This section states the obvious, but sometimes it is well worth stating. When selling anything presentation is all-important. The difference between the tidy garden with a few flowers around the front door and something less attractive can cost thousands of pounds. Most prospective buyers will drive by in a car first. If the outside appearance [...]
When you have decided on a price that you would be happy to pay for a property, make your first offer lower than that; you can always increase, but it is very difficult to decrease your offer.
Be aware of exactly what is included in the asking price. If there is some machinery or stock on [...]
A smallholding is basically a house, some out-buildings and land. From this description one could expect to be able to calculate the price by the simple addition of respective values. This, however, never reaches the actual value because a premium is required for the three items coming together. Land also tends to be more expensive [...]
If you are looking for a property which is in need of considerable work you may find that it is eligible for certain grants towards this.
The grant system at present is divided into three types: the Intermediate, the repair and the improvement. All three are based on the value of the property.
The intermediate grant
This is [...]
Another important point is the depth of soil. When the soil is very shallow with underlying rock the ground may be prone to water logging in winter and drying out in summer. The only way to satisfy yourself about soil depth is to take a garden fork or steel bar with you and probe the [...]
When you have your batch of chosen properties in a given area you need to go on a serious viewing trip. It is best to phone the estate agents in advance to ensure the properties are still on the market and to arrange appointments for viewing. Try to plan your day(s) to give maximum viewing [...]