10 Tips For Buying Property

These are my personal tips that you should consider when buying a property. By no stretch of the imagination are these wise words from an expert, although an expert may share some general consensus on a few of the tips.

1) Research is the key

Always do research. You can never do enough research. A lot of people dive into the property market head first and blind folded, and that’s when people make bad purchases. If you like a property, find out about the surrounding area; find out the local crime rate, find out how much properties in the area recently sold for. Find out EVERYTHING. There are tonnes of websites out there that will give you all these details at no cost.

2) Prepare yourself financially

Financially prepare yourself before you make any offers- get financially sorted. Make sure you can afford the property. Make sure you have taken every cost into consideration, like conveyancing solicitors, stamp duty, survery fees, Estate Agent (if they apply) ½ fees etc. Most importantly, make sure you can get the financial backing you need.

3) Structural Survey

Always get a structural survey done. With the newer homes, the basic or mid-ranged survey is fine. But with older properties, definitely get the higher-level inspection. Sure this may add expenses onto your limited budget, but it couldï¿½ potentially save you thousands. Regardless, most Mortgage lenders will insist on a structural survey, as they won’t want to help you finance a house that’s about to fall apart.

4) Property fittings

Make sure you ask what comes with the property before you make an offer. A lot of houses are presented beautifully, especially with fitted bathrooms and kitchens. You may get a nasty shock when you move in only to find the previous owners took the fittings with them.

5) Stay away from the asking price

Never offer the asking price, even if you’re in love with a particular property. Sellers/Estate Agentsï¿½ usually add on a few thousand pounds from the actual value of the property, because they expect offers to always be below asking price. Be risky, and make a cheeky offer- you maybe surprised.

6) The Property Market

Find out how long a property has been on the market for from your Estate Agent. If a property you’re in love with has been on the market for a long period of time, ask yourself why; be suspicious. If the property is legit, and for some odd reason it’s not selling, then make a low offer.

7) Control your emotions

Never act overly keen to either the seller or your Estate Agent. The Estate Agent and seller both have one thing in common- they want the buyer to spend as much as possible. Remember, the Estate Agent is working for the seller, not the buyer. If you act overly keen, they will make you spend more money than necessary. Buying property is like playing a game of poker- you need to play the game with a face of stone.

8.) Be patient

Don’t let your patience get the better of you. Never rush into buying a property; buying a house is a big deal and will effect your life. There is an art to buying property, and patience is a big part of it. Impatience leads to expensive and inadequate purchases. If your patience is the direct reason of losing out on a deal, don’t worry, properties come and go on the market. On the other hand, your impatience could be the direct reason of making a bad purchase, and consequently throwing your money down the drain.

9) The future is important

Think about the unforeseeable future. The property market is a very uncertain area. Interest rates can increase at any time, and that will have direct impact on your monthly mortgage repayments. You may be out of work for a period of time, would you still be able to afford the monthly mortgage payments?

10) An empty property looks so much different

Imagine the property is empty- do not be fooled by props a seller has strategically planned. Once a house is stripped from all it’s wrapping, you maybe surprised how different she, I mean, IT, looks. Check behind and under the furniture, because you never know what surprises maybe hidden away- peeling wallpaper, stained carpets etc.

11) Don’t forget your neigbourhood

Are you looking for a peaceful area? Remember, an Estate Agent is working with the seller to get a maximum sale value- they will arrange viewings at optimum times. When you view a property, the surrounding area may be quiet and peaceful. Consider what the noise maybe like at times you haven’t been there.

12) Damp properties

Smell for dampness. Touch the walls; feel if they’re damp. Always be suspicious if a home is overly heated and sprayed with overpowering fragrances.

13) The roof can be costly to fix

Check the tiles on the roof. A lot of people neglect the roof when inspecting a house, and that’s exactly where a lot of people have to shell out a lot of expenses. This especially applies to older properties.

14) Location is just as important as the property

Finding the dream house is always great. But what about your dream location? Does it contain all your essentials, like a local groceries, schools etc. Don’t just focus on the property; focus on the bigger picture. Make sure the local area is equipped for your requirements.

15) Shop around for property

You can never find the right property after one viewing; even if you think otherwise. Make sure you take your time looking at several difference properties. Don’t just look in one area, be a little open minded and open yourself to possibilities. You’ll get a better idea of what your hard earned cash can actually get you.

source: propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk

iPad Games For Kids

1. Dress Up and Make-Up

–Want to become your very own virtual stylist?You will love playing with Dress Up and Make-Up. Users are able to create funky, cute, fantastic outfits by selecting pieces from a large closet collection. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Make-up and hair styles can also be modified, allowing your gals to create the perfect look! Dress-up apps are undoubtedly some of the best kids apps for keeping little girls entertained and engaged.(Price: $1.99)

2. Surviving High School

–All the drama of high school comes to life in Surviving High School. This is one of the best kids apps for elementary-aged children who love the thought of growing up fast! Configured much like an actual television show, users receive a new “episode” each week to catch up on the lives of all their favorite Surviving High School characters. Kids even get the chance to participate as they help apps characters make the right choice in some sticky situations. (Price:$0.99)

3. Handy Manny’s Workshop

–The popular Disney Channel handyman.Handy Manny and the cast of lively characters from his toolbox come out of the television and onto your iPad in this interactive kids app. Four different sections give kids the opportunity to work on Handy Manny themed puzzles, sing construction songs, locate missing tools and master a match-up game. Any child whose found a friend in Manny and his crew on the Disney channel is sure to be entertained as they help in the workshop!(Price: $2.99)

4. Tap Mall

– Girls who love to glam it up will definitely rank this as one of the best free kids apps! Players become fashion entrepreneurs at a mall boutique and have to make business choices to run and grow a successful store. However, it’s not all about business with Tap Mall. Players also have the ability to accessorize and style their very own avatar and create a glamorous image for their store owners. This game is a fun distraction for the little fashion mogul in your life.(Price:Free)

5. Hungry Shark HD

– A very fun game that reported a few bugs on the first version. This vicious yet amusing app puts the player in control of a vicious shark that clearly hasn’t eaten in a while. It is your job to keep your ravenous predator alive, and the only way to do this is by munching anything in your path. Innocent fish floating past or people minding their own business are on the menu. The more your shark eats, the bigger and stronger he gets. Just watch out for the hunters who aim to end your lunchtime in the most brutal of ways – only they can stop your dominance of the ocean. It must be said that this game isn’t for the faint-hearted as we are not dealing with a cuddly, animated animal. The blood dripping from his teeth signifies that this is a game to be taken seriously.

6. Istunt2 HD

– A fun and fast moving games where I don’t need to think a lot or read a manual; plus, the music is awesome and the scenery is beautiful. All you have to do is to control the balance of the snowboarder by tilting your iPad, then as you progress to new levels there are new challenges and options all explained to you with clear on-screen instructions. Built for iPad and released on 12 April, this game is already a big success with high and raving reviews on the appstore.

7. Snooker Club

–For any budding snooker players out there, a good way to hone your skill and aim is to practice on Snooker Club, the free game for iPad. Given the iPad’s large screen, the gameplay feels more realistic than it would on the iPhone version. The graphics are really good and you can play with a variety of players…(however guys, they are all female, so you can’t have any sexist hang ups about this!)

8. Pocket Legends (3D MMO)

–Considering it is free game for gaming fans, and considering how damn good the game play is. The graphics are well above average and you can engage in a unique Mobile MMORPG, (or ‘massively-multiplayer online role-playing game’, for the acronym-ically ignorant!) You can play with many different characters such as the powerful bear-like Ursan Warrior, mystical Elf Enchantress, or Avian Archer in this brilliant fantasy game, that you will soon be addicted in.

9. Pin Shuffle™ HD (Bowling) Lite

–Calling all bowling fans who think that it’s so much effort to strap on a pair of bowling shoes and travel all the way to the bowling alley only to be overcharged by some squeaky-voiced teenager for the rental of a lane that you can only be on for 20 minutes…just download this iPad game for free! With stunning graphics and great animation, the Real 3D physics engine gives you accurate weight and pin physics and the innovative ‘Full House’ competition adds a little edge to the game play…strike!

10.Braveheart HD

–Since the last update in April to this action role-playing game adds another 7 new levels where you can thrash and smash your enemies on your quest for the Holy Grail. As a strategy game, it is just hard enough to keep you hooked in whilst remaining entertaining enough not to leave you bored. The graphics are absolutely great and there is a bit of learning involved with this game; it’s not self evidently intuitive, as there aren’t many onscreen instructions.

source: ipad3-release.com