A surprisingly straightforward experience.
Embarking on buying or selling a property can feel stressful, but with R&B on your side it doesn’t have to be that way.
As Lancaster’s longest established estate agent, we know property in this area like the back of our hand. We use a proactive approach combined with great communication to keep all the wheels turning smoothly, whilst delivering a hassle-free, five-star experience.
Ratcliffe & Bibby Estate Agents was established in 1990 as a service extension of local solicitors, Ratcliffe & Bibby, and quickly became well known in the area for their stand-out service.
Although we’ve been around for four decades, we never like to rest on our laurels and continue to innovate on behalf of our home buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants. We’re now known as R&B Estate Agents and were recently acquired by the Keenans Group, one of the fastest growing estate agent companies in the North West.
There are two key principles that define the way we work. Firstly, we take a proactive approach, bringing plenty of enthusiasm to keep things moving forward. We work flexibly to maximise viewing opportunities, and accompanied viewings make sure every potential buyer gets the best from their visit to your property. Secondly, communication is always clear and plentiful. Your assigned personal account manager will keep all relevant parties in the loop to avoid any frustrating mistakes or delays. Our clients regularly tell us that they find our simple, straightforward approach a breath of fresh air.
ʬ Buyers build up a good relationship with us, and so will naturally feel more comfortable.
ʬ We often pick up on features and benefits of your property that you may not have considered.
ʬ Our representatives are trained in overcoming objections made by any potential buyer.
Your personal account manager will create a bespoke marketing package of online and offline activities to ensure your property stands out from the crowd.
Our expert photographers will produce stylish, well lit pictures of your home to capture the attention of buyers and increase viewings.
Viewings are conducted by R&B agents who are well-informed about your property and a pleasure to deal with, helping to secure a faster sale, and for the best possible price.
First impressions matter (research shows that buyers make up their minds in the first eight seconds of a viewing), so our stylists can help you get your home photo-ready, maximising its potential market and value.
Using our key principles of proactivity and communication, our sales progression team ensures all parties are kept up to speed and your sale moves smoothly right the way through to completion.
Our friendly team live and work in the area, bringing valuable local knowledge and experience to every stage of the process. If they don’t know the answer to a question (unlikely) they’ll certainly know someone who does.
A picture paints a thousand words, so we use photography to tell the story of your home, and help potential buyers imagine themselves living in it. We can help you with styling too, to build a collection of photos that capture the full character of your property. Appealing photography will attract more of the type of buyers who will fall in love with your home, and ultimately, this means you are more likely to maximise the value of your sale.
Home buyers make up their minds within the first eight seconds of entering your property, so first impressions are hugely important. Our team of stylists can prepare your home for photography in order to appeal to the widest possible range of buyers, but it’s worth following our tips when buyers are viewing, too.
ʬ Create a spacious, airy feel by opening windows and moving furniture away from walls.
ʬ A gleaming, mopped floor is a quick way to make a great first impression.
ʬ Clear worktop surfaces. Sparkling appliances give the impression of a well-maintained property.
ʬ Turn off distracting electrical equipment e.g. TVs, stereos.
ʬ Dress beds with fresh, ironed sheets.
ʬ Keep the baths, showers and floors spotless ahead of appointments.
ʬ Put away clutter, coats and bags (especially in the hallway) to maximise the sense of space.
ʬ Clear driveways and pathways, ensure garages are clutter free, and trim hedges or lawns.
ʬ Clean the front door (or even give it a lick of paint).
ʬ Hanging baskets and dressed garden spaces help visitors to visualise themselves in the space.
ʬ Mend any broken fences, gates or walls that may damage viewer’s perceptions.
Once you’ve accepted an offer from a buyer, or had your offer accepted by a seller, you’re now UNDER OFFER. From this point onwards our experienced sales progression team is laser focused on keeping your sale moving forward. We stay ahead of the game, dealing with any issues before they become problems, and keep in regular contact with all parties so everyone is clear on next steps.
Once you’ve accepted an offer from a purchaser, you’re then UNDER OFFER . At this point, your dedicated sales progressor will contact you to introduce themselves and talk you through the process from here. You’ll instruct a Solicitor and we’ll send out the Memorandum of Sale.
MEMORANDUM OF SALE
This document outlines the sale price, property address, any special conditions and the contact details for the seller, purchase and both solicitors. This is sent out to all parties.
VALUATION & SURVEY
Before a mortgage lender will release any funds on a property they instruct a RICS Chartered Surveyor to carry out a mortgage valuation. This ensures that they will be able to recover the cost of the property should your purchaser default on their mortgage.
Your solicitor will send your Title Deeds along with all other paperwork relating to the sale to your buyer’s Solicitor who will obtain the appropriate searches and raise any enquiries that they have relating to the content. Once all searches have been received and all enquiries satisfied, they’ll prepare contracts for each party.
Your solicitor will send your Title Deeds along with all other paperwork relating to the sale to your buyer’s Solicitor.
The sale will officially complete on the date agreed in the contracts, when all funds have landed with the seller’s solicitor.
There’s lots to think about when you are moving, but your R&B account manager and the sales progression team are here to help.
We can advise you on all the practical details and help you avoid common pitfalls. We’re here to make things straightforward, so if you have any questions, just ask.
Book removal firm
Inform utility suppliers, phone and broadband
Change your address with the post office
Inform bank, insurance, pension and credit card companies
Inform council, DVLA, HMRC and TV Licensing
Inform doctor, dentist and optician
Inform school and work
Update subscriptions e.g. magazines, gym, charities
“A pleasure to work with, nothing is too much trouble.”
“A great balance between professionalism and a friendly, helpful approach.”
“Very impressed with the quality of service.”
“Fantastic from start to finish.”
“The team kept me up to date with exactly what was going on, and were very helpful and conscientious. Brilliant with quick returns on emails too.”
“I thought selling a house would be stressful but R&B have been excellent and got me the best price whilst keeping me informed throughout.”
“R&B navigated a great sale for me, and made it so easy too.”
There’s an overwhelming amount of mortgage options out there, but our independent mortgage advisers will help you navigate the market to find the most suitable product for you.
ASK US ABOUT
ʬ Re-mortgaging
ʬ Buy to let
ʬ First time mortgages
ʬ Home movers
ʬ Mortgage protection
WHY
The service you need from your lettings agent will depend on your previous experience as a landlord, and how much time and energy you can commit to managing the property throughout the tenancy. That’s why at R&B you can pick from a choice of services, tailor-made to give you what you need.
ʬ Security and cover
ʬ Client Money Protection Scheme
ʬ Accounts that are regularly inspected
ʬ Professional indemnity insurance provided
ʬ Legislative best practice and chance management
If you’re confident taking care of your own tenancy, then our TENANT FIND package will suit you. For a little more support along the way, consider a RENT COLLECTION or FULLY MANAGED package.
All packages include accompanied viewings, tenant referencing, logging the deposit with the TDS and an accompanied check-in at the property with a member of the R&B team.
Market appraisal
Advice and assessment
Professional photography
Full colour brochure
Internet advertising
To let board
Newspaper marketing
Accompanied viewings
Tenant referencing
Tenancy agreements
Collect deposit and first month's rent, transfer to TDS
Transfer utilities (gas, water, electric, council tax)
Collect monthly rental payments
Monthly statements
Arrange APIP inventory
Check in report
Check out report
Serve notice
Periodic property inspections
Gas safety certificates
Electric safety certificates
Energy performance certificates
Legionnaire inspection risk assessment
Court attendance
HMRC responsibility for landlords who live abroad NLR8
Our knowledgeable Land & New Home team can advise on land acquisition, planning, financing and conveyancing, so you can get the very best from your new build development.
We can also tailor-make marketing strategies for developers, creating a brand and identity, CGI images, photography, brochures and digital marketing, alongside styling show homes, and conducting open days or viewings.
