Answers You Should Never Give When Asked ‘WHY ARE YOU SELLING YOUR HOUSE?’

August 14, 2024

This question seems to be perfectly normal and might seem innocent too. But be aware, if you are selling, then buyers are asking this diciest question to identify any drawbacks or the pain points which could jeopardize your negotiating power. If you say the wrong answer to the buyers, then they will either walk away or make a lowball offer. So be prepared to answer this question in advance or a get a professional real estate agent to handle the matter.

JOB TRANSFER

Do not mention that you were transferred to a new location in your workplace. This situation may make the buyers perceive that you are desperate to sell your property, hence tempting them to make lowball offers.

SETTLING THE LOANS

Never ever reveal the fact that you are challenged financially as this will make buyers to quote lowball offers since they know you are in a hurry and desperate.

QUIET OR NOISY NEIGHBOURHOOD

Do not mention any negative points to buyers. You do not know what sort of neighborhood the buyer prefers. It could be a secluded quieter one or a bustling one with lots of happenings around, especially with night life. So if the situation permits, steer clear of mentioning anything about the neighborhood being quite or noisy.

TOO BIG TO MAINTAIN

Don’t mention about any cost factors associated with maintaining a larger premises such as the renovation costs you incurred recently. Also don’t mention the fact that the premises could be too large to keep tidy and clean which could make the buyers think twice.

DIFFICULTY WITH CLIMBING STAIRS

If you are an old person and find it tedious climbing stairs, do not highlight that point mentioning anything about your back issues or leg problems climbing stairs, especially if your buyers are older people and you have few staircases, since it might alarm them in a negative manner.

How to Make Your Living Room Look Funky

October 7, 2024

Creating a funky living room is all about expressing your unique personality through bold colors, eclectic furniture, vibrant patterns, and creative decor. Here are some tips to help you transform your living space into a lively and stylish haven:

1. Embrace Bold Colors

Vibrant Walls: Choose bright, unexpected colors for your walls like teal, mustard yellow, or deep purple. Alternatively, use bold wallpaper with funky patterns such as geometric shapes, florals, or abstract designs.
Accent Walls: If painting all walls seems overwhelming, create an accent wall with a striking color or patterned wallpaper to make a statement without overwhelming the space.

2. Mix and Match Furniture

Eclectic Pieces: Combine different styles of furniture, such as a mid-century modern sofa with a vintage coffee table or a bohemian armchair with a contemporary side table.
Color Coordination: Opt for furniture in various colors that complement each other. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and textures for added visual interest.

3. Creative Lighting

Statement Lighting: Install a funky chandelier, colorful pendant lights, or unique floor lamps to serve as conversation starters.
Layered Lighting: Use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create depth and highlight key areas or decor pieces in the room.

4. Play with Patterns and Textures

Bold Patterns: Incorporate patterns through rugs, throw pillows, curtains, and upholstery. Stripes, polka dots, abstract designs, and ethnic prints can add a lively vibe.
Textures: Mix different textures like velvet, leather, wicker, and metallics to add dimension and tactile interest to your space.

5. Add Artistic Elements

Wall Art: Display a gallery wall with a variety of art pieces, including paintings, prints, posters, and even DIY artwork. Choose pieces that reflect your personal taste and add color.
Sculptures and Decor: Incorporate unique sculptures, decorative objects, and quirky accessories to enhance the funky aesthetic.

6. Incorporate Statement Furniture

Unique Pieces: Invest in one or two standout furniture items, such as a brightly colored sofa, an unconventional coffee table, or an eye-catching bookshelf.
Functional Art: Look for furniture that doubles as art, like chairs with unusual shapes or tables with artistic bases.

7. Use Creative Storage Solutions

Open Shelving: Display books, plants, and decorative items on open shelves to add personality without cluttering the space.
Colorful Storage: Use colorful baskets, bins, or vintage trunks to store items while contributing to the room’s aesthetic.

8. Incorporate Greenery

Plants: Add a variety of indoor plants in funky pots or planters. Plants not only enhance the visual appeal but also improve air quality.
Unusual Planters: Use eclectic containers like vintage tins, colorful ceramics, or macramé hangers to display your greenery.

9. Personalize with DIY Projects

Custom Decor: Create your own artwork, repurpose old furniture with a fresh coat of paint, or make handmade cushions and throws.
Unique Accents: Incorporate items that have personal meaning or reflect your hobbies and interests to make the space truly yours.

10. Layer with Accessories

Throw Pillows and Blankets: Use an assortment of vibrant and patterned throw pillows and blankets to add color and comfort.
Rugs: Choose rugs with bold patterns or bright colors to define different areas within the living room and add warmth.

11. Incorporate Retro and Vintage Elements

Vintage Finds: Integrate vintage furniture, retro electronics, or antique decor pieces to add character and nostalgia.
Retro Patterns: Use patterns from different eras, such as 60s mod or 70s boho, to infuse the space with a funky vibe.

12. Create a Focal Point

Feature Wall: Designate a focal point with a large piece of art, a vibrant rug, or an eye-catching piece of furniture.
Unique Features: Consider adding a statement fireplace, a bold headboard, or an interesting shelving unit to draw attention.

13. Experiment with Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces

Decorative Mirrors: Use mirrors with unique frames to add depth and reflect light, making the room feel larger and more dynamic.
Reflective Accents: Incorporate metallic or mirrored decor pieces to catch the eye and add a touch of glamour.

14. Express with Textiles

Bold Curtains: Choose curtains in bright colors or interesting patterns to frame your windows and add flair.
Layered Textiles: Layer different fabrics and textures through cushions, throws, and rugs to create a cozy and eclectic look.

15. Keep it Functional

Balance: While aiming for a funky aesthetic, ensure that the space remains functional and comfortable. Avoid overcrowding the room with too many bold elements.
Flow: Maintain a cohesive flow by balancing vibrant colors and patterns with neutral tones to prevent the space from feeling chaotic.

Inspiration Ideas:

Bohemian Vibes: Combine rich colors, diverse patterns, and plenty of plants for a relaxed, boho-chic look.
Mid-Century Modern: Use sleek lines, retro furniture, and bold colors for a timeless yet funky appeal.
Industrial Funk: Mix raw materials like metal and wood with vibrant accents and artistic decor for an edgy, urban feel.

Final Thoughts

The key to a funky living room is to have fun and let your creativity shine. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles, colors, and textures until you find the perfect combination that reflects your personality and makes your space uniquely yours. Happy decorating!

Current Real Estate Market Conditions in Sri Lanka

February 1, 2022

Real Estate Market in Sri Lanka

The real estate market is one of the recently emerging markets in the territories of Sri Lanka. Since this is quite a market related to the concept of urbanization, the market is established mostly in highly commercial areas such as Western and Southern provinces in the country. Yet, one can witness that it has become a major part of other areas as well, rooting in initial levels. However, this is such a market that can be affected by a slight change in the economic system in the country since this deals with properties that are a part of the inhabitants in it. You may be wondering now what this so important market is? The real estate market is the market where the properties containing lands and buildings are involved in commercial dealings particularly in purchasing and selling. Therefore, it is a market that moves forward with the ups and downs of the economic and financial conditions of the country.

History of Real Estate Market in Sri Lanka

The beginning of the journey of the real estate market in Sri Lanka runs back to the late 19s with small-scale initiatives. Back then neither the market nor the real estate properties had emerged to a visible extent. However, constantly evolving business technologies, minds, and personalities became responsible for changing the small-scale history into a larger scale present. As a result, this market embraced a significant position within the context of Sri Lanka towards the early 20s. Aftermath, it only developed and widened its territories rather than dropping down its value even by connecting the dots globally. Currently, as a booming industry, it has stabilized its potential by increasing the number of investments while marking the landmark of the real estate industry in Colombo. According to the contemporary scenario, investing in Colombo for a real estate property leads to an incredible fortune in the near future which comprises the 75%-80% multiplications of the investment itself.

“Current value does not always matter, what matters the most is how valuable it can be in future”

Recent Changes Happened in The Real Estate Market in Sri Lanka

As mentioned above, Colombo, being the home of the market in Sri Lanka, contains a number of valuable properties around the city with an astounding demand from both the buying and selling parties. For instance, the apartment complexes in Ward place, Horton place, Barnes place, Maitland place, Alfred place along with the new projects such as sapphire residences, marina square, 146 Residencies, etc. are a few of them. Everything had been normal in the industry and market without any flaw until early 2020. Since this is a market directly affected by the economic status and the financial condition of the nation, the unfortunate hassles that happened in 2020 and 2021 caused impromptu changes in it.

After the unexpected demissive Easter attack in April 2019, the slightly affected real estate industry worked on the recovery piling up promising anticipations towards 2021. Though the beginning of the year seems calm and fortuitous for the industry, the threatening storm of the Covid-19 pandemic hits hard on the market by turning the tables once again. As it puts a full stop to several industries in the country, similarly it almost showed a termination to the real estate market as well. The main reason for that was the decreasing foreign investments and lack of incoming foreign population. Since this is developed to be an industry that has a global stand, the traveling bans, export-import bans and physical barriers in between the countries could make a real change in the market. Apart from that, the economic crisis and lack of inland revenue also played a huge part in these revolutionary changes in the market. Lack of sophisticated people and environment is not a good place for the real estate market which always deals with purchasing and selling.

Present Situation of The Real Estate Market In Sri Lanka

Currently, although the pandemic has not still seen its end, the real estate marketers are in the process of restating their position within the island. Though the country has not fully recovered from all the hazardous consequences of the pandemic, everything is getting normalized even amidst its presence. Hence, the real estate market also embraces their previous routines to a considerable extent without letting their industry fade out. Once again the buyers and sellers are in the process of building their future with the market and the developers are in the process of finding new dimensions to expand their workforce. This new normalized energy has shed fresh light on the market to continue with its acquainted operations while planning on the strategies to stabilize their stand even if another crisis rises. Thus, though the economy and the global connections are still wavering within the island, the real estate market is back on the action to overcome the challenges they faced during the uncertain past two years for a more certain and hassle-free future.

“Navigating the industry with the current resources will bring it to another level when the things become really normal one day”