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What is the Best Season to Sell Your House? The property market in Derbyshire usually follows similar spikes and dips year after year, which means, if you’re ready to sell, you can use this knowledge to work out the best time to put your home on the market. Putting your property up for sale when many prospective buyers are looking makes sense as it makes it more likely that there will be higher competition for each available property, allowing you to get the very best price. The great news for those looking to sell a house in Derbyshire is that spring is the top season for prospective buyers. Why Is Spring The Top Selling Month? There’s no denying that spring is the best time to put your property on the market. There are no major festivals or holidays, the weather starts to improve, and outdoor spaces come into their own to boost your home’s kerb appeal. Evenings during springtime are also lighter, so you can maximise the potential of your viewings, with the weather typically being good enough to ensure prospective purchasers can see your garden in its full, glorious state. What Happens If I Can’t Sell In Spring? Of course, while selling during spring is an ideal situation, it isn’t always a practical option. Luckily, there are things you can do to turn any season in your favour and make your home as appealing to buyers as possible. At Bennet Samways, we have some helpful tips to assist you in achieving a speedy sale, whatever the time of year. Selling In Summer Summer doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to selling properties. Families are generally busy during this season, with the school break and many people going away on their holidays. Traditionally, people rarely splurge a lot of money in the summer as they’re already spending income on trips and activities. To maximise the potential of your home in summer, your best course of action is to focus on your property’s outdoor spaces, so make sure your garden looks good. Don’t forget to open the windows to allow the cool air and summer scents to flow, making your rooms feel airy and spacious. Selling In Autumn   If you’re ready to sell your property in Derbyshire during autumn, you can still feel optimistic about securing a speedy sale because Autumn is the second top season for purchasers to seek out a new property. Autumn has no significant holidays for you to deal with, and when compared with summer and winter, prospective buyers have fewer financial commitments to consider. Your home is still likely to look its best from the summer months, and there are unlikely to be any severe weather conditions to contend with. Selling In Winter   Typically, the cold months of winter don’t bring sellers a lot of success since winter not only brings with it some gloomy weather but also a lot of financial stress. Energy bills go up, and the festive season is on the horizon, leading to prospective buyers delaying their decisions until after the turn of the year. Your home doesn’t always look its best during the winter, either. Your garden won’t be in bloom, and the hours of daylight are short. You can, however, use those dark nights to show off your home’s warm and welcoming ambience by adding cosy decorative elements, candles, and soft lighting to highlight its features. If you have an open fire or a log burner, make sure it’s lit for viewings! No matter when you’re putting your home on the market, let our team at Bennet Samways be your first port of call. Give us a call today on 01335 818550 or drop us an email at stuart@bennetsamways.co.uk to start your selling journey!

There are over two million apps available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, so of course, there are apps out there for every purpose. There are all kinds of apps, such as scheduling apps to help you manage your time, coupon apps to help you find deals, and language apps to help you learn a new language. What you may not have thought of before are all the apps that exist for homeowners, including those that can help stay on top of chores, apps for DIY projects or interior design inspiration, and apps to help you sell your old belongings for cash. With so many to choose from, it can be daunting trying to search through and find the ones that are the best and most helpful, so here’s our handy guide to the top smartphone apps all homeowners in Derbyshire should consider. HomeSavvy (free) This app is basically like having an assistant to help you with everything to do around the house. All your chores can be organised within this app so you don’t lose track or forget to do them. You can customise your notifications too, so the app sends you alerts to remind you to get your tasks done. You can also customise your schedule so that you can create a plan that fits around your life, making it even easier to stick to your chore list and get everything ticked off. HomeSavvy even has a directory for local businesses in case you need to run to the shop and grab some tools or supplies to help get the job done. Bills Reminder (free, in-app purchases for premium content) If you are forgetful, then this is the app for you. There’s no fear of missing important payment deadlines with this ‘bills reminder’. Paying late fees is the worst, so Bills Reminder helps you stay on top of your payments. It allows you to organise your bills in categories and by due date and sends you alerts when it’s time to pay them. You can also use it to make automatic payments if you set it up with your banking information, and it has expense tracking capabilities as well. Centriq (free) This lifestyle app is perfect for those who throw out or lose product manuals and directions after buying and building a new appliance or furniture. Centriq will store all of this for you and is so easy to get set up. All you have to do is take a picture of the product label or nameplate of your new piece of furniture or appliance and this app takes care of loading it and saving it for you. It also offers information about parts, product recalls, and DIY videos if you need to do a simple repair. Colour Capture (free) Planning on renovating or redecorating? Don’t do it without this handy app. If you see a colour anywhere, whether it’s in a shop, at a friend’s house, or in a restaurant, you can take a picture of it with this app and it will match it as closely as possible to a Benjamin Moore paint shade. It’s also useful if you’re undertaking a painting project as you can create colour palettes easily in the app. The Family Handyman (free) For fans of DIY projects around the home, this is the perfect app. There’s a catalogue of over 4,000 tutorials and tips to help you with any projects you’re working on so you can get them done quickly and correctly the first time. Although it’s primarily American, there are plenty of handy hints, tips and tutorials for you there. Bubble Level App and Stud Finder App (free) Why go digging through your tools for a spirit level or a stud finder when you can just use your smartphone? The stud finder app is so useful when you are trying to hang something on your wall. Simply install the app, calibrate it, and then move your phone along the wall until it beeps, thus detecting where the studs are. The Bubble Level app is also so handy. It’s not just a spirit level, but also a ruler and has metal detecting capabilities to help you find wires behind your walls. These two apps are a great combination for simple DIY projects that every homeowner should have in their phone. Shpock (free) If you’re trying to declutter and sell some old belongings but shudder at the thought of holding a car boot sale, Shpock is the perfect app. It’s essentially like having a virtual car boot sale without having to do all the work involved in setting it up. All you have to do is take a picture of the item you’re selling, post it to the app, and wait for interested people to message you. We’re always interested to learn about new home and property apps that are useful to homeowners, so do let us know here at Bennet Samways if you have a favourite!

When you put your property on the market, you put your trust in us – the experts you have chosen. We have the details, we know your expectations, and our aim is to get you moving as soon as possible. Sometimes, different agents will come to other prices and of course, there are reasons for this, such as an estate agent simply trying to win your business or perhaps a different level of experience and knowledge. When talking with home movers in Derbyshire, we’ve discovered that many people do indeed wonder about whether or not their property has been priced correctly. You’ve probably heard phrases like “priced to sell”, but how do you really know if your property has been undervalued or indeed overvalued? And why does it matter? So, let’s look at how you can tell whether your property is on the market at the correct price. What is the Right Price? In some respects, this is the million-dollar question. Is your property in Derbyshire priced on the low side to sell quickly, or is it priced relatively high so that you can potentially make more money? Well, actually, the right price is only ever about what you and the buyer agree to so that a sale can move forward. No other prices really matter! Top Tip: Define what price you want or need to sell your house for and if you are prepared to lower your expectations if the need arises. Is my Property Overpriced? Are you frustrated because you don't seem to be getting many viewings resulting in no offers? Well then, one of the reasons could be that your house has been overvalued. Potential buyers might like the look of your house in Derbyshire but fail to view because they feel the asking price is too high. They may view, and they may love it but still feel it’s not worth the price-tag. Not all potential buyers will feel they can risk putting in a low offer either. If you are enjoying lots of viewings but no offers, these are clear signs that something may need tweaking, particularly if similar properties nearby have sold. Top Tip: If you do feel things need to change, do not be afraid to speak with your estate agent. After all, it’s in their interest to get a sale, so if their strategy needs to change, it should. Is my Property Undervalued? To define undervalued, you have to look at a few different factors, including how much you are prepared to sell your house in Derbyshire for. You might get an offer, or multiple offers, super quickly and this may worry you into thinking you could have achieved a higher price. But that is not necessarily the case. A good estate agent will ensure your home does not stagnate on the market! Conversely, if you are getting no viewers and your property is on the market at a lower price than similar homes which have sold nearby, an under-valuation might be making people wonder if there is something wrong with your property! Top Tip: Do some research of your own into similar properties on the market in Derbyshire. If yours appears obviously low, speak to your estate agent. Do Your Own Research We at Bennet Samways use our local experience and knowledge to advise you of what we think your property is worth. Sometimes though, we suggest having a look on the internet yourselves as well, this can give you peace of mind that we’re on the right track. There are so many tools at your fingertips, and you should use them! Go to the search engine of your choice and search for house prices in your area. There are sites that not only give you properties that are currently on the market but also offer up what a property has sold for in the past too. You could also make use of online valuation tools if you want a second opinion. However, bear in mind that these are not always accurate, and it’s best to speak to professionals who have local knowledge and experience. Top Tip: Compare similar properties in Derbyshire as you’re likely to get a good comparison. If you compare a similar house, but in different localities, then different factors will affect prices. What Next? Speak to your agent. We cannot stress strongly enough that communication is key. If you have concerns and you’ve done some research, then talk to your estate agent. Maybe it’s time to review how they are operating and whether or not they need to change. Top Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask the questions and challenge. It’s your property that you are selling; you are in the driving seat. Bennet Samways use our skill, experience and local knowledge to place your property on the market at the right price. If we can help you, give us a call on 01335 818550 or email stuart@bennetsamways.co.uk and we will be delighted to help.

There Are Several Reasons Why The Process Of Exchanging Contracts Could Be Held Up For those selling homes in Derbyshire, the process of selling their property can be a stressful one, especially if they’re worried about their completion being delayed. There are several reasons why the process of exchanging contracts could be held up, but the good news is that many of those are avoidable. Our team of experts at Bennet Samways have some advice to help prevent any delays from arising during your sale. What Can Delay Exchanging Contracts? The exchange of contracts is a key step in all property transactions since it’s the point at which everything becomes legally binding. It can be an arduous process to get there, though. All transactions are different, so there are lots of different variables that come into play, even if your sale seems like a simple one. Here are some common reasons for delayed completions. Searches, Queries, And Communication If one of the search results hasn’t yet arrived, the process of contract exchange will be halted until it turns up. Unanswered queries are another common cause of delays. Both the seller and buyer’s solicitors ask questions of the other party, and the exchange of contracts can only proceed after they receive an answer that is satisfactory. If one of the solicitors is slow or unresponsive, delays can occur in the contract exchange process. Any of the parties involved in the property sale could cause a hold-up if they’re slow in responding to information requests or documentation. But you can speed up the process as much as possible at your end by answering any questions promptly, reading, signing, and returning paperwork quickly, and keeping in touch regularly with your solicitor and estate agent. Issues With The Chain Most property sales involve a chain of other properties, and if there is a problem anywhere along its various links, every sale and purchase will be held up. For example, if a buyer’s mortgage lender finds something dishonest or untoward about the applicant or property, they can stop the process by withdrawing an offer. Unfortunately, in some cases, a buyer may also develop cold feet, bringing a halt to the process. Using the services of a reliable estate agent like Bennet Samways is the best way to prevent this, as your agent will communicate with the buyer to find out what their issue is and to offer solutions that will get the chain moving again. Market Conditions Sometimes, conditions in the property market will affect the length of time you need to wait until the exchange of contracts. If the market is overwhelmed with a lot of sales and purchases, searches will take longer to be returned, and estate agents and solicitors may experience backlogs. Although this only happens rarely, it can be a frustrating cause of delays. Gazundering And Gazumping   Although the practices of gazundering and gazumping are frowned upon, they still exist in the property market. Until contracts are exchanged, these practices are entirely legal, albeit unethical. How To Minimise Completion Delays Although there is little that you can do to prevent delays further down the property chain, choosing the right team of professionals is the best way to avoid issues at your end. Our team of passionate negotiators at Bennet Samways are highly experienced and always work with your best interests at the fore making us a solid choice to handle your sale. Get in touch today at stuart@bennetsamways.co.uk or on 01335 818550 to find out more.

Title Deeds Are The Record Of A Property And Land’s Ownership If you’re ready to buy a property in Derbyshire, it’s important to be aware of the importance of title needs. While most prospective buyers have heard about title deeds, a surprising number of people that we work with here at Bennet Samways aren’t sure what they are or where to find them. That’s why we’re bringing you this article today, so you can gain a better understanding of what title deeds are, why they matter, and whether or not you should purchase a home without title deeds. What Are Title Deeds – An Overview First, let’s take a look at what title deeds are. Essentially, a property’s title deeds are the record of a property and land’s ownership. While it may sound as if there is just a single document involved, in fact, any home’s title deeds may comprise several different documents to not only prove who is the current owner of the property but also to show the home’s entire ownership history. Title deeds documentation may include any or all of the following: Leases Wills Mortgages Contracts for sale Conveyances Is It Legal To Sell A Property That Has No Title Deeds? There is no law to prevent a seller from selling their property without having the title deeds in place, but that doesn’t mean that the process will be a straightforward one. Usually, sellers who don’t have title deeds for their property obtain possessory title deeds instead. These are given if there is no way to definitively prove the Absolute Title (an unequivocal right of ownership to the property), which is why it is also known as a perfect title. Buyers will have the peace of mind of knowing that the property they are purchasing is free of any legal weaknesses. in cases where the original title deeds have either been damaged or lost, for example, in a flood or fire. In some cases, sellers may provide a statutory declaration to the buyer (and the buyer’s mortgage lender). Attempting to sell a property with no Absolute Title to hand may often result in the process being long and drawn out which may be inconvenient for the buyer, however, it’s possible that the property may be sold at a lower price due to this inconvenience and the potential risks that the buyer will be taking. Should I Buy A Property That Has No Title Deeds? Technically, although it’s possible to purchase a property that has no title deeds, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. If you buy a property that has no title deeds, you’re taking a significant risk. While every property purchase comes with some risky elements, if you purchase a property that has no title deeds, you must bear caveat emptor (buyer beware) in mind. You must be completely certain that your conveyancer knows what they’re doing, and be willing to pay more for the additional work that they’ll need to do to make sure that everything is legal and above board before exchanging contracts. If you decide to go ahead with buying a property that has no title deeds, you should also ask that indemnity insurance is included to cover you for any restrictive covenants that may be unclear. If you’re interested in buying a property in Derbyshire that has no title deeds, it’s important to get expert advice. Contact our team at Bennet Samways on 01335 818550 to find out more.

As a seller in today’s world, there are lots of terms to get to grips with. Gazundering and gazumping are just two of the main ones – both of which can cause big problems. While gazumping mostly affects buyers, gazundering is something that hurts the seller the most and can be extremely frustrating. If you’re wondering what gazundering is, whether it’s illegal and how you can avoid it when selling your home, here’s everything you need to know about the subject. What is Gazundering? Gazundering is when a buyer lowers their offer at the last minute, usually just before you’re about to exchange contracts. It’s completely different to gazumping, which is when a buyer is outbid at the final hour and a seller accepts. But it’s just as big of a problem. Gazundering can lead to delays in the chain, a loss of money and even a fall through in the sale. Is Gazundering Illegal? If the next question you’re asking yourself is ‘Is gazundering even legal?’, unfortunately, yes it’s legal in the UK. The contract for the sale only becomes binding at the point of exchange, so gazundering is allowed by law. But whether it’s ethical is a different matter! Why Does Gazundering Happen? There are many reasons why a buyer could offer a lower price at the last minute. It could be for genuine reasons, like the survey showing costly works or they’ve been gazundered themselves and can no longer afford your home. But it could be for other, less favourable reasons too. Some people gazunder because of a miscalculation in finances, a change of heart, or simply to be sneaky to get a cheaper deal. How to Avoid Gazundering While there’s always a risk of gazundering when selling your home, there are some things you can do to avoid it. Here are Bennet Samways’s top tips on how to avoid gazundering. 1.   Get a Realistic Valuation One of the best ways to avoid gazundering is to make sure you get a realistic valuation in the first place. If you know about issues with your property, be upfront about them with your estate agent. And don’t worry about losing buyers – there’s a market for everything! 2.   Consider Paying For Survey Issues Sometimes, you don’t know about issues with your home until the survey. If problems are uncovered, consider whether you’d be prepared to fund the works fully or partially, by doing it yourself or accepting a lower offer. Either of these things could help keep the buyer on your side. 3.   Choose a Good Estate Agent Choosing a good estate agent is always important. But it could also be the best trick in the book to avoid being gazundered! While an estate agent can’t prevent gazundering entirely, they can help you find a good buyer. They’ll establish how serious a buyer is and won’t pressure anyone into a sale they’re not committed to. Are You Selling Your Home in Derbyshire? If you’re selling your Derbyshire home, make sure you’ve got an expert on your side. Here at Bennet Samways, our friendly team of agents are here to make the sale of your home go smoothly. Give us a call on 01335 818550 or send us an email at stuart@bennetsamways.co.uk for a chat with one of the team.

For sellers in Derbyshire who are moving for the first time in decades, it can be a stressful time. There are many reasons why you may wish to sell your property after you’ve lived in it for countless years. You may wish to move closer to your family, or downsize, for example. However, it can be hard to take the plunge and you may not know how to get started with the process. The expert team here at Bennet Samways have some top tips to point you in the right direction. The Principles Haven’t Changed Although you may find the idea of selling up rather daunting, it’s important to remember that the principles haven’t changed since the last time you moved home. You still need to market and present your home well, ensure it has an appropriate asking price, and get a good conveyancing solicitor and estate agent to work with you. If you visit our website at https://bennetsamways.co.uk, you can find out more information about the rest of the selling process. Cleaning Out Your Home When you live in a house for any length of time, you accumulate a lot of items! It’s important to have your home tidy and clean when prospective purchasers come to view it. Therefore, it makes sense to start getting rid of any items you no longer want or need before listing your home for sale. Here at Bennet Samways, we can give you helpful advice about how to best present your property for sale. Dealing With Your Emotions One element that may surprise you is how emotional your move may be. As you pack away your belongings and clear each room, you’ll find items with sentimental value and need to decide what to do with them. Whenever possible, ask relatives or friends to help you with this process, and schedule some time every day to complete this task so you can overcome your emotions and feelings by the time your moving day comes around. I Haven’t Got A Property To Move To Yet – Should I Consider Selling? You may believe you can’t start the selling process if you haven’t found another home to move to, however that isn’t the case at all. In fact, you could find it easier to secure another property once you’ve already sold your existing home, since sellers may not want to wait for your sale to go through. There is a high demand for property in Derbyshire at the moment, so there’s never been a better time to list your home for sale. Should you make a rapid sale, you’ll still have several months before the transaction is complete during which time you can negotiate the terms under which you’re happy to leave your property. Keen buyers will almost always be prepared to wait. If you’re ready to put your property on the market, or if you’re ready to learn more about the process of selling your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. You can send an email to stuart@bennetsamways.co.uk or give us a call on 01335 818550. We’re looking forward to helping make your move a smooth and stress-free one.

If you’re ready to give your home in Derbyshire a brand-new look, you may be wondering which trends are likely to emerge as top contenders in the months to come. At Bennet Samways we love a trend and we have been doing some research into the top five looks that are going to be hot. Using Sustainable Materials We’re all trying to be more eco-friendly these days, and that’s extending into our home décor too. Bamboo, rattan, linen, and cane are popular materials for interiors right now, but aluminium and cork are going to be the hottest looks of all. Cork’s natural brown shade adds an earthy, grounding feel to any space, and thanks to its rugged appearance, it also adds warmth, cosiness, and texture. Aluminium, on the other hand, is able to be recycled repeatedly, so it’s an extremely environmentally-friendly metal. When paired with cork, aluminium can create a modern, stylish look that’s perfect for your home. Embracing Imperfections Leading on from the sustainable materials trend, there is also set to be a drive towards embracing flaws and imperfections. Preloved materials are often slightly damaged, while items made from natural materials like wood have knots, uneven textures, and shade differences. Choosing items that have these naturally-occurring flaws will be a popular choice, with uniform prints and flawless surfaces being out of favour. Layered Lights After colour, lighting is your home’s second most vital design element, and the latest trend will take the shape of layered lighting. When lighting is layered, the space appears warmer and cosier, and, of course, it also opens up the potential to experiment with different exciting lighting designs. Floor lamps can be used to create linear lines that demarcate separate areas or zones by style and function, while oversized pendants can add drama and style to any space. Meanwhile, illuminated pockets of wall lighting will draw the eye and bring instant softness and shadow to a room. Primary Colours Over the past few years, the world has been through a tough time, so it isn’t surprising that we’re all keen to be playful when it comes to our homes. Having fun has never been more important, and in the world of home décor, bold shades have become more and more prominent. There will be a move towards primary colour pops as accents and accessories around the home. Blue, yellow, and red are three unapologetically loud, high-saturation colours that bring playful charm to any space and energise its occupants. The French Country Feel When it comes to bedrooms, there will be a shift towards a palette that is softer and more neutral, and French country décor is set to be a top feature. Steering clear of bold colours in the bedroom as well as loud prints with colour accents in favour of airy and light shades will help you relax more easily when you retire for the night. If you’re refreshing your home because you’re thinking of selling your property in Derbyshire, call our friendly team at Bennet Samways on 01335 818550. As experts in the local property market, we can help you find the ideal buyer for your current home – and help you find your next one!