Kerb Appeal

KERB APPEAL

Whether the market goes up, down, or remains static that is outside any one persons control. Therefore a vendor looking to maximise his price must look at what can be done internally and externally to make his property more appealing.

A Canadian couple I once acted for were our clipping, sweeping and washing windows at the front of their house when I came to take photos. On asking the reason for such industry he replied “Harry this house must have kerb appeal,” advice I have often passed on to vendors over the years. A good first impression is most important.
Internally all the usual apply – toys cleared away, clean and neat presentation, beds made, animals tied up or in kennels.

The other area I want to highlight (which only applies to estate dwellers) is the condition of the estate itself.

To get an estate looking well it requires collective responsibility, which also involves a small investment. It astonishes me to hear that so many residents associations have difficulty in obtaining payments of just €100 or €150 from households considering the value that such a contribution makes to their property. It is easy to adopt a “me fein” attitude – I am not selling so why should I bother but at some stage that attitude is likely to bite back.

A purchaser viewing property first visits the estate and if there isn’t a “kerb appeal” to the estate itself then often they may not wish to pay an internal visit to the house chosen. A poorly kept estate with graffiti, broken trees, un-mowed greens gives a really bad impression and irregardless of how any one individual might keep their house its value is greatly undermined by the estate itself. You are not talking small money here it could be €10/20,000.

A well-kept estate sends out a very positive message – we care, the kids are well behaved, your neighbours are likely to be decent, there won’t be vandalism. Whilst some of those may not be borne out non-the less those are the qualities that most purchasers want to find.
There are many examples of well kept estates in Carlow, probably the most eye catching being Heatherfield Court. It is no surprise therefore that houses sell quickly in this area.


Harry Sothern, F.I.A.B.C.I.
Director REA.

Planning decision on €1.4bn Chinese-backed trade project in May

A final Bord Pleanala decision on a massive €1.4bn international trade hub for the midlands will be made in May.
If given the go-ahead the Europe China Trading Hub in Athlone, Co Westmeath would serve as an exhibition centre where buyers from Europe and the US could source Chinese products.
Westmeath County Council has already granted permission for phase one of the Chinese-backed development on a 78-acre site at Creggan on the east side of Athlone.
Final public submissions on the project were accepted by An Bord Pleanala yesterday.
Planners say the development could attract 1.5 million visitors a year.
If completed, the trade hub will become the largest source of Chinese goods to be found anywhere in Europe, housing 3,000 demonstration halls and employing 9,000.
An estimated 1,500 will be employed in the €175 million first phase of the five-phase development.
The total project will cost €1.4 billion and cover 337 acres.
A number of objections have been lodged with An Bord Pleanala over the proposed hub.
One was lodged by a couple whose youngest son is undergoing treatment, having been diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2010.
Dermot and Mary Murray expressed concern over the potential health implications from any construction-related pollution.
The planned development would be located directly to the west of their property.
They say their son has been responding well to treatment, and they believe this is in part, due to the quite rural atmosphere in Clonbonny.
Included in their submission is a letter from their son's consultant confirming his condition and warning that: "Dylan cannot be exposed to any work pollutants."
Another objection relates by to the potential traffic and noise disruption arising from the construction of the project.
Sarah Casserly from Creggan Upper welcomed the prospect of jobs but stated: "I am the nearest residential property to the development and will suffer most during the construction phase."
Catherine and Conor McCormack from Clonbonny had concerns with a number of aspects of the planned developments. They feel the project could affect their house price, ruin their view and destroy the nature of the area.
"We feel that the scale of this project is completely out of character with the area and will completely destroy the nature of the area," they stated.
Other submissions were made by Gaeilge Atha Luain and local car dealership owner Michael Moore.