Renting can be scary! NOT with Spencer. #Sheffield

Renting can be scary!

Here at Spencer we specialise in helping first time renters. It can be a very daunting moving into your first home or even moving from an owned property in to a rental property but we are here to help. We talk tenants through every step of the way making it as stress free and as clear as possible. We offer a ‘hand held’ service to anyone one who needs one.

Here are a few bits of information you may find helpful.

Once you have decided you are wanting to rent a property you now need to decide:

How long do you want the tenancy for? We usually suggest 6 or 12 months to start with (6 months being our minimum)

What can you afford? The letting agent or landlord should be able to advise what you can afford monthly.

Decide which area you would like to rent in

How many bedrooms?

Are you wanting it furnished or unfurnished?

Do you have pets?

Most letting agents insist that people view a property prior to taking an application and we are no different. We need to ensure you like the property and have seen it with your own eyes. We understand how important it is to be happy in your home and feel that if you are happy then you are able to deal with the rest!

Read up on who you are potentially going to be letting the property through and look out for landlords who belong to an accreditation scheme. You may find a fantastic property to rent however the letting agent or landlord could be dreadful and not look after you whilst you are in there. Always read reviews! We are licenced and audited by ARLA, part of Property Mark who are the most notable in the industry.

Check all fees before you agree to anything. Some companies have hidden fees for example: tenancy renewal agreement fees, check in and out fees.  By law, a breakdown of all fees should be clearly visible to you in the letting agent’s office and on their website.

Please ensure you have the correct documentation ready when applying for a property. Landlords and agents will want to confirm your identity, immigration status, credit history and employment status. They will want to see your passport and visa and /or residence permit (if you have one).  Also if you have bad credit history please declare it at this point so we can advise the best way to get you through the referencing, it doesn’t mean that you will fail the referencing if you are on top of any previous debt.

Also Check which government scheme your deposit will be registered with throughout the duration of the tenancy. This must be done by law and will protect you.

When moving in to a property please ensure you have from your landlord or letting agent (as a minimum):

Copy of the signed tenancy agreement

Copy of the most recent How to Rent Guide

Valid Gas Safety Certificate (if gas in the property)

Deposit protection information

Copy of the Energy Performance Certificate

A detailed inventory with photos. If you are not supplied with an inventory by the agent or landlord, please do your own inventory along with photos with dates and times on.  This is to protect you at the end of the tenancy.

Never be too scared to ask questions or query things you are unsure about.  Everything should be very clear for you to understand. If you wish to discuss renting any of our properties or would like us to rent out your property, please contact the office on 0114 2683682, email rent@spencersesateagents.co.uk or pop in to the office based on Ecclesall Road.

Zoe Addenbrooke, Spencer The Estate Agent, 469 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8PP

How well should Spencer know your home? As well as you.

When you think about selling your home, what are the first things you consider?

On the whole, the main considerations are how much you can sell your house for and how much you have to pay someone to do it but there are so many more things to consider, after all your home is your biggest asset. We all know that the price of estate agents fees can vary hugely and that generally speaking the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ still rings true. Wouldn’t you prefer to sell with an agent who cares and wants to help with every step of the process? 

At Spencer we may not the cheapest but we go the extra mile, where the other agents don’t. Amongst other things we get to know you and your home so that we can really sell it.

So, when you last sold a house did anyone from the agent, other than the valuer, visit?

What about the last house you bought? Could the agent answer all of your questions rather than having to check with the vendor first, even at the viewing?

Whether you’re considering selling next week, next month or next year, we would love to visit your property to tell you what we do and how we differ from other agents. We know how much your home matters to you and we make it our business for it to matter to us, just ask our clients…

“Thank you for making our move happen so seamlessly, we really appreciate all the extra effort you took to get us moved in by our desired completion date. I will definitely be recommending your estate agents to friends and family, you have all been fantastic.”

“The only estate agent to use in Sheffield in my opinion, they always go the extra mile”

“Truly a rare company offering a level of service which is missing from many companies. The only estate agents I would ever use.” 

How to prepare your home for winter - Spencer. The Estate Agent. Sheffield

How to prepare your home for winter

There are several ways you can keep your home in good condition in the winter. Please see our top tips below;

1. Take half an hour to inspect your property inside and out, are there any slipped tiles on the roof, does the guttering need cleaning, is there any damp on the walls?
2. Service your boiler. For as little as £50 you can have your boiler serviced which could pick up any faults in the system preventing costly repairs when winter sets in.
3. Inspect and upgrade attic/roof/cellar insulation.
4. Have your fireplace swept by a certified chimney sweep, as a build of creosote (from past fires) can potentially cause a house fire.
5. Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly.
6. Bleed your radiators . A radiator full of air is a radiator only operating at half-power.
7. Whilst out of the house for long periods of time, leave the heating on low to avoid freezing pipes.

For any advice, or if you would like a free valuation, please call Spencer The Estate Agent on 0114 2683682

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

Investment Properties in Sheffield from Spencer

Investment properties in Sheffield

Sheffield continues to be a highly sought after rental location due to the ever growing student and professional market looking for properties to rent.

With great transport links and a strong economy, investors from all over the UK are looking for buy to let opportunities in Sheffield.

We have some great properties for sale, to suit all types of investors budgets.

http://www.vebra.com/spencersestates/property/26393366

http://www.vebra.com/spencersestates/property/26430844

http://www.vebra.com/spencersestates/property/26200401

http://www.vebra.com/spencersestates/property/26097158

http://www.vebra.com/spencersestates/property/26345425

If you would like any further information on these properties, please call Spencers on 0114 2683682.

Interior Autumn Trends from Spencer's Estate Agents of Sheffield

Autumn Trends

Autumn is a fantastic time to start looking at new interior styles.

Luxury throws, cushions and rugs, reflective light, bold patterns and statement furniture are all on trend.

If you are thinking of selling your home, now is the perfect time to update your interiors. Stuck for ideas?  Then why not call our resident House Doctor, Nicola Spencer, who can help transform your home.

Take a look at these fantastic properties interiors for inspiration.

STORTH HOLLOW

STUMPERLOWE S10

For further information on these properties, or if you’d like a free valuation, please call Spencers on 01142683682.

#Spencers of #Sheffield #Blog about #Brexit and how it is affecting us

Brexit & The Sheffield Property Market

It’s the hottest topic on everyone’s lips and whilst we’re all keeping our opinions on Brexit to ourselves at Spencers, we have found that valuation appointments have slowed in the last few weeks. Meanwhile we have many buyers who are desperate to find something to buy so we're seeing multiple viewings on properties which are in turn going to best & final offers and achieving over the realistic asking price.

Whatever your thoughts as to whether we remain in the EU or we leave, Sheffield is a very different kettle of fish to London, certainly in our experience. We are not finding foreign investors are coming to Sheffield and making vendors put in ‘Brexit clauses’ into the contracts or that a ‘Brexit pledge’ is necessary to tie up a sale, which is what the London market is finding. At Spencers our buyers are first time buyers, families, and downsizing movers who are led by catchment areas, changes in their own circumstances, growing families, and the need to release funds upon retirement. 

In the last month we've seen properties in S6, S7, S8, S10 and S11 at asking prices from £150,000 to £450,000 all go to best & final offers within two weeks of marketing, all agreed for over the asking prices. That tells us that, on the whole, from a buyers point of view, the Brexit doesn't factor in people’s decision to buy and that the Sheffield housing market is not affected by the referendum. If anything, the predicted changes in catchment areas and intakes in local schools are what’s driving our sales, but that’s a different story!

So if you're waiting for the result before you look to market your house consider first who your buyers will be, watch what is selling in your area and how quickly. You might just be surprised by how much you can achieve! 

If you're still not convinced and are looking for a short term solution while you wait for the result and the ripple effect of it, then perhaps renting your property out is a better option. Invariably we receive multiple applications on everything from one bed apartments to five bed detached farmhouses in the South West of Sheffield. That way you're not tied to a sale of your home but can make the move you're wanting to make with a guaranteed income for 6 or 12 months. 

Please call our friendly team of Sales & Rentals staff to book a free valuation of your property and discuss what we've sold & let recently in your area. We'd love to have a cuppa & a chat! 

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk

Selling your #property #blog in the Spring - Spencers of Sheffield

Tips for selling your home this Spring

With the weather hotting up and spring flowers and trees in bloom; now is the time to use the abundance of the beautiful flora and fauna to help sell your home. Freshly-cut flowers add an instant spring feeling and lovely aroma, whilst bright flowerbeds and hanging baskets can give your property that extra curb appeal.

It’s also the perfect time for spring cleaning and de-cluttering, to make your home feel airy, light, and spacious. Simple things like rearranging your furniture, can give viewers the impression of space and when it comes to accessories, less is always more.

Spread the word by telling family, friends, neighbours and local businesses that you’re selling. Social media is also a great FREE marketing tool, including Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook, so use them to your advantage. You never know where an unexpected buyer might spring from!

Be sensible about the value of your property, don’t just opt for the highest valuation, it might be tempting, but if your property is still on the market months later, it has cost you money.

Finally, check you have the title deeds and (if you’ve made any changes to your home) planning consents and certificates. The wrong time to start looking for them is when you’ve sold the property. “Apart from anything else,” says Howard Elston of Aylesford International, “delays in the legal process are the most common reason for properties not selling, and can give a buyer time to change their mind.”

If you’d like a FREE market appraisal of your home, just call Spencers on 0114 2683682

www.SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk 

How much does it cost to BUY A HOUSE? Spencers Estate Agent, Chris Spooner blogs

How exciting! You’ve decided that you want to buy a new home! The very thought of moving house for most people will bring a huge level excitement and wonderful ideas about what type of property you are looking for. Once you have trawled through the Internet looking at various property websites it suddenly dawns on you that it will cost real money if you are actually serious about moving home. Where to start though? How much will it cost? What do I have to pay for? What and how much is stamp duty? Even if you’ve bought and sold several properties before, I doubt that most people will immediately think of every expense needed when initially looking for a new home and there will be many who don’t fully understand the governments changes to stamp duty which have been brought in over the last few years.

The first and possibly most important cost will be a deposit. Typically this will be anything between 5% -20% of the price of the property that you buy. The bigger your deposit the better, as it will affect the mortgage rates on offer to you.

This brings us nicely on to the topic of mortgages. Most banks will these days offer you a mortgage and sometimes with preferential rates if you already bank with them. However the mortgage market is possibly the most competitive I have seen it in over 15 years and therefore it would be a good idea to speak with an independent mortgage advisor who has access to rates from all of the lenders out there.

As part of your mortgage application, a valuation survey will be carried out on the property you are buying which will confirm the market valuation and general condition. There are two further types of survey you may want to consider but be aware they will be much more expensive. A homebuyers report is a much more detailed report which can often be carried out at the same time and by the same person who is carrying out the valuation survey. The third option is a buildings survey which is the most detailed survey available but normally would only be recommended on older buildings or where you can see obvious problems with the structure and construction.

It is technically possible to buy a property without being guided by a solicitor however I wouldn’t recommend it and all mortgage lenders would insist on you using one. Fees for conveyancing solicitors can range from £500 - £1500 depending on the price of the property you are buying and any complications that may come up in the process. Many local solicitors will now offer a ‘no sale/no fee’ option in the event of a sale falling through.

Stamp duty is commonly misunderstood by many people who I meet and the best advice would give is to use an online stamp duty calculator which there are many of if you search google such as www.stampdutycalculator.org.uk  In a nutshell you will pay 2% between £125k - £250k and 5% on the portion between £250k and £925k.

When the end is in sight and your solicitor is talking about ‘exchanging contracts’ you will need to start thinking about removal costs. This could be simply the cost of a van needed to transport all of your worldly belongings which is likely to be no more than a few hundred pounds or a full removal service which could be £1000 or more. There are plenty of options out there but always go for a recommendation if possible.

The final cost you may want to consider is a bottle of wine for the helpful estate agent who gave you lots of valuable advice along the way! 

If you would like us to recommend an independent mortgage advisor, removals contact, or any other property professional, we are happy to help. 

Call us on 0114 268 3682 or email us via our website www.SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk 

Spencers Estate Agents Online Property Marketing Services #Sheffield

Spencers Online Property Marketing Services

Estate Agency is all about evolving your marketing to suit your clients and the market place, as primarily our service to find a buyer is at its most basic level marketing and PR. In most people’s eyes, this is where an estate agent’s job ends, when a buyer is found, but in an estate agent’s eyes, this is when the hard work begins to get the job over the line.

We are all super-aware of the rise of the internet over the last 20 years and therefore the rise in the desire for clients to be seen in more places online in better and more unique ways. The job of an estate agent only gets more and more complicated as new technologies emerge and we, at Spencers Estate Agents, try our utmost to keep up to speed with what is hot online. Our social media presence sees us as the only Sheffield estate agent in the Zoopla Nationwide Top 100 Agents for online media and we pride ourselves on moving with the times regularly Tweeting / Facebooking / Pinteresting / Instagramming / Blogging.

Now, we are taking a giant leap into the online market place by offering our clients an online marketing package to compete with the likes of other internet marketing agencies. Whether you like or dislike Sarah Beeny and her constantly pregnant self relentlessly promoting her own services, you cannot ignore that her online marketing platform promotion is ensuring that a board is suddenly creeping onto a street near you.

But, is the service any good? What we are aiming to do with our knowledge and our experience in estate agency, as well as marketing and PR, is offer everything that you can get from an internet platform but with genuine local estate agency experience on top!

Why we are better than an online marketing agent ….

We ARE estate agents. Many of the online marketing services advertised are literally just marketing tools

We have extensive local knowledge

We are a trusted local estate agency brand – established 1993

An experienced property valuer will come to you to value your property

Our staff all have excellent property knowledge and sales experience for your viewings, if you want us to do them for you

We book your viewings for you, confirm them on the day, and financially qualify buyers to ensure that you get as few timewasters as possible. Many online marketers send text messages to you as the seller to arrange viewings with buyers direct, putting you and your home at risk to crime.

We write your description and organise your marketing material therefore we are responsible under the terms of the CPR (Consumer Protection Regulations) Do you know consumer rights in respect of the law if you describe your own property?

You ultimately influence your price but we will give you excellent local knowledge and comparables in respect of valuation and current market trends

We can mentor property staging, making sure that your property looks the best it can for your marketing

We are real people with an office where you can come and see us! We are not just a call centre of faceless staff

We can recommend an independent financial professional who will come to your property to offer advice on mortgaging and products. Do you know that most recommended financial professionals are linked to certain lenders or institutions to make higher commissions?

We use and recommend only local solicitors. If you are having a hard time contacting your solicitor it is a nightmare to find out that they are a “chicken factory” out in the middle of nowhere

If you decide that you are too stressed to deal with your sale in this way, you can revert to our full estate agency service and we will take all of the pressure off you, as well as discounting your upfront marketing fee off your final bill!

We market all of our properties in the same professional way, using respected, tried and tested property professionals for your marketing material

Because you might decide that you want a full estate agency service, you can test the online marketing service and upgrade if you choose. If you were to choose an online only marketing tool you would incur double the costs to then switch to a traditional agent

For more advice and information on this service please call Nicola Spencer or Chris Spooner on 0114 2683682 or email us at Sales@SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk

Do you love the idea of an internet only agent?

Would you use an internet only agent? 

You may have seen a recent TV programme that promotes the idea of selling your home without the help of a traditional high street agency. The host made some interesting points and highlighted many important ideas, which would help any homeowner improve their chances of selling, not least the fact that kerb appeal and presentation could be the difference between attracting a buyer or not. Sarah Beeny, who was the presenter of the programme, boasted several times that she in fact owned an established online agency, so it perhaps wasn’t that surprising that she failed to offer a truly balanced view to highlight just how important a local estate agent can be.

My biggest issue with the vast majority of online companies is that they often take a fee upfront and nothing upon completion of the sale. This may seem appealing but what incentive is there for them to attract the highest possible price? Once you have parted with your cash, what’s in it for them?

2014 has been a very good year for Spencers, but there are clear signs that the market is beginning to slow and, in a tough market, it will take a lot more than a flashy website to sell your house.

The most effective part of marketing any property is the initial launch and the key to being successful is the asking price. If this is wrong, and you struggle to attract viewers, you can often be left selling a property for a lower price than would have happened had you got the marketing price right in the first place.

Most commonly our business comes via recommendation but I can guarantee that wouldn’t be the case if we didn’t have knowledgeable, professional and local people working as negotiators. I find it difficult to understand how a company with people sitting in a call centre, who have never stepped through the door of a property, can efficiently negotiate on behalf of the homeowner to achieve a sale at the best possible price.

There were many other issues with the programme itself, including a quoted average fee cost which is much higher than what the local agents here in Sheffield charge. Ms Beeny also failed to point out that vendors may not be able to check the ability of a buyer to secure a mortgage, or effectively handle multiple bids that could create a sealed bid process, and therefore a much better result.

The internet is paramount to marketing, but if you can find an agent that can embrace new technology and combine that with local knowledge and a professional service, you may well be on to a winner! For a free valuation of your home and current market advice please call 01142 683682.

Welcome Rebecca Shirley to the Team at #Spencers

Please welcome our NEWBIE Rebecca to the Team! 

“After working in the lettings industry since 2011, taking the next step in my career is my main focus. Seeing the advertisement for Lettings Manager at Spencers made me very excited and I applied immediately. After two interviews with the Directors, Nicola Spencer and Lee Bullen, I was offered the position.

“Initially starting as a Lettings Administrator in Nottingham City Centre, I moved to a company based in Chesterfield where I gained invaluable experience in lettings and sales. Progressing from Lettings/Sales Negotiator to Property Photographer/Lister, after two years of working in Chesterfield, moving on to explore the Sheffield property market opens up new challenges and bright prospects.

“Established in 1993 by Jim and Anne Spencer, Spencers has grown to become one of Sheffield’s most reputable Estate Agents, with specialism in the south and south west of the city. Since being taken over by Nicola and Lee three years ago, Spencers has been modernised and upgraded to a more modern brand whilst maintaining traditional values. The lettings department has recently undergone refurbishment too, creating a relaxed feel in the style of a city apartment.

“All of the properties that we let and manage are of high quality and are spread throughout sought after and desirable areas. We strive to seek professional long term tenants and our comprehensive referencing system along with strict exclusions of various types, gives our landlords confidence that they are putting their property with the right managing agent. With the increased influx of professional people looking to rent, getting the marketing right is key to finding the very best tenants; properties are being let immediately and quality properties are of a high demand.

“I am very much looking forward to working within the team at Spencers and continuing the business development. My past experience as a tenant, combined with now being a landlord myself adds to my knowledge and provides a great advantage in doing this. Starting a new position can always be a daunting experience, however provides a great opportunity to form relationships with new clients.

“If you are a landlord looking to rent out your property or even a tenant looking for their next home, come and see us on Ecclesall Road. We will be more than happy to help with any questions that you may have.”

Rebecca Shirley, Spencers Estate Agents – Property Manager 

www.SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk 

#Spencers Deadly Estate Agent Sins Blog!

Spencers Seven Deadly Sins!

What other Agents get VERY wrong

(in our very humble opinion!)

Lust – some very naughty agents lust after property SO much that they convince a vendor to sell to them off the market, which goes against all of an agent’s normal advice and principals. If an agent tries to buy from you off market, make sure you get a second opinion from another party to ensure you aren’t being diddled!

Gluttony – too much of a good thing is certainly not good for the soul. Taking on volumes of properties that your staff can’t properly manage will not make you very popular! We take on an exacting number of properties by cherry picking the ones we really want so that our staff are never overloaded and you will always get the very best service.

Greed – some agents will tell you that your house is worth A LOT of money just to get the instruction. I will never forget what a competing agent said to me when I challenged him on this, “better unsold on our wall than sold on someone else’s”. If you think they are telling you your house is worth too much money, they probably are!

Sloth – some agents are incredibly lazy. I viewed three properties recently after requesting to see TEN via Rightmove. I only viewed three because only three out of the ten agents came back to me to book me in and I await a call from the other seven! Out of those three, NONE of the agents have called me for feedback! Make sure you do your research into an agent’s service and don’t just take their word for it!

Wrath – Spencers stay out of Agent v Agent mudslinging. Because we are based out of the way of the war at Banner Cross we don’t tend to find other agents slating us for fun to try to make themselves look better. Now, now, big boys, if you have nothing nice to say………..

Envy – they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and we have had our share of other agents who have wanted to copy our name / ideas / style. Well, we can honestly say that we are flattered, thank you for thinking we are so dangerous to your business!

Pride – no one likes a bragger. You may have the biggest car, the most expensive house, the custom made suit….but did you make someone smile today? Did you make someone feel like they should drop you in a nice card to say Thank You? I know what gives us the greater sense of satisfaction

#Spencers #Sheffield #RaceForLife

#Spencers #Sheffield #RaceForLife

So proud of the Spencers Girls this weekend with all having run / jogged / wobbled / hobbled through the Race for Life in Sheffield. Thousands of women turned up at the new venue of Meadowhall in the beautiful sunshine for this fantastic cause and we all very proudly finished in very respectable times.
Thank you too to everyone who sponsored us. We may be reluctant athletes but we were all very determined and all did our very best. 
Well done done Girls! Very proud. 
#jogoncancer

TEAM SPENCERS!

The Pregnant One forgot her Race Number! #BabyBrain

Lizzie looking Raring to Go Go Go!! 

Team Spencers - Chase the Logo! 

Should have brought sunscreen - spot sensible Marilyn! 

Hubble Bubble - Sorry! I mean..... Well Done Girls! 

Marilyn and Maggie nearing the finish line! 

Yes! Together We Will... 

Amazing Effort Peeps

Happy at the finish! Not sure that the Twins loved it as much as their Mum!

Well done Team! Not too late to sponsor us either. Go to OUR PAGE if you still fancy sending a small donation through. Thanks.

Find Spencers at www.SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk 
To read more of #Spencers of #Sheffield #blog posts go to http://spencersagents.blogspot.co.uk/ 

#Spencers Estate Agents #SocialMedia #FACTS #Sheffield

Instead of asking "Why are Spencers Estate Agents so OBSESSED with Social Media?" You should be asking "Why am I not?"

Facebook FACTS

1. Total monthly users: 1,310,000,000 with 680 million of them on mobile devices.

2. On a daily basis there are 350 million photos uploaded, 4.5 billion likes, 10 billion messages sent and 22 billion times that the Like or Share buttons are viewed.

3. Between 2012 and 2013, there was an increase in Facebook users by 22%.

4. Ever since Facebook launched there have been a 150 billion friend connections, 1.13 trillion likes and 250 billion photos uploaded.

5. Every 20 minutes on Facebook 1 million links are shared, 2 million friends are requested, and 3 million messages are sent.

6. Despite being blocked, there are roughly 95 million Facebook users in China.

7. Approximately 7.5 million sites contain the Facebook Like or Share Buttons.

8. Every morning when they wake up, 48% of 18-34 year olds check their Facebook account. 28% of that demographic actually check Facebook before they even get out of bed.

9. Users are exposed to 1500 pieces of potential content every day.

10. As of September, 2013 the percentage of 15-34 year olds on Facebook are 66%. Interestingly, 45% of internet users who are 65 years or older are also on Facebook. And, don’t be embarrassed if you’re Facebook friends with your parents; 70% of users are friends with their parents.

11. When Facebook began selling stock to the public and trading on the NASDAQ on May 18, 2012, its shares were priced at $38, which meant the company was valued at over $100 billion. It also meant that Facebook was worth more than eBay, Yahoo, Groupon, LinkedIn, Netflix, IAC, AOL, Zynga and Pandora… combined.

12. One million web pages are accessed using the “Login with Facebook”  feature

13. 3 percent of Facebook users login at least 5 times per day

14. 47% of Americans say Facebook is their #1 influencer of purchases

15. 70% of marketers used Facebook to gain new customers

16. 640,000,000 – total number of minutes spent on Facebook each month

17. 18 minutes – average time spent on Facebook per visit

18. 54,200,000 – total number of Facebook pages

19. 130 average friends per user

20. 75% of Facebook’s users are from outside of the USA

21. 7 million apps & websites are integrated with Facebook

22. Facebook employ only 4619 people

23. In 2012 the revenue was $5,090,000,000 in 2013 it was $6,150,000,000

Twitter FACTS

Total number of active registered Twitter users	645,750,000
Number of new Twitter users signing up everyday	135,000
Number of unique Twitter site visitors every month	190 million
Average number of Tweets per day	58 million
Number of Twitter search engine queries every day	2.1 billion
Percent of Twitter users who use their phone to tweet	43 %
Percent of Tweets that come from third party applicants	60%
Number of people that are employed by Twitter	2,500
Number of active Twitter users every month	115 million
Percent of Twitters who don’t Tweet but watch other people Tweet	40%
Number of days it takes for 1 billion Tweets	5 days
Number of Tweets that happen every second	9,100

1. 34% of marketers use Twitter to successfully generate leads

2. Twitter was the fastest growing network with a 44% growth from 2012-2013

3. 215 million monthly active users

4. Fastest growing demographic  on Twitter is 55-64 age bracket

Social Media FACTS

1. 93% of marketers use social media for business. Only 7% of marketers say they don't use social media for their business. That means there are lots of people out there getting involved and managing a social media strategy. It's becoming more common to include social media as part of an overall marketing budget or strategy, as opposed to when it was the outlier that no one wanted to spend time or money on.

2. 25% of smartphone owners ages 18-44 say they can't recall the last time their smartphone wasn't next to them. It's pretty clear that mobile is a growing space that we need to pay attention to. And we've all heard the cliché of smartphone owners who don't want to let go of their phones, even for five minutes. Well, apparently that's not too far from the truth. If 25% of people aged 18-44 can't remember not having their phone with them, there are probably very few times when they're not connected to the web in some way.

3. 72% of all internet users are now active on social media

4. 18-29 year olds have an 89% usage

5. The 30-49 bracket sits at 72%

6. 60 percent of 50 to 60 year olds are active on social media

7. In the 65 plus bracket, 43% are using social media

8. Time spent on Facebook per hour spent online by country. Here are the top three. USA citizens get the top gong at 16% followed by the Aussies at 14 minutes and the Brits at 13 minutes.