In most cases, purchasing real estate properties represents one of the most expensive transactions done by a person and, when involved in this, it is necessary to verify all the aspects of the respective property as some sellers can engage in various frauds, from minor matters (such as not disclosing different flaws of the property) to selling properties that do not exist or which they do not own. Thus, as a buyer, it is compulsory to verify the property’s title report, which provides a clear image of the respective real estate. At the same time, the buyer should also examine the property as some sellers will typically not disclose small problems the property has; in this sense, it is recommended to do the due diligence procedures. Real estate frauds are not done only by the sellers, the real estate brokers can also engage in various forms of frauds in order to gain money out of the respective transaction. Thus, one of the most common ways through which real estate agents scam the clients is by adding non-existing fees to the respective transactions, especially when the buyer is not fully aware on all the types of taxes and fees applicable to the sale procedure. When engaging in purchasing a real estate property, in order to avoid any fraud, it is recommended to receive legal assistance from persons with experience in this field and who can assess the legal situation of the purchase process as, for example, in certain cases, the real estate agent can mislead the possible buyer by not disclosing relevant matters related to the property’s documents. Thus, one of the most efficient ways to avoid real estate frauds is by observing the legal procedures available in a given jurisdiction, the taxes and fees applicable by the law, the rights and obligations of all the parties included in the transaction. With the rise of the internet, real estate properties available for sale can now be advertised online and numerous persons have become the victims of various scams; regardless of how a person finds an attractive real estate offer, it is absolutely necessary to meet the owner and see the property, prior to signing any documents. Sellers can also request a higher price than the market valuation price and this can be done by providing fake documents stating that the property’s assets value more than they actually do, this being a common real estate scam.

Moving is often described as one of the most stressful things you can do in life, especially if you have come to be settled in one place and have picked up a lot of possessions without realising. These must all be gotten rid of or moved. Below are some of the best ways to take the stress out of moving. Go minimalist while you sort your possessions It is easy when moving to be intimidated and to just jump right in and try getting everything packed up room by room without a plan beyond, for example, “kitchen, bathroom, bedroom”. However, if you go down this route then it is likely that after one day’s packing you will find that you have half the house still to do the next day but no cutlery, cooking equipment or toothbrush! To avoid being short of the essentials, plan a minimalist survival kit for a couple of days, of the kind you might take on a camping trip: toiletries bag, plate, cup and fork, phone, phone charger and headphones. This is just an example list, but consider what you can go without. If you are happy to order takeaway or a delivery service that means you can pack away all crockery and your microwave. If you need tea or coffee to get through the day, you can either keep your kettle out through the packing process and pack it last, or hold off and get coffee later in the day made somewhere else. If you are travelling to another country you should get rid of any unnecessary belongings since long distance moving companies are more expensive than local ones for transport space. See what you can live without Moving house will always take work, but you can make it a chance to declutter and make your new home a tidier place. Once you have your necessities sorted for the sorting and packing process, go through your house room by room, starting by the place you go least often and think carefully about how much you use each of its contents. If for example you bought an exercise bike that does not get much use, you may want to think about whether your new house puts you at a distance to cycle to the shops, or even to work. Selling and giving away old possessions is easier than ever in this day and age as you can give things of decent quality away to either charity shops or online sharing services. If you find it hard to get rid of something try picturing where in your new home it would conveniently go. If it is hard to imagine this can be a sign the item should go. If you start in the room you visit least you will likely get into the mindset of shedding things as you go through the house and come to items you have more of a sentimental attachment to but do not use. Find the best, most efficient movers in your area When you are ready to move, with the things you need and want, don’t leave the move up to chance. Use a comparison site such as compare the man and van to ensure you get trusted and reliable movers who handle your belongings with care. These services can also give you a clearer idea of the average prices of movers in your area, so you can spot a good deal.

For almost every purchase in life, cheaper is not necessarily better value. Yet, when it comes to homes, buyers often deceive themselves into thinking that, if there are similar sized homes in the same location, then the lowest priced home is better value. This is not true and potentially an expensive mistake. Value is not cheaper. Value is spending wiser and investing in the future. Economists judge value on three criteria: efficiency, effectiveness and economy, whilst investment is about future returns. Taking these in turn: Efficiency: Is your new home the best design for you and your lifestyle? How far is it to work, shops or schools? Is the public transport good enough? Can I get to see my friends and family as easily as I would like? Are the bedrooms big enough for a decent sized wardrobe? Effectiveness: Does the kitchen/living space create a family hub? Where will the children do their homework? Do I have a utility area? Where is the visitor parking? Do I have a useable private garden with patio? Do I have a good-sized balcony or terrace in my apartment? Economy: Are the kitchen appliances up to expectations? Do I have fast broadband? Do I have a well-specified home with quality doors, furniture and fittings? Investment: Am I part of a much larger development where my home has little individuality? Will my new home hold its premium because I am in a good area with few new homes? Is the quality of my home including fittings, sufficiently good to ensure that it will present well when I sell? On many larger developments, you are probably paying for a house type that has been repeated many times and similar to homes on other developments built in the area. And, as every small compromise adds up, the positive advantage of ‘cheaper’ is outweighed by the negative impact of the home’s imperfections. It may not be good value and will certainly not be a wise investment. If you want real value, you have to look beyond price. At Troy Homes, the directors are involved from the outset to ensure the homes are designed with the customer in mind. Invariably their homes are bespoke, to ensure they fit the location and market. Even as the site is built, they may need to make changes to improve the home. They invest all their own personal knowledge and drive for excellence in every home. And this is reflected in the Troy Home you buy – every detail has value with the focus on exceeding customer expectations. When you search for property online, your criteria will be limited to location, price, size, new/old, etc. These are all important, but they are one dimensional. Such a yes/no, black and white search needs a holistic approach – is this the best home for me for now and in the future? What will my home be worth when I sell? Will it be unique and desirable? If you can positively answer these questions you would have bought a value-for-money home. By Richard Werth, CEO of Troy Homes