Fisks Gateway issue 76

Gateway

THE PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY FISKS | ISSUE 76

STAMP DUTY HOLIDAY EXTENDED

inside this issue STAMP DUTY HOLIDAY EXTENSION 5% DEPOSIT MORTGAGES ROADMAP OUT OF LOCKDOWN BENFLEET NEW BUILDS PLUS THIS MONTH’S PROPERTIES

CONTENTS STAMP DUTY HOLIDAY EXTENSION

We take a look at the extended stamp duty holiday rates.

5% DEPOSIT MORTGAGES

We breakdown the newly announced 5% deposit scheme.

ROADMAP OUT OF LOCKDOWN

We take a closer look at the government’s four-step roadmap out of lockdown. Part 1 of 2.

BENFLEET NEW BUILDS

Discover a beautiful collection of spacious one and two-bedroom family apartments on the edge of Benfleet.

THIS MONTH’S PROPERTIES

As always, we have some amazing properties for you to take a look at this month.

Welcome to our Gateway magazine...

John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director

Since the last issue of Gateway, we’ve had a number of big announcements from the roadmap out of lockdown, to the stamp duty holiday extension, and even an amazing 5% deposit mortgage scheme. The announcement of the roadmap out of lockdown and other restrictions has given hope to many - if all goes according to the government’s plan, we could see the end of all restrictions on Monday 21st of June. We must all hang in there and do what needs to be done to get through this once and for all.

In this issue of Gateway, we look at the stamp duty holiday extension, the 5% deposit mortgage scheme, and we start to breakdown the roadmap out of lockdown for you. We also take another look at our new builds in Benfleet in case you missed it last month, and show you just a small selection of our properties.

Enjoy! And be safe out there!

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STAMP DUTY HOLIDAY EXTENSION

We take a look at the extended stamp duty holiday rates.

As you probably know by now, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the stamp duty holiday until the end of June 2021, which will then be tapered until the end of September. This is a huge relief for those home buyers who were struggling to complete on their transactions before the first deadline.

The extended stamp duty holiday means that there is no tax on the first £500,000 of property purchases in England and Northern Ireland until June 30. Then, from June 30 until September 30, tapering will mean no stamp duty will be charged on a residential property bought for up to £250,000. Those homebuyers who were struggling to complete on their transactions before the first deadline can still potentially save up to £15,000.

The extended stamp duty holiday rates until June 30 Up to £500,000 - you pay no stamp duty £500,001 to £925,000 – you pay 5% £925,001 to £1.5m – you pay 10% Above £1.5m – you pay 12%

For an example, if you were a buyer who wanted to purchase a house for £520,000, you’d ordinarily be looking at a huge stamp duty bill of £11,000. But thanks to this temporary change in the rules, you’d only be expected to pay £1,000. That’s a big saving that could go towards the deposit of your home… or home improvements… or even that holiday you’ve been dreaming of (when it’s safe to leave the country of course)…

Since the stamp duty holiday was first announced, house sales increased to their highest level since before the 2007 financial crisis, according to the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS). But property portal, Rightmove, has said that over 400,000 sales agreed in 2020 remain in the legal process, and around 100,000 would struggle to complete without an extension. By extending the deadline to June, the government hopes it will give enough time for homebuyers to complete their deals.

The stamp duty holiday has been a lifeline for the property market during the national lockdowns, there has been a huge increase in demand on the portals such as Rightmove too. If you’re planning on making that big move, or want to buy your dream home, there is no better time to do it than now.

Make the most of the stamp duty holiday by calling us now.

MEET THE TEAM

John Pring Director

Simon Pring Director

Harriet Plampton Sales & Lettings Consultant

Penny Ash Property Manager

Leanne Wright Administration Manager

Albie Poole Junior Estate Agent

Our Vision & Strategy 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.

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We cover the whole of South Essex.

Contact us for a free valuation on 01268 565555

Ian Carey Sales Manager

Nicola Rattenberry Director’s P.A.

Tina Webster Management Accountant

Perry Goodwin Digital Marketing Manager

Kerrie Watts Property Consultant

Ben Nelson Junior Estate Agent

WINCOAT DRIVE, SOUTH BENFLEET £470,000 Four Bedroom Detached Property Good Sized Property Close To Train Station And High Road Sought After Street Fantastic Condition Throughout Ground Floor Cloakroom Kitchen-Diner

CALL 01268 565555

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MUIRWAY, BENFLEET £225,000 Two Bed First Floor Maisonette Minor Refurbishment Required Communal Garden Perfect For Buyers Looking To Put Their Own Mark On A Property Sought-After Location Garage And Parking Kitchen-Diner

CALL 01268 565555

CRESCENT ROAD, SOUTH BENFLEET £975,000 Luxury Five Bedroom Detached Property Balcony Off Master Bedroom Five En-Suites Landscaped Garden Backs On To Boyce Hill Golf Club Open Plan Kitchen/Dining Room/ Lounge

CALL 01268 565555

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HAINAULT AVENUE, WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA £325,000 Three Bedroom Semi Detached Property Great Living Space Throughout Two Reception Rooms Purpose Built Bar/Games Room In Rear Garden Close To Shops And Local Amenities Good Sized Bedrooms

CALL 01268 565555

BARTLEY ROAD, BENFLEET £425,000 Large Two Bedroom Detached Bungalow Development Opportunity Extended Garage Two Large Double Bedrooms Big Kitchen Diner Separate Dining Room Wrap Around Garden

CALL 01268 565555

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COPPER BEECHES, BENFLEET £375,000 Three Bedroom Link Detached Property For Sale Cul-De-Sac Ground Floor Cloakroom Good Living Space Throughout Lounge/Diner Close To Rayleigh Town Centre Well Maintained Throughout

CALL 01268 565555

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 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.

At Fisks, we believe we have all your marketing needs covered to get you SOLD!

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Our Ethos & Values 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.

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!

5% DEPOSIT MORTGAGES

We breakdown the newly announced 5% deposit scheme.

As well as announcing the stamp duty holiday extension, Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced a 5% deposit scheme. The scheme will involve the government offering a guarantee to banks to encourage them to offer 95% mortgages, helping people buy a home with a 5% deposit.

The scheme will run from April 2021 to December 2022, with new and existing properties priced up to £600,000 all eligible.

For example, if you wanted to buy a house worth £200,000 with a 95% mortgage, you would put down £10,000 of your own money and borrow the remaining £190,000.

The scheme, which will be available to lenders from April, will be available to current homeowners as well as first-time buyers looking to buy a house for up to £600,000. Under this amazing scheme, the Government will take on some of the risk when it comes to low deposit loans, meaning lenders would have some protection from potential losses. Lenders such as Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, HSBC and Barclays will be offering 95% mortgages from that April date - Virgin Money is also expected to join the mentioned lenders at a later date.

If you’re wondering how much you could borrow - you could hypothetically borrow up to five times your salary (or combined salary if you’re buying with someone else) with a 95% mortgage. As an example, if you had saved a 5% deposit of £10,000 for a £200,000 home, you’d usually need a salary of at least £38,000 (or a combined salary of the same amount for a couple) to be able to borrow the remaining £190,000. Don’t forget though, the amount you’ll be able to borrow will depending on the lender and your personal circumstances.

The Chancellor wants to turn “generation rent to generation buy”, and these latest announcements have made it easier than ever to own your own home.

Do not miss out on these savings, contact Fisks today and get started.

MEYEL AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND £334,777 3 Bed Detached House 23ft Lounge/Diner Double Glazed Throughout Off Street Parking For 3 Cars Central Canvey Location Traditional Family Home Attached Garage

CALL 01268 510510

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HIGH STREET, CANVEY ISLAND £210,000 Large Three Bedroom 1st Floor Flat Huge Lounge 17ft Lounge 17ft Master Bedroom Two Additional Double Bedrooms Modern Fitted Kitchen Sky Garden Superb Location

CALL 01268 510510

MAGNOLIA CLOSE, CANVEY ISLAND £500,000 4/5 Bedroom Detached House Large Conservatory Extension Studio/Gym Room Large Corner Plot High Spec’ Family Kitchen With Island Thorney Bay Location Beautifully Decorated

CALL 01268 510510

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CONVENT ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £349,995 Spacious Three Bedroom Detached Bungalow Large Lounge Stunning Conservatory Off Of The Kitchen 17ft Garage Space Moments Away From Canvey’s Town Centre Offered With No Onward Chain

CALL 01268 510510

EASTERN ESPLANADE, CANVEY ISLAND £349,995 Three Bedroom Detached House Perfect Family Home Lounge/Diner With Sea Wall Views Large Conservatory Seafront Location Upside Down House Detached Garage

CALL 01268 510510

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KINGS PARK HOMES, CANVEY ISLAND £185,000 Good Size 2 Bed Park Home With En-Suite Larger Than Average Plot With Raised Patio Walk In Wardrobe Lots Of Parking Directly In Front Of Home New Shower And Electric Radiators Great Central Location

CALL 01268 510510

ROADMAP OUT OF LOCKDOWN

We take a closer look at the government’s four-step roadmap out of lockdown. Part 1 of 2.

With all the do this, don’t do that, but do this again, it’s been difficult to fully understand the goings on of national and local restrictions over the last year. It’s time to look at the government’s four-step roadmap out of lockdown so we’re all on the same page. (Information is correct at time of writing - always check local and national restrictions) Step 1: From Monday, 8 March What happens with schools, colleges and universities?

• Children and students will go back to school.

• Children at secondary schools and colleges will be tested to see if they have COVID-19, twice a week.

• Teachers will also be tested.

Can I meet people outdoors from Monday, 8 March?

• You can go out for leisure or exercise with people in your household (meaning the people you live with), or people in your support bubble (this is when a person on their own joins up with another household), or 1 person who is not in your household or support bubble.

• People who live in a care home will be allowed 1 visitor.

• You should still keep 2 metres away from people.

Still in step 1, things change again on Monday, 29 March • From Monday, 29 March you will be able to meet in groups of 6 people, outside - including in a private garden.

• Meet in groups of 2 households.

• Outdoor sports places will open up again - like tennis or basketball courts, and open air swimming pools.

• You should still stay at home as much as you can still.

• You should work from home if you can.

• You won’t be able to travel abroad.

• You should still keep 2 metres away from people.

If things go to plan, step 2 will start on Monday, 12 April • Hairdressers and nail salons will open.

• Libraries and community centres will open.

• Zoos and theme parks will also open their doors.

• Drive-in cinemas are free to open.

• Campsites and holiday cottages can open for business.

Other places will also open on Monday, 12 April but with some restrictions in place • Indoor gyms will open up - but you must go on your own or with people in your household.

• Restaurants, cafés and pubs will be able to serve people sitting at a table outside. You should keep to your household group or bubble.

What about funerals and weddings from Monday, 12 April?

• You will be able to have 30 people at a funeral and up to 15 people at a wedding, or an event to remember someone.

• You should still keep 2 metres away from people.

Join us again next month when we’ll continue to cover the government’s four-step roadmap out of lockdown.

BENFLEET NEW BUILDS

Discover a beautiful collection of spacious one and two-bedroom family apartments on the edge of Benfleet.

As Benfleet’s leading local property experts, Fisks are proud to be the sole agent of the Forest View development. Fisks has been helping individuals and families find a place to call home in the area for over 50 years.

Forest View is unlike any new-build development you’ve seen before.

Built over five floors, the development contains 24 distinctive one and two-bedroom apartments. Each one of these spacious new family homes has a completely individual layout. So, while the finish is uniformly excellent throughout, every apartment comes with its own unique charm. Which one will become your future home?

With bright and modern open-plan living areas, high-end Beko kitchens, modern bathrooms, plenty of storage and landscaped communal areas, Forest View is so much more than a collection of apartments; it’s a place to call home.

Located just off Bread and Cheese Hill and within touching distance of South Benfleet’s excellent amenities, Forest View boasts an enviable position. It’s perfect for commuters, first-time buyers, new families or anyone looking to escape the bustle of the city and find a place to call their own.

OVERVIEW Forest View is a privately managed collection of 24 desirable modern apartments located just outside of Benfleet. The development has been thoughtfully designed to maximise space, built to the highest standards and is complemented by immaculately landscaped communal areas.

Each apartment comes with a 10-year warranty and a 199-year lease.

Ground rent is charged at £150 per annum for one-bed apartments and £200 for two-bed apartments, and is subject to a 25-year review based on RPI. A SPECIFICATION FOR MODERN LIVING We’ve chosen a finish that suits everyone’s tastes and ensures that every apartment is light, airy and ready for you to infuse your personality. Quality is guaranteed at Forest View, and to that end, your new home will benefit from things such as modern, spacious living areas with carpets throughout, high-end kitchen complete with Beko appliances, quartz worktops, Celsius bathroom with a 15-year warranty finished with Italian porcelain tiles and versatile storage space.

To register your interest in the Forest View development please contact Fisks today. Head on over to www.fisks.co.uk to view the full brochure.

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

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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