articles

1. Advice on selling: Tips for preparing your home
2. Finance: Obtaining a Mortgage
3. BER: Building Energy Rating
4. New Stamp Duty System (As Per Budget 2008)
5. A Guide to Planning Permission
6. Compulsory Purchase in Ireland: A Brief Guide
7. Commercial Leases

reports

1. 2010 Quarterly Report
2. 2007 Property Review

ADVICE ON SELLING: TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME

Liam Hargaden partner in Jordan Auctioneers outlines below some general tips on presenting your property for sale covering the interior and exterior.

It is not a definitive list and would vary from property to property. All vendors are recommended to contact their agent for specific guidance on their own home.

Exterior
• First impressions of any potential buyer will be formed very quickly and this begins as they approach your front gate. Bearing this in mind, a good place to begin your preparations for sale is your front garden or property entrance.
• If you have a garden you should do everything you can to maximise its attractiveness, this doesn't mean you have to call in the professionals, usually a good mow, some pruning and the addition of hanging baskets or outdoor pots will go a long way to enhancing the appeal of your garden.
• Make sure that grass is short, tidy and weed free. Edging your lawn will create an impression of tidiness.
• Make sure that all dead plants are removed and replaced by flowering plants. Remove any dead leaves, rubbish, toys etc. from your garden.

Interior
• If your gates or front walls are looking a bit shabby give them a coat of paint.
• If you have a garage or garden shed clear out the clutter. Space is always important to potential buyers.
• Give your windows a good clean.
• If there are other area in need of paint or general tidying then completed this
• Ask your sales agent to give you a list of works to be completed. It is usually unnecessary to get involved in expensive work so bear this in mind.

The institution will check your credit history so if you think you might have a black mark get a copy of it from the Irish Credit Bureau (www.icb.ie) this will save you a lot of grief by trying to sort out any old credit problems you might have had in the past.