Books to Help You Make a Great Property Deal
This article ties in with World Book Day (Thursday 7 March) and looks at books to read to prepare you for buying and selling a property.
A great property deal can set you up for life and allow you to leave a legacy for your family.
But a bad deal or no deal (if you miss out on your dream home) will haunt you for years.
So, how can buyers and sellers ensure they come out on top in the property game?
Working with a great estate agent who understands the local market certainly helps – we’d go so far as to say it’s the most crucial factor.
But it’s also useful to understand the buying and selling process so that you can avoid common mistakes and know what to expect.
With this in mind, and to tie in with World Book Day on 7 March, here are five property books worth reading.
How to Buy Your First Home (and how to sell it too) by Phil Spencer
Phil is a national institution and has graced our TV screens in shows like Location, Location, Location for almost a quarter of a century. His book, aimed at property newcomers, is packed with advice about everything from finding the best mortgage to handling the negotiation process like a pro.
Buying a Home on a Budget for Dummies by Melanie Bien
This no-nonsense guide covers mortgages, conveyancing and home-buying options such as shared ownership and right-to-buy. It also includes top tips for first-time buyers and advice on viewings.
Property Ladder: The Developer’s Bible by Sarah Beeny
If you fancy renovating a doer-upper and selling it on, this book will help you get started. It’s an oldie (first published 15 years ago) but a goodie. Beeny explains how to plan and cost projects to avoid nasty overspends and draws on the expertise of surveyors, lawyers and estate agents.
Secrets of Home Staging: The Essential Guide to Getting Higher Offers Faster by Karen Prince
Looking for clever hacks to present your property at its best? Then this book has the answers. As well as containing lots of glossy photos, it explains how to identify your key rooms and dodge common staging blunders.
Ask for More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything by Alexandra Carter
This book isn’t specifically about the property market but focuses on a central plank of any property deal: negotiating. It explains how the best dealmakers ask great questions to determine the motives and desires of the person they’re negotiating with. Given that, often, price isn’t the only deciding factor in a property sale – timing and emotional attachment also come into play – it’s a worthwhile read.
Want to buy or sell in London? Contact us today at Shaws Kensington to talk through your property dreams. We can help them become a reality.