Website - Current Residential

Issue Spring 32

Residential Property features and homes to buy or rent across Essex and into Greater London.

House prices & rents are on the up...

What’s your property worth?

Find out with our

INSTANT ONLINE VALUATION Go to: www.beresfords.co.uk

Residential is delivered to over 400,000 homes across Essex and into Greater London

Introduction

Welcome note It gives me great pleasure in welcoming you to the 32nd edition of our Residential Magazine which is delivered to approximately 400,000 homes throughout Essex and Greater London by Royal Mail.

Essex continues to be one of the most popular places to live in the country and it is not hard to see why. Being the second largest County in the country with the longest coastline, together with thousands of acres of open countryside yet still within an easy commute to the City, makes Essex a very desirable location for the commuter.

Throughout autumn 2015 and the early months of 2016, the market has continued at a pace throughout the County. The first time buyer and investor market have been particularly strong due to the Stamp Duty changes that are taking place during April.

The middle and upper price ranges across the County are now benefitting from the first time buyer and investor market continuing at pace, which has resulted in some particularly attractive prices being achieved for thousands of our clients over the last 12 months.

Those in Greater London and south of the County are taking advantage of the excellent sale prices currently being achieved and are looking to the middle and north of the County, where many of our offices are located, for their next move.

With the Residential magazine going out to approximately 400,000 homes across the County and into Greater London and with a database of nearly 90,000 people, it gives us the confidence to know as a Group that we have the buyers and tenants waiting for the properties as they come to the market.

Paul Beresford

Whatever your choice of property we will do everything we can to find it for you!

FNAEA, MARLA Chairman/Managing Director

A few headline statistics from last month* SALES

18 1,734 2,910 228

LETTINGS prospective buyers for every property we marketed for sale new buyers registered viewings arranged new offers accepted

9 1,082 1,206 1.44%

prospective tenants for every property we marketed for rent tenants currently registered across our branch network online enquiries received from prospective tenants one of the lowest rates for rent arrears in the UK

So what does this all mean?

With more activity, web traffic, enquiries and prospective buyers and tenants registering, we are sure to achieve the best possible price for your property! *Figures taken during the month of February 2016.

Sales

A notable network London through to the Suffolk boarders, we have offices spread throughout the County.

Our approach is simple; great customer service, a varied marketing strategy to maximise each property’s

Find out what your property is worth with our

INSTANT ONLINE VALUATION

profile and reliable honest advice. Our network enables us to ensure that we reach as many potential purchasers and tenants as possible, thus helping us secure more interest in a property and ultimately the best price.

Go to: www.beresfords.co.uk

Colchester Great Dunmow

Braintree

NEW OFFICE

Witham

M11

Chelmsford

Maldon

Writtle

A12 Ingatestone Witham £300,000-£310,000

M25

London Office

Gidea Park

• 3 bedrooms • Detached garage • Open plan lounge/diner • 1.9 miles to Witham station • Great access for A12 • EPC awaited

Shenfield Brentwood Billericay

Witham Sales: 01376 388679

Hornchurch Upminster

Take a look at some of our current properties from across the region

Great Dunmow

£625,000

Billericay

£899,995

• 5 bedrooms • 3 reception rooms • Double garage EPC C Dunmow Sales: 01371 868454

• Double glazed conservatory • 5 bedrooms • 3 reception rooms EPC D Billericay Sales: 01277 889701

Chelmsford

Colchester

Whatever your budget and destination, we are confident that we can help you find your perfect property.

Romford £250,000 • 2 bedrooms • Ground floor maisonette • Immaculately presented • 2 gardens • EPC E Gidea Park Sales:

01708 873868

£290,000

• Secluded garden and garage • 3 bedrooms EPC D Chelmsford Sales: 01245 806977

£140,000

• Easy reach of North station • 2 bedrooms EPC D Colchester Sales: 01206 805134

What’s your property worth? Call for A FREE VALUATION on: 0808 271 4277

3

Sales

Unprecedented demand in 2016

We always maintain regular contact, informing all our clients of the changes to legislation, new initiatives, incentives and most importantly how their property is faring under current market conditions.

With the recent positive press on house prices in general, we have seen an influx of clients approaching our customer care team asking for an up to date valuation on their home.

In fact as we go to press the total is over 300. The majority of these clients bought in 2012/2013 and are now realising the considerable increase their homes have achieved in such a short period of time. In one case our valuer was able to deliver

an astonishing 63% uplift on the price of a property.

With property still in high demand, 2016 looks set to become another very good year for sustained growth as long as the supply of property coming onto the market doesn’t dry up!

If you are considering making 2016 the year to move, we would be delighted to offer you free advice as to the saleability of your home and also details of our exclusive marketing packages that help to maximise the price you could achieve.

As an incentive, if you instruct Beresfords before June 30th 2016, using the promotional code below, we will pay for professional photography to be carried out on your home.

This package is worth over £200!

Paul Ashton Operations Director

Maldon • • • • •

“

“

Over the 48 years that Beresfords have been dealing with property in the Essex area, we have built up an extensive database of satisfied clients who have bought and sold through the company on numerous occasions. Many of these clients have used our services 3 or 4 times.

✁

Quote:

Residential Photography 2016

0808 271 4277

Terms & conditions apply

£194,995

2 bedrooms Shaker style kitchen Cosy lounge wtih log burner Courtyard garden to the side Canal side location EPC E

Maldon Sales: 01621 834623

Hornchurch • Sought after location • Detached • 3 bedrooms • Separate dining room

OIEO £600,000

EPC Awaited

Hornchurch Sales: 01708 873982

Ingatestone

£1,100,000

• Conservatory • Reading area/snug • 3 bedrooms plus dressing room • Double garage • Third of an acre plot Ingatestone Sales: 01277 888930

EPC E

Braintree • • • • •

£339,995

Historic building 2 double bedrooms, en-suite to master Dressing room in second bedroom Study with option to be a projection room Allocated parking EPC D

Braintree Sales: 01376 388677

Hutton Mount

£1,650,000

• Modernised 6 bedroom home • Standing in approximately 0.25 of an acre • 3 reception rooms • Cinema room • Large double garage • Full size Jacuzzi bath EPC D Shenfield Sales: 01277 888936

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Writtle •

• • •

£655,000

Detached Grade II house believed to date back to 1584 Driveway to rear, listed barn/carport Refitted kitchen/breakfast room 4 bedrooms EPC Exempt

Writtle Sales: 01245 806978

Marketing

Best marketing Best price!

We like to think we know a thing or two about marketing having just won Best UK Real Estate Agency Marketing in the UK at the International Property Awards!

So what’s the key to our success?

Nicki Treffers, Group Marketing Manager, reports: “We understand that when marketing a property, whether it’s for sale or to rent, it’s essential to use multiple marketing channels. Different types of people and different age groups will use and interact with different media. We therefore ensure that all our campaigns are rolled out across the likes of magazines, newspapers, radio, email and social media to name but a few.”

Right: Recently named Best UK Real Estate Agency Marketing

U N B E A T A B L E

C O V E R A G E

resident Havering

Luxury homes and lifestyle magazine

FEBRUARY 2016 ISSUE 5 £4.95

exclusive to the discerning people of

ROLL UP Food

Havering

meets theatre at new sushi eatery

SOAK in style Beautiful baths

GOLD LEAF

to relax in

& GADGETS

Inside Havering’s most luxurious homes

Left: Branding and promotional exercises are often undertaken by the team to heighten our profile.

Above: Some of the publications in which we advertise.

“It’s about reaching as many people as possible, that’s why we invest heavily in our Residential Magazine. This type of campaign creates a huge spike in traffic to our website and the number of people that register with us, looking for property, increases dramatically.”

“We try to convey that with the huge audience we are able to reach, you do not necessarily need to be in the magazine to still benefit from the interest that the magazine creates, in the way of web traffic, enquiries and the number of purchasers and tenants that register with us. After all the more people that see your property, the greater price that can be achieved!”

Above: The marketing team, left to right: Nicki Treffers, Denise Allen, Julie Simpkins, Shannon Lynch.

What’s your property worth? Call for A FREE VALUATION on: 0808 271 4277

5

Sales

Be seen in LONDON! Marketing properties to the London market Marketing properties in London to international buyers and tenants is of paramount importance to Beresfords.

For over 22 years, our London Office has promoted clients’ properties in the Capital to a global audience. Located on St James’s Place in the heart of Mayfair, the office allows potential purchasers and tenants to discuss their requirements with professionally qualified staff.

Date for the DIARY

& Investor Show

Large numbers of sellers and tenants working in the City simply cannot afford to live in Central London and end up searching further afield.

Due to it’s excellent commuter links, open countryside and wide array of leisure facilities, Essex is an ideal alternative. This is further enhanced by the pending arrival of Crossrail into Essex in 2017.

Thursday 28th April 2016 Chelsea Old Town Hall Kings Road, London | 2pm - 7pm

Very few agents based in Essex can offer their clients the opportunity of having their properties promoted in London.

To find out how your property could be featured go to:

www.beresfords.co.uk or call:

01245 397475

Meet our

London Office Bob Bickersteth

6

Milly English

Paul Baxter

team...

For more information call: 0808 271 4277

Country

It’s here!

Our new look Country Homes brand

“

Fyfield | Ongar A charming 4 double bedroom and 4 reception room, Grade II listed period residence, set in a private and idyllic location.

Offering walking distance to Fyfield village, with its two popular public houses and close proximity to major road and rail links into central London. EPC N/A

£775,000

Country & Village: 01245 806980

The Beresfords brand is extremely strong in the County thanks to the company being established for nearly half a century. Although we have successfully operated in the Country Homes market for a number of years, we wanted to develop a brand that not only has a synergy with the mainstream Beresfords brand, but also made this specialist division suitably unique. After all we are selling some of the most exclusive and distinctive properties the County has to offer.

Unlike many of our Country Homes competitors, Beresfords properties are advertised across the County into Greater and Central London through our network of branches and The London Office. A number of buyers will be overseas or London-based and this connection is imperative in achieving the best price for your property.

The Group, including the Country & Village division, is also active in many marketing initiatives, including the Move to the Country Show in London as well as carefully targeted advertising messages via our database of clients which currently stands at 90,000!

Fryerning A delightful period property which has been extended and improved offering 4 bedrooms and 4 reception rooms.

Set within an idyllic plot within the heart of Mill Green, with extensive parking and attached garage. Within 1.8 miles of Ingatestone mainline train station. EPC D

£1,325,000

Country & Village: 01245 806980

“

James Caffrey Manager Country & Village

Dedham A magnificent 5 double bedroom Victorian Coach House with a stunning interior offering extensive family living space. Set in circa 4 acres of stunning formal grounds incorporating a meadow and bluebell woodland, with far reaching views over The Dedham Vale. EPC D

Look out for our NEW boards!

£2,500,000

Country & Village: 01245 806980

What’s your property worth? Call for A FREE VALUATION on: 0808 271 4277

7

New Homes

New homes lead the way to meet demand “

The 2014 Lyons Housing Review said that there’s now a backlog of over 1m homes that are needed to meet population growth in England. It’s therefore vital that the new build industry plays its part in increasing the number of properties constructed which in turn will keep prices in check.

The Government recognises the need for ‘radical steps’ to tackle the undersupply and build more homes with the recent launch of Help to Buy ISAs and an announcement in January saying it will create a £1.2bn ‘starter home funds’.

Essex is certainly playing its part with a host of major names in the new build sector launching developments in the County in 2016 and that’s on top of a huge range of new homes that are already underway where demand is proving really high.

Apart from those people wanting to get on or move up the property ladder, there is also a huge market from buy to let purchasers and downsizers where the low maintenance and running costs are proving attractive.

Here are a selection of some of the new homes developments currently for sale in Essex. However due to the large volume of sites we are marketing, we are unable to feature them all.

Contact your local Beresfords branch and tell them what you are looking for and they’ll do the rest!

“

Seventy Seven - Chelmsford

Terry Holmes Director

Positioned just minutes from the cosmopolitan City centre of Chelmsford, Seventy Seven is an exclusive collection of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments ideally located to sample the boutique shops, stylish restaurants and superb travel links this City has to offer.

Do you have a property or land that could have development potential?

From £185,000

Contact us for a FREE appraisal on:

Chelmsford Sales:

01245 806977

0808 271 4277

Eden Waters Chelmsford

Eden Waters is located in one of Chelmsford’s most sought after locations, ‘The Avenues’.

A unique collection of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom family homes set within a private gated community with views across a beautiful secluded lake. Located in the heart of Chelmsford, less than 2 miles from Chelmsford train station with direct links into London Liverpool Street in approximately 30 minutes.

Images are illustrative only, and cannot be deemed as wholly accurate.

8

From £685,000 Chelmsford Sales:

01245 806977

More new home developments coming soon!

New Homes

Internal image taken from Velenta House.

Computer generated image is indicative only and shows Ackroyd House at Langford Park

Internal image taken from Velenta House.

Langford Park - Langford (Near Maldon) Ackroyd House is a meticulously handcrafted family home, located in the well-connected semi-rural setting of Langford Park. The property offers 5 well-appointed bedrooms with 3 luxury en-suites and further dressing room to the master. The generous ground floor accommodation offers a superb 33’ kitchen/family room, 21’ living room and dining room, each with French doors opening onto the rear garden, study and utility room. This fine property is finished to an exacting standard and is located just 4 miles from Hatfield Peveral Station (41 minutes to London Liverpool Street) with good access to Chelmsford City and major road links.

Maldon Sales: 01621 834623

£975,000

ONLY 3 REMAINING

Oxney Court - Writtle An attractive village development comprising of thirteen 1 bedroom apartments and maisonettes each with its own dedicated parking space.

Barber Close

From £195,000

Writtle Sales: 01245 806978

Woodlands - Edney Common (Close to Writtle/Ingatestone) An exclusive, luxury develoment consisting of fifteen high specification family homes offering a choice of 5 and 6 bedrooms.

Set within the parish of Highwood, Edney Common, the development provides a picturesque rural atmosphere surrounded by farmland, adjacent hedgerows and woods.

Ideally located just a short drive away from the vibrant City of Chelmsford, offering railway links to London Liverpool Street.

From £1,195,000

Writtle Sales: 01245 806978

Barber Close - Great Totham Street Scene Plot 1-5

RV 02-02-2016

An exclusive development of only 5 properties situated around a private cul-de-sac. The development comprises of three 2 bedroom terraced houses and two stunning 4 bedroom detached homes.

From £299,995

Maldon Sales: 01621 834623

To see a full list of all of our new homes developments go to www.beresfords.co.uk

9

Lettings

The local lettings market is still very active...

Demand across Essex from tenants wanting to rent remains strong for all types of property.

Supply is limited which means there is fierce competition amongst tenants to secure suitable accommodation.

The large majority of properties we market for rent attract serious interest within 7 days and our landlords are securing excellent levels of rent.

Even at the very top end of the market we generate interest rapidly from professional working tenants or corporate clients searching for suitable property for their executive employees.

The beautiful house shown below is set within 16 acres of rolling countryside and was let within 10 days of coming onto the market. We now require similar properties for other tenants currently registered with us.

If you are thinking of renting out a similar property, call Bernadette Barcham on 07976 895966 for an informal discussion without obligation.

Bernadette Barcham Director, Residential Lettings

LET within 10 days • SIMILAR PROPERTIES REQUIRED A beautiful detached property set in 16 acres of rolling countryside.

Beazley End (near Braintree)

£4,500pcm

INSTANT ONLINE VALUATION tool, which

Why not use our will give you an indication of your property value.

Go to: www.beresfords.co.uk or call us on: 0808 271 4277

£850 pcm - Colchester

£1,595 pcm - Hornchurch

£1,200 pcm - Chelmsford

• • • •

• • • •

• • • •

2 double bedrooms Spacious open-plan lounge/kitchen Full range of kitchen appliances Balcony and allocated parking

Colchester Lettings: 01206 805133

10

Fully refurbished family home 3 spacious bedrooms Off road parking Close to underground

Hornchurch Lettings: 01708 874857

Newly refurbished 3 bedrooms Close to good schools Easy bus access to city centre

Chelmsford Lettings: 01245 806979

What’s your property worth? Call for A FREE VALUATION on: 0808 271 4277

Lettings Here’s an example of how a rental investment can work for a landlord

Braintree

3 bedroom house

This property was bought in 2010 and has been rented out ever since.

Purchased in 2010 for £120,000 Current estimated value £230,000 (up 92%) Initial rent in 2010 £725 pcm Current rent being received £850 pcm (+17%)

Currently for sale with buy to let potential

Walton on the Naze

Despite recent increases in stamp duty for buy to let purchases and changes to how a landlord can claim interest relief on their mortgage, there is still a high demand from Investors for properties which they can buy to then rent out.

Steven Bond Managing Director

Residential Lettings For many it is not just about the annual yield an investment property can produce but also the additional returns that can be achieved in Capital Growth as prices rise the longer a property is retained.

You only have to look at the latest stats to see how property prices have increased over the last 20 years. Had you have purchased something in Essex during 1995, according to Land Registry data, the average price you would have paid would have been £66,496.

If the property was retained for 20 years it would then have been worth £231,823 in 2015, an increase of 248%!

Although none of us have a crystal ball to predict the future, it is realistic to assume that average property prices will continue to rise and as time moves on it’s just a question of by how much.

The UK is an island with a limited supply of housing yet is a popular place to live. So with demand outweighing supply, it’s no surprise that many investors believe that buying a property as an investment is still a better option than the potential returns offered from other asset classes.

Asking price £155,000

Freehold conversion providing two self-contained apartments.

Projected Rent £10,800/a (£450 pcm per apartment) Anticipated gross yield 6.9% Investment Team: 01245 397491

Another property which could be a good buy to let option

Brentwood

Thinking of Buying to let?

Here’s a typical example of the potential returns a buy to let property can offer.

This modern two bedroom house in Braintree is currently rented out for £760 pcm. The initial cost to purchase including the deposit required to secure a buy to let mortgage, would now be £55,000. If it was then retained for 20 years we predict it would return a net profit of at least £186,563 after all related taxes were paid. This represents a return of 339% against the initial financial outlay!*

Asking price £230,000

One double bedroom apartment located in the heart of Brentwood and within easy reach of Brentwood Railway Station which welcomes Crossrail in 2017.

Projected Rent £14,400 p/a (£1,200 pcm) Anticipated gross yield 6.26% Investment Team: 01245 397491

Braintree

Modern 2 bedroom house

Purchase price £185,000 Rent Received £9,120p/a

At Beresfords we retain a team of buy to let specialists who are on hand to offer advice on how to get started and what and where to buy. If you have an interest in exploring the concept in more detail or are an experienced landlord looking to grow your portfolio, please call for an informal discussion.

Tel: 01245 397491 email: buytolet@beresfords.co.uk *Projected returns are based on various assumptions of performance over a 20 year period and cannot therefore be guaranteed.

11

Sales

Some more of our current properties for sale from across the region Whatever your budget and location, we are confident that we can help you find your perfect property.

Hornchurch • • • •

OIEO £400,000

Cul-de-sac location 3 bedrooms 3 reception rooms Ground floor WC

EPC Awaited

Hornchurch Sales: 01708 873982

Writtle • • • • • •

£1,300,000

Detached house built in 1910 Secure gating to both sides of the property Staircase with a galleried landing Solid oak floors 6 Bedrooms Conservatory EPC E

Writtle Sales: 01245 806978

Upminster • • • • •

£1,250,000

Favoured North Side of Town 5/6 Bedrooms 3 Reception areas 2 Kitchens Annexe potential

EPC E

Upminster Sales: 01708 873867

Colchester

£275,000

Great Dunmow

• Carport providing 2 parking spaces • 3 bedrooms EPC Awaited Colchester Sales: 01206 805134

£350,000

• Grade II listed cottage • 3 bedrooms EPC Exempt Dunmow Sales: 01371 868454

Witham • • • • • •

£315,000

3 bedrooms Integrated garage Enclosed rear garden Great access to the A12 2 miles from Witham station EPC D

Witham Sales: 01376 388679

Ingatestone • •

•

•

£525,000

3 bedrooms Planning permission for a double storey extension to the side Former garage converted to storage/ therapy room with wc 96’ rear garden EPC D

If you are considering making 2016 the year to move, we would be delighted to offer you free advice as to the saleability of your home and also details of our exclusive marketing packages that help to maximise the price you could achieve. As an incentive, if you instruct Beresfords before June 30th 2016, using the promotional code below, we will pay for professional photography to be carried out on your home.

This package is worth over £200!

Quote:

✁

Residential Photography 2016 0808 271 4277 Terms & conditions apply

Ingatestone Sales: 01277 888930

12

What’s your property worth? Call for A FREE VALUATION on: 0808 271 4277

Financial Services Take that step onto the property ladder with a

25% Government bonus

when you buy your first home with a

Help to Buy: ISA The Help to Buy: ISA

is designed as a regular ISA savings account, allowing you to save up to £200 tax free per month.

You can open an account with just £1, but to help kick start your savings you are allowed to deposit up to £1,000 when you open your account as well as your first monthly contribution.

How does a Help to Buy: ISA work?

1 Open with up to £1,200 in the first month.

2 Continue to save up to £200 per month tax free.

3 Find your first home (up to

£450k in London and up to £250k elsewhere).

4 Claim your Government bonus of up to £3,000.

Buying together?

Double your bonus potential by opening aH elp to Buy: ISA each.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

FLAGSTONE

For further information contact Flagstone Financial on:

0800 389 9986 www.flagstone.co.uk

This communication is issued by Beresford Group Limited of which Flagstone Financial Management is a wholly owned subsidiary. Beresford Group Limited is not permitted to provide regulated mortgage and insurance advice, this is provided by Flagstone Financial Management Limited.

11

Since 1968

we’ve been delivering a 1st class service We now deliver this magazine to approximately 400,000 homes across Essex and into Greater London

With almost 50 years’ local experience in Essex and Greater London we are best placed to offer accurate market valuations and specialist advice on how to promote a property effectively, whether it be for sale or to rent.

Local expertise • Best marketing • Best price!

14

What’s your property worth? Call for A FREE VALUATION on: 0808 271 4277

Our Community

Supporting our

Community Get on board with an act of kindness!

Commuters at Colchester North Station were treated to a surprise cup of coffee on their way to work recently as part of our ‘Feel Good Friday’ promotion.

The Beresfords team treated sleepy eyed commuters to a caffeine fix on their way to work. Working alongside Pumpkin, the coffee shop at the station, the team gave away 250 free coffees on the day between 6.30am and 8.30am.

At Beresfords we care about giving something back. Last year we worked with over 16 different charities and this year we hope to exceed that number.

Making a dream come true

In aid of The Dream Factory

We helped support The Dream Factory by running a campaign that encouraged children to get creative by painting Christmas baubles.

For every bauble painted, we donated £10 to the Dream Factory. The £300 that was raised paid for a five year old boy, with a neurological condition, to have a family holiday in Lanzarote.

Wear It. Beat It! In aid of the British Heart Foundation

Helping the homeless In aid of the Salvation Army

Beresfords recently worked alongside The Salvation Army to invite local rough sleepers in Romford to enjoy a free hearty cooked meal.

Nearly 40 local homeless people attended The Salvation Army’s Romford Centre for the meal. Beresfords were on hand to help serve and clear away, and we also provided free pairs of gloves as part of the toiletry bags that were given out on the day.

Dave Chuck, The Salvation Army Community Manager, said: “It is through the work of generous donors such as Beresfords and our wonderful volunteers, that we get to give a little something to those genuinely without a home.”

On Friday 5th February, Beresfords employees found something red to wear for the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Wear It. Beat It campaign.

Through making donations to wear something red and through a company donation, Beresfords raised over £300 on the day. This was also topped up by a partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts in Chelmsford who kindly supplied us with donuts to sell on the day.

At Beresfords we are fully committed to helping and giving back to the community.

If you have an event or charity that you would like us to support, please get in contact with full details to:

n.treffers@beresfords.co.uk

15

Have you heard how much Beresfords can sell or let my property for?

The surge in demand has continued at pace in 2016 and with our award winning marketing we are achieving record prices for both our home owners and landlords.

Thinking of selling or letting your property?

What’s your property worth?

Call us FREE on 0808 271 4277

or why not use our

INSTANT ONLINE VALUATION tool, which will give you an instant indication of your property value.

Go to: www.beresfords.co.uk

Publication correct at time of going to print.

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