The property & lifestyle magazine brought to you by FISKS / Issue 142
MN U T AU IAL SPEC
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Selling Your Home In The Autumn Rainy Day Sundays The £100 Autumn Challenge This Month’s Properties
CONTENTS SELLING YOUR HOME IN THE AUTUMN Autumn can be a great time to sell your home, and a few simple touches can help it stand out to buyers.
RAINY DAY SUNDAYS
Rainy autumn days can reveal the cosy, practical qualities that make a house truly feel like home.
THE £100 AUTUMN CHALLENGE
Give your home an autumn refresh for just £100, using a little creativity and what you already have.
Welcome to our
magazine There’s some welcome news for the UK property market this month, with the Bank of England holding Bank Rate at 3.75%. The decision provides a degree of stability for homeowners and buyers, particularly at a time when mortgage costs continue to be an important consideration for anyone looking to move. As autumn arrives, this month’s issue is all about making the most of the season at home. Our cover article, Selling Your Home in the Autumn, is joined by Rainy Day Sundays and The £100 Autumn Challenge, along with our usual selection of properties from the many homes currently available with us at Fisks. Enjoy!
John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director
SELLING YOUR HOME IN THE AUTUMN Autumn can be a great time to sell your home, and a few simple touches can help it stand out to buyers.
Autumn can be an excellent time to sell your home. As the leaves change colour and the evenings draw in, the property market may feel quieter than during the busy spring and summer months. However, serious buyers are still out there - and with the right preparation, your home can make a strong impression. From creating a welcoming first impression to making the most of autumn’s natural charm, here are some practical tips for selling your home this season. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HOME’S KERB APPEAL First impressions matter at any time of year, but autumn provides a great opportunity to make your property look warm, cared for and inviting. Keep paths, driveways and entrances clear of fallen leaves, weeds and debris. Trim back overgrown plants and tidy borders, while adding seasonal touches such as attractive planters or a well-maintained front door. Don’t forget outdoor lighting. With darker evenings arriving earlier, good exterior lighting can make your property feel safer and more welcoming when potential buyers arrive for viewings.
LET IN AS MUCH NATURAL LIGHT AS POSSIBLE Shorter days mean that natural light becomes particularly important. Open curtains and blinds fully before viewings, clean windows and remove anything that unnecessarily blocks the light. Mirrors can also help reflect available daylight and make rooms appear brighter and more spacious. If a viewing takes place later in the day, switch on lamps and other lights throughout the property rather than relying on a single overhead light. A warm, well-lit home is much more inviting than a dark one. CREATE A WARM AND WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE Autumn naturally lends itself to cosy interiors. Make your home feel comfortable without going overboard on seasonal decorations. Soft furnishings, neutral throws and cushions can add warmth, while a tidy living room with comfortable furniture can help buyers imagine themselves living there. The key is moderation. Your home should feel welcoming rather than heavily themed for the season.
KEEP THE GARDEN LOOKING ITS BEST Although summer may be over, your garden still plays an important role in selling your property. Cut the grass where necessary, sweep patios and paths, remove fallen leaves and tidy borders. Put away children’s toys, gardening equipment and other clutter. If you have outdoor seating, consider leaving it in place if it is clean and attractive. Buyers may still want to appreciate how the garden can be used throughout the year. DON’T IGNORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY As temperatures fall, buyers may pay closer attention to heating and energy costs. Make sure your heating system is working properly and consider having it serviced before putting your property on the market. Draught-proofing, good insulation and modern windows can all be attractive features. If you have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), make sure you understand its rating and consider whether there are straightforward improvements that could benefit your property.
BE FLEXIBLE WITH VIEWINGS Autumn days are shorter, so there may be fewer opportunities for buyers to view your property in daylight. Where possible, be flexible with viewing times. Keeping the house warm, bright and tidy can help ensure that an evening viewing is just as positive as one held during the afternoon. PRICE YOUR PROPERTY REALISTICALLY Pricing is one of the most important decisions when selling a home, regardless of the season. Look at recent sales of similar properties in your area rather than relying solely on asking prices. Your estate agent should be able to provide evidence of comparable properties and explain how they have arrived at a suggested asking price. A realistic price can help attract serious buyers and generate interest from the outset.
USE AUTUMN TO YOUR ADVANTAGE Autumn buyers are often motivated by a particular reason for moving - whether they’re relocating, looking for a larger home or hoping to complete a move before Christmas. Rather than worrying that the market is quieter, focus on attracting the right buyers. High-quality photography, an appealing property description and a wellpresented home can help your listing stand out. Professional photographs are particularly important as they are often the first thing potential buyers see online. PREPARE FOR THE WEATHER Autumn weather can be unpredictable. Rain, wind and falling temperatures can quickly make an otherwise attractive property look neglected. Check gutters and downpipes, clear leaves from drains and make sure fences and gates are secure. Small maintenance jobs can make a significant difference to how a property is perceived. Inside, keep hallways and entrance areas particularly tidy. Wet coats, shoes and umbrellas can quickly create clutter during viewings.
THE RIGHT PREPARATION CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE Selling your home in autumn doesn’t have to mean waiting for spring. With fewer distractions, careful preparation and the right marketing strategy, your property can still attract plenty of attention. Focus on presentation, light, warmth and kerb appeal, while making sure your asking price reflects the current market. Most importantly, remember that buyers aren’t just purchasing bricks and mortar - they’re imagining their future life in the property. Make your home easy for them to picture themselves living in, and autumn could prove to be a very productive season for your sale.
Meet the team...
John Pring Director
Ryan Stanton Area Manager
Harriet Plampton Sales & Lettings Consultant
Penny Ash Property Manager
Emma Jarrett Administrator & Sales Progressor
Carla Longworth Property Consultant
Albie Poole Sales Manager
Nicola Cain Property Consultant
Tina Webster Management Accountant
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Leanne Wright Administration Manager
Mia Zetter Property Management Administrator
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.
If you have any questions about this issue of Gateway or would like more information on the featured articles, please contact our editor, Perry Goodwin, at perry@fisks.co.uk.
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Rainy Day Sundays Rainy autumn days can reveal the cosy, practical qualities that make a house truly feel like home.
There’s something about a rainy Sunday that makes you want to stay home. Not in a cancel everything and hide from the world kind of way, but more in a put the kettle on, light a candle, pull the curtains and settle in kind of way. Perhaps that’s why certain homes seem to have a particular magic in autumn. They aren’t necessarily the biggest, newest or most impressive properties. They simply have the right ingredients for a slower afternoon: somewhere cosy to sit, natural light softened by grey skies and windows that make you want to sit and watch the rain. And, if you’re looking for a new home in autumn, there’s something to be said for viewing properties when the weather isn’t at its best. Sunshine can make almost anywhere feel appealing. Rain, however, can reveal how a home really works. THE ART OF THE SLOW SUNDAY We spend much of the week rushing between work, errands, appointments and social plans. Sunday offers permission to do the opposite, and a rainy one especially. Suddenly, there’s no pressure to make the most of the weather. The weather is the atmosphere. A sofa becomes the best seat in the house, breakfast turns into brunch, a book sits open for an hour while you listen to the rain against the windows, and that little patch of daylight disappearing across the floor becomes something you actually notice. It’s one of those moments when a house stops being simply a property and starts feeling like a home.
WHY AUTUMN CAN BE A GOOD TIME TO LOOK FOR A HOME Autumn house-hunting has its advantages. The lower light, colder temperatures and inevitable rainy days can tell you things about a property that a bright summer viewing might not. How does the house feel when the sky is grey? Is there still enough natural light? Does the living room feel warm and inviting, or does it become dark and chilly? Are the windows draughty?
It’s also worth paying attention to the practical details. Check for signs of condensation or damp, particularly around windows and in less-used rooms. Notice how warm the house feels and whether the heating is already on. Listen to the rain against the roof and windows. Even the journey to the property can tell you something: what are the roads, pavements and surrounding areas like when the weather turns? These aren’t necessarily reasons to rule a home out. They’re simply part of understanding how it will feel to live there throughout the year.
THE HOMES THAT COME ALIVE IN THE RAIN Interestingly, bad weather can reveal some of the best qualities of a property. A house with large windows can feel atmospheric rather than gloomy, a fireplace becomes a natural focal point, a deep windowsill suddenly seems like the perfect place for a mug of coffee, even a slightly tucked-away reading nook can become the most desirable spot in the house. Orientation matters, too. A home that captures plenty of daylight can feel very different from one that relies heavily on artificial lighting during the darker months. And sometimes it’s the less obvious spaces that make the biggest difference: a boot room for muddy walks, a covered entrance for rainy school runs, somewhere to hang coats and dry shoes, or a utility room that actually works.
DESIGNING FOR THE WEATHER Perhaps we should stop thinking of autumn and winter as seasons to endure and start designing our homes around them. Think tactile rather than pristine. Wool throws, textured cushions, timber, stone, warm lighting and rugs that make bare feet feel welcome can all help create a home that feels inviting when the weather turns. Instead of filling every room with bright overhead lighting, create pools of light around the spaces you actually use: a lamp beside a chair, a warm glow on the kitchen worktop or a small light illuminating a bookshelf. And don’t underestimate the power of the view. A garden doesn’t have to be designed solely for sunny afternoons. Evergreen planting, ornamental grasses, mature trees and atmospheric outdoor lighting can make looking outside enjoyable even when you’re watching the rain from indoors. In fact, one of the pleasures of autumn is seeing how a home connects with its surroundings when everything outside becomes darker, wetter and more atmospheric.
THE SUNDAY TEST Perhaps there’s a new way to judge a home. Forget the traditional checklist for a moment and ask yourself: Where would I drink coffee on a rainy Sunday? Where would I read? Where would everyone naturally gather? Could I spend an entire afternoon here without feeling restless? What would this house feel like at 4pm on a grey November afternoon? And, when viewing a property in autumn: Does it still feel light and welcoming on a gloomy day? Can I imagine coming home here with wet coats and muddy shoes? What would I notice about this house after living here through a full winter? Those questions reveal something that floor plans and square footage can’t always tell us. Because ultimately, the most memorable homes aren’t necessarily the ones that look spectacular in photographs. They’re the ones you can imagine living in.
Why use FISKS? 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
Our Ethos & Values
methods that you are comfortable with, such as high street shop locations with
We focus on our clients’ requirements
window displays, applicant mailing lists,
and instructions rather than just doing
text and email facilities, linked offices,
what’s quickest and easiest for us.
portals such as Rightmove, leaflet drops, floor plans, boards and branded cars.
Our comprehensive training program ensures that our staff channels their
These marketing tools have been tried
entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm
and tested for many years, but with the
for the benefit of our clients, whilst
ongoing digital revolution we have also
maintaining the professionalism and
embraced change. These new marketing
customer service associated with our
methods come in the form of a digital
brand.
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.
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THE £100 AUTUMN CHALLENGE Give your home an autumn refresh for just £100, using a little creativity and what you already have.
There’s something about autumn that makes us want to change everything. Suddenly, the sofa needs more cushions. The kitchen needs a new candle. The bedroom needs heavier bedding. And somehow, that perfectly good living room from three months ago now feels as though it belongs to an entirely different season. But before you start filling an online basket with everything in shades of rust, olive and caramel, there’s a better challenge: can you make your home feel completely different for just £100? Welcome to the £100 Autumn Challenge - a little exercise in creativity, restraint and making what you already own work harder. THE £100 RULE The idea is simple. Give yourself £100 and one room. You can buy new pieces, hunt for second-hand finds, rearrange what you already have or repurpose things hiding in cupboards. The only rule is that you can’t spend more than £100. The objective isn’t to create a showroom-perfect autumn interior. It’s to make the room feel like somewhere you genuinely want to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.
START WITH WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE Before spending a penny, take everything out of the room that doesn’t need to be there. Then look at what’s left. Could the armchair move closer to the window? Could the coffee table become a reading table? Could a lamp from another room create a warmer corner? Could your existing books, ceramics or artwork be grouped differently? Sometimes the cheapest interior transformation is simply seeing your own possessions differently. And that’s rather fitting for autumn: it’s less about buying more and more about appreciating what’s already around you.
SPEND YOUR £100 WHERE IT MATTERS If you do buy something, make it count. Rather than purchasing ten small decorative objects, consider investing in two or three things that will genuinely change the atmosphere. £25: Bring in Texture A chunky throw, wool cushion or second-hand textile can instantly make a room feel more inviting. Look beyond traditional autumn colours. Cream, chocolate, deep green, burgundy and warm neutrals can all create that cosy feeling without turning your home into a pumpkin-themed set. £20: Change the Lighting This might be the most underrated autumn update. Swap harsh overhead lighting for a table or floor lamp, or simply change where your existing lamps are positioned. The goal is to create little islands of warmth rather than lighting the entire room equally. £15: Bring the Outside In Autumn gives you plenty of decorating material for free. Branches, fallen leaves, conkers, dried grasses and seasonal foliage can become surprisingly beautiful arrangements. Put a few branches in a large jug and you’ve created a focal point without buying another ornament. £40: Find One Brilliant Second-Hand Piece This is where the challenge gets interesting. Use the remaining £40 to find something with character: a vintage side table, an old wooden stool, a ceramic lamp, a framed print or a beautiful mirror. It doesn’t need to be expensive or perfect. In fact, a little wear and history can make it feel more interesting than something brand new.
THE £100 KITCHEN CHALLENGE The same principle works in the kitchen. Instead of redesigning the room, create an autumn ritual around it. A beautiful chopping board, a new mug, a bowl for seasonal fruit, a linen tea towel or perhaps a second-hand stool for the end of the island can all make a difference.
Think Sunday soup simmering on the hob, something baking in the oven and everyone inevitably congregating around the worktop. That’s the kind of ‘luxury’ that doesn’t require a renovation.
WHAT NOT TO BUY The biggest trap of the £100 challenge is trying to make everything look autumnal. You don’t need a house full of pumpkins, artificial leaves and seasonal signs. Instead, aim for autumn atmosphere rather than autumn decoration. Think texture, warmth, soft light, natural materials and a beautiful view through a rain-speckled window. Those things will still look good long after October is over.
THE REAL CHALLENGE: STOP AT £100 There’s something surprisingly satisfying about having a fixed budget. It forces you to ask better questions: Will I still like this next year? Does this make the room more comfortable? Could I find it second-hand? Do I actually need it? And perhaps the most important question of all: would I rather spend £30 on this, or save the money for something I really love? Because the point isn’t to spend £100. It’s to prove that £100 can be enough.
YOUR RAINY SUNDAY TEST Whether it’s your living room, kitchen, or another space you’ve challenged yourself to transform, there’s one question to ask yourself when you’re finished: does this room make me want to stay?
If the answer is yes, you’ve passed the £100 Autumn Challenge. And perhaps that’s the real lesson. Creating a beautiful home isn’t always about having more. Sometimes, it’s about making a little space, spending a little money, and paying closer attention to how you want your home to feel.
FEATURED PROPERTIES
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THE DRIVEWAY, CANVEY ISLAND £550,000 3 Bedroom Detached Bungalow Located In Highly Sought After Driveway Driveway For Multiple Cars Large West Facing Garden Beautiful Bay Windows To Lounge And Bedrooms Air Conditioning In Lounge And Main Bedroom
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