Property News and Advice

I wanted to bring to your attention the recent Council inspections taking place on privately rented accommodation.

Waterford City and County Council are actively enforcing the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019, impacting all privately owned homes available for rent, including those under the HAP scheme.

Today’s property article centres around an essential aspect of property management – the Building Energy Rating Certificate (BER). In simple terms, it’s a certification that evaluates the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings.

Why is it crucial? Well, for starters, a higher BER translates to lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions, and an increased potential value for your property. Even a small difference in BER grades can significantly impact heating costs and environmental impact. Whether you’re in the process of buying or selling a property or simply aiming to cut costs and enhance sustainability, the BER provides valuable insights into the improvements your property might need.

There’s plenty to consider when moving home, especially when a growing family is involved.

Over the past few months, we’ve looked at the buying and selling experience through the eyes of different members of a family who moved recently.

We’ve spoken with teenagers, younger children (5 – 8) and mums.

In this article, it’s dad’s turn to share his thoughts, fears and advice on moving home with a family.

Here’s John’s experience…

If you’re looking for a new family home in Waterford, viewings will play a key role in your quest to find ‘The One’.

While marketing photos, videos and virtual tours serve an important purpose, nothing rivals seeing the décor, layout and location with your own eyes.

Viewings also give buyers the chance to discuss the property with the agent and learn more about its history and the seller’s situation.

With all this in mind, where does that leave parents? Should they take their children to viewings or make other childcare arrangements?

Are you planning to sell your home this year? or just curious about what your property may be worth in the current market?

Good news – this article will give you five easy-to-follow tips highlighting how effectively staging your home can boost its appeal to potential buyers.

Styling your home can also potentially speed up the sale and even increase the value of offers you receive.

Let’s dive into the staging tips…

We are so proud to have been involved in such an important charity art auction in aid of the Helvick Head & Dungarvan RNLI.

Liberty Blue Estate Agents partnered with Offr to allow people to bid online for the fantastic artworks, that were donated by local and international artists for this worthy cause. 200 people registered to bid on the 52 lots and in total €17,834 was raised from the event for Dungarvan and Helvick RNLI.

If you’ve just inherited a rental property, then you may be wondering what your options are.

While you won’t need to make any decisions on the spot (it usually takes many months to settle an estate), it’s good to start thinking about the issues you’ll have to address in time.

The first is what you intend to do with the property. Assuming you don’t want to move in yourself, your options are to:

Continue to rent the property out. That way, you’ll earn a monthly income and have a long-term investment that you could later pass on to your family.

Sell the property and use the funds to pay debts, invest or spend how you wish.

Let’s look at what each scenario involves.

Springtime in Waterford is not just when the natural world comes back to life but also when the local property market shakes off any winter blues.

And if you’re mulling over a move in 2024, the spring months between March and May could be the perfect time to sell your property.

Here are six spring selling tips…

Maintaining a rental property in Waterford isn’t just about collecting rent; it’s about safeguarding your investment and keeping your tenants happy and safe. That’s why regular property inspections are so crucial.

They help you spot potential issues before they become costly repairs and ensure your property remains a place people are proud to call their home.

Planning to renovate your rental? There’s one thing you should know before you start pulling up carpets or ripping out cabinets.

It will help you avoid a costly and avoidable mistake that many landlords make, and it’s this.

Don’t let your emotions cloud your decision-making…

Are you interested in hearing what’s happening in the Waterford residential property market right now?

In the video and report below Regina reviews 2023’s residential property sales market and gives an update on what’s happening in the market so far this year.

They say selling a home is a marathon, not a sprint, but what happens if your sale is progressing at a snail’s pace or going nowhere?

How can you get things back on track and find a buyer who will go the distance?

One option – and it’s a big move – is to switch agents.

Sellers usually take this step when they’ve grown frustrated with a lack of progress and feel that a fresh start is needed.

Here’s a guide to the next steps you should take…

If talk between you and your partner this Valentine’s Day turns moving in together, there are a few practical things you should know first.

Here at Liberty Blue Estate Agents, we pride ourselves on being as helpful as possible.

But dishing out relationship advice is a step too far – even for us.

So, if you’re considering moving in with your partner, we’ll leave the big decisions and lovey-dovey stuff down to you.

However, if you decide to co-habit, we have some useful, albeit unromantic, advice for you…

One of the biggest challenges first-time buyers (FTBs) face is getting a mortgage deposit together.

Saving a large sum of cash while covering all your living expenses during a cost-of-living crisis is no mean feat.

However, having a good plan and clear goals can make this daunting task more achievable.

Recently we shared a teenager’s thoughts on moving home, today it’s mum’s turn to tell us how she felt when selling up and moving…

The perfect home

“The journey to a new home began excitedly, especially when we found the ‘one’ – the property we loved and wanted.”

Who doesn’t love it when the sun’s out? Natural light, especially sunlight, has significant mood-enhancing effects on our minds and homes.

For homeowners and residents, understanding how to harness this natural marvel in home design isn’t just about aesthetics but also a step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Let’s discover more…

Recently we’ve been delving into the psychological aspects of home buying.

It’s fascinating stuff.

For sellers, it can offer invaluable insights, helping them better understand how they (and their estate agent) can achieve the best possible price for their home.

Buying a home is not just a financial transaction; it’s a deeply emotional journey influenced by many psychological factors.

Let’s investigate some of these.

Is your Waterford home ripe for a refresh? 

Are you itching to ditch dated décor and breathe new life into your property? 

If so, take inspiration from these top interior design trends.

We’ve got some awesome news to share! We recently threw our annual Christmas coffee morning bash at the Marina Hotel Waterford, and it was a hit! But what made it even more special was that it was all for a good cause – supporting Saint Vincent de Paul.

Picture this: the Marina Hotel buzzing with laughter and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, as folks gathered to spread some holiday cheer. It was more than just a morning of sipping on lattes and nibbling on pastries – it was about lending a hand to those in our community who need it most, especially during this time of year.

Here are five little things that can make a big difference when it comes to building goodwill and rapport with […]

Forecasters predict this winter will be cold and dry – making it likely we’ll get lots of snow. 

While this is excellent news if you’re a skier, if you’re a landlord, it means there’s no room for complacency when it comes to maintenance and repairs.

Freezing temperatures can cause all sorts of property damage, so it’s vital that your rental is ready for the tough months ahead.

Here’s a list of seven ways to winter-proof your property to avoid expensive repair bills and ensure that you and your tenants can rest easy on cold, dark nights.

As any experienced letting agent or landlord can advise you, ‘expect the unexpected’ when it comes to rental properties.

And that’s why it pays to follow the Scouts’ motto and “be prepared”.

Being prepared for any eventuality can mean the difference between a minor hiccup and a full-blown catastrophe if you’re a landlord.

With that in mind, we’ve created a Landlord Emergency Kit.

Let’s dive into five essentials that can save the day.

Deciding to sell your home is a big decision that comes with a long list of jobs and responsibilities.

Along with decluttering and last-minute DIY, you need to find a good estate agent (we can help you with that). You may also need to speak to a broker if you require a mortgage to fund your next move.

But there’s another critical aspect of the process that often gets overlooked: the conveyancing (the “legal” transfer of a property from one owner to another).

So, to avoid unnecessary hold-ups that could make your buyer lose patience, it’s worth getting ahead of the curve and following these five conveyancing tips.

Are you pondering whether to sell your Waterford home? With the property market constantly changing, it’s natural to wonder if now is the right time.

To help you decide, we’ve crafted a fun, informative quiz.

So, you think you’ve mastered the art of letting properties?

With every tenant you place and every lease you renew, you grow more confident in your prowess as a confident, caring and capable landlord.

But are you one of the best landlords in Waterford?

We’ve put together a quick quiz to help you find out…

There’s a lot to consider when you start thinking about moving home.

This includes things like:

What the new monthly mortgage payments will be?
What’s parking like at the new place?
Are the new neighbours friendly?
It’s a massive decision to sell up and buy elsewhere.

When families are involved, our advice is to make your children feel part of the process, and listening to their thoughts, concerns and ideas helps them (and you) get your head around things.

We asked a 16-year-old whose family recently sold and moved to another home what was on their mind during the process.

It makes interesting reading…

Just the thought of moving home can make you break out into a cold sweat. It’s a life experience that many people think of as one of the most stressful things you can do. So how can you minimise those feelings of panic?

In this quick read, we look at ways to make selling your home a little bit less stressful and more manageable.

It’s up there with late rents, messy tenants and broken boilers on a landlord’s Headache-ometer. What are we talking about? […]

Buying a home is a huge decision – possibly one of the biggest you’ll make in your lifetime (no pressure then).

And to ensure you make a wise choice that suits your needs now and into the future, it pays to give the process a bit of thought before you start arranging viewings.

Here are five property-hunting tips that could save you time and money.

If you’re considering listing your property for sale, we have some good news and selling in autumn. 

Traditionally, there’s a surge in serious buyers coming to the market after the summer lull – so you’ve timed your move wisely. 

But what’s the psychology driving property hunters at this time of year? And how can you, as a seller, capitalise on buyers’ motivations to ensure you secure the best deal for your property? Let’s find out.

If your dreams of buying a new home rely on the sale of your existing property, then there’s one fundamental question you need to answer.

Are you going to look for a new home first and then sell your property – or do things the other way around?

While both scenarios can work out in the end, we think one option is far more favourable – and that’s getting your current property on the market first. Here are four reasons why.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in a financial position where you can rent out your home instead of selling it, should you take the leap?

After all, if you don’t need to sell to fund your next move, renting your property is an option worth exploring.

Here, we explore the dilemma of renting out a property instead of selling.

When it comes to preparing for a property sale, most sellers focus on the early stage of the process: staging […]

Buying a property with a partner can be an exciting next step in a relationship.

Swapping paying rent or living with family for cosy nights with your beloved in your own home can be a blissful prospect.

But before you arrange a series of viewings in a giddy rush of excitement, it’s worth sitting down and talking a few things through with your partner.

Buying together is a huge commitment, yet most couples seem to spend more time planning a holiday than planning their home search.

Getting some of the practical stuff nailed down early on will help you focus your search efforts and avoid arguments along the way.

Some of these questions may seem awkward, but once you’ve got through them, you can get on with the fun of searching for your new home together.

Unless you’re one of those super-organised types who spend the year secretly buying stocking fillers and stashing them under your bed, Christmas is probably the last thing on your mind right now.

And why should it be? It’s summer, the schools are shut (for a few more days at least), and you still have months to dust off your reindeer antlers and festive jumper.

But there is one reason why it may be worth thinking ahead to Christmas.

If you have plans to sell your home and hope to be in a new place by the end of the year, then act now. It can take time to get all the elements in place to finalise a property sale, but if you put your foot to the floor, you can still do it.

Let’s be honest, we’ve all been a nosy neighbour at some point, haven’t we?

A ‘for sale’ sign goes up on a property in your street, and within minutes you’re online to find out what it’s on the market for.

Soon enough, you’re marvelling or shuddering at your neighbour’s taste in décor and deciding that your home is bigger, smaller, smarter or fancier than theirs.

There’s nothing wrong with this; in fact, if you plan to sell up yourself, it’s useful market research. But it’s also important to keep things in perspective, or you could develop what is known in the property industry as Next-Door Syndrome.

It’s often said that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but then (confusingly), it’s also said that first impressions count… Why are all these clichés so important? Well, when marketing a property, it’s a bit of both: how a property looks will catch a buyer’s eye before they pore over the finer details.

Photos of your property are what hooks the buyer, what drives them to pick up the phone to arrange a viewing, and what helps them imagine living in your home. So, property photography is an essential part of the selling process.

In this quick read, we look at how to prepare your home for photographs and what to expect.

The number of downsizers active in the housing market has skyrocketed in recent years, and is it any wonder?

With steep hikes in energy bills, interest rates and inflation, many people feeling the squeeze are rethinking how – and where – they want to live.

Downsizers are often stereotyped as empty nesters flying the coop to enjoy retirement. But due to economic issues, a wider variety of homeowners are now looking to make a change.

Every year, the Bank of Mum and Dad comes to the rescue by helping thousands of first-time buyers get on the housing ladder. It is estimated that almost half of first-time buyers currently receive financial help from their parents to purchase a property.

But for parents planning to assist their loved ones, or children hoping to get a helping hand, there are a few issues to consider first…

If you’re thinking about buying your first home, congratulations! You’re about to experience a huge life moment and finally have somewhere to call your own. The first-time buyer journey is exciting, scary, overwhelming… it’s basically all the emotions. So, what can you expect?

In this quick read, we take you through some of the initial steps of buying your first home.

At last summer is here, so what are your plans?

Have you booked an exciting getaway in an exotic location? Or is the aim to kick back and relax on home turf?

Whatever you’ve lined up, it’s worth taking note of the common concerns that can crop up in rented accommodation during the summer.

Before selling your home, you might be thinking about ways to increase the value or unlock potential so buyers can get a feel for what it would be like to live there themselves. But renovations are costly and may not pay off. So, what can you do to make a change without spending too much?

Whilst it’s always a good idea to spruce up a property before it goes on the market, the key is to know exactly what changes really add value before making any big decisions.

In this quick read, we look at ways to increase the value without spending an absolute fortune.

Come on, we’ve all done it. Switched onto a property programme and fallen into the daydream of building our very own house. A walk-in wardrobe, a home cinema, a room just for shoes… sounds great, doesn’t it? But what’s the reality of self-building?

On the one hand, building your own home seems like a great way to get everything you’ve ever wanted out of a property. On the other, are you really prepared for all that comes with building a house?

Picture this: After a long and exhausting property search you finally find the home that’s just right for you. But then the estate agent mentions that it’s a ‘probate property’ and you’re left scratching your head.

While it’s a term that you’ve heard before, you’re not entirely sure what it means and if it could scupper your homebuying plans.

Well, let us explain…

Post-pandemic, having outside space has taken on a whole new level of importance and can add significant value to a property. But what happens when your garden oasis threatens the chance of selling your home?

Some lush green plants might look nice but could signal trouble for a house sale.

In this quick read, we look at the plants that may impact your selling price.

If you’re selling a property, you might think that selling to one of your nearest and dearest is the answer. After all, when selling to family, they know what they’re buying, you’ll save on professional fees, and the home you love will be left in good hands.

But is it really that simple? Unfortunately, no.

In this quick read, we look at some of the things that could go (very) wrong if you’re thinking about selling to a family member or friend.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to remortgage your property, getting a good mortgage deal is probably top on your list of priorities.

You could lose hours scrolling through comparison sites, frantically searching for the best lenders’ deals, and trying to find your latest payslips. Or you could do the sensible thing and get a professional’s help.

In this quick read, we look at why a mortgage broker could help you buy your dream home while saving you time and hassle.

Being a first-time landlord can feel daunting. There’s a lot to do before you can get your property rented out – such as repairs, legal obligations, admin, tenant-finding, contract signing, and so on.

But don’t fret.

A good letting agent will help explain all the ins and outs of the process. And can do most of the work on your behalf.

In this three-minute read, we discuss some of the essential steps you need to take before renting out your property.

Don’t let your beloved family pet stop you from achieving the best selling price for your property. Follow these tips to ensure buyers aren’t put off making an offer on your home.

Given that 52% of Irish households have a pet*, you might assume buyers wouldn’t bat an eyelid at the prospect of viewing a property where a furry or feathered friend resides.

But many property hunters are put off when they visit a home where there are obvious signs and smells of pets.

The reasons for this aversion to animals can vary; a buyer may have an allergy, have had a bad experience in the past, or love their own animals, just not other people’s.

If a kitchen is the heart of a home, then the bathroom is the brains. It’s where you get a few minutes of privacy every day (unless you’ve got toddlers who like to come in with you). It’s where you do some of your deepest thinking, and it’s an area that could make or break a potential sale.

Buyers need to imagine themselves living in your property, and if your bathroom isn’t up to scratch, it could put them off.

In this quick read, we look at some ways to spruce up your bathroom without spending loads of money.