Stephen & Co - January 2023

Trusted Estate Agents STEPHEN & CO. CHARTERED

SURVEYORS

Established in 1928, Stephen and Co. provides residential and commercial property services throughout Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding villages.

Our offices are ideally located at 13 Waterloo Street, close to the High Street, seafront, and other amenities, making us ideally placed to serve customers throughout North Somerset. Whether you are buying, selling or just thinking about moving, contact our estate agents to request a free, no-obligation market appraisal, or join our active mailing list.

Started work in Devon in 1970. Joined Stephen & Co in1975. Qualified in 1977. Over 50 years experience dealing with Professional Instructions in connection with both Commercial & Residential Properties in the Greater Weston-superMare area, including Expert Reports, Market, Probate , Pension Fund and Insurance Valuations for both Corporate and Private Clients. Extensive Knowledge and Experience dealing with Lease Renewals, Rent Reviews and Landlord & Tenant Act Instructions for both Landlords and Tenants.

Smith MNAEA, MNAVA

Andrew has been working in Estate Agency in Weston super Mare since 1989 and has spent over 30 years at Stephen & Co, starting as a negotiator and working through to his current position as Director. Andrew’s primary role is as a valuer but as is required in any small Office will turn his hand to anything. Andrew is married with two grown up children and in his spare time enjoys gardening, music and reading. He has been a season ticket holder at Weston super Mare Football Club for over 40 years and is a founder member of Weston Volleyball Club.

Local and Regional Marketing

Our experienced local staff have a huge range of experience in the industry. Tailoring all services to our clients’ requirements, we provide realistic, straightforward advice and local and regional marketing services.

Our regular collective auctions attract keen bidding and have proved particularly successful when closing an estate, selling properties in need of modernisation, or selling unusual or difficult properties.

Andrew Smith comments: “We have an enthusiastic, but realistic approach to marketing. We will never over-inflate the value of a property to gain instruction and are confident enough in our advice to not tie Vendors into long contracts that you cannot get out of. If we get it wrong, you can get rid of us. We won’t make any promises we can’t keep and believe in absolute honesty – even if it’s not always what you want to hear.”

STEPHEN & CO.

Michael Ripley FRICS

Andrew

Brook eld FINANCE

Finding the best nancial solutions for you!

Brookfield Finance was established in 2013 by experienced Financial Advisor, Phil Sheridan. Phil’s background working for small local brokers as well as large banks gave him plenty of knowledge across the finance industry.

Now, almost ten years on, we have a team of experts and have a reputation for providing expert advice and solutions to our customers, both residential and commercial. We can, and do, save people money offering five-star customer service…

Delivered as they said they would. No fuss. Fast and professional.

- Heidi M, Weston super Mare

Brookfield was recommended to us and so pleased they were! Phil and Kate were efficient, informative and actioned things quickly. Simple, fuss free process for mortgage application. The outcome means we will soon be moving into our new home!

- Sarah J, Weston super Mare

The prospect of looking for your first mortgage can be confusing, making it hard to know where to start. There are a lot of questions to answer and decisions to be made which can be very daunting.

You’ll probably be thinking about some of the following questions:

• How much can I borrow?

• Should I approach my own bank first?

• What product should I choose?

• What’s the difference between fixed, tracker, discount and capped?

• What term would be best?

• How much is it going to cost me?

• What other costs do I need to consider?

As well as advising you on the most suitable mortgage, we’ll also guide you through every step of the home buying process, from our initial consultation, right up to the day you collect the keys to your first home.

A re-mortgage is where a new mortgage lender advances you enough money to pay off your current lender.

You might want to remortgage if you are looking for a better deal or better rates, perhaps you want to reduce your monthly payments, finance some home improvements or raise capital to buy another property. Whatever your reasons, we can help.

We understand having to look for new remortgage deals every few years can be tedious, so our independent advisers can remove the hassle for you.

Remortgages offer many variations with some lenders offering free valuations, free legal work or lower product fees so it can be hard to know which deal to choose. We can assist in ensuring you get the remortgage deal that suits your needs.

There can be a wide range of reasons why you’re moving house. Perhaps you’re moving to a larger property, downsizing, relocating for work, moving for lifestyle reasons or you just want to move!

Whatever the reason, it can be a stressful experience, especially if you haven’t moved for some time.

Things to consider:

• Estate Agents – it’s a good idea to have at least 3 market appraisals or valuations to help you compare costs, experience, knowledge and prices.

• Solicitors – remember you’ll need to consider the cost of selling as well as purchasing.

• Stamp Duty – you may be liable for stamp duty if the property you are buying exceeds the current thresholds. (Click here for Stamp duty Calculator)

• Fees – there will be potential survey fees for your new property, removal costs, and mortgage product fees.

Brookfield Finance are experienced in the sale and purchase process so our advisers can guide and assist you throughout. We can liaise with all parties involved to make your experience a pleasant one. We have access to the whole of the market and we will advise you on the most suitable mortgage for your individual needs.

A mortgage is a loan secured against your home. Your home is at risk if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.

Buying a Property

If you’re thinking of buying a property in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, and the surrounding areas, look no further than Stephen and Co.

As highly experienced estate agents and chartered surveyors, we deal with all types of property, from old, traditional cottages to new and contemporary builds. Providing useful advice and services to buyers, we understand that buying a property can be a very stressful process and aim to guide you through it step by step. Get in touch today for further details.

Initial Consultation

We always begin with an initial consultation to establish your exact needs and make connections with properties that suit your requirements. As well as negotiating offers on your behalf, our professional team will keep you informed throughout the process, providing as much detail as possible to help you make your decision. Once the offer is accepted, we will liaise with solicitors to take the stress out of buying.

Completion and Moving

At Stephen and Co., we do the hard work for buyers and sellers. Keeping in constant contact with buyers, we’re with you up until the keys are handed over on completion day. We also have strong connections with local reliable trades and removal companies to help your move run smoothly.

Selling your Property

For property sales in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, and the surrounding areas, call on Stephen and Co.. Backed by a wealth of experience, our estate agents always go the extra mile to obtain successful sales.

Abiding by the stringent regulations of the RICS, Propertymark, and the Property Ombudsman, our experienced team provide accurate property valuations and advice on private house sales. Get in touch today to enquire about sales.

First-Class Marketing

Stephen and Co. understand that it’s vital to advertise broadly and market your property in the best way possible. In addition to using all of the major online portals, including RightMove™. We also utilise for-sale boards, virtual tours, drone photography and provide free floor plans and colour brochures for all properties.

Property Valuation

We will always start with your property to provide a suitable property valuation. Passionate about securing the right price for your property, we will provide a realistic and accurate appraisal giving your property the widest possible coverage and creating floor plans and photography to capture its best features. Subsequently, we will deal with offers on your behalf and liaise with all parties through to completion.

BLOCK MANAGEMENT

Stephen & Co Block Management Ltd is run by John & Nicola Doble with assistance from Maia Windsor and Andrew Smith, between them John & Nicola have over 12 years’ experience within this sector and can offer a full management service for Residential Blocks of flats for either Freeholder or Management Companies / Right to Manage Companies (RTM’s).

We believe that good communication is the key to a successful working relationship along with offering a personal approach when dealing with our clients.

We are pleased to offer a service that will suit your individual needs and we are able to look after all aspects of residential property management efficiently and ensure that any issues are dealt with in a professional manner.

Services include:

• Provide monthly maintenance reports to include jobs completed and jobs outstanding.

• Monthly property inspections and reporting on any issues found.

• Checking compliance with lease covenants and report on matters such as

• applications to assign, sub-let or alter property and liaising with solicitors.

• Dealing with Leasehold Property Enquiries (LPE1 & 2).

• Maintenance of property records.

• Attending and arranging Director’s meetings and AGM’s, chairing meeting if required and producing minutes.

• Attend to routine enquiries from lessees and residents.

• Organise property insurance including the need to prepare valuations, renew policies, revise cover or notify any claims or potential claims.

• Offer a company secretarial service inclusive with our management agreement.

• Prepare specifications and tenders for major works requiring Section 20 notices.

• Provide reconciled accounts within 7 days of the month end.

• Collect service charges,

ground rents and other property income and liaison with clients and solicitors on collection of arrears.

• Management of funds in specially designated, legislation compliant bank accounts.

• Prepare monthly income and expenditure reports as well as budget compliance accounts.

• Pay all suppliers, insurers and contractors’ invoices in a timely manner.

• Prepare paperwork and send to accountant within 7 days of year end.

• Arranging and reviewing as necessary contracts to fulfil all the landlord’s obligations to tenants, legal and otherwise.

• Manage health & safety compliance issues for communal areas.

• Appoint contractors and supervise, on behalf of the landlord, such contractors as are required.

• Appoint specialist consultants with regard to structural alterations, plant and machinery repairs and replacements, etc.

• Authorising invoices and payment of all outgoings.

• Preparing annual budget costs and statements of income and expenditure for future periods.

Property Auctions

Why Choose an Auction?

For the right property, there are many advantages to selling at public auction as opposed to the more common private treaty. Primarily, there is the certainty of knowing that once the hammer falls, the property is sold and there is no opportunity for the purchaser to withdraw or re-negotiate.

What’s more, as the auction process is relatively quick, with concentrated marketing over a 6 – 8-week period and competitive bidding, this is the optimal way to get the best price for your property on the night. This option is also popular for executors who are closing estates.

Reliable Market Appraisals

While not all properties are suitable for auction, we can provide a free, no-obligation market appraisal of your property to determine its value and suitability.

Experience shows that the following property types tend to do well at auction:

• Properties in Need of Modernisation

• Land and Building Plots

• Commercial and Unique Properties

What is the benefit of Auction?

As a buyer you know that you have until a certain date to carry out all your due diligence in the knowledge that the property will not be sold, but always make sure you register your interest with the Auctioneers so that you can be informed of any changes. As a seller you know that on the night of the Auction the property is sold.

What is the Legal Pack?

This is a document drawn up by the seller’s Solicitor containing all available legal documents and normally includes the contract, title documents, conditions of sale and local searches. This is available for applicants to inspect prior to the Auction and is often available by email. If a hard copy is required there will be a charge.

Where are the Auctions held?

We hold our Auctions at Rookery Manor, Edingworth Road, Edingworth, Weston super Mare, BS24 0JB on a Wednesday evening at 7:00pm.

Do all properties suit a sale by Auction?

Any property can be sold at Auction, but it is generally properties that require modernisation, land, building plots and unusual properties that are hard to value that do well at Auction. With our many years of experience we can advise whether a property is suitable and offer a free, no obligation appraisal.

Can a property be sold before the Auction?

All properties are offered with the option of selling before the Auction. In some cases the Seller’s circumstances mean that a property must go to Auction and the Auctioneer will advise you of this. If an offer is accepted before the Auction the buyer must exchange contracts before the sale and the marketing does not stop until contracts are exchanged.

Can I buy at Auction if I need a mortgage?

Yes you can, but you are strongly advised to make sure that you have a mortgage offer in place before the Auction.

Can I get a survey done on a property?

Yes, it is the Buyer’s responsibility to make sure they know the condition of the property they are buying.

Do I need to register at the Auction?

No, just come along and make sure you are bidding for the right property.

What happens if mine is the highest bid?

Assuming that the Reserve has been met the fall of the hammer is legally binding and you have bought the property. You will then sign the contract and pay a non-refundable 10% deposit to the Solicitor or Auctioneer. Completion normally takes place 28 days later or sooner by arrangement, which is when you will be able to collect the keys.

What happens if mine is the highest bid?

Assuming that the Reserve has been met the fall of the hammer is legally binding and you have bought the property. You will then sign the contract and pay a non-refundable 10% deposit to the Solicitor or Auctioneer. Completion normally takes place 28 days later or sooner by arrangement, which is when you will be able to collect the keys.

How do I pay the deposit?

We can accept personal cheques or banker’s drafts. We are unable to take cash or credit/debit cards.

If I am successful is there any other information required

You will be required to pay a Buyer’s Premium to the Auctioneers. You will also need to fill out an ‘Anti-Money Laundering’ form and provide photographic ID.

What happens if you don’t reach the Reserve?

If the bidding does not reach the Reserve the Auctioneer will withdraw the property from the sale. The property can be bought under Auction conditions afterwards. Most properties will then be available by Private Treaty the following day.

What are the fees for selling a property at Auction?

Our fees are in two parts. There is a selling fee which is an agreed percentage of the eventual selling price. In addition there are Auction Expenses of £720 including VAT.

What are the Auction Expenses for?

This covers the auctioneer’s fees, hire of the room, additional advertising etc.

Can I bid without attending the Auction?

We can make arrangements to take bids either by proxy or telephone, however we will need up to one week to organise this so please let us know in plenty of time. Alternatively you can get somebody to bid on your behalf.

Home decor trends

Every decision you make when planning out your home will affect the function and design of your corner of the world. Home decor trends are constantly changing to reflect on what’s trending in other industries like fashion, technology, and whatever else people are buying that we would never want in our house.

Here are five of the top home decor trends that will be big in 2023, so anyone can achieve a perfect home.

1. Curved Furniture Silhouettes

If you’re designing a room, you should think of the silhouette of your furniture as a way to create a focal point. Do you want it to be tall, bulky and blocky? Or do you want it to be low, curvy and inviting?

It may seem like a minor detail, but the shape of the furniture can have an enormous impact on how your guests feel when they walk into your room. If they see this curved, inviting, round chair in the corner, they’ll feel welcomed and drawn towards it to take a seat.

You can take this idea one step further by choosing similar silhouettes for all of your furniture: rounded chairs and sofas, with curved lines on the end tables or coffee table too. This will make your space feel cohesive and harmonious.

2. Sustainable Practices

Incorporating sustainable practices into your home design is not just great for the planet, it’s also a wonderful way to make your home feel fresh and modern. Try using only natural materials in your decor. For example, instead of painting the walls in your living room, use clay-based paint and stencils to create interesting patterns. In addition, consider changing out all of your light bulbs for LEDs, which don’t contain mercury and can save you up to £75 a year per bulb in electricity costs. You’ll be helping to save the planet and saving money at the same time!

3. Go green with your color scheme

The color green is making a comeback, and it’s the perfect color for any home decor project you’re working on. Whether you want to add a pop of emerald with a few throw pillows, or you want to go all-out with entire rooms that are green from ceiling to floor, there are tons of ways to incorporate this vibrant hue into your living space.

Pick neutral accents like white or black (or even wood!) to pair with your bold green choices. This will help offset the brightness so it doesn’t overwhelm the room.

4. Living in Harmony With Nature

Whether you’re buying small plants or doing home gardening, blending the outdoors with indoors can be seen in every industry, including commercial and residential. Include roof gardens, growing herbs, and vegetables, or just surrounding your space with potted plants. If you don’t have a garden or outdoor space, you can still enjoy nature by bringing it indoors through decorating with natural materials like wood, stone, and clay.

5. Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important design elements in any room, but it’s also one of the most overlooked. If you want to get a head start on next year’s hottest looks, focus on updating your lighting!

In 2023, homes will be brightening up with lots of natural light and including elegant fixtures that bring in even more illumination. One great way to do this is by replacing your current ceiling fans with a chandelier. Chandeliers are always a classic option, and they’re great for adding a touch of elegance to any room.

Home decor is the most important part to the feel and mood of your home. It extends beyond just the room you’re staying in.

“Lighting is one of the most

in any room, but it’s also one of the most overlooked”

Commercial Property

Commercial Property Sales and Lettings in Weston-super-Mare and the Surrounding Areas

Turn to Stephen and Co. for invaluable support with commercial property sales and lettings. Based in Westonsuper-Mare, North Somerset, our dedicated team boasts vast experience in the commercial sector, which enables us to offer unique services to suit our clients’ needs. As well as providing commercial property advice and management, we also take care of rent reviews, lease negotiations, and professional valuations. Get in touch today to discuss your needs.

Successful Sales

When you choose our services, we will cater to all of your specific requirements when selling your commercial property. From helpful valuation advice to local and regional marketing, our services are second to none. Well established in the North Somerset area, we have various contacts with companies and individuals who are regularly looking to buy or sell commercial properties.

Peerless Lettings

Paying close attention to our clients’ needs, our dedicated commercial department carefully looks for tenants to lease properties. Negotiating leases and heads of terms on behalf of landlords and tenants, we offer a full management service for commercial property lettings. For tenants, we provide a constant point of contact and promise swift, efficient services to help you rent a property.

Contact us for advice on all aspect of Commercial marketing

Weston Super Mare

Weston Super Mare is a North Somerset seaside town located on the Bristol Channel coast approximately 20 miles south west of Bristol with excellent rail and motorway links to the rest of the country.

Weston was a small fishing village of around 30 houses until the 19th Century when it started to develop as a seaside resort expanding further with the arrival of the railway during the 1850s. This sparked rapid development including the distinctive stone fronted Victorian houses which are still a big feature of the town today.

Expansion continued throughout the 20th Century creating the town we see today with extensive residential developments and both central and out of town shopping centres, as well as the thriving beach front with a long sandy beach and the worldfamous Grand Pier which was re-built in 2010 after a devastating fire.

The town has retained its popularity with holidaymakers but even in the busy summer months you can always find a quiet corner in one of the many parks and gardens.

Weston is surrounded by popular and distinctive villages, each with their own charm and character

where you can feel a world away from the bustling Town Centre and Sea Front making them very sought after places to live.

Uphill, on the southern outskirts of Weston, is a quaint coastal village with a long history, the Manor is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. The village is very popular with local residents and visitors alike with its long beach, marina, 18 hole golf course and nature reserve with miles of footpaths to the ruined church of St Nicholas, which has panoramic views over the town, Bristol Channel and Somerset

Levels towards Glastonbury Tor, and a cycle/footpath leading to Brean Down with its Napoleonic fort.

The village of Bleadon lies further south and comprises two distinct areas; the historic village with its 13th Century church, inn and character cottages and Bleadon Hill which marks the start of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers un-rivalled views over the Somerset Levels as well as being the start of the West Mendip Way.

A little further inland, nestled at the foot of the Mendip Hills lies the village of Hutton, surrounded by open countryside and fabulous walking. Hutton has been a Britain in Bloom winner on many occasions. To the North of Weston on the far side of Weston Woods lies the village of Kewstoke famous for its long

sandy beach at Sand Bay, 13th century Woodspring Priory and stunning coastal walks around the National Trust headlands at Sand Point and Middle Hope.

Within the Town itself you can still see traces of the villages of Milton, Worle and Worlebury. Once the main residential areas they have been largely swallowed up during the 20th century expansion of the town but you can still see many of the original cottages as well as large manors and former farmhouses that give a hint to the history of the area.

Whether you are looking for a bustling Town Centre, quiet parks and gardens or a peaceful rural village you can find it all within a short distance of Weston super Mare.

Your guide to MOVING HOME

Planning your move

1) Appoint a removals firm

• Obtain a variety of quotes, provisionally book and ask for written confirmation

• Ask about the difference in price if you were to move mid week – it may work out cheaper

• Check the insurance of the removal firm - some firms will cover your goods in transit, but others might not

2) Switch your utility providers

• Once you know your moving date, try to notify your service provider’s 6 weeks before completion – this includes your gas, electricity, phone and water

3) Switch your TV licence

• Notify the TV Licence company of your new address and transfer your license

• Failure to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000!

4) Make arrangements for children and pets

• It may be easier to arrange for your children to stay with friends or family while you move

• Consider booking your pet into a cattery or kennels for the night, or ask friends or family to take care of them

5) Keep your neighbours informed

• It’s polite to warn your neighbours of potential disruption

One week before moving...

Start packing early!

• Use smaller boxes to make removal easier and safer

• Devise a colour code or visual method so that you can easily recognise which box goes into which room

• Write on each side of the box to indicate the contents and how fragile they are

• Using bubble wrap will protect those items which are valuable, and larger items can be wrapped in cling film or newspapers to prevent scuffs and stains

• Pack essential items, such as toiletries, in suitcases so they are easy to access

• Try to pack non-essential items early – for example, items in the garage and loft.

The day before moving

1) Confirm your move time

• Double check roughly what time the keys to your new property will become available

• Your possessions shouldn’t arrive at your new property before you do – any delay in moving out and into your new home could increase your removal costs

2) Redirect your mail

• This can easily be done online via The Royal Mail. The URL for this is as follows: www2.royalmail.com/delivery/inboundmail/redirections

• The process normally takes 5 days and will ensure your mail is sent on to your new address

3) Inform friends and family of your new address

• Communicate your new address details via email or change of address cards

4) Settle outstanding bills

• Pay any outstanding utility bills

• Ensure that any home delivery services are cancelled, start to run down your freezer contents

5) The new occupants

• List your current utility providers and leave instructions for how to work the alarms, boilers and so forth

• Leaving some flowers or a bottle of wine is good to build relationships with the people buying your property, in case you need to speak again in the future.

If you have ever purchased a new home or if you are just about to, it helps to know that there is more to moving than just packing a few boxes...

This guide will help you organise each stage of your move, to try and make the process as easy and stress free as possible.

Moving day

1) Empty the freezer

• Use a cool box to transport any frozen foods you wish to keep

2) Preparation

• Take down your curtains and blinds and roll up any carpets you are taking with you

• Mark up any items which are staying in the property to avoid any confusion

• Put aside items to make moving day more comfortable, such as toilet paper, a kettle, milk and refreshments

3) Prepare for the handover

• Round up all the keys to your home, including those left with family/ neighbours etc.

4) Arranging your gas and electricity supplies

• Take a note of your final meter readings

• Make sure you have spoken to your supplier and arranged your supply for your new home

5) Finish the last of the packing

6) Brief your removals company

• Show the removers which items are going and staying

• Swap mobile numbers with the removers so you’re able to stay in contact

• Double check that the removers have directions to your new property

• Point out any items which require extra care

7) Before leaving

• Check you haven’t left anything behind

• Have all paperwork and contact numbers relating to the move with you

• Check all windows and doors are locked and the utilities are turned off

• Make sure that legal completion of your transaction has taken place before allowing the new occupants into your home

8) Collect your new keys

• Pick up the keys to your new home

9) Upon arrival

• It is important to make sure that legal completion of your transaction has taken place so that you know that you are allowed to take occupancy of your

• Show the removers which rooms to put your items in

• Read the meters and check that the phone, gas, electricity and hot water are all working

• Make sure that any items included in the sale are there; if there is anything missing or damaged, contact your property solicitors

• Alert your surveyor if you discover any building faults that were missed in your property survey

Relax and celebrate!

By the end of your move day you’ll be tired, so relax on the sofa, order a takeaway and celebrate your achievement and hard work over a drink.

After your move

Don’t forget to Write your Will...

Having gone through the long process of moving house, it is important to protect your new home and all of your possessions within it so check all insurances are updated with new addresses and values.