A Guide To Selling Your House In A Buyers Market

Obtain an accurate and realistic valuation

In a buyer’s market you should look to obtain an accurate and realistic valuation of your property. Do not be swayed by agents telling you that they can get more for you than it is actually worth. Do your own research, look at similar properties to yours in your area and if they are not selling, price yours lower so it will. Don’t sell yourselves short but take active steps to ensure that if there’s a sale in your area, it is your house that sells.
Jonathan Waters Estate Agents have over 165 years of combined local estate agency experience. With our extensive knowledge of the local market we will ensure that your property is valued and marketed so as to achieve a prompt sale at the correct market value.

Choose your estate agent wisely

When choosing an estate agent, there are lots of things to think about. Many people go on simple gut instinct or recommendation from a friend or colleague, but there are some important and very relevant questions you need to have answered before you can make an informed decision;

What are the estate agent’s opening times?
How long has the agent been actively selling houses in your area?
Does the estate agent have a presence in the high street?
Do they have a good presence on-line?
What other forms of marketing does the agent use?
Do they “qualify” their applicants in terms of their position and mortgage arrangements?
Do they accompany viewings?
Will they organise your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for you?
Will they progress the sale for you and keep you advised of developments along the way?

• Jonathan Waters Estate Agents are open Mon- Fri 09.00 to 18.30, Sat 09.00 to 16.30 and Sun 10.00 to 14.00 and of course 24 hours a day, online.
  We have been actively selling houses since 1992.
  
• We have not 1 but 2 high street offices and one of the most up-to-date and user-friendly websites of any estate agent in the country.
  We will “qualify” our applicants if required, meaning we know their position prior to viewings. Also all offers are checked thoroughly on the sellers behalf prior to being accepted. We will accompany viewings where appropriate or asked to do so, we arrange your EPC and we take great care to progress your sale/purchase, liaising with solicitors and mortgage providers to resolve any issues.

Instruct a solicitor

Having chosen your agent and in readiness for your sale, it’s now time to instruct your solicitor so that he/she is ready to deal with the legalities of sale on your behalf. If possible go with a solicitor who is recommended through a friend or family member, or one that your estate agency refers to you.

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents are happy to recommend a local solicitor to you. Having been in business in the area for nearly 20 years, we have built up good working relationships with many of the areas local solicitors and are happy to make an introduction for you.

Presenting your property for market

In a buyer’s market, this is probably the single most important thing you as a vendor can do, to influence the prompt sale of your home. First impressions count and never more so than when it comes to selling houses. Oftentimes, people will have made their mind up about a house within the first few moments of stepping inside and sometimes, they don’t even get that far.
The presentation of your property is critical to achieving a successful sale at the right price. Your home needs first to look appealing from the roadside - it needs “curb appeal to get people to want to cross the threshold”.

To increase your home’s kerb appeal, simply go outside and take a really good look at the front of your house. Is there anything that immediately jumps out at you and says “I need some attention”?

Maybe the front of your home could do with a lick of paint, maybe the window frames need repainting or the front garden needs tidying, whatever it is, unless it’s a huge job, (which should be reflected in the asking price) take care of it.

At Jonathan Waters we will be happy to give you constructive advice on some of the key areas in which we feel your property could be improved to promote a prompt sale, at the best possible price.

Marketing your property

Marketing your property is all about maximising exposure, ensure your chosen agent has a high street presence and ask about their opening hours. Long opening hours are essential to maximise the viewing opportunities for your property. Establish the level of their on-line presence; do they have their own website that is easily found by the search engines? Type in their name and see what happens.

Are they registered with the major property websites like Rightmove? Insist that they erect a “For Sale” board outside your property; after all, what is the use of your property being on the market, if someone can drive passed your house and not know it? Ask them what other pro-active steps they take towards marketing your property, to the widest possible audience.
Jonathan Waters have a comprehensive marketing programme to help sell your home fast. It includes:

• Displaying your property at our two busy offices – one in Ipswich town centre and one in East Ipswich
  Internet marketing – on our own successful website www.jonathanwaters.co.uk. Also within 48 hours your property will appear on www.rightmove.co.uk, www.propertyfinder.com, www.primelocation.com, www.findanewhome.com, www.findaproperty.com, virginmedia, msn, sky, aol, Yahoo, tiscali, channel4.com, orange, times online, thelondonpaper.com, uknetguide, zoopla, think property, hotproperty, upmystreet, ukpropertyshop, kelkoo, myvillage.com and www.home.co.uk and more! Upgraded Rightmove listings are available to attract serious buyers.
• Subscription to the Evening Star Stop Press facility. We can have your property in the newspaper within 48 hours of instruction.
• Phone calls to registered purchasers. We always have at least 200 potential purchasers registered on our extensive mailing lists.

Viewings

Find out what your chosen estate agents accompanied viewing policy is. If you are a woman on your own, insist that all viewings are accompanied, especially when showing round single men. Accompanied viewings give agents the chance to ask searching questions and find out exactly what people think. They also mean we can use our expertise to help sell your property. Remember, estate agents know what to say and when to say it, but they also know when to shut up and let your house do the talking. Be open to having people look around your home during the evenings and at weekends. A large percentage of viewings are requested at these times.

At Jonathan Waters Estate Agents, we will accompany viewings whenever we are asked to do so.

Offers

Your estate agent should notify you both verbally and in writing, as soon as an offer has been received and if the offer is conditional on a mortgage, or anything else, this should be highlighted from the outset. If mortgage money is to be used, your agent should establish where the finance is coming from and whether it has at least, been agreed in principal.
Once you accept an offer your agent should prepare what’s known as a “memorandum of sale” and write to all parties concerned with details of the proposed transaction. This memorandum of sale will confirm the price agreed and details of any inclusions in the sale. It will confirm the positions of both parties and give an approximate indication of the desired timescales.

Your solicitor then sends out a draft contract to the buyer's solicitor who will carry out preliminary enquiries. At this stage you will be asked to agree on a survey date, the date for exchange of contracts and your completion or moving out date.

Your estate agents work is not done yet, far from it. It is at this stage, when dealing with property sales chains, deposit monies, mortgage offers and the like, that your estate agents really have to start earning their money. A good percentage of sales fall through prior to exchange of contracts, for one reason or another and since an estate agent does not get paid until a house sale reaches completion, it is in their best interests, (and yours) that they work hard to keep things on track. Your estate agent should advise, negotiate and keep you appraised of developments every step of the way.

At Jonathan Waters we pride ourselves on our successful sales record. The vast majority of sales that we put together go through to successful completion. Our success rate is considerably better than the industry average. This is because we have a dedicated team of sales co-ordinators, whose sole job it is to ensure that any issues arising are sorted out as quickly as possible.

Exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts can occur when the following queries and requirements have been met, satisfied, confirmed and agreed;

The buyer’s solicitors will often have queries resulting from their receipt of your solicitors draft contract. This is a good thing as it proves the buyer’s solicitors are doing their job properly. Your solicitor will need to provide satisfactory answers to these “preliminary enquiries” and evidence that you are in possession of “good title”. That is to say that you have the right to sell the property.

If the property is leasehold, there may be some issues thrown up that the buyers solicitor will need further clarification on. Some queries may result from local searches that the buyer’s solicitors conduct. A full list of the fixtures and fittings including any chattels to remain in the house must be drawn up and agreed and the buyer’s solicitor must be in receipt of the buyer’s mortgage offer and deposit monies.

Once these things are all agreed and in place and the contract has been signed by both parties, the deposit is paid, by the buyer's solicitor to your solicitor. Contracts are then exchanged and a completion date is set by mutual agreement.

It is at this point that the sale becomes legal and irreversible without serious financial penalty.
At Jonathan Waters Estate Agency we have a detailed understanding of the conveyancing procedure which enables us to deal effectively and competently with the majority of issues arising.

Completion

Completion occurs on the previously, mutually agreed date and is the day when the remainder of the money, is transferred from your buyer's solicitor’s account to your solicitor's holding account. Your solicitor will then call you to inform you of the transfer of money and inform your estate agent to release the keys to the new owner.

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents will not release the keys of your home without first receiving confirmation from the vendor's solicitors, that completion has taken place.

Estate Agents Ipswich – Contact Jonathan Waters now to sell your Ipswich Property.

Top Tips When Viewing Properties To Buy

Create a checklist

It is a great idea to create a checklist of all the things your new property must have, in order to make it work for you. This will save you a lot of time and shorten your list of possibilities tremendously. If for example, your new property must have a garage or off street parking, you can automatically rule out, all those that haven’t got it. If your new property must be within a certain distance of the town centre or train station, again, you can rule out all of those that don’t qualify. When you’ve narrowed down your list of possibilities, you can then look at your list of things you would like your new property to have and check them off as you go round. This sounds like quite a clinical way of going about finding your next home but is stops the heart from getting in the way of decisions your head has already made.

Do a walk-by

Walk past the house even before arranging to view it internally. You can get a good feel for the area and this will give you the opportunity to check the exterior condition and décor. Walk-by’s are a great idea because they bring everything into sharp focus, things that you may have missed when passing by in a car. A walk-by will help you to decide whether to take your enquiry any further.

Check the exterior condition

You can of course do this on your walk-by but if you’ve made the appointment to view, you’ll get a chance to see it close up. Make sure you check the outside of the property as thoroughly as possible before you walk in and as you leave. Check for loose or missing tiles on the roof, cracked or missing rendering to walls and check the brickwork for signs of damage or erosion. Check around the windows and doors for cracks and review the condition of the window frames and exterior paintwork.

Take someone with you

It’s always a good idea to view a property together with a partner or a friend. Apart from the obvious security risks involved when going alone, it is nice to have someone else there to give you an objective, impartial view, to bounce ideas off and to ask the questions that you may either forget, or are too embarrassed to ask yourself. If your partner or friends are busy, ask the agent to go with you.

Check the cupboards

The cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom and the fitted wardrobes will more often than not be included in the sale, so check that they are in good condition and that the sliders work properly. Vendors should not mind nor should they see you as being nosey or intrusive. You are simply taking a healthy interest in what may well turn out to be your next home.

Check the loft

Take a torch along with you to check the loft. The vendor may not have one that works and there may not be a light or power source up there. A torch will also come in handy when looking at the garden especially in the winter when it gets dark quite early.

Check the water works

Check to see how long it takes for the hot water to warm up and to see if the central heating radiators are working properly. Check for noises in the system that might indicate the need for a system overhaul or replacement.

Ask for receipts and guarantees

If any work has been carried out on the property within the current owners tenure, ask to see any receipts and guarantees they may have. Ask if they have any paperwork from the previous owners.

Check the bills

Ask to see the last few fuel bills and the council tax bill, the owners shouldn’t mind as they should read it as a sign that you are genuinely interested in proceeding with the purchase of their property.

Check the fixtures and fittings

Find out what fixtures and fittings are included in the sale, e.g. carpets, cooker, curtain poles. This is also a chance to find out whether the vendors are prepared to include anything else or perhaps make other items available to you, by separate negotiation.

Check for damp

On your way around the property always be on the lookout for signs of damp. It is fairly easy to spot and usually manifests as a darkening or yellowing of the paintwork in patches or a musty smell from the fabrics.

Befriend the owner

Get the owner of the property on your side. If they like you, they will feel more disposed towards selling their home to you. They will be conscious that they don’t want their beloved home of “x” years to go to someone they don’t like and they won’t want their neighbours to think badly of them after they’ve gone.

Also, if you make friends with them during your initial visit, they are more likely to remember you and will be happier to have you round for a second time. They will be happy for you to bring mum and dad or even a builder if you wish, as these are all positive signs of your real intent to buy.

Homes for Sale in Ipswich – Jonathan Waters Estate Agents can assist you in finding your next home. Contact us today and we will put you on our mailing list.

Present Your Property Well To Sell It Quickly And At The Best Possible Price

In the current market, presentation of your property is key. We can put your property in front of as many applicants as possible and we can encourage them to view, but the presentation of your property, how it looks when people come to view it, is all important to achieving the best possible sale price.

Key to successfully selling your home is to highlight and enhance your property’s best features, its unique selling points. Every property’s got some and more likely than not, they are the ones that sold it to you in the first place. These may be a large kitchen diner that is great for sociable dinner parties, an un-overlooked garden with attractive trees and plants or original features throughout the property that add character and charm. Whatever they are, make sure you show them off as much as possible in the way you present your home.
For example, if it’s got two or three good sized bedrooms, make sure they’re tidy so people can see how big they are. If it’s got parking for several cars, ensure the space is clear so people can see how much room is available. If it’s got a large garden, make sure its tidy, well maintained and free of weeds. During viewings, keep your kitchen and bathroom(s) are as clean and tidy as possible, especially if they’re a little on the small side. Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses so make yours look as good as possible.

In a slow market, it’s all about improving marketability, making the very best of what your home has to offer and ensuring that every good point is highlighted to your potential buyers. If an area of your home has started to look a little tired and could do with a lick of paint to spruce it up then the time and money spent making these small home improvements will be well worth the effort. If a gutter is leaking or a tap dripping, have it repaired. Little jobs like these can put off a buyer when in reality they don't take much to fix.

Pay particular attention to the outside of your home and the view from the road. Often buyers will drive past a property to check it out before arranging a viewing. Make sure your property looks inviting and creates a positive first impression. If paint is peeling from window frames, have them re-painted, make sure your front door is clean and / or newly painted, keep windows sparkling clean and the front garden neat and tidy.

The result of taking the time to present your property well is that it will sell more quickly and for a better price. Well marketed and well presented properties will always attract interest from buyers and following these simple steps, will ensure your property stands out from the competition

Sell your Ipswich Property – contact Jonathan Waters Estate Agents today for your free valuation.

Buying Property Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find my dream home?

There are lots of ways you can search for property for sale.

Rightmove and other property portals are a great source of information and can give you a real insight into what types of property are available, their location and price. Most estate agents list their properties on the main property portals so this will give you a good overview of what is for sale at any given time.

You should also contact your local agents and register your interest with them. Put yourself on their mailing list, make firm connections and get to know them. This helps to get them on side.

Drive round your chosen area to get a real feel for the place, highlight the areas that are of interest to you and make sure your agent knows where they are. If something comes up for sale in that area, you’ll want to know about it so get the agent working for you.

How much time should I spend looking for houses?

You should spend as much time looking around houses as you can. The more houses you look at, the greater an idea you will form of what your dream home should have to offer.

Try to get round to see new listings as quickly as possible. This will accomplish two things; firstly, you may come across your ideal home and because you’re one of the first to see it, you’ll stand more of a chance of getting it and secondly, it will show the estate agent that you are a serious buyer, so when a new property comes to the market that seems to fit your requirements, they will be more likely to contact you.

Once you do find a property you are interested in, arrange a second viewing at a different time and perhaps take someone else with you such as a family member or friend.

Apart from the house purchase price, what other costs will I have to pay when buying a house?

There are a number of additional costs that need to be factored in when buying your new home. Below is a list with approximate figures.

Solicitor’s conveyancing fee

You should allow anything between £50 0 - £1000 + VAT but shop around for the best deals. Here at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents we can recommend good local solicitors if you don't already have one organised.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty is a banded payment. It is payable at different amounts, depending upon the sale value of the home. The bands are listed below:

0% on homes sold at up to £125.000
1% on homes sold at between £125.001 and £250.000
3% on homes sold between £250.001 and £500.000
4% on homes sold at £500.001 and above
Since the 25th of March 2010 first time buyers have been able to secure a two-year temporary stamp duty relief on property up to the value of £250,000. Also longer term, a new 5% threshold for properties above £1m will be introduced. This comes into effect on 6 April 2011.

Mortgage survey fee

This can cost anywhere between £250 and £1,000 depending on the type of survey you have done.

Mortgage lender's arrangement fee

This is only applicable on certain mortgages and your mortgage advisor will be able to tell you in good time, what the situation is with yours.

Buildings and contents insurance

Once you have moved in, building insurance is compulsory for anyone who has a mortgage. This insurance protects the lenders money in the event of the building being damaged

If the sale does not go through, what costs do I have to pay?

Many solicitors and estate agents offer their services on a No Sale No Fee basis. If your purchase falls through prior to exchange of contracts and survey then you will not have to pay anything. If it falls through after survey then you will lose the money paid for the survey. If the sale falls through after exchange of contracts has taken place, this can be very costly as your buyers and sellers will sue for the inconvenience caused. A Home Buyers Expenses Insurance scheme is available to help safeguard against some of your costs if your purchase fails to proceed to legal completion.

How much can I borrow?

Before you start to look for your new home, it is essential that you find out what size mortgage you can get. After all, there's no point searching for the house of your dreams if it's out of your price range. The best thing to do would be to speak to an Independent Financial Advisor or (IFA). IFA’s are not tied to a lender and they provide objective advice of the various mortgage products available. They will find the best deal for you that matches your own personal circumstances. Get a lending agreement in principle and a certificate that confirms the amount. A lot of estate agents will request sight of this and you can use it as a bargaining tool because it will add weight to your offer.

Your borrowing ability is based on the size of your deposit and your salary. Lenders will usually lend up to 3 times your annual salary. If you are buying as a couple, the lending criteria changes and becomes 3 times the 1st income plus the second or, two and a half times the joint income. Do your own research as well, look through newspapers, magazines and the internet, it pays to be informed.

What are the most important questions to ask the seller when buying a property?

You need to know whether the property is freehold or leasehold and if it’s leasehold, how long the lease has to run on it and whether it can be lengthened.

Another key question concerns maintenance charges. Are there any maintenance charges that you would be contracted to pay?

Has the road been adopted by the local council? Is the local council responsible for its upkeep and the upkeep of the drainage system?

Are you allowed to erect business signage and/or hang out your washing? Believe it or not, there are restrictions in place in some parts of the country, forbidding you to do this.

Do any rights of way exist over the land of the house?

Can the current occupiers guarantee full vacant possession upon completion? This is very important, after all, you do not want to move in, only to find you have to share your new home with some existing tenants.

Is the property built on a floodplain? Has it ever flooded or been in danger of flooding?

Make sure these questions are answered to your complete satisfaction prior to moving forward with an offer.

How much should I offer?

As tempting as it might be to try to get a bargain, it would be saddening to lose the property you have set your heart on for the sake of trying to save a few pounds. If you consider the house or flat to be a reasonable price, then offer the full asking price. In doing this you are more likely to secure your dream home. The owners are less likely to want to hold out for more money and you stand less of a chance of someone else coming along to pip you to the post with a higher offer.

When should I sell my house?

If you are reliant on the funds from the sale of your current home to finance, at least in part, the purchase of your new home, then it is absolutely the right thing to do, to sell your home first. It will place you in a much better position if you already have a buyer for your home when you put in an offer on a new home.

We would recommend putting your home up for sale as soon as possible. When you find a buyer, make sure you state in the contract, that you will not move out before you have found a new home. Another advantage of adopting this strategy is that you will know exactly how much money you have available to you, to make your next house purchase.

Any time is a good time to sell and buy property, especially if the mortgage market is stable. It used to be said that the property market was a cyclical thing, prone to slowing in the holiday seasons and whilst it may be true that slightly fewer property sales go through at Christmas time or in high summer, we have over the past few years noticed these seasonal trends levelling out.

Search for properties in Ipswich – search now using the form to your left or click here to join our mailing list.

First Time Buyers – Guide to Buying Your First Home

For first time buyers, now is a great time to take that first step on to the housing ladder. With zero stamp duty payable on first time property purchases under £250,000 and bargains to be had by sellers keen to move quickly, it is possible to save thousands of pounds on the cost of your move.

Here at Jonathan Waters we have put together a guide for first time buyers on the process of buying your first home. If you would like further information, or want to receive updates on our properties for sale in Ipswich, please contact us.

Your step-by-step guide to buying your first home

Step 1: Find a property you like that’s in the right area and within your price bracket. To help narrow down the search, contact Jonathan Waters Estate Agents in Ipswich and register on their mailing list. This will mean that you receive email updates on a regular basis detailing properties for sale in your price range. The helpful sales team will also contact you if something specific to what you are looking for comes on to the market.

Step 2: Search the mortgage market to find a product to suit your circumstances.

Step 3: Find a solicitor you feel comfortable with, this might be your family solicitor or one recommended by a friend. At Jonathan Waters we have very good working relationships with a number of locally based solicitors and are happy to recommend one to you.

Step 4: The mortgage company carries out its valuation or survey of your chosen property. It is your choice how in-depth that survey is but the mortgage company will advise you, taking into account the age and condition of the property.

Step 5: The solicitors acting for the seller (vendor) will contact your solicitors, sending them a draft contract and the title deeds of the property.

Step 6: Your solicitor will carry out local searches and put any resulting queries to the seller's solicitor.

Step 7: When your solicitor is satisfied that the contract is sound you will be invited in to sign contracts and agree a completion date.

Step 8: Contracts are then exchanged and deposit monies handed over.

NB. It is at this point that the sale becomes legally binding and neither party can withdraw without being subject to large penalties.

Step 9: Now is the time to arrange buildings and contents insurance.

Step 10: On completion and moving in day, your solicitor hands over the remaining money and arranges for the keys to your new home to be made available to you. Then you can get settled in and crack open the champagne!

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Sell Your Ipswich Property Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of selling my property?

There are 3 elements that go to make up the cost of selling a home in the UK.

• There is the cost of the EPC or Energy Performance Certificate. You must have at least commissioned an EPC prior to the marketing of your home and Jonathan Waters can organise this for you.
• Your estate agent's commission fee. This is charged at a % of the sale price + vat at the prevailing rate.
• The legal fees for the conveyancing work. These fees will vary from firm to firm and are paid directly to the solicitor.

For more information on the cost to sell your home, please contact us for a free market appraisal.

Will there be any additional marketing costs?

At Jonathan Waters all of the standard marketing expenses such as preparing property particulars and listing your home on property portals are included within our commission fee. This is unlike many other estate agemnt who are now charging up front marketing fees which are payable whether the house is sold or not. With Jonathan Waters Estate Agents the only upfront charge is for the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which costs approximately £75 including VAT. If you complete successfully through Jonathan Waters, they will refund that £75 fee on completion.

Where can I find my title deeds?

The title deeds to a property are the proof of ownership. If your property is mortgaged the title deeds will be held at the bank or building society that you have arranged your mortgage with. If you do not have a mortgage on your property, your deeds should be lodged with your solicitor.

Is it worth redecorating prior to selling my home?

If there is an area of your home that you feel could do with a fresh coat of paint to make it that bit more appealing to buyers we would say go ahead. This may increase the speed at which you sell your Ipswich property. It is not essential however since many buyers will want to redecorate with their own colour schemes. If you do redecorate, we recommend choosing neutral colours that will appeal to the widest number of people.

Will Jonathan Waters estate agents accompany all the viewings on my home?

If you give us a key, we will gladly accompany viewings whilst you are out at work during the working week or on saturdays where at all possible.It may be however that some buyers can’t view your property during our office hours, in which case we may call upon you to show them around during an evening or occasionally at the weekend.

Do I have to be there when you are showing someone around?

No, and in many cases it is preferable that you are not, simply because the viewer feels more comfortable when the owner is not around. Also when there are fewer people in the house it makes your home look bigger.

If I accept an offer for my house, do I have to take it off the market?

This is the usual practise and is often a condition of the offer. It will however depend upon your preference.

Do I have to pay stamp duty?

You only have to pay stamp duty on the house you are buying, not the one you are selling and even then it is only if you are purchasing a property of £125000.00 or more.

When do I have to move out?

You are legally obliged to vacate the property on the day of completion which is agreed between your solicitors and the solicitors acting on behalf of the buyer.

Will I be liable to pay Capital Gains Tax?

If the home you are selling is your main home there will be no Capitol Gains Tax to pay as long as you satisfy certain legal conditions. If it is not your principal residence however, then it is quite likely that Capitol Gains Tax will be payable.

Moving Made Easy - Jonathan Waters Complete Moving Package

Visit Jonathan Waters, your one-stop property shop.

At Jonathan Waters we can provide you with the complete range of property related services all under one roof. We can value, market, advertise and sell your home for you, give you access to mortgage services, recommend solicitors and liaise with them to progress your sale. We can also help you find a removals company. So make your move easy and let our team of professional staff do the work for you.

Value your property

You can request a free market appraisal valuation of your home from one of our highly experienced valuation staff - between us we've been valuing property in the Ipswich area for over 62 years, we therefore have a healthy understanding of local market trends and fluctuations in the area.

Market your property

We take a very personal approach to marketing your property and do so based on our unrivalled knowledge of the property market in your area. We will help you to secure a highly motivated buyer for your home, from our huge database of properly qualified, waiting applicants and ensure the sales process runs smoothly from start to finish.

Our marketing service includes the following:

• We will advise you on the appropriate methods and timing of your house sale and make recommendations regarding the type and area of advertising and photographic presentation, best suited to your type of property.
• We will erect a “for sale” board as this helps to notify the buying public that your home is available for sale.
• In order to correctly price your home for sale, we will undertake a comprehensive appraisal of all competing properties currently being marketed and we will provide an in-depth evaluation of comparable property that has recently been sold in your area.
• Your property will be marketed from our two office locations. Our busy town centre location sees a constant flow of applicants as does our even busier east Ipswich office, on the ring road at the Foxhall Road roundabout.
• When we first receive instructions to market your property, we will immediately place it on our own website at www.jonathanwaters.co.uk. Within 48 hours it will also appear on www.rightmove.co.uk and many other property websites and portals including; propertyfinder, primelocation, findanewhome, findaproperty, virginmedia, msn, sky, aol, yahoo, tiscali, channel4, orange, timesonline, thelondonpaper, uknetguide, zoopla, thinkproperty, hotproperty, upmystreet, ukpropertyshop, kelkoo, myvillage, home, and many more.
• To get more traffic to your part of our website, the part with your home details on it, we can utilise rightmove’s upgraded or premium listings facility. Here, highlighted properties are tagged in a different colour to make them stand out from the crowd.
• We were one of the first agents to introduce floor plans on our particulars and interactive floor plans on our website and this service is available, across the board, regardless of property asking price.
• We subscribe to the evening standards “stop press” advertising facility. This means that we can feature your property within just 48 hours of receiving your instruction to sell.
• We maintain a database of 200+ waiting applicants and keep in regular contact with them so that we can react quickly to any changes in the market place or changes in their position.

Progress your sale

Once we have agreed a sale on your behalf, that’s when our team of dedicated “sales progressors” get to work. It is their job to monitor your sale from start to finish, dealing with any issues that arise and sorting out any problems that may come to light.

Our sales staff have between them, 165 years of local property experience. There are not many problems they haven’t encountered and sorted, there are not many markets they haven’t seen.

Mortgage services

Jonathan Waters' specialist mortgage advisors can provide advice and information to assist you with all of your mortgage needs.

Organise a solicitor and removals firm

We have been selling homes in and around the Ipswich area for many years now and, as a result, have built up good, working relationships with many of the local conveyancing solicitors and removal firms. We are happy to recommend these service to you should you need one.

Interest rates stable in September

Fiona Wilson from the Mortgage Advice Bureau comments on the Bank of England’s decision to retain the Bank Base Rate at half of one percent for the eighteenth consecutive month.

“Few will be surprised to see the Bank Base Rate maintained at 0.5% for yet another month. Although the economic growth rate was recently revised upwards to 1.1%, inflation has just started to fall back so it was no surprise to see the bank retaining their cautious, wait and see approach!

It is expected that some government departments will face significant reductions in their budgets. This will result in job losses and a tightening of belts as individuals’ disposable incomes are squeezed as the planned tax rise kicks in early next year.

Now that the summer holidays are largely consigned to a photographic memory, we have seen a substantial increase in the choice of mortgage products available with lenders. Mortgage product numbers in the first week of September were at a year to date high of more than 4,700 deals, an increase of approximately 1,000 products in a little under two months and also surpassing product numbers available at any point in 2009. This is good news for borrowers as a greater choice means more competitive products for anyone looking to buy or those looking to remortgage.

The price of the average 2 year fixed rate mortgage in September as reported by Moneyfacts is 4.55%, down from almost 5% (4.93%) at the end of 2009 and the average 5 year fixed deal has continued to reduce, now down to 5.56% from more than 6% (6.15%) in December 2009.

As a result of fixed rate deals having reduced in price over several months, it seems their appeal to borrowers has increased with more than 60% of buyers opting to fix.”

Fiona Wilson is from the Mortgage Advice Bureau working with Jonathan Waters Estate Agents, for further information on how the latest base rate decision affects you, please call Fiona Wilson on 01473 721133 or 01473 281188, or via our website

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

A fee of up to 1% of the mortgage amount may be charged depending on individual circumstances. A typical fee is £95.

Sell your home by Christmas and beat the VAT increase!

From the 4th of January 2011, VAT will rise from 17.5% to 20%. The change will significantly affect both a buyer’s and a seller’s costs to move, with increased VAT impacting not only estate agency fees and conveyancing costs, but also potentially the cost of surveys, land registry and search fees. Moving costs too are likely to increase, as are the price of redecoration and furnishing and these increases are not far away.

It takes on average 13 weeks to complete a house move, once a sale has been agreed. So sellers putting their home for sale at the end of August / beginning of September still have time to beat the VAT increase if they act quickly! It is also worth bearing in mind that many companies will not increase their prices immediately following the change in the law, so even if your move does not complete until January or February you may still save money on certain aspects.

The market is still very buoyant so there really is, no better time to sell. And from a buyers viewpoint, if you act quickly, with a bit of luck you could still be in your new home by Christmas.

Contact Jonathan Waters Estate Agents today to sell your Ipswich or Clacton property

Mortgage Interest Rates Still Competitive

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents comment on the recent Bank Base Rate decision:-

“Yet another month has gone by with no change to the Bank Base Rate (BBR). Once again the Bank of England (BOE) have taken the view that the economy is still too fragile to start to raise rates back towards more normal levels.

This is now unlikely to change in the short term with the Governor of the Bank of England recently commenting that he could see rates remain low for the foreseeable future.

This provides further support to the housing and mortgage markets and should help ensure that both borrowers looking to move home and those who want to remortgage, continue to see very competitive mortgage interest rates.

Mortgage product availability remains at close to the highest levels seen this year in spite of the seasonal dip in activity that generally takes place over the summer months, with many high street lenders continuing to review their products to attract borrowers.

Borrower preferences have seen a further move towards fixed rates with 6 out of 10 borrowers choosing fixed rates in July, which is something of a shift from several months ago when variable rates were more popular.

Interest rates are often a topic of conversation and differences of opinion have always existed amongst economists, bankers and politicians in relation to interest rate setting policy. However, interest rates are unlikely to fall any further and those buyers and borrowers that want to move either their home or their mortgage currently have access to some excellent products.

For further information on how the latest base rate decision affects you please call Jonathan Waters Estate Agency in Ipswich on 01473 721133.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

A fee of up to 1% of the mortgage amount may be charged depending on individual circumstances. A typical fee is £95. (or insert fee statement)

Sell your Ipswich Property – contact us now for a free valuation and to discuss your move!

Sell your Clacton Property – contact us now for a free valuation and to discuss your move!

The question everyone will want an answer to!

Fiona Wilson from the Mortgage Advice Bureau comments on The Bank of England’s decision to continue their policy of holding the bank base rate at 0.5% for the 17th consecutive month.

“Now that the new coalition government have put forward their emergency budget and plans to tackle the public deficit, the effect of these proposals will mean less disposable income through rises in direct and indirect taxation for most people. The Monetary Policy Committee may have felt that raising interest rates at this time would potentially stop what is currently very modest growth in the economy.

The last month or so has continued to see lenders trimming their mortgage rates to prospective borrowers with Moneyfacts reporting the average 2 year fixed rate now standing at 4.51%. Recent lending patterns have suggested that borrowers are increasingly opting for fixed rates over variable deals with more people choosing fixed rates in June 2010.

As always the question everyone will want an answer to is - when will interest rates rise? Once again the answer is no-one really knows, from our understanding the opinion currently is that following the announcements concerning public finances and the likely impact that this is going to have on public sector jobs, incomes interest rates are likely to stay lower for longer, but that does not necessarily mean that rates will not start to creep up slowly!”

Fiona Wilson is from the Mortgage Advice Bureau for further information on how the latest base rate decision affects you, please call Jonathan Waters Estate Agents on 01473 721133 or visit www.mortgageadvicebureau.com/jonathanwaters for further information and advice.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

A fee of up to 1% of the mortgage amount may be charged depending on individual circumstances. A typical fee is £95.




MAB 3724

A Reasonable Budget for Property

“A Reasonable Budget for Property”

There have been mixed messages surrounding Tuesday’s budget, with most criticism predictably coming from those now sitting on the opposition benches.

Whilst everyone was expecting tough measures, those announced are unlikely to have a major impact on the recovering property market. The Stamp Duty tax break for first time buyers up to £250,000 remains in place, which is good news. The two main changes concern Capital Gains Tax and VAT.

CGT is rising with immediate effect from 18% for basic rate taxpayers to 28% for higher rate taxpayers. This nevertheless remains well below the 40% it used to be until just three years ago. This is unlikely to affect the majority of homeowners as in the UK, unlike many other countries, we enjoy tax exemption from any appreciation in the value of our principal residence.

However, second home or buy-to-let owners will need to take this new regime into account when deciding whether or not to sell. An important consideration is that any gain is actually added to income for CGT purposes and could well tip a basic rate taxpayer into the higher rate bracket.

The good news is that this change is immediate. Had the chancellor decided to implement this from eg. the next financial year, there would have been a flood of properties entering the market in order to avoid the hike, thereby undermining prices.

VAT is to rise from 17.5% to 20% from January. This 2.5 point rise is again unlikely to affect property prices as it will only apply to certain costs of sale such as removals, solicitor’s fees, and estate agency fees. The actual figures involved are relatively nominal, and are unlikely to prompt people to sell as a direct result. At xxxx agency we’ll be absorbing the difference for all our selling clients for a whole year in any event!


©Copyright 2010 Richard Rawlings except as excluded under licence.

Housing Market Filled With Vigour & Optimism

With the instability and uncertainty of the election period behind us and a stable coalition government now in place, the housing market is filled with a renewed sense of optimism and vigour.

One of the first acts of the new government, and the catalyst for this vitality, was to abolish HIPS. This was a real shot in the arm for the housing market and just what was needed to encourage potential sellers to have a go at selling their property without having to pay out a large upfront fee.

Since then, we have had the emergency budget and are pleased to report that the slight pre-budget lull has turned into a post-budget, post-HIPS, post- election surge of new interest!

This surge is reflected in the fact that our offices, both town centre and East Ipswich are busier than ever and new enquiries are coming in thick and fast over the phone and from our web site.

Property prices are increasing once more so now is the time to get on to the property ladder or to move a few rungs further up it. Vendors can take steps to make the most of their properties to achieve the best prices. These could include de-cluttering, finishing off any annoying jobs and tidying the gardens to increase that all important curb appeal.

Buyers can look to securing some good mortgage deals at the moment as the banks continue to loosen their lending criteria. And remember, if you can get into a strong position, before you make an offer, then there are still deals to be had! Once you have secured a buyer, or if you have no independent sale, then your estate agency can negotiate you a good deal on your new home – saving you money on the purchase of your next property.

All in all, this has been a generally good budget and one designed to bolster the economy in many ways. Stamp duty rates remained the same as they were set to in March 2010, which is good news for first time buyers. VAT is set to increase to 20% in January 2011, so if you are serious about moving, act now, to avoid increase VAT charges on your moving fees.

Sell your Ipswich property – click here to arrange a free valuation.

Be a World Cup Winner with Jonathan Waters Estate Agents!

The World Cup starts today and to mark this exciting event Jonathan Waters Estate Agents are running a fantastic World Cup competition!

For all sellers come onto the market with Jonathan Waters Estate Agents in Ipswich and Clacton, during the World Cup (11th June - 11th July) will be entered into a prize draw to win their house sale totally free of charges!

What's more, all new sellers who list their property for sale during the span of the competition, will receive £250 (inc VAT) of our standard selling fees* and a £25.00 donation will be made by Jonathan Waters Estate Agents to the Genesis Orwell Mencap.

And if England win the World Cup we'll celebrate with you by increasing our offer to £500 (inc VAT) off our standard commission fees!*

To take advantage of this amazing offer, contact us now to arrange your free property valuation!

HIPS – No Longer Needed To market Your Property

From May 21st 2010, homes being marketed for sale will no longer require a Home Information Pack or ‘HIP’. This timely government intervention has been positively received by estate agents and homeowners alike, and should further bolster an already recovering housing market.

HIPs were first introduced between May and December 2007 and since then, anyone looking to sell their home had to pay up to £500 to obtain theirs, prior to marketing their property for sale. The idea behind HIPs was that they would contain useful information about a property and so save time when it came to conveyancing. The packs included local authority searches and a 'green' rating in the form of an Energy Performance Certificate or EPC.

However the main problem with them was, they required a large upfront fee that put some people off attempting to sell their property, where they might have tested the water before. This was not good news in a slower housing market.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents, said of the HIP: 'Few house buyers have paid much attention to these pointless packs.” As a result they quickly became viewed by all concerned, as just another piece of annoying government legislation.

In what has been described as “a hallelujah moment” the new government of the day has seen fit to do away with home information packs. Housing Minister Grant Shapps is quoted as saying, “The new Government wanted to waste no time in cutting away pointless red tape that is strangling the market'.

It is estimated that around £1bn pounds was spent on these packs and that some 2.7 million sellers had to pay for one.

One very useful element of the pack remains: the Energy Performance Certificate which rates the energy efficiency of a property. It is part of European law that an EPC be obtained within 28 days of placing your home on the market. Homeowners who do not have one, face a fixed penalty fine of £200.

The certificates, which are valid for 10 years can be arranged through Jonathan Waters Estate Agents. On instruction, we will order this for you and we will even pay the £75 fee – although certain terms and conditions apply. For more information, please call our Ipswich or Clacton office.

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents - Guide to Ipswich's Villages

Are you moving to Suffolk? Want to find your dream village location near to the town of Ipswich? Read on for our guide to Ipswich’s villages.

Belstead

Not far from Ipswich, in the heart of rural Suffolk, is the village of Belstead. Very well connected via road and rail, it is ideally situated for those requiring ease of access to surrounding larger towns and cities. If it’s the outdoor life you’re after, this location will definately suit. There are plenty of countryside walks around the village as well as nearby nature reserves and expansive open countryside.

Bentley

Close to Dedham Vale and the Shotley Peninsular, in an area made famous by the artist John Constable, lies the village of Bentley. Handily positioned between the A12 and A137, this lovely village location is ideally placed for the commuter, being just 7 miles from Ipswich in Suffolk and 14 from Colchester in Essex. Within the village there is a three and a half mile route which is ideal for dog walkers and countryside lovers and this is often used as a relaxing unwind, providing a break from the stresses and tensions of the working day.

Bramford

Separated from the town of Ipswich by the River Gipping and very much its own village location as a result, Bramford rests peacefully just half a mile from the outskirts of the town, placing it within an easy commute of Ipswich mainline railway. A quiet backwater, the village consists of a church, a primary school a number of convenient shops and a couple of pubs.

Bucklesham

Equidistant of SE Ipswich and Woodbridge sits the lovely village of Bucklesham. Once there, it is difficult to imagine that these two comparatively large towns are just a short drive away. The village benefits from a truly rural setting and the country life is quite literally, on your doorstep. Bucklesham is a wonderfully quiet retreat which is close enough to town not to be too isolated.

Capel St Mary

Six miles to the southwest of Ipswich is the village of Capel St Mary or “Capel” as it is known. With a primary school, a cricket ground, football pitches and tennis courts, there are plenty of activities in the village and a good selection of local shops including a hairdresser’s and a Chinese takeaway. The village also boasts three churches of different denominations, a Manor house and a castle. On the roads, the A12 will take you into London or directly to Ipswich for the mainline railway link to Liverpool Street.

Claydon

A little to the north of Ipswich lies the village of Claydon which is set within some quite lovely gentle countryside, ideal for long walks or cycle rides. The village has 2 pubs, a primary school and a high school with a specialist college attached. The area offers a regular bus service through to the surrounding towns of Ipswich and Stowmarket and the neighbouring village of Bramford. Of particular local interest, is the Church of St Peter, it has been partially restored and has a fine wooden vaulted ceiling.

Holbrook

A lovely rural village on the northern shore of the River Stour, Holbrook is located on the Shotley Peninsula and has been home to the Royal Hospital School since 1933. The village has 2 pubs and is well served by a number of local shops. There is no shortage of schooling within the area, with a primary and secondary school as well as of course, the RHS which takes pupils from ages 11-18 years.

Kesgrave

Kesgrave has grown from its original village status and is now officially recognised as a small town. Conveniently located, half way between Woodbridge and Ipswich, the town offers all the conveniences you’d expect including ample shopping and three primary schools.

Rushmere St Andrew

Rushmere St Andrew is a village to the west of Ipswich surrounded by the wonderful Suffolk countryside. Plenty of walks and cycle rides along some quite country roads and before long you are into the wide open spaces that this area is famed for.

Stutton

Located on the Shotley Peninsular, this lovely Suffolk village boasts two very fine pubs, a primary school and a hair salon. Surrounded by countryside, the village is just a short distance from the Alton Water reservoir which is popular among wind surfers, hobby boat sailors and canoeists.

Westerfield

Close to the northern edge of Ipswich yet separated by a significant stretch of farmland, Westerfield maintains its village identity, having its own railway station on the Ipswich-Lowestoft East Suffolk Line. The village is served by two pubs, one to the north and one to the south and in the centre is the Westerfield village green.

Property for sale in Ipswich are the surrounding villages - click here to search for properties