Yesterday marked World Photography Day, so with that in mind, we thought we’d put together some simple tips for taking better photographs of your property when preparing to go to market. Photography is often somewhat of an afterthought, but it can make all the difference in whether someone pursues their interest in your property.
Declutter
Whilst personal belongings give your home personality, people respond better to a blank canvas. Try to remove as many personal items as possible before taking your photos. This way, people can more easily project their decorative ideas and see your property as their potential home. Decluttering will also make your rooms look bigger, which is always an advantage.
Dress to impress
Dressing (or staging) refers to the act of presenting a room in a way which reflects its possible use. This could be as simple as setting the table for dinner or arranging the desk nicely in your home office. Presenting rooms in this way allows people to imagine themselves performing an activity within the space, increasing the likelihood of them taking an interest in your property.
Maximise natural light
The key to making your photographs look bright is timing. Photograph each room when the sun is in the optimal position for lighting. Do the same when taking pictures of the outside; bright, sunny photographs always attract more attention and are seen more favourably than dull ones. Early in the morning is usually the best time to get exterior shots.
Add extra lighting
Even on a sunny day, there are dark corners in most homes. Turning on the interior lights and possibly even using a lightbox will help to illuminate them and make your property look more appealing.
Use a tripod
Using a tripod will ensure that your photographs are crisp and free from blur. It will also help with keeping your camera straight, avoiding the common annoyance of having wonky photographs.
Post-processing
Using image editing software to sharpen and/or brighten your photos will give them a professional look. However, refrain from using heavy effects; people want to see the property, not your editing ability.
Hire a professional
If you’re not confident in your ability as a photographer, hire a professional. A professional property photographer may be an extra expense, but they are trained to make your property look as good as possible and will likely be much more experienced than your estate agent. This is especially useful if you are renting the property, as the photographs can be reused each time.
Whether you’re buying or selling a property, you might be considering going to a property auction, and with good reason. Last year was a challenging one for many areas of the property sector but for auction houses, business has been booming.
It’s a common misconception that only poor-quality lots go up for sale at auction, however, in recent years they have become a mainstream option for a wide range of buyers and sellers, and the quality of listed properties has become much more diverse.
Here are the properties in Lancashire currently listed as for sale at auction on Rightmove.
Why buy at a property auction?
A property auction can offer amazing value, especially if you’re looking for a property with renovation potential. It’s not uncommon to see as much as a 30% discount when compared with properties bought through an agent.
The property market can be fierce and it’s not uncommon to hear of people being gazumped at the last minute. When buying at auction, contracts are binding as soon as the auction ends, protecting you as the buyer.
A completion date is agreed in advance of the auction, allowing for as smooth a transition as possible.
If you’re looking for a buy-to-let property, it’s not uncommon for tenanted properties to sold at auction. This means that you can transfer the rental contract as well as the property, saving you the job of finding tenants yourself.
Commercial buyers will also find many opportunities in the auction market with offices, garages, and other business premises readily available.
Things to bear in mind
You should never bid on a property without first viewing it. Contracts are binding as soon as the auction ends, and to purchase a property that was not what you expected could be both heartbreaking and financially damaging.
A deposit (usually 10%) is payable immediately upon sale. You will need to be able to access this money on the day of the auction.
You will have a set period in which to arrange payment of the outstanding balance. It is a good idea to discuss your position with a mortgage advisor prior to going to auction.
A representative at Key Mortgage Advice would be happy to go through your options with you and help make your dream move a reality! You can visit our offices in Preston, Southport or Garstang, or contact us via phone or email. Our addresses and contact details can be found here.
Thank you to everyone who came down to our Retirement Information and Advice event at Barton Grange Garden Centre on Thursday. It was lovely to meet some of the community in Garstang, and we thoroughly enjoyed sharing our presentation with you.
Huge thanks also to Barton Grange for allowing us to use their fantastic venue, and to their wonderful staff, who were incredibly accommodating. We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the event as much as us and left inspired to start planning for a wonderful retirement! Key Mortgage Advice will be hosting more events in the future, so keep your eye on our news page or follow us on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss out.
If you weren’t able to attend but would like some advice on lifetime mortgages or any other mortgage-related issue, don’t hesitate to contact us on 01772 620000. You can also pop into our offices in Preston or Garstang, or contact us via email – all details can be found on our contact page. We also wrote a blog post recently with some basic retirement advice, which should help you to get started - our blog 'Thinking About Retirement' can be found here.
The idea of gardening appeals to many people, but for those of us with little time or limited outdoor space, it can sometimes feel as though we’re not in a position to put our would-be green thumbs to use. However, it is quite possible to cultivate a beautiful garden, and even to grow some edible produce, without setting foot outside.
Indoor gardening has always been popular since many people live in cities and private outdoor space comes at a hefty premium. With the advancements in technology, and with upcycling increasing in popularity, there are now more ways than ever to get creative and bring nature into your home. We at Key Mortgage Advice have picked our three favourite projects that you could try for yourself over the coming bank holiday weekend:
These two families of plants are a great choice for amateur botanists as they’re extremely hardy, meaning they’re almost impossible to kill. They can also go for longer periods without water than most other plants, which is good news for the more forgetful among us. Both succulents and cacti appear very modern aesthetically and are especially appealing to those with a minimalist interior. There are many different species, and all live well together, so you can mix and match to create a look that you like.
To care for them, place them in an area of your home that gets a lot of sun. They like to receive around six hours of sunlight every day and will thrive if allowed these conditions. They look best in sleek, minimal containers, or metal planters which will give them a juxtaposition of industrial and natural.
Making a small indoor herb garden can be very rewarding. They’re often fast-growing, meaning that you can be reaping the fruits of your labour in no time. Also, you can change the herbs you grow to suit the season, so you can benefit from fresh herbs all year round. As well as being edible they’re also wonderfully aromatic, lending their aroma to the kitchen and creating a sensory experience.
Herbs require plenty of sunlight and enjoy fresh air, so it is best to place them in a window. Most herbs grow well with just some basic care and plenty of water, so they’re perfect for amateurs. Get creative with your planters too! - Herb gardens are great for getting the kids involved, you can have great fun decorating a planter, and enjoy fresh produce together once they’ve grown.
Making a terrarium can be extremely rewarding, they take a little more work to put together than potting a regular houseplant, but once it’s done you’ll have a stunning piece of natural art. Also, terrariums generally require very little care, so they’re great for people with little spare time for tending plants.
To make a terrarium you’ll need to layer pebbles, activated charcoal, potting soil, and then moss (all of which can be found in any garden centre) inside a transparent glass container of your choice. You can use old bottles, an unused fish tank, a large wine glass, the options are endless! The activated charcoal will filter out any toxins and odours, keeping your plants healthy, and the moss will help the terrarium to retain water. You can then add in the plants and decorations of your choice, and enjoy your miniature garden! With minimal watering, a terrarium can thrive and sustain itself for many years.
We hope we’ve inspired you to get creative and bring nature into your home in one of these unique ways. If, however, you’re looking to upgrade to a property with a traditional outdoor garden, then we can certainly help with that too! We have branches in Preston, Southport and Garstang, and we’re experts in providing impartial mortgage advice. We will search thousands of available products to find the perfect one for you. Find the contact details for your local Key Mortgage Advice branch here.
