Fisks Gateway issue 85

The property & lifestyle magazine brought to you by FISKS / Issue 85

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Make your very own Christmas wreath The dos and don’ts for a pet friendly Christmas dinner Your next New Year’s Resolution Benfleet new builds show home flats now available to view This month’s properties

CONTENTS MAKE YOUR VERY OWN CHRISTMAS WREATH Follow our step by step guide to make your very own special wreath.

THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR A PET FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS DINNER What your four legged friends can and cannot eat.

YOUR NEXT NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION We try helping you find the new you.

BENFLEET NEW BUILDS - SHOW HOME FLATS NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW In case you missed them last month, discover a beautiful collection of spacious one and twobedroom family apartments on the edge of Benfleet.

Welcome to our

magazine As we all prepare for our Christmas celebrations, a reminder that Covid-19 is still about, and with the new variant coming into play recently, it’s still important we take caution when viewing properties.

December usual means a slow month for the property market, but that being said, I can still remember selling a house on Christmas Eve. The buyers that are looking are really motivated. This active market is set for the new year - the internet has created a new tradition of house hunting on Boxing Day. More than any other day of the year, Boxing Day sees the most activity on portals.

So, if you are thinking of moving in the new year then instruct Fisks now to take advantage of the Christmas rush.

I wish you a very happy and healthy New Year!

John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director

MAKE YOUR VERY OWN CHRISTMAS WREATH...

Follow our step by step guide to make your very own special wreath.

So, you have your tree up, your Christmas ornaments out for the world to see, but there’s something missing? A Christmas wreath perhaps?

Christmas wreaths can cost a small fortune if you’re fussy, and even then there’s always something you want to change on it. Well, this year can be different, instead of searching for one in the shops, why not make your very own? If done with your children or grandchildren, it will also be a fun task for all involved. Let’s get started…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• A pair of gloves (or two pairs if someone’s joining you).

• Thin wire bent into a large circle (can be bought from your local crafting shop).

• Thin twine or gardening wire (can also be bought from your local crafting shop).

• Evergreen foliage (ivy, conifers and spruce all work very well).

• Decorative flowers, pine cones and extra foliage such as moss and even traditional Christmastime fruits like oranges and clementines. Use anything that takes your fancy… this is your creation after all.

INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1 Begin by twisting your evergreen foliage around the metal circle - always try keeping the leaves facing outwards as you wrap the stem of the them around it. Tie in place using twine or gardening wire, and then continue placing leaves around the circle until you have the whole metal circle covered. Depending on how thick your evergreen foliage is, you may want to go back around the metal circle two or three times if needed.

STEP 2 It’s not uncommon to see empty spots around your metal circle when you’ve finished adding your leaves, so we recommended adding moss to the circle wherever needed to bulk it up a little - tucking the moss between the leaves should keep it in place, but if not, feel free to tie it just like you did with the leaves.

STEP 3 This is where the fun truly starts. It’s time to add some colour - whatever colour scheme you’ve chosen (if any), always make sure that your chosen flowers are well secure - being on the heavy side, not securing them properly using twine or gardening wire could mean the whole thing coming to crashing mess on the ground on day one.

STEP 4 This is another fun step, and is often the favourite. Finish off your masterpiece with your chosen pine cones and Christmastime fruits. To make your wreath pop even more, why not spray paint your cones gold or silver, or even with fake snow in a can? Use your imagination to turn heads and welcome your Christmas guests.

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

Kerrie Watts Property Consultant

Ben Nelson 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.

FEATURED PROPERTIES

KINGS MEADE, WESTCLIFF ON SEA £130,000 First Floor Over 55 Development Sought After Location As Just A Short Walk From The Shops Great Views From The Living Room Double Glazed Communal Lounge Area & Laundry Room

CALL 01268 565555

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SOANE STREET, BASILDON £295,000 Three Bedroom Semi detached Property Kitchen - Diner With Office Area Ground floor Cloakroom Private Parking Perfect For First Time Buyers Or Families

CALL 01268 565555

FEATURED PROPERTIES

WATLINGTON ROAD, SOUTH BENFLEET £369,995 Two Bedroom Extended Semi Detached Bungalow Show Home Condition Refitted Shower Room Close To Fields Good Sized Plot Walking Distance To Shops And Train Station

CALL 01268 565555

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FOREST VIEW, BENFLEET £230,000 One Bedroom Lower Ground Floor Apartment Prestigious Development In Benfleet Good Living Space Throughout Call Fisks For More Details

CALL 01268 565555

FEATURED PROPERTIES

ELM GREEN, BASILDON £220,000 Three Bedrooms No Onward Chain Courtyard/Balcony Communal Parking Close Proximity To Pitsea Shops & Train Station

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FOREST VIEW, BENFLEET £299,995 Brand New, Large Two Bedroom Apartment Available Available Early Next Year Built In Kitchen Appliances Spacious Living Accommodation En-suite To Master Bedroom

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THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR A PET FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS DINNER...

What your four legged friends can and cannot eat.

It’s always nice when you see family members stuffing their faces with your cooked Christmas dinner - but what about your other “family members”? Here is a list of our dos and don’ts when letting your cats and dogs have their share of the Christmas dinner. (Remember, all these suggestions must be given in moderation.)

FOOD DOS: CHRISTMAS TURKEY It’s fair to say that the Christmas turkey is the pièce de résistance when it comes to Christmas dinner. Your four legged friend can enjoy a small amount of turkey as long as the pieces are boneless, skinless and free from gravy or other marinades which can upset your pet’s stomach.

POTATOES Another classic that can be shared. Again, feed your pet a small amount as they are starchy. Make sure they are plain potatoes - keep that butter and salt far away.

WINTER VEGETABLES Vegetables such as carrots, green beans, brussels sprouts, courgettes, parsnips, broccoli, spinach and cauliflower are not only tasty for you and your guests, but they’re also great for your pet. Rinse off any excess butter or oil before giving them to your furry friends.

FOOD DON’TS: CHOCOLATE AND SWEETS You probably know this by now but there’s no harm in reminding you never ever give your pets chocolate, as it’s extremely dangerous for them and can often be fatal. Keep all of those Christmas chocolates out of reach and stored away - especially advent calendars as both cats and dogs can easily get into them.

GRAPES, RAISINS, CURRANTS AND SULTANAS Even in very small amounts, fruits such as grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas can be extremely toxic for both cats and dogs. If digested, these fruits can cause pets to experience vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, kidney failure. Other food such as mince pies, Christmas puddings and fruit cakes all contain one or more of the mentioned dried fruits too, so keep them well away from your pets.

COOKED BONES Not only are they a choking hazard, once animal bones have been cooked they become brittle and can splinter - which, will lead them causing damage to your pet’s throat, stomach and intestines. Ensure there are no little bones in the meat you feed your cat or dog.

NUTS Despite being a go-to classic Christmas snack, macadamia nuts and walnuts are dangerous to pets and can seriously affect their digestive, muscle and nervous systems. Keep nuts in a small bowl well out of reach to any climbing cats or jumping dogs.

If your pet does accidentally eat something they shouldn’t, consult your vet as soon as possible, even if they seem fine.

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.

YOUR NEXT NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION...

We try helping you find the new you.

Your plans for the year ahead have probably already started - and who can blame you, the new year (and new you) is just a few weeks away now. Let’s get your New Year’s Resolution off to the best possible start… By actually thinking of one in the first place.

BUDGET BETTER Making a vow to save more money is often the most common resolution, and is often one of the most important. Saving just a little throughout those 12 months will make a big impact going into the following year. Use a budgeting app to help you bank as much money as possible.

COOK MORE HEALTHY Most of us probably need to do this a lot more (us included), and by making a small change, such as not eating red meat and eating more greens will go a long way. You’ll help yourself and the environment if you cut out that red meat - which is a double win! If you’re stuck on what to cook then there are plenty of cook books out there - our suggestions are the Pinch of Nom books, which gives you ideas for quick, easy and healthy meals.

READ MORE BOOKS Making more time to read is a great resolution - not only is it a great way to spend your down time, it’s also great for your mental health. You can’t beat grabbing a blanket, a good book, a cup of tea, and then relaxing on the weekend.

START A NEW HOBBY Whether it’s reading more, exercising more, gardening more, knitting more - you get the idea - start a new hobby that you enjoy. Even if you only do your new hobby at weekends or even one evening, make time to enjoy the finer things in life.

TAKE YOUR HOBBY TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND JOIN A CLUB It’s time to take your new hobby to the next level by joining a club.

Not only will you meet new people with the same interests, but their enthusiasm and presence will help you keep up your hobby… which is very much needed if you’re wanting to exercise more.

DRINK LESS ALCOHOL Even though it’s fun (in moderation), let’s make this year, THE YEAR you drink less, or even not at all. Doing so could improve your mood, sleep, skin, and even your immune system. Plus, it’ll also help you save a lot of money in the long run.

QUIT SMOKING If you’re looking for one of the most important New Year’s Resolutions to do, then this is it. As we all know, cigarettes themselves are extremely harmful to your health, particularly your lungs, but even tobacco products in general (including those vapes) pose a serious threat too.

If you’ve tried giving up before but failed, then why not do a joint New Year’s Resolution - get a friend or partner to do it with you for support.

FEATURED PROPERTIES

MAYLAND AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND £260,000 Two Bedroom Detached Bungalow No Onward Chain Detached Garage Great Location Large Double Bedroom Possible To Convert To 3 Bed (Stpp)

CALL 01268 510510

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BEVERLEY AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND £279,995 Semi-Detached Bungalow Two Double Bedrooms Open Plan Living Conservatory Detached Garage Ample Off Street Parking No Onward Chain

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FEATURED PROPERTIES

POUND LANE, BASILDON £425,000 Immaculate Condition Throughout Secluded And Tranquil Garden Ample Off Street Parking Modern Kitchen Spacious Summerhouse Two Double Bedrooms

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MEYEL AVENUE , CANVEY ISLAND £325,000 3 Bedroom Chalet Bungalow Two Large Double Bedrooms One Small Double Bedroom Two Reception Rooms Conservatory Located In A Quiet Cul-DeSac Double Garage

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FEATURED PROPERTIES

KINGS PARK, CANVEY ISLAND £210,000 Large 2 Bed Park Home Recently Fully Refurbished To A High Standard Large Rooms With An Open Plan Kitchen Diner Parking Right Outside With Wheelchair Ramp Large Walk In Double Length Shower

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ESPLANADE VIEW, CANVEY ISLAND £210,000 2 Bedroom Flat Situated On Canvey Seafront Large Lounge/Diner Large Master Bedroom Double Glazing Throughout Close To Schools, Shops And Local Schools

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BENFLEET NEW BUILDS - SHOW HOME FLATS NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW...

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.

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.