The property & lifestyle magazine brought to you by FISKS / Issue 77

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Spring has sprung Family proof your home Roadmap out of lockdown part 2 Benfleet new builds this month’s properties

CONTENTS SPRING HAS SPRUNG Now that spring is here, it’s the perfect time to make use of your outdoor space.

FAMILY PROOF YOUR HOME Follow our tips to family proof your home - and make it look good while doing so.

ROADMAP OUT OF LOCKDOWN PART 2 Read part 2 of the government’s plans to get us out of lockdown.

BENFLEET NEW BUILDS In case you missed them last month, 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

magazine Welcome to our new look Gateway magazine! We have had a bit of a rebrand recently but we still deliver the same great service you’d expect from us. By the time you read this, I’m sure you would have taken advantage of the new ‘rule of 6’ lockdown easing measures. Seeing your friends and family at a safe distance is a breath of fresh air for us all, but we must remember to stay safe and do the usual safety measures - make space, cover face, wash hands. If you have any questions regarding any of the properties in this month’s new look issue of Gateway then please do contact us.

John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director

Spring has sprung... Now that spring is here, it’s the perfect time to make use of your outdoor space.

Spring is officially here! The weather is warming up and the clocks have gone forward, which means there has never been a better time to get your garden ready to entertain or to simply just relax on your own. THE BASICS It’s time to tidy up and give your outdoor space a new lease of life - start by picking up any dead leaves and giving that grass a cut. If you’re lucky enough to have a decking or patio area then get yourself a pressure washer and spray away any dirty - this is a great investment and saves you getting on your hands and knees.

SAY GOODBYE TO THOSE WEEDS A lot of us struggle with our garden weeds from time to time, now is the time to buy a specifically designed weed control product. They don’t break the bank, and it will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.

GIVE YOUR GARDEN A PAINT Perhaps the biggest different you could do for your garden is to give the fences a quick paint. Most people forget to re-paint their fences, but giving them a new lick of paint will make your garden more bright and fresh, and will even create a talking point if you’re hosting.

PLANT, PLANT AND PLANT Whether you’re hosting or just relaxing by yourself, it’s always worthwhile to introduce new plants into your garden. Look out for flowers that create nice smells but remember to not overdo it if you suffer from hay fever - you don’t want to be sneezing all over your guests if you decide to have them around.

IT’S BARBECUE TIME If you’re planning on entertaining now that the weather is getting better then you can’t go wrong with barbecue food. If you’re buying a new barbecue then feel free to skip this step, but if you’re using the one you tossed aside just before winter, it’s time to dust down that barbecue and give it a good clean. Try heating it back up before the big day to remove any stuck-on food from past barbecues.

GARDEN FURNITURE - AKA THE BIG TALKING POINT We all love a good bit of garden furniture so now is the time to inspect your existing furniture and see if it can survive another year. If you’re a responsible garden furniture owner then you should have your cushions stored inside throughout the winter ready again for moments like this - just give them a quick wash with warm soapy water with a mild detergent to help remove any marks.

LET THERE BE LIGHT Never underestimate evening lights around your garden. Hanging a few fairy lights means people can continue the good times into the night. Even if you’re not entertaining guests, then hanging fairy lights for yourself outside is a great way to relax after a long day. Why not even try solar-powered lights to save on electric too.

Meet the team...

John Pring

Simon Pring

Ian Carey

Director

Director

Sales Manager

Harriet Plampton

Penny Ash

Nicola Rattenberry

Sales & Lettings Consultant

Property Manager

Director’s P.A.

Leanne Wright

Albie Poole

Tina Webster

Administration Manager

Junior Estate Agent

Management Accountant

FISKS.CO.UK

We cover the whole of South Essex. Contact us for a free valuation on 01268 565555

Perry Goodwin Digital Marketing Manager

Our Vision & Strategy

Ben Nelson Junior Estate Agent

Kerrie Watts 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.

FEATURED PROPERTIES

CRESCENT ROAD, BENFLEET £975,000 Luxury Five Bedroom Detached Property In South Benfleet Balcony Off Master Bedroom Show Home Condition Throughout Five En-Suites Landscaped Garden Backs On To Boyce Hill Golf Club

CALL 01268 565555

FISKS.CO.UK

HOMEFIELDS AVENUE, BENFLEET (PLOT) PRICE UPON APPLICATION Planning Submitted For Two Four Bedroom Detached Properties Plot Located In Sought After Street In South Benfleet The Two Properties Have Over 2000 Square Feet Of Floor Space Close To Train Station With Lines Straight To Fenchurch Street, London

CALL 01268 565555

FEATURED PROPERTIES

WOODLANDS, BENFLEET £210,000 Show Home One Bedroom Penthouse Apartment For Sale Fantastic Condition Throughout Allocated Parking 122 Year Lease Modern Living Close To Train Station Perfect For First Time Buyers

CALL 01268 565555

FISKS.CO.UK

TIMBERLOG LANE, BASILDON £475,000 Refurbished Two Bedroom Bungalow Situated On A Large Plot Show Home Condition Large Rear Garden En-Suite Conservatory Four Piece Family Bathroom

CALL 01268 565555

FEATURED PROPERTIES

LONDON ROAD, BENFLEET £170,000 Over 55’S Development Good Condition Throughout First Floor, One Bedroom Apartment 60 Years Left On Lease Walk In Shower Room Stair Lift (If Wanted) Parking On Development

CALL 01268 565555

FISKS.CO.UK

BRADLEY CLOSE, BENFLEET £610,000 Four Bedroom Detached Property Very Good Condition Throughout Large Bedrooms Luxury Fitted Kitchen Utility Room Sought After Location

CALL 01268 565555

Family proof your home... Follow our tips to family proof your home - and make it look good while doing so.

Because you want to family proof your home doesn’t mean you have to have a sea of toys on the floor or childish colour palettes throughout the house - if done correctly you can keep your home clean, stylish and in order. LIVING ROOM We spend most of our time in the living room so choose surfaces that can stand up to a hectic family life. Choose a raw-wood table as it will be able to stand knocks - and any marks on its appearance will just add to its character. When sofa shopping, pick a sofa with washable covers just in case there’s a spill... and there probably will be.

Why not even buy a few footstools too that can act as an overflow seating option for when the kids have their friends around. Make sure you have plenty of storage for games and books - putting a basket somewhere in the room is great when you need a quick tidy.

DINING ROOM It’s time to ditch dust-gathering open shelves in the dining room and display your plates or belongings inside a more practical modern glazed unit instead. If you or your kids suffer from any dust allergies, this could greatly help with health.

Now is the perfect time to give your dining room a more stylish look too - why not add bright contemporary easy-to-clean dining chairs into the room to make your post diner cleaning easier.

BEDROOMS It’s no secret that every kid sees every floor surface as a play area. If you keep finding toys on the floor, or keep having the unfortunate accident of stepping on one on the way to the loo in the middle of the night, now is the time to invest in a toy trunk. Place a toy trunk at the end of the bed to quickly throw toys inside before bedtime.

BATHROOM Having a towel rack within arm’s reach of the bath should be essential for all adults with kids. Being able to dry off your kid easily before they drip water all over the bathroom floor saves you moping the floor after.

For safety, buy a medicine cabinet or free standing lockable unit to keep harmful products out of reach of children. Placing harmful products on the floor or in a reachable place is an obvious thing that should be avoided.

HOME OFFICE If you’re one of the many people working from home for the foreseeable future then buy a lock for your office door as soon as possible - having the little ones come in and mess up your work space is not a risk you should take. If you’re not lucky enough to have your own office space but have to instead share it with the family then opt for furniture with lockable storage. Always keep your laptop and other work stuff in a safe place when not being used - a spill on your laptop is the perfect start to a bad day.

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.

FISKS.CO.UK

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

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...

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

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.

“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

Inventories - protect your deposit with a professional inventory, including time stamped photographs. Inspection - allay your fears that your asset is being looked after.

“Fantastic team that pulled out all the stops and helped every step of the way. Friendly pleasant staff.”

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

- Mrs S Sheavyn

Accurate accounting - from monthly statements to overseas landlords, to expenditure and income, we hold all the information the accountant will need.

... come and put us to the test!

Gas certificates and EPCs - keep your property complying with the law.

FEATURED PROPERTIES

ASH ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £485,000 Large 4 Bedroom Detached Family Home Amazing Living Space Of 2000sqft 4 Large Square Double Bedrooms 40ft South Facing Garden Garage And Multiple Car Drive

CALL 01268 510510

FISKS.CO.UK

HERTFORD ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £268,000 2 Bed Detached Bungalow 14ft Kitchen Great Buy To Let Investment New Double Glazing Throughout Quiet Road End Of Chain Great Location

CALL 01268 510510

FEATURED PROPERTIES

ZELHAM DRIVE, CANVEY ISLAND £270,000 Three Bedroom Semi Detached Bungalow New Boiler New Roof Great First Time Buy Off Street Parking Close To Shops And Local Bus Routes

CALL 01268 510510

FISKS.CO.UK

VAN DIEMENS PASS, CANVEY ISLAND £270,000 2 Bed Detached Bungalow Nicely Decorated Throughout 2 Double Bedrooms Move Straight In Generous Garden Space Off Street Parking With Potential For More

CALL 01268 510510

FEATURED PROPERTIES

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

CALL 01268 510510

FISKS.CO.UK

KINGS PARK, CANVEY ISLAND £175,000 Open To Offers Good Size 2 Bed Park Home With En-Suite Larger Than Average Plot With Raised Patio New Shower And Electric Radiators Lots Of Parking Directly In Front Of Home

CALL 01268 510510

Roadmap out of lockdown part 2... Read part 2 of the government’s plans to get us out of lockdown.

In last month’s issue we gave you the government’s first two steps out of lockdown - in this month’s issue we continue on the government’s road map by exploring the last two steps out of lockdown. (All information is correct at time of writing, but do stay upto-date with all the latest restrictions on the gov.uk website.) Step 3: From Monday, 17 May • You can meet who you like outdoors, but you can’t meet people in a group of over 30 people. • Restaurants, cafés and pubs will be able to serve people sitting at a table inside. • Other indoor places will also open - places like cinemas, children’s play areas, hotels and bed and breakfast places. • Some larger outdoor sports and shows will be able to have people watching. • Up to 30 people will be able to go to weddings, funerals and events to remember someone. • The Government will also be looking at whether it is okay to be closer to people.

Step 4: If all is still goes well, step 4 will start on Monday, 21 June • The government hope to remove all the remaining rules that are stopping people from getting together. • Nightclubs will open and large events will be able to take place.

Let’s all do our part and get out of lockdown once and for all • Wash your hands more often • Be careful not to touch your face • Give people extra space • Let fresh air in whenever possible • Get tested • Get the vaccine when it’s offered to you

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

Benfleet new builds.

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.