LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
PROPERTY NEWS
MAY 2020
HOME-WORKING?
TURN YOUR SPARE ROOM INTO AN OFFICE SPACE ARE YOU READY? GET YOUR PROPERTY MARKET-READY – NOW!
GET CRAFTY IDEAS TO HELP KEEP THE KIDS ENTERTAINED
HEALTH FOCUS UTILISE ONLINE SUPPORT TO KEEP FIT
BOOK RELEASES THE HOTTEST NEW RELEASES TO CATCH UP ON
CONTENTS COVER STORY
4
Working from home? Turn your spare room into an office!
PROPERTY
2 16 20
Want to make a move? There’s still plenty you can do to get your property market-ready during lockdown restrictions Our latest instructions Take a look at a selection of our latest properties on the market About us Get to know us a little better and see why we are your agent of choice
FOOD
9
Flour-less brownies No flour? No problem! Try these yummy brownies for all the family to enjoy
LIFESTYLE
6
8 12 15
The dark side of life Social media has turned to the meme to spread a little light relief Thank you Frontline workers have given their all during the pandemic. Here we say, thank you Destination home Crafts to keep the kids entertained at home Our kind of happy Humour has been much welcomed, here are some of our favourite memes
HEALTH
10
Fitness online Home workouts: we look at what’s available online?
BOOKS
14
Recent & upcoming releases Now is the perfect time to catch up on the latest book releases
WELCOME TO THE MAY ISSUE!
A
ll of us here hope that you are keeping well and safe.
With many of us spending more time at home, there is still plenty you can do to get your property market-ready during lockdown restrictions. In this issue we detail the range of DIY jobs that you can do to help add value to your property; as well as doing those little jobs that will help you to prepare for valuations and photographs. And although our office is currently closed due to government advice, we are still operational from home, so please continue to call or email, and we’ll be more than happy to help.
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PROPERTY NEWS
There is also plenty more inside to keep you reading, such as how to utilise the internet for keeping fit at home, as well as fun things to do wo keep the kids entertained too! All of us would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to you, our clients, for your patience and understanding during this time. We are also in awe of the incredible work and support of all front-line workers who are working hard to ensure a better future for us all. Until next time, take care and stay safe. #StayHomeSaveLives Linda McKeown Editor
GET YOUR PROPERTY It may feel like the UK’s property market is at a standstill, but there is still plenty you can do to get your property market-ready during lockdown restrictions
With many of us spending more time at home, there are a range of DIY jobs you can do to help add value to your property; as well as doing those little jobs that will help you to prepare for valuations and photographs. By starting your home moving prep now, you will be fully prepared to get the ball moving, when it comes to making your move. Not only will doing these jobs potentially add value to your property, but they will make you feel better after spending so much time at home. Now, more than ever, it’s important to keep active and busy. DIY and cleaning are great as both are a mental and physical workout which will also give you a sense of achievement during this time.
TIDY THE GARDEN
The garden is a huge selling point for most properties on the market. With the warmer weather arriving, now is the perfect time to get into your garden to complete quick and simple jobs to make your property more sellable and aesthetically pleasing in photos. Simply mowing your lawn and trimming your hedges makes a huge difference for when our valuer pops round to take photos. Also, why not plant some spring flowers in your borders to make these easier on the eye too? A lot of garden nurseries are delivering flowers and plants, and tools are available for delivery online.
MARKET-READY If you have any damaged fencing, leftover bricks from previous projects or a rickety, old, shed, try to remove or fix these to get them out of the way for both viewings and your photos. A lick of fresh paint on fence panels can instantly transform your garden – and you can still order paint online to carry out the work.
DIY JOBS INDOORS
On the occasional rainy day, you can get inside and finish jobs that you
your property look better straight away; just remember to use the same paint as the walls already are!
DEEP CLEANING
Nothing helps get a property market-ready better than a thorough deep clean. Work through each room to get the property as sparkling as possible. In the bathroom, don’t forget to go round the edges of the taps and the bath to remove any gunk, and buff and shine the taps to make them look really impressive. In the kitchen, clean and buff any metallic or windowed appliances, especially the front window of the oven. If you have any carpet in the living room, use carpet shampoo before hoovering, to get them back to looking their best.
There are a range of DIY jobs you can do to help add value to your property; as well as doing those little jobs that will help you to prepare for valuations and photographs haven’t gotten around to just yet. Maybe you have those leftover tiles for the kitchen, or that roll of carpet waiting to be laid. This could be the perfect time to tackle these jobs yourself. YouTube has thousands of videos to offer you guidance and advice from everything from tiling a kitchen, to fitting a dado rail. And, with a lot of DIY companies still offering delivery, you can get everything you need, and fast. Holes in your walls? These are a simple fix with some ready mixed multi-purpose filler and will make
Upstairs, put away all clothes into wardrobes and make sure these close fully. Make the bed with fresh sheets, and remove excess pillows, pet toys and toiletries. Throughout the house, be sure to clean and polish all windows, inside and
out, to make them shine as bright as possible. Don’t forget to clean all doors and window ledges too!
Nothing helps get a property market-ready better than a thorough deep clean Lockdown is a tough time for everyone, but it will end, and we will come out the other side. And when we do, life will return to the ‘new normal’. We have been given a chance to spend more time in our homes which has made us all stop and take stock of the things we once took for granted. It gives many of us the chance to do those odd jobs we’ve never gotten around to doing or put off for too long. As your local estate agent, we are here for you whenever you need us. Visit us online today, for more information about marketing your property.
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
3
Working from home boasts many advantages, and there are many fantastic ways to keep your working life productive, satisfying and healthy
CREATING
IN-HOME OFFICE SPACE
TIPS FOR MAINTAINING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH In these times, mental health has never been so important, so ensure you keep your mental health healthy. Keep the room you are working in well ventilated During the times you’re not on a call or in a meeting, play some background music to help you focus and ‘disappear’ into your work Ensure natural light flows into your workspace; it can make a surprising amount of difference If you’re facing a wall, hang a nice painting or backdrop of landscape or nature which keeps you in that happy, peaceful place
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PROPERTY NEWS
T
hat journey you take every day to and from work, those lunchtimes socialising with your colleagues, and that constant, fundamental feeling of being a part of your team with everyone around you striving to achieve a shared goal. For the time being, those aspects of your working life are on hold due to the current pandemic and consequent lockdown taking place throughout Britain.
filing crate, printer or scanner, you’re good to go. Creating a workspace using a dividing wall in a living area, the space underneath your stairs, or even a well-positioned storage cupboard, are all viable options. Note: if your workstation ends up being in an area laid with carpet, then investing in a chair pad might be a good idea if you don’t want your carpet getting worn down and damaged by a rolling office chair.
But fear not! Working from home boasts many advantages, and there are many fantastic ways to keep your working life productive, satisfying and healthy. If you have a spare room, this can easily be transformed into an office or workspace. And if you’re going to do it, you should do it right.
YOU HAVE THE POWER, SO STAY CONNECTED
DESK? WHAT DESK?
Many desks on the market can be expensive but, touch wood, you should be able to find an affordable and suitable desk.
Try and stick to a work schedule to help you keep focus
Fortunately, a full-on, ready-made desk isn’t the only option. A piece of wood, large enough to accommodate your work, will suffice. It could be the desk surface part which someone has gifted to you, but if it’s wood in its rawest form, you could spend a little time sanding it down, smoothing off the edges, and making sure the surface is level and neat. All you need now are two small chest of drawers for the wood to sit upon, such as those plastic stackable drawers. Because they’re stackable, you can freely determine how high or low the desk will ultimately be for you, allowing you that creative freedom to create your perfect workstation.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A SPARE ROOM
As long as you ensure there’s enough room for all the essentials you need, such as a
With many currently working from home, Wi-Fi understandably might become a little congested at times. So, wherever you end up working, it’s important Working from home boasts to ensure you are close many advantages, and enough to your Wi-Fi there are many fantastic router for a consistent ways to keep your working and reliable internet life productive, satisfying connection. However, and healthy if you are struggling with connection, a wired connection using an Ethernet cable should do the trick. You should also make sure there are enough power sockets nearby to keep all your electrical equipment plugged in. If there aren’t enough plug sockets on the walls, use a multiple socket extension lead to increase the number of sockets available.
AVOID CABIN FEVER
Cabin fever is a common problem when working from home. It can become isolating, lonely and boring if you’re by yourself for long periods of time. Similarly, if you have family around you for much of the time while you’re trying to be productive at work, that can also create a distraction. Taking regular breaks is a must. If you have a garden, great! If not, make use of your daily exercise allowance and take a stroll around the neighbourhood to breathe in that all-important, revitalising fresh air and (hopefully) sunshine. It’s also important to try and stick to a work schedule to help you keep focus.
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
5
THE DARK SIDE OF LIFE As medical science battled to prevent Coronavirus enveloping the world in a shroud of fear and gloom, social media turned to the meme to spread a little light relief
Y
ou know the bit. That f inal
of World War I or the prisoner of war
sequence in Monty Python’s Life
camps in World War II – helped to bolster
of Brian, where all the prisoners
spirits among the working classes, the
have been tethered to their crosses for
blending of farce and low comedy did
crucif ixion, the People’s Front of Judea
not earn a label until the 1960s when
have congratulated Brian of Nazareth
Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 was published
on his forthcoming martyrdom, and the
and Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove hit
Judean People’s Front have made their
the cinemas.
f inal act of def iance. Since then, lampooning taboo subjects And then, just as he is about to
has been seen for what it is: an injection
succumb to the inevitable, a fellow
of much-needed humour to lighten
prisoner urges our tragic, wrongly
desperate situations and ease mental
identif ied hero to, “always look on the
stress, proving once and for all that
bright side of life”.
laughter is the best medicine.
It is a classic example of what is often
So, when Coronavirus unleashed
termed gallows humour, the ability to
unprecedented chaos across the world,
look for a laugh in the bleakest, the
social media stuck up its collective hand
most hopeless of situations.
and said: hold our beer, we’ve got this…
Lampooning taboo subjects has been seen for what it is: an injection of much-needed humour to lighten desperate situations and ease mental stress
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PROPERTY NEWS
Along with its cousins, black comedy and
At first the memes were straightforward
dark humour, this strain of comedy has
and came largely f rom the ‘get a grip’
become entwined into the very fabric of
camp. For example, when lockdown was
Britishness, and goes some way to
announced, overlaid on a solemn picture
explaining why the Bright Side of Life and
of a soldier, standing head bowed, was
Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb are
the message: “Your grandparents were
among the most requested music at
asked to go to war. You are being asked
funerals.
to sit on a couch. You can do this.”
Although prevalent in times of war, when
However, the initial indication the stiff
the mix of morbid and ghastly themes to
upper lip was starting to break into a
underscore the futility and senselessness
smirk came with the American church
of a situation – think life in the trenches
style billboard: “Whoever said one
person can’t change the world never ate
times. Then I got tired, so I picked up
since COVID-19’s relentless advance,
an undercooked bat.”
the block and put it back in the toy box.”
anything to do with masks invariably
And then the big guns came out,
And the f railties of families cooped up in
illustrates mankind’s stupidity,
reacting to every development with a
quarantine was ably coupled with the
particularly regarding the Government’s
pun and a quip. “Day 4 of social
salute to our f rontline health heroes:
‘stay at home’ warning, than a photo of
distancing. Struck up a conversation
“Quarantine survival tip #463: Empty
our ‘dumb’ animals.
with a spider today. Seems nice. He’s a
your glass bottles into the recycling bin
web designer.”
at 8pm on a Thursday so the NHS
However, nothing sums up social
clapping drowns out the sound of your
media’s attempt to lift the fear and
household’s descent into alcoholism.”
gloom over the pandemic better than
involves Darth Vader – while nothing
“Got to that stage of lockdown where
this riposte to criticism f rom Word
Jolene can come and take my man.” Similarly, there was a boozy response to
Porn, the internet’s purveyor of the
“Why haven’t the Government classed
the news that craft distilleries were
pithy and prophetic: “Friendly reminder
seagulls as quay workers?”
stepping in to f ill the gaps as hand
that in times of adversity and stress,
sanitizers became as rare as unicorns on
people use humour as a coping
No-one was safe. In response to the Joe
a night out. Across a picture of a
mechanism for the sake of their mental
Wicks home workout phenomenon,
relaxing Victorian maid was the speech
health. It doesn’t mean that the current
came the Facebook post: “Got up this
bubble: “I’ve been trying to make hand
events are not being taken seriously.”
morning and ran round the block 5
sanitizer but it’s come out as rum and coke again…”
“The blending of farce and low comedy did not earn a label until the 1960s”
Amen to that.
Of course, the images that really work are stills f rom blockbuster movies –
*All images featured here were sourced f rom Facebook
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
7
THANK YOU Frontline workers have given their all during the coronavirus pandemic – helping those dealing with the virus, as well as those self-isolating at home. Here we say, thank you On Tuesday 28th April, a minute’s silence was held across the UK to commemorate the key workers who have died with coronavirus during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had only just returned to work at Number 10 after recovering from coronavirus himself, joined the tribute which was held at 11am BST. In a show of continuing support, every Thursday at 8pm the nation also continues to clap on their doorsteps and from windows, for the NHS. And special thanks and appreciation for all frontline staff was also paid by the Queen last month, when she made a televised speech paying tribute to the tremendous work being carried out: “I want to thank everyone on the NHS front line, as well as care workers and those carrying out essential roles, who selflessly continue their day-to-day duties outside the
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PROPERTY NEWS
home in support of us all. “I am sure the nation will join me in assuring you that what you do is appreciated and every hour of your hard work brings us closer to a return to more normal times. “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.” Indeed, better times will come. But until then, we must remain unified in our approach to ensure that, together, we beat this virus. Government advice is to continue to wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds and to only go out as and when needed for essentials such as groceries, medicinal needs or your daily exercise. But most of all, please stay home and stay safe.
Every Thursday at 8pm the nation continues to clap on their doorsteps and from windows, for the NHS
LIFE ASSURANCE SCHEME FOR NHS AND SOCIAL CARE FRONT LINE Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that families of health and care workers on the frontline in England will benefit from a new life assurance scheme during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “Families of staff who die from coronavirus in the course of their essential front line work will receive a £60,000 payment,” he said: “Of course nothing replaces the loss of a loved one but we want to do everything that we can to support families that are dealing with this grief.” The scheme will cover frontline staff in England, but the devolved administrations will receive funding through the Barnett formula. Wales is implementing the same scheme and arrangements are being considered in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
NO-FLOUR BROWNIES
Chocolate Gingerbread Brownie READY IN: 55 Mins Nutrition: 553 kcal per bar
INGREDIENTS 400g dark chocolate, broken into chunks 25g cocoa powder 250g golden caster sugar 250g butter 1 tbsp ground ginger 140g ground almond 6 large eggs (separate yolks from egg whites)
FOR THE ICING 100g butter, cubed 50g dark chocolate broken into pieces, or use chips 50g cocoa 200g icing sugar, sifted 2 tbsp ground ginger few chunks crystallised ginger, chopped into small pieces
No flour? No problem! Get baking these flourless yummy chocolate gingerbread brownies‌ heavenly!
METHOD 1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease a 20 x 30cm cake tin, and line the base and sides with baking parchment. Melt the chocolate, cocoa, sugar and butter together in a
saucepan over a very low heat. Once the chocolate and
butter have melted and sugar dissolved, remove from the
heat and stir in the ginger and almonds, followed by the egg yolks, one at a time. 2. Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Using a metal spoon, stir a couple of spoonfuls of the egg whites into the chocolate
mixture to loosen before very gently folding in the rest. 3. Gently scrape the mixture into the tin. Bake for 30-35 mins until the top looks set and the centre doesn’t wobble
too much. Sit the cake tin on a wire rack and leave to cool completely. 4. Once cool, make the icing. Put the butter, chocolate, cocoa, icing sugar, ground ginger and 4 tbsp water in a pan. Gently heat, stirring, until you have a smooth icing. Pour over the
cake (still in its tin), leave for 1-2 mins to cool slightly, then
scatter over the ginger. Cool completely (you can also store in the fridge if you bring out to room temperature about 20 mins before serving) before cutting into bars. You can find this recipe and more at https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-gingerbread-brownie-bars-fudgy-icing
Image for illustrative purposes only
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
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How we exercise has changed and going to the gym or exercise class is no longer routine. This, instead, has been replaced with home workouts. But just what is available to you?
MAKE THE MOST OF
FITNESS ONLINE
F
or obvious reasons, exercising at home has become the norm; whether you are working out with the kids or partaking in a yoga class to help rebalance your inner self, there is literally something for everyone online.
Iepure to create free online classes for both adults and kids during the coronavirus pandemic. The professional dancers have focused on creating a positive virtual experience for everyone self-isolating. “We’re so grateful, it’s gone exceptionally well,” said Oti when she spoke to the Metro.co.uk. “It’s actually exceeded what we actually thought it would do.”
One of the most recognisable names is that of body coach, Joe Wicks. He is still offering free daily workout sessions for kids – and adults alike – on his You may not be YouTube channel youtube. able to get out to com/thebodycoach.
your local gym
Frozen, Trolls and The Greatest Showman are just some of the hit routines uploaded, providing a half an hour dance lesson in viewers’ homes.
but for many, you With over 500,000 people regularly tuning in live don’t have to! daily, Joe’s workouts remain one of the most popular online. Simply tune in to PE with Joe at 9am each YOGA weekday to join in live for his Doing yoga on a regular basis can aid 30-minute sessions. flexibility, helping to boost your strength
KEEP DANCING
If dancing is more your thing and you want to learn some dance routines along the way, then Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse’s YouTube channel could be for you youtube.com/otimabuseofficial. She has teamed up with her husband Marius
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PROPERTY NEWS
and improve overall fitness. London studio Fly Ldn is offering everything from Friday night yin yoga to candlelit hip hop yoga as live streams on their Instagram channel www.instagram. com/fly_ldn/, while they also save the videos on YouTube afterwards.
Exercising at home has become the norm
The free sessions last for 45 minutes and are ran daily with the yoga studio posting a class timetable on Instagram for the following day.
HIIT
Famed for pushing its participants to the physical limit, fitness studio Barry’s UK has brought their intense workouts to Instagram live. On the studio’s Instagram account www. instagram.com/barrys/, it’s sharing details of the classes it is offering online, which include sessions that use your entire bodyweight as well as other workouts that focus on different areas of the body.
BOOTCAMPS AND MORE!
STAY LOCAL
You may not be able to get out to your local gym but for many, you don’t have to! Several fitness providers have launched ‘at home’ classes via Facebook live or on their own YouTube channel. A simple website search should show you what’s available in your area; so, you can go potty over pilates or hyper over a HIIT workout!
GET INSPIRED Here we list just some of the fitness classes/channels available so you can get your fitness fix in the comfort of your own home!
Transform any home space into your own fitness studio with a single-user membership for your phone, tablet, TV or web browser from Peloton.
PE with Joe Wicks youtube.com/thebodycoach
For £12.99 a month, it boasts a variety of different options, including classes that focus on strength, putting you through your paces on bootcamps and much more.
Fly Ldn https://www.instagram.com/fly_ldn/
In addition to offering strength classes, also on offer are cardio classes that focus on running and cycling.
Peloton www.onepeloton.co.uk/membership
Dancing with Oti Mabuse youtube.com/otimabuseofficial
Barry’s UK www.instagram.com/barrys/
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
11
DESTINATION
One way to cast aside the monotony of the day is to get the board games out!
HOME You may not be able to enjoy days out with the kids right now, but there’s still plenty of fun that can be had at home!
BAKING
Cooking and baking are great activities for children of all ages. Of course, depending on the age of the child, they will be able to undertake different cooking activities. You know your children best, so use your own judgement as to what tasks they can undertake or help you with. The key thing to ensure is safety. Ensure all hazards are away from little hands such as hot food and liquids. For very young children, they will enjoy a range of activities such as washing and cleaning vegetables, mashing food, spooning ingredients into mixing bowls and most certainly, decorating cupcakes. Most of all, stay safe and have fun!
BOARD GAMES
OK, so you may be thinking of just what you can do to relieve the lockdown boredom. One way to cast aside the monotony of the day is to get the board games out! It’s the perfect way to unite the family for a fun afternoon. And not only are they good for spending quality time together, they also help to get your competitive juices flowing! Whether it’s a game of luck or one that involves real logic, there literally is something out there for every family.
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PROPERTY NEWS
Here is Amazon’s Top 10 best selling* board games 1. TOMY Pop Up Pirate £9.99 2. M.Y Traditional Bingo Game £11.99 3. Cheatwell Games Tension: The Top 10 Naming Game £17.49 4. Z-Man Games Pandemic Board Game £29.99 5. The Yes! No! Game £8.80 6. Orchard Toys Little Bus Lotto Mini Game £4.99 7. OK Play: Multi-Award Winning Board Game For Kids And Adults £19.99 8. Cluedo Junior The Case of The Broken Toy Board Game £16.99 9. Winning Moves Friends Trivial Pursuit Quiz Game – Bitesize Edition £10.23 10. Goliath Games Sequence the addictive card game £20
DRAWING
Now, when we say drawing, it’s not about creating masterpieces or beating yourself up that you can’t quite capture what you want on paper; the main benefit of drawing is that it relaxes the mind and allows your creativity to really shine through. So, whether you are a novice or accomplished at drawing, get out your paper and pencils and let your creativity free. To encourage creativity with the little ones, why not play a game of drawing inspiration. Basically, you draw a random scribble or marking on the paper and the other person has to change this into an object of some kind – whether that be a person, animal or household object. It’s a perfect way to get creativity flowing and can create lots of laughs too!
ORIGAMI
Another task involving paper is the art of origami. The name origami means the art of paper-folding and derives from Japanese words ori (folding) and kami (paper). Traditional origami consists of folding a single sheet of square paper into a sculpture – but without cutting, gluing, taping, or even marking it!
It can sometime seem a bit fiddly but, with a little time and patience, it’s amazing the masterpieces that can be created! Take a look here for some easy inspiration www.easypeasyandfun.com/easyorigami-for-kids/
The main benefit of drawing is that it relaxes the mind and allows your creativity to really shine through
CREATE A MASTERPIECE
Now, you don’t need fancy crafting materials to make a masterpiece. With more of us at home, recycling waste has increased so why not check out the dry recycling and let the kids create their own special projects. It’s the perfect way to pass the time.
* Top ten listing and prices correct at time of going to print
Use toilet rolls and cereal boxes to make robots, or utilise the likes of YouTube to find a host of how-to videos on crafting projects using recyclable materials. The possibilities are endless!
LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
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RECENT AND UPCOMING
BOOK RELEASES
W
hether you are looking for romance, fantasy, crime or horror, we have compiled a list of the hottest new releases by some great authors, available online from bookstores and as eBooks.
IF IT BLEEDS – STEPHEN KING RELEASED: 28TH APRIL 2020
Stephen King, the best-selling author of IT, The Shawshank Redemption and Carrie, releases a brand-new collection of four stories including a stand-alone sequel to The Outsider which has recently been adapted into a TV series on Sky. ‘If it Bleeds,’ contains three other stories showboating the unique story-telling ability of one of the world’s most-loved writers.
THE PRIORY – JONATHAN WHEATLEY RELEASED: 6TH APRIL 2020
British debut novelist, Jonathan Wheatley, released his much-anticipated novel, ‘The Priory,’ on the 6th of April. Having already broken into the Top 100 of British Horror on Amazon, we can’t wait to read part one of ‘The Westford Chronicles.’ Wheatley has created a twisted tale set in a richly detailed rural English town featuring a group of teenagers following a cryptic message; a man searching for his own body and a mother with special powers.
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PROPERTY NEWS
MEMOIRS AND MISINFORMATION – JIM CARREY & DANA VACHON RELEASE DATE: 5TH MAY 2020
Beloved Hollywood star, Jim Carrey, and Dana Vachon bring us a fearless semi-autobiographical novel. Carrey and Vachon have creates a story about acting, agents, privilege, celebrity, addiction, romance and a cataclysmic ending of the world. For those of you who love the zany world of Jim Carrey, this book is a must read.
Now is the perfect time to catch up on the latest book releases
SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN – GENE LUEN YANG RELEASE DATE: 12TH MAY 2020 In this graphic novel set in 1946, the Lee family has moved from Chinatown to Metropolis. Excited to be close to Superman, Roberta and Tommy are adapting to life in the big city befriending Jimmy Olsen. While the Lee family tries to adjust to their new lives, a new evil stirs in Metropolis: The
With us all spending more time at home, now is the perfect time to catch up on the latest book releases… Ku KLUX Klan. With Tommy kidnapped, Roberta teams up with Superman to fight the Klan and expose those who support them.
THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES – SUZANNE COLLINS RELEASE DAY: 19TH MAY 2020
In this prequel to the original Hunger Games novels, we follow Coriolanus Snow, last seen in the movies as the tyrannical dictator of Panem, as he prepares for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the tenth annual Hunger Games. Having been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, their fates are now intertwined, with his every choice leading to favour or failure. This promises to be one of the biggest young adult novels of the year as we get to know the previous books’ most-hated characters.
LAUGHTER PROVIDING LIGHT RELIEF In her televised speech to the nation, the Queen said that “the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country.” And she wasn’t wrong. In a world of uncertainty, humour has been much welcomed, with social media providing some ingenious memes!
DAY 6 IN QUARANTINE, FOUND A DEAD FLY
HAVE YOU MIS-SOLD BEEN PPE? ED’S NOTE: All memes featured here were sourced from Facebook
BOSS: DURING THIS TIME WE ASK ALL EMPOLYEES TO WEAR A MASK TO WORK. ME:
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN’T WORK OUT SOCIAL DISTANCING... THIS IS TWO METERS APART!!!
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Marsh Road, Potter Heigham £575,000
The Causeway, Hickling £525,000
“You can hear all different varieties of wildlife as you walk around the garden” An amazing home sitting in the Norfolk Broads, which offers SPACIOUS and VERSATILE accommodation throughout, and is the ideal FAMILY HOME. The garden is approx. 3.75 acres (stms) and offers a range of COLOURFUL WALKWAYS full of mature planting, a woodland area, a 32 ft approx. timber cabin and open lawns. Surrounded by the countryside, this is a haven for a variety of wildlife including birds, butterflies and deer and just a short walk to the river and village facilities.
Holly Lodge is an immaculate property offering spacious and versatile accommodation throughout, ideally suited for a family wanting the country life in this thriving picturesque broadland village. Beautiful parkland gardens, breathtaking views and peaceful countryside location with nearby nature reserve and a short drive to wonderful sandy beaches.
Chapelfield, Stalham £400,000
Staithe Road, Hickling £375,000
“A hidden treasure” with this home that is located on the edge of the river with DIRECT ACCESS and a 36FT (Approx.) MOORING and ADDITIONAL LAND. With spacious and versatile accommodation throughout, and GENEROUS WRAP AROUND GARDENS available this home offers everything. A great opportunity for those looking for the COUNTRYSIDE and BROADLAND lifestyle.
“Walking distance to the Norfolk Broads” A SPACIOUS home offering accommodation which is both LIGHT AND VERSATILE throughout and is surrounded by unspoilt picturesque countryside walks and nature. Sitting on a LARGE PLOT, with ample parking and a detached garage. A home for those wanting the quiet and peaceful lifestyle where they can use the river facilities and friendly village amenities.
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01692 531400
CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
Lavender Cottage, Heath Road, £350,000
West Point, Heath Road, Hickling £350,000
‘’An exquisite, spacious (Offering approx. 1162 sq ft) and well-appointed property’’ in an idyllic VILLAGE LOCATION in the heart of HICKLING. With a GARDENER’S PARADISE outside, and a COOK’S PARADISE in the extensive FULLY FITTED KITCHEN, this property is a perfect combination of a COUNTRY COTTAGE WITH MODERN FACILITIES.
“A spacious (over 1500 sq ft internal floor space) and versatile home in the Norfolk Broads” HIGHLY PRESENTED THROUGHOUT and offers stunning unspoilt countryside views to the front. It comes with the best of MODERN and PRACTICAL living and can set itself up to provide ADDITIONAL GUEST / ANNEX ACCOMMODATION with its current set up. A picturesque village surrounded by the countryside and just a short walk to the river and village staithe.
Upper Staithe Road, Stalham £350,000
Mayfield Way, North Walsham £350,000
‘’A conveniently situated and highly presented property’’ located close to the heart of Stalham. This home is HIGHLY PRESENTED throughout and is only a SHORT WALK from the SHOPS and DOCTORS SURGERY. There are TRANSPORT LINKS to all of the local towns and also to Norwich, as well as the property being within easy reach of the COASTLINE.
“This has been completely transformed” An amazing home which is PRESENTED TO A VERY HIGH STANDARD throughout, and comes with SPACIOUS AND VERSATILE ROOMS. It has had a full modernisation by the current owners making this a home you can move straight in to. Sitting with a LARGE DRIVEWAY to both side of the home, a garage and an enclosed garden. Living here also offers PRACTICAL LIVING close to facilities including a wide range of shops, schools and regular bus and train links.
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01692 531400
The Street, Sutton £335,000
Ostend Road, Walcott £325,000
“Family friendly accommodation” set in this SOUGHT AFTER LOCATION where you are close to amenities, the Norfolk Broads and the popular beaches in Sea Palling and Happisburgh. The accommodation comes HIGHLY PRESENTED and is SPACIOUS (Approx. 1367 sq ft internal floor space) and versatile throughout, complimented by the extension which offers further space and the ENCLOSED GARDEN to the rear and ample parking with the driveway and attached garage.
“Bringing you the best of the countryside and coast” with this STUNNING cottage which has been EXTENDED to offer GENEROUS (approx.1550 sqft internal floorspace) and VERSATILE accommodation throughout. This amazing home is highly presented and will suit anyone looking for that coastal retreat, whether it be as a permanent residence or holiday home. Sitting on ESTABLISHED GROUNDS with mature gardens, ample parking and BOASTING STUNNING COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS and easy access to the beach.
White Horse Lane, Briggate £325,000 “Substantially extended and fully modernised’ Sitting on this LARGE PLOT in this sought after area which is close to towns and nearby facilities. Presented to a HIGH STANDARD THROUGHOUT, and comes with space (approx. over 1200 sq ft of internal floor space) and versatility due to the extensions which have taken place on this home. It comes with a GENEROUS WRAP AROUND GARDEN, ample parking and a FULLY INSULATED DETACHED OUTBUILDING / STUDIO / POTENTIAL ANNEX.
Fakes Road, Hemsby £300,000 “Stunning unspoilt sea views” with this AMAZING HOME that is presented to a very high standard throughout and offers space and versatility throughout. It has SPECTACULAR VIEWS from in and out of the property which can be enjoyed throughout the year. Complete with ample parking, a garden and a variety of seating areas to enjoy the SUN AND COASTAL LIFESTYLE.
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01692 531400
Grange Close, Ludham £280,000
Whimpwell Street, Happisburgh
£280,000
“A peaceful setting in this popular Norfolk village” offering SPACIOUS (Approx. over 1200 sq ft internal floor space) and VERSATILE accommodation throughout and with a double garage, ample parking and an enclosed ear garden. Sitting in this sought after location where you can walk to the village shop and facilities, as well as the popular Womack Staithe and How Hill.
“A homely home with amazing views” Offering SPACIOUS (approx. over 1500 sq ft internal floor space) and well thought our PRACTICAL accommodation to suit a family looking for their own space, but with rooms where they can all come together. With stunning COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS from one aspect, and the FAMOUS HAPPIBURGH LIGHTHOUSE to the other. An amazing village setting where you can easily access the beach, the popular school and just a short drive to nearby amenities.
Lower Staithe Road, Stalham
£250,000
“A perfect family home” PEACEFUL and a FRIENDLY AREA, is where you will find this HIGH STANDARD home that is within easy reach to the towns facilities. A shor t walk and you are in the hear t of Stalham High Street, as well as Stalham Staithe and a shor t drive to the coast. There are also easy routes into both Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
St. Margarets Place, Sea Palling £235,000 “A stunning family home where you can walk to the beach” offering SPACIOUS and VERSATILE accommodation that is HIGHLY PRESENTED THROUGHOUT. The area offers the best of COASTAL AND COUNTRYSIDE LIVING with it’s popular picturesque beach and amazing walks. The home also comes with private gardens and ample parking with its large driveway for a variety of vehicles.
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Setting the scene in preparation for your professional photos. To ensure that your home is properly staged prior to the visit of our professional photographer, here are some tips to ensure your home achieves the best possible results. EXTERIOR ® Move the vehicles off the driveway. ® Keep the front of the house clear. ® Remove bins and any unsightly objects. ® Clean the windows.
® Hoses and tools to be removed. ® Dead plants and leaves removed. ® Children’s toys stored out of sight.
RECEPTIONS / BEDROOMS ® Open drapes and binds on windows. ® Make the beds thoroughly. ® Remove throws of furniture. ® Remove clutter under the bed.
® ® ® ®
Close all cupboards. Remove rugs from floors. Hide shoes out of view. Children’s toys should be out of sight.
KITCHEN Clear worktops. Hide sponges, towels, knives and oven gloves. Move bins out of sight. Move household products.
® ® ® ®
Clear sink. Remove pet bowls or bedding. Close all cupboards. Remove all fridge magnets.
® ® ® ®
BATHROOM ® Toilet lids to be left down. ® Clear counter-tops. ® Remove cleaning brushes, bottles and bins. ® Pull back shower curtains.
® Remove toilet paper from holder. ® Towels and mats removed from holders, radiators and floors.
Which agent would you choose?
Agent “X”
Trett Phillips Residential
Thorn Road, Catfield £225,000
Coast Road, Bacton £220,000 “An amazing home giving you the best of coast and country” *** GUIDE PRICE £220,000 - £240,000 *** With SPACIOUS HIGHLY PRESENTED rooms throughout that offer PRACTICAL living for those looking for a home or a coastal retreat. It comes with an ENCLOSED REAR GARDEN with a built in bar / garden room and ample parking plus the attached garage. A great village location offering a variety of facilities and where you can walk to the beach or enjoy the countryside living.
“Spacious and highly presented” Sitting in this POPULAR VILLAGE which offers a wide range of facilities and is within easy reach to the NORFOLK BROADS and the popular beaches of Sea Palling and Happisburgh. With GENEROUS GARDENS, a GARAGE.
Poplar Drive, Walcott £220,000
Jeckells Road, Stalham £210,000
“Village and coastal living at it’s very best” with this STUNNING home that is presented to a very high standard throughout. A LIGHT AND SPACIOUS home that is located on this private road, and just a shor t walk to the beach and the village facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden where you have a variety of areas to eat and entertain in.
“Modern living on this sought after development” An excellent SPACIOUS home which is well presented throughout, offering everything for the practical and everyday lifestyle. Complete with an ENCLOSED GARDEN, parking, remaining NHBC and easy access to the High Street where you can reach a wide range of facilities.
sales@trettphillipsresidential.co.uk | lettings@trettphillipsresidential.co.uk
01692 531400
CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
Woodstock Way, Great Yarmouth £200,000
Bush Estate, Eccles on Sea £200,000
“Excellent family living close to facilities” is available with this home which is SPACIOUS and HIGHLY PRESENTED THROUGHOUT. Family friendly with a DRIVEWAY and an ENCLOSED GARDEN, as well as the perfect space for a starter family to grow in to or those needed it straight away. A great location where you can access a wide range shops, schools and a doctors’ surgery.
“Stunning and spacious open plan accommodation” with this VERSATILE home that is sitting in this POPULAR COASTAL VILLAGE. Having undergone a COMPLETE REFURBISHMENT it offers highly presented accommodation suitable for those looking for that peace and tranquility by the sea, but also suited for the modern living with high speed broadband in the area and is available with no onward chain. SHORT WALK TO THE BEACH.
Witton View, North Walsham £200,000 “A quiet location where you can easily access a wide of facilities” Available with NO ONWARD CHAIN and comes with plenty of potential with spacious accommodation. Sitting of A GENEROUS PLOT which wraps around the property and also comes with garage and ample parking. A PERFECT AND POPULAR LOCATION where you can easily access a wide range of facilities including shops, schools and regular train and bus links.
Gunns Corner, Smallburgh £190,000 “Offering so much space” A VERSATILE home that comes with CHARACTER FEATURES THROUGHOUT and is available with no onward chain. This home also offers the potential to offer an ANNEX / GUEST ACCOMMODATION within the property which will be private from the main residence and have it’s own entrance door. Complete with MATURE ENCLOSED GARDENS, a driveway and a garage.
trettphillipsresidential.co.uk
01692 531400
Millside, Stalham £190,000
Ingham Road, Stalham £180,000
“An amazing family home on this sought after development” Close to a wide range of
“Perfect location offering the best of countryside living on the edge of this popular market town” Guide Price £180,000 - £190,000 With FIELD VIEWS and available with NO ONWARD CHAIN and is within EASY REACH (approx. 5 min walk) to the wide range of facilities on the High Street, as well as the Norfolk Broads and the popular beaches of Sea Palling and Happisburgh. The accommodation has been vastly improved and is SPACIOUS and versatile.
facilities in the town, the Norfolk Broads and the popular beaches of Sea Palling and Happisburgh. The accommodation is HIGHLY PRESENTED and SPACIOUS (Approx. 947 sq ft internal floor space) throughout and is complimented by it’s MATURE ENCLOSED GARDEN and quiet tucked away position on the development, all available with NO ONWARD CHAIN.
St. Benets Road, Stalham £175,000
Millside, Stalham £180,000 “Spacious accommodation that has been modernised for the family” with this POPULAR HOME that sits on this quiet family friendly area and is within walking distance to the High Streets’ facilities. Presented to a HIGH STANDARD THROUGHOUT, this modern home will suit a NEW OR GROWING FAMILY. Offering an enclosed private garden, driveway offering parking for ample vehicles and garage.
“Practical living close to a wide range of facilities” Offered with NO ONWARD CHAIN, this home is well presented throughout and comes with SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATION, an enclosed rear garden and a DRIVEWAY offering ample parking. It is sitting in an EXCELLENT POSITION to benefit from EASY ACCESS into the High Street of Stalham where there a wide range of facilities including school’s, shops and regular bus routes.
sales@trettphillipsresidential.co.uk | lettings@trettphillipsresidential.co.uk | trettphillipsresidential.co.uk
01692 531400
Lyndford Road, Stalham £160,000
Fakes Road, Hemsby £160,000
“A home with so much potential on offer” *** GUIDE PRICE £160,000 - £180,000 *** Sitting on this SOUGHT AFTER DEVELOPMENT that is just a short walk to a wide range of facilities in the popular market town. Offering ACCOMMODATION FOR THE FAMILY, with a separate dining room and conservatory, and enclosed gardens and a garage en bloc. An IDEAL HOME FOR MANY where you can spend the time to make it how you want.
“Modern and coastal living” with this SUNNING OPEN PLAN home that is sitting in this popular village. The accommodation is HIGHLY PRESENTED THROUGHOUT with large spacious rooms and vaulted ceilings. There is an ENCLOSED COURTYARD with a summer house and ample parking for 2 cars and a further driveway to the front. An amazing home which can be used for both holiday use and fully residential.
Sunset Walk, Eccles on Sea £130,000
Wayford Road, Smallburgh £110,000
“You need to step inside to see” *** Guide Price £130,000 - £135,000 *** This amazing home sits within this POPULAR COASTAL VILLAGE, which is within walking distance to the beach. Offering coastal living in a peaceful location with enclosed rear gardens perfect for enter taining and off road parking for ample vehicles.
“Comfortable and luxury living” FULLY RESIDENTIAL AND OPEN ALL YEAR. Available with no onward chain and situated on this POPULAR DEVELOPMENT where you are CLOSE TO FACILITIES, the Norfolk Broads and the popular beaches of Happisburgh and Sea Palling. The accommodation is WELL PRESENTED THROUGHOUT, spacious and comes with low maintenance garden and parking.
sales@trettphillipsresidential.co.uk | lettings@trettphillipsresidential.co.uk | trettphillipsresidential.co.uk
EXCLUSIVELY AT
Giving you peace of mind every time Our innovative approach to marketing, together with our unrivalled customer care, makes us the right choice to market your property and guide you through your move
Whether you’re looking to sell or put your property up for rental, when you choose to market your property with Trett Phillips, you can be confident that we’ll ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Selling your property A leading independent agent covering Stalham, the name Trett Phillips is synonymous with trust, excellence and integrity. With decades of experience, specialising in all aspects of residential property, our friendly, enthusiastic and professional service ensures that our clients continually return to sell and buy through us. 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 microsite 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.
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 your home for the best price, in the shortest possible time, providing you an outstanding service, with a personal and friendly approach.
Letting your property When it comes to letting, as Trett Phillips are members of certified accreditations, you can have peace of mind that your property is in safe hands as we ensure you are fully compliant with your landlord duties. We offer a comprehensive range of services for you to choose from including areas such as Tenant Introduction, Rent Collection, Gas Safety Checks, in-depth Inventory reports, Deposit registration, insurance-based Rent Guarantee and Legal cover policies. As with selling, when you choose to let through us, your property will be advertised on the major online property portals, our website and social media sites, as well as traditional placement in our prominent window display.
trettphillipsestateagents.co.uk
The power of social media Your property will also receive its very own FREE property website showcasing a property video, OFSTED reports, and property brochures; something that we are proud to say is exclusive to Trett Phillips in our area. In addition, our qualified database of tenants will also be notified of your property coming to market on their dedicated search websites where they can book viewings and offer feedback. All our tenants are fully referenced and vetted, making sure the highest of standards are met to find the right tenant for you. TAP HERE
today VALUATION Book your FREE
By sharing your personalised websites with family
and friends across the social networks you will be widening the audience to find the right buyer or tenant for your property, increasing the chances of a quicker sale or rental.
£450,000
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When you choose to market your property with Trett Phillips, you can be confident that we’ll ensure that everything goes smoothly.
“
Video microsite on our website
Feature in our monthly magazine
Comparables of houses SOLD and price guides
COMMON MARKETING
Tech gimic (Drones, 360 tours)
1.
UNIQUE with Trett Phillips
Print marketing: Property brochure, photography, floorplans and newspapers
ACTIVATE
2.
RECEIVE YOUR VERY OWN
EXCLUSIVE PERSONALISED
SHARE
PROPERTY WEBSITE
SOLD
3.
SELL
Portals and websites Want to find out more about our range of exclusive services?
Then please feel free to pop in or give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Rightmove featured property advertising*
Feature on our Facebook and Twitter
Property video
All our applicants receive your property on their own search for a home website
01692 531400 • sales@trettphillipsestateagents.co.uk
Daniel Trett After spending 12 years in Estate Agency and working in the areas of North Norfolk to Lowestoft and working for large national companies (both corporate and family owned) I felt it was right to start this company. Having gained valuable experience at valuing properties I have gained knowledge of how to treat customers as individuals with an honest approach. I have lived in the area all my life, so there are many regular faces I deal with time and time again, and want everyone to feel comfortable with buying / selling and letting through Trett Phillips Residential.
Laura Brand
Mary Jordan-Fearns
I have lived in Norfolk for the last eight years originally from Kent. I have gained valuable experience in customer service which has been in various different industries most recently in the entertainment industry. I have always had a keen interest in the property market and decided to finally pursue this as I can use my customer service experience whilst following my passion within this industry. I spend as much as my spare time with my friends and family but I do love going out and having a sing and dance.
Ethan Hall Coming from the leisure industry in an active management environment, I gain valuable experience in dealing with clients on a 1-2-1 basis and within a group set up. After gaining a wealth of experience in this, I decided it was time for a change and followed my passion into sales and property. When the opportunity came up to work with Trett Phillips Residential, I saw this as an excellent opportunity to further my career and expand my knowledge within the industry and use my experience to help others.
Mary is an experienced Mortgage and Protection Broker with 18 years history of working in the Estate Agency Industry and Banking Services. Her aim is to take what is a complicated and challenging process and make it simple and easy for you as well as ensuring she is saving you money and getting the best mortgage and protection requirements to suit your needs. Mary will ensure she makes this an enjoyable experience by removing all the stress whilst still offering clear and unbiased advice.
sales@trettphillipsresidential.co.uk | lettings@trettphillipsresidential.co.uk
01692 531400
CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION
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I had a very easy sales process with them, they marketed my property in a very contemporary manner. I achieved a sale on my property very quickly.
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I found that Trett Phillips always kept me up to date on the legal side of the buying and letting side of properties. They were always on the phone to me, I never had a complaint.
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I’d definitely recommend Trett Phillips, they go over and above the call of duty. But also there professional approach, and their freindly approach make the whole business of renting and buying so much easier.
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I’d recommened them to anybody, to family, friends or anybody, due the friendliness of the staff.
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I’d give everything a 10 out of 10, they were always able to help me with anything I asked them too. Even if it was just for 5 mins of a quick chat or an update. I never felt like I was annoying them. they always seemed happy to help me.
trettphillipsresidential.co.uk
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