Bee Residential - August 2022

bee residential

PROPERTY NEWS

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

S A L E S

A N D

L E T T I N G S

AUG 2022

EUROPEAN BEACHES

YOUR GUIDE TO THE TOP EUROPEAN BEACHES ONLY A SHORT FLIGHT AWAY STAY HEALTHY WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY IN THE WARMER MONTHS

SUMMER PARTY GUIDE THROW THE ULTIMATE SUMMER PARTY THIS MONTH

AUGUST GARDENING KEEP ON TOP OF THOSE GARDEN JOBS THIS AUGUST

SUMMER SOUNDS HOT SUMMER PLAYLISTS TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED

CONTENTS COVER STORY

2

Best European Beaches Stunning beaches you can fly to within three hours of the UK

PROPERTY

16

Our latest instructions Take a look at a selection of our latest properties on the market

20

About us Get to know us a little better and see why we are your agent of choice

24

Your home move Your guide to help you every step of the way on your home move

FOOD

6

Summer entertaining A guide to everything you’ll need to host the perfect party in your garden

LIFESTYLE

4 5 8 10 12 13

The beautiful outdoors Ensure your little one makes the most of the outdoors this summer Staying fit and healthy Tips to get in shape and making sure you stay safe while doing it Creating extra cash Looking at options to create both space and income Monthly gardening Staying on top of those jobs to keep the garden looking great A new summer scent?

Scent-sational new fragrances to stay fresh this summer Your summer playlist this year Get the right backing track for those long summer drives

SPORT

14

Premier League Preview 22-23 A look at the teams fighting for the title and those aiming to avoid relegation

WELCOME TO THE AUGUST ISSUE!

I

t’s definitely summer. We’ve been spoilt with the weather so far, which has helped everyone momentarily forget all the issues in the world. And to keep you all entertained, this month we look at the best beaches to visit in Europe within a three-mile flight.

The schools have broken up, and it’s that time of year where for six weeks every parent is trying to keep the kids busy. On pages 4 and 5 we have our guide to outdoor ideas to keep the children entertained.

With cash a bit tight for so many people, on pages 8 and 9 we have a fantastic guide to help you make extra cash to make the most of your summer. On pages 6 and 7, we look at how to make the most of your

2

PROPERTY NEWS

garden with our ultimate summer entertaining feature. To set the scene you need music, so on page 12 we look at the greatest summer playlists, and to impress when out and about, on page 13 we review some of the hottest summer fragrances this year.

The football season kick off this month, and on pages 14 and 15 we have your guide to title favourites, relegation fodder and surprise packages of the season. Rounding everything off, on pages 10 and 11 you will find our usual monthly gardening guide.

So, sit back on your sunlounger, grab a beer or vino and enjoy…

Jonathan Wheatley Editor

J

etting off around the globe in search of an idyllic beach covered in golden sand with a calm beat of the waves crashing is a dream many of us have year in, year out.

While many will associate these images with beaches in distant, long-haul countries, there are so many great choices that do not require a massive journey.

Europe is blessed to have so many fantastic beaches attached to historical and visitorfriendly towns and cities.

So, when deciding on where you want to jet off to this summer holiday in search of that perfect beach, consider staying a little bit closer to home. We have collected together a list of European beach hotspots you can visit that are within a three hour flight from the United Kingdom.

CALO DES MORO, SPAIN

When thinking about gorgeous beaches in Europe, many will straight away think about Spain. The country is filled with beautiful hotspots for relaxation and Calo des Moro is one of the best. The Mallorca beach is an absolutle gem hidden within the steep cliffs on the southeast side of the island.

This is a small stretch of fine white sand and beautiful blue turquoise water. Calo des Moro sits roughly six kilometres from the town of Santanyi and is popular among both locals and tourists.

SARDINIA, ITALY Another hotspot for stunning beaches is the Italian island of Sardinia. The large island boasts almost 2,000 kilometres of coastline with plenty of sandy beaches, with just a simple Google search needed to see the plethora of options available.

One of the most popular beaches on the island is Cala Goloritze.The spot has almost completely transparent, clear water and is an entirely unbuilt area transporting visitors into a relaxing and natural-feeling beach.

STUNNING THREE

WITHIN

EUROPEAN BEACHES HOURS PETANI BEACH, GREECE

PALOMBAGGIA, FRANCE

Visitors will have their breath taken away by the beautiful crystal-clear water and incredible cliffs that reach out into the sea.

Palombaggia sits on the mountainous French island of Corsica, which boasts a number of fascinating and stylish coastal towns. There are a number of beaches, such as the remote Saleccia and Rondinara, as well as the stunning Palombaggia.

Petani Beach is a stunning bay in the northwest of the Paliki, in Kefalonia, in Greece.

The beach sits around 35km from Argostoli, the capital of the island, and is a mostly sandy beach with some pebbles scattered along the stretch. There are a number of facilities for visitors including umbrellas, sundecks, as well as shower and toilet facilities.

MALLORCA BALEARIC ISLANDS MALLORCA, As well as Cala des Moro, Mallorca has plenty of other fantastic beaches.

France is another country that comes to mind when you think about gorgeous sandy stretches.

That feeling of warm golden sand between your toes is not too far away

Palombaggia sits on the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea and is roughly two kilometres long. The sea itself around Palombaggia beach is a shallow lagoon, therefore is once again a safe spot for those with children.

ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

The Algarve in Portgual is another sought The island is always a popular spot for after destination, and it is not too difficult to tourists seeking the sun and relaxation. understand why.

A key feature of the island is the plethora of stunning beaches The region, which sits in the on offer, with options south of Portugal is known Europe is blessed to suitable for any occasion. for its stunning beaches which face out onto the have so many There are child-friendly, Atlantic. fantastic beaches romantic, remote natural attached to historical and vibrant town The Algarve has a range of and visitor-friendly beaches, all waiting to be different types of beaches towns and cities visited and explored. to meet the needs of all with cove beaches that are One of the top-rated exclusively accessible from beaches in Mallorca is S’Aramador, which the sea, to long stretches that go on for as is known as one of the best on the whole far as the eye can see. continent.

Visitors may even choose to head on one of The natural beach sits in the Cala many specialist boat tours which take in the Mondrago nature reserve on the views of multiple beaches at once. southeast side of the island.

One of the top-rated beaches is Praia Do The beach is well protected inside a Barril, which sits on the island of Tavira. stunning bay and the shallow water is It’s regarded as an extremely relaxing an ideal spot to take children due to beach and boasts silvery white sand and a its safety. clear blue sea.

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

3

THE BEAUTIFUL

OUTDOORS Ways to ensure your little one makes the most of the beautiful outdoors this summer

S

ummer is the perfect time to get outdoors and make the most of the stunning weather. In an era where the Xbox and PlayStation reign supreme for children’s entertainment, sometimes it can be difficult to peel our young ones away from screens.

Obstacles can be Obstacles can be created from all created from all manner of items, manner of items, such as a series of such as a series of dining chairs laid dining chairs laid out to become a out to become a slalom course slalom course

Thinking of different activities and places to visit during the summer months can be crucial to ensure your child spends as much time as possible in the great outdoors. We have collected together a couple of great ways to make the outdoors new and fun.

HOMEMADE OBSTACLE COURSES

Creating an obstacle course does not need to be an expensive or complicated process.

With just a touch of imagination and a few household items, you can easily put together a series of challenges for your little ones to tackle over and over in your garden.

Obstacles can be created from all manner of items, such as a series of dining chairs laid out to become a slalom course for the children to run between.

A piece of rope can be placed on the

4

PROPERTY NEWS

floor in an obscure shape which can be followed, while hula hoops, frisbees and bean bags can be used to generate various challenges.

You could mix up the order of the obstacles or difficulty level of each to create a fresh and new challenge day after day.

EXPLORE NEARBY WATERWAYS

Most towns, villages and cities across the United Kingdom has access to some form of waterway.

Whether there be a river, canal or lake, these water systems are beautiful hotspots right on our doorsteps.

Heading out onto the waterways, either on a guided boat trip or on a kayak or canoe can prove to be an incredibly fun way to spend a nice day in nature during the summer.

Children can be given the chance to view their home town from a brand new perspective as the water systems provide a different angle to the places they know from a completely different angle.

STAYING FIT & HEALTHY

S

ummer truly is a fantastic time of the year. However, with all the warm weather and delicious barbecues on offer, exercise routines and diets can very easily slip.

Making sure you prepare how you intend to change your routines and patterns to accommodate for a change in season can be crucial to keep yourself fit and healthy.

HEALTHY FOOD ALTERNATIVES, EVEN ON THE BARBECUE

It can be very easy to let diets and healthy eating go during the summer.

Barbecues act as a ritual of delicious food served in huge portions.

When there is a mountain of expertly cooked burgers, hotdogs and chicken pieces, as well as all manner of side dishes laid across a table, we can all be forgiven for taking a little more food than usual or even returning for second, third or fourth portions (we even once managed a fifth.)

While treating yourself is so important, if you find the barbecue temptation a bit too strong then you can always look for alternative food choices.

Meat-free options can be less fatty, while cous cous, grilled peppers and beautiful, colourful salads are all great choices for the barbecue table, while still looking like they belong among the plethora of treats.

CHOOSE YOUR WORKOUT TIME CAREFULLY TO AVOID BURNOUT

Key things to consider when trying to stay fit and healthy in the hot months

We all know how important exercise is to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and losing weight.

The summer months can feel like an ideal time to begin getting into exercise, away from the cold nights of winter.

The longer days and sunny weather create a perfect combination to make the outdoors more appealing.

However, too much sun and exercising in hot conditions can be dangerous. Between around 10am and 3pm the sun is at its highest in the sky, therefore providing the hottest conditions. It is ideal to workout either before or after this period.

Many will ideally work out in the morning as it provides an energy boost which will give you a new lease of life for the whole day.

Grilled peppers and beautiful, colourful salads are all great choices for the barbecue table

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

5

THE ULTIMATE SUMMER PARTY GUIDE

Throw the hottest summer bash this year

W Having plenty of water in big bottles or a jug is essential, especially if you’re drinking alcohol as this dehydrates the body

6

PROPERTY NEWS

e’re now deep in summer and the weather is certainly reflecting this! The typical British showers are being followed by gloriously sunny days, and we want to make the most of them. Those of us with children will likely have them home for the holidays, so what better time to have a get-together? Let’s take a look at everything you’ll need to host the perfect summer party in your garden; we’ve even got some recipe ideas for you!

AN IDEAL DAY

First off, you’ll have to check the weather forecast and pick the best day for your gathering. We all know how volatile British summers can be, so it goes without saying that you should make sure there’s no rain on the horizon. It’s also worth considering the heat. As nice as it might seem, Healthline warns that heat exhaustion can occur when you’re outside in 32°C heat or higher so we

highly recommend you try to pick a day a little cooler than that, or at least have a lot of shade available. The last factor is the wind, which can cause absolute chaos at outdoor parties.

SETTING THE SCENE

Now it’s time to prepare your garden.

When it’s sunny outside we immediately think of picnics, so why not set out lots of blankets and turn the lawn into the main party area? You could have plates and bowls of food in the middle and have your guests seated in a circle, or just let people sit where they like.

Unfortunately not all of us are able to sit on the ground for long periods, so having garden or camping chairs nearby would be a great gesture and could potentially save a few backs!

We recommend having a cool box outside that your guests can easily access, to save frequent trips to the

FOR THE BARBECUE MIXED SKEWERS

Ingredients: whatever you like!

The sky is the limit when it comes to making homemade kebab-style skewers. All types of meat will work perfectly, and popular vegetable choices include peppers, onion and courgette. We’ve even seen fruit! Peach will grill very nicely, and pineapple is a common partner for meat which also cooks wonderfully on a barbecue. While fresh fruit is the best choice, you could try tinned instead.

All you need to do is brush all the ingredients with olive oil and season to taste before putting the skewers on the grill. Make sure all meat is cooked through before serving.

VEGAN CAULIFLOWER STEAK

Ingredients: l Cauliflowers (2-3 steaks per head) l Olive oil l Lemon juice l Salt and pepper Remove the leaves and trim the end of the cauliflower stem so it can stand on a flat surface. Cut away the looser florets on either side so you’re left with a sturdy rectangular core. Cut equal sized steaks. Brush the steaks with a mixture of the remaining ingredients, then grill for 7-8 minutes each side, or until grill marks appear and the cauliflower is tender. Serve with salad and vegan yoghurt mixed with a dash of lemon juice and cumin—trust us on that one! fridge. Having plenty of water in big bottles or a jug is essential, especially if you’re drinking alcohol as this dehydrates the body. We would also suggest having a bin outside, again so no one has to put litter on the floor or inside. Finally, a Bluetooth speaker will help create the perfect atmosphere for your party, while letting you leave your phone indoors to avoid it overheating. Just make sure you talk with your neighbours if you plan on turning up the volume—it is respectful to let them know about potential noise from your garden.

FOOD AND DRINK

Bold and tasty offerings that perfectly match the weather will surely wow your guests! Here are some ideas we’ve come up with, which will hopefully suit everyone. The quantities of all ingredients are completely up to you, so experiment with different proportions to find your taste!

DRINK MAI TAI

Classic ingredients: l Orange liqueur (e.g. Curaçao, Cointreau) l Rum l Orgeat/almond syrup l Lime juice l Ice and fruit slices to serve The perfect tropical cocktail, the Mai Tai is one of our favourites for a summer’s evening. The beauty of it is how variable the ingredients can be while maintaining the taste. Consider replacing the orange liqueur with orange or pineapple juice, or even the juice from the skewers’ tinned fruit. Almond syrup or Orgeat is a fairly specialist ingredient, so you can use Amaretto to introduce more alcohol while preserving the quintessential almond flavour.

Turn this into a mocktail by replacing all alcoholic ingredients with the aforementioned fruit juices. We also recommend trying to find cherry juice or syrup if you don’t have the almond flavoured ingredients, as this has a similar flavour profile when mixed in a cocktail!

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

7

CREATING EXTRA

CASH Ker-ching... how to create a new income stream

W

e all love having a little more money in our wallets, but now more than ever it’s important to save and generate as much as possible. Of course, for the majority of us that isn’t as simple as finding more or better-paid work—that just isn’t how life works. So where can we turn in the hunt for extra income?

The answer may be closer to home than you expect. In fact, there’s a nice chunk of cash waiting to be earned within those very walls: your old clothes and belongings! These present us with some good options for pulling in money on the side, so let’s take a look at two ways to create both space and income!

We must preface this by advising you to thoroughly sort and evaluate the items you wish to sell. If there is any chance you might come to regret parting with something, it’s best to leave it alone for now. Our general philosophy is that if we’ve not worn, used or touched it for over a year, it’s fair game, but please

8

PROPERTY NEWS

only sell what belongs to you personally and never more than you can afford to lose.

CAR BOOT SALES

Without further ado, let’s talk about car boots. The classic gathering of local sellers operating stalls out of their vehicles is a great way to bag a deal as well as clear out your home and make a little money while doing so.

One of the keys to car boot success is your pricing strategy. While it’s important to know the value of what you’re selling, especially if you have more specialist items and collectables, you need to keep your prices low and let people haggle.

Other sellers at the event will be looking around for things to buy for themselves, and they’ll be keeping track of their spending as to not make a loss. Ensuring your prices are low will attract customers and make them more inclined to buy from you.

It might feel annoying to part with items for as low as 20p, but you must

they’re making the right choice by buying from you. This might seem like a trick, but since you’re charging the same amount as you would if shipping weren’t included it’s fair play in our books.

Both of these strategies should help you attract buyers who will hopefully leave you good reviews and maybe follow your selling page. This will help you climb up the search results, in turn reaching more customers. If you can master this positive feedback loop, you’ll be clearing out unused items while making good money in no time! Just make sure you stay well on top of orders, as any accidental lateness or mistakes could leave you with a negative review which will be very detrimental for your page going forward.

remember that it’s more than you would have if you didn’t sell it at all!

Another way to draw buyers in is to organise your stall so similar items are grouped together. It will be much easier for a potential customer to find something they want if you’ve made it clear where they should be looking. For example, children’s toys should be displayed together, with electronics such as cables or devices in a distinct part of your stall. We’ve noticed that a box or two full of books will always be popular with passers-by; ideally, you’ll display them spine-up. A jumbled mess of all sorts of items will take too long to look through and you will lose customers.

VINTED

Though advertised mainly as a second-hand clothes site, Vinted is great for getting rid of all sorts of items from around your home, from video games to crockery. You’ll be able to charge more on this site than you would at a car boot and your

customer base is not limited to whomever is at that specific sale, but making the individual listings can take a long time and it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle.

We wish you all the best in your second-hand selling endeavours – let’s hope you can get a very welcome boost to your bank account!

One great way to sell more items on Vinted is to write very detailed item descriptions. If you describe a t-shirt as ‘black slim fit shortsleeve men’s and women’s t-shirt’ instead of just ‘black t-shirt’ you’re bound to get more eyes on the listing because of the abundance of keywords and common search phrases.

You’ll also attract more customers by listing the item with free shipping and including the estimated cost for you to post it in the main price. The cost of the item will still be less than retail, but customers will feel like

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

9

AUGUST

GARDENING GUIDE

It’s peak summer in your garden, so keep on top of those jobs to keep it looking great

D

epending on the weather in your area, your garden may be starting to look tired and scruffy. August is the month to have a tidy and prune to ensure gorgeous blooms for longer, and is also the time to start thinking about next Spring. Worried about where to start?

Never fear, we here have a guide of jobs to keep you busy.

KEEP ON DEADHEADING

Deadheading simply means removing spent flowers.

When a flower starts to lose its petals, that is a sign that it’s time to remove the flower from the plant so it can put more energy into creating other flowers. All you need to do is pinch the flower behind its head, and gently pull to remove. Dahlias, osteopermums, and perennials are the flowers you want to concentrate on to keep the plants looking amazing for longer.

COLLECT SEEDS

Collecting seeds is so much cheaper than going to the garden centre ever year. You will also get an exact match from your original plant, however, excitingly, you may also get a new variety depending on the other parent plant! All you will need is a brown paper bag and some snips. The best day to collect seeds is on a dry day, after a spell of dry weather. You then need to find seedheads. Some are obvious such as poppies, while others come in papery packets which you will cut from the plant and leave to dry in the brown paper bag. Once dry, simply store them somewhere dry and dark until next Spring.

10

PROPERTY NEWS

PRUNING

Some gardeners love pruning, while others hate it. Either way, it needs to be done to keep plants strong, ready for next year. In August, plants you will want to trim, and prune are lavender, rambling roses, and woody herbs such as thyme and rosemary.

To trim lavender, wait until it has finished flowering, then cut back hard being careful not to cut into old wood. Pruning rambling roses is essential for the health of the plant.

Rambling roses are the only type of rose that should be cut back immediately after flowering. Cutting back hard will promote the most growth next year.

If you are going

water your garden, and greenhouse, if you have one, while you are away. There is away on holiday, SOW HARDY nothing worse than coming ensure you set up a ANNUALS home from your holiday to watering system FOR NEXT YEAR find you treasured plants For early colour next year, dead, or your tomatoes and you can sow hardy annuals chillies frazzled and crisped now directly into your garden. Plants such in the greenhouse. Leave a note on your as poppies, sunflowers and dill will especially kitchen side with specific instructions on benefit from being sown now. Create a finehow to water some plants such as chillies textured soil where you want to sow seeds, and tomatoes, herbs, and other flowers. and follow the instructions on your packet.

Once the seedlings come through, keep TAKE CUTTINGS weeding and by the time the winter comes Another great way to save money next year the plants should be strong enough is to take cuttings from plants you love this to survive the winter (ensure you are year. To take cuttings, pick healthy, strong sowing ‘hardy’ annuals otherwise they plants and with a very sharp pair of snips, cut will die over the winter) and provide a green, softwood stem at a 45-degree angle colour early next year. just above a leaf node. Get this cutting

SET UP A WATERING SYSTEM

If you are going away on holiday, ensure you set up a watering system. This could be an automated irrigation system, or even a trusted friend of family member to come and

into a pot of a 50/50 mix of compost and horticultural grit and keep moist and in a shady place. Water daily and leave for a few weeks until roots have started to form. Once you are happy the cutting has taken (creating roots) you can pot on into its own pot and overwinter ready for planting the following year.

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

11

CHANEL LES EAUX PARIS-VENISE EAU DE TOILETTE While you may not be able to jet off to Paris or Venice this summer, you can pick up the scent of the city with this selection from Chanel.

This perfume is inspired by the exotic scent of the Italian city, with freshness and sensuality combined with an ambery vanilla and tonka smell.

GIORGIO ARMANI SI PASSIONE EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY

MAISON MARGIELA REPLICA BUBBLE BATH

Bubble bath in name, bubble bath in nature. This scent will fill you will warmth and make you feel at ease with the jasmine, lavender and slight hints of coconut notes which instantly smell clean and fresh.

SUMMER

The season of summer is the time to smell warm and fruity, which this scent delivers with ease. Woody, floral and fruity notes flow through this bright red bottle of perfume to create a warm and passionate feeling.

SCENTS ARMANI CODE ABSOLUT

Our first aftershave suggestion is filled to the brim with summery scents. The spicy, amber fragrance has notes of green mandarin and apple, with hints of nutmeg, orange blossom and carrot seeds, while the main smell coming through is vanilla.

12

PROPERTY NEWS

Summer is the season for creating lifelong memories with friends and family as you make the most of the stunning weather.

A top way to feel like a whole new person during the long days is to invest in a brand new scent, with the summer season seeing a whole range of top names releasing their most recent perfumes and aftershaves.

TOM FORD COSTA AZZURRA ACQUA Mirror the unmistakable smell of fresh sea air with this woody, aromatic fragrance.

The top notes in this scent are juniper berries, lemon, myrtle, cypress and pine tree needles which produce a refreshing summer breeze smell that will seem right at home during a hot summer’s day.

The aftershaves and perfumes you could invest in for a fresh summer scent this year

BYREDO SUNDAZED Another citrus scented fragrance for men is Byredo Sundazed. This boasts notes of mandarin orange and californian lemon to produce a sweet and floral smell that all will love.

We have collected together a handful of scents you may want to try out this summer.

SUMMER SOUNDS Classic tracks you need to have on your summer playlist this year

Putting together the right backing track for your summer is important to ensure it is the best one of your life so far. Summer is the perfect season for long drives to get to all manner of holiday destinations and walks that can take up the whole day as you make the most of the stunning weather and long days.

Making sure you have the right songs playing in the car or through your headphones is crucial. If you have a fantastic mix of classic tunes featuring a plethora of iconic acts, this will elevate your mood and keep you going.

Get the right backing track in place for those long summer drives

We have collected together a list of tracks you could include in your playlist and separated them by decade to suit the needs of all.

70s

90s

My Sharona, by The Knack

Don’t Turn Around, by Ace of Base

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,

by Diana Ross

Macarena, by Los Del Rio

Margaritaville, by Jimmy Buffett Best of My Love, by The Emotions Play That Funky Music, by Wild Cherry Grease, by Frankie Valli Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,

by Elton John and Kiki Dee

Genie in a Bottle,

by Christina Aguilera Baby-Baby-Baby, by TLC Waterfalls, by TLC Whoomp! (There It Is), by Tag Team MMMBop, by Hanson

Ring My Bell, by Anita Ward

Baby Got Back, by Sir Mix-A-Lot

80s

00s

Don’t You Want Me,

by The Human League

I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker,

by Sandi Thom

The Power of Love,

by Huey Lewis and the News

Party In The U.S.A by Miley Cyrus

Jessie’s Girl, by Rick Springfield

Mr. Brightside, by The Killers

Eye of the Tiger, by Survivor

I Gotta Feeling, by Black Eyed Peas

Sledgehammer, by Peter Gabriel

The Tide is High, by Atomic Kitten

I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me), by Whitney Houston

Evacuate The Dancefloor, by Cascada

Upside Down, by Diana Ross

It’s Gonna Be Me, by NSYNC

Every Breath You Take, by The Police

Beautiful Girls, by Sean Kingston

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

13

PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 2022-23 The new Premier League season kicks off this month

The Premier League kicks off a week earlier than normal this year due to the Winter World Cup, so we thought now is as good a time as any to look at the teams fighting for the title and those aiming to avoid relegation.

Title Favourites It’s hard to look much further than the usual suspects this year, especially with the strengthening of three of the top teams.

Liverpool They may have lost Sadio Mane, whose influence shouldn’t be underestimated, but they completed their transfer business early with the signing of Darwin Nunez, and youngsters Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay. With their formidable defense still the same, and their midfield as strong as ever, adding more attacking talent to take over the mantle of Firmino, Mane and Salah, should see them continue to fight for the title.

Man City Current champions Man City have blown everyone out of the market with the signings of Erling Haaland, arguably the hottest property in world football, and Kalvin Phillips who looks ready-made to take over from Fernandinho in defensive midfield. They may have lost Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling, but it’s not often Pep Guardiola doesn’t have a plan in his mind and with Haaland up front expect goals galore.

14

PROPERTY NEWS

Chelsea Chelsea may have lost stalwarts such as Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, but with the signing of Raheem Sterling, and the return of Connor Gallagher from his impressive loan spell with Crystal Palace, expect a superior attacking threat this year.

They have been linked with a new centre back too, with Nathan Ake and Kalidou Koulibaly on their list of targets, and if they sign either of these expect a strong title fight this season.

Surprise packages The joy of the Premier League comes from the surprise packages that happen every season…

Man Utd Last season may have been a severe disappointment, but don’t forget a season earlier Utd were second only behind Man City, and have added to that squad with quality since. Last year, was a failure of management and tactics from both Solskjaer and Rangnick, but with Ten Hag in place building team spirit and a work ethic that has been missing, alongside the potential new signings of Lisandro Martinez and Frenkie De Jong, expect a much stronger season this year.

Aston Villa Never underestimate a team with Steven Gerrard in charge. Aston Villa have a seriously talented squad.

New boy Diego Carlos adds more steel to the defensive line, while Boubacar Kamara is a very good signing to protect the back four. The early signing of

Philippe Coutinho has elevated the squad and with other attackers such as Bailey and Buendia, who are certain to have better second seasons, and Watkins and Ings up front, expect a push for Europe this season.

Flattering to deceive Don’t expect too much from these clubs this year.

Tottenham Hotspur Spurs have had a very strange transfer market. Yes, Richarlison could be a good signing, but was he really needed? Bissouma is a competent midfielder, but is he any better than anyone else already in the squad? Likewise, Lenglet has his doubters in Spain, while Perisic is definitely past his best. However, with Antonio Conte at the helm, and with Kane and Son still in the squad they can’t be written off completely.

Everton The Toffees should be good enough to avoid a relegation

battle this year, however, don’t expect too much more.

Their squad is mediocre at best, and even with the signing of Tarkowski, their defense is weak. With Richarlison leaving, it is hard to see where the goals are going to come from even with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the squad. A look through their team starts to look like a graveyard of once hot prospects that never took their game to the next level.

Relegation Fodder It’s easy to look at newly promoted clubs when it comes to predicting who will be relegated this season, however, Nottingham Forest have Dean Henderson in goal, who could save win them points alone, while, if Mitrovic gets firing, Fulham should be safe. Leeds United have had a fire sale of their best players this year, so it would be surprising if they don’t end up in a relegation fight, and expect AFC Bournemouth and Southampton FC to be fighting for Premiership survival when it comes to the business end of the season.

All details correct at time of writing

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

15

bee residential S A L E S

A N D

L E T T I N G S

Folksworth Road, Peterborough, PE7 Asking Price of £1,100,000

Welcome to Willow House an individual designed family home with versatile living accommodation sitting on a generous, non-estate plot. The proper ty is accessed through remote controlled electric gates leading into the block paved cour tyard, providing ample off road parking for up to ten vehicles and access to the double garage (being used as a store room and snooker room). The grounds continue to both sides of the proper ty with large side patio, leading to the rear garden which is mainly laid to lawn and offers open views over farm paddocks and also includes a tiered deck enter taining area with hot tub and gazebo, Crown pavilion seating for 12 with with heating and fridge. The proper ty comprises of; spacious entrance hallway, cloakroom, dining room, two living rooms, office, utility room, kitchen/breakfast room, family room, first floor landing leading to five bedrooms, two with en-suites and family bathroom room.

Welland Road, Dogsthorpe, PE1 Offers Over £410,000

This detached family home is located in the popular area of Dogsthorpe, PE1. The proper ty comprises of downstairs shower room, kitchen/breakfast room, living room, dining room, conservatory, four bedrooms, en-suite to bedroom one, family bathroom, brick built workshop/office with power and lighting, owned solar panels, enclosed rear south facing garden and gas central heating. There is ample off road parking provided by the block-paved driveway secured by electric gates with an intercom entry system. An early viewing is recommended. Situated within easy reach of all road networks and just a shor t walk to Dogsthorpe Academy School and local shops.

sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk

01733 552 366

call us today for a free no obligation valuation South Street, Stanground, PETERBOROUGH, PE2 Asking Price OF £195,000

Huntly Grove, PETERBOROUGH, PE1 Offers Over £245,000

SO ST LD C

Viewing is recommended for this refurbished established end terraced property.The property briefly comprises of; entrance lobby, living room, re-fitted kitchen/dining room, rear lobby, downstairs re-fitted shower room, landing leading to three bedrooms and re-fitted shower room.There is gas central heating and uPVC doubled glazing throughout.The rear garden is south easterly facing and is sectioned off to include an undercover hot tub area (hot tub available by separate negotiations), an enclosed deck patio garden with large summer house, further garden area with greenhouse, there are a number of sheds that will be included in the sale. Council tax banding = A £1237 per annum.The property is a short walk to shops, schools and all other amenities.

Offered for sale with no forward chain is this spacious family Victorian proper ty which is just a shor t walk from the Kings School, Peterborough city centre and the railway station. The proper ty comprises entrance hall living room, reception room, dining area, kitchen, downstairs shower room, first floor landing leading to 2 double bedrooms, family bathroom, and third bedroom. The proper ty benefits from gas central heating and double glazing. There is a large rear garden which is fully enclosed by fencing. There is residents on street parking to the front of the proper ty and permits are bought via Peterborough City Council. The proper ty is just a shor t walk to central park which has its own Cafe/restaurant and hosts bands and lots of family activities throughout the year. You are in walking distance of junior and senior schools.

beeresidential.co.uk

bee residential A N D

L E T T I N G S

St Margarets Road, PETERBOROUGH, PE2 Offers Over £185,000

SO ST LD C

S A L E S

Located in the popular area of Fletton and offered for sale with no forward chain this Victorian terrace is one to view! The proper ty comprises of living room, inner hallway, dining room with under stairs storage cupboard, fitted kitchen with archway into the utility area, first floor landing leading to bedroom one, bedroom two and a large upstairs bathroom with storage cupboard housing the Worcester 240 combi boiler. There is uPVC double glazed windows and doors and gas central heating throughout. Outside there is an enclosed front garden, access via the rear of the proper ty via a shared passage way with shared access for the neighbouring houses, the rear garden is mainly laid to lawn. The proper ty is an ex rental proper ty and would achieve around £850-900 per month in the current market. Total floor area = 85 square metres. Council tax band = A £1237 per annum

Lancaster Way, Yaxley, PE7 Asking Price of £245,000

Located in the popular Village of Yaxley and offered for sale with no forward chain this detached chalet is one to view! We currently have tenants in situ that have been given 2 months notice. The proper ty briefly comprises of entrance hallway, bathroom, kitchen/diner, lean-to, living room, bedroom three (currently being used as a dining room), first floor landing with three storage cupboards, doors leading to bedroom one and bedroom two. The proper ty has gas central heating and uPVC double glazing. Outside to the front there is a boundary fence with mature trees and shrubs, rear access to the enclosed rear garden, driveway to the single garage. Close to shops, schools and other amenities.

Please note as this proper ty is tenanted we have limited photos.

sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk

01733 552 366

call us today for a free no obligation valuation

SO ST LD C

Fletton Avenue, PETERBOROUGH, PE2 Asking Price of £105,000

Garton End Road, Peterborough, PE1 Asking Price of £300,000

SO ST LD C

Located in a quiet cul-de-sac this light and airy established semi-detached bungalow is offered for sale with no forward chain. The bungalow occupies a good size plot and the accommodation briefly comprises of; entrance hallway, lounge/dining room, kitchen with rear lobby, hallway leading to two double bedrooms, uPVC conservatory, 2nd conservatory utility/storage area, shower room and separate WC. The proper ty benefits from gas central heating, uPVC double glazing and single garage with roller door. Outside there are large front and rear gardens with a driveway for two vehicles. Viewings are taking place on the 10th May 2022 so please be quick to reserve your viewing slot.

This spacious Detached family home is located in Gar ton End Road, PE1. The proper ty offers, gas central heating, uPVC double glazing, family room, kitchen/diner, utility room, reception room two or could be an additional bedroom, downstairs bathroom, four bedrooms, bathroom, sunny rear garden and oversized single garage to the rear of the proper ty, off-road parking to the front. You are close to shops, Newark Hill primary school and Thomas Deacon Academy, all local amenities and easy access into the City Centre and Railway Station. Viewing is recommended. Total floor area 126 square metres. Energy rating E. Council tax band is D £1856.00 per annum.

beeresidential.co.uk

BEE THE BEST Putting the client first is key to growth.

Bee Residential’s philosophy is based on two principles: “Treat people how you would like to be treated” and “Bee the best we can be”. It’s simple enough, but for sales manager Lisa McNamee, customer service will always be the bedrock of their business.

“We are proud of reviews of our personal service,” she says, “Customer Service is everything, Communication is key, just

a simple text, call or emailing updating what’s going on. It doesn’t take much”.

This core belief has shaped Bee’s rise and will also drive their future. Bee’s growth started when director Grant Biddle expanded Bee Lettings by acquiring two more agents. After buying offices, he approached Lisa to ignite the sales operation. Lisa has been in the industry since 1991

sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk

but took a seven-year break to work in recruitment, quickly establishing herself as one of the top consultants in the country.

But her heart always pulled her back to estate agency, working for the same local independent company for 18 years. And, given her experience, she has no hesitation when responding to questions such as “What makes a good estate agent?” and “How are Bee different from the rest?”

To the former, she replies: “Customer service and Communication.

And to the latter, she says: “Unlike other large local agents, you get continuity with Bee Residential.

The pandemic has not affected that level of commitment to their clients. “Although we still have an office, we are totally able to work from home with the same levels of service, and we have a dedicated out-of-hours contact number to keep the service levels up,” says Lisa.

Assembling the right team to maintain those standards is critically important. “Shirley Bartlett is our sales negotiator/ support and is a people person – caring, considerate, down to earth,” says Lisa. “She was with the RNIB for 22 years before joining us in August 2018.

“And Grant remains a hands-on director although he leaves sales to the experience of his team members because he spends most of his time working on the lettings side.”

As for the future, Bee will not stray too far from their principles. ““We are looking at a more individual, bespoke approach for properties coming to the market,” says Lisa, “although basically we are simply concentrating on being the best we can be.”

Bee’ing the best we can be... ...making the most of innovative marketing.

bee residential S A L E S

A N D

L E T T I N G S

Sales & Lettings Office 1 Columbus Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 9FP

01733 552366 sales@beeresidential.co.uk

Get your free proper ty website to share with family and friends today.

beeresidential.co.uk

bee residential S A L E S

A N D

L E T T I N G S

GRANT

LISA

DIRECTOR

SALES MANAGER

Grant has over 35 years’ experience in property, finance and the letting industry, specialising in HMO’s. And for 20 years he has been involved with the local property market as an investor and agent. With a long-standing interest in sport, Grant has played cricket for the county and, for the last two seasons, has been involved as Chairman of Peterborough Sports F.C., who are the premier non-league team in the area.

Lisa has been an estate agent in Peterborough since 1991 and opened our Sales Office in August 2018 she always goes above and beyond for her clients and her attention to detail is second to none. Having helped thousands of people move during her 25 year career, many come back to her for her personal approach and experience.

dentia SHIRLEY

LEYNA

LESLEY

SALES SUPPORT

PROPERTY CONSULTANT

OFFICE MANAGER

Shirley started her estate agency career in the late 1980’s and then spend 22 years working for the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) in a customer service role. She is very down to earth and makes people feel at ease, clients have commented that they feel like they have known her for years. Her support to the sales team is essential.

Leyna joined the team on the 1st October and has bought a wealth of experience with her. She has over 15 years experience of selling homes in Peterborough and she will be carrying a joint role as Valuer/Senior Negotiator.

Her excellent people skills and local knowledge ensure that your move is kept as stress free as possible. Leyna can be contacted on

Lesley joined us Summer 2019 with over 35 years’ experience working in the financial services sector, including a spell in arrears management. As well as providing support to various functions of the business, she also has responsibility for managing our rent arrears.

01733 552 366 option 3

sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk

01733 552 366

call us today for a free no obligation valuation

ANGE

MEGAN

KAREN

LETTINGS MANAGER

LETTINGS ADMINISTRATOR

REFERENCING MANAGER

Ange has vast knowledge and experience in both the private sector and social housing market and has worked for Grant Biddle for 13 years.

Ange is focused on providing an excellent seamless service and has built up good relations with our stakeholders.

Megan joined the company in 2015 as a lettings administrator and looks after day to day running of the lettings department. She has excellent communication and organisational skills and is calm under pressure.

Karen has been with the company since 2003 carrying out internal referencing dealing with applications first-hand.

Her great organisational skills and nononsense approach means she gets the job done swiftly.

al FIONA

MICK

MARISA

PROPERTY MANAGER

PROPERTY MANAGER

PROPERTY MANAGER

Fiona joined the company in January 2016 and has excellent people skills dealing with our tenants on a day to day basis. She has excellent organisational and people skills.

Mick has over 40 years’ experience in housing management with Councils and a Housing Association. He now works part-time for Bee Residential Property Manager, carrying out all aspects of lettings and housing management. He is also closely involved in ensuring that properties are licensed where necessary and that they comply with the standards required by the Council. organisational and people skills.

Marisa joined the company in 2015 and deals with customers face to face on a daily basis showing and letting out Bee Properties. She has excellent customer and communication skills.

beeresidential.co.uk

bee residential S A L E S

A N D

L E T T I N G S

LISTEN TO OUR CUSTOMERS

‘‘

The service is very, proactive, that’s the word I’d use, as soon as I rang, we met the next day at the property and the day after, it was on the market! The photographs that were taken of the property and the way it was described, it was all very good.

I’d definitely recommend Bee Residential; in fact I have.

- Max Vendor/Seller

‘‘

They’ve got a lot of experience, there’s a lot of different people who know how to do their job and everything is done on a schedule and systematised and I think that works really well.

I think for me having that wealth of experience with the core of the team, Grant & Ange, I don’t think there were any issues that we came against that they didn’t have an answer for. Absolutely would recommend Bee Residential to friends and family, and I have done, I’ve got many friends and family that do in fact use them

- Keith Landlord

‘‘

- Max

The viewings were very positive, they had someone there to walk them through, and answer any questions that viewers had.

If I had to go down to the actual shop, they were all lovely, very inviting and very professional. Absolutely would use them again and highly recommend them to friends and family.

- Kim Vendor/Seller

sales@beeresidential.co.uk • lettings@beeresidential.co.uk

01733 552 366

call us today for a free no obligation valuation

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF PETERBOROUGH SPORTS ‘THE TURBINES’ Peterborough Sports Football Club are a local team who currently play in the Southern League Premier Central which is at level seven of the complete English football pyramid (with the Premiership being Level 1).

Bee Residential are a main sponsor of the Football Club and our ground at Lincoln Road, Peterborough has recently been renamed as the Bee Arena in recognition of that. Grant Biddle, owner of Bee Residential is one of the two main shareholders of the Football Club and Chairman.

The football club play at 651 Lincoln Road on leased grounds and as we progress through the leagues (five promotions in a decade) we are continually enhancing the ground to the required grading standards as we develop.

The Peterborough Sports Football Club’s (PSFC) club house is starting to take shape.

The building, which will be called Turbines Tavern, will be used on match and non-match days. The club are currently raising funds for this build. Several social events will take place to raise funds for this venture with all monies raised being put into the just giving account:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ pbsportsclubhouse The footings for the build went in in late November 2020 with the shell and internals now completed. As the fittings have begun to go in, it has become clearer what the space will look like. You will enter the clubhouse through a set of double doors. On the right will be a small office that will be used by the club secretary on match days for team sheets etc and as a general admin office. The bar is directly ahead as you enter the building past the mural and thank you wall. The bar will have seating for approx. 60 people although the Tavern can hold up to 120 people at one time. Glance through a serving hatch and the boardroom is on view which is FA regulation size and will allow up to 43 people (ready for climbing the league ladder). Next to the boardroom is the kitchen with access hatch to the outside patio. TVs will be in the bar,

beeresidential.co.uk

behind the bar and in the boardroom. CCTV has already been installed. The license to allow live music events is currently going through, as is the license to be able to drink outside.

Benches are being added in the next few weeks.

The Tavern will be open from 12 noon – 8pm.

Before the game starts, you can enter through the double doors. Once it has begun, fans will leave through these same doors (drinks in hand – plastic cups only!), following the newly laid walkway to the turnstile blocks. Once inside the grounds, food can be purchased from the Burger Van or the Tavern Kitchen Window. At 3:30pm, the sidebar to the Tavern will open to allow fans to refill drinks.

The Tavern is a much-needed facility for the club but is a work in progress so the process will be monitored to see if anything can be changed to make the running smoother for employees and fans alike.

SELLING YOUR HOME With Bee Residential

EXCLUSIVE FREE Personalised Property Website

Marketing your property

TRADITIONAL MARKETING FOR SALE BOARD Our boards are highly visible

ENERGY PERFORMANCE

and one of the most

If an EPC is required we can

effective marketing tools

offer this service the same

which is available 24 hours

time as your floorplan is

a day.

produced.

PHOTOGRAPHY We will arrange to come

PROPERTY PARTICUALRS

and take professional

We will design and print a

photography to showcase

detailed set of property

your home to its best

particulars for your property

potential.

to be sent to our database of potential buyers.

FLOORPLANS We will produce

PROPERTY PORTALS

professional floorplans so

We will advertise your

your buyer can see a clear

property on Rightmove to

layout of your property

make you you receive

before viewing.

maximum exposure.

Marketing your property

When you choose to market your

EXCLUSIVE TO BEE RESIDENTIAL IN PETERBOROUGH

property with Bee Residential, you can be confident that we’ll ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Selling your property A leading independent agent covering all of Peterborough, the name Bee Residential is synonymous with trust, excellence and integrity.

With decades of experience,

Video microsite on our website

specialising in all aspects of residential property, our friendly, enthusiastic and professional service ensures that our clients

Feature in our monthly magazine

continually return to sell and buy through us.

Rightmove featured property advertising*

Comparables of houses SOLD and price guides

1.

Our qualified database of home buyers will be notified of your property coming to market on their dedicated search websites where they can book viewings and offer feedback.

Quite simply we endeavour to sell

ACTIVATE

Print marketing: Property brochure, photography, floorplans and newspapers COMMON MARKETING

PERSONALISED

you an outstanding service, with a

Tech gimic (Drones, 360 tours)

personal and friendly approach.

We also recognise the importance of marketing, so your property will be advertised on the major online property portals, our website and social media sites, as well as traditional placement in our window display.

Exclusively to us in our area, your property will receive its very own FREE Property Website showcasing a property video, OFSTED reports, and a property brochure. Sharing your personalised website across the social networks widens the audience for your property, to find the right buyer and increasing the chances of a quicker sale.

SHARE

PROPERTY WEBSITE

your home for the best price, in the shortest possible time, providing

2.

RECEIVE YOUR VERY OWN

EXCLUSIVE

SOLD

3.

SELL Portals and websites

Feature on our Facebook, Twitter and Google+

Property video

All our applicants receive your property on their own search for a home website

THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA PROPERTY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

With social media being such a powerful marketing

We can feature your property in the next edition of

tool, we actively advertise

our fabulous monthly publication to further widen the

our properties on Facebook

exposure of your property being marketed in the local area.

and Twitter.

We distribute our magazine to local businesses in the High

We can also boost your

Street as well as when we visit peoples homes for property

posting to reach a wider

valuations... and we value a lot of properties in the area!

but targeted audience.

Introducing our brand-new website We are constantly updating our business to ensure YOU sell quicker than ever!

Your Personal Property Website is delivered with a property video which is linked from all major property portals such as Rightmove.

W

hen you’re looking to sell your home, you want an estate agent that prides itself on being up to date when it comes to innovation and technology, and one that works in perfect synergy with what we consider to be the basics of estate agency: customer service, local knowledge, and experience.

We already have the local knowledge, experience and customer service and we’re proud to now show off our incredible new website which will help you move, fast.

Design With so much time spent online nowadays, you need a website that will hold people’s attention to ensure your property gets seen by the most people possible. Our new video-based websites do exactly that.

Our new website grabs people’s attention and more importantly holds it, so that more people browse through all the useful information it contains as well as using the new and improved search bar to find available properties.

The daily news feed, featuring national and local blogs, is perfect for browsers looking to keep up to date with hints and tips for your home, DIY, sports, movies and local news, and at the same time, they may just see your property…

Fuctionality

Personal Property Website

The property search bar has been upgraded so that it is easier than ever for prospective buyers to find your property. There is now a search radius field for potential buyers looking in a certain area, as well as a new and improved user interface.

This has been a real groundbreaking tool. With so many people now finding more buyers through social media, the ability to share your property on these sites simply gives you a higher chance of selling fast. You can personalise your website with its best selling features and share your website with your family and friends on Facebook to widen the exposure to your home... you never know where the buyer of your home could be!

We know it’s important for you to build trust in us which is why we have new pages featuring up to date details for the whole moving process, as well as a Meet the Team page so you can always put a name to a face.

The whole website has been streamlined so it is easier for you and your potential buyers to find your property and all the details they need.

Making the website easier to use will help your prospective buyers find your property, and using our new tools you will be able to see if it gets the thumbs up or down, which helps to differentiate between buyers and potential time-wasters.

Keep up to date with the most recent national and local news with our integrated social media feed, and use it share your own property. And with the new WhatsApp integration, it’s now easier than ever to get in contact with us.

So, if you’re looking to move in the future, please contact us today to see what we can do for you.

01733 552366

sales@beeresidential.co.uk

Property Video Your Personal Property Website will also come with a property video which is linked to the website from all major property portals such as Rightmove.

On your own personal property page, you will also find easy to use share links for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatApp. With correct use of your Personal Property Website, you’ll see the benefits it makes yourself.

Present your house for sale by de-cluttering...

Maximise your home’s potential and create spacious rooms enticing potential buyers – simply by de-cluttering!

De-cluttering allows you to… maximise your space, emotionally prepare you to move, and will allow you to focus your buyers on what is important

I

f you are looking to sell your house, or have had your home on the market for a while now, then you probably want to get the maximum sale price in the quickest time. There are a few things you can’t control – but the one thing that is in your control, is the look and feel of the interior and exterior.

While it’s worth spending time fixing and cleaning your house before potential buyers come and view, it’s also important to de-clutter. This creates spacious rooms and also allows you to decrease and organise your personal items before you move yourself. Of course it’s understandable that you don’t to want spend money, time and energy on a home you are about to leave, however, a lot of people are looking for a house in which they can move straight into. Maintaining your

property might even save you thousands of pounds; it could even reduce added expenses of living in your home whilst waiting for a sale. And it might even help avoid possible reductions in the asking price.

The main reason in which people move house tends to be because they lack space in their current home. They want a home that is spacious and in which they can grow into.

If a potential viewer comes to your home and sees that there is lack of space, then this will turn them away.

De-cluttering allows you to remove any unnecessary items in an untidy or overcrowded place. It will help maximise your space, emotionally prepare you to move, and will allow you to focus your buyers on what is important.

So where should you start?

You need to create a great first impression and focus on the rooms themselves. You will notice that the first things you see in each room are personal items.

Where possible you want to create the look of a

them into things you want to keep and things you want to get rid of. You may even find that you have collected a cupboard full of paper work. Get yourself organised! Don’t just throw it all away, but file it and go through it thoroughly.

This will also make it easier when you move.

De-personalising can also be a great way to declutter. Too many personal effects can be distracting to buyers. They want to see a house in which they can make their own memories rather than seeing yours. Again, personal items can be stored away. Remember

Where possible you want to create the look of a lifestyle that the potential buyers want lifestyle that the potential buyer want. This usually has a ‘show home’ feel, rather than a ‘lived in’ feel.

Minimising your things is the quickest way to do this: you want to ensure that potential buyers can do simple things, like, open any doors easily, ensuring that there are no obstacles.

So, what do we mean by clutter? There are two types: genuine clutter, and items that you want to keep but don’t work for the sale of your property.

Genuine Clutter: You need to go through the space and sort out each item, categorising

You also want to focus on little things like DVDs, books and trinkets. These items may have some small value so sell them or donate them to charity.

Get rid of any old shoes and coats that are lying about in your porch or hallway. You might want to hide away the coats and shoes you do currently wear. Store them in your wardrobe, while you have viewings.

Items that you want to keep but don’t work for the sale of your property: You may want to consider putting some items in storage while you sell your home. Sometimes items are too large or even too small for some spaces and can make the room look odd. If you want to keep these particular items, then store them until you move into your new home.

that this is only a temporary way of living and hopefully it won’t be for long! If you find you are keeping more things than you are throwing out, then think about whether or not it’s in the right room or do you even need it now?

As previously mentioned, you can attempt to sell some of the things you have acquired over the years. Use sites like eBay, Gumtree and social networking sites to try and sell items. You may want to even hold a house sale for the remaining items that you can’t sell.

Failing that, why not donate to charity.

The end goal is still the same and it’s important to help potential buyers envision your house as theirs. So remember, decluttering will make your home more spacious and entice potential buyers!

Top Tips!

If you are throwing away paperwork, shred anything that is confidential

De-clutter before agents come and take photos of your property. This will help attract more potential viewers online and get that first good impression

Don’t spend too long on certain items and don’t get distracted.

Keep yourself motivated and race against the clock!

Make it fun! Play some music or watch TV while you de-clutter

Your step-by-step guide to the conveyancing process

O

nce a sale has been agreed and is in the hands of your solicitor, it will go through the following stages.

Sometimes additional work will be needed – for example, if the property is leasehold or is yet to be registered with the Land Registry.

It is also important for buyers to discuss the availability of their deposit with their solicitor early in the transaction, and we strongly recommend that you contact your solicitor regularly so that they can keep you fully up-to-date with the progress and the latest timescales.

Seller’s solicitor’s steps • O btain a copy of the Title Deeds (or office copies if the title is registered) • Obtain a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) (if applicable) • The seller(s) will return a completed Property Information Form and a Fixtures, Fittings and Contents Form to the solicitors • Copies of the above documents, plus a draft contract – this is known as an ‘Information Pack’ – will be sent to the buyer’s solicitor • Answer the buyer’s solicitor’s additional enquiries (for example, specific questions about fixtures and fittings) and obtain copies of any planning consent documents • Agree the contract and arrange for the sellers to sign it in readiness of the exchange (below) • All parties agree completion dates and the contracts are exchanged

Between exchange and completion • O btain redemption figures from the mortgage lender and reply to requisitions on title • Approve the transfer and arrange for the seller(s) and buyer(s) to sign • Receive the agent’s fee account and seek the seller’s consent to settle this out of completion funds

Completion date This is the date the ownership of the property passes from the seller to the buyer, and it follows the successful transfer of funds. It’s the date that the whole process works towards.

Upon completion • Receive completion funds and (only when this has been completed) instruct your estate agent to release the keys to buyers. Redeem mortgage and forward the financial statement. Forward any surplus funds (unless these are being used to fund an onward purchase). Ensure all outstanding bills are paid • Forward transfer documents and deeds to the buyer’s solicitors • Forward evidence of ‘discharge of mortgage’ to the buyer’s solicitors

Buyer’s solicitor’s steps • O btain the Information Pack, including a copy of the EPC (if applicable) from the sellers’ solicitor and raise any additional queries • Initiate any specialist searches (for example: a coal search). Submit local, environmental and water searches and a chancel check. This takes about 10 working days in total, and enquiries are then usually raised from the results • Approve the contract when all enquiries are satisfactory and complete. (At this stage, a mortgage transfer deed will need to be signed and witnessed) • Receive a mortgage offer and instructions from the lender and deal with any conditions set out by them. Make sure that life cover and buildings insurance is being arranged • Request the deposit, report back to the buyer, and arrange for the contract to be signed. Place buildings insurance and life cover in force • All parties agree completion dates and the contracts are exchanged

Between exchange and completion • Raise ‘requisitions on title’ and prepare the draft transfer deed • Report on title to mortgage lender and obtain funds for completion, including Stamp Duty (if appropriate) • Prepare accounts, obtain signature to mortgage deed and undertake final Land Registry and Land Charges searches

Completion date This is the date the ownership of the property passes from the seller to the buyer, and it follows the successful transfer of funds. It’s the date that the whole process works towards.

Upon Completion • F orward to the seller’s solicitors the balance of funds − it is only then that they can authorise the release of the keys. Receive from the seller’s solicitors, the transfer document deeds • Stamp the Transfer Deed, register the buyer’s ownership with the Land Registry and forward the deeds to the lender or client (where appropriate)

Contract - The agreement that sets out the main terms that have been agreed − for example: price, address, names, etc. Two copies are drawn up, and each party signs one in readiness for the exchange of contracts.

Deposit - The part of the purchase price (usually 10%) which the buyer pays on exchange of contracts.

Exchange of contracts - The swapping of signed contracts by the solicitors (together with the buyer’s deposit). After this, the contract is binding.

Energy Performance Certificate - This contains information on energy use, energy performance, carbon dioxide emissions, and fuel bills.

Land Registry - The Government department that records who owns what land, and under what conditions.

Local Authority Search - A list of questions that are specific to the property and intended, for example, to discover if there have been any planning applications on the property, if the road to the house is maintained by the council, etc.

Mortgage Redemption Figure - The amount required to repay the outstanding capital/ interest of a mortgage.

Property information form/fixtures, fittings and contents form - Standard forms about the property that the seller answers for their solicitor (for example: what will be left behind, details of guarantees, etc.)

Title Deeds - Legal documents that prove ownership of land/buildings, and the terms on which they are owned.

Transfer of Title - The document that passes the ownership from the seller to the buyer.

Stamp Duty for buy to let investors and second home owners - An additional tax, paid by the buyer purchasing an additional property that is not their main residence. It includes buy to let landlords and those buying second homes and holiday homes. The higher rates will be 3 percentage points above the current rates of duty shown below.

Requisition on title - An enquiry relating to the completion arrangements.

Seller’s Pack - This comprises a Property Information Form, a Fixtures, Fittings and Contents Form, a copy of the title deeds and the draft contract.

Stamp Duty - Currently, the Stamp Duty threshold for residential properties is £125,000. For first-time buyers, you’ll get a discount as long as the purchase price is £500,000 or less.

However, how much you pay is also dependent on whether you already own another property or if you’re a non-UK resident.

Moving house?

From meter readings to removal companies, there’s so much to remember when moving house. Here’s our checklist of what to do and when

F

irst of all, congratulations on your new home! The excitement has probably now kicked in but moving home can also be one of the most stressful and emotionally draining things you can do. However, careful organisation and planning can help decrease the stress and anxiety of moving. This comprehensive and essential checklist will help you do just that.

Eight weeks – Research Ideally, you want to start packing away any non-essential items as early as possible.

This includes any items stored away in the loft, garage and shed. If you are not using it, pack it. Looking into your new area is also important, try to do this around eight weeks before you move. You might need to think about transferring your children to different schools and ordering new uniforms too. At this point, ensure you are also documenting all your important information away: that includes contact details, dates, contracts and information regarding your solicitor.

Six weeks – Removal companies or do it yourself?

Now would be the perfect time to decide on a local removal company. Or if you don’t have too much to move, you may want to do it yourself. You could even look into different van hire companies. At this point you’ve probably started packing away some bits, but if there is anything you decide not to take, then look into selling these items or donating them to charity. This will also give you an idea on the volume of items you have to move.

Four weeks – Notify utility companies This would be a good time for you to notify utility companies and inform them about your move to switch over. This includes gas and electricity, council tax, internet, phone rental and TV. You should also consider changing any car insurance, tax, memberships, phone contracts and inform your bank about the move. Now’s the time to also arrange a date to have your new house cleaned before you move

The buyers of our homes receive their very own property website to share via

Checklist Eight weeks Pack non-essential items Research your new area (transfer schools and order new uniform) Keep all important documents

Six weeks Decide on a local removal company Clear out any unwanted items Keep packing

Four weeks

It will be worth packing a night bag each to help everyone settle in, which means you won’t have to rummage through everything to find your toothbrush! in, and start ordering any new furnishings for your new property. Start packing away more items, that being, out of season clothes, books, dvd’s and even bulky items, like TV’s that aren’t used often.

Two weeks – Confirm all details Confirm your move with your removal company or van hire, estate agents and schools. If possible, try to organise someone to look after your pets and children for the day of your move, as this can also be a stressful time for them too. If your removal company doesn’t disassemble any furniture or sort out the un-plumbing for the washing machine, then now would be the ideal time to organise these. Remember to also cancel any local services you receive: this could be window cleaners, gardeners and newspaper deliveries. You should now also think about re-registering to vote and getting your post re-directed after your moving date. Continue packing away more furnishings, kitchen appliances and crockery that you won’t be using for the next couple of weeks.

24 hours – Final check and walk round You now have only 24 hours before you move, so double check that everything is packed away and ready for transit. It will be worth packing a night bag each to help everyone settle in, which means you won’t have to rummage through everything to find your toothbrush! You may want to create an inventory of your boxes and

furniture to help you keep track of what you have and to help you ensure it doesn’t go missing.

Moving day Today is the day! You need to be ready for when your removal company comes.

Ensure that you let them know if there are any fragile boxes that need extra care when handling. If you’re moving yourself, then pack up your car or van and work out how many trips it may take. Before you leave, also take note of your final meter readings and send these off to your provider. Don’t forget to leave your keys for the new owners!

You have arrived at your new home!

Give your removal company instructions of which boxes go in which rooms and make sure you are happy with everything that has arrived. Ensure you check for any damage before the movers leave.

Read your new utility meters and send your readings of to your supplier. Taking photos of them will also ensure you have the correct reading if you need them again in the future. Unpack your essentials such as bed linen and clean towels. Don’t worry about the rest, it isn’t going anywhere!

Order a takeaway, have a cup of tea and enjoy your first night with your family.

Right, so now you’re all moved in, it’s time to settle down, unpack and enjoy your new place. Remember, planning is essential to ensure your move runs stress free.

social media with its address and personal message!

Notify utility companies Start preparation for your new house Keep packing

Two weeks Finalise all details Organise pet and child care Cancel local services Keep packing

24 hours Check every room and ensure everything is packed Pack a night bag so everything is to hand Collect your new keys Make sure your phone is fully charged so you can get in touch with the estate agents or removal company

Moving in Prepare for the arrival of the removal company and give them directions/ your contact details Ensure everything is ready to move Record meter readings

On arrival Give removal company instructions of what goes where Check for any damage before they leave Read your new utility meters and send them off to your supplier Check if the previous owners have left anything behind Unpack essentials Order a takeaway and sit back and relax!

we’ll Help

bee residential S A L E S

packing!

A N D

L E T T I N G S

you GET

Book your

FREE

01733 552 366

sales@beeresidential.co.uk

beeresidential.co.uk

valuation today.