So you’ve decided to place your home on the market. What is the best course of action to help change that For Sale sign to SOLD.
After price and location, the buyer’s perception of a home is next and that impression is formed within minutes of walking through your property.
The goal is to appeal to as many buyers as possible with bright, clean interiors and in the process achieve the highest price.
Following these simple staging guidelines will also help:-

• Clean your property thoroughly
• De-clutter your property
  
• Fix mend and repair anything broken internally and externally
• Keep all lights on, even on the sunniest of days.
• Keep all curtains and blinds open.
• Turn the heating on.
• Leave soft music playing at a low level
• Paint the house if necessary
• Prune hedging and tidy garden
• Burn a scented candle to add a pleasant aroma to your home

By employing these successful staging strategies with an aggressive marketing plan, we can achieve a maximum sales price in the shortest number of days.
Please contact me if you need help getting your home ready for sale.
Annette 087 321 1234/01 8203406

Finance Bill (No. 2) 2013 provides for a Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) which will run from 25 October 2013 to 31 December 2015. The incentive provides for tax relief for Homeowners by way of a tax credit at 13.5%  of qualifying expenditure on repair, renovation or improvement work
carried out  on a principal private residence.

Dublin based consumers expect even higher house price growth of 3.6pc over the next 12 months, according to the new housing market index from the ERSI.  The ERSI indicates that the positive views about the property market among consumers have strengthened.

Recent Reports released including "My Home's Property Barometer have suggesed that prices are now rising in a number of Dublin areas.

There are signs of stabilisation in Dublin and also some signs of a similar occurance in Cork,   with indications that there is a curve upwards,  Whilst there is still a long way to go and the rest of the country still has a way to go before things turn around but it is a positive sign. 

Letters for the new tax started being sent out by the Revenue Commissioners at the start of this week with the estimated 1.6m householders liable for the new charge expected to receive one inside the next three weeks.

The new charge has certainly caused some confusion, most notably in relation to what each person is expected to pay.

Last weekend the Revenue Commissioners launched their valuation guide, which is based on the average price of certain types of houses in each electoral area of the country.

This has led to great frustration though as many people with smaller homes in particular areas are seeing their neighbours with bigger homes getting away with falling into the same valuation band as them.

* Are you confident you know the true value of your property?
* Do valuation guides over or undervalue your home?
* Do you feel the entire process is fair?

Let us know what you think!

Under the new regualations the obligation is on the seller and property agent to include the BER on all online and print adverts, brochures, and on "To let" and "For Sale" boards.

Non-compliance could result in a fine of up to € 5000.00 or, in extreme cases up to three months in prison.

The new regulations will mean the BER rating is prominently displayed and will help inform a purchaser or a tenant's decision.  The ESRI last year found that a price premium was being paid for properties with a higher energy rating.

A BER test can typically cost anywhere between € 100 and € 500, but listed properties are exempt from the legislation.

 Jeff Colley, editor of Passive House Magazine suggests that people should bear in mind that it doesn't always follow that a high rating translates into low running costs.   It is a good indication but people should bear in mind that a B-rated building heated by oil may not necessarily be cheaper to run than a D-rated property heated by gas.   Equally a D - rated 50sq m apartment will cost less than an A-rated 500