As we pack the kids off to school this morning in Gibraltar's finest fancy dress, we take a look at some rather more 'grown-up' books to read to help you get the best deals when buying and selling a property.
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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.
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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.
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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.
