If you have any questions you feel are not covered here and might be useful to our customers, please message us with ‘FAQ Required’ in the heading and we will be happy to add it to the website.
Do I need a Lawyer?
It is a popular myth that you need a lawyer to buy or sell property or anything else for that matter.
In general buying or selling a house is considered to be the largest transaction you will do in life. For that reason people are generally far more comfortable using a solicitor. However, it is not strictly necessary and can be done by anyone if you know the procedures.
Until the new Blockchain system comes into force, you must register with the Land Registry in the UK. Solicitors or qualified conveyancers tend to know the ropes with this and can get it done quickly. However we have processed sales from start to finish in a matter of two days.
If you want Anderson Homes to handle all the paperwork and work to a timescale that suites you and to standards within your comfort zone, you will find our fees extremely reasonable. Please call for details.
If I sell with Anderson Homes how long does it take?
It can be very quick indeed. However that obviously depends on location, condition and pricing. It also depends on whether your buyer is in a chain.
If everything is right and no chain is involved your home can sell very quickly. We can certainly assist with getting everything in place for a fast sale.
If I advertise my home on Anderson Homes website how long does it take to appear?
Absolutely instantly! If you have all your photos and know what you want to say in your advert, you can register aps upload your advert straight away!
We will carry out a few checks along the way but most of it is automated.
If you need advice or assistance with the wording or the photos, or the ad layout, this is something we can also assist with. Do feel free to give us a call if you need further advice or assistance.
When buying a new home, what upgrades should we go for? What holds the most value? Do we upgrade the lot? Pick more square footage in the house? Add an extra bedroom?, etc.
A lot depends on why you are buying the house. Are you buying it mostly as a home or mostly as an investment? There is a difference.
For the most part, upgrades are high-profit items for builders. They aren’t designed to enhance the value of the house, but make you happier with the house you do buy.
If you are looking at your home as an investment, then you buy from the smaller to medium size in the tract and spend only a minimal amount on upgrades. If you are looking at your purchase as a home, then you select upgrades that will enhance your quality of living.
One rule of thumb is to always upgrade the carpet and paint. Another, of course, is to spend on the kitchen and bathroom as this is very often the deciding factor when you decide to sell at a later stage.
As for square footage and number of rooms etc, you should look at the local supply and demand to decide. In London we have so often seen people squeeze extra bedrooms in, only to have the new buyer change a 4 or 5 bed back to a three or even two bed property to improve the quality of life.
Charles would be the best person to advise on this as he has spent a lot of time altering properties for the better. By all means give us a call.
I have to make a choice between an updated home in an older neighborhood or a newer home in a more modern neighborhood. The home in the older neighborhood has almost everything I want and is much larger, but which makes the most sense as an investment?
If your goal is to buy a home for it’s resale value and the one you are thinking of buying in the older neighborhood is at the upper end of values for that neighborhood, then it may not be the wisest choice. If it is similar or lower in price to the others, then there should be no problem, because pricing should be considered in relation to the local neighborhood and not compared to homes in other neighborhoods (for the most part)
Also, is it a neighborhood on the decline, or are others going to be fixing things up, too, so that it is a neighborhood that is improving? If so, it could turn out to be a very good deal as long as you don’t “overpay” because of the recent improvements.
Remember that you also buy a home for it’s value to you as a “home,” and that is something else you should consider. Which neighborhood would you AND your family feel most comfortable in? Sorry to coin the old slightly over used phrase but ….. location, location, location are the three main factors to consider if you are looking mainly for investment
I have a family friend who is a Realtor. I like her and she is a help but she gives me one price to sell my home for and I think it is too low. So I called another agent who suggested a price more in line with my expectations. Who do I choose?
Hi. It looks as though you are in the states but this answer really applies to all countries:
You might want to consult a couple more Agents on the market value of your home. Most of the estimates should be in the same ballpark.
It could be that your friend is being more honest with you about the value of your home and the other Realtor gave you a higher number because he already knew you expected it. This is called “Buying a Listing” and is the subject of an article on our web site. In a nutshell people want as much as they can get for their home and it is a well known tactic to get your business – or ‘Buy Your Listing’.
Or it could simply be that your friend is a good friend, but not that great of a real estate agent.
Mixing business and friendships is always risky to the friendship. On the other hand, if your friend is truly competent and was providing wise advice, she may be offended if you ignore the advice and choose another agent. If you are selling in the UK, our MD Charles Anderson has been buying and selling homes here for 40 years. If you wish sell on our site, I am sure he will get the best possible price for you.
Why should I use an Estate Agent Salesperson?
An Estate Agent (or real estate salesperson) is more than just a “sales person.” They act on your behalf as your agent, providing you with advice and guidance and do a job – helping you buy or sell a home. While it is true they get paid for what they do, so do other professions that provide advice, guidance, and have a service to sell – such as Certified Accountants and Solicitors/Attorneys
The Internet has opened up a world of information that wasn’t previously available to homebuyers and sellers. The data on listings available for sale is almost current – but not quite. There are times when you need the most current information about what has sold or is for sale, and the only way to get that is with an agent who knows the seller or the particular property.
If you’re selling a home, you gain access to the most buyers by being listed in the Multiple Listing Service. In the UK this includes Rightmove, Zoopla etc. Only a member of your local MLS can get you listed there – which then gets you automatically listed on some of the major real estate web sites. If you’re buying or selling a home, the MLS is your agent’s best tool.
However, the role of an agent has changed in the last couple of years. In the past, agents were the only way home buyers and sellers could access information. Now agents are evolving. Because today’s home buyers and sellers are so much better informed than in the past.
The real estate agent is becoming more of a “guide” than a “salesperson” — your personal representative in buying or selling a home.
Anderson Homes is happy to assist you and simplify your journey.
We are looking at buying a Holiday Home in USA. What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?
Most states require real estate sales professionals to be licensed by the state, so that they can control education and experience requirements and have a central authority to resolve consumer problems. The terminology used to identify real estate professionals varies a little from state to state. Brokers are generally required to have more education and experience than real estate salespersons or agents. The person you normally deal with is a real estate agent or salesperson. The salesperson is licensed by the state, but must work for a broker. All listings are placed in the broker’s name, not the salesperson’s. A broker can deal directly with home buyers and sellers, or can have a staff of salespersons or agents working for him or her.