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1 Welcome Home t: e:

2 Whether you are looking to sell or buy a home, rent a property or arrange a mortgage, at Blacketts we can look after you every step of the way with our estate agency and lettings services. Moving home or letting a property? Estate agency C onveyancing At Blacketts we know that moving can be a great time of excitement, but it can also be very stressful with many professionals to deal with. That s why at Blacketts we can combine property sales, lettings, legal and financial expertise to provide a complete property service to homeowners, landlords and tenants across the coastal area. When it comes to selling your home you need an estate agent that has the expertise and experience to look after you throughout the entire process, from the initial market appraisal through to the successful completion of your sale. At Blacketts we believe in providing unparalleled levels of service, where your sale or letting is managed by people who really care about you and your individual circumstances. Blaketts will manage the complete selling process from market appraisal to finding a buyer on your behalf. Our specifically designated team aims to ensure our level of service surpasses your expectations by combining the latest estate agency software technology. In depth experience and local knowledge, professionalism and motivation are directed to finding you the right buyer at the best achievable price. Mortgage advice We can introduce you to our appointed Independent Financial Adviser who can provide you with suitable advice taking into consideration your full circumstances Working alongside leading regional law firm BHP, our approach to conveyancing is quite simple in that we want to ensure that your sale or purchase proceeds with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency. At Blacketts we have a dedicated sales progression service committed to working with your appointed conveyancer throughout the transaction ensuring that you are fully informed and supported during the entire moving process. Lettings The residential lettings team at Blacketts can offer a full property letting service, ranging from finding a tenant to a full property management service. Whether you re a landlord with a portfolio of properties or simply looking to rent your own home for a short period, we can assist. Our team are vastly experienced and currently manage a portfolio for landlords worth around 40m spread across all sectors of the market from terraced flats and apartments to detached family homes.

3 Why choose us... From the outset we will provide you with regular updates on the progression of your sale, so with a single point of contact, you won t be left wondering who to talk to. On top of all this we can offer you: Experienced staff Our sales team has many years experience in the local property market, dealing with enquiries on properties effectively ensuring no buyers are lost. Viewer feed back We aim to contact every viewer within 48 hours to obtain feedback, then report these comments back to you immediately. Exclusive homes service Blacketts offer a unique raised profile marketing service to clients selling distinctive or unique homes. Prominent advertising We advertise every week within the local press and our adverts are carefully prepared to ensure the maximum response. Internet advertising We advertise all our properties until sold within our own website, and the No.1 national property website www. rightmove.co.uk together with the very popular This great combination of internet advertising will undoubtedly maximise your activity and exposure to the market C onfidence We will take every opportunity to achieve the highest price possible in the current market for your property. Service We pride ourselves in offering a high quality personal service to our clients and keeping them fully informed of all aspects of the transaction every step of the way. C ost savings Instruct us to sell your property and you will see a considerable saving in fees. we can offer you a range of highly competitive fee package to include advertising Regular updates We will contact you on a regular basis to advise on the sale progress and provide suitable advice. Once your house is sold (subject to contract), our dedicated sales team will work closely with your conveyancer throughout the transaction. C onvenience At Blacketts, we are able to handle your property sale and legal work together, removing much of the stress of your move. Working with you We ask our clients to approve all marketing material including property brochures, press advertising and photographs before proceeding with us. Our sales brochures are produced to the highest standard, using the latest digital photography and laser printing technology. Inclusive fee option We can offer you one fixed fee to include the property sales fee and solicitors conveyancing fee. Should you wish to prefer our estate agency only option, then our flexible packages can accommodate this. Blacketts can help you sell your home.

4 Say hello to the Blacketts team... Raymond Blake Managing Director With over 20 years direct experience in the local estate agency market, Raymond leads the Blacketts Management Team. With a background including corporate estate agency management, together with many years operating a property sales and letting business for a leading regional Law Firm. Raymond s local knowledge is second to none having served his whole career within the North Tyneside property market, and presently has overall operational responsibility for the company s 50m plus Property Portfolio under full management.

5 Our strategy is simple our success will be driven by our service, we are keen to grow fast, but our priority is to build a reputation for delivering a simply fantastic service. Sarah Jackson, Sales Manager / Valuer Sarah Jackson Sales Manager & Valuer Sarah is the driving force behind the Blacketts sales operation, personally attending all Marketing Valuations for clients thinking about selling a property. Sarah is an outgoing enthusiastic estate agency professional, leading the sales team to deliver an efficient, effective and caring property sales service. Blacketts firmly believe their success is driven by outstanding customer service, aimed at achieving the maximum market value for clients properties within the shortest possible timescale. Sarah-blacketts@live.co.uk Hilary Crawford Lettings Management C onsultant An experienced property letting manager with in depth local knowledge, coupled with a superb reputation among landlords for effectively managing rental portfolios. Hilary joined the company upon its opening having previously been a property lettings manager in the Tynemouth area. Hilary is well known within this sector and has many loyal returning landlord and tenant clients, by demonstrating the ability to carefully select and verify the correct tenants for each property the business is charged with the responsibility to let. Hilary welcomes any new landlords to visit the office to confidentially discuss their requirements. Hilary-blacketts@live.co.uk Laura Nicholson Lettings Manager Laura has spent her full career in the lettings sector and has developed the whole range of expertise required to effectively manage rental property. The Blacketts lettings business manages all property types from first time buyer flats and apartments upto executive detached family homes, the company fully manages hundreds of properties in North Tyneside for clients based both locally and across the world, together with one off Let Only services to countless other professional landlords. Laura-blacketts@live.co.uk Opposite: The team (from left to right), Lisa McCahon - Sales Consultant, Ashleigh Koefod - Senior Sales Consultant, Sarah Jackson - Sales Manager / Valuer, Raymond Blake - Managing Director, Laura Nicholson Lettings Manager, Hilary Crawford - Lettings Management Consultant.

6 Our service pledge At Blacketts, we look after you every step of the way, from the day you put your house on the market until the keys of your new home are handed over. We will immediately: provide and fit the For Sale board display your property in our Tynemouth office telephone all suitable registered buyers with your property details book any arranged local press advertising for the next issue lodge internet adverts on Rightmove, Zoopla and blackettscoastal.co.uk To accompany this, property sales brochures will be produced and issued to you for approval. These will then be sent via or posted where necessary to potential registered buyers. From this point, your property will remain on display in the branch front window and sales brochures will be distributed at every opportunity. During this time you will also receive regular verbal or written progress reports and feedback from viewings, detailing our recommendations. Once an offer is received, our skilled negotiators will ensure the best price is obtained for your property. Following this, all prospective purchasers will be asked to provide financial details to prove their ability to proceed. As soon as your home is under offer, we will provide a progress report to all parties at least once a week. Let us help you every step of the way For more information on buying, selling, letting and renting, finding property, as well as links to all our other services visit our website at

7 Your property Marketing & selling the process in brief Decide to sell 2. Request valuation of property (from Blacketts!) 3. Instruct your agent to sell your home: particulars print and production internet advertising local branch advertising local newspaper advertising marketing to local mailing list For Sale board erected internet advers lodged 4. Prospective buyers view 5. Buyers make offer subject to contract and survey: offer rejected negotiate offer 6. Buyers commission survey survey unsatisfactory negotiate offer offer withdrawn (go back to prospective buyers view) 7. Survey satisfactory negotiate offer offer withdrawn or rejected (go back to prospective buyers) 8. Offers accepted 9. Your solicitor prepares draft contract 10. C onveyancing procedure examination of title investigation of sources checks with local authority 11. C ontracts signed and exchanged, completion date 12. Redeem mortgage If applicable Register loan discharge document at Land Registry At the same time, client receives net sale proceeds

8 Selling your home... First impressions The first thing a viewer will see is your garden. Keep it neat and tidy and clear away leaves from pathways and doorways. Cut the lawn and trim the hedges. Clean the doorstep and replace the mat. Add colour to your garden with plenty of bedding plants, and a few large terracotta pots which you can take with you when you leave. Hanging baskets in the doorway can also create a welcoming impression. Above all, make sure the front garden and hall are clean and uncluttered. If possible, no large vehicles should be parked directly outside your house to spoil the appearance. Stepping inside Brass fittings on your door should be polished and any glass insets should be cleaned. Your reception area should be clear, so make sure the porch or hallway isn t overwhelmed with coats, jackets, trainers, bikes etc. You don t want your viewers to step into a noisy domestic scene, so if you have pets, put them in the garden if possible. If you have children, keep them amused with something quiet, like drawing, or if possible, arrange for a friend or family member to take them out. At all costs avoid cooking meals, which leave a stale odour. The scent of freshly cut flowers, however, can make a home very attractive, so remember to dispose of any half-dead houseplants, and every house hunter worth his or her salt will know the appeal of freshly brewed coffee. Repairs and renovations While it can sometimes be a waste of money undertaking major renovations before putting your home on the market (ask for our advice on this if it s a consideration), you might consider investing in a few cosmetic improvements. For example, if the paint is old and peeling, you might wish to apply a revitalising fresh coat. Or, perhaps your carpets are worn and stained and could do with a professional clean? And, don t forget to repair any obvious defects such as a leaking tap, blocked gutter or squeaking door hinge. Warmth Light your fire if you have one, or turn on the heating before the visit. Use warm, attractive colours and unusual accessories to bring a dull room to life, such as richly coloured rugs and cushions. Or, why not dye some calico to your preferred colour and use it as a throw for the sofa? It can also help to add homely, lived-in touches, such as a stylish magazine left open on a coffee table. Good lighting If it s an evening or winter viewing, put on an outside light and switch on some internal lamps in rooms to the front of the property to make it look welcoming. Tie back curtains to allow as much natural light as possible; natural light and lamps are always more subtle than overhead lights. Remember to replace dud light bulbs. To ensure your home appears as airy as possible, make sure the windows are spotless to allow more light into the rooms. A good way to brighten a dark room is to hang a large mirror at right angles to the window, or use mirrors in passageways to make corridors seem wider. Reception rooms It s essential that you de-clutter your living room. If you have lots of family photos on furniture, mantles and walls, reduce the number to one or two. Remember, you want the viewer to imagine themselves living in the house. The less personalised your home is, the better. Remove all toys if possible. If you have no other space to store them, ensure they are all put in a box in the corner of the room. Take piles of papers and magazines to your local recycling facility. Remove books, videos, DVDs and CDs from overstacked shelves. Reduce the number of ornaments to a minimum. Clean the room thoroughly from top to bottom, and if marked, have soft furnishings and carpets professionally cleaned. Consider a fresh coat of neutral coloured paint if the colour of your living room walls is strong. If you have a living/dining room, put a centre piece on the table, such as a fruit bowl or a vase of flowers. Don t lay the table in the style of a showhouse, as this can look contrived. Dressing a room is important. Soft furnishing can add colour and luxury and mirrors can be used effectively to make the room look bigger and brighter.

9 Putting your much loved home up for sale can be a worry. Ideally, we hope that the first person through the door will fall in love with the property and put in an offer straight away, with no hassle and no fuss. But, back in the real world, we all know that this is rare. So, here are a few tips from Blacketts about how to maximise your home s true sales potential... Children s bedrooms It s hard to keep children s bedrooms tidy at all times, but there are a few things you can do in advance of viewings. If you have small children, pack all toys away into boxes for storage, but leave a few out. Bring the boxes out of storage each week on rotation so that toys can be changed. Older children should be asked to select half a dozen of their favourites. Reward the children for keeping their rooms tidy. If your children have strong colours in their rooms, it s well worth talking to them about redecorating in a neutral colour. Focus on what their new bedroom could look like in the next house and get them excited about this prospect. This may soften the impact and encourage their participation. Keep posters and stickers to a minimum. Cover stains on the carpet with rugs. Bedrooms Ensure that rooms are clean, tidy and fresh. Remove shoes and clothes from chairs and the floors. Remove clutter from dressing tables, chests of drawers and bedside cabinets, but keep a few personal items on view (eg alarm clock, framed photograph). Kitchen A good kitchen can sell a property, so it s important to get this one right. This is the most expensive and inconvenient room in the house to refurbish, so its condition is crucial for your property s valuation. First, focus on the smell - it should be fresh and clean. Change cooker hoods, wash out bins, bleach your drains and wash the floors. Remove all pets and pet baskets and litter trays. Make sure that you are cooking something bland on the day of viewing - curry and fish odours can linger. Is your tap dripping? Is a tile chipped? This indicates that you re not looking after the property and will raise suspicions about other maintenance issues in the house. Remove clutter from surfaces. Put away things you don t use on a daily basis. Look at your flooring. If vinyl or linoleum is ripped or stained, replace or cover it. Receipts Serious viewers will be interested in guarantees, so make sure you pull together receipts for any damp-proofing work, timber treatment, double glazing, boiler servicing and electrical or plumbing work. It s also a good idea to make up a special folder containing instructions for any major appliances included in the sale. Bathrooms It s essential that your bathroom is spotless. Scrub the lavatory, basins and bath until they are gleaming, and don t forget the pedestals. Use a toothbrush to dislodge dirt around the taps. Use caustic soda to remove stains in the lavatory. Remove as much clutter as you can to make the bathroom look tidy and more spacious. If you ve got a carpet in the bathroom, remove this and replace with a neutral linoleum or ceramic tiles, depending on your budget. Clean up your grout. Either bleach it or remove and replace. If your suite is coloured, seriously consider replacing the whole lot, as it can be a huge turn-off for many modern buyers. Look for special offers at local DIY stores and replace with a white suite. You can t go wrong. Sell your home If you are conducting your own viewings, use the opportunity to really sell your home. Save the best room until last, point out redeeming features and tell viewers about local amenities. You may wish to ask our trained staff to carry out your viewings. Buy fresh bedlinen or use relatively new linen in a neutral shade. Cushions on the bed can add a nice touch. The decor should also be neutral, if possible. This will not only brighten the room, but it will make it seem bigger.

10 Our Top 10 selling tips Choose Blacketts! By choosing Blacketts, you can take a lot of the stress out of selling a house. We provide all the services you require under one roof, allowing your sale to progress with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency. 2. Neaten up Touch up any scuffs and scrapes with a spot of fresh paint. 3. De-clutter Help buyers visualise the space by de-cluttering your house. 4. Freshen up Make sure your property smells fresh and clean. Banish any cigarette or pet smells, open some windows and brew some coffee. 5. First impressions count Make sure the front of your property looks inviting. Attractive pot plants and a weed-free garden can make all the difference. 6. C lean up Dust away those cobwebs, polish your furniture and clean your windows to give potential buyers a good first impression. 7. Fix it From a leaking tap to replacing your lightbulbs, make sure all those little fixing jobs are done and dusted - work in progress sends out the wrong message to potential buyers. 8. Accessorise Add those finishing touches with fresh flowers and lighting to create a welcoming 9. De-personalise Buyers need to make their own personal connection with your home. Remember, it s easier for visitors to work from a blank canvas 10. Be realistic We ll keep you up to date and advise you on changing market conditions that might affect the selling price of your home

11 blacketts 8 Percy Park Road, Tynemouth NE30 4LY t: f: e: tynemouth-blacketts@live.co.uk Blacketts is a trading name of BHP Home Limited. BHP Home Limited is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. It is a subsidiary company of Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP who are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.