Regal Park Property Magazine – Hampton

Issue 1 | Spring 2017

PROPERTY MAGAZINE

finding your

PERFECT

HOME

PRESENTING

Inspira tional

IDEAS

YOUR HOME FOR SALE • New Homes & Developments • Mortgage Advice • Featured Properties • Top Ten Tips to Buying Your Home • Latest Property Information on Buying & Selling

It starts with you

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Control your home security from anywhere in the world The HomeControl+ is a highly secure wireless security solution that delivers top of the range security, with on-the-go control from anywhere in the world on your smart device.

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Set and unset areas, check event history, check the status of every sensor on your system and receive notifications through the HomeControl+ App. Also, by adding the internal pan and tilt or external static HomeControl+ Cameras, you can watch live HD video streaming of your property from anywhere.

• Wireless system • Security sensors • Smoke, CO & water safety sensors

• Live streaming cameras • HomeControl+ App on iOS & Android

Call 01733 552048 or email info@ace4cctv.co.uk to find out more about securing your home & your family

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Hampton Hargate, Peterborough, Cambs PE7 8AN 01733 552048 | 07939 604962 | info@ace4cctv.co.uk | www.ace4cctv.co.uk

Regal Park WELCOME TO

“

Hello and welcome to our new Property Magazine. I’m James Trigg, Managing Director of Regal Park Property Company and a local Hampton resident.

I’m very passionate about what we do and as an independent company I can promise you that we really do care about our customers and will go that extra mile to provide you with a personal service.

”

I hope you will enjoy browsing through the first issue of this glossy publication which is packed full of useful information about the property market and will, I hope, earn a coveted place on your coffee table!

These are exciting times for the Regal Park Property Company, which has gone from strength to strength since we launched in 2014. I’m proud to say that we’ve recently won two Awards as The Best Estate Agent in Peterborough and The Best Estate Agent in PE7 for customer experience.

Just to tell you a little bit about myself, I have been in the Peterborough property industry since 2004, starting out as a sales negotiator for an independent

Inside this issue…

6

Top tips for buying property

20

Presenting a home for sale

11

Valuing your home

23

3D Floor Plans

It starts with you

estate agent. In 2006 I became Branch Manager of another independent estate agent.

Eight years later my dreams came alive when I set up my own Property Company – Regal Park. I wanted to use my knowledge and experience as well as the modern changing times to create something a little different with Regal Park.

We have a highly experienced team and our aim is to put the service back into selling and make the process as smooth as possible.

With the addition of Regal Park Financial and Regal Park Conveyancing, I am happy to assure you that we offer all of the required services to buy and sell property under one roof.

13 What to look for when viewing a home

25

Find your perfect home

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

James Trigg Managing Director

Throughout this magazine you will find essential information on both buying and selling, along with my personal advice and answers to many questions I often get asked.

Hampton is a thriving community and one that is expanding, so if you’re thinking about buying or selling, please feel free to contact me on 01733 560650 or email James@RegalPark.co.uk We hope you enjoy your new magazine, our next edition will be in September.

15

17

Best price for your property

27

Regal Park Finance

The Hamptons

29

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Sales progression

The choices you make for your home are some of the most important in your life time, which is why when it comes to choosing a solicitor who will act on your property, it’s crucial you make the right choice.

As a rm with many experienced conveyancers we are rou nely recommended by developers and estate agents alike, so you can rest assured that you are in safe hands.

Whether you’re an experienced buyer or new to the process, we are here to make ma ers as easy and stress free as possible. We understand that whether selling or buying a property you want me e ciency, without compromising on quality or price compe veness, which is why we have developed a service with these elements at the core of what we do.

We o er our clients a xed price structure for transparency so there are no unwanted surprises, and op onal addi onal support for rst me buyers.

Essen ally, we take care of everything so you can focus on star ng life in your new home.

For a no obliga on quote please speak to one of our property team in our Peterborough o ce on 01733 333 333.

Meet The Team

James Trigg

Managing Director James@RegalPark.co.uk

Jane Whitaker

Senior Negotiator Jane@RegalPark.co.uk Follow Regal Park on

Barrie Pierpoint

Claudio Cozzetto

Director Barrie@RegalPark.co.uk

Branch Manager Claudio@RegalPark.co.uk

Samuel Brook

Lisé Gothard

Property Consultant Samuel@RegalPark.co.uk

regalparkproperty

Sales

“We provide exceptional customer service”

@RegalParkUK

Mortgage & Protection Adviser Lise@RegalPark.co.uk @regalparkproperty to find out more about us

Finance Thinking about selling your home, call us now for your free valuation.

It starts with you

Conveyancing Need a Mortgage, Mortgage Protection, Insurance or just advice and guidance? Call us now.

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

To ensure you have a smooth sale or purchase use our experienced team who will keep you updated every step of the way.

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

5

10 Top tips for buying property

James Trigg shares his top ten tips for buying property as painlessly as possible

Research into property prices and mortgages

1

There’s such a diverse range of properties out there it’s important to know exactly what you can get for your money.

With many websites available, it’s easy to check the history of a property and to see what price other properties on the street are selling for.

With mortgages being such a large expense, it’s going to make a huge difference if you can find the best rate possible.

Even the smallest difference on paper could result in a massive saving over the term of the mortgage. With most lenders, the higher deposit you put down, the lower the mortgage will be.

2

Make sure you’ve calculated the cost of the purchase

Unfortunately there are more costs than you might think associated with buying a property. Some are more obvious than others, such as furniture removal and new furnishings costs. There are also legal fees from your solicitors/conveyancer, which will include disbursements such as all searches and stamp duty. Survey fees and mortgage arrangement fees will be paid to your mortgage advisor.

It can all rack up very quickly, so make sure you know exactly what you’ll be paying.

6

I would also advise you to budget for some repair/updating costs to your new property after you’ve moved in.

Spring 2017

3

Ensure the location is right for you

This is important to ensure that you enjoy living in your new home. As nice as the property may be, you need to know that the location and surrounding area is equally desirable. If your neighbours are terrible or the neighbourhood is prone to crime, you could regret your purchase.

My advice is to visit the property you are interested in at different times of the day.

4

Think selling

One of my recommendations to buyers the moment I meet them and shake their hand, is to think about the re-sale.

Who would be your targeted market - families, first- time buyers, elderly? Is the property close to local amenities? Is there anything obvious like a pylon close by to put people off? Is it in a high rental density area with houses of multiple occupancy? Is it close to a pub?

While you may be looking at the size and condition of the property, there may be other factors you are not considering.

5

Ensure there are no obvious problems

It makes sense to view the property you are considering buying a couple of times, to avoid potential problems. These hazards could include damp, something that can be expensive to sort out. Then there are the fixtures and fittings.

Check that all the lights work and that all the locks function correctly. Your lender will conduct a survey on your behalf, but remember surveyors are not qualified plumbers or electricians and will therefore recommend that you ask a professional to check the boiler or inspect the electrics.

8

Research future developments

It’s important to ensure your hopes and dreams are not shattered by a future housing development being planned nearby. Or even a future motorway being planned in the close vicinity. These kind of planned developments should be picked up on the searches that your solicitor/conveyancer carries out on your behalf. But it might be worth researching the area yourself, talking to the neighbours to find out more about the area.

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6

Know exactly what you’re getting

You will receive a fixtures and fittings form from your solicitors/conveyancer which will include all the items that the vendors will leave. Although the vendors may leave many items in the house, they are entitled to take any fittings as long as they list them down on the form. Don’t get caught out with any unexpected surprises when you move in, finding that some of the fixtures and fittings you saw in the property when you looked around, have now left with the owners.

7

Make sure your credit score is the best it can be

When applying for a mortgage, your mortgage provider will almost certainly check your credit rating to ensure that you are who you say you are, and that you have the means to pay back the amount of money you are borrowing.

There are quite a few obvious issues that can affect your credit score, such as outstanding debt or a history of debt, or County Court Judgements (CCJ’s).

There are also some slightly less obvious things that can make a difference to your credit score. For example, it’s important to be included on the electoral register, as many mortgage lenders will often use this to verify identities.

I once came across a first time buyer who had just inherited a large sum of money and was about to buy his first house with a large deposit. Because he had no credit cards, store cards or loans his credit rating was low. So lack of credit history can also have a negative effect on your credit rating. For further advice please speak to our experts at Regal Park Financial.

Ultimately it’s not too difficult to check your credit score Experian is a popular company that I often use.

Pay the price

If the property is right for you regarding location, condition and amenities, then don’t be afraid to offer the asking price to secure the property. While we all want to negotiate the best price and try to save money, I have seen too many buyers lose their dream home because they were not quick enough on securing the sale and the property was sold to someone else. Bidding wars don’t bring the best out in people and at the end of the day, it’s the vendors’ choice who they sell to and for what price.

10

All round protection

We never think the unexpected will happen, but you should always plan to protect yourself against such events and protect loves ones in the ultimate event of death.

What if you lost your job? Income Protection will provide income to the household so at least you can pay your mortgage and not get repossessed should you be made redundant.

Life Insurance will pay out in the event of death, so this will protect your loved ones and at least they can pay off the mortgage.

For further advice about Buying or Selling, Mortgages and Mortgage Protection please call Regal Park Financial 01733 560650 or visit www.RegalParkFinancial.co.uk “Buying a property isn’t the fastest or simplest of processes. And one thing is beyond doubt, it will probably be the most expensive purchase of your life.

So it’s vital to make sure that you do everything right, as the last thing you want is to buy a property that you’re not happy with, that isn’t worth the price you’ve paid for it, or is falling to pieces!”

James Trigg

Spring 2017

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8

Spring 2017

£340,000

Detached 4 Bedroom House – For Sale

Ribes Close, Hampton Hargate, Peterborough

4 Bedrooms | Study | Dining Room | Driveway & Double Garage 2 En-Suites | Family Bathroom | No Chain Regal Park are pleased to offer this well presented 4 Bedroom Detached Family Home in the popular location of Hampton Hargate. The property is situated in a Cul-De-Sac and is within easy access to A1 and local amenities.

The property comprises of: Entrance Hall, Cloakroom, Study, Lounge, Kitchen/Dining Room, Separate Dining Room. To the first floor is the Master Bedroom with En-Suite Bathroom and built in wardrobes, Bedrooms 2 & 3 with Jack 'N' Jill En-Suite, Bedroom 4 and a Family Bathroom.

There is a Driveway to the front providing off road parking, leading to a Double Garage and enclosed rear garden.

Viewings are highly recommended. Please call 01733 560 650.

It starts with you

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

9

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the

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Shutters work well in all types of property from period to modern. The style you choose depends on the type of window you have and the ‘job’ you want the shutter to do. Shutters are a stylish and versatile option, as they come in a wide range of colours and can be made to fit any size of window or door.

Our range of Shutters are available in different wood and non wood types, all beautifully crafted to suit a variety of needs and budgets, a choice of six shutter styles and over 100 painted and stained finishes and colours.

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Call 01778 393862 or 07809 330600 or visit www.ultimateblindsltd.co.uk Spring 2017

valuing What’s involved in

“

your home?

When contacting advertisers, please quote Regal Park Property Magazine.

”

E

veryone wants to sell their home for its maximum value – and sometimes estate agents are chosen simply on the basis of whichever gives the highest initial valuation.

So how do I arrive at a price that not only realistically reflects just what the property is worth, but also maximises what you can achieve for it?

Local amenities One of the factors that can increase the price of a property is the actual area it’s situated in. Like how close is it to good transport links, school and local amenities?

Almost any improvements that have been made to a property will raise the value, particularly if they’ve been carried out to a high-spec standard.

Well maintained If you have a period property it’s always important to ensure the property is well maintained to help a high valuation. If you have a thatched roof, sash windows, or original fireplaces, buyers tend to ask questions like, ‘when was the roof last thatched?’ or ‘when was the chimney last swept?’ If you have an oil fired heating system, again it’s good to have this serviced before putting the property on the market.

Size and Potential The size of the property and potential to extend the property is a key factor. Assuming the property hasn’t already been extended, the simple fact that it has the land or potential to be extended without compromise of the garden, can again add value.

The supply and demand for the area can often increase the high value of the property. If there is a popular demand for family homes in locations and there has not been a house for sale on the street for 6-12 months, then you will certainly be able to ask for more than your competitors in other locations within your area.

If however, you are looking to sell and there have been houses on your road that have recently sold, then these set a good bench mark for your property if they are similar in size.

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

Personal factors

The ambience of a property can be a factor in determining its value. A well looked after and loved family home will attract buyers looking for the same reason.

Demand

It starts with you

James@RegalPark.co.uk

Family feel

There are also other considerations, people often talk about the M&S effect – what that means is that if there are lots of upmarket shops and restaurants around, it naturally means the demographic of that area is more affluent.

Premium brands tend to be in more high value locations, where houses nearby are more desirable.

Surveyors who act on behalf of the banks will often research for a minimum of 3 similar houses sold within the last 3 months before they sign off a property on a survey.

James Trigg

Lots of people ask me to keep my eyes open for any houses that have room to extend or if they have already been extended. They seem to be looking for more downstairs open plan living space to have family and friends around and to be able to host them.

Loft conversions seem to be popular at the moment too. If you can create a couple of extra bedrooms for growing families then this again will add value. Converting an integral garage into a room is also popular in adding value to your home as most people nowadays do not use a garage for the purpose of a car but by converting it into a room can certainly add value.

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

11

When looking to create the perfect kitchen or bedroom that suits your taste and lifestyle, local family-run company Premier Kitchens & Bedrooms have it all.

This year will mark the 25th birthday for Premier Kitchens & Bedrooms. Started in 1992 by Iain Forsythe, from his family home the company has gone from strength to strength over the years. Having fitted over 19,000 kitchens and bedrooms to local homes, you can be assured that you are dealing with a loyal, respectable and affordable company that will leave you with a dream room of high quality.

Expect a warm and friendly welcome from Premier’s knowledgeable Demonstrators when you visit the local showroom in Hampton, Peterborough where you can browse a comprehensive product range and get a feel for what your new dream kitchen or bedroom could look like. Whether you are looking for a kitchen with a rustic country feel or a high gloss chic design to impress friends and family, you will not be short of choice. All cabinets are manufactured in their own factory in Peterborough, and come with a 15 year cabinet guarantee, as well as this Premier are the only local company to be issued with FIRA Gold certification for installation, giving you complete peace of mind that your new room is taken care of to the highest standard.

Premier offer a completely free plan & design service that starts with your personal Design Consultant visiting you in your home to discuss your tastes and lifestyle, ensuring that they can cater the design to your individual needs. They will then take measurements to prepare a 3D plan that is personal to you and your home, which will be presented to you at a second meeting at the showroom. This second meeting gives you a chance to discuss the plan in detail and make any changes that you would like to the design.

During this meeting you will be given a ‘to the penny’ quote and, if needed, a chance to discuss finance options to suit your budget.

Premier pride themselves on their full project management service, and also offer full building works and extensions, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the process, stress-free! Premier Building Works include everything from tiling and plastering to flooring, gas and electrics, allowing you the chance to completely re-invent your home.

The service doesn’t end at installation, as you will receive comprehensive aftercare from their skilled and friendly Customer Care team.

Always striving to stay at the forefront of the Home Improvement market Premier launched their bathroom division, ‘Bathrooms

By Premier’, in October 2014 an exciting venture that means that they can now offer customers the full home improvement package. With showrooms now in Peterborough and Wellingborough and the third due to open in Northampton in February 2017 the showrooms feature stunning lifestyle displays, giving lots of inspiration and ideas for improving your home.

For more information or a no-obligation FREE 3D Plan & Design, visit Premier Kitchens & Bedrooms and Bathrooms By Premier at Phorpres Close, Cygnet Park, Hampton, Peterborough, PE7 8FZ, call 01733 340471 or see www.premier-kitchens.co.uk or www.bathroomsbypremier.co.uk.

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viewing What do people look at when

a house?

Property Consultant Samuel Brook shares his thoughts and views on how to conduct a viewing yourself and showcase your home to perfection. With his knowledge of the hospitality industry working for 5star hotels, Sam is used to meeting clients face to face and knows why presentation of a property is so important.

If you’ve placed your home on the market, chances are you’ve already carried out some dusting and de-cluttering. But a last-minute spruce up could make all the difference on wowing potential buyers.

Ensuring that your home smells inviting by baking bread or brewing coffee can only do good. But quite often when I show buyers around they make a beeline for the windows to check out the view and surrounding neighbourhood to see if you are overlooked, so make sure your windows and ledges are sparkling clean.

This will have a bigger impact than cleaning the oven. I can’t remember the last time someone opened the oven door to check inside!

If your house has any special features, such as original fireplaces, make sure you show them to their best.

When we have arranged viewings in the past, vendors have said to me ‘ok let me pop back at lunch to clean the floor’. But unless it is really dirty not many buyers focus their attention on the floors. More buyers will look at the height of ceilings, so always ensure you pick up a broom and wipe away any lingering cobwebs.

It starts with you

Some basics to remember are to clean the kitchen, remove any unwashed items from the sink, vaccum and polish, invest in some fresh flowers and make sure all beds are made. I can make swans out of towels and if you would like to know how to do this, do send me an email.

Property Consultant Samuel@RegalPark.co.uk

What more can you do?

Viewings - how to showcase your home Once your potential buyer has arranged to view your home, I often get asked ‘what should I do?’ to show them around.

My personal advice is you cannot change the layout or size of your property, so buyers will decide for themselves if the property is suitable for what they are looking for.

If they have seen the property online, with the attractive photos, viewed the layout, floor plan, location and the price is right for them, then we are nearly there.

At Regal Park we like to conduct our viewings ourselves as we understand most vendors may be at work or do not feel comfortable showing buyers around their home. After all, we are the experts. I do, however, come across many sellers who are keen to show their property off themselves and get a buzz from it. But they often ask me ‘what more should I say?’

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

Samuel Brook

My advice is to think about your home’s best selling points. For instance, is there parking available?

Is there potential to extend the house or add a conservatory? Does the property have any period features? Are you close to local amenities? What makes the garden special?

Of course we all have different tastes and buyers can change things. We will contact your potential buyers the next day after the viewing to follow up the feedback and give you the update.

If you would like to know more from Sam, please call him on 01733 560650 or email Samuel@RegalPark.co.uk

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

13

Plumbing & Heating

Pickwell plumbing & heating, established in 2002, have over 20 years experience.

We can offer the following services: • Bathrooms & Shower Room Installations and Repairs • Boiler Installations, Repairs and Services • Emergency Call Outs (with no hidden fees) • Landlord Gas Safety Certificates • Unvented Cylinder Installations, Repairs and Services • Gas Disconnection or Relocation • Radiator Installation & Removal To find out more about our friendly professional service call Paul on 07813 354071

Pickwell PLUMBING & HEATING

07813 354071 pickwellplumbing@hotmail.co.uk

No: 225181

Best Price

Get the

for your property

We all collect clutter, it’s one of the those unavoidable facts of life. But equally, most of us wish we didn’t!

When presenting your home for sale to a potential customer, clear the clutter.

“Emphasise the space by clearing all surfaces, from the floor and table tops to kitchen work surfaces. Close all your cupboard doors and put away your personal effects”, advises Jane Whitaker, Senior Sales Negotiator at Regal Park.

Jane has been selling homes in Peterborough for over 15 years and offers these tried-and-tested tips to help you get the best price for your property.

Presentation is Key • First impressions count – make sure your property is kept tidy, mow your lawns and tidy the garden.

• Maximise light – open curtains, blinds and adjoining doors.

• Odours matter – prior to any viewings, open the windows to air the property.

• Minimise buyer worries – No need to spend a fortune, but do carry out minor repairs to walls.

Jane Whitaker

Senior Negotiator Jane@RegalPark.co.uk

• Viewings – Keep us informed if there any specific times to avoid. We can hold open days to create interest and competition between potential buyers.

• Leave it to us – we are the experts dealing with potential buyers and will negotiate the best offer possible.

If you are thinking of selling or would like some more advice from Jane, please call her at the office on 01733 560650 or email Jane@RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

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New Builds

The Hamptons

T

hink beautiful landscape, unrivalled opportunities for leisure and play – and a home for life in an enviable environment.

Sounds idyllic? Absolutely. And it can become reality for buyers of properties at Hampton East, as part of the expansion and development of The Hamptons.

There will be more opportunities to purchase a new build home in this next chapter of The Hamptons. It’s all part of the vision for O&H and this vision is already taking shape as work starts on the first of four new villages to the east of the A15.

Four New Village Communities

Developers

O&H plan to make the most of the area’s existing lakes, woodlands and open spaces – which are already notable sites for wildlife and leisure.

There will be many developers looking to build on Hampton East. Here we list a few current and potential developers building on Hampton, as well as others building in and around Peterborough. These are: • Persimmon Homes • Charles Church Homes • Weston Homes • Larkfleet Homes • Abbey Homes • Cala Homes • Jelson Homes

Through enhancing these natural features, the four villages will offer new and existing Hamptons’ residents: • A host of new leisure opportunities such as sailing, swimming, walking and bird watching.

• All the advantages of village life personality, a vibrant community, accessible, high quality services, safety and a real sense of belonging, within reach of Peterborough’s lively city centre.

Hampton Beach, Hampton Gardens, Hampton Woods and Hampton Water will each have their own distinctive character, features and appeal.

• The flexibility to meet different needs at every stage of life, from single professionals, through growing families to active older years.

At the same time, each will be an integral part of an overall design that wraps country park around and through the development – as they’ve already done so successfully in Hampton Hargate and Hampton Vale.

New builds will come with a 10-year guarantee, you will have the best energysaving materials in use, the property will be thermally efficient and your fuel bills will be much better.

To the south of the villages, we think there will also be a few small clusters of larger properties within individual hamlets.

But if you choose to buy a home on a new development, you also need to bear in mind that building work may continue for some time after you’ve purchased, so there will be some disruption.

There are many benefits of buying a new build home and some builders may offer you incentives if you reserve a plot.

If you’re looking for a new build home and require a free valuation on your property please call us on 01733 560650 or email Sales@RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

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18

Spring 2017

£235,000

3 Bedroom Town House – For Sale

Lakeview Way, Hampton Hargate, Peterborough

3 Double Bedrooms | Overlooking The Serpentine Lake Family Room | Lounge | En-Suite | Driveway & Garage

Regal Park are pleased to offer this well presented 3 Double Bedroom Townhouse situated in the popular location of Hampton Hargate with views overlooking the Serpentine Lake and is within easy access to A1.

The property comprises of: Entrance Hall, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Cloakroom, Family Room. The first floor has the Lounge and Bedroom 2. The top floor has the Master Bedroom with built in wardrobes and En-Suite, Bedroom 3 with built in wardrobes and a Family Bathroom.

There is a Driveway to the rear of the property and Single Garage.

Viewings are highly recommended. Please call 01733 560 650.

It starts with you

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

19

Top tips for

Presenting a Home For Sale

“

My advice is: to make your property to stand out from the crowd, use our professional photography services.

James Trigg

”

With more than 95 per cent of buyers now searching online for a new home, there’s no doubt about it – the first few seconds are essentially make or break.

The quality of the photographs will definitely dictate whether a buyer will click on your property and browse the details or simply just scroll past it.

On some photos you will see bright sunny rooms with a minimum of clutter and flowers on the table. Yet other shots could be dark and dingy, with unmade beds, dirty washing in the sink and toys and clothes left lying around. Hardly appealing to a prospective buyer!

The fact is that pictures are by far the most important part so it’s well worth having professional photos taken. Our professional photographers use wide-angle lens to give viewers the best impression of properties. A good, clear exterior photo will instantly catch the eye of potential buyers, while dull or dark images will almost certainly be put on the ‘look at later’ list.

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Spring 2017

Professional Photography As first impressions count – how to make your property stand out from the crowd

With the property market currently on the upturn, you have more reason than ever to think about selling your home. But while most sales are going through without a problem at the moment, it’s still not uncommon to encounter a slow patch.

So what can you do?

Home Staging Most first time buyers will buy a property for the long term, as a nest for themselves to maybe start a family. These buyers purchase on instinct and emotion. They buy based on the ‘feel’ a property gives them.

With presentation important in the modern market, some vendors are now using presentation tactics to enhance buyer interest, in the form of home staging.

Creating rooms with visible symmetry and warm colours makes a house feel welcome and cosy. Houses with a homely atmosphere tend to sell for more, and sell quicker. Some furniture stores rent items specifically for home staging.

Think first impressions What is the first thing people feel when entering your home? Is it light and spacious, or is it dark and cramped. Minimalist themes give the impression of space, while carefully positioning lighting can create a sensation of energy within a home.

Set a mood People do not tend to remember details as much as they remember emotions. Buyers tend to buy based on ‘gut instinct’, which is

Left, is an example of a property without professional photography, and below one with. Most vendors will take advantage of our optional extras.

All this means that today you have to take an active part in selling your home and learn to market it. Always put yourself in the place of buyers and imagine you are seeing your home for the first time.

• Store excess furniture, books and toys away.

• Fix any small repairs, broken glass or dripping taps, even replace mouldy grout sealant in the bathroom or ensuite.

nothing more than a peaceful sensation felt by them due to the ambience of the home.

Calm, non-threatening colours work well to create favourable moods in people, as do items of furniture.

Create the illusion of space Bigger houses sell for more. That’s no secret.

This is especially true in bigger cities or high demand areas. Lots of clutter and personal belongings lying around the house can make it feel smaller and more cramped. By reducing personal items to the bare minimum, you’ll be creating an illusion of space that other houses on the market are not. Selling is about gaining edge. The more you can create the appearance of space, the better your odds are of achieving a sale.

Think size You may be surprised at how many people missed out on selling their home due to minor mistakes in detail. Items of furniture too big for a room can create the opposite illusion to that previously mentioned. Is your sofa, book case or TV stand too big for the room causing it to feel restricted?

Smaller items of furniture make a room feel larger and more accessible.

Our team are always available to discuss different approaches to selling your home.

Call us for more information on 01733 560650 or visit www.RegalPark.co.uk

• Clean inside and out, including all surfaces and floors. Wipe away any cobwebs clinging to the walls and tidy the front garden and pathway, as that is the first thing buyers will see.

• De-odorize and open windows to get fresh air flowing through the house, especially in winter months.

• Style and accessorise by making the beds, turn on the lamps and add flowers.

Your property will be listed on all the major web portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Primelocation, so this will increase activity and help you achieve a quicker sale.

Spring 2017

21

Kennedy Street, Hampton Vale

SO LD

SO LD

High Court Way, Hampton Vale

Stonewort Avenue, Hampton Vale

Molyneux Square, Hampton Vale

SO LD Freshwater Road, Hampton Vale

SO LD

Farrow Avenue, Hampton Vale

SO LD

SO LD

Brickberry Close, Hampton Hargate

Lornas Field, Hampton Hargate

SO LD

SO LD

SO LD

SO LD

Recently Sold

Kiln Street, Hampton Vale

We have active buyers looking for property in the Hampton areas. If you are looking to sell your home please contact our friendly sales team and book your free valuation.

It starts with you

22

Discover the Regal Park dierence for yourself

Spring 2017

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Floorplans why are they so important?

With today’s modern technology, buyers can now form a picture of the property they wish to view before they even step inside.

At Regal Park we offer 3D floor plans on all of our listed properties, which will eliminate any buyers who feel the layout is not what they are looking for.

Did you know?

Buyers could be ignoring your property advert completely

Properties without a floorplan put off buyers Said they would be LESS LIKELY to enquire about a property without a floorplan.

1 in 5 Said they would either ignore the advert completely or only re-visit it if nothing else caught their eye.

How important are floorplans to buyers verses the rest of your property advert?

Number of images

41%

Floorplans

38% Main image

34% Summery text

16%

Brochure

It starts with you T

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

Source: Rightmove Floorplan Survery – Q2 2013

Buyers want to see room dimensions size information matters

Room dimensions, included in our summery text, combined with 3D floorplans, completes the picture.

Park differe nc gal e e R

Discover th e

Floorplans are more important to buyers than the summery text or main image.

...

59%

At Regal Park 3D floorplans are included as standard

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

23

FO SA R LE

Properties for Sale

Meadow Walk, Yaxley

Detached House | 3 Double Bedrooms Re-fitted Bathroom | Driveway

3 Storey Town House | 4 Bedrooms Dining Room | Single Garage

0 00 £1 80 , 0 00 Coriander Drive, Hampton Vale

0

Detached House | 4 Bedrooms Dining Room | Driveway & Garage

00

0 00 00 Eagle Way, Hampton Vale

Semi-Detached House | 3 Bedrooms 2 Reception Rooms | Village Location

£3 15 ,

0 00 £3 75 , Grade II Listed | Popular Village 3 Bedrooms | Separate 1 Bedroom Annex

St Mary’s Close, Thorney

£2 15 ,

£2 00

,0

00

3 Double Bedrooms | Dining Room Kitchen/Breakfast Room | No Chain

The Old Laundry & Stables, Thorney

,0

Applewood Drive, Hampton Hargate

Detached House | 5 Bedrooms Cul-de-sac | Study | Double Garage

0,

£2 05 ,

00

0

Detached House | 3 Bedrooms 2 Reception Rooms | Driveway & Garage

Stephenson Close, Yaxley

£4 0

Baird Close, Yaxley

£2 40

£2 20 ,

00

0

If you would like to view any of the properties below, please call us on 01733 560650 or visit www.RegalPark.co.uk

Bayleaf Avenue, Hampton Vale

End Terrace House | 3 Storey | 3 Bedrooms Conservatory | 20ft Kitchen/Dining Room

Want to advertise in Regal Park Property Magazine?

24

Your quality products and services will be of interest to our readers, who are in the market place for buying. Contact Barrie Pierpoint, email Barrie@RegalPark.co.uk or telephone 01733 560 650 Spring 2017

Jane Whitaker

Senior Negotiator Jane@RegalPark.co.uk

Perfect Home Finding your

L

ocation, location, location. Yes, we’ve heard that so many times before. But when looking to buy your perfect home, the phrase really does make total sense. For location truly is key.

So why not follow the suggestion of Senior Sales Negotiator Jane Whitaker, who advises: “If you’ve found an area you like the look of, visit it at different times of the day to get an idea of what it’s like to live there.”

Jane Whitaker has been successfully selling homes in the Peterborough area for over 15 years and has built up a great reputation at Regal Park for helping customers find their dream home.

Here are more tips from Jane on how to find the home that is perfect for you.

It starts with you

• Decide what you’re looking for. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? How much can you afford to spend?

• Broaden your horizons. Your dream home could be just a street away from the postcode area you’re searching or maybe further afield. Specify a 5-10 mile radius around your perfect location so you don’t miss out.

So if you’re looking for your next dream home, don’t hesitate to call Jane on 01733 560650 or email: Jane@RegalPark.co.uk

• Let technology do the legwork. Sign up to property alerts online so you can receive email s as soon as suitable homes come on the market.

• Property portals are great, but you’ll often get much more information about a property or area if you ring your local agent directly and register your details with them.

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

25

Regal Park Financial

So you have finally found the home of your dreams. You’ve set your heart on a property and that’s a great feeling.

But now comes the crucial next stage – dealing with the nuts and bolts of the process of actually making your dream come true.

First off, you will need to speak to a respected financial expert . So step forward Mortgage & Protection Adviser Lisé Gothard, who has built up an excellent reputation for providing honest advice, while offering the highest level of service to her customers at Regal Park.

Regal Park Financial is a highly regarded professional financial advisory company, providing you with expert advice, guidance and service for every aspect of your property ownership.

And the good news is that at Regal Park Financial, Lisé and other experienced advisers will find exactly the right solution for you, from mortgages and mortgage protection to insurances, income protection, life cover and serious critical illness cover.

Lisé has been in the mortgage industry for over 20 years, having previously worked in HSBC Bank and other financial companies.

She says: “Your first step is to meet with us to discuss your current financial position, then together we can assess your future needs. We will use the latest technology to search the market for products that are right for you - and help you achieve your individual short and long term financial objectives.

It starts with you

“For us, your individual circumstances are just that - individual, and we'll always work to make things easy for you. We're committed to building a relationship you can trust, whatever your financial needs.

“We'll advise you throughout your financial lifetime and, if you'd like us to, we can continue to support you in managing your financial affairs.”

Mortgages With so many mortgages available, how do you know the right option for you?

Lisé Gothard

Mortgage & Protection Adviser Lise@RegalPark.co.uk

Insurance Protect your home with the correct Insurance. This can be: • Home Insurance • Buildings Insurance • Contents Insurance

So if you need advice, guidance or just want to find out how we can help, please call Lisé on 01733 560650 or email Lise@RegalPark.co.uk

Some of the mortgages available are: • Moving Home • Flexible • Buy to Let • Repayment • Interest Only • Tracker • Discount Rate • Capped • 95% • New Build • Variable • Cashback • Offset

Protection Keep yourself and your loved ones protected, with so many protection plans available, do you know the right option for you?

Some protection plans are: • Life cover • Income Protection • Critical Illness

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

01733 560 650

www.RegalParkFinancial.co.uk

Spring 2017

27

• Aerials for digital freeview TV & DAB radio • Sky+ HD, Sky Q , Freesat & foreign satellite • Flat screen TV wall mounting (all sizes)

plus

• HD & 4K distribution over cat6

C. 1788

• Fault finding and repairs • Communal systems of any size designed and installed • CAI plus systems installer and government trust mark endorsed

FREEPHONE: 08000 232 848 T: 01733 311 741

28

Spring 2017

M: 07795 253 997 E: steve@hereward-digital.co.uk

Sales progression An integral part of selling your home Branch Manager Claudio Cozzetto has been in the Peterborough property industry for over 20 years and shares here the importance of sales progression to ensure a successful sale.

As our average house sale is around £240,000, most buyers and vendors will be in a chain. Of course, it would be ideal if the purchaser was a cash buyer and the property was vacant, but selling in a vibrant family area means this isn’t usually the case.

All round contact When a buyer has been found for your property, regular and thorough sales progression plays a huge part in seeing you through to completion.

Understanding the process At Regal Park, Claudio has the experience to handle long chains and is also supported by our own Conveyancing Team.

A good agent will know the milestones and will find out when searches have been submitted and if any enquiries have been raised.

We have a case tracking system with our software and we can track the move of the buyer and seller at every step of the way, keeping you updated via phone, email & SMS.

Whilst the conveyancing team will be working on legal matters like searches and title deeds, Claudio will deal with all the other parties in the chain, for example all solicitors, all agents, your buyer, their mortgage broker, surveyors, contractors and so on. This is to ensure any misscommunication of information from the various links in your chain.

Our own team, Regal Park Conveyancing, will deal with the legal work of both buyer and seller on a day to day basis, keeping everyone updated where we are at legally.

Vendors can be left frustrated when their sale slows down, as sometimes out of area solicitors and other parties can get in the way. A good sales progression team will communicate and unblock these problems and ensure all parties are kept satisfied and up-to-date.

Avoiding any surprises

Not all estate agents have the scale, team or even experience to dedicate a sales progressor and many agents can get tied up with other concerns, leaving buyers and sellers without up-to-date information on the sale.

It starts with you

Claudio Cozzetto

Branch Manager Claudio@RegalPark.co.uk

“

We are very pleased to have our own sales progression team as it ensures sales are completed efficiently, keeping our clients very happy.

”

Claudio Cozzetto

This ensures that sales are completed efficiently and that the clients are happy. It makes our sales service very distinctive – we have worked hard to find new processes of increasing customer satisfaction.

If an agent is in contact with all parties in a chain, they will be one of the first to learn of any hindrances, which will be brought to the client’s attention as soon as possible. A pro-active agent will always know what is going on in the chain and what stage each party is at, providing you the client with updates by phone, email and text.

Discover the Regal Park difference for yourself

01733 560 650

www.RegalPark.co.uk

Spring 2017

29

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