Renton & Parr- Oct 2022

Why Choose Renton & Parr?

Established in Wetherby since 1950 Renton & Parr is a proudly independent firm of Chartered Surveyors, Estate Agents and Valuers. We are a family run busi ness and member of the Royal Institution of Char tered Surveyors and Wetherby’s exclusive represent ative of the Guild of Property Professionals.

Since 1950 Renton & Parr have built up an excel lent reputation in the sale of both town and country properties. We have sold thousands of properties in and around Wetherby, including modern houses, new build and in some cases the unusual including dere lict barns, redundant churches, vacant land, garages and in one case a boat house. Our clients are also from all walks of life, with many of our instructions coming from recommendations and repeat business.

Maintaining a professional and personal service has been the key to our success. To provide an ever-im proving level of service, we have invested signifi cantly in advanced computer technology, commu nication systems and office facilities to display and match properties to our data base at the touch of a button. A quality service is not just about time saving technology, despite the benefit. It is about people.

Our aim has been to harmonise the best of traditional values with modern developments to provide all our clients with a service second to none. With a team of dedicated and trained staff, our core business is selling residential properties with a passion and enthusi asm you will find refreshing.

Removals and packing

Packing

Use moving house as an opportunity to sort out your pos sessions. Throw away your rubbish and separate items that can be given to friends or charity shops. Get boxes well in advance from local shops or supermarkets, and save newspapers for wrapping breakables. For more ad vice, take a look at our packing tips article. Decide which furniture will fit into your new home especially dining tables and wardrobes.

DIY removals

If you’re moving your belongings yourself, start by hir ing the right van - too small and you may need to make a few journeys, too big and you may have problems park ing. It’s often cheaper to book vans on weekdays. But if you move at the weekends you may be able to make the most of special two-day hire rates. Check a hire van for dents and scratches before you hire it and make sure the hire company is aware of these so you don’t have to take any blame.

Professional removal companies

Unless you have very few possessions, call in the profes sionals to help you move house. It will relieve some of the stress of the big move. You can arrange for it all to be done for you, and pay for the privilege, or you can do the packing yourself but leave the heavy stuff to the experts.

Checklist

• hire a removal company at least two weeks before you move

• use a removal company who is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) or the Na tional Guild of Removers and Storers (NGRS)

• get at least three quotes before deciding which one to use; maybe ask for personal recommendations, your Estate Agent will able to recommend reliable companies to approach

• ask if the quote includes VAT

• check if the company offers a discount on a weekday

• check the fine print in your moving insurance

• ask if there is a cancellation policy in case the mov ing date is changed

• ask if they can offer a packing service and obtain a quote

• often removal companies will let you have boxes and some have “hanging” boxes for clothing

• make a list of your possessions so you can check if you’ve left anything behind

It will help if you let the company know the following things:

• the amount of furniture you’re moving, so they can choose an adequately sized truck and plan the number of journeys needed between your old and new home

• a rough guess of how many boxes the company needs to pack, so it can estimate how long it will take

• the exact time you want the team to arrive

• clear instructions and directions to your new property

• arrange a parking space for the removal van

• always tell the removal firm well in advance of pieces of furniture which won’t go through the door

• you may need to dismantle some items of furniture – beds etc or advise the removal company you will need them to do this for you

• make a plan of where the furniture needs to go in your new home, label the boxes accordingly

• arrange with the removal company or a recycling company for the boxes to be collected when emptied

to

Reputation is key at Fiona Conway & Associates

We are a company based on referrals & recommendations so our reputation is key. Client satisfaction coupled with the ‘Treat ing Customers Fairly ‘policy is an integral part of our business and we aim to treat you the way we wish to be treated.

We like to speak with you at the early stages of your buying process and it’s our intention to build an ongoing relation ship with you. We guide you through the journey of buying your home and we aim to make this as smooth as possible for you. We believe in the personal touch and the advice given to you is a reflection of your personal circumstance. We research the market for the most appropriate products and lenders to meet your specific needs and we arrange the right product, both for today and for your future financial plans.

During our advice process, we strive to establish that you are able to buy your new home and we also check that you are able to stay in it. Our advice extends to personal insurances, mortgage related insurances, buildings and contents insurance. We don’t know what the future holds for us and it is our priority that you have security and peace of mind.

Our integrity and honesty are the foundations of building a relationship with you now and in the future.

We are looking forward to

Meet Fiona Conway

Hello, I’m Fiona - the proud founder & Managing Director of Fiona Conway & Associates.

After graduating I joined the legal profession as a Client Liaison Man ager. During this time I learned many valuable lessons, the most important being how to understand , process &

Broker would be the only realistic route to take.

I believe in the personal touch and tailor my advice according to each and every personal circumstance. I can research the whole of the market for the most appropriate products & lenders to meet your specific needs

deal with complex issues and what im pact I had on the people I was dealing with. I liked helping people through a journey and this was what I wanted to focus on as I progressed throughout my career.

I wanted to own the sort of business that I would be happy to deal with. The ‘client journey‘ had to be centric to the core values and the advice had to be transparent and jargon free, giv ing clients complete assurance every step of the way .To do this I realized that being an Independent Mortgage

and ensure that you receive the right product, both for today and for your future financial plans. We aim to build a solid relationship with you so that you never need to go anywhere else.

As a business based on referrals & recommendations , reputation is key. Client satisfaction coupled with the ‘ Treating Customers Fairly ‘ policy is an integral part of the business

To find out how we can help you and for a full breakdown of our services, visit www.fcmortgages.co.uk

“I believe in the personal touch and tailor my advice according to each and every personal circumstance”

Welcome to Fiona Conway & Associates - Mortgage brokers based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Local area

N o r th Yo r k s hire Harrogate

Wetherby is an historic market town situated on the banks of the River Wharfe in attractive Lower Wharfedale.

Mentioned in the Domesday Book as “Wedrebi” and granted a Royal Char ter for its weekly Thursday produce market in 1240 which continues today. The town is steeped in history and is the business centre for the surrounding farming district. Wetherby is an excel lent shopping centre.

ACCESSIBILITY

Situated almost in the centre of the renowned “Golden Triangle” and almost midway between London and Edin burgh on the main A1. Leeds is within 13 miles, York 14 miles and Harrogate 9 miles.

recreation including angling, soccer, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, bowls, motoring and other sports. There is an indoor swimming pool with health suite and an 18 hole golf course. Wetherby Racecourse adjoins the A1 and various meetings are held under National Hunt rules, some are televised. Riding is popular and the area has many miles of bridle paths.

The area alongside the river is attrac tively landscaped and features include a weir, a restored mill wheel, bandstand and picnic area.

Access to all parts of Yorkshire have been much improved by the opening of the A1/M1 link road together with exist ing links via the M62 and A64. Wetherby does not have its own rail connec tion but main line stations are available in York, Leeds and Harrogate.

Road British Library

Wetherby Roa d Wighill La ne Wig

RiverWharfe

Walton

There are a large number of signed foot paths in the area, many of which radiate from the town. Wetherby is situated on the Ebor Way which is a 70 mile walk from Helmsley to Ilkley. The Harland Way is a 3 mile long footpath and cycle route which runs between Wetherby and Spofforth, parallel to the A661. It was opened in 1993 along the disused railway track and it is hoped that in the future there will be extensions to Harro gate and York.

Bus services link Wetherby with York, Leeds, Harrogate and other surrounding towns and villages. National Express coaches may be connected for London, Scotland, many provincial cities and various coastal resorts. The nearest air port is Leeds/Bradford at Yeadon. The ferry port at Hull gives excellent links across the North Sea.

SPORT & RECREATION

INDOOR ENTERTAINMENTS AND RECREATIONS

Dances, whist drives, musical and dramatic performances, socials and club meetings are held in local halls. Table tennis, squash, darts, etc. are also popular. The Wetherby Stereo Film Theatre shows the latest films from its Caxton Street site.

Thorp Arch

Wetherby and the surrounding dis trict provide a miscellany of sport and

Societies and clubs cater for numerous recreational and leisure activities, as do the youth clubs and local branches of national youth organisations.

Meet the team

What our customers say

used

Excellent

from

of the

Ken

BUYING A HOME

Buying a new home is an exciting time, and though there are many resources out there to help you prepare for it, there are some things that people just don’t tell you. To help you out, here are five things you should know when searching for your dream home:

Spend some time in the area

When choosing a new home,

to spend some time getting to know

area to ensure it’s right for you. Good schools, nearby shops and

links are common on a buyer’s checklist, but you should also take into account how the area changes during the day - how busy are the roads in the morning? Is the nightlife disruptive on the weekend?

It’s also a good idea to check the planning registry for any building projects that may be taking place nearby – a new development could block a nice view from your window, and persistent building noise could ruin the peace and quiet you’re after.

Get a head start on your mortgage

You don’t have to wait till you’ve made an offer to start securing a mortgage. Getting a pre-approved mortgage will give you a clear idea of your budget, and help to speed up the process once you’ve found your dream home.

Not only that, but it can come in handy when submitting an offer. A pre-ap proved mortgage shows a seller you’re serious about buying their home and can give you the edge against potential buyers without one.

Plan for the new look

Choosing how to decorate your new home is an exciting decision, and it’s never too early to start planning how this will be done. If new carpets or a fresh coat of paint are on the agenda, look in DIY stores for swatches and samples in advance – bringing these with you to viewings is a great way to see how rooms would look in the colours and styles that you prefer.

If your plans require contractors, it’s a good idea to start looking at quotes before you agree a sale. Ensuring desired work is both possible and within your budget is essential to giving you peace of mind once you’re all moved in, and brings you one step closer to making your new house into a home.

Budget for solicitors’ fees

Once you have had your offer accepted you will need to employ a conveyanc ing solicitor to deal with the paperwork and legal aspects of the transaction.

It’s important to ask for a full fee breakdown, as prices and services can vary between practices. All processes should be accounted for, including bank money transfer fees, stamp duty forms, and other legal paperwork. These fees should be included as part of your overall budget, and are just as essential as the cost of your new home.

Manage your expectations

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you don’t secure the home you’ve been trying for. You may find you’ve been outbid, or a seller may opt for a cash buyer if they’re looking to avoid a chain. These bumps in the road can be frus trating, but they are by no means an indication that your dream home is out of reach. Perseverance is key, and by keeping an open mind and continuing with your search, you will get there eventually. Keep in contact with local agents to make sure you’re seeing every property suited to your needs, and don’t hesitate to chase up any communications along the way.

Kendall’s - the Jewel of Wetherby

Kendall’s Jewellers is independently owned and led by gemmologist and renowned jewellery expert Elaine Lilley F.G.A. and stocks all aspects of jewellery and preowned luxury branded timepieces including Rolex, Cartier, Omega and Breitling.

With over 25 years’ experience in jewellery manufacture, Elaine launched her own business in Wetherby in 2018 specialising in a bespoke service focussing on a personal approach to jewellery design and re design to create unique items tailored to the clients requirements as well as sourcing one off vintage jewellery and a range of second hand pieces.

Kendall’s offers a concierge service at the client’s leisure including sourcing statement jewellery for occasions and events, personal consultations and valuations for insurance.

Kendall’s ethos is to provide an outstanding client service within an elegant jewellery boutique to foster a reputation for quality, and highly competitive pricing across the range.

Choosing an engagement ring that will last a lifetime can be as big a decision as choosing the person to share it with. As moments in life go, engagement is a special and beautifully unique experience. We stock a number of designs that have been designed and hand crafted for Kendalls stock but also have the expertise to offer a bespoke experience.

As part of our service, we can work together to create the perfect ring with a diamond of your choice. We enjoy making what seems like a stressful process seamless and easy.

We hand select each and every stone option take you through the pros and cons and narrow to a selection and work endlessly until we find the perfect stone for you.

Stocking a wide selection of plain wedding ring samples available in a short delivery window in Platinum, 18ct Yellow, White and Rose Gold and Black Zirconium together with matching diamond sets. For couples wanting to re-create a completely unique wedding band our bespoke service focuses on a personal approach.

in a

At Kendall’s we buy and sell a wide collection of pre-owned watches from Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Breitling, Omega & Cartier. In recent years there has been a steep increase in the sale of second hand luxury watches.

The investment reasoned in a preowned watch is on the whole a guarantee of a stable return in time. They are a safe investment, recognised worldwide and who’s worth regularly rises yet can be enjoyed at any time.

For an uninitiated person, the purchase of a preowned or vintage watch from a retailer rather than privately comes with many advantages; the guarantee of paying the right price, quality aftersales service including batteries, servicing, cleaning and refurbishment, the guarantee of authenticity and traceability and retailer warranty for additional reassurance.

Contact us with regard to showpiece availability, cost comparisons, pre-owned, re-design, repairs, bridal jewellery or to get an insight into building your own custom piece. And remember, you can find us on the High Street in Wetherby so why not pop into the shop and say hello?

Light up your home

The right lighting in your home can add style, atmosphere and warmth as well practicality.

There are options on the market for all budgets, rooms and purposes.

Consider the room

Before you head out to the local DIY store, it’s essential to consider the room itself. The amount of natural light entering the room will play an important role. While a sunny, south-fac ing living room may be flooded with daylight much of the year round, that north-facing spare bedroom may require a bolder lighting approach. Also look at features or work areas that would benefit from specific mood or task lighting. With your room in mind, you will be better placed to find the perfect solu tion, both practical and atmospheric.

Living room

As the room where many of us spend much of their time, the living room requires a combination of functional and mood lighting. A ceiling pendant or recessed down lighters are great if you want a brightly-lit room, but often a softer approach is required. Table or standard lamps that throw the light upwards can help to achieve a cosy glow, while accent lights can add visual interest by highlighting a stylish piece of furniture, orna ment or painting.

Dining room

As a place that is generally used for entertainment, the dining room requires overhead lighting that enables dinner guests to see each other, but come coffee time, a little mood lighting goes a long way. Track lights or a pendant directly over a feature dining table are ideal for conversation, but try up lighters or standard lamps for an ambient after dinner light.

Kitchen

Task lighting is a must in the kitchen to ensure that work surfaces are well-lit. Under-cupboard lights do just that, while track lighting of recessed ceiling spotlights can also help to highlight particular areas for utilitarian purposes. If your kitch en is also the social hub of the house, consider wall lights or halogen spotlights, perhaps with a dimmer to soften the clinical feel.

Bathroom

Much like the kitchen, a pendant or down lights are a must for what is often the room with the least amount of natural light. But halogen spotlights focused on the shower, or basin can soften the brightness - particularly useful if you tend to use an ensuite during the night! There are plenty of bathroom mirrors with lights inbuilt on the market, which are great if you spend a lot of time primping and preening, while a dimmer switch can set the tone for that all-important long, luxurious bubble bath, ensuring that the lighting method is compliant with health & safety regulations of course!

Bedroom

The bedroom requires both atmosphere and practicality. While you don’t want to be stumbling about in the night, you won’t want to wake your partner either. Well placed, a down light or floor lamp offers a pool of light that shouldn’t disturb the sleep ing partner, while bedside lamps are a must if you’re a night time reader. Light bulbs in softer colours will create a more peaceful atmosphere.

Office

It is essential to get the lighting in your home office right. A ceiling light, wall light or bright floor lamp will provide a strong general light source but an adjustable desk lamp is also a must. And for those using a computer, look after your eyes by illuminating the area behind the screen, while ensuring that the other lights in the room aren’t reflected in the monitor.

“accent lights can add visual interest by highlighting a stylish piece of furniture”