Find estate agents online
Estate agent is a term roughly synonymous with the
United States term real estate broker, a business that
arranges the selling, renting or management of homes, land
and other buildings. However in many instances, estate
agents are mainly engaged in the marketing of property
available for sale and a solicitor is used to exchange
contracts.
An estate agents job is to sell houses, simple. They act
for the seller (vendor) and so have their best interests
first. Estate agents will market your property through a
variety of different methods. They will have a list of
people who have registered their interest in buying a house,
they will nearly always have a high street premises where
houses for sale are displayed, they will advertise in local
and national press and more recently will market properties
for sale on the internet.
Whether
you are looking to buy, sell, let or rent a property, the
first principle when searching for an estate agent is to
check that they belong to a professional body like the
NAEA. This is because
all members have to complete a minimum entry qualification
and are bound by rules of conduct to offer you a fair deal,
without overvaluing your home. They also provide access to a
complaints procedure and a solid understanding of the
market. Selecting an agent who is a member will ensure your
peace of mind, as well as the highest level of integrity and
service.
The
house-buying process
Once you have decided to buy your home, the home-buying
process in England and Wales involves:
Working out a realistic budget;
Looking at properties;
Making an offer;
Applying for a mortgage;
Valuing the property;
Getting a formal mortgage offer;
Conveyancing (legal) work; and
Completion and moving in.
The Government, in conjunction with the property selling and
mortgage industries, is working towards introducing
compulsory "Home Information Packs" (HIPs) in 2007. All
sellers will have to compile a pack of standard information
on the property being sold. This is likely to change some of
the steps involved in buying a home. You can find out more
about HIPs from the website of the Office of the Deputy
Prime Minister - www.odpm.gov.uk.
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Moving Checklist
Use
the following checklist to make sure you
find out all you need
to know when moving home
1. Arranging the move
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If you decide to move yourself, look
into the costs involved. Where long
distances and several journeys are
concerned it may be worth hiring the
professionals |
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If you do use a removal firm, check the
contract to be clear on exactly what the
firm will do and what happens if any of
your goods get damaged during the move.
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Also check with your home contents
insurer to make sure you are covered
during the move |
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If you are moving from a large city to a
smaller area, it may be cheaper hiring
the removers from the place you are
moving to |
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If no one can recommend a particular
removal firm to you, use one that is a
member of the
British Association of Removers (tel:
020 8861 3331) |
2. Things to do
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Book the removal firm if youre using
one (give at least two weeks notice)
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Hire removal boxes or tea chests for
packing if they are not supplied by the
removal firm |
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Start packing things you wont
immediately need |
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Arrange for the professional
disconnection of gas cookers and any
other appliances that you are taking
with you (give seven days notice)
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Arrange for the final reading of gas/
electricity/ water (give 48 hours
notice). Arrange for readings to be
taken at your new property to make sure
you are charged for power/ water from
the date you move |
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Arrange for your final telephone bill,
and arrange for a telephone connection
at your new home - see if you can
transfer your existing number over to
your new home |
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Cancel standing orders or direct debits
from your bank account in favour of your
existing house (mortgage, gas,
electricity payments) and complete fresh
ones for your new house |
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Cancel deliveries of paper, milk, and so
on and pay off your accounts
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Defrost the fridge/ freezer.
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If moving with a freezer filled with
food, turn it up to maximum for a few
days before the move |
3. Moving Tips
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Don't notify anyone of the change of
address before the contracts are
exchanged - if the move falls through
you'll have to notify everyone again
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Draw up a plan of your new property,
showing where you want your furniture
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Take down all the fitted items such as
wall lights, shelves, and brackets,
mirrors and pictures very early on. It
will be more time- consuming than you
think |
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Pack the things you rarely use first
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Make the move that bit easier by
throwing out clothes and things you
don't need. Some removal firms support
Oxfam and have an OXBOXX scheme whereby
you put all your unwanted goods in
boxes, labelling them. The removal
company will then deliver the boxes to
the nearest Oxfam on your moving day
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On the day, pack one box with a kettle,
tea bags, coffee, milk, and snacks.
Matches, kitchen roll, can- opener,
sharp knife, cutlery, plates,
screwdriver, candles, loo rolls, and
light bulbs are also a good idea. Keep
this box with you, along with important
documents, telephone numbers you may
need, cash and valuables and the keys to
your new home |
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Label all your boxes and tea chests
showing where they should go
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On the day of the move, turn off water,
gas meter, boiler and all electric and
gas appliances; make a note of the
readings on the meters |
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Arrange with the Post Office to have
your mail redirected automatically to
your new home. Redirection costs £6.55
for a month; £14.30 for three months;
and £33 for a year. That is the price
per surname rather than per property.
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4. Who to notify
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Before you move you need to contact the
local offices of the water, gas and
electricity companies and the phone
company |
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You also need to contact banks, building
societies, and credit card companies
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The Council Tax departments in the area
where you live now, and the area you are
moving to |
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The companies that handle your home
contents and buildings insurance, and
car insurance. Make sure that you are
covered in your new home |
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The companies handling any pension and
life assurance policies you may have
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Rental companies if you are renting your
TV or video, and the TV licence
authority |
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The Inland Revenue and the Department of
Social Security |
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The DVLA to change your driving licence
to incorporate your new address
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Your doctor, dentist and optician
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Your employer |
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Friends and relatives |
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National savings and premium bonds |
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