At Fisher and Partners, we’ve always strived to meet the diverse real estate needs of our valued clients. We’re excited to announce our expansion into the world of lettings, providing a bespoke and unparalleled property management service that mirrors our dedication to excellence.
Our newly expanded lettings service offers hassle-free solutions for those facing limited time to research property markets. We recognise the need for a quick and accurate valuation to facilitate budgeting and decision-making. Moreover, for those potentially unfamiliar with local property laws and regulations overseas, Fisher and Partners provides a comprehensive understanding and guidance.
We understand that your home or rental properties are more than mere buildings; they represent valuable investments and assets. Our mission is to alleviate the stress associated with property management by offering a tailored lettings service that prioritises your peace of mind.
Tailored Lettings Management for Your Peace of Mind
Navigating the intricate landscape of property management can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to streamline the process for you. From sourcing ideal tenants to handling day-to-day management, we’re committed to delivering exceptional service that aligns with your expectations.
What We Offer:
Transparent Communication:We believe in keeping you informed every step of the way. Our experienced in-house property management team ensures transparent communication, providing regular marketing updates tailored to your preferences.
Professional 3rd Party Objectiveness: We understand the importance of expectation management and help you maintain a clear dialogue between landlord and tenant, especially when unforeseen challenges arise. Our commitment to professional 3rd party objectiveness ensures that we handle any issues or disputes with impartiality and fairness, safeguarding the interests of both parties involved.
Comprehensive Marketing:Elevate your property’s visibility with our comprehensive marketing strategies, particularly online with our fantastic digital marketing. Professional photography, virtual viewings, detailed floor plans, and strategic advertising across leading property portals ensure maximum exposure to potential tenants.
Tailored Fees:We understand that every property owner’s needs are unique. Our services are customised to suit your specific requirements, ensuring that you pay only for the services you truly need.
Thorough Tenant Referencing:Quality and reliability are paramount. That’s why we partner with experts in tenant referencing, including thorough credit checks, to ensure that your property is in trustworthy hands.
Let us handle the complexities of property management while you focus on your busy life and investments. Experience a seamless, stress-free letting journey that prioritises your convenience and peace of mind.
Change can be daunting, especially when it comes to switching service providers. Whether it’s your doctor, mortgage advisor, or even home services, sticking with the familiar can be the path of least resistance.
But, what about estate agents? What if you haven’t received the interest or service you expected? Or worse, what if your agent hasn’t kept their promises or gone silent since the contract was signed?
The good news is, changing your estate agent is easier than you might think. While you’ll need to follow the terms of your existing contract, it’s not uncommon to make the switch. The previous agent will share any interested parties who have viewed your property, so nothing is lost or wasted. In fact, over 60% of homeowners who change agents successfully sell their property with the new agent.
As a property lingers on the market, it can become less appealing. Property websites stop promoting listings after four weeks, and your agent may exhaust their buyer database after six weeks. By the eighth week, price reductions may be suggested as a last-ditch effort to generate interest. But changing agents can reinvigorate your property’s marketing by tapping into a new pool of buyers, offering a fresh perspective, and renewed marketing efforts.
So, how do you switch agents and get your property sold?
Give proper notice: Ensure you provide the required notice to your existing agent to avoid potential double fees if you find a buyer.
Choose your new agent: Contact the agent who made a positive impression during your initial valuation or explore new options.
Revalue and reassess marketing: Collaborate with your new agent to present your property in the best light. Consider staging your home to showcase the lifestyle it offers and enhance its visual appeal.
Address feedback: If you’ve received constructive feedback, take steps to address issues that could deter buyers, such as DIY tasks or outdated decor.
Evaluate your property objectively: Assess your home through the eyes of a stranger. Minor flaws that you’ve grown accustomed to may stand out to potential buyers.
Changing estate agents can breathe new life into your property’s marketing and help you secure that elusive sale. If you’re looking for a fresh start, get in touch with our team today.
If you’re looking to sell your property and be wowed by exceptional client relations along the way, contact the managing partner for your region today. We’d be delighted to hear from you.
Are you gearing up to sell your property? Amidst the process of arranging valuations and meeting estate agents, it’s crucial to be discerning about the sales pitch you receive. What key elements should you be looking for, and are there any red flags that demand your attention when selecting an estate agent?
During valuation appointments, estate agents present their comprehensive plans for selling your home. However, amidst these presentations, it’s vital to be vigilant for potential red flags that might hinder effective property marketing and subsequent sales.
While we often spot dubious sales pitches, there’s a critical yet often overlooked red flag—claims of a swift online property advertisement. While quick online listings may sound appealing, it’s essential to recognise that expert marketing, quality photography, and compelling property descriptions necessitate meticulous preparation.
Launching a property to the market involves more than simply uploading images. It requires curated imagery, well-crafted descriptions, and possibly a virtual tour or professional video. Rushing through this process might result in subpar representations of your home, which could negatively impact potential buyer interest.
What should you expect instead?
A reputable estate agent will invest time in meticulous preparation before launching your property. They’ll offer advice on styling and staging, ensuring your property stands out. Professional-grade images, videos, and virtual tours will be prepared with utmost care, capturing your home’s essence and allure.
A captivating property description goes beyond listing features—it paints a compelling picture of the lifestyle your home offers, enticing prospective buyers to schedule viewings.
Exceptional property marketing takes time and expertise. Rushing this process might compromise the quality of your home’s presentation. Your property’s online presence should make you proud since it’s your showcase to potential buyers.
If you’re seeking a comprehensive property marketing strategy that maximises your home’s value, reach out to our team of property experts at Fisher and Partners. We offer free consultations to help you achieve the highest offers for your property. Contact your local managing partner today—we’d be thrilled to assist you.
Remember, a well-executed marketing strategy ensures your property stands out and attracts the best offers. Don’t settle for a rushed job when it comes to showcasing your home’s potential.
The property market remains unpredictable, making it challenging to anticipate its fluctuations accurately. While the value of your home might seem beyond your control, several strategies can empower you to influence its worth in today’s market.
Understanding the uncertain nature of the housing market is pivotal. Factors like inflation, interest rates, and economic shifts can impact buyers’ sentiments and financial capabilities. However, waiting indefinitely for ideal market conditions might not be the best approach, especially if your decision to move is motivated by personal reasons rather than market trends.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that most homeowners contemplate moving due to personal circumstances rather than solely based on market dynamics. Hence, waiting for the ‘perfect’ market moment might lead to extended delays, overlooking the pressing reasons prompting your desire to relocate.
Undoubtedly, selling a home is an emotional process, and the timing often hinges on personal needs rather than market peaks. Instead of waiting for an uncertain future surge in property values, it’s wise to take action now if your circumstances demand it.
Regardless of the market climate, there are actionable steps you can take to enhance your property’s perceived value and attract potential buyers:
Presentation: A clutter-free, well-presented home significantly boosts buyer interest. Highlight the best features of your property by ensuring it’s impeccably staged and inviting.
Decor: Aim for a neutral and universally appealing interior design. While personal styles are unique, a more inclusive decor can attract a broader pool of potential buyers.
Set the Scene: Create an ambiance that resonates with potential buyers’ aspirations. Simple touches, like staging a cozy breakfast scene, can help them visualise their future in your home.
Inviting Scents: Appeal to buyers’ emotions with inviting scents that create a welcoming atmosphere. Consider seasonal scents that evoke positive emotions, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Collaborating with a seasoned estate agent at Fisher and Partners can leverage these strategies further. Our team specialises in maximising your property’s potential, irrespective of market conditions.
If you’re looking to sell your property, we’d be delighted to give you a free market appraisal. Contact your local managing partner, and we will set up a time to chat. We’d be delighted to hear from you.
Don’t wait for uncertain market shifts. Take control of your property’s selling process today!
Some think you should steer clear of a leasehold property. The fact that you are paying to purchase a property but won’t actually own the bricks and mortar can put some people off. But, if you are living in a city center, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to purchase a property that isn’t a leasehold tenure because many of the properties in a city will be apartments, either in purpose-built blocks or above commercial premises.
But should you shy away? Is there any reason that you should not consider buying a leasehold property?
The critical difference between leasehold and freehold properties is the actual ground below your property. When a property is leasehold, the ground below the building is not owned by you when you buy the property. Conversely, when you purchase a freehold property, you also purchase the land below the property. This would mean that if your property fell down or was destroyed somehow, you would still own the land, whereas if this were to happen with a leasehold property, you wouldn’t. Of course, this is a rather extreme way to describe it, but it makes the point.
A leasehold property is perfectly saleable and safe to purchase, but there are a few key things that you need to know about the property before you go ahead with an offer.
Term– The term is the time that remains on the lease agreement. It is essential to note the remaining years because there will come a point within the term that may affect your ability to take a mortgage out on the property. As the length of the remaining term reduces, mortgage lenders will deem the property less valuable. This is predominantly down to the unknowns involved with renewing a lease agreement. A lender is looking for the loan to be fully paid off, with plenty of remaining terms left on the lease to protect them and the loan amount. As a result, raising mortgage funds on the property can become challenging as the lease term diminishes. If you were to stop paying your mortgage and the lender needs to repossess the property, they might struggle to recover enough in the sale of the property to repay the outstanding amount of the loan. With this in mind, you should find out the length of the remaining term before making an offer. If there is less than 60 years or so, then it would be wise to ask about the options for renewing that lease when the current one expires so that you know what will happen at the end.
Fees– A leasehold property usually has some fees to pay, either annual ground rent or a monthly management fee. This information will depend very much on the terms of the leasehold agreement and whether the building is maintained by a management company.
What is covered in the leasehold agreement– Leasehold agreements are varied and can often include clauses that either force the residents to do something or prohibit them from doing something, so you must know what the agreement says before you make an offer. For example, you may be unable to have pets in the building or run a business from there, which could have a knock-on effect on you living there later. Likewise, some things may be included in the management fees, such as building insurance or window cleaning, meaning that these monthly expenses would not be payable whilst you live there.
Make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into, and establish these points before making an offer. Leasehold properties can be an excellent option with lower maintenance and many costs included in the management fees.
If you are looking to buy a leasehold property and have questions about the lease and how it will affect you, contact our team of property experts today.
Fisher and Partners is delighted to announce that we’re growing. Lisa Nott, Managing Partner for the Winkfield Region, has joined the team. Here, Lisa would like to introduce herself and share more about her way of working.
Let me share a little about myself…
I gave up the corporate world selling software, travelling around Europe recruiting resellers, and set up my own business. I got myself trained as an interior designer 17 years ago and it allowed me to pour my passion for making home improvements into helping people create amazing home environments.
I fell passionately in love with being an interior designer not because of choosing great fabrics and wallcoverings, but because of the difference it makes to people and their emotional connection to their home and enjoyment of living there.
I knew that I wanted to get more into property, so I started working with property investors and property managers. I’ve helped landlords to transform even the ugliest of properties with what seemingly has little potential into something that’s a high value. I sold new homes for developers as well.
My journey towards Fisher and Partners
I have been considering getting deeper into property sales for a while. I have been a consultant and freelancer for other agencies many times before. But to join a team full-time…
I believe that you’ve got to feel passionately enough about the opportunity, feel you’ve got enough of the right experience to bring to the table, and at a time when it suits your lifestyle. For me, this was the right time.
Fisher and Partners was my top choice of agency to work with because they operate a ‘quality, not quantity’ business model that speaks to me. They represent quality not just in the properties that they sell but also with the clients they represent and the staff that they bring into the business.
I like the fact that they’re never going to have thousands of properties on their listings, because you can’t offer the best quality service to so many listings.
I love individuality. I love it in homes, I love it in people, and Fisher and Partners offers me the opportunity to be myself, bring the value of what I know, the experience that I have, and allows me to express that and deliver that to the clients of Fisher and Partners.
I’ve been offered jobs by many other agencies before, but I’ve never taken a job because the corporate feel doesn’t appeal to me. I can’t be a cookie cutter model of what they want me to be. I need to be Lisa, and Fisher and Partners are going to allow me to be.
My Way Of Working
Having been a small business owner for so long, I am not just the first point of contact, but the ONLY point of contact for my clients. It’s one of the ways that I’ve always differentiated myself from competitors. I never wanted to be the biggest company with the biggest budget, but I wanted to be the person there with them from concept to completion.
I run my own service accommodation properties and I pride myself on being available when somebody needs me. That’s the kind of service that I have always offered; I’m not a 9-to-5 kind of person. When people work with me, I’m always at the end of the phone.
Selling a home is complex. It comes loaded with emotions and many stresses. But I’m experienced enough and emotionally connected with people enough to know how to deal with it.
Rightly or wrongly, some people believe buying and selling a house is stressful because working with estate agents is not pleasant. That’s the kind of myth about moving I’m gonna break. I put honestly, communication, emotional connection, and genuinely looking after my clients’ best interests first.
About My Region
I’ve lived in Winkfield for 24 years. I love the area and how it has a very quintessentially English Village feel, yet it’s close enough to the M3 and the M4 to give you good connections to the rest of the world.
I chose the area, I didn’t choose the house, and I think that’s really important to fall in love with a location and what it offers you in terms of lifestyle. There were so many things going on in the village then that I loved, and it’s growing really well now too.
Though I didn’t have children at the time, I loved the beautiful little Church School and knew that should children come on the agenda, Winkfield St Mary’s would be great for them, and my two children did go on to attend and love it. I love the local fete, the local church, Don Beni the amazing Italian restaurant, The Cricketers for Friday fun or Sunday lunch, the dog walks, and an amazing community. I’ve made lifelong friends here.
Winkfield today is developing that broader community. The infrastructure is growing up. They’ve built a new Academy in Binfield, so there are more school opportunities for all ages. There’s a new health centre, more youth clubs and sports clubs, an active Seniors Centre at the Foxes Den to keep the elderly engaged, the Lexicon in Bracknell has been regenerated, there are many more jobs available in Bracknell and the surrounding areas.
I’ve noticed more and more people want to move out of London or a city, possibly because of noise or overpopulation or the infrastructure not being what it needs to be. Coming out to Berkshire represents flexibility and logistical practicality. You can live in a leafy green royal Suburb with clean air, wonderful walks, and a semi-country life for your family. But you still get in and out of London easily when you want or need to.
My Unique Approach
Selling property is not about the property, it’s about people. And I think the best way to sell a property is to get to know the family – and for them to get to know me – and if I can offer some intelligence about the area, the lifestyle, the schools, where to eat, where to walk the dog, which church…
That’s actually the value of dealing with the right agent. Someone who can give you that local knowledge on the factors that really count towards your future lifestyle.
If you’re considering moving house and would like to speak with me about the opportunities in Winkfield, do get in touch. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Many years ago, it was thought to be terrible to have to reduce the price of your property. What would people think? No one wanted to buy your home; there must be something wrong with it! It would seem like desperation, and you would have no chance of getting a decent offer as buyers would zero in on your need for a sale and offer eye-wateringly low prices. If you were, in fact, desperate for a sale, you would be left with no choice but to accept these offers, selling your home for less than you had hoped for. They would have you over a barrel, and you’d have to accept defeat.
But is that still the case today?
No, not really. Since the last recession in 2008, thoughts about price reductions on properties have relaxed considerably. The property market changes quickly, so getting everything right from the outset is almost impossible. Deciding on a marketing price for a property is an estimate; there is no concrete guidance and no crystal ball, simply an estimate of what the seller and agent think they can sell the property for. Adjustments have to be made sometimes, and with the introduction of technology, a price reduction can actually have a positive impact on your sale.
It’s no longer taboo and will not bring negative thoughts about the property. Buyers may notice that the price has dropped, but they don’t see that as a bad thing; rather that you are serious about selling, but the first thought is not that you are desperate.
Perhaps it’s because we are used to the High Street shops always offering sales, shopping at designer outlets that clearly identify the RRP on the tag and the discounted outlet price. We don’t like the clothes any less or decide not to buy them because no one else purchased the items from the high street shop; we simply take it for what it is, something you like and want to buy at a lower price than its total value.
Maybe this readjustment of our buyer psychology works the same way for property. We don’t look at a property that has corrected its pricing and assume it is bad or the sellers are desperate. We simply consider it to be a discount, a bargain. And this can encourage a buyer that is on the fence to jump in with an offer when perhaps they might not have done otherwise. It could be the gentle nudge that they needed.
Reducing your price, if necessary, can be a great thing and could be the way to clinch the deal.
1. Reinvigorating the property’s marketing and promotion, allowing mailouts and matches with buyers again, like bumping a post on social media.
2. Introduces the property to a new price bracket, with new buyers searching within it. These buyers may not even know your property is for sale as it might have been out of their budget.
3. Buyers who saw the property at the old pricing will know that you’ve reduced the price, which might now align with their opinion of the value.
A price reduction can be the key to securing a sale, particularly if you’ve been on the market for a few months without success and have tried everything else.
If you’re trying to sell your home and are struggling to get viewings, contact the Managing Partner in your area for a review of your marketing and advice on finally getting those offers rolling in.
When the time has come to sell your home and move on to pastures new, it’s likely that you haven’t sold a property for quite some time. The average time a person lives in one property is 7-10 years, and if you cast your mind back ten years, our world today is almost unrecognisable; AI and cryptocurrency are now part of our lives, but it’s possible that you’d never really heard of either of those things ten years ago and they certainly weren’t in our everyday conversations.
So it’s fair to say that, unless you are moving house far more frequently than the average person, you might not be considered an expert in selling property. With this in mind, it’s easy for a homeowner to fall foul of these common mistakes as they attempt to sell.
Overvaluing
Planning your move is as much about the property you want to move in to as it is about selling your current home. The more money you can sell your home for, the higher the available budget for the onward move. Many sellers make the mistake of marketing their property for sale at a price that is simply too high, falsely believing that the higher the starting price is, the higher the end sale price will be. Instead, a discerning homeowner should market their property for a competitive price, reasonable and researched based on factual evidence collected from the current market. You may think a buyer will negotiate with you when they view, but unfortunately, that is often not the case. Buyers will simply discount the property altogether, and you’ll find the number of viewings so low that a sale becomes quite unlikely, meaning that you’ll most likely have to reduce the price.
Bad pricing strategy
Many sellers mistakenly think that they need to factor in wiggle room to their pricing strategy to allow for negotiation. This often results in advertising prices being quite unconventional and are placed ever so slightly above a round figure. In fact, this has an adverse effect on the marketing of a home as almost 99% of all property searches begin online, and properties are filtered using price brackets. If you market your home at £255,000 to allow £5000 negotiation, any buyer that cuts off their search at £250,000 will not even see your property in their search and might never know that your home is available. Instead, opt for round figures that align with the price brackets in online advertising to maximise the coverage and exposure of your marketing.
Being inflexible
The ultimate mistake sellers make is being rigid and uncompromising in their plans. Not allowing viewing appointments at a time that suits the buyer could result in that buyer not viewing at all. Setting a fixed price in your mind could mean you’re unsuccessful in your negotiation. Being very restrictive on your moving timescale could result in a buyer choosing a different property that suits their circumstances over yours. Being as flexible and accommodating as possible will ultimately increase your chances of selling your home.
Whilst it is, of course, still possible to sell your home if you market for a little more than it is truly worth, add a little extra for negotiation and stick rigidly to your own agenda and timescale, you are simply reducing your available market to sell to which could result in a slower sale or a lower sale price.
If you’re on the market and wondering why you haven’t sold yet, or are thinking of putting your property on the market, contact the Managing Partner for your area to ensure that you don’t fall foul of any common mistakes and maximise the value of your home.
If you’re about to put your home on the market, you might be considering ways to make a few changes here and there that will help guarantee a sale, particularly if you’ve already set your heart on a property to buy. Read more to see if you can use Feng Shui to hack your way to a speedy sale this summer.
Originally practised in China, the ancient art of Feng Shui involved arranging an environment to achieve harmony and balance. Often believed to change the flow of energy in a property and be able to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, could it be the secret to achieving a sale of your property?
Open up the spaces
Ensure there is open flow in a room and you are not closing off the area with furniture. Ideally, you wouldn’t want a door to be blocked off by furniture, but also, you might want to ensure that there are no rooms that you need to edge around the furniture to get in.
Pay attention to the ‘feel’
This may be a bit airy fairy, but the feel and atmosphere of your home can have an immense impact on your potential sale. If you get it wrong, you could scupper your plans to move completely. Buyers are looking for a welcoming feel that is comforting and calm. Ensure the property is well-lit by opening all blinds and curtains and turning on every lamp. It is also essential that the home smells nice, so let the property air before viewings by opening the windows and perhaps use wonderfully scented candles and air fresheners.
Don’t horse around!
Bring a metal horse ornament into the home in a running position. This is a Feng Shui method that can detach the energy of the occupants as it declares their intention to move on to somewhere new. If you decide to sell your property, the chances are that you’ve fallen out of love with your home for whatever reason. Position your running horse so that it is running towards the front door, symbolising your move towards your new life and home. The running pose is apparently very important; a static horse would suggest you’re staying put and may hinder your sale.
There is, of course, no scientific evidence to back up the art of Feng Shui, but some of the principles make great interior design sense, regardless of their ability to ward off evil. And if you want to move, there can’t be any harm in giving these tips a go to help encourage a buyer to fall in love with your property.
Contact the managing partner in your area to take the first step towards moving into your new home.
We have somewhat of an obsession with buying property, getting our foot on the ladder and owning a little house of our own. But with rising living costs, interest rates and house prices, will this be possible for our children?
In generations gone by, a home would often be purchased shortly after a couple got married, a little home to raise a family. Working diligently for 25 years to pay off the mortgage would result in total property ownership and peace of mind that we’re set for life with a solid roof over our heads.
But as years have passed, this ideal path to property ownership eludes many of us. Dubbed ‘Generation Rent’, the average age of a first-time buyer in the UK is now around 33. Resigned to living in a rented property for the long term, many younger people feel that the dream of owning their own home may never be possible for them.
Historically, a purchase of a first home used mortgage funds, possibly without any deposit needed. This mortgage would be three times the household income, which, although much lower than today, would be sufficient to buy a nice little starter home for you and your family.
It’s a very different picture for first-time buyers today. In almost all cases, a deposit is required of at least 5% of the purchase price of a property. And whilst mortgage lenders would like to keep the multiples at less than five times the annual household income, this still falls well short of the average house purchase price in the UK, which is currently reported as £285,000 (as of March 2023).
A 5% deposit of this price is £14,250, meaning the remainder would need to be a mortgage, meaning that the required household income to purchase a property would need to be a whopping £90,250!
With a current minimum wage of £10.42 per hour in this country and an average salary of £21,673, it is clear that owning your own home could be nothing more than a pipe dream for most young adults in the UK.
Sadly, house prices continue to rise year on year, and salaries are not following suit. With an increased cost of living and rising property rental costs, saving up the deposit funds required to buy a home could be virtually impossible, even if you had a salary high enough to support the mortgage, no matter how frugal your lifestyle.
Does it seem that the current and emerging generations of young adults in the UK, the Millenials and the GenZ’s, are destined to live in rented property forever?
In most of mainland Europe, property ownership is not so coveted, and a far higher percentage of people of all ages choose to live in rented properties. In Sweden, there are ultra-long-term mortgages of up to 105 years, so the mortgage passes to the family. This keeps the monthly premiums very low and makes property ownership much more affordable.
But this has not been adopted in the UK, despite Downing Street looking into offering 50-year mortgage terms last summer. So what can first-time buyers do to get that highly coveted first foot on the property ladder?
The side hustle
Many people are looking to take on extra jobs, in addition to their 9-5, to make a little extra cash in the hope of saving enough to make up a deposit. This could be an online venture or selling artisan products they make on platforms like Etsy.
Living rent-free
If you are expected to pay for rent and household bills, which usually make up most of your monthly spending, saving a substantial amount towards the illusive deposit can be almost impossible. This can mean that young adults continue to live with family for a monthly contribution to allow more saving potential.
Bank of Mum & Dad
Perhaps the most widely reported option is for the parents to gift the deposit funds to their children to enable a property purchase. It is the fastest way to get on the ladder, but not everyone has savings to gift to their offspring.
So, it could be the case that a large proportion of Millennials and GenZ population in the UK may be unable to buy a home of their own. But, if you are a parent, you could be expected to make a withdrawal from your life savings to help your children.
If you have children considering buying their first property, contact our team of property experts to ensure they are registered for suitable properties so they don’t miss out. Our Heads Up alerts system means they will be the first to hear about new instructions, so they won’t miss out on the perfect property.
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