1: To protect your family

There are a lot of people trying to sell you insurance of one type or another but an adviser can tell you which one is actually worth buying. They will assess your position and guide you through the best options to protect yourself and your family - regardless of whether you are single, married, have children or they have long left home. Whatever your needs, an adviser can help ensure personal tragedy does not turn into financial crisis.

2: To help plan your spending – and saving

To secure your long-term future, you need to build some assets, initially to get you through the rainy days and then to pay for holidays and luxuries. Step one is to plan your spending so that you begin to save – and step two is to plan that saving so that you can build your wealth as efficiently as possible. Regardless of whether you currently have £10 or £10,000, a financial adviser will look at your situation and find the best starting point for you.

3: To secure your house

The mortgage market was complicated enough already, with its discounts and variables, AERs and caps, indemnities and early redemption fees. Then the credit crunch hit and things have got even worse. However, buying a house is still one of the most expensive decisions we make, and the vast majority of us need a mortgage. A financial adviser could save you thousands, particularly at times like this. Not only can they seek out the best rates, they can help you assess sensible levels of borrowing, make the most of your deposit and might also find lenders who would otherwise not be available to you.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE

4: To help you plan for retirement

Once you have sorted out your short-term saving needs, you can then start thinking about the long term – and most people these days realise they cannot rely on the State for more than the absolute basics. However, planning for retirement is a complex business and there are many different options available. Pensions have come a long way in terms of flexibility and transparency in recent years and also now offers a wide range of investment options. A financial adviser will not only help sift through the many rules and product options but also help construct a portfolio to maximise your long-term prospects.

5: To help meet your investment goals

As you progress through life, you begin to build your assets and your income begins to increase. You then start considering how you can enhance your position rather than simply consolidate it. This could mean anything from looking to retire early through to paying school fees for private schools or investing in overseas property. However your dreams evolve, a financial adviser can help assess what is realistically possible – and put the best plan in place to help you achieve it.

6: To find the right combination of assets

Investment is as much about protecting the potential downsides as it is about targeting maximum growth. With

high returns comes high risk – and not everyone is happy if their investment falls by a third or more overnight. A financial adviser will make a detailed assessment of your attitude to risk before making any recommendations. They will also ensure you don’t put all your eggs in one basket by helping you diversify not only across assets but also across accounts, individual funds and product providers.

7: To obtain an objective assessment

Every new product or investment opportunity is accompanied by hype, proclaiming it the best ever – but that does not mean it is right for you. Investors the world over have been and will continue to be caught out by market bubbles or high charges because they don’t take a step back. A financial adviser knows how products and assets work in different markets and can outline the downsides for you as well as the benefits. Between you, you can then make a more informed decision about what hype you can believe – and what products you really need to avoid.

8: To save money

Once your risk and investment assessments are complete, the next step is to look at tax and even the most basic

overview of your position could help. It may simply mean using ISAs or a pension plan to benefit from Government incentives or it could mean choosing growth assets over income to use capital gains allowances rather than pay income tax. Alternatively, for the more complicated arrangements, it might mean moving assets to your spouse or children to make full use of their personal allowances. A financial adviser will always have your tax position in mind when making recommendations and can help point you in the right direction even in complicated situations.

9: To keep you on track

Even when you have every product you need taken care of and your investments are set up and running to plan, someone needs to keep an eye on them in case markets or abnormal events push them off course. You can ask a financial adviser to do this monitoring work for you. They can assess the performance of individual investments against their peers, ensure that your asset allocation does not get distorted as markets move and also help you consolidate gains as the dates of your ultimate goals approach.

10: For peace of mind

Money is a complicated subject and there are many things you need to think about to both protect it and make the most of it. Markets are volatile and the media is prone to exaggeration of both the risks and the rewards. Employing a good financial adviser can take the emphasis away from you and move it into the hands of an expert. Whether you need general, practical advice or a specialist with dedicated expertise, the money you invest getting their advice could be paid back many times over in the long term.

If you would like to take a closer look at your own circumstances and discuss the best mix of investments to meet your needs, please give me a call on Scunthorpe 330088.

Issued by Marketing-hub.co.uk on behalf of your professional financial adviser. The contents of this document do not constitute advice and should not be taken as a recommendation to purchase or invest in any financial product. The value of a market investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount, particularly in the short term. Before taking any decisions, we suggest you seek advice from a qualified financial adviser. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate tax planning and tax advice.

If you’re too busy or can’t get to the offices, the feel free to ring and arrange a home visit.

Since I live in the Grimsby & Cleethorpes area anyway, I am able to make home visits in the entire Lincolnshire area, whether it be Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Louth, Barton, Caistor or anywhere in the area!

Just give me a ring and I can arrange a home visit catered exclusively around your situation.

Obtain 2 or 3 valuations from different agents – don’t just go for the highest valuation, choose the most realistic and try to negotiate the fee.

Before the photos: -

v     Tidy the garden – make sure that the front garden is tidy and has kerb appeal. Plants in pots are a quick and simple way to spruce up; they can also be taken with you when you move.

v     Sort any minor repairs – fix any loose roof tiles, faulty gutters, tidy any paintwork.

v     De-Clutter – remove any clutter and excess items of furniture. Make the space look spacious. Put items into storage if necessary.

v     Treat any serious problems – such as damp or dry rot. Don’t try to hide anything like this as a surveyor will pick up on them anyway.

Check agent’s description – make sure that the estate agents description is accurate and check dimensions. Make sure that the photographs are clear and show plenty of the room and not just one item of furniture in there.

Make a list of likely questions viewers may ask – these may be nearest shop, petrol station, details about school catchment area and public transport.

Showing the property: -

v     Clean the kitchen and bathroom – make sure that these rooms are bright and sparkling clean. Traditionally, buyers pay the most attention to these 2 rooms.

v     Create a pleasant atmosphere – consider putting out fresh flowers to brighten up the property. Put a coffee percolator on or fresh bread in the oven.

v     Have utility bills to hand – to answer any questions about council tax banding and cost of gas and electric.

v     Make it clear what you are leaving – advise potential buyers which carpets, curtains etc you are leaving or willing to negotiate on. Also any built in electrical appliances.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do – use the local paper and estate agents to compare and research the prices of similar properties. If you want a quick sale, put yours for sale at slightly less.

Don’t – if possible try not to sell in the slow months – November and December, July and August when people are usually away on holiday.

Do– make sure that the photographs of your house are bright and clear and don’t show any mess or clutter. There is also nothing worse than seeing someone’s washing on the line or airer. Make sure exterior shots are taken on a sunny day.

Don’t – be temped to fully redecorate. Buyers may think you are trying to hide something and they are likely to change things to their own taste at a later date anyway.

Do – answer all questions honestly and openly. If you are seen as co-operative and friendly, buyers are more likely to make an offer.

Don’t – hover around while viewer’s look around, let them go at their own pace, they will find you if they have any questions.

Let us help and guide you, whether you are a first time buyer or are looking to remortgage. We help you understand the TRUE cost of buying your home. We can help you with the endless paperwork and take away some of the stress involved. We search the whole of the market and help you to make the choice that’s right for you!

Subject to survey, your circumstances and lending criteria.

Don’t forget your home is at risk if you leave all the doors and windows open!

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Make sure you can afford your mortgage if your income falls.