Fisks Gateway issue 63

Gateway

THE PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY FISKS | ISSUE 63

inside this issue 5 TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS THE IMPORTANCE OF EPCs THE ROLE OF THE MORTGAGE BROKER PLUS THIS MONTH’S PROPERTIES

CONTENTS 5 TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS Looking to buy your first home?

Not sure where to start? Take a look at our helpful tips to help you get on the property ladder.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EPCs We give you a helpful overview of the importance of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

THE ROLE OF THE MORTGAGE BROKER Ever wondered what a mortgage broker actually does? Wonder no more.

THIS MONTH’S PROPERTIES

We have a stunning selection of properties for you to take a look at this month.

Welcome to our Gateway magazine...

October 31st has been and gone and we still aren’t done with Brexit. We now find ourselves approaching another general election taking place next month on December 12th. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the results of the election will address Brexit once and for all.

John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director

Our Ethos & Values We focus on our clients’ requirements and instructions rather than just doing what’s quickest and easiest for us.

We recruit and train the best candidates for our industry and provide them with attainable goals and long term career progression.

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.

It’s Christmas next month, the time of year when the property market normally slows down, and with the election coming up also, it could perhaps slow things down even further. But, of course, that doesn’t mean people still aren’t looking for their next dream home during the month of December - we still very frequently get contacted. Looking on the bright side of things, with both Christmas and the election happening in the same month, we hit two birds with one stone - meaning that the property market will finally have room to grow in the new year.

In this month’s Gateway we have some great tips for first-time buyers, a helpful overview of the importance of EPCs, and a little insight on the role of the mortgage broker.

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5 TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS Looking to buy your first home? Not sure where to start? Take a look at our helpful tips to help you get on the property ladder.

For most of us, buying a first home is the biggest purchase we’ll ever make and is often full of questions, possibilities and concerns. Take a look at our helpful tips to help you get on the property ladder as smoothly as possible.

1. Start saving as soon as you can Getting a sufficiently large deposit together may be hard work, but being able to put a sizable cash sum down on the property has advantages. There are more deals at lower interests available when you have a larger deposit.

2. Identify the right savings schemes There are specific savings products designed to give you a helping hand with your mortgage deposit.

Perhaps the best known is the Help to Buy ISA. You can save up £200 month (in addition to a £1,000 lump sum in your first year), and the government will give a 25% bonus when you come to complete your property purchase. The Help to Buy ISA is only open to new savers until 30 November 2019 so do get a move on if that is something of interest to you. The alternative is the Lifetime ISA, another governmentbacked savings scheme where you can save £4,000 a year for a 25% bonus on top.

3. It pays to talk to your family Several mortgage lenders out there offer products aimed at families, where parents or grandparents can help their children out when purchasing a new home. These include guarantor mortgages, where a family member agrees they will make the repayments if the borrower can’t, and joint mortgages, which are for children and parents buying together.

4. Think about shared ownership With shared ownership schemes, normally offered by housing associations, you borrow enough to buy a proportion of the property – say 75%, and then you pay rent on the remaining proportion. All you’ll need is a 5% deposit.

5. Don’t forget additional costs Remember that you’ll also need cash to meet the additional costs of buying a home. As a first-time buyer, if the home you’re purchasing is worth more than £300,000, you’ll need to pay stamp duty. You’ll also need to factor in mortgage arrangement fees charged by your lender, as well as legal fees to pay your solicitor, plus charges for a survey of the property and Land Registry fees for registering your ownership of it. And, of course, you must find cash to furnish your new home.

MEET THE TEAM

Ian Carey Sales Manager Ian started his career in the British Army when he was 17 leading teams of up to 8 men. On finishing his military career, he joined the Estate Agency industry where he is a valuable asset to our Benfleet Sales Team.

Harriet Plampton Sales & Lettings Consultant Harriet joined Fisks in 2017 as a Trainee Property Consultant. Having previously worked in sales and public-facing roles, Harriet has combined her natural sales ability with her previous experience to progress within the property agency sector.

Leanne Wright Assistant To Ian Carey Leanne joined Fisks in 2010 after graduating from the University of Greenwich with a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Sociology. Starting off as Branch Administrator, Leanne has gone on to gain experience in Operations, Senior Administration and Property Management.

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John Pring Director John’s knowledge is second to none thanks to his 50+ years in the industry.

Perry Goodwin Digital Marketing Manager Perry recently joined Fisks and brings with him a wealth of digital marketing skills he has gained throughout his career.

Alex White-Miller Property Manager Alex joined Fisks as Property Manager in 2018 and is an essential part of the team.

We cover the whole of South Essex.

Contact us for a free valuation on 01268 565555

Tina Webster Management Accountant

Simon Pring Director Simon joined Fisks in 2005 and started on the shop floor as a junior sales consultant and now has 13 plus years of commercial experience - from viewings to property management and sales to completion.

After joining the company in 1988 with a BTEC diploma in Business and Finance, Tina progressed her career within Fisks to that of Management Accountant.

Nicola Rattenberry Operations Manager & Administrator Nicola joined Fisks in January 2014 after graduating from the University of Winchester with a BA (Hons) First Class Degree in History and Creative Writing.

Charlie Maynard Property Consultant Charlie joined Fisks in 2018 as an experienced Property Consultant.

Our Vision & Strategy

Taris Etherton Sales & Lettings Consultant Taris joined Fisks in 2017 as a Trainee 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.

HATLEY GARDENS, BENFLEET GUIDE PRICE £279,995 – £289,995 End Of Terrace House Three/Four Bedrooms Fantastic Living Space Throughout Versatile Ground Floor Living Area Ground Floor Cloakroom No Onward Chain Energy Band – D

CALL 01268 565555

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LONDON ROAD, BENFLEET GUIDE PRICE £305,000 – £310,000 Three Bedroom Chalet Style Property Extended Ground Floor Space Very Large Master Bedroom On Ground Floor Garage Big Corner Plot Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 565555

SHOREFIELDS, BENFLEET £445,000 Four Bedroom Detached House Separate Dining Room 17ft Long Master Bedroom Garage & Private Driveway Fantastic Sized Plot Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 565555

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PHILMEAD ROAD, BENFLEET £299,995 Semi-Detached Bungalow Two Bedrooms Good Sized Corner Plot Extra Length Garage Good Location No Onward Chain Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 565555

GREAT RANTON, PITSEA £239,995 Two Bedroom Terraced House Recently Redecorated Throughout Fantastic Size Plenty Of Communal Parking Perfect For First Time Buyers Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 565555

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BOULDREWOOD ROAD, BENFLEET £399,995 Detached House Three/Four Bedrooms Separate Dining Space Conservatory Sunny South Facing Rear Garden Garage Energy Band – D

CALL 01268 565555

WHY USE FISKS? Throughout the years, we’ve gained first class knowledge that is second to none, and helped people through both good and bad times and have won numerous awards throughout our 50 plus years.

We do understand how the market has changed over the years and we have adapted to offer you the best marketing and services available - with us, not only do you get all aspects of a traditional agent, we also give you the best in digital marketing too - including social media, web portals, and our exclusive property video tours that can be seen on our YouTube channel and other streaming services. Our hybrid agency offers you the best of both worlds.

As well as offering floor plans, our monthly Gateway magazine that reaches over 9 thousand people, social media exposure of your property, A3 property details and flyer campaigns, we also offer the following...

Multiple online portals

Fisks will market your property on all major portals -

Accompanied viewings Let us take the stress out of the viewing process.

Video tours

Let us present your home to the best of its ability.

High end photography

All buyers require good quality photographs before viewing your property.

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Landlords: Protect your investment with our full property management and marketing...

Protecting your investment should not be taken lightly, with our full management service you can be sure to get the support you deserve...

Inventories - protect your deposit with a professional inventory, including time stamped photographs.

Inspection - allay your fears that your asset is being looked after.

ARLA - the gold standard professional industry body.

Section notices - fully trained and experienced staff can advise and serve the appropriate notice.

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.

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.

Don’t just take our word for it, we have many happy customers...

“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!

THE IMPORTANCE OF EPCs We give you a helpful overview of the importance of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

Knowing what an EPC is can ensure you get useful accurate information about the property you’re buying, selling or renting.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were introduced by the government in 2007 for both domestic and commercial properties.

Rated from A-to-G, with A being the most efficient, the purpose of an EPC is to provide information on a property’s energy use and typical energy costs, and to make recommendations on how to reduce energy usage and increase efficiency based on various factors such as the insulation present, heating systems and glazing.

You are required to get an EPC when you are selling a property, or when you are letting it. It can also be requested for various grants like the feed-in-tariff payment, and from institutions like banks when applying for a mortgage.

Getting an EPC is really easy, and at Fisks we can recommend a trusted assessor for you who will carry out the task to the highest standards. Give us a call on 01268 565555 or drop us an email at office@fisks.co.uk to get the conversation started. Your assessor will need to come and visit your property to produce an EPC by taking measurements and photos. The assessor will then put the gathered information into a software package which will then create your EPC document.

FURTHERWICK ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £500,000 - £550,000 Six Bedroom Detached House 26ft Kitchen/Breakfast Room En-Suite To Master Show Home Condition Close To Seafront Energy Band – D

CALL 01268 510510

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MEADOW VIEW WALK, CANVEY ISLAND £300,000 Four Bedroom Semi-Detached House Large 18ft Lounge Recently Refurbished Large Corner Plot Good Size Garden Approximately 50ft Wide Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 510510

CAMBRIDGE ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND OIEO £350,000 Four Bedroom Detached House Good Size Lounge & Kitchen/Diner 24ft Conservatory Extension Family Bathroom & Downstairs Cloakroom Attractive Curb Side Appeal Energy Band – D

CALL 01268 510510

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KEER AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND £240,000 Detached Bungalow Two Double Bedrooms Recently Fitted Double Glazing Off Street Parking Close To Seafront Energy Band – D

CALL 01268 510510

BADGERS RISE, CANVEY ISLAND OIEO £180,000 First Floor Apartment Two Double Bedrooms Long Lease Of 172 Years Spacious Throughout Superb Condition Two Allocated Parking Spaces Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 510510

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KINGS PARK, CANVEY ISLAND £180,000 - £190,000 Two Double Bedrooms Recently Refurbished Modern Throughout En-Suite Bathroom Double Plot Sought After Location Near The Lake

CALL 01268 510510

THE ROLE OF THE MORTGAGE BROKER

Ever wondered what a mortgage broker actually does?

Wonder no more.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home or staying put and remortgaging, the extensive range of mortgages available from the hundreds of lenders can seem daunting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, and we can understand why, it can be helpful to talk to a mortgage broker for some help and advice.

You may be asking yourself, what is a mortgage broker and what are the benefits of using one? A mortgage broker is a person or company that can arrange a mortgage between you (the borrower) and a mortgage lender.

They’ll work directly with you to help you decide what kind of mortgage you need, and then find a deal that matches your criteria - once you’ve found a mortgage deal that suits you, the broker will then help you with the application process and explain exactly what paperwork you’ll need to get things started as quickly as possible.

Mortgage brokers can be very useful if you don’t have a good working knowledge of the finance and mortgage markets, or don’t have the time to spend searching for deals, doing the paperwork and speaking to lenders.

Due to their experience and contacts, a mortgage broker will usually have access to a wide range of lenders. This means they may have a better chance of finding a deal that fits your criteria. The mortgage industry can be confusing, and things can change rapidly as interest rates fluctuate and mortgage deals come and go - having an expert who can explain things clearly and understands best practice can be extremely helpful.

Fisks can recommend a trusted mortgage broker that is second to none, just give us a call on 01268 565555 or drop us an email at office@fisks.co.uk to get things started and be on your way to your dream home.

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Head Office 146a London Road Benfleet Essex, SS7 5SQ T: 01268 750000 E: office@fisks.co.uk

Here to help you on the following property matters

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Sales Lettings Property management Mortgages Solicitors Surveys EPCs Property maintenance Planning applications CONTACT US FOR A FREE VALUATION 01268 565555 “Best Estate Agent in Essex! Fisks were fantastic from start to finish, both the Benfleet & Canvey Island branches. The staff are knowledgable, polite & friendly, we never had a bad person.

They got us viewings from both the branches. They kept us in touch on every viewing. They also kept us informed on every part of the process, which was very good as we haven’t moved in over 30 years.”

- Mrs C Stannard

“NO STRESS USE THE BEST... Excellent customer service... nothing too much trouble... all queries answered with ease... from valuation to completion we found the experience stress free. Very professional friendly staff, would definitely recommend... big thanks to Simon and his team ... till the next time!”

- Mr and Mrs Farrer