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A new move should mean a new start to your bills
When it’s time to switch houses, there’s a lot to get through. However, this fresh start should also be an exciting time for you and perhaps an encouragement to get your financial house in order as well. You can start by re-evaluating how much you spend on electricity, gas, and water because reorganising your bills could not only give you a new start but also save you money. Here’s how.
Contact your energy provider before you move. You’ll want to make sure that your service provider knows when you’ll be leaving your home so that you don’t end up with a bill for the usage after you’ve left. This will also make it easier on the new owners or tenants to set up service in their own names.
Read the meter in your new home. Once you’ve settled into your new home, the first thing you should do is find the electricity and gas meters. This will make sure that you’re not paying for energy that the previous owners used on your next bill. You should also use this as a way to ensure that your energy company is charging for “real” usage as opposed to estimated usage, which could either save you hundreds of pounds or save you the trouble of having to scare up money if you find out that you’ve been underpaying.
Compare electricity prices to find the best tariff. Just because you’ve been with the same company for years or your new landlord has been doing business with a service provider doesn’t mean that it is still the best one for you. Especially at a time where consumers are collectively unsatisfied with the customer service offered by most energy companies, you should look into the advantages of switching service providers. An independent comparison site can help you make the decision.
Consider economy tariffs. The Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs could be a good deal for you if you use most of your electricity at night. They offer a lower rate for energy consumption after midnight, which is ideal for people who work nonstandard shifts or find themselves being productive after the rest of the family has gone to bed. Just make sure to read the fine print, though; economy tariffs often charge a higher standing fee.
Get a water meter. Most homeowners pay for their water through a fixed rate bill, but this isn’t advantageous for you if you live in a smaller home. You should consider getting a water meter that allows you to pay for only the water that you use. The average consumer could save up to £50 using this method of payment, and you could save even more if you make small investments such as low-flow shower heads.
Once you’ve taken these steps, you’ll be better informed about what the real cost of your utility services should be. Also, if you begin to stay in contact with your energy providers regularly, you can avoid the inconvenience of incorrect billing and also rest assured that you are paying exactly what you should.
What to do with all that open space
If you are preparing to move into a new home, think of all that open space as a blank canvas. Now is the perfect time to go for a different decor scheme, and it may even tune you into a knack for design that you never knew you had. Start with these basic style tips, and then head to Achica Living to find out how to get the best decorative items for your new home.
Pull everything together with a unifying element.
It’s nice to have a different look or feel in every room, but you’ll ultimately want your home to look like you planned it instead of just throwing it together. Even if you choose to have different colours of furniture or a different theme in the children’s bedrooms, for instance, you can tie them all together by using shades of paint in the same colour family, installing the same kind of flooring (think tile or carpet) in all the rooms, or accenting them all with the same kind of patterns, such as stripes or floral prints.
Customise your furniture with easily swappable pieces.
Gone are the days when an entire furniture set in the same colour and texture was considered the thing to do. Buying one staple piece, such as a sofa, is a great place to start, but then you can have some fun with adding extras in different prints and styles such as armchairs and end tables. This will allow you to easily (and inexpensively) update the look of your home whenever you want, and it also gives you a chance to play with fun fabrics and patterns such as suede and animal prints.
Make spaces look bigger with visual tricks.
You may have upgraded, but that doesn’t mean that you’re in your dream home. You can make your house look bigger, however, by employing simple eye tricks such as putting a full-length mirror on a wall that will make your space look like it has doubled. You should also be mindful of furniture arrangements so that you don’t create clutter in each room. Remember, sometimes less is more.
Incorporate different kinds of lighting.
Recessed lighting can look modern and fancy, but only if it matches the rest of your decor. To create depth and warmth in each room, consider using several different kinds of lighting, such as recessed lights, pendant lights, and floor lamps. Installing dimmers will give you even more control over the lighting, which can be helpful when trying to set the mood in each room.
Carefully select your accents.
Decorative accents can add the final touches to any home project, but if you don’t practice restraint, you may ruin all of your hard work. Instead of creating a mini jungle of small potted plants, for example, opt for one tall plant that you can use to add a touch of life to a room. And be careful not to cover shelves with knickknacks and books. A few items expertly placed here and there are better for aesthetics and also makes cleaning easier. Once you tap into your design inspiration, you’ll be able to infuse your own personality into your home.
Moving Soon is an online property and lifestyle site, specialised in the Cheshire, Wirral and Liverpool area. Go to http://www.movingsoon.co.uk to list your property today.
Category : Blog &Interviews
Liverpool has been voted the most popular destination in the UK, the second year running by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, and I have to agree! This city has it all in the way of providing you, with an all round cultural explosion in all areas of good living
“For the second year straight the Conde Nast Traveler magazine has named Liverpool as one of the most popular destinations in the United Kingdom. The survey questions some of the world’s most intelligent travelers, who rank the cities on various things in an attempt to decide which is the most popular. Maybe Liverpool wouldn’t be the first city that would pop into your mind, but it should be, as it took home the title of the third most popular city in the United Kingdom. Bath, Manchester, and Oxford all ranked below the blue collar city of Liverpool, which was a shock to some, as these cities are usually mentioned more often when people talk about the United Kingdom. But since 2007, when Liverpool ranked a distance seventh on the list, the city has made an astounding ascent, climbing to third best on the survey, just behind the UK heavyweights of London and Edinburgh. It was no shock that London topped the list once again, nor that it was trailed by Edinburgh in second. What did shock many was that Liverpool was able to hang on to last year’s third place finish, as many expected the city to drop back to its familiar position in the rankings. The Mersey Partnership, which is the tourist association of Liverpool, could not be happier with the news, as the survey seems to confirm what they have been trying to promote for decades, which is that Liverpool is a city worth visiting. The TMP marks the ranking as a significant accomplishment for Liverpool, one they hope continues.”
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Providing a long list of the best restaurants here are ten to start with.
10 best restaurants in Liverpool from the reviews submitted by our members. Unlike other websites offering..Art has always been important to Liverpool as a city, having gifted us with the most famous band in the world its not surprising that this city provides everything in the way of entertainment.
SEA ODYSSEY A story of love, loss and family will be played out on Liverpool’s streets BEATLES 50 Celebrate 50 years of The Beatles with ..VisitliverpoolIf you have never visited Liverpool, book your ticket now – it will be the best ticket you buy!Trains to Liverpool | Virgin TrainsTravel to Liverpool by train and enjoy great shopping, lively nightlife, and unique culture. Find out about the highlights of experiencin…Virgintrains
If you are a resident of Liverpool and the surrounding area, please let us know what you love about your area and email this to fiona@happy4pr.com or post on Moving Soon facebook pages hereBest Wishes!Fiona
While some of us choose to live in the city for the buzz it provides, I feel a place where we can retreat, relax and restore balance, is more important than ever. Here are some tips to create an outside space that your can enjoy this Spring/Summer for alfresco living at its best!
- KETTAL BITTA DAYBED
Beautiful range by architect Rodolfo Dordoni
http://www.kettal.es
For a little inspiration go and visit the new Chelsea Fringe Event starting in May 19, at different venues across London. It will feature a great mixture of horticultural happenings and community celebrations. The idea behind the event is to give people the freedom to express themselves through the medium of plants, gardens and outside interior settings.
- MATEUS CROCKERY
Your alfresco dining would not be complete without this stunning range of dining wares. The mixture of Portuguese culture & Swedish design
works beautifully.
http://www.mateus.se
Space can be an issue at home, but you don’t need a huge amount of area to enjoy the outdoors at home. With a little thought and the the right purchases……..a small courtyard, roof top garden can be ‘greened’ with an added touch of comfort and luxury. There are alot of pieces that have a dual purpose and can be used indoors and outdoors.
- MISSONI CIRCULAR CUSHIONS
Luxury floor cushions, with Missoni leather branding. Easy to carry around & stackable.
http://www.amara.co.uk
If your really struggling for space…..try and build yourself a Terrarium…..a minature garden in your desired glass bowl!
- BUILD A TERRARIUM!
http://www.bcliving.ca/garden/how-to-make-a-terrarium
For advice and tips on how to create your paradise of comfort
Contact Dipika Parmar, owner and founder of Elysian Interiors http://www.elysianlifestyle.com/
Privately selling your home may not be new, but it is certainly a consideration now following the credit crunch. It may be a relatively new concept in the likes of Wirral, Cheshire, Liverpool or other areas of Merseyside, however it’s been around for a while in the USA. According to the National Association of Realtors almost 10% of homes sold in 2011 in the USA were via the for sale by owner (FSBO) route. Don’t forget that this is post credit crunch so it’s still a good portion of the market selling their homes privately.
Privately selling your home could save you thousands
In times of austerity it is becoming clear that the market has begun to grow for my discount retailers. You only have to look at the news over the last few days about Poundstretcher opening a branch in Dubai. They believe there is a market for them in the region and beyond for them to make money. What does this tell you? Well it proves that even those on so-called ‘middle-class’ incomes are shopping in these discount stores, most of the time seeking out the branded goods they would normally buy elsewhere. Simply because they can get what they want at a cheaper price and great value for money. So privately selling your home is a real possibility.
Whilst the credit crunch is now behind us and we are gently exiting recession it’s clear that people understand there are ways they can save money. Privately selling your home is one of them. Yes, there may be a bit more work involved in getting your property advertised and promoting it via this route; however the rewards are clear. It could be a saving of thousands in estate agent fees in commission for selling your home. Or it could be hundreds if by the way of a tenant finders fee if you are looking to rent out your property. Either way there are tremendous savings to be made if you are willing to put in a little effort advertising your own property for sale.
Changing mindsets when it comes to privately selling your home
I’ve mentioned in a previous post that it’s all about the perception of privately selling your home. It may appear to be a daunting task, however once you are aware of what you need to do it needn’t be so. There is no doubt that it may take some of your time to post a property advert. Probably more time preparing your advert with relevant text and photos. The process to upload takes only a matter of minutes. It really is about changing mindsets selling your property privately. A cost-effective property advertising approach is one that should be considered.
Would you consider privately selling your home? What is holding you back from selling your property privately?
Category : Blog &Selling Property
There is a list of things to do when you move house so it’s important to plan ahead, thus moving home checklists are vital. It is widely known as one of the most stressful events in your life. The list of things to do can be endless. This applies whether you are moving home because you’ve outgrown your current house or flat or it’s a home relocation due to a new job.
Planning the things to do when you move house
It’s all about planning, so when you are going through the home moving process it’s important to start your checklist of things to do when you move house. I’ve done it myself both moving from rented accommodation or when buying and selling homes. The lists may differ as you will have different tasks to undertake if you are moving from rented accommodation i.e. you have tasks to complete for your property landlord to ensure you get your deposit back.
I personally found it useful to group my tasks. For example, I had a main task noted about contacting the Utility companies (Gas, Electricity, Water etc.) about change of address. My sub tasks were each of the companies I needed to contact. Different approaches work for different people; however one thing is certain, planning is key!
Home moving tips
It’s probably worth tracking tasks for your home move 12 weeks if you are buying a property. If you are not involved in buying and selling (i.e. moving from parents to rental property) then it is useful to allow 8 weeks. Why does it take so long when buying property? It could be that the home you are buying is part of a property chain. That is those you are buying from are also dependent on someone else moving out before they can vacate their property.
So a few key things to do when you move house are:
1. Prepare a checklist of things you need to do as this will be of huge benefit when you are moving into a new home.
2. Understand the home moving process and what’s involved so there are no un-necessary surprises.
3. When moving house be aware of who you need to inform of your change of address i.e. Utility Companies, Banks, the Council etc.
4. Home moving costs should be known from the outset so they don’t come as a shock.
Decluttering should be one of the things to do when you move house
If you are involved in buying and selling then it’s worthwhile decluttering your home before it is put up for sale. Not only will it make you feel great, but it also could potentially save you money on packaging and removal costs!
So to help reduce the stress in moving a checklist is worth the time and effort. Not only does it list the things to do when you move house, but it can potentially highlight tasks you may have missed.
So what works for you when you are moving house? Do you use a home moving checklist?
Category : Blog &Selling Property
Tenant referencing is an important task to undertake if you are looking to let your property privately. It doesn’t matter if your property to rent is in Cheshire, Wirral, Liverpool, another area of Merseyside or anywhere else in the UK. You still want to know that the property you are renting out is going to be well looked after by tenants.
So what is tenant referencing?
How can you guarantee that you will get the perfect tenants? There is no 100% guarantee, however by undertaking tenant referencing it will help to reduce the risk of having a tenant that could end up costing you thousands either by not paying rent when due or trashing your investment property. So what exactly is tenant referencing? Well, it’s pretty much the same as when you go for a job interview. Most of the time if you get offered a job it will be conditional on getting good references. In short, they want to know you are the right person for the job. So it is the same approach when letting out your house or flat. You want to be sure you are getting someone who is going to keep the property in good order and pay the rent on time.
If you are using an estate agent to rent out your property part of the fee you pay may cover the tenant referencing checks. It will depend on the agency you are using and the agreement you have in place with them. When letting your property privately then the onus is on you to do your own checking. It really depends whether you wish to do the work yourself or alternatively you can get a company to do it for you on your behalf. There are some great deals on tenant referencing so do shop around! You could do it yourself, but it may be worth getting a company to do it on your behalf.
What sort of tenant referencing checks are carried out?
So what sort of tenant referencing checks should be carried out? Potentially they will include address checks on where you have been living previously, credit checks and there may also be some character references either from previous landlords (if they’ve had any) or their employers. If you opt to get this done by a company on your behalf it will very much depend on the level of service you pay for them to do. This should give you piece of mind and a bit more detail on who your proposed new tenant(s) are and if you are happy with the results of the check.
As a property landlord it’s your choice to undertake tenant referencing
As I said earlier in this blog potentially you could choose to do the tenant checks yourself. This could depend on who was going to be renting your property. If it was someone you know or a friend of the family then you may choose to be more lenient on the type of tenant referencing you choose to undertake. As a property landlord it is your choice as to how much checking you choose to do. Obviously it is a bigger risk if you don’t follow this step through and could potentially cost you thousands of pounds. It’s better to be safe than sorry, but in the end the choice is yours to make.
Category : Blog &Letting Property
Decluttering your home should be high on your to do list if you are looking to sell. Not only will it help when you come to move house, but it all ensures you keep your home in a tidy state. This applies whether you live in Cheshire, Wirral, Liverpool, other areas of Merseyside or any part of the UK. It is important you are organised in your approach when decluttering your home.
Decluttering your home gives you the feel good factor
As I have said like many steps in the home moving process it’s all about planning. So you are going to be decluttering your home, what does that mean? It’s generally means having a good sort out! Even if you are not moving soon it’s always a good idea to plan in decluttering tasks. Not only does it free up some space, but it’s a definite feel good factor once it’s done. I always feel better once I’ve got rid of things I don’t use anymore.
Decluttering your home is one of the tasks you will undertake if you decide to use a home staging service. It is important to plan the decluttering tasks you are going to undertake. Once you have decided what to do make sure you have a clear strategy on how this can be achieved. Below are ten useful tips that you can use to declutter your home.
Ten tips when decluttering your home
1. Use one room as the base for all the items you are going to be getting rid of and create separate areas. For example you could have a pile for charity, another corner for stuff to sell and one for rubbish.
2. Make sure you only declutter a room at a time. Depending on your strategy it could be the bedrooms first, followed by the lounge and so on.
3. Sort out your furniture and clothes and add those items to your declutter room where you are going to either give them to charity, sell them or bin them.
4. When decluttering your home make good use of existing storage space that exists in your property.
5. Invest in storage containers or boxes if you don’t have enough.
6. Consider using local home clearance businesses to sell your items of furniture. Alternatively consider selling the furniture yourself by either posting local adverts in shops or using classifieds in local papers or online. Or even add them to somewhere like eBay.
7. Get a shredder and get rid of those old statements or bills and take them off to the tip with all the other rubbish you are throwing out.
8. Identify local charities you would like to donate to. Some may even be able to pick it up.
9. Don’t rush. Make sure you do it right so make sure you plan enough time whether you are decluttering your home or are only tackling one or a few rooms.
10. Use your new-found space effectively and enjoy it!
Decluttering your home should be repeated regularly
Decluttering your home not only prepares you for selling, but it also gives you that feel good factor. It is something you should look to do on a regular basis. This not only helps you manage your space more effectively, but also ensures you are prepared should you consider putting it on the market.
Category : Blog &Selling Property
Selling your home privately could save you money. Given the new tax on the £2m plus homes it means those looking to sell at the high-end of the market may need to consider an alternative approach. They may wish to sell their home without an estate agent if they want to try to save money.
Selling your home privately could save you a serious amount of money
Looking at the £2m plus homes they are now subject to a 7% stamp duty. It wasn’t so long ago, a year in fact, that the Chancellor introduced a new 5% rate on homes selling for over £1m. So this change for homeowners looking to sell their £2m plus pads in Cheshire, Wirral, Liverpool and other areas of Merseyside could cost them at least an extra £40,000. This is still a significant amount of money to consider selling your home privately. Even if we assumed that estate agents fees were say a modest 1% of the sale price, then that equates to at least £20,000 in fees. With the additional £40,000 this would mean at least £60,000 going on the additional tax measure and estate agency fees. Simple maths based on these figures mean a homeowner could save themselves at least a third of this massive sum of money.
Selling your home privately is a real alternative
It really is about changing mindsets selling or letting your property privately. It is important to understand the amount you can save when selling your home privately. Yes there may be a bit more work involved, but taking the example above of a £2m plus home the savings can be quite significant. It really depends how much you want to do yourself. For example, you could choose to add your own photographs or you can choose to pay a professional to show off your home in the best possible light. Likewise you could get engage a professional film company to video your home showing off all the features it has to offer. The circles you mix in may mean you already have a network of contacts who can assist you in this area. It doesn’t matter whether you are selling a home that is £100,000 or one that is £2m plus, you still need to do the appropriate level of marketing to attract potential buyers.
If you choose to use an estate agent they will prepare the necessary marketing material to promote your property. They may also have a database of contacts they will be able to inform of your decision to sell. It’s a different approach when selling your home privately. You will need to add your property details to a private sale property website. They too may also have a database of contacts informing them of your home coming on the market. It doesn’t stop you also spreading the word about your house being for sale. Once you have added your details to an online property website you can copy the link to your details and circulate them yourself. Therefore, your can use your own social network and get them to do some marketing for you as well through their own contacts. Simply spreading the word for you!
You should consider selling your home privately
Nearly 15% of the home sales in the USA are done by selling your home privately. It won’t be long before people in Cheshire, Wirral, Liverpool, other areas of Merseyside or anywhere in the UK for that matter realise that selling your home privately is a real alternative to the traditional approach.
Category : Blog &Selling Property
Home staging sets the scene for property buyers. So what is home staging? Imagine your home being a movie set, well essentially that is what home staging is! Making sure your set (in this case your fixtures and fittings) and props (furniture) are up to scratch. It’s an American term which basically means getting your house in order before putting it on the market.
Home staging when selling your home
Remember, when choosing to sell your property privately or via an estate agent you are in competition with other properties already on the market. So it’s vitally important you have a unique selling point that ensures your home sells before theirs. Home staging can be an art in itself. It’s an important factor when you are looking at selling your home. You know when you have watched a good movie or play you come out and tell your friends, family and colleagues about it. Home staging can also have this effect. So the better the set and props, the more chance you have to sell it!
Prior to selling your property in Cheshire, Wirral or any part of the UK for that matter it is important you are showing your home off in the best light. So you need to consider different elements of home staging. You can do it yourself or choose to get in a professional home staging service to help you out. So let’s take a look at a few ideas that can help with home staging.
Exterior home staging ten useful tips
Exterior home staging is essentially making sure the outside of your house or flat is pleasing on the eye to potential buyers. So here are ten tips if you are on a budget:
1. Ensure any gardens have been tended to.
2. Make sure garden tools to be stored away and not left on show.
3. Fix any loose paving slabs on the pathway.
4. Wash all the windows and doors.
5. Repaint any woodwork if required.
6. If the building has a painted exterior patch up any missing paintwork.
7. Give any passage areas and the driveway a clean.
8. Fill in any cracks.
9. Make sure any outside lights have bulbs in them that work.
10.De-clutter so there aren’t too many ornaments on show.
If you have more money to spending then you may consider jobs such as replacing windows, doors, repaving or putting in a new driveway. These are some of the jobs you can undertake. You get the picture that it’s important to make sure potential buyers are pleased when they first see your property. Don’t forget you are in competition with other sellers.
Interior home staging ten useful tips
Interior home staging is as important as will aim to show the inside of your home in such a way to seal the deal. Here are ten tips you can use to get your home in great condition:
1. Clean the carpets with a heavy-duty hoover (you can hire these) to remove any stains.
2. Paint any rooms to ensure you have a neutral colour scheme.
3. If you have cupboards make sure any clutter is stored away accordingly.
4. If you don’t have cupboards to store your items then consider some shelving.
5. Clean each room so that they are spotless and they smell fresh.
6. Consider giving some of your old items of clothes to charity.
7. Think about selling some of your furniture to de-clutter your home.
8. Make sure all the lights work.
9. Rearrange furniture to give more sense of space in your home.
10.Minimise the amount of personal photographs you have on show.
Again depending on your budget you may choose to do more renovations including a new kitchen or bathroom. The goal is still the same, you want to wow potential buyers.
Home staging is like creating a film set for potential buyers
Home staging is effectively setting the scene of your home for potential buyers. When we look around homes we are thinking of buying we want to imagine what it would be like to live there hence the link to it being a film set. Because essentially that is what it is. Home staging can help give you more chance of selling your home.
Category : Blog &Selling Property
Mother’s Day is fast approaching and it is one day of the year where you can indulge and treat your mum to a day of treats and pampering. Here at Moving Soon, we have some wonderful tips to show you what is on offer in the Cheshire area.
Fabulous Places http://blog.fabulousplaces.co.uk is run by the lovely Debs who has created this brilliant blog to show you what is on offer. Or alternatively if a day trip is on the cards, then this site is perfect! Deb’s has created a little black book of Fabulous places to visit here in Cheshire and Nottinghamshire or the Derbyshire area?
I love this vintage style Knutsford sign available at http://www.houseknutsford.co.uk it looks good in any room of the home, and it is a perfect Mother Day gift.
Cakes cakes and more cakes. Pecks Award Winning Restaurant http://www.pecksrest.co.uk is packed full of lovely treats this weekend, you can order your sunday roast and then partake in the lovely selection of sweets available. Yummy Mummy!
Flowers has to be the best gift of all, it comes with a smile and warms your heart – Cheshire Flowers http://www.cheshireflowers.co.uk deliver locally so just give them a call and your mum will be so happy come Sunday!!!
Have a wonderful Mothers Day Everyone!
Best Wishes!
Category : Articles