sell your home

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spring has officially sprung and with it comes a host of joys: longer days, trees in bud and flowers in bloom.

And if you’re selling a property, there’s something else to celebrate – a spike in buyers looking to make their next move.

Traditionally, spring is the busiest season for property sales.

While successive lockdowns and the post-lockdown property rush disrupted this seasonal order, normal activity is now resuming.

So, what’s the appeal of selling in spring? Here are four reasons why it makes good sense.

As the old saying goes, first impressions count. And when it comes to showing off your property, the way it looks will go a long way to impress potential buyers.

If your property is on the market, you’ll be familiar with the feeling of panic when your agent calls to tell you there’s a viewing scheduled. Not because you don’t want to sell it, but because you know you left your underwear on the bathroom floor and your sink is full of last night’s dishes.

This three-minute read is the ultimate lazy guide to sprucing up your home before house viewings take place.

Are you planning to sell your home this year? Here’s a checklist to help you prepare for your next move.

Have you got an exciting plan for 2023? A move to a bigger home to accommodate your growing family? Or perhaps you want to downsize and start afresh in a different part of the country?

Whatever your goal, the best way to turn your dream into reality is to secure a good price for your current home. And to help you achieve this, we’ve put together a checklist for preparing a property for sale.

How much of what you know about estate agents is really true? This three-minute read exposes a few common urban […]

Homebuyers are heavily influenced by what they see, smell and hear, so here’s a guide to ensuring your property appeals to their senses.

Did you know that when it comes to impressing a buyer, you have just half a minute to make your property stand out?

Yes, you read that right. Most buyers decide if a property is the one for them in the first 30 seconds of a viewing.

So, with so much at stake in that short time, how do you make a good impression? Read on to find out.

The last two years have been hectic for the Waterford property market.

But now, the market is normalising, and homes are not selling as fast as they once were.

It’s also becoming harder to sell a home for a premium price.

Add to that the cost of living crisis and other global events hitting us in our collective pockets.

The good news is it’s still possible to achieve an excellent price for your home if the estate agent working with you knows how.

Whether you’re a DIY kind of person or prefer to hire a professional, home improvements are on the up.

Since the pandemic, savvy homeowners have been looking for ways to make their properties more comfortable and more desirable to future buyers.

So, what are the most popular home improvement trends?

How can you wow potential buyers with your use of space?

In this quick read, we look at some of the most popular ways to make your home more desirable to future buyers.

Find out how you can impress buyers by making each room in your home look as spacious as possible. A two-minute read.

Whether you’re marketing a one-bedroom apartment or a seven-bedroom mansion, the same rule usually applies – big is beautiful.

We’re talking about big rooms, of course! It’s well known that a home that feels spacious will always get a higher price than a similar property that comes across as cramped and crowded.

So, you’re keen to sell your home in Waterford, but you’re just not getting any offers. What’s going on? How can you make your home more attractive to potential buyers?

In this two-minute read, we look at some of the things that may be putting buyers off (that you can easily fix).

This two-minute read looks at how to ensure your home appeals to buyers looking for a family home.

When it comes to devising a marketing strategy to sell your home, the first step is establishing your target buyer.

For example, if you’re selling a slick, minimalist penthouse studio, there’s no prizes for guessing that your target will be young professional buyers.

But if it’s a house or garden flat that you’re bringing to market, then buyers with families should be at the forefront of your mind.

What do downsizers, a growing force in the housing market, want? Check out this two-minute read to find out.

Downsizers are emerging as increasingly influential players in the property market, with a growing number of over-55s selling up and buying less expensive properties.

Discover how to make your kitchen look fresh and modern without spending a fortune in this two-minute read.

Smartening up your kitchen is an excellent way to wow buyers and add value. If you can’t afford a full-scale high-end refurbishment, try these cost-saving DIY tips.

Selling a home is not a solo project – well, not if you hope to achieve top selling price. A […]

There is so much going on in the world today between the invasion of Ukraine and rising fuel and inflation. It’s certainly turbulent times.

One thing that has remained constant over the last two years is the shrinkage of the supply of rental property and properties for sale.

Waterford Property Market Update January 2022 Liberty blue Estate Agents

In this report, I will give you a brief snapshot of what’s happening in the housing market in Waterford right now.

This two-minute read will help you learn about conveyancing solicitors and how to find the right one for you in Waterford.

What exactly is a conveyancing solicitor? This is the person who does all the legal paperwork for you when you are buying or selling a property. The following are our top tips on how to find the right one for you…

There is a lot happening in the Waterford property market at the moment…

The Waterford Rental Market

In relation to the residential rental market, in December, legislation capping rent increases at 2% per year in Rent Pressure Zones passed both Houses of the Oireachtas. This new law also provides for tenancies of unlimited duration.

I don’t see this being hugely problematic for landlords. Why not? I hear you say…

In this two-minute read, we look at the BIG reasons why your home needs to be up for sale at the very least before you start seeking a new one.

Picture the scene.

You’re house hunting and have been trawling the internet for what seems like forever. Then one day your eyes are drawn to a beautiful looking home that ticks all your boxes.

You visit the property and boom, fall head over heels with it. It’s the one….

In this two-minute read, we look at one of the simplest ways to turbo charge the sale of your home – decluttering.

When it comes to selling a home, there’s a simple way to add thousands of euros to the price you achieve – and that’s to get rid of your clutter.

By being a little bit ruthless with yourself, and those you live with, you really can achieve a quicker and more lucrative sale.

Here are five ways to say goodbye to your clutter…

In this three-minute read, we look at the critical role social media plays in estate agents reaching out to potential buyers.

When choosing an estate agent, it pays to channel your inner Miss Marple or Sherlock Holmes and do a little online sleuthing.

When you’re looking to hire an estate agent it’s important to look for someone with a strong community standing, good track record, and proven marketing formula.

Social media and Google reviews are great places to check this out….

In this two-minute read, we look at what homeowners can do to reduce the risk of their property sale falling through.

We’re about to banish a myth that many people still believe about selling a home.

The misconception is that once you’ve accepted an offer for your property, the hard work is done.

As Estate Agents, we have a reputation for producing great videos and images of our properties and marketing them really well to buyers.

I was reminded last month though that we just wouldn’t be able to do this to such a high standard if our clients didn’t work with us!

In this three-minute read, we look at what Waterford sellers can do to avoid their property sitting on the market. […]

This three-minute read will help you maximise the kerb appeal for your Waterford property. They say you you have 20 […]

In this two-minute read, we share some simple ideas to improve your garden.

Covid restrictions have affected the housing market in many ways, from virtual viewings to a complete lack of supply but something else has occurred too. Outside space and gardens are fastly becoming a wishlist priority for both buyers and renters. Here some tips for making the most of your outside space.

In this two-minute read, we look at useful information which you might want to share with your agent to satisfy inquisitive buyers.

You can often tell whether a viewer is keen on a property from the questions they ask. And in our experience, the more specific the question, the warmer the prospect. When it comes to preparing for a sale, the more information that you can share with your agent, the better. Here are five typical questions to get you thinking.

In this three-minute read, we look at some simple and affordable projects to help sell your home faster and probably for a higher price, too.

It’s DIY Day on the 3rd of April and if you’re planning to sell your home, here are six easy things you can do yourself to help sell it quickly. They are simple, straightforward, and inexpensive ways to improve your home’s look and value. Happy DIY Day!

Sellers frequently ask us for advice when it comes to selling their home. One question often asked is how best to […]

What is the best time of year to sell a house?
How long will it take to sell my house?
How much is my house worth?
Should I carry out repairs before I go to market?
What are my options if my house is not selling?

Do I need to have planning permission for my septic tank when selling my home? 

When selling your property and if you have your own septic tank you need to make sure you have planning permission from your council. There is a stringent set of regulations that must be followed and requirements that need to be met.

Maria Clifford, Auctioneer and Director of Liberty Blue Estate Agents & Auctioneers Waterford, discusses what is currently happening in the Waterford property market and why now could be an excellent time to sell your property.

Find out what she has to say in our latest video