Fisks Gateway issue 67

Gateway

THE PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY FISKS | ISSUE 67

CAT & DOG SPECIAL

inside this issue THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BRINGING A NEW PET HOME PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A NEW PET HEALTHY DIETS FOR YOUR CAT OR DOG PLUS THIS MONTH’S PROPERTIES

CONTENTS THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BRINGING A NEW PET HOME

There’s a lot to think about before bringing your new pet home, follow our helpful tips to get you started.

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A NEW PET

Whether you’re welcoming a cat or dog, it’s important to make your new family member welcome.

HEALTHY DIETS FOR YOUR CAT OR DOG

Ensuring that your cat or dog has a healthy balenced diet will keep your pet healthy and happy for many many years.

THIS MONTH’S PROPERTIES

As always, we have a great selection of properties for you to take a look at this month.

Welcome to our Gateway magazine...

John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director

As the weather heats up, so too does the property market. The market is warming up for spring and, as history tells us, people are back looking for their dream property. This time of year has always been important to us, many sellers have been waiting for spring to list their properties, and many buyers will be searching now that the worst of the bad weather is behind us. There really has never been a better time to list your property or go for a viewing.

We’ve gone a little cat and dog crazy in this issue of Gateway. Giving you help and advice on all things to do with your furry family members.

If you would like to view any of the properties in this month’s Gateway, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BRINGING A NEW PET HOME There’s a lot to think about before bringing your new pet home, follow our helpful tips to get you started.

Some of the greatest moments we’ll ever have is bringing our new pet home for the first time… but there are a lot of responsibilities that comes with introducing a new pet into your home - from committing your time and money, to choosing the breed that’s right for you. Our following tips will make your life easier.

Can you commit your time and money?

Will you have the time to walk your dog three times a day? Will you remember to exercise your cat every evening? If the answer is no, and you have no one who can perform those essential tasks, you should stop right here and consider a fish or a parakeet as a low-demand animal companion. And let’s not forget the money it will cost you to feed your new family member and buy essentials such as collars, leads, toys, and of course microchipping and pet insurance to be extra safe.

Will your new pet fit into your lifestyle?

Many people choose their new pet on how cute it is, but that can be a huge mistake to make. Too often these pets are unceremoniously dropped at an animal shelter when they show themselves to be too high energy, too needy, too intolerant … the list goes on and on.

Get to know the breed you are interested in and be open to changing your mind if it doesn’t fit your ability to provide for its temperament. Don’t be afraid to visit a pet store and ask questions, and why not even join a social media page where you can ask questions to actual owners of the breed you’re interested in. Do your research and don’t rush into things.

Outfit your pet with proper ID Ensure that your new pet is properly outfitted with ID just in case he or she gets lost - it does happen a lot more than you’d think so don’t put it off for too long.

You can have your contact information on your pet’s collar, either on a tag or printed directly onto the collar (the latter can be custom ordered or made by you).

A GPS device that attaches to the collar is a clever way to track your pet, but remember, it loses its effectiveness when the collar gets lost. Microchips are the best assurance for identification and need to be used in combination with a collar for the best chance of finding a lost pet. The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and the procedure, which is carried out by a vet or trained microchip implanter, takes only a few minutes but lasts a lifetime. Don’t forget to update your contact information on the microchip every time there is a change in your contact information.

Whether you’re interested in welcoming a new cat or dog into your family, head on over to the RSPCA website for all the help and advice you’ll ever need. It’s well worth a visit.

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.

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

We cover the whole of South Essex.

Contact us for a free valuation on 01268 565555

Our Ethos & Values

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.

Tina Webster Management Accountant 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.

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.

Our Vision & Strategy

The residential estate agency market is increasingly populated by large corporations; nevertheless, our independent family-run Nicola Rattenberry estate agency continues to Operations Manager succeed and grow a loyal client & Administrator base, due to our core values, Nicola joined Fisks in January 2014 after ethos and flexible approach to graduating from the University of Winchester clients’ requirements. with a BA (Hons) First Class Degree in History and Creative Writing.

UNDERHILL ROAD, BENFLEET £850,000 Four Bedroom Detached Property Master Bedroom With Dressing Room Show Home Condition Throughout Balcony Overlooking Fantastic Views Two Fully Fitted Bathrooms Good Sized Garden With Hot Tub Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 565555

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STANLEY ROAD, BENFLEET GUIDE PRICE £395,000 £405,000 Four Bedroom Semi-Detached House Extended To Rear Separate Dining Room Modernised Fitted Kitchen With Granite Worktops Approximately 90ft Rear Garden Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 565555

BOULDREWOOD, BENFLEET £399,995 Three/Four Bedroom Detached Property Good Living Space Throughout Separate Dining Space Conservatory Ground Floor Cloakroom Sunny South Facing Rear Garden Energy Band – D

CALL 01268 565555

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CHURCH ROAD, BENFLEET GUIDE PRICE £279,995 £284,995 Two Bedroom Semi-Detached Chalet In Need Of Modernisation Utility Area Ground Floor Bathroom Good Sized Rear Garden Private Drive For Up To Four Vehicles Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 565555

IVY ROAD, BENFLEET £475,000 Modern Family Home Good Condition Throughout Fitted Kitchen Separate Dining Room Garage/Games Room Large Garden No Onward Chain Energy Band – C

CALL 01268 565555

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THE SPINNAKERS, BENFLEET £475,000 Four Double Bedroom Detached House Good Sized Lounge Double Shower En-Suite Width & A Half Garage Catchment To Good Schools Quiet Cul-De-Sac Energy Band – C

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!

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A NEW PET Whether you’re welcoming a cat or dog, it’s important to make your new family member welcome.

1. Time to take stock of your home We all know pets can have all types of curious personalities, now is the time to ask yourself , “what dangers does your house pose to your furry friend?”. Are there any areas of the house that might encourage bad behaviour? Take note of every room in the house and create a list of potential problem areas. Think about what issues you’re likely to encounter and how you can fend them off.

2. Clean well... very well Give your home a good clean before bringing a new pet into it. Firstly, you might be surprised by the kind of things that build up around the home as time passes by. A curious pet will explore every inch of your home and find anything you’ve forgotten about or left lying around. This could be something harmless like a pair of old socks, but it could also be significantly more dangerous if you’ve left some of those cleaning products out. Secondly, if you’ve already had a pet in your home, it will clean away any other animal scents and make your new family member feel extra welcome.

3. Buy new pet supplies Investing in new pet supplies and toys is something that’s often neglected. Make sure that you buy pet supplies before you actually bring your new pet home.

Whether you need to invest in a litter box or a dog bed, make sure you have everything you need well ahead of time and ensure that it’s accessible to your new pet.

4. Determine boundaries Will your new pet have the ability to run around the whole house? If not, then it’s a good idea to create boundaries before you have them doing so. Make sure you establish what spaces are accessible to them and what spaces aren’t early on. You can even invest in gates to section off restricted areas like upstairs or the kitchen. This is also a good time to decide if your pet will be allowed in your bed or on the furniture.

5. Check your appliances for faults Faulty appliances can be dangerous to not only humans, but pets too, especially puppies and kittens. Ensure that all of your appliances are in excellent condition and all electric cables are concealed well away. Curious cats and dogs may be tempted to chew on cables, which can result in burns, singed whiskers, or even something fatal. If you notice frayed wires around any of your appliances, have a service technician come out and repair the wires or buy some cable covers.

6. Pet proof all areas of your home Finally, make sure that your home is “pet proof”. This requires a bit of knowledge about what kinds of substances and materials could be harmful to your pets, all pets are different so do a bit of research here. Make sure that all food is stored away on high shelves, your cabinets close tightly, any ornaments or string lights that pets could get tangled up in are away, and make sure all doors are secure.

Once you’re pet proof, you’re ready to bring them home.

LEIGH BECK ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £250,000 Three Bedroom Semi-Detached Chalet Potential For Balcony Overlooking The Sea Wall Large Kitchen Tastefully Decorated Lounge Seafront Location Energy Band – D

CALL 01268 510510

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AZALEA MEWS, CANVEY ISLAND GUIDE PRICE £290,000 £300,000 Three Double Bedrooms Open Plan Lounge/Dining Area Downstairs Cloakroom Immaculately Presented Off Street Parking Close to Seafront Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 510510

BUREN AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND GUIDE PRICE £300,000 £325,000 Spacious Detached Family Home Three Bedrooms 20ft Lounge Easily Maintainable Rear Garden Off Street Parking Energy Band – E

CALL 01268 510510

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CRAVEN AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND GUIDE PRICE £300,000 £325,000 Detached House Three Double Bedrooms Sought After Location Opportunity To Extend (STPP) Two Gardens Off Street Parking & Garage Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 510510

GAFZELLE DRIVE, CANVEY ISLAND GUIDE PRICE £350,000 £375,000 Detached Chalet Four Double Bedrooms Three Bathrooms Spacious Kitchen/Diner Seafront Location Picturesque Garden Energy Band – D

CALL 01268 510510

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RAINBOW ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND GUIDE PRICE £380,000 £400,000 Detached Bungalow Three Bedrooms En-Suite To Master Large South Facing Garden 30ft Garage Off Street Parking Energy Band – Awaiting

CALL 01268 510510

HEALTHY DIETS FOR YOUR CAT OR DOG Ensuring that your cat or dog has a healthy balenced diet will keep your pet healthy and happy for many many years.

Owning a pet is a huge responsibility. Only a pet owner understands that having a pet is very similar to having a child - feeding them the right food and making sure they get enough exercise both play a huge part in a long and happy life. Here are some quick tips to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Without drinking water, your cat or dog could become severely ill within hours. Give them constant access to clean drinking water every day.

And please note, cow’s milk is NOT a substitute for water when it comes to cats, despite what you’ve heard and seen in movies.

Cats and dogs need a wellbalanced, meat-based diet to stay fit and healthy - they cannot be vegetarian. Make sure they have a balanced diet that is suitable for their age, weight, health status and lifestyle.

Most typical human foods do not meet the nutritional needs of cats and dogs, and some human foods, such as chocolate and onions, can even be poisonous to them so keep those type of foods well away.

Cats naturally eat several small meals per day - make sure you feed your cat every day and try to split their daily intake into several small meals. Dogs on the other hand need feeding at least once per day. But remember, as with all things, take the advice given to you by your vet.

If you provide a litter tray for your cat, make sure their food and water is positioned well away from it.

Most cats will not eat if their food is placed too close to their toilet site.

Make sure you take your dog out for frequent walks and play some ball games - it’s not only a great way to keep your dog healthy, but it also gets you moving too.

If you notice your cat or dog start to change their eating and drinking habits, it could be a sign they’re ill.

Take them to a vet as soon as you can to get them checked out.

Follow us on your favourite social media platform to keep up-to-date on everything Fisks

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