A small number of people are bypassing estate agents and taking on the job of selling their home themselves.

It is still a small number – some people estimate that nine out of ten homes sold in the UK are still handled by estate agents.

So is putting on a private property sale something you should look at, or should you continue to place your trust in a professional agent?

We examine the pros and cons of doing a private property deal.

The main advantage is obvious: you save on estate agents’ fees. These are normally a percentage of the sale price that is taken by the agent when the house sells.

You can also take full control of the process of selling. You don’t have to wait to see how your house is being marketed or wonder how inquiries are going. It’s all down to you when you’re the one doing the selling.

It’s also possible that by handling the property yourself, you can speed up the process, as there will be fewer people involved.

So those are the advantages, and the main one it seems is saving the commission. But if you examine what an agent does to actually earn that fee, you realize the expertise they bring to your private property sale.

First of all, an estate agent is there to value your property. It’s not unusual for people to get three or four valuations from different agents to assess how much they will get for their home on the open market.

Agents base valuations on how much other houses in the area have sold for, taking into account the differences on your property.

It’s not always sensible just to plump for the highest quote, and an experienced agent will tell you why. If you overprice your house you may find inquiries to be sluggish – the market soon spots when the price is wrong. And many agents know that once you’ve set a price that’s too high, even dropping it won’t attract as many potential buyers as getting the price right in the first place.

Having a good agent with strong local knowledge will stop you making a pricing mistake.

An agent will also know how to market a property efficiently and cost-effectively. It’s something they do day in, day out. Good agents have the ability to get houses onto powerful online property portals with huge levels of traffic. This is good for you as more website traffic should turn into inquiries.

There are plenty of private property websites, but few can rival the main property websites for the number and variety of homes.

Offline, the power of an agent’s High Street shop window has yet to diminish. Displaying properties in the window is a strong source of leads for agents. We all like to browse properties for sale now and again, and a shopping trip is a convenient time to do it.

Plus think about people who are planning to move to an area they don’t know. After looking for houses on the major property portals, they will visit the area and look round the agents’ shops to find property. This is a source of potential buyers you’d struggle to tap into on your own.

Another thing an agent does that no private property site can do is find potential buyers who are ready to move straight away. If an agent has sold a property similar to yours, they may have had 15 inquiries – meaning they already know 14 people who are still looking for a house!

Of course your agent will also handle cold inquiries and qualify people before bringing them to see your house. When you’re doing the sale yourself, you’ll have to sort out the time wasters from the genuine buyers.

Finally, when an offer is made, the agent will continue to earn their fee by acting as the middleman between you and the buyer. Many agents are trained in negotiating, and as they are not emotionally involved, can help to ensure you get the highest price. When you’re selling it yourself, the temptation is there to take the first offer and run.



Rent Back Fast

There are plenty of reasons you might have to sell your house fast. Whether you are selling for some quick cash, due to ill health, relocation, inheritance, divorce or separation or you’re just having a little financial difficulty. There are many quick/ express house sale companies in Scotland that specialize in buying homes quickly. You can even rent it back to you at a reasonable price so you can stay in your house or you can sell it with a buyback option.

Financial difficulties

We all dread it happening, but falling ill happens to most of us at some point or another. Being ill can take its toll on the whole family emotionally as well as financially. The bills can start to pile up when you’re unable to work and without the right help it can be really difficult to deal with the rough times that come with that. http://www.saleexpress.co.uk/ is just one of the companies with its HQ in Glasgow, Scotland. They and other buy and rent back businesses can help you release some of the equity that’s locked in your property.

Quick House Sale Do to Relocation

Everyone relocates once or twice in their life, usually for a job or to move in with a partner and usually it’s important that you sell your house fast, especially when moving abroad and you have to have things all wrapped up before you leave the country. The process goes by as quick and stress-free as possible when choosing the right firm for you. Moving house can be a stressful time at the best of times, but moving abroad can bring more even more nightmares, and with Sale Express Glasgow UK dealing with selling your home quickly, it’s one less thing to burden you.

Divorce with a Quick Sale

It’s an unfortunate fact that in the UK 1 in 3 marriages ends in divorce. This is a hard and very trying time in both your lives. There are many decisions to be made and none of them are easy. Achieve a speedy valuation to your house and make a quick sale. The money can then be used to pay off debts and you can both move on and try to get on with your new lives.

If you are the executor of an estate you will want to sell it quickly, that way it’s not lying empty and has the possibility of succumbing to vandalism. An empty house also deteriorates quickly without someone there to look after it, so it’s in your best interest to sell the property fast. Regardless of the condition of the property, So if you are looking for a quick sale company to help with your problems and challenges in life, there are many companies that can help.

Remember…You don’t even have to move out of your house, just do the research needed to find the right company for you, find one that you feel comfortable dealing with a track record. So to recap you can sell your home and move or sell and rent it back. Sometimes a buyback service is available, so you can sell your house and have the opportunity to buy it back at a later date. Usually you can give you an offer the same day they view the property and there are absolutely no fees what so ever.



Passive Income

Hard financial times can get to anyone in today’s dynamic world of constant transactions. The homeowners can look forward to their house to come to their rescue as to recover from such threatening situations. To avail to a large amount of cash in quick time, it is one of the most preferable methods to sell house fast. This is much better than relying upon traditional house sale methodologies which waste much of your precious time. And to accomplish this, you can avail to the help of the firms offering these special services.

The dawn of Internet in the marketing horizon has really brought cheers to the prospects of both the buyers and the sellers. Transactions are faster and much more convenient. It has become easy to contact these special agents who can get the job done for you. At a click of a mouse, you can now determine the price your property is going to fetch. Also if you need any advice, the same is available for free from these agents who are committed to help you in any way possible.

The quick sale agents also help you out with free property evaluation helping you to determine the correct worth of your property. They are the right people to do this because they have an idea of the property and price listings of properties comparable to yours. Proper pricing instantly increases your chances of being able to sell house fast. Also they take care of other lengthy formalities that ease out the entire affair with minimal paperwork.

Availing to the services of property agents saves you a lot of time and energy. You can make good use of their expertise and experience. When you need to sell house fast, they buy your house themselves and hand over the cash to you as soon as possible.



Sell and Rent Back

Anyone that\’s ever been to the U District knows what a vibrant community it is. Officially known as the University District, the U District is the home to the University of Washington Huskies. There are many great ethnic restaurants on the University Avenue – known as the \”Ave\” to all the locals. You can find Greek, Japanese, American and Thai food and many other types just within about a 500 yard radius.

There are great apartment buildings and house rentals in the U District for young professionals commuting downtown to work or for students attending the University of Washington. Many of the rentals are located East of the Ave and close to the U of W. Greek Row is situations just off the main campus and is home for all the fraternities and sororities. There is also a nice little neighborhood right behind Greek Row called Ravenna. Ravenna is pricier and is where many of the professors at the UW either rent or own a place.

If you can stand a couple roommates, you can find the best deals on a place. With 2 or 3 roommates you can find a rental for $400/piece or even less in a house or an apartment within walking distance of the University. You can also find studios with shared common areas for $500 or $600 if you want to live alone and get your studying done. There is great access to the bus line which can get you downtown in 15 minutes so don\’t worry about not having a car, you can still get around!



Rent Back

Thailand’s recent tourism push is reaping dividends and it is on schedule for ten per cent annual growth in international visitors. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, there were 13.82 million visitors in 2006; 14.8 million visited in 2007 and 15.5 million are targeted this year.

According to Liam Bailey of David Stanley Redfern: “The Thai economy got off to a scintillating start in 2008, with first quarter growth up six per cent on the same period last year, and up 5.7% on the last quarter of 2007. After two years of political turmoil culminating in a coup last year, it seems the new government is finally settling in, and has made economic growth its top priority. The main thrust of its efforts is centred on generating internal and regional investment, with global investment currently slowing.”

This economic growth is reflected in the rude health of the property market. The stratospheric capital growth of the early years of this century – in the region of 25 per cent per year – is a thing of the past, but a regular five to ten per cent a year is expected for the next few years.

Much of the interest from overseas property buyers is centred on two distinct and very different areas: Chiang Mai in the north – the highlands – and the islands of the south, where buyer activity is at its highest in Phuket, followed by the emerging markets of Koh Chang and Koh Samui.

Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second city – in atmosphere and character it is very much the slower-paced, laid-back cousin to the frenetic capital Bangkok. But this is no sleepy backwater. Famous for its superb food, varied nightlife, temperate climate and incredible mountain scenery, Chiang Mai is a fascinating mix of history and modernity. It was founded in 1296 and is home to more than 300 temples, including some of the most beautiful in the Buddhist world. It has an excellent infrastructure, a spate of newly opened five-star hotels, golf clubs, international schools and investment from numerous multinational companies. Outside the city and into the countryside, visitors find themselves in a world of adventure, with jungle safaris, whitewater rafting, elephant rides and visits to hill tribes all on offer.

The property market in Chiang Mai offers similar variety, and, according to Todd Jones of Elephant Real Estate, it is currently a buyer’s market, with domestic market activity falling: “The local real estate market has experienced an overall slowdown in response to numerous political and economic pressures. The number of transactions registered at the Chiang Mai Land Office declined from 15,000 in 2005 to 10,000 in 2006 and 9,800 last year, but in the middle and upper tiers, where around 20 projects are under way, sales remained strong. Major developers are moving forward with numerous residential projects in and around Chiang Mai.”

Around 80 per cent of the region’s property sells for under £32,000, while overseas property buyers are most active in what Jones describes as the mid-tier market, with prices from £90,000 to £180,000. The market goes all the way up to custom homes on huge plots that can cost as much as £1 million.

A significant recent development is the provision of freehold residences attached to the region’s five-star hotels. Most of the top resorts offer this option, with the best known being those at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai which are strictly for those with very deep pockets.

A more typical property would be a newly built, three-bedroom, three-bathroom house with swimming pool, carport and guest apartment for around £130,000 or a two-bedroom two-bathroom apartment with an area of 110 square metres for £50,000.

Heading to the islands, you find yourself in a true tropical paradise. Phuket is one of Asia’s most popular beach destinations thanks to its combination of stunning beaches, great diving, high-octane nightlife and great food.

It is also increasingly popular with overseas property buyers. Agent CBRE estimates that there are now more than 2,000 foreign owners on the island: “Virtually all of these property buyers have seen their investment increase in value. Capital appreciation over the past four years has varied from 15 to 20 per cent per annum, although some properties have seen the value of their asset rise by as much as 50 or 100 per cent between the launch of a project and the transfer of title.”

As well as capital growth, Phuket is popular with property buyers looking for rental income. The island is a popular holiday destination and has its own international airport, which hosted more than eight million passengers in 2004 and 2005. CBRE says that a well-managed property should produce between six and 12 per cent gross returns annually based on 100 nights’ occupancy.

Development on the island is spreading fairly quickly. From the west coast, where the property boom started between Nai Thon and Kata Noi and where new plots are scarce or very expensive, developers have moved to the formerly overlooked south and east coasts. Inland properties overlooking golf courses are also becoming popular.

Prices on Phuket are among the highest in the country. As a rough guide, CBRE says you can expect to pay up to £240,000 for a ‘low-end’ villa and £160,000 for a ‘low-end apartment; up to £500,000 for a middle market villa and £300,000 for a middle market apartment; and if it’s the very top of the market you’re after, expect to pay upwards of £750,000 for a villa and £500,000 for a luxury apartment.

Recent research from Knight Frank reveals an average price per square metre on Phuket of £1,800, while prices went up 11 per cent in 2007. Rental properties achieved an average return of 6.8 per cent.

As prices of property for sale in Phuket continue to rise, property buyers are looking to other, less developed islands, where they can get more for their money.

David Stanley Redfern (DSR) describes Koh Samui as a semi-mature market. The island has more five- and six-star resorts than any other in the world, according to the company and prices of property for sale in Koh Samui went up by as much as 50 per cent during in 2006 and 2007. DSR is selling two-bedroom villas for £100,000 in the island’s Maenam Hills area. Other islands that are attracting attention include Koh Chang – the second largest Thai island after Phuket – and Koh Phangan.



Real Estate Professionals

To sum up buying international property will always be a good long-term investment property plan. For the best realestate, investment bargains and the widest choice do not restrict you to local realtors: go national with a property auction. I will suggest you to opt two property types if you’re an inexperienced property investor. International Property market in Dubai is reaching sky-high levels rapidly. The property overseas business in Dubai is surging ahead sharply.

Dubai has become an international property hub, with ultimate architectural developments and ambitious projects rising up seemingly overnight. Realestate investment and property purchase market has nowadays one of the best growth prices that are the reason it is considered to offers low risk and lofty rewards. International property agencies says that it is among one of the best investment plan for people who have retired or still earning and looking out for an option to safeguard there money. The property purchase prices are comparatively lesser and therefore such property purchase can be a good deal.

Buying a property overseas is a major step of investment plan. Buying property is a task to research all aspects of a potential property investment plan and deal only with reputable realestate investment online experts since there is no professional property purchase process in international property markets! International property investors can sell property or rent out the property if they want so. Realestate investment is high, with a great demand for short-term rentals and yields around 15%.

International Property marketplace has arrange worldwide property sales, especially from the corporate sector, has provided us with utmost confidence to continuously grow the scope and features of our events. If you didn’t want to sell realestate when you become old, you can also pass the properties on as inheritance if specific process is followed. International property owners of property overseas can also entitles the first named property builder to a 3-year renewable residence visa.

International property in developed countries doesn’t apply taxes on income, including that obtained from renting property purchased. Realestate purchase for the property sale has been a proven method to increase profits though not property investors can afford to invest large some in the ready to live houses



Rent Back

Is the ghost of repossession haunting you?

The sell and rent back scheme was born into the property market around 2006 in response to the fear of thousands of homeowners losing their homes. The idea of sell and rent back your home is basically a rescue from repossession. If the homeowner is struggling financially it is possible to turn to an investor and offer their home for a quick sale but with the benefit of being able to stay living in the property paying rent.

About 6-12 months later, the sell and rent back scheme evolved to help the homeowner even further. As many people had built up a lot of equity in their homes over the years, a new buy back option was introduced. This provided a huge benefit as it gave the struggling homeowner the option to buy back their home once they had sorted out their finances and therefore keep the vast majority of the equity for themselves.

However, once the homeowner has decided to take this path of sell and rent back, it is very important to be aware of some potential problems and the way in which they can be prevented:

Fee Payments

All fees in the sell and rent back scheme are paid for solely by the buyer. These include the survey and the solicitor costs. Be aware of any fees the homeowner is being asked to pay. The main reason for this is if the sale fell through, any fees paid will be lost.

Sudden increases in rent

It is very important the tenancy agreement is thoroughly read before completing on the sale. Make sure the agreement states that the increases are a maximum of twice a year and in line with inflation. Many unscrupulous companies offer a decent rent for the first six months and then on renewal of the agreement, hike the rent so high that the tenant has no choice but to move out.

Sale of the Property

Be aware that once the property has been sold the new owner can sell the property at any time forcing the tenants to leave with just two months notice. If the sell and rent back scheme was a part of the sale it is very important to ask for a restriction of sale agreement. This agreement prevents the buyer from selling the property without written authorization from the tenant.

Although there can be some pitfalls along the way, there are also many advantages in opting for the sell and rent back scheme. The first and most important is the homeowner will not be repossessed. There is always the option of selling the property on the open market; however this can take up to one year for the sale to happen in the present market. It is imperative that the homeowner write their finances down on paper and check if this solution is viable.

Another advantage is there is no cost involved for the homeowner who at this point cannot afford any extra expenditure. A third advantage would be total discretion. No one will know and the homeowner’s daily life will not be disturbed.

With home repossessions on the increase and at the highest level in years, the sell and rent back scheme definitely is an option to be considered at the first symptoms of a financial problem rather than leave it to the last minute.

Beese Properties is a well established property company which offers all of the above. They look for the best solution for the homeowner and if the sell and rent back scheme is the best option they will base the rent on the current rental market in the area. For more information, visit them online at http://www.beeseproperties.com.



Rent Back

You have found your ideal retirement property – safe, secure, convenient and neighbourly. All you now need is to sell your old home – easy!

It should be but the process is rarely trouble free and never quick. A recent MORI survey said that transaction times in the UK now averaged over 6 months, among the slowest in Europe.

The problem revolves around the fact that, with some 80% of people owning their own home, most need to secure a sale on their present house before they can purchase a new one. As a result, even when you find your dream retirement home and a buyer for your present property there is invariably a chain of transactions which all need to be pulled together simultaneously.

However, for many situations, time is of the essence and deadlines have to be met. This can be for a variety of reasons, eg you may have found your “dream retirement home” but need to secure it quickly or, a builder may be offering huge incentives for a quick completion while you are constrained by the market to a later and uncertain timescale.

Selling to house buying companies is the only foolproof method of avoiding the stresses, delays and uncertainties of selling your present home in the open market. Most importantly it secures the property you want at the time you want it as they can synchronise our purchase of the current home with your new purchase. If the old home is worth more than your new one you may even manage to buy without the burden of a mortgage.

How can house buyers help?

In short, house buyers can buy your existing house, quickly and for cash, enabling you to secure your retirement property.

Some of their schemes have proven especially appropriate for people buying in the retirement sector as the combination of convenience, speed and the certainty of achieving the move they want in a cost effective way without continuing liability suits their needs precisely.

What are the benefits of using a house buying company?



You can guarantee the purchase of your new retirement property

We can complete the sale process quickly and to suit your timescales

You avoid estate agency fees

You avoid the stress and uncertainty of selling on the open market

You avoid having the stress and security issues of multiple viewings

Your next house, its cost and your moving timescale is guaranteed, enabling you to relax





Quick Property Sale

Every year, our holidays involved finding an affordable hotel at a warm beach front destination. We were slightly crammed for space once the suitcases and toys got unpacked, but what the heck, we weren’t spending that much time in the hotel room.

Then one year we decided to splurge and do a family trip to Maui. The hotels were really expensive and we started looking for alternatives. I stumbled upon a site offering vacation rentals that allowed us to find a place in our budget with more space than we ever imagined. Since then we were hooked, at least for this family, vacation rental homes were the way to go.

There are pros and cons to choosing a vacation rental over a traditional hotel or resort and it’s definitely not for everyone. However, over 30 percent of all homes purchased in 2006 were vacation rental homes, and like it or not, these accommodations are gaining popularity.

In most cases a vacation home will give you more space, comes with a fully-furnished kitchen and laundry facilities, and is more economical than a high-end resort hotel. If the unit is part of a resort or condo complex, you may have the use of additional recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, hot tub or tennis courts. Depending on the rental, many include amenities such as beach towels, coolers, lawn chairs and boogie boards.

You may have to forfeit maid service (or pay extra for it), room service and on-site restaurants. Sometimes you have to bring your own linens, but most places do supply them.

The longer you stay at the rental the cheaper the rate, and often times the renter may throw in a free night or some other incentive. At our particular rental, the management offered one free night if we returned within a year. The other obvious perk is the money you save on meals by doing some of the cooking yourself.

House rentals can be booked directly over the internet through one of the many sites specializing in vacation rentals. They also provide pictures and details of the property and most are very quick to respond to any questions. Some sites provide the phone numbers of the owners, and it may be worth contacting them directly to try and negotiate a better rate.

There is a different feeling about staying in a rental home over a hotel. It allows you to imagine actually owning a villa on the beach in Barbados or some other luxury destination. You become intermingled with the local culture as you shop for groceries, visit neighborhood markets, or hang out at nearby cafes.

If you’ve ever wanted to live like a millionaire, you can split the rent with a few friends and secure a luxury beach front villa that may otherwise run you millions of dollars to buy. Spend some time soaking up the sun and then go home to reality.



Rent Back Fast

As a vacation destination that needs no distractions from glitzy amusement parks and bustling city centers, Sanibel Island offers relaxation in an untamed, naturally stunning setting. Away from the everyday attractions and touristy feel of mainland Florida, you cannot help but lose yourself in the island flavor and soothing ambiance of this little piece of paradise when you stay in an inviting vacation rental.

Although Sanibel Island’s main draw may seem run of the mill, its miles of white sand beaches are truly a sight to behold and have made this island one of the most sought after destinations in the state. Your stresses cannot help but dissipate when your eyes cast over the spectacular crystal blue expanse of the Gulf of Mexico and soak in the sharp contrast of the sand and sea. And as you glance down towards the soft sand that has gently made its way in between your toes, it becomes readily apparent why this is considered the best place for shell collecting in the country.

The 12 miles of sandy waterfront that surrounds the island can be almost magnetizing, making it difficult to drag yourself away from this unbelievable strip of beauty. However, when you retreat to your vacation rental accommodations, you never truly need to leave the beach behind since you are just a stone’s throw away from the water’s edge and the gentle lap of the waves is always within sight from your balcony and bedroom windows. Even during sunset, you can saunter across the stunning sands directly behind your condo or house rental without worrying about making it back in time for a family dinner.

When the sun begins to shine on this stunning scenery and the pull of the water begins to overwhelm, you simply need to grab your immediate supplies and go. Walk down to Bowman’s Beach, considered the most popular on the island, and spread out for a day of swimming, sunbathing, and shelling surrounded by lush greenery on one side and gorgeous blue waves on the other. And if you happen to forget your sunglasses or some reading material, a simple stroll up the sand will lead back to your much needed supplies and back to your sunning spot in mere minutes.

In addition to the prime waterfront adventures that lie at your doorstep, many Sanibel Island vacation rentals offer their own form of active amusement for those times when you need a break from the sandy Gulf. A large private pool will certainly appease the kids when you want to relax in the shade, while the soothing hot tub is the surest way to melt away your sore muscles and stress. You can also take advantage of the pristine weather to get in a tennis match or two on the private courts or grab one of the kayaks or canoes that come with your rental for an afternoon of exploration.

When selecting the right Sanibel Island rental for your getaway, consider one that has the spectacular J.N. (“Ding”) Darling National Wildlife Refuge as its neighbor. The wildlife refuge is one of the best in the state and is teeming with recreational activities such as hiking, biking, bird watching, kayaking, and, of course, wildlife viewing. The perfect place to commune with nature and appreciate the natural gifts that have been bestowed upon Sanibel Island, you are just a hop, skip, and a jump away from more adventures than you ever imagined.

Since Sanibel Island focuses on its au natural amusements and countless outdoor pursuits, the majority of any getaway is bound to be spent soaking up the splendor of the great outdoors. While your getaway will certainly be exciting when you stay close to the beaches and the “Ding” Darling Refuge, your vacation rental is waiting with wireless internet, a big screen TV, DVD players, and a fully-stocked kitchen to satisfy your entertainment needs when night has fallen on your outdoor wonderland. Inside or out, your vacation has never been more enjoyable or relaxing than when you stay in a vacation home or condo rental.



Quick House Sale