Fisks Gateway issue 78

The property & lifestyle magazine brought to you by FISKS / Issue 78

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Décor ideas for small living rooms Getting the kids playing outdoors again Helping your dog back to normality Benfleet new builds This month’s properties

CONTENTS DÉCOR IDEAS FOR SMALL LIVING ROOMS Just because you have a small living room doesn’t mean you can’t make it look spacious and stylish.

GETTING THE KIDS PLAYING OUTDOORS AGAIN Follow our tips to help your kids get playing outdoors again after the tough times we’ve all faced.

HELPING YOUR DOG BACK TO NORMALITY At Fisks, we know how important your pets are to you. We’ve put together a few tips to help you and your pet through the next few months of change.

BENFLEET NEW BUILDS In case you missed them last month, discover a beautiful collection of spacious one and twobedroom 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 Zoopla have recently released their market briefing and have confirmed that the current boom in the housing market will continue despite the Stamp Duty holiday coming to an end soon.

Having put their lives on hold over the last 12 months, people are now deciding to get on with their lives now that the country has hopefully seen the worst of Covid-19. If you are considering putting your home on the market then there really has never been a better time, buyers are extremely eager to buy and make their next more.

If you have any questions regarding any of the properties in this month’s issue of Gateway then please do contact us. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director

DÉCOR IDEAS FOR SMALL LIVING ROOMS...

Just because you have a small living room doesn’t mean you can’t make it look spacious and stylish.

Like the kitchen, the living room is often considered to be the heart of the home. After all, it’s where we all tend to spend the most time - there’s nothing like grabbing a book and putting your feet up after a long day. We use the living to socialise and entertaining more than any other room in the house, but if your living room is lacking square footage, you will constantly be finding it difficult to achieve a stylish look that is both practical and comfortable. Our following tips aim to help you address some of your small living room problems.

CHOOSE A WHITE PALETTE We all know that white makes the room feel more airy and spacious, but don’t be afraid to use different shades of white/light grey to mix it up a little and add a different kind of depth to the room.

MIRROR MIRROR Quickly create the illusion of a bigger room by placing well placed mirrors throughout. Layer mirrors onto small cabinets to instantly give a more lived-in look to the room.

SEATING AND STORAGE With plenty of choice out there, there’s never been a better time to incorporate seating and storage together.

TIME TO PURCHASE A BAR CART A bar cart is the perfect addition to any small living room - not only are they perfect for entertaining, but they are perfect for a floral arrangement or sculpture.

CREATE A FOCAL POINT No matter the size of the room, never underestimate the benefit of a focal point in the room. Whether it’s a shelf with a show stopping art piece on, a piece of hanging art, or even a wild wallpaper on a single wall, you can’t go wrong with a focal point.

MULTI-PURPOSE FURNITURE You must be careful if you’re choosing things such as a coffee table for a small room. If you’re picking a coffee table then make sure it’s multipurpose and has storage space incorporated - it will stop you from throwing your stuff under the coffee table, which is never a good look for any small living room.

HIDE THAT TV If you own a bookcase that lives in the living room, then make a spot for your TV among the rest of your décor. It will add more visual appeal to the room and save you from having to make room for a TV stand.

INTRODUCE YOUR PERSONALITY If you’re going with our suggested white palette you may find yourself wanting to introduce a bit more colour or personality into the room. By simply hanging fabrics over things such as your seating choice is a great way to introduce colour and personality.

Meet the team...

John Pring Director

Simon Pring Director

Ian Carey Sales Manager

Harriet Plampton Sales & Lettings Consultant

Penny Ash Property Manager

Nicola Rattenberry Director’s P.A.

Leanne Wright Administration Manager

Albie Poole Junior Estate Agent

Tina Webster 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

Ben Nelson Junior Estate Agent

Kerrie Watts Property Consultant

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.

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

CALL 01268 565555

FISKS.CO.UK

SAXONVILLE, BENFLEET £550,000 Four Bedroom Detached Property Sought After, South Benfleet, Cul-De-Sac Show Home Condition Four Piece Family Bathroom Dining Room Four Double Bedrooms, With En Suite To Master

CALL 01268 565555

FEATURED PROPERTIES

UPLANDS ROAD, BENFLEET £699,995 Large Five Bedroom Detached Property Good Condition Throughout Study Large Reception Room/Sixth Bedroom Double Garage 120ft long Garden

CALL 01268 565555

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CHURCH ROAD, BENFLEET £485,000 Four Bedroom Detached Property Modernized Throughout Ground Floor Cloakroom Family Bathroom Garage And Private Driveway Catchment To Good Schools

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FEATURED PROPERTIES

HIGHLANDS ROAD, BOWERS GIFFORD £350,000 Four Bedroom Chalet Style Property Potential To Improve Good Sized Plot Bedrooms On Both Floors Parking At The Front 100ft Long Rear Garden South Facing Garden

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BRIGHTWELL AVENUE, WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA £199,995 Two Bedroom First Floor Apartment Located Close To The Town Center Freehold Balcony On Road Parking Includes A Share Of The Freehold

CALL 01268 565555

GETTING THE KIDS PLAYING OUTDOORS AGAIN...

Follow our tips to help your kids get playing outdoors again after the tough times we’ve all faced.

It’s been a tough time for us all - and your kids not being able to play outside with their friends has no doubt affected their self-confidence. It’s more important than ever to get your kids playing outside again now that the weather is warming up. We have put together a few tips to help your kids, and yourself, have fun outdoors again.

GET THEM IN THE GARDEN If you haven’t already, get them excited to go into the garden again by using sports equipment such as footballs or even get a trampoline to maximise the fun. You could even plant flowers with them or do the garden chores together - any help is good help, but just make sure you have a cleaning station at the ready before the kids enter the house again.

GET EXPLORING Going beyond your garden is sure to be fun for the little ones. Most of us have fond memories of going out with our parents on little adventures when we were kids, so find local fields, beaches, woodlands, gardens, and even rivers and watch their faces light up. Bring the camera and make it a memory.

BRING ON THE WATER FUN Now that the weather is (fingers crossed) changing for the better, there’s never been a better time to invest in a paddling pool for the little ones. Why not even get the hose out and turn those sprinklers on to add to the fun. Have fun AND cool down during those summer months - win win!

BRING INDOORS TO OUTDOORS To help with both physical and mental health, try bringing normal everyday indoor activities such as reading or colouring outdoors. Bring the whole family outside and enjoy a family board game - there’s nothing like a bit of fresh air when that sun is shining... for both you and your kids.

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

LARUP AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND £350,000 3 Bedroom Detached House Traditional Family Home 20ft Lounge 3 Double Bedrooms Double Glazed Throughout Attached Garage Off Street Parking

CALL 01268 510510

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BARBARA AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND £390,000 2 Bedroom Detached Bungalow Show Home Condition With Great Layout New Boiler, Windows And Insulation Large 17ft Conservatory Desirable Road Modern Kitchen And Bathroom Great Location

CALL 01268 510510

FEATURED PROPERTIES

LONG ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £300,000 Three Bedroom Link Detached House Large Kitchen/Diner Two Double Bedrooms Large Plot Potential To Extend Cul-De-Sac

CALL 01268 510510

FISKS.CO.UK

OXFORD ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £280,000 Two Bed Detached Garage Conversion For Second Bedroom Additional 8ft Extension Accross The Rear 17ft Kitchen, 15ft Lounge, 19ft Bedroom Lovely Condition

CALL 01268 510510

FEATURED PROPERTIES

WELBECK ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £280,000 2 Bedroom Semi Detached Bungalow 2 Double Bedrooms 18ft Lounge Seperate Dining Room 60ft Garden New Kitchen And Bathroom Recently Renovated

CALL 01268 510510

FISKS.CO.UK

KINGS PARK, CANVEY ISLAND £210,000 Spacious Double Plot Gas Central Heating En-Suite To Master Spacious Living Accommodation Immaculately Kept Recently Redecorated Double Glazed Throughout

CALL 01268 510510

HELPING YOUR DOG BACK TO NORMALITY...

At Fisks, we know how important your pets are to you. We’ve put together a few tips to help you and your pet through the next few months of change.

Many of us have been spending more time at home recently due to the ongoing pandemic, but with the return to normality finally happening, it’s time to get yourself and your pet prepared for the next steps…

It’s going to be difficult for us not seeing our pets all day now we’re probably used to it, but how do our pets feel? Some pets LOVE the company, others would prefer a more quiet life, while new puppies will have a shock to their system as having you around all the time is all they know. In a recent survey, 39% of pet owners are concerned about the effects that lockdown has had on their pet, and 16% said they are worried with what the next few months hold for them. Cats may welcome the change as they often want peace and quiet as they sleep most of their day, but dogs tend to develop a strong attachment to you when you’re around more often.

You won’t know if your dog has separation issues after lockdown until you go back to work, or leave them along for longer than usual. If you’ve previously had problems with your dog in the past then you should expect some separation issues.

Things to look out for when you leave you dog alone…

Do they show a change in behaviour? Does your dog pant, pace or whine when they see you getting ready to head out for the day.

Are they barking or howling? It’s not unusual for dogs to bark or howl, but if you’ve noticed they are doing it more often then it could be a sign.

Do you find random new scratch or chew marks? Finding scratch or chew marks, particularly on places like your furniture could be a sign of distress. Marks on window frames or doors could indicate that your dog has tried to escape.

Ways to help you and your dog through the next few months…

Start by leaving your dog home alone again for short periods of time.

Popping out for a coffee or visiting the local shop gets your dog slowly used to you not being around all the time. Doing this will let your dog know that even if you’re not in sight, you will return to them.

Introduce a morning walk. Giving them a bit of morning exercise can help them relax throughout the day and settle their nerves. We all love to just sit down after a bit of exercise, and dogs are no different.

If they didn’t have one before lockdown, now is the perfect time to introduce a “dog space” - a place where they feel safe and comfortable by placing their bed and toys, and even food at.

Encourage your dog to play independently with their toys. Why not even treat them to an interactive toy that dispenses treats? There are plenty on the market which are reasonably cheap to buy.

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 twobedroom 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.