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SELLING A HOUSE: 5 THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU

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  SELLING A HOUSE: 5 THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU Whether it’s your first time selling a home, or it’s your first move in a long time, there are a few things you may not know about or expect. It’s important to know all of the ins and outs about moving so that you can make the best decisions and secure the best results, which is why we’ve outlined below the 5 key things that no one tells you about selling a house:   1. The First Offer Could Be The Best Offer   It’s a difficult situation when you receive your first offer, and you can’t see what else lies ahead. Should you decline and wait for better? In many cases, accepting the first offer can speed up the process of selling a house, and alleviates the stress of waiting. However, you should always consider the buyer, the timing, and the state of the local property market first. All of these should inform your decision. Your agent will be able to accurately assess all of these elements, and also gauge whether the offer is fair o...

IS BRINGING THE OUTDOORS INDOORS THE KEY TO SELLING YOUR HOME IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE?

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  Home décor trends just keep on coming, but there’s one popular trend that seems to be a permanent fixture – bringing the outdoors indoors – and it seems that there is a scientific reason for this, since nature has been proven to have calming effects on humans. It makes sense, then, to consider finding ways to add more greenery to your home if you’re looking to sell in Northamptonshire But how can you create an oasis of  nature that will have prospective buyers queuing up to make an offer on your house? Here are a few top tips to point you in the right direction.   Create Some Drama with Live Plants Live plants are an obvious first choice when bringing the outdoors into your home, and the best place to begin is by adding some drama with a couple of trailing or tall plants. Placing trailing plants so that they cascade from a ledge or open shelf can be extremely effective, while a single tall plant strategically placed in your living space can be equally spectacular. One t...

AS A SELLER, WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAPITAL GAINS TAX?

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  If you’re selling a property in Northamptonshire, you may have heard about Capital Gains Tax and may be wondering whether or not you’re liable to pay it. As experts in property, our team at Chelton Brown are on hand to give you all the guidance and information you need. Capital Gains Tax – An Overview Capital Gains Tax (or CGT) is taxation on the profits if you sell an asset that has grown in value. This definition can be confusing, so here’s an example of how it works. If you bought a property for £400,000 and then sold it for £450,000, the profit you have made is £50,000. That means you would need to pay CGT on the £50,000 profit, not on the full sale price of £450,000. Do All Property Sales Incur CGT? Not every property sale is liable for Capital Gains Tax. If the property you’re selling is your primary residence, you’ll automatically have eligibility for Private Residence Relief so long as: You’ve lived in the property as your primary home throughout the entire period you’ve ...

PROPERTY MARKET UPDATE: WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE UK PROPERTY MARKET – SEPTEMBER 2022

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  Property Market Update: What’s Happening In The UK Property Market – September 2022   The biggest hike in interest rates for more than 30 years is expected later this month, a surge in buying activity has been reported by some estate agents in August, while renters are turning to smaller properties to cope with the cost of living crisis.  Read on for all this and more in your September property market update from Chelton Brown.   Interest Rates Rise The Bank of England revealed the new base interest rate on 22nd September, with a significant rise from the previous 1.75% rate. Rates increased by half a percentage point to 2.25%. The move is an attempt to slow the rate of rising prices, but interest rates have not been this high since the 2008 financial crisis. This increase will undoubtedly bring some worry for many borrowers. The rates are likely to rise again in November and December, with many economists expecting the rate to hit 3% by the end of the year, and po...

HOME IMPROVEMENTS ON A BUDGET

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  HOME IMPROVEMENTS ON A BUDGET   Making improvements to your home doesn’t just mean refitting your kitchen, converting the loft or adding an extension. Home improvement can be as easy as breathing a little more life into your rooms – here’s how to upgrade your home on a budget, ready to sell. Clean Your Carpets If new carpets are just out of reach for your budget, you can hire a carpet cleaner from your local hardware store for a thorough clean to make them look brand new again. Opt for a warm day when the kids are at school, so you can open the windows and let your carpet dry out without anyone treading over the fresh fluffy threads. Restore Floor Tiles The tiles in your kitchen or hallway might be in need of some TLC, especially after years of enduring heavy footfall. Encaustic tiles often have a layer of old polish, wax or ground-in grime on them which casts a veil over their original charm. It may take a little elbow grease, but you can restore your floor tiles by making ...

WHY AUTUMN IS A GOOD TIME TO MOVE HOME

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  The changing of seasons tends to bring around a renewed mindset and a desire for a change of scenery. If the weather cooling down has you thinking about kicking back and cosying up in a new living room, there’s no need to wait as autumn could be one of the best seasons to start the search for your new home.    Save Money    As summer comes to an end, house prices tend to slowly cool down like the weather and you’ll avoid some of the bustling competition from families looking to move in the school holidays.      Cooler Weather     Be kinder to yourself and your moving team by avoiding the hot weather. Shifting furniture from house to house is no easy task but you can take some of the heat off by moving in autumn. Despite the temperature dropping, the weather is still on your side, and you’ll have enough daylight hours to complete your move, unlike the winter months when evenings are earlier and darker.     Get A...

RENOVATIONS WORTH INVESTING IN

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  If you’ve lived in your home for a number of years, it may be time to relish in the opportunity to improve, extend, redecorate or redesign. Whether you plan on staying or someday selling, we’ve gathered a list of renovations that are worth investing in.    Updating Your Kitchen Making the kitchen the heart of your home is an investment in your property’s value and your own happiness. You won’t see many new builds on the market today which do not feature sleek, elegant kitchen islands, minimalist cupboards and appliances, smooth surfaces and soft lines and edges in their kitchens. This is because outdated kitchens can be a huge turnoff for buyers, they usually lower the home’s EPC rating and they aren’t as functional and easy to use as a modern kitchen with up to date fittings.   New Floors If the flooring in your home has become worn, old, and even damaged, it makes sense to replace it as signs of wear and tear will most likely chip away at your home’s value. This ...