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Mortgage Allowance Scheme

July 15, 2019 #

As part of our ‘Incentives and Schemes for Homeowners’ series we are going to explain more about the Mortgage Allowance Scheme that some people are eligible for. Like a lot of these grants or schemes, you should check with your local council to check for your eligibility. The Government have some options for those looking to buy a home or hoping to do some renovations. With this particular scheme it can offer low income families an opportunity to get their foot on the property ladder and have a chance to own their own home. In this piece, we will give some advice on the scheme and if you may be eligible for such a scheme. 

The Mortgage Allowance Scheme is designed for social housing tenants and tenant purchasers who are taking out a mortgage to buy or build a private house. The idea is that such a scheme makes the crossover from social housing to a mortgage a much easier process. It helps to free up social housing by helping those living in properties to buy their own property thus giving their current home back to the market (local council). Those who are hoping to buy their own home have the help of an allowance of up to  €11,450 that is paid directly to the lending agency over a 5 year period. This means that your repayments are reduced accordingly for the first five years of a mortgage repayment offering some respite from expensive repayments for a few years. It doesn’t matter if the mortgage is provided from a commercial lending agency or your local authority. The property must be fit for the prospective owners’ needs and also it must meet some minimum standards that will need to be accepted by the local authority. 

The amount paid starts in the first year at a repayment of €3,560  and reducing each year till the final five year payment of €1,270. The second year payment is set at €2,800 with the third being €2,040 and the fourth set at €1,780. Critically, the scheme applies to those living in housing associations for more than one year under the Rental Subsidy Scheme. Those who wish to rescind their tenancy have the option to do so with the scheme by purchasing or building their own home.

To qualify for the scheme prospective homeowners must be borrowing a minimum of €38,092.14 on their mortgage and they must ensure that the amount received through the scheme in any year does not exceed the year’s mortgage repayments. It should be noted that those who are purchasing their home under the Shared Ownership Scheme are not eligible however; that scheme has since being stopped. Applications can be made to your local authority but before you get started you should check out this website for further details or alternatively, call your local authority office. 

For your FREE, no obligation, valuation in the South Wicklow and North Wexford area, call into one of our offices (located in Carnew and Gorey) and chat to any of our expert team or you can contact us online at www.KinsellaEstates.ie. We are happy to facilitate overseas buyers and sellers via Skype or similar, outside of regular office hours.  Alternatively, email me directly on michael@kinsellaestates.ie or telephone: +353 53 94 21718

Making the most out of summertime viewings

June 20, 2019 #
Welcome

Summer is here and what a great time to make the most out of your viewings. When you are selling a property, it is always best to show off your homes assets whether it is the beautiful garden, high spec kitchen or a fully tiled bathroom. In the summer, viewers will have the opportunity to view your home in the evening without it being dark and this works well for creating a narrative and ultimately, selling your home. Here are some tips on making the most out of your summertime viewings:

Understand the position of the sun – It is vital that you know where the sun is positioned your gardens aspect. You can use it to your benefit by positioning the garden furniture in an area that catches the sun. It means prospective buyers will be able to imagine themselves in the home they hope to buy.

Take advantage of the bright evenings – There is nothing better than viewing a home in the summer because potential buyers can see the home in all its glory, in the evening after work. We know more and more people are busy and daytime viewings are hard to come by unless it is a Saturday so with the bright evenings, it makes viewings better. With the longer evenings, prospective buyers tend not to be as tired, as they would be in the winter months, thanks to the brighter days. Don’t underestimate the summertime viewing benefits, as no one wants to view a home in the dark, as it doesn’t show them what the home has to offer. Daylight is so important and with longer evenings this gives more opportunities to view your property and more viewings equals more interest!

Have the garden in top condition – Yes, you may be moving out, but you need to showcase the best of your home. Stay on top of the gardening and ensure the grass is freshly cut and the plants are well-maintained. Don’t forget to keep the windows shiny and clean so when prospective buyers are having a look around, they can see outside in perfect view without smears on the windows. When your garden is in good condition it does give it the ‘wow’ factor so invest in keeping your garden beautiful for the viewing appointments.

Think of the welcoming committee – Homes look better once they are beautifully presented in the summer with clean footpaths, welcoming mats and flowers lined up outside. The evenings give prospective buyers a chance to see what their new community of neighbours may be like and how busy the estate is. If buyers have children, they may want to see what way the estate is for safety reasons or how fast traffic goes in or out of the neighbourhood. At the beginning of summer, you may find a lot of interest from some families for a property as they are planning for the school year ahead. Working around family is a major contributing factor to selling properties.

Light, airy and comfortable – Before viewings, leave the windows open to let air through the house. Light summer infused candles and place potpourri strategically to give viewers the first instance of smell once they enter your home. Keep the fireplace clean and polish to keep dust at bay, that may show up in the sun filled days. Give the floor a good mop and de-clutter quickly before viewings to give your home the best chance to prove itself to be the best choice for prospective buyers!

For your FREE, no obligation, valuation in the South Wicklow and North Wexford area, call into one of our offices (located in Carnew and Gorey) and chat to any of our expert team or you can contact us online at www.KinsellaEstates.ie. We are happy to facilitate overseas buyers and sellers via Skype or similar, outside of regular office hours.  Alternatively, email me directly on michael@kinsellaestates.ie or telephone: +353 53 94 21718

Top Tips for Bringing Summer into your Home

June 12, 2019 #

Kinsella Estates’ Top Tips for Bringing Summer into your Home

 

For your FREE, no obligation, valuation in the South Wicklow and North Wexford area, call into one of our offices (located in Carnew and Gorey) and chat to any of our expert team or you can contact us online at kinsellaestates.ie. We are happy to facilitate overseas buyers and sellers via Skype or similar, outside of regular office hours. Alternatively, email me directly on michael@kinsellaestates.ie or telephone: +353 53 94 21718

Making bathrooms shine for viewings

March 8, 2019 #

 

Okay, now here’s something we don’t talk about too often – bathrooms – yet, the bathroom is one of the places house-hunters will be most interested in seeing. If your bathroom is a few decades old, it may not be particularly impressive, however, there are ways you can bring it to life without it costing a small fortune. A few little upgrades can make all the difference and make prospective buyers see the full potential of the property.

 

Here are a few (hopefully!) helpful tips on making bathrooms shine for viewings:

 

Change the taps

Changing the taps is a quick, easy and cost-effective way to bring a bathroom sink area to life. Taps come in all sorts of shapes and sizes now so you can play around with the look that suits the bathroom best.

 

Paint the bathroom

You may have a fully tiled bathroom and if you do, that is great but don’t forget to paint the ceiling of the bathroom as it will freshen the bathroom up. If you don’t have a fully tiled bathroom there is no need to panic as a fresh bit of paint over the walls will put a spring into the bathrooms step. There is also a cheap option of painting old or tired tiles as well as regrouting them to brighten them up or you could change it altogether…

 

Change the flooring 

If you find that your flooring needs a revamp and you have the budget, then definitely consider changing the flooring with either new tiles or engineered wooden flooring. The engineered wooden flooring is best for bathrooms as it has a plywood base that holds up well against high moisture. Of course, you can always opt for porcelain or ceramic tiles either which depending on the style can range in price. 

 

Scrub the bathroom

This might sound obvious but we are talking DEEP, deep cleaning. This means getting down and cleaning everything in the bathroom including the toilet bowl and bath. The hint of dark marks do not make the best impression so ensure the bathroom surroundings are sparkling. Before viewings do a final check on the space and make sure there is no rubbish or unsightly marks on the bath or sinks.

 

Check the lighting

If your bathroom has an overhead light then it will need to be cleaned too as some get rather dusty and attract a whole manner of species. Make sure the lightbulb is the right wattage and allows viewers to see the bathroom properly.

 

Remove mats and create a sense of space

Again, this comes down to decluttering as no viewer needs to see the huge amounts of shampoo you have. Remove the things that aren’t needed and even if bits and bobs are stored in cupboards, remember that viewers like to snoop so create a sense of space by half filling the shelving and cupboards. Mats were traditionally used in bathrooms but they are messy and a better option is a bamboo wooden mat that sits on the floor perfectly.

 

Add some plants

A bathroom will look brighter with the addition of some plants and natural influences. Reduce the clutter and think minimalist to have a bathroom that is clean and sophisticated. Too much clutter, colours or textures could prove off putting to some prospective buyers.

 

 

For your FREE, no obligation, valuation in the South Wicklow and North Wexford area, call into one of our offices (located in Carnew and Gorey) and chat to any of our expert team or you can contact us online at kinsellaestates.ie. We are happy to facilitate overseas buyers and sellers via Skype or similar, outside of regular office hours.  Alternatively, email me directly on michael@kinsellaestates.ie or telephone: +353 53 94 21718

On-going maintenance of coastal homes

July 27, 2018 #

There are so many benefits to living close to the coast; areas of natural beauty, beaches within walking distance, the fresh salty air and sea breeze to mention a few. However, coastal homeowners know that there is a price to pay for this natural luxury on an on-going basis.  If you live near the coast, features of your home and garden are likely to have a shorter life span, but it will be beautiful and scenic. Coastal homes are exposed to more of nature’s elements, which can cause a few problems. Here are a few ways to get the best out of your coastal home and avoid letting it get worse for wear:

 

Painting                    

As a coastal home doesn’t have as much protection as one in a more urban or inland setting, this leaves them open to constant wear. Homes surrounded by trees and shade reduce this slightly, but a coastal home is located right in the centre of harsh winds and sea air. Doing some regular painting will reduce the chances of your home becoming incredibly tired looking or alternatively, power washing is another good method to get rid of sand, dirt and grime.  There is a special range of paint designed for coastal homes, speak to your painting contractor about this.  It might be worth going premium for the longevity of your home’s exterior.

 

Maintenance

Check seals around windows and doors, especially if your coastal home is an apartment. Penetrating water can damage window and doors seals; the upkeep of them is a lot less costly than them breaking altogether. Check wires and cords all over the house every 6 months or so to ensure they are safe and repair if needed. Inspect bath tubs, showers and sinks too to ensure they are working properly. If they show any sign of deterioration replace them at your earliest convenience. Preventative maintenance is always more cost-effective than neglect and repair.

 

Gardens

For starters, if you have decking it will need to be treated annually to stay healthy and clean. This isn’t too difficult to do with some decking oil/paint to keep it in the best shape possible. The shed/roof needs to be inspected at least once a year too as again, the harsh air can cause damage to structures but getting it early saves a lot of hassle down the line. There will be some plants and flowers unable to live in such a habitat so when buying plants or flowers at your garden centre for advice and design some sheltered areas into your garden design.

 

Sand woes

If your property is right on the beach you may understand how difficult it is to keep the sand out of your home – by the way, know that this is a problem most people are envious of!  Having said that, sand in the home comes with its own problems, including sand in the shower or pipes. You will need to be meticulous in reducing sand in your home. Clean off everything before you enter your home and don’t be afraid to ask others to do so as if there is a huge amount of sand build up it could cause problems in your drains later. Most coastal homes install a tap outside the door or a shower just inside to eliminate this problem.

 

Cleaning

You may not realise this but by leaving your windows open – particularly with sea air – can erode your appliances which can be costly. It is advised that you clean down everything regularly and perhaps, keep windows and doors closed for a few hours during the day. A bit of deep cleaning is required when you have a coastal home but by doing so you are saving yourself money and hassle with potential breakages.

 

On balance, the benefits of living in a coastal home far outweigh the issues outlined above.  Some simple and regular maintenance will help to avoid problems so you and your family can enjoy the best Ireland’s sunny south east has to offer!

 

For your FREE, no obligation, valuation in the South Wicklow and North Wexford area, call into one of our offices (located in Carnew and Gorey) and chat to any of our expert team or you can contact us online at kinsellaestates.ie. We are happy to facilitate overseas buyers and sellers via Skype or similar, outside of regular office hours.  Alternatively, email me directly on michael@kinsellaestates.ie or telephone: +353 53 94 21718

 

How to kit out an investment property

June 21, 2018 #

 

Before you rush out to buy furniture for your investment property, think very carefully about what you need and even if it’s necessary to provide lots of furniture. it’s worth noting that many prospective tenants today are looking for unfurnished accommodation. Lots of properties are now unfurnished and tenants choose to get their own bits – it doesn’t generally impact the rental price if a property is furnished or not. The best rule of thumb is to consider your market, an apartment in the town may need to be furnished as young professionals or students will be hoping to rent with furniture. Students especially won’t want to buy furniture and professionals may be reluctant to do so too. However, for family homes in residential areas they may already have their own furniture so consider your demographic before planning the kit-out of your investment property.

 

When it comes to white goods, there are some items that you will need to supply for tenants such as a washing machine and oven, whereas for additional machines like a dishwasher and tumble-dryer, keep in mind that if whatever you supply needs to be maintained and replaced in time.  Most properties, particularly investment properties are sold with white goods and some  can be purchased with contents included. If so,  keep track of how old the contents are and plan for phased replacement over time.

 

Bedrooms should be furnished with wardrobes, drawers and possibly desks but again this is depending on the situation. You could advertise the property saying partly furnished and once a tenant is established consider what is or isn’t needed.

 

If you are buying new furniture you should make a list, shop around and order as required. Consider the size of the property and what is needed in each room. If it is for a high-end market most professionals or corporate tenants will expect a property to be comfortable, modern and stylish. Consider adding rugs, cushions and curtains to rooms to create an ambiance that is relaxed and trendy. However, be careful of going crazy and be mindful that some things may get damaged or broken. Don’t add an expensive white sofa that it likely to be damaged over a short period of time.

 

If buying beds, consider the bedrooms sizes and whether singles or doubles are appropriate in each room. Place mattress protectors on beds to sustain the lifespan of the mattress and choose beds that are easily moved and cleaned under. Again, consider your potential tenant and who will live in the bedrooms. A family home will need a double bed and the other rooms will probably require single beds especially if they have a baby that will need a cot with space to put it in. Buy a sofa that can have its covers removed and cleaned while pick tables and chairs that are durable and easy to clean. Remember everything should be fire-resistant too and check with retailers if unsure.

 

Think about the durability of additions to the home, items should be hard-wearing and easy to clean. When painting try and keep colours neutral but don’t be afraid to go further than magnolia either. Keep rooms fresh, clean, simple and warm but with an element of flair. The garden too shouldn’t be overlooked, and you need to make it as maintenance-free as possible to avoid messy gardens. Neighbours will not appreciate a garden in their area becoming an eyesore simply because your tenant does not have the time or green-fingered talent to maintain it. If gardening is an issue, consider getting a local service to look after the upkeep. Finally, everything in the property should be in full working order and you should carry out an extensive itinerary list prior to the signing of the lease agreement.  This list will be used for subsequent lettings so keep it up-to-date.

 

If you are considering buying or selling in the South Wicklow and North Wexford areas in 2018, call into one of our offices (located in Carnew and Gorey) and chat to any of our expert team or you can contact us online at kinsellaestates.ie. We are happy to facilitate overseas buyers and sellers via Skype or similar, outside of regular office hours.  Alternatively, email me directly on michael@kinsellaestates.ie or telephone: +353 53 94 21718

Checklist for property sellers

June 2, 2017 #

 

Checklist for Property Sellers

Selling your home (or investment property) can seem overwhelming when you first start thinking about it.  As second-generation estate agents, we genuinely understand that a lot of work goes into researching and actually making the decision to sell before you even consider embarking on the sales process.  So, with that in mind, we wanted to make life a bit easier for prospective sellers by preparing a handy checklist – be sure to add your own and to let us know anything else that ought to be included on this list:

  1. Is selling the right decision for you?

So often, this very important first step gets overlooked as being obvious but for many people, it is not obvious at all.  Irish people tend to move home less often than our UK neighbours (not counting the dreaded student and early career rentals!) so, in our experience, it is something that families think about for a year or perhaps even two years before they actually bring their homes to the market.  And we understand that.  It is a huge decision for people to make for their families, whether their children are young or whether they have left the family home for college or to start their careers elsewhere, the family home is still considered the family home.  The decision is about more than finances and convenience or even suitability, there is an emotional component that makes it difficult to reach a decision. At Kinsella Estates, we get to know our sellers and try our best to understand the emotional elements as well as the practical aspects like whether this is a good time to sell the type and value of property that you own.  We see our job at this stage as providing the right market and financial information so that you, the seller, can make the right personal decision.

  1. Check local property prices via the property price register

Once you have made the decision to sell, it is important to get a sense of local values.  Local properties listings are helpful, as it the national property price register – which is publically accessible.  Please bear in mind that this register can be a few months behind as the conveyancing process usually takes a few months from going sale-agreed to actually closing the contracts and handing over keys so get up-to-date market information from your local agent.

  1. Get valuation and local insights – supply vs. demand

The next step is to get a valuation on your property, at Kinsella Estates, this is a complimentary service we offer to property owners.  This valuation is important, but of more importance, is to find out about local supply and demand levels.  This just one of the ways that local estate agents bring their expertise to the sales  process.  Market valuation is one thing, but you need to know what other properties on the market your home will be competing with.  Also, you need to know what level of demand exists – roughly how many buyers are currently looking for a property, similar to yours, and have the right budget to purchase?  This level of detail will greatly help a seller by setting very realistic expectations of the market and how well the property is likely to sell.

  1. Get your legal documentation in order and instruct your solicitor

Once you are happy with the valuation and ready to kick off the sales process, we always recommend instructing your family solicitor.  Once instructed, your solicitor will ‘take up’ the title deeds and supporting documentation from your bank.  Or, if there is no mortgage on the property, your solicitor will draft the contracts for sale so that they are ready to issue as soon as the property is sale-agreed.  By taking this step early, it eliminates potential delays and gives your solicitor an opportunity to request further documentation from you , for example, receipts of property tax or NPPR tax.

  1. BER

Most homes that have now been bought or sold in the last decade are unlikely to have a Building Energy Rating or BER certificate.  This is a mandatory certificate that every property being sold or leased must have and provide to the buyer or tenant.  At Kinsella Estates, we can organise  that for you quickly and at an inspection time that suits you.

  1. Preparing the property exterior

The next step is to prepare for the marketing photographs and content for your brochures and online listings.  In this increasingly busy  – and digital – age, it is crucial to have great photos (which we appreciate can be difficult in Irish weather, but luckily we work in the sunny south east so we have an advantage!).  If it is possible to spruce up the exterior and give it a paint job then we definitely recommend that, if not, clear away as much as possible and give the front door a fresh coat of paint and perhaps a seasonal planter outside.

  1. Preparing the interior for photos

We talk about preparing for viewings with buyers in another post but for today, it’s all about preparing for photographs.  The golden rule is to maximise light and space and to minimise ‘stuff’ or clutter.  Prospective buyers need to see your home presented in the best possible way and they want to see as many photographs as possible.  Remember, you are unlikely to sell your home to someone who doesn’t view it (with the exception of remote buyers via 3D tours, which we now offer) so the job of the brochure and online listing is to showcase your home to its best so that house-hunters will want to visit.

Kinsella Estates are on-hand to offer helpful and practical advice at every stage of the selling process.  We understand the importance of bringing your home to the market in a way it deserves, and we know how to attract attention from the right buyers to maximise the value and potential of your property.  Talk to us about your individual property and let us help you create the best first impression for your home.

 

For specific queries or to speak with a local property expert about your buying and selling needs in Wexford, Wicklow and surrounding areas, contact Michael, Alan or Eileen Kinsella at kinsellaestates.ie

Email me directly on michael@kinsellaestates.ie or telephone : +353 53 94 21718                 

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