Q&A

A selection of property related questions answered

Why won't neighbours put up a 'For Sale' sign?

On myhome.ie it's possible to look at a map of your area and see what houses are for sale. Out of curiosity (I am not househunting, just nosey) I checked out my neighbourhood and saw a number of houses for sale which I know for certain don't have "for sale" signs. Two of the houses were for sale last year and I can't recall one ever having a sign. Do houses for sale not have to have a sign?

Apart from the legal aspects, and that the advertisements must be legal, decent and honest, there are few actual rules about the nuts and bolts of selling a house. A "for sale" sign, or auctioneer's board (as it's more formally known), is essentially a marketing tool, another way, apart from print and web advertising for letting likely buyers know that a property is on the market. This column has heard of cases where houses didn't sell last year and the homeowners simply got so tired/frustrated/depressed at looking at the sign that they wanted it down - but still wanted the house on the market.

It's very much the seller's choice. There are also cases where there is a family sensitivity - again, some years ago a reader told this column about an elderly relative who would have been too upset to have a board up. Agents hate it when clients refuse to put a sign up - and it is rare enough - but it does happen for many and diverse reasons. In this and indeed in any market, a seller would be wise to do everything they can to improve their chances of selling: having a "for sale" up is one of those ways.

I want to find eco-friendly paints, varnishes

I am redecorating my children's room and want to use a resin wall paint as it has a lovely soft finish and it's natural. I am trying to be as eco-minded as possible and have spotted suppliers of eco-friendly paints and varnishes in UK interiors magazines.However the thought of the cost of the postage involved is seriously off-putting. Are there any suppliers closer to home (I live in Sligo). Any opinions on floorcoverings? I was thinking of coir or sisal or some similar natural material.

Sourcing a "green" natural resin wall paint locally shouldn't be too much of a problem. The Auro range includes a natural resin wall paint that comes in white but can be tinted a huge range of colours. It's an eco-friendly option (no petrochemicals, carbon neutral manufacturing, etc) and there are suppliers throughout the country (Tir na Nog in Sligo, tel 071-9162752 is listed as your nearest supplier).

As to coir or sisal in a child's room, while they are natural materials, they are hard on little knees and bare feet, difficult to clean, unforgiving when it comes to liquid spills and tend to harbour dust.

Would you consider painting the floorboards (Auro has floorpaints) and getting a colourful rug?

Send your queries to Property Questions, The Irish Times, The Irish Times Building, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 or email propertyquestions@irish-times.ie. Unfortunately, it is not possible to respond to all questions. The above is a representative sample of queries received. This column is a readers' service and is not intended to replace professional advice. No individual correspondence will be entered into.