Owning your own home

They recently did a valuation on my place and were a good 7-10% above the others.

I know of one, maybe two, instances of them pricing properties that haven’t sold with other agents at around 25k more when switched to them.

One thing i have noticed about them in my locale is they have never listed a property that i have wanted to view and they don’t have much in the window, it’s almost as if people know they are the worst so do not bother listing with them.

Apple HomeKit users- can you get switches to for example turn on an inverter when you get within 500m of home, based on your iPhone location?

Interesting. I've seen a place listed with them that I like, but I need £5-£10k off asking price to make it work. Not sure if there's any point viewing, but it sounds like maybe there is?

I’d always assumed that they just overvalue to get the listing and optimistically hope somebody out there may pay it, then just reduce it if it’s not shifting.

I don’t see a problem with a low offer, they’ll be glad to put any offer to the seller, show there’s interest and use it to push up any other offers they receive.

I wouldn’t feel bad making an offer more than 5-10k below, you can always increase it. It would also depend if the property been listed for long, and if you’re dependent on selling/in a chain or can move quickly.

In my experience Foxtons tend to talk owners into putting it on for a high price and then once they get no offers reduce to reasonable.
When I sold my place they walked about 600k, everyone else was low 500’s and it went for that.

Probably. If an inverter is run off a plug? I don’t actually know what one is.

On a dif note, removing paint from brickwork, lots of splashes and sloppy work, any tips?

I’d always assumed that they just overvalue to get the listing and optimistically hope somebody out there may pay it, then just reduce it if it’s not shifting.

Another estate agent round us said they do this. But also that they then pile viewers in from more expensive nearby boroughs and wow them with how cheap / big the place is relative to where they came from.

I'd have thought those tactics wouldn't stand up long once a sale proceeds but who knows.

use a big masonry brush, and cover the area the stripper is on with cling film - stops ot drooping so much and also makes it work better (i think because it ‘keeps in’ the chemicals that do the work)

Thanks for info. I'm chasing them for a viewing, so it's all still academic. But it's a place that ticks my boxes, so interested to see it.

Thanks for the reply!
Do you have a paint stripper you recommend? Nitro more is water these days.

I just used the No Nonsense stuff from screwfix - just left it as long as i could (24hrs+) before scraping off, the temptation is real after about an hour..!

How much coverage are you talking? For smaller areas I’ve had success with caustic soda. Mixed with wallpaper paste will help it stick to vertical surfaces. Wrapping it in plastic will stop it evaporating. Scrape off and wash with plenty of water. A stiff brush can help too but wear gloves and eye protection. If they’re old London stock don’t go at them with a stiff wire brush as they’re very soft and you’ll ruin them.

Bartoline TX10 is a more expensive but non caustic alternative.

For larger areas (I did my front garden wall) I’ve had pretty good results with Peelaway. Process is the same as above - brush on, cover with plastic, leave 24 hrs and peel off. They do 2 different versions (1 and 7) one of which is for lead or polyurethane based finishes but I can’t remember which is which. They do tester packs though if you’re unsure what finish you have. It’s quite expensive stuff though.

Cheers for the tips! Imaging a blind person painting the cills and that kinda stuff, it’s just hideous edges everywhere so need to neaten it up before repainting again.

On that note, what are folks go to external paints?

Probably. If an inverter is run off a plug? I don’t actually know what one is.

No, but they have provision for a switch to be connected which would turn them on and off:

I’m assuming it’s for your garage opener off a solar trickle-charged battery.

You could probably IFTTT it but making sure it comes on reliably enough when required but isn’t on constantly when you’re at home might be tricky.

Has anyone that's tall 185cm got a bath that's pleasant to be in? I'm looking for a nice floor standing one.

No baths are nice to be in for longer than five minutes.

Too hot, just right, too cold.

Baths? lol, barely even 2min showers come October.

i'm 190 and have never got on with baths unless they are massive (often in nice hotels). BUT we have a villeroy and boch one which is excellent. nice and deep, not oddly sized. love it (saying that i probably only use it 3-4 times a year, but my mrs uses it all the time in the colder months)

Yes my wife loves a bath, and if I'm going to build a new bathroom for jer I at least want to be able to use it if I wish.

Can you check the model name?

Kids!

We just bought a miniature version of this https://www.omnitub.co.uk/products/1900-x-900-deep-bath-omnitub-deluxe-extra

Plenty big enough, but 616L of water is a lot!!