JP-Brimelow-April 2023

SOUTH MANCHESTER

AWARD WINNING ESTATE AGENT

We are an estate agency with a difference. Our dynamic team is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to selling property. Our reputation for industry knowledge and honest dialogue means we have new clients coming through our doors every day and, tellingly, regular repeat clients as well. The property world has changed over the past few years, and we have grown right alongside it. Our professional advisors are both experienced and forward-thinking and they are committed to ensuring that our customers experience a seamless journey with us from start to finish.

JP & Brimelow Chorlton and Didsbury is owned and managed by Eddie Ellis and we are proud to have built an independent realtor which has become a cornerstone of the regional property landscape. Whatever your objective is within the built environment, we can support you. Whether you are looking to sell a property, find your dream home, source a builder, or explore a new financial opportunity, we have the knowledge and expertise to help.

Eddie Ellis MNAEA - Owner

The British Property Awards 2022 - Gold Winners!

The British Property Awards provide agents throughout the UK with an invaluable opportunity to compare the service that they provide against the service provided by their local, regional and national competition.

Agents who go that extra mile and provide outstanding levels of customer service are rewarded with our accolade, which acts as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace.

JP & Brimelow Chorlton and Didsbury have won The British Property Award for Manchester (M21-22). Our team performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period which focused on customer service levels.

We’ve also been shortlisted for a number of national awards which will be announced later in the year.

 JPandBrimelow  jpandbrimelows  jpbrimelowchorltonanddidsbury

ARTISAN

Our 24-hour bakery provides fresh bread, pastries, cakes and rolls every morning. Choose a homemade fresh salad, sandwich, soup or quiche from our open kitchen. Delight in our vast delicatessen of freshly sliced salami’s, cured meats, cheese and olives.

ENJOY OUR OUTDOOR GERMAN SAUSAGE PAN EVERY SATURDAY

Relax on our outdoor terrace with a hot cup of Italian espresso and hot ciabatta sizzler. Peruse our unique shop and create a bespoke gift hamper.

Fletcher Broadbent Partnership Chartered Surveyors

Buying a property is perhaps the largest investment you will ever make.

The home you are proposing to purchase may have the appearance of being in a good state of repair, but a survey report from a Chartered Surveyor will put your mind at rest and identify any major structural issues as well as diagnose general maintenance problems likely to be encountered during your term of ownership.

Only by understanding the true condition of a property can a buyer make a fully informed decision upon purchase.

Meet the team

Ryan

THE 5 SIGNS

YOU ARE READY TO MOVE HOME...

As you can imagine, we meet a lot of people who have reached the point when they realise they are ready to move home.

Being ready to move is not the same as needing to move – we have met couples who love where they live so much they’ve hung on as long as possible! Being ready to move comes in two forms – knowing you need to and finally finding the emotional space to do so (this is often the case with people downsizing) and just a sudden realisation that your home isn’t working for you any more; your feet start to itch and you find yourself browsing all the estate agency sites as more than just a guilty pleasure.

Before you bring in an estate agent to value your home, it’s wise to do a sense check with yourself – are you ready, really ready, to move on?

So, what are the five signs you’re ready to move house?

Storage space frustrations

There comes a point when, no matter how ruthless you are with decluttering, you simply have no more room to store the stuff you want to keep. This often happens when one becomes two (a couple move in together) or two become three (the amount of stuff a baby needs is staggering – and where on earth shall we put this pushchair?!)

Family expansion

Following on from the first point – when a new child arrives, the need for an extra bedroom is often the driver to start looking for a new home. Children can, and do, share a room, of course – but as they get older this becomes more problematic, so the question is move now, or move later? Which leads us neatly to point 3…

School catchment

We all want the best schools for our children, but it’s rarely something we think about till one of said children arrives on the scene. Suddenly it’s all about Ofsted reports, and can we walk to school? Also…

We need a garden

Again, it’s often the arrival of children that trigger the desire for more outdoor space, but equally, for many people there just comes a time in one’s life when sitting on one’s own patio sipping an ice-cool beer holds more appeal than a night out on the town. Yes, you’re at ‘that’ lifestage!

Bored, bored, bored

Remember the excitement of moving into your first home – bought or rented? Once the opposite becomes true, and you really simply fall out of love with where you live, it’s

time to make a fresh start. There are several symptoms of home-boredom. The first is that you stop being so fussy about the housekeeping (which is something you’ll need to fix if you want to sell!). Whether it’s fixing chipped paintwork, repairing a wobbly door handle or even dusting into every corner, when you’re not house proud any longer, you need to find somewhere else to be proud of.

Needing to move and being ready to move don’t always coincide, so you need to be very sure you’re ready before you start the ball rolling. Putting your home up for sale, doing all the little jobs you need to do to make it viewerfriendly, inviting people in to judge your home – it’s a lot, and if you’re not absolutely sure now’s the time, you may find yourself subconsciously sabotaging the process.

It definitely happens, trust us! The flipside of course is that you simply can’t find anywhere you want to move to – none of the houses you view feel ‘right.’ Again, this is likely to be more an emotional response than a practical one. How do you overcome this? Positive visualisation –imagine the freedom you will feel when all the niggling frustrations of your current home are lifted away.

Picture all that marvellous storage space. Imagine having friends round to dinner. Plan a new bedroom décor, pick new paint colours, open your mind… and your heart will follow.

Making your property dreams a reality.

For nearly 50 years, our common sense approach to lending has helped thousands realise their property ambitions, even when other mortgage providers can’t.

So if you’re aspiring to buy an investment property, your first home, or something that’s a little more ‘you’, we’ll put ourselves in your shoes, and do everything we can to make finance work for you.

Let’s make it happen, together. togethermoney.com/jpandbrimelow

SHOULD YOU REPAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR TO HELP SELL YOUR HOUSE?

This is actually a question we get asked more than you’d think. We talk to our vendors about how to help maximise the positive aspects of their home, and what aspect should be more positive than that first sight – the front door?

We always say that a refresh of a painted wood door is never a bad thing, and apparently there has recently been a 5,000% increase in online searches for what colours are trending and are becoming more acceptable. There was a time when if your front door wasn’t black or white, your home would stand out in the street, and not in a good way, but now, it seems, individuality is a good thing!

Read on, and decide for yourself which way you would go, but we have to say, if you’re thinking of repainting your front door, choose carefully – there are definitely some colours that will put people straight off. Purple, anybody..?

Here are six colours you might like to consider when repainting your front door:

1. Forest green

Green is quickly becoming the new neutral, seen as a soothing colour, connecting us to nature. Choose a deep forest green that gives off a sense of tradition and stability, welcoming visitors with calm. A door wreath can be used to add some contrast, a ring of white flowers, for example, and choose black hardware, rather than brass or chrome.

2. Raspberry pink

If you really want a stand-out shade, go for a vibrant raspberry pink. This joyful, vivid shade will send a strong message of a house well-loved, of individuality and happiness.

3. Rose pink

Soft, warm tones are gaining in popularity at the moment because they evoke feelings of comfort and security. A soft pink (avoid pinks with tones of blue in them) won’t overwhelm the colour-cautious, but still says “we’re not boring.” Pop a couple of terracotta pots filled with pretty pink flowers by the door for extra country style.

4. Sunflower yellow

It’s no surprise yellow doors are growing in popularity among homes across the UK, given that warm tones of yellow and orange evoke thoughts of hope, enthusiasm, and joy. Probably the happiest colour on our list, a warm yellow would look great with brass door fittings. Again, a couple of terracotta pots filled with flowers, in any shade you love, would look fabulous.

5. Red

In Chinese culture, red is seen as a lucky colour, and in feng shui (the Chinese art of decor to boost positive energy flows around the home) painting your front door red will draw positive attention, good luck and protection.

6. Cerulean blue

Think of the colour of the sky on a clear spring morning, before the sun gets too high and washes the colour out of it. A glorious blue will always invoke happy memories of summer days and holidays, and will give visitors an immediate sense of welcome.

PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SALE HOW TO

When we value a property, we are always happy to offer advice on how to maximise the likely offer price and encourage a fast sale.

It’s not unusual, of course, for vendors to be concerned about the cost of any changes we might suggest, both in terms of money and time, but the return on that investment could be significantly higher than the outlay – again, in terms of both money and time.

What must never be forgotten is that buyers who are ‘looking for a project’ are not the norm. There are some people, of course, who are proactively seeking a property that can be described as in need of a little (or a lot) of TLC, well aware that these are the ones where they can negotiate a lower price, but in our experience most buyers simply want to move in and relax, happy in their new home, without a whole list of jobs to do before they are content with their decision.

One of the quickest ways to convince potential

buyers that they can do just that is to spruce up and declutter. The latter is simple (well, simple-ish) and requires little more than a collection of boxes and a tough stance on whether to store, donate or throw away.

The former – well, that can be less simple, but we always start with paint. The first impression is always the most powerful, so it’s important you look at both the outside and the inside of your home as if through a stranger’s eyes.

Touch up or completely repaint?

It may be that the outside of the house could simply do with a good jet-wash and touch up. It’s best to get advice from a professional painter, however. External paint, once it starts to peel, is usually best stripped back and re-done.

Assess your front door. We push through our doors every day, but are always focussed on getting

through it, not on the door itself. It may be well past time it had a good clean and a repaint!

Inside the house, the temptation will be to patch over the worst bits, but this is likely to simply draw attention to the tweaks you’re attempting to make. Paint does change colour over time, so even if you kept the pot, and it’s still viable, it’s unlikely to wholly match the paint on the walls.

If your walls are looking a little tired, or the fabulous mustard yellow in your living room might turn off viewers, repaint the walls with a neutral colour that will allow prospective buyers to easily project their own style into the room and imagine themselves living there.

Check your ceilings: We don’t look up often, which means ceilings tend to get overlooked when cleaning or decorating rooms. Visit each room and have a good look up. There may be cobwebs in corners, the remains of water-leak stains, or fine cracks along joist lines that might worry buyers.

If you have any questions about what you should be doing to ‘stage’ your home for a fast sale, always ask your estate agent. We see what other houses in the area look like, we know what buyers are seeking – and what they want to avoid. We can tell you immediately if cracking open the paint cans will be worth your time, energy and money, or not. And we can recommend local trades to help you out, too.

• Paint is chipped, cracked or stained (on the corners of walls, where people grab doors, at the end of the bannisters, etc

• White paint on your doors, window sills and skirting boards has yellowed over time

• The colours you have chosen for your interior paintwork are quite bold, so may not appeal to everybody

• The exterior paintwork clashes with the other houses in the area – you might like to stand out from the crowd, but most people like to blend!

• The exterior paintwork is noticeably weathered – a prospective buyer doing a driveby may take one look and assume that chipped windowsills or a dodgy door, or rendering that’s not been fully painted, means residents who haven’t kept up with the level of care a property needs

Look for these signs that your home could do with a fresh lick of paint:

Bannister Preston Solicitors LLP has been established for over 100 years. We provide expertise in all legal aspects of residential property, family and wills and probate. All matters are handled by experienced professionals who provide you with a personal service.

CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH NO OBLIGATION: 180 Liverpool Road, Irlam, Manchester, M44 6FE T: 0161 775 0444 E: law@bannisterprestonirlam.co.uk

www.bannisterpreston.co.uk

Award winners

JP & Brimelow Chorlton & Didsbury Ltd receives national recognition at the EA Masters 2023

JP & Brimelow Chorlton & Didsbury Ltd has attained the high standards necessary to be awarded with the property industry’s most prestigious mark of excellence.

On Wednesday 21st September 2022, 1,500 of the leading estate and letting agents and suppliers from across the UK gathered for the biggest estate agency event in the country, where the results of this year’s Best Estate Agent Guide Awards were announced.

Over 15,000 estate agencies are included in the assessment, which is conducted by Property Academy, supported by On the Market property portal.

Each office is scored against a unique set of criteria looking at property marketing, customer service and results – which are determined following a survey of 30,000 buyers, sellers, landlords and renters.

There follows a whole of market assessment,

using a combination of data analysis, mystery shopping and a website review to identify the best agencies in the country.

Home-movers and landlords can search for those estate and letting agents that made the grade in their area by visiting bestestateagentguide.co.uk or by looking out for the distinctive winners marks.

JP & Brimelow Chorlton & Didsbury Ltd was delighted to be recognised for their dedication to providing the very highest levels of service. Eddie commented “I’m absolutely over the moon with this award, all my team have pulled together in extremely challenging times, market conditions and have come out on top! We will be celebrating in style in the coming months”.

Start your journey with the team on 0161 882 2233

STYLING YOUR BEDROOMS TO HELP SELL YOUR HOUSE

We have talked a lot about how to style your home to encourage a fast sale. In our experience, there are far more people who can’t see past aspects they don’t like in a home –which includes the decor – than there are people who can see straight to the bones.

Whatever side of the divide you fall on, if you’re trying to sell your home, we always encourage you to take whatever steps you can to ensure that people can see themselves living in your house, right away.

When a potential buyer views your home, they’ve already decided it’s pretty much in the right location, it has the right number of bedrooms and isn’t a complete do-er upper. They’ve read the details, seen the photos and are now ready to step over the threshold and see if your home could become their home.

In an earlier post we talked about decluttering, which is a vital step to take before allowing viewers into your home. We have also talked about how to make those first sights of your home – from the front door to the hallway and living room – more enticing. Today, we’re looking at bedrooms.

You will no doubt have heard that every home for sale needs a ‘wow’ room – the kitchen or the bathroom MUST knock viewers’ socks off. Not so. In fact, these are the two rooms people are most likely to change first. What people really want to know is – will I feel at home in this house? And this is where a beautiful bedroom comes in.

What makes a bedroom tempt a homebuyer? Here are our top tips for making your bedrooms the icing on the cake.

The master bedroom

In this most important of rooms, aim to create a luxe hotel feel. This can be done inexpensively and quickly.

First – invest in some plastic boxes with lids and clear as many shoes as you can from the room. We often keep shoes in bedrooms that aren’t used every day – from Saturday night stilettos to Sunday golf shoes. A build up of shoes can cause not only clutter, but a build up of shoe whiff. Box them up, stack them in the garage, or even in the car during those times you have viewings.

Next: clear the dressing table of everything but a bottle of scent and a luxe magazine. Hide everything you usually leave out, from hair brushes to lipstick, away in drawers. If you simply don’t have room, invest in a couple of pretty trays, and carefully organise your bits and pieces into these.

The bed: you want your bed to look hotel-pristine, as if the viewer could simply throw back the duvet and climb in. This isn’t going to happen if you present them with a wrinkly duvet cover, haphazardly strewn pillows and mismatching bed linen. We don’t suggest you strip and redo the bed before every viewing, but consider (for the duration of the house sale) ironing the duvet cover and pillow cases, and channeling hotel chambermaid when you make the bed each morning. Alternatively, find a bedspread that matches your decor and neatly cover your bed with this before any viewings. Add a couple of scatter cushions (don’t go overboard!) and it’s an immediate hotel luxe look

Take a look at your bedside tables. All they should contain

is a lamp, an alarm clock and, maybe, a book. Like the dressing table, clear surfaces are suggestive of plenty of storage space – and are far more relaxing to look at than clutter, and a bedroom is supposed to be relaxing. Make sure the bulbs in your bedside lamps are the same wattage and type. Before a viewing, switch these on, rather than the overhead light.

If you have an ensuite – declutter it to the max! Clear down the surfaces, make sure every inch of porcelain is sparkling clean, add as big and bold a houseplant as you can find, and pop a reed diffuser in there.

Children’s bedrooms

Again, decluttering is your first step. If there are toys in abundance, provide storage boxes they can be easily and quickly tidied into. If you have teens, remind them they have a wardrobe, not a floordrobe, and threaten sanctions for non-compliance. Do check before every viewing however. The old joke about visiting a teenager’s bedroom being akin to a trip to Ikea is based in fact. Teen boys, especially, can get a bit smelly. It’s not their fault, but nipping in to open a window and squirt a bit of freshener might not be a bad habit to get into.

The spare room

It might be that you have set up a home office in your spare bedroom, if you have one. This is fine, home offices are almost expected these days. If you have – make sure it’s super-tidy. If there’s a bed in there too, create a cosy, welcoming feel with beautifully pressed sheets, or a cosy bedspread, and add colourful scatter cushions. Make sure bedside tables are clean and clutter-free, check the curtains are hanging straight (it’s so easy to not notice these things in rooms you don’t use often) and carefully place a set of towels on the end of the bed as if visitors were expected.

Home buyers buy in to a potential lifestyle as much as they buy in to a location and size of property. If you show them a relaxing, stylish and enviable space, you’re half way to convincing them that your home is the one they want.

“make sure your home office is super-tidy”

Confiers House, Whalley Range

Highover House, West Didsbury

Elmwood, Whalley Range

Alnwick House, Whalley Range

Egerton Road North, Chorlton

Torbay Road, Chorlton, Chorlton

Buckingham Road, Chorlton

Ryebank Road, Chorlton

Thornbridge Avenue, Chorlton

High Lane, Chorlton

Finney Drive, Chorlton

SPECIALISTS IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

“Without you, I don’t think our purchase would have happened. As a nervous buyer in a complicated chain, your communication was excellent and no question was too much trouble” - Ivy Cordery

It’s

Lidgate Grove, Didsbury Village

Chandos Road, Chorlton

Chandos Road, Chorlton

Hartington Road, Chorlton

The period facade remains, while the interiors have been completely transformed with a stunning extension to the ground floor which extend to over 2,900 sq ft of accommodation including the cellar chambers.

Entry is at ground level, through an impressive entrance reception hallway with tiled flooring, under floor heating and genuine crittall door, which has views through to the rear open plan living, kitchen/living area. There is a Lounge with a Marble fireplace

housing a gas fire. Original Manchester Oriel window to the side. Dining room with a Marble fireplace housing a gas fire and Light stained oak parquet flooring. Downstairs W.C. Utility room with an integral fridge/freezer, washing machine and access out to the side via Crittall door. The kitchen/living/dining has a shaker painted wooden kitchen with SMEG appliances, a hot water tap, marble worktops, cast iron radiator and Karndean flooring. Double-glazed sliding doors open to the rear for indoor/outdoor living and glass corner window.

Stairs leading to the first-floor landing with a glazed window bring natural light, three double bedrooms and a stunning five-piece family bathroom with a Lusso stone freestanding bath, walk in shower, double vanity sink and tiled flooring.

To the second floor there is a landing leading to a double bedroom with exposed original beams and a cast iron fireplace. There is a master suite to the front aspect with a dressing room with fitted furniture, a separate W.C, a shower area with a walk-in shower with a cast iron fireplace, a marble vanity sink, bedroom with a cast iron fireplace and a free standing Lusso stone bath with mixer taps over.

HOUSEPLANTS CAN HELP SELL YOUR HOME

What now? Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting that spider plants have some mystical power that bends the will of potential buyers in your direction, or that a parlour palm can seal the deal.

Or actually, maybe we are.

We have talked often about how to dress your home to maximise its appeal to potential buyers, from decluttering to scatter cushions, and houseplants are actually an important part of how you make your house look like a home someone else would want to live in.

Why? Well, the houseplant trend may have kicked up a gear during lockdown, when everybody wanted to make their home office a more attractive and healthier space in which to spend their days, but it’s a trend that has turned into a lifestyle statement, and today you’d be hard-pressed to find a beautiful home on TikTok, Pinterest or any TV interior design show that doesn’t have its fair share of houseplants in prime position.

Houseplants bring two clear advantages to the home:

They bring colour and texture and vitality to any

space in which you place them. They actually make us happier and healthier. Spending time near them can lower your blood pressure, decrease your heart rate, reduce mental fatigue, and aid concentration (hmm, definitely a good pick for a home office, then) Houseplants are an easy, inexpensive way to add style to a room without committing to a major makeover. Many are known to act as air purifiers, and the time we take to care for a houseplant, no matter how limited, is proven to be good for your mental wellbeing. Trust us – the first thrill is not killing it, the second is when it throws out a new leaf. Suddenly you’re a plant mum!

Which houseplants are best for the beginner?

Most houseplants actually require very little attention, and certainly no complicated care routines. Indeed, some houseplants are very hard to kill.

Sansevierias, or snake plants (also known as motherin-law’s tongue), is a sculptural, green and yellowleaved plant with a vertical habit, making it easy to fit into relatively small spaces. All it needs is direct daylight and a cup of water every couple of weeks. It’s also one of the best air-purifying plants you can

have, making it perfect for a TV room or home office.

Another easy plant to love, and care for, is monstera, or Swiss cheese plant. These give us big, glossy leaves in a rich, dark green and only ask that you remember to water them on a weekly basis. They can actually cope with their soil almost drying out –but this lack of care would ensure they produce no new leaves, and may even lose some of their vibrant green. Water regularly and place in a spot where they see daylight and they’ll reward you with new growth, and those fresh, mint green curls of leaves are wonderfully exciting to see appear.

A third plant we love, for its sheer feathery impact, is the parlour palm. You can find these large or

small – and the large ones certainly know how to grab attention. Parlour palms aren’t only low maintenance, but need to be kept out of direct sunlight, so they’re perfect for adding a pop of colour and interest to an otherwise dull corner. They need watering only when the top 2cm of their compost is dry, and even less frequently in winter. An occasional feed in summer and they’ll reward you with fresh growth and new, vivid shades of green.

So – can houseplants help you sell your home? All things being equal, we would say yes, they certainly can help!

“Most houseplants actually require very little attention”

A MOVING STORY

We catch up with Ross Griffiths, director of TMX Movers to learn more about the successful business he founded and how it all got started...

So, how did it all begin?

The story of TXM Movers starts in 2004 with an ordinary transit van. Starting from removing and disposing of household waste and refuse, the vision for TXM Movers was pushed by indefatigable drive. In those early days, the business’ foundations were laid on an ethos of hard-work and a perseverance to go “the extra mile.” Long jobs, requiring arduous single-handed efforts, including four trips to three different tips in one day, were all a matter of course.

One day, a small and apparently unassuming job opened the floodgates. A mini boom occurred, and those long hours started paying off. After a tough year of diligent economising, reinvestment was made and our fleet expansion took off. With jobs growing bigger, a growing fleet,

lucrative local partnerships and nationwide coverage, TXM Movers was officially named and launched.

Since then, we are proud to have participated in numerous high-profile local projects, including the transportation of the “Bee in the City” statues. We are also proud to have worked for some of Manchester’s greatest sporting icons, including Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton and local footballing legends.

TXM Movers was founded on the back of arduous individual efforts. As a team we believe in strong values and chiefly that of always going the extra mile to serve our customers and giving back to our local community.

What does your business offer?

TXM Movers aim to provide customers with hassle free house removals. We endeavour to go “the extra mile” with each and every removal assignment. We offer various volume-based removal and transportation options, serving large removals, small removals, down to valuable individual items. Our well maintained and state-of-the-art fleet is managed by attentive transportation operatives. If you need a helping hand, we can also provide removal crews. If you want to be sure your goods and belongings are extra safe during transportation, we provide specialist packing and unpacking services.

TXM Movers work with nationwide storage providers, accessible countrywide, to guarantee customers unrivalled peace of mind. Our specialist white glove delivery service offers room-to-room delivery. As part of this, we can collect large items from

your point of purchase and deliver them to your room of choice. This service comes with a specialist two-man glove delivery team. They will assemble/disassemble furniture, install white goods and activate smart and electronic devices.

In a nutshell, TXM Movers offers removals and transportation services options delivered to free customers from stress and hassle.

DECLUTTER HOW TO

You’ve heard it all before, we’re sure, but it’s important so we shall say it again – selling your home is almost as much about presenting a potential lifestyle to buyers as it is about location, location, location. When you put your house on the market you are immediately putting yourself in competition with every other house for sale in your area. How do you win? Help buyers picture themselves living in your house, making it their home.

How? Declutter!

We’re not suggesting that your home is a mess, or packed with so much stuff people can’t see the floors (though admittedly some we see are!) but we always say there’s opportunity to strip back every unnecessary detail and allow viewers to transpose their own furniture and accessories into a room.

First – go through every room and remove photos, personal items that mean a lot to you but nothing to other people, and those bits and bobs your mother-inlaw gave you and likes to see when she visits. It’s not necessary to leave every flat surface empty, what we are trying to do is de-personalise the space, so your viewer can envision their own life here. Tidy your bookshelves – remove those stacked on stacks, colourcode by spines, remove anything placed in front of the

books: it’s all about curating a sense of calm. Second – we all know people viewing homes like to open cupboards and peek into pantries, assessing just how much storage space is available. Start with your kitchen. Find some cardboard boxes and empty out all the things you don’t use very often and decide if they are to keep, tip or donate. Do you really need that juicer you bought six years ago and used three times? What about the sandwich toaster? When did you last use your wok? Or your steamer? How about all those cookbooks? It’s time to get brutal and remove it all. Those things you use only occasionally, but still keep using – pop them in storage. Things you last used preCovid – donate or dump. It will also make life easier when you’re packing to move home yourself.

Go through this process in every room – every fitted wardrobe, every built in cupboard, and even the loft. Buyers want to believe they can bring all their clutter and it not fill their new house straight away.

Finally – review your storage. You might be used to a pile of shoes in the hallway or stacks of washing in the utility, but to others’ eyes it might look untidy, and like there’s nowhere else to put it. Invest in a shoe rack, a storage box or two, and ta dah – a nice neat home someone else will just love to live in.

THE WEST DIDSBURY AREA

You’ll also find lots of boutique shops selling contemporary homeware, fashion, jewellery and gifts. The Epicurean is a haven for craft beer lovers and sells a wide range of beers, ales, and cider. West Didsbury was also where Reserve Wines first opened, owned by award winning wine merchant and TV presenter Kate Goodman, it now has shops in five other locations.

Didsbury lies seven kilometres south of Manchester City Centre and is divided into three distinct areas: East Didsbury, West Didsbury, and Didsbury Village.

West Didsbury is popular with those looking to commute to MediaCity as well as professionals and families who enjoy its lively atmosphere and community spirit. It has a proximity to the neighbouring towns of Withington and Cheadle, and the villages of Gatley and Heaton Moor.

Typical properties include converted Victorian houses, contemporary three storey apartment blocks and new-build properties which line West Didsbury’s famously leafy streets. The area is probably best known for its thriving nightlife and Burton Road especially has become a hot spot for South Manchester foodies.

The Metropolitan (or The Met as it’s known locally) marks the Lapwing Lane end in a building formerly occupied by a grand Victorian railway hotel. It has a lovely outdoor seating area and is well known for its Sunday roasts. Burton Road boasts excellent independent cafes and is a top brunch spot thanks to places such as Mary & Archies, Another Heart to Feed and ‘And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon.’

While away the evening in a medley of trendy bars and eateries offering Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Thai cuisine. Volta has won critical acclaim for its delicious cocktails and small plates, Sip wine bar offers over thirty different bottles, and Proove is the place for Neapolitan sourdough pizza. West Didsbury is also home to Green’s, the long-standing vegetarian restaurant co-owned by TV chef Simon Rimmer.

The area is well serviced with cute delicatessens including Fusion Deli and A Taste of Honey, but you can also stock up at the monthly Maker’s Market when it pops up on the last Sunday of the month on the corner of Burton Road and Nell Lane.

Sport and recreation are well covered with plenty of boutique gyms, yoga studios and classes in the area which also has its own local running club. The Northern is a racquets and fitness club on Palatine Road with a fitness suite, gym, workout studios and grass tennis court. Withington Baths is a community fitness centre in a recently restored Edwardian bath house further down Burton Road which also has a pool, gym, sauna and two studios.

Local activity groups include the Didsbury Arts Cafe, a book club and various musical clubs. There’s an annual Arts Festival, regular family festivals in nearby Wythenshawe Park, and many well organised community events throughout the year. The WDRA is the local residents’ association who work closely with local businesses and councillors to ensure that West Didsbury remains a desirable place to live. They also work to conserve local wildlife and protect the natural environment.

A Metrolink stop on Burton Road makes the area easy to get to via public transport and the 111 bus – which runs from Manchester City Centre to Chorlton – stops outside the Metropolitan pub.

West Didsbury’s excellent transport links, green spaces and blend of exciting independent venues and shops make it a popular destination for those looking to live in a vibrant trendy suburb with a real community spirit.

slowing down the process and increasing the probability of error.

Our aim is to ensure that the conveyancing process is as stress-free as possible.

Why choose us

Why choose us

Specialists in residential property

I have used JP Goldman now for several years and always the same friendly professional service. Recently they acted for me on the sale of a property and worked tirelessly to ensure it all went through as quickly as possible. Thanks Caroline, Dan, Rachel and in particular the wonderful Alli for all your hard work!

Rob

Excellent, efficient and professional service. Dealt with Rachel and Caroline who were personable, helpful and always responsive. Top level all round. Completed my purchase just over a month after receiving the Draft Contract. Could not recommend highly enough.

technology we can provide a personalised service no matter where you are in the World.

Lewis Armstrong

• A fixed price service – there will be no hidden costs/fees

• Access to our exclusive client App. You can communicate anytime, anywhere via SMS, push notification, WhatsApp, and within the App itself.

• You will have a dedicated fee earner who will not transfer your file

•A fixed price service – there will be no hidden costs / fees

• Contact us outside of normal working hours

•You will have a dedicated fee earner who will not transfer your file.

• Reduced file loads means more time spent on you

•Reduced file loads means more time spent on you.

•Efficient, modern, safe and effective processes employed by fee earners.

• Efficient, modern, safe and effective processes employed by fee earners

TALK TO US TODAY

Communication is king

•Close working relationships with all parties involved in the case – we can speak with your estate agents and

• Close working relationships with all

•All our advice will be comprehensive yet coherent – we won’t confuse you with unnecessary legal terms with

•All aspects of modern technology embraced – we can

T: 0161 850 5600

We believe that our clients should be happy with the service we provide and this includes being well informed.

E: enquiries@jpgoldman.co.uk

That is why we offer all of our clients a free instant communication tool – The JP Goldman App – which will allow you to receive and check updates, download documents, submit e-signatures and request call backs – it’s instant communication that fits into your schedule. What’s best is that it’s free, easy to use and secure!

W: www.jpgoldman.co.uk

3 Higher Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 9AB

Contact us today on 0161 850 5600 or email enquiries@jpgoldman.co.uk to see how we can help you.

Proud to work with award winning estate agents JP & Brimelow

THE STRETFORD AREA

Stretford is only four miles away from the city centre, making it ideal for commuters and young professionals. The A56 will take you straight into the Manchester city centre within 20 minutes by car or bus and the trip is easily achievable by bicycle for an ecofriendlier journey.

Stretford also has its own dedicated Metrolink stop making it easy to get to neighbouring Stretford including Chorlton, Whalley Range, Moss Side, Hulme, Salford, Urmston, Sale and, only a little further beyond, Altrincham. Stretford is also very near to the M60 making it easy to access the motorway network. Stretford town centre has benefitted from much local investment in the past few years – and there’s more to come. A huge multi-million-pound masterplan to completely revitalise Stretford Mall and the town is currently underway. This will include the development of a new waterfront area along the Bridgewater Canal, which runs through the town, and will soon be home to many new bars and restaurants.

You’ll find a wide range of shops in Stretford Mall including national brands as well as smaller retailers selling everything from records, comics, gifts and beauty products. The Mall is also home its own thriving food and drink scene. As well as the ubiquitous Gregg’s and Costa, you’ll find independent bars like Longford Tap, Brewchimp and The Hive, plus the new family-run Stretford Canteen.

Stretford Foodhall is a trendy family and dogfriendly community hangout incorporating a licensed convenience store with pop up street food vendors, as well as a bar, a coffee shop and an interactive hub for workshops and events.

Although new public open spaces and green areas are part of the plans for the proposed redevelopment of Stretford, the area already boasts lots of greenery and woodland. There are lots of lovely walks to be had along the Bridgewater Canal and the banks of the River Mersey. Local parks and playing fields include Moss Park, Hoop Park, Stretford Meadows and Turn Moss Fields.

Longford Park is the largest municipal park in the Trafford Borough and features community allotments, a café and toilets, a wildlife garden and even a pet’s

corner. Events like an open theatre are organised by the ‘Friends of Longford Park’, a group of locals who work with Trafford Council to improve and promote the park for all age groups. Victoria Park is also popular with families and dog walkers with lots of public sporting facilities, two age-appropriate play areas, tennis and basketball courts, a community-run tea room and a rose garden.

Stretford’s Public Hall is co-owned, funded, repaired and run by the local community. The sense of community spirit here is strong, and this closeknit town has a reputation for being a friendly neighbourhood. Locals are generally welcoming and host regular public events celebrating national holidays as well as raising funds to protect local landmarks.

The area is home to many new apartment blocks and developments making it an affordable option for young professionals wanting to be near to a major city. There are also lots of reasonably priced terraced houses and semi-detached properties for families hoping to get on the property ladder.

Stretford has a variety of ‘outstanding’ primary schools including Moss Park and Victoria Park. Stretford High School and Lostock High School were both rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in their latest inspections, as was Stretford Grammar School.

Stretford’s blend of green open spaces, community activities, convenient transport links and thriving hospitality scene make it an attractive area to suit all sorts of people. The promised funding and plans for its redevelopment improvements also make it likely to be a wise investment for the first-time buyer.

THE CHORLTON AREA

Beautiful tree lined streets and large Victorian terraced properties, Edwardian architecture, character and charm. Chorlton is a small suburban area located 3 miles South West of the Manchester City Centre and borders Stretford, Sale, Didsbury, Withington, and Whalley Range.

Recently voted within the top 10 of ‘Manchester’s Most Desirable Places To Live’, Chorlton boasts a strong sense of community, rich in history, culture and lifestyle.

Historically, Chorlton was a village on Lancashire’s southern border with Cheshire, and a township within the ancient parish of Manchester. It was incorporated into the city of Manchester in 1904. This leafy and fashionable suburb is a property hotspot with great local amenities that feels a world away from Manchester city centre – which is only fifteen minutes away.

The bustling and trendy area is a haven for boutique shops and delis. Locals can buy fresh fish and seafood from Out of the Blue, artisan cheese from Chorlton Cheesemongers, meat from Frost’s the Butcher and stock up on wholesome and organic ingredients from the Unicorn Grocery – although there is a Morrison’s and a Home Bargains for everyday shopping needs.

Non-food shops include Chorlton Bookshop, lifestyle stores, sustainable fashion boutiques, art galleries, jewellery and gift shops. There’s also a regular monthly Maker’s Market where local producers sell everything from local honey to hand made greeting cards.

Chorlton has a great café culture and you’re never too far from an excellent coffee shop or restaurant which range from tapas to Turkish and Tibetan and everything in between. The leafy area around Beech Road towards Chorlton Green is especially popular with young professionals and families thanks to its colourful range of shops, bars, pubs and restaurants. Chorlton also boasts several schools rated by Ofstead as good or outstanding.

Throughout the year you’ll find a wide range of classes and workshops being held in the area including meditation, mindfulness and yoga which has contributed to Chorlton’s reputation for being Bohemian. In fact, many notable creatives have lived here at one time including The Bee Gees, Badly Drawn Boy and Morrisey.

The M21 postcode also has great public transport links into Manchester, which is only three miles away. It’s well serviced by a regular bus service and three Metrolink tram stops; the main Chorlton stop, St Werbergh’s Road, and Firswood.

Although Chorlton is a vibrant suburb, you’ll find lots of green spaces and well-loved community allotments. Chorlton Water Park is a popular place for dog walkers and cyclists and there’s plenty of space to chill out and have a picnic by the river Mersey on sunny days. There are cycling routes, children’s play areas, courts for tennis and basketball, football pitches, and an area for skating. There are similar facilities in neighbouring Stretford’s Longford Park and Sale Water Park which share borders with Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and Chorlton Ees Nature Reserve is ideal for a spot of peaceful reflection.

Chorlton has an excellent community spirit and hosts regular events. Culture vultures flock to the area for Chorlton’s annual art and book festivals and the suburb has a reputation for its liberal and tolerant attitude. You’ll find many different house styles and sizes to choose from, many with a large garden attached and there’s usually plenty of street parking available. Chorlton has a good social mix of long-term residents and young families who support its quirky independent spirit.

Chorlton’s blend of architecture, green spaces and excellent transport links to Manchester City centre entice new residents looking for laid back City culture while remaining Distinctly Manchester – it’s clear to see why Chorlton and Chorlton Green have captured the hearts of city dwellers looking for suburban living.

THE GATLEY AREA

Gatley is a beautifully sleepy but well-connected suburb in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, Greater Manchester – although historically, it once sat within the boundaries of Cheshire.

It is approximately 3 miles away from Manchester Airport, 5 miles west of Stockport, 5.5 miles east of Altrincham and 7 miles away from the centre of Manchester. Gatley is situated next to the popular towns of Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme, although the A34 divides them. The M60 motorway and the River Mersey separate Gatley from its slightly larger neighbour, Didsbury, while Heald Green lies to the south and Wythenshawe to the west and northwest.

Gatley boasts a number of independent retailers such as the ‘Magic Moments’ gift shop, second hand shop ‘Remember When’, and the eco-friendly ‘Gatley Refillery’ which stocks cruelty free, vegan and biodegradable household and personal care products to refill.

For grocery shopping there’s local butchers Jackson O’Malley and Mather’s Bakery and cafe as well as a Co-op and a Tesco Express. You’ll also find two large out of town shopping centres in close proximity; one with a John Lewis department store and a large Sainsburys supermarket, and the other, a Tesco Extra, Marks and Spencer, and Boots the chemist.

Gatley village is well serviced for hairdressers and beauty salons, along with a couple of decent pubs, a few coffee shops and a handful of well-regarded local restaurants. These including Piccolo Italian restaurant and bar, the Spanish Bodega, and the vegetarian Bhaji Pala although there are a few good takeways in the area too. Locals and visitors are welcome to take advantage of the abundance of free on street parking.

Gatley has a total population of around nine thousand and is a popular location for families. Serving the area is one secondary school and four primary schools, and the independent Cheadle Hulme School is also nearby.

Property-wise, this suburb features a diverse range

from one bed studio apartments to semi-detached houses up to six bed executive properties.

Its proximity to the motorway network and excellent transport links makes it a much sought-after area for commuters. Gatley has its own train station and Heald Green station is also nearby. Gatley is a stop on the Styal Line and offers relatively short journey times into Greater Manchester. The station is located on the A560 and provides a car park which is free of charge for all rail passengers.

Just over a mile away lies the Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre on the A34 Kingsway, incorporating a range of attractions including a multi-screen Cineworld, a casino, gym, bowling alley, a hotel and a number of well-known restaurants.

Gatley’s green spaces include Gatley Carrs which consists of 19 acres of woodland, scrubland and four acres of swamps and ponds. Gatley is also not too far from Scholes Park, Abney Hall Park and the beautiful grounds of Cheadle’s Bruntwood Park where you’ll find a large children’s play area, a worldclass BMX racetrack and mature woodland.

Good schooling and an array of convenient amenities make Gatley an attractive place to live. It is adjacent to several other desirable towns and villages and offers an abundance of activities and green spaces to enjoy.

The village atmosphere, thriving community and fantastic transport links continue to draw residents from neighbouring suburbs and its clear to see why!

If you’re thinking of a move, call the team on 0161 882 2233.

CAN YOUR GARDEN HELP SELL YOUR HOME?

A great garden can increase your property’s value in two ways – firstly, it adds actual monetary value to your home, and secondly, it adds lifestyle value to potential buyers.

Right now, when it’s cold and wet and the days are short, it’s hard to imagine getting into the garden and doing anything but leaving it again, but right now is the time to work out what your garden can do for you.

How does a garden improve the value of your home?

Financially, the bigger the garden, the more value it will add to your home. Just as more space inside adds to the value of your property, more space outside does too. HOWEVER – a large garden can just as easily work against you if it’s not well-cared for and presents your viewers with the potential of a lot of work ahead.

However, size isn’t everything. For many, the thought of managing a large garden is an absolute nope. A small, easily managed space is just what they’re looking for. Again, even if your garden is small, if it’s scruffy and overgrown, if there are weeds in abundance and the lawn is patched with mud, it will be a turn-off to potential buyers.

This is where the second part of the ‘gardens add value’ equation comes into play. Large or small, if the garden is a mess, it’s a turn off. If the garden is a dull, bland and blank space, it won’t make any impression at all (and you want every space to make a positive impression) and if it’s attractive, well-cared for and looks easy to maintain, it’s a huge selling point.

Security

Make sure your gate shuts and locks. Ensure the padlock on the shed is in place, and check the bulbs are working in any external security lighting. They’re little things, but people need to know their children and dogs can be kept safely in, and everybody else is deterred from entering. Make sure fences aren’t leaning, and hedges don’t have suspicious gaps.

Patios and decking

A patio or decking is very appealing to would-be buyers. They can imagine themselves outside in summer, with friends, enjoying life. Make sure yours is clean – hire a pressure-washer, root out any weeds, and clear away any winter detritus that has collected in corners. If yours is somewhat the worse for wear, get broken pavers replaced, or planks fixed. You may be moving house, but just walking away from necessary DIY jobs isn’t really an option in a buyer’s market.

A garden office/room

Home buyers love the idea of a summer house or social shed. If you don’t have one, or there really isn’t space, the creation of an arbor, using a pre-cut frame and that just needs assembly, is a quick and relatively cheap option. Place it against a back wall or fence where the sun lands in the evening, pop some planted pots around it, add a bench and bingo.

Vegetable patch

People love the idea of a veg patch. If you can dedicate a space in your garden to the growing of veg or fruit, it’s a great talking point, whatever they decide to do with after they move in! You can easily create a veg patch in a quiet corner by using the ‘no dig’ method. Simply mark out the area you want to convert, and cover it with opened up cardboard boxes. Next, dump a few barrow-loads of compost on top of the cardboard. If you wish, you can frame the area with a pre-built raised bed frame, or sleepers. The cardboard prevents weeds coming through from below, the compost is ready to be planted into. Job done.

Lighting

Placing solar powered uplighters below trees, or along paths, is a quick and easy way to add some pretty to your garden in this time when nothing is flowering.

Playground equipment

If you have children, you are sure to have some sign of them in the garden, whether this is a trampoline or a swing set or a sandpit. Families love these signs of a child-friendly lifestyle, but you have to make sure you keep it tidy. A swing set with one broken swing, a trampoline covered in leaves, a bike dropped in a corner, an uncovered sandpit scattered with twigs and leaves – none of these are attractive and all send a subliminal message of a lack of care.

There’s no debating that gardens add value to your home, but how much value is very dependent on how your garden, whatever size it is, is presented to would-be buyers. Take a look out of the window and ask yourself – is mine working for me, or against me?

Here’s our list of the best garden features you can invest in to help sell your home.

We doing our bit!

We have chosen a number of local charities and we have various fundraising activities planned throughout the year.

Here at JP & Brimelow we strongly believe in doing our bit for the local community, clubs, teams, schools and supporting many varied charities over the past 18 years. Over the last couple of years amongst other things, a number of staff members from all offices took part in 1/2 marathons, 10k walks, triathlons, golf days, cake making and many charity auctions on behalf of local children’s charities and we hope to continue with raising funds for worthy causes.

After 8 years of fundraising for St Ann’s Hospice, we couldn’t be more proud to announce that Eddie Ellis has become an official Charity Business Partner. St Ann’s Hospice aim to meet the unique physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses and I look forward to working together with Clare Henderson and her fantastic team raising vital funds for this incredible place.

Please take a moment to visit www.sah.org.uk

To find out more about the charities we support, and maybe even get involved yourself, visit:

www.jpandbrimelow.co.uk/ charities-we-support/

How your fundraising makes a difference

£5 will pay for a meal for one of our patients at the hospice. All our patients’ meals are prepared in the hospice by our cooks and kitchen staff. Patients are given a choice from the menu, but if they don’t fancy anything on there, we’ll speak to them and make something they’d like to eat.

£20 enables us to provide a complementary therapy session for a patient or carer. At both our hospices and from the Neil Cliffe Centre we offer complementary therapies to patients and their carers. Complementary therapy aims to help people relax and feel at peace through sessions such as reiki, aromatherapy or massage.

£25 could pay for an appointment for a patient with one of our hairdressers. It’s important for our patients to feel like themselves and look how they want to. Patients can visit our hairdresser onsite at the hospice and he’s experienced in looking after people who might be experiencing hair loss as part of their condition or treatment.

£30 will pay for an hour’s bereavement session for a loved one with our Patient and Family Support Team. Our team will support our patients loved ones and can help with things like explaining what is happening to young children. We’re here for our patients families for as long as they need us.

£50 will provide a patient with an hour of treatment with our lymphedema, physiotherapy or occupational therapy teams. These services aim to give patients the best quality of life and are bespoke to each patient’s needs.

£100 will allow us to provide vital transport for patients to attend our services. Transport is in particular for our day therapy patients, meaning they can be picked up from their home by our friendly drivers accompanied by a nurse, and feel safe, secure and comfortable in getting to the hospice.

£200 pays for a St Ann’s community team member to visit a patient in their home. Our community team work across Salford and Trafford, providing care in people’s own homes. This includes nursing care, emotional and practical support.

£300 enables a patient to attend one of our day therapy sessions to improve their quality of life. Our patients in day therapy will receive care from doctors and nurses, as well as having the chance to take part in arts and crafts activities, physiotherapy sessions and have a lovely three course meal.

£450 will pay for an intensive course of 9 lymphoedema treatments for a patient. Helping to manage swelling, improve quality of life and self-esteem.

It costs £500 a day to care for one of our patients on our in-patient ward at the hospice. This includes the care they receive from our doctors and nurses, as well as from our other services such as physiotherapy, complementary therapy and support from social workers and chaplain.

£1,000 will pay for our Hospice@Home team to visit 5 patients, supporting people who may prefer to be cared for at home.

£1,100 pays for us to provide all our services for one hour.

£2,500 will pay for 5 days of specialist palliative care for one of our inpatients and their loved ones.

£3,600 will pay for a 12 week day therapy programme for one of our outpatients, providing care as well as companionship.

£7,300 will pay for 365 complementary therapy sessions, helping patients and their carers to relax

£20,000 is what our Fundraising Team needs to raise each day, to cover the costs of all of our services. That includes our day therapy, inpatient and outpatient services and our Hospice at Home team from our three sites in Little Hulton, Heald Green and at the Neil Cliffe Centre.

To find out more about how you can help St Ann’s including making donations and playing our lottery, visit https://www.sah.org.uk/

A fully refurbished development within these two victorian bay fronted semi-detached properties known as Sandiwood’, this is the place to live in as each apartment has been designed to accommodate the busy lifestyles of today’s city professional and firsttime buyers.

location have been considered, from the peace and tranquillity of nearby large open green spaces off Withington Road to the lively night-life of the thriving food and drink scene on Manchester Road in Chorlton. This exciting development features secure allocated parking for selected apartments, electric charge points, double glazed throughout, electric heating, fully fitted kitchens, three-piece bathrooms and a communal lawned garden with a patio area and secure storage for bicycles.

A unique development of 30 apartments (18 x 1 bedroom and 12 x 2 bedroom), all aspects of living in this energetic

**£1,000 RESERVATION FEE & RESERVATION FORM to be completed prior to agreement**.

Located on a highly popular tree lined residential road here in Whalley Range off Wood Road.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GARDEN FURNITURE

When the sun shows its face, taking a seat outside is an immediate must-do, and with gardens becoming more of an extension of our indoor living space than ever before, choosing your chairs has become as fraught as choosing a new sofa for your sitting room.

This is especially the case if you have a beautiful new home, where you want to be very sure you make the right choices about every aspect of interior and exterior design, so where to start choosing the right garden furniture for you and your new garden?

First – consider the style of furniture you want

In a modern home with clean lines and a contemporary garden, reflecting the aesthetics is important. Wrought steel with trims and rolls and fussy bits is likely to look like you brought it from your dad’s garden – it’s just not you. However, in an older property, with a well-established garden filled with plants and colour, something a little more romantic will work perfectly.

Stand in the zone where you are placing your furniture and look around you. You will be able to see quite quickly the overarching style of the garden and appreciate what style of furniture will work for you.

Next, measure up

Patio space is not finite – work out what you need (table, how many chairs) and the maximum space you can take up without falling of the patio everytime you push a chair back,

Now, choose the material you want

There are many, many options for garden furniture, some support the table and chairs being left outside year round, others less so. Some require ongoing maintenance, others less so. When deciding on your furniture, take into consideration not only where you might overwinter it, but also if you truly are the type of person to re-stain and protect furniture each spring. Loads of people are – I’m not!

Plastic

Low-cost, lightweight plastic is an easy choice to make, but it soon looks weathered and worn – and can easily be flung around the garden in a high wind, which we seem to be getting a lot more of these days. Plastic dining chairs that can be stacked in the garage and brought out on demand are a great choice, but it’s perhaps not ideal for a permanent fix.

Metal

Steel garden furniture, while long-lasting and robust, is very heavy, so opting for this is a commitment not only in terms of cost, but location – you don’t want to be heaving heavy chairs around every time the sun moves. It is a great choice for the really traditional styles however, and once it’s in place requires minimal maintenance. Lightweight – the Aluminium is a more popular choice for those seeking a more contemporary look. Often folding by design, aluminium furniture is easier to store away over winter, reducing the need for maintenance. Before you buy, check its robust – the joints should be firm and immovable – you don’t want granny taking a fall when she plumps down into her seat.

Rattan

Rattan is massive this summer, and has been for some years now. Rattan has been adopted as the catch-all term for all furniture made with weaving ribbons of material around a frame, whether real, wicker rattan or PE, a man made synthetic Polyethylene resin. The latter is far more durable and requires significantly less maintenance. It can also handle the British climate, unlike wicker, which needs to be kept dry and taken indoors to overwinter. Because of its history, rattan furniture comes in so many designs – from contemporary squares to last century curves – you will be able to find something that suits your garden style, whether that’s modern or traditional. Do try to try before you buy. With the surge in popularity, cheap sets are available that while they may be weatherproof, aren’t necessarily ‘bottom proof’ – too many bumps down into the same spot and the weak framing beneath starts to buckle.

Wood

A classic choice, but can require quite a commitment for ongoing maintenance. It will need an annual wash, sand down and application of oil, which is not

something everybody is prepared to undertake. Teak wood is the luxe choice for garden furniture – it has a high natural level of oil in the wood, so it can withstand the wind and rain of an English garden, but it still needs regular care. Left untreated it weathers to an attractive silver grey, but you will soon find joints are loosening, slats are thinning and even wasps are making a beeline (waspline?) for it to nibble at the soft wood fibres for use in building their nests. If you are a certified garden potterer and DIY fan, then wood makes a beautiful choice. If not, maybe consider the alternatives.

Finally – think green

Looking after the world in which we live is becoming mainstream. Any furniture purchases, for home or garden, should have at least a nod of consideration for our planet behind them.

If you opt for wooden furniture, check it comes with an FSC mark, which will assure you it’s from a managed plantation, where sustainability is built in.

Aluminium is a great eco-friendly choice. This metal can be recycled again and again, and indeed there are many makers already using recycle aluminium to make new garden furniture – just do a quick google search to find them,

Rattan isn’t renowned for its eco-credentials, but you can find furniture that is made from recyclable materials and can be recycled in specialist facilities. If you just want what you love, make sure you take great care of it, to extend its life as long as possible and let’s beat the throwaway culture back into the past, where it belongs.

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DOWNSIZE?

It can be a hard decision to make, moving on from the home where you and your partner have raised children, celebrated all of life’s greatest events, and which you once called your ‘forever home.’

With each lifestage comes change, and downsizing can be a positive one, but how do you know when it’s the right time? Before making your decision, you must ask two big questions:

1) Will downsizing help me financially?

If you are in a large, family home, and your children have left to start their adult lives, moving to a smaller property may indeed be of financial help. A smaller property will likely mean smaller utility bills (not a bad thing, at the moment) and also reduced council tax. If you’re still paying down a mortgage, you might be able to pay it off and buy a smaller home with the equity, or simply reduce your monthly payments.

However, there are other financial considerations to make that aren’t all in your favour. If you have your heart set on a bungalow – be aware, scarcity makes for high prices. Apartments in specially constructed blocks for over-60s will come with annual service charges that might increase each year. You may also need to pay stamp duty, estate agency fees and the costs of moving home.

2) Will downsizing enhance my lifestyle?

Often, it is the emotional impact of moving out of the family home that delays people’s decision on downsizing, but there are definitely benefits in a move to a smaller home. First – there is likely to be reduced maintenance – less housework, less garden maintenance, meaning more time to spend on hobbies and with friends and family.

Similarly, if downsizing frees up more disposable income, there is greater freedom for holidays, travelling to visit family, and generally enjoying life.

Also, very importantly, as we age and reach the lifestage when downsizing starts to look like an

option, we also find ourselves less physically capable, and this isn’t going to get better. Will moving to a smaller home support you as you age? And as you grow older, it becomes harder –both mentally and physically – to cope with great change, so would downsizing when you have the energy to cope with all that entails be a smart move?

On the flipside, downsizing might mean moving away from the neighbourhood you are familiar with, where the friends you have made still live, and the shops and restaurants you love are close-by. Overcoming this requires positive selftalk. Spending time with friends always requires planning, it may now just require a little more planning. You can still visit the restaurants you like, but have an adventure discovering new ones, too.

Finally, consider the logistics. How important is room for entertaining – will downsizing prevent you doing your favourite things? Where will guests sleep? Will you have enough room for storage? When looking at a new, smaller home it’s important to be very clear on how you plan to live there, and what changes you are prepared to make.

Signs that downsizing is the right move to make

• You’re not using all the rooms in your current home

• Your finances will benefit from a cash injection and reduced overheads

• You are suddenly the oldest residents on your street, and this makes you feel a little isolated

• Your job and your family no longer tie you to a particular location.

• You want to be closer to family

• You are simply ready for a change

HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR

NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD

There are many reasons why people move to a new home – upsizing, downsizing, a new job, financial or health challenges, but sometimes when we move home, it’s not just the stresses of the moving day itself that cause anxiety – it’s the demands of a move to a new neighbourhood, or even a whole new town. Here are our top tips for getting the best of moving to a new neighbourhood.

happening in your locale. Find clubs to join that reflect your interests, or be brave and try something completely new. It;s here you are likely to meet other local people with the ame interests, and maybe make a friend or two.

The school run

If you have children at primary school age, the school run is the perfect place to meet other parents from your neighbourhood. The old say “Birds of a feather stick together” rings especially true when it comes to the after school pick up! Make sure you talk to different people over the weeks – you’ll soon find some like-minded souls. If you work full-time and a daily pick-up isn’t feasible, perhaps look at working from home on certain days, just for the first term or so. And while PTAs have a bit of a rep, there’s no quicker way to get under the skin of a school than by doing some volunteering – and it doesn’t have to be forever!

The best way to get the most out of your new

neighbourhood is to proactively engage with the people already in it. Whether this is directly with neighbours, or by shopping and eating local, or by joining the local running club, netball club or networking group, what you put in, you will get out.

From start to finish I have had a brilliant experience with JP & Brimelow. If I had to describe them in one phrase it would be that they ‘get the job done’, and that they do this with honesty and passion.

Silver Court, West Didsbury

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Office:

In the last 18 months I have sold and brought properties through JP & Brimelow. Eddie, Jodie, Carole and the rest of the team give a first class service and are excellent. I couldn’t recommend highly enough

College Drive, Whalley Range

Just wanted to let you know that Charlotte has been excellent at progressing the sale of Lambton Road. A real credit to your company, Charlotte has been helpful at understanding every step.

Lambton Road, Chorlton

 430 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 8AD

 0161 882 2233

 chorlton@jpbrimelow.co.uk

Find us online:

 JPandBrimelow

 jpandbrimelows

 jpbrimelowchorltonanddidsbury

 jpandbrimelow.co.uk

My experience of selling a house for the first time was surprisingly easy and I was kept informed throughout. My house sold within a few days of going on the market

Kings Road, Firswood

I recently had to sell my mums house in Chorlton. I asked a few estate agents for a valuation, Eddie impressed me with his honesty, knowledge of the area and understanding of what we needed. I cannot rate the team who handled the sale highly enough, they were knowledgeable, informed, kind and sensitive. I trusted their judgement and felt confident that they valued us as customers.

Lambton Road, Chorlton

SOUTH MANCHESTER AWARD WINNING ESTATE AGENT

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"A quick appreciation note for the excellent service from your company which really helped us during our home extension project - we had two Mobile Self Storage Units; one long term since last summer and another shorter term in the last couple months. It was so much more conveneint than having to hire a van. Very impressed with the service and we’ll definitely recommend you. Happy to add a review somewhere if it helps."

Tim D

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“Would thoroughly recommend TXM. Very professional, fantastic communication, great prices and very friendly and positive employees. They made the whole process so easy and having been let down by two ‘man and van’ companies, they fitted the job in quickly to help me out. Thank you.”

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JA