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Published: 09 October 2023

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When selling your home you should avoid adding too much creative flair where possible. We’re not advising you to entirely supress your personality of course, but to be aware that some potential buyers will have difficulty visualising themselves living in your home if it’s got a huge personality all of its own!

A well-painted, yet mostly plain canvas will allow your viewers to imagine their own belongings in the space, making the chances of them placing an offer on your property much higher.

Should I Paint my Home Before Selling?

First impressions count, and never more so than when you are selling your home. A recently painted property represents one that is loved and cared for, which will subconsciously make viewers more relaxed and at ease.

Repainting is one of the most inexpensive ways to refresh your house before putting it on the market.

Remember to complete the paintwork before the photographs are taken for the marketing of your property, otherwise, you risk your hard work being somewhat in vain!

What colours should I choose to repaint my home?

Choose blue for the colour of calm.

Time and again, blue has been voted the best colour for those looking to sell their home. Soft, pastel blues look great in every room, especially in large spaces such as hallways and living areas.

Additionally, blues are the ideal colour for your bathrooms. Blues with aqua or even silvery undertones are great for developing a water theme, without appearing excessive. 

As beautiful as they are, it is best to steer clear of turquoise or dark navy, which can often be too much for some house hunters. If these colours sit outside their personal taste, it can turn them off the property altogether.

Choose white for a completely blank canvas.

While it probably comes as no surprise, whites provide the perfect fresh canvas for new homeowners. Viewers will easily imagine their furniture and belongings in the space, helping aid a smooth selling process.

Additionally, buyers immediately know it will be easy to put their own mark on the home, knowing there are no tricky bright or dark colours to remove.

Pure bright white can feel a little clinical, so opting for something with warm undertones can be a great option to make the room a little softer. However, refrain from whites with a yellow undertone, which often appear very dated, and can give the illusion of old, stained walls.

Choose Grey for a neutral base.

Grey homes were once considered drab and boring, but new interior design trends have revitalised this colour scheme totally. Clever use of grey shades can allow you to use one colour throughout your whole property, dividing separate rooms by alternating shades.

However, when using grey, be sure to opt for lighter, brighter shades. Dark tones can make rooms appear smaller, whereas light shades will make your whole property look slick, clean and fresh.

Choose Earthy Greens to subtly bring the outside in.

Although deep greens look stunning in living spaces and bedrooms, sticking to a more subtle earthy tone can dramatically help first impressions of the home. Sage greens work beautifully in kitchens, allowing you to present a bright, fresh room to your viewers, yet permitting a little personal style to shine through. Green tones are relaxing and can be emphasised with the clever use of soft furnishings and plants.

Don’t forget about the exterior of your home

This might not be as dramatic as completely repainting your whole property, but there are many areas outside that may benefit from a coat of paint.

For example, repainting your garden fences can have a drastic impact. This might also be one of the first things your potential buyers see, guaranteeing an excellent opening impression.

Are there any paint colours I should avoid?

In our experience, brown tones perform notoriously poorly when marketing homes. Although browns can be styled luxuriously and tastefully, many viewers simply struggle to imagine their own belongings against this very distinctive palette.

Additionally, browns can dramatically change based on the lighting situation, meaning viewers get a very different impression of your home depending on what time of day they view.

Also, avoid bright reds and oranges. Again, these bright colours are a fantastic way to inject personality into your home, but viewers want to see their new home, rather than your old house.

A consistent colour theme is crucial

A consistent paint theme running throughout your home is the easiest way to tie your property together, creating a cohesive experience for your potential buyers. Consider using the same paint or similar or complementary tones for the living spaces, running through the living room, hallways, dining area and even the kitchen.

Where a property has multiple bathrooms, the paintwork here should also be consistent. If in doubt, don’t be afraid of using a single neutral colour for your whole home.

Paint job done? Thinking of selling your home? Pop into a branch or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange a free valuation.

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Published: 09 October 2023

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Buying your first home is both an exciting and daunting prospect, and making an offer can be particularly nerve-wracking if you’ve never done it before.

Getting your offer spot-on can be the difference between bagging a bargain and paying significantly over the odds for a property. If you’re a first time buyer, then read on for some top tips on making an offer.

• Get a Mortgage In Principle

Before you even think about making an offer on a property, it’s vital that you know what your budget actually is.

Many would-be buyers make an offer on a property assuming they’ll be able to borrow the amount they need, but in reality, they might come up short.

And on the other hand, you may be able to borrow more than you actually think, so you’re viewing properties that are much lower than your real budget.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to visit a mortgage broker before making an offer so they can tell you exactly how much you can borrow.

Having a mortgage in principle will also help you when it comes to making your offer as it shows that you’re a serious buyer and that you’re well prepared.

• Do Your Research

It’s worth bearing in mind that the asking price and the value of a property aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Remember, sellers want to get as much money for their property as possible, and the asking price is usually the figure they’re hoping to achieve, rather than the figure they’re willing to accept.

Find out how much other properties in the area have been sold for recently, and find out how long the property you’re interested in has been up for sale.

Has the price been reduced, or has it remained the same? Getting these valuable pieces of information will help you to put in an offer that’s more likely to be accepted.

• Play To Your Strengths

As a first time buyer, you’re in a relatively strong position when it comes to negotiating, particularly if the seller is looking to move quickly.

First time buyers are generally very attractive to sellers because there’s no lengthy chain to consider, which means a faster buying process and potentially more flexibility on exchange and completion dates.

Therefore, don’t forget to gently remind your estate agent and the seller, of your first time buyer status.

If time is an issue for them, sellers may be willing to accept a slightly lower offer from a first time buyer than a higher offer from someone who’s part of a chain.

• Don’t Worry If Your First Offer Is Rejected

Making an offer can be a bit of a balancing act. On the one hand, you want to get the lowest price possible, but on the other, you don’t want to make an offer so low that it frustrates the seller and leaves them not wanting to sell to you.

As long as your initial offer isn’t ridiculously low then don’t be worried if the seller rejects it. Remember, it’s all just a natural part of the negotiating process, as the seller is looking to get as much as possible for the property, and rejecting an offer isn’t anything personal against you or a sign that they’re offended.

There’s no set rule on how much to offer, or how much you can expect to knock off the asking price, but if you’re in two minds about making a cheeky offer, then don’t rush in!

• Don’t Be Afraid To Renegotiate After A Survey

A property viewing is usually completed in under 30 minutes. Sometimes it can be less than 10, so of course, you’re not going to spot every detail that you might need to know before making an offer.

It’s only after the offer has been accepted and your solicitor has started their searches that you’ll start to get a more detailed picture of the property you’re buying, and it’s at this point that certain flaws or issues may crop up.

For example, the boiler may have never been serviced, or the conservatory might have been underpinned.

If anything comes up in your searches or survey that’s likely to cost you a lot of money to sort out in future, then you may be in a reasonable position to reduce your offer or ask the seller to have the issue fixed before you commit.

Of course, they may dismiss your concerns and find another buyer, but it’s worth remembering that you can renegotiate at any point before contracts are exchanged, so just because an offer has been accepted, it doesn’t have to be your final one.

If you are a first time buyer and you have questions about the buying process, give us a call for help and advice. Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or pop into branch and see us.

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Published: 02 October 2023

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You may have heard about probate and “probate property” but not really know much about what it actually means.

You wouldn’t be the only person for whom probate is much of a mystery. After all, it’s not every day that you have to deal with probate matters.

In this article, we set out in plain English:

• What is probate
• What probate property means
• How to navigate your way through probate whether you are buying or selling.

What is Probate?

When someone dies, the person who applies for the right to deal with the deceased’s possessions and property has to “apply for probate”. If the person who died left a Will, then the applicant can be given a “grant of probate”.

If someone has not left a Will, then a person gets “letters of administration”. If someone hasn’t left a Will but has part-owned a property it will pass to the part-owner. Note that the rules are slightly different in England when compared to Wales or Scotland. More information can be found on the Government websites.

Our Advice When someone dies, you will need to contact the owner of the asset (property). This is usually the organisation with whom the deceased has a mortgage. It is helpful in this case if paperwork is easily traceable along with details of finances and other things to do with a home.

What is a Probate Property?

A probate property is a property that is subject to the probate process. You will need to have the ‘grant of probate’ to be able to dispose of the property. You’ll have the authority to sell the property and sign all the required documents. Without it, the property will be in limbo.

Our Advice  The probate process can be lengthy, and sometimes seem complex. While probate may not be something you have to deal with right now, it is worth understanding what you need to do in advance.

How to Find Out Who Owns a Property

It’s quite simple to find out who owns a property. The Government website is the best place to refer to, although there are commercial sites that offer a similar service.

If you go to the Land Registry site, you need to create an account and then find the property you want information about. For a small fee, you can then download a copy of the Land Registry document that tells you who owns a specific property. If a bank or other organisation still has a charge over it (which means money is still owed on it), it will show up on the document.

Our Advice Know the exact address for the property you want the information for. While it may only be a small cost, if you’re downloading a number of documents, the cost will start to rack up.

Selling a Probate Property

Putting the property on the market is not the end of the story. Remember, when you’re selling a probate property, it has to be valued as it was at the time the deceased passed away. This is because it has inheritance tax implications and HRMC need to know the correct figures.

You should wait until you have the legal authority to sell the property before marketing it. While it may be tempting to get ahead of things by putting the property on the market, the legal side of probate means you could end up losing potential buyers if you are premature.

Our Advice Use a conveyancer to deal with the legal side of things. You can also use the services of a solicitor who specialises in inheritance tax and conveyancing.

Buying a Probate Property

A probate property could be an opportunity to get your hands on a relatively inexpensive home. Often, a property that has been inherited is not needed by the recipient and a quick sale releases preferred funds. In this case, the seller may be tempted to accept a lower offer to get the property off their hands.

Be aware that if the property is being sold by an executor who has never lived in the property themselves and doesn’t know it very well, there may be unknown issues so it’s wise to get a survey done. Similarly, make sure that whoever is selling the property has the authority to do so!

Our Advice Do your homework. Ask questions of the executor or the estate agent and be thorough.

A probate property presents opportunities, but there are i’s to dot and t’s to cross. There’s paperwork to get right and it’s paramount that you seek advice from transparent experts who will tell you everything you need to know.

Communication is key, whether you are buying or selling a probate property. We can help you with the process.

Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Published: 02 October 2023

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Home staging is the process of preparing your property for sale. It involves making your home look its absolute best, encouraging viewers to place an offer on your property.

It generally starts with a thorough declutter, which makes the property seem more inviting and helps hugely with the moving process. Where necessary, you might also decide to redecorate. Depersonalising your home and repainting in a neutral palette can also help viewers envisage themselves in your home.

Many seasonal factors will also affect how you display your home, so here are our top tips for staging your home in autumn.

Focus on Kerb Appeal

First impressions count. From the second prospective buyers see your home, they should be wowed.

You should start by tidying up the garden, including mowing the lawn, de-weeding the path and repainting the fence. Next, clean the windows and repaint the front door where necessary.

To add an autumnal touch, consider a wreath made from deep oranges and brown tones, a classy way to incorporate the season into your décor.

Clear The Entranceway

The attention you have paid to the front of your home should continue into the porch or hallway. In autumn, these spaces are often cluttered with raincoats, muddy boots, and rouge leaves.

Be sure to deep clean the space making it warm and inviting for your viewers.

Sprinkle Autumnal Décor Carefully

It can be easy to go overboard when staging your home in autumn. With so many fun seasonal accessories available, many homeowners struggle to know where to draw the line.

Each room should have a nod to the season rather than revolving around it. For example, consider a singular piece of artwork, floral arrangement or pumpkin display in each room, which will avoid your home being taken over by the season!

Stage The Outdoors

Just because the weather is cooling doesn’t mean that your buyers don’t want to see the outside space. Leave out your garden furniture to show your viewers exactly how they can utilise the garden with their family and guests.

Even for those with tiny outside spaces, showing prospective buyers how they can enjoy this area will encourage them to make an offer.

Incorporate Autumnal Scents

Making your home smell fantastic doesn’t have to be as cliché as warm cinnamon rolls in the oven, but incorporating autumnal scents into your home will entice buyers to stay and see what the property has to offer.

Use candles and reed diffusers to allow subtle scents to float around the home. Pumpkin and burnt orange align with the seasons but be careful not to use too many contrasting scents, which can often counteract each other.  

Style The Dining Table

As the nights begin to draw in, our homes truly become our sanctuaries. So when buyers are viewing in autumn, they are already thinking of the festive period they will enjoy in their new home.

Therefore, showcasing how great the property is for hosting is of paramount importance. Lay the table, complete with an autumnal runner, crockery and glassware. This will make the room warm and inviting, encouraging visitors to imagine their friends and family enjoying the entertainment space. 

Focus on Lighting

Lighting is crucial when staging your home in any season.

Without enough lighting, your home will look dark and uninviting. On the other hand, if the lighting is too intense, the space will look uncomfortable and clinical.

Soft, freestanding lights tend to work better than brighter overhead bulbs. Use a collection of table and floor lamps to create a subtle glow around the home, complimenting any natural light rather than overpowering it.

Highlight The Fireplaces

As mentioned, viewers want to see a house they can imagine spending the winters tucked up inside. And nothing screams cosy evenings like a fireplace.

The warm embers and soft glow of an original fireplace will be enough to entice any buyer.

Use Dried Floral Arrangements

Flowers are an excellent final touch for styling any home. They allow you to add just the right amount of personality along with a pop of colour to every room. However, autumn is not the optimum time for fresh flowers.

Consider instead investing in a few dried bouquets to dot around the property. These look incredible, stand the test of time, and can be easily transported to your new home.  

Earthy tones are perfect for autumn, and be sure to add in some bright yellows to liven up the room.

We’re here to help

At Warren Powell-Richards, we understand that selling your home can be stressful and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us today via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a friendly chat about our services.