Home Sale Network helps make wishes come true
NEW YEAR – NEW HOME?
A Year in Nailsea
Leading the way in Pill
Yatton looks forward to 2008
Heritage Portishead - Still one step ahead
Clevedon remains Positive
Victorian Night Success
Pudsey Attends Nailsea Carnival
Local Estate Agent wins National Award
Mucky Pups
Home Sale Network helps make wishes come true
Heritage Estate Agents, as a member of Home Sale Network, the national network of independent estate agents is joining in the season of goodwill by donating over £7,200, raised at their Annual Conference, to Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK.
The Network of over 750 independent Estate Agents raised the money at their Annual Conference, by holding a charity raffle and auction. Ten companies generously donated prizes including, two club Wembley tickets, a champagne cruise at the Henley Regatta and a cricket bat signed by the England 2006-2007 Ashes Cricket Team.
The charity auction and raffle are an important part of the Home Sale Network Conference, and it provided the Network members with a fantastic opportunity give something back to the community and to support Make-A-Wish.
Paul Kingston, Director of Heritage Estate Agents said: “There were some really amazing prizes on offer and items to bid for, and the auctioneer on the night, Auction Houses’ Bryan Baxter, did a great job at getting the bids flying in. This is the second year the Network has organised a charity auction and raffle, and Christmas is an ideal time to reflect on the importance of giving to a worthwhile cause.”
Make-A-Wish is a charity with a single purpose – they grant magical wishes to children and young people, aged three -17, fighting life-threatening illnesses. This year Make-A-Wish celebrate 21 years of granting magical wishes. Since their launch in 1986, the charity has granted over 4,500 wishes.
Richard Tucker, Home Sale Network’s managing director said: “Make-A-Wish are a fantastic charity who make a real impact on the young people they help. The Network is proud to support them, this year by choosing a Make-A-Wish Christmas card we were able to donate over £900 in addition to the money raised at the Conference”
A spokesperson from Make-A-Wish said: “The donation from the Home Sale Network will go a long way towards granting wishes for families around the country and we thank all the members for their important support once again.”
NEW YEAR – NEW HOME?
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to move home in 2008, Home Sale Network member Heritage Estate Agents has some hints and tips to help ensure that your home makes a good impression.
Richard Van de Velde Manager of Heritage says: “The first step is researching the market. Make sure that you find the right estate agent for you and your property. Ask about recent selling prices of similar properties in your area as well as the services and support your chosen agent can provide.”
The New Year prompts many people to make a new start and a new home is a great way to make a fresh start in 2008. With over 750 offices nationwide, Home Sale Network’s membership is based on certain criteria being met such as, quality of service, local knowledge and professionalism resulting in membership approved on an invitation basis only.
Whether you’re moving a few miles or across the country, your local Home Sale Network member is well placed to help make your move as smooth as possible. Your local Home Sale Network member can advise you how to present your property to maximise its potential. Here are some of Heritage’s top tips.
De-cluttering your home, garage and even the garden shed is a good tactic. It’s important that your home is presented in the best light and by removing clutter you can emphasise the space. It also helps buyers imagine themselves living in the property with their own furniture and possessions.
Groups like Freecycle™, match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them. It’s a free service and is a great way to get rid of unwanted clutter, without filling up landfill sites.
Richard says: “buyers can often be put off by little problems like leaking taps, chipped paintwork or sticking doors. They won’t take long to fix and could well pay dividends in the long run. You want to ensure that your home makes a good first impression on potential buyers”.
Make sure that you keep your home well presented both internally and externally throughout the selling process. Many potential buyers will go do a preliminary ‘drive by’ before they even view a property so it’s important to make sure your home always looks its best. If you have pets, consider shutting them away during viewings because they may distract potential buyers.
Show off the features of your home. If you are selling at this time of the year and have a fire, consider lighting it to show it works and create a cosy feeling. Make sure that if you have a garden it’s neat and tidy, particularly at this time of year when grey days and damp weather can stop it from looking its best.
A Year in Nailsea
2007 proved to be a year of two halves with a very strong market with price increases of 10% within Nailsea followed by a slow down in the property market due to 5 interest rate rises and the well documented introduction of Home Information Packs which has created a level of caution with buyers.
The team in nailsea are able to provide expert advice on all aspects of the market due to their wealth of experience and knowledge. Jenni Harrhy, Branch Manager of Nailsea, comments, “In particular the recent introduction of Home Information Packs has created more uncertainty and confusion for anybody wishing to sell their home”.
With this in mind Heritage staff are able to guide and advise you on all aspects of HIPs, which to date have been extremely well received.
“With the no Sale, No HIP fees offer we have been able to simplify the process and allow people to market their property in the same manner they were previously used to” explained Jenni.
We would like to invite anybody who wishes to discuss selling their home and the need for a HIP prior to a decision being made, please call Jenni Harrhy on 01275 544477.
Leading the Way in Pill
The Pill market has enjoyed steady growth throughout the year. Having overcome public fears over the introduction of Home Information Packs by offering a comprehensive user friendly service, we have continued to dominate local instructions with a healthy supply of realistically valued properties which have attracted both local ,and relocation buyers.
More and more buyers are discovering the advantages of living in the friendly, rural villages of Ham Green, Pill, Easton in Gordano and Portbury with easy access to commuter routes, top local schools and excellent leisure and shopping facilities. Entering the final quarter of the year and the inevitable slow down brought on by the year end festivities, we are preparing ourselves for a quick start in the New Year so if you are putting off the decision to market, contact us now for details of how you can get ahead of a market which can only be enhanced by the recent cut in interest rates and the reappearance of more competitive mortgage products. We continue to offer a professional, friendly service to make buying or selling your home a positive experience.
Yatton looks forward to 2008
The Yatton office is finding that the buyers for two three bedroom properties up to £200,000 is extremely busy and feel this is good news for the rest of the market as the chains seems to be fitting together nicely.
We still have a very high demand for two bedroom starter homes and detached bungalows in the area and with the fall of interest rates recently we feel once the festive season is behind us the market will go with a bang into 2008.
Heritage Portishead - Still one step ahead
The Portishead market has continued to bloom this year, despite the government introduction of the Home Information Packs, the market continued to flourish during the summer months with sales continuing to increase year on year.
Portishead’s ever growing population has continued to keep the market buoyant at the start of the year with a constant stream of buyers moving out of Bristol and surrounds to be in vibrant Portishead, with its excellent schooling, new shopping facilities, exciting Marina development and access to the M5, making it the ideal place to live.
The storey at the end of the year paints a different picture to that at the start, now we are established well into the Autumn quarter things have slowed prior to the traditional Christmas break. Over recent months the market in Portishead has appeared to of followed that of the national market with a general slow down of sales and tightening of sale prices being agreed, with less new applicants registering and more clients looking set to actively seek their new house in 2008.
December so far has seen an unexpected upturn of instructions with the volume being instructed on a Low Key basis. These properties will be ready and marketed in the New Year with fully compliant HIP packs, saving any delays for the early part of next year and being one step ahead of the competition.
If you live in Portishead and are considering selling in 2008 contact us now on 01275 840600 to discuss our tailored marketing packages and HIP solutions and make your next move with Heritage a ‘moving experience’.
Clevedon remains Positive
Heritage in clevedon remain busy despite reports in the press and from other quarters that the property market has quietened down dramatically.
‘While it is true that the market is a lot harder than we have experienced for some time, Heritage have always worked pro actively to make ourselves busy and this remains the case’, commented John Martin, office manager.’ This is filtering through to the public with many visitors to the office, both buyers and sellers, commenting on how enthusiastic the staff are and how busy the office is’.
Indeed, this level of commitment and determination has been seen recently in Heritage receiving instruction to sell an apartment from a couple emigrating who instructed Heritage in the office before any valuation. ‘Valuations and Customer Care Manager Mark Jeffreys recalled ‘ they had received so many specific positive recommendations on Heritage from other people locally, including some buying and selling houses through other agents, that they were adamant that they would only use us’.
The year ahead also looks positive. Heritage are continually striving to raise the benchmark in their marketing and this is again evident in our new property details being released in January. ‘ Property details tend to be the same no matter which agent you instruct’, commented Mark,’ but our new details which are designed to sell the emotions involved in a house, means we can draw greater attention from a much more specific and targeted market to a property’.
Mark continued ‘ this means we can work out various marketing strategies for any given property so it does not tend to become stale in the marketplace.’
Whether buying or selling, Heritage looks like the place to be if you want the positive attitude to buying or selling the company are famed for.
Victorian Night Success
The crowds were out once again for the annual Portishead Victorian Night and what a great night it was. The evening although crisp was dry and once again warmed by our very own mix of Mulled Wine. Pudsey bear made his annual appearance and helped raise support for our nominated charity Children In Need.
Heritage made this year our most successful to date by raising £355 for charity. Both Directors Marcus Lifton and Paul Kingston were helped on the night by the team at Portishead and staff members from the Clevedon, Pill and Nailsea offices. Without the help and support of our staff and the generous mince pie donations from Co Operative supermarkets the night wouldn’t have been possible, but the generosity of the local public and many of our past and current clients made the evening every part the success it was. So we would like to pass our sincere thanks to all those clients who made their generous donations. Next year we aim to double our efforts and raise more for our nominated charity, so we look forward to seeing you same time next year
Pudsey Attends Nailsea Carnival
Staff at Heritage Nailsea, took part in the Victorian Fair on Friday 7th December, new trainee negotiator Jeremy Owen played Christmas carols on his cornet which attracted a lot of attention. Pudsey Bear joined the staff at Heritage to help raise money for Children in Need, and with Mince pies and mulled wine on offer to everyone the evening was a great success.
Manager, Jenni said “ it’s great to be part of and support local community events, and coupled with raising money for charity the evening was a great success. We are always looking to support our local community and we take pleasure in giving something back. We are looking for other similar events for 2008 and if anyone has any suggestions then please feel free to call me”
Local Estate Agent wins National Award
Local estate agent Heritage has won the Home Sale Network’s prestigious national PR and Marketing Award.
The Home Sale Network, which is a national network of independent estate agents, presented the award to Heritage at its 14th annual conference. The award recognises the member who has made the most significant contribution to promoting the Network over the year.
Heritage was chosen for the PR and Marketing Award from nominations submitted by members of the over 750 strong Home Sale Network, all of whom are individually chosen and invited to become a member after comprehensive research has been conducted by Home Sale Network in their geographical area.
Heather Pettitt, Marketing Manager said: “Heritage is delighted to have won this award. It is testament to the combined effort of our staff over the past 12 months. We strive to come up with new ideas and innovative ways to promote Home Sale Network.”
The award was presented by comedian and broadcaster Rob Brydon and Miss Birmingham 2006, Emily Hilton at a glittering, black tie Awards Dinner, held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel.
Overall 15 awards were presented at the conference, including the coveted Cartus Cup for the Network’s top performing member.
Richard Tucker, Home Sale Network’s managing director said: “The standard of all the award winners was high and reflects the quality of Home Sale Network’s members. Heritage had some really eye catching examples from their recent marketing campaigns in their submission”
North Somerset Agent win award at Europe's largest Estate Agency Event
Local Estate Agent, Heritage has won a coveted award at the 14th annual Home Sale Network Conference, held at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole.
The Category D Referral Award recognises the Home Sale Network member which has generated the greatest number of referrals and met the required success rate.
Home Sale Network members work together to assist clients who are relocating from one area of the country to another, by recommending the Home Sale Network member in that area to assist them with their move in to the new area.
Heritage were among the over 750 Home Sale Network members in the running for the Award, all of whom are chosen as the premier independent estate agent in their area, after comprehensive research by Home Sale Network in their geographical area.
Richard Van de Velde, Director at Heritage said: “We are delighted to have received this award, it is a great honour for all the team and recognition of everyone’s hard work over the past 12 months. At Home Sale Network it is the connection that is the difference and referrals are a key part of that.”
As part of the prize, Heritage will receive a return airline ticket to the Cartus International Broker Conference, which is being held at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas in April 2008.
The conference culminated in a glittering, black tie Awards Dinner, where the winner was announced and presented with their award by TVs Rob Brydon, and Miss Birmingham 2006, Emily Hilton.
Home Sale Network’s Managing Director, Richard Tucker, said: “Referrals are a key part of Home Sale Network. Whether you are in Bath or Burnley, Nailsea or Newcastle, a Home Sale Network estate agent is able to help you. Network members are able to refer you to another selected Network member, to assist in your buying and selling needs.
Mucky Pups
Mucky Pups Professional Dog Grooming, Clevedon, would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made our 2007 Christmas appeal for the Bristol Cats & Dogs Home, the biggest yet. The collection went so well that it took two people carriers and two large trailers to deliver the goodies to the kennels on Christmas Eve. Dog, Cat and Small Animal Feed, Beds, Blankets, Toys, Leads, Bowls etc. were all donated by the public this year, along with several monetary donations totalling £ 70.00. The Staff and Pupils of Tickenham Primary School also had a collection of food, accessories and money on our behalf, which was greatly appreciated. Finally, we would particularly like to thank the following people, without whom the appeal would not be anything like the success it is:-
Heather Pickstock, Vicky Angear and all the Staff at the North Somerset Times for their promotion of the Appeal
Jackie Sadd of Clerical Medical Investment Group Ltd for organising their collection point
The Management and Staff at Heritage Estate Agents, for providing and co-ordinating additional collection points
Joan Adams for providing an additional collection point and for the use of her garage for storage during December, without which, we would be overrun.