Signing up to an annual direct debit payment plan from your energy supplier is supposed to help prevent bill shock as your payments are spread equally throughout the year. But it might not work like that...
Messy bedrooms 'hit house prices'
A messy child's bedroom can knock thousands of pounds off the price of a house, a new study has suggested.
A survey found that two in five prospective buyers would be put off a house if it had a messy child's bedroom
A messy child's bedroom can knock thousands of pounds off the price of a house, a new study has suggested.
A survey of more than 1,000 adults by mortgage provider ING Direct found that two out of five prospective buyers would be put off a property if it had an untidy boy's or girl's bedroom.
Many said they would use it as an excuse to negotiate a lower price for a house.
Traces of pets, smelly bathrooms, overgrown lawns and grubby kitchens also had an impact on buyers' impressions of a house, said the report.
ING Direct chief executive Richard Doe said: "Parents aiming to sell their home should bear in mind the impact an untidy kid's room could have on any offers.
"Even if the mess doesn't completely dissuade a buyer, it seems that it certainly impacts on the price they'd be willing to pay - so kids keeping their rooms spic and span could really pay off."
related stories on msn
0Comments
latest money videos
more on msn money
The iconic Cotchford Farm in East Sussex goes up for sale for £2 million.
We look at which option will bag you a nicer home in a better neighbourhood.
Whether you have credit card debts or an overdraft or a stack of store credit, you can get back in the black for very little cost.
Because the sun has to shine eventually...
Nearly half of UK households say that they would struggle to cope if their monthly outgoings rose by £99. We look at how you can create some financial 'breathing space' to help you out if you lose your job or become ill.
Avoid these mistakes if you want to lead a richer life!
Save regularly to nab a leading easy access ISA rate from Newcastle Building Society and the chance to earn up to £1,000 cashback.
Barclaycard is now offering a record 27 interest-free months to pay off your debts.
The taxman says three and a half million people are due a refund, but two million will have to fork out for underpaid tax.
Fed up with low savings rates and high borrowing rates? As Dave Fishwick and his Bank of Dave has demonstrated, there are other options out there.
If you want to find a unique property bargain, there is plenty of help available online - you just need to know where to look.
