Birmingham Estate Agents

Buying a property - The ever-rising cost of housing has made it difficult for first-time buyers, so people are increasingly seeking alternative means of getting on the property ladder. Buying with your friends or family are two popular options, but you could also take part in a shared ownership scheme. This allows you to buy a percentage of your home, and pay rent on the remainder, with the option of increasing your share as and when you can afford it. Many of these homes are new-builds, with initial shares starting from around 25%, and the eventual option of owning the whole property.

As well as looking in estate agents' windows, the internet is also an excellent research tool for finding properties. There are now many websites specifically geared for property searches, as well as those catering for people who want to sell without an agent altogether. Most estate agents also have their own websites.

It's human nature to try to strike a deal, but if you find your ideal home and it seems to be priced correctly, consider offering the full asking price. This means you'll be taken seriously, there won't be any time-wasting and it will lessen the possibility of another party stepping in. All offers should be made with the stipulation of taking the property off the market. Getting a 'Sold' board outside is a good way to dissuade others from looking. You might also want to ensure that all internet adverts for the property have been removed, to prevent any further interest. One in three property chains fall apart. This can happen for numerous reasons, from one party not having their finances in order, to an unpleasant surprise in the survey. Under present British house-buying and selling practice, little can be done to alter the process, although the Government has introduced legislation that will require home owners or their selling agents to provide a Home Information Pack to prospective buyers on request. The best way to ensure a chain progresses smoothly is through good communication. Stay in regular contact with your conveyancer and estate agent to make sure everything possible is being done to speed things along. It can also help to stay flexible. Be prepared to move in with your family or rent as a short-term measure if it means you can keep the chain going.

Gazumping - outbidding rivals at the last minute is a horror estate agents are powerless to stop in the UK. Unless you're lucky enough to live in Scotland where there are laws to protect the buyer. Under the Estate Agency Act, estate agents are obliged to pass on all offers they receive, although a determined buyer will probably go straight to the vendor.

Attracting the Sale - Find out the maximum potential value of your property. It's pointless spending £20,000 on improving a property if it will only add £10,000 to the sale price. Visit the local estate agents to find out the asking price for similar properties on the same street. The best time for selling is spring and autumn; the market slows down during late summer and over Christmas and New Year. If a property is sold while the market is buoyant, it's much more likely to attract the asking price.

Avoid strong food odours - don't cook food such as fish or curry before a viewing as the smell will linger. The smell of freshly-baked bread or fresh coffee though is said to provide a welcoming feel to a home. Ask friends or family to look after any pets during viewings. Try and make viewers feel comfortable. Offer them a coffee and ask them if they need any further information about bills or local amenities.

Birmingham Estate Agents - Vendors tend to scour the areas where they want to buy, and visit agents based nearby. Don't feel obliged to sell through the same agent you're buying from. Anyone can give a high valuation figure, but actually obtaining it is another matter. Ascertain if the figure is a result of experience and knowledge of the area, or whether you're being told what you want to hear. If you're unsure, ask to see comparisons of previous sales in the area that have been passed by a mortgage surveyor. Negotiating a low fee with an agent may prove to be a false economy, because it won't necessarily generate the high levels of enthusiasm needed to get the best result. Remember, estate agents work for money, so why not create an incentive to benefit both parties? A full asking price deserves a full fee but you might want to agree a downward sliding scale if offers fall below it. Be careful when authorising an agent. Read the contract small print carefully, as you may find yourself signed up and legally bound for a long period of time. If this is the case, in the event of poor service, you will not be able to go elsewhere, unless of course you're prepared to fork out two fees. If you're not, insist on a time period of your choice.

You want to get as many people as possible to know that your Birmingham property is on the market. This could mean using internet estate agents or at least more than one agent. If you decide to use multiple agents, check the small print on their contracts. They may insist on 'sole agency', which means that even if you sell your home privately or through another agent, you'll still be charged a commission fee.