Author: Daniel Thomas

What’s Best to Plant in Your Garden This October

🍂 What’s Best to Plant in Your Garden This October 🌱 October is a fantastic time to get your garden ready for the cooler months and set the stage for a vibrant spring. Here are 5 of the best things to plant in your garden right now: 1. Spring Bulbs🌷   Now’s the time to plant bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. These little beauties will hibernate through the winter and bring a burst of colour come spring! 2. Winter Pansies 🌼   These hardy flowers can withstand the colder months and add a splash of colour to your garden through autumn and winter. 3. Garlic & Onions 🧄   October is perfect for planting garlic and onion sets. These crops thrive in the cooler months and will be ready to harvest next summer. 4. Hardy Herbs 🌿   Herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage can handle the cooler temperatures. Plant them now to enjoy their flavour throughout winter and beyond. 5. Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs 🌳   If you’re looking to add structure to your garden, October is ideal for planting bare-root trees and shrubs. They’ll establish their roots over winter, ready to thrive in the spring. ✨ Give your garden a head start this October with these autumn planting tips! Whether it’s flowers, veg, or shrubs, a little work now will bring big rewards next year. 🍁 #OctoberGardening #PlantingTips #AutumnGarden #GardeningInspiration #SpringBulbs #GardenLife #AutumnVibes

Top 5 Reasons to Sell Your Home This October

🍁 Top 5 Reasons to Sell Your Home This October 🏡 Thinking about selling your home? October is a fantastic time to put your property on the market! Here’s why: 1. Motivated Buyers 🔑   Buyers in October are serious! Many are looking to move before the holiday season or secure their dream home before winter sets in. 2. Less Competition 🏘️   Fewer homes tend to be listed in autumn compared to the busy spring/summer months. With less competition, your home has a better chance of standing out and attracting more attention. 3. Autumn Curb Appeal 🍂   The rich colours of autumn can enhance your home’s curb appeal. A well-maintained garden with autumnal touches like seasonal planters and a tidy entrance can create a warm, welcoming impression. 4. Milder Weather 🌤️   The cooler temperatures make it easier to manage viewings and open houses without the heat of summer or the cold of winter. Plus, natural light can highlight your home’s cozy charm! 5. Faster Sales Process ⏳   With fewer properties on the market, buyers are often more motivated to move quickly. This can lead to faster sales and a smoother transaction process for you. ✨ Ready to take advantage of the autumn property market? Let’s make your home the one buyers fall for this October! 🏡 #HomeSellingTips #OctoberHomeSale #EstateAgentAdvice #AutumnMarket #PropertyForSale #SellYourHome

Marginal Gains

While national headlines might suggest a sluggish market, with average new seller asking prices dipping 0.1% below last year, it’s important to look at the regional picture. The dip in annual prices is primarily driven by London and the South of England, where competitive pricing is even more vital and homes are taking longer to sell. However, across the rest of Great Britain, including here in Wales, there are positive signs. According to the latest Rightmove report, the number of sales being agreed is up 5% year-on-year across the regions outside the South. This is a clear indicator that there is still strong activity in the market. Locally, the market in West Wales remains dynamic. We know that the upper quartile market in Pembrokeshire is currently showing signs of being a buyer’s market, with only around 18% of properties currently sold subject to contract. This clearly indicates a more competitive landscape, but it also means that with the right strategy, you can stand out. Don’t be discouraged.  With the right marketing strategy you can still find a buyer.  As Coleen Babcock from Rightmove explains  ‘It is sensible and attractive seller pricing which has been helping to drive more sales activity compared to last year’.  With improved buyer affordability, driven by static house prices, rising wages, and lower mortgage rates (the average two-year fixed rate has reduced from 5.03% to 4.52% since August 2024) more buyers are committing, and this has led to the increased number of transactions this year. But if the market is improving and there have been more sales, why are so many homes not selling? Unfortunately not every property on the market is benefiting from the best marketing campaign and sometimes they have not been priced sensibly to attract buyers.  It isn’t all about price, although that is of course important. And with a record high number of properties available on the market it is essential your agent makes your home stand out for all the right reasons. We believe by making small improvements to every aspect of both the marketing campaign and the service offered to home sellers and buyers we are able to make marginal gains across the entire process and this can lead to a significant overall improvement.  We believe this is part of the reason why data shows that 75% of our clients agree a sale within 16 weeks of coming to market, while the average among other leading agents is only 41%, with one national premium agent only managing to sell 25% of the properties they listed for sale within this same time frame.  We have a few examples of properties we have sold this year after other agents had been unsuccessful including a five bedroom detached home near Tenby, a detached bungalow in Tavernspite, a lighthouse in Dale and a old mill house in Clarbeston Road. Pentrose Mill House, Clarbeston Road This beautiful home had been on the market with three different agents over a three year period.  When we took over we felt the photography did not capture the real feeling of the home and did not evoke strong emotions in potential buyers.  There was no video either, which is a tool we feel is essential to really showcase the lifestyle a property can offer potential buyers.  We were happy that the most recent asking price was fair and so did not feel we needed to change that at all.  We set about improving the photography and produced a video tour.  Coupled with evocative written descriptions we were able to actively promote the property to a wide audience through conventional channels, like Rightmove and Zoopla but also to a wider audience through social media platforms, where we were able to reach over a quarter of a million people.  This resulted in six viewings and offers from two different potential buyers and I am pleased to say around 12 weeks later our clients finally got to move – after three years of there life feeling like it was on hold. Here are a sample of the photos taken by the other agents compared to the ones we provided.  Hopefully they start to give you an understanding of how small differences can cumulate to make a big difference. Other Agents Photos                                           Our Photos If you can relate to this story then perhaps it is time to consider a change in agent.  If you have been on the market for more than three or four months then we would strongly recommend you review everything your current agent is doing.  It is always important to have a plan B and sometimes when a property has been on the market for a while all you need is a fresh approach and a new tailored plan. I would be delighted to offer you a complimentary, no obligation, report into your home that will give you some suggestions that may help you achieve your goal, whether you chose to work with me or not. If you prefer I would also be more than happy to call round to take a look around and to talk you through my suggestions.  If you’d like to chat just drop me a line – daniel.thomas@luxurywelshhomes.com Kind regards Daniel Thomas

Why Staging Empty Rooms Matters When Selling Your Home

📸 Why Staging Empty Rooms Matters When Selling Your Home 🛋️✨ It might seem like a blank canvas is ideal—but empty rooms can actually leave buyers guessing. Here’s why staging is so important: Helps Buyers Visualise 🧠 Most people struggle to picture how to use a space. A staged room gives clarity and sparks imagination. Shows Scale & Function 📏 An empty room can feel smaller than it is. Furnishings show the room’s true potential and purpose. Creates Emotional Connection ❤️ Staged homes feel more inviting and lived-in, helping buyers connect emotionally—which is key to offers! Highlights Lifestyle 🌟 You’re not just selling a house—you’re selling a lifestyle. A staged room paints that picture beautifully. 💡 Don’t let your home fall flat—show its full potential with thoughtful staging! Below are some examples of some simple home styling we have carried out for our clients #HomeStaging #StagingToSell #PropertyTips #EmptyRoomFix #SellingYourHome #InteriorStyling #ShowYourSpace #MoveInReady #CurbAppeal

Pembrokeshire Award Winning Estate Agent

Luxury Welsh Homes has been named “Best Luxury Real Estate Agent 2025/2026” at the esteemed Prestige Awards. These awards recognize small and medium-sized businesses that offer a high-quality service and value to their customers. This recognition highlights Luxury Welsh Homes’ commitment to excellence and exceptional service in the luxury real estate market.  Founded by husband and wife team Michelle and Daniel Thomas just two years ago Luxury Welsh Homes brings together their wealth of experience, knowledge and passion for offering a personal, professional service with both having over 20 years experience in the property industry.  If you have seen any of their exceptional marketing you willunderstand that they have worked tirelessly to ensure their clients homes are presented to the highest of standards, utilising a range of marketing strategies and bespoke packages for each unique home.“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this prestigious award after all our hard work. Daniel and I are passionate about providing excellent service and marketing to our clients, and we’re so pleased to be recognized as the best luxury real estate agent.” commented Michelle.  “Selling unique homes requires a specialist service from dedicated agents who understand their clients and their homes and after helping thousands of home owners achieve their goal of moving we feel we have the skills and experience and to have now been recognised as the Best Luxury Real Estate Agent confirms our beliefs” added Daniel.  Recognised for providing their clients with first class marketing that showcases their unique homes to the highest level while providing a personal, bespoke service. All homeowners selling with Luxury Welsh Homes benefit from home staging advice and guidance for the photo shoot, carefully curated photographs designed to evoke powerful emotions in potential buyers and a professionally filmed and presented video that allows the team to showcase the location and lifestyle that the property offers.  You can find Luxury Welsh Homes on Social Media@LuxuryWelshHomes Contact: Michelle Thomas Michelle.thomas@luxurywelshhomes.com Daniel Thomas  Daniel.thomas@luxurywelshhomes.com  Stanley (the family’s Golden Retriever) doesn’t do emails, but he does love meeting Dan & Michelle’s clients and can occasionally be spotted in a property video!

Seven Essential Steps for a Smooth Summer Move

☀️🏡 7 Essential Steps for a Smooth Summer Move 🌴📦 Moving this summer? Stay cool, calm, and collected with these must-do tips: Book Early 🚚 – Summer is peak moving season, so secure your removal team in advance! Declutter Before You Pack 🧹 – Don’t take what you don’t love. Clear out before boxing up. Create a Moving Checklist ✅ – Stay on top of every detail with a timeline and to-do list. Pack Smart 📦 – Label boxes clearly and keep essentials handy for moving day. Plan for the Heat 🔥 – Have water, snacks, and fans ready—especially if you’re doing a DIY move. Change Address Early ✉️ – Let your bank, utilities & post know in advance. Celebrate the New Chapter 🥂 – You’ve earned it! Pop that fizz when the keys are yours. Moving doesn’t have to be stressful—just be prepared and stay hydrated! 💪 #SummerMove #MovingTips #HomeMoveChecklist #SmoothMove #NewHomeJourney #EstateAgentTips #MovingHouse #PropertyExperts  #JuneMove #HomeGoals

New Home by Christmas!

Santa may be enjoying some well deserved rest and relaxation on a lovely Welsh beach, but now is the time for homeowners wanting to move in time for his next visit to be taking decisive action!  With the average time to sell a home in Wales being 68 days you may feel you have plenty of time but unfortunately the average time for conveyancers to complete a transaction from the point of sale agreed is now 154 days! Meaning for those just coming to market now it might mean a move in the New Year and of course for those already on the market but struggling to sell then a change of strategy now is essential. Increased Activity The Principality have reported an increase of transactions in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024 of around 20% and rightmove continue to publish data supporting anincrease in overall buyer demand.  However, they have also indicated an increase in the number of homes coming to the market of 11% year on year. Despite the increase in buyer demand generally across the UK and the increase in transactions across Wales the average time to sell remains high and this is leading to an increased level of choice for buyers, making the market incredibly price sensitive.  Interestingly Rightmove reports that those houses coming to market and receiving enquiries within the first 24 hours are 22% more likely to sell than those that do not receive immediate interest. Falling Average Prices The increase in competition that is outpacing the increase in buyer activity is reflected in the data shared by the Principality in the quarter one price index, which shows that average house prices in Pembrokeshire are down 4.8% year on year, while Carmarthenshire is down 2.3% in the first quarter of 2025, with Ceredigion down an eyewatering 10.1% in the same period. However, the increase in transaction levels and overall buyer activity can give us all some reassurance and when you monitor the local markets closely you can see that properties that are coming to the market now at sensible prices are being sold and even those that have previously struggled are able to attract fresh interest when marketed well. So Why Isn’t My Home Selling? (it isn’t always your price) We are aware that there are lots of homeowners who have been trying to sell their home now for far more than the average 68 days and if you are one of these unlucky home movers then you are probably wondering why? There are a whole host of reasons why your home may not be selling and we would encourage anyone in this position to review these factors before deciding to adjust their marketing price.  Here are just four of the factors you should consider before changing your price; Quality of photography.  In this digital age home searching is not immune to our decreasing attention spans, with the swipe right culture applying to home searches too.  You only get a few seconds to make a good impression on apps like Rightmove and OnTheMarket.  It is therefore really important that your photos are the best quality and eye catching.  Although the tried and tested front of house photo is a great option it is also a good idea to mix it up a little and if you have a feature that is sure to be a real crowd pleaser then you should consider using this as your lead image.  We like to review the performance of our adverts weekly and if needed rotate around the images we are using.  We typically have around 60-80 images on file although we don’t use them all at once this means we have a stock library we can use to keep our adverts fresh. Floor plans and land plans.  Sounds basic but believe it or not some agents still do not include these as standard.  If you don’t have one, speak to your agent ASAP and get one added to your adverts. Social media exposure.  These days most agents will have a Facebook page, but many of them do not leverage them properly to get the best reach and exposure for their clients.  Using a multi-platform strategy that includes, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube agents can reach tens of thousands of potential buyers.  We consider this a great way to reach a more ‘passive buyer’, someone who is interested in moving but is not quite at the stage where they are checking the property portals twice daily for new listings. It is also a great way to show potential buyers properties that are outside their current search criteria.  When I started in agency there was no computer searches and as an agent we would always tell buyers about properties in the next village over or one just outside their budget, the likes of Rightmove cannot do this, but we have found by using our tried and tested techniques we are able to replicate this through our social media campaigns.   Property Videos. Professionally produced video tours are a useful way to showcase a home and are loved by property buyers, who say they help them to get an honest feeling for how the property flows and for the ‘feel’ of the home.  In addition to sharing videos on our website and on property portals we have found they are a great tool to use in combination with our social media strategies, with increased reach and engagement from video on many platforms. By reviewing your current marketing position and implementing a detailed plan it is possible to revitalise a floundering campaign.  We have had some recent success with houses that had been on the market for some time with other agents and thought you would be interested to see some examples of our success stories. The two examples above show how we have generated results for our clients.  Both properties had been on the market for an extended time with other agents

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Home

🌸✨ 5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Home ✨🌸 Spring is the perfect time to refresh your space! Here are 5 tips to help you tackle your spring cleaning like a pro. 🧼🧹 Declutter First 🗑️: Before you start cleaning, go through each room and get rid of items you no longer need. It’ll make cleaning a lot easier! Focus on High-Traffic Areas 🏠: Start with spots like the kitchen, bathroom, and hallway where dirt builds up most. Don’t Forget the Walls & Ceilings 🖤: Dust and cobwebs can gather in overlooked areas. Grab a microfiber cloth and give your walls and ceilings some love. Deep Clean Your Windows 🪟: Let the sunshine in by cleaning your windows inside and out. A good clean can brighten up your entire home! Refresh Fabrics & Upholstery 🛋️: Wash curtains, cushion covers, and deep-clean your sofa to remove built-up dust and dirt. You’ll be amazed at the difference! Ready to get your home sparkling for spring? 🌷✨ Let’s make your space shine! #SpringCleaning #FreshStart #CleanHomeHappyHome #SpringVibes #HomeTips

Top 6 Staging Props to Help Sell Your Home Fast

🏡✨ Top 6 Staging Props to Help Sell Your Home Fast ✨🏡 Want to make your home irresistible to buyers? Here are the top 6 staging props to elevate your space and make a lasting impression! 🇬🇧 Fresh Flowers 🌸: A bouquet of fresh blooms adds instant warmth and life to any room. Opt for soft, neutral colours to keep things fresh and inviting. Mirrors 🪞: Mirrors reflect light and make smaller spaces feel larger. They’re a quick and easy way to brighten up your rooms. Throw Cushions & Blankets 🛋️: Add texture and comfort with soft throws and cushions. Go for neutral tones to create a cosy, welcoming vibe. Stylish Rugs 🧺: A well-placed rug ties a room together and adds an extra layer of warmth and style. Artwork 🎨: Choose simple, neutral artwork that complements the space. It adds personality without overwhelming the room. Scented Candles 🕯️: A light, fresh scent can make a huge difference when potential buyers walk through your door. Choose calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus. Ready to stage your home for success? Let’s make your listing stand out! 📲 #HomeStaging #SellYourHome #StagingProps #RealEstateUK #HouseSellingTips #PropertyGoals

5 Tips for Selling Your Home this Spring

🌸🏡 5 Tips for Selling Your Home this Spring 🏡🌸 Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to list your home! Here are 5 tips to help you sell quickly and for the best price: Boost Curb Appeal 🌷: Freshen up your garden, trim the lawn, and add some colourful flowers to create a welcoming first impression. Let the Sunshine In ☀️: Open up windows, clean your glass, and let natural light flood your rooms—it’ll make your space feel bright and inviting. Deep Clean & Declutter 🧹: Give your home a fresh, clean start by removing clutter and deep-cleaning every corner. Less is more! Highlight Spring Vibes 🌿: Add seasonal touches like fresh flowers, light throw pillows, or airy curtains to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Price It Right 💰: Work with your agent to price your home competitively. The right price attracts more buyers! Ready to make the most of this spring market? Let’s get your home SOLD! 📲 #SpringSelling #RealEstateTips #SellYourHome #SpringVibes #HomeSellingTips