JULY 2019
Property NEWS
Prepare for BBQ season PAGE 8
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Get your property picture perfect
PAGE 4
Creative decorations for your home
PAGE 6
Tips on how to be ‘festival ready’
PAGE 12
MAKE YOUR Editor’s Letter Welcome to the July issue. The year is flying by quickly, with thoughts for many now turning to the annual summer holiday and relaxing weekends to be spent in the garden, enjoying the sunshine! In this issue we look at how to get your garden BBQ ready – and give you some recipes to try out too.
GARDEN
A HAVEN FOR
WILDLIFE
When it comes to heading off on your holidays, ensure you travel in style with our favourite picks of luggage which will ensure they stand out on the carousel! And while you’re off relaxing on your welldeserved holiday, you can be safe in the knowledge that we will be working away to ensure that the sale of your home goes smoothly. Also, inside this issue, we take a look at the role good photography plays when it comes to marketing your property – so read our top tips of how you can ensure your property is captured in the best possible way.
Simple native flowers… such as lavender, buddleia and sedums all produce plenty of nectar, ensuring a buzzing, populated garden of bees
Your garden, when at its best, is a natural wonder to behold and, if the right preparations are made, a home for wildlife
Enjoy reading and we’ll see you next time. Linda McKeown Editor
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Look after the birds – all year round Agricultural changes to the environment have meant that the number of wild birds in our beautiful world is diminishing, a fact which highlights just how important it is to care for and help our feathered friends. You may be surprised at the types of food you are able to feed birds – which will be sure to keep them coming back for more.
Cheese: avoid soft or mouldy cheeses; only use hard cheeses, cutting it down into small, bite-size chunks.
Eggs: cooked eggs are a great source of nutrients for birds, while the shell itself can also be a brilliant source of calcium and helps aid digestion.
Pasta and rice: both contain plenty of great carbohydrates for birds but wash thoroughly beforehand to get rid of any oils and salt.
Vegetables: mix with sunflower seeds for the perfect bird treat!
Meat: meat, such as beef fat, would be an ideal feast for birds, but make sure it’s in small digestible chunks. Plenty of protein on offer here! A selection of other great leftover food to use would be cereal (with little to no sugar content), pet food, and baked goods (such as bread, cakes and biscuits). All of these, if you’re putting them into your bird feeder, should be soaked with water beforehand to make it easier for birds to digest.
Protecting our beloved bees We need bees to survive. Bees pollinate, helping plants to grow, breed and produce food. They do so by transferring pollen between flowering plants, thus keeping the cycle of life turning. Many plants we depend on for our food rely on pollination. Therefore, looking after our bees and helping them do their all-important work is one of the best things we can do for nature. Some simple actions could help tremendously.
The right flowers: simple native flowers (rather
than other, more elaborate flowers), such as lavender, buddleia and sedums all produce plenty of nectar, ensuring a buzzing, populated garden of bees.
Other great features to add to your garden Growing a range of trees, shrubs and climbers will provide food and shelter for certain
wildlife. Larger plants, particularly trees, support more wildlife by offering food in the form of flowers, fruit and seeds, and provide cover and nesting sites for garden animals. Some smaller trees and shrubs that are particularly good for blossom and berries include rowan, crab apple, elder, blackthorn and hawthorn. Fruit trees attract and support a range of wildlife, whilst also supplying you with a useful crop. One of the most effective, promising ways to bring wildlife to your very own garden is a pond. The size doesn’t matter too much – even a container holding enough water where various wildlife can swim, drink and rest is beneficial. Allow water plants to grow and colonise to help encourage the presence of wildlife; and try to ensure the pond has a sloping base to help amphibians get in and out easily and enjoy the shallower waters. Steep or sloped ground and rocky areas are another way to attract wildlife to your garden. If planted well, rock gardens and gravel beds can bring in wildlife such as mason bees. With a rock garden, a pond and a meadow, your garden will soon look like the bee’s knees! Creating a meadow isn’t particularly complicated and it can add so much charm and wildlife to your plot. A meadow consists of a mixture of grasses and wildflowers, so all you need are the right seeds and a bit of time!
Leave the weeds alone: although weeds are generally considered the villains of any garden, wild-growing dandelions can be considered a free food and a beneficial weed, rather than a nuisance, offering bees a brilliant source of sustenance. Quench bees’ thirst: a water feature, such as a
water basin, is a perfect way to feed bees (as long as there are some floating objects in the water, such as corks, so the bees don’t drown). Sprinkling your meadow with wildflower seeds could also produce the likes of poppies, nigella and corn marigolds. Meadows are great for insects, and mowing paths through the meadows invites plenty of exploration.
Fruit trees attract and support a range of wildlife, whilst also supplying you with a useful crop
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HOW TO GET YOUR PROPERTY
picture perfect
Here are some simple tips to get your property ready for those all-important viewings
When it comes to marketing your property, the first thing buyers look at are the photos. Good photos of your property can have a huge impact on the number of viewings you receive. The more viewings you have, the more chance you have of getting an offer. So, get your property picture perfect before we take the photos. Here’s how… Tidy up the living areas and bedrooms A potential buyer wants to look at your property and see if they can imagine themselves living there. If they, however, cannot look past the clutter they may lose interest in what could otherwise be their perfect property. Ask us to come around at a suitable time, for example; when
the kids are at school and after you have had time to clean up after them, before we take the photos.
property. No viewing means no chance of an offer. Remove the pet food bowls and keep ‘Spot’ off the bed during photos.
Do the washing up Similar to tidying up the living areas, no-one wants to see what you had for dinner last night when they are looking at your property online. Do the washing up in the morning and put the washing up away; this will make your kitchen look larger with more working surface area.
Open the curtains When we are at your property, open the windows and let in the natural light. This will result in better photos. Avoid having photos taken at night as they will make the property look dull and dark, which are two words no-one ever mentions when discussing what they want from their new property.
Keep pets out of the picture We understand that you love ‘Spot’, but your potential buyer may not be an animal person: and the fact that a pet has lived in the house may be enough for them not to view your
Make the beds No-one wants to see your underwear on Rightmove; pick up any clothes, books or toys off the bedroom floors and make the beds. It is amazing
Other hints & tips n Clean windows - grubby and smeared windows can impact the natural light coming into your house. n Remove personal photos you don’t want pictures of your wedding on property portals, but an edited photo with a blur effect is even worse, taking the viewer’s attention away from your property. n Don’t leave your car on your drive - similar to wedding photos, you don’t want to advertise your license plate number. Plus, a car on the drive hinders the viewer’s ability to visualise the size of the drive. n Take down posters and stickers remove posters and photos from the walls to avoid distracting your potential buyers. n Turn off your TV - Piers Morgan in the background of any photo will be a massive turn off for many!
When it comes to marketing your property, the first thing buyers look at are the photos
what these little bits of cleaning will do when you see the photos of your property online. Keep any furry friends off the beds and out of the way during photos too.
after themselves, but on the day of the photos try to put away as many toys as possible, get the floors clear and wash off any marks on the walls. Make their beds as well and remove the overflowing rubbish bins.
Clean the bathroom Get your bathroom sparkling clean before we come around; but remember to put away the cleaning products as a mop bucket in the shower cubicle or bleach bottle by the bath ruin the vision that your potential buyer is creating in their mind. Scrub the dried toothpaste from the sink and dust and polish any windows. The kids' bedrooms We understand how children are, and how little they enjoy cleaning up
Cut the grass and tidy the garden A garden is an extension of the home, and people want to imagine themselves out there on a sunny day. If it is overgrown in photos, you are making it harder for people to visualise themselves living there. Cut the grass, sweep any patios, trim back the hedges and pick up any toys – children’s or animals! If it is raining on the day, ask us to come around for external shots on a sunnier day.
Remember, our aim is to help you make the most of your property. However, there is only so much we can do for you if your property isn’t photo ready, and it isn’t an exaggeration to say that doing these simple jobs could help you receive higher offers and sell quicker.
For a free no-obligation valuation, talk to one of our friendly and helpful team today.
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Get back to basics
and be
creative Don’t want to spend much on buying new things for your home? Here are some creative ideas on how to make beautiful and individual decorations for your home. The kids can get involved too!
Pottery painting Whatever the weather, children can enjoy pottery painting – and it can be fun for adults too. There is a great range of different styles and techniques you can learn, and you can make these personal and unique to you – or make them as a gift. Pottery painting cafes are very popular for creating your own masterpiece and meeting new people, so keep an eye out for what’s going on in the community.
Make your own photo frames Photo frames are a great addition to any room, and displaying photos is great to personalise your home and remind you of the special moments in your life. However, they can be expensive, so why not make your own! To make a picture frame you’ll need to assemble a cardboard mat, four wood and metal sides creating the outline of your frame, and the glass or plexiglass front used to protect the picture. You can also personalise the frame with decorative elements.
If you think that making your own from scratch is too fiddly, then you could buy a plain photo frame and personalise it how you’d like. Stickon tape is a cheap and quick way to add a personal touch to the frame, and kids would enjoy repainting frames or sticking crafts on such as shells, flowers, sequins or buttons.
A day at the beach is fun for all the family, and doing crafts with shells you collected can extend the experience
Paint plant pots This is something which will be great for summer days in the garden. Turn plain plant pots into a piece of art with the help of the kids. Whether you choose a solid colour or a pattern, repainted plant pots will help add a touch of personalisation to your garden. For the best results ensure pots are well brushed down of any dirt or dust so you have a nice smooth surface for painting on.
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Fake Flowers Spruce up your home by creating your own flower arrangement from artificial flowers to give your home a spring-feel all year round. Why not buy a plain vase and decorate it with lights, paint or a ribbon too? As well as being low maintenance, arranging artificial flowers and decorating the vase can provide hours of entertainment for kids.
Shells from the beach
Sewing - blankets, throws, cushions, bunting Sewing is a great hobby to get involved with, and there are a range of sewing kits for all skill levels. Whether you sew by hand or with a machine, cushion covers are relatively easy to make. All you need to do is cut and measure the fabric to fit the size of the cushion and sew the sides of the fabric together inside out. The easiest technique to use is the envelope back cover where one side of the fabric overlaps, which creates a flap where you can insert the cushion, with no fastening required. You could even sew blankets and throws in a similar style to the cushions so everything on your sofa or bed match perfectly! Children will enjoy choosing their own fabrics, whether it's their favourite colour, a superhero or one covered in animals. There’s so much you can do with these, including folding and sewing the fabric into triangles to create bunting to go in their bedroom or playroom.
A day at the beach is fun for all the family, and doing crafts with shells you collected can extend the experience. If you have collected your own shells, here are some fun and creative crafts to make with them! Putting them in a pretty jar is probably the easiest thing you could do, but it can have a big impact and make a nice ornament in the home.
Candles The sight, sound and smell of a candle can lift any room, and making your own candles is a lot easier than you may think! The beauty of making your own candles is that you choose your own smells and decorate it how you’d like. You can buy simple candle making kits and fragrance oils which will spread a lovely aroma. Setting your candles in Mason jars, or something similar which can withstand the heat, will make your homemade candles look even more decorative.
Glue seashells to a mirror or photo frame to add some beachy personality to a room. You could even paint the shells before fixing them to a photo frame with a nice family photo for keepsake. If your kids want to go back to school and show their friends what they did in their summer holidays, you can turn the shells into jewellery, or a keyring for them to attach to their school bag. A big shell could even be used as a candle holder or a soap dish!
Spruce up your home by creating your own flower arrangement from artificial flowers to give your home a spring-feel all year round
Paintings This might take some time and practice depending on how experienced or confident you are with a paint brush! Whether you want to paint a canvas or frame a painting on card, creating your own piece of art and displaying this on your wall is a cheap but effective way to add some character to a room – and can be a good conversation starter too!
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GET YOUR
GARDEN
READY FOR
Nothing says summer quite like the sight and smell of a sweet, smoky barbecue sizzling in your garden. Now is a great time for a big clean of your grill and to get your garden ready for BBQ parties in the sun!
BBQ SEASON
Give your BBQ a good clean Whether you’re cooking on gas or charcoal, it’s important that your grill is clean and wiped down before you start cooking. Take off the grates and scrub them down; there are plenty of products on the market specially made for BBQ grates. If you have a charcoal BBQ which has been stored inside the garage or shed over the winter, wipe down the inside to get rid of any dust or insects. Also wipe the exterior of the BBQ and your tools. When you’ve finished cleaning your BBQ, rub your tools and the grates in olive oil to help prevent rusting.
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Create/clean up dedicated BBQ area If you have spare space in your garden, or would like to cook away from guests, try building a dedicated BBQ area! Whether it is raised decking, a small area of paving or some decorative gravel, you can find the perfect spot even in the smallest of gardens. Pick somewhere which enjoys a little shade and provides easy access for transporting food. You can install your brick BBQ or even build your own outdoor kitchen, equipped with a grill, sink and that all important drinks fridge! If your garden has a great view, whether it’s countryside, a local landmark or the seaside, raise the BBQ area so the cook gets the best seat in the house.
And if your BBQ area has been deserted during the winter, pick out any weeds and wash down the decking or patio with a jet washer to bring it back to life.
Clean down/buy new patio furniture Once you’ve cleaned down your patio or laid some new decking, now is the time to kit it out with some furniture! There are tons of different styles and designs for garden furniture, all suitable for a range of budgets and garden types. Rattan and weaved furniture are a popular choice, as are wooden tables. There are even dining sets with a fire pit built into the middle; perfect for keeping warm and toasting marshmallows.
Now is a great time for a big clean… to get your garden ready for BBQ parties in the sun!
Sticky Chicken Wings Succulent meat with sticky glaze, these messy wings are perfect finger food for a warm summer’s day, or can be cooked indoors if the weather isn’t on your side. Serve with creamy blue cheese ‘slaw made from mayonnaise and gorgonzola cheese. Ingredients: 8 large chicken wings 2 tbsp honey 3 tbsp dark brown sugar 3 tbsp tomato ketchup 4 tbsp soy sauce 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1-2 tsp sundried tomato paste Pinch of dried chilli flakes
SIZZLING BBQ RECIPES! If your garden furniture has been sat on the patio or stored inside since last summer, give it a wash down. If you have wooden furniture, use ‘wood cleaner’, then finish off with wood sealer to preserve its colour. For weaved or iron furniture, you can use warm water and soap to wash it down, followed by a rinse with the hose.
Add lighting Now that you’ve got your garden all set up, add lighting so you can entertain guests after the sun goes down. Solar lights are environmentally friendly and cheap to run. Lighting up a fire pit or a chiminea will keep your guests warm whilst you sit back, relax and drink into the early hours.
2. T o make the blue cheese slaw, mix together creme fraiche, gorgonzola cheese, juice of a lemon and mix in some shredded vegetables. Season to taste and leave to chill for up to five hours. 3. I f cooking the wings on a charcoal bbq, once the coal is white hot, cook the wings over direct heat for around 6-8 minutes on each side, then give them around 1 minute of indirect heat, turning them and brushing with the marinade to give them a sticky outside.
Make the most of your summer with our BBQ recipe ideas, including tender sticky chicken wings and grilled halloumi burgers – served with some great sides. Ideal for entertaining meat lovers and vegetarians!
Halloumi Burgers Slices of grilled, charred halloumi in a sweet brioche, served with your choice of salad. Perfect for both veggies and the whole family. Ingredients: 250g block of Halloumi, cut into 8 thick slices 1 tbsp olive oil 4 brioche buns 4 tbsp hummus 1 large ripe tomato, thinly sliced 4 Butterhead lettuce leaves 4 tbsp tomato salsa * Images for illustrative purposes only
1. Mix the marinade ingredients into a bowl and toss in the chicken wings, making sure they are all generously coated. Cover and chill for an hour, or overnight if you have time.
1. When the charcoal has stopped flaming and is glowing white hot, brush the halloumi slices with olive oil on both sides and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden. 2. S plit open the buns and slightly toast on the grill (without burning them!) and spread the hummus on the bottom halves. Add some tomato then the halloumi, then finish with the lettuce and the salsa with the top half of the bun. 3. S erve with skewered barbecued veg, rice, potato salad or barbecued corn on the cob with butter.
Get
packing
If you’re heading off on your travels this summer, take a peek at these fun and funky travel cases!
Gruffalo Trunki Children’s Ride-On Suitcase
Now this is just perfect for the kids! Ideal for keeping them entertained, its multi-functional strap allows parents to tow tired children on their luggage or conveniently carry over the shoulder. Lightweight and durable. £44.99 www.amazon.co.uk
Myleene Klass 4-Wheel Hawaiian Leaf Suitcase - Large Give your travel a taste of the tropics with this 4-Wheel Hawaiian Leaf Large Suitcase by Myleene Klass. Strong yet lightweight, its polycarbonate case keeps your valuables well protected. With height adjustable handle and external zip locking security.
Batman Scootcase
This Batman scooter, suitcase combo may seem a bit pricey, but you do get a suitcase and a scooter all rolled into one! £70 www.halfords.com
£69.99 www.very.co.uk
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Monogram Personalised Suitcase by KOKO BLOSSOM Mickey 4 Wheel Cabin Case
Heading off to Disney this summer? Then why not pay homage to Mickey with this light cabin case which incorporates elastic fastening tapes plus a small pocket in one compartment, and a zipper net separator in the other.
Stand out from the crowd with this black monogram personalised suitcase featuring your initials. Available in three sizes; cabin, medium and large.
£70 www.halfords.com
£139.95 www.noths.co.uk
And don’t forget your accessories! We love this quirky tag and passport holder... Bando The Getaway I’m Outta Here! luggage tag Upgrade your suitcase to first class with this Getaway luggage tag with super cool ‘I’m Outta Here!’ design.
Women’s Gold Champagne Hearts Cabin Case
£16 www.selfridges.com
We love the heart details of this sturdy cabin case from Next. Single expander provides an additional 25% extra space for your personal belongings. Packing capacity: 34 litres. £70 www.halfords.com
All prices correct at time of going to print
Fat Face Leather Stripe Passport Holder The Ultimate Travel Bag
Made from lightweight and durable materials, this travel bag is waterproof and has many multi-purpose pockets and compartments hidden inside. It can be completely rolled out flat ready for you to put your suit or dress safely inside for wrinkle-free journeys. £70 www.halfords.com
Stay organised whilst trotting the globe with this leather passport holder. Cotton lined and featuring card slots to keep all your essentials in one place. £16 www.fatface.com
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SUMMER
Festival
If you have failed miserably, yet again, to secure Glastonbury tickets and need some alternative options, then look no further. Here we’ve compiled a few of our favourites which take place throughout July and August
Reading and LeEds If you are after a bit of variety then Reading & Leeds will be just up your street. Noted for promoting new and upcoming artists, side by side with more well-known acts, this well-established festival won’t disappoint. This year’s lineup is jam-packed with talent; from the likes of The Foo Fighters, Post Malone, The 1975 and Bastille. Spread over three days and at two different locations, Reading and Leeds are not to be missed. There are multiple stages, all promoting the best of each genre of music, along with an
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alternative stage featuring the likes of Josh Widdicombe and Russel Kane. With so much to see, it’s probably best to plan ahead; after all, you can’t be in two places at once! Both festivals run from the 23 25 August, with both day tickets and weekend passes available.
BOOMTOWN Boomtown festival takes place over four days from the 7 - 11 August in Winchester. It is an independent festival showcasing the very best of underground and global music, including reggae, folk, jazz, drum and bass and
hip-hop. The lineup for this year includes big names such as Ms. Lauryn Hill, Chase & Status and The Streets. This unique festival promises to catapult you into a different world, with its innovative set designs, street recreations and theatrical performers. With such a diverse lineup, it’s no surprise that day tickets aren’t available for purchase – only weekend tickets are on sale. There are several accommodation options on site, from pitching a tent to booking a wagon, or staying in their rustic Teepees! This festival is most definitely one for the bucket list.
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Voted ‘Best Family Festival’ at the UK festival awards 2018, Latitude has an abundance of family friendly activities available
Latitude festival Set in the beautiful surroundings of Henham Park, Suffolk is Latitude Festival. Running from 18 - 21 July this popular festival serves up iconic and fresh new artists, with headline acts to include the likes of George Ezra, Snow Patrol and Lana Del Rey, along with huge names in comedy such as Jason Manford and Frank Skinner. There are also several unique areas such as; the Theatre arena, which offers diverse performances for all tastes and the Listening post, brand new for Latitude 2019, which is a stage dedicated to the creative art form that is podcasts, and The Speakeasy, which offers awardwinning writers, poets and authors all under one roof. Voted ‘Best Family Festival’ at the UK festival awards 2018, Latitude
has an abundance of familyfriendly activities available, such as, the kids’ area, which serves as an entire festival in itself. Very much centred around kids, you will find everything from pond dipping to star gazing.
Spread over three days and at two different locations, Reading and Leeds are not to be missed
If you are staying for the weekend, Latitude offers an array of affordable and more boutique accommodation. From standard camping to more luxurious cabins,
there is something for everyone and every pocket.
Larmer Tree festival Quite possibly the friendliest of all the UK festivals, this weekend event – running from the 18 - 21 July – offers three days of music, comedy and eccentric activities, catering for the whole family. This small but long-standing festival prides itself on clean, family friendly fun. So much so, they were awarded the UK Festival award for ‘Best Family Festival’ in 2015. Larmer Tree’s lineup offers a diverse range of artists: their headline acts include the likes of Kate Tempest, The Cat Empire and Jack Savoretti. This small festival offers much more however, with comedy shows, theatre, poetry and talks, workshops and a whole heap more.
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CAN BRITAIN
CONTINUE TO RULE THE
TOUR DE FRANCE?
This year’s Tour de France will be taking place throughout July; but will Britain keep hold of the Yellow Jersey for another year? On the 6th July, 126 riders from all over the world will compete in the world’s largest sporting event – cycling over 2000 miles in 23 days hoping to win one of the famous coloured Jerseys, in front of over 12 million spectators.
This year’s race will be the 106th edition of the Tour de France since Henri Desgrange created the event as a marketing scheme for his newspaper back in 1903
The Grand Depart will be from Brussels this year, for only the second time in its history, before finishing in Paris, at the Champs-Elysees on the 21st July. There are 21 stages in total, with two rest days, taking in famous French cities and towns such as Reims, Nancy, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. There are four Jerseys up for grabs, worn by the leaders in different categories throughout the race. Here is a breakdown of each individual Jersey.
THE YELLOW JERSEY The Yellow Jersey is world-famous, having been worn by some of the most successful riders from the past 100 years. It is given to the rider with the lowest overall time at the end of each stage after bonuses and penalties have been added or subtracted. The rider who wears the Jersey after the last stage in Paris is the overall winner of the Tour de France.
THE GREEN JERSEY The Green Jersey is the second most prestigious jersey. It is awarded to the leader in the points category at the end of each stage. A rider wins points for high finishes and winning intermediate sprints, which is why it is also known as the ‘Sprinter’s Competition’. Most points are scored on the flat stages of the race.
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THE POLKA DOT JERSEY The Polka Dot Jersey, otherwise known as the King of the Mountains, is worn by the leader of the mountains classification. Points are awarded to the first riders to reach the summit of designated hills and mountains during each stage.
THE WHITE JERSEY Similar to the Yellow Jersey, the White Jersey is awarded to the rider with the lowest overall time at the end of each stage; however, the rider must be under 25 to win the honour of wearing the White Jersey for the next stage. The Favourites THE FAVOURITES Geraint Thomas was last year’s winner and will start this year’s race with the Yellow Jersey. He was the first Welshman to ever win the Tour de France and continues the British domination of the competition since 2012 when Sir Bradley Wiggins won Britain’s first ever Tour de France. Since 2012 Britain have only lost once, in 2014. With Chris Froome, the champion from 2013, 15, 16 and 17, ruled out of the race after his horror crash during a practice ride in June, Nairo Quintana is now the favourite to win; the Colombian rides for Movistar, but Froome’s teammate Geraint Thomas will fancy his chances again this year. This year’s race will be the 106th edition of the Tour de France since Henri Desgrange created the event as a marketing scheme for his newspaper back in 1903.
HMO Laws AND Guidelines 2019 A House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) is a fantastic investment for any property investor, offering over 2x the rental income of a standard let. However, there are laws and guidelines you will need to adhere to
HMO’s are popular with investors as they offer double the rent for the same property you could rent to a single household. For example, a family may pay £800pcm for a three-bedroom property, however, if the rooms are of the legal size, you could put three individual tenants in each paying £500pcm, totalling £1500pcm in total. But beware: HMO’s are strictly regulated by the government, so it is best to get advice before moving into HMO property investment. The government defines an HMO as being a property that is rented out by at least three people who aren’t from one household but share facilities such as the bathroom and kitchen. They are commonly called house shares. However, there are other rules to determine whether the property is an HMO. A property is considered a large HMO if at least five tenants live in the property and share the toilet, bathroom and the kitchen. If you have a property you are considering turning into an HMO, there are government guidelines you must follow. The most important guideline is the bedroom size, with each room offering a certain amount of space depending on the age and the number of people. For example, a room must be 6.51 m2 for an adult, 10.22 m2 for two adults and 4.46 m2 for a child under ten years of age. If you have a large HMO and are based in England and Wales, you must have a license. For a standard HMO, you will need to check with your local council if
you need one. You will need a separate license for each individual HMO you own, and the licenses are valid for a maximum of five years. There are other conditions you must follow if you are the owner of an HMO; you must ensure that the manager of the house, whether that is you or an agent, is considered being ‘fit and proper’ and has no criminal record or breach of landlord laws or code of practice. You must also send the council an updated gas certificate every year, install and maintain smoke alarms and provide safety certificates for all electrical appliances when requested.
If you have a property you are considering turning into an HMO, there are government guidelines you must follow
There are further conditions that may be specific to you or your property which come from the local council – these can range from improving the condition of the facilities through to attaching warning stickers to glass doors. Your local council will let you know when you apply. HMO investment can be daunting and time-consuming, but with the right advice, it can offer higher returns on your property investment. For more information, talk to one of our letting’s team today.
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Meet our team Bow Office
Robert Burgess
Senior Property Consultant Robert recently joined the Butler and Stag team. However, he isn’t new to the property industry or the Directors, who he knows well and has worked alongside in previous years. Being a lifelong resident of East London and with 14 years’ experience in the London property market, ensures that Rob can use his inside knowledge of the local area to sell the perfect property to his clients. Rob has a keen interest in cars, travel, and his best bud Coco the Boxer dog, who can always be seen walking with him around the parks of east London.
Aidan Kitchen Property Consultant
Aidan joined Butler & Stag back in March 2017, coming from a background in digital marketing which helped him quickly transfer his client service skills. With the whitest teeth in the company, Aidan did consider a career in modelling but was swiftly told he had the perfect face for radio and decided to focus his energy on becoming the best estate agent in East London instead.Based at the Roman Road office in Bow, Aidan loves his food and will often be found trying out the various food stalls and deli’s on Roman Road Market.
Michael Woolley Director
Michael set up Butler & Stag with best mate Neil Leahy back in 2012 and they now have three offices, with plans to continue their expansion. Michael loves his sport and was once fairly handy at football, rugby and cricket, whilst he also passed out for the Marines many moons ago. Based at the Roman Road office in the East End, this is an area Michael has great affinity with, having worked in the East End and City fringe markets throughout his career in agency. He is currently a member of the East End Trades Guild and works closely with the Roman Road Trust. Anything East End related, Michael is your man!
Lily Ward
Property Consultant Lily joined Butler & Stag back in March 2017 as a property manager for the Roman Road office. Lily has excelled in her role and become a valued member of the team, most recently dabbling in the selling and letting of properties, to which she has taken like a duck to water. So much so, Lily will be assuming her role as a fully-fledged property consultant in the coming months. Away from the office Lily is an East London girl through and through and will often be found gallivanting around Shoreditch on a Saturday night.
Casey Monaghan Property Manager
Casey was made in ‘East London’, she lives in E4, previously worked in E17 and now works, lives and breathes in our E3 Bow office. Casey brings her vibrant personality and customer care knowledge to the very front of our office utilizing the skills she has acquired as a Sales Negotiator in E17 and moreover her previous International Compliance experience. She now embodies those skills and further adds substantial value to the office as our Property Manager/Office Co-Ordinator.
butlerandstag.uk
Shoreditch 020 7613 5550 Bow 020 8102 1236 Theydon Bois 01992 667 666 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
Jubilee Street Whitechapel London E1 £1,600,000
A grade two listed house, formerly two Georgian houses before they were combined by the current owners to become one home.
Grove Road London E3 GUIDE PRICE £650,000 - £700,000
Forming part of this glorious four storey, bay fronted Victorian residence and set within the much sought after Tredegar Square conservation area is this two bedroom split level garden flat.
shoreditch@butlerandstag.com | bow@butlerandstag.com | theydon@butlerandstag.com
Cressy Houses Hannibal Road London E1 £550,000 - £575,000
Set within this charming Victorian Mansion Block which was built in 1894 as a tenement block for local dockworkers, is this delightful three bedroom residence.
Guardian Apartments St Clements Development Bow London E3 Guide Price £800,000 - £850,000
Fabulous penthouse apartment set within the multi-award winning St.Clements development in Mile End, East London.
butlerandstag.uk
Shoreditch 020 7613 5550 Bow 020 8102 1236 Theydon Bois 01992 667 666 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
Victoria Park Road Victoria Park London E9 £535,000
Set within this popular development close to Victoria Park is this two bedroom first floor apartment with private balcony and allocated off-street parking space.
Manhattan Building, Bow Quarter 60 Fairfield Road Bow London E3 £475,000 Stunning split level apartment with double height ceilings, situated in the extremely popular and secure, Bow Quarter development on Fairfield Road.
Queensgate House 1 Hereford Road Bow London E3 £410,000 Smart and well-presented two bedroom, two bathroom flat set within this secure modern development in Bow.
shoreditch@butlerandstag.com | bow@butlerandstag.com | theydon@butlerandstag.com
Meet our team
Sam Smith
Shoreditch Office
Property Consultant Sam started his career at Butler and Stag after leaving Tottenham Hotspur Football Club where he played as a youth from age 7 to 18. Starting his career with Butler and Stag as a Property Consultant has lead him to achieve well in both sales and lettings with his competitive edge within the industry.
Lewis Hughes Property Consultant
Lewis started his career with Butler and Stag in the Summer of 2018. Lewis loves his boxing which he competed at National Level as well as his cooking which he compares himself to Gordan Ramsey. An Essex boy with family originating from East London. If you need any assistance whether Sales or Lettings Lewis is the right Man to speak to.
Nick Karamanlis Office Partner
Nick is a branch partner who has been involved in thousands of sales and lets in the East end and City fringe market since switching careers back in 2005. Due to a bad experience when buying he believed early on that the process should be more transparent and customer focused.
Amy Mack
Property Manager Amy was born and raised in Essex, but started her career in property working in Hertfordshire. Always having a big ambition to work in London, Amy now manages the Shoreditch rental portfolio.
He is a huge family man with two very “spirited� young boys who keep him busy. He loves his skiing and football; both playing (on the rare occasions he’s not injured) and watching his boys play for their local teams.
Working in the vibrant Shoreditch area, is definitely compatible with her enthusiastic nature and her partiality for a cocktail or two!
butlerandstag.uk
Shoreditch 020 7613 5550 Bow 020 8102 1236 Theydon Bois 01992 667 666 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
Ravey Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A £1,250,000
Occupying the entire second floor of a former warehouse is this stunning live/work apartment is 1,258 sq. ft. lateral space, located in the heart of Shoreditch.
Avantgarde Tower, Avantgarde Place, Shoreditch, London, E1
£650,000 Set on the 22nd floor of the awardwinning Avantgarde Tower is this stunning one bedroom subpenthouse apartment with private balcony, measuring approximately 546 Sq. Ft. Chain Free.
Narford Road, Clapton, London, E5
£650,000 A fantastic three bedroom garden conversion, arranged over the ground and lower ground floors of a classic threestory, mid-terraced Victorian residence moments from the amenities of Stoke Newington’s Church Street and Upper Clapton. Chain Free
shoreditch@butlerandstag.com | bow@butlerandstag.com | theydon@butlerandstag.com
St. Pancras Chambers, Euston Road, Kings Cross, London, NW1 £925,000
A beautifully presented rear facing two bedroom, two bathroom apartment set in the iconic St Pancras Chambers development in Kings Cross. Chain Free.
Adley Street, Clapton, London, E5
£550,000
Goldsmiths Row Hackney London E2
£600,000
A beautifully presented and larger than average two bedroom spilt-level Victorian conversion located close to popular Chatsworth Road and open spaces of Hackney Marshes.
butlerandstag.uk
A stunning two bedroom second floor period conversion set just moments from Broadway Market and London Fields.
Shoreditch 020 7613 5550 Bow 020 8102 1236 Theydon Bois 01992 667 666 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
Meet our team Theydon Office
Tony Game Office Manager
Raised in Loughton and residing in Buckhurst Hill, Tony’s has an intimate knowledge of West Essex which proves an invaluable asset when selling properties within the area. A respected and well known figure within the local property industry, Tony has years of experience running residential sales departments.Tony’s clients respect his hardworking approach and refreshingly honest opinion, even when it isn’t what they want to hear!Tony is a big sports fan following Arsenal Football Club and representing Spurs Academy in his playing days. Socially, Tony can often be found enjoying a beer ‘or five’ in his local The Three Colt’s and after work in The Queen Victoria.
Peter McNicholl Senior Property Consultant
Neil Leahy Director
Neil is the co-owner of Butler & Stag, along with lifetime friend Michael Woolley. A resident of Theydon Bois where we opened our third office in 2017, Neil is extremely passionate about the area and saw a gap in the market to introduce our award services. Under Neil’s supervision, the office has seen accelerated growth and we are now recognised market leaders; it is equally impressive that this has taken just twelve months to achieve. Butler & Stag are also regularly commended for our fund raising initiatives raising tens of thousands of pounds for worthy local causes yearly. Away from the office Neil is a family man, he has a son and a daughter and enjoys spending time with them, along with his wife Claire. Neil also coaches his son’s football team at Buckhurst Hill FC and has overseen the transition of many of their players to professional academies.
Peter is the most recent addition to the team in Theydon Bois having joined at the start of September. He has over four years’ experience in estate agency and, when given the chance to work at one of the fastest growing estate agencies based in and around London, he felt that it was opportunity he couldn’t miss! Peter was born in East London but moved out to Essex before starting secondary school, so has a great knowledge of all the areas Butler and Stag cover. Outside of work, Peter has a keen interest in music having worked as a DJ for many years before becoming an estate agent. His main hobby though is acting and when he was younger, appeared in films such as ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘About a Boy’.
Sarah Chumbley Property Manager
Sarah enjoys multiple roles within the company working from our office in Theydon Bois .They include Sales and Lettings administration, Property Management and carrying out viewings for our lettings properties. After four successful years with an independent estate agent in Old Harlow, we were delighted to secure Sarah’s services and she has proved invaluable in the growth and success of our newest office.Sarah thrives on offering a five star customer service experience and regularly receives excellent reviews from our clients and tenants. Away from the office, Sarah is a real home bird and enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
Lydia Hellen Office Coordinator
Lydia recently the joined our Theydon Bois office as an administrator. She has a friendly and out-going personality and is quickly gaining experience within our fast growing company. Following in the footsteps of her successful property developer dad, Lydia has a keen interest in the industry and strong ambitions to progress. With a largely PR and hospitality focused background and she is already showing excellent customer services attributes. A local girl, Lydia was born and raised in Chingford. Away from the office she enjoys socialising with her large group of friends, spending time with her family and keeping fit.
shoreditch@butlerandstag.com | bow@butlerandstag.com | theydon@butlerandstag.com
Abridge Road Theydon Bois Epping CM16 £4,250,000
Located within the desirable village of Theydon Bois and set within 2.5 acres of landscaped gardens with an additional 8 acre field (stls) is this outstanding five bedroom detached Grade II listed Georgian house.
Nupers Hatch, Stapleford Abbotts, RM4
£850,000 A well-presented detached home on a substantial sized plot with uninterrupted views of open farmland and in a prime position of Stapleford Abbotts. The property offers a generous frontage providing parking for many vehicles. The rear garden is south facing with steps leading to lawn extending 50’.
butlerandstag.uk
Lindsey, Street, Epping, CM16
GUIDE PRICE OF £850,000 - £875,000 An immaculately presented Victorian four double bedroom, semi-detached family home in a premier location positioned off Epping High Street.
Shoreditch 020 7613 5550 Bow 020 8102 1236 Theydon Bois 01992 667 666 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
Lindsey Street, Epping, CM16 £425,000
Enviably positioned in a sought after location, is this delightful two bedroom Victorian cottage located less than half a mile from Epping High Street and tube station.
Epping Road, Broadley Common, EN9
Theydon Park Road Theydon Bois Epping CM16
£1,100,000
£1,700,000
Situated on the borders of Epping Green in a semi-rural setting yet within a few minutes’ drive of Epping and Roydon with an excellent range of shops, restaurants and tube and main line rail services.
A substantial and contemporary family residence offering in excess of 5,000 square foot of wellconsidered modern living space over two floors, providing five/six double bedrooms and four generous receptions.
shoreditch@butlerandstag.com | bow@butlerandstag.com | theydon@butlerandstag.com
Dont just take our word for it ...
“
I received an excellent service from Butler & Stag
They were knowledgeable, they were responsive and they were very professional. My experience of interactions with Butler & Stag has been really positive, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone else. Mr A Rutter / Vendor
“ “
Butler & Stag were fabulous from start to finish
The level of service from Bulter & Stag I thought was absolutely superb. Ms S Davidek / Buyer
I recieved top quality products that have helped with my property Very good brochures which were high gloss and looked very professional, and the photography was excellent. Mr T Doyle / Vendor
butlerandstag.uk
Shoreditch 020 7613 5550 Bow 020 8102 1236 Theydon Bois 01992 667 666 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
“ “
The quality of the photos was good
the description was very comprehensive. Overall I thought it was a very compelling offering. Mrs C Goldman / Vendor
We really really appreciated the fact that Butler & Stag conducted most of the viewings themselves
so it didn’t mean we had to be there all the time. So we could, in effect, continue with our lives as much as possible and Butler & Stag took that stress away from us. Mr and Mrs Shepherd / Vendors
“
They were also very prompt at responding
and very relaxed and real when we spoke to them about situations or the kind of feedback we were getting. Ms Y Feussner / Landlord
shoreditch@butlerandstag.com | bow@butlerandstag.com | theydon@butlerandstag.com
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SUMMER
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butlerandstag.uk BOW OFFICE 020 8102 1236
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SHOREDITCH OFFICE 020 7613 5550
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THEYDON BOIS OFFICE 01992 667 666
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