Let's Celebrate The Service Champions in Retford

“The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Like most of us, small businesses have had it tough over the past five months. And their fight is a long way from being over as they work to overcome the challenges Covid-19 has thrown down.

The social distancing measures have meant reduced capacity in their shops, more expenses going on PPE and safety equipment and less footfall.

As a small business operator, I use local businesses regularly, and I know the hard work, dedication, and commitment they put into serving our community here in Retford.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, because we can all feel empowered by helping those who are helping us.

Celebrate Great Service

Shopping locally is the best way to show your support, but there are also several other things you can do to make a difference and help businesses not just survive, but thrive.

We all know of shops and business owners who bend over backwards to help their customers. These are the shops or service providers where nothing is ever too much, and we’d miss them if they weren’t there, doing what they do.

So let’s celebrate them using these four simple ideas.

·         Give them a five-star Google review. Testimonials help local shops and services attract new clients.

·         Share your experiences on a Facebook group or forum. Let your friends and neighbours know when you receive outstanding customer service.

·         Give a thank you card. Being a small business owner can be a lonely place at the best of times, so let them know they’re in your thoughts. It’ll give them a morale boost.

·         Use them or lose them. The most important thing we can do if we want to ensure the future of businesses we love is to spend money with them. By keeping the pound local, we make our Retford community stronger and our future brighter.

Tag or name the businesses and individuals who you feel deserve recognition for their hard work and care.

Thanks for reading.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

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How to make your monthly bills cheaper

Gas, electric, internet, telephone, mobile phone and insurance are the usual direct debits going out of our bank accounts each month. Plus we all know we have a separate password for each account and the DD’s leave the account on different dates each month.

Then we also have the problem of renewals and the ever increasing tariffs for energy to negotiate every twelve months.

Step forward Utility Warehouse (UW). It currently has around 650,000 customers across the services it sells, all of which are bundled into one bill.

How convenient is that? Plus it makes budgeting much easier. I’m sure this will become the norm for so many people as they seek an easier way to manage their monthly bills.

Utility Warehouse doesn’t advertise heavily, but relies on agents and customer recommendations instead. Its 45,000 partners (or agents) are given incentives to sign up new customers.

Besides gas and electricity, Utility Warehouse sells contracts for other services including home phone, mobile, broadband, home insurance and boiler care. It charges customers for these in one monthly bill.

Customers can benefit from discounts with the more services they take from Utility Warehouse. It’s also replacing light bulbs with LED bulbs for free for customers who buy all of its services.

Utility Warehouse customers can get a cashback card, which earns cashback at a range of shops (how much depends on the retailer). Members also get cashback at some online retailers, which is paid against their monthly bill.

UW is also very highly rated by Which magazine.

If you want further details about Utility Warehouse I recommend you contact:
Rob and Jenny Purle. email: rob.teamgold@gmail.com.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

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Will the KBG help to sell your home?

Recent research concurs with my own view that most buyers of residential property buy on instinct, typically viewing their eventual home no more than twice before making a decision to buy.

Buying a property certainly appears to be a decision of the heart over the head. In other words, the “I’ll know it when I see it” approach turns out to be quite reliable.

An estate agent working in commercial property transactions will confirm that if the figures don’t add up correctly the buyer will refuse to look at the property and move on to the next one.

But residential property sales are different. ‘Homes’ are purchased based on emotions.

Some of these emotions are connected mainly to the KBG. The what? The KBG
KITCHEN – BATHROOM – GARDEN. For many buyers if the emotions are fulfilled by all three of the KBG, that its. We’re buying it.

Despite the detail offered about their property by sellers when they instruct an estate agent to place their property on the market, buyers actually register their preferences with a very broad brush indeed. They seldom, if ever, ask what type of boiler is at the property, or if there is a fast internet connection point in the sitting room before viewing it. These are small details which have little bearing on whether the buyer will find the property to be a suitable home.  

Once certain non-negotiables, such as price, minimum amount of accommodation, and the general location of the property have been satisfied, buyers are primarily influenced by “How does it feel?” and “Could we be happy here?”. These elements are intangible, but if the right button has been pushed, virtually nothing will stop the buyer from wanting to buy the property.

Of course, the brain then tries to over-rule the heart, forcing the buyer to revisit the property, just to make sure. During this second viewing the buyer will take a more detailed look at the property and may take more notice of the type of fittings and the structural condition.

The brain will usually decide whether to support the heart solely on the strength of this second visit and the buyer will either make an offer there and then or decide against. An estate agents job is to prompt and facilitate that decision.   So sellers would be well advised to remember they are selling a home, not just a building, and work with their agent to promote the lifestyle benefits of their property – not just its features.   

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

Why is the Property Market Red Hot Right Now?

 

Earlier this month saw the UK record its highest temperature in 17 years.

And it’s not just the weather that’s been red-hot.

The property market in Retford is going through a blisteringly busy period.

Unprecedented was an often-used word to describe the lockdown experience we all went through. And it feels like an appropriate word to use, especially when describing what’s happening in terms of people wanting to move.

But why is this happening?

Well, I think it’s down to three things. To help people remember them, I’ve called them the 3D effect.

Desire – One of the legacies of lockdown was that many people realised they wanted more from their current home. All that time spent indoors has led to families and individuals rethinking about where, and how, they live. This has accelerated many people’s decision making processes. Rather than wait a couple of years to move, many feel now is the right time. Life is too short to delay big decisions.

Demand –When the property market went into lockdown it meant all moves were on hold. This caused a ‘blockage’ in the property selling/buying pipe. The relaxation of lockdown and reopening of the property market has seen a surge in demand. And where there is a demand for homes, it creates an increase in their value. So, many homeowners have realised now is a great time to make the most from their biggest tax-free asset. The saying ‘making hay while the sun shines’ springs to mind.

Duty Free - The Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday for properties under £500,000 here  in Retford means more people now have a larger deposit, making mortgages more available and in many cases increasingly affordable.

On their own, the 3Ds would not have caused such a surge in activity.

But the three have come together in the same period to create the perfect climate for a red-hot property market.

Retford had an overall average property sales price of £184,551 over the last year.

The majority of sales in Retford during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £146,489. Detached properties sold for an average of £278,944, with terraced properties fetching £112,737.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

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Insurance Advice for Landlords in Retford

If the mere mention of the word “insurance” makes you want to nod off, here’s a quick hack to focus your mind.

Ask yourself this question: what’s the worst that could happen to your property investment?

Is it a flood, a fire, squatters, or a tenant tripping on a wobbly floorboard and suing you for every last penny? I bet you feel wide awake now.

Hopefully, none of these scenarios ever become a reality for you. But sometimes in life, the worst does happen – hence the need for insurance.

Landlords are not legally required to have insurance, but it’s a condition of most buy-to-let mortgages. Standard home and contents policies don’t cover tenancies, so specific landlord insurance is needed.

You can get policies which cover all sorts of eventualities, but the broader the cover, the bigger the premium. Here’s a rundown of the most common types of insurance.

Landlord Liability Insurance

This covers you if a tenant says your property caused them an injury. For example, if they trip on faulty wiring or fall down the stairs due to a broken bannister.

Buildings Insurance

Protects the actual building in the event of fire, flooding or vandalism.

Contents Insurance

Covers contents such as furniture, appliances and carpets in the event of theft, fire or flooding. It only covers your items; tenants need to insure their own belongings.

Accidental Damage

Covers things likes holes in the walls and spills on the carpet and is usually added to contents insurance.

Loss of Rent

If your property is uninhabitable due to fire or flood, a proportion of the rent is covered.

Legal Expenses Insurance 

Covers you if you wind up in a nasty legal dispute over an eviction or unpaid rent.

Rent Protection 

Covers you for a certain amount per calendar month, if a tenant doesn’t pay their rent.

General Cover

Most landlord insurance covers property liability, buildings insurance, contents and loss of rent. You can then add in (at a price) extra coverage, depending on your circumstances. 

Always do your research and read the fine print before you commit to a policy. Also, get advice, to ensure you don’t leave yourself exposed.

A Word of Warning

Understandably, landlords worry about tenants damaging their property, but often the most significant risk arises when a property is empty.

Vacant properties are a target for vandals, squatters, arsonists and thieves. This is why many insurance policies become invalid if the property is empty for more than two months. 

The best protection is to manage your property well, and this is where a good lettings agent becomes useful.

An insurance policy is your last resort in the event of a disaster.

An experienced, responsible letting agent is a proactive force, that can ward off disaster in the first place.

A letting agent should be able to:

– help you find a reliable tenant, so there’s less risk of damage.

– keep on top of maintenance issues to prevent accidents.

– head off problems with rent arrears before a case reaches court.

– market your property professionally, so it’s not vacant for long.

It’s impossible to predict the future but having a good letting agent working for you is a wise way to protect your property

If you are an existing landlord or someone thinking of becoming a first time Retford landlord looking for advice and opinion and what (or not to buy in Retford), drop me an email or phone call and let’s start a conversation – I don’t bite and I don’t do hard sell … and maybe, just maybe, I could help you get better returns from your property portfolio.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

Retford Property Landlords - Seven Simple Steps to Success

 

In this two-minute read, I look at seven fundamental steps landlords in Retford need to take to put themselves and their rental properties on the path to success.

Being a landlord can be challenging, complicated and confusing. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

By following these quick tips below, you’ll make your life easier and your properties more profitable.

1) Get Three (Free) Valuations. So, you have a property to rent? I suggest calling in three different letting agents to compare prices, people, and approach. Be careful not to be sucked in by cheap fees as it’s often reflected in the service you get.

2) Picking a Letting Agent. Look for professionalism, integrity, value for money and a list of agreed responsibilities. Make sure the letting agency is an ARLA member. (Association of Residential Letting Agents) and ARLA | propertymark protected.

3) Marketing Magic. How, where, and when your property is marketed adds significantly to its chances of success. At The Good Estate Agent, we use several different platforms, tactics, and techniques to attract the largest possible audience for your property. We have been doing it successfully for over 10 years.

4) The 3 Ps. If you want to attract quality tenants at the best price, your property must be clean, well maintained and nicely presented. Remember the 3Ps as they are worth repeating – presentation, presentation, presentation.

5) Dealing with potential tenants. Once quality potential tenants have been found, and the rental price agreed, we carry out all the necessary work. This includes gathering references, creating tenancy agreements, collecting the initial deposit and rent, and arranging for a thorough check-in and inventory to take place. We also do a few extra checks to make sure the potential tenants are genuine.

6) Moving in and on. Once all the above has been carried out and things are in order, you/we can release the keys to your new tenant. By establishing excellent communication during the moving in process we lay the foundations for good future relations.

7) Hassle-Free Property Management. We offer different tiers of service, from let only where we will find you a quality tenant and carry out all the preparatory work, right through to full property management. If you want us to just find you a quality tenant and leave the rest up to you that’s fine.  But if you want to have a calm life we can take full responsibility for your property and tenants and make sure all is well.

When you decide to have your property fully managed, it means we take responsibility for all things that need doing and sorting out.

This includes collecting rents, arranging safety checks, property inspections and making sure maintenance and repairs are carried out by skilled local professionals. AND we’ll keep you the right side of the mountain of rental regulations and laws affecting the rented property market.

Thanks for reading, and if you are a landlord looking to have your life made easier and your rental property more profitable, please get in touch today.

If you are an existing landlord or someone thinking of becoming a first time Retford landlord looking for advice and opinion and what (or not to buy in Retford), drop me an email or phone call and let’s start a conversation – I don’t bite and I don’t do hard sell … and maybe, just maybe, I could help you get better returns from your property portfolio.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

BUILD BUILD BUILD – Is this a good idea? What do you think?

I see the government has set out plans to overhaul our outdated planning system and reform the way the country builds houses.

Having been involved in development projects, there is an old adage developers often use. ‘’Building them is the easy bit…..it’s the crap we have to go through before that makes it so difficult.’’

Maybe this is the right time to reform our antiquated planning systems. How can it be right that pressure groups and political opponents are always harping on about building more homes and yet they appear to support the old outdated system that keep far too many development projects on ice for years and years.

How can it be right that some local authority planning committees go out of their way to delay projects as long as possible?

This week, we have already seen social media come alive and many are negative towards this initiative. Some say immigration is the problem. ‘’Solve immigration and we won’t need so many houses’’, they claim.  I very much doubt the government will introduce forced deportations to bring down the population.

Another issue people will rightfully raise is that of support infrastructure. No good building more houses if we don’t build more schools, shops, supermarkets, doctors surgeries, hospitals, children play parks, green spaces and all the rest that makes up our neighbourhoods today.

The fact is we need more houses in England. Young people are still struggling to find a place to allow them to get on the property ladder.

The government sets out the following:

• Plans to streamline the process, cut red tape and harness technology to deliver homes faster
• Place value on green spaces protected for future generations, with more building on brownfield land
• Building beautiful homes with communities at the heart of a new planning system
• 30% discount through First Homes, with an emphasis on key workers.

They also claim that the reforms will mean:

• Local communities will be consulted from the very beginning of the planning process. By harnessing the latest technology through online maps and data, the whole system will be made more accessible
• Valued green spaces will be protected for future generations by allowing for more building on brownfield land and all new streets to be tree lined
• Much-needed homes will be built quicker by ensuring local housing plans are developed and agreed in 30 months – down from the current 7 years
• Every area to have a local plan in place – currently only 50% of local areas has a plan to build more homes
• The planning process to be overhauled and replaced with a clearer, rules based system. Currently around a third of planning cases that go to appeal are overturned at appeal
• A new simpler national levy to replace the current system of developer contributions which often causes delay
• The creation of a fast-track system for beautiful buildings and establishing local design guidance for developers to build and preserve beautiful communities
• All new homes to be ‘zero carbon ready’, with no new homes delivered under the new system needed to be retrofitted as we achieve our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050

What do you think?

See more details on the government pages here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/launch-of-planning-for-the-future-consultation-to-reform-the-planning-system?

Thanks for reading.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

Budget Design Tips for your House

The better presented your home the greater your chances of securing an early sale at an impressive price. However, during these uncertain times it can be difficult to justify engaging an interior designer in the hope that your property and its value will be transformed.

However, if you feel that your property could do with a facelift on a budget, here are a few tips:

• Work on one room at a time. That way if you do go over budget your house will not look “unfinished”.
• Buy a handful of interior design magazines as these are bound to have something that appeals. Again, take each room on its own but remember that there should be a reasonable flow through the property.
• Don’t try to recreate a Colorado log cabin or Blenheim Palace if you own a small semi in Retford. That would just look odd!
• Some home furnishing shops have the latest displays of what’s hot in interior design. Take your lead from them.
• Identify existing aspects that can be re-invigorated. Freshly jet-washed patios or decking can look like new

Once inspired, develop a design plan and be clear on what you want to create noting down your preferred colour scheme. Choose one and stick to it rather than trying to incorporate everything you like! 

Don’t buy anything until you have worked out a budget. It is surprising what a difference a coat of paint and a couple of cushions can make. But don’t compromise style for cost. The last thing you want to do is spend money on something that doesn’t’ really work or looks cheap. Nevertheless you can jazz up a room with only one or two choice pieces. Less is often more!  

Finally, reuse what you already have. You may have things in other areas of your home that will now work better in another part of the property. And remember that unless it’s physically attached to your property, you can take it with you when you move and use it in your next home for free!

I’m always happy to offer free home staging advice in the context of current trends to anyone thinking of selling. Actually, to be totally honest, I’m no expert in interior design, but my wife is. So I take guidance from her. She can give you plenty of tips on things like colours and layout.

Thanks for reading.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire

Easy Garden Makeover Tips - to add value to your property

One of the most significant property trends to emerge from lockdown is the growing importance of outdoor space to buyers.

Industry insiders report that post-lockdown, an increasing number of people are looking for homes with a garden – or at least access to communal spaces.

This anecdotal evidence is backed up by Rightmove, which says searches for homes with gardens increased by 42% recently. 

With buyers’ priorities shifting, I advise sellers in the North Notts area to invest a little time and effort to get gardens and balconies looking the best.

You don’t need to be Monty Don or any famous garden designer, but you do need to get the basics right. A little bit of TLC will push up the asking price and speed up the sale.

Here are some tips:

– If your garden looks more like a junkyard than a backyard, you are missing a trick. Cut the grass, blitz the weeds and trim back overgrown bushes and hedges (this will make the space look bigger and brighter). 

– Repair any broken or damaged fences. This is a must, especially if you are marketing a family home. Parents will want to know that their little ones can’t wander off. Pet owners will want to ensure that their loved ones stay put.

– If you have swings or a trampoline in good condition, it’s okay to leave them in situ (provided they don’t crowd the space). But anything that is faded or broken must go. Footballs, sandpits and scooters need to be stored away too.

– A lick of paint goes a long way. Add a splash of colour to sheds, decking and fences.

– Ditch the clutter. Don’t take it personally but people won’t be impressed by your collection of power tools or your assortment of garden gnomes. And don’t even get me started on caravans. These need to go into storage when selling.

– Once you’ve cleared the space, consider adding a few blooms or hanging baskets. When it comes to identifying where to place them, put yourself in the shoes of a viewer. Buyers will get their first glimpse of the garden when they are inside, looking out through a window. Identify these key focal points and place your plants there for maximum impact.

– Dress to impress. If you have a separate office or studio space, make sure it is presented as such. Often people cram offices with bikes, tools and boxes. You want potential buyers (who may work from home) to be able to walk around inside and envision themselves working in there.

– Don’t forget the front garden. Even if the front of your property only has a small amount of space, invest in a few pot plants to make it look welcoming. First impressions are hugely important.

– And a final word on bins and laundry. It’s a pet peeve of mine when marketing photos feature bins (everyone has them, we don’t need to see them) and laundry drying on the line. A good agent knows the deal is in the detail and would ensure they are NOT featured in any photos.

Thanks for reading.

I’m always happy to help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants

geraldbowers@thegoodea.co.uk

Tel: 01777 237310 or messages to 07981 744003

Follow me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodestateagentnorthnottinghamshire