Thrilling News For Spencers Agents!

Thrilling news for Spencers Agents!

We are delighted to inform our clients, customers, and friends that we have completed the sale of Spencers Agents to a trust to form an EOT (Employee Ownership Trust). We understand that we are the first estate agents in Sheffield to take this road and are pioneers for the company’s employees to take ownership of the company under the newly formed trust.

There are so many exciting reasons why an EOT is a good idea, and the lovely people at Hawsons Accountants and Knights have been incredible at guiding us through the process, and at advising all employees on their exciting future as owners of the company.

When you own and run a company as a sole director, there must be a clever exit strategy in mind, even if it is for ten years down the road, as ultimately you are solely responsible for all of the employees, their families, and their mortgages, so you can’t just decide to lock the door one day and walk away.

The truth about our team at Spencer is that all the people here care as much as I do, and this way they can really be part of the future of the company, and can reap any rewards for their loyalty and commitment to us as a family.

For our clients, this means that absolutely nothing changes, there won’t be a new fat cat company taking over and making changes, or increasing fees and prices, we will continue in exactly the same way as we have always done, the only difference being that when a sales caller asks to speak to the owner of the company, then they already are!

The structure of the new company sees me, Nicola Spencer, remaining as the Managing Director of the company and will still be at the helm. The success of the company means more than ever to me and more than ever to the team here so we are expecting an even brighter future.

If you would like to consider the EOT option for your company, we very highly recommend Scott Sanderson of Hawsons, and Paul Trudgill of Knights, who gave clear and reassuring advice right the way through the process.

Thank you to everyone involved and congratulations to the new staff who have officially adopted Spencer – long may the company continue to thrive and grow. 

www.spencersestatagents.co.uk 

Hawsons

Knights

ARMA and the EWS1 Saga #Sheffield #PropertyBlog

 

Although the horror and tragedy that was the Grenfell tower disaster is now over four years ago, the ghostly remains of its tragic legacy will unfortunately continue to haunt many people throughout the country for the foreseeable future.

The crack down on dangerous and combustible cladding has left many flat owners up and down the country feeling very nervous and worried about the prospect of unaffordable and spiraling repair bills for works that they simply do not have the money for, leaving many with potentially worthless properties.

Although the Government is indeed starting to tackle some of the issues that have been presented by events in 2017, the guidelines remain murky and many people are finding that they are now falling in- between the gaps in the legislation. In a nutshell, buildings higher than 18m / six storeys need a satisfied ESW1 for selling / re-mortgaging purposes.

The biggest cause of concern for us as Estate Agents seems to be the buildings that fall below the threshold. Although not a legal requirement for all residential buildings to have a satisfied EWS1, for buildings below this height, it is now becoming more and more frequent for mortgage companies to request one before agreeing to lend. It seems that there is a lingering sense of nervousness within the industry that nobody wants to have a repeat of the disastrous events that happened in North Kensington on their watch. 

This is an ever-increasing problem and it’s something we have now had first-hand experience at a site we manage at Kelham Island. Fortunately for us (and the owners), we have now received a satisfied EWS1 on all the blocks, with not a single remedial piece of work needed. The sense of relief was palpable from all corners of the development, including in our office too!

This situation will continue to rumble on and on for the foreseeable future and I am sure there will be many twists and turns in this long, drawn out saga that are yet to come. However, it is encouraging to see the Government starting to sit up and realise that there is a problem with fire safety within high-rise buildings in the UK.

The problem remains however, in that too many leaseholders are now feeling abandoned by the lack of clarity as to what they legally need to do and what they are obliged to do. This overlapping is something that needs straightening out by all the relevant financial and government bodies soon, otherwise there will be plenty more leaseholders becoming increasingly desperate in the next few years. 

We, at Spencer, have recently become ARMA members, the recognised regulated body for block management and have grown in experience on block management over the last seven years since we opened the department. We manage various blocks city-wide now within our geographical patch and are interested in more blocks should you wish to consider us for your management. 

Contact Tom or Lynn by emailing block@spencersestateagents.co.uk 

A huge thank you from me, Mum and St Luke's #Sheffield

 

It goes without saying that everyone has a different relationship with their mum, some are more difficult than others, and some are unbelievably aspirational. Most go through a bit of both, varying through youth to teenage years and into adulthood, and then particularly when you become a parent yourself into a whole different level of understanding. 

My relationship with my mum was no different; I was mummy's girl and then daddy's girl, a rebellious teenager, then a defiant, strong-willed, tenacious, argumentative, emotionally unattached, independent young woman, and then went through a metamorphosis into seeing her as the most aspirational person I have ever known. It wasn't because she was hugely prominent in my day to day life, quite the opposite, she was just there, ever-supporting, proud, strong, and always championed my decisions and my choices. 

It is quite overwhelming, now that she has gone, the loss that I feel from not having that person who literally loved me no matter what, who I knew I could completely rely on and who would always have my back. How many times was I told to appreciate her and to give her an extra hug and that I would miss her terribly when one day she wouldn't be there? You can never understand that until it's true to you, that all of sudden you wish you had listened a little bit harder, asked a lot more, and accepted the hugs more readily. Then it is too late. The most relevant understanding of this loss has been described to me as the sense of wanting to be loved like a child, and your mum is the one that gives this love in spades, no matter what. 

The culture surrounding grief is very much that it should be "fixed" or that you will "get over" the loss over time, and I would love this to adapt to a more realistic concept of learning to live with the hole left behind, and of encouraging people to keep talking about their loved ones after they have died. There's no medication to help, no rhyme or reason to your feelings, and should be no judgement if you never feel completely ok again. 

We have undertaken a challenge throughout February to run 125km and have so far raised over £11,000 for St Luke's where mum died on December 27th 2020, you are welcome to still donate, if you haven't already, and we have received the most generous donations from the most wonderful people. Thank you so much. 

One last favour at this time please, if you still have your mum, please take yourself out of any comfort zones to give her a huge hug next time you see her, ask her the questions that you never asked but always wondered, listen when she tells you any stories about her life. I know that, with Mother's Day just around the corner, there will be plenty of us that wish we could. 

Thanks so much to everyone that has donated, my mum would be genuinely overwhelmed and flattered and feel so much comfort from knowing how loved she was, how loved I and my family are, and to know the level of support that there is around us all. Mum loved all my friends and colleagues and network of supportive clients who she worked with too for so many years, and she always saw the good in everyone so thank you for all seeing the good in her too, there will never be anyone like her and her shoes could never be filled.   

Click to Donate

Covid - how has it changed things for the better? Tom of Spencer has his say

What has changed since the first lockdown?  

"Although COVID has undoubtedly been a troublesome time for us all, in a perverse kind of way it has helped me to appreciate things that I probably took for granted before it happened.

"Beforehand, I think we were all guilty about taking our relationships for granted, but having not seen my family and a lot of my friends since Christmas, it made me realise how much I had missed them when restrictions were eased.

"The pint with my mates on a Friday night, the brew with my grandparents, the buzz of going to Hillsborough and the excitement of looking forward to a weekend away are still sorely missed, but I know when they do come round again (and they will), I will not take them for granted.

"I have discovered new music, learnt new skills, read more books and been able to break away into things that I may have not been able to do in the rat race of days gone by before all of this.

"The negatives of this wretched disease far outweigh the positives – there is absolutely no denying that. But it has given me a chance to reflect on what really is important in this crazy old world we live in and for that, I will be thankful."

Tom is in our Lettings Team and has worked with us for some time now - we don't know where we would be without him. 

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

Spencer has New Rules - Please Observe #estateagent #sheffield

Following recent government updates, please see attached from Spencer..... 

Agents now able to return to work - in a fashion. Guidelines attached #covid19 #estateagent

Corona Virus Update from last night and today's news 

Agents have been told they can reopen branches.

The Ministry of Housing has just updated its buying and selling guidance after saying the property market could reopen this morning.

It said estate agents can open for business but should consider how and when to reopen so they can follow Government guidance on safe working,

The guidance said:

• Agents should ask whether any party is showing symptoms or has been asked to self-isolate before going ahead with any viewing, or visits to offices.
• Agents should operate using an appointment system for visits to their offices and when conducting viewings.
• Agents should not carry out any open house viewings.
• Agents should strongly encourage clients to view properties virtually in the first instance and then only physically inspect properties which they have a strong interest in.
• Agents can accompany physical viewings and seek to maintain a minimum of 2 metres distance from others wherever possible. Where social distancing is not possible and the visit is within an enclosed space, they should consider wearing a face covering in line with government guidance.
• Where they do not accompany the visit, they should make sure that both buyers and sellers clearly understand how the viewing should be conducted safely.
• Agents should not drive clients to appointments.
• All parties viewing a property should wash their hands with soap and water (or hand sanitiser if not available) immediately after entering the properties, with internal doors opened and surfaces having been wiped down before they enter. Separate towels or paper towels should be used if possible and washed or disposed of safely after use.
• Agents should do what they can to promote flexibility when arranging move dates, for example advising clients to ensure contracts have explicit terms to manage the timing risks presented by coronavirus.
• Agents should work with their clients and other agents to broker a new date to move where sales are due to complete and one of the parties falls ill with coronavirus or has to self-isolate.
• Agents should ensure that any keys are appropriately cleaned before handover.

There is also guidance for sellers when their property is being viewed such as vacating the property, opening all internal doors and allowing access to handwashing facilities, ideally with separate towels.

All parties viewing a property are also advised to wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces.

Social distancing guidelines must be followed during the viewings and there should be minimal contact with the household.

Once the viewing has taken place, the home owner should ensure surfaces, such as door handles, are cleaned with standard household cleaning products and towels disposed of safely or washed as appropriate, the guidance said.

Letting agents and private landlords must follow the same guidance on viewings.

It said:

• Private landlords and letting agents should not conduct viewings in properties where tenants are symptomatic or self-isolating, or where it has been determined that they are clinically extremely vulnerable and are shielding.
• In other cases, where viewings can proceed, they should be conducted in line with the guidance on viewings earlier in this document.
• Any visits to a property must be made in accordance with Government’s guidelines on working in other people’s homes and social distancing.
• If possible, necessary repairs, gas and electrical safety checks should be conducted in the period between a property being vacated and a new tenant moving in. If this is not possible and visits are needed to an occupied property, this should be done by appointment with measures put in place to ensure physical contact is minimised, for example with residents staying in another room during the visit.
• Landlords should make every effort to abide by gas and electrical safety requirements. This may be more difficult due to restrictions associated with the coronavirus outbreak, for example where a tenant has coronavirus symptoms, is self-isolating or shielding. Under such circumstances, provided the landlord can demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to comply, they would not be in breach. Letting agents may also want to consider obtaining landlord and tenant consent for inventory clerk appointments to also occur before a tenant moves in or after a tenant moves out during vacant periods if possible.
• Letting agents and landlords should take steps to ensure any properties are prepared ready for new tenants, this may include cleaning to minimise any potential spread of the virus in line with Government advice.
• Letting agents and landlords should consider how best to conduct tenancy check-ins for new tenancies agreed while broader measures remain in place, taking care to follow Government advice on social distancing to minimise possible spread of coronavirus.
• Letting agents and landlords are reminded of the temporary COVID-19 measures that adjust right to rent checks, temporarily allowing these checks to be conducted remotely. Lettings agents and landlords should consider other areas where in person payments, referencing or checks can be conducted remotely instead and take further advice if required.

We will be reporting shortly to all our clients as to when and how we will be returning to work in the safest possible way for all our staff, clients, tenants, and contractors. 

Watch this space........... 

Update Interview with Nicola Spencer - Sheffield Estate Agent

Update Interview with our MD, Nicola Spencer

What is currently happening with viewings?

We are not currently undertaking any physical viewings on properties. We do have video tours available of rental properties and of some sales properties, if you are interested in taking a look and registering your interest. We are happily accepting applications on rental properties but are only registering interest subject to viewing (at some point) on sales properties.

Can we put our property on the market just now?

If your property is empty and we are able to safely gain access to the property with no contact, we will soon be able to assess and value your property for sales and rental purposes. If you need a valuation of your property during lockdown, we can do video valuations to give you a really good idea of value and of our services on offer. We are hopeful that we will be able to announce getting back out to properties over the next month or so using PPE.

Are people paying their rent?

We have a large portfolio of property management for investors with single properties, multiple properties and entire blocks of rented property, and we have to say that on the whole the majority of tenants have been paying their rent on time and have wanted to do so. Where tenants have had individual and specific financial restrictions, the majority of landlords have been eager to ensure that they find a way to help out. We can honestly only say that we have seen the good in people during this time.

What’s the future of Spencer look like?

There’s no danger that we will start to do things slightly differently to before, we will have to! The video viewings have been a huge success for rentals and make the process so much slicker and having meetings via Zoom or other video conferencing has made time management solutions look more attractive in some instances, but nothing beats proper human interaction. The offices will remain closed to the public until further notice, but in the background we are busy beavering away trying to get sales through and letting and managing properties the best we can.

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

Quick interview with our MD #Spencer #Sheffield #covid19chat

Please can you introduce yourself and what you do?

My name is Nicola Spencer and I have Spencers Estate Agents on Ecclesall Road, where we sell, manage, rent and block manage many properties.

What was your initial reaction to lockdown?

We actually locked ourselves down before the announcement knowing that we didn’t want to expose any staff or clients unnecessarily where we could find other ways of running the business. Because my mum has cancer, dad has long term heart conditions, and because we have young children, I didn’t want to place any of my family at risk either and so it seemed sensible to act before the inevitable.

How has your business changed over the past few weeks?

It is strange how adaptable you can be when forced to be, and all the things that you wouldn’t have thought possible, such as remote working, suddenly do become options that weren’t as difficult as you would have imagined. We are still running the business as efficiently as possible, conforming with all distancing guidelines, and are still managing to stay in contact with all clients and to undertake emergency repairs where absolutely necessary. Having to run the business, look after children and not see people is hard, especially in a business where relationship building is so key, but we are hanging our hats on the truth that this won’t be forever and that needs must for now.

How do you see the long-term impact on small businesses?

We can only speak for ourselves here, of course, but the resources that have been put in place from the government should really help us and I can only hope that the property sales market isn’t seriously affected long term, only time will tell. In the short term, we must tighten our belts on spending and find ways to cut back overheads just to ensure the job security for all our staff and to ensure the business can keep going over the next 12 months where income will be affected by the huge dip in sales, we have made the changes needed and are confident that the business is as safe as it can be in these times.

What has been your daily coping strategy in these crazy times?

I’m not great at having to deal with my own company, so working from home and remotely hasn’t been much fun, even if I can work in my pyjamas! It has been nice to find the time to exercise a little more though, and it has been nice to have to be at home and be forced to get some jobs done that have been on the back burner. I am finding the lack of contact with family and friends incredibly hard though and having very little to talk about when I take the time to call or video call seems strange. I can’t wait to be able to plan doing some nice things with the people I love and to get back to a bit of normality. In the meantime the priority has to be keeping those safe that are around me and doing my “bit” to ensure that I don’t let them down.

Letter to landlords - #Sheffield from #Spencer

Dear landlords,

We hope you all keeping well and as safe as possible in these quite surreal times.

Here at Spencer, we are all obviously working within the Government guidelines in regards Covid 19, but at the same time, we are maintaining the highest possible standard of property management as you have come to expect.

We are all working tirelessly to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible for you all, so if you do have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Some of you may have noticed that we have been looking to renew some of your tenancies a bit earlier than we normally would. The reason as to why this is simply because the Government has introduced a 3 month notice period, rather than the usual 2 months. Therefore, to protect your tenancies (and ultimately your income) we have made a very conscious effort to make sure we are on top of this. 

As well as this, we are also fully aware that the Government has also introduced new measures in granting mortgage payment holidays. We have found that some tenants maybe using this as a bit of an excuse to ask for a reduction in rent and subsequently using it to their advantage. There are obviously some cases where tenants will be affected financially because of this crisis, but we are making sure that every time this happens we are happy it's a legitimate reason to ask for a reduction to help with their circumstances. So far, its only been a very small percentage asking for such a claim and we are hopeful it will continue in this manner. 

At the same time, we are managing all the usual things that come with property management as we normally would. Whilst we are not doing any physical viewings, we are doing virtual viewings for any properties we have on the market and despite it not being ideal, we are finding this way to be quite successful with lets being agreed fairly quickly. As well as this, we are generating new business too, so there is also a constant stream of properties available despite the limitations of what we can do - which is obviously great news and testament to the lettings department. 

We are also working in such a way that we can still organise emergency repairs to your properties and such legal aspects as annual gas checks, so you know that your properties are legally up to date as much as possible. 

I hope this email helps to reassure you that its certainly business as usual with us and your continued support is always appreciated. 

Keep safe and stay well. 

Spencer

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk  

#Covid19Update Offices are CLOSED - All staff working safely from home #spencers #sheffield #wearespencer

Dear All,

Our offices are now CLOSED but staff are ALL still working from home. Our phone lines are still open diverted to all staff, we are conducting valuations via video phone, and all urgent repairs are being undertaken as safely as possible by contractors.

If you have an urgent issue please call us on 0114 2683682 during work hours or my personal mobile number is 07770 768896 if you want to call me, Nicola. We are all working on safe ways to continue key handovers for completions, check outs, check ins, and urgent maintenance. 

My own personal circumstances are that my mum has cancer, my dad has serious heart issues, I have five-year-old twins, and a 94 year old grandma with dementia, all who I am shopping for and trying to keep safe. I am sure you all have similar stories and you will want to keep your people safe, just as I am trying to keep mine safe too.

I would like to personally reassure all our tenants, clients, vendors, landlords, and buyers, as well as future clients, that our business will survive this and that I will do everything that I can to ensure that we are still here on the other side.

Thank you in the meantime for your patience and all of your wonderful messages of support of us at Spencer, we have great staff who are all doing their best for the business, each other, and for our clients, as well as for their families too. These are difficult times but I can promise a “no surrender” attitude to keeping everyone safe as well as to keeping staff and our business running as effectively as possible.

We will maintain our social responsibility throughout this time and will promise our best attention at all times.

Stay safe.

With love and best wishes

Nicola

Opening times for Xmas and New Year #spencer #sheffield

Opening Times for Xmas and New Year 

Open Monday 23^rd December normal hours

Xmas Eve – CLOSED

Xmas Day – CLOSED

Boxing Day – CLOSED

Friday 27^th – Open 10am – 3pm

Saturday – Open normal hours

Monday 30^th December – open normal hours

New Year’s Eve – CLOSED

New Year’s Day – CLOSED

2^nd January – Open normal hours

Meet the #Spencer Team! Ruby Tuesday #wearespencer

   

   1. What do you enjoy doing when you get some time to yourself?
Outside of working at Spencer’s and uni, I have a horse and have done from being young as well as being a bit of a ‘gym bunny’.
 
2. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Barbados to see the swimming pigs! I would also love to go skiing, complete opposites I know!
 
3. What is your guilty pleasure?
I have a 2 year old nephew and I have no shame in admitting to watching all of his Disney cartoon films... with or without his company!
 
4. If you could meet a celebrity, who would it be?
David Attenborough and Philip Schofield.
 
5. Name three things you couldn’t live without –
Fake tan, Gin and chocolate!
 
6. What is your biggest fear?
I have a reoccurring nightmare of being stuck at the top of a really steep ladder or stairs and I can’t get down. I am also not very brave when it comes to creepy crawlies.
 
7. What is the most embarrassing thing to have happened to you?
I once ripped my skirt straight down the back getting into a taxi on a night out. My friend laughed so much she tripped and broke the heel off her shoe!
 
8. Who is your celebrity crush?
Tom Hardy
 
9. Do you have or have ever had a nickname?
At work and at home I am nicknamed Ruby Tuesday.
 
10. Do you have a pet peeve?
People who don’t close drawers properly & noisy eaters!

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

Meet the Team - #Blog #Spencer #Sheffield - Phil Peasegood (ha!)

A little about me……. Philippa Peasegood

Name // Philippa (or Pip, Flipflop but NEVER Phil)

Age // late 40s – let’s leave it there!

Family //  happily married with two boys.

Nationality // Officially English, but can narrow that down to Yorkshire born and bred!  My dad thought I was going to be a boy, so drove my mum in labour from Nottinghamshire to Yorkshire so I could play for Yorkshire Cricket team when I was older – disappointed I was a girl doesn’t cover it!

Favourite food // halloumi cheese kebabs!

Favourite drink // if I were trendy, perhaps I’d say flavoured gin with tonic, but to be honest I can’t start the day without a cup of tea.

Favourite book // It’s impossible to choose, so I’ll say Big Little Lies.

Favourite movie //  Bond, James Bond. Can’t decide between Skyfall or Spectre.  I’ve been to every opening night at the cinema since I was 15 years old.

Favourite TV shows // Line of Duty, along with the majority of the nation I suspect.

Thing I’m most proud of //   With the exception of having my children (obvs), helping disabled children combat their fears to ride a horse at the local Riding for Disabled stables. Got told off by Princess Ann when she came to our stables, as a child had wheeled himself underneath a horse and started tickling its tummy. As Princess Ann walked in, the horse reared – she was not amused!

Thing I’d rather forget //    Asking directions from a manikin to the changing rooms, not once but on three separate occasions!  It’s a bit of a laughing point with my friends.

Interesting fact //   I share the same DNA as someone – my twin sister. 

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

The Baker's Dozen - Lizzie Baker of Spencer Sheffield #Blog #whoarewe

The Baker's Dozen…

introducing Office Manager, Lizzie Baker

1.    I was born at home in Sheffield but it was nearly The Crucible. My poor mother had to drive herself home in a mini because my dad didn’t drive!
2.    I’m absolutely petrified of heights, not ideal when I’m on site visits.
3.    My happy place is Ecclesall Woods. It’s so peaceful.
4.    My other happy place is the pub!
5.    I’ve been on the Antiques Roadshow.
6.    Listening to The Archers is a massive guilty pleasure!
7.    Baking & cooking is my therapy (preferably with a glass of wine!) I can’t understand how anyone couldn’t enjoy it.
8.    I’m a huge fan of social media. I’ve made some really good friends through Twitter and even got my job at Spencers thanks to it!
9.    It took me 5 attempts to pass my driving test but when I did, at the age of 23, I did it without any major or minor faults.
10.  I would love to learn sign language. I think it’s an amazing skill to have.
11.  I love to hate to run.
12.  My two wonderful boys are my world and if I’m not at work, I’m probably in a park with them.
13.  I love to dance after a few glasses of wine, I’m always one of the last ones on the dance floor at a wedding. Without my shoes on!

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

Get to know #Spencer's People! This is Tom! #lettings #Sheffield #hero

1)      Who would you like to share a pint with, either dead or alive?
Louis Theroux and Karl Pilkington.

2)      What is the most embarrassing thing you have done?
Whilst I was at University, I somehow slept walked across campus and ended up in the library in just my boxer shorts and t-shirt. Because I had locked myself out of my room, I had to climb through some randomers window to get back into the building as well. Quite a sight I imagine for all concerned!

3)      What is your Guilty Pleasures?
Horrible Histories (a program on CBBC) and I am quietly fond of Made in Chelsea.

4)      Who is your sporting hero?
AP McCoy – these jump jockeys are incredibly tough and to ride 4300+ winners is something that will not be topped in my lifetime. An unbelievable achievement for someone who has broken every single bone in his body at some point in his career! Made being a jockey look easy. Unbelievable attitude and drive in becoming the best.

5)      Favourite Musical Artist + Film?
Tough one – I would probably opt for The Smiths, but with an honourable mention to The Stone Roses, The Streets and Oasis.  As for film, I would say Dead Man Shoes.

6)      What is your biggest fear?
Balloons. I cannot stand the things. I have to leave the room if someone starts to play with them in front of me. The fear of it randomly popping is too much for me to cope with. I also have a huge hatred for the smell of bleach and feeling dizzy (both alcohol and non-alcohol induced).

7)      What would you sing on a Karaoke night?
I would probably pretend I was Noel Gallagher and sing Don’t Look Back in Anger.

8)      Have you ever had a nickname?
At University, I was called “Asbo”. My second name is Aspinal and I am probably the last person who would ever get an actual “Asbo” so it was quite an ironic one and just stuck. However, being introduced to parents and other people I did not know as “Asbo” might not have given the greatest first impression!

9)      List two pet peeves.
Slow walking pedestrians who walk in front of me & people who put milk in before the hot water when making a brew. 

10)   Do you have any weird celebrity crushes?
Nothing out of the ordinary, but there is something about Alex Polizzi (the hotel inspector) and Lorraine Kelly.

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

How to get your home ready for sale! #Sheffield #Property #Blog

How to get your home ready for sale!

When selling your home first impression count, you have only 8 seconds to impress them. Here are some tips to help get your property ready for market.

Curb appeal

This is the first thing the viewers will see, so take a good look at what you're presenting.  Peeling paint, dirty windows, and dead plants, you have work to do! Remove debris such as fallen tree branches and leaves. Keep grass and shrubs trimmed, freshen up flowerbeds. Putting some flowers in front of the house or by the front door always makes people smile. Have a FOR SALE sign it helps your buyer find you!

Decluttering

Decluttering is so important you want the viewer to imagine living in the property. Removing excess furniture, clutter, personal items will make you home feel bigger. Clean your home from top to bottom, i.e.  Wash windows inside and out, dust down the cobwebs, polish chrome and mirrors, hoover, dust furniture and light fixtures.

Unfinished jobs

Get round to it, Now! If there’s a cupboard door hanging off or a tap that’s dripping – get it repaired. If the grouting in your shower has gone black or the carpet in the dining room is threadbare – get it replaced.  You might also want to think about removing all traces of your pet. Some people are allergic to cats.  Some people are scared of boisterous dogs.

The temperature

First impressions aren’t just about what you can see, they are also about what you hear and what you feel! Having the heating on in the winter months allows your viewers to view the property without wanting to get out as quickly as possible. It also applies in the summer try keeping the property cool. You can do this by shutting the curtain before the viewing (make sure you re open just before the viewing takes place)

Hope all these tips help you. Good luck!

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

The ‘right and wrongs’ of selling your house by our Philippa Peasegood - #Spencer #Sheffield

The ‘right and wrongs’ of selling your house

It has the potential of being the most stressful thing you’ll ever do, so to alleviate the pain here are a few useful tips of what to do, but more importantly what not to do when selling your home.

Choose your agent wisely

Many people consider online agents cheaper, but when you’ve weighed up all the hidden costs you may find they could cost you more. Ensure your chosen agent as an excellent reputation and are proactive. Virtual agents aren’t ‘real’ estate agents.

Marketing

A great way to accentuate your sale is social media and property forums. Most people rely on this, rather than traipsing through agents’ websites. Also ensure you have a board outside. Unless people know your house is for sale, they can’t buy it!!

Overpricing your property

You may have an figure in your head, but let the agent advise you as they will be able to use their experience and knowledge of the market to assist you. Going with a valuation which is too high can actually backfire and be reduce the amount of interested buyers.

Get ready!

Most buyers will know in the first 60 seconds of walking through the door of your home if they can see themselves living there, so be prepared. Declutter and tidy your home are the key to selling.

Be prepared!

Along with tidying and decluttering, get those little maintenance jobs done. Most buyers don’t want to renovate, simply move in, so holes in the walls, peeling wallpaper or damp patches will put potential buyers off. If you need to paint a wall - do it.

Flexibility

Be prepared to be flexible. This may involve doing viewings at times when you simply want to sit down with your feet up. Some viewers work long hours, so if you can go the extra mile it may just work in your favour.

Use your agent

Let your agent guide you. They’re used to every question, stumbling block and eventuality. If you’re not sure - ask! It’s what we’re good at, but also what you’re paying for.

Keeping these common mistakes in the back of your mind will help you avoid them during the selling process.

Spencer. The Estate Agent