The property & lifestyle magazine brought to you by FISKS / Issue 86
INSIDE THIS ISSUE How estate agents value your property
6 of the most beautiful places to visit in essex in 2022 5 kitchen trends in 2022 Benfleet new builds - show home flats now available to view This month’s properties
CONTENTS HOW ESTATE AGENTS VALUE YOUR PROPERTY Have you ever wondered how estate agents value your property? Wonder no more!
6 OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT IN ESSEX IN 2022 It’s time to get outside and take in the beauty of Essex.
5 KITCHEN TRENDS IN 2022 New year, new kitchen. It’s time to get your kitchen ‘on trend’.
BENFLEET NEW BUILDS - SHOW HOME FLATS NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW In case you missed them last month, discover a beautiful collection of spacious one and twobedroom family apartments on the edge of Benfleet.
Welcome to our
magazine We start 2022 with a bit of good news; the property market is still going strong and doesn’t show any signs of slowing. Reported by Zoopla, ‘one in every 16 privately-owned properties is set to change owners in 2022, making it the busiest year for the housing market since 2007’. If you’re looking to sell whilst demand is still very high, then please do get in touch with us at Fisks now. In this issue of Gateway, we give you a brief insight on how us estate agents value your home, suggest some beautiful places in Essex for you to visit, and reveal 5 trending kitchen ideas. And, of course, we have a handful of this month’s Fisks properties for you to take a look at too. Enjoy!
John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director
HOW ESTATE AGENTS VALUE YOUR PROPERTY... Have you ever wondered how estate agents value your property? Wonder no more!
Many of us think that valuing a property is easy - the estate agent goes around your home and values it on how many bedrooms you have and what street you live on, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, number of bedrooms and the street name does count towards the final valuation value but a trully accurate value from an estate agent will take dozons of other things into account - from small unique features that buyers will fall in love with, to the age of the central heating system in your property. FIRST THINGS FIRST Whether you’re calling your agent or popping in to their branch to see them face to face, you probably want to immediately know what your property is worth, but all good things come to those who wait. On first contact, your chosen agent will check the price and sale time of similar and recently sold properties in your area to gather as much information as possible to value your property accurately. This is always a great place to start for your agent as it tells your agent about buyer demand. You should always choose an agent that has local experince, that way they already know your street and the surrounding attractions like the back of their hand - things like transport links, good local schools, and other amenities close to your property will all add value. GETTING TO KNOW YOU When your agent first visits you, it’s important you tell them what you want from the sale. If you want a quick sale then perhaps it’s a good idea to list your property competitively. Taking a few thousand off your marketing price could turn more heads and get more people viewing your property. This is something you, as the seller, needs to decide as your chosen agent will always aim for you to get the most money from your property. Don’t forget, our agents at Fisks work for you and always have your wants and needs in mind when dealing with us throughout.
THE WALKTHROUGH During your agent’s walkthrough, they will take plenty of notes, measure things up, and look for unique selling points that make your home special. No two valuations are the same, remember that - Tom’s house down the street could be worth more on paper, but that could be because he’s recently had a new extension or new heating system installed. As well as room sizes, your agent will note things like original fireplaces, recently installed things like bathrooms and kitchens, and even office space - all of which are looked at favourably by buyers. BOOST YOUR PROPERTY VALUE Ask your agent if there’s anything you can do to boost your home’s appeal to buyers - every little helps and it all goes a long way to get the best price for your property. Why not give that kitchen a lick of paint if it’s needed or take years off that driveway by giving it a quick pressure wash. First impressions count, never forget that. THE VALUATION Once all the property information is gathered together, your chosen agent will give you their professional valuation of your property. But remember, your opinion matters. If you have a value number in mind then share it with your agent - at Fisks we’re more than happy to discuss the valuation... it is YOUR property after all.
Meet the team...
John Pring Director
Simon Pring Director
Ian Carey Sales Manager
Harriet Plampton Sales & Lettings Consultant
Penny Ash Property Manager
Nicola Rattenberry Director’s P.A.
Leanne Wright Administration Manager
Albie Poole Junior Estate Agent
Tina Webster Management Accountant
FISKS.CO.UK
We cover the whole of South Essex. Contact us for a free valuation on 01268 565555
Kerrie Watts Property Consultant
Ben Nelson Junior Estate Agent
Our Vision & Strategy The residential estate agency market is increasingly populated by large corporations; nevertheless, our independent family-run estate agency continues to succeed and grow a loyal client base, due to our core values, ethos and flexible approach to clients’ requirements.
FEATURED PROPERTIES
KINGS MEADE, WESTCLIFF ON SEA £130,000 First Floor Over 55 Development Sought After Location Is Just A Short Walk From The Shops Great Views From The Living Room Double Glazed Communal Lounge Area & Laundry Room
CALL 01268 565555
FISKS.CO.UK
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO TOUR
CRESCENT ROAD, BENFLEET £950,000 Five Bedroom Detached Property In South Benfleet Five En-suites Show Home Condition Throughout Vast Amount Of Living Space Throughout The Property Needs To Be Viewed!
CALL 01268 565555
FEATURED PROPERTIES
DOROTHY GARDENS, THUNDERSLEY £360,000 SSTC Three Bedroom Semi Detached Property Large Frontage Sought After Location In Thundersley Ideal For First Time Buyers In Need Of Modernization Huge Potential To Improve
CALL 01268 565555
FISKS.CO.UK
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO TOUR
HOLTYNGE, SOUTH BENFLEET £375,000 SSTC No Onward Chain South Benfleet Location Corner Plot Potential To Extend (STPP) Needs Modernisation Three Bed Semi Detached Bungalow
CALL 01268 565555
FEATURED PROPERTIES
LYNDBOURNE COURT, BENFLEET £150,000 SSTC One Bedroom Top Floor Apartment Allocated Parking Close To Local Shopping Center Ideal For First Time Buyers and Buy To Let Investors Needs Modernizing
CALL 01268 565555
FISKS.CO.UK
FOREST VIEW, BENFLEET £230,000 One Bedroom Lower Ground Floor Apartment 199 Year Lease Prestigious Development CALL FISKS FOR MORE DETAILS
CALL 01268 565555
A rare opportunity to buy 4 substantial new homes being built in the green belt. This new secure private development, Hollywood Mews, is located at the end of Great Burches Road, a pretty lane starting from Thundersley Common. The village centre has all the local amenities you would expect including a pub and primary school. Southend, famous for the longest pier in the world, is just around the corner, combining living in the country with living by the seaside. These houses are now under construction with an anticipated marketing price of between £850,000 - £1,000,000 plus, with completion in Spring 2022. Call Fisks now to be the first to receive the full marketing package, available shortly. The concept behind this Mews development is that the private gardens of the properties fronting the new private road are accessed from the family living area. This design incorporates the garden and living area as one.
6 OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT IN ESSEX IN 2022... It’s time to get outside and take in the beauty of Essex.
Dedham
It’s that time of year again when we start thinking of the year ahead - where are we having weekends away, where to take the family, what new places to see. If you’re starting to make plans for the year ahead, like us, then maybe our following list can help you... 1. DEDHAM Easily one of the most stunning places to visit all year round when in Essex. Inspiring artists such as John Constable thanks to its oil painting worthy landscapes, there really is no other place like Dedham. Not only is there beautiful country vistas and splendid architecture to take in, you can also have a bit of fun by spending the afternoon floating along the River Stour in a rowing boat to take in those amazing views. 2. MERSEA ISLAND If you’re looking for colourful beach huts and sweeping open spaces, then look no further than Mersea Island. The Western side of the island makes for the perfect postcard worthy beach day, full of sandy beaches, great restaurants, and many welcoming pubs. The Eastern side offers the Cudmore Grove National Park - a great natural haven perfect for bird watchers and picnic goers. 3. EPPING FOREST On the boarder of Greater London and Essex and full of places to explore is Epping Forest. Locally known as ‘The Peoples Forest’, the 2,400-hectare area is full of lakes, trails and history. Thanks to its excellent transport links and reasonable priced nearby hotels, this is a great choice if you’re looking for a quick trip away. The Queens Hunting Lodge and Connaught water are both well-known and are located in the forest and are not to be missed.
Finchingfield
Epping Forest 4. MALDON One of the oldest towns in Essex also offers the most charm. With it’s Timberframed medieval buildings, salt marshes, and a port laden with history, Maldon also offers one of the very few places in the UK where you can board a Thames barge. Promenade Park, locally known as ‘The Prom’, is a great place for a picturesqe walk and a bite to eat. 5. FINCHINGFIELD Essex is full of amazing rural villages, but there isn’t one quite like Finchingfield. With it’s stereotypical village feel you’d be forgiven for thinking you stepped back in time. Just to the North of Braintree, this village boasts a village green, cute tiny stone bridges, classic country style pubs, and even a stunning ‘Instagram worthy’ windmill. This one is a bit of an underscovered gem, so if you want to escape the crowds on a sunny day, this one is for you. 6. HADLEIGH CASTLE Offering breathtaking views over the Thames Estuary, this trully breathtaking view has to be seen to be believed. The castle itself isn’t exactly in tip-top condition but that doesn’t make it any less spectacular. Built after 1215 during the reign of Henry III, the castle played an important economic and defensive role during its time. If you’re visiting, check the weather first as it can get a bit breezy on certain days.
Why use FISKS? The industry has changed hugely with the development of digital technology - this has created two different styles of agency, the traditional high street agency, and the modern online agency. At Fisks, we believe that the best solution is to be both.
Fisks still do the traditional marketing
Our Ethos & Values
methods that you are comfortable with, such as high street shop locations with
We focus on our clients’ requirements
window displays, applicant mailing lists,
and instructions rather than just doing
text and email facilities, linked offices,
what’s quickest and easiest for us.
portals such as Rightmove, leaflet drops, floor plans, boards and branded cars.
Our comprehensive training program ensures that our staff channels their
These marketing tools have been tried
entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm
and tested for many years, but with the
for the benefit of our clients, whilst
ongoing digital revolution we have also
maintaining the professionalism and
embraced change. These new marketing
customer service associated with our
methods come in the form of a digital
brand.
property lifestyle magazine that’s produced in house and emailed to over eight thousand people a month, targeted social media campaigns across all the major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, 4k video tours of your property for our successful YouTube channel, enhanced portal marketing, and from a customer service point of view, we have vendor log-ins so you can see viewers feedback and offers on your home at any time.
FISKS.CO.UK
At Fisks, we believe we have all your marketing needs covered to get you SOLD!
Landlords: Protect your investment with our full property management and marketing... Protecting your investment should not be taken lightly, with our full management service you can be sure to get the support you deserve...
Don’t just take our word for it, we have many happy customers...
ARLA - the gold standard professional industry body. Audited and insured client accounts to protect your money. Rent guarantee and legal cover - protect yourself with insurance and the increased costs of evicting (subject to status). Legal hotline - specialised property lawyers helping to answer your questions.
“Happy customer. Very professional service. We had no problems with the sale of our house or the purchase of our new home through Fisks. Staff very pleasant, would definitely recommend.” - Mr and Mrs Hall
Inventories - protect your deposit with a professional inventory, including time stamped photographs. Inspection - allay your fears that your asset is being looked after.
“Fantastic team that pulled out all the stops and helped every step of the way. Friendly pleasant staff.”
Section notices - fully trained and experienced staff can advise and serve the appropriate notice.
- Mrs S Sheavyn
Accurate accounting - from monthly statements to overseas landlords, to expenditure and income, we hold all the information the accountant will need.
... come and put us to the test!
Gas certificates and EPCs - keep your property complying with the law.
5 KITCHEN TRENDS IN 2022... New year, new kitchen. It’s time to get your kitchen ‘on trend’.
Planning to start that overdue kitchen project in 2022 but need insparation? Look no further. Get ahead of the bandwagon with the latest kitchen trends with our 2022 kitchen trends breakdown. This year it’s all about sage greens, natural materials, and candy floss pinks. 1. KEEP IT SLEEK AND SIMPLE Streamlined kitchens are set to be a huge trend for 2022. Sure, integrated appliances, built-in storage, smooth, uninterrupted lines are all essential for that sleek and simple look, but don’t forget things like handleless kitchen units - handleless kitchens are not only great for the look but are easier to keep clean than conventional kitchen units, as there aren’t any grooves for dirt and grime to build up. Looking great and less time cleaning sounds like a win win for us! 2. SAGE GREEN - TIMELESS CHIC It’s a little known fact that sage green kitchens are timeless and effortlessly chic, and with Pinterest searches for them up by over 80% in the past year, it’s a no brainer why sage green kitchens are on this list. Mixing sage green tones and earthy grey undertones together is a winning mix in 2022 and beyond. If you don’t want your whole kitchen to be invaded with too much sage green, then why not buy furniture paint and highlight a particular feature in your kitchen, such as dining table legs or dining chair legs - a hint of colour goes a long way. 3. THE RISE OF ‘JAPANDI’ Combining the modern flair of Scandinavian design and the elegance of Japanese interior, Japandi is quickly becoming a popular choice. Also known as “Japanordic” or “Scandenese”, the popular choice includes sleek lines, neutral colour palettes and calming-set ups. Think soft and ambient lighting, natural materials and tasteful plants like the beautiful Ficus ginseng bonsai. Incorporate natural materials such as bamboo and wicker for an added flair.
4. THINK PINK Yes, it’s true, candy floss pink was hugily popular in 2021, and it looks like 2022 will be no different for the colour. Love it or hate it, pink, and all its tones, are all over social media and inside a lot of homes. Wheather it’s in the bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen, the colour is sure to turn heads when you get visitors. A pink kitchen may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but don’t be afraid to incorporate subtle hints of it here and there to brighten up your space. Paint a feature wall, or even tile your wall with a nice blush pink splashback. This delicate colour goes well with both lighter and darker tones of blue and most shades of grey. 5. CLUTTERCORE What is ‘cluttercore’ we hear you ask? To put it simple, ‘cluttercore’ is a new craze that embraces organised chaos, and encourages us to fill our homes with an abundance of mismatched but meaningful objects. Recently there’s been a huge rise in online searches with the term ‘cluttercore’ - on Pinterest alone there’s been a +30% increase in searches. If you want to take on this new trend for yourself, then look out for things like coloured glassware, handmade clay plates, and bright and colourful crockery to get you started. Add cushions to bar stools, frame colourful art and dispay your most prized possessions on open shelves. In this kitchen, nothing matches, just go wild and trust your instinct.
FEATURED PROPERTIES
CLEVELAND ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £850,000 3000sqft Luxury 5 Double Bedroom Family Home One Of The Finest Canvey Homes On One Of The Best Roads Recently Remodelled And Refurbished To The Highest Standards 20ft Lounge 25ft Kitchen 13ft Conservatory Large Multi Car Drive
CALL 01268 510510
FISKS.CO.UK
LARUP AVENUE, CANVEY ISLAND £350,000 3 Bedroom Detached House Traditional Family Home 20ft Lounge 3 Double Bedrooms Double Glazed Throughout Attached Garage Off Street Parking
CALL 01268 510510
FEATURED PROPERTIES
BARDENVILLE ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £240,000 Semi-Detahced Bungalow One Bedroom Spacious Lounge Galley Kitchen West Facing Garden Off Street Parking No Onward Chain
CALL 01268 510510
FISKS.CO.UK
SPRINGFIELD ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £240,000 One Bedroom Link Detached Bungalow Well Looked After Throughout Great Sizes Newly Fitted Modern Bathroom Lounge And Kitchen Situated To Rear
CALL 01268 510510
FEATURED PROPERTIES
KINGS PARK, CANVEY ISLAND £160,000 Kings Park Home Looking Onto Kings Lake 2 Bedrooms Off Street Parking New Boiler New Calor Tank No Onward Chain
CALL 01268 510510
FISKS.CO.UK
HAMILTON COURT, CANVEY ISLAND £250,000 SSTC 2 Bedroom Flat Desirable Hamilton Court Development. Retirement Property Great Decorative Order Throughout Modern Kitchen And Bathroom
CALL 01268 510510
BENFLEET NEW BUILDS - SHOW HOME FLATS NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW... Discover a beautiful collection of spacious one and two-bedroom family apartments on the edge of Benfleet.
Benfleet new builds.
As Benfleet’s leading local property experts, Fisks are proud to be the sole agent of the Forest View development. Fisks has been helping individuals and families find a place to call home in the area for over 50 years. Forest View is unlike any new-build development you’ve seen before. Built over five floors, the development contains 24 distinctive one and twobedroom apartments. Each one of these spacious new family homes has a completely individual layout. So, while the finish is uniformly excellent throughout, every apartment comes with its own unique charm. Which one will become your future home? With bright and modern open-plan living areas, high-end Beko kitchens, modern bathrooms, plenty of storage and landscaped communal areas, Forest View is so much more than a collection of apartments; it’s a place to call home. Located just off Bread and Cheese Hill and within touching distance of South Benfleet’s excellent amenities, Forest View boasts an enviable position. It’s perfect for commuters, first-time buyers, new families or anyone looking to escape the bustle of the city and find a place to call their own.
OVERVIEW Forest View is a privately managed collection of 24 desirable modern apartments located just outside of Benfleet. The development has been thoughtfully designed to maximise space, built to the highest standards and is complemented by immaculately landscaped communal areas.
A SPECIFICATION FOR MODERN LIVING We’ve chosen a finish that suits everyone’s tastes and ensures that every apartment is light, airy and ready for you to infuse your personality. Quality is guaranteed at Forest View, and to that end, your new home will benefit from things such as modern, spacious living areas with carpets throughout, high-end kitchen complete with Beko appliances, quartz worktops, Celsius bathroom with a 15-year warranty finished with Italian porcelain tiles and versatile storage space. To register your interest in the Forest View development please contact Fisks today. Head on over to www.fisks.co.uk to view the full brochure.