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Selling Your House? 5 Things to Never Say to an Estate Agent

October 17th, 2023 Posted in family finance, Property Investment
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There are a few things you should never say to an estate agent when trying to sell your home. Not because they are unprofessional but for the opposite reason. They have a duty to your sale, but also to your instruction. So, you always need to be pretty careful about any comments.

Selling Your House? 5 Things to Never Say to an Estate Agent - image of man holding a model house

Photo by Kindel Media:

Never Say You Won’t Settle

You should not settle on an offer you believe is unfair, but it isn’t wise to say you will never settle with your estate agent. This can instruct them to leave your home on the market with parameters that don’t work for you. And this can end up costing more time and money. After your house valuation, you need a price that fairly reflects your property, yet one that also helps a buyer decide. And in a buyer’s market, you may have to take a hit on some offers on your home.

Never Say You’re Not Interested in Low Offers

In a similar way to the point above, it isn’t wise to tell your agent you won’t accept low offers. It can take a while to sell your home, and the expectations of buyers and what they are willing to offer can vary based on supply and demand. What you consider a low offer after a while can, in fact, be a good one. Yet it can seem low compared to your home’s assessment from a few months before. It may come to the point where you have to accept an offer before it’s too low.

Never Say to an Estate Agent, “Don’t Show My Home.”

One of the most effective ways to sell your home is to allow potential buyers to see it. Of course, this means opening up your home to strangers. But estate agents are professionals at doing this and know what they are doing. Yet if you don’t allow them to show people around the home they are interested in buying, the average time to sell, between 4 and 6 months, will probably take much longer. The fact is that people like to see (and get a feel for) a home they are buying.

Never Say You Can Take Your Time

Supply and demand are mentioned above, and you need to understand the basics of this when it comes to home sales. The longer something is on sale, like a home, the bigger the chance of supply outstripping demand. When this happens, your home will become less valuable, and therefore, you have a lower chance of getting your asking price. If you tell an estate agent you have time, then they will place less priority on your home sale and reduce the possible value.

Never Disclose Personal Reasons for a Sale

Selling your home can be a game of give and take, and negotiation is part of that game. But if you inform your agent about personal reasons for selling the property, especially if time is a factor, they are legally obliged to disclose this if asked. But you aren’t. If a potential buyer knows you are in a desperate situation, they can use it against you to try to take advantage by offering a price well under what you are asking. And this can force you to accept an unfair property offer.

Summary

There are some things to never say to an estate agent, such as that you won’t settle. You should also never instruct them not to show your home because buyers are more likely to make an offer if they can see it. And never disclose personal reasons that can be taken advantage of.

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Why Regular Maintenance is Key to Aerial Installation Longevity

September 12th, 2023 Posted in Money Tips, Property Investment
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Aerial installation is an essential component of any home entertainment system. It allows us to access a wide range of television channels and ensures a clear and uninterrupted viewing experience. However, like any other technology, aerial installations require regular maintenance to ensure their longevity and optimal performance. In this article, we will explore why regular maintenance is key to aerial installation longevity and how it can help us avoid costly repairs and replacements in the future.

Why Regular Maintenance is Key to Aerial Installation Longevity

Importance of Regular Maintenance

1. Ensures Signal Strength and Quality

Regular maintenance of your aerial installation helps to maintain the signal strength and quality of your television reception. Over time, aerials can become misaligned or suffer from wear and tear due to exposure to the elements. By checking and adjusting the alignment of your aerial periodically, you can ensure that it is pointing in the right direction to receive the strongest signal possible. This will result in a clearer and more reliable television viewing experience.

2. Prevents Damage from Environmental Factors

Aerial installations are exposed to various environmental factors such as wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. These factors can cause damage to the aerial and its components, leading to a decrease in performance or even complete failure. Regular maintenance allows you to inspect the aerial for any signs of damage, such as loose connections, rust, or physical wear. By addressing these issues early on, you can prevent further damage and extend the lifespan of your aerial installation.

3. Identifies and Resolves Technical Issues

Regular maintenance provides an opportunity to identify and resolve any technical issues with your aerial installation. This can include problems with the cabling, connectors, or amplifier. By inspecting these components regularly, you can identify any issues before they escalate into major problems. This proactive approach can save you from costly repairs or replacements in the future.

4. Extends the Lifespan of Your Aerial Installation

By conducting regular maintenance, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your aerial installation. A well-maintained aerial is less likely to suffer from major issues or failures, allowing it to function optimally for a longer period. This means that you can enjoy uninterrupted television viewing without the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

Maintenance Tips for Aerial Installations

1. Visual Inspection

Perform a visual inspection of your aerial installation regularly. Look for any signs of damage, such as loose connections, rust, or physical wear. If you notice any issues, address them promptly to prevent further damage.

2. Check Alignment

Check the alignment of your aerial periodically. Ensure that it is pointing in the correct direction to receive the strongest signal. If necessary, adjust the alignment to optimize signal strength and quality.

3. Clean the Aerial

Clean the aerial regularly to remove any dirt, debris, or bird droppings that may accumulate on its surface. Use a soft cloth or brush to gently clean the aerial, taking care not to damage any delicate components.

4. Check Cabling and Connectors

Inspect the cabling and connectors of your aerial installation for any signs of wear or damage. Ensure that all connections are secure and free from corrosion. Replace any damaged cables or connectors to maintain optimal performance.

5. Consider Professional Maintenance

If you are unsure about conducting maintenance yourself or if you notice any significant issues with your aerial installation, consider hiring a professional. A qualified aerial engineer can conduct a thorough inspection, identify any problems, and provide the necessary repairs or replacements.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity of your aerial installation. By conducting routine inspections, checking alignment, cleaning the aerial, and addressing any technical issues promptly, you can extend the lifespan of your aerial and enjoy uninterrupted television viewing. 

Remember, prevention is always better than cure, and investing time and effort in regular maintenance can save you from costly repairs or replacements in the future. So, make it a habit to maintain your aerial installation regularly and reap the benefits of a reliable and long-lasting home entertainment system.

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4 Ways To Recover From A Financial Setback

September 11th, 2023 Posted in Money Tips
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Your finances are an important part of your life and your family’s life. Ideally, you want to do a good job of managing your finances. However, the reality is that life happens and sometimes there are obstacles you will need to face.

You must stay strong and keep a positive mindset when your finances get messy. Focus on what you can be doing better instead of the problem. Here you can learn four ways to recover from a financial setback.

recover from a financial setback. man counting notes image

Photo by Karolina Grabowska:

  1. Identify What Went Wrong

Your first step should be to identify what went wrong with your personal finances and review any devastating experiences that arose for you. This way you can better learn from your mistakes and improve in the future. For example, maybe you lost your job or maybe it’s that you were living outside of your means. Once you know what the issue is you can begin working on fixing it. Remind yourself that you’re not alone and that many couples experience setbacks with their finances along the way. Now is a good time to set new goals for yourself and figure out a new and brighter path for yourself.

  1. Find Ways to Reduce & Manage Stress

Managing your finances can be stressful. It is also stressful when you have a financial setback, especially if it is unexpected. You may be feeling more anxious than usual these days. One idea is to reach out to a clinical psychologist so you have someone who you can talk to about your money problems and feelings. They will listen and can offer up some ways for how you can get out of your situation and do better. It’ll be good to have someone who you can talk to and bounce ideas off of so you’re not bottling up all of your different emotions. Also, make sure you take good care of yourself by practicing self-care at a time like this. 

  1. Start Saving More Money

Another way to recover from a financial setback is to take a look at your spending. Create and follow a strict budget going forward. Now is also a good time to start saving up as much money as possible. You will want to have an emergency fund that you can turn to in the future if necessary. It may require that you set up an automatic savings plan so your money goes right into this account and you aren’t tempted to use or spend it. Get on the same page with your partner as well so you are both working toward this common goal.

  1. Get Professional Help & Advice

There are also professional financial services out there that you can turn to at a time like this. Recover from a financial setback by reaching out to a financial advisor and getting a professional opinion. They might have new ways of looking at the problem and advice you can apply in your life to help you get back on your feet. They might also have new ways of looking at your situation and can offer you a plan of action for going forward so you can get back on the right track.

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Smart Ways To Save Your Business Money

September 1st, 2023 Posted in Business, Money Tips
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The cost of living has been steadily rising and businesses have been feeling the pinch too. Saving money in business has many advantages, not least of them being able to invest the saved money back into the business. The more money a business has, the better the chance of future growth.

Fortunately, there are many ways to save money in business that exist now where they didn’t a decade ago. Take advancing technology, for instance. Technology can help businesses to save time and money in many different ways. Take a look at the smartest ways to save your business money today.

Smart Ways To Save Your Business Money - business laptop and signature image

Image by aymane jdidi from Pixabay

Hybrid Working

Many people are looking for hybrid or remote working positions now. After COVID-19 forced many people to work from home, the whole landscape of business and how or where employees work has completely changed. Allowing employees to work remotely or have a hybrid role, saves on the office space needed.

Businesses have found that they’ve been able to downscale when it comes to office space and save money on property spending. 

Software Solutions

Technology has advanced rapidly in the last few years and with it has come software solutions that present answers to many business problems. For example, private equity software from Ontra.ai allows legal firms to operate at their most efficient by providing services like contract automation. Most businesses have mundane tasks that can be outsourced to software solutions.

Passing on these time consuming tasks can free up employees time to concentrate on more complicated matters within the business.

Analyze Customer Data

The better you know your customers, the less guess work you’ll need to do. If you can narrow down your target audience and create a customer profile using the data analyzed from digital marketing, you’ll know exactly how to catch your fish. Many businesses make the mistake of marketing to a wider audience just in case they miss out on a few sales.

This takes time and costs money. Money that is often wasted. Investing in learning about your customers and what they want from you is a great way to hit the bullseye every time.

Improve Productivity

The higher productivity levels are, the more money your business makes. When productivity levels slide, it can cost your business more money because you’re paying more man hours. The best way to boost productivity is to boost morale.

As a business owner, you’ll need to lead by example and know how to boost morale when it’s needed. It could simply be giving a pep talk and thanking your employees for their hard work or offering an incentive to employees who increase their productivity levels.

Word of Mouth

Never underestimate the power of word of mouth. If you can increase the number of customers who are advertising your business by word of mouth, you can decrease the amount your business is spending on advertising. Refer a friend programs are ideal for those wanting to share your products to receive a reward.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, take a look at the others.

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Don’t Give Up On Your Personal Finances Just Yet

July 25th, 2023 Posted in financial education, Money Tips
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We have heard from a lot of people in the past that they are tempted to just give up with their personal finances altogether, and do whatever they want. Sometimes people get into a state where they are no longer able to effectively manage their finances for whatever reason, and this gets them down. The problem here is that it is then tempting to say that you are done putting the effort in, which will cause you more issues going forward. Instead, you need to stick with it, and not give up.

Don't Give Up On Your Personal Finances Just Yet - coin in money box image

Work On Boosting Your Income Where Possible

One of the things that we suggest is that you start working on boosting your income where possible. This might mean that you want to work more shifts and hours if you can, or it might mean that you want to get a second job to go alongside your first. If this doesn’t really appeal to you, then perhaps a side hustle would be a better idea for you as you can do this as and when you have the time.

Investing is also an option that you should consider, but you need some spare money to get this started. Boosting your income where possible helps you get out of financial holes that you get yourself into, but it’s not going to happen on its own.

Work Your Way Out Of Debt First

It’s also important that you are working your way out of debt before you give up. We do understand that one of the common reasons why people feel like they want to give up is because they haven’t gotten their debts sorted in the time that they have had them, and this can be extremely frustrating. The thing is that there is always hope for as long as you are willing to put the effort in here, and make payment plans to work towards being debt free.

If you approach your creditors with an offer of what you can afford, and you stick to this, you will be out of debt before you know it.

Don't Give Up On Your Personal Finances Just Yet - coaching session personal finance

Seek Professional Advice Where It’s Needed

here are going to be times where professional advice is needed, and you shouldn’t be worried about being judged or anything about this. There are companies and independent contractors out there who have helped many people, probably a lot who have been in far worse positions than you are in right now. Even with professional advice it isn’t going to be easy to reach your financial goals, but it might give you the motivation that you need not to give up.

Hopefully you have now got a better idea of why you shouldn’t be giving up on your personal finances just yet, and some of the things that you can do to try to get them back in order. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing situation here, it can simply be you doing your best as you go along.

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