Make the selling process as easy as it can be with our helpful advice.
Trouble with your gutters recently? Follow our advice to get them back in working order.
With the successful Help to Buy scheme coming to an end, what alternatives are out there for buyers?
Welcome back to another issue of our popular Gateway magazine. If you’re one of our many social media follows, you would have seen our post regarding the Daily Mail Money section stating that the avarage Castle Point house price has increased from £193,830 to £384,490 between 2013 and 2023 in a league table of Local Authority areas. My comments on the post remain the same, as these figures show, we must judge property prices over the long term, and not the short, as many indexes attempt to do.
In this issue we take a look at survey issues you can address before you put your property on the market, give you advice on how to clean those gutters, and suggest some Help to Buy alternatives.
Enjoy, and don’t forget to think of Fisks when buying or selling.
John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director
Make the selling process as easy as it can be with our helpful advice.
It’s not uncommon for surveys to threaten the whole sales process. If an issue is uncovered by a survey, then your potential buyer could get cold feet and pull out. If you’re just starting the process of selling your home, now is the time to get things in order...
With loft conversations becoming extremely popular over the years, it’s not uncommon for them to come up with issues during a building survey. The most common challenge in this area is ensuring your loft conversation is compliant with building regulations - low headroom and unconventional staircases such as spiral staircases or drop-down ladders may be an issue. A more serious issue to address is making sure you have reinforced floor joists - most lofts are not designed to support anything beyond normal storage. Your loft should also have natural light, headroom of 2.3 meters minimum, proper insulation and ventilation, and fire safety measures.
Just like loft conversions, basement conversions have grown in popularity over the years - this means that it’s not uncommon they come up with issues during a building survey. Making sure you have installed a tanking and pump system is essential to avoid any damp and mould issues coming up during the survey. Your basement conversions should also have an external escape route such as an exterior door or window, as well as smoke alarms and proper ventilation throughout.
It’s no seccret that a leaky roof is bad news, but did you know that a leaky roof could cause damp and mould problems elsewhere, too? A leaky roof could see your buyer try to renegotiate the asking price, or risk the property sale to fall through entirely. Unfortunately, you may not be aware of any issues until a building survey is carried out - with that in mind, it’s time to get yourself a comprehensive roof inspection if you’re worried about your roof before you go any further down the selling route.
This is one of the most common issues on a survey. Dampness and timber deterioration are huge warning signs of leaky pipes, damaged damp membranes, or faulty guttering. If these issues are not addressed, they can cause significant harm to the property and cause your buyer to pull out because of it. Hire an independent damp specialist to identify issues and address them accordinglythere’s no point in the “seeing if the survey picks it up” attitude on this one.
We thought we’d include this one as this is a bit of a head scratcher and still confuses a few people. Japanese Knotweed is a tiny garden weed that can potentially do major damage to your property. Japanese Knotweed is a highly invasive plant that will damage paths, gardens, and the structural stability of a home as a whole. It’s not all bad news however, the discovery of Japanese knotweed will no longer halt the sale of your property - surveyors now have the ability to assess the infestation and tell you how to manage the problem effectively.
Ian Carey Sales Manager
Harriet Plampton Sales & Lettings Consultant
Simon Pring Director
Nicola Rattenberry Director’s P.A.
John Pring Director
Tina Webster Management Accountant
Leanne Wright Administration Manager
Penny Ash Property Manager
Albie Poole Property Consultant
The residential estate agency market is increasingly populated by large corporations; nevertheless, our independent family-run estate agency continues to succeed and grow a loyal client base, due to our core values, ethos and flexible approach to clients’ requirements.
BIRCH CLOSE, BENFLEET
£385,000
Extended And Modernised Three Bedroom End Of Terraced Property
Groundfloor Cloakroom/Utility Room
Luxury Fitted Kitchen
Modern Refitted Double Shower Room
Fantastic Living Space
Throughout
CALL 01268 565555
£630,000
NEW PARK ROAD, BENFLEET Show Home Condition Four Bedroom Detached Property In South Benfleet
Large, Modern Kitchen
Snug Room
Modernised Ensuite To Master Bedroom
Four Double Bedrooms
CALL 01268 565555
£337,000
Totally Refurbished Three Bedroom Mid Terraced Property For Sale
Ground Floor Cloakroom
Refitted Kitchen
Workshop/Office
Integral Garage
Decorated Throughout
CALL 01268 565555
KINGSDOWN CLOSE, BASILDON
£360,000
Large Three Bedroom Detached Bungalow
Sought After Area Located In Eversley, A Private Development In Pitsea
Garage And Private Drive
Large Lounge-Diner
Good Decorative Order Throughout
CALL 01268 565555
£625,000
Immaculately Presented, Large, Four Double Bedroom Detached Property For Sale
Separate Dining Room
Utility Room Study
Large, Double Shower En-Suite
Width And A Half Garage
CALL 01268 565555
SEAMORE AVENUE, BENFLEET
£330,000
Large Two Bedroom Semi Detached Property For Sale
Rear Extension
Extra Long Garage
Potential To Improve Throughout Private Drive Two Double Bedrooms
CALL 01268 565555
Trouble with your gutters recently? Follow our advice to get them back in working order.
Without healthy gutters you could be faced with foundation issues, leaking windows, or wet basements and crawlspaces. While not requiring a great deal of attention, keeping your gutters healthy is essential for a foundation healthy home. Our following advice will help you keep your gutters healthy for longer.
(NOTE: While we believe in a bit of DIY here at Fisks, safety always comes first. If you don’t like heights, suffer from vertigo, or don’t have a sufficient ladder, always hire a professional for this job. If your home is more than a single-storey in height, always hire a professional to do the work for you to avoid any risk.)
If you’re looking to keep both feet on the ground, the good news is that there are several gutter-cleaning tools that allow you to do this. Tools such as the Guttermaster, which has an extendable curved pole that connects to your garden hose is a great choice. Head to your local DIY superstore for further advice and help on finding the right tools for the job.
If you have a single-storey home, then you may want to clean your gutters from a` ladder to get a better view of the job at hand. First things first, don’t use a stepladder, they are prone to tipping over if you get off balance. Instead, use an extension ladder and have somebody holding it at the bottom. Grab yourself an empty bucket and scoop as much debris as possible along the gutters with a narrow garden trowel or a gloved hand. Give your gutters a hose after to make sure they’re working as they should be. Use a stiff brush to remove any stubborn grime.
If you notice an obstruction in your drainpipes, direct your garden hose down the pipe to try and dislodge it - insert a plumber’s auger to clear any obstructions if this doesn’t work.
If there’s no issues, then once a year should be sufficient - after the leaves fall in autumn is ideal.
If you’re confident on a ladder, have someone helping you, and your gutters are single-storey height, then ‘yes’, you can. If you own a leaf blower, you’ll know that many come with a nozzle attachment designed to release a powerful air stream, which is perfect for blasting debris out of the gutter. Remember, don’t forget to block the downspout with a rag or old towel first so they don’t get blocked up with blowing debris.
If your gutters are in a good stable condition, then ‘yes’. This one can get a little messy, but if you follow the same steps as our leaf blower suggestion above (minus the rag or old towel down the downsprout), you’ll have clean gutters in no time at all.
Websites such as TrustATrader will allow you to have access to professionals in your area. Remember, get a few quotes if you have time as there is no set price when it comes to cleaning gutters and you don’t want to be ripped off.
The industry has changed hugely with the development of digital technology - this has created two different styles of agency, the traditional high street agency, and the modern online agency. At Fisks, we believe that the best solution is to be both.
Fisks still do the traditional marketing methods that you are comfortable with, such as high street shop locations with window displays, applicant mailing lists, text and email facilities, linked offices, portals such as Rightmove, leaflet drops, floor plans, boards and branded cars.
These marketing tools have been tried and tested for many years, but with the ongoing digital revolution we have also embraced change. These new marketing methods come in the form of a digital property lifestyle magazine that’s produced in house and emailed to over eight thousand people a month, targeted social media campaigns across all the major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, 4k video tours of your property for our successful YouTube channel, enhanced portal marketing, and from a customer service point of view, we have vendor log-ins so you can see viewers feedback and offers on your home at any time.
We focus on our clients’ requirements and instructions rather than just doing what’s quickest and easiest for us.
Our comprehensive training program ensures that our staff channels their entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm for the benefit of our clients, whilst maintaining the professionalism and customer service associated with our brand.
At Fisks, we believe we have all your marketing needs covered to get you SOLD!
Protecting your investment should not be taken lightly, with our full management service you can be sure to get the support you deserve...
ARLA - the gold standard professional industry body.
Audited and insured client accounts to protect your money.
Rent guarantee and legal cover - protect yourself with insurance and the increased costs of evicting (subject to status).
Legal hotline - specialised property lawyers helping to answer your questions.
Inventories - protect your deposit with a professional inventory, including time stamped photographs.
Inspection - allay your fears that your asset is being looked after.
Section notices - fully trained and experienced staff can advise and serve the appropriate notice.
Accurate accounting - from monthly statements to overseas landlords, to expenditure and income, we hold all the information the accountant will need.
Gas certificates and EPCs - keep your property complying with the law.
“Happy customer. Very professional service. We had no problems with the sale of our house or the purchase of our new home through Fisks. Staff very pleasant, would definitely recommend.”
- Mr and Mrs Hall
“Fantastic team that pulled out all the stops and helped every step of the way. Friendly pleasant staff.”
- Mrs S Sheavyn
... come and put us to the test!
Don’t just take our word for it, we have many happy customers...
With the successful Help to Buy scheme coming to an end, what alternatives are out there for buyers?
For over a decade, the Government has operated many ‘Help to Buy’ schemes in England. The latest, aimed at first-time buyers, has undoubtedly been very successful at getting first-time buyers on the property ladder. Between the 1st of April 2013 and the 30th of September 2022, 375,654 homes have been bought using the schemes, with just over 84% of those purchased by first-time buyers. Now, with the latest version of the scheme now closed, what other schemes are there available, and is there an alternative that offers the same benefits?
If you need any further help understanding the following schemes, please do not hesitate to contact us, we’ll be more than happy to help with any property related questions and issues.
This one is a great alternative to Help to Buy. Designed to help households looking to buy with a 5% deposit on properties costing a maximum of £600,000. You can access more information on how to apply for a 5% deposit mortgage by contacting a mortgage broker or lender participating in the scheme. This one is available for first time buyers and existing homeowners who are looking to move and require a 95% Loan-To-Value mortgage.
Deposit required: 5% deposit
An amazing option to help first time buyers and key workers onto the property ladder. This scheme offers homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market price - in some areas the discount could even be as high as 50%. When buying with this scheme, the purchased property will be under the ‘First Homes’ tag - meaning, you can only sell the property to someone who is eligible to buy a ‘First Homes’ property. You must give your buyer the same percentage discount that you got, based on the home’s market value at the time of sale. This scheme will make deposits and mortgage repayments significantly cheaper.
First time buyers must be earning less than £80,000 per year (£90,000 in London) - councils can set this figure lower. Your mortgage must cover at least 50% of the purchase price. Councils can apply additional eligibility criteria, such as restricting the scheme to key workers or people with a local connection.
Deposit required: This is normally at least 5% of the discounted purchase price, depending on the property and on mortgage eligibility from participating mortgage lenders.
This one is a great choice if you can’t afford all of the deposit and mortgage payments for a home that meets your needs. Shared ownership homes are offered by housing associations, local councils, and other organisations. This scheme offers you the chance to buy an initial share of a home worth between 10% and 75% of its market value - you will then pay rent to the housing provider on the rest. If in the future you can afford more shares, then you are free to buy them - this is known as ‘staircasing’. The more shares you buy, the less rent you’ll have to pay.
Requirements for this scheme include a gross annual household income of £80,000 or less when buying outside of London, and £90,000 or less when buying in London.
Deposit required: The size of your deposit will be determined by your mortgage provider’s terms and conditions, but it will typically range from 5% to 25% of the value of your share.
£625,000
Reverse Plan
Views Of The Estuary
Balcony With Bi-Fold Access
Five Bedrooms
Utility Room
Open-Planned Living
Four Piece Bathroom
CALL 01268 510510
£525,000
5 Bedroom Detcahed Challet
Bungalow
Off Street Parking
Stunning Curb Appeal
Two Reception Rooms
Three Bathrooms Garage
CALL 01268 510510
£400,000
Four Bedroom Family Home
Large Floorplan
Refurbished Throughout
Off Street Parking
70ft Rear Garden
Ensuite
Room For Home Office
CALL 01268 510510
£425,000
Four Bedrooms
Popular Location
Ultra Modern Fitted Kitchen
Open Plan Lounge/Diner
Easy Reach To C2c Line
Garage And Ample Off-Street
Parking
CALL 01268 510510
£450,000
Three Bedroom Semi Chalet
Well Presented Throughout
Conservatory
Large Floorplan
Ultra Modern Bathroom
Great Location
Outhouse
CALL
£300,000
One/Two Bedroom Bungalow
Loft Room Which Could Be Used As A Bedroom
Great Location
Spacious Living Throughout
Study And Dining Room
Large Conservatory
CALL 01268 510510
