NEW HOMES - #Sheffield #Spencer

 

Are the days of fixed prices on New Homes over?

Last week we launched a new development at Walkley, Lark’s View, and interest quickly flooded in. These are incredibly well-built properties with well thought-out layouts, great interiors, lovely gardens and exceptional views so we weren’t surprised that the phone suddenly rang off the hook. After booking a staggering 86 viewings in total, the offers started to come in thick and fast and on Monday morning we logged multiple offers on every plot in less than three hours!

There’s no doubt that the properties themselves and the marketing by DED of these properties are both exceptional, yet the market really is booming and a perfect storm of demand has meant that these houses are really hitting the mark. We have found that the low stock levels, the number of people looking to downsize or upsize, divorces being up, people relocating to Sheffield, the stamp duty holiday and people who sold and went into rented hoping the market would drop, have meant that an unprecedented number of people are in the market to buy.

Once upon a time, a fixed price would be seen as always the norm on new build houses, but in this current market, developers fixing prices for sales really are missing a trick at hitting the true market values, which may be much higher than their original expectations. The market drives the price, so don’t shoot the agent or the developer for pushing prices upwards, the demand is doing that!

We know that the price of building materials is at an all-time high, squeezing the margins more than ever before so the developer isn’t just winning, so is the economy generally hopefully contributing to a recovery out of these strange and difficult times.

If you have a new development that you are looking to sell, now may be the time to rethink your sales strategies to maximise your result. Feel free to speak to us about how we can help, we certainly know that our clients at Walkley are happy they did!

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk

sales@spencersestateagents.co.uk

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 

Does your agent charge hidden repair commission? WE DO NOT @spencersagents #sheffield

A More Ethical Approach to Property Management

When considering revenue streams and remuneration structures in property management, quality agents will ensure that any put in place support an ethical business culture. An area where this falters in the property management industry is the commission policies on general repairs and maintenance. Some large and well-known agents set company targets for achieving a level of commission income in this area. This creates the conditions for unethical approaches which every agency should seek to rule out.

Take a typical contract which endows the managing agent to undertake any repairs under the value of £300 at their discretion. The managing agent has three different but reliable and well-reviewed contractors on their books who can carry out the works:

·         Contractor A will charge £200.00

·         Contractor B will charge £250.00

·         Contractor C will charge £275.00

It is clear to see that where discretion is permitted the conditions of a commission target would bias the agent towards instructing Contractor C. After all, their contractual obligations are satisfied and another step is taken towards achieving their target income. However this clearly isn’t in the best interests of the client given that they are paying unnecessary costs of works which the agent can have carried out more costs effectively. It is also clear from the above example that although an agents fees may be clear in their contract, this will not shed any light on their internal targets & remuneration structures and the type of decision making they may influence.

Some agents may jump on the archaic view that this approach is perfectly ethical given that it meets all contractual obligations whilst contributing to the company’s bottom line. However ethics begins where the law (or contractual obligations) end. In this scenario it should begin when the agent is considering which instruction is in the best overall interests of the client and, all other things being equal, it is not in the best interests of the client that they incur unnecessary costs. An agent’s claim that it helped them meet their commission target would not break any ice with the paying property owner. It may be argued that such companies can put measures in place to offset the risk such as checks to ensure the most cost effective option was taken. This is not an efficient or effective means of achieving goals for any agency committed to an integrated ethical culture throughout its business.

We at Spencer are committed to encouraging just such a culture and understand that this means meeting maintenance costings with a healthy questioning attitude, free of any general maintenance fees or commissions. This approach works in the client’s best interest by providing practical and cost effective courses of action with an unbiased view of which to take. This is in contrast with the above approach aimed at achieving the highest level of commission in the quickest possible time regardless of whether it really is in the best interests of client.

At a time when agencies income streams are being squeezed it is likely that the types of commission and remuneration mentioned above will be drawn on as a way to bolster revenue. So, when seeking out a quality agent it is worth looking beyond the fees outlined in their contract and asking questions about the practices the company may have in place to achieve their targets. Their answers may shed light on whether their approaches are actually consistent with the interests of their clients and the true costs of their property management.

Speak to Spencer about our ethical stance on zero commission on any repairs on 0114 268 3682

rent@spencersestateagents.co.uk 

www.spencersestateagents.co.uk 

#Landlords - you need us, we need you! Calling #Sheffield #Investors

Calling first time landlords…we are here to help you!

Taking the plunge and letting a property out can be a nerve wracking and daunting experience for a first time landlord, especially if the property was a family home and holds sentimental value, but it doesn’t need to be that way. Of course, there are always going to be horror stories of nightmare tenants who trash houses, and TV programmes such as ‘Can’t pay we’ll take it away’ definitely don’t help this!

But I can assure you that nightmare tenants are a rarity and there are a lot of lovely tenants out there!  At Spencer we have a knack for sussing out these lovely tenants and can guide you through the rental process to make it as easy and pain free as possible from the very beginning. If you are a first time investor we can help and give advice to ensure you purchase a property that will bring you a high yield, and will rent out quickly, or if you are already a home owner we can help you ensure your property is ready to be rented and that you can achieve the maximum rental figure you are wanting.

We will spend time to get to know you and your property, we come out and meet you at a time that suits you, we instruct professional photographers, and carry out floor plans to ensure they look great in all of our marketing material, we offer accompanied viewings, and even offer evening and weekend appointments to suit potential tenants.

Throughout the process we are only a phone call away and will provide you with regular honest feedback from any viewings, once we have (hopefully very quickly) found you a tenant, we arrange for them to be financially verified, credit checked, and their previous landlord references obtained, this is to ensure that the tenant can afford the property and limits the possibility of their being any problems down the line. Before the tenant moves in we take a deposit in case of any issues, and offer an inventory service so that the condition of the property is recorded, this helps should there be any deposit disputes or damage when the tenants do move out. 

Our work however doesn’t always stop there; we do offer a fully managed service in which we deal with all of the communication with your tenants so you don’t have to! This includes us arranging any maintenance work required & completing regular inspections to ensure the property is looked after, we can contact you only in emergencies if that suits you or can update you when issues arise.  

So If you are a landlord looking to rent out your property, please contact us so we can make the process as enjoyable for you as possible! 

Emily Rumsby is our Lettings and Block Management expert here at Spencer. Please call us to come in and have an informal chat about your management requirements and any lettings advice you need. We are at 469 Ecclesall Road, and you can reach us on 0114 268 3682 or by emailing rent@spencersestateagents.co.uk 

PARTY - All Welcome! @ Concept Interiors 13th July #Sheffield

NEW KITCHEN SHOWROOM 

PARTY

@ CONCEPT INTERIORS

13TH JULY 

3-7

Please come and visit Concept Interiors, 117 Bamforth Street, #Sheffield, S6 2HE, and have a look around the new state of the art kitchen showroom on Thursday the 13th July 2017.   

Pop along to watch expert chef, Thomas Samworth, who has recently opened the fabulous ‘No Name’ restaurant in Crookes. Come and see him first hand at work and sample some of his delicious food. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and he will offer his expertise whilst he prepares a selection of tempting dishes on our new Miele appliances! There will also be light refreshments available to include barrels of Bradfield Brewery beer from the pump, glasses of Prosecco, wine, and cold bottled beers.

Come and chat with the team who are knowledgeable and willing to offer advice and suggestions to help you create your dream kitchen or help with your trade needs for developments of any size. With a range of contemporary German kitchen displays, to the more bespoke, handmade kitchen with crafted wooden and painted finishes. There are over 10 fitted displays for you to wander round and take inspiration from, with our amazing kitchen worktops including Dekton, Silestone, Sensa, Granite and Corian.

So, if you are at a loose end on Thursday 13th July from 9:00am onwards you can call in or why not come to the Spencer Party from 3pm - 7pm. Everyone welcome! If you would like more information please email info@conceptinteriors.org.uk or contact us at Spencer The Estate Agent on 0114 268 3682 or lizzie@spencersestateagents.co.uk

Spring is springing.… Interiors by Spencer. The Estate Agent.

Throughout the winter months, we all been eagerly await the Springtime; longer lighter days, snow drops, daffodils, and ‘smilier’ faces. So why not beat the clock and bring Spring indoors, and brighten up the house too!

What better place to start than with Pantone colour of the year – Greenery...

This fabulous spring like colour is perfect to be accessorised with soft pale wood or deep strong copper. Think woodlands, lush meadows, and warm sunny days!

Florals and leafy patterns are still very much the trend this season, and the statement wallpapers and fabrics from House of Hackney will grab all of your visitors’ attention and provide quite the talking point.

https://www.houseofhackney.com/  

If you’re not bold enough to go whole hog then why not add a few statement soft furnishings instead? Henry Holland is about to launch a new fabulous range at Habitat and feel sure that he will release some exciting statement patterns. We can’t wait to get our hands on it!

http://www.habitat.co.uk/henry  #eeek

If you need some help, ask Spencer. 

We can come and help you transform anything from one room, to an entire house, to an entire new development, and we LOVE it! Feeling passionate about your career is everything and we will do everything to please. Pop by our offices where we already have spring fever!

0114 268 3682