SUPPLEMENT
Decking ex 32x125mm
£1.50 per
linear metre plus vat Contract solid oak flooring from £22 per m2 plus vat
HUDDERSFIELDS MOST EXTENSIVE JOINERY CENTRE 6x6 professional lap fence panel at
£16.99
plus VAT each
Jeldwen smoothfold fully finished external engineered oak bi-folding doors from
£1160.86 plus VAT
Engineered oak Palermo internal doors from £99 plus vat Engineered oak Suffolk internal doors from £89 plus vat
COMING SOON!
Q-grip Anti-slip decking is coming soon Great Northern Street, Huddersfield • 01484 428321 Free Local Delivery Open: Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.00pm • Sat 8.00am-1.00pm
Find a home in EXAMINER Property - or to sell your house ring Katy Whiting on 01484 441002
New home: Now is the ideal time to consider selling your property
• Free Market Appraisals - Sales & Rentals • No Sale - No Fee • Local Agent - National Network Part of the UK’s largest Estate Agency and Lettings group
44 John William Street, Huddersfield
www.bairstoweves.co.uk
huddersfield@bairstow eves.co.uk
01484 513777
Buying or selling? We can advise on all matters
DYNAMIC CONTEMPORARY UNDERSTANDING EXPERIENCED
For your FREE valuation contact your local branch, available until 8.30pm weekdays
8 Cross Church Street, Huddersfield. Tel: 01484 411060 www.ryder-dutton.co.uk
Also at Holmfirth • Halifax • Oldham • Rochdale • Chadderton • Ashton-u-lyme • Mossley • Glossop • Uppermill • Shaw • Heywood • Middleton
WE BUY BY THE MILE, YOU SAVE BY THE YARD
Est 1968
Stockists of: Amtico, Quickstep, Axminster, Rhino Floor, Brintons, Cormar & all leading manufacturers
581-585 Wakefield Road, Waterloo (Main A642) • Tel: 420827/300078 www.ppmarroncarpets.co.uk • enquiries@ppmarroncarpets.co.uk
FREE MEASURIN G AND ESTIMATING Fitting undertaken by our own highly skilled crafts men Over 40 years family run business offering service seco nd to none
OPEN 6 DAYS
Give your home a fresh new look for 2010 2009 with our pattern imprinted concrete.
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Quality Blinds & Curtains from Swift 10% OFF BLACKOUT BLINDS Trading since 1969 - Our Experience is your guarantee
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Sell your House with Holroyd & Co Call us NOW on 01484 645464 and ask to Speak to Carol for Sales or Marcus for Lettings
Everything you need to sell your home • Look No Further For Your One Stop Shop • Unique to Huddersfield Estate Agent and Solicitors • Expert in House Conveyancing
• Professional Sales and Letting Agent • Free Realistic Property Valuations • Friendly Approachable Staff
FABULOUS KITCHEN SHOWROOM Contemporary & traditional styles to suit all tastes Vast range of appliances, worktops & handles Excellent value for money Design & plan service Knowledgeable staff available to assist 7 days a week Naylor Myers, Wakefield Road, Weekdays 7am-5pm, Saturday 7am-4pm, Sunday 10am-4pm Brighouse, HD6 1QE
01484 712531
Please call in and feel free to browse, there’s lots to see!
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Here to help you get moving Ramsdens Solicitors
Whether you’re buying, selling, transferring, gifting or refinancing a property, or if you need a home information pack (HIP) call our team for supportive professional advice.
• www.ramsdens.co.uk • info@ramsdens.co.uk • 01484 821 500
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Get basics right for sale
Y
OU'LL be getting plenty of tips and advice flying at you now you've decided to sell. From friends and family offering conflicting information on whether to opt for the homely lived-in look or the modern contemporary option, it can all be a bit confusing. So we caught up with Paul Keighley, a partner with Huddersfield’s Bramleys estate agents, to get advice from someone who makes a living out of selling homes. Paul is pictured above. “I've seen a lot of surprises over the years,’’ said Paul. “Some people will just sit on the sofa watching TV and eating their tea, and tell me to just take a look around when I'm valuing, which makes me think this is how they will be with viewers - and that's not the way to sell your home!’’ He adds: “There's quite a few basic things people can do. It's all obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people don't even do those things.’’ Although Paul is an animal lover and dog owner, he says: “Firstly, keep pets out of the way. Over-friendly dogs can be off-putting and distract the viewer from seeing the house properly. It can sometimes make you feel on your guard, especially if the dogs are jumping all over you. You need your potential buyer to feel relaxed - offer them a cup of tea, and it'll make your viewing go a little smoother if you haven't got pets to think about too.’’ Paul continued: “It has been said many times, but de-clutter as much as you can. I know it's easier said than done, especially if you have 10 years worth of belongings that have built up, but it's really worth trying to find somewhere to store things. “Maybe a friend with a garage, or someone with a spare room that you know isn't used, can help. It can be hard to de-clutter if you've lived there a long time
and you're busy, but it's important and it's the easiest way to make a big difference to your property.’’ Talking about home improvements, Paul said: "I would recommend limiting any big expense to your property, and don't try to anticipate what the surveyor will find - you might replace or repair something that they wouldn't mention, but then have to repair even more when the surveyor does come round. “I'd say stick to cosmetic things, and make good any decor. If you have bits of chipped paint, touch them up, or if you have big bold colours I'd recommend toning them down to a more neutral shade. “If you have any faulty/broken taps, now's the time to repair them - all the little things soon add up. Plus make sure you have working light bulbs in all the fittings, and have them all turned on when viewers visit - don't opt for atmospheric lighting, people want to see what they're buying.’’ Another tip from Paul is to make sure your TV is turned off, or at least turned down when viewers care coming around another distraction. He added: “Make sure newspapers and letters are cleared away in drawers, and clean the house, especially the kitchen and bathroom, as these are probably the two most important areas in the home, especially to female buyers. “Check seals around the bath and grouting. It doesn't cost much to buy more sealant, and your home needs to look cared for rather than neglected. “Finally, tend to the gardens - you only have one chance at a good first impression. Make sure any bins are out of sight if you can, and make it a clean, tidy and cheerful entrance to your property. “Be realistic about your pricing and make sure your home is on the market at a competitive price to other similar properties.’’ For help and advice when selling your home visit Bramleys in St George’s Square, Huddersfield or ring 01484 530361. Take a look at the website www.bramleys.com
www.bramleys.com the people to speak to
because we care
whatever your needs
Huddersfield 01484 530361 Halifax 01422 260000 Elland 01422 374811 Mirfield 01924 495334 Heckmondwike 01924 412644
Garages
Quality Service for over 60 years To view examples of our concrete garages and sheds visit
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I
f you're looking for a quick way to sell your home, selling at auction could be the solution for you. So what are the benefits of selling at auction? One of the key things for most people is that selling at auction is a much faster completion time. Most of the conveyancing is completed by the buyer's solicitor before the auction takes place, so payment for the property is usually received within 28 days. Auctions are held throughout the year and staff have plenty of experience, so are able to provide you with all the information you need to sell your home at auction. One local auction expert said: “Another advantage is you could end up receiving a much higher price for your property than you expected, if there is a lot of interest. A bidding war may begin were the price is pushed beyond the asking price. “This means you get more money for your property than you would perhaps have got through selling your property on the open market.’’ To sell your home at auction, firstly you need to pick an auctioneer who offers property similar to yours within the same price range. Choosing an unsuitable auction house greatly diminishes your chances of getting a favourable deal. Your chosen auctioneer will then
value your property, before you decide on the reserve price in order to protect yourself against a highly unfavourable sale. As with a normal sale of a property there are a number of costs involved, so before signing any agreement find out about all the expenses you will have to cover, even if your house isn't sold. The auctioneer will charge you for the advertisement in brochures and catalogues, a cost that you will have to cover regardless of whether your property is sold or not. You will also have to pay a commission of around 2.5% of the sales price. Instruct your solicitor to prepare a contract which contains the terms and conditions of the sale. This will be included in the auctioneer's brochure. Remember potential buyers will still want to have a look at your house, and some will even want their surveyor to inspect it. At auction, when the hammer falls the sale is official and legally binding. The buyer will have to pay you 10% of the agreed sale price straight away and the outstanding balance within 28 days. Remember though, by selling at auction you can never know how much your property will sell for. An auction is a highly volatile marketplace – if there is no demand for the property on the day of the auction, you might end up selling it below its market value.
Top Tip
Armitage Sykes Conveyancing
72 New North Road, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 5NW. Tel: 01484 538121
Delve deep into your home’s long history
M
ANY properties in the Huddersfield area hld loads of history so now’s the time to brush up on your lessons and find out about your house. You may not think it seems important but many people will ask about the property, when it was built, whether any of the original features have been changed, how many people have owned it, and so on. Viewers may ask a whole range of questions about the history of the house, and if
you don’t even know a bit about the property, some people may lose interest. Whether you own a traditional style terrace or a large Victorian family home, it is worth finding out a bit about its past. Of course this is not something everyone will be interested in, but if someone is serious about buying, maybe show them old photographs of the house if you have them. It can often be a great talking point and your chance to increase their interest in your property.
Wilkinson Ltd FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING REQUIREMENTS, EXTENSIONS, CONVERSIONS ETC
For a free and competitive quotation call 01484 608096
291 WAKEFIELD ROAD, LEPTON, HUDDERSFIELD
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Make room for the car!
G
Start by throwing out all the obvious rubbish, such as broken furniture, Christmas decorations from 1976 and anything you haven't used in the last two years. Next, move onto things you no longer use but which are in a good enough conditions to sell second-hand. Anything left that you need to hand until you have moved should now be organised and arranged neatly in the garage to maximise the sense of space. Fitting a light to your garage, even just a battery-powered one that can be stuck to the wall, can also help transform it from a dark and dingy place to usable storage space. With your garage now clutter-free, make sure you don't park your car there during viewings, as buyers may want to have a proper look around to see how much storage space is available and they may want to take measurements to see if their own car will fit.
arages serve a multitude of purposes, providing a safe place to store everything from our cars to our Christmas decorations; so why is it that most resemble a junk yard from the land that time forgot? Between the boxes of stuff we still haven't unpacked from the last time we moved, tools we don't use and that stained coffee table with the wonky leg we just can't bear to part with yet; most of our garages are filled with things that have slowly but surely moved from the house to the limbo land of the garage. Over the years junk tends to migrate from the house to the garage, where it sits gathering dust until 20 years later we finally throw it out. So if you're looking to sell your property it's time you rolled up your sleeves and cleared out the clutter to ensure buyers see it as a valuable asset rather than a junk yard.
Devil’s in the detail
I
f you've got a period style property or a contemporary scheme, then the finishing touches in your home can play a big part in the overall feel of the house. Everything from light switches to door handles, letter boxes, lamp shades and plug sockets – it's these little things that often get by-passed; but be sure to choose appropriate finishes! If your home is oozing period charm and style, you don't want harsh tin door handles – you need something in-keeping with the character of the property. So think carefully – could your finishing touches be letting you down? The same goes for chic, modern homes. This style of property relies on bringing sleek contemporary designs, together to create a stunning property,
but if those little extras scream granny's flat rather than bachelor pad apartment, you may be in trouble. Have a look around and even ask your friends, if you're prepared for some honesty and ask them if there are any little odds and ends that they think could be altered. If you've got any chipped paint work on door frames or skirting boards and you haven't got time to repaint it, touch it up, and check for any scuff marks, too. Wash away any hand prints or marks that may be on the walls or doors around the house, especially if you have children or pets. They're not big changes, but all the little ones will add up to show a property that's kept in good condition.
Use your move to cash in on the best mortgage deals
W
hen selling and moving to a new home it may seem less hassle to stick with the same lender, but you could be losing hundreds of pounds over the length of your mortgage if you don't look around for the best deal. It could be that your current lender will offer you a good rate to ensure you stay with them, but don't just do it for convenience. You don't even have to trawl the
high streets, visiting dozens of bank and building society branches to pick up leaflets these days – you merely need to log on to the internet. Websites such as www.moneysupermarket.com will use all your details and compare a wide selection of lenders to try and find you the best deals. The beauty of price comparison websites is that you only have to input your details and requirements once – but don't forget not
THINK TOOL HIRE THINK RAPID HIRE
THINK TOOL HIRE THINK RAPID HIRE
HUDDERSFIELD: 01484 480180 ELLAND: 01422 376688 HONLEY: 01484 663283
THINK TOOL HIRE THINK RAPID HIRE
THINK TOOL HIRE THINK RAPID HIRE
THINK TOOL HIRE
THINK RAPID HIRE
THINK TOOL HIRE THINK RAPID HIRE
every lender will be included, so take note of other websites, too. As far as choice of mortgage goes, a repayment mortgage is always recommended over an interest-only mortgage. The offer you're given will depend on your personal circumstances, how much you need to lend, whether you have money to pay for an arrangement fee – which will usually give you a better rate – and how much you can afford to borrow.
THINK TOOL HIRE THINK RAPID HIRE
Tidy Gardens can add 10% to your property value
20% FURNITURE OFF
Valid Until 31st May 2010
4 for 3 on trees, shrubs & climbers, sand & gravel & much more ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖
Half Price Summer Bulbs
Colne Valley Garden Centre, Scar Lane, Milnsbridge, Huddersfield • 01484 656164
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 9-5.30pm Sun 10.30-4.30pm Cafe: Mon-Sat 9-4pm • Sun 10.30-3.30pm