Fisks Gateway issue 88

The property & lifestyle magazine brought to you by FISKS / Issue 88

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tips For First-Time Buyers Advice If Your Property Isn’t Selling Keeping Your Home Warm And Costs Down Hollywood Mews New Development Benfleet New Builds Show Home Flats Now Available To View

This Month’s Properties

CONTENTS TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS If you’re thinking of buying in 2022, there are a few things you should know.

ADVICE IF YOUR PROPERTY ISN’T SELLING If your property isn’t getting the attention it deserves, we might have the reasons why.

KEEPING YOUR HOME WARM AND COSTS DOWN With the cost of living hitting us all, we suggest some money saving ideas.

HOLLYWOOD MEWS NEW DEVELOPMENT Discover our new Hollywood Mews development.

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 move into spring, the marketplace is still a sellers’ market, and looks set to continue that way for some time. March has always been the start of the busiest months for the market but this year is a little different - as we’ve previously mentioned in past issues of Gateway, there just aren’t enough properties for the amount of waiting buyers out there. This is amazing news for sellers but you must take advantage of this situation if you’re looking to sell as this won’t last forever. The time to take advantage of this sellers’ market is now.

We have another jam-packed issue of Gateway for you this month. We have advice for first-time buyers, give you some helpful advice if your property just isn’t selling, and we suggest ways for you to keep warm but keep costs down. And, as usual, we also have few of our properties for you to look at too. Enjoy!

John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director

TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS...

If you’re thinking of buying in 2022, there are a few things you should know.

Buying a home can be a daunting experience for anyone, but if you’re new to the process, it can be an overwhelming nightmare at times. We’ve put together some tips and advice for you to make your experience a little less stressful.

THE FIRST STEP To make you more attractive to sellers, and to save time in the long run, get a mortgage in principle in place.

GET A LITTLE HELP FROM A FRIEND Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you know someone who has recently purchased their home. They will be able to offer you their experience and, more importantly, their contacts if you’re buying in the same area as them.

THE ALL-IMPORTANT DEPOSIT You probably already know this by now, but a mortgage deposit is the lump sum of money you put towards your new home upfront, and it is a percentage of the total house price. Normally a deposit is between 10% and 20%, but can be as low as 5% thanks to government announcements back in March of last year. Remember, the bigger the deposit you have to put down, the more likely you are to land a low-interest rate.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO NEGOTIATE Sure, the property market is currently booming - with more buyers than homes out there - but don’t be afraid to negotiate if the price is out of your budget. Because of the smooth process, first-time buyers are favoured by sellers, which will work in your favour. Don’t pay over the odds or out of your budget.

DON’T FORGET THE EXTRA FEES Saving for a deposit can be tough, but remember those extra fees. Costs such as solicitor’s fees and moving fees should always be taken into consideration but are often forgotten.

INSURANCE Having insurance is not only a sensible thing to have but it’s also a necessity when it comes to buying a home. Most mortgage lenders will ask you have buildings insurance in place to proceed with your contract.

BE PATIENT Most first-time buyers are surprised by how long the process takes when buying a home. Prepare to play the waiting game as the process can be painfully slow. We’re talking months here.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURVEYS Your chosen lender will carry out a valuation survey to check if your found home is worth the asking value. You could also pay for your own survey which, even though it costs, will be more in-depth.

TIME TO GET YOUR DOCUMENTS PREPARED Alongside your ID and proof of address, a mortgage application often requires further information such as bank statements, payslips, and pension plans.

Get all your paperwork together as soon as possible for a smooth application process.

ALWAYS READ THE SMALL PRINT Prepare yourself for a mountain of paperwork throughout the whole process, but always remember one thing... always read the small print. It’s easy to get over-excited when things seem to be going to plan, but don’t get caught out because of the small print.

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

CRANBROOK LODGE, KILN ROAD £299,995 Two Bedroom, Duplex Apartment Good Condition Throughout Large Living Accommodation Throughout En-Suite To Master Bedroom Close To Shops Separate Kitchen

CALL 01268 565555

FISKS.CO.UK

CHESTERFIELD AVENUE, BENFLEET £320,000 Large One Bedroom Semi Detached Bungalow Large Conservatory Landscaped Rear Garden Modernized Throughout, Excellent Condition Modern Fitted Kitchen Private Drive

CALL 01268 565555

FEATURED PROPERTIES

CHESTERFIELD AVENUE, BENFLEET £435,000 Four Bedroom Semi Detached Property Completely Modernized Throughout Luxury Kitchen Large Ground Floor Living Area Dining Area Show Home Condition

CALL 01268 565555

FISKS.CO.UK

FOREST VIEW, BENFLEET £252,500 Brand New One Bedroom Apartment Fantastic Sized Living Space Throughout Fully Fitted Three-Piece Bathroom Prestigious Development Call Fisks For More Details And Make A Viewing Appointment

CALL 01268 565555

FEATURED PROPERTIES

WYCOMBE AVENUE, BENFLEET £440,000 Extended Large Three Bedroom Detached Bungalow Excellent Condition Throughout En-Suite Toilet Potential To Have Four Bedrooms Separate Dining Room Shower Room

CALL 01268 565555

FISKS.CO.UK

FOREST VIEW, BENFLEET £315,000 Brand New Two Bedroom Executive Apartment Master Bedroom With En-Suite Fully Fitted Three-Piece Bathroom Prestigious Development Call Fisks For More Details And Make A Viewing Appointment

CALL 01268 565555

ANTICIPATED COMPLETION IN SPRING 2022 - CALL FISKS NOW A rare opportunity to buy 4 substantial new homes being built in the green belt. This new secure private development, Hollywood Mews, is located at the end of Great Burches Road, a pretty lane starting from Thundersley Common. The village centre has all the local amenities you would expect including a pub and primary school. Southend, famous for the longest pier in the world, is just around the corner, combining living in the country with living by the seaside.

These houses are now under construction with an anticipated marketing price of between £850,000 - £1,000,000 plus, with completion in Spring 2022. Call Fisks now to be the first to receive the full marketing package, available shortly.

The concept behind this Mews development is that the private gardens of the properties fronting the new private road are accessed from the family living area. This design incorporates the garden and living area as one.

ADVICE IF YOUR PROPERTY ISN’T SELLING If your property isn’t getting the attention it deserves, we might have the reasons why.

When you first put your property on the market it’s easy to get over-excited - you were probably full of anticipation and assumed you’d get multiple viewings and an early offer. But, as weeks, or perhaps even months pass, your excitement plummets as the interest in your property isn’t what you anticipated. If this scenario sounds familiar, then read on to hear our possible reasons for this...

YOU CHOSE THE WRONG ESTATE AGENT This is one of the most important factors why your property hasn’t sold yet.

If you’re not choosing a local agent with years of experience then you could potentially be setting yourself up for failure instantly. Also, it is extremely important you get along with your chosen agent and they love your property as much as you do.

YOU LAUNCHED AT THE WRONG TIME OF YEAR Spring is traditionally the best time to sell your property, but there are “bad” months - months such as December slow dramatically thanks to buyer priorities changing due to the festive season. Ask your agent when’s the best time to sell in your area.

YOUR HOUSE ISN’T READY FOR VIEWINGS Ask yourself, “is my house ready for public viewing?”. If you’ve had viewings but no offers then perhaps you need to tidy up or de-clutter to show off the property’s full potential. Why not even give the whole place a fresh lick of paint to give it that showhome look? Be honest with yourself, see yourself as a buyer and not the owner - you’re there to sell the property, not make it your forever home.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY IS UNFLATTERING Are the images taken by your estate agent dark or amateurish? If you’re struggling to even get viewings then this may be a contributing factor. The first thing your potential buyer sees are images of your property, and having unflattering photographs will deter buyers from viewing your property. Make sure your chosen agent produces good-quality photography to show your property off and highlight its great features.

YOU PUT IT ON THE MARKET AT TOO HIGH A PRICE Were you convinced by an eager agent saying you could get x amount for your property, or perhaps you had a high asking price in your head yourself?

As with everything in life, price is important. Get the price right and you’ll get interest right away, but get it wrong, you could put off buyers instantly as soon as they see the price tag. You should always consider a number of factors when it comes to the asking price - consider things such as your property’s unique features, the price of other sold properties in your local area, and the state of the property market itself. Your chosen agent should answer all your questions on this subject.

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.

KEEPING YOUR HOME WARM AND COSTS DOWN...

With the cost of living hitting us all, we suggest some money saving ideas.

As gas and electric prices hit record highs, it’s time to start making small adjustments that will save you money on your bills. The following tips will help you keep costs down and your family warm during the cold weather months.

GET YOUR BOILER CHECKED Just because your boiler is working doesn’t mean it’s working efficiently. If your boiler is ageing and has seen better days then there’s a good chance that it’s costing you money. It’s recommended that you get your boiler serviced every 12 months to ensure it runs efficiently and safely.

ADD EXTRA LAYERS Sometimes small steps make a big difference. Simply just layering up on those cold days and nights could save you turning that heating on - and therefore, save you money. Keep an extra blanket at the end of the bed or on the sofa.

UPDATE YOUR THERMOSTAT If you didn’t already know, a thermostat controls your home’s temperature by communicating with your boiler. In the same way as your boiler, your thermostat can degrade over time - this can lead to delays in your boiler switching on or your home being heated at much higher temperatures, which again can cost you money. A large number of modern thermostats can also be controlled from your mobile, to ensure your home is nice and warm when you arrive back home from a cold day out.

FIT A FLOATING SHELF ABOVE THE RADIATORS To stop heat from rising up to the ceiling and being wasted, simply fit floating shelves above your radiators to help deflect that all important heat. Floating shelves are cheap and cheerful, look great, and will save you money in the long run. This tip is very important if your radiator is under a draughty window.

DRAUGHT-PROOF YOUR WINDOWS Speaking of draughty windows - it’s time to address them. Now, if you don’t have the money to replace them (we know how costly it can be), apply selfadhesive foam or rubber tape to the window frames instead. Self-adhesive foam tape can be bought from most DIY retailers and should stop any draughts from coming through your windows.

DRAUGHT-PROOF THE LETTERBOX If you’re one of the few people who don’t have a second flap or ‘brushes’ in your letterbox, now’s the time to get one and stop any draughts.

OTHER QUICK TIPS...

•

Install a chimney balloon

•

Fill the floorboards with floorboard gap filler

•

Layer floors with rugs

•

Fit underlay before laying a carpet

•

Repoint any brickwork

FEATURED PROPERTIES

TEMPTIN AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND £450,000 4 Bedroom Detached House 3 Bathrooms Seperate Diner Integral Garage Off Street Parking Large Lounge Canvey Smallgains Location

CALL 01268 510510

FISKS.CO.UK

CEDAR ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £325,000 Two Bedroom Semi-Detached Bungalow Great Sizes Throughout Utility Room Outside Bar Area Home Office/ Workshop Off Street Parking Fantastic Sized Garden

CALL 01268 510510

FEATURED PROPERTIES

VILLAGE DRIVE, CANVEY ISLAND £350,000 4 Bedroom End Terraced House 33ft Open Plan Living 4 Double Bedrooms Family Bathroom Seperate W/C 60ft South Facing Garden Close To Shops

CALL 01268 510510

FISKS.CO.UK

CORONA ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £335,000 Two Bedroom Detached Bungalow Two Double Bedrooms Ensuite To Main Conservatory Open Planned Lounge/Diner/ Kitchen Integral Garage

CALL 01268 510510

FEATURED PROPERTIES

EASTERN ESPLANADE, CANVEY ISLAND £380,000 Three Bedroom Semi Detached House Canvey Seafront Loaction Outbuilding Ideal For Office Space Detached Garage Lounge With Sea Wall Views Balcony

CALL 01268 510510

FISKS.CO.UK

MORNINGTON ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £300,000 No Onward Chain Newly Fitted Bathroom Modern Kitchen Utility Room Ample Off Street Parking L-Shaped Garden A Great Sized Conservatory

CALL 01268 510510

Only Five Flats Left – Twenty-One Sold Subject To Contract!

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.

Buyers Moving In At The End Of This Month!

Buyers Moving In At The End Of This Month!

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.