Photographing your property for adverts

To make your property look it’s best it is usually worth paying either a professional photographer to take your photos. Photography students and estate agents may also worth approaching if you are on a tight budget. For your property to look its best a good photographer will be able to use professional lighting and wide angle lenses to capture your property to its full advantage. They should also know how to ‘dress’ a property so it captures the ‘life-style image of a property you are trying to market. There are also some general rules you should follow if possible: ·          Remove and be aware of clutter when photographing rooms. Photographs can exaggerate the sense of clutter if you have too many objects in your photo. ·          Make sure external photographs are captured on a day with good weather.·          Ensure that all unique selling points are captured in your photos. If you have a sea view, great location or hot tub in your property show these in your advertising photos.·          Don’t include people or personal objects in the shots. People want to imagine themselves there and this can prove distracting.·          Make sure the bed is made, everything immaculately clean and perhaps even lay the table if you have nice crockery.·          Take photos with the sun behind you to improve contrast.

How to paint a ceiling

A plain English guide to a potentially hazardous task – painting a ceiling.

http://www.helpwithdiy.com/painting/painting_ceiling.html

How to paint a wall…

Time for a back to basics lesson: strap on your overalls and watch this video to ensure your renovation work goes to plan…

How To Paint A Wall

Decorating a holiday home

Some advice from Donna Hardie at UKTV Style…

http://uktv.co.uk/style/item/aid/2731

DIY holiday lets

This is a great little article over at Yahoo! finance, which neatly sums up the trials and tribulations of taking the plunge with that ‘doer-upper’ you may have dreamed about. Of particular interest are the potential pitfalls awaiting potential renovators abroad, so pay attention before you even think about investing in some paint brushes….

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/11072007/401/diy-holiday-home.html

Bulgarian property market

Watch out if you’re looking to buy a property in Bulgaria; TravelDIYplus thinks that the bubble may have burst for this recently rejuvenated country…

http://blog.traveldiyplus.com/CategoryView,category,Rent%20Holiday%20Home.aspx

Tax rules for uk holiday lettings

If you’re thinking of getting into the holiday lettings business, it is essential to stay on top of tax. Familiarise yourself with this government guide to tax on holiday lets.

If you let out a furnished holiday home in the UK, your rental income may be treated differently for tax purposes from other rental income. However, your property must keep to some rules known as ‘qualifying tests’.

10 Tips for maximising your holiday lettings advert

Realestatedepartment.org has a fantastic article on how to get the most out of advertising your property. Make sure you read this before thinking about your season’s marketing campaign – it could save you a lot of time and money…