CONTENTS COVER STORY
8
LIFESTYLE
4
Find the perfect property How to be in the best possible position to find the perfect home
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PROPERTY
6 16 20 24
Bathroom Designs Making a bathroom fun and functional
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Our latest instructions Take a look at a selection of our latest properties on the market
13 14
About us Get to know us a little better and see why we are your agent of choice Your home move Your guide to help you every step of the way on your home move
Weatherproof your home How best to maintain warmth throughout your home World kindness week Find out all about World Kindness Week and how you can get involved November gardening Get ready to combat winter in your garden Upcoming blockbusters There’s no time to wait for these upcoming belated blockbusters Prepping for Christmas ‘Stir-up Sunday’ can spark a stress-free countdown to Christmas
SPORT
12
The Ashes England face touch challenges ahead in the Ashes series
WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER ISSUE! Halloween has come and gone, and the clocks have changed, which must mean were on the final stretch towards Christmas. With this in mind, we have a fantastic article full of advice about how to achieve a quick turnaround on a house sale if you need to sell to move. On pages 14&15, we’re starting the prep for Christmas early with our handy guide. If you’re looking for some bargains, then on pages 8&9 we have our guide to some of the best Black Friday deals, which are always perfect for some easy, early Christmas gifts. And, on pages 4&5, we look at ways to weatherproof your home now the cooler, wetter weather has settled in. With the cooler weather, it’s no excuse to neglect your garden. On
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PROPERTY NEWS
How not to miss out on your perfect property
pages 10&11 we have our monthly gardening guide. Moving back inside, we look at bathroom design hacks to keep your bathroom looking pristine and stylish, and on page 7 we look at World Kindness Week from the 13th to the 19th November. Rounding off this month’s edition, we preview the Ashes to check out what England’s chances are of bringing the trophy home, and on page 13, after the success of No Time to Die, we look at the other delayed films that are soon to be released. So sit back, grab a warm drink, and enjoy… Jonathan Wheatley Editor
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inding ‘The One’ can feel like an elusive search, so when you do find that perfect property, the last thing you want is to miss out. Making sure you are in the best possible position to make an offer and secure the purchase is the key when you’re trying to secure your dream home. Property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla are great tools when house hunting and can showcase a plethora of homes within your search area, allowing you to quickly narrow down specifics including how many bedrooms, whether it has a garden etc. However, it can be unwise to rely solely on these portals when searching. The time taken between an estate agent receiving instructions to sell a house and loading it on to the internet can only be a few hours but can be several days/weeks. It is this period that many people looking to find a home miss out. To avoid this delay and possibly miss out on your potential forever home, register with estate agents in the area and build a good working relationship with them. Visit their offices and meet them in person. This will give you an opportunity to outline your requirements as well as providing them with contact details. The estate agent will then contact you when a property that fits your specification comes in, often before it is uploaded to a property portal. If you like the sound of it, book a viewing rather than asking for the details to make sure you are first through the door - after all, it could be ‘The One’! The key to being phoned about properties which fit your brief is to be specific. If you have non-negotiables, set them out from the off. Similarly, if there are things you would be willing to compromise on, let your estate agent know. Stay in contact with them and ensure you follow up on viewings. A good