting an agency manage things for you such as viewings and property checks means you can rest assured that your investment is in safe hands, leaving you time to enjoy the things you love doing.

8. Long-term investment

Renting used to be seen as a short-term option but increasingly people are renting for longer periods. The area around Cheltenham and Gloucester is no exception to this and as people look to renting for longer periods of time, the demand for top quality rented accommodation will continue to rise. Therefore, you could be making money from renting for a long time.

9. Perfect Market

Despite being the county seat, Gloucester is relatively small for a city. However, it does have approximately 130,000 inhabitants which is set to grow as a result of the recent baby boom. Currently, a third of the population of Gloucester is under 25 and they will all be looking for somewhere to live when they leave Mum and Dad’s!

10. Future is bright

Unemployment figures in Gloucester are down, following the national average. Investment continues to pour into the city centre with new developments underway at Gloucester Quays, improvements to transport links and further strong growth is expected. In recent years, Gloucester has attracted more than £700 million of private sector investment so the future is bright for this south-west city.

As a proudly independent high street agent, we are always interested to see how others are performing, particularly the online agents that have become much more popular in recent times.  However, it is very difficult to find information on how many properties they actually sell.

Did you know that Online agents charge an upfront fee, which is payable even if the property does not sell?  

We will charge you a very competitive commission on a ‘no sale, no fee’ basis and will do all the work for you.

However, we understand that some homeowners want something a bit different and maybe a mix up of an online and traditional agency.  As an independent agent, we work with you to come up with the best package possible to suit your needs, we aren’t tied to corporate spreadsheets and flow charts, we appreciate everyone is different.

Did you know that half of Online agents listings remain unsold?

Research carried out by getagent.co.uk found that around half of online agent listings hadn’t sold after the 14-month period. Purplebricks completed on just 57% of the listings from January 2016, as of February 2017. Housesimple completed on 58%, while Emoov and Tepilo were even lower with 51% and 48% completion rates.  And for this, you have already paid them a fee!

So, a company called getagent.co.uk has taken matters into their own hands with interesting results!

See the results here before you decide to instruct an online agent;

https://www.getagent.co.uk/labs/online-agents?utm_source=agent-engagement&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=online-agent-research

Welcome to the TG Res complete ‘Home Staging Plan’ which will effectively help you sell your home.

THE ULTIMATE TIP……..

Never Presume!  This is one of the biggest mistakes that is made by sellers who presume that potential buyers can see past their décor and clutter. Never presume that people can imagine a room with their sofa in it, never presume that people can judge space as they most likely can’t.  If you bear this in mind at all times when staging your home, then you are on the right path to a quick and successful sale.

 STEP 01 – Declutter

We all have that one room that is stored to the ceiling with boxes and “stuff” and the thought of going through it is, frankly, overwhelming.  Take a room at a time and start to organise! Minimise and remove excess furniture where you can. It will make a huge difference to the space.

STEP 02 – Visual Inspection

Once you have decluttered its time to take a step back and walk around your home with a critical eye.  Try to think like a buyer, what would you look for when viewing a home? When getting your home ready for sale people often forget the exterior.  Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, clear the leaves!  Buyers want a house that has been looked after and well maintained.

STEP 03 – Time To Clean & Touch Up

Now it’s time to clean!  This is simple, clean everywhere inside and out and make it sparkle and touch up any paintwork to make it look fresh.  If you want a good price, then it needs to be in top condition.

STEP 04 – Accessorise

Accessories are your best friend when you are staging your home for sale.  You need to look at the purpose of each room and “dress” it accordingly.  If it’s a bedroom, put a bed in it.  Again, never presume that buyers can visualise what it will look like.  Plump up your cushions, buy some statement light fittings for the living room and make it flow and co-ordinate.  Give it the WOW factor!

STEP 05 – Give It Some Kerb Appeal

First impressions last.  You want potential buyers to be excited about what lies behind the front door.  Its as important to accessorise outside as well as in.  Consider adding some potted plants and hanging baskets to make it look welcoming and well loved.  Potential buyers may even look at the condition of your neighbour’s kerb appeal and although you don’t want to upset them you could offer to tidy their front if needed.

STEP 06 – Photo Call

Now you are ready for photos.  I cannot stress the importance of photos enough when selling your home.  The majority of enquiries come from online sources and so photos need to show off your home to its best advantage.  Great photos attract buyers to view and poor photos can have the opposite effect and put them off.  The photos need to be honest so make sure that your home looks like the marketing photos on viewing days.

This does, however, throw up some obstacles and challenges with lots to consider. So, as we always like to help our buyers and sellers in Gloucestershire – here are our top 10 tips for moving house:

1. Start packing as you de-clutter.
2. Use good packing materials, such as bubble wrap, so that your precious belongings survive the journey.
3. Label all your boxes into rooms.
4. Make sure you have the tea/coffee, milk and kettle in a separate box. Oh, and the loo roll!
5. Leave your home as you would expect to find your new one.
6. Take a photo of your final meter reads then you won’t loose that vital piece of paper you wrote them down on in the rush to get out.
7. Build your bed first. Its exhausting moving and you will need a good nights sleep.
8. Have a small box of tools to hand such as Allen keys and screwdrivers. Essential for point number 7!
9. Get recommendations for removal companies and insure your contents your belongings for the journey.
10. Get a pet and babysitter for moving day. Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about losing pets and children in the chaos!  Let them arrive when you are in your new home if possible.

And one last tip from Team TG…..Breathe and Smile. This is the start of the next new chapter in your life so try and enjoy it

It’s an age-old dilemma, when anyone comes to selling their house, so where do you start? Any agent will tell you that they have ‘’the best service’’ or are the ‘’most popular agent in the area’’ but how do you really define TRUST when choosing to allow someone to represent your biggest and most expensive asset? In an era of online agencies and DIY packages, we’ve devised the recipe for getting it right… first time!

Do the people who are selling your home have the personal experience themselves?

When you speak to any agent, you need to trust that not only can they do their job of selling your home, but can they empathise with the situation you are in? Inevitably, this can be a stressful time for any person, so dealing with someone who has ‘been there and done it’ themselves can be a huge advantage when it comes to signposting any potential matters concerning the sale. Would you buy a family car from someone who can’t drive? A plate of food from someone who wouldn’t eat it themselves? Not really. Because you probably know they are telling you what you want to hear, rather than from real life experience.

Have you got a good first impression?

Everyone makes judgements about each other, typically you have 13 seconds to make a first impression good or bad! So, whether that is on the phone, face-to-face or even on a valuation of your home, do you think the right amount of preparation has been put in to give you a good first impression? Or even to a potential buyer of your home? Appearance and time keeping is just as important as what you say. Example – an agent tells you they can sell your home for £250,000 – a clear £20,000 more than 2 other valuations you’ve had, but they were 20 minutes late to meet you looking like they have just got out of bed and they are wearing odd socks. Good impression? Let’s say you give them the benefit of the doubt and the same agent is due to meet a buyer at your home. Again late to the meeting and can’t remember which house it is! The potential buyers point the agent in the right direction and finally the viewing can begin. ‘’So, this is the kitchen’’ says the odd-socked scruff as if they have just represented the wisdom of an owl. An extreme example, but if the agent doesn’t care about you, they won’t care about your home.

What if you took the agent fee’s out of the decision-making process?

Now, we know cost/fee’s and the value of your home is of paramount importance. The overall package and value for money needs to be considered. We know selling can be stressful and as the agent in the middle we have a duty of care for customers’ well-being. Having a single point of contact for instructing your home can take some of that stress away, which is why with TG Residential you have a dedicated member of staff attending to every step in the sales process. No need to explain the situation for a third time that day to another person! Plus, no national call centres. Just good old fashioned local knowledge and elbow grease. Going deeper, extensive research about your home, the area, potential buyers needs and why you are selling is all part of the journey. Have you ever had a house for sale while others in the area are banging SOLD boards up? 12 viewings but still no offers? Are the right type of buyers being brought to your property – not as potential buyers, but just to satisfy your appetite to sell and justify the fee?

Experience, good first impressions and doing the right thing, with the right amount of research count for everything and is something we take pride in. We know what makes us different to other agents. Plus, we match our socks as well as we match buyers to your home.

A popular fallacy is that winter is not the season for estate agents. People often decide they are going to list their home for sale in the spring. Even some sellers with homes already listed, often consider taking their property off the market as soon as the cold hits. However, experienced estate agents know that there are many advantages to selling your home in the winter. It is actually an excellent time to sell.

Motivated Buyers

During the cold season, you will get motivated buyers. People willing to brave the cold weather and rain are serious about finding a home. You will probably have fewer viewings, but the people who come through will be more qualified, quality over quantity if you will. This situation is ideal for a seller.

Less Competition

There are fewer people selling homes in the winter months, and due to this, there is less competition.   It is the ideal time to put your property up for sale as other sellers are missing out on the opportunity.   The few sellers have more control because there are fewer inventories on the market.

Attention on Your Home

Since most sellers think that they shouldn’t sell their home during winter, there are very few homes to buy at the beginning of the New Year. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean there are no potential buyers.  Moreover, you are likely to have more interest if your house is the only one in your area, than in spring when the market is more saturated.

Better Price for Your Home

Since there are fewer homes listed, if you market your home right you have the potential to get top cash. Sellers have the upper hand in a winter transaction. In the summer months, buyers might have 30 homes to choose from unlike in the winter, where only 10 may fit the same criteria. Your chances of a customer putting up an offer on your property are much greater in the winter.

Schedule a Tune-Up

Winter buyers are familiar with issues related to heating and maintenance. Have an expert inspect your boiler, radiators and roof and make any necessary repairs. Ensure that the gutters are clean and windows are weather—stripped. Use low-cost upgrades like insulating the attic or installing energy-efficient windows, with all of the above giving potential to reduce energy bills.

Passion for Service

During the cold, dreary months some estate agents may well be idling down for Christmas. Fewer clients may also motivate them to move properties they represent with passion. They also have more energy and time to concentrate on your cause. They have time to finesse your online listing or helping you when the process becomes challenging.

Extra Advice

De-clutter your home! Put away any disorder so that buyers can picture themselves in the home.  In addition, cleaning carpets and outside patios/hard areas is a must. Don’t forget to touch up any weathered paint on fences and the exterior of the property. Just because it is winter doesn’t mean buyers can’t appreciate what your home can offer all year round. Finally, we shouldn’t need to remind of this… but make the beds! This isn’t necessarily specific to selling your house, in general – tidy house = tidy mind! Happy selling!