How to find the best agent to sell your property

Whatever the reason behind your decision, selling your home or rental property is a big undertaking. There are often unforeseen financial and emotional considerations, and in today’s competitive market, it helps to have unbiased, professional advice.

But how do you find the best real estate agent for you?

Shop around – Trying to sell your home by yourself is sheer madness. You need the expertise of a professional. And the numbers don’t lie: homes without representation remain on the market longer and end up selling at a lower price than those with a pro at the helm.

But don’t jump in headfirst. Buyers’ advocate Janne Sutcliffe says vendors should meet with “at least three real estate agents” before selecting one. “Ask each of them the same questions to establish their position on price, fees, what pre-sale improvements are needed, the best way to market the property and the cost of advertising,” she says.

Sutcliffe advises against selecting the agent who provides the highest price estimate: “They might be talking it up to get the listing,” she says. “Instead, pick the agent who calls it as it is.”

read more at: http://www.domain.com.au/news/how-to-find-the-best-person-to-sell-your-property-20161204-gt3y85/

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How to make windows work for energy efficiency

windows

“Glazing is the weak point in the thermal envelope if you’re using standard glass and a standard frame like aluminium.”

Wheeler says a good rule of thumb to follow is to have windows making up no more than 25 per cent of the total floor area of the house, and to place them carefully.

“Once you go beyond that 25 per cent there will be a heat exchange through that house that no amount of insulation in the walls and roof will compensate for,” he says. “You need to look at position, orientation, size and how the windows open. And if you’re going to glaze more than 25 per cent, upgrade your glass.”

Australian Window Association CEO Tracey Gramlick says up to 40 per cent of a home’s heating energy can be lost through windows and up to 87 per cent of its heat gained through them, so it’s well worth investing in energy-efficient windows.

read more at: http://www.domain.com.au/news/how-to-make-windows-work-with-an-energyefficient-house-20161128-gswij5/

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Biggest interior design trends for 2017

Natural tones

“In 2017 we will be seeing more natural tones, which create a rustic yet controlled vibe,” says multi-award-winning Melbourne interior designer David Hicks. “Olive, terracotta, cinnamon and indigo are a few big ones to look out for. Accents of copper and silver will also continue to be big.”

“Colours to look out for are mustard, shades of purple and mauve and variations of green and blue,” says Jessica Bellef, head of styling at Temple & Webster, the online retailer of furniture and homewares. “Indigo is a continued darling of the colour trend world, but we will see the evolution of it in washed finishes and lightweight chambray fabrics, lending a more casual feel to the look.”

Mid-century design

“We will see a move away from contemporary design, with the focus coming back to form and function rather than design for design’s sake,” says Hicks.  “Mid-century will return to favour as a core design influence. This trend will play up the beauty in everyday materials and will be almost brutalist in its aesthetic.”

read more at: http://www.domain.com.au/advice/experts-predict-the-biggest-interior-design-trends-for-2017-20161201-gt0xai/