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What to Fix Before Selling a House? The 6 Improvements That Are Absolute Must-Dos

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Due to the high cost of moving, most people are reluctant to pour money into the house they are leaving behind. Maybe you have learned how to live with a faulty electrical outlet or the toilet handle is not working properly. These may seem minor issues but they can deter buyers from making an offer.

There is a variety of property types in the Dubai real estate industry. For instance, if you want a villa, you will find numerous villas for sale in Dubai such as Arabian Ranches Villas Dubai . At the same time, there is a rich selection of apartments for sale in Palm Jumeirah.

With so many options available in the market, you need to make sure that your property is up-to-date in order to attract buyers.

Here are the fixes that are absolutely necessary:

1. Faulty wiring

Electrical issues are of huge concern because they may lead to electrical fires. Rewiring is the only solution to most electrical problems. Chances are most of the problems will require small fixes such as missing nuts, frayed wiring or faulty switches. These fixes will only cost you a few dollars.

2. Poor grading and drainage

Grading and drainage refer to how water is directed away from the house. Ensure the gutters and downspouts are working properly and the lawn slopes slightly to allow water flow away from the house. The solution could be as simple as cleaning the gutters.

3. Roof problems

If the gutters are clogged, running water is collected along the edges. This can damage the shingles and cause the wood to rot. In addition, the roof can also endure other damages due to varied weather conditions. If some of these damages are not fixed on time, you may need to replace the entire roof.

4. Foundation

Improper drainage is one of the major causes of foundation issues. In some cases, foundation issues can be caused by the natural settling of the house. Severe foundation problems may include slanted floors, cracking walls, etc. Sometimes severely damaged foundation can affect the structural integrity of the house.

5. Poor upkeep

Some cosmetic issues such as peeled paint, worn out carpet and damaged tiles, may seem minor, but can cause the price tag of the house to drop. Conducting a simple facelift can significantly increase the value of your house.

6. HVAC issues

Due to the high temperatures in the Middle East, it is difficult to sell a house if the HVAC system is not working properly. Sometimes you may only need to make small repairs. However, if the system is completely damaged, you may need to replace it.

What makes a penthouse so unique?

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Source: Unsplash | Yucel Moran

Penthouses are the latest trend in the Dubai property market, and it is becoming a preferred housing option for most home seekers. The idea of penthouses became popular in the 1920s during a construction boom in New York. These are the uppermost floors of a high-rise building. They are different from the typical apartments in more than one ways like added luxury features.

If you want to get the best deal when buying a penthouse, you should consult top real estate brokers in Dubai. Also, you can consider the numerous apartments for sale in Dubai Marina or Citywalk apartments Dubai. Experts indicate that it is the right time to buy a property in Dubai because prices are low.

Here are the reasons why penthouses are unique:

Privacy

Privacy is one of the biggest benefits of living in a penthouse. Since they are located on the uppermost floor, there is a pleasurable living environment with the highest privacy. Unlike traditional apartment setting where several units are placed on a single floor, penthouses occupy larger spaces. In fact some have private entrance to differentiate them from other accesses of the building.

Exclusive features

In most cases, the living space in a penthouse is well planned with high quality fitting and fixtures. For example, they have glass walls, lavish flooring, uninterrupted scenic views of the skyline, etc. Residents also have access to amenities such as gymnasium, swimming pools, Jacuzzi and others.

Spacious terrace

The spacious terrace is one of the reasons why penthouses are becoming popular in Dubai. Nowadays, penthouses are featuring sufficient outdoor area with plenty of space to entertain guest. However, some developers compromise the living space to accommodate the large terrace. Nevertheless, it is a fair compromise due to the undeniable status symbol associated with penthouses.

Location

Another most alluring feature of owning a penthouse is access to necessary facilities such as banks and grocery stores. Most penthouses are located in urban areas or in high-end developments like Downtown Dubai.

Quiet and peaceful

As mentioned earlier, penthouses are located on the topmost floors of high-rise buildings. As a result, residents are away from the traffic and loud city noises. In addition, since its located on the top floor, you will not be disturbed by neighbours or their guests.

Sufficient natural light

Usually, penthouses come with unobstructed views which provide plenty of natural light. This does not only bring brightness to the unit, but it also lowers lighting bills.

The Steps You Need to Take as an Executor of a Will

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When a loved one passes away, it can be a difficult strain on all their friends and family. However, it is extremely important that you, as an executor of their estate, find out where the Will is and what you need to do to fulfil it. Here are some of the steps you should take.

What is the Executor?

The Executor is someone who is named in the Will as the representative of the deceased. They are responsible for seeing that the estate is divided up correctly and legally, as well as ensuring that all the extra details like potential inheritance tax are dealt with. If you are an executor of a Will, the person who has appointed you will hopefully inform you of your role when they make the will.

Find Out Where the Will is

When someone has passed away, the first thing you need to do is locate their Will. It could be kept among their papers in their house or it might have been left with their solicitor. These are two of the most likely places where a Will could be left and so they are worth checking first.

When the Will has been found, the next step is to check that it is the most up-to-date version. If there any newer versions, they should be the ones which are valid and should be carried out. Check with the deceased’s solicitor, they should have a full timeline of when amendments and changes were made which will help to verify that the Will you have is the right one.

Obtain the Grant of Probate

When you have the Will, you will need to obtain a grant of probate. This is a court order which allows you to administer the estate as dictated by the Will. Most estates are going to need a Grant of Probate before they can be administered; only estates worth less than £10,000 can sometimes avoid one but they are obviously incredibly rare.

The first step you will need to take is to value the estate to see if it meets the standards for Inheritance Tax. The threshold for this is £325,000, so if an estate is valued at £300,000 then it won’t be taxed at all, while an estate of £350,000 will have to pay tax on £25,000 of it. Due to this, it is incredibly important that the executors work out how much tax they will need to pay, especially as there is a time limit for the tax payments.

Divide the Estate

When all of the legal paperwork has been taken care of, and in the instance that there are no contests on the Will, you will then be free to divide the estate and give out what has been left to those named.

It will never be an easy process, but it is a very necessary one and you may even get some closure following the death of your loved one. If you have any questions about being an Executor, don’t hesitate to contact a solicitor for more information.

Choosing a Lender In Today’s Financial Climate

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The financial sector has greatly advanced, especially when it comes to the lending segment. Thanks to the different technologies available today, you can access a wide variety of loan types that can either be traditional or modern. Borrowers get to enjoy the convenience that comes with the Internet and regulation of interest rates.

What to consider when deciding on which lender to go for

 Technology

Various technological advancements today have brought about highly convenient tools, such as mobile apps, that allow you to access a myriad of financial services and products. This means that you get to enjoy instant loans from mobile applications. All you need to access the loans is your smartphone. In fact, most borrowers have grown to love the convenience that comes with mobile apps.

To check out the reliability of mobile apps, you could even try to use it to apply for a Knoxville, Tennessee home loan. Whether you are looking for a home loan, vehicle loan, or a personal loan, you will love the convenience that it gives you.

Non-traditional banking hours 

Traditionally, borrowers were used to fixed banking hours, which meant that there was a time limit that dictated at what time you could apply for a loan. With a mobile app, however, you can apply for a loan at night, on weekends, or even during non-working hours. This makes modern lenders more convenient and reliable, especially when you need to cover an emergency. With the app, you don’t have to wait on long queues in banks during fixed working hours.

Flexibility for payments

As you search for a lender in the contemporary market, you also need to consider how flexible the payment plan is for the lenders you are reviewing. You should ask the lender if they will allow held payments for at least a month in case you are dealing with financial difficulties. Ask them what the charges are for delaying a payment?

If you are taking a huge loan and your earnings are good, you might want to inquire about the exit fee. This information will come in handy if you are able to clear the loan before the agreed upon payment period is over. Make sure to avoid lenders who might charge you a higher fee in the event you want to end the deal earlier.

Response times

The best lender is one who is available 24/7 to respond to your inquiries and make clarifications where necessary. When it comes to boosting your financial relationship with the lender, they should be readily available to answer any questions you have about the loan.

The good thing with today’s financial institutions is that their online presence helps them to stay directly linked to the borrowers. This way, you can get in touch with the lender whenever you need to.

Be on the lookout for brokers

Loan brokers are in contact with a wide variety of lenders and will help you identify the institution that best fits your needs. Going for an experienced broker also gives you access to fast loan processing, thus allowing you to save time. A broker, therefore, is really important if you have a poor credit score.

Nonetheless, if you have enough time, you can do the research and find the best lenders by yourself. This gives you a pool of lenders to review against your needs in order to find what you are looking for. It is also imperative to know that you might encounter many scammers online. As such, be careful when choosing your broker.

How soon do you need the money?

The innovation of the financial sector that paved the way for online lenders gives you an opportunity to get instant cash. Online loans come in different types and might include car title loans and payday loans. If you are dealing with an emergency, then you will need a small loan, and multiple online lenders can help you out. The loan is applied online and approved or declined within 24 hours. Once approved, you will receive the money within a day, which is the good thing about modern loan types.

Unlike online loans, traditional loan types take days to be approved. Let’s not forget that the chances of having the loan declined are also high since the lenders rely on a wide range of information to either approve or decline your loan application. Your credit score and monthly income, for instance, are some of the factors that traditional lenders review before approving your loan application.

Getting the money you need should not be a problem. Thanks to all of the different technologies today, you can handle your finances in the most convenient way.

Why You Should Write a Will

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No-one likes to think about how they are going to meet their end but we sometimes have to look forward to this eventuality, for a few good reasons. One way we can take some of the strain of the future off is by writing a Will, so here are some of the reasons you should get in touch with a solicitor about your Will soon.

For More Than Your Death

You can place clauses in the Will which are about more than what happens after you die. Living Wills are written to help you communicate your wishes in the event that you are unable to make them known. For example, you might receive a diagnosis of dementia from your doctor. If you then made a Living Will, you would be able to dictate what treatments you receive or where you live when the illness has advanced.

Peace of Mind

The most common reason why people choose to make a Will is for peace of mind. They know that their wishes are going to be carried out as they want them to be with it and by speaking with probate solicitors, you can easily begin to draft a Will which details who you wish to leave your possessions to and why. These are important details and sorting them out as soon as possible allows you to know that your wishes will be respected; you can always redraft the Will if circumstances change.

Making it Legal

Surely if you just say to your family and friends where you want your estate to go, that will be enough? Not so. If you die without a Will, the law will decide where your money and possessions go. These procedures are known as the Rules of Intestacy and there are only certain people who the estate can go to if this happens. The only way to avoid Intestacy is to make a legally-binding Will.

It Allows You to Dictate the Inheritors

Have you got a necklace which you know your granddaughter would love? Maybe you want to make a charitable donation to an organisation which has meant a lot to you. If you want sole control over where your money goes when you die, you need to make a Will and the solicitor will also be able to help you with the wording of this. For example, if you want to leave money to your grandchildren it is better to name the lump sum to be split equally, instead of figuring out installments for each named grandchild. This will save you having to redraft if you gain any new grandchildren.

A Will is one of those documents which you need to have written, even if you don’t want to think about it. It is much better for you to dictate where your possessions go instead of leaving it in the hands of the law. If you are ready to make a Will, start making enquiries at a solicitor’s. The sooner you can get something down on paper, the better.

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