Selling a home in 2015 is in the power of the man on the street – and not the high street estate agents that he walks past. Listing fees, legal documentation, photographs and the many other aspects of putting a house on the market are all aspects of the sale, which have been simplified and empowered online, and much of that is because estate agents sometimes have a bad reputation. Here are eight things estate agents don’t want you to know about selling your home:

 Their fees vary greatly

Do your research before enlisting an estate agent for a valuation, because the values charged are diverse. Most charge a percentage fee of between 0.75% and 3.5% of the agreed selling price – for a house of £300,000 that’s a difference of more than £8,000. Read the small print.

 Don’t go too high…

Use the Internet to research the properties in your area and street, and plan accordingly. If your house has apparent extras such as a summerhouse, conservatory, off-road parking, and other individual attractions, then increasing the asking price accordingly is sensible. You can bet the buyer will be doing the same research and knowing what they should get for their money.

 …but don’t go too low either…

Reducing your asking price can be a great way to stimulate interest in your property  if necessary, but the key to achieving a quick sale whilst still achieving the best price

for your property is to ensure you are marketing at a sensible price according to

current market conditions.

 Accessibility can go a long way

“Yes, I’m free for visits at pretty much any time in the evenings. Apart from Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. And weekends. Actually Thursdays are a little dodgy as well….” This is a guaranteed way of ensuring no-one ever gets to see your home, and therefore keeping it on the agent’s books. They should warn you of the dangers of restricting accessibility – but many don’t.

Conceal your pets

You’d be amazed at the factors that can dictate a searcher’s decision to even look at a home. Dog bowls or children’s toys in a picture show that there are creatures that might not be responsible for their actions living in the home, and in the case of the former that also might include fleas and fur-loving beasts.

 You can do it online

Marketing your home yourself online is easier than ever before, with a huge range of customisation and fee options depending on how much work you put in. Companies such as HouseSimple visit the property and set up the advert, with some sales taking as little as 22 days; a far cry from the more traditional methods that your high street agent may prefer.

Social media can do it all for you

Earlier this year online estate agents participated in the first virtual open house on Facebook, for a property in Hackney, in a move which could potentially see the seller save up to £8,000 on estate agent fees. A real-time question and answer session at the same time of this HD walkthrough does much of the hard work – and it’s surely going to find a much more diverse audience.

 De-personalise

Making your home your own is a personal and gradual process, but making it suitable for someone else is a different ball game. Striking the happy medium between removing your beloved items such as family pictures and retaining enough of a character that the house shines through in photographs or videos is a balancing act. But if you’re struggling you can even enlist the services of ‘home stagers’ to do the job for you.

When it comes to choosing paint, it’s not just the colour you have to think about. Different products are suitable for different jobs and will help you carry out workplace DIY and maintenance with ease. Of course, with so many varieties of paint to choose from it can be hard to know where to start, so here’s a short ‘paint for every problem’ guide to help you out.

Cladding paints

Metal cladding is subject to weathering and deterioration which is why it’s a good idea to check out the protective cladding paints available. These specialist products are designed to not only extend the lifespan of cladding but rejuvenate cladding that’s already lost its condition. They provide a high-quality finish in almost any colour and can be bought from the likes of RawlinsPaints. Moreover, paints of this kind also offer up to 15 years of protection for metal making them a great investment.

Anti-slip paints

If you’re looking to improve the health and safety of your workplace and find that many areas of your premises are slippery underfoot, anti-slip paint could be just what you need. It provides a textured surface helping to improve grip and is also available in many different hues allowing you to stick to the colour scheme of your choice. Anti-slip traffic paint is also ideal for driveways and parking areas, preventing vehicles from skidding on slippery surfaces.

Emergency roof repair paints

A leaking roof might seem like a disaster but with emergency roof repair paints you can solve the problem quickly without much disruption to your working life. Specialist paints are designed to repair leaks in all conditions including rain and snow and can seal leaks and cracks quickly and efficiently – good to know, right? They can be used on most types of roof surfaces and provide a strong, waterproof coating.

Mould and damp proof paints

Mould and damp proof paints are designed to tackle common problems such as nuisance damp, condensation, mould, mildew and more. Anti-fungal paints are great to have in storage if your office is prone to damp patches and when applied will help keep your workplace looking as professional as possible. Paints suitable for indoor and outdoor use are readily available, so don’t put up with problems – find solutions for them instead.

The right paint can help you overcome a wealth of workplace problems and with many different colours available you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Self-storage has become increasingly popular of late with people from all walks of life hiring out extra space to keep their belongings. Companies such as Ready Steady Store offer a wide range of safe, secure units that are ideal for all kinds of items from household goods to sporting gear so let’s take a look at 10 reasons why you might need self-storage.

1. To reduce the clutter in your home

According to research by The British Heart Foundation, 81 per cent of UK residents are self-confessed hoarders, stashing away, on average, 32 unused items worth £514. All of these extra belongings can leave your home looking cluttered, but if you can’t bear to throw things away, a storage unit might be the next best option.

2. If you don’t have a garage

If you don’t have a garage at your property, a self-storage unit is a great place to keep everything from lawnmowers to household tools and bikes. It’ll save your living room getting clogged up with tools and as you can access most storage units 24/7 you can get hold of your property whenever you choose.

3. When moving property

Moving house is often considered one of life’s most stressful events and while there are many ways to make the process easier, hiring a storage unit has to be one of the best. Not only does it allow you to pack up your house and store everything at your leisure but the extra space means you can unpack at a time that suits you without flapping around on moving day.

4. If you’re in a transition period

Similarly, if you’re moving towns or changing jobs, a storage unit is a must – especially if you have to be out of an office or property by a certain date but don’t have a confirmed location to keep all of your things.

5. During the summer at university

If you’re moving home during the summer but don’t want to bring all your study books and such like with you, hiring a small storage facility could be a sensible option as it’ll save you lugging everything from A to B and back again when term restarts.

6. If you want to rent out your home

Renting your home is a great way to make money, but if you choose the unfurnished route, why not put all your valuables into a self-storage unit until you need them again? That way, tenants can buy/use their own furniture and you won’t have to worry about your items getting damaged.

7. When redecorating

If you’re redecorating, you might need somewhere to put your things for a short period of time. Thankfully, many storage companies offer short-term leases making this the ideal option for you.

8. If you’re going travelling

Going travelling for a long period of time? Then you might find it safer to put valuable items into a storage centre as many facilities are fully protected by 24-hour CCTV.

9. When doing a house swap

These days, many people save money on holidays by doing a house swap. This, of course, means other people staying in your home for a while, so it’s worth using a storage unit to keep any valuables such as jewellery or expensive furniture and such like – just in case.

10. For stock storage

If you run a small business, storage units are a great place to keep new stock and helping to keep your professional environment free from clutter. You could also use the extra space to do simple tasks such as packing up products or labelling items.

So there you have it – ten reasons why a storage unit could come in very handy.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to create a warm and friendly home. Impressions of warmth can incorporate a degree of deception and will make a room look warm. Though if you invest in heating from the Underfloor Heating Company at least your home will be really cosy.

Interior décor is important

If you think carefully about colour, you’ll soon learn which are the best shades for walls and furniture in order to create an illusion of warmth. Stark white walls may give your home an impression of space, but they aren’t exactly inviting. Warm colours, including terracotta, peach and variants of the colour yellow will all promote a feeling of warmth. The BBC website suggests that even if your house is not as warm as it could be, colours from ‘the warm side of the colour wheel’ will make a room appear more cosy. Rather than painting your ceiling white, why not add a pale yellow or light coral to this area? The light from your windows will bounce across the ceiling, so even if the temperatures are arctic, the room will look warm and inviting.

Draughts are infuriating

There is nothing worse than a draughty house. Wind whistling through gaps around the window frames is neither romantic nor healthy. Dystopian themes in film and literature may be all the rage but would anyone genuinely wish to live in a cold and windy crumbling manor? No. Invest in double-glazing and abolish all draughts, you’ll also improve your health and your precious central heating won’t be warming the rest of the neighbourhood. According to the Energy Saving Trust website, you could save up to £50 a year on your energy bills by double-glazing your home. Your domestic environment will be warmer too.

Furniture and fittings are important

Carpet can also prevent draughts. Laminate and wooden floors may look wonderfully stylish, but unless your floors and skirting boards are in pristine condition, you might be surprised at how much heat can escape via these conduits. A wall-to-wall carpet will minimise the amount of heat that escapes from your house. Carpets also cut down on noise, so your neighbours will love this addition to your home.

Where you place your sofa and chairs can also make a difference. A beautifully inviting sofa in front of a fireplace is always a good idea, even if you’ve converted the fireplace to a bookshelf, you’ve provided an invitation for others to come and join you in the room. Plonk some brightly coloured cushions around the room, and you’ve created a welcoming space.

Look to your loft

Green deals, local authority schemes and other incentives do exist. If you are concerned that your home isn’t as warm as it should be, then an efficient heating system will solve some of this problem, but you also have to check that your house is well insulated. Figures released by the National Insulation Association website show that 40% of ‘all heat lost in an average home is through the loft and wall space’. Insulate, heat and decorate well and then you’ll have a beautifully warm and homely house.

Despite the best intentions in the world, it’s surprising how quickly clutter can build up in the home. Piles of clothes, collections of games consoles and heaps of other objects can grow very quickly, and before long your house is full of unnecessary ‘stuff.’

Be realistic

It’s a good idea to try and transform your good intentions into actions by taking a good long look at your home. Start with your own space, if there’s anything in the wardrobe that hasn’t been worn for over a year, you’re probably never going to wear it again. This is the time to be brave and take a trip to the local charity shop with your unwanted clothing items.

The decluttering process also applies to clothes you promised yourself that you’d be able to slim into. The sad truth is that this miracle will probably never happen if it hasn’t already taken place. If you want to keep hold of clothes but still declutter your home, consider using a company like www.alligatorstorage.co.uk. You can access your clobber as and when you need, or store it while you make plans to sell it on second hand stores.

If you have children, bribe them to clear out their rooms. One-armed dolls, or defunct mobile phones, can all be thrown away. If you are chucking out electrical goods make sure you dispose of them safely. Never throw these items into the household rubbish bins.

Develop new habits

Unless you’re running a small business you really don’t have to hang onto every paper bill or bank statement. Even if this is the case, five years is the standard time limit for retaining company documentation.

Many firms offer reductions for customers to receive their bills online so this is an ideal time to register for this service. An article in The Daily Express advises that you create a filing system for all other household documents. This will make life easier when trying to store your paperwork efficiently. Any old bills or bank statements should always be shredded. There have been too many stories about identity theft and discarded personal information for this action not to be taken seriously.

Shop differently

Stick to your shopping list. It’s very easy to buy a non-essential item in the hope that it may become useful at some time in the future. Though you’ll save money and time think carefully whether you really need an object. Kitchen gadgets that seemed like a great idea at the time of purchase often languish forgotten in drawers, taking up precious space.

If your kids assure you that the latest games console is essential for their well-being and probably world peace to boot, remind them of the other Playstations and X Boxes lying abandoned on their bedroom floors.

A place for everything…

The old adage that the key to organisational heaven is to put everything in a recognisable place still holds true. This will help minimise future clutter – just stick to this plan. The website Hints and Things stresses that order will promote happiness as well as a tidier home, and in an increasingly chaotic world, that’s not such a bad thing.

Summer is fast approaching and the longer days offer the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your bedroom. It should be your own private haven; a place where you can relax and get away from the stresses of everyday life. Even the slightest adjustment, from re-arranging the furniture or a quick lick of paint, to finding that perfect staple item of furniture can transform a room without needing to break the bank.

Be clever with your colours Don’t ask me to explain how it works but the colours have funny effects on us and it is worth thinking about how you want your room to feel. There are plenty of tricks to use when decorating your home, such as using a white or pale colour can make a room feel bigger, or yellow tones to add a cosy feel.

Think before you buy The furniture you have in your bedroom, whether it’s your wardrobe, bedside cabinet or bed, should be chosen to fit with your lifestyle as well as your taste. Thinking carefully about the best item of furniture for you means taking into consideration sizing, colours, and material. It’s worth taking the time to mull the purchase over to ensure it is perfect for you.

Find the mattress that is “just right!” Goldilocks had the right idea when it comes to choosing furniture; don’t settle for the first item you find, look for the one that is the perfect fit. There is no item of furniture more important to be perfect for you than your mattress. A good mattress will keep you cool and give you great lumbar support to ensure you get a perfect night’s sleep.

Leave the tech at the door It can be tempting to add a television to your bedroom to allow you to watch your favourite programmes from the comfort of your bed. However, research has proven that having a television in your room can affect your sleeping patterns which can impede on your health. Another perk of going TV-less in your bedroom is that there are more space and pennies in the budget for accessories and furniture you love.

Add some personal touches It’s important to make your bedroom feel like it’s yours. Having a bedroom which is identical to one in an interior design magazine looks nice, but your bedroom should feel like it’s yours. This can be simple and inexpensive to achieve: personal photographs in a nice frame or family ornaments can help your room feel comfortable, cosy, and yours.

Clientele looking to live in the centre of London are often international business people or professionals that want to be immersed in the hub of the financial centre. They seek luxury living accommodation that offers comfort and space, to be able to organise their diaries or work on a laptop, but also to be able to relax, unwind and de-stress out of work hours.

CNM Estates source, fund, develop and deliver high quality homes and student housing in central London, as well as hotels and mixed use developments. They have assembled top-class teams of professionals that focus on delivering high quality homes that will stand the test of time, whilst also embracing up-to-date sustainable technologies. They work closely with local businesses and communities to ensure that their homes benefit and enhance the area. To stay abreast of their news and developments, you can like and follow CNM Estates on Facebook.

An exclusive London riverside penthouse apartment in central London might be in Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Kensington, Mayfair, Holland Park, Maida Vale, Pimlico, Soho or Chelsea. Good areas for young professionals include Islington, London Docklands and Tower Bridge, and trendy areas such as Shoreditch and Camden. Luxury apartments are tastefully decorated, expertly furnished and finished with exquisite accessories.

The extensive use of glass can make an apartment look sophisticated, but if floor-to-ceiling glass panels aren’t suitable, make use of the windows you do have by framing them with swathes of quality curtains that allow as much light in as possible. Use carefully placed mirrors to increase the feeling of space, and decorate in beautiful shades of neutral colours; there are dozens of variations on white, cream, beige, sand, and oatmeal, or smoky grey and light brown if you feel an accent colour is required.

Have a marble-floored entrance hall and bespoke cabinetry to make best use of space in this area. Incorporate elements of nature in the décor of your main living area; for example, natural oak wood flooring, stone tiles, timber shelving, animal prints and Italian leather sofas and armchairs. Finish off seating areas with cushions in strong, contrasting colours in a variety of rich textiles, and a rug for the floor with colours that complement your scheme. Consider a feature fireplace and mantelpiece and some pieces of period furniture, and if this is your choice, choose accessories to complement the theme, such as wall art, paintings, mirrors, ornaments, and perhaps a chandelier.

• Choose bedroom accessories with the specification of a luxury hotel room.

• The kitchen in a luxury apartment could be minimalist. Choose high-gloss units, a granite worktop, and utilise glass and stainless steel. Add an island or breakfast bar and stools.

• For the bathroom, choose a freestanding or roll top bath or a walk-in shower and a tiled floor. Add ornate taps and a mirror, and storage so that toiletries are not on show.

• If possible, finish off with an outdoor seating area, perhaps with an outside sofa and table, a fire pit, and some potted plants.

Consider quality and environmental impact when choosing and decorating a luxury London apartment. Create a living space that oozes opulence and comfort so that it is suitable for a working professional that needs to be organised, well rested, and relaxed.