East Side

EAST SIDE

INSPIRATIONAL HOMES ACROSS EAST BRISTOL

Welcome...

…to the first edition of East Side. A look book of inspirational homes across East Bristol and South Gloucestershire, sold and let recently by DW Smith & Co.

DW Smith and Co was set up in 1999 by me, David Smith. After several years working with large corporate estate agents, I wanted to offer a more personal service to house sellers with a real focus on the client and what they were trying to achieve.

I felt that estate agents were too focused on the numbers, and not about the people, so my aim has always been to reduce stress and add value for the customer. This does not only apply to the selling of my clients’ homes, but also advising on onward purchases and helping people navigate through the entire complex process of buying and selling.

Our company ethos is simple – to offer straightforward, honest, professional advice to our clients and to help them move onto the next chapter of their livesour customers are always at the heart of what we do.

East Bristol is a diverse well-located area offering a range of properties for all budgets. Sat conveniently on the edge of Bristol, yet with a more semi-rural feel, you get all the benefits of the city with lots of green and interesting surrounding spaces. The area benefits from fantastic access to Bristol and Bath. London is within easy reach by train in 1 hour 30 minutes. I love its relaxed vibe and the large range of independent shops, cafés, and businesses.

Looking forward, although there are potential economic headwinds coming, East Bristol still offers real value in terms of property and business opportunity. With many still working from home, people’s houses have to offer more flexibility than ever before, and the housing stock here generally is a little bigger, with more space and can offer this.

There remains a severe shortage of homes for sale and rent in our area, and with good employment still available in Bristol, we believe this will help underpin prices. Whilst we don’t think the crazy post pandemic market will continue through 2023, we also believe East Bristol will still be a great place to set up home and may be more insulated from downward market forces than other areas.

We hope you enjoy the first edition of East Side.

David Smith

18 A stylish Victorian villa in the heart of Hanham 20 A garden escape in the city 22 A cottage with a secret garden 24 An expertly styled, terraced home 26 Lovingly restored over 24 years 28 A Victorian haven a stones-throw away from Gloucester Road 30 A stunning family home in Hinton

First impressions count

You have just seconds to create a good first impression, and therefore curb-side appeal is so important. Here are some things to think about when selling your property:

Make sure your agents ‘For Sale’ sign is looking clean and tidy with clear contact details, and is in a visible position for passers-by.

Clean the windows and front door and clear guttering.

Focus on your front door – could it do with re-hanging or painting?

Sweep and tidy any steps or pathways so accessing your property is simple to do.

Invest in nice numbering or a name plaque.

Utilise space – if you have parking or room to sit outside, show this to potential buyers.

Scrape away any loose paint on the property and give areas a lick of paint if needed.

Tidy the front garden/driveway area and make sure bins are out of the way where possible.

Replant any hanging baskets or borders you have.

Have nice lighting outside for those passing in the evening.

A modern family home in Hanham

This stunning semi-detached property is set in a popular, cul-de-sac location within Hanham Green.

The heart of the home is a modern kitchen/diner/family room with bi-fold doors leading onto the south-west facing landscaped gardens. Upstairs there are four good sized bedrooms and a lovely family bathroom.

The property also benefits from a large garage/workshop, and ample off-street parking. All in all, making an outstanding family home.

What the owners love:

“The local area and walks in the beautiful Hencliffe Woods”

A beautifully presented property with woodland views

This beautifully presented and refurbished extended family home is set in an elevated position with woodland views. With living room, spectacular kitchen/diner and island, herringbone floor and bi-fold doors, three bedrooms and a well-appointed bathroom this family home really is fantastic.

A stunning family home in Hanham

A

stunning four-bedroom home, beautifully presented and expertly styled throughout. Situated just a short walk from the coveted Beacon Rise Primary School in Hanham, it provides the perfect setting for a happy family home.

The large kitchen really is the hub of this home, featuring an island and fully integrated high-end appliances. This open plan space leads to the dining area and a large, bright, and airy conservatory, perfect for relaxing in on summer evenings.

The stunning neutral style continues upstairs to the four bedrooms and luxury bathroom featuring a stand-alone bath and gorgeous modern tiling.

Outside of this detached property there is an enclosed garden, double garage, and driveway. All in all, the perfect space for a growing family.

What the owners love:

“The proximity to local amenities, wonderful neighbours, and of course, the beautiful kitchen!”

Loft style living in East Bristol

Situated in a convenient location for both Kingswood and Hanham, this character apartment has been converted to an exceptionally high spec. This spacious open plan living area comprising lounge/diner features a real wood floor and some original features, while the high gloss refitted kitchen and contemporary bathroom bring a modern aspect to the home.

Meet the team: Karen

Ihave worked for DW Smith as Office Manager since opening in January 2000, assisting with the start up of the company and our continued success.

I love being able to assist customers in what must be one of their biggest decisions.

I like helping to resolve issues that arise when selling or buying a home, to make the experience as stress free as possible.

Having lived in Hanham for over 20 years, along with my family and two dogs, we have enjoyed many walks across Hanham Common, down through the woods and along the banks of the Avon, to the local riverside pubs.

One of my favourite places is The Upton Inn, which is just a short drive away, in the village of Upton Cheyney. Here you can enjoy a meal, whilst sitting by the open fire. A lovely cosy country pub.

My tip: My tip for anyone buying or selling would be to use a local agent and conveyancer, as their knowledge of the area will be invaluable.

A stylish Victorian villa in the heart of Hanham

It’s all in the detail” really does apply to this stunning property.

This beautifully presented and extended double bay Victorian villa is situated close to the heart of Hanham and all that the High Street has to offer.

The stunning neutral décor with pops of bright colour in each room really make this home stand out from the rest.

From the log-burner in the lounge, to the log store feature, the teal panelling in the bathroom, and the feature walls – this home was designed by someone with an eye for detail and it shows.

A garden escape in the city

Beautifully presented, this cottage style Victorian home benefits from modern features such as a wet room with travertine tiling and double glazing throughout whilst maintaining some original features – making it the perfect combination of old meets new.

Despite the property being a short walk away from St George with its local amenities and fantastic transport links into Bristol, this home features a beautiful, well maintained private garden and benefits from an outside brick workshop.

A cottage with a secret garden

This rarely available cottage style home is set in the heart of Hanham and benefits from parking and a garage.

The cottage has been designed and decorated with meticulous attention to detail. It features a recently built porch, sitting room with log-burner and beamed feature wall, dining room, L-shaped kitchen with sky lights and a modern contemporary refitted bathroom.

The gardens at this home are spectacular, with a well-stocked and beautifully tended main area leading to a 17’ garage with a further door leading to the ‘secret garden’ with additional seating.

An expertly styled terraced home

Every room in this house has been carefully considered, from the stunning tiled floor in the hallway to the blue feature walls and gorgeous décor in the lounge and kitchen. This home really is beautiful.

Not only does it feature a double driveway, to the rear there is a well-kept, child-friendly garden with mature trees and shrubs, and a workshop with power, ideal for those looking to work from home.

Lovingly restored over 24 years

This stunning 1930s-character home, set in lovely mature gardens, has been lovingly refurbished, decorated and extended over the last 24 years by the same family. This semidetached brick home features three bedrooms, an office with bespoke fitted furniture, a part-tiled, beautifully appointed downstairs shower room and a luxury family bathroom upstairs. The outside areas are a particular feature with a Mediterranean style courtyard with workshop and an extensive main rear garden with summer house, cycle and wood store – this bespoke property really does have it all.

A Victorian haven a stones-throw away from Gloucester Road

Abeautifully refurbished Victorian home set in popular Kennington Avenue - a short walk from Gloucester Road and all the independent stores and eateries that it has to offer.

This three-storey property is expertly designed throughout and features a living room/separate dining area, spectacular island kitchen/family room complete with granite worktops, Neff appliances, Italian tiled flooring with underfloor heating and bi-fold doors leading onto a mature, enclosed rear garden.

With four bedrooms, family bathroom and additional downstairs cloakroom, this is an ideal family home in a highly sought-after location.

A stunning family home in Hinton

Grove Rise is a recently refurbished stone fronted detached home. Set in a rural village location, yet offering excellent access to both Bristol and Bath, this home is situated perfectly for those who want to live in the country yet retain good connections to the city.

This property features an expertly designed, newly fitted kitchen which opens onto a lovely conservatory area for all the family to enjoy. Set in pleasant, landscaped gardens, with off street parking and a garage, this home provides the perfect country village escape.

Let’s talk:

Competitive conveyancing quotes for you

We know that buying or selling a property can be stressful, and we endeavour to help every step of the way.

With over 130 years combined experience in the industry, we have met trusted associates along the way. That is why we can recommend to you a number of fantastic local conveyancers and can get you a no obligation quote for conveyancing in minutes.

Please get in touch to find out more. www.dwsmithandco.co.uk

0117 9670 900.

My tip:

Always use a local solicitor or conveyancer, local knowledge is so important, and you can pop in to see them easily if you have any questions. We will be happy to recommend a fantastic one to you.

A first-class home in Hanham

Located a short distance from the facilities of Hanham High Street, Greenbank Road playing fields, local schools, and the Avon ring road, is this beautifully presented four-bedroom detached family home.

Set on a popular modern development, this well-proportioned house features a good-sized lounge, contemporary style kitchen with island, large conservatory/ dining area, external office space/storage and off-street parking.

This property provides the perfect space for a busy or growing family. It features first class décor and styling throughout.

things to do before putting your home on the market

1 De-clutter your belongings.

2 Face those small maintenance jobs you have been meaning to do.

3 Do a thorough deep clean.

4 Think about room layouts and aesthetics – are you showing your home in the best possible light?

5 Think about walls and floors – are they as smart as they could be?

6 Focus on making the home light, bright and odour free – replace light bulbs, clean mirrors, replace air fresheners and invest in little touches like fresh flowers and candles.

7 The heart of the home – the kitchen is the most valuable room in your property so focus on making this as inviting as possible.

8 Pre-empt any questions that potential buyers may have and know the answers/ find relevant paperwork.

9 Decide in advance what fixtures and fittings you will keep/take.

10 Enlist the professionals – find an agent in your local area and start talks with a recommended conveyancer.

A modern home in a well-sought after location

This sizeable, detached family home was only constructed in 2017 and has been well looked after by its owners. The home features a fabulous open plan kitchen/diner/family area with two sets of bi-fold doors opening onto a pleasant, level landscaped rear garden.

This stunning home features five bedrooms over the first and second floors complete with an ensuite to the main bedroom and large, luxury family bathroom.

This spacious property provides ample, flexible accommodation for the larger family and those that require work from home space and is beautifully decorated throughout.

things to do when looking for your dream home

1 Have a clear budget in mind and know your finances – being pre-approved for a mortgage will help speed up the buying process. Enlisting a mortgage advisor at the start is a great way to go.

2 Make a list of priorities that your new home needs to feature.

3 Register with a local agent and let them know what you are looking for so they can contact you when a relevant property comes up.

4 Research area and local amenities, think about schools, doctors’ surgeries, bus routes and anything else that is important to you. Are there any plans for the area in the future that could pose a problem? Speak with other locals and the local council.

5 Ask about neighbours, is the local area friendly and a nice place to live?

6 Think about potential, a property may not be 100% right now but could it be? Ask about planning permission opportunities.

7 Make a list of positives and negatives – we must all compromise on some things, but do the good points outweigh the bad?

8 Visit and visit again – book multiple viewings if you can, to make sure it is the right home for you.

9 Consider the running costs and how much it will be to get the property looking exactly how you want it to.

10 Book a thorough survey.

Stunning kitchens

The heart of the home - a place to cook, eat, and enjoy time with loved ones. Here are a selection of some of our favourite kitchen looks in properties we have sold and let across East Bristol.

This stunning open plan kitchen is the ideal setting for contemporary living, where cooking takes centre stage. The white walls make it bright and airy with a minimalist, ultra-modern feel.

This shaker style kitchen with natural wood floor features the very best in modern appliances. A large roof-light window floods the space with natural light.

This stylish and well-balanced room makes great use of the space available. We love the contrast of the white gloss units against the wooden worktops and floors.

This timeless kitchen provides the perfect place for entertaining. Its fully integrated appliances and striking blue finish really make it stand out from the rest.

This light and airy room really makes use of the space available and features a gorgeous range oven.

Meet the team: Tracey

Ihave worked for DW Smith for 18 and a half years.

I particularly like the marketing side of my role and enjoy seeing other houses and people’s choice of décor.

My favourite part of East Bristol is Redfield, probably because I have lived there my whole life, it is very diverse and has some wonderful colourful characters.

I recently have welcomed a new puppy into my life and find myself wandering around Redfield, and St George with her, and I’ve fallen back in love with St George’s Park, especially now the lake refurbishment has been completed. It is a beautiful little bit of tranquillity in this busy part of the city.

I occasionally enjoy eating at The Red Church and The Lock Up, both located nearby to me on Church Road. The pizzas at The Red Church are fab. Native Vine has recently opened, which I am still yet to try.

My tip:

To secure a rental property at this very busy time you need to move fast. Many prospective tenants view lots of properties before making a decision but, by this time the one which they liked has already been let. So I would say act fast and try to make a quicker decision to secure the property you want.

Local business showcase

Located just across the road from our offices is Eclectic Gift Shop, which is packed full of the best gifts and items from Bristol independents. We love a visit here and met with Nicola to find out more…

Hello Nicola! Tell us about your wonderful shop…

“Founded in 2017, the Eclectic Gift Shop sells inspiring gift ideas, cards and art created by over 100 talented businesses based in Bristol and beyond. I’m really proud to stock the widest range of locally made gifts in Bristol – you can find everything from handmade jewellery, ceramics and glass, Bristol souvenirs and art, natural skin care and zero waste bathroom products, baby gifts, natural candles, reed diffusers and so much more.

“The newest area in the shop is a foodie and drink corner containing locally made chocolates, treats, beers, ciders and spirits. It’s been a real hit. Customers love trying local produce and enjoy selecting items to put together one of our hampers for friends and family.

“For me, it’s important understanding where and how an item was made. I work with an incredibly talented group of artisan makers and creators. By choosing to work with them over large corporations massproducing items that are manufactured overseas, I ensure that money goes back into the local economy – where it matters. For example, when I pay someone for

their art, chances are they’ll be using that money to put food on the table or buy some shoes for their kids. They might even spend it in a local coffee shop.”

What do you love about Hanham and running a business here?

“Hanham is a brilliant place to run a business. The local community has always been so supportive and really care about shopping locally and supporting small, independent businesses. It has a real sense of community and we’re very lucky to have a nature reserve at the bottom of our High Street.

“It’s fantastic running a business on a thriving High Street. I’m organising deliveries every week so there’s always something new to see. Knowing the producers personally is exciting –it’s great seeing how their ideas develop over the years.”

Talk us through the last 5 years for Eclectic Gift Shop…

“It’s hard to describe as so much has happened during that time. Huge things like being invited to the House of Lords to celebrate my business or being headhunted by Saatchi and Saatchi to make a TV commercial about the shop. Things like that are great, but to me the best thing is feeling a real part of the community here. Chatting with customers. Laughing so much we cry. Sharing stories about our holidays. Hearing about new jobs. Meeting new-born babies. Some little customers call me “Auntie Nicola”. No award is ever going to top that.

“It’s certainly been a challenging time for small businesses in recent years and many that I work with have said that the shop has been a lifeline for them as their products are available on a busy High Street and on my website which has been growing too and now means I can ship our items all over the UK.

“Opening the shop is the best decision I’ve made. I had good jobs before as a fundraising consultant, teaching English as a foreign language and finally working as a manager in the NHS – but I love the freedom of being responsible for my business. It’s never dull, and it’s constantly challenging and exciting. I’m always learning, adapting, and trying to improve my business.”

What do you think about the future of independent businesses?

“I think the future is really positive for independent businesses who have something different to offer. Running the shop is like being part of a movement –fighting for those important things that were almost lost throughout the years.

I believe there’s a powerful drive to go back to buying locally made items.

“The last few years have highlighted to people how dull the world would be if they’re unable socialise and visit shops, pubs, cafés, and restaurants of their choice. People will always want to go to community spaces and most of retail shopping is still in-person for that reason. You can’t beat picking things up and seeing them in person… and you certainly can’t have a conversation about the weather with a digital shopping cart when shopping online!”

Thank you Nicola and we cannot wait to visit soon!

Check out this wonderful independent business for yourself:

Eclectic Gift Shop, 51C High Street, Hanham, BS15 3DQ www.eclecticgiftshop.co.uk

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54 High St, Hanham, Bristol BS15 3DR 0117 9670 900 | enquiries@youridealhome.co.uk www.dwsmithandco.co.uk

Sales & Lettings throughout Bristol and South Gloucestershire