Chelmsford Property Blog

Just moved into your new Chelmsford home and want to save some money?

Here are a few things you can do to get started:

🏠 Turn your heating down: Dropping just one degree of heat could cut 10% off your heating bill!

🏠 Sell your unwanted items: Clear out your home and sell any unwanted items that are in good condition, from clothes to appliances, on eBay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.

🏠 Use energy-saving lightbulbs: Energy saving bulbs last longer, are brighter and more energy efficient and can save you money over their extensive lifetime.

🏠 Adjust your television: Did you know that reducing the brightness and contrast on your television could save up to £100 per year?

🏠 Prepare your meals in advance: Save money and time by spending a few hours each week preparing your meals for the days ahead. The meals can then be frozen and reheated throughout the week for an easy dinner – and to save the temptation of eating out when you’re too tired to cook.

🏠 Quit the gym: Put that money back in your pocket by doing home workouts instead.

What are your money saving top tips? Tell us in the comments section below.

https://chrisallen.exp.uk.com

5 Ways To Save Energy And Cut Costs At Home

Saving energy and cutting costs at home can be as easy as making a few small changes to your routine. Here are five ways you can start saving today:

Make sure your home is properly insulated. Heat escapes through cracks and openings in your walls, ceilings, and floors, so make sure your home is properly insulated to keep the heat in. You can also install weatherstripping around doors and windows to keep the cold out in the winter and the hot out in the summer.

Adjust your thermostat. Turning down your thermostat by just a few degrees can save you a lot of money on your energy bill each month. If you’re not comfortable with turning it down too low, try installing a programmable thermostat so you can set it to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day.

Switch to LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs, and they last up to 25 times longer. So not only will you be saving energy, but you’ll also be saving money on bulb replacements.

Unplug electronics when not in use. Electronics like TVs, DVD players, and microwaves continue to use energy even when they’re turned off, so unplug them when not in use to save some extra electricity.

Giant green double plug socket on a building

Take shorter showers. A full shower can use up to 17 gallons of water, but taking a 5-minute shower instead can save more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.

What are your energy saving tips at home? I would love to find out so that we can all save together.

https://chrisallen.exp.uk.com

4 Ways To Make A Buyer Feel At Home

When a buyer enters your property you instantly want them to feel at home. Here are 4 things you can do to achieve that:

New Carpets and Fresh Paint

When selling a house it’s sometime necessary to spend some money doing minor renovations. Painting certain rooms and putting down new carpet are the two biggest things you can do to help your house sell faster.

Chelmsford Home with modern table and ceiling lamps

Unclutter Your House

Get rid of all your clutter. Buyers might not appreciate your magazine collection or the dolls and teddy bears you keep in the guest bedroom. Tidy your home and give it a more minimal feel.

Modern bedroom prepared and staged to sell on the property market

Make Sure it’s Clean

Please make sure your home is clean and tidy otherwise you’ll really put buyers off. That means making sure the bathrooms are spotless, your oven in sparkling and your carpets and upholstery have no stains on them.

Chelmsford housekeeper cleaning a mirror in the bathroom

Give All Your Rooms a Purpose

When staging your home for a sale it’s important to make sure all your rooms have a purpose. If a room in your house is supposed to be a dining room for example then make sure you set it out like that.

A Chelmsford property that has been well staged for the property market

Thinking of moving?

Get in touch today for your FREE home valuation

https://chrisallen.exp.uk.com

What to ask when viewing a house

It’s very important to ask questions on a property viewing, so I have put together a small list to help you out. Good luck with your property search!

How long has the house been on the market?

Has the seller made any DIY renovations?

When was the home last updated?

What’s included with the home sale?

What’s the seller’s timeline?

For more advice please get in touch.

https://chrisallen.exp.uk.com

6 Ways to Make a Buyer Feel at Home

As soon as a potential buyer enters your house you want them to instantly feel at home. You want them to form an emotional connection with the property and allow themselves to visualise living there.

The last thing you want to do is put people off by not tending to a few simple projects. Here are 6 things you can do to help a buyer feel at home.

New Carpets and Fresh Paint

When selling a house it’s sometimes necessary to spend some money doing minor renovations that’ll help you get a quicker sale and for more money. Painting certain rooms and putting down new carpet are the two biggest things you can do to help your house sell faster.

Unclutter Your House

Get rid of all your clutter. Buyers might not appreciate your magazine collection or the dolls and teddy bears you keep in the guest bedroom. Tidy your home and give it a more minimal feel to allow buyers to see the home for what it is.

Make Sure it’s Clean

Please make sure your home is clean and tidy otherwise you’ll really put buyers off. That means making sure the bathrooms are spotless, your oven is sparkling and your carpets and upholstery have no stains on them.

Give All Your Rooms a Purpose

When staging your home for sale it’s important to make sure all your rooms have a purpose even if you just used a room in your house as a box room. If a room in your house is supposed to be a dining room for example then make sure you set it out like that.

Do Your Repairs

Preparing your house for sale unfortunately means doing those repairs that you’ve put off for years. If you’ve something in your house that’s broken then please get it fixed because buyers have an eye for this kind of thing.

Lighten Up Your Rooms

A well lit room can make all the difference when trying to make a buyer feel at home. Whether you have to buy a couple of new lamps or open up your blinds and curtains please take the time to make your rooms lighter as it’ll give off a warmer feel rather than a dark and dingy one.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money trying to make a buyer feel at home but doing a few simple things around your house can make a massive difference and get your home sold quicker.

Thinking of selling? Get in touch today for a FREE home valuation.

https://chrisallen.exp.uk.com

5 Mistakes Not to Make When Showing Your Home to Buyers

So your Estate Agent has asked if you will handle some viewings- now what? Giving a potential buyer a tour of your home can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming and really awkward.

When your house hits the market and viewers start to come into your home, the whole experience can take its toll on you mentally. It’s never easy having strangers walk through your home, pick things apart and rummage through your cupboards and drawers and then ask you: “How much do you want for it?”

As challenging as it may be though, here are the five things you should NEVER do when showing your home to potential buyers:

1. Leaving Personal Hygiene Items Out

Store all personal items out of sight. Some homeowners will leave toothbrushes, razors, trimmers and shampoo out in their bathrooms but this can make a buyer feel uncomfortable while walking through your home. These are intimate items after all and sometimes they’re not pleasing to the eye, so put them out of sight.

2. Leaving Valuable Items Out in Plain Sight

Valuable possessions should always be hidden away. Never give buyers the impression you are affluent as they may try to use this and negotiate a better deal for themselves if they think you can afford to make concessions, potentially leaving you worse off. You also have complete strangers walking through your home who you don’t know and will probably never see again, so it’s best to lock anything valuable away just to be on the safe side.

A small dish full of expensive jewellery

3. Allowing Controversial Items to Be Seen

Not everyone will share your political views or lifestyle choices so if you have fridge magnets, posters or magazines that could have viewers talking for all the wrong reasons, get rid of them. For example, if you’re a taxidermy collector, or have real animal skins and fur around your home, put these away until the viewers have left. The last thing you want to do is send viewers straight for the front door as soon as they’ve walked in.

A fridge dorr full of magnets from around the world

4. Cluttered Up Closets

As invasive as it sounds, potential buyers will always open up cupboards and closets while viewing a house- storage can be a big selling point after all. So, if you’ve shoved all your clutter in them with the aim of hiding it, you can give off the impression your home lacks storage. Plus, it just doesn’t look good.

Tidy closets are best when showing people around your home

5. Get Emotional

You may have lived in your home for a number of years and it’s understandable that you’re attached to it and all the memories that come with it. However, when your home hits the market, you need to get out of ‘homeowner mode’ and become more business-minded.

Always remember that everyone has their own taste in decor, so if a viewer makes a criticism about something in your home, please don’t get emotional or defensive. Remember, you’re a businessperson now.

Staging a home for sale is hugely important. If you’re unsure about how you should present your home to a potential buyer then please ask your Estate Agent for advice before listing your home for sale.

Thinking of selling, get in touch today for a FREE home valuation

https://chrisallen.exp.uk.com

4 Reasons To Sell Your Home In Autumn

If you’re wanting a quicker and smoother sale then Autumn is a good season to put your house on the market. Why? Well here are four reasons…

Less Competition: At this time of the year there are fewer houses hitting the market so that means your property will go up against less competition in the search for the perfect buyer and it will stand out on listings websites.

You Only Get Serious Buyers: With the year heading towards Christmas and New Year, a lot of people want to feel settled by this time so you’ll only get serious buyers looking to purchase a property. They want to get a deal done quickly to allow them time to get the keys before Santa comes.

Kerb Appeal Doesn’t have to be Perfect: Due to the changing weather you can get away with the front of your house not looking perfect. Also, at this time of year people get emotional when house hunting as they want a cosy, atmospheric property they want to spend Christmas in.

During Autumn You Might Have a Smoother Transaction: All parties involved in a house sale have less going on in the autumn; mortgage lenders don’t have as many loans to process, surveyors aren’t as busy and solicitors/ layers have fewer completions and exchanges to handle – you’re almost guaranteed a quicker and smoother sale.

So there you have it, 4 reasons why it could be a good idea to sell your home during Autumn.If you have any questions about getting your house ready for sale during Autumn then please get in touch as I’d be delighted to help you out. Get in touch today!

https://chrisallen.exp.uk.com

6 Home Updates To Make After A Decade

All homes need a bit of TLC after a while and there comes a time when you have to face up to the fact that, no matter how much you love where you live and no matter how much you think your decor looks great, your home needs freshened up after a while- especially if you’re looking to sell.

So, if you’ve lived in your house for a decade, chances are some things will need to be updated. Here are six things to freshen up after ten years:

Get Painting

This is the fastest and cheapest way to give your property a facelift and breathe new life into it. You may not be a fan of neutral colours, but creams, whites and grey will take years off the surface of your home. Plus, not only do neutral walls make a room look clean and fresh, but they also make it look bigger and brighter too. It’s a no-brainer.

Replace your Flooring

After a decade of walking all over it, it will definitely be time to change your floor coverings as they will no doubt be worn, stained and look a bit shabby.

Replacing the flooring in your home will increase its value

Redo Bathroom & Kitchen Sealant & Grouting

If you want a quick way of making your bathroom look fantastic, re-grout your tiles or clean or replace the sealant around your bath, sink and toilet.

Make sure to do this in your kitchen as well. A super-quick way to do this is by using a grout pen which literally allows you to quickly colour in discoloured grout.

Invest in a new Mattress

Ten years down the line, you’ll probably be in need of a new mattress for hygiene reasons as you don’t want to be sharing your bed with bed bugs.

After a while, your mattress will also become a bit lumpy and bumpy, something that can cause discomfort, body aches and interfere with your need for a good night’s sleep.

A fresh mattress on your bed is a great way to add a new feel to your bedroom

Get a new washing machine

Did you know that a washing machine can last up to ten years? After this, it’s highly recommended that you get a new one. You’ll know if you do need a new one if it leaks, there’s a bad smell from it that won’t go away or if it makes a lot of noise.

Older models are not always as energy-efficient as they are now, so definitely consider this if you’re looking to save water and bring your monthly bills down.

A good washing machine should last 10 years

Replace the Dishwasher

As with the washing machine, this is something else you might need to replace after every 10 years. You’ll know when your dishwasher is at the end of its life if the dishes are not getting cleaned properly or if the main control board is acting up.

As with a washing machine, it’s important to take saving water and energy into consideration when shopping around for a new model.

Just follow these simple tips every ten years or so and your home will always look as good as new – and be ready for viewers should you want to sell!

Thinking of moving? Get in touch today for your FREE home valuation.

Call Chris on 07540 174048.

https://chrisallen.exp.uk.com

Harmonized Living UK, Professional Declutterer And Organiser Service

My name is Jo Forde, I am a Professional declutterer and organiser based in Brentwood, I cover Essex and virtual sessions are available, my business is “Harmonized Living UK”

I am also a member of APDO (Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers)I help clients to declutter and organise their homes and simplify their lives.One of the services I provide is for clients before/after moving home.

I can help you to declutter/organise ready for your home to go on the market so potential buyers will see your home looking its best, I also help to declutter/organise and help with packing before your move and help to unpack and organise your new home after your move.

http://www.harmonizedlivinguk.co.uk

http://www.apdo.co.uk

Jforde344@aol.com

07900920050

I am also on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn

Many thanks
Jo

Why house blessings are becoming such a popular phenomenon for your home or business property?

In our current situation especially there are many reasons to want to welcome change and new beginnings or transitions that occur in our life. In terms of our home or business premises we might be moving into a new property, or want to freshen things up after redecoration, or welcome a new addition to the family. With these new beginnings we might want to bestow good intentions and affirmations for the future, and these would be an integral part of your blessing ceremony.

Why have a house blessing?

A house blessing is really a way to fill your home with positive energy, love, harmony, health, happiness, and prosperity. For centuries, many different cultures have blessed their homes in certain ways, many religious faiths have house blessings but there are also spiritual and non-religious options. Because your house is an extension of your body and spirit, a house blessing can help welcome positive energy into your space and life. Similarly these non-denominational blessings can be adapted for Schools, Community areas and Commercial properties.

When would I have one?

House blessings can be done at any time, so not only before you move into a new space but when you want to bless a space you already inhabit in a new way. You might choose to do a house blessing when a new partner moves in or a baby comes into your household. After redecorating you might want to refresh the energy in your home or you may want a house blessing to renew energy after there has been separation, illness, or sadness. You might want to acknowledge a new start or new chapter in your life and invite fresh energy into your life and home. You may be a first time buyer or moving in together permanently, getting divorced, moving to a new area or down-sizing for a variety of reasons.

What happens during a house blessing?

It is important to clean the area to be blessed whether it is the house, your office, a nursery, or even a business premises. Clutter blocks the flow of positive energy and can be quite negative, so once this is done it allows the new energy in and the blessing can begin. The celebrant would follow a process of cleansing the space and smudging which involves burning white sage to clear energy out and cleanse the building.The elements of the ceremony involve various aspects for those involved and may include guests or friends; there can be readings, rituals, music and blessings (prayers if wanted).

There are many options, there can be readings and those present can be involved in reading and for example holding the candle if you so choose. Some people chose to call on or remember their ancestors, others choose a ceremony involving the four elements, Earth, Fire, Air, Water, or use crystals, and some people prefer something much simpler. The key aspects involve setting your personal intentions in terms of dreams and plans and these are followed by your house dweller promises. Most importantly, together we create the ceremony you are comfortable with and that suits your energy and your wishes.

About the author.

I am Amanda a modern quirky celebrant who believes in helping couples have the ceremony they deserve with real freedom of choice and personalisation. I offer a range of bespoke ceremonies including but not limited to house blessings, weddings, and baby namings. I have a very open minded can do attitude to your ceremony, ensuring it’s written with you, for you, in the way that says everything you want it to. I regularly write for various magazines and have been featured on thrive global on several occasions.

For a local ceremony the prices is £250. Please find details of all ceremonies on my website http://www.amandasceremonies.com

Tel: 07311 431754