Sam's Word 11: In the news again... and why shouldn't you be?

Sam's Word

We have blogged before about our being featured in the media as estate agents. Raising awareness of our brand and what we do, and getting people to understand that we are property experts who can be trusted, are important. That has taken us to appear in print, radio, online, and in social media in recent months.

This time, we have been featured by a leading property portal, OnTheMarket.com, when using our expertise to offer our view on a distressing topic, 'What to do when you’ve found a dream home and your buyer walks away'. 

So, if you have found your dream home - perhaps via our section on OnTheMarket.com - now you have some advice to deal with one of the many unfortunate situations a property move can produce. 

We were listening to a broadcast this week, and an estate agent was asked, 'Why use a high street estate agent and not one of the new online services?' They answered, 'Because these online services don't have the people with the experience to cope if things go wrong.' Food for thought. Yes, it is good to use the innovations and open access facilities such as Facebook (see below), but having your chosen, local property experts to conduct, guide or help at need during your property transactions is as important as it has ever been.

Among the things you can do to help yourself is, for example, raising awareness that you have a property for sale or to let. We use Facebook and Twitter and other social media to promote ourselves and our clients, but more is, well, more. You can use these yourself, if you feel confident to do so.

One word of warning, though. Don't make the mistake of indicating when your property is unoccupied, which could be an invitation to burglars or worse. You could share that you have a property for sale or to be let out and create a page with photo's and text. Using images from our brochure, taken by professional photographers, would be a sensible step. Your friends will see your page, and they may well share it with others, and a potential buyer or tenant might soon be knocking on your door enquiring. Even then, however, having a professional friend, such as Edward Ashdale, to ensure the correct sale or let process is followed, is important. A tenant should be vetted; a buyer's seriousness probed (nicely). 

You can also simply tell people you know that your property is for sale or to let and spread the word that way. Though an Edward Ashdale sign (or more than one) is a bit of a give away, and so it should be. 

Such word of mouth is, of course, very important, and it is a major way we pick up new clients. We're worth talking about and getting in the news, after all.

Sam Samuel, MNAEA CRLM,  January 2015

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here.

Kevin's Property Blog - December 2015

Kevin Spires, Senior Sales Executive at Edward Ashdale estate agents, shares his latest thoughts on the property market.

London & Bromley

Average price increases accelerated to 9.6% in the year to September. Annual prices are now once again rising faster in London than in any other region of the country, and the average house price in the capital is now £499,995.

The majority of sales in Bromley during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £277,772. Terraced properties sold for an average of £360,075, with semi-detached properties fetching £483,235.

Overall sold prices in Bromley over the last year were 7% up on the previous year and 27% up on the 2012 level of £320,659.

National

House prices rose across the UK in September, rising by 5.3% compared to 4.2% in August. Outside of London, the South East saw house prices rise the most at 8.5% in the year to September.

Excluding London, property prices in the countryside are, on average, 22% higher than in urban areas Despite this, the gap between “town” and “country” prices is narrowing as prices are rising more quickly in urban areas. Between 2010 and 2015, the average price of a home in the countryside rose by 13%, compared with an average increase of 23% in towns and cities.

The relative shortage of houses for sale means there are many more prospective home-owners than houses to buy. Prices will probably rise fastest in the entry level bracket with high demand from first-time buyers. In the short term there may be a rush from buy to let investors or second home buyers seeking to make a purchase before Stamp Duty rises by a further 3% from April 2016.

Kevin Spires, Senior Sales Executive, Edward Ashdale, for your free valuation call 020 8 466 8445.

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here.

Topical tips for Landlords 1 – New energy regulation is coming

The Energy Act 2011 gave the government powers to set a minimum energy efficiency standard for the private rented sector to help meet carbon reduction targets and address fuel poverty.

Therefore, a Minimum Energy Performance Standard for the private rented sector is being introduced. The Private Rented Sector Energy Efficiency Regulations (Domestic) sets out:

• Tenant's energy efficiency improvements
• Minimum energy efficiency standards

Minimum energy efficiency  standard regulations will require eligible properties in the sector to be improved to a specified minimum standard. These regulations must be in force by April 2018.

Landlords will face a penalty charge of up to a maximum of £5000 for non-compliance.

Until recently, Lewisham Council, in partnership with Osborne Energy, set up an offer to help improve the energy efficiency of rental properties with up to £7200 grant funding by property. Funding was available to landlords with rental property in Lewisham, Bexley, or Bromley.

Whether or not further offers are made available from these or other sources, landlords clearly need to be investing in this area going forward.

Website: www.osborneenergy.co.uk

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here. 

A Baptism of Fire for my first letting agreement

By Liam Embleton, Negotiator at Edward Ashdale

"I’ve recently started working as a Negotiator for Edward Ashdale. My first role in the lettings industry.

"After an initial period of training I was out conducting viewings, a process of filtering the good applicants from the bad. My first successful let was a three bedroom ground floor flat in Shortlands and it didn’t go as smoothly as I expected it to. Apparently, not even the Lettings Manager had experienced anything like it before. Problems occurred through the process of moving tenants on the planned date.

"On Friday 18^th September, I had organised two very good applicants, Pawel and Lukasz, an early afternoon appointment to show them around the property. They both work for a large company in the local area and were looking to rent a flat in the Bromley area. Pawel and Lukas showed immediate interest as this flat was exactly what they were looking for. The flat was empty at this time as the Landlord had vacated. We had in fact managed the property two years ago, so the Landlord was no stranger to us and the process. The property was available to be moved into as soon as possible, which was ideal for Pawel and Lukasz as they needed to be out of their current property within two weeks. They requested permission from the owner to redecorate in the same colours as they planned to remain long term. 

"Everything was agreed and a reservation deposit was paid by the tenants. I confirmed with the Landlord the property was now let on the terms agreed and proceeded to carry out the referencing process. The landlord confirmed he was happy to take on these tenants and was looking forward to them occupying the property in two weeks. The proposed tenants were excited and the date for occupation was set with a date of Friday 2^nd October which was perfect for all as they needed to be out of their current property that they were renting by that date. 

"During the week coming up to Friday 2^nd, I had no contact with the landlord despite my attempts to make contact. I couldn’t get hold of him: he was not responding to any of my calls or e-mails. I had to apologise to Pawel and Lukasz, explaining that despite having signed contracts returned from the Landlord-client, he had not authorized the references we had obtained, despite them being rendered ‘good’ and ‘acceptable for the tenancy’. They were not able to collect the keys on the Friday 2^nd, as we had no response from the landlord.

"When I finally got contact from the landlord three days after the agreed move in date, he said that his wife had changed her mind on the proposed tenants and that he now no longer agreed with them moving in. Pawel and Lukasz was not happy with this late decision, not to mention the grief they were having from their existing Landlord. They were telling me they were about to be homeless because new tenants were pressing to move in their own property. 

"My manager in the office became involved and tried to learn from the owner what the delay was or if there were any concerns. Luckily, later on that day the landlord phoned again and told us he had had a further discussion with his wife and agreed to the tenants moving in.

The new date for occupation was Saturday 10^th October, which was going to be a definite! I had to politely speak to Pawel and Lukasz and explain to them the reasons why we had to change the date.

"During that week I made sure everything was prepared, including organizing the inventory and gas safety testing. I could not believe it when we received a telephone call from the gas engineer advising there was no seal on the oven door and no chain on the gas cooking appliance, so he had to fail the gas check. I immediately conveyed this to the Landlord, who refused to accept the gas check had failed and assured me there was nothing wrong with the appliance. We obtained quotes for supplying and fitting a new gas cooker and oven appliance, but the Landlord refused. This ran into a few days, with the tenant continuously chasing to find out what was going on and the Landlord reluctant to do anything. He wanted a second opinion and the same result was found. This meant the tenants were not allowed to move in the next day until the landlord had replaced the cooker, which ultimately delayed the move in date once again by another three days. This caused big problems for Pawel and Lukasz and there was nothing I could do but apologise for the inconvenience of being delayed once again. The Landlord finally conceded after reading the gas engineer’s reports, but decided he wanted to arrange the new appliance, which he did through a local store who were offering an installation deal too, ensuring it met current regulations.

"Finally, on Tuesday 13^thOctober, we finally got Pawel and Lukasz happily moved into the property with all the problems solved. Yet the story didn’t finish there. The Landlord contacted my Manager, saying he had been talking to his wife and after everything that had happened, had decided not to let the property to the tenants. They were going to sell the property instead! 

"The Landlord had signed and returned his contracts. 

"All of the associated tenancy obligations were complete.

"The tenants had signed the Tenancy Agreement and here we were with a Landlord saying we needed to tell them to move out. I was quite amazed, but I was assured the Landlord could not get the tenants out. It was a horrible feeling for me, after all my efforts. Fearing having to tell the tenants and a possible legal battle, the Landlord telephoned later in the day and apologized, saying it was his wife and that he himself was quite happy to proceed!

"I’ve been told to expect many more unusual experiences, which I suppose is part of the job when you are dealing with people that have different agendas."

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here.

Whisky Galore

Our Director Sam Samuel (left, below) and our staff in our Bromley office were very cheerful the other day when some of our clients thanked us. Two were a couple who we had helped to buy their first detached home. 

Nice photo, isn't it? It certainly made our day. Yet estate agency isn't all smiles.

Knowing how difficult property transactions can be, we pride ourselves on our work, on our professionalism. We provide an excellent service for those who use us. Regardless of what our clients are like themselves! For the people we deal with are only human, they are unique, and they are under different pressures. We understand if people are disorganised, grumpy, stressed out, distracted, impatient, or all of those at once. It is our job to provide a professional arm to lean on, to guide people through the choppy waters of selling or buying homes, chains, letting or being let to, and so on.  

It helps, of course, if our clients are as responsive as us, tell us anything relevant that is going on, ensure we know what their needs are and what they are planning. Yet we will happily work with people who are inexperienced in property transactions, who don't like them and who will, try as they might, will never understand them all that well.   

It is, though, good to be appreciated and to work with people who aren't disorganised, grumpy, stressed out, distracted, or impatient. 

The two clients who, as we said at the start, outdid us recently were thanking us. We regularly get thanks from people who give us cards and gifts. These are always greatly appreciated. 

Among theirs and other recent gifts, whisky has been involved, a bottle of Jamesons and of Glenfiddich. The former went to Sam and the latter to Kevin Spires. Naturally, we won't disclose whose has been drunk the fastest, though we can say that Kevin has more left as the Christmas festive period approaches....

Thank you to those recent clients, but gifts aren't what we work for (nice though they are). It is knowing we have done the best we can and that we have achieved something meaningful for our clients.

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here.

Moving in... with the Queen of Clean

Lynsey, Queen of Clean, has advice for you

 

So, you've bid for a house or two, you've had a bid accepted, then you have passed the nervous period till contracts are exchanged, not to mention the stressful period after they've been exchanged, and you've completed the move. Congratulations!

 

Next you've gone through and boxed up all the possessions in your old home that you think you need for the new one, and consigned them to the tender care (hopefully) of a removals company, and if you're newly married perhaps the new bride has been carried across the threshold safely. You're in, surrounded by boxes, with luck and planning the power is on, the water flowing, and the people you bought from have left things clean and tidy.

 

Chances are it's late at night and you're going to be sleeping on the floor, a couch, or a bed you're too tired to make up properly, maybe even a hotel not too far away. Morning dawns, you dig out the kettle and necessaries you brought to make the morning cuppa, and there you are, ready to make this house your home.

 

What next? Unpacking those boxes, moving that furniture, making sure the cat (if you have one) doesn't leave the premises for two weeks, certainly not if the lengthy to do list by icatcare.org is anything to go by – http://icatcare.org/advice/keeping-your-cat-happy/moving-house-your-cat.

 

However, the bright new light of day, and seeing the premises minus your predecessors furniture and decorations for the first time, might make you think twice. Is that an unpleasant smell coming from the sink? Oh dear, is that long untouched grease you see behind the empty cooker space? Just what are those stains where the sofa used to be? And what are those suspicious tiny droppings behind where a bookcase formerly stood? Your own visits and your surveyor didn't prepare you for this, as the light arcs mercilessly through temporarily curtain-free windows, revealing all.

 

Common sense comes to the rescue here. You can leave those boxes untouched, your furniture and effects where they are. Out come the cleaning materials. You may have been a householder for years already and know what you're doing, more or less. Or maybe you're fresh from the coddled experience of living in your mum's house and you don't know what to do with a cooker or an iron, let alone a steam mop.

 

Here we can help you. Just as we'd hope you moved with the expert help of Edward Ashdale Estate Agents, now you're in cleaning mode another expert can be of help.

 

We have some exclusive tips for you gleaned from TV's Queen of Clean, Lynsey.

What tips does Lynsey have to suggest to people newly moved in to help them with their cleaning challenge?

 

“Moving into a new home is a very exciting time, but it's so important to give your new home a good clean before you move in to make it feel like yours. Other people's grime will be polluting the surfaces and door handles!  You will notice the previous occupants marks of habitation which can make you feel uneasy in your new property, but never fear, a few antibacterial products and a drop of bleach here and there will help your home to feel brand new and all yours.

 

“My advice would be to start at the top and work your way down!

 

“Firstly, dust those ceilings, concentrating well on the cobwebs and the corners. Have a step ladder to hand and go over with a large feather duster.  It will be satisfying watching the dust drop to the floor. Ceilings harbour dust so its important that you get these clean.

 

“Door handles, light switches and other buttons all need a really good clean with antibacterial spray.

 

“Get all the windows and doors open and give the house a really good air.

 

“Pull up any unwanted carpet and rugs and pull down old curtains, blinds and  lampshades and get them straight to the tip.

 

“Add a good amount of neat bleach to all the sinks and baths and leave to soak to really help kill those germs.  After a good soaking scrub, clean with an antibacterial spray until it comes up like new. If you have a shower, replace the shower head. These harbour a lot of bacteria and germs.

 

“If you are keeping the toilets make sure you replace the seats with new ones and really scrub the pan clean.  Pour a cheap bottle of coke down to ensure the pipes are clean and there are no unwanted blockages that can create nasty smells.

 

“If appliances have been left and you are keeping them, ensure you scrub them clean. Invest in a good over cleaner and use baby oil to really shine that hob.

 

“A bit of neat bleach on a toothbrush will help you get the grout in-between any tiles clean and bring them back to life.

 

“Other than this, rigorously, but well needed clean, your home will be clean and ready to move into and it will truly feel like yours.”

 

When Lynsey finished preparing this advice, typically she remarked, “In the mood for a good clean now!”

 

With advice like this, your life in your new home should get off to a good (if busy) start.

 

If you have bought through Edward Ashdale, and need a bit of local knowledge and advice once you've moved in, don't hesitate to give us a call. We don't think our job is done – and dusted – once you have those keys in your hand.

 

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here.

Rising Prices and Signs of the Times – thank you, The Bromley Times

Signs of the times

As a south London estate agent with branches in Bromley and Lambeth, when property issues make the front page of the media, we take notice. On 23^rd July, The Bromley Times went front page with the story "Rising Prices', sub-title "High cost of buying a home in the borough – see inside."

The article, by Sarah Linney, says that the average price of a home in Bromley and Bexley is now over £300,000 (£304,000 in Bexley, £436,000 in Bromley). Both are under the London average - £500,000.

The ratio between wages and wage rises and property price growth isn't helpful to home purchasers. More helpful are very low interest rates and, as the article mentions, the loss of the prospect of a 'mansion tax' after the general election. So, as ever, the picture on London property is reasonably complex.

Even more so if you listen to the radio. Recently, as respected a body as the BBC in a radio programme referred to additional, and very hard to trace, demand for property in the UK coming from overseas criminal sources engaged in money laundering.

On a happier note, Sarah added that Bexley is the most popular place to live in the country. Bromley is a distinctly sought-after location as well.

Unfortunately, the resulting price pressure cooker contributes to a rise in homelessness among young people and increases in property rental prices provide fresh difficulties for anyone needing somewhere to live.There are some interesting developments, one being in Greenwich, as reported on by homesandproperty.co.uk – see www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/rentals/family-rental-homes-london-uks-first-private-housing-scheme-family-renters-greenwich.

What difference does this make to Edward Ashdale Estate Agents? In one way, none. Our values mean that we seek to put the right people in the right properties, whether bought or rented. We also ensure that vendors and landlords and buyers and tenants experience, as smooth and stress free an experience as possible. Whether prices are up or down, or if the sales market is more active than the rental sector, our service has to be the same.

However, there is food for thought for us. Things are changing and we need to be changing with them. Our advice to people needs to be able to consider the latest trends. We ourselves need to engage with people in new ways, including via social media, to improve customer experience. We are doing those things. These are all signs of the times.

You can view our earlier posts in our Index here.