We Are ONE! #Spencers #Sheffield #EstateAgents

We are ONE!

Spencers Agents Directors have been back in the city as the new owners of Spencers for one year on November 1^st, and can’t believe their luck. Proudly having taken over the company from Anne and Jim Spencer on November 1^st 2011, Lee Bullen and Nicola Spencer have exceeded expectations and have excellent year one results.

“There are far too many “haters” in Sheffield that want to see people fail rather than succeed, but we can very proudly say that the support that we have had from past and present clients, friends, associates, and staff has been outstanding. We have heard nothing but positive feedback about the changes that we have made to the website, social media, and restyling to date. AND watch this space as this is just the beginning, the next twelve months will see many further changes and improvements that we just can’t wait to reveal” said Nicola Spencer.

Lee Bullen is known for his stature at a certain Sheffield football club, where he now coaches part time as well as working in the office where people are always surprised to see him; “I am incredibly dedicated to the estate agency business” he said “and to my support of the staff and to their commitment to our cause. We are very proud of how the staff has embraced changes and their acceptance of me in a new field. Although many management skills are transferable, I find that encouragement and desire are key to leading a successful team.”

And success Spencers have seen in abundance over the last 12 months. Being led by Jim Spencer, who still works as a consultant, there have been many lessons learnt regarding budgeting, overheads, and targets. Having worked in the industry now for over forty-something years, Jim’s boots are almost ready to be hung pride of place but this doesn’t retire him from fatherhood! Nicola knows that her dad is always at the end of the phone for any advice and is lucky that he always wants to help Lee to learn his tricks of the trade. Unfortunately, one good turn deserves another and the pair are constantly reminded to “put the football away” in the office!

Spencers would love to thank everyone for their continued support in the re-birth, growth, and continued success of the company. 

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk - Sheffield 0114 2683682 

Once upon a time.... #Property #Sheffield

Once upon a time there was a land of milk and honey just around every corner; all you needed to do was borrow a little bit more than you could afford to pay back, tell a few white lies on your mortgage application, back to back sell your investments, increase your yields on paper to make them look more attractive, invent a few tenancy agreements, re-mortgage, re-finance, ring a few loan companies for deposits….. but then “somehow” it all went horribly wrong.

We can all sit and point the finger at the banks for “allowing” people to borrow way in excess of their means, and can all put pictures of bankers on our dart boards, but at some point people have to take personal responsibility for their own greed. Realistically many owner occupiers borrowed way beyond their reasonable capabilities on a never-never promise of paying back the monies on interest only agreements with no security backing, and investors’ eyes lit up at the idea of a 15% yield with “no catch” sold to them by investment companies; the general public have to take on a level of responsibility.

I have attended no end of appointments for vendors needing to sell properties that they bought at the top of the market, for too much money, having not done their research, wanting to make a fast buck, having not considered the prospect of a house being empty if not let for the promised values, or with no back-up plan for if they couldn’t make one month’s mortgage payment. An old-fashioned view is that you should always have enough money saved to cover your outgoings for three months, just in case. Do you?

Because of the banking crisis, and the economic climate, it is fair to say that over recent times it has become a buyer’s market once again in the world of property.

So, if you are selling a product it has to look right to attract the best buyers.

At Spencers, we have been helping our clients to improve their homes by offering our own “House Doctor” advice to see if any improvements would be worthwhile doing before going onto the market. It has become blatantly obvious that, with deposits needing to be higher, that every penny counts, especially for first time buyers looking to move.

I will be posting on our blog some before and after photos for a project that we are currently working on so watch this space. Otherwise, why not call me to chat about what we can do for you to help you try to sell your property?

Call Nicola Spencer of Spencers Agents on 0114 2683682 or email Nicola@SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk to have a chat.

www.SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk

Million Dollar Babies - THE properties to own in #Sheffield

Spencers Million Dollar Babies 


So, we have four properties listed over the last few weeks that are over a million pounds, and we have more to come, proving that there is faith in the market at this level. The four houses that we have could not be more different from one another, and so we thought that we would share them with you to see which one would win the popularity contest.


1. The first contender is this new build house situated on the incredibly desirable Dore Road. The suburban village of Dore is well-known to be the place where the Sheffield Elite head to buy the most exclusive of properties and to be away from the hustle and bustle of the town.  The house has all mod-cons including underfloor heating and solar panels, and is incredibly cost effective to run. The large open plan style of the ground floor is immensely popular for families and with light filled rooms along the rear leading to the enclosed south facing gardens, where children can play safely, this is a must-see for families. 
For sale with Spencers Agents for £1,100,000 - click photo for brochure details 

2. Next in line for the prize is this 16th century farmhouse in S11, an incredibly popular area with excellent school catchment and local facilities. This farmhouse has rarely been on the market in it's 400 year history, having been sold privately in the past, and has a self-contained barn conversion attached to the house, which is perfect for dependent relative, or nanny, or teenager to have some independence. With more and more "children" struggling for deposits to buy their own property, this is a great way for them to learn an independent lifestyle in a lap of comfort and luxury in the meantime! And just look at the lovely gardens!
For sale with Spencers Agents for £1,200,000 - click photo for brochure details 




3. The third property (I am starting to feel like I am on Through the Keyhole) is a simply stunning Edwardian house that we have featured with a rear shot so that you get an indication of the grandeur. The lower ground floor has two bays with French doors that lead out to the terrace with an immaculately maintained pine parquet flooring; the room is apparently notoriously good for parties (sounds good to me) and the garden has taken a marquee in the past to host a wedding. With a due south facing garden, this really is the feature, and with bay windows to all of the main reception rooms the house is filled with light. A very warm, fuzzy, feelgood house. 
For sale with Spencers Agents for £1,300,000 - click photo for brochure details 




4. Last, but by no means least, an architect designed farmhouse in Hathersage, designed and built by the current owners, with office premises attached that are perfect as an art studio, or for a consultant of some sort. With the views over the gardens being so tranquil, you could imagine a yoga studio, or reiki / acupuncture or alternative therapy consultancy room, it might even make a self-contained bungalow if required for a relative, subject to any consents. With views to all sides over the rolling hills of the Peak District Park this really is a haven to escape the pressures of every day life, and with stables and over two acres there is plenty of room for all of our furry and feathered friends too! 

For sale with Spencers Agents for £1,600,000 - click photo for brochure details

For more information on properties with Spencers Agents, email Nicola Spencer @ nicola@SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk or you can always head to www.SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk or call 0114 2683682 for more details.

World Domination Continues with Westside Gnome

Nicola Spencer from @SpencersAgents - My Top 10

Lee Bullen Teams up with the Swim for Soldiers Team

At the weekend I am very proud to say that Lee Bullen, Director of Spencers Agents and former Sheffield Wednesday Captain, teamed up with four soldiers who had the aim to swim 24 miles in 24 hours in a relay at Ponds Forge in aid of the charity that they set up, Swim for Soldiers. The charity has been established to help injured soldiers after their duties come to an end due to an inability for them to continue on health grounds, which is every soldier's worst nightmare. We have, around us, some of the most courageous people, who take no credit for the work that they do for our country day in and day out, who feel nothing about risking themselves and their health for us civilians to feel safe and assured. But what when the very worst happens? What support and empathy do these people genuinely receive from society? Not enough. We can argue that soldiers are "doing a job" and "being paid" for their service like any other career choice, but not every job risks life and limb for others without gratitude and without a need for such. These great people have pushed themselves this weekend to a point of sickness in aid of raising money to help injured soldiers. Swimming 24 miles (which actually turned into over 30) in 24 hours was some feat. Our Lee Bullen gave up time Saturday morning, afternoon, and Sunday morning to swim with the soldiers to offer them support and encouragement, and we are very proud of his efforts. 32 lengths of Ponds Forge pool makes up one mile.... that's quite a lot! Thank you also to our dear friend Nicki Donohoe and Stephanie from Take Me Out who added more than a little glamour to events! 

You can still choose to donate to this wonderful charity at http://www.justgiving.com/swimforsoldiers

Please do. Thank you.

www.SpencersEstateAgents.co.uk